Flying on a 5-incher

Five inches. In the mountain-biking world, where the probability of enjoying a breathtaking descent is often measured by the distance your bike's wheels can compress, or "travel," when they hit a big rock, 5 inches of travel is way better than 3 or 4. Although 5 inches typically came on heavy, slow-climbing, 33-pound bikes, advances in suspension design and tubing fabrication have brought big travel to nimble, sub-30-pounders.

-- Roy M. Wallack

Off like a shot

Cannondale Rize: Fast, featherweight carbon-fiber bike with unique, attention-getting features.

Likes: The flat-out fastest climber of the group due to its shockingly light weight of 24 pounds (in a medium size, as with all the test bikes). The sleek, uncluttered design cuts the fat by using Cannondale's combined stem/steerer tube and famed "Lefty" single-armed, carbon fork. While all the bikes had fine adjustable-travel forks with lockouts, which stop inefficient bobbing on climbs, the Lefty's is safer and more accessible because its simple push-button switch is next to the handlebar, not a half-foot reach down. Dislikes: Quick wheel removal for transport is a hassle. Instead of popping the wheel off with a standard quick-release, you must loosen the hub and two disc-brake bolts with an Allen wrench. Also, the smallish 6-inch rotor on the front brake gave me more finger fatigue on the descents than the other bikes, which use 7- or 8-inch rotors.

Price: Rize 1, $5,500; Rize 2, $4,500. Heavier aluminum models from $1,800 to $3,000. (800) BIKE-USA; www.cannondale.com.

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Innovative rear suspension

Trek Fuel EX 9: High-performance aluminum bike with unusual new frame configuration designed to maintain better traction during descents.

Likes: Extremely smooth, fluid 27-pound bike that does everything well. That's due to an innovative rear suspension with a "floating" shock not directly anchored to the main frame, as with all other bikes. As advertised, the bike seems to minimize "brake jack" -- the stutter-bump skidding that can occur when braking on steep downhills. With the longest cockpit and wheelbase of the test bikes, it puts you in a classic, efficient bike-racer position. Dislikes: The long cockpit might leave casual non-racers too stretched out and uncomfortable.

Price: EX 9, $3,409; EX 7, $2,089; Carbon-framed models more. (920) 478-2191; www.trekbikes.com.

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Going the distance in comfort