£ 7, 9 9 9 / 6 5 0 b / j u n g l e p r o d u c t s . c o . u k

First rides

Juliana, the women-specific offshoot of Santa Cruz, describes the new Roubion as having “all the brawn of a Bronson [the men’s range equivalent] in the spirit of Juliana”.

In practice, the principal adaptations are an ‘evergreen’ finish, slim grips on 720mm carbon bars and a women’s saddle.

Being the twin sister to the Bronson, the Roubion gets 650b (27.5in) wheels, 150mm of travel and a full carbon frame. It’s the sixth and latest addition to Juliana’s stable, and — music to my ears — the Santa Cruz tech team rejected the temptation to tinker with its already well-proven geometry.

How did it ride? Stormingly well. There are plenty of upgrades available and a frame-only option too — another indication of Juliana’s desire to offer women all the advantages available on unisex/men’s

ranges. On the press launch in the Alpes Maritimes, we were treated to the top-spec Enve-wheeled, Cane Creek Double-Barrel Air-shocked, XX1 specification. The shock, with its multiple adjustment abilities, took a little time to set up, but the flexibility offered means you could tweak (or faff) to perfection, and once dialled it took small bumps and big hits alike with reliable ease and minimal pedal-bob.

The geometry was slack enough and BB low enough to feel super-stable on descents while still climbing well. This was my first time on a 1x11 set-up, and I was concerned the Alpine climbs might be a killer, but the range was wide enough even with the 34t chainring. That said, Juliana will fit a more knee-friendly 32t ring for production that will make it easier to spin, rather than grind, up the steep stuff.

need to know● All-mountain, 27.5in women-specific bike with no dumbing down● 150mm-travel VPP suspension● Lots of custom options to pimp your ride● 720mm carbon bars with slim grips for full control

need to know● XC race hardtail with size-specific wheels● Air-sprung RockShox fork with 100mm travel● Race Face twin-ring chainset and Shimano gears● Ultra-reliable Shimano brakes

Juliana roubionSanta Cruz offshoot Juliana has cut no cornersin its bid to woo the women’s market

I was particularly impressed with the Roubion’s nimbleness, allowing me to deal with tight switchbacks and twisty terrain at a pace that had me wide-eyed with adrenalin and grinning like a loon. The stiff, lightweight Enve wheels played no small part in this, but the overall build of the Roubion inspires confidence and encourages you to let go of the reins. The Reverb dropper post helps you deal with quick changes in terrain, and the excellent Shimano XTR stoppers put control at your fingertips. The RockShox Pike is supportive on the steepest descents, swallowing the hits without wallowing, and the Maxxis High Roller IIs offer secure traction on the rocks, roots and rubble, in the dry and the very wet.

Race-proven by Anka Martin, the Roubion is no dumbed-down, mid-range add-on to tick the ‘women’s’ box in the marketing manual. This is a top-end bike for women who want to hit the big stuff hard.

Janet Coulson

we loveIt’s amazingly nimble for its

150mm of travel.

we hateI don’t own one. And we’re not even

going to mention the price.

1 s t i m p r e s s i o n

✗

✓

speciFicationFrame Carbon C with 150mm-travel VPP suspension Shock Cane Creek Double Barrel AirFork RockShox Pike RCT3 Solo Air, 150mm forkWheels DT Swiss 240 hubs, Enve rims, Maxxis High Roller II tyres Groupset RaceFace Next Carbon SL chainset, XX1 mech/shifterBrakes Shimano XTRComponents Juliana bar and saddle, Easton Haven stem, RockShox Reverb postSizes S, M, L Weight 11.7kg (25.8lb) (for size M, carbon, XX1 Enve w/Fox rear shock)

geometrySize ridden MHead angle 67°Seat angle 73°BB height 346mmChainstays 439mmFront centre 668mmWheelbase 1,107mm

trek x-caliber 9£ 8 5 0 / 6 5 0 b o r 2 9 i n / t r e k b i k e s . c o m

the X-Caliber 9 is the top dog of three bikes in Trek’s entry-level XC race hardtail range. And while the funky new graphics and colours on the 2015 models look cool, Trek hasn’t simply given the bikes a lick of paint.

Continuing with its pragmatic approach to wheel size, Trek has split the X-Caliber size range between 650b and 29in wheels. Basically, the smallest two size options get 650b wheels (and dedicated geometry to match), and the five larger frame sizes roll on 29in hoops. Trek has dubbed this approach “Smart Wheel Size” and it will definitely allow shorter riders to benefit from bigger wheels, without the toe overlap and tyre/bum clearance issues often associated with smaller 29ers.

I had no such clearance issues on the 19.5in X-Caliber 9 as it has a stretched riding position that would offer a good fit if you’re hopping straight off a road bike. If, however, you were new to mountain biking, or simply want to maximise fun on singletrack instead of pounding out the miles XC-style on fire roads, the X-Caliber would benefit from a shorter stem. With the stock set-up the front wheel has a tendency to tuck under too easily when cornering on loose terrain. The stretched XC riding position also makes it much harder to get your weight rearward on steeper descents, a problem that’s compounded by the limited saddle height adjustment.

So even though it’s billed as an XC bike, and I dig the size-specific wheels, I’d like to see Trek give the X-Caliber 9 a slightly more playful attitude to go with the bold new colours.

Alan Muldoon

we loveThe new colours,

graphics, specification and frame finish are amazing.

we hateStem is too long and the

saddle won’t go far enough down.

1 s t i m p r e s s i o n

✗

✓

swinging a leg over what’s hot this month

n e w b i k e s

september 2014 mbr 3736 mbr september 2014

The women-specificRoubion has race-winning pedigree

Cream of the crop:Cane Creek DoubleBarrel Air shock

£ 7, 9 9 9 / 6 5 0 b / j u n g l e p r o d u c t s . c o . u k

First rides

Juliana, the women-specific offshoot of Santa Cruz, describes the new Roubion as having “all the brawn of a Bronson [the men’s range equivalent] in the spirit of Juliana”.

In practice, the principal adaptations are an ‘evergreen’ finish, slim grips on 720mm carbon bars and a women’s saddle.

Being the twin sister to the Bronson, the Roubion gets 650b (27.5in) wheels, 150mm of travel and a full carbon frame. It’s the sixth and latest addition to Juliana’s stable, and — music to my ears — the Santa Cruz tech team rejected the temptation to tinker with its already well-proven geometry.

How did it ride? Stormingly well. There are plenty of upgrades available and a frame-only option too — another indication of Juliana’s desire to offer women all the advantages available on unisex/men’s

ranges. On the press launch in the Alpes Maritimes, we were treated to the top-spec Enve-wheeled, Cane Creek Double-Barrel Air-shocked, XX1 specification. The shock, with its multiple adjustment abilities, took a little time to set up, but the flexibility offered means you could tweak (or faff) to perfection, and once dialled it took small bumps and big hits alike with reliable ease and minimal pedal-bob.

The geometry was slack enough and BB low enough to feel super-stable on descents while still climbing well. This was my first time on a 1x11 set-up, and I was concerned the Alpine climbs might be a killer, but the range was wide enough even with the 34t chainring. That said, Juliana will fit a more knee-friendly 32t ring for production that will make it easier to spin, rather than grind, up the steep stuff.

need to know● All-mountain, 27.5in women-specific bike with no dumbing down● 150mm-travel VPP suspension● Lots of custom options to pimp your ride● 720mm carbon bars with slim grips for full control

need to know● XC race hardtail with size-specific wheels● Air-sprung RockShox fork with 100mm travel● Race Face twin-ring chainset and Shimano gears● Ultra-reliable Shimano brakes

Juliana roubionSanta Cruz offshoot Juliana has cut no cornersin its bid to woo the women’s market

I was particularly impressed with the Roubion’s nimbleness, allowing me to deal with tight switchbacks and twisty terrain at a pace that had me wide-eyed with adrenalin and grinning like a loon. The stiff, lightweight Enve wheels played no small part in this, but the overall build of the Roubion inspires confidence and encourages you to let go of the reins. The Reverb dropper post helps you deal with quick changes in terrain, and the excellent Shimano XTR stoppers put control at your fingertips. The RockShox Pike is supportive on the steepest descents, swallowing the hits without wallowing, and the Maxxis High Roller IIs offer secure traction on the rocks, roots and rubble, in the dry and the very wet.

Race-proven by Anka Martin, the Roubion is no dumbed-down, mid-range add-on to tick the ‘women’s’ box in the marketing manual. This is a top-end bike for women who want to hit the big stuff hard.

Janet Coulson

we loveIt’s amazingly nimble for its

150mm of travel.

we hateI don’t own one. And we’re not even

going to mention the price.

1 s t i m p r e s s i o n

✗

✓

speciFicationFrame Carbon C with 150mm-travel VPP suspension Shock Cane Creek Double Barrel AirFork RockShox Pike RCT3 Solo Air, 150mm forkWheels DT Swiss 240 hubs, Enve rims, Maxxis High Roller II tyres Groupset RaceFace Next Carbon SL chainset, XX1 mech/shifterBrakes Shimano XTRComponents Juliana bar and saddle, Easton Haven stem, RockShox Reverb postSizes S, M, L Weight 11.7kg (25.8lb) (for size M, carbon, XX1 Enve w/Fox rear shock)

geometrySize ridden MHead angle 67°Seat angle 73°BB height 346mmChainstays 439mmFront centre 668mmWheelbase 1,107mm

trek x-caliber 9£ 8 5 0 / 6 5 0 b o r 2 9 i n / t r e k b i k e s . c o m

the X-Caliber 9 is the top dog of three bikes in Trek’s entry-level XC race hardtail range. And while the funky new graphics and colours on the 2015 models look cool, Trek hasn’t simply given the bikes a lick of paint.

Continuing with its pragmatic approach to wheel size, Trek has split the X-Caliber size range between 650b and 29in wheels. Basically, the smallest two size options get 650b wheels (and dedicated geometry to match), and the five larger frame sizes roll on 29in hoops. Trek has dubbed this approach “Smart Wheel Size” and it will definitely allow shorter riders to benefit from bigger wheels, without the toe overlap and tyre/bum clearance issues often associated with smaller 29ers.

I had no such clearance issues on the 19.5in X-Caliber 9 as it has a stretched riding position that would offer a good fit if you’re hopping straight off a road bike. If, however, you were new to mountain biking, or simply want to maximise fun on singletrack instead of pounding out the miles XC-style on fire roads, the X-Caliber would benefit from a shorter stem. With the stock set-up the front wheel has a tendency to tuck under too easily when cornering on loose terrain. The stretched XC riding position also makes it much harder to get your weight rearward on steeper descents, a problem that’s compounded by the limited saddle height adjustment.

So even though it’s billed as an XC bike, and I dig the size-specific wheels, I’d like to see Trek give the X-Caliber 9 a slightly more playful attitude to go with the bold new colours.

Alan Muldoon

we loveThe new colours,

graphics, specification and frame finish are amazing.

we hateStem is too long and the

saddle won’t go far enough down.

1 s t i m p r e s s i o n

✗

✓

swinging a leg over what’s hot this month

n e w b i k e s

september 2014 mbr 3736 mbr september 2014

The women-specificRoubion has race-winning pedigree

Cream of the crop:Cane Creek DoubleBarrel Air shock

£ 7, 9 9 9 / 6 5 0 b / j u n g l e p r o d u c t s . c o . u k

First rides

Juliana, the women-specific offshoot of Santa Cruz, describes the new Roubion as having “all the brawn of a Bronson [the men’s range equivalent] in the spirit of Juliana”.

In practice, the principal adaptations are an ‘evergreen’ finish, slim grips on 720mm carbon bars and a women’s saddle.

Being the twin sister to the Bronson, the Roubion gets 650b (27.5in) wheels, 150mm of travel and a full carbon frame. It’s the sixth and latest addition to Juliana’s stable, and — music to my ears — the Santa Cruz tech team rejected the temptation to tinker with its already well-proven geometry.

How did it ride? Stormingly well. There are plenty of upgrades available and a frame-only option too — another indication of Juliana’s desire to offer women all the advantages available on unisex/men’s

ranges. On the press launch in the Alpes Maritimes, we were treated to the top-spec Enve-wheeled, Cane Creek Double-Barrel Air-shocked, XX1 specification. The shock, with its multiple adjustment abilities, took a little time to set up, but the flexibility offered means you could tweak (or faff) to perfection, and once dialled it took small bumps and big hits alike with reliable ease and minimal pedal-bob.

The geometry was slack enough and BB low enough to feel super-stable on descents while still climbing well. This was my first time on a 1x11 set-up, and I was concerned the Alpine climbs might be a killer, but the range was wide enough even with the 34t chainring. That said, Juliana will fit a more knee-friendly 32t ring for production that will make it easier to spin, rather than grind, up the steep stuff.

need to know● All-mountain, 27.5in women-specific bike with no dumbing down● 150mm-travel VPP suspension● Lots of custom options to pimp your ride● 720mm carbon bars with slim grips for full control

need to know● XC race hardtail with size-specific wheels● Air-sprung RockShox fork with 100mm travel● Race Face twin-ring chainset and Shimano gears● Ultra-reliable Shimano brakes

£ 7, 9 9 9 / 6 5 0 b / j u n g l e p r o d u c t s . c o . u k

Juliana roubionSanta Cruz offshoot Juliana has cut no cornersin its bid to woo the women’s market

I was particularly impressed with the Roubion’s nimbleness, allowing me to deal with tight switchbacks and twisty terrain at a pace that had me wide-eyed with adrenalin and grinning like a loon. The stiff, lightweight Enve wheels played no small part in this, but the overall build of the Roubion inspires confidence and encourages you to let go of the reins. The Reverb dropper post helps you deal with quick changes in terrain, and the excellent Shimano XTR stoppers put control at your fingertips. The RockShox Pike is supportive on the steepest descents, swallowing the hits without wallowing, and the Maxxis High Roller IIs offer secure traction on the rocks, roots and rubble, in the dry and the very wet.

Race-proven by Anka Martin, the Roubion is no dumbed-down, mid-range add-on to tick the ‘women’s’ box in the marketing manual. This is a top-end bike for women who want to hit the big stuff hard.

Janet Coulson

we loveIt’s amazingly nimble for its

150mm of travel.

we hateI don’t own one. And we’re not even

going to mention the price.

1 s t i m p r e s s i o n

✗

✓

speciFicationFrame Carbon C with 150mm-travel VPP suspension Shock Cane Creek Double Barrel AirFork RockShox Pike RCT3 Solo Air, 150mm forkWheels DT Swiss 240 hubs, Enve rims, Maxxis High Roller II tyres Groupset RaceFace Next Carbon SL chainset, XX1 mech/shifterBrakes Shimano XTRComponents Juliana bar and saddle, Easton Haven stem, RockShox Reverb postSizes S, M, L Weight 11.7kg (25.8lb) (for size M, carbon, XX1 Enve w/Fox rear shock)

geometrySize ridden MHead angle 67°Seat angle 73°BB height 346mmChainstays 439mmFront centre 668mmWheelbase 1,107mm

trek x-caliber 9£ 8 5 0 / 6 5 0 b o r 2 9 i n / t r e k b i k e s . c o m

the X-Caliber 9 is the top dog of three bikes in Trek’s entry-level XC race hardtail range. And while the funky new graphics and colours on the 2015 models look cool, Trek hasn’t simply given the bikes a lick of paint.

Continuing with its pragmatic approach to wheel size, Trek has split the X-Caliber size range between 650b and 29in wheels. Basically, the smallest two size options get 650b wheels (and dedicated geometry to match), and the five larger frame sizes roll on 29in hoops. Trek has dubbed this approach “Smart Wheel Size” and it will definitely allow shorter riders to benefit from bigger wheels, without the toe overlap and tyre/bum clearance issues often associated with smaller 29ers.

I had no such clearance issues on the 19.5in X-Caliber 9 as it has a stretched riding position that would offer a good fit if you’re hopping straight off a road bike. If, however, you were new to mountain biking, or simply want to maximise fun on singletrack instead of pounding out the miles XC-style on fire roads, the X-Caliber would benefit from a shorter stem. With the stock set-up the front wheel has a tendency to tuck under too easily when cornering on loose terrain. The stretched XC riding position also makes it much harder to get your weight rearward on steeper descents, a problem that’s compounded by the limited saddle height adjustment.

So even though it’s billed as an XC bike, and I dig the size-specific wheels, I’d like to see Trek give the X-Caliber 9 a slightly more playful attitude to go with the bold new colours.

Alan Muldoon

we loveThe new colours,

graphics, specification and frame finish are amazing.

we hateStem is too long and the

saddle won’t go far enough down.

1 s t i m p r e s s i o n

✗

✓

swinging a leg over what’s hot this month

n e w b i k e s

september 2014 mbr 3736 mbr september 2014

First ridesswinging a leg over what’s hot this month

The women-specificRoubion has race-winning pedigree

Cream of the crop:Cane Creek DoubleBarrel Air shock

£ 7, 9 9 9 / 6 5 0 b / j u n g l e p r o d u c t s . c o . u k

First rides

Juliana, the women-specific offshoot of Santa Cruz, describes the new Roubion as having “all the brawn of a Bronson [the men’s range equivalent] in the spirit of Juliana”.

In practice, the principal adaptations are an ‘evergreen’ finish, slim grips on 720mm carbon bars and a women’s saddle.

Being the twin sister to the Bronson, the Roubion gets 650b (27.5in) wheels, 150mm of travel and a full carbon frame. It’s the sixth and latest addition to Juliana’s stable, and — music to my ears — the Santa Cruz tech team rejected the temptation to tinker with its already well-proven geometry.

How did it ride? Stormingly well. There are plenty of upgrades available and a frame-only option too — another indication of Juliana’s desire to offer women all the advantages available on unisex/men’s

ranges. On the press launch in the Alpes Maritimes, we were treated to the top-spec Enve-wheeled, Cane Creek Double-Barrel Air-shocked, XX1 specification. The shock, with its multiple adjustment abilities, took a little time to set up, but the flexibility offered means you could tweak (or faff) to perfection, and once dialled it took small bumps and big hits alike with reliable ease and minimal pedal-bob.

The geometry was slack enough and BB low enough to feel super-stable on descents while still climbing well. This was my first time on a 1x11 set-up, and I was concerned the Alpine climbs might be a killer, but the range was wide enough even with the 34t chainring. That said, Juliana will fit a more knee-friendly 32t ring for production that will make it easier to spin, rather than grind, up the steep stuff.

need to know● All-mountain, 27.5in women-specific bike with no dumbing down● 150mm-travel VPP suspension● Lots of custom options to pimp your ride● 720mm carbon bars with slim grips for full control

need to know● XC race hardtail with size-specific wheels● Air-sprung RockShox fork with 100mm travel● Race Face twin-ring chainset and Shimano gears● Ultra-reliable Shimano brakes

Juliana roubionSanta Cruz offshoot Juliana has cut no cornersin its bid to woo the women’s market

I was particularly impressed with the Roubion’s nimbleness, allowing me to deal with tight switchbacks and twisty terrain at a pace that had me wide-eyed with adrenalin and grinning like a loon. The stiff, lightweight Enve wheels played no small part in this, but the overall build of the Roubion inspires confidence and encourages you to let go of the reins. The Reverb dropper post helps you deal with quick changes in terrain, and the excellent Shimano XTR stoppers put control at your fingertips. The RockShox Pike is supportive on the steepest descents, swallowing the hits without wallowing, and the Maxxis High Roller IIs offer secure traction on the rocks, roots and rubble, in the dry and the very wet.

Race-proven by Anka Martin, the Roubion is no dumbed-down, mid-range add-on to tick the ‘women’s’ box in the marketing manual. This is a top-end bike for women who want to hit the big stuff hard.

Janet Coulson

we loveIt’s amazingly nimble for its

150mm of travel.

we hateI don’t own one. And we’re not even

going to mention the price.

1 s t i m p r e s s i o n

✗

✓

speciFicationFrame Carbon C with 150mm-travel VPP suspension Shock Cane Creek Double Barrel AirFork RockShox Pike RCT3 Solo Air, 150mm forkWheels DT Swiss 240 hubs, Enve rims, Maxxis High Roller II tyres Groupset RaceFace Next Carbon SL chainset, XX1 mech/shifterBrakes Shimano XTRComponents Juliana bar and saddle, Easton Haven stem, RockShox Reverb postSizes S, M, L Weight 11.7kg (25.8lb) (for size M, carbon, XX1 Enve w/Fox rear shock)

geometrySize ridden MHead angle 67°Seat angle 73°BB height 346mmChainstays 439mmFront centre 668mmWheelbase 1,107mm

trek x-caliber 9£ 8 5 0 / 6 5 0 b o r 2 9 i n / t r e k b i k e s . c o m

the X-Caliber 9 is the top dog of three bikes in Trek’s entry-level XC race hardtail range. And while the funky new graphics and colours on the 2015 models look cool, Trek hasn’t simply given the bikes a lick of paint.

Continuing with its pragmatic approach to wheel size, Trek has split the X-Caliber size range between 650b and 29in wheels. Basically, the smallest two size options get 650b wheels (and dedicated geometry to match), and the five larger frame sizes roll on 29in hoops. Trek has dubbed this approach “Smart Wheel Size” and it will definitely allow shorter riders to benefit from bigger wheels, without the toe overlap and tyre/bum clearance issues often associated with smaller 29ers.

I had no such clearance issues on the 19.5in X-Caliber 9 as it has a stretched riding position that would offer a good fit if you’re hopping straight off a road bike. If, however, you were new to mountain biking, or simply want to maximise fun on singletrack instead of pounding out the miles XC-style on fire roads, the X-Caliber would benefit from a shorter stem. With the stock set-up the front wheel has a tendency to tuck under too easily when cornering on loose terrain. The stretched XC riding position also makes it much harder to get your weight rearward on steeper descents, a problem that’s compounded by the limited saddle height adjustment.

So even though it’s billed as an XC bike, and I dig the size-specific wheels, I’d like to see Trek give the X-Caliber 9 a slightly more playful attitude to go with the bold new colours.

Alan Muldoon

we loveThe new colours,

graphics, specification and frame finish are amazing.

we hateStem is too long and the

saddle won’t go far enough down.

1 s t i m p r e s s i o n

✗

✓

swinging a leg over what’s hot this month

n e w b i k e s

september 2014 mbr 3736 mbr september 2014

The women-specificRoubion has race-winning pedigree

Cream of the crop:Cane Creek DoubleBarrel Air shock