Tricky mountain singletrack demands a bike that's up to the task. Luckily, the Stereo ONE77 C:68X SLX pulls no punches. Its newly developed premium C:68X® carbon frame is just the start. We chose a Fox 38 Factory Grip 2 fork and Float X2 Factory shock for their ability to shrug off obstacles both large and small. Then we fitted Shimano's ultra-reliable XT 1x12 gears, for their smooth shifting and huge range. Shimano XT hydraulic disc brakes serve up prodigious stopping power, and Schwalbe Magic Mary and Big Betty 2.4in tyres on Newmen Evolution wheels complete the package.

Frame description
It's tough to improve on perfection, but that's what we've done with the Stereo ONE77 C:68X frame. First up, it's light, at just 2.3kg. That's a difference you can feel on the climbs and descents. There's a flip chip and two mounting points for air and coil shocks, giving a range of options for progression and shock performance. Angle adjustment inserts mean you can switch between 63.8° and 64.4° head angles and the bottom bracket is threaded for maximum versatility and durability. We deliberately didn't include a frame storage compartment, because we wanted to keep weight down and strength up. But there is a mounting point for a custom trail tool under the down tube. Simply put, you're all set. Bring it on...