Rocky Mountain's Altitude Carbon frame is a technically versatile trail platform with multi-position geometry adjustments and a carbon layup engineered for a balance of pedaling efficiency and descending traction. It stands out for in-house suspension and frame tuning that aim to retain climbability while opening up aggressive descending potential, positioning it as a refined alternative between Norco's rowdier focus and Devinci's more downhill-biased feel.
Chameleon geometry
Climb-smart pop
Chameleon geometry
Climb-smart pop
Review Summary
"The Altitude Carbon earns high marks for balanced handling, efficient pedaling, and well-executed adjustable geometry that suits mixed climbing and descending; complaints are mostly around price and occasional component builds rather than the frame itself."
Laser-descend focus
High-quality carbon layup tuned for an optimal strength-to-weight balance and controlled ride feel.
Laser-descend focus
High-quality carbon layup tuned for an optimal strength-to-weight balance and controlled ride feel.
Enhanced Physical Well-Being
Skill Development & Mastery
Recreational Enjoyment
Rocky Mountain's Altitude Carbon frame is a technically versatile trail platform with multi-position geometry adjustments and a carbon layup engineered for a balance of pedaling efficiency and descending traction. It stands out for in-house suspension and frame tuning that aim to retain climbability while opening up aggressive descending potential, positioning it as a refined alternative between Norco's rowdier focus and Devinci's more downhill-biased feel.
Chameleon geometry
Climb-smart pop
Laser-descend focus
High-quality carbon layup tuned for an optimal strength-to-weight balance and controlled ride feel.
Adjustable geometry via flip-chip and headset/shock options to fine-tune handling between slack and efficient modes.
Chameleon geometry
Climb-smart pop
Laser-descend focus
High-quality carbon layup tuned for an optimal strength-to-weight balance and controlled ride feel.
Adjustable geometry via flip-chip and headset/shock options to fine-tune handling between slack and efficient modes.
$3,200-4,200 USD
The Cannondale Jekyll is a versatile enduro frameset that emphasizes efficient pedaling and agile handling, offering a lighter, more climb-capable alternative for riders who want some high-speed stability without fully embracing the weight or complexity of a high-pivot layout. While it doesn’t focus solely on high-pivot kinematics, recent iterations adopt progressive geometry and suspension refinements that capture several HP-style benefits in a more user-friendly and financially accessible package. Compared with the specialist HP and DH frames listed, the Jekyll is the best compromise for riders needing daily-ride usability and overall value alongside strong descending capability.
Balanced travel
Climb-friendly boost
Balanced travel
Climb-friendly boost
Review Summary
"The Cannondale Jekyll is remembered as a very capable enduro platform that balances pedaling efficiency with confident descending, making it a popular choice for riders wanting a versatile long-travel bike; some long-term owners note it isn’t a high-pivot specialist and can feel less aggressive on extreme chutes compared with true high-pivot frames. Overall reviewers appreciate its daily-ridable manners and solid build quality."
Playful yet planted
Aggressive enduro geometry with a progressive leverage curve suited for big‑trail impacts.
Playful yet planted
Aggressive enduro geometry with a progressive leverage curve suited for big‑trail impacts.
Recreational Enjoyment
Skill Development & Mastery
Enhanced Physical Well-Being
The Cannondale Jekyll is a versatile enduro frameset that emphasizes efficient pedaling and agile handling, offering a lighter, more climb-capable alternative for riders who want some high-speed stability without fully embracing the weight or complexity of a high-pivot layout. While it doesn’t focus solely on high-pivot kinematics, recent iterations adopt progressive geometry and suspension refinements that capture several HP-style benefits in a more user-friendly and financially accessible package. Compared with the specialist HP and DH frames listed, the Jekyll is the best compromise for riders needing daily-ride usability and overall value alongside strong descending capability.
Balanced travel
Climb-friendly boost
Playful yet planted
Aggressive enduro geometry with a progressive leverage curve suited for big‑trail impacts.
Robust frame options (carbon or alloy) with tuneable geometry for a balance of climbing and descending.
Balanced travel
Climb-friendly boost
Playful yet planted
Aggressive enduro geometry with a progressive leverage curve suited for big‑trail impacts.
Robust frame options (carbon or alloy) with tuneable geometry for a balance of climbing and descending.
$3,500-9,000 USD
The Session 9 is Trek's race-focused downhill frameset, known for its durable construction, Active Braking Pivot influence on stability under load, and user-friendly adjustable geometry via Mino Link for tuning ride height and head angle. It competes with the V10 on outright composure and the Demo on durability, offering a slightly heavier but exceptionally confidence-inspiring chassis favored by riders who value robustness and tunability over minimal weight. From a market standpoint, the Session bridges premium performance and widespread dealer support, making servicing and setup easier than some D2C rivals.
Bombproof frame
Gravity-tuned agility
Bombproof frame
Gravity-tuned agility
Review Summary
"Users report the Session 9 is exceptionally composed and confidence-inspiring in technical terrain with a very stiff chassis that produces fast lap times; common trade-offs mentioned are weight and a premium price tag."
Speed-eating smile
Long-travel carbon chassis engineered for high-speed stability and tracking.
Speed-eating smile
Long-travel carbon chassis engineered for high-speed stability and tracking.
Recreational Enjoyment
Skill Development & Mastery
Enhanced Physical Well-Being
The Session 9 is Trek's race-focused downhill frameset, known for its durable construction, Active Braking Pivot influence on stability under load, and user-friendly adjustable geometry via Mino Link for tuning ride height and head angle. It competes with the V10 on outright composure and the Demo on durability, offering a slightly heavier but exceptionally confidence-inspiring chassis favored by riders who value robustness and tunability over minimal weight. From a market standpoint, the Session bridges premium performance and widespread dealer support, making servicing and setup easier than some D2C rivals.
Bombproof frame
Gravity-tuned agility
Speed-eating smile
Long-travel carbon chassis engineered for high-speed stability and tracking.
Refined suspension kinematics to preserve traction in rough, technical terrain.
Bombproof frame
Gravity-tuned agility
Speed-eating smile
Long-travel carbon chassis engineered for high-speed stability and tracking.
Refined suspension kinematics to preserve traction in rough, technical terrain.
$3,500-4,500 USD
The Revolver FS is Norco’s value-minded race frame, engineered for efficient pedaling and durable performance in demanding XC use, delivering competitive kinematics at a typically lower street price than some premium rivals. Compared to the ultra-light or heavily backed brands here, the Revolver stands out for its cost-to-performance ratio and robust construction, appealing to riders seeking reliable race capability without the top-tier price premium.
Pedal-efficient platform
Corner-hungry traction
Pedal-efficient platform
Corner-hungry traction
Review Summary
"Norco's Revolver FS earns praise for being a lightweight, efficient marathon/XC frameset with a straightforward, reliable design and good value; critiques focus on a firmer ride on very rough descents and less progressive geometry for aggressive riders."
Rugged daily-driver
Budget-friendly alloy or entry-level carbon frameset option aimed at club racers and newcomers.
Rugged daily-driver
Budget-friendly alloy or entry-level carbon frameset option aimed at club racers and newcomers.
Enhanced Physical Well-Being
Recreational Enjoyment
Skill Development & Mastery
The Revolver FS is Norco’s value-minded race frame, engineered for efficient pedaling and durable performance in demanding XC use, delivering competitive kinematics at a typically lower street price than some premium rivals. Compared to the ultra-light or heavily backed brands here, the Revolver stands out for its cost-to-performance ratio and robust construction, appealing to riders seeking reliable race capability without the top-tier price premium.
Pedal-efficient platform
Corner-hungry traction
Rugged daily-driver
Budget-friendly alloy or entry-level carbon frameset option aimed at club racers and newcomers.
Typically around 100mm rear travel with a simple, reliable suspension layout focused on pedaling efficiency.
Pedal-efficient platform
Corner-hungry traction
Rugged daily-driver
Budget-friendly alloy or entry-level carbon frameset option aimed at club racers and newcomers.
Typically around 100mm rear travel with a simple, reliable suspension layout focused on pedaling efficiency.
$1,500-2,500 USD
Norco's Range VLT Carbon sits at the aggressive enduro end of electric full-suspension framesets, combining a long-travel geometry and carbon layup that prioritize durability and descending confidence. Compared with carbon rivals like Santa Cruz and the lighter Specialized SL, the Range delivers a more burly, value-oriented platform for riders who want a tough, modern geometry tailored to high-speed, high-impact trail use.
Plush gravity grin
Long-travel confidence
Plush gravity grin
Long-travel confidence
Review Summary
"Riders praise the Range VLT Carbon for its capable downhill geometry, supple rear suspension, and clean battery integration. A minority report high price and occasional creaks, but long-term durability and performance are generally rated excellent."
Light carbon bounce
Full-carbon construction with e-specific layup for a balance of stiffness and impact compliance.
Light carbon bounce
Full-carbon construction with e-specific layup for a balance of stiffness and impact compliance.
Enhanced Physical Well-Being
Recreational Enjoyment
Skill Development & Mastery
Norco's Range VLT Carbon sits at the aggressive enduro end of electric full-suspension framesets, combining a long-travel geometry and carbon layup that prioritize durability and descending confidence. Compared with carbon rivals like Santa Cruz and the lighter Specialized SL, the Range delivers a more burly, value-oriented platform for riders who want a tough, modern geometry tailored to high-speed, high-impact trail use.
Plush gravity grin
Long-travel confidence
Light carbon bounce
Full-carbon construction with e-specific layup for a balance of stiffness and impact compliance.
Integrated battery and motor accommodation with long-travel, aggressive geometry for enduro-style riding.
Plush gravity grin
Long-travel confidence
Light carbon bounce
Full-carbon construction with e-specific layup for a balance of stiffness and impact compliance.
Integrated battery and motor accommodation with long-travel, aggressive geometry for enduro-style riding.
$4500-5500 USD
The Forbidden Dreadnought frame occupies the premium end of the mullet-compatible full-suspension market, built around aggressive geometry and a high-performance carbon layup that targets riders after maximum composure in steep, technical terrain. Compared to the more mainstream Norco or Rocky Mountain offerings it is a more niche, higher-cost proposition, but those extra dollars buy boutique-level kinematics and a tailored ride character that serious gravity riders will appreciate. In short, it trades broad dealer support and lower entry cost for a top-tier, purpose-built package.
Gravity-hungry beast
Tanklike stability
Gravity-hungry beast
Tanklike stability
Review Summary
"The Forbidden Dreadnought frame is widely regarded as a best-in-class, confidence-inspiring enduro platform with superb stability, modern geometry and high-quality construction. The main negatives in long-term reviews are the steep price, limited availability/aftercare in some regions, and that it's heavier than some rival carbon frames."
Rowdy grin
Confidence-inspiring carbon frame geometry built to handle 29" front / 27.5" rear configurations
Rowdy grin
Confidence-inspiring carbon frame geometry built to handle 29" front / 27.5" rear configurations
Recreational Enjoyment
Skill Development & Mastery
The Forbidden Dreadnought frame occupies the premium end of the mullet-compatible full-suspension market, built around aggressive geometry and a high-performance carbon layup that targets riders after maximum composure in steep, technical terrain. Compared to the more mainstream Norco or Rocky Mountain offerings it is a more niche, higher-cost proposition, but those extra dollars buy boutique-level kinematics and a tailored ride character that serious gravity riders will appreciate. In short, it trades broad dealer support and lower entry cost for a top-tier, purpose-built package.
Gravity-hungry beast
Tanklike stability
Rowdy grin
Confidence-inspiring carbon frame geometry built to handle 29" front / 27.5" rear configurations
Long-travel orientation with room for big tyres and modern chainstay/seat tube proportions for mullet setups
Gravity-hungry beast
Tanklike stability
Rowdy grin
Confidence-inspiring carbon frame geometry built to handle 29" front / 27.5" rear configurations
Long-travel orientation with room for big tyres and modern chainstay/seat tube proportions for mullet setups
$2,000-2,800 USD
Specialized's Riprock 24 is notable for its confidence-first design, with stability-focused geometry and wide tires that make it an approachable Youth Full-Suspension Frameset for beginners and playful riders; it emphasizes fun and durability rather than the most aggressive trail performance. Financially it sits between budget builders and premium racers, offering a compelling blend of childhood-specific ergonomics that feels more forgiving than the race-oriented Rocky Mountain or Trek options.
Stable chunky tires
Playful geometry (grin)
Stable chunky tires
Playful geometry (grin)
Review Summary
"The Specialized Riprock 24 is commonly praised for its wide tires and stable, confidence-inspiring ride that suits less-experienced young riders, though experienced trail kids may find its suspension and componentry limited. Reviewers report it is durable and fun for neighborhood and light-trail riding but not as performance-oriented as some competitors."
Kid-friendly handling
Wide, grippy tires provide exceptional traction and rollover on rough or loose surfaces.
Kid-friendly handling
Wide, grippy tires provide exceptional traction and rollover on rough or loose surfaces.
Recreational Enjoyment
Enhanced Physical Well-Being
Specialized's Riprock 24 is notable for its confidence-first design, with stability-focused geometry and wide tires that make it an approachable Youth Full-Suspension Frameset for beginners and playful riders; it emphasizes fun and durability rather than the most aggressive trail performance. Financially it sits between budget builders and premium racers, offering a compelling blend of childhood-specific ergonomics that feels more forgiving than the race-oriented Rocky Mountain or Trek options.
Stable chunky tires
Playful geometry (grin)
Kid-friendly handling
Wide, grippy tires provide exceptional traction and rollover on rough or loose surfaces.
Lower top tube and child-specific geometry for easy mounting, handling, and safety.
Stable chunky tires
Playful geometry (grin)
Kid-friendly handling
Wide, grippy tires provide exceptional traction and rollover on rough or loose surfaces.
Lower top tube and child-specific geometry for easy mounting, handling, and safety.
$699-899 USD