ARI Bikes Delano Peak Mountain Bike Review: A Balanced Trail Machine

When I first got my hands on the ARI Bikes Delano Peak, I was excited to see if this mid-travel trail bike lived up to the hype. After putting it through its paces on a variety of terrain—technical climbs, flowy descents, and everything in between—I can confidently say that this bike is an excellent all-rounder. However, it does have a few quirks that riders should be aware of.

In this review, I’ll break down my experience with the Delano Peak, covering its strengths and weaknesses in climbing, descending, braking, and trail handling. I’ll also go over potential upgrades, the price, and whether this bike is worth your hard-earned money.

First Impressions & Build Quality

Right out of the box, the ARI Delano Peak looks like a bike designed for fun. It has modern geometry, an aggressive yet playful stance, and a full-carbon frame that keeps it lightweight yet sturdy. The frame itself feels well-constructed, and the bike’s suspension design immediately stands out as something that would excel in a variety of conditions.

ARI offers the Delano Peak in different build kits, but I tested the XT build with a Fox 36 Performance Elite fork (150mm travel) and a Fox Float X shock (135mm travel). Shimano XT 4-piston brakes and a Shimano XT drivetrain round out the build, making it a solid mid-tier option for serious trail riders.

After assembling the bike and setting up the suspension to my preferences, I took it out for its first ride—and that’s where the real testing began.

Climbing: Efficient, But Needs Some Tuning

Climbing on the Delano Peak is an interesting experience. The steep 77.5-degree seat tube angle puts you in a comfortable and efficient pedaling position, which is great for longer ascents. I found that it positioned my hips directly over the cranks, making it easier to put power down without feeling like I was fighting the geometry.

However, the rear suspension is quite active, especially on steeper climbs. While this means great traction on loose and rocky climbs, it also means that some energy gets lost in the suspension movement. I found myself frequently reaching for the shock’s compression switch to stiffen things up, especially on smoother fire roads where efficiency is key.

One thing I really appreciated was the relatively short chainstays (430mm), which helped keep the front wheel grounded on steeper climbs. Even on technical uphill sections, the bike maintained solid traction and never felt like it wanted to loop out.

Descending: Playful and Poppy, But Not the Most Planted

This is where the Delano Peak really shines. The bike is lively, playful, and responsive, making it an absolute blast on flowy and jump-filled descents. With 135mm of rear travel paired with a 150mm fork, it’s positioned in that sweet spot between an aggressive trail bike and a light enduro machine.

I noticed that the bike likes to pop off small trail features rather than simply plow through them. If you enjoy jumping, manualing, and flicking the bike around, you’ll love how the Delano Peak handles.

That said, at higher speeds on rough terrain, I did notice that the frame felt less planted than some burlier trail bikes. While it never felt sketchy, riders who prefer a more composed, plow-friendly ride might want to consider a bike with more travel or a stiffer frame.

Braking: Confidence-Inspiring and Strong

The Shimano XT 4-piston brakes on this build are a highlight. They provide plenty of stopping power, which is essential when descending steep, technical trails. The modulation is good, meaning you can feather the brakes without locking up, but they also bite hard when you need to come to a quick stop.

One thing I noticed, though, is that on long descents, the rear brake started to fade slightly. This isn’t uncommon with Shimano brakes, and a simple upgrade to larger rotors (203mm instead of 180mm) could help dissipate heat more effectively.

Trail Handling: Responsive and Nimble

The Delano Peak’s geometry makes it an incredibly fun and responsive bike on twisty singletrack. The short chainstays and balanced reach make it easy to navigate tight switchbacks, while the low bottom bracket keeps it feeling planted in corners.

I found that body positioning makes a big difference on this bike. When riding aggressively, shifting my weight forward helped me get the most out of the suspension. If you’re coming from a longer, slacker enduro bike, this might take some getting used to, but once you dial in your positioning, the bike rewards you with a lively and intuitive ride.

Price and Upgrades

The ARI Delano Peak XT Build retails for around $5,500, which places it in the mid-to-premium trail bike category. For the price, you get a solid carbon frame, a well-balanced suspension setup, and reliable Shimano XT components.

However, there are a few upgrades I would recommend:

• Rotors: Upgrading to 203mm rotors would improve braking power on long descents.
• Rear Shock: A higher-end Fox Float X2 or RockShox Super Deluxe Ultimate could add more composure on rough terrain.
• Wheels: The stock wheels are solid, but upgrading to a lighter carbon wheelset could improve climbing efficiency and acceleration.

Final Verdict: Who Is This Bike For?

The ARI Delano Peak is a fun, capable, and versatile trail bike that will appeal to riders who enjoy technical climbs, flowy descents, and playful riding. It’s not the most planted bike at high speeds, but if you prefer a bike that responds quickly to rider input, you’ll love how the Delano Peak rides.

Who Should Buy It?

• Riders who love poppy, playful trail bikes.
• Those who want a well-balanced mid-travel machine.
• Anyone who values efficient climbing with good traction.

Who Should Look Elsewhere?

• Riders who prefer longer-travel, plow-style bikes for enduro racing.
• Those who want maximum high-speed stability.

Overall, the ARI Delano Peak is a fantastic mid-travel trail bike that excels in versatility and fun factor. With a few minor tweaks and upgrades, it could be even better—but even in stock form, it’s a bike that delivers an incredible ride on a variety of trails.