Revel

Excellent CBF suspension: efficient climbing, active braking, great traction

More capable geometry without losing the Ranger’s quick feel

Handles bikepacking loads well, and still has good frame storage

Still 2.6″ clearance with ample mud clearance

Big dropper compatibility

Love the Dissector tire spec

Premium pricing with no real budget option

Tricky sizing for tweeners

170mm cranks on all sizes

Transmission complicates rack use

Lots of bearings that will eventually need to be replaced

Lighter, stiffer, faster, and quieter than predecessor

Updated CBF suspension with refined short-travel kinematics

Improved geometry: slacker head angle (65.7°), steeper seat tube (77°), longer reach, lower BB

Massive dropper post insertion and two bottle mounts

Tire clearance up to 29x2.6

Clean hidden cable routing and noise-eating chainstay rubber

Nicest frame they've ever made with nice lines and well-considered finishing details

Guided cable routing keeps cables out of danger zone

Two water bottle mounts on downtube and accessory mount on top tube for long days

More progressive suspension with higher starting leverage ratio for easy initial travel

Anti-rise below 100% keeps bike active and composed during braking

Chassis doesn't squat or pitch much

Handling is sharp, cuts nice corners

Frame feels high quality, quiet, and easy to live with

Two-bottle capacity and top tube mount make bike long-day ready

Large gaps between sizes

Sluggish climbing feel compared to some competitors

Shock sag makes bigger difference to pedaling performance than typical short-travel trail bike

Intermittent knock from RockShox Deluxe rear shock (issue noted on two examples)

Not as nimble as true XC bike

Not as much traction as longer-travel trail bike