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X-Fusion H3C Rear Shock
The Good

Super light, good performer, easy adjustments

The Bad

It failed badly as per photos, unacceptable failure

Overall Review
I was a happy owner of this H3C until I have found it cracked on the trunnion mounts. I know that trunnion design is really tough for shock manufacturers and many shocks are failing or even breaking under loads but this was the last thing I expected to happen and luckily I have noticed that quite immediately. It seems to be just too weak to handle the side loads of trunnion mounted frames. Other than this catastrophical failure I was really happy with the shock
Posted by Grzwro192 on 8/30/2022 6:11am
2021 Devinci Kobain SLX 12-Speed Bike
Overall Review
Today'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
DVO Topaz Air Shock
The Good

Glassy-smooth action, infinitely tunable, easily serviceable, reasonable price, and backed by the best suspension company in the industry. Seriously—the guys at DVO go above and beyond.

The Bad

The only thing I can think that may be a negative about this shock is the color. Some may not like the acid green bits with their bike's color scheme.

Overall Review
Not only is the DVO Topaz the best-feeling air shock on the market, but the price is reasonable, the customer support is best by far, custom damper tuning is a breeze (whether DIY or via the factory), and it can be fully serviced with a handful of common tools. AND you can add or remove volume reducers without removing the whole shock from your bike. Why hasn't anyone else thought of that? It's so good I worry about not having a fork good enough to match it. There is no situation where the DVO Topaz is not the answer. Bike too linear? Add positive volume reducers. Too wallowy? Add negative...
Posted by eicca on 10/27/2020 1:17pm
Fasst Flexx Enduro Handlebar
The Good

Exceptional small-bump sensitivity Reduces arm pump significantly Tunability per riders preference Allows riders to ride longer and faster Surprisingly durable Made in America

The Bad

Weight: About twice the weight of a high-end carbon bar Pricey (but comes with a 30 day Buy-Back guarantee) Only offered in 25mm rise and 31.8mm bar clamp diameter

Overall Review
The industry has come a long way since the 80’s and 90’s. From hucking those fully rigid Specialized Hard Rocks off dirt lot jumps to 37lb carbon fiber e-bikes, oh how things have changed. Components have gotten stiffer, frames have gotten lighter, and modern suspension is pushing riders further than we ever thought possible. Regardless of all these improvements, things can always get better. Every R&D project has one end goal in common and that’s producing the biggest, nastiest grins for riders, you know, the ones that let everyone know they completely cleaned the toughest sections of trails...
Posted by dirtworks911 on 10/1/2020 9:51am
OneUp Components Dropper V2 Seatpost
The Good

- Price - Dimensions (Low Stack and Overall Length) - Travel Adjustment - Servicability - Reliability

The Bad

- Not as Smooth as High End Offerings - Requires Fresh Grease Every Few Months - Developed Lateral Play

Overall Review
I purchased a 180mm OneUp Components V2 Dropper to replace my 150mm KS Lev Integra after frustration with its numerous issues that required $130 in parts and labor to repair. I'm 5' 9" and ride a size medium Niner Jet 9 RDO and I'm able to run the post at 180mm with a centimeter or two of wiggle room to lower the post for shorter riders. That said, due to the quite slack actual seat tube angle of my frame, I decided to run the post at 170mm for increased bushing overlap. Setting up the post is a doddle, and I love the decision to have the cable clamped at the remote instead of at the post. 6...
Posted by AvidTrailRider on 9/24/2020 9:50pm
2021 Specialized Stumpjumper EVO Expert
Vital Review
Overall Review
The 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
The 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? Showing...
Posted by Mint on 9/16/2020 12:54pm
2020 Orbea Occam M10
The Good

Excellent pedaler & climber, very light feeling at the pedals despite the 29er wheels. DPX2 shock has little to it, it's great kinematics that does it. Open and medium settings on the shock are similar and the closed position is almost HT-like feeling - great for tarmac. Light, very agile and poppy...

The Bad

I think the 12 speed groups really push the limits on how precise things need to be so that everything works as it should. While setting up the XT drivetrain I feel like the changes need to be done in micrometers. Front end feels stiff and my hands hurt more than on previous alu 31.8mm handlebars...

Overall Review
Upgraded from a Giant Reign 2015 which was a great bike, also light on the climbs and a speed demon on the descend. Compared to the Occam it was almost the same weight (despite alu frame and 27.5 wheels) but felt like a much longer cockpit while seated due to the slack seatube. I'm 182.5cm with 85cm inseam and both were large. So the Occam climbs and pedals darn well. Non-tech climbs and riding tarmac are a breeze. Feels very light on the pedals and with every turn you feel how it just goes forward. Loved the Giant but Orbea is hands down much better at this. Descends are similar to the Reign...
Posted by Vuco on 8/15/2020 2:37pm
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