10 Downhill Mountain Bikes Bikes From America and Canada - Dirt

Mountain Biking Magazine

Share

Downhill Bikes

10 Downhill Mountain Bikes Bikes From America and Canada

The North American downhill rides making waves all over the world...

The range of downhill rides on offer at the moment is absolutely massive, but are downhill mountain bikes from America and Canada still holding their own?

We’ve run through some downhill bikes from British brands and downhill bikes from European brands, so now it’s time to take a look at some North American rides.

With brands like Specialized, Santa Cruz and Intense Cycles drenched in the history of the sport, there’s never going to be a lack of quality in Canada or the USA.

Here’s just a small selection of downhill mountain bikes from America or Canada which are worth a double look…

Intense Cycles M16C

When your test pilots include Chris Kovarik, Shaun Palmer and Claire Buchar, you know you’re working with a brand that’s got a bit of legacy.

The M16C is one of the longest travel downhill bikes you’ll find on the market and the next level of innovation from an American brand known for exactly that. It’s not the most manoeuvrable ride in the world, but it’s damn fast and it dominates on rough terrain.

Full review of the Intense Cycles M16C Pro Build here

Specialized Demo 8

It carried Aaron Gwin to World Cup dominance in 2015 and brought Loic Bruni the first of what will probably be many World Cup wins on the elite circuit this year.

Not only is the Demo fast, the slick look of the bike has become iconic, and the silence with which it cruises down the toughest tracks in the world is music to our ears. There’s a reason why it topped our list of the best downhill bikes of 2016.

Read our full review of the Specialized Demo 8 here

Norco Aurum C7.1

The Norco Aurum made it into our Dirt 100 2016 for its custom frame sizing and bulletproof build. Featuring the Killer B Mk11 frame, the bike has turned a fair few heads in the hands of Sam Blenkinsop and Harry Heath this season.

Norco are a brand that have been going in British Columbia since the early 1960s and they’re showing no signs of slowing down now.

Read our full review on the Norco Aurum C7.2 here

Trek Session 9.9

Ridden to the perfect season by Rachel Atherton and proved on the top level time and time again, there’s no doubting the Trek Session is one of the best bikes in the world.

Spawning from Waterloo, Wisconsin, the Session is also the bike at the top of our ‘most expensive downhill bikes on the market’ feature, so there’s a price tag behind that quality. The ride is super quick though, the bike is well-balanced and the suspension is 10 years in the making.

Full review of the Trek Session 9.9 2016 model here

The Rocky Mountain Maiden

Most of the downhill mountain bikes from America and Canada on this list are made for racing; or more specifically for racing in the World Cup series, and racing at all-out speed for the win.

The Rocky Mountain Maiden goes against the grain of longer rear ends and bikes designed for straight-line speed and offers a downhill option that’s a whole lot of fun to ride.

Full review of the Rocky Mountain Maiden here

Santa Cruz V10

The stuff of dreams for many riders out there, the Santa Cruz V10 is an absolute icon. The American brand has fetishised their ride through the beauty of the slick design and the antics of the Syndicate team on tour. With Ratboy, Minnaar and Peaty on side, you’re never going to have much problem with demand.

Offering 216mm of travel and with XL and XXL sizes, this is one of the most coveted bikes around.

Full review of the Santa Cruz V10 CC here

GT Fury

An American brand now owned by Canadian company Dorel Industries, this is the bike that brought both Gee and Rachel Atherton World Championships before their defection to Trek.

It’s a bike designed and built specifically with racing and the World Cup circuit in mind, and the stiffness of the rig means you should probably not stray too far from that intended use. It’s probably not one for the parks.

With a frame that outspoken it was always going to have to be a bike that could get the job done, and as the Athertons have proven, it has no problems there.

Full review of the GT Fury here

Kona Operator

The Kona Operator will have an entirely new frame for 2017 to fit the 27.5” wheels it’ll now be rolling on, and it looks like it’ll be even tougher than previous generations.

Kona is half US and half Canadian. The ride is no steal at £7899, but the entry level is available from around the £3000 mark, so there is value for money in the range.

Devinci Wilson

Canadian brand Devinci work out of Quebec. It’s a cold place but their bikes run hot. The Wilson has poise, it’s manoeuvrable and at between £5499 and £3499 from the top of the range carbon bike to the entry level carbon, it comes at a comparatively reasonable price. The aluminium is even cheaper.

For many, it’ll always be remembered as the bike that Stevie Smith once rode to World Cup overall glory in 2013, picking up four wins en route to the overall title.

Read more on the Devinci Wilson here

Transition TR500

American company Transition have built a bike nimble, playful and fun in the TR500, and when the power goes on, the bike doesn’t drag either.

It’s a good looking beast and at around the £5k mark it’s not one of the most expensive bikes being ridden regularly on the World Cup circuit. It’s been getting even more notice since British shredder Tahnee Seagrave and Team FMB signed for Transition Bikes.

Read more on Tahnee Seagrave’s Transition TR500 here

Related Articles

Downhill Bikes

The Best Downhill Mountain Bikes for Freeride Mountain Biking

The bikes that can carry you down the backcountry as well as the trails...

The Best Downhill Mountain Bikes for Freeride Mountain Biking
Downhill Bikes

The Best Downhill Mountain Bikes for Tall Riders

Over six foot and looking for a downhill bike? Here's a few options...

The Best Downhill Mountain Bikes for Tall Riders
Downhill Bikes

Downhill Mountain Bikes From Asia

Polygon and Giant both come out of the continent...

Downhill Mountain Bikes From Asia
Downhill Bikes

10 Downhill Mountain Bikes From European Brands

Some of the best downhill mountain bikes available around the world, all made in Europe...

10 Downhill Mountain Bikes From European Brands
Newsletter Terms & Conditions

Please enter your email so we can keep you updated with news, features and the latest offers. If you are not interested you can unsubscribe at any time. We will never sell your data and you'll only get messages from us and our partners whose products and services we think you'll enjoy.

Read our full Privacy Policy as well as Terms & Conditions.

production