Arktos | 135 – SRAM GX Eagle

In MTB terms, the score is mostly about momentum on flats and climbs, rather than jump or drop capability. Against lighter, narrower-tire builds, this build is shaped by typical trail-width tires, wheel momentum that helps it carry speed between pedal strokes, mid-size wheels that balance agility and momentum, and a solid drivetrain that supports efficient riding.

How it climbs: 3.6/10. Within Mountain bikes, this comes out below average. The lowest gear is very tall when the road tilts up. That lowest gear comes out around 26.7 gear inches. On the ‘easier low gear’ scale, it sits around ~10% versus similar bikes. “Gear inches” sounds nerdy, but it’s just a quick way to describe how easy your lowest gear is to turn uphill. Lower usually means easier. On proper hills, you’ll feel it — this setup isn’t built to make climbing effortless. Real-world feel depends on setup and size, and some details aren’t always listed, so this is best seen as a well-informed estimate.

On suspension support it’s 8/10, marked “High-impact ready”. It typically supports higher-speed rough sections where impacts stack up quickly. With suspension in the front and rear, the bike can stay more settled through repeated bumps. Rough trails should feel more controlled, especially when hits stack up. On rough trails, this level aims to keep the bike settled under braking and cornering through repeated hits.

Comfort fit - comfort-leaning without feeling sluggish. Some measurements were missing, so part of this is estimated.

This rating is mainly driven by the parts that affect adjustability: The cockpit is modular (separate stem and handlebar), so it is easier to adjust or swap fit parts, Cable routing is on the simpler side, which helps adjustability. Another point: The dropper post improves on-the-fly position changes. Net result: Adjustable. Put simply, it describes how practical it is to reconfigure your position later.

This scores 8.2/10 for comfort, so it feels highly forgiving out on the road. Within Enduro, Firm basically means 'less plush than the softest builds' even though the ride still feels highly forgiving. The posture is neutral (posture 5/10), which gives a steady, predictable feel without pushing you too far forward.

The value looks a bit weak compared with similar options. The value score is 1–10. Higher means better value for money; lower means the price is high for what you get. Uses MSRP as a baseline; real-world prices can be lower (discounts can change the value). On the spec comparison, it sits roughly 30% above what similar builds typically cost. Compared with similar bikes, it trends a little expensive (cheaper than about 34% of listings). To anchor it: price €6.499 versus an estimated €4.991 for a similar build. Put simply: it’s a bit pricey for what you get.

This bike is built for rougher, more technical trails where control matters. It has about 152 mm of suspension travel (how much it absorbs bumps), which helps on rough, technical trails. The Full setup supports this riding style.