Diamondback

Axis 27.5in Complete Mountain Bike - 2015

If you're into assembling a multi-bike quiver, then you've no doubt considered the implications of having more money invested in the bikes in your garage than you have invested in the garage itself. Diamondback's Axis 27.5in Complete Mountain Bike combines an aluminum frame with a drivetrain blend featuring Shimano components to scratch your itch for XC speed while saving scratch to feed your full-suspension enduro addiction.

The hand built 6061-T6 aluminum frame is a durable, time-tested take on classic XC geometry, leading with a 70-degree head that takes advantage of the sub-17-inch chainstays for sharp handling and darting accelerations. The frame's 27.5-inch wheels also strike a balance between bullish but unwieldy 29er wheels and the nimble but less aggressive 26-inch standard to enjoy virtually all of the benefits and none of the drawbacks of either. The Axis is finished with 100mm of front travel to bail you out when your enduro tendencies begin to push the limits of what your hardtail XC bike can handle.