Bike Reviews

This $2,640 bike consistently delivers the best performance on the broadest range of trails thanks to its finely tuned suspension system and FOX fork, while its Avid Juicy Five brakes top the class. Cannondale's Rize 4 is surprisingly nimble for a bike with a 68.5-degree head angle, rides lighter than it actually weighs and can handle tough trails without hesitation. Test riders called Giant's Trance X2 a well-balanced bike that begs to be pushed harder through the ugly stuff, and its 15mm front axle offered the best front-end rigidity of the bunch. But Trek's Fuel EX 8 takes the top step of the podium with unbeatable performance that elevates the fun factor on almost any trail.