A new breed of mountain bike is conquering the world's toughest trails and singletrack, and these full-suspension fun machines have 1998 Diamond Back DBR written all over them. Our engineers rode to hell and back making sure every new mountain machine in our Long Travel Trail Series is tough enough to handle anything Mother Nature throws in your path. Every variable affecting the performance and handling of these long-travel MTBs was brutally tested to guarantee maximum fun and excitement. Linkage lengths and ratios. Pivot placement. Bushing materials. Spring rates. Frame angles. Rider positioning. Components. Everything.

This year's trio of DBR XC Series bicycles features one hardtail and two short-travel full suspension models for hard-core mountain cyclists. All three bikes feature lightweight components, long stems, flat bars, semi-slick tires and aggressive frame angles engineered to improve pedaling efficiency, positioning and maneuverability. DBR engineers paid special attention to the pivot positioning and rocker link ratios on this year's V-8 and V-6 Team. The fully active rear wheel travel on both models is the same-three and one-quarter inches. When riding conditions demand it-say, during prolonged ascents—a manual shock lockout lets you neutralize the suspension for more direct power transfer. For riders who prefer the instant acceleration available only on a hardtail, this year's DBR Team Issue features one of the fastest Easton aluminum framesets on the World Cup circuit.