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 161–180 of 921

nukeproof scout

The Nukeproof Scout 275 Sport's slack head angle and long wheelbase gives it stacks of stability when the going gets steep and rough.

£999.99
Score 9

ragley marley

Absent from last year’s test after taking top honours in 2016 and pushing close in 2017, the Ragley Marley is back with a bang for 2019.

£999.99
Score 9

Saracen Zenith

With its double-butted aluminium frame, the Saracen Zenith Pro is one of the lightest bikes in the whole 2019 Hardtail of the Year test.

£699.99
Score 9

pinnacle kapur 2

With progressive geometry and a top quality frame the Pinnacle Kapur 2 has a really nice feel to it – direct and efficient without any jarring.

£475.00
Score 9

norco storm

The Norco Storm 4 is our only 29er on test and as such it gets off to a good start, rolling over rough ground more easily than the 27.5in wheel

£350.00
Score 9

Carrera Vulcan

Carrera Vulcan has some of the best components and spec on test, and it’s clear this is where Carrera has spent its money, creating a good entry level bike.

£350.00
Score 9

giant trance 29

The Giant Trance 29 sits squarely between the Anthem 29 and the 27.5in Trance. Delivering a modest 115mm of travel, but this is a seriously capable bike.

£3,699.00
Score 9

Specialized Epic Comp Evo

The Specialized Epic is one of the most famous names in XC racing, right up there with that other Specialized racer, Ned Overend. This Evo model gets more travel and…

£2,900.00
Score 9

cannondale habit carbon

Cannondale Habit Carbon 3 gets a carbon frame, progressive geometry, 29inch wheels, large volume 2.5in tyres and 130mm front and rear travel.

£3,299.99
Score 9

whyte t-130

It's easy to quickly glance at the 2019 Whyte T-130 S and assume it’s the same as last year’s bike, albeit with fatter 2.6in tyres and a 140mm travel fork.…

£2,650.00
Score 9

kona hei hei

Kona is better known for its freeride bikes but it’s no stranger to XC racing either, the 100mm travel Kona Hei Hei being its weapon of choice.

£4,299.00
Score 9

Scott Spark 940

The alloy Scott Spark 940 shares an almost identical frame design to the RC version but tweaks to the geometry and tubing really boost its trail confidence.

£2,999.00
Score 9

voodoo bantu

The Voodoo Bantu might be right at the entry point of Voodoo's mountain bike range but it shapes up as anything but entry level in ride quality and spec.

£450.00
Score 9

Winner of our 2018 Trail Bike of the Year test, the Canyon Spectral proved beyond a shadow of doubt that it really is the compete package.

£3,649.00
Score 9

Laura Bailey saddles up her new Trek Remedy 8 27.5 Women's in a bid to ascertain whether or not women's specific rigs are worth it.

£2,700.00
Score 9

Marin San Quentin 2

With progressive geometry, generous sizing and a sorted specification, we couldn’t wait to do time on the new Marin San Quentin 2.

£1,150.00
Score 9

canyon spectral:on

The Canyon Spectral:ON is sporting 150mm of rear wheel travel and short 432mm chain stays that mirror the regular Canyon Spectral bike.

£4,499.00
Score 9

best enduro mountain bikes

Hard not to love the Santa Cruz Nomad CC. It looks drop dead gorgeous, pedals better than most 140mm bikes but you have 170mm to get you out of trouble.

£6,399.00
Score 9