Juliana

Roubion 2.0 Carbon GX Eagle Complete Mountain Bike - 2017

It's no secret that we're fans of the 2017 Juliana Roubion 2.0 Carbon GX Eagle Complete Mountain Bike, and it's also not difficult to see why. Its 27.5-in wheels deliver a perfect blend of 26in speed and 29er versatility, pairing with 150mm of plush, responsive VPP suspension that encourages you to push the limits over big drops and rowdy terrain. On the flip side, the Roubion's lightweight construction and carefully chosen geometry let it revel on climbs with a nimbleness that defies its enduro sled roots. Add in SRAM's workhorse GX Eagle one-by drivetrain and smooth rolling Easton hoops, and this bike is ready to rock right out of the box.

For 2017, Juliana carries over the myriad updates seen in the mid-2016 2.0 geometry release. With 2.0, the top suspension link directly mounts on the top tube while the lower link tucks neatly out of the way to increase stiffness and durability while also smoothing the ride. The head angle drops from 67 to 66 degrees, which sounds like a tiny change, but it provides even more high-speed stability than the previous version. At 17.05in, the chainstays are long enough to keep you centered on the bike, yet short enough to allow the Roubion to carve up turns with ease.

Juliana’s industry-leading carbon fiber construction makes its way into Roubion 2.0 Carbon GX Eagle, although this version uses a slightly lower grade of carbon fiber than the super high end Carbon CC frame. This requires more material be used to achieve the same strength, so it does carry a bit more weight, but in every other aspect it’s held to the same astoundingly high standards as Juliana’s Carbon CC level frames. The upshot is that you get a frame that’s every bit as stiff and strong, at much more palatable price point.

Both triangles are constructed as whole pieces, which contributes to weight savings by allowing the carbon fiber to wrap continuously through junctures and around joints. This eliminates the artificial weak points of bonded frames and requires less overall material in the process. While it's being cured, the frame is compacted from inside and out, a final step that virtually eliminates any excess material and resin pooling, resulting in increased structural integrity and, of course, lower weight. Juliana further enhances the strength and stiffness with mechanic-friendly, oversized 15mm collet-style hardware and a 12x148mm Boost thru-axle out back.