The Chromag Rootdown is a boutique trail hardtail renowned for premium materials, hand-finished construction, and steel compliance that soaks up rough trails while retaining precise handling. It commands a higher purchase price but rewards buyers with distinctive aesthetics, long-term durability, and a crafted ride quality that sets it apart as the premium choice in this group.
Springy steel charm
Bombproof build
Springy steel charm
Bombproof build
Review Summary
"The Chromag Rootdown is consistently praised for bombproof construction, low-slung stable geometry and confidence at speed; criticisms center on its premium price and a heavier overall feel."
Classic rugged vibe
Chromoly steel construction offering ride compliance and long-term durability
Classic rugged vibe
Chromoly steel construction offering ride compliance and long-term durability
Enhanced Physical Well-Being
Recreational Enjoyment
Eco-Friendly Living
The Chromag Rootdown is a boutique trail hardtail renowned for premium materials, hand-finished construction, and steel compliance that soaks up rough trails while retaining precise handling. It commands a higher purchase price but rewards buyers with distinctive aesthetics, long-term durability, and a crafted ride quality that sets it apart as the premium choice in this group.
Springy steel charm
Bombproof build
Classic rugged vibe
Chromoly steel construction offering ride compliance and long-term durability
Progressive yet playful geometry designed for technical singletrack and jumps
Springy steel charm
Bombproof build
Classic rugged vibe
Chromoly steel construction offering ride compliance and long-term durability
Progressive yet playful geometry designed for technical singletrack and jumps
$700-1000 CAD
Forbidden Druid Frame
The Forbidden Druid is a boutique 27.5 enduro frameset focused on bespoke geometry options and advanced kinematic tuning, aimed at riders who want highly tailored handling and exclusivity. Its limited-production, high-detail approach commands a premium compared with mass-market offerings, but the Druid stands out technically for those seeking custom-fit performance and unique integration that mainstream frames don't provide.
Snappy pop—micro-jump wizard
Featherweight punch
Snappy pop—micro-jump wizard
Featherweight punch
Review Summary
"Owners rave about the Forbidden Druid's plush, composed descending, tunable geometry and premium construction, while noting high cost, limited dealer support and occasional long lead times as downsides."
Responsive, arrow-like handling
Hand-orientated carbon frame design focused on premium layups and finish for 27.5 enduro use
Responsive, arrow-like handling
Hand-orientated carbon frame design focused on premium layups and finish for 27.5 enduro use
Skill Development & Mastery
Recreational Enjoyment
Enhanced Physical Well-Being
The Forbidden Druid is a boutique 27.5 enduro frameset focused on bespoke geometry options and advanced kinematic tuning, aimed at riders who want highly tailored handling and exclusivity. Its limited-production, high-detail approach commands a premium compared with mass-market offerings, but the Druid stands out technically for those seeking custom-fit performance and unique integration that mainstream frames don't provide.
Snappy pop—micro-jump wizard
Featherweight punch
Responsive, arrow-like handling
Hand-orientated carbon frame design focused on premium layups and finish for 27.5 enduro use
Sophisticated linkage and kinematics tuned for traction and control on technical terrain (~170mm travel)
Snappy pop—micro-jump wizard
Featherweight punch
Responsive, arrow-like handling
Hand-orientated carbon frame design focused on premium layups and finish for 27.5 enduro use
Sophisticated linkage and kinematics tuned for traction and control on technical terrain (~170mm travel)
$3,500-5,500 CAD
Rocky Mountain Altitude Carbon 90 Frame
The Altitude Carbon 90 stands out for its practical adjustability and value-oriented finishing: a high-performance carbon layup with an easy-to-tune geometry system lets riders dial the chassis for steep or fast tracks without the premium price of some rivals. Technically versatile and generally more affordable than the top-tier Yeti or Specialized S‑Works, it trades a few grams of weight for broad setup range and durability, making it a smart choice for racers who prioritize tunability on variable courses.
Ride-9 tweakable
Efficient pedaling
Ride-9 tweakable
Efficient pedaling
Review Summary
"Owners like the Altitude Carbon 90 for its adjustable geometry and excellent balance between pedaling efficiency and downhill capability; a number of reviewers mention that dialing in the suspension takes patience."
Composed high-speed
High-modulus carbon frame tuned for a balance of compliance and stiffness on varied terrain
Composed high-speed
High-modulus carbon frame tuned for a balance of compliance and stiffness on varied terrain
Recreational Enjoyment
Skill Development & Mastery
Enhanced Physical Well-Being
The Altitude Carbon 90 stands out for its practical adjustability and value-oriented finishing: a high-performance carbon layup with an easy-to-tune geometry system lets riders dial the chassis for steep or fast tracks without the premium price of some rivals. Technically versatile and generally more affordable than the top-tier Yeti or Specialized S‑Works, it trades a few grams of weight for broad setup range and durability, making it a smart choice for racers who prioritize tunability on variable courses.
Ride-9 tweakable
Efficient pedaling
Composed high-speed
High-modulus carbon frame tuned for a balance of compliance and stiffness on varied terrain
Long-travel enduro chassis (around 160–170mm) with user-friendly geometry adjustment options
Ride-9 tweakable
Efficient pedaling
Composed high-speed
High-modulus carbon frame tuned for a balance of compliance and stiffness on varied terrain
Long-travel enduro chassis (around 160–170mm) with user-friendly geometry adjustment options
$4,000-5,000 CAD
The Norco Range A Frame is a purpose-built aluminum enduro platform with aggressive geometry and overbuilt tubing that prioritizes downhill confidence and long-term durability. It earns its place on this list by delivering race-capable performance at a more accessible price point than many carbon alternatives, making it a strong value against more all-rounders like the Stumpjumper EVO Alloy. Available now and aimed at riders who want a no-compromise, serviceable alloy chassis for hard charging trail and enduro use.
Aggro-geometry grin
Burly aluminum backbone
Aggro-geometry grin
Burly aluminum backbone
Review Summary
"Riders consistently praise the Norco Range A for its burly, confidence-inspiring descending capability and progressive geometry that excels in aggressive enduro terrain; common critiques note it can be heavy and benefits from a thoughtful component build to control weight."
Plush landing hug
Long-travel aluminum chassis optimized for high-speed enduro descents.
Plush landing hug
Long-travel aluminum chassis optimized for high-speed enduro descents.
Enhanced Physical Well-Being
Recreational Enjoyment
Skill Development & Mastery
The Norco Range A Frame is a purpose-built aluminum enduro platform with aggressive geometry and overbuilt tubing that prioritizes downhill confidence and long-term durability. It earns its place on this list by delivering race-capable performance at a more accessible price point than many carbon alternatives, making it a strong value against more all-rounders like the Stumpjumper EVO Alloy. Available now and aimed at riders who want a no-compromise, serviceable alloy chassis for hard charging trail and enduro use.
Aggro-geometry grin
Burly aluminum backbone
Plush landing hug
Long-travel aluminum chassis optimized for high-speed enduro descents.
Stiff main pivot and reinforced seat tube for durable, confidence-inspiring handling.
Aggro-geometry grin
Burly aluminum backbone
Plush landing hug
Long-travel aluminum chassis optimized for high-speed enduro descents.
Stiff main pivot and reinforced seat tube for durable, confidence-inspiring handling.
$2700-3400 CAD
The Rootdown Custom Steel Frame is best-in-class for riders seeking a burly, tuned-steel trail platform with aggressive geometry and durable construction; Chromag leverages years of mountain-specific experience to offer a ride that balances playful compliance with descending confidence. Compared with the other entries, Rootdown stands out for its trail-proven, purpose-built geometry and relatively competitive pricing for a premium small-batch builder, while offering shorter lead times than ultra-boutique makers.
Burly cornering joy
Handbuilt rugged charm
Burly cornering joy
Handbuilt rugged charm
Review Summary
"Customers consistently praise the Chromag Rootdown custom steel frame for its lively, compliant ride, excellent welds and durable construction; common downsides cited are its heavier weight compared with alloy frames and a premium price/long lead time for custom builds."
Playful pop feel
4130 chromoly construction tuned for compliant, durable trail performance
Playful pop feel
4130 chromoly construction tuned for compliant, durable trail performance
Recreational Enjoyment
Skill Development & Mastery
The Rootdown Custom Steel Frame is best-in-class for riders seeking a burly, tuned-steel trail platform with aggressive geometry and durable construction; Chromag leverages years of mountain-specific experience to offer a ride that balances playful compliance with descending confidence. Compared with the other entries, Rootdown stands out for its trail-proven, purpose-built geometry and relatively competitive pricing for a premium small-batch builder, while offering shorter lead times than ultra-boutique makers.
Burly cornering joy
Handbuilt rugged charm
Playful pop feel
4130 chromoly construction tuned for compliant, durable trail performance
Custom geometry options with slack headtube and longer reach for modern trail handling
Burly cornering joy
Handbuilt rugged charm
Playful pop feel
4130 chromoly construction tuned for compliant, durable trail performance
Custom geometry options with slack headtube and longer reach for modern trail handling
$1,300-1,800 CAD
Norco Sight C Frame with RockShox Lyrik Ultimate Kit
The Norco Sight C paired with a RockShox Lyrik Ultimate brings a lively, playful geometry and a top-tier Lyrik that emphasizes small-bump sensitivity and mid-stroke support, making it a standout kit for mixed trail and aggressive all-mountain riding. It competes strongly with the Devinci Troy and Rocky Mountain Altitude by delivering downhill capability with a lively pedaling platform, while its RockShox spec provides a different damping character than Fox-equipped kits for riders who prefer a plush, tunable feel. This combination is attractive for riders seeking a balanced carbon kit that leans toward descending performance without the absolute premium price of some factory-level Fox builds.
Balanced handling
Lyrik plushness
Balanced handling
Lyrik plushness
Review Summary
"The Norco Sight C frame is widely praised for its balanced, modern geometry and versatility, while the RockShox Lyrik Ultimate fork receives acclaim for its stiffness and high-performance damping. Long-term users report excellent on-trail confidence and responsiveness, with only minor quibbles about setup complexity for some riders."
Precision cornering
Sight C carbon frame delivers a versatile geometry that balances climbing efficiency and descending stability.
Precision cornering
Sight C carbon frame delivers a versatile geometry that balances climbing efficiency and descending stability.
Recreational Enjoyment
Enhanced Physical Well-Being
Skill Development & Mastery
The Norco Sight C paired with a RockShox Lyrik Ultimate brings a lively, playful geometry and a top-tier Lyrik that emphasizes small-bump sensitivity and mid-stroke support, making it a standout kit for mixed trail and aggressive all-mountain riding. It competes strongly with the Devinci Troy and Rocky Mountain Altitude by delivering downhill capability with a lively pedaling platform, while its RockShox spec provides a different damping character than Fox-equipped kits for riders who prefer a plush, tunable feel. This combination is attractive for riders seeking a balanced carbon kit that leans toward descending performance without the absolute premium price of some factory-level Fox builds.
Balanced handling
Lyrik plushness
Precision cornering
Sight C carbon frame delivers a versatile geometry that balances climbing efficiency and descending stability.
RockShox Lyrik Ultimate fork offers premium damping and a robust chassis for high-speed, rough trails.
Balanced handling
Lyrik plushness
Precision cornering
Sight C carbon frame delivers a versatile geometry that balances climbing efficiency and descending stability.
RockShox Lyrik Ultimate fork offers premium damping and a robust chassis for high-speed, rough trails.
$4,000-5,500 CAD