#BEST MAC FOR THE MONEY 2016 FREE#

Why does it matter? Because the proprietary shock offers an impressively smooth transition from firm pedaling platform to bump-eating, trail slayer. The EX9 also gets the excellent Fox Float EVOL RE:aktiv rear shock, which is a Trek exclusive.

For an additional grand, however, you get Fox’s excellent 34 fork–a much stouter front-suspension package that makes a huge difference in steering precision on technical descents. Here’s why: that bike comes with a Fox 32. Most people are going to wonder why I didn’t pick the $2,900 EX8 model. The Fuel EX gained 29er wheels a few years back, yet retained its snappy and sporty handling. It sports 4.7-inches (120 millimeters) of rear travel, but feels like it’s bouncing along on more than that. Why? Because it’s always been a ridiculously capable little trail bike that punches way above it’s weight class. Trek sells an insane number of Fuel EX bikes. This isn’t some lower-tier version of the Patrol frame either–it’s the same frame as the top-end aluminum model. That, is a hell of a lot of bike right there. Sure, Transition is now offering a carbon version of the Patrol, but for three grand–a thousand bucks more than what you’d pay for the aluminum frame–you can get the Patrol 4, which sports a Marzocchi 350 R fork, Shimano Deore brakes, a KS dropper post, and a hybrid SRAM/Hive single-ring drivetrain. The Patrol is Transition’s offering in the enduro/all-mountain/whatever-the-hell-we-are-calling-capable-six-inch-bikes-today category. This is by no means the most comprehensive compendium of bikes out there, but it is, I think, as good a place as any to start.

#BEST MAC FOR THE MONEY 2016 FREE#

If you have a better list of 2016 models that offer outstanding bang for your buck, feel free to chime in here. I like squishy bikes and my list skews that way. I grew up riding those things and can appreciate the simple beauty of a good hardtail, but, honestly, it’s been a decade since I really enjoyed riding one. Since this is an entirely personal list, you’ll notice I didn’t throw any hardtails or rigid bikes in the mix. Bikes that will take a beating and kick arse the whole time through. In short, these are the best value bikes of 2016: the ones that roll out of the box with no need for grossly expensive upgrades. New disc brakes? Expect on coughing up $300 to $600 for complete set. Need to replace a fork within the first year of ownership? That’ll add another $800 to $1,000 to the price tag. Yes, there are less expensive models out there, but they are usually saddled with outright shitty components that curl up and die, quickly pillaging your bank account of all the money you thought you were saving. The bikes on this list are models that I’d actually consider buying, which means that the big-ticket items that matter: frame, fork, brakes and wheels–are solid picks that won’t give up the ghost in the first season or two of riding. But first, before people start rushing to post a comment about what an elitist a-hole I am, here are a few caveats: I’m not calling these the most “affordable” mountain bikes or even bikes that make sense for every budget. Those adjectives, however, don’t always share real estate in the same sentence with words like “affordable” or “value.” So, what the hell, here’s a list of some bikes that I think present a good value. No surprise, there are a whole lot of blinged out, high-zoot, lightweight and thoroughly badass machines in the mix. We’re knee-deep in a pile of new bikes right now–working, as we are, on our annual gear guide, the Bible of Bike Tests (due out in January).

Best mac for the money 2016