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See Our Best Short Travel Mountain Bike Review 2021 Article HERE!

This is one of the simpler bikes to review on our list because there is only one model and build of the Banshee Phantom V3. This makes it feel like Banshee is saying, “We know what we’re doing, so you only get one.” That’s pretty rad.

The Bike

The Banshee Phantom is now sporting a 66-degree head angle, coupled with a 76.6 seat tube angle, and excellent climbing specifications in the geometry. The large frame has 470mm of reach to keep the riding position neutral for the climbs yet engaged in the descents. There is a 44mm offset fork and 445mm chainstay, which is a bit longer than some of the other bikes in the review, and we found it helps improve stability but did not take away too much from handling while climbing.

Banshee has included modular dropouts that can run 142mm or 148mm boost hubs. In addition, the dropouts offer the ability to slightly change the bike geo when switching between neutral or low/slack depending on your riding style and location.

Climbing

The Banshee weighs around 31lbs, which for an alloy frame is quite surprising. They have built a very stable and snappy bike that weighs almost the same as the Norco Optic that uses a front triangle made from carbon. So there are no excuses when you’re on the climbs that your bike weighs a little more than your buddies.

Downhill

The Phantom comes with a forged rear suspension shock cage. It is a singularly forged cage that keeps all of the force from the rear wheel impact in a very small section of the frame around the shock. This helps to firm up the rest of the frame while allowing the frame to be lightweight but stiff. The DPX2 suspension also helps to make the bike feel like it has a bit more travel than the 115mm that it offers. On different tests, testers both mentioned that it has the best ability to bring speed in and out of turns, and you can really push into turns with absolute confidence.

Build Options

There can only be one Banshee Phantom! I forget who said that but they meant it. Banshee only offers one bike build, which is a pretty cool (and bold) move. They have gone with an alloy frame, but this opens up the ability to add higher performing components. Components such as SRAM Code R brakes, carbon wheels, SRAM GX Eagle drivetrain, and a MRP Ribbon Air fork. These components make the bike light and hard-charging with that added braking confidence.

The Bottom Line

As one of the pioneer bikes in the, at the time, unknown “down-country” category, the Phantom is still leading the charge in the short travel shredders. The build quality is so impressive, and the components that Banshee has opted for complement this bike super well. It is poppy and a pumping machine; the feedback is so quick. It climbs well and descends even better. Using the same linkage as some of the other longer travel bikes in the Banshee range, it has just enough Enduro blood to make it an all-day charger.

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