Orbea Loki 27+ H30
Plus-size tires may be the best things that have ever happened to the hardtail, especially for riders more concerned about exploration and riding steep terrain than raw climbing speed. That easy-riding versatility, with the low price, helps make this plus-size hardtail one of the best value mountain bikes of 2016. Orbea’s Loki rolls on 3-inch wide Maxxis Chronicle tires mounted on 40mm wide rims for a large footprint on the ground and gobs of traction. These tires use pressure in the mid teens, so they offer some bump absorption too. The aluminum frame features modern geometry with a long front-center, slack head angle, and low bottom bracket for aggressive trail riding fun.
Orbea Loki 27+, $1500.00
Marin Four Corners
The same characteristics that make a great touring bike also make for a super commuter—and that’s what Marin new Four Corners model is all about. Its tough double-butted chromoly frame features full fender and rack mounts as well as a third bottle-cage mount on the bottom of the downtube. Mechanical disc brakes you stop when you're carrying a heavy load, even in poor weather, and a 3x9 drivetrain offers a gear for every situation. The 40c Schwalbe Silento tires offer sure footing on multiple road surfaces and even come with a Kevlar belt to reduce flats, keeping you rolling on your adventure or commute.
Marin Four Corners, $1099.00
Masi Speciale Randonneur
If you dream of long, unsupported rides across counties, states, and maybe even a continent, Masi’s Speciale Randonneur is the bike for you. It has a tough double-butted chromoly steel frame and fork with rack mounts. Not only are there fender mounts, but Masi includes fenders to keep the spray at bay. A double chainring crank with compact 50/34t gearing is paired to a 10-speed cassette with a12-30t cassette, so there's an ample gear range for climbing and cruising. Powerful disc brakes will help you control your speed on city streets or steep alpine switchbacks and the comfortable, flared drop bars make it easier for you to take in the views or watch for traffic.
Masi Speciale Randonneur, $1299.00
Charge Cooker Maxi 1
When we previewed Charge’s Cooker 27.5 Plus, we thought it delivered an exciting ride in simple, no-frills package. Charge’s Cooker Maxi 1 is equally fun, but the this model is a true fat bike that is made for blasting over surfaces like snow and sand that can stop a regular mountain bike in its tracks. To fit the massive 4-inch-wide Maxxis Mammoth tires, the Cooker has an offset 135mm rear end. The fork is rigid, but the ultra high volume tires do a surprisingly good job of smoothing the ride.
Charge Cooker Maxi 1, $999.00, $999 from Competitive Cyclist
KHS Grit 220
KHS’s Grit 220 blurs the lines between cyclocross and gravel with geometry that’s nearly identical to the company's XC300 cyclocross bike. Internal routing inside the double-butted aluminum frame keeps the looks and cables clean in dirty environments. Its drivetrain consists of the recently revamped Shimano Tiagra group, while braking duties are handed by Avid’s BB5R mechanical disc brakes.
KHS Grit 220, $1349.00
Trek Emonda ALR 4
Trek has traditionally made very good aluminum road bikes, and it raises the bar with its new Emonda ALR line. According to Trek, a size 56cm ALR frame weighs just 1,050 grams. The tubes are joined using a new welding process that Trek calls Invisible Weld Technology, which makes for a stronger junction and is claimed to use less material. This frameset has many of the design elements found on Trek’s carbon models, like a tapered E2 headtube and fork, BB86.5 PressFit bottom bracket, and integrated DuoTrap S Bluetooth/Ant+ compatibility. The ALR 4 is built with Shimano’s latest Tiagra 10-speed group, including brakes.
Trek Émonda ALR
GT Verb Comp
GT blends modern progressive mountain bike geometry with its Independent Drivetrain suspension and delivers it in a new value-driven package called the Verb. Unlike the AOS suspension found on the brand's more expensive Sensor and Force models, this version is based on GT's older I-Drive system, but don’t think of this design as a downgrade: I-Drive was one of the most efficient pedaling setups made and that raw efficiency should help newer riders power up climbs. This new bike has 120mm of suspension travel, utilizes 27.5-inch wheels, and has a nimble, flickable feel. It comes with a short 60mm stem and wide handlebar that when paired with a longish front end put the rider’s weight bias farther behind the front wheel, which can make the bike easier to control on steep, fast terrain.
GT Verb Comp, $850.00, $850 from Performance Bike
Raleigh Willard 1
If you dream of a do-anything, quiver-killer road bike, Raleigh’s new Willard is right up your alley. This jack-of-all-trades drop-bar road bike has geometry that’s stable enough for dirt road riding and spunky enough for the pavement. Plus, it’s got some unique features—especially for the price: The aluminum frame and carbon fork both use thru axles. An anti-shock seatpost and stem have vibration-reducing elastomer inserts to cut road chatter. A Shimano Sora 2x9 drivetrain transfers your power to wheels, which come wrapped in wide 40c Clement X’Plor MSO tires. Reliable, easy-to-adjust TRP Spire mechanical disc brakes provide stopping power.
Raleigh Willard, $1,399 for the Raleigh Willard 1 from Competitive Cyclist
Giant Defy Disc 1
Giant’s aluminum Defy models are good—the mid-priced Defy 3 won one of our coveted Editor’s Choice awards. The Defy 1 costs less but gets nice upgrades for 2016, including disc brakes. TRP Spyre-C mechanical disc brakes will offer predictable stopping in adverse weather. This year, the model also gets nicer tires—Giant's 25c P-SL 1 models, which are the same ones that come on Giant’s $3,000 Defy Advanced Pro 2. Shimano’s stellar 105 11-speed drivetrain makes a return, but this time it’s paired to a Shimano RS 500 crank with compact chainrings.
Giant Defy Disc 1, $1500.00
Kona Kahuna
The Kahuna has been in Kona’s line for years, and for 2016, the speedy hardtail 29er receives a rather significant update. The butted aluminum frame’s geometry has been revamped with a slacker headtube angle, lower bottom bracket, and shorter chainstays. A Shimano Deore drivetrain and brakes round out what promises to be a fun and speedy ride. Plus, it has one feature that no modern mountain bike should be without: upgrade-ready stealth dropper post cable routing that enters the frame on the downtube.
Kona Kahuna, $1300.00
Schwinn Vantage F2
Schwinn’s latest flat-bar road bike features a new rear-suspension system dubbed Smooth Ride Technology, or SRT. This micro suspension utilizes an elastomer unit placed between the seatstays and seat tube for 15mm of wheel travel. The Vantage F2 is outfitted with a Shimano Acera/Altus 24-speed drivetrain and Promax mechanical disc brakes. Rack and fender mounts mean this bike will work well as an everyday commuter or as a sporty road machine. The Vantage is also offered in an F1 model with upgraded 27-speed drivetrain, hydraulic disc brakes, and a carbon fork for $880.
Schwinn Vantage F2, $659.99, $599.99 at Performance Bike
Novara Corsa
Novara revamped its Corsa for 2016, maxing it out for new riders Its standout feature is the Surestop single lever brake system that simultaneously operates both front and rear brakes. When the lever is pulled and the rear brake engages, braking forces activate a secondary cable, automatically engaging the front brake. This system is claimed to prevent locking of the front brake and going over the bars or front-wheel skidding. Continuing with the simple theme is a 1x7 drivetrain. Rack and fender mounts make it easy to customize the Corsa with parts that fit your needs. Novara, the REI house brand, also offers a women’s step-through model called the Corsa Donna.
Novara Corsa, $499.00
Fuji Outland 29 1.1
The Outland 29 is one of the better priced full-suspension mountain bikes available. It has 120mm of travel controlled by a simple single-pivot design. Fuji gives it a Manitou Radium shock and Marvel LTD fork with remote lockout. The 2x10 drivetrain consists mostly of Shimano's reliable Deore components, but there's also an excellent XT rear derailleur.
Fuji Outland 29 1.1, $1370.00
Jamis Renegade Expat
Last year Jamis’s Renegade line consisted of two carbon bikes, but in 2016 it expands to five models. The Renegade Expat features geometry that’s identical to the carbon Elite model, but this version is made of smooth-riding Reynolds 520 double-butted chromoly steel. A full carbon fork with tapered steerer features a 15mm thru axle and rearward offset dropouts designed to provide some bump absorption. A variety of rack and fender mounts make this bike ready for adventure, transportation, or fun. It comes equipped with 35c Clement XPlor USH tires but there is clearance for models up to 40c wide. The tubeless-compatible Alex ATD 470 rims make it easy to ditch the tubes when it's time to upgrade tires.
Jamis Renegade Expat, $1200.00
Bulls Vulture 2
German bike maker Bulls entered the US market this and sells directly through its website. Its Vulture 2 is arguably one of the better-looking value-priced bikes out there, with black and white graphics with matching tires. Its 7005 aluminum frame is matched to a carbon fork. It's rare to see a triple chainring these days, but some riders like the extra gear range. The Vulture's 3x9 ensures a wide range of gears to sail over any hill or cruise at top speed on when you're racing friends.
Bulls Vulture 2, $900.00
Norco Search A. Tiagra
The aluminum Norco Search has bowed seatstays designed to smooth the ride—a technology Norco calls ARC (applied road compliance) Endurance. Its full-carbon tapered steerer fork is equipped with a stiff 15mm thru axle for predictable steering. The Search A. Tiagra is built with—you guessed it, Shimano Tiagra. Cables are cleanly routed internally, and a two-piece plug system called Gizmo is designed to seal and hold the cable tight and reduce annoying rattles. A clever piece attached to the dropout adds extra rack or fender mounting points when needed, but hides out of sight when it’s not.
Whichever bike you choose, be sure to pair it with a well-fitted helmet:
Norco Search A. Tiagra, $1150.00
