Dean Baja Review

What: Dean Baja
Where: www.deanbikes.com
How Much: $2,750.00 (frame and RockShox Pearl rear shock)

Ah Baja, land of empty beaches, endless Corona, and badass off-road races. Dean chose the name of its longest-travel bike wisely. The company, known for ultra-light, race-ready titanium cross-country bikes, created the Baja for riders who prefer to shed the monotony of civilized trails. It’s built for soldiering up brutal climbs and carving rugged descents.

For the past 16 years, Dean Bikes has built its frames in a small factory in Boulder, Colorado. The company makes about 700 frames a year, and specializes in custom builds. Dean works primarily with titanium due to its strength and durability. Though the material can sometimes feel flexible, Dean reduces unwanted flex by using oversized tubing as well as aluminum chainstays and swingarm. The bike felt supple, yet stable.

Our medium test bike boasted a snappy 70.5-degree head angle with a 73-degree seat tube angle and 23-inch toptube. Those numbers added up to a tight-handling, quick-moving bike that turned endless ascents into manageable climbs. The test bike arrived with a Fox TALAS fork with an adjustable 100 to 140 millimeters of travel, an ideal pairing for the frame, which features adjustable rear-wheel travel between 4 and 5 inches.

The suspension on the Dean Baja hinges on a pivot that rotates around the bottom bracket. It is designed to provide active suspension without braking interference or pedal feedback, though both were slightly noticeable in some situations. The design, paired with RockShox Pearl rear shock, places a premium on climbing rather sucking up drops and bumps while descending. The Pearl’s air platform, in conjunction with the bottom bracket pivot design, seemed to bog down when called on to absorb fast, hard hits.

This inefficiency wouldn’t be that big of a problem if the Baja didn’t beg to be rallied. With the Fox Talas maxed out at 140-millimeters of travel, the bike is a fast-mover with a stable feel, made even more aggressive with 2.35-inch tires (and plenty of mud clearance). When the trail falls away, the Baja is in its element. But when oversize rocks, roots, and ruts appear, riders would be wise to buckle the seatbelt and hold on.

At about 28 pounds, the Dean Baja isn't exactly light and $2,750 for a frame is pricey. But if you’re a fan of durable, handmade titanium frames and you’re looking for a ripping full-suspension ride, the Baja might be your ticket. –Jackie Baker