Vital MTB Test Sessions: Five of the Best 27.5 Downhill Bikes Raced and Reviewed 42

Multiple back-to-back tests of the Canyon Sender, Norco Aurum HSP, Pivot Phoenix, Specialized Demo 8, and UNNO Ever revealed their strengths and weaknesses, and then we raced them against the clock!

bturman
1/6/2019 1:38pm
s1600 HomepageA 766144
Related:
Downhill
Specialized
Norco
Pivot
Canyon
Test Sessions
27.5
UNNO
Angel Fire, New Mexico
Tested
42 comments

View replies to: Vital MTB Test Sessions: Five of the Best 27.5 Downhill Bikes Raced and Reviewed

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Gustavotomasi
4 years ago
2020!!it's time for the 29 test: Trek, Commencal, GT, Pivot, Santa Cruz !!! It would be incredible ... oh my God
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bizutch
5 years ago
Can I just suggest you do 5 runs on each bike in the next test, but put them into a random.org sample generator and then race them in that order so that there is NO pattern. Racing them in any sort of sequence sets up the rider for failure. If you rode the Canyon and Demo then the Norco, you're setting yourself up for poor data. Sure, the suspension curves are different, but the mechanation of the FSR bikes is going to build up a muscle memory that is tough to correct when you go to a single pivot. Same can be said in reverse. Many more runs and each sequence has to be randomized.
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Daniel_Layton
5 years ago
Wish list for next time,
- 2 bikes only, head to head. Mano e mano.
- many more runs per bike for more validity.
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mericanradness
5 years ago
While I do agree that more runs would possibly add more validity the times were so close, which makes me trust the results a little more. Only Brandon and Brian would know for sure but I’d be willing to bet they were riding this bit of trail in the days leading up to the final showdown similar to the way a dh race would be run...
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bturman
5 years ago
The filming process allows us a lot of time to gain familiarity with the course at close to race pace. Each day we'd warm up with full laps, including a scouting lap on race day.
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wangamachang
5 years ago
Vital! Another rad review! Love the thoroughness to these. Pumped that you chose to throw on the same tires this time around. I have a good feeling of how much work it takes to do these, but it would be rad to see these more often!

I know it's probably unlikely to have an intermediate / novice rider have similar consistency in results, but would love to know what their times / thoughts on each bike. Also, wouldn't mind to see the next review be some aggressive, 110-130 (trail?) travel 29ers.
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MadPharma
5 years ago
Loved It! Good to see at last Dh bikes being review!

When a more in depth review of the new YT tues, and sc v10?
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bturman
5 years ago
Appreciate the suggestions! Both of those look like rad rides, and we had a blast on prior generations.
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the_owl
5 years ago
Gray bikes with green bits and plus tires do great at angel fire. Without parental consent
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Adam_Schaeffer
5 years ago
Maybe I missed it, but it would be interesting to note the order that each of you raced the bikes in. I'd imagine that fatigue had to play a role at some point.
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bturman
5 years ago
Great question, Adam.

I raced the bikes in this order:

- Canyon Sender
- Norco Aurum
- Pivot Phoenix
- Specialized Demo 8
- UNNO Ever

Brian raced the bikes in the reverse order. This was done to give each bike the best chance at a fresh run.
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tcmtnbikr
5 years ago
Appreciate the effort but I'll bet dollars to donuts if you do repeat runs on the same bike you'll see similar time variances. It is foolish to draw conclusions from single-run data.
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MPH24
5 years ago
I hear you but I am not sure a fully agree. If you're a WC rider, you get what 8 runs to prove who is the fastest for the season? The sample size in the context of racing DH kind of makes sense.

The video makes it seem like both rider had ample time and setup time on all the bikes so that they felt comfortable and then you need to lay down a race run. I think what's interesting is that certain bikes tended to work well for both riders in certain terrain but overall the fastest bike was the one that suited the riders style or maybe help compensate for the riders style weaknesses. I would agree with you if they just hopped on the bike and did a run but it appeared that both riders had ample time to get comfortable with the bikes.
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tcmtnbikr
5 years ago
Ever time yourself on the same track? I've timed myself down the same track with the same bike in the same condition in back to back runs and can absolutely guarantee I will see at least 1 second variance for every minute on course. Would a WC rider be more consistent, most likely. But one run proves nothing.
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CollapsedWheel
5 years ago
Great to see data and facts to back up this test - more DH bikes tests like this please..........
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MikeyOrange
5 years ago
Glad you stuck to just one wheel size for the comparison. I'd love to see a 27.5 vs 29 for bikes that offer both wheel sizes.
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kev.1n
5 years ago
Thanks for doing this Vital! This test was so thorough and well done, really appreciate it. Long live downhill bikes!
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blast_off
5 years ago
Holy macaroni, what a bike test! Serious data for some serious bikes. Loving seeing an Unno on Vital too.
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taldfind
5 years ago
This is the best bike test I've read in over a year, mostly because it is for DH bikes.

More DH Bikes please. Also, a third testbrider would be good, especially when combining the segment times to get a clearer picture. Two people is just not quite enough to really solidify a trend in how a bike handles. I also offer myself as the third test rider.
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ryan_daugherty
5 years ago
Would love to see how a rider that is on the upper end of intermediate to lower expert skill level has to say about the bikes too. Someone who is a good riding but not an absolute shredder. Would be relatable to myself and 90% of my riding circle.
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darrenspink
5 years ago
So basically hardly anything in it and all down to what bike suits your riding the best.

Let's have some short travel trail bikes up... Transition scout, SC 5010 etc.
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afterbang99
5 years ago
He is not saying the test has no info. If I look at it the test states that the bikes score relatively similar on time and points. But that doesn’t mean there is no difference in how they ride. It comes down to what you like riding/your style is. The Norco is no jumper. And the Demo isn’t all about full speed ahead. Both good bikes but different.
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