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 61–80 of 899

Specialized S-Works Epic WC

Specialized teased the new Epic World Cup on the race circuit for several months, and SRAM even revealed it before the official launch, but Specialized still had a surprise up…

£11,000.00
Score 7

Trek Fuel EX 9.7

Hot on the heels of the Trek Fuel EXe, the new Fuel EX shares a similar silhouette, albeit without the compact TQ motor and 360Wh battery. And just like the…

£4,175.00
Score 8

YT Jeffsy Core 5 Cwmcarn

Need to know Latest Jeffsy Core 5 has 145mm travel and a 150mm fork, with Fox Factory suspension Core 5 model is top of the range, comes with SRAM XO…

£5,999.00
Cotic Jeht 2

The Cotic Jeht trail bike propelled itself straight into a position as the UK brand’s most popular model, with sweet spot mid-travel suspension and sorted geometry. Although only lightly evolved,…

£5,799.00
Trek Supercaliber SLR 9.9 XX AXS Gen 2

Trek’s new Supercaliber is very much an evolution of the original ‘revolutionary’ design. As a result, it feels like a very sorted, balanced and predictable XC bike, its eagerness for…

£10,800.00
Score 9

Ducati Powerstage RR

I have an admission to make. I don’t follow motorsports; never have done. But when someone says Ducati, I instantly think ‘red’ or ‘yellow’, quickly followed by ‘916’ or ‘Monster’.…

£9,741.76
Privateer E161

This bike is heavy on the scales but rides light on the trails. How often have you heard that said about an e-bike? I’ve certainly written something like that on…

£5,999.00
Merida One-Twenty 2024

First ride review As a trail all-rounder that targets simplicity and affordability, Merida’s latest One-Twenty model isn’t directly competing with the best downcountry bikes that we’ve tested, like the Scott…

£3,100.00
Merida One-Sixty FR 600

The Merida One-Sixty FR was launched at September’s EX Enduro in Devon, so our first ride testing and evaluation was carried out on terrain in and around the event with…

£3,500.00
Atherton AM.170

We’ve seen it the Atherton AM.170 perform at the highest level in Gee’s latest Ridgeline IV video where he ventures high into the Dolomite mountains on an epic trip, but…

£8,200.00
Calibre Line T3-27

The Line T3-27 marks a welcome return for the Calibre brand to one of its most successful old stomping grounds. With its sloping top tube, progressive trail geometry and large…

£1,000.00
Score 10

Specialized Epic Hardtail Comp

Who is the Epic hardtail for? That’s the question I posed to the product manager responsible for Specialized’s XC race bikes. His response was both honest and telling. “It’s for…

£4,100.00
Vitus Sentier 29

There are a ton of parallels between the Vitus Sentier 29 and the cheaper Nucleus 29 VR in the sub £700 category. Both are the entry-level models in their respective…

£949.99
Score 9

Voodoo Bizango Pro

Since winning our 2022 Hardtail of the Year award, life has been good for the Voodoo Bizango Pro. So good, that the only thing that’s changed is the price has…

£950.00
Score 10

Canyon Stoic 2

If you’ve been following our Hardtail of the Year test, you’re probably wondering why the Canyon Stoic 2 wasn’t in the mix. And the answer is simple. It didn’t arrive…

£899.00
Score 9

Polygon Xtrada 5

Xtrada literally translates to crossroads. And that can be interpreted a couple of different ways. Did Polygon intend the Xtrada 5 to meet at the intersection between on and off…

£600.00
Score 9

On One Scandal SX

Right now, On One offers several complete hardtail options at under £1,000, including the steel-framed Big Dog and Huntsman, but this is On One’s only offering made from aluminium. Before…

£999.99
Score 8