With the Carve, which runs as a 29er touring bike, the Americans are launching a counterpart to the sporty Stumpjumper 29er. The moderate but balanced geometry and the 80 millimetre fork speak in favour of this character. On the trail, however, the Recon fork quickly reaches its limit. That's why we recommend converting it to 100 millimetres. This will also slacken the head angle by about one degree. That doesn't hurt, because with a 72 mm steering angle, the Carve tends to understeer. This manifests itself in "tipping in" in tight, slow bends. The Carve's harmonious touring package only lags significantly behind in terms of equipment and weight. Race beginners should budget 200 euros more for the Stumpjumper.
PLUS Bottle cage, harmonious look, Deore brakes
MINUS Weak equipment, 80-millimetre fork
Tuning tip Extend fork to 100 millimetres; lightweight tyres and tubes
ConclusionTouring twentyniner for moderate use and the ideal alternative to cross-trekking.
.
