ASR-C

The ASR Carbon has wracked up more awards than any bike in our line. It was recently chosen Outside Magazines "Gear of the Year", it was a finalist in Bicyclings "Editors Choice" this year and won the award outright in 2008.

Why all the excitement? Part of the reason is the bike is really light, fast and super-efficient. The carbon monocoque frame and suspension have been optimized for cross-country racing and the integrated seat mast saves weight and transfers pedaling forces more efficiently than traditional seat posts. You can really feel the efficiency when you get on the gas.

But that's just the beginning, this bike is a great descender. We slackened the head tube a bit to give it amazing trail manners, even on high-speed technical descents. Some in the industry scoffed at us for upsetting the traditional geometry of a cross-country bike, but then we started winning awards and many followed suit.

The details on this bike are worth noting as well: it has titanium fasteners, a carbon fiber dog bone (linkage), integrated composite press-in bearings, and a new carbon fiber swing arm that increases rear end stiffness and makes this bike track straight and true, even on the gnarliest descents.