Podcast: Our Favorite Mountain Bikes of 2016 [Podcast #81]

In this episode of the Singletracks podcast, Aaron, Greg, and I discuss our favorite bikes from 2016 and talk about the bikes we really want to test in 2017.

By Jeff Barber
December 12, 2016 Last Updated: January 27, 2021

19 comments

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In this episode of the Singletracks podcast, Aaron, Greg, and I discuss our favorite bikes from 2016 and talk about the bikes we really want to test in 2017. We also talk about some of our favorite gear items in 2016, in case you need a last minute gift idea for yourself.

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19 Comments

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bikerboy15 California // 2016
Dec 13, 2016

Could somebody tell what about the Fuel Ex makes it better because I actually think it's pretty sweet. Just wondered how it compares to the Optic and Camber?? Thanks

0 reply

Joel DH North Carolina // 2016
Dec 14, 2016

A more accurate question would be: Stumpjumper vs Fuel Ex. A Camber is much more XC oriented than a Fuel, and a Fuel is a trail bike. Jeff's descriptions on his testing I found very correct. Like, to a letter correct. But a Camber really doesn't compare well to a Fuel because, again, a Camber is basically a long traveled(?) XC bike, and the Fuel is designed for more fun stuff. As a result, a Stumpjumper vs Fuel test would be very interesting and more relevant as a question.

AUTHOR

Jeff Barber Georgia // 1998
Dec 14, 2016

I tested the new Camber last year and the Fuel EX this year, and they are very different bikes, despite having similar travel front and rear.

The Camber, like most Specialized bikes I've tested, is very snappy and responsive. It climbs great and on the downhill it tracks the ground really well. The only ding I personally give it is that it can feel stiff and harsh on fast descents. The SWAT system seems really useful too.

The Fuel EX, on the other hand, feels much more relaxed. It's good for climbing (though it seems slightly less efficient than the Camber) but on the descents, it's more supple and just more fun. Is the Fuel EX "better" than the Camber? Depends on what kind of riding you do. If you are competitive and race from time to time, the Camber is probably a better choice. If you just ride for fun on the weekends, you might prefer the Fuel EX.

I stand by my assertion that the Fuel EX is the best bike I tested this year, but keep in mind I tested the Camber last year. :)

Added: I forgot that I also rode the Optic (both the 27.5 and 29er versions) this year. The Optic is pretty similar to the Camber in that it's more on the XC end of the Trail spectrum. Again, fast and efficient bike, but it doesn't get quite as rowdy on descents as the Fuel EX.

bikerboy15 California // 2016
Dec 15, 2016

No, Not if I'm not interested in the Stumpy, I don't care how the stumpy stacks up against the Fuel Ex, Thanks for that info Jeff!

True, comparing the Stumpy and Fuel EX would be more appropriate. The last time I rode a Stumpy was in 2012 and clearly much has changed since then.

mongwolf Mongolia // 2011
Dec 13, 2016

So you guys spoke about the Eagle 1x12 and it's 500% range. For comparison purposes, what are the normal ranges for 2x and 3x systems?

Aaron Chamberlain Georgia // 2013
Dec 13, 2016

A 3x10 drivetrain with 42/32/24 rings would yield about a 570% gear range.

A 2x10 with 36/26 rings would yield 450%

A SRAM 2x11 will get you 630%

A Shimano 2x11 with a 42T cog on the cassette is 520%

A Shimano 1x11 with a 42T cog on the cassette would be around 380%

Shimano now makes an 11-speed XT cassette with a 46T cog, which bumps the range up to 418%

A SRAM 1x11 with a 42T cog would be 420% (you get more range because SRAM has the 9T small cog whereas Shimano smallest is an 11T. This is why you need that special xD driver for SRAM cassettes.)

And finally, the SRAM Eagle 1x12 gets you 500% range

Hopefully, that helps!

Greg Heil Colorado // 2008
Dec 13, 2016

Hey man, check out the chart in this article for a visual: http://www.bikeradar.com/mtb/gear/article/srams-12-speed-mtb-group-making-sense-of-the-gossip-46344/

mongwolf Mongolia // 2011
Dec 15, 2016

Most definitely helps. Thanks so much.

Thanks Greg.

Ya dunno... :) Trek and Specialized really seem to be seriously close to each other... and I FA with Joel you've gotta get some Spez rides... Great podcast

See above for links to some Spesh reviews ;)

Joel DH North Carolina // 2016
Dec 13, 2016

You guys are really big Trek fans. Don't blame you, Trek makes a great machine. But it ain't the best. Ask anyone who has ridden a 2015-16 Specialized Stumpjumper. I have, and it is, in a word, stunning. Basically is a giant sized BMX bike on the parking lot. I also have very recently purchased a 2015 Specialized Enduro, and the unboxing will occur within two days. I very eagerly await to share my riding experience of this nearly legendary machine with everybody, as I will be posting a short-term and long-term review soon on the Forum.
Good podcast, listened to the whole thing, but you guys have got to get some Specialized tech to try out! Until proven otherwise [which has yet to happen!] I will believe that Specialized builds the best trail, XC, and Enduro bikes on a consistent basis.

Also, I shouldn't assume anything. Sorry that I did. I was basing my assumption from a response I got from Jeff in the forum. I said basically the same stuff I did in above comment, and he replied "....we totally don't get to test enough Specialized gear!". I assumed that meant you'all hadn't ridden a Spelsh in a while, which was: extrapolation based on incomplete data. Sorry to hear you guys don't like Specialized as much, and I'll be more careful in my assumptions from now on.

Uhh, we have ridden plenty of Specialized's bikes.

Like this: http://www.singletracks.com/blog/mtb-reviews/2017-specialized-stumpjumper-expert-test-ride-review/

And this: http://www.singletracks.com/blog/mtb-reviews/test-ride-review-2016-specialized-s-works-stumpjumper-fsr-6fattie/

Also this one: http://www.singletracks.com/blog/mtb-reviews/test-ride-review-specialized-s-works-stumpjumper-650b/

This one too: http://www.singletracks.com/blog/mtb-reviews/test-ride-review-specialized-fatboy-pro-fat-bike/

Oh yeah, here's another one: http://www.singletracks.com/blog/mtb-reviews/test-ride-review-specialized-s-works-camber-29/

We've ridden plenty of their bikes. And they're nice. And it's cool that they come in a ton of price points. But, none of us liked them the best and that's okay. Besides, Jeff was the only one that said his favorite bike of the year was from Trek. Greg picked a Scott. I picked a Pivot and an Ibis as my favorites.

Jeff Barber Georgia // 1998
Dec 13, 2016

Joel, be sure to check out these articles in case you missed them: http://www.singletracks.com/blog/tag/specialized/

We wanted to test more Specialized bikes at Cyclofest in October but the brand only brought electric mountain bikes. :(

Thanks Joel!

Thanks for the links. Pivot and Ibis make some really great bicycles. That DW link on the Ibis pedals like the dickens! I will even admit that that an average Pivot or an average Ibis bike pedals better than a Specialized.

As Aaron pointed out, we've ridden plenty of Specialized bikes... but this podcast was about our FAVORITE bikes, and Specialized didn't make the cut. While I get that you like Spesh Joel DH, the assumption that the only reason Specialized wasn't mentioned in the podcast is because we didn't get a chance to ride them made me LOL.

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