All posts tagged: trail bike

New Aluminum Jeffsey With Updated Geometry for 2020

Published by Matt Stenson

YT recently refreshed their 2020 bikes, but noticeably absent was a refreshed Jeffsey aluminium version. Year after year the Jeffsey aluminium has presented a compelling value for the budget conscience trail / enduro bike buyer. Well the Jeffsey aluminum is now back and it has undated geometry, bringing it back in sync with it’s carbon counterpart. Both 29″ and 27.5″ versions of the bike are available in a single base build. Unlike some other manufacturers that offer higher component specs to those that still want a metal frame, YT has opted to make this a decidedly budget build. That being said, the Jeffsey spec is no slouch and will punch above its price tag in many respects. Suspension In regards to suspension, a RockShox Yari RC is up front in either 160mm (27.5″) or 150mm (29″). The balance of the suspension is handled by a RockShox Deluxe Select rear shock with 160mm (27.5″) or 150mm (29″) of travel. The rear suspension also includes a flip chip that makes the head angle 0.5 degrees steeper and …

Fezzari La Sal Peak Ride Review

Published by Matt Stenson

Bike Fezzari La Sal Peak Comp Size Medium Trail System Crested Butte Bike Park, Crested Butte Colorado Testers Weight 150lbs Testers Personal Bike Kona Process 153 The first bike I checked out at Outerbike Crested Butte 2019 was the Fezarri La Sal Peak. This bike is a 160mm/150mm trail/enduro 29er bike. I was riding the base spec version that starts at $3,599 with a full carbon frameset. That frame features Fezarri’s “Tetra Link” suspension that at its core is a Horst Link. The suspension layout itself is quite simple and you’ll find the minimum number of pivots needed for this type of system. The Tetralink is tuned to have a progressive leverage ratio so it can be paired with a coil shock if desired. The frame will also clear a 29×2.6in tire and features CleanCatch™ rattle-proof internal cable routing. In addition, 2 water bottles will fit in the front triangle which is an achievement few bike makers can tout in this travel range. The frameset does have some odd angles and it is in the …

2019 Diamondback Release 29er

Published by Matt Stenson

Coinciding with Sedona Mountain Bike Fest Diamondback has brought a 29er version of it’s popular Release trail bike to market. Coming in two versions this alloy bike fills a obvious hole in Diamondbacks line of trail bikes. Up until this point Diamondback did not have any 29er full suspension bikes in it’s lineup for those that wanted to run bigger wheels. The Release 29 shares the same suspension platform, Level Link, with the 27.5″ versions of the release. It also share much of the same geometry numbers with only small tweaks to accommodate the 29″ wheels and make them perform well. The rear suspension stays at 130mm while the fork is reduced by 10mm to 150mm of travel. There are two version of the Release 29 available, the Release 29 2 and the Release 29 3. Both are alloy frames with with fox suspension. The 29 2 is the base model at $2,699.99. Highlights on the build are a Fox Float DPS EVOL LV rear shock, Fox Rhythm 34 fork and Shimano SLX drivetrain and …

Intense Announces Alloy Spider at a New Affordable Price

Published by Matt Stenson

Intense has announced its new Alloy Spider. With 140mm of travel up front and 130mm in the rear, the Spider comes in at an attractive $2,399.00 in its “foundation build.” The travel is suspended by a Rock Shox Revelation RC 27.5” fork and a Rock Shox Monarch RL rear shock. Not a shabby setup for a sub $2,500 bike. The drive train on this 27.5″ bike is a mix and match of sram GX and NX components along with Race Face Aeffect crank and a threaded bottom bracket. Wheels feature Race Face AR 24 Rims and an unknown hub with a Shimano driver made possible by the compatible NX cassette. Braking power is provided by Shimano BL M506 180mm Front and 160mm Rear. The alloy spider shares the same geometry as its carbon brothers. The Switch to Consumer Direct With the switch to a consumer direct selling model that Intense made in December (https://intensecycles.com/blogs/news/introducing-intense-rider-direct) Intense now finds itself in direct competition online with brands like Canyon, Diamondback, YT and Commencal. Each of these brands also hit the sub $2,500 trail …