Jamis Durango Sport (2011)

Durango may be our most versatile, do-it-all mountain bike series, with a range of component spec and pricing that’s a good match for most anyone from casual trail riders to die-hard dirt junkies.

We don’t skimp on Durango’s frame—it’s an amazing platform, with a radiused, sloping top tube that gives plenty of standover clearance and gobs of fork crown/front tire room with its snaking S-bend down tube. We keep the S-bend theme going with the seatstays, for maximum heel and mud clearance that doesn’t compromise rear end stiffness—essential for confident handling and climbing traction.

This is a chassis that emphasizes high performance over no-compromises racing speed, so the riding position isn’t quite so extreme, the handling’s quick and sure without being overly darty—so it’s a more relaxing ride. But make no mistake, if you want to throw down the Durango’s more than able to keep up, with incredibly easy shifting and powerful disc brakes.