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 898

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

calibre beastnut

The Calibre Beastnut is a Bossnut on steroids. Same 130mm aluminium skeleton, but the 'Nut's extra muscle makes for a completely different animal.

£1,299.00
Score 10

Specialized Levo Carbon

The Specialized Levo Carbon expands Spesh's eMTB range for 2018 to include three new carbon framed models. Reduced weight and increased stiffness.

£8,999.00
zerode taniwha review

With its wide-ratio Pinion gearbox, the Zerode Taniwha enduro rig marries innovation to aesthetics. Superlative suspension, excels on rough terrain.

£6,199.00
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