The NRS 3 isn't merely (relatively) inexpensive—it's the best bike for the buck we've ridden. Its unique four-bar design extends the shock while accelerating, effectively locking out the rear end on smooth, packed dirt. Bang a root while climbing, and because the shock is fully extended, all 3.75 inches of travel are available to absorb the hit. While
the Rock Shox SID XC rear shock and Titec riser handlebars are ready to be ridden hard right away, we weren't too fond of the Rock Shox Judy C fork—it's a bit harsh and, even with a damping adjustment, seems to rebound as fast as it compresses. But for the price of this bike, replacing it in a year isn't a big deal.
If you encounter stretches of unrideable trail on a regular basis, owning a bike that's comfortable to shoulder isn't a luxury, it's a necessity. The Fuel's classic diamond-shaped frame made it the easiest bike we, well, carried. It also rode real nice. In fact, the Fuel would be our bike of choice on those epic slogs way out of bounds: It's a single-pivot,
so there isn't much that can go wrong, it's lightweight, and its subdued paint scheme looks better dirty. A machined "rocker link" next to the shock helps keep the rear swingarm laterally stiff when you're picking your way through rocky streams or negotiating off-camber slickrock. Buy it and upgrade the drivetrain to Shimano XTR as the original gears wear,
and the 90 will suddenly become a race bike.
Marin Rift Zone
$1,700
26.5 pounds; rear-wheel travel: 4 inches
CLAY ELLIS
Thanks to its monocoque frame (two shells welded together like a clam to save weight yet increase rigidity), the Rift Zone is light for the money and burly enough that even your dirt-jumping nephew couldn't do too much damage. A single-pivot design, the Rift Zone seemed to bob about a bit more than the higher-priced single-pivots we tested. Some
rebound-damping adjustment on the Manitou Mars fork would be nice, but even without it the bike has a quiet feel, probably due to the monocoque frame. High marks for overall balance and fit, but the target rider—this isn't meant for racers—would benefit from riser handlebars, which afford a more comfortable position.
Kona Mokomoko
$1,800
25 pounds; rear-wheel travel: 3 inches
CLAY ELLIS
Kona is famous for big-hit freeride bikes, many of which aren't designed for pedaling uphill at all, never mind on a long singletrack tour in the desert. Thus it was with trepidation that we loaded the Mokomoko into the van bound for Sedona. Would it be a pig? Nope. Although it isn't without a little extra lard, the
Mokomoko must be some other white meat. The four-bar rear suspension remained extremely active, softening all but the hardest landings. A Rock Shox SID XC is a great touch on a bike in this price range, and the riser handlebars complement the bike's handling on tough downhills when you want your weight back. With a nod to Kona's freeride experience, the
Mokomoko also has a solid feel. Under hard braking, though, the rear end tended to kick up. So don't brake.
The racecourse is fast and smooth, but your favorite local ride is slow and root-infested; a predetermined amount of travel just won't do. The latest FSR XC lets you reposition the rear shock so you can choose either 2.9 inches of travel or the full 3.5. It's a smart option on a proven frame design, and Specialized didn't stop there. They've also
swapped bushings for sealed cartridge bearings, resulting in more travel, less lateral flex, and virtually no need for maintenance. With a stretched-out top tube, this bike loves to climb. Just be sure to stay in the saddle—the four-bar linkage tends to sway when you stand up because there's so much leverage on the rear swingarm. Swap out the front
tire, though: The 1.9 Team Control is too thin for anything but dry hardpack.
Schwinn redesigned the Rocket's frame for 2001, and it seems they got it right. While many full-suspension builders place the rear shock up near the top tube—a design that can make a bike feel top-heavy on steep climbs—Schwinn wisely kept the shock down by the crank, where you don't notice its weight. As a result, the Rocket 88 feels nicely
balanced, holds its own against bikes that cost twice as much, and excels on tight, bony singletrack. Yes, the rear linkages have an embarrassing Erector-set look, but if you can ignore all the moving parts (except, of course, when it comes time to replace them), this is a great all-arounder. Bonus: They didn't skimp on the bars (lightweight Titec Hell
Bents), or the tires (long-lasting, natural-rubber Michelins).
