TheDirtyWheel Top 10 Bikes for 2012
9. PIVOT POINT - DJ BIKE
So first things first, we started at number 9 and for a good reason, soon to be revealed. The PIVOT POINT was a bike we fell in love with at INTERBIKE and we still feel the same way about it. The only reason it checks in at spot 9, is because it is a single use weapon based on discplines where we still have lots of growing to do. Part of our New Years resolutions include learning to really jump, and getting in shape (we are serious). This bike provides an opportunity to do both via DJ parks and pumptracks, although we imagine we might just stand in the garage and stare at it if we actually had one. SPECS/GEOMETRY
8. GIANT REIGN X0
On to number 8 where most of you will continue to scratch your head and wonder what we are thinking. GIANT holds a special place in our hearts. GIANT is an industry leader and innovator and we have been sold on their product ever since our first ride on the Trance X series. As such, sometimes we wish for a solid option in between our DH rig and our Trance X0 which brings us to the REIGN X0. Are there more diverse bikes in the 6-7 inch freeride market? I'm sure there are but what we love about the REIGN is that it knows exactly what it is and what it is not. This is a bike that can take the worst that most of us can dish out and not give you any complaints. Sometimes you just want a purpose built bike thats unabashed, packed with the best components, and ready to go. This is that bike .... and we like! Tomorrow we may want a 6 inch do it all bike that blurs the lines but today we want this beast, which surprisingly is very pedal-able for an almost 7 inch travel bike thanks in part to the Maestro suspension. SPECS/GEOMETRY
7. SPECIALIZED CAMBER PRO CARBON 29er
First and foremost we love the colorways and graphic styling of the Camber Pro Carbon 29 as it looks something like a alien black widow. It would most certainly kill our wallets, and while we would have a hard time spending $8000+ on a 29er, a Carbon bike (as a clyde) , and lets be honest ... any one bike, it lands squarely on the list because we can dream can't we? We won't try to sell you on this bike as it is on the dream list for all the things it represents that are missing from our current stable. As mentioned it is carbon which is something we don't own, it is a 29 inch wheeled contraption which we have very few experiences upon, and it is in the pinnacle range of price point's much like a Ferrari for most of us. The initial reviews of this bike have been very good and we would love to have a month on one of these things although we are afraid to be converted to 29er-ism. If you want components to drool over, specs to read, or just more info then click on the SPECS/GEOMETRY and find out more.
6. TREK SESSION 9.9
O.K. things are starting to get real serious now and it doesn't get much more serious than a World Champion. Lots of our dreams last year were to imagine that we were the fast charging, fearless, world champion Aaron Gwin. Don't laugh I am sure more than a few of you have wanted to be in his shoes for a day. It is moments like these when you realize limitations and if you can't be him, you can still be GWINNING by owning this incredible machine. TREK wisely knows that being the best is great, but sitting on your hands gets you nowhere, that is why they started tinkering, tweaking, and going carbon. For those that want to know the rest of the dream it features us on the Trek and Gwin on a Wal-mart NEXT with a flat, that way we can be sure we beat him .... Check out the SPECS/GEOMETRY and if you are serious ... the price.
5. IBIS MOJO HD
Halfway home with lots of good stuff to come and we stop at number 5, an offering by IBIS. The IBIS MOJO HD is the long travel version of the MOJO. This is one of the first carbon bikes that filled our dreams with pleasant thoughts and not nightmares. The HD is a 6 lb. carbon wonder bike that has 160mm of travel but pedals better than most 110mm travel bikes form just a few years ago. Do you fancy a bike that you can ride for hours at a time yet still be able to session aggressive AM and Freeride spots with confidence? Do you want to purchase only one bike and your skills/appetite lie on the gnarly side of the mountain? This would be a good choice for your quiver. When the Mojo HD first dropped, you would have been part of a waiting list as this bike tops lots of dream lists and for good reason. Head over to the website for SPECS/GEOMETRY and build options. Personally we can't decide if we like the sinister black version or the Vitamin Green .... hmmm
4. KHS DH300
This bike is definitely a dream machine and whats better about it is the fact that almost every man can acquire this bike without a mortgage. Having been around this bike at the Southridge USA series last year, we got to see the likes of Logan Bingelli and Kevin Aiello storming down the hill on this uber capable DH bike. This world beating machine features KHS F.A.S.T. suspension technology (Floating Arc Suspension Technology) and 8.3 inches of travel in the rear. The uninitiated may think KHS? World Beating? and the answer is a definite yes. In case you still don't believe, you may recall that Logan Bingelli piloted the DH300 to a Gravity National Championship beating out none other than Aaron Gwin. Big things are brewing at KHS and that team was on top of more podiums than... well you get the picture. SPECS/GEOMETRY
3. INTENSE CYCLES CARBINE
The Carbine is a do-it-all trail bike from the world renowned hand crafting fabricators at Intense Cycles in the Inland Empire, Ca. In reality this bike coming in at #3 could have been the 951 or even the M9 to fill our gravity desires, but we chose the Carbine instead. Its inclusion and its creation have been controversial as INTENSE is known for controlling all parts of the manufacturing, and the carbon fiber Carbine has to be out-sourced. While we applaud INTENSE CYCLES for keeping a tight reign on their operations, we feel its good to see them keeping the market in mind and always looking to improve on their already amazing offerings. The VPP (VIRTUAL PIVOT POINT) suspension is adjustable between 5.5 to 6 inches and weighs in at a svelte 5.5 lbs for this do it all trail bike. I personally have at least a few friends that have this bike is on their list and after seeing it in person we now know why. Being in the Inland Empire we hope to bring you future hands on impressions of this bike so stay tuned ... Visit Intense Cycles site for more info, pricing, SPECS/GEOMETRY
2. ONE GHOST INDUSTRIES MUSASHI
Let us start with "God we love this bike!" and that is exactly what owners of this fine machine are saying. We love everything about this bike except the fact that it is on this list and therefore only a dream. OGI names all their bikes with Oriental Samurai based monikers, and their owner trains in the martial arts. This may sway us slightly as we reminisce of our own days training, but if we wanted a weapon today, it would be the Musashi. The 8 inch Floating Moto GP suspension design has left many industry insiders calling the bike "FAST" and it may sound cliche but look for one the next time your at an event and you will agree. This a true DH dream created by the kind of Industry people that you like to succeed and we suggest you head over to their website and talk to these guys before you make your next purchase. SPECS/GEOMETRY
10. A ROAD BIKE
O.k. I told you that all would be revealed and before we get to number one we need to jump back to number 10. Had I opened with a road bike at number 10, most of you guys would have checked out. How is a road bike on our dream list ??? Well you are dreaming if you think we are going to spend our small bike budget on a road bike, it is a completely ludicrous idea. With that out of the way, I can say that I have often wished I could get a quick pedal around my town on something other than a mountain bike. To show that we haven't considered spending our finite budget on a road bike, we will skip any pictures and just say that we have looked only at entry/intermediate offerings from KHS, FUJI, SPECIALIZED, etc. The road bike can be a very good tool for someone looking to get serious about competing at a higher level on their MTB, or for someone like myself that just really wants to get serious about my overall conditioning.
1. YETI SB-66C
Number one and the top spot falls to a bike that absolutely stole our hearts the first time we saw it. Generally I am not a big fan of turquoise but if we actually owned this bike, it would have to be in Yeti turquoise. The first time we got to really get a good look at the SB-66 was during our JENSONUSA interview. As the year wore on and we kept seeing the SB-66 at the trade shows, our desire for this 6 inch dream machine has grown. The switch technology allows the suspension to work independently of chain forces and pedal feedback giving you an extremely efficient machine. The fact that this bike can handle 80% of the riding we get to do on a regular basis makes it the most versatile option for our dream list. You just can't pedal a DH bike everywhere no matter how much you like them so we dream of the Yeti for our everyday bike. The carbon SB-66C is said to be a full pound lighter bringing the frame in right around 6 lbs. but nearly everything else is said to remain the same. SPECS/GEOMETRY
2012 DirtyWheel Reality
We want to close with what will be a more likely reality of all this dreaming .... If we can manage to make our original 2012 plans happen, they would include the following:
1. We will try to acquire an OGI Musashi frame, and build it up by transferring some of our existing parts stock. This would be a serious upgrade to our DH arsenal and a welcomed addition for 2012. See the Musashi above.
2, While we cant see a Pivot Point landing in our stable, we do hope get an Airborne Wingman at some point in the early part of the year. This is a gorgeous bike with a headtube that leaves us mesmerized and at a price that anyone can afford.($669.95!!!) This bike would be our fitness, DJ, Skatepark, kick around bike that will allow us tons of fun riding around when the trails aren't an option. The reviews on the Wingman from DECLINE, MBA, and others have all given high praises of this machine and our interaction with the Airborne gang has always been top notch. SPECS/GEOMETRY
3. And last but not least we may try to find a CRAIGSLIST gem in the form of a road bike that we can get our fitness on, without spending any real coin that could go to a better cause.
So that is it.... now is your chance to chime in and tell us what you think. Here is to an awesome 2012 and the hope that DREAMS CAN COME TRUE!!!