Ibis HD6, Santa Cruz Megatower V2, GT Force Enduro Bike Shootout!
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 23 มิ.ย. 2024
- Long-travel enduro bikes are becoming some of the most sought after bikes on the market, especially during the summer when bike parks tend to open up across the world. A lot of riders prefer to be over-biked rather than under-biked because they would rather have the extra suspension travel and not need it than vice-versa. This is extremely cost effective and allows more riders to only need one bike in their stable.
With so many incredible bikes being released into the market, we thought it might be a good idea to compare a few of our favorites in hopes that we can help you guys make some decisions when it comes to searching for your next bike. We took a trip up to Big Bear, California to ride Snow Summit bike park and compare a few of the most popular enduro bikes currently on the market.
Just a few short weeks ago, Ibis released their new HD6, which is a 165mm R/180mm F mullet/mixed-wheel enduro bike capable of a wide variety of riding. Whether you're looking to do some full on smashing rock gardens or interested in flowing through jump lines, this bike can do it all. The tried and true DW-Link suspension provides the new HD6 with unmatched versatility that we know riders will love.
The Santa Cruz Megatower V2 was released last summer and is another versatile long travel bike, capable of handling even the roughest terrain without blinking an eye. With many updates since it's first version was released in 2019, the Megatower V2 has many unique features that we believe long-travel fans will appreciate. With their proven VPP suspension design, Santa Cruz Bicycles provide a very reliable, predictable, and comfortable feel.
Looking for a high-pivot smash machine? The GT Force just might be the perfect bike for you. The GT Force is another highly capable bike, fun in all sorts of different terrain. With a unique suspension platform, this bike truly can do it all and with a more than reasonable price point, this is another bike we think everyone should be taking a closer look at.
Join our Athlete and Affiliate manager Kevin M. as he goes over the new Ibis HD6, GT Force Carbon Pro LE, and Santa Cruz Megatower V2.
Links to product:
Santa Cruz Bicycles: www.jensonusa.com/Santa-Cruz-...
GT Bicycles: www.jensonusa.com/gt-bicycles
Ibis Cycles: www.jensonusa.com/Ibis-Bicycles
Timecodes
0:00 - Intro
0:59 - Santa Cruz Bicycles VPP
3:19 - Megatower V2 Overview
4:12 - How Does the Megatower V2 Ride?
5:03 - GT Force Carbon
5:11 - High-Pivot Suspension
6:07 - GT Force Overview
7:51 - Ibis HD6
8:00 - DW-Link Suspension
8:26 - Redesigned Upper Link
8:59 - How Does the Ibis HD6 Ride?
10:19 - How Do They Compare to Each Other?
10:34 - GT Force
11:13 - Santa Cruz Megatower V2
11:53 - Ibis HD6
12:42 - Kevin's Pick
13:05 - Kevin's Recommendations
13-37 - Final Words
14:07 - Outro
About Us
Jenson USA, JensonUSA.com, is one of the largest, oldest, and most trusted online bike retailers in the US. We sell everything from mountain bikes, road bikes and gravel bikes, to newest selection of eBikes and kids bikes. We not only sell and ship full and ready to ride assembled bikes, but one of the biggest selections of bike components, apparel, footwear, helmets, and everything in between. At Jenson USA, our passion for cycling sprouted back in 1994 and has since taken root and grown into a community of people devoted to living life to its fullest. We're building a culture of people who respect each other, set the pace, and lead through service. We strive daily to better serve our customers, our fellow employees, and our community. Over the years we’ve found that happy people are hardworking people, and that the time we spend on two wheels together builds the greatest profit of all.
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Head into the JensonUSA blog for additional bike-related topics, tips, and insider details on products: www.jensonusa.com/blog
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Damn cant wait for the dentists who live by the coast to put these bikes on craigslist after 5 rides on flat singletrack
Sweet video! I want all the bikes, but you make me want the Ibis the most!!!
We're surprised you haven't been on one yet! Looking forward to seeing your review!
If I don't beat you to one Jeff....LOL (who am I kidding)
recently got a megatower, best bike i have ever ridden. it is so stable and so poppy and just makes you feel instantly comfortable! hands down an amazing bike
Yep, still enjoying mine just as much as when I first got it. Looking forward to seeing what they have in store for the V3 in a couple of years.
Sick comparison. Isn't the force on an insane sale? All sweet bikes
Yes! Kevin and I were both incredibly impressed with how it rode so combining ride quality with the more affordable pricing makes it a bike well worth checking out, regardless if it's from us or not. it's an incredible deal that I think a lot of people don't actually realize.
I just received my force from you guys..... I'll put it to my own test tomorrow morning 🤙🤙
We don't think you'll be disappointed! Let me know what you think after you get a few rides in!
I loved riding the Force in this video. My favorite "high-pivot" bike I have ridden. Felt instantly comfortable on it!
Great review!
We're glad you liked it! Happy we could help.
This was sick!
Miss you, buddy!
I’d love to see last generation’s Force 29 Alloy compared to the new Force Carbon. They 2020-21 alloy models are still kicking around for sale and seem like they’d make a killer enduro bike for a more budget conscious rider.
Great review
Appreciate the compliment!
I’m really liking the HD6, but also considering a Yeti SB140. I want a bike that is playful, everyday rider, and capable for gnarly terrain and the bike park.
Great video Google doesn't compare to the depth of videos. Describing..what u want and what u need...🎉🎉🎉🎉
very helpful
We appreciate it! Glad we could be of some help!
I was swapping shocks on my non-high pivot Force and found out that it gets next to no pedal kickback through the shock’s stroke despite just being a 4-bar. Seems like the high pivot version offers a lot of minor improvements with a trade off being less efficiency (but it’s an enduro bike so nbd)
This is interesting, you all carry YETI and you didn't include the SB160... Not enough room in the rack that day or what happened? I know you all knew you would get this question. Have to say the HD-6 revamped frame looks really sick. I can't stop looking at it. I know the SB160 is the least of travel in this category you tested but I wonder how it would have stacked up?
Oh I assure you, I tried... The SB160 was the original plan.
Ibis HD6 is all mountain good
I will pick yeti sb160 and high tower second.
I have had the Hightower in past and now SB160. The Yeti climbs like its lighter in weight, it might be in the Turq version. That's to say it climbs seriously good for 160mm of travel! The other thing, the Yeti carries insane speed that the Hightower does not do. Serious, it just wants to haul ass and it's got me in trouble a few times already as I wasn't expecting it to flow so fast. It feels more planted than the VPP, the shock comes stock with 2 vol reducers and if you add some, it becomes more playful as the Megatower. The Yeti feels easier in the air off jumps too, real confidence inspiring. Plus, I think it looks better than the Megatower, personal opinion though. I think the HD6 looks better than the Megatower too. I like that green color.
Im in a weird position, I know the answer for myself if there wasn't a huge "but", which is that I need to pick a new bike, and that I know the trail-AM category is what would be right for me. The "but" is that I'm looking for the top segment of the market that offers the BEST sweetspot between suppleness, small-medium bump nulling, and pedalability and it HAS to be full 27 or mullet compatible. I have a disc injury so I need one of the top suspension platforms that makes every root and bump disappear, I do not want to feel the trail under me, but I'm pedaling more than going just down. So i keep looking at the AM-enduro segment. I don't care about pretenses or if I look dumb with a big bike on my flow trails even single track here sucks with all the roots and rocks and agitates my spine, I just want to know if the HD6 or any other option is gonna fit those requirements for me. And secondly if I can go coil without making the pedaling bouncy
The HD6 demo that we had with us was too small for me to ride on the trail comfortably, but I did pedal it around briefly. My thoughts mimic Kevin's precisely... Not trying to sell you on anything, but I truly think that if you're considering the HD6, I wouldn't hesitate to pull the trigger if I were in your shoes.
Edit: Sorry, forgot to address the coil aspect. Although Ibis states that the HD6 is coil compatible, I'm not so sure it's necessary. The HD6 is plenty plush with the X2 air, so I'm not even sure it needs a coil to complement the DW-Link setup. The Fox X2 is already seen as being about as coil-like as an air shock can get so you'd be set. Additionally, I wonder whether Ibis knows this as well because none of their stock builds are paired up with a coil.
Hey Kevin here from the video. I think VPP (Santa Cruz) or DW-Link (Ibis) bikes would be a great option for you. Both these suspension designs have amazing off the top suppleness. These bikes feel the smoothest no matter how gnarly or tame the trail is. A coil shock improves this even further.
Thanks so much for all the replies! I actually just pulled the trigger on an Arrival 170 mx with a SDU coil. 🤩I wasn't able to locate a HD6 within driving distance to try but still hope I can try one some time and I'm *extremely* interested to see how the Arrival will directly compare to these other bikes
@@LastAphelion My buddy just got an Arrival 170 last month and is in love... As Kevin said, it's basically impossible to get a bad bike from a reputable bike manufacturer... Enjoy the new ride!
What was the bashguard on the megatower?
I removed my OneUp bashguard and used the stock ones that come on the X0 Transmission, they're built into the chainring. www.jensonusa.com/Sram-X0-T-Type-AXS-Eagle-Transmission-Groupset?_br_psugg_q=x0+transmission
Is the GT Force sport a good bike? I know it has no high pivot
Yes, still a good bike at a great price point. GT's have some pretty solid value for the price.
Sooooooo a mid-pivot?
Anyone know what was the carbon cover on the bottom of the mega tower?
Rockguardz
@@jensonusabicycles thank you so much
What about the SB160? 🤔
Right? They carry Yeti so what's up with that? I would be interested to hear how it compares to the HD-6.
@@travelthenarrowtrail8660 That would be a good comparison. I have the SB150 and I'm already thinking of the SB160.
That was the original plan, but something happened so things shifted to plan B.
@jensonusabicycles so what you are saying is that these didn't stand a chance to the SB160 so you had to do a video without? 🤔
@@rdelao no
Sb160
The fact that the Ibis is around 12K, is a complete turn-off. I mean you can get x2 GT’s basically for that and for the Megatower the anti-squat is just as good as the Ibis. I think a little more bias in this review. For 12K it’s an e-bike all day situation there…
There are cheaper build kits available, with very little sacrifice on performance. The starting kit is 6099.
N+1 bikes is running a deal right now. X0 T Type HD6 for $7k
I am sorry and have no intention to offend, but that seemed to lack any real information.
This one is better for bumps, this one is better for rocks and this one is better for everything.....
Agree it's hard to split bikes at this level but that honestly doesn't help a potential buyer...
So you're saying that telling a potential buyer what type of terrain a specific suspension design was made specifically for doesn't help them in decision making?
When I simulate HD6 in Linkage X3 I get 240% anti-squat. How can THAT win this comparison? th-cam.com/video/VLsHH14cTpw/w-d-xo.html
P R O M O S M 😞