Revel El Jefe Titanium Mountain Bike [Rider Review]

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The Revel El Jefe Titanium Hardtail offers an unparalleled blend of speed, comfort, and durability, making it the ultimate choice for riders who demand top-tier performance. Read on to discover why this titanium marvel is a favorite among all types of riders.

Overview

When I first got into mountain biking about seven years ago, I started with a low-spec aluminum XC hardtail. It wasn’t a big-box store bike, but looking back, it was far from ideal. Within six months, I realized it wasn't the right fit for me, and I began searching for a better option. Fortunately, a buddy had a lightly used Ibis Ripley frame, which I built up into what I consider my first "real" mountain bike. After that, I didn't consider another hardtail for years.

This past year, I upgraded my Ibis to a longer travel full-suspension bike. The extra travel and the overall higher build spec were a game-changer for me. However, after a couple of months, I realized there was still a place for a short-travel bike—or even a hardtail—in my life. This wasn’t something I expected. My previous hardtail experiences had left me both emotionally and physically bruised.

Through conversations with a good friend who rides a hardtail, and by listening to the excellent MTB Podcast, I started to consider a hardtail as a viable option again. After much deliberation, I decided to add a hardtail to my stable, opting for it over a short-travel bike. The next step was deciding which one to get: Carbon? Custom steel? I had heard about the Revel El Jefe Titanium, primarily on the MTB Podcast, but I hadn’t paid much attention until I settled on building another hardtail.

Design & Build: The Titanium Marvel The Revel El Jefe isn't just another bike; it's a titanium marvel. The frame is built with resilience and comfort in mind, and the raw titanium finish is nothing short of stunning. When I first touched it, I knew this was something special. I wanted a bike with a slack geometry, but nothing too aggressive, and the El Jefe fit the bill perfectly. The fact that it has UDH compatibility was a huge bonus, as I planned to build it up with AXS Transmission.

Performance: A Ride Like No Other Taking the El Jefe out for its maiden voyage, I was filled with a mix of excitement and trepidation. Would this bike disappoint me like my previous hardtail? But as soon as I started pedaling, it was clear: this bike was different. The ride was smooth and responsive, almost as if the bike was reading my mind. It felt like riding on a sentient cloud that moonlights as a mountain bike. With about 100 miles on this bike so far, primarily on fast singletrack, I can confidently say it’s everything I hoped it would be.

Speed: Warp Speed Thrills The El Jefe doesn't just go fast; it’s like warp speed on wheels. It brought back that childhood feeling of racing downhill with reckless abandon—minus the faceplant at the bottom. I zoomed past fellow bikers so quickly that they seemed to be standing still, mouths agape in awe (or maybe confusion).

Comfort: A Throne of Marshmallows Let’s talk about comfort. Other hardtails often have saddles designed by medieval torturers, but the El Jefe is different. It’s like sitting on a throne of marshmallows and unicorn fur. I was prepared for the usual hardtail experience—enduring discomfort and convincing myself that "pain is just weakness leaving the body." Instead, this bike felt like a gentle hug throughout the ride. No more post-ride walks of shame!

Durability: Built for the Apocalypse I’ve thrown everything at this bike: rocky trails, steep descents, and even a jump that ended in an unintended but impressive somersault. The El Jefe took it all in stride without a single complaint. I’m convinced you could ride this bike through an apocalypse, and it would come out the other side asking, "Is that all you’ve got?"

Overall Experience: A Revelation in Hardtails The Revel El Jefe Titanium isn’t just a hardtail; it’s a revelation. It’s the bike that made me believe in hardtails again. It’s the one that whispered sweet nothings as I conquered trails and laughed in the face of gravity. It has restored my faith in mountain biking and turned every ride into an epic adventure.

So, if you’re hesitant to dip your toes back into the hardtail waters, the Revel El Jefe Titanium is here to tell you, "Come on in, the ride is fine." It’s the bike that will make you fall in love with hardtails all over again, and maybe even inspire you to write a love letter to titanium. Trust me, your behind will thank you.

A Special Shoutout to Worldwide Cyclery I also can’t recommend Worldwide Cyclery enough. A few years ago, I needed a small, random part to fix a dropper and took a chance on this website I had never heard of. There was an issue with the part (from the manufacturer, not WC), and Worldwide made it right immediately. They gained a lifelong customer with their excellent customer service that day. While we’ve had some additional issues with shipping over the years, the team at Worldwide Cyclery never fails to take care of everything.

Final Thoughts

If you’re on the fence about whether a hardtail is right for you, I cannot recommend the Revel El Jefe enough. It’s a blast to ride, and Worldwide Cyclery is the place to get it.