Much of the Shift Plus’s geometry on paper is in the ballpark for a modern trail bike: 68.5 degree head angle (with 51mm offset fork) with 75 degree seat angle top tubes are lengthy (615mm on the 18”), and the dropped top tube keeps standovers low. Adding an air volume spacer would help here too.
This lets the rider get the bike’s full travel, but, like the front end, I found it a little too easy to get full travel. The rear end tune is a little different as well: As noted, it is firmer off the top, with a regressive curve later in the travel. The bulk of the issue is the too-linear spring curve adding a Bottomless Token or two to the air spring would help. The RockShox Revelation fork is competent: Small-bump compliance is quite good, but as the hits get bigger, it gets more challenged.
The suspension is a little firm off the top, which helps it pedal crisply (the plus tires help offset some of the lost small-bump compliance from this tune), and the WTB rims and tires were surprisingly quick feeling as well. On the paved grind to the trailhead, up the steep punches out of the washes, and accelerating out of the bermed corners, the Shift Plus was snappy and efficient. RELATED: Devinci's New Models Are All About OptionsĪnd though I was worried that the mid-range, plus-size, 130mm travel Shift Plus might be a bit, erm, piggy, it wasn’t: It doesn’t ride like a heavy bike. And though the tube-equipped tires-tires and rims are tubeless-ready, and the bike comes with rims taped and valves in the box-were pumped up to high pressures, the traction and floatation they provide let me flow through trails I’ve slid and skidded for years with real grip. Interbike’s On Dirt Demo in Boulder City, Nevada is notorious for it’s loose, sandy, marble-y trails: excellent dirt for taking advantage of the WTB Ranger 2.8-inch tires.
Find out how with our course on basic bike maintenance. Though not as lusty, Haro’s 130mm travel Shift 27.5” Plus ($2,600) is a lot more affordable, and, based on a first ride, a damn good bike for the money.įreedom is being able to fix anything on your bike. Like a lot of trends, there are eye-catching options from Santa Cruz and Yeti with heart-stopping price tags. The extra traction, floatation, stability are benefits riders of all skill levels can exploit. Plus-size tires are one of the hottest mountain bikes trends going.