If you want a versatile trail bike at a great value this is the one for you. The $3500 R+ Santa Cruz Bronson R+ with 150mm rear travel, 2.6 tires, i35 rims, Yari fork, 112 Eagle NX drivetrain, Maxxis Minion tires, looks very good. With playful 27.5in wheels and a sporty 130mm of rear travel, we use the Mojo 4 XT Mountain Bike to turn sandstone trails into an endless maze of side hits and rock gaps. Yeti has continued to push mountain bike design and develop some of the world's top racing talent through the years. The titanium Big Iron comes with 27.5-inch. This entry carbon model is the bike I've been riding the past couple of weeks. Fuel EX 5 is the gateway to full suspension trail bikes. From 2008 to 2011, the Yeti downhill team introduced the world to Aaron Gwin, America's most successful downhill racer, and Yeti's enduro race team won three successive Enduro World Series championships from 2014 to 2016 with Jared Graves and Richie Rude. Short chainstays make this bike naturally active and playful. Best E-Mountain Trail Bike: Specialized Turbo Levo Comp. It tackles technical climbs with the best of 'em. 4. Mountain bike wheel size can seem complicated, but it's not. A large number of all-purpose mountain bikes are still available . The North Fruita desert recreation area includes over 250 miles of designated recreation routes. Best Hardtail for Trail Riding: Salsa Timberjack XT 29. RAAW Mountain Bikes Powered by Shopify. The Rift Zone 27.5 has a Series 3 6061 butted and hydroformed aluminum frame with 120mm travel MultiTrac suspension technology and playful 27.5" wheels. The Bell Sanction Adult Full Face Bike Helmet provides excellent protection for the most important part of your body - your . The bike provides an excellent ride with some unusual features. Women's Pro Cycling Improving but Still Behind. It features awesome upgrades to the suspension, drivetrain, and brakes for exceptional performance on the gnarliest runs. The Shore 2 is one of the best bikes we've tested in recent times. Specialized Rockhopper 27.5 449. Fuel EX 5 is one of the best budget full-suspension trail bikes. So we were surprised that the brand would launch not one but two new 29-inch mountain bikes: a trail model . So if you want to choose a trail bike that can handle it all, and will leave you with a grin on your face after every ride, there's a bike on this list for you. New MTB rider here, transitioning from BMX. After all of these years, hardtail bikes have only become better. Learn More MULTITRAC SUSPENSION TECHNOLOGY To date, my favorite all 'round is Whyte's T-130. Playful Enduro Bikes. This Cyclist Rides to Benefit Cancer Research. For $5,500, riders net a Shimano XT groupset, full Fox suspension, and ENVE wheels. Santa Cruz TB 4 C 29 22 LG GLS AQUA R. $4,799.99. To be fair, calling the new Canyon Spectral 125 a short-travel enduro bike feels a bit like clickbait. Our Gear Advisors are Ready to Help. Most of our cross country and trail bikes come with 29-inch wheels because they carry more speed and roll over obstacles more easily. The Rift Zone 27.5 has a Series 3 6061 butted and hydroformed aluminum frame with 120mm travel MultiTrac suspension technology and playful 27.5" wheels. Our Team's Trail Mountain Bike Picks. The best-case scenario is to choose a bike the correct size for your body, but if you are in between sizes a smaller mountain bike will be more playful and will offer more maneuverability but a bigger bike will be more stable, feel better on climbs, and will be overall more comfortable. Wheel Size: 27.5" or 29". The Santa Cruz 5010 is one of the most playful and able trail bikes we have ever tested. 11. If you are looking for the best Giant mountain bikes, shop Giant Talon 4 - 27.5" Disc Mountain Bike (2021) from Bicycle Warehouse today! Best bikes under 700. Wise Words is our interview series talking to some of mountain biking's most switched on people. Carrera Fury 650.00. Credit: Laura Casner Best Aggressive Trail Bike Specialized Stumpjumper EVO Comp $4,300 List See It Wheel Size: 29-inch | Rear Travel: 150mm REASONS TO BUY Stable and confident descender Highly adjustable geometry Adaptable for terrain or riding style Plush FSR suspension Increased SWAT storage The Best Trail Bikes Good: Rocky Mountain Growler 20 Better: Marin Hawk Hill 1 Best: Canyon Neuron 8.0 130mm The Best Enduro Bikes Good: Diamondback Release 29 2 Better: Transition Carbon Sentinel GX Best: Evil the Offering The Best Downhill Bikes Good: Scott Ransom 720 Better: Santa Cruz V10 DHS/Carbon C Best: Yeti SB150 This bike also sports 27.5+ tires, RockShox suspension, and some other hidden gems. Buy the Schwinn S29 Dual-Suspension Mountain Bike now. Trail-taming front and rear suspension, a Shimano 1x12 drivetrain, a dropper post for getting low on descents, and hydraulic disc brakes make Fuel EX 5 a high-value, high-performance mountain bike with exceptional versatility. It's at home on flow, jumping, down . Riders who prefer a more playful bike that can change direction quickly and pick technical lines when descending should go for the smaller 27.5" wheeled bikes. Get the benefit of pedal assist on long climbs, and the playful feel of a traditional mountain bike on descents. 29 M Habit Waves RAW LG. All too often "women's" mountain bikes are just slightly smaller versions of the "mens" models, perhaps . -Matt Mondraker Foxy RR When the Mondraker Foxy RR first whispers in your ear you'll hear, "shimmy forward for balanced traction and stability." Like a stinging nettle, this bike tells you where and how to touch it. Smaller than a 29" wheel, they also help to put smaller riders in the proper position on the bike. Best Overall Trail Mountain Bike: Yeti Cycles SB130. . 2y California-Megatower Yea even my megatower feels super playful and I've heard really good things about the new Tallboy. The best bike is the most fun bike, and Why's Big Iron ($4,499+) takes the cake. Based on the race format, enduro mountain biking has become a popular discipline in its own right. These are for the rider looking to make it to the top under their own power but really . It's a 130/140mm trail/all mountain bike that has proven to be quite capable, and is a playful as they get. The Mojo benefits from the magical platform of DW-Link rear suspension, providing industry-leading rear wheel traction for tricky climbs and pinning corners on technical . Our test bike weighed just under 28 pounds, with pedals, making the $6799 price a deal at only $245 a pound! Vitus Sommet 297 AMP Bike park mullet master Wheel size: 29/27.5in | Frame sizes: S, M, L, XL | Weight: 15.37kg (33.9lb) | Suspension travel: 170mm f/170mm r | Rating: 9/10 Pros: Smooth, comfortable and fast, steeper seat angles for better climbing, superb sensitivity Cons: Rear shock bobs under power Enduro bikes are the burliest, biggest bikes that you can still pedal. Trek Fuel EX 9.7 Gen 5 - 2022 $4,329.99 Trek Fuel EX 9.8 GX AXS Gen 5 - 2022 $7,499.99 Trek Marlin 5 Gen 2 - 2023 $739.99 Trek Marlin 6 Gen 2 - 2022 $849.99 Trek Marlin 7 Gen 2 - 2022 $1,029.99 Trek Marlin 8 Gen 2 - 2022 $1,329.99 Trek Procaliber 9.6 - 2023 $2,999.99 - $3,099.99 Trek Roscoe 7 - 2023 $1,829.99 Trek Roscoe 8 - 2023 $2,329.99 Co-op Cycles is well-known for supplying the MTB market with surprisingly good entry-level and mid-range bikes. Trek Marlin 6 2022 620. If you want a superb yet playful bike then this rocky mountain pipeline would fulfill all your wishes. From the Tallboy and 5010 (the most playful XC bikes out there), to the Bronson and Nomad (the most solid descent oriented bikes in the industry), Santa Cruz's lineup has the perfect bike for exactly how and where you ride. The Marin Rift Zone 1 Mountain Bike is our most playful trail bike, made for the rider that catches a bit of air off of every root in the trail, is always looking for an alternate line, and ends every ride with a smile. Santa Cruz Bicycles. Built for: All-Mountain. Fuel EX 9.8 is a hard-charging trail bike with a light and stiff carbon frame that's smooth, quiet, and holds its own when you pick a line. Fuel EXe 9.5 Deore is a new kind of e-mountain bike that bridges the divide between pedal assist and traditional bikes. I like a mix of light tech, flow, and going fast/big . Marin Bikes Marin Rift Zone 27.5 Now 16% Off $1,975 at Jenson USA An affordable full-suspension bike you can ride anywhere. This is an all-around suspension bike with trail performance far out stretching the asking price. The overall most playful bike in the Marin line, the Hawk Hill is an all-around trail bike designed to hook newcomers to the sport and bring veteran riders into modern full suspension trail . . 3. Instead, it's far more important to blend individual handling characteristics into a coherent overall package to suit the intended application. For full-sus Trailbikes, ~$3500 is the magic price point where value and quality meet.) Situated outside the town of Fruita, the 18 Road & Kokopelli Loop Trails provide options for riders to experience some of the most playful mountain bike trails in the State of Colorado. The smallest sizes on some models come with more proportional 27.5-inch wheels that give shorter riders a better fit and easier handling. Best Electric Mountain Bike: Trek Rail E . While 27.5-inch versions are fun and agile, most 29-inch versions are extremely fun to ride fast, and thanks to new age geometry, they can be extremely playful. Since . Kona Lava Dome 29 699. "We took the most playful bike ever to manual the earth and poured Pop . Cannondale. Best Long-Travel Enduro. It's loaded with the latest tech like a wireless SRAM GX AXS drivetrain that's super clean looking and customizable. Also worth considering: Canyon Spectral AL 6.0 review - best 27.5in wheel trail bike. The $3500 Trek Remedy 7 with i30 rims and otherwise the same spec as the Bronson looks good. The carbon Mojo is one of their six full-suspension mountain bikes, and the Ripmo is a long-travel 29er, a match for enduro racers. Canyon says it's a shorter all-mountain trail bike, maybe even enduro-ready. The majority of Downhill / Freeride and Park / Street bikes use 26" wheels to allow riders to move the bike around quickly and easily making 26" the most playful wheel size. . EUR . The Furtado is the women's version of the best-selling 5010 and is a super-popular and playful bike. With trail-taming front and back suspension, a 12 drivetrain, and dropper posts for getting low on descents this is one of the very best. The wheel size is playful on the trail, making for a nimble mountain bike. Steve Behr / Immediate Media 3,399 / $5,199 Dialled geometry Fast handling Quality component spec Although its weight may be an. Best Mid-Travel Trail Bike Yeti SB130 TURQ X01 $7,299 List See It 89 OVERALL SCORE Fun Factor 9.0 Downhill Performance 9.0 Climbing Performance 9.0 Ease of Maintenance 7.0 Wheel Size: 29-inch | Rear Travel: 130mm REASONS TO BUY Top-notch climbing efficiency and traction Fun and capable downhill performance on a huge range of terrain Having the slackest of geometry and the most durable set of components to withstand the harshest ruts, jumps, and rocks, DH bikes are not for the fainthearted, that's for sure. Check out the best models we recommend below! Best Budget Full-Suspension Trail Bike: YT Jeffsy Core 2. The Trek Rail is a long-travel electric mountain bike that rips just as hard as their beefiest trail rigs and powers you right back up the mountain. Most expensive bike in the 2021 group test: Specialized S-Works Levo/Levo SL for 13,999 Most expensive bike in the 2022 group test: Specialized S-Works Levo/Kenevo SL for 15,000 Cheapest bike 2021: FOCUS JAM 6.9 NINE for 5,499 Cheapest bike 2022: SCOTT Ransom eRIDE 910 for 7,199 Battery and battery capacity: If your riding is 40-60% uphill and 40-60% downhill then a trail or all-mountain bike will be your top choice. Starting with the 11-speed, aluminum-framed models at $2699 and expanding to the full-carbon XTR 12-speed at $9499, there is a model for everyone! Fuel EX 5 is the gateway to full suspension trail bikes. At 2,199, the Rose Bonero 3 is the most affordable bike in the entire test field. Whichever one you pick, you're in for a great time. . . The suspension travel goes from 140mm to 160mm. The 27.5-inch wheel size ensures that bike handling is still nimble and playful, while carrying more speed in corners and through rocks, providing a stable, trustworthy feel. Browse our mountain bike selection including models from Specialized and Giant. Built around our MultiTrac suspension system and nimble 27.5" wheels and short travel, the Rift Zone 27.5 is our most playful and fun suspension trail bike to date. Yeti SB130 or SB140, and the super playful Evil The Offering. Marin Bobcat Trail 3 695. Bell Sanction Adult Full Face Bike Helmet. TECHNOLOGY Frame Travel: 160mm. . . Slash 9.8 is a carbon enduro mountain bike built to handle big hits, rail corners, and rip down the mountain faster than you ever thought possible. When it comes to mountain biking, you need to take protective gear seriously. For riders who prefer to spend most of their time climbing and cruising single-track, 29" wheels offer low-rolling resistance to make their way handily over obstacles and carry speed . 150mm front and 140mm rear suspension keep you in control on the roughest trails and it's all topped off with carbon Bontrager wheels with . Bonus: Lo helped to design the Ripmo with frame sizes that can . Full specs Reservations: 541.385.8080 Alloy Full Suspension 24-Hr Rental = $70 / 4-Hr Rental = $60 TREK FUEL EX 8 29ER With short chain-stays, 27.5" wheels and 150mm of rear travel, the bike strikes the perfect balance between playful and aggressive. Voodoo Braag 29er 550. Best Enduro Mountain Bike: Specialized Stumpjumper EVO. The bikes can easily cover a longer distance. A Close Second (For Rougher Terrain): Ibis Ripmo V2. We'll ask our short list of questions to a heap of influential, inspiring and outspoken people that we feel are driving the direction of mountain biking today. The aluminum construction of the frame keeps everything playful. Of the bikes on your list, if you're looking for max playfulness, I'd lean towards the Smuggler. Without all the necessary pads and helmets, you can cause yourself serious injury (or even worse). Some will make you think, some will make you laugh, some will be plain dumb, some . Descending: Stock on this bike is the all-new 150mm (for our size large frame) Rockshox Reverb Stealth seatpost that telescopes unusually low, adding further confidence on the descents. Usually boasting 120-140 mm of travel, trail bikes are designed to be efficient for the climbs but have enough travel to soak up the mistakes. 2. Rocking mixed wheels, short-ish travel and long and low geometry, the name of the game is fun. The best enduro mountain bikes have a strong focus on descending extremely rough terrain at speed and the bikes reflect this featuring 150mm to 180mm of suspension, strong components, and grippy, durable tires. You can . The Altitude also uses Rocky Mountain's RIDE 9 adjustment system allowing the rider to tailor the bike to their riding style and terrain. I'm looking to buy myself a MTB after going a few times with rentals. Suspension. Best Hardtail Mountain Bike: Trek Marlin 7. The Madonna is on the hunt for charging down the most demanding terrain while still being a comfortable package for climbing up to the next descent. The most affordable carbon bike at $4200 / 3500 is the Canyon Spectral 125 CF 7 with SRAM GX Eagle 10-52T, Code RS brakes, RockShox Pike Select+ fork, Deluxe Select + shock, and alloy DT M1900 wheels at 13.9kg. Brompton's Zippy New P Line Folding E-Bike . - Frame: ALUXX-Grade Aluminum, 120mm FlexPoint Suspension - Fork: Giant Crest 34 RCL . 27.5" wheels fit most riders better and create a lightweight and responsive bike, the most playful trail bike in the line. The 429 and Tallboy fall a bit more on the XC end of the spectrum, the Fuel EX is a great trail bike but it gets overwhelmed on big hits, and the 111 is a great bike, but it loses out a bit just due to having a bit less travel. The 2023 Santa Cruz 5010 is a trail bike with a playful edge. $3,325.00. 951-234-7554 BACK Close + Shop ALL Bikes Cyclocross Bikes Gravel Bikes Mountain Bikes Road Bikes Electric Bikes Jenson USA Exclusive Builds Commuter & Urban Bikes BMX / Dirt Jump Bikes Kid's Bikes Corona Store Exclusives Bike Frames BACK Close + Cyclocross Bikes BACK Close + Gravel Bikes BACK Close + MARIN BIKES CALIFORNIA Royce Union RMA All-Terrain. The hydraulic disc brakes make the Fuel EX 5 a high-value, high . The ride feels like a modern mountain bike playful, poppy, and fast. As demonstrated in our big mountain bike group test with over 20 bikes, which includes anything from lanky downcountry rigs to burly enduro bruisers, limited travel and a steep seat tube angle aren't necessarily synonymous for climbing efficiency while a super-slack head angle and shedloads of travel alone don't make you the downhill king. 5. 27.5" wheels fit most riders better and create a lightweight and responsive bike, the most playful trail bike in the line. Trail-taming front and rear suspension, a Shimano 1x12 drivetrain, a dropper post for getting low on descents, and hydraulic disc brakes make Fuel EX 5 a high-value, high-performance mountain bike with exceptional versatility. The Co-op DRT 2.2 is the best mid-range hardtail bike with the benefit of a lightweight aluminum frame. Here's our pick of the best around Included in this guide: 1 Norco Optic C2 2021 Check Price 2 Canyon Spectral 29 CF8 View 3 Mondraker Raze Carbon RR 2022 Check Price 4 Santa Cruz Chameleon 2022 Check Price 5 Forbidden Druid XT Check Price 6 YT Izzo Core 3 Check Price 7 Specialized Stumpjumper Evo Expert Check Price 8 Santa Cruz 5010 CC X01 RSV Santa Cruz TB 4 C 29 22 MD EARTH S. $6,099.00. So if your trail desires line up with that, then the Madonna is right up your street. It features stable, playful 27.5-inch wheels so you can push the pace on climbs and let loose on the descents. . The Madonna's DNA in an all-around more playful package. . The mighty speed demon in the world of mountain bikes - Downhill bikes are purpose-built machines. 27.5" mountain bikes are the most versatile wheel size option. That could define pry be an option at 130/120 3 With the Flip . Best Mid-Range Hardtail Bike Under $2,000. But bear with me. An overview of all 22 mountain bikes of 2021 on test MERIDA NINETY-SIX 8000 | 7,049 | 11.66 kg 120/ 100mm (f/r) | 29 | Click for review Yeti SB115 TURQ3 | 10.990 | 12.38 kg 130/ 115mm (f/r) | 29 | Click for review Specialized S-Works Stumpjumper | 9,999 12.48 kg | 140/ 130mm (f/r) | 29 Click for review Canyon Best Women's Mountain Bike Best Hardtail Most Versatile Bike Best E-Bike Best Enduro Bike Best Trail Bike Best Bike Under $1,000 The Best Mountain Bikes of 2022 Best Overall: Yeti SB115 "Designed. Salsa is best known for its gravel, adventure, and fat bikes. For 2022 there are two models on offer, one with 140mm travel and the original version with 160mm travel. Best Hardtail Mountain Bikes for Men in 2022 Best Performance - Orbea Laufey h10 Best for Commuting - Marin Pine Mountain 2 Best Value - Co-op Cycles DRT 2.2 27.5 & 29 Mix - Santa Cruz Chameleon Cannondale - Trail SE 4 Women's The Fezzari La Sal Peak is a 170mm mountain bike with modern enduro geometry and builds that offer a ton of value. This Year's Best Trail Mountain Bikes: Santa Cruz Bronson C R Santa Cruz 5010 C S Revel Rascal GX Orbea Occam H20 LT Evil Following GX Transition Scout Carbon GX Evil Offering GX This rowdy descender and nimble climber and is perfect for popping off obstacles on your favorite trail. This bike corners like it's on rails and still has a roomy cockpit for climbing. Enduro and all-mountain bikes are perfect options for enduro racing. The bike with the most travel combines 160/150 mm (v/h) The bike with the least travel offers 140/125 mm (v/h) Santa Cruz Bicycles. Learn More MULTITRAC SUSPENSION TECHNOLOGY The 18 Best Long Sleeve Jerseys and Jackets. It features a carbon frame and a compact motor that keeps the ride light, lively and quiet. Read our full review of the Specialized Status 160. With SRAM components and a dual-suspension frame, this Schwinn mountain bike is a solid starter option. It's designed to pedal uphill well, fly down hills fast, and have a playful feeling riding everywhere in between. Ultra-stiff and ultra-tough carbon frame, carbon wheels, and the most refined suspension tech from RockShox make this long-travel 29er a worthy contender for any dedicated rider and enduro podium. . Most Balanced Pivot Pivot Switchblade $6,199 at Competitive Cyclist A. Best Mountain Bike Under $1000: Co-op Cycle DRT 1.2. Smaller 26" wheels are easier to manoeuvre and are ideal for those that like an active and nimble ride. Hey! The MTR 9.0 is Boardman's flagship mountain bike, with an upgraded alloy frame, 150mm RockShox fork, a Deluxe Select+ rear shock and a groupset that is, by and large, comprised of Shimano SLX-level.