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 921

The new Capra offers an amazing package for the price. Can it deliver the riding thrills to match? - £3,186

£3,186.00
Score 10

Vitus Sentier 275 VR: best hardtail under £1,000

Our £1,000 Hardtail of the Year offers a good all-round package and an amazingly fun ride — and it's now reduced to £799.99

£799.99
Score 10

Reduced in the end-of-2013 sales, the Vitus Sommet 1 is a gravity-focused trail bike with a great parts package

£2,399.00
Score 10

2013 Norco Sight 2, £2,350

Norco is a company on top of its game right now, and the 140mm-travel Sight 2 earned a rare 10/10 from our test team

£2,350.00
Score 10

VooDoo Bizango 29er hardtail of the Year £600 category

2013's Hardtail of the Year offered modern geometry and a great parts package

£599.99
Score 10

The Rockhopper isn't as good at hopping rocks than ripping singletrack

Few companies have as much experience building hardtails as Specialized. The 2011 Rockhopper proves that it has still got what it takes to build a great one.

£700.00
Score 10

Of the 47 bikes we tested in 2011, six scored a perfect 10 out of 10. But only one will be crowned Bike of the Year

Score 10

2011 Giant Trance X4

The Giant Trance X4 might not cost the earth, but the fact that it outperforms many bikes costing twice the price makes it our 2011 Full-suspension Bike of the Year

£1,295.00
Score 10