Video: Welcome to the 2021 Summer Field Test - Enduro and eMTBs

Sep 6, 2021
by Mike Levy  


WELCOME TO THE 2021
SUMMER FIELD TEST
9 Enduro and eMTBs Ridden and Rated



Words by Mike Levy, photography by Tom Richards


Looking back on the approximately eighty-seven previous Field Tests we've done, you'll find head-to-head reviews on everything from full-blown enduro race machines to overly-capable trail bikes to laser-guided cross-country weapons that feel like they have less travel than those enduro sleds have sag. In other words, we've seen a lot of bikes. But I think it's safe to say that the 2021 Summer Field Test includes not just some of the best descending bikes we've ever had at a Field Test, but also the most capable climbers by far.

Because they have motors.

Yup, this is the first Field Test to include eMTBs, with four of the latest that run from relatively lightweight to "I could power a small town with my battery." They join a fleet of five interesting enduro bikes and all take different approaches to whatever the e-word (e-bike or enduro) means to you. All nine spent a few weeks doing non-stop runs in the Sun Peaks bike park under former Canadian National downhill champion Matt Beer and the impossibly English Henry Quinney. If it all goes to plan, you should be able to watch the first Field Test video review tomorrow morning.


2021 Summer Field Test
How can someone who rides a bike so fast always be so late? No idea, but his tables more than make up for it.



5 Enduro Bikes

While it used to imply some sort of race-y intentions, these days 'enduro' could be anything from a raked-out tank with an idler pulley to what's essentially a long-travel trail bike. So that's precisely what we got in to review, but we've also brought back an old friend for comparison's sake: the 2020 Specialized Enduro that's impressed us so much over the last couple of years. Just how far have bikes progressed since then? We're about to find out.

There are differing takes on how enduro an enduro bike should be, but there's no doubt that it has to be extremely capable on the descents. And while many brands seem to focus solely on that, many others offer a more rounded take on it, the result being a diverse range of choices and no one and only one way to get the job done.

Our enduro bikes start at 150mm of rear-wheel travel with We Are One's Arrival that uses a dual-link suspension layout and an exotic-looking Cerakote ceramic finish. Up against the Arrival is YT's re-designed Capra that gets new geometry, improved frame rigidity, and 165mm of travel with revised kinematics. Oh, and have you seen that paint color before? If you came here looking for high pivots and extra pulley wheels, you're in luck. GT's Force gets updated with an idler pulley and 160mm of travel, while our other idler-equipped bike is Norco's 170mm-travel, 37lb Range that could almost do double duty as a downhill bike on the weekends. If you're looking for all the travel but a bit less complication, there's also Transition's also-new Spire that has 170mm of both ends, a few year's worth of purple, and the lowest, slackest geometry of the bunch.

So, who's your money on?

2021 Summer Field Test
We Are One Arrival
• Travel: 150mm rear, 160mm front
• 29" wheels
• 64° head-tube angle
• 77° seat-tube angle
• Reach: 475mm (SZ2)
• Weight: 32.04 lb / 14.53 kg
• $8,899 USD

2021 Summer Field Test
GT Force Carbon Pro LE
• Travel: 160mm rear, 170mm front
• 29" wheels
• 63.5° head-tube angle
• 78° seat-tube angle
• Reach: 480mm (large)
• Weight: 35.77 lb / 16.22 kg
• $6,000 USD
2021 Summer Field Test
YT Capra Core 4
• Travel: 165mm rear, 170mm front
• 29" wheels
• 64.2 / 64.5° head-tube angle
• 77.6 / 77.9° seat-tube angle
• Reach: 467mm (large)
• Weight: 33.69 lb / 15.28 kg
• $5,999 USD

2021 Summer Field Test
Transition Spire GX Carbon
• Travel: 170mm rear, 170mm front
• 29" wheels
• 62.5 / 63° head-tube angle
• 77.6 / 78.1° seat-tube angle
• Reach: 480 / 485mm (large)
• Weight: 33.20 lb / 15.05 kg
• $5,999 USD
2021 Summer Field Test
Norco Range C1
• Travel: 170mm rear, 170mm front
• 29" wheels
• 63.25° head-tube angle
• 77° seat-tube angle
• Reach: 480mm (large)
• Weight: 37.05 lb / 16.80 kg
• $8,999 USD



4 eMTBs

With geometry and suspension layout in a place where most things work pretty well, mountain bike design is seeing smaller improvements rather than leaps (and stumbles) ahead that make a difference on the trail. But eMTBs? They're still the Action Park of bike design. Some brands seem to modify existing platforms to work with a motor and battery, while others have released new bikes that use eMTB-specific suspension layouts with revised motor and battery integration. Not only that, but you can also choose from either a sorta-light eMTB, normal heavy eMTB, or a full-fat version with a whopping 900Wh battery. Our four eMTB test bikes represent the current spectrum of what's possible while giving us a chance to compare how the different approaches to battery-biking perform.

If you were in the market for a new eMTB, would you choose a relatively lightweight, low-powered ride or are you looking for all the juice?

2021 Summer Field Test
Specialized Turbo Kenevo SL
• Travel: 170mm rear, 170mm front
• 29" wheels
• 62.5 / 64.7° head-tube angle
• 75.8 / 76.7° seat-tube angle
• Reach: 484 / 489mm (S4)
• Specialized SL 1.1 motor, 320 Wh internal battery, 160 Wh water bottle battery
• Weight: 44.62 lb / 20.23 kg (w/ add-on battery)
• $15,000 USD
2021 Summer Field Test
Norco Range VLT C1
• Travel: 170mm rear, 180mm front
• 29" wheels
• 63° head-tube angle
• 76.9° seat-tube angle
• Reach: 475mm (large)
• Shimano EP8 battery, 900 Wh battery
• Weight: 56.8 lb / 25.76 kg
• $9,598 USD (inc. 900Wh battery)


photo
???? ????
• Travel: a bunch
• 29" wheels... maybe
• A head-tube angle
• A seat-tube angle
• Reach: yes
• Weight: a lot
• 9,000 PB tokens
2021 Summer Field Test
Commencal Meta Power
• Travel: 160mm rear, 170mm front
• 29" wheels
• 63.5° head-tube angle
• 78° seat-tube angle
• Reach: 475mm (large)
• Shimano EP8 motor, 630 Wh battery
• Weight: 54.8 lb / 24.85 kg
• $6,999 USD



How Do We Choose the Bikes?

And why don't we have more of them? There are no set-in-stone rules, but they should check off a combination of interesting, important, or entirely new, with all nine of these contenders meeting some or all of that criteria. We already know that the bike you wanted to read about isn't here, but the shortage means that it's probably not anywhere else, to be fair.

Not only that, but we'd rather get to know our nine bikes real well than have one-day-stands with twenty bikes in the same amount of time.


2021 Summer Field Test
The Sun Peaks bike park offers everything from huge jump lines to full-on downhill tracks and everything in between.



How'd We Test the Bikes?

If this is your first Field Test, there's really just one thing you need to know: this gong show is all about comparing the bikes to each other, and nothing does that better than back-to-back riding. And then some back-to-back-to-back riding, followed by a bit of back-to... Okay, you get the idea. This time around we were at the Sun Peaks Resort, just forty-five minutes outside of Kamloops and home to some of the fastest and best lift-accessed riding in the world. And did I mention a lack of lift lines?

With a chairlift on our doorstep, you can't blame us for not doing a bunch of climbing on the enduro bikes, can you? Besides, we mostly just want to know how the bikes perform when it matters most, so Matt and Henry spent a few weeks swapping bikes to feel out what they like and, more importantly, didn't like.


2021 Summer Field Test
Just outside of Kamloops, Sun Peaks is full of trails instead of crowds.
2021 Summer Field Test


Do you prefer the feels or the data? Either way, we've got both for you: Matt smashed out timed laps on all the bikes on the same rocky, rough descent, including the ones with motors. In fact, our timed downhill was used as a stage for the Canadian National Enduro Championship, which is about as appropriate as it can get.

Field Testing means many bikes, a ton of riding, a bunch of timing, and of course those matching control tires. The thing is, tires obviously have a massive effect on how a bike performs, but they also wear out, get torn, thrown in the trash, and replaced with some other over-priced tire from your favorite brand. Putting matching tires on all the bikes - Maxxis' DHR2 on the front and a Dissector for the rear, both with sticky rubber and proper casings - means that we can concentrate on how the bike handles and evaluate the suspension performs on equal terms, unsullied by tires that you may or may not run anyway.


2021 Summer Field Test
Did someone say the hot tub is open? Henry Quinney in a hurry on the GT Force.



Impossible Climb & Huck to Flat

There are plenty of times when it pays to take things seriously... Just not when we're doing the Impossible Climb. Of course it's back, but in a very un-Pinkbike move, Brian could sense that I still have PTSD from all the previous episodes and mercifully made Matt get it done instead. Turns out he's not just handy at going down. The mountain bikes faced a tricky climb with four distinct sections to challenge the bikes in different ways, and yes, we definitely had to modify the course in order to give Matt some trouble on the eMTBs.

While I got to skip falling over on camera a few dozen times, no one else put their hand up for the Efficiency Test. Weird. I rode all the mountain bikes up a gravel fire road course at the same 300-watt output using Garmin's new Rally XC power meter pedals. Then I did the same on the 57lb Norco Range VLT, just to illustrate the difference between watts and watts. Can you guess which bike was the quickest? And speaking of climbing and self-flagellation, Brian also tasked me with finding out how long all these batteries last. Picture me climbing over 18,000-feet in seven hours, then me eating a few dozen donuts for dinner, then me going to bed at 7pm and that about sums it up.


2021 Summer Field Test
Part-time Pinkbike editor, full-time calf model.
2021 Summer Field Test
It only took 1,387 takes and almost as many mosquito bites to film the Welcome to Field Test video.

2021 Summer Field Test
SWAT is cool and all, but have you ever done a run while holding a camera and tripod? Max has.
2021 Summer Field Test
Naps are an important part of all Field Tests.


With so much climbing to get done it's a miracle that we had time to squeeze in the Huck to Flat, but we also knew that there might be a riot if we skipped it. Jason Lucas is the man you should thank, especially as it didn't exactly go as planned this time around. Again. We all know it's better that way, though, don't we?



Who Tested the Bikes?


photo
Matt Beer
Height: 5'10" / 178 cm
Weight: 160 lb / 73 kg
Notes: Tech editor, quick on a bike, but never on time
photo
Henry Quinney
Height: 6' / 183 cm
Weight: 183lb / 83 kg
Notes: Tech editor, full-time Branston pickle enthusiast


While Matt, Henry, and I did all the riding, our film and photo crew behind the camera did at least five times as much work. Maybe six times as much now that I think about it, and all with 40lb camera bags on their backs and with only a bit of yelling at us to stop forgetting our lines on camera after fourteen hours of filming. With the whole plague thing still happening, our skeleton crew of Jason Lucas, Max Barron, and Tom Richards had their work cut out for them. Making these Field Test videos is a lot of fun - and we hope that comes through on camera - but they also require stamina for long days, a good attitude, and some hustle, all things this team has plenty of.

Stay tuned for the first Field Test video review that goes live tomorrow, followed by so many more over the coming weeks. Which review are you most looking forward to watching?




The 2021 Summer Field Test was made possible with support from Dainese apparel and protection, and Sun Peaks Resort. Shout out also to Maxxis, Garmin, Freelap, and Toyota Pacific.




Author Info:
mikelevy avatar

Member since Oct 18, 2005
2,032 articles

359 Comments
  • 203 3
 Surely comencal win by supplying a bike + motor for the same price that the other companies can just supply a bike. Buy the commencal, flog the motor and have an enduro bike with downtube storage big enough to store all your spare cash
  • 60 0
 Not a bad strategy tbh
  • 63 0
 Or put another small folding bicycle in the downtube
  • 12 1
 Or kebabrolls. Mmmmm.
  • 5 1
 No motor, no bottom bracket, no drivetrain, loads of cash.
  • 30 3
 @mikelevy: Although I love all the baseless shit talking in the comments section as much as we all do, I wanted to say I was super stoked to see this today and can’t wait to watch. You guys put on an incredibly good production!! Cheers, my man!
  • 1 0
 @PHX77: Totaly agree! Big Grin
  • 7 0
 @PHX77: It wouldn't feel right without the shit talking! Thanks for the kudos Smile
  • 128 4
 I can't believe I am saying this again, but we had another failure during the Huck to Flat test. Not a frame this time, thankfully.

In case it wasn't obvious, the huck to flat "test" isn't actually supposed to push the limits of these bikes—it's just a cool way to watch them go through their travel off a little 2 ft ramp. I'd expect the most featherweight XC components to survive this without flinching.

Stay tuned, I guess. Sorry Jason.
  • 220 1
 I'm never doing the Huck To Flat again... until the next Field Test.
  • 11 0
 @jasonlucas: Get well soon Jason...
  • 14 2
 Gotta triple check those rear axels brian
  • 44 0
 Let me guess, pre-production sample? Simple mix up? Absolutely no correlation to actual failures for real riders?
  • 3 0
 Crank it up
  • 34 0
 Was it @jasonlucas’s ankles?
  • 4 0
 hope it wasn't pedal spindle(s)
  • 4 0
 Blue screen? Mid air reboot? Got your huck hacked?
  • 9 1
 I’m gonna guess the capra’s X2 had enough on the huck and donated some oil to the frame.
  • 25 0
 I'm guessing one of the EP8 e-bikes left hand crank falling off.

don't ask me how I know Frown
  • 5 0
 @Brasher: Happend to me as well. Luckily not at the 9 foot jump shortly before. Now I'm paranoid and check the crank every time I go for a ride... A cousin of mine looked like he had a play date with a wood chipper after a similar accident. No need to experience that
  • 3 1
 @whoopsy: Drive side crank bolt on Bosch motors as well....
  • 181 110
 I'm sorry. Despite every manufacturer jumping onto the popularity of motors, I cannot with good conscience, ever consider a motorized bike a bicycle. They are, and forever will be, mopeds, regardless of the type of motor they use.
  • 93 71
 Imagine not knowing what a moped is lmao
  • 80 75
 Call ‘em what you want. It’s great to see Pinkbike doing a proper eMTB field test.
  • 33 9
 How did I not realize that, the clue is literally in the name! I've got nothing against e-bikes (waiting for the release of an Kenevo SL Comp), but it turns out you are exactly right, the dictionary-correct name is 'moped': en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moped#Etymology
  • 37 55
flag justanotherusername (Sep 6, 2021 at 10:42) (Below Threshold)
 They are due to dominate the MTB industry, like it or not and call them whatever takes your fancy.

I have held off for a long time and to start with was an ebike hater, but lately it has just started to make sense, I’m not in my 20’s with a good pair of legs and loads of time anymore, and they are fun too….
  • 45 22
 @freeridejerk888: Imagine deluding yourself into thinking a moped is a bicycle
  • 12 29
flag justanotherusername (Sep 6, 2021 at 10:45) (Below Threshold)
 @cirque4: it’s called being a Luddite
  • 19 15
 I used to be an e-bike hater too but some of these relatively light weight iterations (kenevo SL etc) are a great option if you live somewhere with big fire road climbs and rowdy descents. You just get more laps in on the fun stuff. I still agree that if you’re getting one for trail riding or relatively punchy ups and downs is overkill. Also, for whatever reason, the guys riding e-bikes on those flatter trails always seem to have a chip on their shoulder…
  • 41 30
 @snowwcold55: I’m getting one for trail riding and punchy ups, why? - I have other commitments keeping me from being as fit as I need to feel to enjoy myself and an ebike gives me that back.

What I find odd is people getting so upset over others enjoyment.
  • 22 7
 @justanotherusername: how dare you enjoy different things than me! I don't have an ebike but my older neighbor does and he loves it.
  • 33 34
 I'm sorry. Despite every bike park jumping onto the popularity of chairlifts, I cannot with good conscience, ever consider assisted uplift to be riding a bicycle. Your mate's shuttle wagons are, and forever will be, chairlifts, regardless of the type of motor they use. Insert any other ill-formed and irrelevant opinion if you like.
  • 15 8
 How does your conscience feel about shuttles and chairlifts?
  • 86 15
 unpopular opinion…I had an e-mtb because I, like others have said, didn’t have as much time after having kids etc etc. It was neat at first but the novelty wore off quickly. Rides were never as satisfying as non-E mtb. But then again, I’m old school, or just old, and appreciate working hard for things I really want, like a well-built trail, a well-earned descent, or a well-deserved beer. There are no shortcuts in life, reward is proportional to effort. I ditched that moped, built a ripping modern mountain bike, and got into the best shape of my life. But, you do you!
  • 5 4
 @L0rdTom: u obviously hate fun.
  • 7 5
 @L0rdTom: and I consider those who use chairlifts to just coast down to be riding tobagans. Get over yourselves.
  • 2 2
 Imagine being so dull you think I did @cirque4:
  • 10 14
flag hotpotato (Sep 6, 2021 at 17:33) (Below Threshold)
 @notsofastoverfifty: DGAF.... lift away. Because a chairlift never ran over a hiker or spooked a horse and caused a town-hall meeting about how "those mountain bikers" are ruining our trails and should be banned. That's my one and only beef. The machines themselves, no matter what you call them are pretty slick, even if they are a little bit crude still.

....but I guess if all you're ever doing with an e-bike is shuttling up a gravel road to access a DH run, then who cares.
  • 18 8
 It is my greatest spiritual failure that I still derive so much pleasure from people still being so butt-hurt about ebikes.
  • 8 4
 @justanotherusername: I don’t have a problem with it, I just think it’s overkill. If your ride is up and down, why not just maximize your exercise on a normal bike and do different sections on different days? Inevitably you’ll get more fit by doing that and be able to ride more miles in less time. You do you at the end of the day - if you’re out biking that’s great, regardless of the instrument IMO
  • 8 1
 @bradwalton: seeing Hans rey banging the bash guard of his e-bike on things he used to hop it just sad, but understandable

I'm older than him but with much less mileage I'm sure
  • 10 12
 I traded my bike for a kenevo ebike 3 years ago and never looked back. I raced and i am hardcore downhill only rider. I am not faster up or down but can sustain more dh runs on my ebike. I also live where there are no shuttles or lifts. No point if you have shuttles or have flat trails or like uphill workout more than then downhill racing workout...
  • 7 2
 @L0rdTom: you sound slow
  • 15 6
 @justanotherusername: I got one because my riding days were otherwise pretty much over. I have a pretty serious autoimmune disability that's catching up with me as I'm getting older, and I just wasnt enjoying it anymore as it was kicking my ass too much. Some lady with a small kid was hollering at me today that I was cheating. Sure, call it what you want. I had an awesome day, ~30km 1,200m of elevation gain. I was exhausted after, but I've been grinning all night. All these people are going to gatekeep. I'm just going to enjoy riding my bike, and they can honestly suck it.
  • 8 6
 @snowwcold55: As I say, it’s about time and the experience I get to have for the time I now have available

A few years ago I was pretty fit, not long stopped racing and had time to keep that way, now my fitness has dropped considerably, I just don’t have time to get there again and this personally impacts the enjoyment I get when out on the bike - the ebike solves this for me.

I still have a normal bike and it’s going nowhere, for now anyway.
  • 10 6
 @Stickman1029: Man if an e-bike got you out again on a bike that’s awesome, it helped a guy local to me in a similar way, he now rides an ebike out with his old group on ‘normal’ bikes as his health prevents him keeping up like before.
  • 5 5
 @savagelake: I forgot you have to write /s after any sarcastic comment for Americans to get it : /
  • 3 3
 @freeridejerk888: Imagine not knowing what a mountainbike is lmao. Oh right, apparently you don't have to imagine.
  • 10 6
 @bradwalton: I had the exact same experiance. Was an ebike lover, now an ebike hater. They are a novelty.
  • 3 3
 @L0rdTom: I assume you are being sarcastic and that it went over everyone’s heads. Have an upvote.
  • 5 9
flag Raffe (Sep 7, 2021 at 5:50) (Below Threshold)
 They are not mopeds and will never be and you should really try one Wink
They are more versatile and sooooo much more fun Big Grin
  • 4 4
 If just one fat Texan turns in their dirt bike for an ebike, I’ll call it a win.
  • 10 1
 @Raffe: From wiki (which could of course be wrong) en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moped#Etymology

"Moped: Etymology

The word moped was coined by the Swedish journalist Harald Nielsen in 1952, as a portmanteau of the Swedish words motor and pedaler. The claimed derivation from the term motor-velocipede is incorrect.[3][4] According to Douglas Harper, the Swedish terms originated from "(trampcykel med) mo(tor och) ped(aler)", which means *"pedal cycle with engine and pedals"* (the earliest versions had auxiliary pedals).[5]"

The interesting bit to me was the "pedal cycle with engine and pedals", i.e. specifically a pedal cycle, not a pedal motorbike which is how I've always thought of those pedal mopeds I used to see in Europe but rarely in the UK.

Anyway, words evolve of course, and we all know what e-bike refers to now, it's just vaguely historically interesting (to me!).
  • 9 3
 @justanotherusername: I'm thinking of getting one for trailwork. Three other builders who, like me, work on trails difficult to access have an ebike. They cut an hour out of time hiking in and hiking out. 2 hours extra trailwork per session is massive. And let's face it, I'm pretty much resigned to being a rich childless f+&k so what else am I going to spend money on
  • 2 4
 After listening to the latest PB podcast on ebikes they sound truly horrible to ride on anything other than a dirt road uphill
  • 5 3
 do you pedal a moped? No, well its not a moped then is it?
  • 6 2
 @Stickman1029:

"I have a pretty serious autoimmune disability that's catching up with me as I'm getting older, and I just wasnt enjoying it anymore as it was kicking my ass too much."

An E-bike is a perfect fit. Not sure why the downvotes.
  • 9 4
 @njcbps: because just like it was cool to hate 29ers, until everyone was on 29ers it’s cool to hate ebikes…. Probably until everyone is on an ebike….
  • 6 4
 @justanotherusername: the shift in opinion is already happening, slowly the intolerant are growing more tolerance for them, Just look at any article from just a year or two ago.

At the end of the day it's just pissing about in the woods with your mates, people need to stop taking it so seriously.
  • 6 2
 @L0rdTom: Isn’t that the truth - if you want it to be more then go racing.
  • 5 4
 @justanotherusername: Underrated comment
  • 2 1
 @mikelevy: don’t tell me you’re on a moped too
  • 1 0
 @L0rdTom: nah. u just gotta say something funny. then we get it Smile
  • 5 3
 @bradwalton: Nah, not yet.
  • 1 1
 @L0rdTom: so you dont consider world cup downhill racing to be riding a bicycle?
  • 2 0
 @Woody25: You got me there Wink
But you really should try one. I was hesitant as at first but then I tried one and I was sold! I knew I needed to have one Smile They are so much fun and versatile, cx, trail, enduro (dh depending on bike) all in one bike. And yes you get a kick-as workout.
EMTB´s are like 29ers 8 years ago but I´m telling you all here on Pinkbike, they are comining and many of you will have one in 5-10 years Smile
  • 3 0
 @Raffe: I’m totally with you, as I said in my other post further up I’m just waiting (hoping) for Specialized to release a Comp version of the Kenevo SL and I’m in. I don’t have a DH or Enduro bike at the moment, so the Kenevo can do do double duty there. I’m 100% up for some self shuttling!
  • 81 17
 Chances are the Yeti is the one that broke. Considering all the problems their normal bikes have I can't imagine how problematic their e-bike will be.
  • 36 7
 Was going to post something along the same lines. Yeti and an emtb is a sure way to electrify their warranty department. Prove us wrong Yeti, I had a customer service experience with a SB150 where you accused me of lying and all I wanted was a warranty clarification.
  • 19 19
 Way overblown. They do break just like every brand of carbon bike does, but my local Yeti dealer has sold hundreds of them since 2019 and has yet to ever have to file a single warranty claim on a frame.
  • 49 2
 @YatesC: "we have never seen that before" the most said phrase in warranty departments around the world
  • 13 2
 @YatesC: Could be and you look to be in an area with some rugged, rocky trails. Could it also be that your local Yeti dealer has a vested interest in in trying to make the brand appear as reputable and upstanding as possible?

Where there's smoke, there's fire and in the case of Yeti this appears true. Let us hope they right their ship but for their race bred mantra and premium charged I think they deserve their current reputation.
  • 2 0
 @Beyond-The-Tape: Agreed 100%. I've heard it way too much whenever I've warrantied components directly through the manufacturer. This is coming from a small bike shop though.
  • 3 0
 @heatproofgenie: mostly agree, but I think it's largely an older rep that originated in the early years of carbon fiber when a lot of brands went too far with making bike frames light (I broke more than one early carbon frame). I'm only on my second Yeti (neither pre 2019), but always thought their lack of a sub GX or XT price point made them a target.

The owner/mechanic at the small shop I buy from is one of my riding buddies, so pretty confident he's being genuine. A couple crash replacements, but no warranty claims yet after 2019.
  • 13 2
 Yep, It will be nicknamed the Yeti Warrant-E
  • 4 4
 I ride a 2018 SB6. about 5500-6000k on it including a few races. spent 5700 on the base model. I have absolutely flogged it. Zero issues, even the XT 11 speed is still going strong. you usually don't hear many issues with Yeti out where I am from Edmonton Alberta. I ride all the eastern slopes trails in BC and Alberta as well as all the lift parks including kicking horse. That bike has performed amazing. It replaced an Intense M9. Just recently I forgot to top up my rear air pressure and bent the rim, so no more tubeless, but now I just get more momentum for the jumps, with a bit more rotational mass. I would love a 165. But will probably go long travel 29'er next. Still want to pedal up too.
  • 13 0
 @hardstaff: personal anecdotes of owning one unbroken bike from a company are statistically meaningless. I worked at a Yeti dealer in their hometown for a few years. Yetis crack. a lot. We had a wall of broken Yeti rear triangles in the backroom that you would have had to have seen to believe. They are great race bikes, and if I was a sponsored enduro racer it would be one of my first choices, but personally I would never buy one as a long term bike, and absolutely would never buy one second hand i.e. without a warranty.
  • 3 0
 @blackercanyons: There are a whole lot of them here, I never hear of issues with them. But then I guess the whole point is they all can have issues. I know Rocky went through this too. Is it safe with any bike manufacture these days? What are your single thoughts on the best Endura frames to buy?
  • 4 3
 @blackercanyons: guessing everyone who works at any dealer in any company's hometown has seen a wall of broken rear triangles from that brand. That's where triangles go when they're broken.
  • 8 0
 @hardstaff: carbon enduro frame weights have been creeping upward for the last 2-3 years across all brands. I don't think you can go wrong with any of them right now. The only thing statistically irrelevant today is what was relevant a few years or more back. I broke bikes from six brands between 2014 and 2018. Haven't had any bike from any brand break since then, the last two consecutive bikes being Yeti's. I'll add that I've used CushCore a lot the past three years, but I'm convinced that carbon layup technology has significantly improved across the industry as well.
  • 9 0
 @hardstaff: did you read the part where I said I worked at a huge yeti dealer in Yeti's hometown? I've worked on literally hundreds of Yetis, if not thousands. They crack. it isn't debatable. It's a widely known fact.

frames i've seen the least problems with are Pivots. that isn't meant to be a statement that Pivots are universally problem free.
  • 4 0
 @ranke: I dont think so. There's other frame brands that are based in or near Denver/Golden, I never saw a wall of broken frames from those companies. I've also lived in other bike brands' hometowns and never saw walls of broken frames from those companies.
  • 2 0
 If anything, it must have been the Specialized that broke. The current Enduro has such a fragile frame. A neighbour had to claim warranty twice within 12 months of buying his Enduro - one time for a broken rocker link and the other time because of a cracked downtube.
  • 3 0
 @YatesC: Right. That must be the reason why there are so many used Yeti SB150's on sale with frames that are claimed to be freshly replaced under warranty.
  • 2 0
 This summer, yeti gave me a crash replacement sb150 for my yeti sb66, which just went through it’s second rear triangle. I originally bought the sb66 on deep discount from backcountry and it was years outside of warranty. I was expecting them to say “Too bad”. But there was no argument, no accusations, just “Hey, do you want a frame at cost?”. Now I’ve got that customer service for a ‘lifetime’.
  • 3 2
 "I can't believe I am saying this again, but we had another failure during the Huck to Flat test. Not a frame this time, thankfully." --Brian Park, comment higher up on this news article
  • 2 3
 Everyone saying x bike cracks or y brand doesn't crack, all bikes can crack. I'm hefty, I've broken a kona, specialized, commencal and a banshee frame, along with pretty much every component at some point, mostly from different companies, including the star ratchet system in a dt 350 hub (even dt couldn't tell me what I'd done other than it was completely knackered), you give something enough abuse it will break, no two ways about it, along with non perfect production methods (95% success rate is a damn sight cheaper than 100%, just check the price of mining equipment and compare it to a non mining equivalent, it's 3x the price) its just inevitable. How the company deals with it is the real question.
  • 1 0
 @inked-up-metalhead: nah. Some bikes legit crack more. Yeti is one of them. Look up the race in Texas that had 3 yetis crack in one race.
  • 1 0
 @YatesC: My 15 year old daughter cracked her SB5 top tube in half hucking to flat. That being said, it was a massive huck to flat and I think most non-DH bikes would have been damaged. Somehow she was ok. That happened in May and I am still working out the crash replacement warranty issue but mainly because the shop I bought it from is giving me a hard time with the receipt. Yeti has been good when I email them but I understand how their hands are tied.
  • 58 10
 "That's it for the mountain bikes..."
Gotta love the argument from the podcast bleeding into the video.
E-biking is a different sport than mountain biking, Kazimer said so himself.
  • 29 49
flag justanotherusername (Sep 6, 2021 at 10:46) (Below Threshold)
 So you wear the same shit to ride one, go to the same place to ride one, put most of the same parts on one, ride it in almost exactly the same way, but somehow it’s a ‘different sport’?

Like football and tennis?
  • 8 1
 And so is riding down paved highways with monster jumps. Just glorified bmx on steroids.
  • 28 2
 you can wear the same gear to go skootering, but it ain't skateboarding
  • 19 1
 @justanotherusername: tennis and ping pong are different sports too
  • 6 3
 If you are riding gravity trails it's about as different as a DH race vs an Enduro race. Bigger heavier more stable bike assisted to the top vs lighter more mmaneuverable bike pedaled to the top. Quite different for sure, different sport entirely I'm not convinced.
  • 15 4
 I mean Kaz is not wrong, isn't he. E-biking misses out on the sporting spirit of mountainbiking. Which doesn't mean it's inferior - it's just a different experience. But people should really stop pretending it's the same thing.
  • 3 3
 @BenTheSwabian: honest question, have you ever ridden one, on real trails?
I find out for me ebike could do two things, save time or save energy (or obviously a mix). If you choose to go fast uphill, you can really tax yourself but do it a lot quicker - so more runs.
It is, obviously duh, not the same thing. But saying it takes out the sporting spirit is either gatekeeping, or I never "got it" in the first place, on my normal mtb.
  • 1 1
 @BenTheSwabian: To quote George Orwell's "The Sporting Spirit" Serious sport has nothing to do with fair play. It is bound up with hatred, jealousy, boastfulness, disregard of all rules and sadistic pleasure in witnessing violence: in other words it is war minus the shooting.

I'm okay with not engaging in the sporting spirit. I prefer to engage in sportiness. I ride a 37 lb Commencal Clash enduro bike more than my 30 lb Jeffsy trail bike because I don't mind lugging extra mass so I can enjoy the DH more. I'm selling my trail bike so I can buy an Commencal Meta Power SX for solo rides when I just wanna smash more DH runs. I'll keep my Clash so I can still go on rides with my friends and enjoy the suffer fest. I bet at by the end of next season I'll be faster descending on my Clash because of the quantity of DH runs I've done as well as the extra effort it takes to maneuver a 54 lb bike while descending. Not sure if you can argue that being faster at descending because I worked harder isn't sportiness.....
  • 48 0
 "that's it for the mountain bikes" hahaha
  • 21 0
 We love you Levy. Yeah, we're not looking for new names for the thing we've always been riding, it's a mountain bike. That other thing that came along can get the new names.
  • 75 36
 I really wish e-bikes would fuck off and go be their own category of sport as distinct from MTB's as dirtbikes are. They'd also look better if bike designers quit pretending they were bikes and just integrated everything more like a motorcycle. there's no reason for a bike that heavy and clunky looking to still be using derailleurs.
  • 34 16
 That actually sounds more attractive.. For me it's the mess they're making jumping into our category that is off putting about e-mtbs. If it was completely removed from mountain biking in looks and categorization I might not be completely repulsed. Hit the electric dirt moped track for a few high powered quiet laps on a unique vehicle.
  • 8 3
 @mobiller: agree.
  • 40 0
 Yet-E Turq-E
  • 6 0
 turquoise chain guide leads me to believe you’re right
  • 5 0
 Nailed it
  • 5 2
 Recommended by 4 out of 5 dentists
  • 2 0
 The new DB-165??
  • 1 0
 Guesses on price? I’m going with $14k USD on the intro model and $18k for the Gucci (or Yeti) one lol
  • 31 1
 GT Force: Weight: 35.77 lb / 16.22 kg
Norco: Weight: 37.05 lb / 16.80 kg

Where does the weight come from?
I mean 16,8 is insane, how is this even possible with a carbon frame?
  • 25 1
 I think the downtube is solid instead of hollow? Jokes, but it's ready for a downhill fork, and that HP/idler design never makes for a light bike.
  • 7 0
 so much more carbon
  • 12 1
 Tyres: Exo+ vs DD, Air vs Coil and bigger down tube.
  • 14 1
 Besides the incredibly heavy 38mm forks, tires, and a couple other components, I believe manufacturers offering extended or lifetime warranties are turning to the lazy method of overengineering their frames.
  • 9 2
 Something tells me that Spire (33lbs) might kick the Range's ass at going downhill having a good time, and not because of the weight.
  • 7 0
 Norco frames lately have in general been very solid, you could almost say they are overbuilt for their intended use. My Optic is the only short travel bike I've ridden, that I would comfortably take to a bike park. Also the Range specifically shares it's front triangle with what will probably be the new Aurum DH bike.
  • 4 2
 @mikelevy: How much weight does a high pivot idler add?
Seriously it's fine to be against a design in principal but are we not talking about the weight of a sprocket, bolt, and two extra chain links. (almost forgot the extra master link. Now I see where I went wrong.)
  • 3 0
 @bailey1127: No much, but it definitely adds some. I think the Range is just a burly frame, which is a good thing!
  • 26 2
 @streetfighter848: Boom, this x 100. Carbon is fine in the right application and with a thoughtful design process, sympathetic to the benefits and weakness of the material. We all know that aluminium, Ti and steel can also make great material for bike frames, particularly with the advances in hydroforming etc.

The issue over the last few years appears to be twofold: A swathe of bike companies seem determined to not use carbon (or aluminium, or both) to it's greatest material advantage, instead designing bikes that can be marketed in parallel to their other material versions and without diverging too much from the desired brand "look".
Using Santa Cruz as a random example (and there are plenty of other brands to choose from here), the alloy Hightower and carbon Hightower frames look almost identical from a distance. If SC were really wanting to maximise the potential of each material, those two bikes really shouldn't end up looking so similar - they're doing it because they can, and because they want to make the bikes look similar, rather then because they've perhaps landed on the optimum shape & structure for the material in question.
Which then suggests that at least one of those frames is not truly optimised for the material in question, and doubtless both frames end up heavier as a result, for, in part, the sake of marketing.

Secondly, there is that warranty/breakage issue... Here's another random example. When Transition first brought out the original Bandit, it was a fun and agile 140mm 26" frame, and pretty light. The update to 650b kept the previous basic design intact. Then the Scout V1 came out as it's replacement, a bike which rightly still has a bit of a cult status; still light, agile and versatile. But riding had progressed in that time, along with expectations & some riders started to push the limits of that frame, and found them via cracked swing arms. The apparent solution? Add more material, a lot more - The Scout V2, went from being a circa 7lb 115mm frame to suddenly being a circa 9.5lb 125mm frame...... So a lightish (27/28/29lb complete) fun short travel trail bike turned into a 30/31/32lb steed, still with basically the same short travel. In fact, there wasn't much weight difference between the Scout V2 and Patrol V2 frames (and there really should have been, given the different travel, geo & supposed riding intentions).

In the late 90's or early 2000's, a free ride bike might have weighed something like 40lbs (with dual crown fork, dual chainrings, beefy tires etc). I know the newer stuff has obvious ride improvements (geometry alterations don't particularly add weight though) but even allowing for 29 wheels, dropper posts and maybe tire inserts, it feels like we're heading back in the direction of those 40lb complete weights again... ho hum!
  • 4 6
 I hope Norco reinforce their frames, the old range and sight used to crack like crazy.
  • 1 0
 @streetfighter848: It’s not lazy to design a product that won’t break. MTB has an extraordinary warranty rate compared to industries like automotive, and if companies are starting to design products that can actually stand up to the application then that’s great news.

What’s lazy is building a product that lasts a few years of heavy use then slapping a lifetime warranty on it and hoping serious riders will recognize when the bike is roached and pass it off on the used market. That, plus count on the fact 90% of riders won’t even approach the capabilities of the bike.
  • 2 0
 The bikes are also significantly longer than they used to be so you are also going to see more material in the frame
  • 4 0
 @Corinthian: I bought an Xprezo Ad Hoc frame because i cracked my Norco Sight, it is an Aluminium and Steel bike. This bike is so light 12.5 kg and so solid, I am even faster on some technical trails than my Scott Gambler. The rear steel triangle is so amazing and sensitive. It is like riding a light DH bike. So sad Xprezo went bankrupt but the mix of Alloy/steel was a brilliant idea.
  • 2 0
 I think manufacturers don't care that much about the increasing weight... they are probably banking on people caving in and getting an eMTB next.
  • 1 0
 @streetfighter848: i would rather a bike be over engineered than to snap on me, lifetime warranty or not.
  • 51 21
 Nothing against E-Bikes. Just many of us are not interested in them at all. Would be nice if you could separate the articles and videos. It's annoying to read and skip through the useless E-Bike info.
  • 37 3
 Yup, they are separate. None of the mountain bike reviews are combined with the e-bike reviews, but this is just an intro article to the whole Field Test thing. E-bike reviews next week Smile
  • 6 0
 @mikelevy: just give us what we want, a dh compare test, scott Gambler tuned/santa cruz v10.7 29 and mullet, trek session2022, etc, come on you can do this Mike
  • 1 0
 @mikelevy: huh, funny the yeti ebike release date is the 13th Smile
  • 2 32
flag mountainsofsussex (Sep 6, 2021 at 11:28) (Below Threshold)
 @mikelevy: could you not have separated the intro video as well? Even if there were parts that were duplicated?
  • 69 5
 @mountainsofsussex: Not worth the effort - eMTBs are part of the Field Test, and this is the Field Test intro video that breaks the entire series down. People shouldn't be having strokes just because there's an e-bike on their computer screen for a few minutes, but they'll find a way to anyhow lol
  • 8 3
 @mikelevy: just rickroll them
  • 3 6
 @mikelevy: "a few minutes". Thats actually a long time in this era.
  • 10 11
 @mikelevy: And those people having strokes, being tribalistic dicks, is why I’ve come back to PB less and less. When did mountain bikers become the skier a*sholes of the 1980’s, and why does PB happily give them an outlet? Too much toxic crap. Just imagine how these vomits negatively effect the world around them throughout their lives.
  • 5 4
 @mikelevy: but the ebike filter removed this article from my feed. I’d still like to see the normal bike reviews. I guess I will as they show up one by one?
  • 4 11
flag mountainsofsussex (Sep 7, 2021 at 0:19) (Below Threshold)
 @mikelevy: I'm not having a stroke about it - I have no issue with people buying or using ebikes. I just have about as much interest in them as gravel bikes. And I'd be bored if I had to watch you introduce gravel bikes I wasn't interested in, just to get to the enduro bikes I was interested in. I'm aware you're not the only people to have done a joint ebike/enduro bike test, and if PB readers click on ebike reviews, you're right to review them. Just be aware that many of us who aren't openly anti ebikes just don't want to waste our time on them
  • 7 4
 @mountainsofsussex: You know you can FastForward, right?
  • 5 0
 @BiNARYBiKE: Yup, the mountain bike reviews won't have the filter applied to them.
  • 28 2
 Just gonna leave this here: www.instagram.com/reel/COJCvJJBsKx
  • 2 0
 that was awesome, laughed my ass off!
  • 26 3
 I am waiting for the total water submerging test for the ebikes.
  • 9 45
flag mcozzy (Sep 6, 2021 at 9:59) (Below Threshold)
 I'm waiting for the uphill test on the analogues. See you at the top! Lol.
  • 24 3
 Yes, or the total lava submerging test for the e-bikes.
  • 17 3
 @mobiller: Water for the e-bikes, lava for the owners
  • 22 0
 It's a Yeti, duh
  • 12 0
 If it's not a Yeti, the editors did an amazing job trolling us
  • 8 2
 @FensterM: Please let it be an Evil.
  • 10 6
 @bocomtb: na, even as someone who rides an ebike sometimes, im glad evil (and transition for that matter) are staying away from making ebikes. they dont need to make one and I hope they never do
  • 3 3
 @SpencerBaum: there’s no way they’re not working on one.
  • 2 0
 @bocomtb:
Can’t be an Evil, it’s included in the test. This is Pinkbike after all, and you don’t f with tradition.
  • 1 0
 @SpencerBaum: Evil's got one coming
  • 33 15
 To each their own but I am totally not interested in ebikes. If the articles are mixed together I am way to lazy to skip the ebike parts and just won't view or read.
  • 10 0
 They're not mixed - the mountain bike reviews will come out first, starting tomorrow, followed by the e-bike reviews down the road.
  • 26 22
 Good to know they are not mixed. I can skip the boring analogue reviews and go straight into the eebs Smile
  • 20 10
 @mcozzy: you keep using that word but I do not think it means what you think it means. first, you used the spelling that means "Definition of analogue:
1: something that is similar or comparable to something else either in general or in some specific detail : something that is analogous to something else"

second, stop calling non-e bikes analog. analog in that context means "electric, but not digital". it does not, and never has meant "human powered".
  • 10 16
flag mcozzy (Sep 6, 2021 at 14:12) (Below Threshold)
 @blackercanyons: I'll stick with poverty bike then Smile
  • 9 11
 @blackercanyons: you must be fun at parties
  • 4 7
 @everythingscomingupmilhouse: did you come up with that one on your own? you must be very proud.
  • 10 8
 @mcozzy: sure, that makes total sense. all of us poors riding $10k human powered bikes. why don't you just say "bikes I need to shit on somehow to feel better about my choice of riding an e-bike"
  • 5 14
flag yamaboy2000 (Sep 6, 2021 at 15:44) (Below Threshold)
 @mcozzy: Exactly.. Mountain bikes have evolved just like every other single mechanical thing in this world.. Every industry insider recognizes that the regular non-assisted bike market share will simply continue to fall off and away.. Change is almost always difficult but inevitable and ultimately better...
  • 14 6
 @yamaboy2000: wrong. it is not better that people are switching to a product that has considerably more waste, and significantly more toxic waste. just the packaging from an e-bike is 2-3 times as much as it is from a normal bike. and don't give me that sorry excuse that people that buy e-bikes drive their cars less. they don't. they put their e-bike on the back of their lifted diesel brodozer and then drive that to the trail.
  • 2 2
 @yamaboy2000: evolved or taken over for mx. Mx is dieing and ebikes are filling the void.
  • 11 0
 @blackercanyons: anyone who turns to the dictionary regularly is welcome at all my parties.
  • 5 11
flag mcozzy (Sep 6, 2021 at 22:53) (Below Threshold)
 @yamaboy2000:
It's like an audiovisual website reviewing black and white crt TV sets alongside the latest oled.
  • 6 2
 @mcozzy: nope
More like going to live theater vs watching on TV.
  • 3 0
 @BiNARYBiKE: amazing. that gave me a good laugh with my morning coffee. thanks!
  • 1 0
 @blackercanyons: some do some don't. I use my decoy for my work commute. Brute I got it, it was a car drive. I shuttle less to trails in intermediate range to me, instead use the ebike. For far away trails or bikeparks, ofc I shuttle. With any bike.
  • 4 1
 @mcozzy: funny because the latest OLED are the ones with screen burn problems and reliability issues with no way of fixing it, yet all of the CRT screens I know are still going. It’s a perfect analogy as to why I don’t like ebikes.
  • 15 0
 Can you guys also include "fun-factor" commentary for the bikes? Often these are reading like we are evaluating race bikes (which is great actually) but also want to know how they ride for the 99% that isn't hunting seconds. Like how agile are there at speed, how do they jump stuff that has an actual lip? Is it fun at everything...or is it just "fast fun".

oooh...and yeah you need to do a whip-off with each bike Smile That seems like good slo-mo fun. Extra good if its @jasonlucas
  • 14 0
 I need that We Are One to come last and explode in the huck-to-flat - it's the only way my wallet and relationship survive this
  • 13 0
 When I saw that blurred out bike I thought they'd decided to make the Grim Donut 2 an e-bike for the ultimate troll-factor!
  • 28 0
 Not on my watch.
  • 6 0
 @mikelevy: I'll believe it when I don't see it
  • 11 0
 I hope I'm not the only one who cracked up at "and then we have the Yet... I mean YT Capra"! Well played Levy
  • 10 1
 Modern big travel bike weights are making me want to keep my current big travel bike...what is going on!? News flash: most of us are still pedalling uphill and most of us still don't have(want) batteries in the frame.
  • 3 1
 I agree! The weights are getting too heavy with Enduro bikes wanting to be DH bikes. You are better off with a trail bike like the Giant Trance Advanced X that’s like 29lbs with 135/150mm of travel for almost all applications and then a DH bike for the bike park.
  • 1 0
 that's why all mountain bikes exist. something like the transition sentinel goes downhill better than a full-blown enduro bike from 4-5 years ago and weighs 31lbs
  • 1 1
 @StumpHumper45: maybe for some. No way a 135-150 bike like that would be ideal for the descending I enjoy on my local trails. I’ll drag a little extra bike up the hill so I can have a little more fun on the way down.
  • 14 2
 A bit unfair for Henry to test these big bikes at only 6" tall
  • 1 3
 Nah, he's in the range for all the geometry.
  • 6 0
 29mm wheels
  • 2 3
 wut? he is spot on on those sizes
  • 5 0
 @mironfs: Lol its a typo in his height "Height: 6" / 183 cm"
  • 6 0
 @bdreynolds7: six inches isn’t super tall.
  • 4 0
 @Pmlietzan: aaah i get now, barbarian units joke didnt come to me
  • 10 0
 Unless we're talking about a different part of the body, I doubt Henry is 6".
  • 10 0
 Actually a bunch of bikes i am excited to see tested. WAO vs force vs range vs spire is exciting.
  • 14 3
 Can we make a new site devoted to e bikes? Field test with ebikes, damn.
  • 4 0
 Wouldn't make sense because the e bike site would not have enough info to keep it in interesting. But it's an idea worth considering.
  • 9 0
 Wait is that actually how you pronounce Dainese?
  • 1 0
 Like Chinese just without the "Ch"
  • 5 0
 like "doughnut" but without the "oughnut"
  • 3 0
 No, it's not. It's dye-NAY-say.
  • 2 2
 @MtbSince84: Duh-in-easy.
  • 16 11
 In 20 years cars could fly but Pinkbike viewers would be still against ebikes hahahaha. Always the same guy saying "ebikes are mopeds" or "ebikes are not for me but" are getting close of those "looks like a...",it would never get old .
  • 23 8
 When you drive your car, do you identify yourself as a horse rider? Do you read horse rider magazines & web sites, and hate it when other old analog horse riders bitch about your new faster quicker horse? No one can tell you what to enjoy, but you are disillusioned if you think you are still riding a bicycle. You are now a motor cyclist....
  • 5 2
 @up-left-down-right: My Toyota's name is Trigger.
  • 3 4
 @up-left-down-right: We're all jusy highway users, and those of us who want to share the highways and get along with other highway users do do so. Others seem to think they own the road ;-)
  • 6 2
 @notsofastoverfifty: do you even need roads in Australia anymore? Wink
  • 5 0
 @BiNARYBiKE: You'd have to ask an Australian. I'm a New Zealander! :-)
  • 6 6
 @up-left-down-right: I have a pony cos I live in a flat in the middle off Madrid. So no horse,it is a pony. I love Pony websites and magazine,not horses hahahahaha.
I forgot to add: "you are crazy if you think that is a bike" .
It was a joke,I had no intention to enter any argument about what is a bike or not. IMO any ebike it is a bike,you need to cross the big ocean and take a look around here,ebikes are equal to bikes (in the mind of most users) and we have 0 problems. No ruined trails or bikeparks ,no fights in the parking lot,no arguments between users.
  • 14 8
 Get those dirt bikes outta here. You guys have said it multiple times in the podcast, they are great but it's a different sport. I really wonder what they could do to mountain bike trail access over the next decade...
  • 5 2
 I look forward to see how much weight factors in to the ebikes. Mine is 55.5 lbs and it is super stable. That said, it jumps like a 55.5 lb bike. Curious to see how much different the specialized feels compared to the others.
  • 3 0
 Two very different bike off course. I would hardly compare them.

1 : 480 wh vs 900 wh = -1.5 kg
2 : Motor 35 Nm vs 85 Nm = -1kg
3 : 2.3 Trail casing tire vs 2.5 DD = -0.8kg
4 : Carbon wheel vs Alloy = -0.5kg
5 : X2 vs DHX2 = -0.4 kg
6 : Carbon Bar and crank vs Alloy = -0.4 kg

Total = -4,6 kg

All in all, mid-power ebike vs full power does half of the job, then 5000$ USD worth of carbon components and weaker built do the rest. But I would NEVER go trail casing on an ebike.

My Range vlt is 65 lbs (900 wh A1, smashpot coil conversion kit in the 38 fork, cushcore pro and Flow EX3 rim) built too last! But having coil Front/rear is really nice, super sensitive.
  • 2 0
 @Asamson25: I wish I could upvote this twice, as you're totally correct. My Devinci is a beast, but it really doesn't have any light parts. Everything is beefy to handle what I throw at it. The "specialized" smaller motor and battery are good for a 5 lb weight loss, but I don't see how I could get all of my riding in with 1/3rd less battery power than I currently have, and half the torque. Good call.
  • 6 1
 I know I’m repeating this in an echo chamber but, teat roder availability permitting, I wish a 220+ lb Clyde could twst bikes periodically. Just my overfed $.02
  • 6 0
 @mikelevy , your pants are ripped at the crotch. just thought you should know.
  • 8 1
 New test for this year - Huck to flat battery.
  • 4 1
 Good to see Some brands havnt gone crazy with the suspension travel and trying out weight weenie, i enjoy blasting past someone thats on a lightweight bike that cost them an extra 2.5k for lightweight parts.
Got a heavy bike? go down on the chainring. think your running out of gear ratio? tuck, its faster.
  • 4 1
 @brianpark I don't know if anyone else in the comments mentioned this yet, but I applaud you for (mostly) enforcing the 6000 USD price limit you promised. Im of the opinion that a review series can only benefit from this, as 6k is probably much more in line with what even the vast majority of enthusiasts would actually spend on a new bike. The price limit definitley adds to the relevancy of the review as it's not just the same models that are being tested, but the actual spec levels that people will buy, with their actual performance and all their highlights and compromises. So yeah, thanks man!
  • 9 4
 Love the field tests, but could we get 9 enduro bikes and leave the e-bikes to the e-bike field test please?
  • 2 0
 Comparing weight from Norco and Specialized ebike,i was wondering how the Kenevo is so much lighter. Here is the answer. :

1 : 480 wh vs 900 wh = -1.5 kg
2 : Motor 35 Nm vs 85 Nm = -1kg
3 : 2.3 Trail casing tire vs 2.5 DD = -0.8kg
4 : Carbon wheel vs Alloy = -0.5kg
5 : X2 vs DHX2 = -0.4 kg
6 : Carbon Bar and crank vs Allow = -0.4 kg

Total = -4,6 kg

All in all, mid-power ebike vs full power does half of the job, then 5000$ USD carbon components and weaker built do the rest. I WOULD NOT go trail casing on an ebike
  • 2 0
 Suspect the Range will be a monster on the downs and technical climbs but a bit of a tank for all day riding. the WAO looks a bit under-gunned vs the others but is beautiful and could be a surprise packet, Range will win over the GT in the pulley competition, Spire will be beast on the downs, surprisingly good climber and be the most playful (I'm not biased as I have one on order....) Don't really care about the ebikes as I'm not 50 yet....
  • 7 2
 Hey Wait! I am over 50 and do not plan on getting an eBike. I love my Sentinel!
  • 4 0
 I really just want a high pivot shoot out, at this point. Dreadnought, Range, Force, Jekyll, Devinci, etc.
Please @mikelevy - make it happen!
  • 6 1
 Why can’t we see the blurred out bike yet(i)?
  • 1 0
 @mikelevy In our market in Australia things are not so far apart cost wise - for instance that YT is $9k the Transition GX carbon is $9.9k and the norco C1 is $10k. For the money the spec on the Norco is better than the others for not a great deal more (IMO of course) and the only one cheaper is the GT at $7500 which does look like a steal in comparison and good luck getting that We are one here.... really torn as to what bike to get next so these articles are great, as was set on the Range but not 100% sure
  • 5 1
 All lies, the lift lines at sun peaks are terrible, worse than whistler, and the trails are the worst. Don't come
  • 5 1
 With a 2 float x2’s in the test, chances are high on one of those failing.
  • 10 0
 Nope, we had zero shock failures.
  • 22 0
 @mikelevy: shocking
  • 3 0
 Bit confused about the allusion to the Spec Enduro. So you re-tested the bike as a benchmark? Or just did the timed runs on it? Something else?
  • 20 0
 It's just a reference point for comparison's sake. We've been asked about a zillion times to compare new bikes to some of our previous faves, so that's all Smile
  • 6 0
 @mikelevy: This is fantastic. Thank you guys. I think with Bike geometry stabilizing (or becoming very specialized in function) that being able to hear how it stacks up to previous gen bikes is handy.
  • 1 0
 @mikelevy: oh yes, thanks a lot for that!
  • 5 0
 That YT is more yeti than the yeti
  • 3 0
 OOooooh, a mystery e-bike.
Can't wait to hear about how the Electric Donut devours the competition by at least "two minoots".
  • 1 0
 Two minooots and a bagette
  • 3 0
 Well I feel behind the curve with my practically brand new bike since it doesn't have a idler set up. Guess I'll have to sell it and get something else right?
  • 5 2
 I bought a used Electric car Nissan Leaf for $11000 three years old 30KW battery. Someone explain to my dumbass why 15G for a Trekalized Ebike is justified.
  • 1 0
 I think it's interesting to see PB go with Matt (a very fast and experienced rider), as opposed to using Mike and Mike. My guess would be that with the new Outside acquisition, PB is hoping to build a new level of rapport and they see Pro level riders as a way to boost that in their reviews.
  • 5 0
 No, that's not it. Kazimer and I have been doing this for over a decade now and we simply don't have the time to keep up with all the new bikes. We've been looking to grow the editorial team for a while now and having Alicia, Seb, Matt, and Henry (I'm sure I'm forgetting someone) on the team lets us cover more bikes more better. Of course, it doesn't hurt that Matt is fast AF haha
  • 2 0
 @mikelevy: Oh cool, good to know and thanks for the reply!
  • 4 0
 Will there be a trail/DC field test this year ad well?
  • 19 0
 We're about a month away from starting the next Field Test that will include a bunch of the newest trail and down-country bikes.
  • 3 2
 "There are no set-in-stone rules, but they should check off a combination of interesting, important, or entirely new"

That's going to blow a lot of blinkered PB commenters' minds, ha-ha-ha-ha!
  • 4 0
 Still waiting on that down country field test....
  • 7 0
 We've just wrapped up this one (videos are still be edited) but will be heading out in a month's time for a trail bike and down-country Field Test. That means it's probably 2.5-ish months away from being released.
  • 1 0
 @pinkbike I am wondering if the test riders felt the We are One was a bit small for the in the S2 test size?I am 5'11 and on the cusp of S2 and S3.
  • 3 1
 can't wait to see that new yeti rear suspension design so i'll know what's coming to their real MTBs in 2022 Big Grin
  • 3 1
 No interest at all in their electric whatever, but am looking forward to seeing what their 2022 mountain bike lineup looks like. Beginning of Sept is when they released the new models last time around
  • 2 1
 @50percentsure: sept should be the e-bike, the real new MTB spring 2022 is what i heard.
  • 3 0
 PB tokens are the next crypto currency? Need em!
  • 3 0
 Whoever is laying in the grass did too much cocaine.
  • 1 0
 Can we get a commitment from PB to visit these bikes again in 3 years? I know the clicks only care about the new bikes but most people keep a bike for more than a year.
  • 1 0
 I'll commit to checking in on my Madonna every couple of years: www.pinkbike.com/news/staff-ride-brians-10-year-raaw-madonna-v2-project-bike.html
  • 1 1
 Would have been nice to have seen the Rocky Mountain Altitude Power Play participate. I mean Canadian heritage, North Shore history, legendary riders, EWS and EWS-E... I could go on
  • 2 0
 For sure, but it's a relatively old bike at this point and we wanted to review and compare new models that people might purchase, not older ones that might get replaced in a year or two Smile
  • 2 0
 Show us the blurry bike alyeti
  • 3 0
 The yeti looks like shit
  • 9 0
 What Yeti?
  • 13 0
 @purplegorillaz: I still don't see it lol
  • 3 0
 @mikelevy: hahaha well played
  • 4 2
 Can’t wait to here about the specialized levo. I want one!
  • 3 0
 That Yeti looks blurry
  • 1 0
 It’s drunk
  • 3 0
 hold my beer
  • 2 3
 Blah blah blah, why not this bike. Yada yada yada, ebike suck/great, etc etc etc...

Don't you dare put up the paywall just before the huck to flat.

What are you going to call the eGrimdoughnut? E All Terrain doughnut.
  • 29 1
 Maybe the Grim E-clair instead?
  • 5 0
 @mikelevy: with integrated pastry storage in the frame?
  • 2 0
 May I suggest : Gro-ped
  • 1 0
 @mikelevy: the bEEEaver
  • 1 0
 @Asamson25: timEbits
  • 1 0
 The Grim Cronut.
  • 1 0
 What is the conversion rate for PB tokens? 500:1 faceplants? 10:1 snow cones?
  • 1 0
 Pinkbike: we worked the camera crew so hard, the "t" fell out out of hustle.
  • 3 0
 Tribute to Nipsey.
  • 2 0
 I might be late on this but..... knox-off blue
  • 2 1
 What a pity there isn't the Orbea Rise here... Looks like they nailed and it's the reference for emtb and mtb now. ...
  • 1 0
 Small typo in the video : Meta's reach specified as 455mm, when it's 475mm in the test above.
  • 3 1
 I'm sad not seeing a Dreadnaught next to that Range.
  • 2 0
 We did review it recently, but it would have def been a great comparison: www.pinkbike.com/news/review-forbidden-dreadnought.html
  • 5 4
 Lol yep. Instead of including another 3 or 4 enduro bikes like the dreadnought we get a bunch of expensive ebikes that nobody gives a shit about.
  • 5 3
 @danielomeara: This old argument? E-bikes are here and we're gonna review them. You won't see those reviews if you've clicked the filter thingy, but they are in this intro video as it sums up the whole thing. I don't ride them and don't want to ride them, but MANY people definitely do give a shit about them, even if you and I don't.
  • 2 0
 I'm just here to watch Levy suffer climbing all day, tbh.
  • 3 4
 Is nobody gonna give them shit for putting a DHR2 up front as a control tire? What the hell. DHF is the definitive front tire, and has been improved upon with the Assegai, but you choose a DHR????
  • 9 0
 Tires, like a lot of other things, are difficult to source right now. Especially when you need more than twenty of them. Assguys are great tires, but people do run DHR2s up front - it's not that uncommon Wink
  • 1 0
 Pinkbike comments sections are just Facebook political comments sections but bikes. Convince me otherwise. haha
  • 1 0
 New Dainese helmet? Didn't see it on their site.
  • 2 1
 for god sakes, mod that PB tundra out! Stock is sad...
  • 1 0
 "well you don't want to go too kooky with accessories on your truck... Or your Jeep"
  • 1 0
 I would guess privateer e16something
  • 1 0
 Blurred out bike in the "new" Giant Trance X E?
  • 1 0
 Just watched the video and got the answer to my question. Wrong
  • 1 0
 What’s up with the inside of that dude’s nose?
  • 1 0
 Brutal helmets this year. They deserve the blur treatment.
  • 1 0
 Yea but you did'nt test my bike...I need some validation...
  • 1 0
 Came for the field test, stayed for the pictures!
  • 1 0
 How do we choose the bikes? $
  • 1 0
 PB tokens? You guy getting into the crypto biz? Where do I buy?
  • 1 0
 Wish you would have added the Kona Process X to the test.
  • 3 6
 E-bikes are here to stay and possibly take over. Go to any beach town and they already outnumber regular bikes (the ones you pedal using your legs) five to one. Good or bad they're not going anywhere.
  • 20 20
 Ebikes? Really? Really? -sigh-
  • 11 9
 Like there was a big bicycle shaped gift under the Christmas tree all wrapped up in shiny paper and then we finally got to open it...and it was just a cold dog turd.
  • 11 7
 @DirkMcClerkin: I’m not exactly a huge eMTB fanboi, but I’ll take that cold dog turd if you don’t want it.
  • 2 5
 @brianpark: gold! Haha
  • 3 0
 @JLastra: cold, not gold
  • 4 4
 How can you have an ebike test and no orbea rise??
  • 12 1
 We requested one months ago but, much like how I wrote in the above article, bikes are harder to come by right now. Also, it's not an enduro bike and has less travel than these. That's how Wink
  • 1 0
 Orbea Rise is an Trail ebike Enduro Race capable. 150 front, 140 rear... Pretty enought travel. IMHO.
  • 2 0
 @MorettyBtt: Nope, this test goes as low as 150mm of rear wheel travel. Nothing below that.
  • 2 3
 How much fun would it be if the Mystery Bike would be that new Pole E-bike!?
  • 6 0
 polerizing, to say the least
  • 8 8
 No jekyl?? Its been race winning under Ropelato! Instead we get E Bikes
  • 12 8
 Jekyll would have been nice to see. In fact any bicycles instead of the motorized wilderness scooters would have been nice to see.
  • 1 0
 @mikelevy: If the 2022 Range is appearing here in the field test, does that mean @mikekazimer doesn't have a full review after his first impressions?
  • 1 0
 @j-t-g: This will be the full review. I think.
  • 1 0
 @mikelevy: bummer… after how
hyped he was after those few first rides I was looking to hear more from him on this bike.. @mikekazimer wouldn’t mind your longer terms thoughts via a comment over here though
  • 4 5
 Was waiting for a proper Meta AM review but, I guess, one whole year is still not enough to test a godamn thing..
  • 32 2
 Eeesh, sorry for sleeping. I'll tell the crew that you're bummed that we didn't test the exact bike you want to read about Wink
  • 2 0
 @mikelevy: oh yes, thank you so much for that!
  • 4 14
flag taskmgr (Sep 6, 2021 at 13:01) (Below Threshold)
 @mikelevy: I'm 100p sure there is alot more interest in that bike than just 1 guy. Why be a dick?
  • 5 0
 @makripper: Sometimes I feel dumb for using smiley faces because emojis are silly, but they're usually good for getting intentions across Wink
  • 2 0
 @mikelevy: so you’re saying there’s a chance!
  • 1 1
 Norco C2 Range, Specialized Kenevo.
  • 1 1
 Man, I'm late and all the Bike Douche comment already started.
  • 2 3
 Still no Evil tested by PB. What a shocker...
  • 12 0
 Pretty sure they’ve been invited to every one of the field tests we’ve had the last few years. Smile
  • 1 0
 @brianpark: prob got lost in the mail. You know they moved right?
  • 4 5
 I hope it is that Pole Volma.. Voima... Whatever the name is. That thing.
  • 2 0
 It won't be that becuase that's not under embargo
  • 7 2
 I can't wait to try that monster. Probably the most interesting bike I've seen in ages.
  • 2 2
 Excited for this
  • 1 1
 No mullets?
  • 5 6
 Does PB have a eBike filter?
  • 2 4
 No Meta Am realllyyyy
  • 4 1
 That bike is old now dude.
  • 2 1
 @Will762: old and slow, the sizing is all messed up on those. been there done that.
  • 1 0
 @Will762: they made a 2021. That doesn't sound old?
  • 1 1
 @makripper: its old.
  • 1 0
 @mtbtrekracer: why, how a 495 reach 64 hta bike can be old?
  • 2 1
 @Noeserd: doesnt mean its "correct" i consider that outdated, large sizes are moving back down in reach on enduro bikes. 495 is horrid for a large on a race enduro bike
  • 1 1
 @mtbtrekracer: it all comes down to personal preference to be honest. I'm 5'11 and sometimes ride my friends bike with 520 reach and i love it everytime
  • 1 0
 @mtbtrekracer: explain?63.6 ha. Just came out
  • 3 2
 @Noeserd: im 6ft and anything bigger than 490 and i feel like im steering a school bus inside a mall.
  • 3 2
 @makripper: nobody is complaining about the head angle, but when its combined with for e.g a 495 reach on a large, it seriously feels huge, i owned one(two i broke one) and its just a huge bike, even for bike parks its just too damn long.. its got like a 1280+WB on a large thats too big.
  • 2 1
 @mtbtrekracer: too big for you.
  • 2 2
 @makripper: All of the reviewers have said its a big bike.... Lets look at EWS, All top guys are on smaller bikes... wonder why... doh!
  • 2 1
 @mtbtrekracer: no. The reviews I read said the longer bikes feel unbalanced. Not sure I believe it. A couple friends have them and don't have issues with them. If the bikes too long for you, downsize. Pretty easy fix lol
  • 3 3
 @makripper: "if its too big downsize" great then im cramped while seated. see something amiss here? commencal made mistakes and we all know it, they are only bought because of the direct value they hold, same as YT always had.
  • 3 4
 @mtbtrekracer: you said the large is too long for you. Then get a medium.. yeah the "cramped when seated" makes zero sense. lol I'm literally laughing out loud over that. You lost all credibility a couple comments back. Thank for the chuckle.
  • 4 3
 @makripper: what? do you not understand how sizing works? i think the upvotes/downvotes on you vs me here would say im correct.
all good mate, youve only laughed at yourself because you clearly have no idea.

the ETT measurement changes with sizes too... if i ride a large its too big, if i ride a medium the seated position is cramped...... ETT measurement mate. do you not understand geo?? lolol
and why does my size large need to be 1280WB...???
  • 3 4
 @mtbtrekracer: no doesn't sound like you understand sizing at all lol. Good luck out there life must be hard for you. Ps. Quit your bullshit
  • 1 0
 @makripper: he sees geometrön in his nightmares
  • 2 3
 @Noeserd: lol I think most normal people test ride bikes and size up or down according to overall comfort. I think the meta am killed this guy's parents in a dark alley when he was a small boy
  • 1 4
 @makripper: i mean meta am's ett difference is 2cm between large and medium. Well within the range of saddle rail adjustments, not a vig deal at all
  • 2 4
 @Noeserd: yeah I'm guessing he's shorter than he claims and sad he has to down size. His family would be disappointed in him only riding a medium
  • 2 3
 @makripper: shame that the up/downvotes agree with me and clearly youve just been arrogant to this subject and the reviews about that bike..all good if your not a good rider or cant afford these bikes mate.
@Noeserd 20mm is huge, especially when talking about your back/arm angles.

Again you two dont seem to understand how Geo works, why defend Commencal so bad? do you regret your buy and trying to justify it now?

i suggest you guys look up the EWS riders bikes and compare that to the rider.

Im done trying to convince children they are wrong so im done here. come join us for the DH at snowshoe this week, then see if your still right.
  • 2 2
 @mtbtrekracer: no one cares about votes. Man you are wierd. You don't understand how bike sizing works. If you read the reviews the guys down sized and thought it was a great bike. You have serious issues lol. Nice attempt at trolling with the last run on sentence. Please next time you are planning on getting a bike, get sized properly instead of being an angry troll about how a bike hurt your feelings. Ps there's a reason they didn't update the frame over the last 3 years. Because it's fast as f*ck under a capable rider.
  • 1 2
 @makripper: go read the YT review and then the comments, my point proven. cya Maple.
  • 1 2
 @makripper: and come join us at snowshoe, or afraid to get your feelings hurt in person when you come play with the adults. also sized properly? i owned both the medium and the large ya loon. and update the frame? the geo got changed in 21........ so the frame is not very old lol.
  • 2 1
 @mtbtrekracer: no, people's preferences don't prove your point. Why would I go to snowshoe? You must be lonely. Sorry I'm taken. You are literally the strangest person I've encountered on pinkbike. Ever. Good luck finding the one for you in the comments section. I'm 100% not it.
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