Our Favorite 2022 Downcountry Bikes: Round Table Discussion | 2021 Fall Field Test
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 9 ธ.ค. 2021
- Our six 2022 downcountry bikes have been ridden, tested, timed, and scrutinized for individual reviews, but now it's time to cast the votes for our favorite bike of the bunch.
Read the full article on Pinkbike: pinkbike.link/downcountryroun...
Watch all the videos from the 2021 Fall Field Test: pinkbike.link/2021fallfieldtest
Presented by:
Bontrager - trekbikes.com/bontrager/
Rapha - rapha.cc/
Pinkbike Merch - pinkbike.link/merch
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Now that you know our favorites, what are yours? Let us know! 👇
Man that Element just seems so sweet, and I like Henry's idea of down-forking it to 120mm in slack which ends up at 65.5deg! I'd probably have to put slightly wider rims and 4-pot brakes and then we'd be cooking!
With the Element out of the picture though, the Blur with a shorter stem and higher rise bar with the wider rim and 4-pot brake treatment could do some damage too. If making changes was not an option, the Trek is the standout bike if it had to be kept as-is with no mods.
The Rocky Mountain seems to shine actually.... but anyway, one thing: the tires. I know that the goal is to compare the bikes, also the tires choice seemed a bit strange considering the conditions... were they convicing despite their pattern and their hard gum (addix speed)?
The Specialized Epic Evo 2022. For me, the best "downcountry" bike on the market right now. It can race but it can be fun descending. A bit like that Trek Top Fuel. That would be my choice of this bunch.
Mishka for 2022 Dog of the Year
Love the dynamic of Henry and Mike together with Kaz being a voice of reason. Great format.
Mike's face at 6:36 after he said "double downcountry"... That was totally an "oh no did I just do it again" look. Priceless!
I have owned the Blur TR for 3 months now, it is an absolutely fantastic everyday bike, light, fast and playful, with great pedaling efficiency. I am coming off of a Yeti SB100 for 2.5 years.
I would love to have seen the new Scott spark in this test.
*I'm very happy with my **Latest.Bike** . I have put a lot of miles on it, paved trails, gravel, sand, and it rides great. Thank you for a quality product.*
🤣🤣🤣 good one.
I think Levy has a great point. I personally ride a hardtail (Nukeproof Scout) which I love to push to limit and ride gnarlier and gnarlier stuff to find that edge because that is what is exciting. I do think most people are over biked. I followed a guy up a local trail that I did easily on my hardtail but he was on a YT Capra. To me that feels considerably less fun to ride a trail that is far beneath the capability of the bike.
same here. I have a hardtail and its fun to ride down trails that most people would take a full sus on. my friends that offroad all have old tacomas and they said its more fun if its actually a challenge to make it through tech sections.
I shred my nukeproof reactor and its the best ive riden for a downcontry trail bike its more than capable of doing the qnarliest downhill trails aswell best all rounder 👍
Same
@@jamespetch6274 as someone who also rides a nukeproof reactor who recently tested a revel ranger, there's a huge difference in the bikes. I can't wait to test a spur and a Ripley as well. I see my reactor going up for sale in the near future.
I love the banter and humor from these guys. It’s great to see. Thanks for a cool field test.
Love these discussions where they can hash out/summarize the conclusions. You get a good feeling of what bikes really rise to the top.
I wish they could have tested the 2022 Spark 900 to compare.
they never test Scott, don't understand why when the new Spark has a downcountry version and the winningest bike in XC... and an entirely new model for '22...
I love my Scott Spark Tuned..
Great bike on the weekends and if needed, with a few tweaks, competitive weekend warrior racer
Spark would’ve blown these out of the water, and leave them to dust.
@@zerocool675 They tested the Spark Tuned when it launched in August '21, it just wasn't a part of this field test. The Spark RC was tested in March '22.
I would love a comparison between the Spur, Element, Revel Ranger, and the Top Fuel.
and maybe through the Santa Cruz tall boy in there.
I would argue that the Santa Cruz tallboy, ibis Ripley, and the pivot 429 trail are all it now in the trail category based on they spec choices, weight, And their positioning within their respective manufacturers lineups. I mean is it really down country if you can throw a 140 Fox 36 on the front? Or is that fun country…
@@EnduroFuss The Rocky is slacker then the Ripley, who says you can’t put a 36 on it? If I hadn’t already bought my Ripley I’d be looking really close at that Rocky.
@@EnduroFuss The Ripley is still an amazing bike - Ridden a Ranger, Evo, Revolver and Top fuel and my mates Ripley with Formula Forks is sublime and around 12kg's
Their previous Downcountry test included the Spur, Ranger and Epic Evo.
I have the Element C50. It is exactly what I was looking for. I loved my altitude, but our trails in Ontario locally are not that hilly. They have features, but it's not BC or Quebec. My enduro bike was slow and had too much travel. This Element is amazing! so light and feels kinda the same as my enduro with none of the downfalls. Now I haven't taken it to Quebec yet, so we'll see how it goes. I agree 4 piston brakes would be a good first upgrade. So impressed.
Keep going with these great videos! Best mtb content on TH-cam in my opinion!
As someone who has an enduro bike (overforked Transition Sentinel) I was looking for something more xc oriented that can be ridden all day with big climbs but would still afford reasonable technical prowess. I had been waiting many months for a Spur and by serendipity, came across a new Blur TR that came into my LBS just over a month ago. The Blur TR has honestly been the bike I never knew I needed. I love the more conventional geometry and light weigh. Additionally, it is an insanely capable technical climber that offers tons of traction. Finally, the Santa Cruz bushings/bearings for life deal is a big money saver in the long term. If I didn’t have an enduro bike in my fleet and could only choose one bike however, the Rocky Mountain or Trek would be incredibly appealing options.
I'm curious as to what your terrain is. I am wanting to have two bikes (probably unattainable, but) I currently have an Enduro which I need based on my terrain. It would be nice to have a lighter bike and the Element is so appealing. My home terrain would require me to get that Element.
@@skiboot1 My terrain is all over the place (Southwestern New Mexico). Allot of my big days in the saddle have me riding back country singletrack, fire roads and old ATV trails. It’s been nice having a lighter option that climbs so well. Now I can really plan out my rides because I have vastly different bikes that allow me greater flexibility.
Great vid, guys. Always love Henry's input! That's a great fleet of bikes, but I'll stick with my Ibis Ripley AF 💪
Great bike! I'm sticking with my Top Fuel too. Great time to ride bikes! So many great options! (When you can find one, haha)
interested in how they stack up to the epic evo!
My sentiments exactly!!!! Lol
And the new Scott Spark!
@@kotsossm ikr!!
Rocky for me 🤙 i have a c70 full xt build including 4 piston brakes standard. put a 203 rotor on the front, full slack on the ride 4. Fixed the skinny wheel issues with a set of 30 5 i9 enduro wheels with some dhr 2.4s (i live in a world of pea gravel) . absolute weapon of a bike, but definitely set up for more fun than race.
XT 2 piston rear, 4 piston front does my 190lbs fine on aggressive descending. Rear is just for scrubbing, but need that extra power up front. I run that on both of my bikes and haven't had brake concerns (power or fade) on Cannel Plunge or Snow Summit
Great discussion, so many great bikes! Keep it up PB.
Outstanding! Really enjoyed this series.
I have the 2021 Giant Trance x 2 and I'll be the first to say it's not crazy great at the climbs, but boy does it smash down a hill with accuracy. I see yall did a review for the topend of the Trance but never did one for their middle line up( Aka Trance 2 or x 2). I think ya'll would appreciate that bike more than live valve.
Next year get a giant trance without the live valve. I have 2020 trance 29er that I’m convinced competes w/ the best of them and rips everything I’ve thrown at it in Oregon. I would love to see how one without the live valve does in a review.
Great job, thanks for making!
Can't wait for the Monstercountrydowndurocross Field Test next year!
Was able to order the new Trek Top Fuel 9.8 XT. ETA next month. Quite happy with the test results and curious to test the bike myself.
I ride a Top Fuel too. Bike is ridiculously good. Mike has SEVERE bias against Trek.
Henry is such an amazing addition to Levy and Kaz. Not to mention how badass Alicia is. Pinkbike for life.
Unfortunately he seems to be average reviewer/tester
I haven't been watching or following pinkbike for years, but came across this review while looking at some of the longer travel XC bikes. The pinkbike I remember denounced 29ers and was "downhill or nothing", I'd just like to say that I really enjoyed these reviewer's comments on how even though they live in a beautiful part of BC, some, if not most, places where mountain bikes get ridden actually are served so well by these shorter travel bikes. From Wisconsin, I need something that's blinding fast and efficient for marathons on rolling terrain with punchy climbs, but I'd love to have a bike I can take to Copper Harbor, Moab, Bentonville, etc , and I can only justify ONE fancy new high tech bike. I'm fortunate to be around at a time when A) these bikes exist at all and B) that I am in a place in my life where I can go about spending thousands on said bike. Great video, watched the individual reviews of these bikes. I've got the bike I chose on order.
Which bike did you get?
Henry!!! Haven’t seen you since GMBN on our screens. Good to get your expertise again
I ended up buying the Rocky Mountain Element C70, no regrets, I was really close to the Trek(Local bike shop instead of online) but for the components it was too expensive. Also, I really wanted the SID ultimate which they weren't willing to install on the mid end carbon bike(ultimate only on the highest spec 11k bike which is stupid), and didn't want to possibly deal with bushing play, given the scarcity of parts, I just didn't want any issues so I went with a bike with FOX suspension. Hopefully I get the bike this monday, looking forward to it, and these reviews from PINKBIKE really helped with my decisions.
I love how they showed a trail bike, the Trek Fuel ex at 5:55. Which is quite literally the top fuel with more capability. It's the perfect bike however it's a trail bike.
Haha, they sure did. I ride the Top Fuel and was torn between the 2 when I bought it earlier this year. Great time to ride bikes 🤙
Great vid. Really enjoying this format with the moderator between the two opinions. Who's the moderator for the aggressive trail bikes?
Is it just me, or is Rocky Mtn one of the most innovative, forward thinking, overlooked, underrated bike brands out there?
i agree.
Yep. Kona often gets the short end too. The two companies have similar dynamics. Maybe it’s a pac nw thing. Love my Hei Hei but it almost never gets included in these kind of comparisons.
It is like a Ibis Ripley AF
Please make a compilation of Henry's one liners. That chicken one was probably my favourite so far.
Y'all sit pretty funny considering it's a round table 😁
Thank you for great content.
Guys, these reviews/discussions are amazing. Maybe some things are black and white, but often you can't put a "yes" or "no" on a gear topic, it's all about how you ride and what you want. Great job 👍
Yeah also, I'm looking for a down down down trail country cross trail trail bike, what about those?
I am an Epic Evo owner, would have been interested in that comparison. Also what about the Spark, Spur or Exie?
Not sure they fall into the same category, but it seems to me that there was room to put the transition spur on the list. Anyway a very impressive and comprehensive review, thank you
Element all the way. Great review guys I love watching yalll.
Thank you for these nice field test ! The rocky seem really impressive, I would like to find one to replace my Stumpy. Do you know how many new categories you have invented during this field test ? :-D
Exactly what I was thinking...seems like a BC bike to me.
Great chemistry with you guys
I really want to see a tallboy vs new top fuel compared. Tallboy being the bike I've been able to try that fits most needs.
Still think the canyon cf6 is great, for that price there simply isn't anything close to it. It's a modem xc bike, and I'm fine with that.
Lux trail is great bike. I know people who ride it and they are very pleased. Perfect as marathon and xc race bike.
Can't wait for the Downtrail bike reviews next year.
Some poor product manager at Canyon is having a bad week.
Yes, sure. One guy on yt told it is average and thousends of its owners will believe him, not their own experience😂
Like to try the Element with a 35 carbon front wheel and 2.6 small knob tire plus a 4 pot front brake.
the element has evolved into the 2019 Thunderbolt, almost same geo except with 29ers and 120/130 instead of 130/130. I have a 2019 Thunderbolt A50 and it's impressive. fancy for sure.
actually the element is even slacker at 65.6 and thunderbolt at 66.6. Im wrong it's nothing like it. sheesh.
I’d love to see top 3 from this vs top 3 from last year (ranger, spur, epic evo)
Would love to know how the Evil Following slots into that mix! That's probably the OG downcountry bike.
DC has been around for 20 years... so really don't think the following makes the cut as OG...
Would also love a short comparison to the 2021er DC/trail bikes like Spur, Epic Evo, ibis ripley af, stumpy (not evo). I came from a 2017 canyon strive enduro and bought a Spur GX. It's a L with 13kg ready now and I miss nothing. That 120mm bike is fucking fast downhills and makes a lot more fun to pedal,easy to lockout while driving without any cables. Even way more traction through that flexible rear end. No bottom out on front and rear dampers with the right spacer settings, it's just fantastic and it's sooo quite, just awesome . Exo tires are a bit thin on rocky terrain and g2 brakes are just to weak for the possibilities of these bike(s). Well too many good bikes out there, prices are way too high everywhere...
Element then just immediately throw some 4-piston brakes on. Worth the expense and try to sell the 2-piston before you even use them to net closer to even.
I really want to try the Element. I don't like the narrow wheelset Levy mentioned. I'm sure I could fit on some wider wheels.
I have a 2022 Santa Cruz Blur TR (S version) and I'm loving it. I'm a former xc racer and like to still go fast cross country. Everything is a trade off between speed and downhill performance. One thing I definitely want to change is to carbon bars. The aluminum bars transfer way too much vibration. I've slammed the bars for climbing performance but I'm not sure I'm happy with the trade off. The tires roll fast but I'd like to try some Racing Ralphs or the Vittoria Syerra tires. I have been thinking of changing to a dual piston brake but after overbleeding the stock SRAM brakes I'm finding them okay to live with. I wish it had something like the Scott Spark's dual lockout positions. I like the dual adjustment/lock out on the Blur TR but it doesn't have a lockout lever and the models that do only have full lockout mode or full suspension. I want the middle option like the stock Blur TR S. The problem with that is it's a pain to keep reaching down. The SRAM GX sure whines and grinds when it's shifting - unlike the Shimano XTR brakes on my last bike. The shifting doesn't give me confidence but I guess it's not a nock to the bike but a personal preference for group sets. So far I love the fact that the Blur TR comes with 2.4" tires. The tires it comes with aren't anything to write home about as far as grip is concerned but he volume is sure welcome and changes how these bikes ride. I am most happy with the rear suspension performance and the downhill capability of this bike. I'm very curious to see how it stacks up against the Trek Top Fuel.
In the market for this bike, worried about it being underbiked on trails. Any concerns there?
@@genegade Sorry for getting back to you so late. Well it really depends on your trails but I got a KOM on my bike today on a segment with over 1200 people. It had an average descent rate of 5.7% over almost 2km. I have taken it down black lines but haven't hucked it off anything bigger than a few feet high. I only weigh 154lbs at 6'1". I now have the Vittoria Syerra 2.4 downcountry tires on it. The stock 2.4s were okay but these have more bite.
I have changed out the aluminum bars to some carbon ENVEs and it makes a huge difference. I don't weigh much and the aluminum bars simply transferred too much vibration to my hands and arms. That was the single best modification I made to the bars after overbleeding the brakes. I have a low drop flat bar, thicker rotors, scintered brake pads, Syerra tires, longer stem slammed and different seat, grips and tires. I set up the bike to be a better climber. I cut the ENVE bars down a total of 40mm from their stock length.
For starters the TF has more progressive geo and more travel. So you really should compare the tallboy with the newest TF
Y'all forgot the the speacialized Epic Evo and the Transition Spur!!!! 😁🤷
They have done them in 2020 and 2021 tests. they haven't changed
@@KlintonSilvey can you please send me the link with the epic evo?
Everyone knows about pandemic pricing but who would have thought it would also bring the tightest bike reviews ever!! Maybe its because there are no demo days or maybe its because you guys have too much thinking time on your hands. Either way i love the little nitty gritty debates…. Rocky w a flat bar … or the Blur w a modest riser bar? Oh the choices.
And yes, not everyone rides in BC (yes im jealous). Thanks for using that mindset in your review. Maybe we need another sub-sub category…
Race XC
Down country East
Down country West
Light Trail (Midwest Trail)
East Coast Trail
West Coast Trail
Etc…
Yeh if we had 6 ways to describe xc to trail, then it would make these debates sooooo much easier. :)
I’d love to see their take on the Intense Sniper T, although they seem to have a thing against Intense
I would love to have that rocky, as an outgoing XC racer i want something more “relaxed” that a 100mm race bike
Would have been great to see how the new Scott Spark 900 compares. You’ve ridden it, right?
Wish you would have compared the rocky and trek to the transition spur and epic evo.
This is the compare I would have loved to see too!
@@xcjboy or at least mention them considering they were standout bikes from the last test.
I was really hoping to see the new Scott Spark in this shootout!
I have a new top fuel it’s sick. Still XC fast but trail worthy?
Please can you tell me whats the Trek model? I'm not found of the knock block...I really like the Slash...but I am going for a hard trail...maybe the Roscoe, although the merida big trail 600 was my first choice.
Tough when so many other good bikes but can’t review them all. Would be very helpful to compare to last years bikes. Is specialized Epic Evo still a top contender?
Would love to have seen the Transition Spur be a part of this discussion. The fact that it's more 'big box' brand bikes only makes me somewhat skeptical of the test overall. It would have been in "The Bible of Bike Tests" if such a thing still existed...
You also tested the NS Bikes Synonym TR1 last year, which is an even slacker downcountry bike as the Rocky. How would you compare those two?
These are the type of smiles you see right before blows.
Can't wait for DDX, DX, and DXX. :) (double down country, downcountry, and... downupcountry)
Surprised they did not include the specialized Epic Evo in this grouping. Perhaps Bontrager Rapha would not allow it? Would have been a pretty good stable mate in this bunch.
I don't need a #downcountry bike by at all, but bloody hell this was the most entertaining bike review(s) I've ever seen!
As the owner of a new Specialized Epic Evo how would it rate compared to these?
Easy, better, by far. It is odd they left it out of the comparison.
that and the new 120mm Scott Sparks, how you like the evo btw? tried getting one, but had a chance to grab the ‘22 spark and stoked on it so far.
I wish the ripley and epic evo made it this year!
When will there be a review of the orbea laufley?
I think comparing an alloy Element to the Ripley AF would be an interesting comparison. Which would be the better do-it-all bike?
Ripley they are awesome AF
@@finerbiner yea but element holds two full bottles, you can only run 1 small bottle on ripley which is deal breaker in hotter climates
@@mac001texas Water bottle would be about the 393rd consideration on a trail bike when you need to carry a lot more than water to be self sufficient. On a race bike-sure.
For 6 month I been waiting for someone to talk about the Trek Remedy 8 2022, why is this not the bike to talk about??? I'm the happy owner of a Roscoe 8 2020 and I think that this Remedy 8 2022 is the upgrade I want
These 3 gents are the best combo ever
Bar rise/stem length issues on factory bikes are a moot point imo. They are factors that should all be adjusted to fit to the individual rider. Do some of these bikes have low/no rise bars because they have high stack heights? 🤷♂️
The rocky has the same geo as the stumpjumper 2021 and almost the same weight. The stumpy has more travel. In my opinion the better choice. What do you think?
No doubt. New Stumpy is the rowdy downcountry bike AND the efficient trail bike in one. Swat storage doesn't hurt either.
The Stumpy with flex stays has low anti squat, making it have a very active rear suspension. This is bad for efficiency, and the rear suspension will bob a lot while pedaling. - linkagedesign.blogspot.com/2021/07/specialized-stumpjumper-2021.html
Henry needs to be acting in Hollywood or at least doing voiceovers or being a voice actor. His voice is so soothing.
Sounds like the Spec Epic Evo is the winner! Anyone with a Spur from last year? How do you feel?
I love pink bike and they do great test it is confusing why they didn't add the epic evo and the spur. Maybe couldn't get them?
@@garyrandall7149 they did the Spur and Epic Evo last year. I'm riding Spur and it's a rad bike. I think Spur is one of the best descender (along with the Rocky Mountain) of the down country category, while Epic EVO is a more versatile one and probably more XC oriented.
It would be interesting to see the comparison including a yeti 115, a transition spur and a Santa Cruz tallboy just to give more importance to the “down” side of down country
I think that for a down country bike 4 piston xt upfront with 2 piston xt out back.
My 2019 Canyon Lux Race Team came stock with 4 piston XTR brakes, which have excellent stopping power!
The Rocky ROCKS!! 🤩
Cross post from the SC Blur TR vid but same question and, likely, better audience:
Comparing the Canyon Lux Trail 8, the Santa Cruz Blur TR, and the Trek Top Fuel, dollar for dollar, which would you guys recommend for marathon XC racing or XC stage racing? Lets say we're going for Lux Trail 7 with budget for mods vs a Blur C TR XT with lightweight carbon wheelset vs a Top Fuel 9.8 XT with lightweight carbon wheelset. My intended use is competitive XC in some steep, rocky, dry terrain.
The Rocky Mountain Element Carbon 70/90 are tough to come by. The Santa Cruz is similarly difficult to find. The Scott Spark is nowhere to be found. The Top Fuel is relatively easy to come by and I can get it to just about 25lbs just by swapping out the wheels and tires. Would a 25# Top Fuel make a competitive marathon XC racer?
Its easy to say that the Blur TR AXS is the best racer in the group but its also $3k (50%) more expensive than the Top Fuel and is going to be much, much more difficult to find at the LBS.
That's also my question. The LUX Trail 7 would give a fair bit of upgrade budget. For marathon racing can it be brought up to a formidable tool? Or is the geometry and frame too off to make it work well?
It's hard when riding is highly individual and most of us don't have resources to actually ride all these bikes.
So ... Element Vs. Spur and Blur Vs. Epic Evo?
Yes Yes Yes!
The blur looks like an epic Evo
Waste of time! Sacrifice 1 more frame lb and just buy the new Stumpy.
Gday How does the Norco Optic compare to the Trek Top Fuel in this video?
Hey which is better a trek roscoe 7 or a orbea laufey cheers
As someone who does mostly xc is the element still a pretty viable option?
I’d say so. But with a 120 fork
Wait, you were saying bike that does it all, what about epic Evo or TR Spur????
How does the Santa Cruz Tallboy compare to the Rocky Mountain? Seems like a lot of similarities.
Great content. I ended up buying the Trek.
In my opinion u have xc race super light fast race bike down country witch is a short travel trail bike and then trail bike witch is more than 130mm if travel then enduro and then downhill
Am considering a fully XC or downcountry. I do race XC a bit, but do want an all day, better downhill bike. Do want 2 bottle cages, so the options are limited
Anyone thoughts on 2022 Scott Spark? Have Ibis DV9 that I keep trying to make more XC but would appreciate a rear shock.
just snagged the team issue Spark myself, only 3 rides so far but impressed. can tell I’m not even close to pushing its limits which is awesome. and love the geometry, feels really stable downhill but still nearly as agile as my 27.5 100mm bike in tight stuff. Glad that concern was wiped out.
I would have liked to put Mondraker F-Podium DC
i like the vibe of this way more than dare i say, a BETA review. Light hearted, funny, not too serious. Strong work gentlemen! Keep it coming!
Last year field test series was a lot better. More structured and pleasant for hearing, more objective and informative. This one is like bargaining on a turkish market.
Why is the final how to bike episode private?
Is live valve that bad that the bike attached to it is not even mentioned in terms of performance?
Nice one 👍👍
The solution to the brake problem is soo simple: formula cura two piston brakes
I wish I could have one of these bikes in my life 🤩🤩😀🙏