#custom-mountain-bikes

#custom-mountain-bikes

"Our heritage is rooted in building gear for people who live and thrive in the mountains, and that includes our own team. Many of us ride; our athletes ride. Mountain biking is part of our culture," Ashley Anson, VP Design at Arc'teryx, said.

The Millenium 4.0 features a concave platform with an ultra-low profile to minimize pedal strikes, measuring 12mm at the center and 14mm at the edge.

The Ari Nebo Peak has the capability to handle all-mountain descending, efficient climbing, and a long-lasting battery, making it a versatile choice for e-mountain biking.

Transition has increased the rear travel to 211mm, which translates to more traction and control when charging downhill. This straightforward approach enhances the riding experience significantly.

Race Face's Turbine stem has been a popular choice for years, with several lengths and a range of anodized colors to choose from. The new 'standard' Turbine follows in the SL's aesthetic footsteps, with a similar, squared-off, and more angular design.

Mass dampers help with vibration damping by using a weight suspended between two springs, which absorbs vibrations and reduces the transfer to the rider.

The new Levo R Alloy features the same Specialized 3.1 motor and 840Wh battery as the carbon version, providing similar performance at a lower price point.

Orbea designed the Kimu 16 to roll in two different modes. For the newest of riders, the bike can be set up as a balance bike, achieved without many extra parts, as Orbea uses the crank arms flipped around and attached, serving as a platform for their feet.

SHREDLY's apparel has always stood out for its bold colors and patterns, and they're ramping it up for 2026. The brand says its 'our most expressive yet - a fun, earthy collection of prints and colorways inspired by the spirit of mountain biking.'

The Trek-Unbroken prototype is a clear signal that the '80mm of travel is enough' era of cross-country racing has officially been put to pasture.

The core idea here isn't gimmickry. It's composure. Specifically, the idea that a calmer, more composed ride creates speed, and that a platform intentionally designed around 32-inch wheels can deliver that in a way a scaled-up 29er simply can't.

Batch aims to repeat the process, now in the gravel corner of the industry. Now, surely, these new gravel offerings won't completely knock your socks off, but that isn't Batch's intention. However, will they get new riders out on two wheels without the incredible cost barrier? Absolutely.

REEB is rolling into its 15th year with two new steel hardtail frames: the Re:Dikyelous and the Hall Pass. And no, they're not resting on any anniversary laurels here, worthy of the cult-like following they've gained. These are proper, purpose-built machines.

With this Carbon Road, we're trying to blur the lines between 'entry level' and real performance. Phil joked that he thinks Tadej could win the Tour on this frame, and that's exactly the point. This bike wouldn't be out of place, built with SRAM Rival as a killer 'starter' carbon road bike, and then you look up, and you've got our sponsored guys building the same frameset with SRAM Red or Shimano Dura-Ace and going out there setting records.

For 2026, the Superior Peak ships in a mixed wheel configuration (29" front, 27.5" rear). This is what people have been asking for, and Ari has delivered. Riders who prefer a matched setup can still run a full 29" configuration front and rear. Paired with 200mm of travel and Ari's Tetra Link suspension platform.

Kona is one of the brands that seems to recognize this more than most and has maintained a healthy selection of affordable hardtails in its lineup for years. After all, the brand started out and built its early reputation on hardtails. And despite some uncertainty surrounding its future, the rider-owned brand isn't forgetting its roots. For 2026, Kona has refreshed three of its most accessible entry-level hardtail models with updated geometry and size-specific wheel sizing to improve handling, fit, and stability for riders just starting out on their mountain bike journey.

Today, Ibis is introducing the brand-new Ripley SL, a lightweight short-travel model that the brand is calling " a 5-pound rocket on wheels." With 117mm of rear wheel travel, a 130mm fork, and a claimed frame/shock weight of just 5 pounds, this bike fills the gap in the Ibis lineup that the Ripley V4 previously occupied. Categorize it however you will, but the Ripley SL looks like a great new option for those seeking race-inspired weight and efficiency with a trail bike attitude.

Recently, Allied has been quietly merging carbon expertise and bike design with a shared love of mountain biking. The brand first entered the world of mountain bikes in 2022 with the BC40, a wicked-fast, super-lightweight XC bike, and this foray (un)paved the way for the FITZ. This 140mm trail bike with obvious cross-country influence, but in a way that doesn't bleed into downcountry territory; instead, it very much leans into what we all love about this category of mountain bike: Versatility, capability, and maneuverability.