When Rocky Mountain got the ball rolling with the Element 2017, almost nobody could have imagined that upgraded race bikes would become a trendy bike category in their own right. Every well-known manufacturer now offers such bikes. And it has even gone so far that some of them are called "Down Country" see the future of cross-country bikes. The best example: the new Scott Sparkwhich will no longer be available as a classic race bike with 100 millimetres of travel from 2022.
But not everyone takes such a radical view, as the new AMS from Cube and the Santa Cruz Blur show. The classic 100 mm version for racers and the sporty touring fullys usually rely on the same lightweight frame. The increased riding fun on trails only comes from the adapted equipment: light 120 mm forks, Vario seatposts, more powerful brakes and coarser tyres turn the World Cup podium hunters into light, efficient and good-natured touring bikes with a range of use for the masses. Cannondale and Specialized led the way last year, and now Cube and Scott have responded: we are curious to see when Canyon, Rocky Mountain or Trek will follow suit with comparable new mountain bikes in this segment.
Santa Cruz Blur TR
The upgraded TR version of the Blur has 120/115 millimetres of travel, grippier tyres, a longer dropper post, no lockout lever on the handlebars and larger brake discs than the Racefully. Seven models in two carbon qualities from 4900 euros. www.santacruzbicycles.com
Ghost Lector FS
120 millimetres of travel at the front and 115 mm at the rear, combined with a flattened geometry and a deeply retractable and fully integrated dropper post from Eightpins. The Lector FS can do more than just race fast. Five models from 3699 euros. www.ghost-bikes.com
Cube AMS: The new edition for 2022
After four years and various test wins, Cube is launching a new AMS for 2022. In addition to three 100 mm full-suspension bikes, the new carbon frame also forms the basis for two down-country models. More details at Cube AMS 2022
Rims and tyres
More robust and wider than in cross-country, but still light: 29-inch wheels with rims around 30 millimetres wide offer the perfect compromise for down-country bikes. Whether the DT Swiss XRC 1501 Spline, the new Newmen Evo SL X.A.30 or the Stans-Arch aluminium wheels with the new MK4 rims - the all-round tyres in 2.3-2.4 inches also feel right at home on these round wheels. Even fast tyres such as the Pirelli Scorpion, the Maxxis Rekon Race WT or the Specialised Fast Trak are now available in 2.35-2.4 inch widths.
Info: www.notubes.com | www.pirelli.com
120 mm suspension forks
More travel without the weight penalty: With the Rockshox SID and the Fox 34 Stepcast, both dominant suspension fork manufacturers offer a light, stiff model for the down-country segment. Fox has even reworked its 34 SC for the 2022 model year. The steps in the casting have been moved to the inside of the fork. This makes the 34 narrower and saves weight (from 1510 grams). Also frequently installed: the SID with 35-millimetre chassis introduced in 2020. Weight: from 1537 grams.
Vario supports
Smaller stroke, less weight: the SL version of the Fox Transfer only weigh. The post is also available as a 27.2 mm version with 50-75 mm travel.
BikeYoke has also further developed its reliable Revive and given it a one-piece upper unit. The post is available with a 125-213 millimetre stroke (30.9 and 31.6 mm diameter) from 465 grams and 350 euros. www.bikeyoke.de
