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 341–360 of 921

whyte s-150 s

Called the Whyte S-150 S, it has 150mm of travel, Boost spacing and Whyte’s dedicated SCR (Single Chain Ring) frameset design.

£2,850.00
Score 8

lapierre xr 529

The 2018 Lapierre XR 529 is the bike Lapierre developed to meet the demands of XCO and Marathon cross country racing but it's a capable trail bike too.

£2,999.00
Score 8

merida one forty

Modern geometry and 2.6in tyres make the new Merida One Forty 700 trail bike a delight to ride. Joins a line-up featuring One Twenty and One Sixty.

£2,500.00
Score 8

KTM Scarp Master

Hailing from Austria, the birthplace of Schwarzenegger, the KTM Scarp Master 12 has a distinctly European feel pervading the design and specification.

£3,699.00
Score 8

specialized enduro pro 29

With its recently revised geometry the 2018 Specialized Enduro Pro 29 now has the attitude and riding position to capitalize on its 165mm travel.

£6,500.00
Score 8

orange crush

Revised specification and pricing within the Crush range makes the Crush Pro £2K, but the entry-level Crush S has also been upgraded to fill the void.

£1,700.00
Score 8

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 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