Is Locked-Out MTB Suspension Faster for Climbing? Ibis, YT, Scott and Alchemy Head-to-Head

As part of our Short Travel Test Session, we tested four bikes that all prioritized speed and efficiency: Alchemy’s Arktos 120, Scott’s Spark 910, Ibis’s Exie, and YT’S IZZO.

Driven mostly by curiosity to see if our on-trail impressions would align with the clock, we set out to see which bike was the fastest going uphill. Many factors, such as tire choice, suspension design, and geometry, affect how quickly and efficiently a bike climbs. To level the playing field (at least a little bit), Vital Editor Jason Schroeder stepped up to the plate equipped with a set of SRM X-Power pedals to lay down an equal effort on all four bikes.

And just to clarify, this was not a highly scientific test performed in a vacuum. Our goal was to see what we could conclude about climbing performance by comparing similar bikes with slight variations in components and intended use. And to have some fun with some neat bikes and fancy pedals.

#MTB #mountainbike #crosscountry