2020 Fezzari Delano Peak Comp Bike

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Full carbon frame, DVO suspension and Shimano SLX 12-speed drivetrain at just $3,499? Yes. Please! Let’s dig deep into the new Fezzari Delano Peak.

Fezzari is a bike brand that has been selling bikes directly online for years, an early player in the game. Despite their history, they can get lost going up against the likes of YT, Canyon or Commencal. That doesn’t mean their bikes should be overlooked. A couple years ago, we found fun aboard their 150mm-travel 29er, the La Sal Peak, and last fall, their two-thousand dollar Abajo Peak was a standout performer in our Budget Mountain Bike Comparison.

Fezzari Delano Peak Comp Highlights

• Full carbon frame
• 135mm rear travel, 150mm front
• DVO Diamond D1 fork, DVO Topaz T3 shock
• M, L and XL frames can fit two water bottles
• 65-degree head angle, 77.5-degree effective seat angle
• 480mm reach on our size large
• Short standover with deep post insertion
  
• Shimano SLX 12-speed drivetrain
• Maxxis Minion / Aggressor tire combo
• Weight: 31 pounds, 5 ounces (size Large, no pedals)
  
• $3,499 stock, $3,799 with Stan's Flow wheel upgrade (our preference after testing)
  

The new Delano Peak is a trail-ready 29er with 135mm of rear travel and 150mm of front travel. In the low-setting (the only setting we really care about), geometry is nice and modern with a 65-degree head angle, a reach of 480mm for our size large test bike and a 77.5-degree effective seat angle. Standover is low and the seat tube length is short, but seatpost insertion is still over 300mm on a size small frame. Medium through XL frames can also run two water bottles. In addition to some other features like their CleanCatch rattle-free cable guides, ISCG05 mounts, a SRAM Universal Derailleur Hanger and threaded bottom bracket, it’s clear Fezzari did their homework with frame features, layout and geometry that’s nice and modern.

Fezzari offers six different builds of the Delano Peak as well as a frame-only option. The high-end Team AXS model with ENVE wheels hits $8,999 and there is the extremely solid-looking Delano Peak Elite with FOX 36 Performance Elite fork, and DPX2 shock, driven and stopped by Shimano XT goods for $4,499. Frame only with FOX DPX2 runs $2,299

While all the models have great builds and price points, we went with the most affordable option of the Delano Peak Comp at just $3,499 because we’re always intrigued with new, affordable mountain bikes that look ready to shred. A carbon frame with DVO suspension at just $3,499 is an eye-catcher, so that’s what we put to the test.

The Shimano SLX 12-speed drivetrain is a solid, no-brainer for spec. A lot of bikes in this price range are running SRAM drivetrains with an NX cassette that’s 100 grams heavier than the SLX. The cassette weight and precision of the SLX group is a highlight at the price, and when it’s paired with a DVO Diamond D1 fork and Topaz T3 rear shock, the Delano Peak is equipped with the right parts in the right places. A 2.5-inch Maxxis Minion DHF / Aggressor EXO combo was mounted up to WTB wheels with BearPawls hubs and a 29mm-internal width STP rims. Stan’s Flow wheels can be had for $300 more or you can go ENVE AM30 for a $1,200 upcharge. More on the wheels later.

Four-piston Shimano BL-6100 brakes aren’t the highest-end, but they work well. 180mm rotors adorn the Delano Peak front and rear. We were surprised that there wasn’t a 200mm rotor up front, as that’s the standard for any 29er ready for real terrain. X-Fusion’s Manic dropper seatpost gets the job done reliably, and long-legged types can upgrade to a 200mm PNW Bachelor dropper with Loam Lever for an extra $120. Refined Fezzari house-brand parts handle cockpit duties out of the box. We ended up swapping the included 50mm stem for a 40mm stem out of personal preference.

On the topic of personal preference, Fezzari is a mail-order bike, which means you order it online and it shows up at your door, in a box. There is no bike shop involved in the process. Assembly is straight-forward and should be within reach of any rider ready for a legit trail bike. Fezzari offers a 30-day Love-It-or-Return-It guarantee and a 23-point bike fit and set-up guide. The bike fit guide is detailed and refined, but Fezzari is ready to work with you. If you don’t want the 50mm stem they might recommend, you can contact Fezzari through live chat, phone or email, and they’ll work with you on your fit specifics. They have strong customer service to provide peace of mind since you won’t be dealing with a bike shop.

On the Trail

We put the Delano Peak through the paces at races, on home trails and at bike parks throughout Idaho, Wyoming and Montana, clocking tens-of-thousands of vertical feet in the process. Thanks to Fezzari's 23-point setup guide, the Delano Peak arrived ready to ride, almost perfectly configured for the rider's size, weight and riding style. The build quality of the frame is excellent, the paint durable, pivots stout and the cable routing is straight-forward. The fit of the large for our 5'11" height was spot-on. We did trim the bars down to 770mm wide and change the supplied 50mm stem to a 40mm. These changes made for a confident, ripping descender without compromising its climbing prowess.

Climbing the bike reveals how nice and steep the seat tube actually is. The actual and effective seat tube angles are very similar which makes for a much less misleading number on the geometry chart. The seat is nicely positioned, almost directly over the bottom bracket regardless of seatpost height. Seated climbing is very comfortable on the Delano Peak, and we felt like we could have ridden all day. On that note, there was never a desire to really push the bike hard on climbs. It doesn't have that sense of urgency, so we just sit, spin and enjoy the uphills. Climbing traction was exceptional and there was never a need to use the DVO Topaz climb switch. Overall, climbing was uneventful and the Delano Peak just got the job done.

The lackadaisical demeanor on the climbs was completely offset by the Delano Peak's eagerness to descend. The bike was incredibly composed. The long reach, reasonable chainstay length and dialed suspension worked together to make a capable bike. We never felt the Delano Peak to be cumbersome or awkward.

It's still astonishing that Fezzari was able to spec suspension of this caliber on a bike at this price.The DVO Diamond has multiple adjustments from the typical lo- and high-speed compression as well as rebound. DVO's OTT adjuster is a unique mechanism that aids in the top end of the stroke. Fezzari nailed the suspension setup from the get go through the setup guide we filled out. At close to 20% sag in the front, we found more mellow trails to be smoothed out particularly well. We did end up adding 10psi to get the front end closer to 15% sag for steeper tracks. A couple clicks of low speed compression and a slight turn of high speed compression were added, too.

Interestingly, we found the detents on the high-speed dial to be somewhat vague. Regardless, it was easy to make noticeable, fine adjustments on the DVO Diamond.The fork itself performed as well as we could have asked. The top end was incredibly supple without using excessive travel on bigger hits. By the end of the test, the fork needed a general service, but still retained the buttery feel that we grew to love. The chassis was sufficiently stiff, and failed to develop any creaks. Last but not least, it looks fantastic.

The Topaz shock was another standout performer. It has rebound adjustment and a climb switch, but lacks the other adjustment dials found on the Diamond. Like the Diamoond, the Topaz had exceptional small bump sensitivity and at no point did we find it wallowing in its travel. At 30% sag, we found the end of the stroke a few times, but it was neither excessive nor traumatic. For the most part, we just forgot about it, simply jumped on the bike and hammeredit as hard as we could.

On that note, we don't suggest forgetting about DVO Topaz shock. The bladder housed in the piggy back requires a top off every few weeks, according to DVO. Just check the pressure and keep it around 180 to 200psi depending on how you want the bike to feel. It's not a real hassle, but retaining sufficient pressure is critical for the damper to function effectively.

Off-camber sections of trail were another standout experience. We can't say with certainty, but it felt like the bladed shape of the seat and chain stays provided compliance that aided traction when the bike was leaned over through tricky sections and flat corners.

Apart from the suspension, the other standout performers were the X-Fusion dropper seatpost and Shimano SLX drivetrain. The SLX drivetrain was a set-and-forget component. We purposefully shifted like idiots, and never had any broken chains or traumatic skipping. Instead, the drivetrain just casually did its job. Not only that, by the end of the test, the derailleur didn't have any noticeable scratches. We chalk that up to how nicely it tucks up against the bike. Impressive. There is nothing better than a component that we don't have to fuss with.

Like the drivetrain, the X-Fusion Manic dropper was flawless. We just used it, forgot about it, kind of neglected it, but it worked. It's a great dropper post.

Things That Could Be Improved

The bike is fast. In fact, it was so capable that it outshone some of the components that our original $3,499 build was spec'd with. We managed to damage two of the stock WTB rims to the point the tire would no longer hold air. One involved a crack at the rim seam and another ding was too severe to try to bend back. After the second dinged wheel, we went with Stan's Flow wheels which are a $300 upgrade one can choose when purchasing the Delano Peak and haven't had an issue since. We strongly suggest making the Stan's upgrade if you live in rough terrain or ride aggressively.

Finally, the brake rotor size left us scratching our heads. The four-piston Shimano BL-6100 brakes aren't the sexiest, but they have the power, while the 180mm rotors front and rear didn't. Even for our 145-pound tester, the capability of the bike far out-paced the ability of the brakes to control speed. Grab a 200mm rotor for the front, at the very least.

If you have any issues with a product or a component on the bike, Fezzari's customer service is top-notch with a variety of ways to get in touch. They are always there to help.

What’s the Bottom Line?

Throughout the test there were no loose bolts, creaks or frame defects to report. The paint has proven durable, too. Fezzari’s Delano Peak Comp is a modern, capable 29er trail bike that should not be overlooked, especially considering its affordable $3,499 price tag. The Salt Lake City brand has listened to tester and customer feedback over the years and has made a serious contender of a trail bike that will take on all major MTB players in the game. The carbon frame has the refinements and features of any *Gucci* bike brand, and the DVO suspension provides pro-level tunability for the serious rider.

We would strongly recommend the $300 upgrade to Stan’s Flow wheels, from the stock WTB wheels, if terrain with square-edged hits and rim strikes are common in your area. Fezzari’s direct-to-consumer experience is easy, thorough and hassle-free with their refined system and multiple company contact options. The 30-day Love-It-or-Return-It guarantee makes the online buying experience that much more comfortable. The mountain biker willing to take on a small bit of assembly for a large, heaping helping of shredding will love the Delano Peak Comp.

Hit up www.fezzari.com/delano to purchase or learn more about the Delano Peak.

About the Reviewer

Greg Montgomery - Age: 29 // Years Riding: 20 // Weight: 149-pounds (67-kg) // Height: 5'11" (1.80m)

When he's not winning pro-level trail running races, Greg is hammering the trails of Idaho and the Rocky Mountain region on his mountain bike. Fit, fast and knowledgeable, he's also a mechanic at the Boise Gear Collective, where he gets his hands on all kinds of different cycling products. For fun, he'll pedal his regular bike up moto trails, keeping up with his friends on e-bikes.