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HomeOutdoorWildly Common Mountain Bike Simply Obtained Higher

Wildly Common Mountain Bike Simply Obtained Higher


I’ve ridden many 130mm journey mountain bikes, and whereas they’re enjoyable, I normally go for a motorbike with extra journey or much less. Generally, mid-range journey bikes really feel like a compromise on each ends. However once I swung a leg over Revel’s new Rascal, its competence in difficult terrain, playful character, and straightforward climbing made me fall in love.

I can’t determine if searching for a mountain bike is less complicated or extra sophisticated than earlier than. It’s simpler as a result of there are such a lot of competent bikes. But it surely’s extra advanced than ever as a result of there are such a lot of good and nice bikes, and you should trip them to know which is which. Revel’s V2 Rascal proved to be one of many greats.

Revel launched the unique Rascal in 2019. It was its first bike, and since 2019, the Rascal has been Revel’s bestselling bike, based on Adam Miller, the model’s founder. 

Revel redesigned the 29-inch wheel Rascal, making vital and minor modifications to rework a superb bike into an ideal one. The model reconfigured the body’s carbon layup, swapped pivot bearings for greater and higher ones, and tweaked geometry, rendering the bike extra environment friendly and succesful. Minor modifications, together with new carbon inner cable guides, a common derailleur hanger (UDH), and new fasteners, additionally contributed to the improved Rascal V2.

I rode the 140mm entrance/130mm rear journey Revel Rascal in Vermont about half a dozen instances in late fall and early winter when the situations allowed. Temperatures ranged within the 40s and 50s, and the paths have been usually moist, with slick rocks and roots. If it was dry, leaf-covered tracks have been frequent. The terrain was solidly all-mountain, and I threw in a little bit of enduro driving as effectively.

In brief: The Revel Rascal V2 took full benefit of the replace, turning into considered one of my favourite mid-travel bikes. It was easy pedaling and intensely succesful. The Revel Rascal V2 is a worthy contender if you need one bike to beat all. This single bike made me consider within the one-bike quiver, from the quickest trails on the flats to tremendous technical descents.

  • Fork
    RockShox Lyrik Final 140mm
  • Drivetrain
    SRAM X0 Eagle transmission
  • Brakes
    SRAM Code RSC
  • Cockpit
    Path 1 The Crocket Carbon Handlebar, Path 1 The Viking Alloy Stem 35×40
  • Dropper put up
    Bike Yoke Revive 2.0
  • Wheels
    Crank Brothers Systhesis Alloy Rims, Business 9 1/1 Hubs
  • Tires
    Continental Kryptotal-F Path 29 x 2.4 Delicate Entrance, Continental Xynotal Path 29 x 2.4 Endurance Rear

  • Succesful throughout a variety of terrain

  • Feels a lot lighter than it’s when driving

  • Unimaginable traction

  • Enticing shade choice


  • Heavier than some mid-travel bikes

  • No XS dimension

Revel Rascal Body Updates

Revel Rascal V2 mountain bikeRevel Rascal V2 mountain bike
(Picture/Berne Broudy)

“The Rascal V2 is 100% model new all the pieces,” says Miller. “It’s in the identical class with the identical suspension, however we utterly redesigned the geometry and carbon layup.”

To make the brand new Rascal, Revel opened an workplace in Taiwan for manufacturing and high quality management. They up to date the bike’s {hardware} — together with bolts, bearings, and body {hardware} — to greater high quality and tolerances.

Revel makes use of Toray pre-preg thermoset carbon fiber, recognized for its distinctive energy, low weight, excessive influence resistance, and comparatively cheap worth. The dimensions M body weighs 6 kilos, 4 ounces with no shock. On my scales, the absolutely constructed bike weighs 30 kilos, 10 ounces for a dimension M with SRAM XO transmission and carbon thermoplastic wheels, however no pedals ($7,999, not together with the wheels). The body is 150 g lighter than the V1 body.

To enhance the rider expertise, Revel geared up the Rascal V2 with new pivot {hardware}. The extra outsized bearings and axles Revel now specs contribute to the bike’s stiffer, extra responsive trip really feel. They’re additionally extra sturdy and simpler to keep up as a result of all pivot bearings can now be tightened or eliminated with a single software, not a number of. Revel now secures the shock with titanium {hardware} for weight financial savings and sturdiness.

“We wished the V2 Rascal to be the absolute best all-mountain bike on the market,” says Miller. “We checked each field, including greater Bolu bearings the place it issues. They’re the very best bearings with the very best seals and are longer lasting. We decreased the variety of bearings from 18 to 10, which saves weight and provides simplicity.

“We made certain that each one body {hardware} might be adjusted with one software, not two, as beforehand wanted. That makes path tweaks simpler, although the rider ought to by no means have to the touch the bolts. We designed and constructed a stiffer, stronger body with the very best tolerances within the trade, which implies that the Rascal V2 needs to be low-maintenance for a very long time.” 

In its second iteration, the Rascal misplaced weight, however Revel achieved that financial savings with out skimping on options. Revel added a rear triangle particles guard to cut back the dust and dirt that will get flung into the bike’s pivots by the rear wheel.

To maintain the bike silent, they co-molded carbon inner cable guides. These additionally make upkeep simpler as a result of threading new brake cables and shifter/ dropper cables is less complicated. And so they wrapped the appropriate chainstay with a beefy rubber guard to guard the bike and cut back noise.

As with most high-end manufacturers, Revel adjusts the seat tube angles by dimension so that each one sizes have the identical trip really feel, even when the geometry is barely totally different. On XL and XXL Rascal V2s, the seat tube angle is barely steeper. And each Rascal V2 has a size-specific carbon layup designed to satisfy the wants of a rider’s anticipated weight.

Suspension Modifications

Revel Rascal V2 SuspensionRevel Rascal V2 Suspension
(Picture/Berne Broudy)

I’m an enormous fan of Yeti’s Change Infinity translating pivot as a result of it offers bike suspension a bottomless really feel. I felt like Revel’s CBF suspension on the Rascal V2 achieved a lot of the identical. Revel licensed the Rascal’s CBF suspension from Chris Canfield, who based Canfield Bikes.

The system doesn’t use a digital pivot level (VPP) just like the suspension popularized by Santa Cruz and VPP-utilizing manufacturers. CBF suspension operates on the middle of curvature.

“In the event you take VPP and the wheel axle path in any respect journey factors, there’s a level that’s the middle of curvature,” explains Miller. “In VPP, that middle of curvature is usually a foot throughout. In CBF, it’s 50mm throughout on the high of the chainring … what meaning is that the bike has consistency in any respect factors within the rear wheel’s journey, whether or not you’re driving up or downhill or braking.”

On the path, that meant there was no squatting once I braked. The pedal forces have been constant, so the bike felt extraordinarily environment friendly and delightfully predictable when driving. 

The bike I demoed paired a Rock Shox Lyrik Final entrance fork with a Lyrik Tremendous Deluxe Final piggyback shock. It took me a bit time to fine-tune the sag, compression, and rebound settings, however as soon as I did, they rode like a dream.

Chassis Geometry Modifications

Revel Racal geometry chartRevel Racal geometry chart

Revel took its time refining this bike’s geometry, and it was time effectively spent. The Rascal’s geo numbers are in the midst of what you’ll discover throughout the all-mountain class.

The Rascal V2 has a slacker head angle than the earlier model, mixed with a 44mm offset fork. The earlier Rascal had a 51mm offset fork. This new mixture gave the bike extra exact dealing with and stability, particularly at greater speeds.

The brand new Rascal has a steeper seat angle than the V1. I felt just like the watts I used to be placing into the pedals translated on to ahead movement with out the bike feeling squirrely. That’s no less than a part of the explanation that the bike rode with a lighter really feel than what the size indicated.

The brand new Revel is offered in S-XXL. When requested why they don’t provide an XS for smaller ladies and children, Miller says the small matches riders down to five’1” and that the XXL matches riders over 6’3”. The Rascal’s shock placement prohibits smaller than dimension small building. All Rascal V2 frames have room for a water bottle, and plenty of sizes have house for a second bottle on the underside of the downtube. 

Components and Items

Revel Rascal v2 cockpit and dropper postRevel Rascal v2 cockpit and dropper post
(Picture/Berne Broudy)

As a substitute of the Crank Brothers Synthesis Alloy Rims with Business 9 1/1 Hubs that come normal with the XO construct, I rode Revel’s RW30 Thermoplastic Carbon Fiber wheels with I9 hubs. I’ve examined these wheels on a number of bikes, and I liked them for a way stiff and easy they have been with out being jarring.

Revel Mountain Bike wheelRevel Mountain Bike wheel
(Picture/Berne Broudy)

The cockpit included a Path 1 The Crocket Carbon Handlebar held by a Path 1 The Viking Alloy Stem 35×40 and a Bike Yoke Revive 2.0 dropper. An SDG Elements Radar seat rounded all of it out.

SDG Components Radar saddle
SDG Components Radar saddle
(Picture/Berne Broudy)

Revel specs the Rascal with Continental tires, a departure from the practically universally spec’d Maxxis Minion DHF/DHR or Assegai/DHR. The Rascal’s Continental Xynotal (rear) and Kryptotal (entrance) have been attention-grabbing selections. SRAM Code Final Stealth Brakes dealt with braking duties.

Revel Rascal V2 front endRevel Rascal V2 front end
(Picture/Berne Broudy)

Lastly, I don’t normally touch upon bike shade. However the Rascal’s Ponyboy Gold, a shade chosen by Revel group rider and Skida founder Corinne Prevot, caught my eye, and I obtained compliments from different riders repeatedly. The opposite Rascal shade, Pinot Gnar, is simply pretty much as good and can make this bike recognizable on the path.

Revel Rascal V2 Experience Impressions

Riding Revel Rascal v2 bikeRiding Revel Rascal v2 bike
(Picture/Berne Broudy)

“We set the bar excessive; we wished to not simply meet however to exceed what folks count on,” stated Miller. “We’re happy with the way it’s gone.”

I used to be excited once I threw a leg over this eye-catching bike. On the technical all-mountain/enduro trails behind my home in Vermont, I pedaled my normal lunch trip loop as quick or sooner than standard. Once I got here round a decent nook and a tree had partially blocked the path, I simply maneuvered round it with no hitch.

On a trip on Goodnight Irene in Vermont’s Mad River Valley, the bike boosted off little hits and jumps and landed with loads of suspension to spare. Cornering was intuitive and quick. Climbing switchbacks on Revolution, additionally within the Mad River Valley, the bike gripped the slippery rocks and roots with no slip. It rolled onto an awkwardly angled bridge with out points.

Continental MTB tiresContinental MTB tires
(Picture/Berne Broudy)

The Continental tire mixture was very good for Vermont driving, with distinctive grip on greasy rocks and slick trails. They impressed me to trip with confidence on each characteristic.

Conclusions on the New Revel Rascal

Rascal v2 mountain bikeRascal v2 mountain bike
(Picture/Berne Broudy)

The brand new Rascal is supposed to fulfill the biggest variety of mountain bikers driving probably the most numerous terrain. If you’re primarily an XC racer, seize a Specialised Epic or a Scott Spark as an alternative. In the event you’re purely an enduro rider, hop on Norco’s Shore or Yeti’s SB160 as an alternative. Would you like one bike to have max enjoyable, that pedals effectively whereas climbing, and makes you hoot and holler on the descent? The Revel Rascal is a splendid selection.

“The Revel Rascal V2 is an all-mountain bike for everyone,” says Miller. “It’s a motorbike that invitations the widest vary of riders to have enjoyable on it. This downcountry 29-inch wheel, 130mm suspension spec is the bread and butter of the full-suspension mountain bike world. We’re pleased with what we created.”

I wholeheartedly agree.



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