The LS is insane and so good in so many ways. I’m never one to worry about weight, especially when you’re taking a bike off on the gravel and onto rocks, ruts, and carrying terrain – I’d rather have the durability to be able to handle it, versus a lightweight gram weenie. That said, it checks both boxes of being lightweight but reinforced and durable/burly in high-stress areas.

With the durability and added capacity, it not only makes it super compliant off-road, but also on road. Where I’m training, it can take over an hour to get to the good gravel roads and it’s proven ridiculously fast on the road. I’ve been on 33mm file tread IRC tires mostly, but also 40mm IRC’s – and the bike rolls along so well on pavement. Even out of the saddle, it’s jumpy in the right ways to deliver a good sprint.

What I find incredible is the ability of the bike to maintain traction on steep inclines without spinning out. Clearly, the geometry was addressed to ensure this capacity in these types of conditions.

As for handling off-road and on gravel, I can throw the bike where I want it, and it responds in kind. It feels super solid and confident out there. I left 10mm in the steer tube to allow for raising the integrated bar/stem from Black Inc to suit long events and training rides, but also for having the ability to drop it low for shorter, faster sessions and events that are less aggressive terrain wise.

One last note – it’s so beautiful. I absolutely love the bare carbon layup as it shimmers and glistens in the sunlight. It’s subtle, understated, but powerful.”

This really is a great mixed terrain bike that performance-focused riders will get a kick out of… its ride quality and low mass offer a subtle improvement over many other comparable bikes… the LS shows there’s always room for simple design done well.

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