It’s MBR’s biggest ever bike test — and the definitive guide to the best hardtails on the market

MBR’s first ever Hardtail of the Year test set the template for our annual quest to find the best hardtail mountain bike on the market.

We took 20 bikes across £600, £1,000 and women’s specific categories, and put them through our usual exhaustive test procedure, starting with a shakedown at Forest of Dean. Scroll down to see a full list of the bikes of test, but first, watch this video to see us put them through their paces.

If you’re looking for a 2013 hardtail, you’re in the right place. And if you only want to read about the winners then click to read our reviews of the £600 VooDoo Bizango 29, £1,000 Scott Scale 960 and the women specific Trek Cali S.

In the market for a brand new bike? Check out Hardtail of the Year 2014.

Read the reviews from our Hardtail of the Year shootout:

£600 category
Commencal El Camino 3 29
Fuji Nevada 1.5
KTM Ultra Fun
Lapierre Raid 329
Saracen Mantra Pro
Specialized Rockhopper
Trek 4500 Disc
VooDoo Bizango 29er 

£1000 category
Cannondale Trail SL 29er 2
Canyon Yellowstone AL 6.9
Cube LTD Pro
Giant Talon 29er 1
Marin Palisades Trail 29er
Merida Big Nine TFS 900
Scott Scale 960
Pinnacle Ramin 3

Women’s specific
Boardman Fi MTB Comp
Scott Contessa Scale 920
Specialized Myka Elite Disc
Trek Cali S