Has a really nice feel to it

Product Overview

Overall rating:

Score 9

Pinnacle Kapur 2 Mountain Bike

Pros:

  • Lightweight triple-butted frame with great handling

Cons:

  • Needs bigger tyres with bigger knobs to bolster traction and increase the BB height slightly

Product:

Pinnacle Kapur 2 review

Manufacturer:

Price as reviewed:

£475.00

With progressive geometry and a top quality frame the Pinnacle Kapur 2 has a really nice feel to it – direct and efficient without any jarring.

>>> Best Hardtail Mountain Bike 2019: best reviewed mountain bikes under £375, £500, £750 and £1000

With the Vitus Nucleus 27 VR proving so dominant in the sub £500 category, the test rapidly descends into a race for second place. And for the second year running the Pinnacle Kapur 2 has to play bridesmaid.

The riding position is comfortable too. The rangy top tube and steep seat angle putting you in a good position for climbing and pedalling efficiently, while the short 45mm stem and wide 760mm handlebars offer commanding control to pilot the descents.

At 14.09kg (31.06lb) the Pinnacle is also the lightest bike in this category, but don’t read too much into that because most of the weight saving over the Vitus is actually in the tyres. The 2.25in WTB Ranger tyres on the Pinnacle are light weight and fast rolling, but they lacking the volume and the knob height of the Vigilante/Traill Boss combo on the Vitus, and as such, don’t offer as much traction or comfort.

We said as much about the tyres last year, suggesting that Pinnacle upgrade the front tyre to a WTB Vigilante. And having spent even more time on the Kapur 2 we’d also recommend upgrading the rear tyre to something taller. Not least because the BB height it quite low, so you tend to clip pedals on natural, rooty trails. The other option would be for Pinnacle to fit the shorter 170mm crankams used on the three smaller frame sizes to the L and XL sizes.

pinnacle kapur 2

Details

Frame:6061-T6 aluminium
Fork:Suntour XCR32 LO-R Coil, 120mm travel
Wheels:Shimano hubs, alloy rims, WTB Ranger 27.5x2.25in tyres
Drivetrain:Shimano Altus 40-30-22t chainset, Altus 9-speed f-mech, r-mech and shifters
Brakes:Shimano M315, 160mm
Weight:14.09kg (31.06lb)
Sizes:XS, S, M, L, XL
Size tested:L
Contact:evanscycles.com