Featured Bike: Flightline Comp

Our Flightline series defines the phrase “less is more”. With everything you need in a mountain bike without anything you don’t need, each Flightline packs a ton of performance in a simple package. Crafted with sturdy high-grade aluminum frames and proven dirt-worthy parts, a Flightline is the perfect choice for your local bike path, commute to work or school, or favorite singletrack loop. Don’t be afraid to venture off the beaten path from time to time and get dirty.

You want to get into mountain biking, so now all you need is a bike. You want a bike that's lightweight and sturdy enough to keep up with your riding buddies. You're also thinking that you'd like to start with bike that's not terribly expensive but has a nice frame you can upgrade the parts on later if you wanted to. And obviously, it's gotta be fun to ride. Sounds like a tall order, right? We have just the bike for you: the Flightline Comp.

The Flightline Comp starts out with nice alloy frame with a double-butted downtube. Double-butting the downtube saves some frame weight since it involves adding material at the end of the tube where it's needed for welding and reducing the amount of tubing in the middle of the tube where it's not needed. This frame also has a lower standover height...which can be incredibly confidence inspiring if you are new to off-road riding. Trailworthy parts abound on the Flightline Comp...it has a RockShox Dart 2 fork with TurnKey lockout, a Shimano 9-speed drivetrain, and mechanical disc brakes. This isn't a poser trail bike by any stretch! It has everything you need to tackle your local singletrack.

Here are some spec highlights on the Flightline Comp:

• Alloy double-butted down tube frame with oversized tubing and low standover height


• RockShox Dart 2 100mm travel fork with preload adjust and TurnKey lockout


• Shimano Deore rear derailleur with Shimano Deore 9-speed shifters


• Hayes MX4 mechanical disc brakes


• WTB Speed V Sport SE saddle


• Truvativ ISO-Flow cranks


• Kenda Komodo 2.1 tires

MSRP on the Flightline Comp is about $710.