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 561–580 of 907

Giant Anthem 2

Giant’s Reign and Trance range of full suspension bikes have long been absolute favourites here at MBR for their superlative handling, suspension and sizing. So putting the shorter travel, race…

£2,399.00
Score 9

specialized camber

The 2017 Specialized Camber Comp 29 is still a rapid, fun bike though, and with tweaks to the specification it could bump it’s rating up a notch.

£2,100.00
Score 8

Lapierre ProRace

Lapierre has gone all out in producing a completely revamped ProRace for 2018. Going beyond what is expected from a modern cross country hardtail, the French company has revealed what…

forme ripley

The Forme 
Ripley has impeccable trail manners. A really neutral riding position, it maintains speed incredibly well, and there’s also compliance.

£900.00
Score 8

diamondback sync

The Diamondback Sync is the latest addition to their range of alloy hardtails. With prices starting at £375 the bikes are targeted squarely at new riders.

£495.00
Score 7

transition smuggler

There's nothing logical but something magical about the Transition Smuggler. On paper it shouldn't really work. On dirt it's a different story.

£2,799.95
Score 9

bmc trailfox amp

Two years in development, the BMC Trailfox AMP ebike is finally ready. A showstopper at Eurobike the Trailfox AMP is powered up and ready to shred.

Trek Top Fuel

Swing a leg over the Trek Top Fuel 9 and the first thing you notice is the suspension is keen to get working. It’s a seriously rapid bike on the…

£3,000.00
Score 8

Canyon LUX CF 6.9 Pro Race

The Canyon LUX CF 6.9 Pro Race 100mm travel bike is aimed squarely at XC and marathon racers. The LUX promises to be a seriously rapid machine.

£2,699.00
Score 8

whyte 605

The Whyte 605 is our Hardtail of the Year in the £750 category, but it isn’t perfect. A proper front tyre and a wider bar it would be on a…

£699.00
Score 9

trek fuel ex plus

Trek’s venerable Fuel gets a high-octane boost in the form of Plus-size wheels with the Trek Fuel EX Plus 9.8 27.5. Beautiful to behold and a joy to ride.

£4,100.00
Score 9

whyte t129

The Whyte T129 RS really comes into its own on smooth, flowing trails where it has a great turn of speed. It's less convincing on rough trails, though.

£3,000.00
Score 8

cube stereo 140 29

Some positive changes to the geometry and handling of the Cube Stereo 140 29 C:62 SL for 2017. It’s also upgraded to a full carbon chassis and handlebar.

£3,299.00
Score 8

scott spark plus

The Scott Spark 710 Plus has been ridden to two Olympic gold medals; well now it can add our Trail Bike of the Year award to its glittering palmarès.

£3,899.00
Score 10

cannondale moterra

At nearly 24kg, the Cannondale Moterra is certainly a brute — even for an e-bike — but clever engineering means it stops short of being a blunt instrument.

£5,199.99
orange four

With a revised frame construction, the new Orange Four is light, fast and a bundle of fun. Short-travel trail bike with 130mm travel front, 120mm rear.

£4,200.00
vitus escarpe 29

Having endured all four of the UK’s seasons as one our fleet of long termer test bikes, how has the keenly priced Vitus Escarpe 29 VR held up?

£1,529.99
Score 9