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1 month ago | 
vitalmtb.com | Jonathon Simonetti
The Slash+ is an eMTB that’s meant to handle the most aggressive terrain without an aggressive weight penalty. As soon as the current generation Slash came to market, Trek immediately had riders requesting an electric version to bring that long travel bump-eating performance up the mountain a little quicker. Long-travel eMTBs are nothing new, but the way Trek did this one is pretty special.
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2 months ago | 
vitalmtb.com | Jonathon Simonetti
If the all-new Trailcat looks familiar, it’s because the bike is built on the DNA of the long-standing Trail 429, now with a few other Pivot models mixed in for 2025. The idea of the new bike was to not only increase capability across a wider variety of terrain but offer a higher level of adaptability to cater the bike to any terrain type. With two different travel options and some subtle yet significant details, the Trailcat may be the most versatile Pivot yet.
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Nov 26, 2024 | 
vitalmtb.com | Jonathon Simonetti
The Ransom has been a long-standing model in the Scott lineup for nearly two decades, with the latest iteration being released earlier this year. With internal headset cable routing, a plethora of remote levers, internal shock, and a one-piece bar and stem combo, it is undoubtedly a polarizing bike for many but an equally intriguing one for a handful of other reasons.
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Oct 22, 2024 | 
vitalmtb.com | Jonathon Simonetti
First introduced at the end of 2022, the latest iteration of Pivot's long-travel full-powered eMTB has undergone a number of refinements for 2025 and beyond. Starting with an all new powertrain, subtle changes to visual features, build kit options and wheel sizes, the Shuttle LT builds on the success of an already proven platform.
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Oct 10, 2024 | 
vitalmtb.com | Jonathon Simonetti
I rode the new M6 wheelset from ENVE for a few days prior to launch and gathered some impressions during my brief time aboard the wheelset. Intended for light trail applications, these are maybe not the first option that comes to mind when looking for wheels to pair with a 170mm enduro bike. Still, they provided some great contrast to my usual ENVE AM30 wheelset. In hand, the wheels are incredibly light, and the dedicated front and rear rims have distinct profile differences.
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Oct 4, 2024 | 
vitalmtb.com | Jonathon Simonetti
The latest iteration of Pivot's downhill bike has been hard to ignore over the last two seasons for its unique drivetrain layout and the lugged carbon frame construction used during prototyping. The aluminum lugs are now gone, and a refined full-carbon Phoenix frame has emerged from the ashes with a sleek fit and finish.
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Sep 24, 2024 | 
vitalmtb.com | Jonathon Simonetti
Over the last couple of seasons, it has been hard to ignore the prototype shocks with batteries on some of FOX's top athletes' bikes at the Enduro and Downhill World Cups. The wait is finally over, and the latest iteration of FOX Live Valve technology is now available following the introduction of the NEO line of Transfer droppers. NEO marks the inaugural launch into wireless products for FOX, creating a platform for the wireless line of Live Valve shocks to exist within.
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Aug 19, 2024 | 
vitalmtb.com | Jonathon Simonetti
Press Release The biggest Freeride event in Latin America brings unknown riders and world-class riders together. Todo o Nada was started to provide access and a platform to give people a chance. It was created for all the unknown to showcase up-and-coming freeriders from all over the world. The event series is a convergence of trail building, play, and committing to a lifestyle of presence and intentional living.
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Jul 18, 2024 | 
vitalmtb.com | Jonathon Simonetti
Growing up across the street from the legendary Aptos Post Office Jumps in Santa Cruz, CA, Connor Gallart couldn't help but become a teenage dirt jumping phenom. During my years as a creative producer for Specialized Bicycles I lived in Santa Cruz and occasionally shot Connor at the Post Office Jumps when he was probably 14 or 15 years old. After high school, he took a break from riding and joined the military in 2019.
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Jul 17, 2024 | 
vitalmtb.com | Jonathon Simonetti
Most mountain bikers have strong opinions about handlebar preferences and what sets their favorite bar apart from the rest. These opinions generally relate to bar width, rise, and sweep numbers. Now, a handlebar's vertical compliance is an attribute that's also under the microscope. The vibration-damping characteristics of 35mm carbon handlebars are a primary motivating factor for many consumers looking to create a more comfortable cockpit setup as they improve ride quality.
