Bikes

All the latest bikes comprehensively tested. If we don’t think a product is worthy of our hard-earned, we won’t tell you to part with yours for it. That’s the promise we make with our bike and equipment tests. For all our tests we guarantee that:

  • They’re conducted by some of the most experienced and knowledgeable riders in the business.
  • Ratings are awarded only after a thorough testing process on a variety of terrain.
  • Tests are independent, and in no way influenced by our advertisers.

In most cases, we fit control tyres, bars and stems to the test bikes to ensure a level playing field and to highlight differences in handling. Tyre pressures are equalised to keep grip levels identical. We also weigh and measure the bikes ourselves, because this data doesn’t always tally with the manufacturer’s official figures. The numbers you read in the tests are the actual angles and measurements.

Our ratings are awarded out of 10, with 10/10 being the top mark.

  • 1-4  Means something’s wrong. Possibly a design flaw or a major weakness.
  • 5-6  OK – one or two faults but has potential
  • 7  Worth considering
  • 8  Very good – for the money, we’d buy it
  • 9  Excellent – a slight mod or two and it might be perfect
  • 10  Simply the best!
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Showing reviews 541–560 of 910

transition scout

The Transition Scout Carbon 3 has a great shape and ground-tracking suspension. But for that cash, some equipment isn’t at the level we’d expect.

£4,995.00
Score 8

pivot mach 5.5 review

With the Pivot Mach 5.5 the brand waited seven years before deeming itself ready to bring out the successor its most popular bike ever, the Mach 5.7.

£5,800.00
Score 9

evil the calling

The Evil The Calling is the perfect downhiller’s trail bike. With maximum grip, cornering shred-factor and attitude. Easy to ride for intermediates too.

£5,499.99
Score 10

antidote carbonjack

Expensive carbon enduro bikes are two a penny, and cost a pretty penny too, the Antidote Carbonjack has an identity and a ride quality that’s truly unique.

Saracen tufftrax

The Saracen Tufftrax Disc has a quality 6061 aluminium frame that endows it with a smooth and rewarding ride. Shimano shifting adds to the quality.

£439.99
Score 6

BMC Speedfox 02 Two

It’s not geometry on the BMC Speedfox 02 that’s revolutionary, it’s the new integrated dropper post that changes shock settings as you change saddle height.

£4,400.00
rocky mountain altitude powerplay

The Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay isn't differentiated from regular trail bikes on their website. This speaks volumes about a unique approach to ebikes.

£6,499.00
Score 9

merida big trail

The Merida Big Trail stays true to the hardcore hardtail philosophy. Super comfortable riding position – helped by a tiny 35mm stem and 760mm handlebar.

£1,750.00
orbea oiz

The Orbea Oiz M20 is a ruthlessly fast and efficient race winning machine. It rewards hard efforts with an almost insatiable appetite for speed.

£3,799.00
Score 9

identiti mettle review

The Identiti Mettle GX enduro bike is a sturdy unit, and it benefits from SRAM’s latest RockShox Deluxe shock and wide-range GX Eagle drivetrain.

£3,599.99
Score 9

dmr sled review

On small to medium hits, the back end of the 160mm travel DMR Sled feels amazing with a RockShox Monarch RT3 shock takes care of damping duties.

£3,499.99
Score 8

btwin rockrider 560

With mbr’s Hardtail of the Year test still fresh, it's impossible not to compare the B’Twin Rockrider 560 with the winning bike, the Vitus Nucleus 275 VR.

£525.00
Specialized Rockhopper Comp 2017

The Specialized Rockhopper is a name dripping in MTB history. There are not many other bikes boasting a heritage spanning over four decades. For many of us, the Rockhopper was…

£675.00
Score 7

KTM Scarp Elite

The KTM Scarp Elite is one of the company’s 14-model XC race bike range. Sitting third from the bottom, the Elite stands out for being one of only two bikes…

£2,799.00
Score 8

forme lathkill

Flattering and instilling rider confidence isn’t a trait all trail bikes manage, so the Forme Lathkill LTD deserves props for delivering the fundamentals.

£2,995.00
marin hawk hill

The Marin Hawk Hill has nearly all the makings of a great bike. The frame is solid, the sizing is on point and the specification is competitive.

£1,350.00
Score 8