Quiver Cullers
Five mountain bikes that can almost do it all
Five mountain bikes that can almost do it all
“The quiver-killing mountain bike still holds unicorn status.”
With so many different brands offering so many different bikes, it sometimes feels like you should have a collection with various travel lengths and geometries for any given ride. The term “quiver killer” gets tossed around in the mountain bike world. The idea of replacing a stable of steeds with with a single stud certainly has its appeal. The quiver-killing mountain bike, however, still holds unicorn status, and has yet to be spotted. In the meantime, here are five bikes that are extremely versatile and capable, depending on where you ride.
A Wild-card Ride Norco Optic C3 $4,399
The Optic is a new breed of short-travel bike with trail-style geometry. Norco gave the Optic 110 mm of rear-wheel travel paired with a 120-mm fork on its frame for 29" hoops. The 27.5” model has 120 mm at the rear and 130 mm at fork. The relaxed head-tube angle offers great control on steep technical descents, while the travel remains efficient for climbing. The Optic has so much range that it can be found with Norco Factory Team racer Haley Smith as she trains for the UCI World Cups or Jill Kintner on the slalom course, where the Optic helped her gain the title Queen of Crankworx in 2017. ( norco.com)
For the West
A quiver killer for the region that brought us freeride and seemingly endless descents needs to be capable of soaking up some seriously steep terrain littered with obstacles.
Intense Recluse Foundation $4,490
From a brand with a storied history in gravity racing, the Recluse from Intense is one capable and versatile bike. The full carbon frame keeps weight down while the Rockshox 140-mm rear and 150-mm front suspension are both JS Tuned, which optimizes pedalling efficiency for climbing. Coming in with a 66-degree head-tube angle, the Recluse is set up for tackling steep trails while also offering plenty of agility and manoeuvrability thanks to the 27.5" wheels. ( mec.ca)
Scott Genius Contessa 720 $5,400
The 2018 Scott Genius platform saw a huge update. As a result, the company has produced one of its most capable trail bikes to date. The standout feature is the bike’s ability to change its rear-shock tune and travel on the fly. With the flip of the Twinloc remote switch, the Genius can transform from a 150-mm boulder-gobbling beast to a more efficient-pedalling, 100-mm-reartravel climbing machine. Even though the Genius can’t compete with a 100-mm XC bike in the climbing department, it would be hard to find a 150-mm trail bike with the climbing capabilities of the Genius. ( micasport.com)
For the East
With thousands of kilometres of winding singletrack, jagged rocks and very little lift access or resort riding, the Canadian Shield of the east demands a quiver killer that is as good at pedalling up as it is at shredding down.
Rock Mountain Thunderbolt Carbon 70 $6,799
From the West Coast brand comes the Thunderbolt, a bike that works well in the East. With 130 mm of travel, the Thunderbolt is capable of soaking up most of what the Canadian Shield has to offer. With Rocky’s Ride-9 adjustment system, you can set the suspension and geometry the way you like them for climbing and then for descending. The Thunderbolt is only available with 27.5" wheels, which makes it a great option for those who like to rail corners or prefer the faster acceleration of smaller hoops. Rocky does stay true to its roots with a 140-mm B.C. edition Thunderbolt for those who need the extra travel. ( bikes.com)
Trek Fuel EX 8 Women’s $4,300
Trek’s Fuel line has evolved to meet the current needs of riders looking for bikes that can tackle varied terrain. The Fuel EX 8 Women’s edition follows the line and offers up a very wellrounded package. It has an aluminum frame paired with a custom-tuned Fox Reaktiv shock that offers great small-bump sensitivity while pedalling, but also excellent big-hit capabilities. The shock, with its regressive-damping technology, is better adapted to varied terrain than shocks with only progressive and digressive characteristics. Simply put, you don’t really need to worry about switching between shock settings; Reaktiv technology has you covered. ( trekbikes.com)