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 501–520 of 898

giant trance 2

There’s a directness to the ride of the Giant Trance 2 that makes it feel very efficient and fluid. And it doesn’t trade big hit capacity to achieve it.

£2,499.00
Score 9

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

norco range a3

Norco Range A3 is an economically viable enduro option from the Canadian big hitters. Eats up rough ground, stops confidently with good composure.

£2,300.00
scott genius 720

The basis of the Scott Genius 720 layout comes from the Scott Spark, which means it gets an upside down shock, cradled in a Trunnion mount at the down tube.

£4,099.00
Score 9

Canyon Spectral CF 8.0

Make no mistake, the new Canyon Spectral CF 8.0 isn’t just a facelift with a nip here and a tuck there to extend the shelf life of an existing platform.

£2,699.00
Score 10

trek remedy 9.7

Our in depth review of the Trek Remedy 9.7 long travel trail bike. At £2700, the 9.7 sits in the Remedy range just above the entry level Remedy 7.

£2,700.00
Score 9

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

Scott Spark RC 900 Team

It doesn’t take long to realise that the Scott Spark RC 900 Team is one of the stand out XC race bikes. Trail bike geometry and efficient suspension.

£3,699.00
Score 10

merida big trail 500

The Merida Big Trail 500 frame certainly looks modern, with its compact rear triangle, Boost 148mm dropouts, hourglass head tube and low-slung top tube.

£1,350.00
Score 7

norco fluid 1 ht

The Norco Fluid 1 HT strikes a great balance between performance and value. Low BB height makes you feel more in the bike and boosts stability.

£1,200.00
Score 9

Giant anthem advanced pro 29

The Giant Anthem Advanced Pro 29 is Giant's short (90mm) travel, carbon XC race weapon. Matched to a 100mm fork it delivers almost trail bike handling.

£4,249.00
Score 9

saracen kili flyer

Saracen is aiming to recapture its glory years with its latest Saracen Kili Flyer. Will a fresh start breathe new life into this venerable brand?

£1,849.99
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

orbea rallon

Orbea Rallon combines efficient pedalling dynamics with light weight and it feels like a very capable 29er trail bike with enduro race bike geometry.

£5,699.00
Score 9

Whyte G-170 S

The new Whyte G-170 S is smooth, composed and balanced. It is easy to set-up and even easier to ride flat-out. A full-blown gravity focused race weapon.

£2,399.00
Score 10

nukeproof mega 275

Nukeproof has done an amazing job with the new Nukeproof Mega 275 Comp. The geometry and sizing are on point, the specification is on the money.

£2,399.99
Score 9

trek remedy

We’ve been impressed by the sensitivity of Trek’s RE:aktiv dampers from RockShox and Fox, but the Trek Remedy brings sensitivity to another level.

£4,500.00