Canadian Cycling Magazine

CROSS COUNTRY BIKES

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Scott Spark 720 $5,600

At 120 mm of travel, the 27.5" Spark 720 bridges the gap between an XC bike and a trail bike. It offers the efficiency that racers want, with a parts spec that will make this bike more than competent on tough trail rides. The suspension was redesigned for 2017, with the shock mount moving from the top tube to the down tube. That shock mount is trunnion-style, which makes things wider and stiffer. The carbon main frame, which boasts Boost spacing, is mated with an alloy 6011 swingarm and a Fox 34 Float fork. Components are largely Shimano slx, with an XT rear derailleur thrown in for good measure. The rest of the components are from Syncros, with the exception of the not-often-seen Fox Transfer dropper post. ( scott-sports.com)

Cannondale Scalpel-si Carbon 1 $9,700

The Scalpel-si Carbon 1 builds on Cannondale’s proven pedigree on the race circuit. The size small frame comes with 27.5" wheels, while the medium, large and extra large versions come with 29" wheels. The spec on the 1 x 11-speed bikes includes a Shimano XTR rear derailleur mated with an XT shifter and cassette, Cannondale’s own Hollowgram Si crankset, xtr Race brakes and Cannondale Czero SL carbon wheelset shod with Schwalbe Racing Ralph tires. Suspension on this 100-mm-travel full carbon frame is handled by a Lefty 2.0 carbon fork and a Rockshox Monarch XX rear shock. ( cannondale.com)

Scott Scale 900 $8,600

Some bikes look like they’re built for fun, while others look like they’re built to get from A to B as fast as possible. The Scott Scale 900 falls into the latter category. This carbon hardtail sports lightweigh­t 29" Syncros XR1.5 aluminum rims, a Shimano xtr 2 x 11-speed drivetrain, a Fox 32 SC Float fork with 100 mm of travel and house-brand Syncros carbon components, all of which scream purpose-built race bike. Boost spacing on the front and rear adds to the overall stiffness. The only possible upgrade you could make to this bike would be a set of carbon wheels. ( scott-sports.com)

Bianchi Methanol 9.2 CV $11,500

Bianchi is largely known for its celeste road bikes, but the company also turns out a very respectabl­e mountain bike. Sitting at the top of the hardtail line is the carbonfibr­e 29" Methanol 9.2 CV. You get Boost spacing front and rear, a Shimano xtr 1 x 11 drivetrain paired with an fsa SL-K crankset, xtr brakes and DT Swiss XR 1501 Spline wheels. Bianchi offers riders the option of upgrading the base model with a Rotor crankset and DT Swiss xrc 1200 Spline carbon wheelset if they’re interested. Standard frame colour is black, but there’s also a celeste green option for hardcore Bianchi fans. ( bianchican­ada.com)—stuartkern­aghan

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