Test Sessions

Back in 2013, Vital MTB set out with a mission to bring you the most honest, unbiased reviews you'll find anywhere. The yearly tradition continues today as we keep riding and rating the most exciting new bikes in great locations.

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original Intense Tracer 275.png?VersionId=V8D2FGjU.kf9tycHqSS
2013 Intense Tracer 275

Great Do Everything Bike (Product Review)

The Good

Light weight, durable, bullet proof, does everything well.

The Bad

Pricey but not bad for a boutique bike, not the best climbing bike.

Overall Review
I built one of these up from scratch. I loved this bike, did trail riding as well as gravity asset riding. I basically beat the hell out of this thing and it kept coming back for more. I never had any issues with it. For what it was it was very light but not comparable to all the helium filled carbon fiber bikes out there now. The geo is confidence inspiring esp when you point it down a hill. Stable on climbs but not as good as say an dedicated XC bike. I would get again if I was in the market for another Enduro type bike.
Posted by conlysm on 7/5/2017 6:20am
Related:
Intense
Test Sessions
original 2015 Cannondale Jekyll 27.5 Carbon Team Bike.jpg?VersionId=kgrLR
2015 Cannondale Jekyll 27.5 Carbon Team

IS it worth the cost of an upgrade?? (Product Review)

The Good

Light as a feather, agile/quick handling, geometry fit me like a glove

The Bad

Proprietary Cannondale Sizes and parts, Creaky, needs a lot of upgrades to be worth it

Overall Review
Luckily I got this at a killer deal from my shop and the 2004 Jekyll was my first ever full suspension mountain bike, so I have a soft spot for the Cannondale Jekyll. Once I first got the bike, I realized that it handled very fast and accurately, it was super light (especially compared to my peers of Trek, and Rocky Mtn, Norco, etc), the geo just fit me perfectly and the front end was very easy to pull up for manuals and wheelies compared to my trek remedy. After riding it for a while I started to realize some of the flaws of this bike. First off, the brakes went to shit on me. I did like the...
Posted by astrizzle on 7/3/2017 12:41pm
Related:
Cannondale
Test Sessions
original 2017 YetiCycles SB5 CS Turq XT SLX desktop 2x.jpg?VersionId=2rxEzUhqFhH4WwCsmO W4
2017 Yeti SB5 Carbon XT/SLX
Vital Review

Review - 2017 Yeti SB5 Carbon from Vital MTB Test Sessions (Product Review)

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 the ride, we shifted into overdrive on Tucson, Arizona's notoriously rowdy Mount Lemmon trails while...
Posted by bturman on 5/8/2017 4:15pm
Related:
Yeti
Tested
Test Sessions
27.5
original 2017 Pivot Firebird Carbon blue red with Pro XT XTR 1X.png?VersionId=hbzYygUug36JDlPntbjBBIyYKq
2017 Pivot Firebird Carbon Pro XT/XTR

CUSTOM firebird (Product Review)

The Good

#1 pedal switch on and its as great as any full sus xc bike, I bet the drag comes mainly from tires. Its roomy compared to other bikes...I remember when new giant reign came out and thought it was ridiculosly long..now this firebird its even longer, I have it with a 40mm stem so Im not that streched...

The Bad

#1 putting bike together was at least more difficult that santa cruz´s (lots of holes and no internal tubes for routing) #2 I have a nice build and still its heavier than nomad (31.5lb with pedals 2.4tires) wich is not bad at all. #3 rear link definitely gets some dirt, wich I can easily clean after...

Overall Review
this thing is replacing latest nomad and v10 and Im very happy I did it. Im using size M with 40mm stem (5´875 height) and feels just perfect, I had some parts so decided to build it my self. I only used it for about 4 rides and then raced some enduro..a little flat terrain but bike didnt stop my pace in any regard...pedaling wasnt an issue. I use my xc bike almost every day and do some races so I guess my opinion on pedaling is valid. On the other hand Its completely true that if you dont need that much travel then get a more trail oriented bike...the good thing is that you can adjust the...
Posted by rastafarian on 4/27/2017 9:21pm
Related:
Pivot
27.5
Enduro
Tested
Test Sessions
original Slayer770 MSL C1 Profile
2017 Rocky Mountain Slayer 770 MSL
Vital Review

Review - 2017 Rocky Mountain Slayer from Vital MTB Test Sessions (Product Review)

Overall Review
It's back! Following a short hiatus, Rocky Mountain introduced an all-new 2017 Slayer. The new breed sports a full carbon frame, 165mm of rear travel, unique blind pivots, and looks that could kill. Whether it's an enduro race, bike park laps with the crew, or getting your freeride on, the Slayer is designed to take no prisoners with its ultra-aggressive geometry and progressive suspension. With that in mind, we pointed it down the rowdiest bits of trail we could find in Tucson, Arizona during the 2017 Vital MTB Test Sessions. Highlights Smoothwall carbon frame 27.5-inch wheels (26+ compatible...
Posted by bturman on 4/27/2017 8:42pm
Related:
Rocky Mountain
27.5
26+
Test Sessions
Tested
Enduro
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2017 Transition Scout Carbon 3
Vital Review

Review - 2017 Transition Scout Carbon from Vital MTB Test Sessions (Product Review)

Overall Review
Subscribing to long, low, and slack frame geometry, Bellingham-based Transition Bicycles designed the Scout to be a ripping 27.5-inch mid-travel trail bike. New for 2017, the frame is available in carbon. Built to ride down the mountain like a slopestyle bike with a little cushion, the lightweight package is also ready to pedal big miles getting up the next. Tucson, Arizona's wild mix of trails served as an excellent place for our female shredders to try it out during the 2017 Vital MTB Test Sessions. Highlights Carbon frame 27.5-inch wheels 125mm (4.9-inches) of rear wheel travel // 140mm (5...
Posted by bturman on 4/13/2017 4:07pm
Related:
Transition
Tested
Test Sessions
27.5
Women
original 2017 Pivot Firebird Carbon blue red with Pro XT XTR 1X.png?VersionId=hbzYygUug36JDlPntbjBBIyYKq
2017 Pivot Firebird Carbon Pro XT/XTR

Firebird XT/XTR (Product Review)

The Good

Pain free climbs. Great cockpit length and geo. Outstanding grip. Descents are next level. Specs are well thought out and perform together seamlessly.

The Bad

Stones collect in lower linkage and scratch frame - need mastic tape or cover. Fox 36 Float Fit4 is overshadowed by the amazing Float X2. It was hard to set up to match the feel of the rear shock.

Overall Review
I own a Firebird XT/XTR version. I came from a 2013 Corratec Opiate FX (think 67deg HA, 26" "all-rounder" AM bike). Climbing - At 6'2" I was right between sizing for an XL and L. I opted to go for an XL and put on a 33mm stem. The long front (65 deg HA and long reach) on the bike helps keep weight down on the front wheel so I'm clearing steep sections with ease that the old bike was popping the front wheel up and wandering around on. The grip from the rear is amazing and despite these climbs, I've yet to lose traction (due to not having to awkwardly weight the front wheel I'm guessing). This...
Posted by ButtersNZ on 4/11/2017 5:17pm
Related:
Pivot
27.5
Enduro
Tested
Test Sessions
original 1191600 2017 A 1 Remedy 99 275 Race Shop Limited
2017 Trek Remedy 9.9 Race Shop Limited
Vital Review

Review - 2017 Trek Remedy 27.5 from Vital MTB Test Sessions (Product Review)

Overall Review
In mid-2016, Trek surprised many by killing off the widely-loved Slash 27.5 all-mountain/enduro bike. To fill the newly created void for a long-travel, ready-for-anything 27.5 rig, the all-new Remedy stepped up with a touch more travel at 150mm, completely revised geometry, and a host of fresh features claimed to improve the ride. Part Remedy, part Slash, it's aggressive enough that many of Trek's testers lovingly referred to the new bike as the "Rash" prior to its launch. We were eager to get this potential heavy-hitter back in some wild terrain following our limited time on the bike when it...
Posted by bturman on 4/10/2017 10:25am
Related:
Trek
27.5
Tested
Test Sessions
original Guerrilla Gravity Trail Pistol
2017 Guerrilla Gravity Trail Pistol Race with Pistola Setup

Blown Away (Product Review)

The Good

Geometry; Suspension kinematics; High quality, USA made aluminum frame

The Bad

The small spacer used for the top bolt on the ISCG tabs; Cockpit feels short at first, but only when seated

Overall Review
I just can't believe how much fun I have had on this bike! The Trail Pistol climbs really well, making easy work of ascents. The steep seat tube angle puts you over the pedals making it easy to climb incredibly steep pitches. Seated, there is no noticeable pedal bob, and the heavily damped Deluxe rear shock keeps bob to a minimum during out of the saddle assaults. Initially, I found the steeper seat tube angle in combination to feel very strange and foreign, but not uncomfortable. After having spent more time on the TP, I am unsure how we used to pedal bikes with slacker seat tubes. Descending...
Posted by benthandlebars on 4/6/2017 1:13pm
Related:
Guerrilla Gravity
Tested
Test Sessions
29er
Plus
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2017 Santa Cruz Hightower Carbon C S 29
Vital Review

Review - 2017 Santa Cruz Hightower from Vital MTB Test Sessions (Product Review)

Overall Review
Santa Cruz’s Hightower was just released a year ago, benefiting from the company's continued refinement of the VPP suspension system. It combines 135mm of travel with 29-inch or 27.5+ wheels to create a bike that can take on a wide variety of terrain while keeping up speed and staying as efficient as possible. With the most travel of any 29/27.5+ bike in their lineup, the Hightower is more than just an efficiency sled with some travel – it is truly a do-it-all bike. Santa Cruz has some of the most trusted carbon frames in the business and relatively affordable pricing on some models as well...
Posted by bturman on 4/6/2017 12:27pm
Related:
Santa Cruz
Tested
Test Sessions
29er
Plus
original 2017 Liv Hail Advanced 1
2017 Liv Hail Advanced 1
Vital Review

Review - 2017 Liv Hail Advanced from Vital MTB Test Sessions (Product Review)

Overall Review
Totally new to Liv for 2017 is the Hail series. This line of enduro/all-mountain bikes was designed from the ground up to fit and perform for women riders looking to ride technical trails. A first of its kind, this women’s bike has a healthy 160mm of travel front and rear and 27.5-inch wheels. The Hail has one goal in mind: to get you to the bottom of the mountain… and fast! Lucky us as Tucson, Arizona's Mount Lemmon loomed over the desert during Vital MTB's 2017 Test Sessions. There will be mud. There will be sand. There will be rock. Lots of them. Let’s see how the Liv Hail handles it...
Posted by bturman on 4/5/2017 9:49am
Related:
Liv
Test Sessions
Tested
27.5
Women
original 2017 Norco Optic Carbon 9.2
2017 Norco Optic C9.2
Vital Review

Review - 2017 Norco Optic Carbon 29 from Vital MTB Test Sessions (Product Review)

Overall Review
Entering the scene in the spring of 2016, the new Optic is Norco’s addition to the growing short-travel trail bike market. Featuring 110mm of rear wheel travel, our test bike is built around 29-inch wheels but is also available in a surprisingly similar 27.5-inch option. The Optic was created simply to be a fun bike and is aimed at riders seeking a pedal smashing ride with trail capability. The varied and rocky terrain of Tucson, Arizona was a great place to see if Norco’s latest model lives up to the claims. Highlights Carbon frame with aluminum stays 29-inch wheels 110mm (4.3-inches) of rear...
Posted by bturman on 3/28/2017 11:43am
Related:
Norco
Tested
Test Sessions
29er
Trail / All-Mountain