XC Bikes
Norco Revolver 27.5
Norco mixes in a little old with new school geometry including steep head and seat angles, short chainstays, long reach, and low standover height offered in both 29″ and 27.5″ (reviewed) wheels. Coupled with oversized pivots, internal cable routing, and a matte orange/black paint job, the Revolver is one of the sexiest looking bikes on our 2016 list. While you may be tempted to throw this bike through a variety of terrain, Aaron found the component performance indeed placed the Revolver squarely in the XC category. But what would he know, he only rode the bike 500 miles, including two endurance races and the entire Trans-Sylvania Epic on the Norco Revolver.
A good measure of how a bike test went is how sad you are to send it back. And I am really bummed to see the Revolver go. It has been a pleasure to ride such a well-thought-out, light, and reliable bike. I would be thrilled to have this bike in my personal stable. If it were my personal bike, there are a couple things I would add. One being a dropper post–because, dropper–and a 120mm fork. The slightly-longer fork would add a bit of comfort and even more confidence on the descents, creating the ultimate marathon racer. But as it is, right out of the box, the Norco Revolver 7.1 FS is an incredible bike for all but the most elite of racers.
– Aaron Chamberlain
Read how Aaron emerges from MTB racing retirement and takes the Trans-Sylvania Epic by storm in his full review of the Norco Revolver.
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Niner Jet 9 Carbon
Despite conservative geometry and a number of component whoas, after changing into some beefier Maxxis shoes, Aaron was left to wonder if he’d ever need more bike than the 100mm-travel Niner Jet 9. Our Jet was the heavily-shaped with a swoopy carbon front triangle paired with an equally-stout alloy rear which, thanks to long chainstays and Niner’s CVA suspension, was almost impossible to overwhelm. While a Boost Pike adorned the front end, Niner still specs a 142mm rear hub, yet we still managed to fit a 27.5+ tire with room to spare.
With the latest updates to the Niner JET 9, namely the 120mm fork, it has taken a full step towards trail bike territory and away from its XC roots. Even with just 100mm of suspension out back, the JET is confident in 90% of trail riding situations. It can tackle steep and technical terrain all day, you just can’t go as fast as you could on a 160mm bike. The trade offs being the Niner is going to climb better, pedal more efficiently, and be less of a handful in tight trails.
-Aaron Chamberlain
Count how many times Aaron changes out tires on the Niner Jet 9 in his full review.
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Chumba Stella Ti
With a pair of 27.5+ shoes on downhill rims, a full-on frame, handlebar, and seat bag set up, and a 30oz tank of MSR fuel bolted to the down tube, Brent Knepper turned an XC race bike into the ultimate adventure rig. On this same tricked out Chumba Stella Ti, he also manages to make a bikepacker wanna-be out of any who dare reads his story about riding the Arizona Trail. Despite its XC geometry under load, the titanium Chumba Stella preserved a certain nimbleness over the touchy-feely Arizonian boulders, held its own on the roughest hiker’s switchbacks, and rarely faded on the steepest climb.
Chumba’s team of men and women riders, [where] cat 1/pro pedigrees and backcountry experience abounds, rides these bikes stripped down along course tape and loaded up along barbed wire. My experience was, by and large, with the latter of the two. The new tech in tire sizes and gearing combos has its high notes and low notes, respectively, but not anything more than the adventure itself might. In a way, the Stella Ti seems designed to push its own limits. I was more than happy to oblige, and in doing so I came away pleased, albeit surprised, with the resilience and performance.
-Brent Knepper
Read Brent’s full review of the Chumba Stella Ti and follow his winter bikepacking (mis)adventures in Arizona here.
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Bulls Wild Edge Carbon
Sporting 100mm of rear travel, the lust worthy RS-1 fork from RockShox (both of which can be fully locked out on the fly), 700mm of flat bar, and a 2x drivetrain, there is no bullshitting as to what the Bulls Wild Edge is all about. Tipping the scales at just over 25 pounds (with tubes), Jeff reported that the Bulls’ full-suspension, XC race bike pedaled almost as good as the Specialized Epic and Niner RKT, yet descended with more confidence than both. What’s more, with a direct-to-consumer price of $3,799 (yes, with the RS-1), the only thing that’ll be slowing you down is that extra weight in your wallet.
I went into this test looking forward to being done and sending the bike back to BULLS so I could get back to my own rig, but after just a couple long rides I decided that this is a bike I could easily see myself buying. The Wild Edge 29 proved to be fast yet comfortable, boring yet sexy, and high-end yet fairly affordable. This is a quintessential 29er with solid frame geometry and design, along with a smart parts spec, which anyone who spends serious time in the saddle pedaling can appreciate.
-Jeff Barber
Read Jeff’s full review of the Bulls Wild Edge Carbon, plus, a photo of an actual Bulls bike box!
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