Bikes
enduro & trail

Santa Cruz Vala GX AXS

Santa Cruz finally did something nobody expected — they ditched VPP. The new Vala is the brand's first bike to break with its iconic suspension and move into four-bar, Horst-link territory.

The bike works deeper and smoother. The rear doesn't pedal-bob, and it doesn't stiffen up under hard braking. It's quiet, smooth, predictable. From the first few metres the Vala feels very stable. In LOW mode it's slack and stable — ideal for fast, open lines. HIGH mode suits technical sections, flow trails and higher-cadence riding.

Motor

Bosch CX Gen5 · 85 Nm

Battery

Powertube 750 Wh

Fork

FOX 38 Perf. Elite GRIP X2

Shock

FOX Float X Perf. Elite

Drivetrain

SRAM GX AXS T-Type

Brakes

SRAM Code Bronze · 220/200

Wheels

Race Face ARC HD 30

Tires

Schwalbe Magic Mary 29 / 27,5

Specialized Turbo Levo SL Expert Carbon

The Turbo Levo SL is a light carbon e-bike with a very efficient motor. The way it rides, its tunability and its weight set the benchmark for other manufacturers.

Buying a Specialized, for the first time in my life I didn't feel the need to change anything. I only swapped the SRAM X0 for SRAM GX AXS. The SL's motor power and battery capacity are a third of the “full-fat” model's, but in practice I covered the same distances and climbing (Livigno → Lago di Cancao → Passo Trella → Livigno) without issue. I can handle 90% of the trails I ride on the SL.

Motor

Specialized SL 1.1 · 30 Nm

Battery

320 Wh + extender 160 Wh

Fork

Fox Float 36 Perf. Elite Grip2

Shock

Fox Float DPX2 Perf. Elite

Drivetrain

SRAM X01 Eagle → GX AXS

Brakes

SRAM Code RS · 200/200

Wheels

Roval Traverse 29

Tires

Butcher / Eliminator 29x2.3

Canyon Spectral 9.0 CF 8

The Spectral is the “Passat” of bikes — its capability covers more than 90% of the trails I ride.

My bike for the 2022/2023 season is a return to a Canyon I know well. I used to ride a Strive, this time I went for the Spectral. After the first few rides I really like the super comfortable riding position. The only “customisation” is a Schwalbe Procore setup and a 30T oval ring from Absolute Black. Going by seat-tube length I picked size M (430 mm vs 460 mm, reach 456 mm vs 481 mm).

Fork

Fox 36 Perf. Elite Grip 2 · 160

Shock

FOX Float X Perf. Elite · 160

Drivetrain

Shimano Deore XT 1x12

Cranks

Shimano XT M8120 32T

Brakes

Shimano XT 4-piston

Wheels

DT Swiss XM1700 29"

Tires

Maxxis Minion DHRII 2,4x29

Saddle

Ergon SM10 Enduro Comp

Radon Jab 9.0 HD

Looking for something fresh, good-looking and dripping with premium parts, I came across the Radon Jab. A bike absolutely covered in carbon — frame, cranks, derailleur — for just over 3K EUR.

The geometry is very modern — long, low and slack. It stands out with a 428 mm rear end in size L: great agility and easy manuals, but also a bit more nervousness on steep, rocky descents. A very playful, agile enduro bike. The designers took inspiration from the F-117 stealth fighter — the sharp angles and cut lines are noticeable.

Suspension

RockShox – topowe

Drivetrain

SRAM X0

Wheels

e*thirteen

Brakes

SRAM Code R

Chainstay

428 mm (L)

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