7-14-08 // Tested: Yeti 575 XTR
Yeti’s redesigned flagship trail bike is built for versatility. If I’m embarking on a marathon ride or race with body-battering terrain chiseling away at me all day long, I like my chances with the race-bred Yeti 575.

6-06-08 // Tested: ZR Cycles 650b Hardtail Frame
The 650b wheel size (midway between 26- and 29-inch wheels) has been around a long time and is popular with Europe’s touring crowd. The bike tracks well, especially in loose conditions, and the big wheels rolled as well as I could have hoped.

6-06-08 // Tested: '08 Specialized Pitch Pro
At a shade over 30 pounds with 6 inches of rear suspension, the travel-to-weight ratio highlights the mantra of the Specialized all-mountain philosophy: In order to descend farther you must be able to climb higher.

6-06-08 // Tested: Marin Wolf Ridge
The Wolf Ridge seems like a little more than just an all-mountain bike. The 5.5 inches of travel can handle anything you throw at it, and climbs effectively, if not quickly.

6-06-08 // Tested: 2008 GT Sanction 1.0
The fluid lines of the Sanction will appeal to the adventurous trail rider without compromising responsiveness and agility.

6-04-08 // Tested: Niner R.I.P. 9 29-Inch Full Suspension
Though it is not quite an "all-mountain" bike, the Niner R.I.P. 9 delivers solid cross-country performance and ease of climbing that is on par with the best full-suspension designs on the market.

6-4-08 // Tested: 2008 Mongoose Teocali Super
In all my fussing with the Teocali's peripherals, its frame did the job, quietly dishing out nearly 6 inches of rear travel independent of whatever the drivetrain was doing.

6-4-08 // Tested: 2008 Giant Anthem 1
After assembling the $2,600 Anthem 1, I stood back to assess its personality. Let's see, Fox suspension front and rear; Shimano XT drivetrain and brakes; WTB wheels; Michelin Dry2 tires; Maestro suspension. Okay, I got it: humble weekend warrior.

5-29-08 // Tested: Knolly Delirium-T
The Delirium-T is a lighter version of Knolly’s signature V-tach (7.7 inches of suspension), and comes pegged as an “all-mountain” bike, with 6.3 inches of rear suspension and adjustable head angle and wheelbase.

5-27-08 // Tested: 2008 GT Marathon Pro Carbon
GT’s new marathon model was first released in 2007 under the i-Drive 4 Carbon moniker, but its name changed this year after GT replaced the aluminum rear triangle with one built from a carbon and aluminum composite.

5-16-08 // Tested: 2008 Felt Redemption 1
Despite their longer travel, aggressive all-mountain bikes are still expected to climb as easily as their XC brethren. So pedaling efficiency is a big issue among this new breed, and manufacturers are feverishly working to build better suspension designs.

5-16-08 // Tested: 2008 Tomac Snyper 140
Beyond the considerable attention I received while rolling around on one of the first new Tomacs to be released in three years, most of the buzz surrounding the new Snyper was focused on the conglomeration of bent, welded and machined aluminum at the main pivot.

5-16-08 // Tested: 2008 Trek Fuel EX 9
The first thing you notice about Trek’s new Fuel EX 9—an aluminum 5-inch trail bike—is the unusual rear pivot. It’s located around the axle, with its bearings tucked neatly into the intersection of the chainstays and seatstays.

4-14-08 // Tested: Trek's '07 Fuel EX 9.5
I approached the Trek Fuel EX 9.5 warily. The bike’s matte OCLV carbon frame, gray XTR kit and fairly standard silhouette failed to reach out and scream “Ride me!” After all, this is the suspension platform of choice of President George W. Bush, the Weekend Warrior in Chief, and all politics aside the man is as much a mountain biker as he is a rancher.

4-8-08 // Tested: Cannondale's Perp Two
With the Perp, Cannondale set out to create a highly versatile freeride bike. Introduced last year and based off the company’s Judge downhill platform, the Perp offers 7 or 8 inches of adjustable travel, relatively quick geometry and it uses a 1.5-inch headtube with single-crown forks in mind.