2018 Pivot Mach 5.5 Carbon Team XTR 1x
Overall Review
For those looking to go fast and take chances, increasingly capable components and frames mean mountain biking of all varieties is quickly becoming a more aggressive endeavor. For those simply looking to have a good time, those same improvements ensure added safety and fun on the trail. Today Pivot Cycles introduced an all-new bike that will carry them well into the future – the Mach 5.5 Carbon. Part enduro, part all-mountain, and part trail bike, the new Mach 5.5 brings an interesting mixture
2018 Pivot Mach 5.5 Carbon Team XTR 1x
3
26
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TRP Quadiem G-Spec Disc Brake
Vital Review
Tested: TRP Quadiem G-Spec Brakes
Overall Review
If TRP isn’t the first name that comes to mind when you think of brakes, you’re forgiven. Better known as Tektro, these brakes were historically sold on very low-end bikes, with nothing but a couple of rides and a one-way ticket to the parts bin to look forward to. No wonder that it took the world by surprise when in 2016 Aaron Gwin announced that he’d be asking TRP to supply him with brakes for his new World Cup downhill racing team, the YT Mob. Of course, Gwin wouldn’t consider such a move if
TRP Quadiem G-Spec Disc Brake
3
19
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Industry Nine Enduro S Torch Wheelset
The Good
Torch Hubs!
Light for aluminum
Stiff but not too stiff
Durable
Nice Tire Profile
Good Price for what you get
The Bad
Not carbon?
Overall Review
I consider this wheel set to have one of the best Price : Performance : Weight ratio's on the market. To put it simply, for under $900 you get a stiff, Industry Nine quality wheel set with some of the most reliable hubs on the market. You may not get the flashy colored aluminum spokes, but you definitely get the performance! Through fast rocky sections these wheels hold a line great. The wide internal rim width hooks up great with some Maxxis wide trail tires! I have been very impressed with
Industry Nine Enduro S Torch Wheelset
3
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FOX FLOAT X2 Factory 2-Position 2016 Rear Shock
The Good
Why buy a coil shock when you can buy this?
Great small bump sensitivity (rivals that of a coil shock)
Extremely Adjustable
The Bad
Not easy to tune unless you know what you are doing
Overall Review
Had a Monarch Plus, and a Cane Creek Double Barrel Air CS, but neither shock felt like "the one" for me. Monarch Plus had great small bump sensitivity but not much adjustability and didn't feel great on the long descents. Cane Creek DB Air CS didn't have much small bump sensitivity, but was adjustable. I feel like the Float X2 combines the best aspects of both products, and delivers something that almost feels as good as a coil shock. Took a few weeks to get it tuned how I liked it, but once it
FOX FLOAT X2 Factory 2-Position 2016 Rear Shock
1
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RockShox Lyrik RCT3 - 2016 Fork
The Good
Stiffer than Pike
Plusher than Pike
Good price right now with the 2018 models coming out ($700ish)
The Bad
Little heavier than Pike
Overall Review
In order to properly review the Lyrik, a comparison to the Pike is necessary. Why buy a Lyrik when everyone already loves the Pike so much? For a while I was running a 160mm Pike up front on my Santa Cruz Nomad. It never felt quite right, coming from the old style (non-black stanchions) Lyrik on my previous bike. Smashing through rough rocky lines at high speed didn't feel right to me (in terms of how the front wheel got knocked off line). I read all the reviews online (of the 2017 Lyrik), which
RockShox Lyrik RCT3 - 2016 Fork
2
Member Rating:
Kali Protectives Interceptor Open Face Helmet
Vital Review
First Ride: Kali Interceptor
Overall Review
No item of kit is more important than the helmet. It is the requisite piece of safety equipment, and it is also one of the most argued about items one can buy - not on the merit of function, but rather fit and appearance. The iterations of brain buckets have come a long way in recent times, with Troy Lee Designs setting the benchmark for aggressive half-shell helmets with the A1 a few years ago now, and brands like 6D reinventing the wheel with their ATB-1 T. So, anytime a new dome cover arrives
Kali Protectives Interceptor Open Face Helmet
1
1
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2017 Yeti SB5 Carbon XT/SLX
Overall Review
Back in 2014, Vital MTB awarded Yeti Cycles with the coveted Bike of the Year Shreddy Award for the SB5 Carbon, noting how incredibly capable and efficient the short-travel steed felt on trail. Fast forward to 2017 and Yeti has revised the SB5 with tweaked geometry, updated standards, an exclusive shock configuration, a much more pleasing aesthetic, and a host of fresh components that bring it up to date with the latest and greatest trail bikes. Curious to see just how much the changes improved
2017 Yeti SB5 Carbon XT/SLX
4
6
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Burgtec Enduro MK2 35 Stem
Overall Review
Once an exotic and often not trusted piece of bling, carbon handlebars have become much more of a mainstream item, at least on higher end builds. They can also be found on race bikes, anywhere from XC to DH. UK component specialist Burgtec has recently refreshed their lineup with a few tasty looking items made from the fantastic plastic, so we decided to check out the intriguingly named Ride Wide Enduro bar and its stable mate, the new Enduro MK2 stem. Read on to find out how we got along
Burgtec Enduro MK2 35 Stem
Vital Rating:
Burgtec Ride Wide Enduro Handlebar
Overall Review
Once an exotic and often not trusted piece of bling, carbon handlebars have become much more of a mainstream item, at least on higher end builds. They can also be found on race bikes, anywhere from XC to DH. UK component specialist Burgtec has recently refreshed their lineup with a few tasty looking items made from the fantastic plastic, so we decided to check out the intriguingly named Ride Wide Enduro bar and its stable mate, the new Enduro MK2 stem. Read on to find out how we got along
Burgtec Ride Wide Enduro Handlebar
Vital Rating: