This full-suspension ($6,499) with four-inch Schwalbe Jumbo Jim tires latched onto loose rubble like Velcro, letting testers motor through scree that left skinnier rubber spinning. “You almost can’t lose traction,” said one tester as he skipped up and down steeps he’d never ridden before. The geometry and efficient four-inch suspension, the latter borrowed from Salsa’s cross-country racer, make handling sharp. The bike is light enough to be playful: our medium snuck in under 30 pounds, thanks partly to the SRAM 1×11 drivetrain and Whisky carbon rims. Once people grasp their versatility, we expect wider tires to become the norm for dirt, not just snow. 29.9 lbs;
Climbing: 4.5
Descending: 5