SYERRA DOWN-COUNTRY

With modern 29ers combining aggressive, slack geometries with equally aggressive pedaling platforms, there’s no reason why a climbing bike can’t also be a party bike. The Syerra is proof, with a fast-rolling, high-grip center strip and tread that’s spaced, shaped, and siped to bite on climbs, rocks, and roots, or under braking and cornering loads.

The spacious knob layout also clears muck and soil, and the Syerra’s overall girth helps it float on root lattices and rock gardens that we wouldn’t have dreamed of riding 29ers on a decade ago. Despite that extra cushion and traction, a relatively low weight construction means the tire still spins up to speed fast while punching through rollers or earning another lap.