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.

Tags content

Filter
241-270 of 411 Posts
original 2015 Transition Patrol 1
2015 Transition Patrol 1
Vital Review

2015 Test Sessions: Transition Patrol 1 (Product Review)

Overall Review
Reviewed by Brandon Turman and Steve Wentz // Photos by Lear Miller Giddy up boys and girls! An entire new line of Transition bikes is here for 2015 featuring the GiddyUp suspension design. The complete overhaul to their frames and suspension system includes a Horst Link (not to be confused with a four-legged animal who neighs), which is now available to use by a wider number of companies. Transition was among the first brands to jump on the opportunity. Interested to how they pulled it off and what improvements they might have made, we tested the 155mm travel Patrol 1 during the 2015 Vital...
Posted by bturman on 1/26/2015 10:45pm
Related:
Transition
Test Sessions
original Trek Slash 9.8 27.5.png?VersionId=mlU6Tmthuqb3ulSma9l
2015 Trek Slash 9.8 Carbon 27.5
Vital Review

2015 Test Sessions: Trek Slash 9.8 Carbon 27.5 (Product Review)

Overall Review
Reviewed by Dylan Stucki and AJ Barlas // Photos by Lear Miller After much anticipation, the Trek Slash goes carbon for 2015. The 160mm travel bike underwent a major redesign last year, gaining 27.5-inch wheels, noticeably better pedaling performance, and even more capable geometry. This all-mountain/enduro ripper was just waiting to unleash its fury on the trails at the 2015 Vital MTB Test Sessions. Highlights OCLV Mountain Carbon frame with aluminum chainstay 27.5-inch wheels 160mm (6.3-inches) of rear wheel travel // 130/160mm (5.1/6.3-inches) front travel E2 tapered headtube 65 or 65.6...
Posted by bturman on 1/23/2015 12:17pm
Related:
Trek
Test Sessions
original 2015 Pivot Mach 6 Carbon X01 bike
2015 Pivot Mach 6 Carbon X01
Vital Review

2015 Test Sessions: Pivot Mach 6 Carbon X01 (Product Review)

Overall Review
Reviewed by Steve Wentz and Brandon Turman // Photos by Lear Miller Pivot's Mach 6 Carbon has existed for a few years now, a veritable eternity in the world of changing designs and all-new products. It does, however, build off the success of the already refined Mach 5.7 and Firebird, blending the best qualities of each into one do-it-all machine. It certainly looks like it checks all the boxes, so lets mull over the details and hit the trail to see if the Mach 6 is indeed worthy of the name. We spent some time getting acquainted with it during the 2015 Vital MTB Test Sessions. Highlights...
Posted by bturman on 1/18/2015 2:15pm
Related:
Pivot
Test Sessions
original Furtado CC XX1 Enve.jpg?VersionId=zhxQS2RXLS20x9MOWIXGrZ3E.B.0
2015 Juliana Furtado Carbon CC XX1
Vital Review

2015 Test Sessions: Juliana Furtado Carbon CC XX1 (Product Review)

Overall Review
Reviewed by Courtney Steen and Amanda Wentz // Photos by Lear Miller This being the pilot year for women's Vital MTB Test Sessions reviews it seemed appropriate to check out a bike from Juliana, a brand focused solely on women's cycling. The 125mm travel Juliana Furtado, twin sister to the Santa Cruz 5010, includes a women's specific saddle, narrower bars, and a few other touches that make it better suited to the ladies. Using the latest VPP suspension technology atop 27.5-inch wheels, this bike is touted as a snappy, agile ride that descends well and climbs with the efficiency of an XC bike...
Posted by bturman on 1/15/2015 2:50pm
Related:
Juliana
Women
Test Sessions
original FLO RED Spider275 PRO 1.jpg?VersionId=.f2tUP8P9YWfpXzfe9bhZHY9JsOw
2015 Intense Spider 275 Pro
Vital Review

2015 Test Sessions: Intense Spider 275 Pro (Product Review)

Overall Review
Reviewed by AJ Barlas and Dylan Stucki // Photos by Lear Miller When the original VPP-equipped Intense Cycles Spider debuted in 2003 it was a bred for the cross country racer with speed and weight as top priority. Over the next decade it morphed into a marathon style trail bike with a penchant for pounding out the miles, and eventually a 29-inch option was born. Today the Temecula, California based brand is proud to release their latest in the long line of handcrafted Spider frames. The new Spider 275 maintains an adjustable 115/130mm of rear travel while becoming even more capable with...
Posted by bturman on 1/13/2015 12:00am
Related:
Intense
Test Sessions
Made in the USA
Trail / All-Mountain
original 2015 Canyon Strive CF 9.0 Race.png?VersionId=yEYKjKxcDGsyFNNCC1O3nj
2015 Canyon Strive CF 9.0 Race
Vital Review

2015 Test Sessions: Canyon Strive CF 9.0 Race (Product Review)

Overall Review
Reviewed by AJ Barlas and Dylan Stucki // Photos by Lear Miller At the end of the 2013 race season there was quite a bit of curiosity around what Fabien Barel's prototype bike had hiding under a strange looking cover on the rear shock. All would be revealed in early 2014 when Canyon released the new Strive, including details of their new "Shape Shifter" technology. With the push of a lever the system changes the bike's geometry and travel between "DH" and "XC" modes. It's an interesting concept and one we looked forward to trying out during the 2015 Vital MTB Test Sessions in San Luis Obispo...
Posted by bturman on 1/9/2015 4:22pm
Related:
Canyon
Test Sessions
original 2015 Cube Stereo 160 Super HPC SL 27.5
2015 Cube Stereo 160 Super HPC SL 27.5
Vital Review

2015 Test Sessions: Cube Stereo 160 Super HPC SL (Product Review)

Overall Review
Reviewed by Brandon Turman and Steve Wentz // Photos by Lear Miller Cube's Stereo was one of the first bikes available with 27.5-inch wheels. The early adopter immediately stood out from the others by offering a full carbon frame, 160mm of travel, and aggressive angles in a visually appealing package. Previously unavailable in the USA due to a suspension patent held by Specialized, the Horst link equipped Stereo will soon be accessible to anyone with a $4,199 $4,999 US price tag that'll make you look twice. As a result, we were finally able to get our hands on a bright green Super HPC SL model...
Posted by bturman on 1/7/2015 3:26pm
Related:
Cube
Test Sessions
original Evil Uprising Bike.jpg?VersionId=K62yB
2014 Evil Uprising

One of the best on the market (Product Review)

The Good

Amazing Pedaling, Very comfortable cockpit, Descending is just amazing. You become one with the bike immediately

The Bad

Needs more room for the back wheel.

Overall Review
This is the best all-mountain bike I've ever owned. I also own a Transition Bandit 27.5 with the exact same build(1x11, pike, dropper) and I usually end up taking the uprising even though it has more travel and is supposed to be less of a climber. I have not found that to be true. Especially with the Fox Climb mode, it climbs like a goat. The bike comes alive when you get to the top and switch it to descend. I have my sag set at 33% and it feels very linear up until the end of the travel when it becomes very progressive. The bike is so comfortable. This bike is so agile and the suspension...
Posted by nmpearson on 9/23/2014 8:21am
Related:
Test Sessions
Trail / All-Mountain
Evil