9 Value Bikes vs. The Impossible Climb | 2022 Pinkbike Value Field Test

Matt Beer is back with another Impossible Climb challenge, this time pitching our nine value bikes against a very loose, dry and rocky Impossible Climb in Tucson, Arizona.
Please consider subscribing to Beta MTB to help support our Field Tests and more
www.betamtb.co...
Presented by:
Norrona - www.norrona.com/
Visit Tucson - www.visittucso...
More Pinkbike videos:
Our Favorite Value Trail Bikes: Round Table Discussion | 2022 Pinkbike Value Field Test
• Our Favorite Value Tra...
Christina Chappetta and Friends Ride the Snowmass Bike Park | First Impressions
• Christina Chappetta an...
Our Favorite Value Hardtails: Round Table Discussion | 2022 Pinkbike Value Field Test
• Our Favorite Value Har...
Pinkbike Merch - pinkbike.link/...
Subscribe for more content from the pulse of mountain biking.
Website - pinkbike.com
Podcast - pinkbike.link/...
Instagram - / pinkbike
Facebook - / pinkbikecom

[@ReggaeBound]

Without a baseline set by The Grim Donut its very hard to assess these bikes climbing abilities

[@CWBmtb]

This test needs three riders attempting it to really evaluate the bikes. I feel like these results are more about the rider and not so much the bike

[@sm-qw9mj]

Preferably in different order too. Would be good to have a bike outside of the test and have a few practice runs. The first bike has a disadvantage here.

[@gpearce11]

@@sm-qw9mj Very true, I've noticed that later bikes almost always average a further distance than early bikes on these tests.

[@Montblanc1986]

They practice it off camera how do you think they get the lines

[@erich8258]

LIke other commenters have said, it would be great to see a couple riders tackle this. That way we'd have a better idea about what was just rider error or luck of the draw. It'd be especially interesting to see someone with experience on this kind of terrain, like the Hardtail Party guy.

[@hardtailparty]

Bravo Matt, well done! That's a TOUGH climb. I'm not surprised the longer/slacker bikes with steeper STAs actually did better here.

[@Nullking_]

Should have gotten the guy from Hardtail Party to test those hard tails.

[@jonbrown9490]

These tests/reviews seem to really be showing that the Direct To Consumer brands are offering really great bikes for what you pay.

[@MrChadLedford]

My experience with Canyon customer service two years ago was horrendous. I love their bikes but would never get another. I can see the temptation in this price range though.

[@lukeneill1568]

@@MrChadLedford why I went with commencal. They have a warehouse 30mins from my place. Got 2 free services with them when I brought the bike and haven’t had any issues at all with them

[@MrChadLedford]

@@lukeneill1568 Very nice. I have never heard any of my friends with commencal having issues.

[@LiHao8377]

You should test those bikes in 9 days, the 1st and 9th attempt is way different

[@fixienick]

Things we love to see: puppies Things we dislike to see: puppies in ads

[@danzitoli2796]

Nice efforts Matt! Would have appreciated 2-3 runs for each bike and/or 1 or two more riders to compare. Also, is it just the tires like you eluded to? I mean when spending a few grand on a bike the least of my worries is an extra $150 for a new set of tires, which include keeping the current ones for specific use/backups. Next time.... want to see a comparable set of tires used on all.

[@Beesno]

Honestly I'm glad they tested on mfr tires; I'm sick of manufacturers cheaping out on tires and this punishes them for speccing the wastes-of-rubber that they often do. Of course, seeing them tested on both would be really nice. :-)

[@Warfer24]

@@Beesno Agree, they have to make choices. No dropper was a disadvantage as well or some forks. Now it is clear where it is best to take the cheap option.

[@dhrracer]

Just for comparison lets see how these bikes do compared to a no expense spared build. Lets say you use a Pivot Trail 429 with the Pro XO1 Live w/carbon wheel build. How much better will the Pivot do? Will it do better?

[@TeddyParker]

If those were chronological, honestly impressed at Beer just ripping that first lap on the Salsa. I'm sure the Salsa has a couple advantages, moderate geometry and higher BB, maybe maybe not. But seeing him struggle on the steep xc hardtail and slacked out hardtails after was great. But then ripping a full run on the big monster Canyon, can't help but think if he's very accustomed to climbing on bigger bikes these days and just feels more comfortable on them. It was a similar story to the last climb test. That said, it looks like a great bike. Definitely the winner this year, particularly for the cheaper Deore model.

[@brodyvanunen]

Love the canyon, wish you guys had tried the Specailized Status

[@CoderShare]

Owned one for a year. It's a tank downhill and handles steeps and chunk great. But: Insanely low BB, Long Cranks, Short Rear wheel rollover, & approx 38 lbs = A terrible climbing bike with no pedal clearance

[@brodyvanunen]

@@CoderShare lmao I ride one as well, mines probably closer to 42 pounds with my DH build but it still climbs better then most of my old 27.5 enduro bikes 🤷🏼‍♂️. It’s certainly not amazing on the uphills but it still goes

[@TeddyParker]

Matt Beer (in the video) did a great review on it. And Vital did an arguably better review on it. Where they beat the shit out of it and show some of its weaknesses. It's a pretty rad value, but I personally don't see it as a Stumpjumper replacer. Particularly if you can afford the EVO and get the mullet aftermarket linkage.

[@brodyvanunen]

@@TeddyParker ya I got mine at cost, which is way more affordable then the stunt jumper. I also break parts on every single bike, whether it’s expensive or not so i don’t mind starting with a cheaper build and upgrading as I break things. That way I save a fair bit of money and end up with a sweet build 🤘🏽

[@timtalks8292]

@@brodyvanunen I got the status 160 it’s my first MTB so much fun man

[@mrmotomoto]

An ibis Ripley would have been cool to see on these tests. Wondering why ibis doesn’t seem to get much love on PB?

[@hambo76]

I'd like to see the Polygon Siskiu T8 on the Impossible Climb!

[@montechie]

Sweet, these climbs are always fun to watch. I wonder how my Trail 429 would do on that climb, it's an unreal climber

[@winklertribe5268]

At the beginning of this video, an banner appears saying that this video includes paid promotion…I’ve got to ask: are you paid to choose a specific winner? I really hope not!

[@replacement6386]

All I saw was entirely different lines and a super bias climb. I get the difficulties here in producing an unbiased route, but tbh its not really believable that only the most expensive bike made it.

[@spankroy]

Lucky those soft cacti will cushion your falls.

[@mellissanash7517]

Was the salsa in the medium or long CS position?

[@acemacgruber6593]

Excellent test. For myself, I need all my the help I can getting uphill. I don’t live at a bike park with lifts.

[@nicksarchive]

idk seems like using the granny gear would have at least kept your momentum going rather than dropping the power and spinning out or stalling... which it seems you did with the canyon being on 2nd gear rather than 4th

[@integrationdesigngroup7997]

granny gear has too much torque which spins in the gravel. Sucks when you are tired wanting to go there and cant

[@nicksarchive]

@@integrationdesigngroup7997 if you lower your rpm enough you shouldn't spin, at least from my experience

[@MicajahMcCurry]

The puppy ad read is back!!!

[@replacement6386]

I'm not a huge fan of specialized tires, but the geo isn't much different than the canyon and the tires are grippy af. I think you need way more people testing these bikes for a fair comparison, cause 1 shot each, in different orders isn't right, its lazy. Some of those hard tails should have made the climb for sure.

[@C22RLD]

Keep coming back to this canyon - now AL5 or AL6, is it worth the extra money

[@kornofilo]

Woa, first time I get here to the comment section and i'm first to the video. Also, get Matt a beer

[@brandonh2693]

Most essential upgrade for the Izzo…tires…day 1 out here in the desert/rockies

[@Nicholasclf]

He said the Kona has a relaxed seat tube angle and then says the spectral has a steep seat tube angle but aren’t they both 76.5?

[@leejohnh22]

Virtual seat angle is the number you're talking about, but the actual seat angle is what matters for each rider in real life on the bike. Unfortunately most frame manufacturers don't show the actual seat angle as well. For example, the Trek Slash has a virtual seat angle of 76.1 degrees but apparently is quite slack in real life compared to others with a 76 degree seat angle

[@williamsweet7511]

should have finished with an ebike just to see the difference. you have mad skills, good job

[@firebirdaz1]

Hahaha welcome to the desert. Great reviews

[@spin2win721]

I love watching videos like this. Reminds me that I have absolutely no regrets converting to emtb.

[@ridemx323]

Stock spec tires but same psi ? Go over the rocks not around them.

[@mustclime5311]

where are these trails in tucson? looks like SWEETWATER PRESERVE.

[@nasonguy]

Commenting here for visibility, I want to go ride these trails but they haven’t mentioned yet what trail it is! Tucson has hundreds of miles of trail.

[@superjmutt]

There's nothing that techy at Sweetwater.

[@markbishop9140]

This looks a little like some of the trails around Starr Pass? Rock Wren? I'd really like to know as well.

[@josephcain5648]

They’re definitely at Tucson Mountain Park, some of the trails shown in other videos near Enchanted Hills.

[@brandonphinizy5936]

Definitely in the start pass trail system. I recognized Sarasota trail for the hardtail bikes. Don’t know about the full suspensions but I’m guess it is part of the explorer trails.

[@ballunix]

Beer on the bikes, but no beer on the course? Things are changing! 😉

[@ek8507]

is there a list of trails used for the field test?

[@nasonguy]

I gotta know! I ride mostly in Southeast Tucson and Vail. Fantasy Island, Posta Quemada, AZ Trail, McKenzie Ranch, Hope Camp, etc. This trail looks pretty fun with some good midrange tech, I want to go ride it!

[@amendase]

This looks like Tucson Mountain Park?

[@superjmutt]

It might be the trail up to John Krine going N/NE. That's pretty gnarly...but there are more difficult trails out there!

[@rayb6350]

I was thinking, maybe 36th st. Trailhead area? Robles? Or Tucson Mountain Park. I want to go try this tomorrow!!

[@sixty2612]

@@superjmutt if it is that’s why I don’t recognize it lol. Never even tried it on a bike cause it’s not worth it. It’s listed as primarily a hiking trail on Trailforks

[@1_mensch]

You should have tried to invite someone like Jeff Lenowski, to get a good comparison, between you and a professional climber.

[@scottersandman6408]

no prices? what is a value cost these days?

[@SwolePapi15]

The prices were all covered in each bikes review if you are wanting to know. Prices vary greatly

[@elithe240guy]

I’m from Tucson. There are a lot of these “impossible climbs” around here. Anyone know exactly where this one is? I have a few ideas but would be curious to know it’s exact location. Always love these videos. Keep it up.

[@Dreggz1312]

Possibly explorer trail in Tucson mountain park near 36th st

[@elithe240guy]

@@Dreggz1312 explorer trail is way easier than this. But good guess. 💪

[@Dreggz1312]

Most of it is easy but some is not. There is a hard climb on explorer where Sarasota connects to little cat

[@elithe240guy]

@@Dreggz1312 my best guess was Chico’s Hay Ride area out near Robles off the NE corner of Camaro Loop 🤷‍♂️ been riding out there for years but some of that stuff is super overgrown because nobody really rides that stuff. In fact I just got back from riding Starr Pass today. 👍

[@AlliKat75]

@@elithe240guy Thanks. Hopefully I can find it. I want to give it a go. I only have my old XC race HT down there so it makes these climbs extra fun.

[@pipolchamp8205]

this dude is mashing on heavier gears then gets surprised that he stalls out. you guys should test with 2-3 riders with the same tires. tires are disposable anyways so that's an obvious exception. 🤦🤦🤦

[@spliiii]

what shoes is he wearing?

[@koho]

Interesting how much better the full suss bikes did vs hardtails. Suspension keeps the rear wheel on the ground.

[@PUK1SVA]

Spectral is a beast

[@hannes6114]

Can anybody explain what advantages bike shop bikes have in terms of service by the seller.

[@NoBrakes23]

That's heavily dependent on the shop. Some offer outstanding service, some don't. One might think that they will take better care of a customer who bought a bike from them, (And I have been fortunate enough to experience that,) but it doesn't always work that way.

[@refo1977]

I bet on Yt Izzo and lost even without understanding why… it was my first candidate for technical climbs 😢

[@Pienimusta]

When the micro-enduro bike wins XC bikes on climbs.

[@marksandoval5361]

I find it very interesting that the most progressive geo bike was also the best climber.

[@mtbville]

Noice 🤘🔥

[@umarilham239]

Yang kutunggu

[@broxy55]

One sample isn't science. I think each bike deserves numerous attempts to reach any kind of conclusion. . . . but love the field tests! HTs suck! I crashed on my Chromag yesterday, first time this season on it over the FS, first crash. No traction when the rear is never on the ground.

[@pauldelarzac615]

I think this is a rider test, not really a bike test. Entertaining, but no real help for decision making…

[@parkinkevin]

What's the point without them having the same tyres??? Lasy journalism 😒

[@Talos353]

Because the tires come with the bike.. So thats what you get "out of the box" as they stated they were testing.

[@parkinkevin]

@@Talos353 That makes it a tyre test. not a bike test

[@Talos353]

@@parkinkevin Should the wheelset be the same too then? What about shocks and forks? Dropper posts? All those things can affect this test, and is different for each bike (out of the box).

[@streetbeast7078]

Get a better rider

[@mel-ir1hd]

And presenter

[@pepeanza6187]

This guy blaming the hardtails when he is a bad climber

[@markusilomaki8922]

Why don't you just get an emtb 😀

[@cherrylady8859]

It would be great to have a bunch of very experienced riders tackling this climb on different bikes. So we can really see the advantages of each bike and also pick a winner. And change the tires, for god's sake!