New Bike: Giant Releases Double Machine for 2015 - Glory 27.5 and Reign 27.5g

Giant previously said "goodbye 26 wheels" on early 2014, and to prove this, Giant releases double machine for the 2015 and all of them are 27.5 inch wheels, and those machines are Giant Glory DH and Giant Reign. With these bikes, Giant will continue the generation of the 27.5 inch wheels for their most popular machines on market.

Giant Glory DH 2015 27.5

Giant said that this monster is designed for the speed and helps the rider to be faster on track and this can be seen on the frame design and another improvement in any parts. Still using the maestro suspension system, this frame is ALUXX SL frame and have 203 mm travel of fork.

High end specs also install on this newest Giant Glory DH 27.5, and of course because this actually a bike with world cup standard.

The new Giant Glory DH 27.5 2015 will come to the market on three various models and will have different price.

Giant Reign 2015 27.5

One of the most popular bike on enduro - all mountain scene, Giant also rebuild the Reign into 27.5 inch wheels. This is a 160 mm travel fork, and Giant Reign 2015 27.5 will come to the public with options aluminum and carbon frame choice. On World Enduro 2014, the prototype of Giant Reign appears on the Giant Factory Off-Road Team.

Giant Reign 2015 27.5 will come in four different various type, and the highest bike will be priced on $8250 and the lowest version of Giant Reign 2015 27.5 will be at $3400.

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Product Tested: Race Face Turbine Crankset

Race Face is a famous product that consistent in producing mountain bike part, such as bars, stems, and also the crankset. Their products are good, and most used by professional riders to be installed on their bikes, and their crankset lineup are even more! They have released so many crankset series, and one of their most popular in their crankset lineup is their Turbine series. 

HIGHLIGHTS

Race Face Turbine Crankset actually for the XC, AM, Trail, and Enduro riding, because the three various size of the Turbine are good for that scene which has 170, 175, and 180 mm lengths. The complete highlights of this crankset is listed below;

#Intended for XC/Trail/All-Mountain/Enduro use

#Completely redesigned for 2015 to incorporate the Cinch system

#Crank arms are deep pocket forged and CNC machined to optimize stiffness

#170, 175, 180mm crank arm lengths

#Black, Blue and Red crank color options

#Protective ‘crank boots’ available

#Removable spider offers the ability to convert between 1, 2, and 3X chainring standards

#1X Narrow/Wide options: 26, 28, 30, 32, 34 and 36T

#2X 64/104 BCD options: 22/36, 24/36, 24/38T

#2X 80/120 BCD options: 26/38, 28/40T

#3X options: 22/32/42, 24/32/42T

#Industry standard 30mm spline interface CNC machined from 7050 alloy

#BB92, 68/73 BSA, 100mm BSA, and PF30 bottom bracket options

#MSRP $199.99 to $299.99, depending on chainring configuration

IMPRESSIONS

The Turbine can be said as the lower version of their premium crankset, the Race Face Next SL, and it can be seen on the chainring; they have same chainring, both Turbine and Next SL. Even, these two products have same on another aspect like on the crank extraction system, and the same locknut. The installation of Turbine Crankset also simple and quite easy, and overall the Turbine setup is easy!

RIDING TEST

Simple, performance of this crankset is awesome and superb! It smooth, without any disturbing sound, or creaks and the narrow chainring also gives another comfortableness on the trail.

The Race Face brand is the guarantee that their products are good product in any sectors, and they prove again on this crankset.

DURABILITY & IMPROVEMENT

This is great product and can be used for long time because of the material used, and in the proper use this product will be longer life! It's quite hard to find the cons on the great product like Turbine, and it just like searching a needle on the garbage! The price is good, with the amount $199.99 to $299.99, we can install great crankset on our bike, but let's try to find the cons; maybe the cons are proprietary bottom bracket tool, as well as having the crank arm auto-extractor cap un-thread itself once on the trail.

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All Purpose Bike: Dartmoor Hornet 2013

The Dartmoor Hornet 2013 is the improvement from previous version of Hornet, a powerful hard-tail bike which can be used in many purpose of cycling, depend on the travel you install on it. In this 2013, Dartmoor releases the 2013 version of Hornet with better artwork and paint, and basically it is still powerful as previous version, and the most important that this bike is a good bike with good price. Come with three size options, this bike is ready to be tested, and the result is predictable; this is powerful and great bike at great budget.

Why it is said that the Dartmoor Hornet 2013 is many purpose bike? Well, it is all depending on your fork you use, because this frame is very flexible. I mean, when you use a hundred millimeter fork travel, you will get a cross country bike; and when you place a 120-140 mm fork, you will get All-Mountain bike; and when you install 160 mm fork travel, your Hornet will be a Freeride bike. Isn't amazing, right? You will get a complete package in a great frame named Hornet, and it's up to you which fork you want to use.

The Dartmoor Hornet 2013 is build from aluminum material for the frame, but the frame is stiff and rigid as we expect. In other words, the Dartmoor Hornet 2013 frame is the best frame for you if you are the fans of hard-tail bike, and this frame is very recommended for you who want to have an aggressive hard-tail frame with low budget.  

Photo: pinkbike.com

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Specialized Enduro Expert Evo Cranxwork Edition

Cranxwork event for this year is not only the arena for riders to show their riding ability, but also becomes the arena for the big brands announce their new bikes, as preparation and keep the fans love them; and like Specialized, the popular brand around the world, also bring their best bikes for Cranxwork event, the Specialized Enduro Expert Evo Cranxwork Edition. During this event, Specialized has showing some new machine or partnership, like the Ohlins TTX Shock for their Demo 8. But what will be offered for rider with the Expert Evo 2014 is some improvements, and it claims that this bike is suitable in any terrain, depend on the rider, what track they will pass; and this bike will ready for them.

Actually, the Specialized Enduro Expert Evo Cranxwork Edition is released to replace the Enduro SX, so those bikes are similar in any part and design. It is interesting why Specialized build the frame for this bike using aluminum material, very different approach when another famous brands are using carbon fiber for the frame. But there must reason for that, and as a big brand, Specialized must have reasonable thing to use aluminum for the frame; but it's not a big problem, though, because this is still great machine. Why this is called great machine, it may because that Specialized Enduro Expert Evo Cranxwork Edition is using best component in each specification. Fork from FOX Factory 180mm Kashima and SRAM X01 Groupset; some of the best component that can be used in a bike.

The partnership with Ohlins is still can be seen in this Specialized Enduro Expert Evo Cranxwork Edition, with the use of Ohlins TTX Shock. Overall this is great great machine with affordable price; the fans can get this bike in three different size, small, medium, and large; and the confirmed price for this bike is $5799. Specialized builds this bike shorter than Demo or Status (both DH bikes), and it makes this bike will be faster in the deep forest, ready for technical riding; in down way track, or flat track. But, this bike is not for beginner, because this bike is in the next level of riding technique, so if the fans want to ride the Specialized Enduro Expert Evo Cranxwork Edition, better to improve the riding skill first; because this bike is a monster! More information click here.

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Scott Gambler 20: The King of Gambler

As one of the great player's weapon in World Cup, Scott have to renew one of their best machine in the downhill lineups, and it's for the Scott Gambler 20 that comes to the arena. Like the King of Gambler - though this is little bit too much - this bike is truly downhill machine, with its experience for a long period in the downhill race, seems that this is more senior than other. The Gambler 20 is the newest downhill machine from Scott, which has the same material with the downhill racer Brendan Fairclough's. But this bike is interesting, because though the best parts are used in this bike, anyone can bring this bike home with just only $4,419.99. The affordable price for monster; and $2,594.99 for frame and Fox RC4 Shock.

One interesting feature in this bike - without forgetting another features - is the link technology from Scott, which is called Scott Floating Link; this technology has been adopted in the new frame Scott Gambler 20. This technology is able to offer more efficient pedaling and with the 3.5 inch drive long size which is provides the slight or progressive rising.

The Scott Floating Link also gives the less friction among the ball bearing, despite transfers the suspension force to the front at the head tube. Scott also start the full relationship with Syncros to fill the parts, like wheelset, handlebar, seatpost and saddle. 

With all the high technology and high quality components on it, Scott Gambler 20 must be the one of the best bike on downhill race; and it be better to check the riding impression of this bike to ensure that this is truly monster.

This bike is fast, fast enough so the rider have to think that helmet and other body protections are important. This speed then combined with the soft fork, the Fox 40 203mm travel; this fork is enough for the downhill arena, with several improvements in some aspects to make this fork better. Overall, this is really good machine for downhill use, and recommended for pro or expert; beginner maybe just hold for a while to ride this bike, and have to master the riding technique first. 

The parts also work well, like the Muddy Mary tires, LG1 Chain Guide from E*Thirteen, Syncros cockpit, Shimano Zee for the drivetrain - this is regarded as one of the best drivetrain on downhill or freeride purpose, Avid Elixir 5 brakes, and Fox for the shock and fork. But, one thing to be considered, maybe this bike will be more better with the higher level than Elixir 5. For more information about Scott Gambler 20, check at scott-sport.

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Ride Test Giant Anthem X 29er 4

Giant releases the new Giant Anthem 29er since its first appearance about two years ago, and this bike will be Giant's lineups for 2013; but better for you to know about the impression of this new bike, and this is about ride test the Giant Anthem X 29er 4. Regarded as full suspension cross country bike, this bike has been one of the favorite of the full suspension cross country bike from Giant. And if you are the rider that prefer to the trail and cross country track, this bike is already for you; and another important information, this bike has been priced about $1925, such an affordable price for high quality bike.

ALUXX-SL still be used for the material in the frame in Giant Anthem X 29er 4, and it has Maestro Suspension, a suspension from Giant; and this bike have one for the rear suspension. The addition of number "4" is not a model, but this is like a name for this bike because this is the entry level of the Anthem family. Entry level? Yep, but you don't have to worry because this bike has been equipped with high specification to support to release its best performance. Such as the usage of Shimano Deore 3x10 as the drivetrain, and for the maximum grip in any surface, this bike use Schwalbe Racing Ralph 2.25.

As the cross country bike, the Giant Anthem X 29er 4 has good power to climb, and thank for the Rockshox Recon Silver TK. The rear suspension, Maestro Suspension from the same manufacturer also offers the good impression in the uphill. But better be careful when you want to try technical riding or extreme riding; this may the impact of the fork and wheelset quality. And also be careful in the down way, because this bike is just in average as cross country bike, but the Maestro saves all; this suspension done well in this bike. Overall, this is good bike with good price, but if you want to do some upgrades, maybe wheelset and front fork need to be considered, if you want more technical riding. Just for advice, put the upgrading step by step, and improve your riding skills first before you upgrades, if so, this Giant Anthem X 29er 4 will be great machine for you.

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Ride Test Specialized Epic S-Works World Cup 2014

Specialized releases their newest cross country, the Specialized Epic S-Works World Cup 2014 edition, as one of their 2014 edition bikes lineups, and later the Epic World Cup is special for racing usage. The improvement on this bike such as less fork travel, more aggressive angle, and better handling. This bike will be able to make rider all-out in a racing, different with previous Epic, which can be best partner for people. This machine will be used for intense usage and more aggressive riding, because this bike has better handling. 

The improvement adopt in Specialized Epic S-Works World Cup 2014 edition such as the usage of 95 mm suspension, both front and rear. The subtraction of fork travel from 100 mm into 95 mm travel makes this bike has more aggressive in a race, and with this angle, this bike is more efficient. And thaoseparts are combined with the lighter frame weight than before, about 50 gr lighter, but this frame is stiffer than before. As new bike, this bike has been equipped with new parts in each department, like the drivetrain, brakeset; and these parts will be great supporting element to make this bike get its better performance in the race, or even just daily usage. 

The SRAM drivetrain is used in Specialized Epic S-Works World Cup 2014 edition, the SRAM XX1, and combine with so-so Magura brakes. Overall riding of this bike, this machine is good in dry and dusty track and still comfortable in long riding. This cannot be separated from the usage of 29 inch wheels, and the light carbon fiber rims for aggressive riding but still strong. The Epic S-Works World Cup 2014 is one of the 2014 lineups bike from Specialized, and other bike in this lineups are Stumpjumper, Specialized CruX, Specialized Allez Race, and other.

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Rocky Mountain Carbon Instinct 29er

Rocky Mountain releases the new bike for the All Mountain class purpose this year, which is completed with the suspension technology called Ride 9 as one of the features in this bike. Rocky Mountain releases this Instinct variant in several models, start from Instinct 970 MSL BC Edition, Instinct 950 MSL, Instinct 999 MSL, and Instinct 970 MSL. The different of those types are the usage of different parts inside, where the Instinct 999 MSL becomes the bike in this variant that used high-class specifications plus the carbon frame. While the economic type from this variant is Instinct 950 MSL which use the combination carbon and aluminum for the frame. The aluminum is used in the rear end, for the purpose to push the production cost, although this type has used the SRAM X7 for the drivetrain.

First time appears last August in Eurobike, this variant of Instinct is regarded as the bike from Rocky Mountain which uses the Ride 9 Suspension Technology, continuing its brother the Altitude. Ride 9 Suspension Technology itself is the technology from Rocky Mountain in the suspension aspect which allows the rider to make customization the geometry of the bike and the rear suspension. This is a smart technology from Rocky Mountain to make the bike more fit with the rider with little setting by move the shock forward which is give more aggressive for trail riding. 

This bike is believed will go on the market on October this year, and this will be 2014 lineups bike from Rocky Mountain. This is the All Mountain and Cross Country bike at the same time, with the 29er wheels that will give the rider more aggressive trail experience, and maybe this Instinct variant will be the serious competitor for Santa Cruz Tallboy Ltc and Banshee Prime. The Rocky Mountain confirms the price of each type, which the Instinct 999 MSL becomes the most expensive with $7.599; Instinct 970 MSL BC Edition and 970 MSL with the $5.399 - the difference is just the Shimano XT in 970 MSL; then the last is Instinct 950 MSL at the price $3.999.

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