Capable, snappy, and hungry are all words we would use to describe the new Juliana Joplin. It is ready for high alpine trail missions, after-work flow laps, and everything in between. Version 5 of the Joplin is designed to push the limits of what we know as cross-country riding and quite possibly to be the downhiller's XC bike. With 120mm of Fox Factory-supported VPP suspension, it remains fully capable of climbing the most technical of ascents with speed and precision. The 65. 5-degree headtube angle, along with a 130mm RockShox Pike Select out front, keeps the Joplin stable on the descents yet hungry for more side hits and rock drops. Size-specific chainstays and carbon layups ensure that the bike maintains its aggressive feel across the size lineup. The new Joplin has the Glovebox too, so now we can store a full tool roll, along with some snacks out of the way in the downtube, and still have room for a full-size water bottle. The premium Juliana Joplin Carbon C GX Eagle AXS carbon layup is ever so slightly heavier than the Carbon CC construction but comes in a bit cheaper to make room for SRAM's GX Eagle AXS drivetrain. We love the 12-speed GX Eagle AXS shifter and derailleur for their smooth, rapid-fire shifting and low maintenance. The Race Face AR Offset 30 wheels offer long-lasting durability and exceptional ride feel, especially when run with the combo of the Maxxis Rekon and Dissector tires. The RockShox Reverb Stealth dropper post provides smooth saddle actuation so we can dial in the perfect saddle height for climbing yet still get the saddle out of the way for the next techy rock garden on the way down. After riding the new Juliana Joplin Carbon C GX Eagle AXS, we have to reconsider what we think a cross-country bike is capable of. *Due to a high demand in the global supply chain and bike industry since the start of the pandemic, material weight and exact components are subject to change. We are working diligently to keep tech specs updated, and a...