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The best trail bikes in the world?

Adrian Kaether

 · 10.04.2019

The best trail bikes in the world?Photo: Hersteller
The best trail bikes in the world?
Just hatched from the egg, the small company Revel Bikes from Colorado is pretty full of beans: the best trail bikes in the world! They are particularly proud of the rear triangle of their bikes.

A small American company from Carbondale, Colorado, promises nothing less than "the best trail bikes ever" on its website. The shop is called Revel Bikes and was only founded in 2016, but wants to compete with the big names in the bike industry. The core ingredients: A balanced geometry and high-quality components, design and distribution by a small but select team of bike specialists, direct shipping or pick-up from a few US dealers and a green conscience by avoiding packaging waste and optimising carbon manufacturing. Above all, however, a patented suspension system that is designed to finally decouple the rear triangle from drive or braking influences.

Rascal" trail bike and "Rail" enduro MTB

The Rail is the company's 650b enduro bike and comes with long suspension travel.Photo: Hersteller The Rail is the company's 650b enduro bike and comes with long suspension travel.


Let's start with just two models. A 140/130 mm trail bike in 29 inches and a 27.5 inch enduro bike with a 170 mm fork. The geometry is progressive, but not extreme. The steering angle on the enduro bike, for example, is 65 degrees, the reach is 470 millimetres in L, the chainstays measure 430 millimetres, while the bottom bracket is nice and low at 337 millimetres. On the 29er trail bike, the steering angle is slightly steeper at 66 degrees, the chainstays are slightly longer at 433 millimetres and the reach is slightly shorter.

CBF chassis design: What's behind it

The CBF rear triangle is shown schematically: The highlight is that the kinematics have been optimised for the so-called "centre of curvature" - a point at the height of the chainring. As the position of the current centre of rotation (IC) of the CBF rear triangle hardly changes during compression, the line between the rear wheel axle and IC always runs through this centre of curvature. With most multi-link bikes, the position of the instant centre changes to a greater extent, which also results in very different anti-squat values - depending on the compression state of the rear triangle. In practice, the CBF rear triangle should remain stable when accelerating and not stiffen up under braking.Photo: Hersteller The CBF rear triangle is shown schematically: The highlight is that the kinematics have been optimised for the so-called "centre of curvature" - a point at the height of the chainring. As the position of the current centre of rotation (IC) of the CBF rear triangle hardly changes during compression, the line between the rear wheel axle and IC always runs through this centre of curvature. With most multi-link bikes, the position of the instant centre changes to a greater extent, which also results in very different anti-squat values - depending on the compression state of the rear triangle. In practice, the CBF rear triangle should remain stable when accelerating and not stiffen up under braking.
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However, Revel Bikes is most proud of the suspension of the two bikes, which bear the names "Rail" (enduro) and "Rascal" (trail bike). It is a patented design called CBF (Canfield Balanced Formula), which is intended to balance two virtual pivot points in the kinematics and thus ensure optimum separation of the chassis from the drive. This means that the suspension works better on climbs and downhills. Drive influences under pedal pull or when braking should be history for good. You can find out more about the technical details of the suspension, anti-squat values and anti-rise values here here. Slight bobbing without a platform is likely to be present, but is gladly accepted for an always active suspension. The similarity to a classic VPP system (e.g. Santa Cruz) or a DW-Link rear triangle cannot be denied.

One for everything. The Rascal should live up to its name and manoeuvre manoeuvrably around corners despite its large wheels, but also cope well with rough stone fields.Photo: Hersteller One for everything. The Rascal should live up to its name and manoeuvre manoeuvrably around corners despite its large wheels, but also cope well with rough stone fields.

Enve founder and Rockshox chief engineer on board


However, this MTB chassis was designed by the Canfield brothers, who have already made a name for themselves in the custom scene with their own bike, the Canfield Brothers Balancehave made a name for themselves since 2015. In addition, the young brand under CEO Adam Miller (also Boralis and Why-Cycles) has brought on board the head of development at Rockshox, Jeremiah Starkey, and Enve founder Jason Schiers, alongside other industry veterans. The latter optimises and oversees carbon production, while the former also takes on the role of chief engineer at Revel Bikes. So there seems to be plenty of experience available.

The team around company boss Adam Miller (3rd from right).Photo: Hersteller The team around company boss Adam Miller (3rd from right). With both bikes, Revel emphasises balanced riding characteristics both uphill and downhill. However, the Rail is the more downhill-orientated bike.Photo: Hersteller With both bikes, Revel emphasises balanced riding characteristics both uphill and downhill. However, the Rail is the more downhill-orientated bike.


The two bikes are now available online and can be customised in some cases. They are shipped worldwide. In terms of brands, Revel Bikes primarily relies on Sram or Rockshox and Industry Nine or Enve for the wheels. For the suspension forks, DVO is also used as an option. Both bikes start with the GX Eagle Kit for around 5000 dollars with a DVO fork, Rockshox Super Deluxe shock and an Industry Nine Enduro wheelset. Not an absolute bargain, but for an exclusive frame from a custom forge, it's pretty decent.


All information about Revel Bikes can be found on the Website of the manufacturer.

Adrian Kaether

Adrian Kaether's favourite thing to do is ride mountain bikes on bumpy enduro trails. The tech expert and bike tester knows all about Newton metres and watt hours, high and low-speed damping. As test manager at MYBIKE, Adrian also likes to think outside the box and tests cargo bikes and step-through bikes as well as the latest (e-)MTBs.

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