DEFT XC 29"

After a few months riding the Deft XC 29, I’ve been genuinely impressed. It feels way more capable than most XC bikes I’ve ridden, being extremely stable, confident, and fun on descents, while still climbing well enough for long days and even racing. The top-spec build with XX Transmission and Öhlins suspension really delivers, especially for the price. For the downsides, It’s a bit heavier than top-tier race bikes, the geometry isn’t super aggressive for pure XC racing, and I really miss having a remote lockout on race efforts. Also worth noting there’s no handlebar stop, which could be an issue in a crash. There is also no dropper post, which Is needed to take this bike to the highest level. Also recommend switching the tires if not racing it as it comes with fast 2.2's which are a little small. That said, I’ve been riding it harder than expected, racing it aggressively down the local downhill track, and it’s held up great. For the money, it’s hard to find something this capable. I’d recommend it to anyone who wants an XC bike that’s actually fun on the way down, not just fast on the way up.