BEST CROSS-COUNTRY RACER
Pedaling this nimble featherweight, one tester reported soaring up steeps she normally inches up in granny gear. A freestyle rider doubted the full-carbon beauty could handle a beating, but after a punishing four-hour technical grind, she gave the four-inch-travel Contessa an unqualified thumbs-up—thanks to components like Deore XT disc brakes, which offer both power and finesse. 24.1 lbs; scottusa.com
Bonus: The 2007 XT derailleurs move between gears like butter.
Bummer: The unisex frame can be dialed, but it didn’t fit girls off the shelf.