$2199
30.2 pounds
4.9-inch rear wheel travel
Trek, (800) 313-8735
Maxi test: November 2005

Highlights: Trek rejigged the 2005 Liquid 25 frame to provide more standover breathing room. The rear triangle assembly is all new, too. Aluminum tubing is used throughout, and there is a new dropout pivot. The shape of the stays has also been tuned to clear up to a 2.5-inch-wide tire. Plus, there's a stiffer rocker link with an additional through-shaft reinforcement tube. Every linkage pivot rides on cartridge bearings.

Best quote: "Crewers were delighted to find that Trek did a good job hiding its weight. It has a get-up-and-go kick that's hard to match at 30.2 pounds."

Bottom line: While the 2005 Liquid 25 was a giant step up from the previous models that used Black Magic carbon "flex" seat stays and no dropout pivot, we found that hard-effort pedaling interfered with suspension action. More than one crewer complained of the rear suspension firming under hard pedaling efforts. Trek may have agreed with us. The Liquid was replaced in their line by the Remedy.