Avanti roll out new Competitor Trail bike for 2016
A couple of new models have made it into the Avanti range for 2016 - and they are set to go off!
Avanti have been making bikes for 30 years – and their evolving range really shows what they have learnt in that time. Having just seen the new bikes for 2016, it’s easy to see that their focus is on getting people on great handling and performing bikes, whatever that riding style might be.
Their range is massive, and the real highlights were within the Competitor range, plus a new Torrent model.
Competitor S Trail Bikes
This new suspension platform is designed as a great value trail bike – probably just about what everyone is after. The S1 a 27.5″ 120mm dual suspension bike with 120mm of travel, and the same linkage as the Torrent, the bigger brother. The parts spec has been finely tuned, to get the most reliable performance for your dollar. That means even the $1999.95 model has Shimano hubs and brakes, and a Deore/XT 2×10 setup with an FSA Comet crank. The X-Fusion suspension keeps the quality and value high, without resorting to a fork with steel legs – which can often be the same with dual suspension bikes at this price point.
The frame has custom tube profiles for this model, and the seat tube is compatible with dropper posts. With a PF30 bottom bracket shell, tapered head tube, true four bar linkage, thru-axle fork and one piece rocker link – this bike is set for full suspension trail shredding on a hardtail budget.
The S2 is a bright red upgrade over the S1, with a shift to RockShox suspension and a Shimano crank and clutch rear mech as the key upgrades. This bike looks fantastic in the metal. It’s a standout buy for $2500.
There’s a carbon mainframed Competitor CS frame too, with internal gear routing and a sweet gloss finish – it’s $2999.95. It shifts to Syntace X12 dropouts from a 135QR and comes with a Fox custom tuned CTD damper with remote, otherwise the technology remains the same to the alloy bikes.
Competitor C – race day
The finish on the Competitor C carbon hardtail frames needs to be seen to be believed. The internal routing is neat, and the tube profiling looks amazing in the ‘flesh’. With a monocoque construction the frame is light – but we didn’t get a claimed weight. The integrated disc mount(into the chainstay) is super neat, and the dropouts can be changed from 135Qr to 142×12.
Big news is a new frame geometry, with slacker head angles, tight chainstay lengths and longer top tubes than previously.
The C1 at $2400 has a quality Shimano 2×10 build and rockShox Gold Solo Air – but the C2 at $3599.95 is specced for race day – on the same frame as the C1 though. With a Shimano M8000 drivetrain and 600 series brakes, Fox 32 Fit4 fork and DT Swiss wheels, throw some pedals on, chuck a tubeless kit in and pin a number on. You’re set for the 2015/2016 National Series.
Torrent refinements
The Torrent carries over, but the new S 7.2 is a standout. At a small coin under $4000, it’s a bright red rocketship with 150mm of travel, a Shimano M8000 1×11 group, RockShox Pike and DT wheels.
