Recent Reviews

ebiketips
Ecomove Bird M

Mar 17, 2024

There's a song in the 2008 wildlife documentary Madagascar 2: Escape to Africa - so cruelly overlooked by the Oscars committee - that goes something like, “I like ‘em big, I like ‘em chunky”, and upon setting eyes on the Ecomove Bird M we have to say that yes, Will.i.am, we do too. It’s certainly got a distinctive look.

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road.cc
Orro Venturi STC SRAM Force eTap Tailor Made 2024

Mar 17, 2024 · Stu Kerton

Real world aerodynamics and well-designed geometry create an excellent bike that is fast and easy to ride

Highs
  • Impressive aerodynamics

  • Easy to ride fast

  • Great balance of comfort & stiffness

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Singletrack World
YT Jeffsy Core 4 review

Mar 17, 2024 · Ben Haworth

The YT Jeffsy Core 4 is a bike that arrives in a box that is not quite perfect out of the box. BUT... there is loads of potential here.

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BIKEPACKING.com
Geologist Seth and his Tumbleweed Prospector

Mar 15, 2024 · Cass Gilbert

In our latest Rider and Rig, we chat with geologist and educator Seth Kruckenberg, author of several great routes published on this site...

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Bikerumor
Revel's Rail 29 enduro bike stretches out in 2024 with more travel, slacker geo, fresh looks

Mar 15, 2024 · Cory Benson

The carbon Revel Rail 29er enduro bike gets fork spec update shifting geo slacker for more hardcore riding, plus shiny new 2024 colors...

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Downtown
GasGas Moto 1 - Beach cruiser with motocross DNA

Mar 15, 2024 · Julian Schwede

With its fat tires, the GasGas Moto 1 ebike looks a lot like a motocross bike. We tested GASGAS’ e-beach cruiser for you!

Highs
  • Chunky tires ensure a comfortable ride

  • Long, moto-style seat allows for different seating positions

  • Style points +100!

Lows
  • Very limited everyday use due to lack of lights, mudguards and storage room

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EBIKE MAG
[Test] Cannondale Moterra SL: la Ebike Light con batteria da 600Wh

Mar 15, 2024 · Di Marco

Cannondale presenta la sua prima ebike light, la Moterra SL, e lo fa a modo suo, cioé con un prodotto leggero ma dotato di una batteria da 600Wh e di un motore Shimano EP8 da 85Nm, quindi non depotenziato. Telaio in carbonio, formato mullet, cioè ruote da 29″ davanti e 27.5″ dietro (compatibile con 29″ tramite flipchip), escursione di 150mm al posteriore e 160mm all’anteriore. Aggiornamento: eccovi il video con il test completo. Ho avuto modo di provarla in anteprima sui sentieri di Braga, in Portogallo, e vi posso già dire che ho percorso più di 1300 metri di dislivello

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Pinkbike
Revel Announces New Colors, More Travel for the Revel 29

Mar 15, 2024 · Revel Bikes

The Rail29 has been updated with fresh colors and a longer travel fork.

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Bikerumor
Basso Venta R Reshapes Made-in-Italy Carbon (All) Road Bike on a Budget: First Rides

Mar 14, 2024 · Cory Benson

All-new affordable Basso Venta R all-road bike is faster, more integrated, and more versatile than ever, and still made 100% in Italy.

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Velo
Rory Sutherland Went to Great Lengths to Track Down His Retro Rabobank Colnago Dream B-Stay Team Bike

Mar 14, 2024 · Dave Everett

Rory Sutherland tracked down the Colnago from his first year on the Rabobank development team and has (mostly) restored it to its 2002 glory.

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Bikerumor
Vision Metron 5D EVO 1-piece Cockpit is a Lighter & Faster Integrated Handlebar

Mar 13, 2024 · Cory Benson

Vision’s new Metron 5D Evo handlebar reshapes the 1-piece aero carbon cockpit to be lighter, stiffer, faster, even more ergonomic & comfy…

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BIKE Magazine
Specialized announces new Epic and Epic EVO 8

Mar 12, 2024

Goodbye Brain, hello SWAT and Flight Attendant

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BIKE Magazine
Tested: Specialized Epic EVO Pro

Mar 12, 2024

Who could ask for more?

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Bike Perfect
I tested the new Specialized Epic 8 Evo Pro – its mixture of lightweight speed and middleweight control blew me away

Mar 12, 2024 · Guy Kesteven

Specialized’s cult favorite rowdy XC winner jumps up a whole weight category to burly downcountry, but does it still have the race speed our expert tester loved before?

Highs
  • Excellent tech taming longer, lower mainframe geometry

  • XC weight frame with punchy pedaling leaves trail competitors standing

  • Fox Factory Grip2 fork, Float shock and Transfer dropper

  • Puncture reducing rims and grippy T9/T7 Grid tires

  • Generous internal storage, SWAT stem and two bottle cage mounts

Lows
  • Nearly a kilo heavier than the previous Epic Evo Comp

  • Shock feels too firm at times

  • Limited rear tire space

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Bike Perfect
Specialized S-Works Epic 8 review – is this ultra high-tech, superlight but trail-tough XC race superbike the new Olympic champion in waiting?

Mar 12, 2024 · Guy Kesteven

With an Olympics to win 2024 is going to be a big year for XC bikes. Specialized has thrown down a serious challenge to the rest of the pack with its ultra-tech, ultra-fast, and freaky fun S-Works Epic 8

Highs
  • Superlight sub-1,800g frame with awesome geometry

  • Stiff, tough and practical enough to ride really hard

  • New kick-ass pedaling kinematics

  • Up to 1.7 liters of internal storage

  • Ultimate SRAM/RockShox AXS XC equipment

  • Excellent Specialized/Roval wheels, tires, and finishing kit

Lows
  • High tech is high-cost

  • Flight Attendant means more batteries, whirring, and weight

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Bikerumor
First Look! All-new Specialized Epic 8 S-Works & EVO XC bikes

Mar 12, 2024 · Tyler Benedict

The new Specialized Epic 8 gets lighter, faster & way more capable with tricky suspension tuning, more travel & clever carbon construction.

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Bikerumor
Dangerholm Scott Genius ST Project Bike Rethinks All-Mountain in Sleek Ivory & Chrome

Mar 12, 2024 · Cory Benson

Dangerholm returns in creamy Ivory to show us the integrated future of mountain bikes with a sick custom Scott Genius ST….

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Bikerumor
Integrated Mosaic GT-1 i45 Slithers In with SCALE Artist Series Finishes

Mar 12, 2024 · Ron Frazelle

Mosaic Cycles tops off its lineup of handcrafted, fully integrated bikes with the new GT-1 i45 gravel bike with reptilian inspiration.

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E-Mountainbike Magazine
First ride review of the new GIANT AnyTour X E+ trekking ebike – any tour at any time?

Mar 12, 2024 · Rudolf Fischer

GIANT presents the new AnyTour X E+ trekking e-bike. We tested the "all-round tourer" with a large 800 Wh battery for you.

Highs
  • Great comfort over long distances

  • Low maintenance

  • Easy handling

  • Stylish frame with high quality workmanship

Lows
  • Spongy remote control buttons

  • Gear hub makes cracking noise under heavy load

  • No water bottle holder

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Enduro Mountainbike Magazine
On test: 2024 Specialized Epic 8 EVO – The fun brother?

Mar 12, 2024 · Simon Kohler, Robin Schmitt

We tested the 2024 Specialized Epic 8 EVO. But what is the big brother of the XC race bike capable of? Read on to find out.

Highs
  • More confidence inspiring than the Epic 8

  • Short-travel bike with an integrated storage compartment

Lows
  • Shock tune

  • Lack of comfort on rough gravel roads

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Enduro Mountainbike Magazine
Test debut of the 2024 Specialized Epic 8 – An XC race bike with Flight Attendant suspension

Mar 12, 2024 · Simon Kohler, Robin Schmitt

We tested the 2024 Specialized Epic 8. How does the electronic RockShox Flight Attendant suspension perform on a thoroughbred XC race bike?

Highs
  • Capable on the descents, yet highly efficient

  • Flight Attendant significantly increases its versatility

  • Racy character with the convenience of an integrated storage compartment

Lows
  • More affordable models don’t come with RockShox Flight Attendant

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MBR
I hate to admit it, but the AI suspension control on the new Specialized S-Works Epic 8 works better than a brain ever could - MBR

Mar 12, 2024 · Guy Kesteven

Specialized’s new S-Works Epic 8 is possibly the fastest XC MTB ever made and definitely the most high tech. It’s not just the latest RockShox Flight Attendant Ai suspension that makes it radically rapid. This rad new superlight but steezy racer is also fully loaded with the ultimate race spec. It joins the Epic 8 Evo as one of two new Epics launched by Specialized, we’ve got all the details right here if you want to check out the details, prices and spec. I’ve also had the chance to ride the Epic 8 Evo, and witness first hand the bike’s transition from XC race machine to down-country weapon, check it out right here. Specialized S-Works Epic 8 Need to know Sub 1,800g yet impressively stiff 120mm travel XC frame RockShox SID Ultimate Flight Attendant Ai suspension technology Progressive XC race/downcountry geometry Top line SRAM AXS SL transmission with power meter Superlight Specialized/Roval wheels and kit High volume internal storage and titanium bolts Epic is in it’s eighth generation as Specialized’s flat out full suspension race bike. Epic 7 had already been overtaken by the slacker, longer travel but lighter Epic 7 Evo as the World Cup winning weapon of choice for the Specialized pro team. No surprise then that Epic 8 is effectively a progressive evolution of the Evo then, with a 66.4º or 65.9º head angle, 75.5º seat angle, 15mm longer reach (475/480mm in large) and 120mm of rear wheel travel to match the fork. The S-Works frame also uses top spec 12M carbon fibre, a carbon shock linkage and titanium bolts to keep it one of the lightest race frames available, at 1,795g for frame and conventional SIDLuxe shock. That’s 150g more than the previous ultra light Evo but the bigger, stiffer down tube now has full SWAT internal storage. You also get chainstay and belly armour, a removable steering stop and fully plumbed head tube routed controls. Suspension The S-Works is the first production bike to debut with the latest version of RockShox’s Flight Attendant Ai suspension. This uses sensors in the SID Ultimate fork, SIDLuxe Ultimate shock, Quarq XX SL power crank, XX SL rear mech and XX shifters to build a comprehensive ride ‘picture’. It then automatically switch the fork and shock between open, pedal and lock modes depending on incoming impacts, bike orientation, pre-emptive shift signals and rider referencing ‘effort states’. You also get a RockShox Reverb AXS seat post to complete the wireless kit out. With the hoses of the Level Ultimate Stealth 4 pot brakes hidden by the bars, the one piece Roval SL down swept ‘stem’ carbon bars look super clean as well as being very light and stiff. That also describes the sub 1,300g Roval Control SL rims, but the Specialized FastTrack and Renegade tyres use a tougher Control carcass than the ultralight S-Works options used on the Epic World Cup. You also get proper Trail grips and a comfortable Body Geometry S-Works Power saddle, albeit with carbon rails. Despite …Continue reading »

Highs
  • • Superlight yet impressively controlled and practical frame

  • • Automatic Ai suspension

  • • Perfect race componentry

Lows
  • • Premium performance comes at a premium cost

  • • Flight Attendant is bound to be an opinion divider

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MBR
I tested the latest Specialized Epic 8 Evo, and couldn't believe the transformation from XC racer to down-country ripper - MBR

Mar 12, 2024 · Guy Kesteven

The new Epic 8 Evo isn’t the pumped up race machine it once was, weight and stiffness are no longer the driving forces any more and really it’s impossible to call it an XC bike. Instead we’re looking at potentially one of the best down-country mountain bikes on the market, a short-travel trail bike with 130mm travel, sticky tyres and proper dropper post. Sure it still gets a modestly lightweight frame and flex stay suspension, but this is now a bike that’s built to shred. If this is sad news for you there’s an XC race alternative in the Specialized Epic 8 that hasn’t abandoned its uphill prowess, and you can read all the stats, design ideas, range focus, sizing and details on the two new Epics right here. Need to know Superlight 120mm travel XC frame with trail hungry geometry 130mm fork, big brakes and sticky front tyre are ready to riot Efficient and effervescent rather than smoothly damped High volume internal storage, and SWAT multitool in the steerer tube Full Fox Factory suspension, with Roval carbon XC wheels and trail bar Epic 8 Evo Pro frame and geometry With its top tube shock placement and flex stay rear suspension design the Epic 8 Evo looks very like the previous generation bike, but there’s a whole lot going on here under the surface. The mainframe is 10mm longer in the large I tested, and slacker by over a degree in the low flip chip setting. The fresh rear end also uses a longer stroke rear shock for 120mm of travel. Anti squat values are also increased for “20% less bob,” Spesh says. The bigger down tube gets SWAT internal storage and the internally plumbed cables/hoses are all threaded through the head tube front, and not the headset. There’s a steering stop to prevent the bar rotating into the frame and you also get rubber armour on the belly and chain stays. That leaves limited rear tyre room as the only obvious gripe. The composite lay up is all new, with a focus on vibration damping – Specialized claims a 12% decrease – as well as low weight. A hollow in-moulded front shock mount also saves 24g over the previous solid, bonded on mount. But the use of Spesh’s heavier 11M carbon, extra length and strength, steel fixtures, internal storage and 75g of rubber armour means claimed frame weight is now 2,105g, some 446g heavier than the old S-Works Epic 7 Evo. Components It’s not just the frame that’s burler than previous Evos, the components are too. The RockShox SID is out and instead the bike uses a 130mm travel Fox 34 Factory fork with GRIP damper. You get a 970g Purgatory front tyre in sticky T9 compound and the Code brakes run extra thick, extra powerful HS2 200mm front and 180mm rear rotors. The rear shock is a Fox Float with oversized EVOL can and you get a fully adjustable Fox Transfer Factory dropper post rather than the two …Continue reading »

Highs
  • • Superlight frame for a 120mm trail bike, at 1,870g

  • • Aggressive geometry that's ideal for riding hard, and climbing well too

  • • Components are superlative, with 130mm fork, powerful brakes and sticky front tyre

Lows
  • • Rear shock tight in feel and doesn't quite match up with the plush 130mm fork

  • • Rear tyre clearance isn't the best

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MTB Mag
[Review] Specialized Epic 8 Evo

Mar 12, 2024 · Marco Toniolo

Specialized presents the new Epic 8, and with it the Evo version, i.e., the one with more travel. The number can only bring to mind the Tarmac 8, unveiled last year, effectively aligning two of the California brand’s most beloved models. Once again, the race version of the Epic differs greatly from the “downcountry” version, but, contrary to what happened in 2020, the Epic 8 Evo is unlikely to be used in competition instead of the Epic 8, which you see in the photo below. In fact, the latter already has 120/120mm of travel, forgoes the Brain in favor of

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Our Reviews
99 Spokes
Ride1Up Prodigy XC Review || Best Value E-Hybrid

Mar 8, 2024

The Ride1Up Prodigy XC is one of the best deals you can get get on a well-equipped E-hybrid bike. But don't let the "XC" moniker ...

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99 Spokes
First Look at the Cannondale Moterra SL || 43 lb Full Power E-MTB!

Feb 20, 2024

The Cannondale Moterra SL is a full-powered E-MTB that rivals the weight of some of slimmest lightweight e-bikes on the market.

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99 Spokes
State Bicycle Co. 6061 Trail+ Review

Jan 19, 2024

The State Bicycle Co 6061 Trail+ is one of the least expensive fat bikes on the market these days, and in this video we test it on ...

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99 Spokes
State Bicycle Co. 6061 Trail+

Jan 19, 2024

The 6061 Trail+ is a great option for someone looking for an affordable way to extend their urban commuting or recreational riding into the off season, but the “Trail” moniker might be a bit of an overstatement.

Highs
  • Low price

  • Fun around town and in mellow, low-incline terrain

Lows
  • Shimano Altus drivetrain

  • Outdated geometry

  • Not compatible with a dropper post

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99 Spokes
Can This Bike Replace Your Car? | Yuba Spicy Curry Review

Jan 12, 2024

The Yuba Spicy Curry AT is a long-tail e-cargo bike designed to be ridden offroad and in inclement weather. But we wanted to ...

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