text: playful, but at the end of the day this was still a hardtail, and thus rode like one.
  Climbing: Hardtails have a reputation for being the first to the top, and while the EPO didn't set any climbing records, it made it up the hills. The geometry allowed us to sit forward on the saddle on steep sections and get good leverage.
  Since our test bike was built up with burlier parts, the bike didn't feel as lively on the climbs. Our testers did feel like they were able to get in a comfortable, static position for long grinds, which eased some of the pain of pedaling uphill.
  Cornering: With the dropper post down and our testers standing out of the saddle, we pushed the EPO hard into corners and scratched for every bit of traction we could get out of the tires. The frame felt stiff and stable through tight sections and held a line confidently.
  MAY 2016 / MOUNTAIN BIKE ACTION 89
  It's pink: While everything on our build had a subtle theme, the new WTB Padlock grips provided a little extra color flair. They're also designed with a unique locking mechanism that not only keeps them in place but makes them more comfortable.
  The EPO is designed with several current "standard" technologies, including full-carbon construction and a tapered head tube, yet the overall design is kept relatively simple. With external cable routing, a threaded bottom bracket and non-Boost rear triangle, the EPO has an agenda of its own and caters to the home mechanic in all of us.
  Meat on the bones: The EPO frame has a very unique look with aggressive lines. The carbon tubing is strong and bold throughout the whole design and delivers a stiff ride. Canfield Brothers sells their bikes as frame-only options, giving riders a blank canvas to get as creative with their builds as their pocketbooks will allow.
  Send it: Canfield Brothers built the EPO with an agenda—to let riders have fun when the tires hit the dirt. For us, any lip became a mini "sender" that needed to be tested.