Ellsworth Evolve
XC Race
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Take Ellsworth’s time-tested Truthan especially popular bike with 24-hour cross-country racersand merge it with terrain-smoothing 29-inch wheels, and you get the Evolve. “I was actually breathing easier out on the trails,” proclaimed one tester. The slightly high riding position, while great for climbs, wasn’t to everyone’s liking on descents. But our testers again agreed that the Fox F29 RLC fork improves just about any bike. Bonus: Ellsworth will donate 5 percent of sales from Evolves with the company’s Rainforest Green paint job to environmental causes. $2,195; 27.3 lbs (medium); ellsworthbikes.com