Fast and agile, Cortex is a trail riding, down-country, all terrain mountain bike for seriously epic days out. It comes alive on long technical descents with 120 mm rear travel, big wheels and a stiff responsive frame.

With bang up to date geometry, Cortex is confidence inspiring with a playful character. Stand up and mash on the pedals out of turns, manual sections of trail and pop off tree stumps, rocks and roots. Smash out short and loose technical climbs, flat out descents and tight techy singletrack sections. The harder you push the bigger you grin.

At a glance

• Shimano XT M8100 12-speed groupset
• Rockshox Pike Ultimate fork
• Rockshox Deluxe Select+ shock
• Sonder Alpha 29″ wheelset

Cortex frameset is hand-welded from 6061 double butted aluminium with a tapered ovalised top-tube and large section down-tube for a stiff chassis with just enough compliance to get you out of trouble. 66 head angle, 74.5 seat tube angle, 40 mm bottom bracket drop and a 465 mm reach (size large). Cortex’s dialed in geometry and 2.6″ tyre clearance offers a comfortable and efficient climbing position for big miles and a stable, spirited platform for smashing up descents.

Why XT?

Shimano drivetrains are designed, engineered and manufactured to work as complete drivetrain systems. Shimano’s new microspline hub means that you can run a 10 tooth cassette for a huge gear range. The new EV shifters and brakes provide loads of adjustment to get the perfect position as well as a rock-solid feel on the bars. And the 4-pot brakes provide consistent and reliable stopping power.