The best carbon MTBs for 2016
October 12th, 2015
By Andrew Dodd in Bikes,Features
The most fantastic plastic right now
It wasn’t that long ago when carbon fibre mountain bikes were rarities, but nowadays virtually all MTB brands have carbon models in their ranges. Whilst the top-of-the-range bikes can feel a little out of reach for many, it’s nice to aspire to own a super bike – and the following bikes are the best looking we’ve seen this year.
Check out our 10 best carbon MTBs for 2016…
Evil Insurgent
It’s been hard negotiating a show this year without seeing the Slimeball yellow 150mm travel smash wagon, and a crowd of people eyeballing it. Whilst the 27.5in wheeled Insurgent also comes in full murdered-out black on black, the retina ripping yellow has done the job of letting people know it’s arrived.
Using Dave’s Extra Legitimate Travel Apparatus – or the D.E.L.T.A linkage system – and roomy geometry, the Insurgent promises to be very active, reactive, plush and progressive. It’s a filthy looking animal and we can’t wait to send one down some flat-out single track.
Get hold of the Evil Insurgent here.
Santa Cruz Bronson
Photo by Gary Perkin | Santa Cruz bicycles
Yet again, the ultra cool bike brand hailing from the town that hosted cult-movie The Lost Boys* has pumped out two more bikes that will be making a lot of current Santa Cruz owners twitch.
Beautifully sculpted from high-end carbon, the new Bronson and 5010 frames are just stunning. It’s hard not to take a second look – especially with the new colours. We absolutely love the Kalimoxto pink, so called after the Spanish tipple cobbled together from red wine and coke.
Santa Cruz don’t just do image though – the new frames have the most recent revision of the VPP linkage system that offers much improved small bump performance, and geometry is revised to accommodate shorter stems with longer and slacker numbers.
Get hold of the Santa Cruz Bronson here.
*under the name Santa Carla
Pivot Mach 6 Carbon
We’re not sure why, but the Phoenix based brand still manage to have a small underground feel. They’ve been putting out some excellent bikes in recent years – although perhaps the new Mach 6 Carbon will be the bike that puts them on the map.
With 155mm of travel, the DW linkage rear end drives a clevis style wishbone mount for the shock – enabling the seat tube to remain full length and for the rear end to be as stiff as possible. If you look at the design, it shares more similarities with the Phoenix downhill bike than it has to previous trail bikes, and accordingly will tackle the roughest terrain around.
The Mach 6 Carbon is also designed in mind to accept Shimano Di2, and unlike other brands that use external battery mounts – has a port on the underside of the down tube for the battery. Combine all this with excellent geometry and a full range of sizes from XS to XL and the Mach 6 is starting to look very attractive.
The Mach 6 Carbon is one hell of a bike – and is one of our hot tips for 2016. There’s also an alloy model, which we’ll be checking out soon.
Get hold of the Pivot Mach 6 carbon here.
Ibis Mojo HD3
When it comes to styling, Ibis always manage do it right.
They were the first brand to bring sculpted – yet organic – lines to bikes when they relaunched with the Mojo in 2005, marking the start of their full commitment to carbon fibre production. There was nothing else on the market that looked as space age, yet obviously natural out there- and they’ve carried the look through to today.
The HD3 is the latest bike for big hitting trail riders.
It packs 150mm of travel in to the DW link suspension platform, and uses a clevis style wishbone mount for the shock to improve rear end clearance whilst allowing for a full length seat tube. With aggressive angles and a tough build, the HD3 will take the hammering that World Enduro Racing can dish out, but the bike remains easily light enough for trail riding and day-to-day use.
Did we say how damned nice the HD3 looks?
Get hold of the Ibis HD3 here.
Intense M16 Carbon
We’re not really sure how Jeff Steber does it, but each time he announces a new bike there is never that unsure murmur amongst bike geeks who state they prefer the previous model. Every time a new model drops, all we hear are several expletives strewn together and a whole manner of things someone would do in order to own one.
Intense just have that thing that money can’t buy. Always have, and probably always will.
The carbon fibre 240mm M16C just looks awesome, and it could well prove to be the top privateer choice for 2016. Light; strong; efficient and fast.
Plus it’s one of the few DH bikes that is offered in a size XL.
Get the Intense M16 Carbon here.
Turner RFX
Turner bikes are another brand that just have it going on. Although small by size – they’ve always managed to cast a big shadow. And the new RFX looks like the vicious beast that’s been lurking in those shadows ready to pounce.
Whilst most carbon bikes at the moment share that flowing, smooth look – the RFX is more angular. And all the more bad-ass for it – like a dose of good old heavy metal after the manufactured rubbish on commercial radio.
Based on the DW link system, the RFX is a 160mm travel beast with huge tyre clearance and features that will suit riders who don’t like fussing. We love the external cable routing – easy to replace damaged components – and function over form approach Dave Turner took.
It’s a refreshing change compared to the sea of swoopy looking bikes out there.
Get the Turner RFX here.
Knolly Warden carbon
Chair lift accessed bike parks wreck bikes – the fact that you see a lot of Knolly bikes at Whistler is a good sign. Those that live locally or ride the park will usually be running similar kit and bikes – for the simple reason that it is strong and will last.
Having previously been an alloy model, the Warden looks nicer than ever – and has that tough, plush look about it. The Fourby4 suspension system offers big hitting capabilities on a frame that is light enough for all day riding and enduro racing.
If you’re the sort of rider that builds trails with 25ft gaps – then the Warden could be your best friend. This thing wants to have fun.
Get Knolly Bikes here.
Yeti SB6C 30th year anniversary Edition
Yeti have got it going on. Probably the nearest to cult status that a bike manufacturer can have – and have a huge following, especially when it comes to the history and the classic models.
So to celebrate 30yrs of making mountain bikes, they have released a strictly limited edition version of the SB6C featuring 150mm of travel via the Switch Infinity system – and it comes in a retro Yeti blue/yellow paint job with matching colour matched forks and components.
Our inner geek literally screams every time we see this bike, as even if we had the money to buy one – they might already be sold out!
You should pick up the phone now, and worry about selling that kidney later…
Get Yeti bikes here.
Lapierre Spicy Carbon Team
Everything about this bike has been designed from the ground up to be as fast as possible. Just like the ten time DH world champion that developed it – Nicolas Vouilloz.
With 150mm of travel and the awesome EI electronic shock system, this thing is designed to race. In milliseconds, the electronic servo on the rear shock applies the required damping to the shock needed, based on the velocity of an impact at the front fork. Sounds crazy, but it works brilliantly – you need to try it to realise how good it is.
The carbon fibre frame uses the Lapierre OST four-bar suspension platform, and has a carbon layering system to maximise stiffness but retain an element of flex in certain situations – Nico’s input to the frame has no doubt created one hell of a bike.
Get Lapierre bikes here.
Mondraker Dune Carbon
Using the infamous Forward Geometry concept, Mondraker’s latest carbon fibre bike is the totally redesigned Dune Carbon – a 160mm travel enduro super bike.
Though the Foxy Carbon is one of our favourite bikes to date, for out and out racing and riding on rough, steep and technical terrain – the Dune Carbon is a few steps ahead. With an adjustable head angle; adjustable chainstay length and the ability to run virtually any shock on the market, the Dune shares more with the phenomenal Summum DH bike at first glance.
Except this is in a seriously light weight package that will munch up the miles out on the trails, whilst being happier than a pig in s*** when the going gets tough.
We have a Dune due in for test any time now – so keep your eyes peeled on Factory Jackson!
Get Mondraker bikes here.
These are just our favourites that we’ve seen over the year – are there other carbon master pieces out there that you like the look of?
Which one of our 10 best carbon MTBs for 2016 list is your favourite and why?
Let us know in the comments section below….
