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2021 Devinci Kobain SLX 12-Speed Bike
Overall Review
T oday's full-suspension trail bikes are versatile, refined pieces of equipment. With blithe disregard, riders can approach ribbons of dirt all over the world on a single bike. What if we took a magic eraser and rubbed out that rear shock and pivots? If we left only the geometry and components attached to a rigid alloy frame, what would we have? Meet the new Devinci Kobain — simple, cost-effective, and heralding tidings of endless woodland fun. Vital has been rediscovering the roots of mountain biking in this wave of hardtail trail bikes and sought to find out if the Kobain makes good on its...
Posted by BHowell on 1/19/2021 11:46am
2021 Specialized Stumpjumper EVO Expert
Vital Review
Overall Review
T he Stumpjumper EVO truly evolved in 2018, taking the long, low, slack mantra to new extremes for the brand. It was a different beast with a 63.5-degree head angle, super-low standover, lengthy reach, and was clearly made for getting rowdy. Fast forward to today and Specialized is back with a new generation that continues to push their boundaries but is far more accessible to more riders. Join Vital MTB's Product Editor, Brandon Turman, in the video below for a look at everything that's been updated and his ride impressions, then keep scrolling for more information, pics, specs, and prices...
Posted by bturman on 9/22/2020 10:04am
2021 Giant Trance X Advanced Pro 29 0
Overall Review
T he spring of 2020 was tough. It was particularly tough if you were single when the bars of social isolation came down. Perhaps you started scrolling through the names of various exes and sent out texts about how you were “Just checking in” or the ever chivalrous and don’t you worry, oh-so-original, “Making sure you’re okay.” Well, much to your excitement and despite their better judgment, someone decided to meet up with you. It was the Giant Trance X. You remember it from 2013 though it was a rather forgettable escapade. “Sure,” was all that you could reply. What did you have to lose...
Posted by Mint on 9/16/2020 12:54pm
Ochain Chainring Spider
Vital Review
Overall Review
If you've ever ridden a full-suspension bike without a chain, you likely noticed an improvement in its suspension performance. After watching some incredible chainless downhill runs on the UCI World Cup circuit, this Italian brand dreamt up a way to provide the benefits of riding without a chain, with a chain. On many bikes, chainstay growth during suspension compression causes the crankset to rotate counter-clockwise. This is also known as pedal kickback. By allowing some spring-loaded rotational movement within a reimagined chainring spider, the Ochain device is claimed to automatically...
Posted by bturman on 8/13/2020 6:11pm
2021 Canyon Sender CFR
Vital Review
Overall Review
CFR stands for Canyon Factory Racing. Taken a bit broader, CFR relates to a new method of designing for Canyon that relies heavily on all of Canyon's best racers and their mechanics. The new Sender CFR downhill bike is the result of many talented people's efforts, ideas, inspirations, and race results. Bigger wheels, updated geometry with multiple adjustments, revised kinematics, and a big weight reduction are among the major updates. What else is new? Join Vital MTB's Product Editor, Brandon Turman, in the video above for an overview and his initial ride impressions. It's pretty rad to see...
Posted by bturman on 8/10/2020 11:03pm
Revel RW30 Wheelset
Vital Review
Overall Review
D eveloped and manufactured in the CSS Composites aerospace facility in southern Utah, Revel's new RW30 wheels ditch the brittle epoxy that is commonly used in carbon fiber in the mountain bike space. The raw thermoplastic material blends unidirectional long fiber German and Japanese carbon impregnated with an advanced polymer. This is claimed to make for a more durable, lighter, and better riding wheel. Combined with Industry 9 1/1 or Hydra hubs and Sapim D-light spokes, they're an interesting package that piqued our interest. Perhaps best of all, should you crack one the rims can be recycled...
Posted by TrailPeek on 7/30/2020 9:20am
Motion Instruments Enduro Expert System
Overall Review
'Race on Sunday, sell on Monday.' While this adage about race technology trickling down to the consumer level certainly applies to most components seen on World Cup and EWS race bikes, the same can't be said for the increasingly ubiquitous data acquisition systems (DAQ) that just about every major team has been using for several seasons. Despite their popularity within the race paddock, aftermarket availability has been almost nonexistent. Aside from the complexity and expense, the other significant challenge is that a lot of the systems seen on the race circuit are bespoke items designed by...
Posted by LTrumpore on 7/15/2020 3:19pm
Sprindex Adjustable Coil Spring
Vital Review
Overall Review
Y ou can set an air shock to any pressure you'd like, making them quite popular in mountain biking compared to coil shocks. You'll need a pump to make that adjustment though. With this new coil spring system from Sprindex, no tools are needed to adjust a coil's spring rate to a finer degree than ever before. Join Vital MTB tester and Trail Peek ripper, Zach Petersen, in the video above for a closer look at Sprindex and his ride impressions. Fewer active coils make for a stiffer spring. Twisting the Sprindex dial varies the number of active coils. Strengths Weaknesses No tools required for...
Posted by TrailPeek on 7/2/2020 10:19am
iXS Trigger FF Helmet
Vital Review
Overall Review
T he iXS Trigger FF builds on the company's Trigger AM half-shell helmet, providing full-face protection on more rides. It's fully certified up to the DH-specific ASTM 1952 standard and achieves its low weight by relying on an in-mold, single-layer EPS construction with an internal X-Frame "skeleton" molded into the chin bar to increase frontal impact strength and security. The Trigger FF is made in two shell sizes with an adjustable internal retention system and a set of different thickness pads to fine-tune the fit. The visor is adjustable and there is a clever "gripper pad" around the back...
Posted by Lucent on 6/22/2020 4:31pm
2020 Orbea Occam M10
Vital Review
Overall Review
O rbea’s Occam has been in the Spanish company’s lineup for several years as their designated trail bike. Revamped for 2020, the latest rendition is an impressive upgrade to the Occam model in its own right, and Orbea also offers a couple of appreciative upgrades from the factory to fine-tune the bike to its intended use. Specifically, our review bike was equipped with a 150mm travel FOX Factory 36 and Maxxis Minion DHF/DHR tires, compared to a stock 140mm FOX 34 and lighter-duty Maxxis rubber. Strengths Weaknesses Good all-around trail bike Clean, rattle-free internal cable routing Nice...
Posted by SingletrackZach on 5/11/2020 6:32pm