It’s efficient on the ups but muted on the descents

top performance at a competitive price, which is why they’re previous winners in mbr disc brake tests.

HOW IT RIDES

When a bike turns up with a burly 180mm fork and boasting 170mm travel at the rear, it’s usually party time. Not so with the AL 170 1. In fact, on our first rides together there were no fireworks, and I wasn’t attempting crazy lines or hitting big doubles without a care in the world. And I reckon there are a couple of reasons for that. First, it comes up short on rear travel, I measured it a touch over 160mm. It’s only a small short fall but the rear suspension also didn’t feel that compliant or capable, which isn’t what

I’d expect from a bike with this much going on at the back-end.

In its defence, NS Bikes does say that it put the focus on pedal efficiency, which explains a few things. The bike climbs really well and sprints out of turns with ease, but it also feels pretty firm when hammering through rough, rooty sections. If this sounds familiar it’s because when I reviewed the Define AL 150mm last year, I said pretty much the same thing – no wasted energy stomping up the climbs, but it didn’t seem to have the travel advertised.

So while the Define AL 170 1 is efficient on the ups, it’s also muted on the descents. Which is why I’ve asked NS if I can get a spin on the coil-sprung

Define AL 170 2 for a first ride later in the year. Hopefully that’ll be the bike to finally get the party started – watch this space.

HIGHS

Modern geometry and sizing. Excellent suspension components and tyres. Recessed cabling looks sleek but without the hassle of proper internal routing.

LOWS

Rides like a shorter-travel bike.

Size ridden Rider height Head angle Seat angle Effective SA BB height Chainstay Front centre Wheelbase Down tube Top tube Reach