Issue link: http://trailridermagazine.uberflip.com/i/1139140
14 Trail Rider 2019 Beta Evo 200 Review By Stuart Preston Some mes less is more, and this month I'd like to prove the point with a look at the 2019 Beta Evo 200 2T. Here at Jack's Cycles we're very fortunate to have the first look at many of the latest and greatest bikes for Trial, as they con nue to evolve and emerge from manufacturers around the world. With the variety of equipment available on the Trials marketplace, it's easy to be distracted by the top-end models from each company, as they con- nue to bring true works-level performance to the buying public. With "Factory, R, RR and GP" replica bikes that are ready for true "World Championship" levels of performance, it's only natural to yearn for the best each factory has to offer; while, in reality, what the Trials customer "wants" can actually be a bit off target from what they actually "need." O en, a bike set up for a top-level rider will prove to be too "sharp" or "touchy" for a rider of more modest abili es, and as a result, finding the ap- propriate bike for the right rider is not always as simple as it might seem. Sure, that high-compression Factory 300 might be just the cket for a long fourth-gear hill climb out of a narrow stream bed, but how will it react on a slippery, root-infested camber or on a mud- dy slope with very li le run in? A more powerful bike can o en become a liability in the ghter and technical areas of a sec on, where smooth and predictable responses can become a rider's best friend. This allows for the occasional mis- take to be forgiven and for a successful ride to be achieved. The very same quali es that might appeal to a top-level Trials rider — such as a sharp response to the thro le or clutch — can actually hinder those riders of less-than-expert abili es. A so er power delivery and a slower and smoother clutch engagement can be very helpful for those of us with more mortal abili es.