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THE SEARCH
6 TRAILBIKE SHOOTOUT: FOR THE BEST

MOUNTAIN BIKE ACTION

www.mbaction.com
MARCH 2016

JOHN TOMAC:

THE LEGEND SPEAKS OUT

MARCH 2016 www.mbaction.com TRAILBIKE SHOOTOUT SPECIAL

PIVOT
MACH 6
CARBON

OUTSTANDING BEFORE,
PERFECT NOW

FUN REASONS
WHY YOU RIDE

$5.99

Attn retailer: Please display until March 3

CANNONDALE VS
GIANT VS GT VS
KHS VS KONA
VS SCOTT

GOGGLES vs GLASSES:
SAFE PROTECTION FOR YOUR EYES

BIKE TEST

TRAILBIKE SHOOTOUT
You askedwe delivered

f there is one question we get asked more than any other, its, When will you guys do
another affordable trailbike shootout? Seriously, we get asked this almost every month,
and finally the time has come for us to grant your requests. We started with an e-mail
blast to several of the more prominent bike companies, asking them to send us what they
believe is the best all-around trailbike for the common rider looking to spend $2500$3000
on his or her next bike. We didnt have any specific requirements on wheel size or suspension type, so we ended up with a unique mix of bikes that we are confident will hit on all
major aspects of modern trailbikes.

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THE TEST BIKES:

(From left to right)
KHS Sixfifty 5500,
Kona Process 134,
Giant Trance 27.5 2,
GT Zaskar Carbon Elite,
Scott Scale 710 Plus,
Cannondale Habit 5.

Photo by Kate Wirth

MARCH 2016 / MOUNTAIN BIKE ACTION

53

BIKE TEST / KHS SIXFIFTY 5500

TRAILBIKE SHOOTOUT

KHS

SIXFIFTY
5500

A bike for every occasion

n our stable of shootout bikes, there

were a couple of brands with a reputation for offering riders the most value for
their hard-earned dollars. KHS was one of
those brands, and the 5500, a 1x11 bike
equipped with a dropper post for under
$3000, is proof that KHS reputation is
deserved. As far as value is concerned, the
5500 was near the top of the list of bikes
we were impressed with.

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No lines needed: The KHS SixFifty 5500

sparked a lot of curiosity amongst our
testers. With its unique suspension design
and burly frame tubes, we were anxious to
get a feel for this bike.

WHAT IS IT MADE FROM?

KHS keeps things simple with the 5500

and only offers it in a 6061 custom aluminum frame and rear triangle. The 5500
has all the modern features, such as a
142-millimeter thru-axle on the front and
rear and a tapered head tube. With a 1x11
SRAM GX drivetrain, RockShox suspension
and KS dropper post, the KHS 5500 is
priced out at $2900.

WHICH COMPONENTS STAND

OUT?

Of all the bikes in the shootout, the

5500 stood out for having some of the
best components, with its 1x11 SRAM
GX drivetrain and RockShox Monarch RL
shock. The KS E-Ten Integra dropper post
was a welcome sight as well.

HOW DOES IT PERFORM?

We liked the look of the bikes subtle

Get a feel for it: The ergonomics and

general fit of the bike were a mixed bag for
our testers. The bike fit true to size, and
there was no debate between testers that
the KHS SixFifty 5500 can handle rough
descents.

Climbing: We pushed the KHS over various types of climbs and found that while
the weight of the bike was competitive, the
suspension was very soft, even with the
pedaling switch engaged. A couple riders
did like the longer reach on the climbs, as
they were able to get in more aggressive
positions for steep sections.
Descending: The 5500 felt capable
and stable over rough terrain at high
speeds. The front end tracked well and
went where we wanted it to go. Although
we never felt like the bike was very lively
over rowdier sections of trail, the suspension did give us the cushion we wanted
over ruts and bigger obstacles.

TRICKS, TIPS OR UPGRADES?

This bike could definitely benefit from

a shorter stem and wider bars. At 700
millimeters wide, we would consider the
bars too narrow for most trail riders. Some
riders might want to upgrade to a bigger,
more-aggressive front tread, too.

BUYING ADVICE

At this price point with this build kit,

potential buyers would be hard-pressed to
find a better value. There are refinements
that could be made to the fit and overall
ride of the bike, but with a little experimentation and some extra cash, a rider
could turn this bike into an all-round trail
ripper.

paint and graphics. The build kit impressed

our testers and definitely put the
5500 in the running for the top
spot.
Moving out: On paper,
the geometry of the 5500
looks inviting, but specing
an 80-millimeter stem for
the medium size we tested
made the bike feel long.
Some of our test riders felt
overly stretched out, but
others appreciated this, as
it allowed them to get in a
more aggressive position.
Cornering: Through corners the 5500 tracked well and
held a line confidently. The relatively
high center of gravity didnt keep us from
leaning the bike over hard in corners,
although some testers would have liked
slightly wider bars for a bit more leverage.

Tucked away: KHS gave us the most

unique suspension design out of the batch
of bikes in this shootout. The shock is
mounted through a split seat tube and is
very effective at high speeds.

Its built: Needless to say, it was a close call on

which bike had the best build kit, especially with
the SRAM GX1 drivetrain and RockShox suspension afforded by the KHS. It gets our nod as one
of the best dressed in the shootout.

MARCH 2016 / MOUNTAIN BIKE ACTION

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BIKE TEST / GIANT TRANCE 27.5

TRAILBIKE SHOOTOUT

GIANT

TRANCE
27.5 2
Maestro, please

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Charge the trail: The Trance was built to be

an all-around trailbike with a variety of capabilities. Riders will find themselves charging
the trail more aggressively thanks to the
descent-friendly geometry.

Serious bang for the buck:

Out of all the bikes
we tested in this
shootout, the Trance
had the most impressive
combination of suspension
and component value. A
simple upgrade to the cockpit would have dramatically
changed this ride for the better.

his bike manufacturing behemoth

has been offering quality bikes to the
common rider for decades. Since
its redesign in 2013, the Trance has been
Giants flagship trailbike, and with the
Maestro suspension setup, riders have a
very versatile package at their fingertips.

WHAT IS IT MADE FROM?

The Trance comes in two different frame

optionscarbon and aluminumboth
built up with the same aluminum rear triangle. Our test bike came with a full-aluminum ALUXX SL frame and 140 millimeters
of front and rear travel. Giant specd this
bike with its OverDrive2 steerer and head
tube, which enlarges the bottom headset
bearing, giving the front end torsional
stiffness.
The Trance 27.5 2 is the top tier for
Giants aluminum builds and comes in at a
very respectable $2700.

Moving out:
The bars had a
fairly high feel, and
were surprisingly
narrow for this style of
bike; we are talking 1990World Cup-cross-country-racing
narrow. With a short stem, the cockpit
felt a bit awkward, making the general fit
cramped.
Cornering: With a low standover height
and dropper post, it was easy to push the
Trance into corners and lean the bike, even
though our confidence was shaken at times
with the tiny bars. The Maestro felt active
in corners and kept the rear tire planted.
Climbing: The Trance frame design is
set up more for rocky descents than it is
for climbing. The rear suspension is set
up to be rather plush, so we felt a loss of
power when we tackled steep, technical

climbs that required out-of-the-saddle

pedaling. With the suspension set to the
climb mode, the Trance floated uphill
respectably well.
Descending: Our testers had the
most praise for the Trance once they hit
the descents. We could feel the Maestro
suspension soaking up the trail and
providing us with a very cushioned ride. The narrow bars
came into play at high
speeds, though, making
the steering feel a
bit twitchy. With the
Giant Connect dropper post, we were
able to lean back
behind the saddle
and take steep sections with ease.

TRICKS, TIPS OR
UPGRADES?

You will probably want to

change the cockpit right away.
Nearly every rider will feel the stock
bars are too narrow. We would immediatley
swap them for something wider. Aside from
that, we were impressed with the overall
build of the bike.

BUYING ADVICE

Budget-minded riders looking to get their

feet wet with a plush, full-suspension bike
will find quite a bit of value in the Trance
27.5 2. For $2700, riders get both Fox
suspension and a dropper post, which is a
very compelling offer.

WHICH COMPONENTS
STAND OUT?

With full Fox suspension and a Shimano

SLX drivetrain, the Trance looks good on
paperand on the trail. It was designed
for durability and minimal maintenance
even with day-in, day-out use. The MRP
chainguide is also a nice bonus.

HOW DOES IT PERFORM?

Our test riders first impressions of the

Trance were positive. They liked the look
of the suspension platform, and even the
paint scheme caught everyones eye. But,
once we swung a leg over the top tube,
we immediately noticed the tight, upright
geometry of the bike.

Summon the Maestro: Giant has been very

invested in their Maestro suspension design.
This multiple pivot design gives, the bike an
incredibly smooth ride.

Its in the details: The added chainguide

and rollers from MRP gave us plenty of
confidence when it came to worrying about
dropping a chain.

MARCH 2016 / MOUNTAIN BIKE ACTION

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BIKE TEST / CANNONDALE HABIT 5

TRAILBIKE SHOOTOUT

CANNONDALE

HABIT 5
Cultivate the Habit

e recently tested the

big brother of the Habit
5 and were thoroughly
impressed with the refinements
that Cannondale built into this very
capable and fun bike. Dont worry,
though; we put our presuppositions
aside and came into testing this bike
with an open mind. The Habit was
designed to be a go-to, fun trailbike
built on a more-than-capable suspension platform.

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The right habits: The

Habit has been making
waves in the trailbike
category since the summer of 2015. With its
versatile geometry and
27.5 wheels, we know
exactly what this bike is
capable of doing.

WHAT IS IT MADE FROM?

Cannondale offers the Habit in different

materials. The high-end versions feature
carbon frames and rear triangles. Our test
bike had a full-aluminum frame featuring Cannondales Zero Pivot
seatstays design. While the
Black INC version comes
in just north of $12,000,
the Habit 5 is priced
at a very economical
$2300.

WHICH
COMPONENTS
STAND OUT?

Right off the bat, we

liked the RockShox Monarch
RL shock and Recon Gold fork
equipped with remote lockout. We
appreciated the attention to detail shown
in the pairing of a Schwalbe Nobby Nic tire
up front and a Rocket Ron in the rear. We
really liked the bar/stem combo as well.

A bike with ability: The Habit

was built with the idea of having
fun. The playful geometry had riders
looking for the most fun lines on the trail.
With 120 millimeters of very effective travel, there
are few trails that the Habit is not able to tackle.

HOW DOES IT PERFORM?

The Habit 5 has a subtle look (unlike the

other versions) with its matte-black paint
scheme. Our testers were split on the
overall appearance, as some testers prefer
flashier bikes.
Moving out: The geometry and fit of
this bike felt spot-on. With wide bars and a
short stem, the cockpit had all of our testers feeling comfortable from the start. Out
of all the bikes in this shootout, the Habits
ergonomics felt the best.
Cornering: We especially liked how we
were able to push the Habit hard through
corners. The tight geometry gave the bike
a playful feel that allowed us to lean the
bike over however we wanted.
Climbing: We apreciated the option to
lock out the suspension for climbs, but the
bike wasnt sluggish up the mountain. Our
testers were pleased with the remote lockout and how easy it made the transitions
between climbing and descending.
Descending: Even though the Habit
only has 120 millimeters of travel, it feels
like much more than that. The cockpit put
us in a comfortable position and gave us
confidence at high speeds. We did feel
rather limited by the fork and the lack
of adjustments, which we noticed over
technical terrain. There were several times
where we wished the bike had a dropper
post (or quick-release seatpost clamp),
but that didnt stop our testers from riding
the Habit hard and hitting rowdy bits of
singletrack.

No work needed: Durability is a big consideration when purchasing a new bike. Shimano
components have proven themselves to be
some of the toughest on the trail.

TRICKS, TIPS OR UPGRADES?

There are a few things we would like to

change on this bike, and given the retail
price, we think riders could afford to make
these changes right away. Most notably testers felt the addition of a dropper post would
drastically improve the descending ability of
the bike.

BUYING ADVICE

If youre a rider who doesnt like to

upgrade bikes very often but enjoys slowly upgrading parts, the Habit 5 is a solid
option. The price point is extremely competitive and the ergonomics are second to none.
The Habit 5 offers riders a great-handling
and very confidence-inspiring trailbike for
fun riding at a highly-affordable price.

Its actually pretty simple: Cannondale

has some complex engineering wrapped
up in some of their bikes, but one of the
benefits of the Habit is the simple linkage.
The Zero Pivot seatstays are clean and
simple.

MARCH 2016 / MOUNTAIN BIKE ACTION

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BIKE TEST / GT ZASKAR

TRAILBIKE SHOOTOUT

GT

ZASKAR
CARBON

ELITE 27.5
A bike with some history

his was arguably the bike with the

most history out of the bunch that we
tested in this shootout. From World
Cup cross-country to downhill racing, the
Zaskar has seen its fair share of competition and withstood the test of time with
some modern changes. This was also the
biggest surprise out of all the bikes we
tested.

WHAT IS IT MADE FROM?

Carbon fiber is the main ingredient in

the Zaskar. With the iconic triple triangle
design and carbon fiber frame, the Zaskar
was the lightest bike in our quiver and
the most specific to cross-country racing.
At $2500 retail ($2800 with the dropper
post), the price point was right in the sweet
spot.

Moving out: We expected a

quick-steering race feel, but our testers
were pleasantly surprised by a versatile
geometry that felt more comfortable. The
bars and stem felt appropriate for the bike.
Cornering: Everyone took the first corner a little slower than normal, but once
they remembered they had a dropper post,
riders decided to drop the saddle and push
the bike a little harder. Overall, the bike
cornered well, but it still had its limitations.
The dropper did allow us to shift our weight
a little differently than we might have otherwise with a standard seatpost.
Climbing: There was no doubt that this
was the best climbing bike of the bunch.
With the fork locked out and pedaling out
of the saddle, we flew up the trail with
ease thanks to the light carbon frame.
Rockier climbs felt rough, but with some
extra speed we were able to roll over most
sections.

Unchanged for a reason: The triple triangle design has been the most identifying
factor of the Zaskar since its creation in
the mid-1980s. While it doesnt ride
like a full suspension, the triple triangle gave us plenty of compliance.

Descending: The Zaskar was definitely

the biggest surprise of the shootout when
it came to the descents. With its 27.5-inch
wheels, carbon frame and dropper post,
the Zaskar was impressively nimble and
fun to rip downhill. The Zaskar definitely
has its limits, but the overall fun factor was
high.

TRICKS, TIPS OR UPGRADES?

The bike doesnt normally come stock

with a dropper post, so if youre an aspiring
trail rider, we highly recommend upgrading
to one. To keep things interesting, GT threw
in a RockShox Reverb dropper post. We did
have some issues with the front derailleur
shifting, and think converting this to a
single-ring drivetrain would change the
ride quite a bit.

BUYING ADVICE

If youre an aspiring cross-country racer

or just looking for a lightweight trailbike
for your local flowy singletrack, the Zaskar
has plenty to offer. This isnt the plushest
trailbike, but this dark horse was one of the
biggest surprises of this shootout.

Loaded bars: Between the 2x10 drivetrain,

dropper remote, and lockout remote
for the fork, the handlebars felt
a little crowded at times.
Converting the Zaskar
to a 1x10 would save
some weight and simplify the layout.

WHICH COMPONENTS
STAND OUT?

This was the only bike in the shootout

with a hydraulic post, and we would be
lying if we said we didnt like that right
away. The carbon frame also caught
the attention of our testers and
had us curious to see how the bike
would fare with the dropper installed.
Testers liked the remote lockout that
came stock on the fork as well.

HOW DOES IT PERFORM?

The Zaskar had the loudest paint

scheme by far, with a bright-red color that
caught almost everyones attention right
away. The light cross-country weight
made the bike a standout as well (well
played, GT).

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Probably the fastest: When it came to the climbs, there was no doubt the Zaskar was the
best in class this time. Between the carbon frame and Reverb dropper post, the descents
were fast and playful, but the Zaskar did have its limitations when the trail got gnarly.

Light and quick: If there is one thing

this shootout gave us, it was variety.
From full-suspension all-mountain
machines to carbon cross-country
models, we had our hands full. The
Zaskar was light and quick, and with
the added Reverb dropper post, the
smile factor was even higher.
MARCH 2016 / MOUNTAIN BIKE ACTION

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BIKE TEST / KONA PROCESS 134

TRAILBIKE SHOOTOUT

KONA

A trail-born slayer:
With 134 millimeters of
travel, on paper the Process
falls into a mid-travel trailbike
mold. On the trail, however,
the capability feels endless
and pushes riders on to
ride faster.

PROCESS
134
One very capable bike

apability has been the theme of test

bikes lately, and it is really one of
the more important aspects of this
shootout. The Process 134 is a very capable bike built on the same suspension platform all the way up to the top of the line.
Kona developed the Process in the chunder
of the Pacific Northwest and carries its
roots to trails all over the world.

WHAT IS IT MADE FROM?

The Process has a full-aluminum frame

and linkage, with the exception of the carbon bridge behind the shock mount. Kona
uses the same suspension platform across
the whole line of Processes, regardless of
price point. The Process caps out with the
Supreme at $5500, but our Process 134
starts things off at $2900, which is near
the price cap for this shootout.

WHICH COMPONENTS
STAND OUT?

Cornering: With the super-wide front

tire and low geometry, the Process could
be pushed hard through any type of
corner. The wide bars gave us plenty of
leverage and encouraged us to push the
bike harder and lower. The Process has a
low standover height that kept us active in
corners.
Climbing: The Process isnt a tank,
but it was far from the lightest bike in the
shootout. However, when the suspension
was locked out and we put our heads
down, we were able to crawl over technical
sections and up steep trails. This bike carries its weight very well.
Descending: There was no doubt that
this was the best descending bike in our
shootout. In steep, rocky descents or fast,
flowy sections, the Process ripped through
everything. The impressively supple and
controlled suspension kept the Process
feeling more planted and confident than
any other bike in our test. It also carried its

The KS E-Ten Integra post was a welcome sight, along with the RockShox
Monarch RL rear shock. Kona did a good
job choosing a beefy tread with the Maxxis
DHF EXO front tire and Tomahawk rear tire
and coupled it with Shimano brakes and
drivetrain.

HOW DOES IT PERFORM?

Moving out: The geometry of the

Process felt slack and low, giving us as
aggressive of a position as we wanted on
the bike. With a super-short stem and wide
bars, the ergonomics felt spot-on. Kona
has been pretty big on 35-millimeter bar/
stem combos, and this level of Process is
well-equipped. It came in second place for
loudest paint with the bright-green paint
and orange decals. The paint didnt bother
most of us; we thought it looked fun.

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Strong bones: This wasnt the most

impressive build kit out of the bunch, but
the suspension made up for that. From
the entry level model to the top of the line
version, the Process uses the same suspension platform.

momentum well, feeling like it accelerated

faster, despite the slight weight penalty.
The wide bars had us feeling quite confident, and the rear suspension felt active
over the ever-changing terrain on the trail.
Needless to say, we felt the need to push
the speed with this bike on the descents.

TRICKS, TIPS OR UPGRADES?

We would love to help the Process shed

some weight. We would convert this to
a 1x10 and ditch the bash guard for a
narrow-wide chainring. Although we didnt
have any issues, Process riders should plan
on upgrading the fork down the road to
keep up with the very capable aspects of
the frame design.

BUYING ADVICE

The Kona Process 134 has a lot to offer

potential buyers, from a solid framework
to a burly complete build; there are a lot of
ways that this machine can go. While this
bike is near the top of the price range for
this shootout, there is more than enough
value to justify the price.

Time and
time again:
Shimanos XT
Shadow Plus
has proven itself
to be a sturdy
component that
will always come
back for more.
The 10-speed
Shimano
drivetrain is solid
and left us with
confidence that
it can take a
beating.

Social butterfly: The Kona Process 134 is anything

but shy and looks to find the most challenging trails
to ride and conquer. While the weight is a little on
the bulky side, we found that playing to our advantage when the ride got rowdy.

MARCH 2016 / MOUNTAIN BIKE ACTION

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BIKE TEST / SCOTT SCALE 710 PLUS

TRAILBIKE SHOOTOUT

SCOTT

SCALE
710 PLUS

Things just got bigger

ith the introduction of plus-size

bikes in 2015, mountain bikers
have suddenly found themselves
with even more options when it comes
to new bikes. Everyone is curious about
plus-size bikes, but mountain bikers are
approaching them cautiously. When the
Scale 710 Plus showed up at the MBA
office for the trailbike shootout, even we
were curious to see how it would stack up
against the rest of the mix. Of course, we
were also eager to spend some more time
on those ever-so-inviting wheels.

WHAT IS IT MADE FROM?

Scott has made a name for the Scale

on the cross-country race circuit, although
not with the big-volume tires. Scott now
offers the Scale in 27.5-inch and 29-inch
versions with carbon or aluminum frames.
The Scale 710 Plus, however, is only available in a full-aluminum frame that is engineered with modern applications such as
Boost spacing and internal cable routing.
At $2600, the 710 is the more expensive
offering from Scott in the hardtail plus-size
arena, with only the 720 below it.

WHICH COMPONENTS
STAND OUT?

It was tough to narrow it down to a few

parts that we liked, as the whole build
really impressed us. The Fox 32 FIT4 fork,
SRAM GX1 drivetrain and even the Syncros
X-40 wheels brought the whole bike
together into a solid package.

A solid build: The Scale was near the top when it came
to component specs and build. Between the SRAM
GX1, Fox suspension and Syncros wheels, we felt like
we had plenty of bang for the buck.

diverse group of testers, no one had any

complaints about the fit or geometry, as
the Scale delivered on all counts.
Cornering: The traction of the 2.8-inchwide tires seemed to never end. The tread
spread out across the trail and seemed
to be made just for the purpose of trying to push a tire to its limits in corners.
Surprisingly, the big tires didnt feel overly
sluggish and maintained speed coming out
of even the tightest turns we could find.
Climbing: You wouldnt really expect a
bike like this to climb well, but it did. Riders
wont be setting any personal records
going up the mountain, but with the larger
footprint, we were able to find traction with
ease while staying planted in the saddle.
The traction will allow you to claw your way
up nearly anything with low gearing and
enough gumption.
Descending: Theres no other way to
put it: the Scale 710 Plus is simply fun to
ride down the hill. The wide tires seemed
to offer endless traction and rolled through
loose dirt and sand with confidence.
Granted, since it is a hardtail, the bike had
some limitations when the trail got more
technical, but overall, we were pleased
with just how much fun we had.

Kinda big: While it isnt your average

trailbike, it is farther from feeling like a fat
bike than most think. The 2.8-inch-wide
tires provided more than enough traction
and were more nimble than expected.

TRICKS, TIPS OR UPGRADES?

We were pretty happy with the overall

build of the bike, but the Scale could
benefit from a dropper post. The bike does
come with a quick-release seatpost clamp,
which we used plenty of times.

BUYING ADVICE

The Scale is a competitive, versatile

trailbike that can handle a little of everything, especially trails with looser terrain
and sand. With a solid build kit and
modern frame technology, we could see
this bike being a good option for
more extreme enduro riders
looking for a fun bike to
train on, or even aggressive
cross-country racers trying
to find a fun, efficient bike
for their off days.

HOW DOES IT PERFORM?

Out of all the bikes in the shootout,

testers were most curious to ride this
one. They wanted to see what all the
fuss was about with the plus-size setup.
We were all in agreement that the Scale
had good lines and an appealing color
scheme that wasnt too bold.
Moving out: The cockpit on the Scale
felt comfortable with its wide bars and
short stem. The bike almost felt like it was
built for enduro-style riding. Among our

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Simple and fast: There was

never a shortage of smiles as we
felt the big tires grabbing every millimeter of
trail they could find.

Big wheels, more fun: The Scale 710 Plus

sparked the most curiosity by far amongst
our test riders. By the end of testing, we
were all convinced of just how fun this bike
actually is.

MARCH 2016 / MOUNTAIN BIKE ACTION

65

BIKE TEST

TRAILBIKE
SHOOTOUT

Price
Weight
Frame tested
Bottom bracket height
Chainstay length
Top tube length
Head tube angle
Seat tube angle
Standover height
Wheelbase
Suspension travel (front)
Suspension travel (rear)
Frame material
Fork
Rims
Tires
Hubs
Brakes
Crankset
Handlebars
Shifters
Front derailleur
Rear derailleur
Cassette
Pedals

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KHS SIXFIFTY 5500

GIANT TRANCE 27.5

CANNONDALE HABIT 5

$2900
30.7 pounds
Medium
13.5"
16.9"
23.8"
67.5
75
30"
46"
5.5/140mm
5.5"/140mm
Aluminum
RockShox Sektor Silver, 140mm
WTB STP-i23
Maxxis Ardent 27.5x2.25 tubeless
Lightweight Disc
Shimano M506
SRAM GX 1000 32t
Alloy 700mm
SRAM GX 1
None
SRAM GX 1, Type 2
SRAM XG-1150, 10-42, 11-speed
None (weighed with Shimano XT)

$2700
30.2 pounds
Medium
13.2"
17.3"
23.6"
67
73.5
28.1"
45.5"
5.5/140mm
5.5/140mm
Aluminum
Fox 32 Float Performance
Giant S XC-2
Schwalbe Nobby Nice 27.5.2.25 tubeless ready
Giant Sport Tracker
Shimano M615
Shimano SLX 38/24
Giant Connect 680mm
Shimano Deore
Shimano Deore
Shimano Deore
Shimano HG50 11x36, 10-speed
None (weighed with Shimano XT)

$2340
30.9 pounds
Medium
13.1"
16.9"
23.4"
68
74
29.2"
44.7"
4.5"/120mm
4.5"/120mm
Aluminum
RockShox Recon Gold, Poploc Remote
WTB i19
Schwalbe Nobby Nice, Rocket Ron 27.5x2.25
Formula
Shimano Deore
Shimano M617 36/22
Cannondale C3 Riser 760mm
Shimano Deore
Shimano Deore
Shimano SLX Shadow Plus
Sunrace 11-36, 10-speed
None (weighed with Shimano XT)

THE SYSTEM
For the purpose of our shootout, we narrowed down our evaluation to five different
categories: climbing, descending, ergonomics/component group, general likability and
would we recommend this bike to a friend?
We used a panel of test riders ranging in
skill level from beginner to expert, and told
them to hit the trails. These are the results:

THE OVERALL RANKINGS

KONA PROCESS 134

Best Overall
While this wasnt the lightest bike in the
bunch, it certainly offered the most versatility. With the Kona, the positives far outweighed the negatives. It really proved itself
to be the best all-around rig. The Kona
offers potential buyers a solid complete
bike and a solid enough platform to slowly
upgrade over time.
Our test riders came from various riding
backgroundsfrom minimalist cross-country riders to rock-slamming downhill
racersbut when the votes were tallied,
almost everyone agreed this was the best
bike of the bunch.

SCOTT SCALE 710 PLUS

First Runner-Up
There were a few who wondered if this
bike would take the win, but in the end,
fun didnt quite outweigh practicality. While
we thoroughly enjoyed every minute spent

on this big-wheeled bike, it came up short

in the versatility department. We are confident, however, that anyone who chooses
this bike with fun in mind wont be disappointed.

CANNONDALE HABIT 5

Best Fit
If this bike had come stock with a dropper post and a slightly better fork, it probably would have taken top honors. The Habit
is a capable bike wrapped up in a very
affordable package. The minor limitation of
no dropper post shouldnt be too much of a
hurdle for potential buyers to overcome.

GIANT TRANCE 27.5 2

Best Suspension
The Trance was not to be overlooked
in the final tally of our shootout. We liked
the build kit and suspension platform, but
never felt quite as confident on the bike,
in large part because of the awkward fit
and cockpit component choices. Fit can be
adjusted, but the process takes time and
can be costly, which our test riders felt was
a major drawback.

KHS SIXFIFTY 5500

Best Value
We initially expected the KHS to win
this shootout. It is arguably the best value
in the bunch, sporting an awesome parts
package, great aesthetics and a Horst-Link
suspension design thats impossible to
poke holes in. Unfortunately, the sum of the
parts didnt quite add up for our testers.
The bike proved to be a little lackluster in
the handling, but still delivered among the
best components in the bunch.

GT ZASKAR CARBON ELITE

Best Climber
We loved throwing this light cross-country bike around on the trail. The Zaskar
proved to be the best climber in the bunch
by a long shot, and also arguably the best
value. While it wasnt the all-around trailbike we were looking for in the conditions

KONA PROCESS 134

Price
Weight
Frame tested
Bottom bracket height
Chainstay length
Top tube length
Head tube angle
Seat tube angle
Standover height
Wheelbase
Suspension travel (f)
Suspension travel (r)
Frame material
Fork
Rims
Tires
Hubs
Brakes
Crankset
Handlebars
Shifters
Front derailleur
Rear derailleur
Cassette
Pedals

we tested in, we can see this thing being a

serious weapon for riders who live in places that have smooth singletrack and dont
require the travel we needed. The dropper
post is a welcome upgrade thats made
affordable thanks to the lower pricetag, and
gave our test riders some big smiles on the
trail.

$2900
32.7 pounds
Medium
13"
16.7"
23.8"
68
74
25.5"
45"
5.5"/140mm
5"/134mm
Aluminum
RockShox Sektor Silver
WTB i29
Maxxis DHF EXO, Maxxis Tomahawk EXO 27.5x2.3
Shimano Deore
Shimano Deore
Race Face Ride 34/24
Kona XC 35 780mm
Shimano Deore
SRAM X5
Shimano XT Shadow Plus
Shimano Deore 11-36, 10-speed
None (weighed with Shimano XT)

GT ZASKAR CARBON ELITE

$2500 ($2900 with Reverb)
26.3 pounds
Medium
12.2"
17.1"
24"
69.5
72.7
29.5"
43.5"
4"/100mm
None
Carbon fiber
RockShox Recon Gold, Poploc Remote
WTB i19
Schwalbe Racing Ralph 27.5x2.25 tubeless
All Terra Alloy
Shimano Deore
Shimano Deore 38/24
Kore XCD 710mm
Shimano SLX
Shimano Deore
Shimano SLX Shadow Plus
Sunrace 11-36, 10-speed
None (weighed with Shimano XT)

SCOTT SCALE 710 PLUS

$2600
26.3 pounds
Medium
12.4"
17.3"
23.7"
67.6
72.8
31.8"
44.6"
5"/120mm
None
Aluminum
Fox 32 Float FIT4 120mm Remote Lockout
Syncros X-40
Schwalbe Rocket Ron 27.5x2.8
Syncros
Shimano M506
SRAM GX1 30t
Syncros SL1.5 740mm
SRAM GX 1
None
SRAM GX 1, Type 2
SRAM XG-1150, 10-42, 11-speed
None (weighed with Shimano XT)

MARCH 2016 / MOUNTAIN BIKE ACTION

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