4 Short-Travel 29ers REVIEWED - Vital MTB Test Sessions
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- Опубликовано: 1 июл 2022
- Welcome to our 2022 Short Test Session!
We brought together four pedal-hungry and downhill-capable bikes that weighed within a few pounds of each other, had between 100 and 130mm of travel, rolled on 29-inch wheels, and shared similar components. Checking all of these boxes, we ended up with four exciting machines: Alchemy’s Arktos 120, Ibis’ Exie, YT’s IZZO, and Scott’s Spark.
Our goal was simple - find out where this exciting category of aggressive, short-travel mountain bikes shines, what unique features set them apart, and ultimately help riders discover which bike would best complement their trails and preferences.
Which bike do you think would be best for you?
Get our full review, live on our site now - www.vitalmtb.com/features/Vit...
#MTB #mountainbike #crosscountry #trailbike
#mtb #mountainbike #vitalmtb 
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See the results of our pedaling efficiency test - ruclips.net/video/yLjS8lu46oo/видео.html
We tested the Tallboy, Ripley, Phantom, Optic and Rift Zone - Watch it here - ruclips.net/video/dwvc53At7f0/видео.html
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To compare apples to apples, if you threw in the YT Izzo, you needed to do the YT Izzo Pro Race because its only 26-27 pounds, has Kashima everything, 1200 gram carbon rims and costs just $5500. At that build, that bike flies and is a more capable trail bike than any of those other bikes. I have a 2022 Pivot Trail 429 and it's on par with this bike. The 429 climbs slightly better, and turns faster but you can put the power down on that Izzo and it takes off when coming out of turns and the quick up down terrain. That Izzo Pro Race would be the best overall bike in this group of bikes you had because it is VERY capable for a short-travel trail bike.
Can’t agree more about the climbing platform on the Arktos. I personally ride the 170/150mm travel option and my wife rides the 150/135mm. Both pedal extremely well and I’m able never have to touch the climb switch. My favorite part about the bike is the spec it comes with. Like the reviewers said the spec is outstanding for the price and I haven’t changed much on my build.
I love it when you dont have rely on the lockout for the climb. I was curius about the new spark before but after seen so many reviews of people loving it with the lockout system but not so much without it would make me go for the Exie all day even if i think it looks like curled up tagliatelle.
Super useful reviews, guys. Especially since they’re on my home trails! Thanks!
Thanks Vital for this. Always great videos!
Great job description of each bike! Very Informative and awesome camera footage too. I like the Alchemy.
I have been enjoying my Exie immensely.
The market segmentation to sell more product started with the word "enduro". Now everyone and their brother in law has a riding category. I rode and raced a hardtail for many years and had as much fun then as I do on my "trail" bike. The moto of this story..just get on a mountain bike and ride...Love the video, thank you guys.
this is a good one guys...thanks....after all my research and test riding....i went with a revel ranger with fox sus.
What a surprise! Great review, as always!
Interesting how much personal preference comes into play. The YT Izzo has been one of my all-time favorite bikes. I find it to climb extremely well and efficiently-constantly blowing my legs out as this thing begs me to go faster and push harder-I've never felt the need to use the lockout. It's far more capable on descents than I was anticipating. It is a trail bike through and through, not an XC bike as I consider the Spark and Exie to be. The spec choice does have pitfalls though. On the XL the 170mm seatpost is not enough, and the 175mm cranks on a 333mm BB height is just too much for my terrain and was constantly hitting my pedals (even when corning heavily). I had to put a 200mm dropper and 165 cranks on. I also put more aggressive and supportive tires on it. The G2R brakes just aren't enough for me at 180# with how capable this bike is.
I have had the exact same experience with my Izzo. Pedal strikes everywhere, can't seem to get the Sram brakes to function properly (yet) and the dropper has spun on me once internally (not sure how but it hasn't happened since). Running a minion DHF out front and the forekaster rear seems to work... I wont be buying forekasters once these are worn out though, I prefer the Minions.. I have yet to touch the lockout as it isn't needed too. All in, the brakes and tires are holding back an otherwise perfect bike for my riding style but even with the drawbacks what a blast to ride.
Just got my son a spark 910, this video push us over the top from a pivot 429. He had a 2019 spark and just grew out of the medium. The 130/120 travel allows greater versatility than the old version so he only needs one bike two wheel set up for racing and playing around on the trails. He is a great climber and closest to Greg physically, so the multiple rider review was really nice. Would have love a stress test (that might have been asking to too much for a 1 week test).
awesome, glad it helped!
Marvin - how has the bike been for your son?
@@JeremyN207 it’s been awesome. Took a full year of punishing without issue.
I have an Arktos 135/150. I literally never lock it on climbs. I love how stiff the pedaling platform is. It is a bit stiff sometimes on descents but not in a way that makes things sketchy.
Just picked up a 125! Last good XC type MB I had was back in 04 with a trek top fuel 98. I’m excited as hell man. Anyway, how difficult was it to put together once it arrived? Thank you in advance man.
Fun to watch the slowmo shots on Shake n Bake 👍
The twinloc dropper lever has a small screw underneath that allows positioning further under the bar. It's not immediately obvious but it's there. I found I could get it in a better spot where I could hover my thumb over it and then the lock out lever is almost separate to the dropper.
You riding a Spark? How do you feel about it?
These comparisons depend on the local trail features. The concentration on descents is specific and is not the case everywhere. Also, and as you said, some bikes favor larger/heavier riders, so the "best" bike is specific to your size/weight.
I've been riding a Scott Spark for over a year now, albeit a 970 and not a 910. I love the bike but it isn't without its flaws.
My biggest complaint about it is upgrading/replacing parts/components...especially the rear shock. My advice to those thinking of buying it would be to just save yourself the trouble and money, and get the better spec ones...like the 910 or AXS Tuned and just avoid the lower tier ones. Be prepared to spend a bit and swap the Twinloc for a different type of lever if you're going to use an AXS dropper.
Despite the hassle i went through, i still love this bike...it's deceptively capable, it's fast and it's a very good all-rounder.
Awesome review and so much fun to watch these three riders shred my local trails . . . much love to Vital MTB! Couldn’t help but wonder how the Ibis Ripley V4 would compare if you swapped out the Exie? Definitely closer geo the other three verses the Exie (but I have a bias for the V4).
we tested the ibis ripley in our group test a couple years ago. fun bike for sure - ruclips.net/video/dwvc53At7f0/видео.html
I had a Ripmo AF and that bike showed me (a roadie thats ridden a lot of XC bikes over the years) that its not about weight. I would say that climbed just as well as my downcountry bikes... Also it would be great if Ibis brings out a aluminum Exie frameset to reduce the price point. :) Thanks for the video!
Fantastic video. One question with the Izzo, I’d love to know how it climbed once the rear lock was ON. Was the geometry ideal for great climbing with lock engaged, or still lackluster?
It would have been a better apples to apples comparison if you tested the Izzo core 4. It still would have been the cheapest, but with better suspension, brakes, and lighter wheel set.
Hello, Vital MTB!
Is there also a review of short-travel hardtail MTB? If the will be, I'm looking forward to it! Thanks in advance!
Lots'a love, cheers, & Mabuhay, from tropical Philippines! #KeepBiking
Where’s the Revel Ranger? I think that would have been much better addition to the test.
Chapters for the bikes would be great
That mud pocket under the shock is kind of a no-go on the YT.
What is your opinion of the Trek Supercaliber, also short travel and superb performance in XC tracks, world championships (on women category). 100 mm front 60 mm back
Great reviews (and I think I recognized every single trail)... however, to be picky, have to be slightly disappointed that the shuttle rig has 1A plates instead of the Biking plates.
Loved the break downs would be curious on which trails these were. I have looked and riding in Boise just haven't know how the trails were.
good group of bikes, there. however it guess it would not have been fair to also test the Ryve 115 against any of these. it would have gotten first place no doubt.
The on one scandal plus tires with 130 fork is my weapon of choice..budget hardcore hardtail 🤙🤙🤙
What are the reviewers height and bikes sizes tested?
Fezzari Signal Peak would've been a nice addition.
I have a Signal Peak and it’s a killer bike! Wouldn’t trade it for anything.
How does the Pivot Trail 429 fit in this comparison?
Could you guys not score an Izzo core-4 with the remote lockout? That seems to more match the prices of these bikes.
2022 Trance 29 identifies as short travel trail, not downcountry. Maybe upduro?
Great camera work!!! Its awesome to see short travel bikes getting loose! However, short travel riders arent just riding up to get down. We like the climb and want efficient bikes. It would be awesome to see reviews with hard data, not just how it felt. I personally would be more interested in timed loops rather than timed down hill laps (on these bikes)!
I have a trek 2022 top fuel. Nice bike for a 29er. Cost 3,000 from trek store handles nicely on trails burms etc.
Yeah, listening to their test bike criteria, my mind immediately went, "So...why's there no trek top fuel?"
Bike of the year in a local bike mag (here in s-africa)
The big absence here for me is the Transition Spur..
And the Trek Top Fuel.........
Rocky Mountain element
spurs are unattainable so shouldnt’ be reviewed you’re not gonna get one
Not sure the rest ara available either.. ;)
spur test here - ruclips.net/video/Q7BV60AbPFQ/видео.html
Pivot should've thrown a Trail 429 your way for testing. Seems like the perfect bunch to compare it against. That being said, the Arktos seems like a great midwestern bike for my style! Great reviews as always Vital crew!
I have the 2022 Pivot Trail 429. It's a great bike, very capable and it replaced my 2021 YT Izzo Pro Race which is lighter coming in at 27.25 lbs. I loved the Izzo, got me through 4,000 miles during the pandemic without ANY problems. How does it compare to the 429? Very, very comparable. My Izzo on the high setting and with the lockout as an option can do anything the 429 can, and it accelerates out of the turns amazing. Where the 429 beats it is in agility, and I can do almost everything without having to touch the shock settings. The Izzo was so good, that at first I wasn't too impressed with the 429, expecting that "magic sauce" feeling I had always heard about and was not feeling it. But the more I ride it the more I prefer it for its agility. The 429 is the Porsche of bikes in terms of handling but still have comfort. But that Izzo, at that top build, is all the bike anyone will ever need, I just always wanted to own a Pivot 429 or I would have kept it.
For what it’s worth I had a 429 SL live valve, the fit never worked for me so I replaced it with the ibis, and the XC fits me like a glove
@@brucemolina6291 I’ve been wanting to try an Exie. I test rode a Mach 4 SL last year and was quite impressed with how capable it was for an “xc bike”.
@@bimmerfan729 to me if I can explain it the pivot feels like a race bike that wants to be a trail bike and the XC feels like a trail bike that wants to be a race bike. If that makes any kind of sense.
You guys need to look into the Intense Sniper.
Kind of feel you should have been fair and gone for the Izzo at the same price point as the others just to see what the same money would get you spec-wise. $1000 jump up is quite a lot and i'm sure the level-up n parts would have made things more interesting,
45 minutes and zero actual data. Brilliant.
pedaling efficiency test here ruclips.net/video/yLjS8lu46oo/видео.html
You did the Izzo dirty with that spec lmao. Gotta match dollars to donuts or none of it is gonna make any sense.
I'm a little disappointed that you didn't have a Banshee Phantom in the lineup. Still a good video! Thanks!
we tested the phantom a little while back. check it here - ruclips.net/video/dwvc53At7f0/видео.html
@@vitalmtb Awesome! Thanks! I've got the V2 Phantom, I'm glad you reviewed the V3
I feel like a closer comparison for the YT would be the Ibis Ripley over the Exie. A good video would be the SB115, Izzo, Ripley, and like a trek fuel.
ibis ripley review here - ruclips.net/video/dwvc53At7f0/видео.html
yeti SB 115 review here - ruclips.net/video/Q7BV60AbPFQ/видео.html
@@vitalmtb Yes, but you really get to understand the product differences in a comparison test, not the individual reviews.
Wow I was eyeing an Ibis Ripley or Ripmo but thanks for putting Alchemy on my radar, there's things I'd want to upgrade on Ibis that you get right out of the gate on Arktos so now I'm a bit split. I'd love to see a heads up Ripley/Ripmo vs Arktos 120/135 now
Alchemy are so damn pricey though
Save your money and keep the Ibis’s
Some really good info here, but I'm a bit baffled. I have a 2021 YT Pro Race. It climbs really well and there are a lot of other reviews on RUclips that say the same, even one that puts it up against a cross country race bike with a professional rider. I am not sure why you find it so uninspiring in that department. I do understand it is a threat to sales of much more expensive bikes, because of the amazing value it presents. Maybe that's why it make some enemies. My last bike was a Specialized Stumpjumper Expert, which was great, but not as good an all around trail bike as the Izzo, due to the much lower spec that I could afford.
Like to see the Norco Optic there.
optic here - ruclips.net/video/dwvc53At7f0/видео.html
Pretty cool video, and very thorough! But I almost passed on the whole thing based solely on that pathetic high five at the beginning 😂
Scott should combine the remote for the rear shock lockout & dropper post. Once the rear shock turns locked, the dropper post also goes up as well. The same
thing with Dangerholm did for his Scott bikes.
All nice bikes but the SPARK FTW!
No control tires?
Why are the price ranges so different?
Awesome cool bike s
And you have to include the Specialized Evo.
we tried, specialized did not have any available.
Great reviews :). Idk if the exie is really a DC or st trail bike in my book tho. The ripley is squarely in that category to me and it’s a ton more capable than the exie
Scott look good in off and on road
Why do you guys seem so surprised that the Izzo “feels like a trail bike”? It IS a trail bike… it’s designed and marketed as a trail bike, it’s not even trying to be an XC or DC bike. Even the uncaged model is still a trail bike with lighter components. The Spark and Excie are spec’d up XC bikes. Surely a bike’s definition comes from the frame and geometry more than anything else - sticking XTR and super light wheels in a Stumpy Evo doesn’t make it an XC bike 🤷🏼♂️
If you put the Izzo up against other short travel trail bikes like the Stumpjumper and Spectral 125 it wouldn’t seem so slow in the climbs.
(Not an Izzo owner btw, just seems like an odd choice to include)
Well said! 🤝
Very well said!
I've never even heard of an Alchemy (eye roll).
Great video with intelligent content and not 3 blokes standing around with an empty can of beer pretending to give a bike review.
Would of been nice to see the new giant trance
They have individual videos for each bike tested.
nice: it is so funny to hear the way things are moving - 65 degreee HA hahahaaaaaa
Rocky Mountain Element for the win...
Should have reviewed the Ripley instead of exie for this group
Yt izzo I’d 100% consider a trail bike not downcountry. It’s much more the ibis ripley than exie
Needed to throw a top fuel in the mix.
I wish I knew which trails these videos were shot on!!
eagle bike park and double d/urban connection in boise
@@vitalmtb Great, but not too many people ride trails like that, where descents are the priority.
Wait a minute, 160mm rotors don't stop much of anything? I think you need to go ride a bike with cantaliver or V brakes.....160mm will seem like reverse thrusters..
Where is the Specialized Epic and Epic Evo?
we asked, they weren't available.
Yea this is a bike for racing! It needs to be race by a Pro Me 🧐😀
So you were trying to keep the bikes as "apples-to-apples" as possible, but some bikes had enduro tires(dhf/dhr)and others had xc tires(forekaster)? I feel like that makes it unfair, if you wanted a truly fair comparison you should have put control tires on all the bikes.
nice.
Odd question but could you barspin the spark? It would be a really funny looking sigle speed jib bike
No footage climbing papa bear?? 😂
The Exie is an odd choice. It’s a legit XC race bike used in the World Cup circuit.
Where’s The Rocky Element?
...could you not get a ripley? Exie is a race bike
It sounds like all the attributes of the Ibis could be had by getting a nice hardtail. Am I right?!
The Ibis was stiff and responsive in comparison to the other platforms, but still provided substantially more balance and composure than a hardtail.
You NEED to lockout a 120mm bike? Seems like a stretch. I pedal my 35 lb 170mm enduro bike with a coil shock all over without feeling like I need to lock out the suspension.
It’s a personal thing
I agree, I think some people pedal with the weith of the body.
Yeah, my 180mm bike doesn't require a lockout to stay absolutely still in terms of suspension movement when pedalling. Would be ridiculous to have to lock out a 130mm bike.
What do you ride?
@@LastAphelion I'm not sure if you asked me but Pole Stamina 180.
I felt like the bike should be reviewed for capability for the money. If the same money gives you lighter carbon features vs heavily features, wouldn't that affect the review.
really no ripley?
tested it in 2020 - ruclips.net/video/dwvc53At7f0/видео.html
No Element makes this a bit of a dud review/ comparison , to many of the best bikes in this segment are missing
Wow! all 3 reviewers actually embrace the Twin Loc? and then Scott dooms it with poorly designed levers. LOL
Revel Ranger & Spur
spur review here - ruclips.net/video/Q7BV60AbPFQ/видео.html
ranger review here - www.vitalmtb.com/product/guide/Bikes,3/Revel/Ranger-X01-Eagle,30599
what ABAHT the TR spur ere?!
ruclips.net/video/Q7BV60AbPFQ/видео.html
Where's the Giant Trance?
Yes but
* inspires *
IT'S SUMMER, THE BEST TIME EVER TO RIDE PARK, GIVE US ANOTHER DH BIKE COMPARISON
If you have to lockout a 130mm or 120mm bike, it's not good suspension design... Or a weak shock.
It's just a different design approah.
@@jeffreydzialo A shitty one. My 180mm rear wheel travel bike literally doesn't bob at all even under hard pedalling without the damper locked out.
@@th_js you're not getting it. Im not saying its better. It just enables the suspension to be optimized for multiple scenarios( climbing and descending), not a compromise of both. Id rather a bike that does it all w/o the need to flip a switch, but it is a compromise.
@@jeffreydzialo that's good and fine with 150mm of travel, but 120/130 is firm "pedal well" territory. Let them have their approach, but who in their right mind would sit there and get a 120/130 bike and be ok with that when bikes like the evil following and others (that don't sacrifice pedal performance) exist?
@@PavelisLord i imagine people are buying them, or else they wouldn't stick with that design philosophy. I'm with you, and even though this isn't a bike i would typically consider, for my riding... I think consumers are better off with the diversity of bike design.
Where is the RMB élément?
Best bike ever!
Middle rider with white helmet messed up the jumps at 0:42
Why are people so against the "down country" name. All the category "names" are made up. WTF is "enduro"? WTF is "trail"? All bikes can be called "trail" bikes. Down Country makes sense and describes them perfectly. A cross country bike that does a better job on the way down.
@@johnlesoudeur3653 Maybe. I still think Enduro is a weirder name than down country for mountain biking. Enduro's actual definition is "long distance race". So wouldn't that make all XC bikes enduro bikes? I think the hate for "down country" is just typical bike snobbery.
Why make such a long video and only include descriptions of how the bikes felt and which was "fastest", but no actual information at all, you should've included climbing times, descending times and some sort of torture test.
pedaling efficiency test here - ruclips.net/video/yLjS8lu46oo/видео.html
29ers is dependent on how tall you are. Not applicable to me with a roughly 29 inch inseam.
I never understood why you need a lot of travel to get rowdy if you look like BMX riders they're jumping massive gaps half pipes and such and I get at the transition is a lot different when you land on a bicycle like that and they have no suspension at all maybe it's the smooth and flowjumping from one to the other but essentially that's what these type of bikes are doing as well so what's the point of the suspension other than maybe your wrists and elbows a tiny bit I'm not sure
This is a great example of how not to review an XC bike (aka Exie)
The thick stem with the even thicker spacer on the Scott Spark looks so ugly to me. They always say "oh wow integrated cable routing is such a design feature"... no stupid it's not, look at that abomination of a plastic spacer tower. How is that good design?
You test a totally XC bike (even its name is Exie) and complain it doesn't have enough travel and you need to be more careful riding it. Duh. Their DC (or short-travel trail) bike is the Ripley.
there was no complaint about travel, just stating the difference in a bike with less. and we tested the ripley here - ruclips.net/video/dwvc53At7f0/видео.html
Izzo doesn't fit into your test group......should have swapped it with a SC Blur TR or Specialized EVO
Arktos leverage curve is flat to regressive. Pass.
Down country sounds like that crappy modern c&w music....