Tags: Downcountry Bikes
Jessie-May Morgan
Dec 13, 2023
First Look: Carbon Wasp Truffle - A UK-Made Carbon Downcountry Bike
The Truffle gains size-specific chainstay lengths and UDH, with a lifetime warranty for repair or replacement.
Starling Cycles
Dec 11, 2023
Starling Cycles Adds UDH & Shows Off a Downcountry Build of the Murmur
The British manufacturer has updated its frame design to include SRAM’s Universal Derailleur Hanger
Seb Stott
Sep 8, 2023
The 2024 Berria Mako Uses An Internal Shock For XC & DC
A bold move? A spark of genius?
Dario DiGiulio
Aug 14, 2023
Staff Ride: Dario's Downieville Santa Cruz Tallboy
The AXS battery spray-painted chrome is a nice touch.
Seb Stott
Apr 20, 2023
First Look: Actofive I-Train
"The aptly named I-Train is for people who like to pedal."
Seb Stott
Apr 11, 2023
First Look: Revel Ranger Gets Updated With UDH
A new rear end allows version 2 to take advantage of SRAM Transmission.
Mike Levy
Mar 22, 2023
Saracen's Prototype 6-Bar DH Bike Uncovered - Taipei Cycle Show 2023
A picture of a picture still counts, right?
Mike Kazimer
Feb 22, 2023
What Type of Mountain Bike Should You Buy in 2023?
A mountain bike's a mountain bike, right?
Mike Levy
Jan 18, 2023
First Look: Mondraker's Downcountry Hardtails
More travel, wider tires, and an all-new frame.
Seb Stott
Jan 12, 2023
First Look: Spot Bikes Launch Gen 2 Ryve 115 Downcountry Bike
The new version has tweaked geometry, kinematics and stiffness, but still uses the quirky "Living Link" suspension design.
Mike Kazimer
Nov 10, 2022
2022 Downcountry Field Test Recap
All of the Field Test content gathered in one place for your convenience.
Matt Beer
Nov 9, 2022
Field Test: 6 Downcountry Bikes Hucked to Flat in Slo-Mo
Squishing shocks for science.
Seb Stott
Nov 8, 2022
First Look: Mondraker Launches New Alloy Raze & Downcountry Hardtail
Two new models in Mondraker's expanded 2023 lineup.
Mike Levy
Nov 7, 2022
Field Test: 6 Downcountry Bikes VS the Efficiency Test
Six bikes, too much climbing, one winner.
Mike Levy
Nov 3, 2022
Field Test: Allied Cycle Works BC40 - The Fun Race Bike
Short on travel, big on fun.
Sarah Moore
Oct 28, 2022
Field Test: RSD Wildcat V3 - Purrfectly Capable Descender
The Wildcat ended up being impressive on the descents, although it had a more leisurely attitude on the climbs.
Mike Levy
Oct 26, 2022
Video: Welcome to the 2022 Downcountry Field Test
Six bikes, not enough suspension, and too much poutine... What could go wrong?
Matt Beer
Oct 15, 2022
First Look: BMC Fourstroke AMP LT - Downcountry Motorized
BMC has totally revised their suspension layout on the 120 mm travel Fourstroke LT AMP to fit the TQ motor in the downtube.
Mike Kazimer
Oct 13, 2022
Wilier's Urta Hybrid is an Electric Downcountry Bike
The Urta is claimed to weigh less than 16 kg.
Allied Cycle Works
Sep 28, 2022
Allied Cycle Works Announces Limited Edition BC40
This model is an exact replica of Payson McElveen's race bike.
Mike Levy
Jul 14, 2022
First Look: Allied's US-Made BC40 is Light and Speedy
Allied's first mountain bike sounds fast.
Mike Levy
Jul 12, 2022
First Look: Allebike Alpha Polestar Edition Gets Extra Gold, Limited to 100 Bikes
Allebike teams up with Öhlins and high-end electric car brand Polestar. The result is maximum Swedish.
Dan Roberts
May 30, 2022
First Ride: ARC8 Evolve FS - The Future of XC Race Bikes?
The new Evolve pairs an incredibly light frame with very modern geometry.
Seb Stott
Mar 31, 2022
First Look: Last Bikes' Asco & Celos Look Seriously Quick
Last are adding a trail bike and a downcountry bike to their lineup.
Henry Quinney
Dec 24, 2021
Field Test: 12 Bikes & the New Grim Donut Get Hucked to Flat in Super Slow Motion
Hucking amazing footage shot at 1000 FPS for your viewing pleasure.
Mike Kazimer
Dec 23, 2021
2021 Pinkbike Awards: Mountain Bike of the Year Nominees
Four bikes stood out from the rest this year. Which one will take home the win?
Henry Quinney
Dec 23, 2021
Field Test: 12 Trail & Downcountry Bikes Face the Efficiency Test
A dozen mountain bikes and one gravel road. Which ones were the most efficient climbers?
Henry Quinney
Dec 10, 2021
Video: Top Fuel vs Element vs Jet9 vs Trance 29 vs Blur TR vs Lux Trail - Field Test Roundtable
Settle in for a heated round of downcountry debating.
Henry Quinney
Dec 9, 2021
Field Test: 2022 Rocky Mountain Element - Radical Geometry Meets Low Weight
The new Element is drastically different in the geometry department than its predecessor. What did those changes mean out on the trail?
Mike Levy
Dec 9, 2021
The Pinkbike Podcast: Episode 95 - Field Test Down-Country Bike Debrief
The Field Test bikes we wanted to keep, why we didn't get on with a few of them, and what we'd change to make them even better.
Henry Quinney
Dec 8, 2021
Field Test: 2022 Canyon Lux Trail - A Revised Racer
Is a new front triangle enough to move a more traditional XC bike into the downcountry category?
Henry Quinney
Dec 7, 2021
Field Test: 2022 Niner Jet 9 RDO - The Easy Rider
The Niner Jet 9 is more focused on the down portion of 'downcountry' compared to some of the other bikes on test.
Henry Quinney
Dec 6, 2021
Field Test: 2022 Santa Cruz Blur TR - The Cruz Missile
The Blur was the lightest bike in this year's downcountry field test. What did that mean out on the trail?
Henry Quinney
Dec 3, 2021
Field Test Review: 2022 Trek Top Fuel - Same Name, Different Bike
This isn't your dad's cross-country bike.
Henry Quinney
Dec 2, 2021
Field Test Review: 2022 Giant Trance Advanced Pro 1 - Eat, Pray, Live Valve?
The new Trance recieves updated geometry, along with version 1.5 of Fox's Live Valve suspension system.
Matt Beer
Dec 2, 2021
First Look: 2022 Giant Trance Advanced Pro 29
Giant goes downcountry with the new Trance Advanced Pro 29 and adds internal storage to the frame.
Mike Levy
Dec 1, 2021
Video: Welcome to the 2021 Fall Field Test - Trail and Downcountry Bikes
Twelve of the latest trail and downcountry bikes face-off in the wettest cage match we've ever held.
Sarah Moore
Nov 4, 2021
Bike Check: Christina Chappetta's Trek Top Fuel
Take a closer look at Christina Chappetta's new downcountry machine.
Henry Quinney
Oct 7, 2021
First Look: 2022 Trek Top Fuel - A Classic Reimagined
The Top Fuel goes downcountry for 2022.
Henry Quinney
Sep 28, 2021
First Look: 2022 Rocky Mountain Element - When XC Gets Aggro
The new Element is designed for events like the BC Bike Race, where relaxed geometry and a little more travel can make those big days much more comfortable.
Mike Kazimer
Aug 25, 2021
Review: 2022 Scott Spark 900 Tuned AXS - A Hidden Shock & All the Integration
Mike Kazimer's been putting in the miles on the new Spark, which received a bold new re-design for 2022.
Henry Quinney
Aug 19, 2021
First Look: 2022 Canyon Lux Trail - Downcountry for the Backcountry
Canyon has stretched and slackened the Lux to make it downcountry-ready.
James Smurthwaite
Mar 16, 2021
Bike Check: Project 12 Cycleworks' Victor is a Dutch Downcountry Bike with 73mm Travel
Take a closer look at this Dutch downcountry machine.
Revel Bikes Reveal the Ranger 'Brunch Ride' Edition
Matt Wragg
Sep 22, 2020
Bike Check: Maxime Folco's Blue Collar Trans Vesubienne Trek Top Fuel
A look at Maxime's privateer build for the Trans V.
Matt Wragg
Sep 22, 2020
Bike Check: Alexis Cheneviers Trans-Vesubienne Yeti SB100
The most impressive all-round mountain biker you have never heard of.
Mike Levy
Aug 24, 2020
Field Test: 9 XC Bikes & the Grim Donut VS Impossible Climb
I swear I wouldn't have dabbed it if it was dry...
Mike Levy
Aug 20, 2020
Video: Spur vs Ranger vs Scalpel vs SB115 vs Epic EVO - Field Test Round Table
Five bikes doing down-country differently, but only one favorite...
Mike Levy
Aug 17, 2020
Field Test: Revel Ranger - It Just Wants to Party
Part-time cross-country, full-time good times.
Mike Levy
Aug 12, 2020
Field Test: Cannondale Scalpel SE 1 - The Spider Monkey
The technical climbing wiz.
Mike Levy
Aug 11, 2020
Field Test: Yeti SB115 - The One That Wants to Be a Trail Bike
Does more travel mean more better?
Mike Levy
Jun 30, 2020
First Look: Transition's All-New Spur is a Rowdy XC Bike
It has just 120mm of travel, but this ain't your dad's cross-country bike.
Mike Kazimer
Jun 30, 2020
First Look: 2021 Yeti SB115
Yeti says the SB115 "looks like an SB100, rides like an SB130."
Daniel Sapp
Jun 23, 2020
First Look: 2021 Specialized Epic & Epic Evo
Specialized's flagship XC bike gets an overhaul.
Revel Bikes
Jun 22, 2020
Revel Bikes Introduce the Ranger Trail Bike
Revel Bikes unveils the new Ranger bike that combines XC efficiency with their CBF suspension platform.
NS Bikes
Apr 5, 2020
NS Bikes Launch Carbon 'Synonym' Range of Downcountry and Trail Bikes
NS Bikes launches their take on the modern XC bike.
Sarah Moore
Jan 15, 2020
Recapped: The Complete 2020 Pinkbike Field Test
Our super mega recap of all 18 brand new bikes that we put to the test on some of the world's best trails.
Mike Levy
Dec 26, 2019
Field Test: 13 Bikes VS The Impossible Climb
Thirteen bikes compete for honors up a tricky climb littered with roots, wet rocks, tight corners... And banana peels?
Sarah Moore
Dec 10, 2019
Field Test Editors' Choice: 2020 Top Fuel vs F-Podium vs Trail Pistol S vs Mach 4 SL vs Joplin
We look for the mythical bike that is XC fast on the climbs and frighteningly fun on the descents.
Sarah Moore
Dec 9, 2019
Field Test: 2020 Trek Top Fuel - The Featherweight That Packs a Powerful Punch
Neither an up-forked XC bike nor a short-travel trail bike, the Top Fuel rewards riders for pushing hard.
Sarah Moore
Dec 5, 2019
Field Test: 2020 Pivot Mach 4 SL - Thoroughbred XC Racer
It's got a 120mm fork, a dropper post, and World Cup pedigree.
Sarah Moore
Dec 4, 2019
Field Test: 2020 Juliana Joplin / Santa Cruz Tallboy - Part Country, But Mostly Rock & Roll
A competent climber, but the descents are where the Joplin really shines.
Sarah Moore
Dec 2, 2019
Field Test: 2020 Mondraker F-Podium DC - It Says Downcountry on the Frame
So much potential in Mondraker's F-Podium platform.
Brian Park
Nov 20, 2019
Video: How We Tested at the 2020 Pinkbike Field Test
Check out some of the trails, test tracks, and processes we used at this year's Field Test.
Brian Park
Nov 11, 2019
Video: Welcome to the 2020 Pinkbike Field Test
14 brand new bikes put to the test on some of the world's best trails.
MRP Bike
Jul 10, 2019
Video: The New MRP Ribbon SL Fork is Designed for Downcountry
MRP bring out a slimmed version of the Ribbon for downcountry rippers
James Smurthwaite
Mar 1, 2019
Salsa Updates Full Suspension Lineup, Including First Official Downcountry Bike
Salsa has launched an overhaul of its full suspension bike line up today with three new models - the Spearfish, the Horsethief and the Rustler.
Mike Levy
Apr 12, 2018
What the Heck is a Down-Country Bike? - Opinion
Is there a new breed of mountain bike on the horizon?