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Best trail mountain bikes 2024 | 26 of the best trail MTBs and buyer's guide

The top trail bikes as rated by our expert reviewers, plus our buyer's guide for everything you need to know

Steve Behr / Our Media

Stan Portus

The best trail bikes hit the sweet spot between rowdy enduro bikes and svelte cross-country bikes, delivering performance that's equal parts fun and super-capable.

This has made trail bikes an incredibly popular category among the best mountain bikes in recent years. They give you a bit of everything, and open up the widest range of trails and riding when compared to other types of mountain bike.

The flipside is that choosing the best trail bike for you can be quite a bewildering prospect – there are simply so many options on the market.

Fortunately, you've come to the right place because our expert mountain bike testers have spent years riding and reviewing dozens of trail bikes. This list of the best trail bikes in 2024 will help you find the perfect machine for you.

We've also put together a buyer's guide to trail bikes at the end of this list that explains everything you need to know about this type of mountain bike, from what sort of terrain they are good for to the size of disc brake rotors – we've covered it all!

Best trail mountain bikes in 2024

Atherton am.130.1.

• £7,800 / $7,735 / €7,345 as tested
• Pros: Impressive suspension; agile and composed ride feel; head-turner
• Cons: Pricey; not the latest spec for the price

Atherton's AM.130.1 is made using an additive construction technique that sees carbon tubes connected with 3D-printed titanium lugs, enabling the brand to offer the bike in 22 frame sizes.

A DW6 linkage gives the bike a good balance of sensitivity and support, with its small-bump compliance making trail imperfections disappear without losing response to direct inputs.

The bike comes with SRAM's X01 mechanical groupset, which is far away from the electronic groupsets usually found at this price point.

• Read our full Atherton AM.130.1 review

Boardman MTR 8.9

• £1,750 as tested
• Pros: Fantastic all-rounder
• Cons: Limits become clear on extreme terrain

The Boardman MTR 8.9 has the same geometry and suspension as the pricier MTR 9.0.

It has a well-chosen spec that balances cost, performance and strength, with a RockShox front fork, a SRAM NX Eagle drivetrain and Maxxis tyres.

The triple-butted alloy frame looks purposeful and has externally routed cables, making for easy maintenance. There is a bottle mount too, but we found there to be minimal clearance.

The geometry is modern but not extreme with a generous reach, leading to a comfortable ride.

You do have to shift your weight forward to keep front-wheel traction over tricky ascents, and downhill the bike is fairly noisy. So really this is a bike for speedy trail centre rides, rather than super-challenging terrain.

The bike is also ripe for upgrades and, with a few parts swapped out, we think it would be great as a lightweight, mile-munching machine.

• Read our full Boardman MTR 8.9 review
• Buy now from Halfords

Cannondale Habit 4

• £2,300 / $2,300 / €2,699 / AU$4,399 as tested
• Pros: Well-balanced; confidence-inspiring ride; fun and flicky
• Cons: Shimano Deore drivetrain can be a little clunky

The Habit 4 impressed us with its playful and balanced ride feel.

Its aluminium frame features size-specific geometry. Cannondale increases the chainstay length with the frame size making the Habit. The bike feels surefooted and quick to turn.

We found the RockShox Recon fork to bind on hard compressions, though this didn't take too much away from the performance of the bike.

A steep seat tube angle of 77.5 degrees makes winching up climbs comfortable, though the bike lacks some of the punchiness of other bikes on this list.

Canyon Neuron 5

• £1,849 / $2,099 / €1,899 / AU$2,949 as tested
• Pros: Fast rolling on mellow trails; composed ride feel; grippy in most conditions
• Cons: Suspension feels overworked on steeper trails

Canyon's Neuron covers ground fast, with supple suspension that provides good comfort while descending, although, it can feel a tad active on steeper, technical descents.

The bike has a nimble ride feel that helps it eat up trail centre singletrack with ease, with the Schwalbe tyre combo offering fast rolling speeds.

We found the RockShox Recon fork to be a little out of tune with the rear of the bike, and not providing the desired amount of support on steeper terrain.

• Read our full Canyon Neuron 5 review

Merida One-Forty 700

• £3,100 / €3,869 as tested
• Pros: Boundary-pushing geometry options; one of the best climbers out there
• Cons: Stem could be shorter; not the smoothest ride

The Merida One-Forty 700 impressed us in testing, winning our Trail Bike of the Year 2023 award.

The carbon fibre frame, which is shared with the longer-travel One-Sixty , uses flex stays in the rear linkage and provides 140mm of rear travel.

Merida has packed serious value for money into the bike, with a RockShox Deluxe Select+ rear shock and a 150mm Marzocchi Z1 fork.

On climbs, the bike has zero wallow and a perky attitude, making the uphills easier than on its contemporaries.

Downhill, the geometry is spot on with composed and accurate handling adding to the ride.

• Read our full Merida One-Forty 700 review

Norco Fluid FS C2

• £4,999 / $4,999 / €5,299 as tested
• Pros: Confidence-inspiring geometry; makes good use of suspension travel
• Cons: Brakes could be more powerful; tyres won't suit everyone

Norco's Fluid FS C2 has a playful agility on the trail that remains composed at high speeds.

With a 140mm RockShox Pike Select+ fork up front and a Super Deluxe Select+ controlling 130mm of rear-wheel travel, the Norco feels planted through rough terrain, balancing a poppy yet bump-gobbling ability.

We found the Fluid capable of all aspects of trail riding, but it was on the hills where it really impressed, with the bike eager to attack short, sharp climbs with grace.

Because it's able to carry a lot of speed down the trail, the SRAM G2 RS brakes feel a little under-gunned in some situations, with the bike deserving of more powerful brakes.

• Read our full Norco Fluid FS C2 review

Vitus Escarpe 29 CRS

• £3,200 / $3,599 / €3,899 as tested
• Pros: Super-smooth and confident descending; stunning value for money
• Cons: Limited climbing performance

Vitus is becoming synonymous with value for money, with the Chain Reaction direct brand giving the Escarpe 29 CRS a similar treatment.

The full carbon fibre frame has 140mm of rear travel controlled by a RockShox Deluxe Select+ and the front end is supported by a 150mm RockShox Lyrik Select.

The Escarpe is more descent-focused compared to other trail bikes, with its climbing performance limited by pedal bob and increased sag on steeper pitches.

Downhill, the bike smooths terrain and offers a confidence-inspiring ride over a broad range of trails.

• Read our full Vitus Escarpe 29 CRS review

YT Jeffsy Core 1

• £2,499 / $2,799 / €2,499 as tested
• Pros: Confidence-inspiring geometry; good spec for the money; fork performs well
• Cons: It's not the the lightest

YT's entry level to the Jeffsy range offers the value for money often associated with the German direct-to-customer brand.

The bike offers impressive capability, tackling enduro trails with ease while remaining playful on mellower trails.

A centred riding position gives you plenty of confidence to push the bike to the limit on the descents. A steep 77.9-degree seat angle puts your weight over the BB, helping on technical climbs.

It's not the lightest trail bike we've tested, but we feel this is less important with it sitting towards the more aggressive side of the segment.

• Read our full YT Jeffsy Core 1 review

Boardman MTR 9.0

• £2,000 as tested
• Pros: Rides with confidence and has excellent brakes; RockShox fork and rear shock
• Cons: Contact points detract from overall package

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 parts.

The bike is happiest heading downhill, where it feels planted, and the Shimano SLX four-piston brakes provide a whole load of stopping power.

The MTR climbs reasonably well. The relatively steep seat-tube angle helps you get your weight over the bottom bracket, and the wide-ranging 10-51 tooth cassettes help winch you up the toughest climbs.

The bike has a dropper post, which is great for such a gravity-focused bike, but the dropper lever is a bit small and not the easiest to use.

The bike rides with more confidence than you might expect and, apart from the dropper lever, there really isn't much to fault.

• Read our full Boardman MTR 9.0 review
• Buy now from Tredz

Boardman MTR 8.8

• £1,350 as tested
• Pros: Impressive spec for the price; good suspension feel
• Cons: underpowered brakes; dropper post length

Boardman's MTR 8.8 is built to be the ideal all-round UK trail bike. It's very capable when pointed down a trail, thanks in part to the 145mm of rear suspension controlled by a RockShox Deluxe Select+, and 150mm RockShox Recon Silver RL fork.

Considering its suspension travel, it climbs very well, but it's the descents where the Boardman shines.

In its price range, there aren't many bikes that can provide the same levels of performance. However, a couple of spec changes, such as a longer dropper post and more powerful brakes, would make the riding experience even better.

• Read our full Boardman MTR 8.8 review

Canyon Spectral 125 CF 7

• £3,349 / $4,199 / €3,499 / AU$5,349 as tested
• Pros: Aggressive geometry and stiff, low-slung frame; great handling on really steep terrain
• Cons: Sluggish at slow speed on mellow terrain; thin tyres

A shorter-travel trail bike, the Spectral 125 mixes that with a 140mm-travel fork and a long reach geometry that's built for more aggressive riding. It's a different, all-carbon frame from the longer-travel Spectral bikes and saves 100g in weight.

The stiff, aggressive, low-slung frame is great for bikepark laps and climbs, but you need to increase the sag from the recommended values for the bike to handle rock gardens comfortably.

The bike navigates super-steep terrain admirably though, with the long frame helping to maintain stability. It pays to tinker with the Spectral 125's suspension settings and to ride hard to get the best out of the bike.

Want a spec upgrade? We've also tested the Canyon Spectral 125 CF8 .

• Read our full Canyon Spectral 125 CF 7 review

Carrera Titan X

• £850 as tested
• Pros: Excellent spec for the price; a real advantage over hardtails at this price
• Cons: limited size range

Full-suspension bikes for under £1,000 are a rarity, and ones that are as well-specced as the Carrera Titan X are rarer still.

The kit on this bike is really impressive. It has SRAM SX 12-speed gearing with a 1x setup, a Trans-X dropper post and Shimano hydraulic brakes. In short, what you'd expect from a pricier bike.

When it comes to ride performance, the Titan X's suspension works surprisingly well, making this bike a good shout over a hardtail – which is normally the go-to option at this price point.

When climbing, the Titan X's frame is a little cramped due to its relatively old-school geometry, but it winches up hills better than you might expect.

The only real drawback to the Titan X is the limited sizing, and taller riders should stay clear. This is a real try-before-you-buy bike, but if it fits and you're on a budget, it's a compelling option.

• Read our full Carrera Titan X review

Cotic Jeht Silver Mullet

• £3,989 as tested
• Pros: Composed and confident; smooth feeling suspension
• Cons: Stiff suspension under braking; feels large

The Cotic Jeft is made from Reynolds 853 steel with a steel-alloy rear triangle that has 140mm of suspension travel.

Its long, low and slack geometry is on point and allows you to let the bike run through the techiest of sections while still feeling in control.

The Jeht is a fairly tall bike, and when braking the rear suspension isn't as good as some of the competition, especially those bikes using a four-bar design.

The spec can be matched to your pockets, with our test bike featuring an upgraded RockShox Revelation fork with a Charger 2.1 damper.

• Read our full Cotic Jeht Silver Mullet review

Focus JAM 8.9

• £4,799 / €4,699 / AU$6,999 as tested
• Pros: Impressive suspension maintains ground contact well; clever internal frame storage
• Cons: Hefty weight; complicated stem design

With 150mm of travel, the JAM 8 series bikes get a carbon front triangle with neat internal storage and share geometry with the alloy JAM 6 series. There's also tidy internal routing through the stem for the cables.

The new suspension design, with its flip chip, leads to a better-supported mid-stroke than Focus's older system, leading to a more playful ride and less chance of bottoming out. It also helps keep contact with the ground well at the rear on descents.

The mix of agile handling and stable suspension leads to an exciting ride, and it's easy to pick and change your line, although the Fox 36 Performance fork feels more limiting than the rear travel.

• Read our full Focus JAM 8.9 review

GT Sensor Carbon Pro LE

• £5,000 / $5,750 as tested
• Pros: Great for rowdy trail riding; RockShox suspension works very well; ideal for those looking for simplicity
• Cons: Freehub engagement is clunky; SRAM G2 RSC brakes struggle with power down steep trails

GT's Sensor Carbon Pro LE feels very capable on rougher trails considering its suspension travel, with the 150mm fork and 140mm rear-suspension travel combination providing a composed ride on gnarly trails.

The Sensor certainly prioritises downhill prowess, with the bike remaining poppy and responsive whatever the gradient.

The RockShox Lyrik Ultimate fork and Super Deluxe Ultimate shock provide composed damping, but SRAM's G2 RSC brakes are a little lacklustre when shedding speed.

• Read our full GT Sensor Carbon Pro LE review

Kona Honzo ESD

• £2,899 / $3,099 / €3,299 / AU$4,399 as tested
• Pros: Very smooth ride over the rough stuff; descends better than a hardtail should
• Cons: Not great value for money

It may be a hardtail, but the Kona Honzo is long and slack enough to handle the steepest descents, with a braced steel frame, 150mm-travel fork and plenty of room for aggressive rubber. Adjustable rear dropouts enable you to fine-tune your ride or go singlespeed.

There's bags of stability on steep descents and the bike is great at carving wide corners, but shorten the rear end and direction changes come really easily. You've got a 203mm rotor at the front and 180mm out back to help control your speed.

The Honzo's steep 77.5-degree seat tube helps with climbing and it's got plenty of room for the long-travel TransX dropper post.

We were impressed by the climbing performance, aided by a 30t chainring and a wide-range 10-51t cassette, while the bike's length means you can shift your weight around both up and downhill. It's a hardcore hardtail that shows you don't need suspension out back to have fun.

• Read our full Kona Honzo review

Marin Rift Zone XR 27.5

• £3,095 / $3,500 / €3,499 as tested
• Pros: Well-designed frame; excellent rear suspension
• Cons: Brakes lack bite; not the best climber

The Marin Rift Zone XR is built on the alloy Rift Zone frameset which provides top-notch rear suspension while prioritising front-end control.

The Fox Float X rear shock works well to support the rear end, giving the bike playfulness without sacrificing grip.

The bike's poppy character makes for an engaging ride, though the bike requires rider attention on gnarlier sections of trail.

A 'sit up and spin' attitude to climbing is provided by the upright and relaxed position, with the bike featuring more pedal bob than its competitors.

• Read our full Marin Rift Zone XR 27.5 review

Merida One-Forty 500

• £2,600 / €3,160 as tested
• Pros: Efficient pedalling; playful handling; good spec for the money
• Cons: Rear-end grip isn't the best in the wet; brake bite point can wander

The One-Forty 500 uses the same frame as the One-Forty 700 that we awarded Trail Bike of the Year in 2023.

At this lower price point, the bike remains an impressive performer with eager climbing characteristics and supportive suspension on the descents.

The bike offers an impressive spec for the money, though we did find the Shimano Deore four-piston disc brakes a little unpredictable, with a wandering bite point affecting the accuracy of our braking.

• Read our full Merida One Forty 500 review

Merida One-Twenty 700

• £3,100 as tested
• Pros: Progressive suspension; confident handling; efficient pedalling
• Cons: Front end is quite harsh; brakes are average

Despite its name, the One-Twenty 700 has 130mm of suspension travel front and rear, which does a stellar job of climbing thanks to Merida's P-Flex flex-stay suspension linkage.

While the bike isn't the most composed on the downhills, the long and low geometry still eggs you on to push the brakes and tyres to their limits.

The RockShox Pike Select fork and a RockShox Deluxe Select shock work well to iron out the bumps, but the SRAM DB8 brakes feel a little underpowered when hitting the trail at full speed.

• Read our full Merida One-Twenty 700 review

Polygon Siskiu T7 29

• £1,800 as tested
• Pros: Great trail geometry; impressive value for money
• Cons: Brakes are a weak point

The Polygon features modern trail geometry and decent components that make it very capable on the descents, with the 65.5-degree head angle giving confidence on even the steepest terrain.

A RockShox Deluxe Select+ controls 135mm of rear-suspension travel, while a 140mm RockShox Recon Silver RL fork supports the front. The bike comes with Shimano's Deore 1x12 drivetrain with Tektro's HD-M735 brakes.

Polygon's Siskiu will take all you can throw it, but is maybe not as responsive as bikes twice its price. If you are a GoOutdoors member, however, you can get the bike at the reduced price of £1,600.

• Read our full Polygon Siskiu T7 review

Santa Cruz 5010 CC X01 RSV

• £7,599 as tested
• Pros: Composed and fun; only 130mm of travel, but still capable
• Cons: Pricey build

The new Santa Cruz 5010 CC X01 RSV is the brand's top-flight version of its 5010. The bike has an updated geometry that sees it getting lower and longer, and it now has Santa Cruz's low-slung VPP (Virtual Pivot Point) design. It sticks to 650b wheels though and retains the fun factor of previous models.

The suspension comes in the form of RockShox' top-spec kit on the front and rear, providing 140mm/130mm of travel. Paired with the new geometry, this creates a ride that is capable and fast on descents, remaining composed but spurring you on, and is incredibly energetic on climbs when pushing power through the pedals. The handling is also razor-sharp.

Fittingly for this carbon fibre bike, and its significant price tag, the finishing kit is top-tier too, with SRAM drivetrain and brakes and Santa Cruz's own carbon Reserve rims built around DT Swiss hubs.

This all comes together to create a bike that is seriously fun to ride. It's not quite as playful as previous versions, but it is more capable and faster. And if the price is too steep, Santa Cruz offers the 5010 in less expensive builds.

• Read our full Santa Cruz 5010 CC X01 RSV review

Specialized Stumpjumper Comp

• £3,950 / $5,000 / €5,000 / AU$7,200 as tested
• Pros: Smooth suspension and great chassis; excellent rear-end grip
• Cons: Specialized's tyres; pricey for the build

It may be the cheapest carbon Stumpjumper, but the Comp spec still delivers impressive performance from its 130mm-travel and flip-chip tunable geometry – the EVO version gets a little more travel and more aggressive geometry.

Rear suspension is smooth and leads to great grip for the Specialized Purgatory tyre. The Stumpy handles well on slow, technical descents, aided by the Fox 34 fork, but there's some chassis squirm and an unsettled feel on more aggressively ridden terrain. We reckon it works best on day rides on singletrack or trail centre loops.

Spec-wise, the Comp has a Shimano SLX groupset, X-Fusion Manic dropper and Specialized wheels and tyres. SWAT Door storage lets you stash your tools under the bottle cage.

We've also ridden the 2021 spec Stumpjumper Expert .

• Read our full Specialized Stumpjumper Comp review

Trek Fuel EX 8 Gen 6

• £4,350 / $4,300 / €4,699 / AU$6,200 as tested
• Pros: Class-leading chassis; happy on any level of trail
• Cons: Harsh cockpit; poor brakes

The Trek Fuel EX 8 is on the aggressive end of the trail bike spectrum, with 140mm of rear suspension controlled by a Fox Performance Float X, paired with a 150mm Fox Rhythm 36 fork.

The frameset offers high levels of adjustability, with two flip chips that have high and low settings for slacker or steeper geometry.

While value for money is questionable, the spec of the bike is considered, with only the SRAM DB8 brakes failing to impress due to low power levels and disconnected lever feel.

• Read our full Trek Fuel EX 8 Gen 6 review

Vitus Escarpe 29 CRX

• £4,000 / $5,500 / €4,850 / AU$7,100 as tested
• Pros: Balanced uphill and downhill performance; great-value component spec
• Cons: Fox suspension outshone by RockShox

The all-carbon Escarpe's 2022 revamp includes a new 140mm-travel frame with improved suspension kinematics, more modern, longer geometry, wider, stiffer tubes and a flip chip.

As you'd expect with Vitus's direct sales model, spec levels are excellent for the price with a top-spec Fox 36 Factory fork with Kashima coating and a Factory Float DPS shock. That's paired with a Shimano XT groupset.

There's not too much suspension bob on climbs, even with the shock open, while there's plenty of stability and control on descents, with a progressive suspension action that handles steep, stepped berms without bottoming out.

• Read our full Vitus Escarpe 29 CRX review

Whyte T-140 RS 29er

• £4,099 as tested
• Pros: Super-composed suspension; excellent pedalling characteristics
• Cons: Harder riders may push suspension to its limit; size range

Whyte's T-140 RS is a true do-it-all trail bike featuring 135mm of rear travel controlled by a Fox DPS Performance Elite shock and a 140mm Fox 34 Performance Elite fork.

The T-140 RS smoothes the way without fuss, with the rear suspension soaking up small and big hits.

The 34mm stanchion diameter of the fork becomes noticeable on seriously technical sections and can feel squirrelly under heavy braking.

The lightweight chassis helps the bike when pointing uphill.

• Read our full Whyte T-140 RS 29er review

YT Jeffsy Core 3

• £3,999 / $3,999 / €3,799 as tested
• Pros: Poppy ride quality; great value for money
• Cons: Pedal bob when pushing hard; underwhelming brakes; harsh cockpit

Although the frameset hasn't been updated since 2019, the YT Jeffsy still feels contemporary with its super-fun and poppy ride quality.

The frame has a 470mm reach measurement on a size large frame. There is a flip-chip on the linkage.

YT has given the Jeffsy Core 3 a great spec list for the price, with Fox 36 Performance Elite forks and Float X Performance Elite dampening the bike while SRAM's GX Eagle features for the drivetrain.

SRAM's G2 brakes were a little underwhelming and were noticeably poor on steep sections of trail.

• Read our full YT Jeffsy Core 3 review

Trail bike buyer’s guide | Everything you need to know when choosing a trail bike

What is a trail bike.

The trail mountain bike category occupies the space between lightweight, speed-focused cross-country bikes and enduro and all-mountain mountain bikes designed to fly downhill and slowly winch back to the top.

Balancing pedalling efficiency and gravity potential, trail bikes are intended to hit a sweet spot; they aren’t quite as rowdy as enduro bikes but are tougher than cross-country bikes.

They make light work of riding down flow trails with big sweeping berms and can cut it on more demanding terrain too – and you might be surprised at just how capable they truly are.

Really, trail bikes are best for mountain biking in the most general sense and are designed to give you just about enough of everything.

Trail bikes also tend to be relatively affordable when compared to other types of mountain bike. The components don’t have to be super-lightweight as on XC bikes, or heavy-duty enough to survive the rigours of downhill, which helps to keep costs down.

Although enduro and downhill bikes are considered to be the Formula 1 of mountain biking, we think trail bikes are the most important and widest-spanning category, and benefit from economies of scale where bigger production runs also play a factor in keeping prices down.

The affordability of trail bikes combined with their versatility, helps to make them an ideal choice if you’re new to the world of mountain biking or are looking for a one-bike solution to all your mountain biking needs.

What to look for in a trail bike

There are no set rules when it comes to defining what a trail bike is and, like all mountain biking sub-disciplines, they exist on a sliding scale in terms of capability, geometry, suspension travel and price.

However, there are various factors that when put together constitute a trail bike and are worth bearing in mind when looking for one of these versatile machines.

Frame material

Many brands stick to aluminium alloy or carbon fibre for trail bike frames, while some more boutique builders opt for alternative frame materials, such as steel or titanium.

Carbon has the advantage of being lighter and stronger, and can be made to be stiffer than an equivalent aluminium frame, so it's a good choice if zipping uphill and weight are priorities. It does, however, cost more than aluminium.

While it might not have the exotic feel of carbon, or be as lightweight, an aluminium frame is a good call if you’re new to the sport or on a budget, but it’s hard to argue with the desirability and performance of carbon.

Frame geometry probably has the biggest impact on how a mountain bike handles, with even slight adjustments to the wheelbase, head tube angle and reach determining how a bike feels.

In keeping with their Goldilocks position between XC and enduro bikes, trail bikes have a relatively slack geometry that makes them capable enough to handle most rough descents, while being suitable for all-day epics and plenty of comfortable and efficient climbing.

As a general rule, trail bikes have a head tube angle of between 64 and 66.5 degrees and seat tube angle of between 73 and 78 degrees.

Look for slacker head tube angles if you want a bike that will descend better, because a slacker angle helps give the bike a calmer ride by slowing down the steering. It also makes its wheelbase longer, which helps improve stability at high riding speeds.

Most commonly, trail bikes have front and rear suspension with between 120mm and 150mm of travel.

As travel increases, a bike will be better suited to riding downhill and less suitable for climbing, so when considering how much travel to go for on a trail bike think about the type of terrain you'll spend most of your time riding and your riding style.

If you ride on rougher, more technical trails, or like to barrel down descents, choosing a trail bike with 140mm or 150mm is advisable.

Shorter-travel bikes won’t descend quite as well, but they are light and efficient so are a good choice if endurance riding and climbing is more your thing.

Wheel size and tyres

There used to be a time when mountain bikes simply had 26in wheels. But those days are long gone, and now mountain bikes come with either 27.5in or 29in wheels.

Both wheel sizes have their advantages and disadvantages . 29in wheels roll over obstacles and hold their momentum more, making them the preference for cross-country and the best downcountry mountain bikes . Compared to 29in wheels, 27.5in wheels are faster accelerating, stronger and more agile, with handling and placement feeling more natural too.

Trail bikes come with either of the two sizes and there isn’t really a right or wrong answer to which size wheels you should go for – you might prefer the snappier feel of 27.5in wheels or value the efficiency of 29in wheels.

One thing to bear in mind when selecting what wheel size to go for is your height. A taller rider will probably benefit from a larger wheel, whereas a shorter rider will benefit from a smaller wheel. Some manufacturers do consider this and provide models with different-size wheels depending on frame size.

Trail bike tyres tend to be chunkier with a decent amount of tread and are around 2.3 to 2.5in wide. These provide a decent amount of grip and help make trail bikes the versatile machines they are.

The best mountain bike tyres can really change how your bike feels, so it’s worth paying attention to what tyres a trail bike is specced with, but also remember that it’s not too hard to swap tyres out for something more suitable for your riding.

Trail bikes tend to have drivetrains with one front chainring. Thanks to wide-ranging 12-speed cassettes (normally between 10 to 52t), only having one front chainring doesn’t limit climbing potential.

Groupsets such as Shimano Deore XT M8100 are a popular choice on trail bikes. Trail bikes also tend to have easier gearing than speed-focused XC bikes. Front rings are usually between 30- and 34-tooth, while rear cassettes can go up to 52-tooth.

This gives trail bikes a wide range of gears for enough speed on the flat and to help you get up tough climbs.

Like most aspects of trail bikes, the brakes strike a balance between stopping power and weight saving.

Trail bikes will generally come with disc brakes that have two- or four-piston calipers. Four-piston brakes are more powerful and are aimed at downhill riding, where more braking power is needed, but this will of course add weight.

Rotors on trail bikes are often a mix, with up to 200mm both front and back. The larger the disc rotor, the more powerful the brakes will be, but this also comes with a weight penalty.

Hydraulic brakes are standard on all full-suspension trail bikes costing £1,000 or above, and often the best mountain bikes under £1,000 come with these brakes too.

Wide mountain bike handlebars are becoming the norm, and provide extra stability, comfort and control.

Trail bikes follow this trend, many coming with a 760mm or 780mm bar, while some go up to 800mm. Just as smaller-sized trail bikes tend to have smaller 27.5in wheels, they also come with a narrower bar, going down 740mm, to help make the bike a better fit for smaller riders

Dropper posts

Dropper posts are almost standard on trail bikes.

They allow you to lower and raise your saddle with the flick of a handlebar-mounted button, giving you extra room to move your weight around on descents and the correct saddle height for efficient pedalling.

A dropper post is one of the first upgrades you should consider if your trail bike doesn't have one, because it will open the bike up to a wider range of riding.

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Best Mountain Bikes of 2024

Mountain biking is fun, challenging, and a great activity to do with friends outside. There’s nothing quite like zooming down a trail on a mountain bike after you worked hard pedaling to the top of a hill. It’s no wonder why so many mountain bikers get really into riding their bike as often as possible.

The latest mountain bikes are exponentially more capable than the fully-rigid steel bikes of the sport’s infancy. Modern mountain bikes are easier to pedal uphill, better for descending at high speeds, and often cost less than older models did. Whether you’re a beginner cyclist or a trail riding expert, here’s a list of the best mountain bikes available right now.

Table of Contents

• Best Mountain Bikes
• Things To Consider When Buying
• How We Chose

Norco Optic C2  »

Capable descending

Easy suspension setup

Not the lightest

Too many build options could be overwhelming

Best for fast, flowy riding yet capable enough to tackle technical trails.

The Norco Optic C2 isn’t the most expensive bike, nor does it have the most features for downhill riding. But most riders don’t ride the most technical downhill trails every day, and this bike is perfect for the majority of the trails most people will ride. It uses a unique high pivot, short-travel design. Without getting deep into mountain bike jargon, this design makes the bike feel playful and fun to pedal while still being able to handle steep downhill trails.

Our contributor recently spent a week riding the Norco Optic on challenging trails in Sedona, Arizona, and noted that he had never ridden a bike that’s as well-rounded as this. Often, the more a bike excels at downhill sections, the harder it is to pedal uphill. This isn’t the case with the Optic, however. This bike feels efficient when you point it uphill and inspires confidence on the descents. The C2 build comes with a Fox FLOAT 140mm fork, Fox FLOAT 125mm rear shock, a full Shimano XT groupset, a carbon fiber main triangle, and an aluminum rear triangle. This particular build balances performance and price, but there are 6 other build configurations if you want a full-carbon frame, higher-end components, or an MX wheelset (27.5” rear/29” front).

Liv Intrigue Advanced 29 1  »

Frame designed specifically for women

Shocks tuned for women

Excellent traction

Lightweight

29-inch wheels

Not as fast descending as some

Women can also ride a “Men’s” bike

This all-around trail bike is built from the ground up specifically for female anatomy.

The Liv Intrigue Advanced 29 1 is a zippy and capable trail bike. It’s easy to pedal and can handle most trail conditions. Many female mountain bikers simply ride a traditional model bike in the size that fits them, so this bike certainly isn’t the only option for the women riders out there, but Liv is a women’s-specific bike company that designs their bikes for women’s bodies, and feedback is overwhelmingly positive about this model.

The newest model has larger 29-inch wheels. These make rolling over obstacles easier and allow you to maintain speed better. It uses a suspension that is custom-tuned for women. It has a flip-chip system that allows you to adjust the frame’s geometry based on riding conditions. When the flip chip is in the “high” position, the bike is better suited to flowy, less steep trails. Turning the flip-chip to the “low” position slackens the head tube angle and makes it better for steep, technical terrain.

Giant Talon 1  »

Not as expensive

Simple hardtail design

Balanced ride

Not the best for technical riding

Components could be better

This model is very affordable and is a great bike to get you on the trails.

The Giant Talon 29 1 costs less than 1,000 dollars, which is extremely affordable compared to many modern mountain bikes. This is a great starter bike or an option for someone curious about riding a hardtail bike. It still has most of the trail-specific features you’d want in a bike and is an excellent choice for everything from bike paths to singletrack.

The Talon 29 has a lightweight aluminum frame, suspension fork, and modern 1 by 10 drivetrain with an 11-42 cassette for climbing steep hills. The hydraulic brakes provide ample stopping power, and the suspension fork eats up bumpy terrain as the 29-inch tires roll over obstacles. The Small and X-Small models come with 27.5-inch wheels, better fitting the compact geometry. The Medium size is available in both 29-inch and 27.5-inch versions.

Specialized Riprock  »

Smaller frame

Great traction

Plus-sized tires

Not all models have suspension

This bike has wide tires and a robust design for the little shredders.

The Specialized Riprock is a trail-worthy bike for younger riders. It comes in 24”, 20”, 16”, and 12” versions. No matter your age, if you don’t fit in an adult bike yet, there’s a Riprock that will fit you. It has a lightweight aluminum frame and larger mountain bike tires. The bigger tires are awesome for traction when riding trails, but they also add durability and cushion for when kids get wild around the neighborhood.

This bike has everything an adult bike has, with adaptations for growing riders. The 24-inch model has a 1x9 drivetrain, 2.35-inch tires, hydraulic disc brakes with adjustable reach for smaller hands, and there’s even a version with a suspension fork. The 20-inch model has all the same features as the 24-inch model, but with smaller diameter tires. The 16 and 12-inch models are more paired-down bikes with a single-speed drivetrain and coaster brake. It still has wider 2.3-inch tires, but they have a smoother tread pattern for pavement riding. These sizes also come with removable training wheels.

Ibis Ripmo GX  »

Great for descending

Pedals uphill well

Well-balanced design

This longer-travel bike eats up rough terrain and technical trails.

The Ibis Ripmo GX is the bike for you if you want to have fun on steep and rocky local trails. But, this model has enough travel that you can take it to the bike park a few times a year and won’t need to rent a downhill bike, too. It’s not quite an Enduro bike, but it still has confidence-inspiring geometry for steep terrain. And unlike some pure enduro bikes, it climbs like a shorter travel bike. It’s also coil shock compatible if you want to make this bike an even more capable descender.

The newly designed rear triangle features a new UDH (Universal Derailleur Hanger), which allows you to change wheels to whatever the current standard rear wheel axle size and spacing happens to be that year. This future-proofing feature will allow you to swap wheels for the latest and greatest without needing to buy a whole new bike.

Specialized Turbo Levo Comp Alloy  »

Feels like a regular bike

Intuitive E-bike design

Modern trail geometry

Good battery life

Not allowed on all trails

More expensive than a regular bike

This full-suspension mountain bike has a powerful electric motor so you can ride farther.

The Specialized Turbo Levo Comp Alloy is the best in its class for an electric-assist mountain bike. This isn’t simply a bike with an electric motor attached; it is built from the ground up to be an E-bike. The pedal assist capabilities make uphill riding easier and ensure you’ll have more energy for downhill sections. It’s relatively lightweight considering it has a large battery and motor, and the pedal assist system feels like a regular bike as you ride.

It has everything you’d want for a bike to ride on trails: dropper seatpost, tubeless compatible wheels, 1 by 12 Sram GX Eagle drivetrain, and Fox front and rear suspension. Specialized Turbo models are widely regarded as some of the best electric bikes available. It has high-quality electric components designed specifically for this bike, and purchasing a bike from Specialized means it’s backed by a reputable brand, not an E-bike startup that doesn’t know bikes.

Surly Karate Monkey  »

Super durable

Less capable than full suspension

This ultra-rugged hardtail is perfect for ripping along trails and epic bike camping trips.

The Surly Karate Monkey is a rowdy bike you can ride far, beat up, and not worry about breaking no matter where you take it. This bike is a favorite for bikepacking, where you strap all your camping gear to your bike and head for the hills. But, it’s also a great bike to ride on flowy singletrack trails closer to home. It’s not the lightest bike, but it doesn’t try to be. If you’re riding a steel mountain bike, you’re not going to be the fastest, but the ride quality of steel is uniquely comfortable.

You can customize your Karate Monkey specifically to your riding style. It has a suspension fork but is also available as a fully rigid (no suspension) version. It can fit both 142 mm and 148 mm spaced rear wheels. Since it’s compatible with most mountain bike components, you can swap out parts without having to worry about finding the right version of derailleur, seatpost, wheels, or hubs to fit the bike. It can fit 29 wheels, or smaller diameter 27.5-inch wheels with tires up to 3 inches wide.

The Bottom Line

A mountain bike allows you to explore off-road trails while experiencing the outdoors and getting exercise. There are many types of mountain bikes, and you can have fun on any of them. But they’re not all suited for every type of trail. Our top pick, the Norco Optic C2, is a great choice for most mountain bikers, but take a look at each bike featured and choose the bike that best suits your needs.

Things To Consider When Buying Mountain Bikes 

There is an overwhelming number of mountain bikes currently available, in all shapes and sizes. However,  “The bike that gets you out there is the right bike,” says Spencer Rathkamp, a professional mountain biker who has “raced everything imaginable on a bike.”

Leif Valin, who performs research and development for Fairdale Bikes, stresses the importance of trying as many models as possible when choosing a bike. “Your local bike shop is an invaluable resource for everything you need to get started. Some shops have rental mountain bikes, so you can try them before you buy,” Valin states, “Every shop has knowledgeable staff to help you pick what's best for you based on your experience level and what types of trails you plan on riding.”

Intended use:  Determine what type of riding you’ll be doing, then choose a bike that will work for the majority of that riding. Mountain bikes can be broken up into the following categories:

• Cross Country: built for speed and smoother terrain
• Trail bikes: versatile and capable for most trail types with more suspension travel than cross-country bikes
• All mountain: another versatile option that blurs the line between trail and enduro bikes with more suspension travel than trail bikes
• Enduro bikes: built for aggressive riding and technical, fast descents with even more suspension travel
• Downhill bikes: built for going as fast as possible downhill with the most suspension travel possible
• Hardtail bikes: these only have a suspension fork
• Electric Mountain Bikes (e-MTBs): any mountain bike equipped with an electric motor and battery for power

Bike fit and frame size: With mountain bikes, frame size is typically measured in inches. The bike that fits you best will feel comfortable when you sit on it and pedal. Most bike manufacturers have a size chart to help you choose the right frame size, but it’s best to test-ride a bike before purchasing to ensure the best possible fit.

If you’re having trouble getting your bike fit dialed in, consider getting a professional fit from your local bike shop.

Suspension type: A mountain bike with high-quality suspension components will provide a more comfortable ride. Suspension also helps maintain traction on technical terrain by keeping your tires in contact with the ground. Most mountain bikes use a full-suspension design, which means they have suspension in the front fork and the rear of the bike frame. Full-suspension bikes are the most versatile style of mountain bike since they can handle steeper, more rugged trails.

Hardtail mountain bikes only have a suspension fork. They are simpler and often less expensive. They’re less versatile since they’re less capable of technical trails, but they are great for beginners and smoother trails.

Whatever type of bike you’re riding, it’s very important to adjust your suspension properly. If you’re unsure how to set up your suspension, your local bike shop can help. Ridealigned.com also lets you plug in the details of your bike and tells you how to adjust your suspension.

Gearing system and components: Most mountain bikes come in a variety of build kits. A build kit uses the same frame but with different components installed on that frame. This is why the same model of mountain bike is available at different price points.

According to Ash, ”Don’t necessarily prioritize getting the best components on your bike, since all components will wear down over time, break, or need maintenance. And the nicest components are much more expensive to fix or replace.”

Brand reputation and warranty: Purchasing a new bike from a reputable brand has many benefits. Purchasing from a well-established bike brand ensures you’ll get a high-quality, well-assembled product that is covered by the manufacturer’s warranty. Bike warranties are typically only honored for the original owner, which means if you buy a used bike, it won’t be covered by the warranty.

“All levels of riders have an occasional crash, and you may have more crashes when learning the ropes. But don’t let a crash scare you from continuing on your mountain bike journey,” Valin asserts. While most warranties don’t cover damage from crashes, many reputable bike brands offer crash replacement programs for the original owner that will get you a steep discount on replacement bikes or components.

How We Chose The Best Mountain Bikes

Our contributor Sam Schild consulted mountain bike experts, from professional and semi-pro riders to bicycle R&D professionals, to compile this buyer’s guide of the best mountain bikes. These experts included Leif Valin, a bike suspension technician and engineer who works in research and development for Fairdale Bikes ; Spencer Rathkamp , a professional mountain biker and Thule bike ambassador; and Ethan Ash , a semi-professional mountain biker based in Durango, Colorado. With the practically endless options for mountain bikes available, Sam then narrowed their selections down with thorough research and hands-on testing.

For each mountain bike featured, Sam considered its value, components, frame design, what makes it unique among mountain bikes, and most importantly: how much fun each bike is to ride. Fortunately, you can have fun on just about any bike!

WHY YOU SHOULD TRUST US

Sam Schild is an outdoor gear expert who has ridden a bike well over 50,000 miles in the past decade. Before transitioning to writing about the outdoors, he worked in bicycle shops for 10 years, where to learned the ins and outs of the bicycle industry and what makes a great bike. He has been writing about bikes and the outdoors, covering everything from gear to adventure journalism, since 2020.

Sam also consulted with other experts in the bike industry to fill the gaps in his own knowledge. These experts include Leif Valin, a bicycle suspension technician and engineer who does R&D work for Fairdale Bikes ; Spencer Rathkamp , a professional mountain biker; and Ethan Ash , a semi-pro mountain biker based in the mountain biking mecca of Durango, Colorado.

You should consider the type of riding you plan to do with your mountain bike, then buy a bike that fits that style of riding. Purchase your bike from a reputable bike manufacturer with a solid warranty. Consider other factors such as drivetrain components, brakes, wheels, and suspension as well.

Most bike manufacturers have a size chart to help you find the right size bike. Generally, mountain bike sizing works as follows:

• 4’10” - 5’2”: X-Small (13”-14”) 
• 5’2” - 5’6”: Small (15”-16”)
• 5’6” - 5’10”: Medium (17”-18”)
• 5’10” - 6’1”: Large (19”-20”)
• 6’1”-6’4”: X-Large (21”-22”)
• 6’4”-6’6”: XX-Large (22”-24”)

A hardtail mountain bike only has a suspension fork, while a full-suspension mountain bike has a suspension fork and rear suspension.

Hardtail bikes are often less expensive and lighter than full-suspension bikes. However, they’re not as capable of riding on technical, rocky terrain.

Full-suspension bikes tend to be more expensive than hardtails, and they’re usually heavier than too. Full-suspension bikes are more versatile because they’re more capable of downhill riding as well as pedaling uphill, but they’re often smooth terrain.

Lighter bikes are easier to ride since they require less energy to pedal. The frame material can greatly affect the weight of a bike, and carbon fiber frames are usually the lightest-weight options. However, aluminum bikes are also very light. Steel is the heaviest material used for mountain bike frames, but it’s generally the most durable.

You should tune up your bike at least once a season, more often if you ride regularly, and keep it clean and well-lubricated throughout the year. You should replace your chain every 1,000-2,000 miles and regularly check it for signs of wear because chains will stretch over time. You should replace your tires about as frequently as you replace a chain, but again, regularly check your tires for signs of wear. The suspension on your bike should be serviced every 50 hours of riding as well.

About Our Team

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U.S. News 360 Reviews takes an unbiased approach to our recommendations. When you use our links to buy products, we may earn a commission but that in no way affects our editorial independence.

The Best Mountain Bikes of 2022

From hardtails to all-mountain rides, we found the best mountain bikes for every riding style and budget.

For many years, when the latest and greatest shiny new mountain bikes are released, there’s been no clear “what’s next” in the sport. For 2022, what’s next is unusually well-defined. Downcountry bikes dominate.

If you’re not familiar with this relatively new term, you’re not alone. The term downcountry was recently coined to encompass mountain bikes designed to climb well, with trail/all-mountain suspension, and slacker geometry that rides bigger than it looks on downhills.

Downcountry bikes deliver a hooting and hollering good time when your dropper is down and you’re picking a line, but they won’t weigh you down on a long ride.

Mullet bikes are another 2021-22 trend. Business in the front and party in the back, with a 29-inch wheel in front, and a 27.5-inch wheel in back, mullet mountain bikes started as a user modification. Now more brands are offering a mismatched wheelset standard.

The Bike Market Right Now

If you’re in the market for a bike in the next 12-18 months, if you find what you want online or in a shop, put a deposit on the bike immediately even if you can’t lay down for the full purchase yet.

When you know what you want, ask your local shop to place an order ASAP. You still may not have your bike in hand until next spring. Bike shortages persist, and they may get worse before they get better.

Across the board, bike prices have gone up significantly, so whether you planned to spend $1,000 or $5,000 in the next couple of years, sadly, you won’t get quite as much bike for the money.

Be prepared for parts substitutions. Brands can’t get bike parts, so they’re swapping everything from forks and shocks to brake pads and grips.

Scroll through to see all of our recommended buys for 2021/22 or jump to the category you’re looking for:

• Best Overall
• Best Women’s Mountain Bike
• Best Hardtail
• Most Versatile Bike
• Best E-Bike
• Best Enduro Bike
• Best Trail Bike
• Best Bike Under $1,000

Best Overall: Yeti SB115

“Designed to race, built to rally” is how Yeti describes its SB115 ($5,100+). The bike is fast and smooth, with geometry, suspension, and kinematics that kept me on my line when I crested a highpoint, and then barreled downhill into terrain that would overwhelm other bikes of similar travel.

To make the SB115, Yeti took its BC Bike Race-winning SB100 geometry and gave it a tad more travel for more smiles, whoops, and general forgiveness when you’re picking a high-speed line through rocks, roots, and baby head boulders.

As in all Yetis, the rear shock is paired with Yeti’s signature Switch Infinity, which in the SB115 is turned 90 degrees, lightened up, and fine-tuned to deliver more for less on downhills and climbs. In a full season of riding this bike, the only time I locked out the suspension was on a sustained road climb.

The Switch Infinity pedaling platform is bounce-free with the shock fully opened because Yeti gives its suspension a relatively flat and high anti-squat curve in the beginning and middle of its travel.

But once you go downhill, the link switches direction, dropping the anti-squat and decoupling the chain in sections when there’s no pedaling required to provide full use of all the travel the bike has.

When Switch Infinity switches direction and decouples the chain, it lets the suspension work most efficiently, and it lets you use all the bike’s available travel. If that sounds like a lot of techy mumbo jumbo, what you need to know is that this bike is stable without bouncing and bobbing on climbs, and plusher than you’d think on the downhills.

Yeti’s in-house suspension experts and engineers custom-tune every Yeti shock in tandem with its Switch Infinity to give the SB115 and all Yeti bikes a bottomless feel that the suspension travel numbers don’t necessarily reveal.

We rode this bike all over Vermont, from 30-mile epics that included machine-built flow trails with tabletops and kickers to teeth-rattling root mats on off-camber descents.

It was fast, smooth, and stable. And the plush-when-you’re-deep-in-the-travel suspension — we call it Yeti magic — saved our butts more than once.

• Wheel Size: 29”
• Frame: Carbon
• Suspension: 115/130
• Ultra-versatile bike with the chops to tackle technical terrain
• Heavier than some similarly capable bikes

Check Price at evo Check Price at Yeti Cycles

Best XC: Scott Spark RC Comp

If you’re a rider with a need for speed, Scott’s Spark RC Comp ($4,000+) will rocket you to a new Strava segment PR or shoot you over the finish line of your next XC race.

While the Spark has been in Scott’s line for more than a decade, the newest version, for sale in September, is a major evolution. Scott hid the shock inside the bike’s frame, where it’s protected from dirt and weather. By building the shock into the frame, further reducing this bike’s already impressively light weight.

Inside the frame, the trunnion mounted shock — the shock looks like it’s mounted upside down, combined with larger bearings in the seat tube pivot — enhances this bike’s rigidity for more efficient power transfer.

By positioning the shock lower in the frame, Scott also lowered the bike’s center of gravity, enhancing its stability on sketchy downhills.

In positioning the shock inside the frame, Scott hid the single-pivot setup without putting it out of reach. A sag indicator on the outside helps with setup, pivot bolts are accessible from outside.

If you want to check on the ring that shows how much suspension you’ve used, a window gives you a visual. Removable covers let your shop access the shock for service.

Scott Spark RC frames have a built-in angle-adjust headset that lets you choose a slacker setting to run with a longer fork, or the steeper, zippier head angle setting for racing and a shorter fork.

Headset adjustment doesn’t require cable removal or a brake bleed. Regardless of setup, there’s room for two water bottles in the bike’s front triangle.

Speaking of the cables, this bike has some slick cable routing. The company continues to use its two-lever Twinloc, which lets the rider lock and unlock suspension from the handlebar instead of reaching down to change shock settings between their legs.

That puts extra levers on the dropper post lever side of the bar. The bars and stem have integrated light and GPS docks, and as a bonus, the rear axle is also a multitool.

• Suspension: 120 mm
• Eye-catching
• Available in XC race (RC)
• XC ride (900) and women’s (Contessa) iterations
• Lots of levers on the handlebar

Best Women’s Bike: Juliana Roubion

Mullet bikes are all the rage. On the trail, a mullet bike’s big 29” front wheel is fast and it rolls over everything, while its smaller 27.5” rear wheel gets up to speed fast and gives the bike a more playful feel.

The 2022 Juliana Roubion ($5,949), which is the same frame and the same geometry as Santa Cruz’s 2022 Bronson , is fast, powerful, and easy to control. Code brakes with a 200mm rotor up front and a 180 in the rear have superb stopping power.

Juliana scaled chainstays by frame size to keep the ride consistent even in smaller sizes. And, as with all Juliana bikes, the shock is tuned for a lighter rider, making it easier for smaller, lighter shredders to use all their suspension.

The Roubion is Juliana’s biggest travel bike, made for enduro riding and bike park laps. First ride, we took it to Vermont’s Killington Bike Park and rode every trail the mountain could dish out from blue square Step It Up to double black Goat Skull. The Roubion zipped through corners with rocket ship speed, aired off lips, and sucked up landings with creamy efficiency.

When we pedaled the Roubion up a 30-minute double track to get to one of our favorite local flow trails, despite this bike’s extreme downhill capability, the climb didn’t suck. We kept up with our friends who were on lighter, all-mountain bikes, and soared through everything from wheel-grabbing roots to speed demon corners on the descent.

To ride big features safely, you need plenty of travel, well-designed suspension, and dependable and responsive brakes and tires. This bike had it all, delivered in an eye-catching, clean, matte-painted package that was as head-turning as it was magically corrective when we didn’t quite choose the right landing or wheel placement.

• Wheel Size: 27.5″ rear, 29″ front
• Suspension: 150 mm rear, 160 mm front
• A pedal bike that can also handle the park
• On the big and heavy side of a one-bike quiver for most riders

Check Price at evo Check Price at Competitive Cyclist

Best Hardtail: Kona Honzo DL

If you want to save a few bucks on your next bike without restricting your ability to ride anything, this aluminum hardtail is a great choice.

Built for comfort and a whole lot of fun, Kona updated the geometry of its affordable Honzo to give the bike the same geometry as its mid-travel, full-suspension Process 134.

In the new Honzo DL ($2,699), Kona slackened the head tube for downhill stability and beefed up the suspension fork, spec’ing RockShox’s 140mm travel Revelation RC Debonair, a fork that’s ready to rock and roll.

The bike’s shorter seat tube length lets riders run a longer dropper, which makes riding technical terrain more fun. Kona lets you choose your own level of adventure with the adjustable travel TranzX +RAD post that’s on this bike.

In its new Honzo DL, Kona added adjustable dropouts, which let riders run this bike as a single speed. But we liked it with a 12-speed SX drivetrain, and a broad range of gears that affords. This made steep grinds, rolling punches, and swoopy soaring rollers all in range.

When it was time to put the brakes on, Shimano’s MT410 hydraulics, which use a 180mm front and 160mm rear rotor on this bike, were strong and dependable.

The tires a manufacturer puts on a bike are often an indication of what the bike is meant to do. Kona gives the Honzo DL an aggressive enduro-tread front, with a trail casing, highly rollable, and tenacious traction rear tire.

• Frame: Aluminum
• Suspension: 140 mm
• Can be set up as a single speed
• Big travel for an all-mountain hardtail
• Not as peppy as some other bikes

Check Price at Kona World

Most Versatile Bike: Transition Spur

A lightweight ripper for all-day rides, Transition’s Spur ($3,500+) is a poster child for the new class of downcountry mountain bikes.

Enduro bike-slack with cross-country/all-mountain travel, this lightweight all-day ripper is like a leopard charging through the African veldt. If you’re coming to the bike from a heavy enduro bike, on the Spur you’ll charge uphill at speeds you’ve likely never considered thanks to short chainstays and a nearly 76-degree seat tube angle.

You’ll summit climbs that in the past left you spent. And you’ll find yourself riding further, longer, faster into zones that previously seemed like too much effort. The efficiency and speed of this bike put more terrain in range.

Just as important: The bike’s geometry doesn’t sacrifice downhill fun. The slack 65.9-degree head angle was built so that steep, rooty trails won’t throw you off your line, and so you stay rubber side down on any downhill you tackle.

This is the first uphill-oriented bike Transition has made, but its goal was to keep it just as capable on descents as any other Transition. And it rose to the challenge.

The rear Giddy Up suspension, Transition’s long-link, four-bar signature design, didn’t bob on uphills, though it was active and bump-absorbing. However, at the end of the day, this bike has 120mm suspension front and rear, so there are limits to how big drops and jumps it can absorb.

Thanks to a straight and nearly uninterrupted seat tube, Transition specs the longest possible droppers on this bike. Dropper lengths are scaled to frame size, from 120 mm on a small frame to 210 mm on an XL one.

If you spend most of your time in the park, or on rides where you use all 160 mm of travel on your big bike, don’t expect this to replace that. But do be prepared to be shocked and thrilled by what this bike can handle.

• Suspension: 120 mm front, 120 mm back
• The most downhill fun on a bike of this weight and class
• Order now for next year, carbon only

Check Price at Transition Bikes

Best E-Bike: Rocky Mountain Growler Powerplay 30

With high-volume tires and a proprietary, powerful drive system, slack geometry, and Shimano parts, the hardtail Growler Powerplay 30 ($4,199) is tons of fun.

Rocky Mountain didn’t want to be constrained by someone else’s motor and drive, so the company spent 10 years and $10 million to develop its own drive, called the Dyname system.

It spins more slowly than other drive systems, so there’s less whine, it uses the available battery more efficiently, and it’s quick to charge. Two hours plugged in gets you to 80%. It’s 4 hours until you’re fully charged.

The higher torque of the Dyname system is compatible with a mountain biking pedal pace. The drive system kicks in smoothly with no lag and no spinning out, so whether you’re starting on a hill or getting up to speed it feels natural.

Rocky achieves engagement with a magnetic field sensor that measures the chain position every time the chain is straight, around 1,000 times a second. On trail, that translates to reliable traction, and consistent and predictable power output that feels a lot like riding a pedal bike.

The bottom bracket is part of the bike, not the drive, so there’s less creaking, less wear, and it’s easy for your shop to service. Plus, Rocky Mountain has the best electrical components warranty in the industry at 36 months.

But an e-bike is more than just its drive. A bike’s geometry and spec determine how a bike feels on the trail, whether it’s an e-bike or a pure pedal bike. The Growler is slack for aggressive descending.

The motor and battery give it a low center of gravity that makes it easier to maneuver on steep descents, and that gave it tenacious traction in corners. For the price, there’s no better e-MTB on the market.

• Wheel Size: 27.5”
• Suspension: 130 mm
• High-volume tires absorb shock
• The drive and motor are well-modulated for MTB and are smooth and predictable
• Without rear suspension
• Drops are more jarring

Check Price at Rocky Mountain

Best Enduro Bike: Canyon Spectral 29 CF 9

Strong and tough enough that you could ride the Enduro World Series on this bike, and pedally enough to be a one-bike quiver, the mid/long-travel Spectral 29 CF 9 ($6,299) is Canyon’s big brother to the 27.5-inch wheel that Spectral introduced a couple of years ago.

It’s a big bike that climbs impressively without bobbing around, and that on descents lets us just sit back and enjoy the ride.

At speed, the Spectral 29 CF was stable and able to bomb through whatever line we chose, while nimble enough that it left us grinning until our faces hurt. Technical step-downs, tables, wedges, rock rollers, machine-built flow, old-school singletrack … the Spectral cruised through it all.

The 29-inch Spectral uses a similar frame and four-bar suspension as the 27.5-inch Spectral. But it’s tuned to be less bouncy climbing and more progressive to keep you from ever feeling like you just used all your suspension.

Canyon’s “Triple Phase Suspension” is supple early in the suspension, with good mid-stroke support and progression at the end. It kept our tires on the trail, gave us momentum and speed in berms airing lips, with no bottom out on landings.

We tested the Spectral in Canyon’s “Shred” spec, a relatively high build for riders who put a lot of miles and hours on their bikes. The CF 9 shaves weight off lower-end builds, with components that will last through seasons of a lot of use.

If you’re a rider who gets to pedal several times a week, SRAM’s XO1 drivetrain promises precision, durability, and a massive range with the 10-52 12-speed cassette.

Fox’s DPX2 Factory piggyback shock is smooth and consistent as well as highly adjustable. The Fox 36 Factory 29-inch fork eats up the terrain, and it’s highly controllable, regardless of how boulder-y or bumpy it is.

Spectral’s rear suspension linkage flip-chip gives riders control of this bike’s geometry. Flip it to move the bike’s head tube and seat tube 0.5 degrees, and to change the bottom bracket height 8 mm.

That gives the enduro bike more all-mountain or more DH personality. Wherever the chips are positioned, the long top tube gave us an efficient position for powering up climbs.

Canyon is direct-to-consumer only, which is how it specs Fox Factory suspension, carbon rims, carbon crank, carbon handlebar, the One Up dropper, SRAM X01 drivetrain, and G2 RSC brakes at this price.

• Suspension: 150 mm back, 160 mm front
• Flip-chip lets you fine-tune this bike’s personality
• Feels massive

Check Price at Canyon

Best Trail Bike: Cannondale Scalpel Carbon SE LTD

Take a top-end XC race bike and beef it up just a bit. The Scalpel Carbon SE LTD ($8,300) leans into speed as its calling card, but with added suspension travel to soak up terrain and hits better than a pure XC steed.

The company touts the genre-straddling bike as made for “full-throttle trail riding.” Our experience was just that. Over a summer test and more than 300 miles of ridden trail, the Scalpel consistently crushed for our testers.

We took it on evening sessions for 15-mile sprints on urban trails. Then, in September, an editor raced the bike during a national championship event, citing a “magic carpet ride” experience after hours in the saddle on the rocky, old-school trails of the CAMBA system near Telemark, Wis.

The 29er bike has a Lefty Ocho Carbon 120mm fork and RockShox SIDLuxe Ultimate suspension, making any rut, root, or trail obstacle fade into memory as the dirt blurs ahead. It weighed 24 pounds on our scale (size large), which is respectably light for a feature-full bike that includes a dropper post, two bottle cages, and a tool-stash area on the frame.

Its drab-green carbon frame is sleek and loaded with Cannondale design and tech (FlexPivot carbon plates on the chainstay; asymmetric rear triangle and offset drivetrain). It’s stock with a SRAM X01 12-speed drivetrain, HollowGram 25 carbon tubeless wheels, and top-end components all around, which is requisite on a bike at this price.

Is the Scalpel Carbon SE LTD worth the price tag? Advanced riders needing a “World Cup fast” mountain bike that can also play on bigger terrain will be happy with this rig’s unique design. As Cannondale sums it up, the Scalpel “balances XC race geometry and precision with the vibes of a trail rig.”

• Top-end performance and looks
• Fast + a confidence-inspiring design
• Heavier than pure-XC bike models

Check Price at Cannondale

Best Bike Under $1,000: Giant Talon 1

Made for mellow trails, rec path shreds, and summer adventure cruising, Giant’s Talon 1 ($980) is a great bike for singletrack dabbling and all-the-time adventuring.

The Talon gives riders the option to run 29- or 27.5-inch wheels, so you get a bike with the ride characteristics you want. The aluminum frame Talon 1 comes with either wheel size, as you prefer. The frame geometry adapts to the wheel size you choose.

With 27.5-inch wheels, which spin up to speed quickly but don’t roll over trail obstacles quite as well, the Talon 1 is playful, agile, and easy to get off the ground.

Roll 29-inch wheels, and you might notice that they are slower to get to speed. But once you’re moving, they smooth out the trail and make it easier to stay on top of your bike when the terrain gets technical.

With 100 mm of front suspension, this bike is ideal for cross-country riding, and everyday outings. In the smallest sizes, fork travel is reduced to 80 mm to keep the bike’s angles stable, confidence-inspiring, and fun. The rider position in the cockpit is relatively upright but still maneuverable.

Even though it’s under a thousand bucks, the Talon 1 frame is hand-built in-house by the world leader in aluminum engineering. It’s also spec’d with a reliable and serviceable Shimano Deore drivetrain.

The rims are tubeless-ready, but the tires are not. And the frame is routed for a dropper post, though it doesn’t come with one.

• Wheel Size: 27.5″ or 29″
• Suspension: 80-100 mm front
• Option to run 27.5″ or 29″ wheels
• Hand-built frame
• Dropper routed but not included
• Tubeless-ready rims
• Tires are not tubeless-ready

Buyers Guide: How to Choose the Best Mountain Bike

There are three things you need to think about before you start shopping for a mountain bike: where you’ll ride, how you’ll ride, and your budget.

Where Will You Ride?

If you live where it’s hilly, buy a bike with enough gears to get to the top without walking. Many mountain bikes now come with a 1x drivetrain with a single chainring in the front and a range of gears in the back.

Having one shifter instead of two makes choosing the right gear much simpler. It also makes the drivetrain and your bike lighter. And it cleans up your handlebar, making space for a dropper post lever.

If you buy your bike at a bike shop and not online, it’s easier to get your bike customized with a smaller front chainring to make hill climbing easier.

How Will You Ride?

Buy a bike to match your goals. If you’re all about speed, choose a fast and light bike. Dreaming of a bike that can do a little bit of everything? Opt for an all-mountain or trail setup, which will have more suspension than a cross-country bike and less than an enduro bike.

If you want to huck off big rocks and wooden jumps, or ride lifts at a ski area with your bike and hit jump lines, get an enduro bike with enough suspension to handle the impacts, and also one that’s made for abuse — because the worst kind of bike is a broken one.

If you’ll never leave the rec path, opt for a hardtail, which will save you weight and money.

What’s Your Budget?

The general rule of thumb is the more money you spend on a bike, the lighter and more durable it will be. If you plan to do more technical riding, get the nicest frame you can afford. Parts can be upgraded, but in general, your frame can’t.

Also, get the bike with the best suspension you can afford. A more responsive and tunable suspension will make you a better rider, and it will be more fun.

Bike Types Explained: XC, Enduro, Trail, All-Mountain

A cross-country bike is built for uphill and downhill speed as well as mellower terrain. Most cross-country bikes have 100mm suspension and come with 29-inch wheels, which are faster than 27.5-inch wheels.

To optimize for climbing, cross-country bikes usually have a steeper head tube angle. But recent advances in suspension design are blurring the line between XC and trail bikes.

A trail bike won’t be quite as light as a cross-country bike , and it will usually have more front and rear suspension. Trail bikes are fast uphill with geometry and suspension that’s forgiving and fun riding downhill.

An all-mountain bike is the most versatile style of mountain bike. It will take you almost anywhere you want to pedal.

With a 120-130mm suspension in back, if you have your sights set on big rides that balance climbing and descending, a nimble all-mountain bike is the best choice. They rally through anything but the biggest downhill features.

An enduro bike is downhill-focused, but a bike you can still pedal. Enduro bikes are usually heavier than all-mountain and trail bikes because they have more front and rear travel. This enables you to sail through technical roots and rock gardens, over jumps, and down drops.

An enduro bike will have a noticeably slack geometry. Many enduro bikes now have shorter chainstays and other modern bike kinematics that make them as good pedaling uphill as crushing descents. But they’re made for races where the downhill is timed, but the uphill is not.

If you’re going to ride lifts and hit huge jumps and high speeds and never pedal uphill, buy a downhill bike. It will have a heavy reinforced double-crown fork with a maximum available suspension to reduce flex and help you sail over the biggest jumps and drops.

Expect the bike to be so low and slack that uphill pedaling will be somewhere between a chore and a push. Downhill bikes are designed to rage downhill as fast as you’re willing to go.

Modern bikes have either 27.5- or 29-inch wheels. The smaller (27.5-inch) wheels are more nimble and easy to maneuver, and they often have a more playful feel on the trail. They’re also quick to get moving.

Twenty-nine-inch wheels take more energy to get rolling, but they hold their speed once they’re moving. They also roll over obstacles in the trail more easily than 27.5-inch wheels.

But don’t rule out a bike just because it doesn’t have the wheel size you think you want. A bike’s kinematics and frame design combine with wheel size to give each bike a unique “feel” and skill set. Sometimes it’s hard to tell what you’re rolling without stopping to read the sidewall.

Fatter tires are heavier, but they’re also more stable. What kind of tread you need depends on where you’ll be riding.

A smoother tread is faster, but may also be more slippery. The fattest tires you’ll encounter on a mountain bike are 27.5-plus tires. These extra-wide tires typically measure 2.8 inches and give you confidence-inspiring stability and a more comfortable and forgiving ride.

They also have more rolling resistance, and they’re heavier than non-plus tires. Not every frame can accommodate plus tires. Check the manufacturer’s website.

Mountain bike frames are made from aluminum or carbon. An aluminum frame will be more affordable. Typically, a carbon frame will be more expensive and more forgiving.

Carbon dissipates shock better, and the manufacturer has more control over the characteristics of the bike because it can determine the shape and size of tubes, as well as reinforce and lighten the frame where it wishes.

All carbon is not created equal — many brands have multiple carbon layups. The most expensive carbon build is the lightest and most finely tuned.

A hardtail bike has a front suspension but no rear suspension. Buy one if you’re on a tight budget or if you’re riding relatively smooth terrain. Most hardtails are less expensive and lighter than comparably spec’d full-suspension bikes.

Many also come with wider tires that can supplement the bike’s suspension, especially if you ride with your tires set up tubeless and at lower pressure.

A full-suspension bike has a rear shock and a front suspension fork that compress and extend as you ride to make the ride less jarring and to keep your wheels in contact with the ground, increasing both traction and control.

The best full-suspension bikes won’t pogo. Most shocks and suspension forks can be locked out for more efficient climbing. And most can also be tuned and adjusted to your weight, riding style, and personal preferences.

Ask your shop to help you set your bike up so you have the best experience regardless of how much or little you ride. If you’re getting bucked, or your bike feels too squishy or unresponsive, it’s probably your suspension. The more expensive your bike, the more advanced and tunable your suspension will be.

Dropper Post

A dropper post is a seat post that you can raise and lower with a handlebar-mounted lever. If you’re riding singletrack and your bike doesn’t come with a dropper, add one.

It’s an easy upgrade and one that will instantly make you a better rider. Engage your dropper post and your seat sinks, lowering your center of gravity to make riding technical terrain and downhills easier.

“Spec” refers to the parts on your bike, including drivetrain, brakes, fork and shock, and more. The more expensive a bike, the longer-wearing and more precisely functioning the parts will be.

Maintenance

Lube your drivetrain regularly. If you wait until it’s chirping, you waited too long. Use bicycle-specific lubricant, and apply one drop to every second link. Bike lube cleans and oils the chain.

If you can, leave the lube on the chain overnight. Then, before you ride, hold a rag over the chain while you spin the pedals backward to remove grit, grime, and extra lube.

If you have a full-suspension or front-suspension bike, manufacturers recommend that you have a shop service your suspension every 30 hours of riding. Check brake pads and cables for excessive wear regularly throughout the season.

Buy the Best Bike You Can Afford

When buying a bike, you get what you pay for. More expensive bikes will have longer-wearing parts, lighter and stronger frames, and better wheels.

Buy locally, and you’ll often get extras, including the option to demo bikes before you buy, a 30-day tune-up, professional advice to help you get the best bike for you, and assistance swapping out parts to get your bike dialed for you.

You’re also keeping money in your community. If you’re looking for a deal, ask your local shop if they’re selling their demos or if they have a previous-year bike priced to move. Buy a bike you can grow into.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best brand of mountain bike.

The best brand of mountain bike is the one that provides all of the features that you’re looking for. Most brands will offer the basic requirements, so it helps to figure out what features are most important to you.

Some brands specialize in making lighter bikes, others focus on burly downhill bikes, and still others make electric bikes that will give you a boost on steep inclines. Look for any specific features that you want and go with the brand that best suits your needs.

What is the best mountain bike for beginners?

There are so many styles of riding and types of mountain bikes that it can be difficult for beginners to know where to start. One great option is to get a basic, low-end mountain bike like a hardtail with fork shocks.

These bikes are built to handle a wide range of terrain and will accommodate many riding styles. This allows you to try a variety of terrains and styles and decide which one is your favorite.

As you ride, you can start thinking of features that you want on your next bike that would help you as a rider. Because you didn’t break the bank on your first bike, you’ll be able to upgrade to a bike that best suits your needs without taking a big bite out of your wallet

How much should you spend on your first mountain bike?

Unless you know exactly what facet of mountain biking interests you, you’d be better off buying a good used bike or an inexpensive new bike. That way, you’ll be able to learn how you like to ride, and you can take some spills without worrying about excess damage to the bike.

Then, when you know what kind of mountain bike you want, you can upgrade without having to take a second job.

Is it bad to ride a mountain bike on the road?

While they’re built for off-road use, mountain bikes are perfectly fine to ride on roads, though we wouldn’t recommend them for races or century rides.

The knobby tires are a bit bumpier than road tires and the added weight of a mountain bike can wear on you on inclines. They’ll do in a pinch for short commutes or a quick ride to the store, however.

What frame size should I get for a bike?

The proper sizing is crucial for ensuring a comfortable riding position, and it varies depending on the rider’s height. Check out our article on finding the perfect bike size to make sure you find a good fit.

What gear do I need for mountain biking?

The first and most important piece of gear you need is a good  b ike helmet , as most head injuries can easily be prevented with the right helmet and a proper fit.

After that, a good pair of shorts with a chamois pad will keep your nethers comfortable while you get used to spending long days in the saddle.

A pair of gloves is also key, as you’ll likely plant a hand if/when you fall off your bike. (I’m looking at the scar on my palm from the one day I forgot my gloves as I write this.)

Bike lights  are also a great option for when the sun goes down on a long ride, as well as for added visibility if you ride on the road after dark. Also, mountain bike grips are an often-overlooked upgrade that can go a long way in making your rides more comfortable.

The Best Mountain Bike Helmets of 2022

Our experts put the best mountain bike helmets of 2022 to the test. Whether you need a budget pick or overall winner, we've got you covered. Read more…

The Best Mountain Bike Shoes of 2021

Whether you’re cruising singletrack and charging down hills, traversing hundreds of miles, or speeding through race events, here are the best mountain bike shoes for your ride. Read more…

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Best Short-Travel Full-Suspension Mountain Bikes – 100 to 130mm

Ibis Ripley – One of the most iconic short-travel playbikes available.

Trail and Cross-Country mountain bikes offer limitless fun on various terrains. There are quite a few different mountain bike types out there, but in this review – we’ll be focusing on the lighter end of the spectrum, bikes that are considered as short travel full-suspension mountain bikes.

• You may also like:   15 Best Full-Suspension Mountain Bikes to Consider

Best Short-Travel Full-Suspension Mountain Bikes

1 . orbea – oiz h20.

Best XC Full-Suspension Mountain Bike

Aluminum / 12-Speed Shimano Deore  / 29×2.35″

MSRP: $3,599 Jenson USA

Fork : Fox 32 Float Rhythm, 120mm travel Shock : Fox i-Line DPS Performance, 120mm travel Wheels : Orbea OC1 25c

The Orbea Oiz H20 is a sleek full-suspension XC bike built for speed and efficiency. With a premium aluminum frame, quality components, and World Cup geometry, you’ll be smashing your PRs with the Oiz in no time. 

It’s ideally suited to cross-country or long-distance trail riding, with a 12-speed Shimano Deore/XT groupset that includes a 10-51T cassette.

Fox provides both the I-Line DPS Performance shock and the 32 Float Rhythm fork. To complement the lightweight Orbea OC1 rims, you get 29×2.35″ Rekon Race EXO tires.

Head tube angle: 68º / Seat tube angle: 74º / Chainstay: 435mm

Buy on Jenson USA

2 . Santa Cruz Bicycles – Blur C S

MSRP : $5,549 Evo.com

Fork: RockShox SID SL Select 100mm travel Rear Shock: RockShox SIDLuxe Select+ 100mm travel Wheels:  RaceFace AR Offset 29″

The Santa Cruz Blur is the famous MTB brand’s race-ready XC bike, designed to be lightweight, fast, and efficient. 

The Blur C S uses Santa Cruz’s more affordable carbon grade, which has excellent stiffness and strength characteristics that help maximize power transfer.

A 100mm travel RockShox SidLuxe Select+ shock is enhanced by a patented SuperLight suspension linkage that keeps the weight low but enhances rear-end traction on trickier sections. 

This build comes with a SRAM GX Eagle 12-speed, 10-50T drivetrain with Level TL hydraulic disc brakes. Other notable components include the fast-rolling Maxxis Aspen 2.4″ tires, an SDG Tellis dropper for extra descending control, and lightweight RaceFace AR Offset rims. 

Pick the Santa Cruz Blur C S if you’ve got lofty XC ambitions and the budget to match. 

Buy on evo.com

3 . Pivot – Mach 4 SL Ride

Carbon / 12-Speed Shimano XT/SLX / 29×2.2″

MSRP: $6,199 Competitive Cyclist

Fork : Fox Float 34 Performance Step-cast 120mm  Shock : Fox Performance Float DPS 100mm  Wheels : DT Swiss X1900 alloy

The Pivot Mach 4 SL Ride is a sleek full-suspension XC MTB by a lesser-know but high-end MTB manufacturer, perfect for racers who want top performance.

The full carbon frame is incredibly light and strong, built for 29″ wheels and DW-Link suspension that perfects anti-squat characteristics for a snappy, responsive feel and extra traction. This model comes with race-ready 2.2″  Maxxis Ardent Race EXO tires.

The Mach 4 SL Ride has 100mm rear and 120mm fork suspension. In addition, you’ll have ample gearing from the 12-speed Shimano XT/SLX drivetrain. Thankfully, Pivot includes a Fox Transfer Performance Elite  dropper post with 100 to 150mm travel depending on the size. 

Choose the Pivot Mach 4 if you want to take your XC riding to the next level with a bike that’s ready for aggressive riding. 

Buy from Competitive Cyclist

4 . Niner – Jet RDO 4-Star

Carbon / 12-Speed Shimano XT / 29×2.6″

MSRP: $6,799 Jenson USA

Fork : Fox 34 Float Factory GRIP2 EVOL 130mm travel Shock : Fox Float X Factory EVOL 120mm travel Wheels : DT Swiss XM-1700 Spline 30

One of the more expensive offerings on our list, this Niner full-suspension mountain bike is a burly trail/XC bike with modern trail geometry and top-quality parts.

The RDO Carbon frame features Niner’s CVA suspension platform, integrated protection, and 2.6″ tire clearance. The 130mm travel Fox Float Factory fork and 120mm Float X Factory shock provide a plush feel on rough trails while the CVA design improves the pedaling efficiency of the system. 

A 12-speed Shimano XT drivetrain comes with RaceFace Next R carbon cranks and a 10-51T cassette. 180mm rotor XT hydraulic disc brakes round out the groupset.

An unusual inclusion is the Schwalbe Nobby Nic Addix Speedgrip 2.6″ tires which are very versatile and tough but add a little more weight. Finally, you have a KS Lev SI dropper with 100 or 150mm of travel. 

Choose the Jet RDO 4-Star if you want a highly-capable trail/XC bike with innovative design features, solid components, and long-lasting quality. 

Head tube angle: 66.5º / Seat tube angle: 76º / Chainstay: 430mm

5 . Rocky Mountain – Element Alloy 30

Aluminum / 12-Speed Shimano Deore  / 29×2.4″

MSRP: $3,089 Jenson USA

Fork : RockShox Recon Gold 130mm Shock : RockShox Deluxe Select+ 120mm travel Wheels : WTB ST Light i27 TCS 2.0 TR 29″ (27.5″ on XS frame)

The 29″ Rocky Mountain Element Alloy 30 is a cross-country/trail MTB with a do-it-all personality.

The FORM alloy frame has relatively aggressive trail geometry which pairs well with a RockShox Recon Gold 130mm fork, Deluxe Select+ 120mm shock, and Toonie Drop dropper post for confident riding on most trails. 

The groupset includes Shimano’s Deore M6100 drivetrain with a  10-51T cassette with MT4100 hydraulic disc brakes. This setup and Maxxis Rekon 2.4 makes climbing easier and descending safer. 

Head tube angle: 65º / Seat tube angle: 76º / Chainstay: 436mm

6 . Yeti – SB120 T1

Turq-Series Carbon / SRAM X01/GX Eagle / 29×2.5/2.3″

MSRP: $8,200 Jenson USA

Fork : Fox Factory 34 GRIP2 130mm  Shock : Fox Factory Float DPS 120mm Wheels : DT Swiss XM1700

The SB120 is a Yeti full-suspension MTB focused on cross-country and trail riding. This bike has an eye-watering price but has the spec and performance to match.

The Yeti SB120 T1 is built for speed and versatility with 29″ wheels and modern trail geometry. This is balanced by confidence-inspiring and premium 2.5/2.3″ Maxxis Minion DHF/Aggressor EXO tires. 

A blended SRAM groupset consists of a 12-speed, 10-52t X01/GX drivetrain that provides reliable and durable performance and G2 RSC four-piston hydraulic disc brakes. The wide gear ratio allows for easy hill climbs while powerful brakes ensure safe descents.

Consider the SB120 T1 if you want a high-end trail bike for tackling a wide variety of trails. 

Head tube angle: 66.5º / Seat tube angle: 76.5º / Chainstay: 433-443mm

7 . Co-op Cycles – DRT 3.3

A reliable, affordable XC bike

Aluminum / 12-Speed Shimano SLX / 27.5 or 29 x2.4″

MSRP:   $3,299 REI

Fork : RockShox Revelation Motion Control RC 120 or 130mm Shock : RockShox Deluxe Select+ 120 or 130mm Wheels : WTB ST Light i30 TCS

The DRT 3.3 is a cross-country bike with plenty to offer beginner or intermediate XC mountain bikers. It features progressive wheel sizing and suspension travel based on frame size, Airsprung RockShox suspension, and premium Maxxis High Roller or Dissector tires. 

This bike has a lightweight but strong aluminum frame that helps keep the price down without sacrificing too much performance. This is boosted by a Shimano SLX 12-speed with a 10-51t climbing cassette and powerful Shimano SLX disc brakes for controlled descending. 

Head tube angle: 66/67°   /   Seat tube angle: 75°   /   Chainstay length: 433/441mm

Buy on REI.com

8 . Juliana – Wilder C R TR

MSRP : $4,899 Evo.com

Fork: RockShox SID RL 120mm travel Rear Shock: Fox Float Performance DPS 115mm travel Wheels: RaceFace AR Offset 

Julianna’s Wilder is a race-ready trail bike designed to tackle the toughest trails with confidence. As Santa Cruz’s women-specific brand, Julianna takes advantage of its VPP suspension system to provide the Wilder with unbeatable suspension performance.

Large 29″ RaceFace AR rims and slack geometry allow you to roll over any obstacle on the trail. In addition, female-tailored geometry and a Carbon C frame ensure the Wilder is painless to maneuver.

Finally, this bike is built on an SRAM NX Eagle drivetrain and paired with grippy Maxxis Rekon Race tires and powerful SRAM Level T hydraulic disc brakes to ensure smooth climbing ability and controlled descending. 

Buy on Evo.com

9 . Marin – Rift Zone 1

Best value full-suspension mountain bike

Series 3 Aluminum / 11-Speed Shimano Deore / 29×2.3″

MSRP: $1,899 Jenson USA

Fork : RockShox Recon Silver RL 130mm Shock : X-Fusion O2 Pro R 125mm Wheels : Marin Aluminum Double-Wall

The Rift Zone is a 29-inch trail mountain bike designed for speed over fast, flowy trails.

Multi-Trac suspension improves big hit absorption and delivers a more efficient pedaling platform for the 130mm RockShox Recon Silver RL fork and a 125mm X-Fusion O2 Pro R rear shock.

Vee Tire Crown Gem 29×2.3″ tires are durable but lack some grip in the corners and are slightly slow for this type of bike.

The Rift Zone 1 runs a typical 11-speed Shimano Deore drivetrain with Shimano MT201 hydraulic disc brakes and is finished off with a budget alloy seatpost instead of a dropper.

This is a solid XC/trail bike that offers excellent value for money in the entry-level category of full-sus bikes. 

Head tube angle: 65.5º / Seat tube angle: 76º / Chainstay: 425mm

  Buy on JensonUSA.com

10 . Norco – Fluid FS 2

MSRP: $2,499 Jenson USA

Fork : RockShox 35 Silver R, 130mm travel Shock : RockShox Deluxe Select, 120mm travel Wheels : Stan’s NoTubes Flow D 

The Norco Fluid is a full-suspension mountain bike with an innovative progressive frame design for enhanced fit and performance. It features 130mm of front travel and 120mm in the rear, with a reliable Shimano Deore 12-speed drivetrain and matching Shimano MT420 hydraulic disc brakes.

Norco chose Stan’s NoTubes Flow D rims with Maxxis Dissector 2.4″ tires for their excellent grip and durability. For a seatpost, you can rely on an X-Fusion Manic dropper. Every detail is accounted for on the Fluid FS 2, making it an excellent value trail bike.

Head tube angle: 66º / Seat tube angle: 76º / Chainstay: 431mm

Buy from JensonUSA.com

11 . GT – Sensor Sport

Aluminum / MicroSHIFT Advent X, 10-Speed / 29 x 2.3″

MSRP: $2,300

Fork : RockShox Recon Silver, 140 mm Shock : X-Fusion 02 Pro RL 130mm travel Wheels : WTB Aluminum rims

The GT Sensor Sport is a full-suspension trail mountain bike designed to handle almost any trail out there .

This bike can smash climbs and thunder down descents with ease thanks to GT’s LTS rear linkage technology which soaks up trail chatter and improves traction.

The lightweight, durable aluminum frame is fitted with a RockShox Recon Silver RL 140 mm fork and an X-Fusion 02 Pro RL 130 mm shock which offer decent performance for this price range. 

This bike takes rolls along smoothly and corners confidently with 29″ wheels wrapped in WTB Breakout 2.3″ tires. Finally, you can rely on a MicroSHIFT Advent X  10-Speed drivetrain for smooth shifting and powerful but inconsistent Tektro HD-M275 hydraulic brakes. 

Head tube angle: 65.5º / Seat tube angle: 76º / Chainstay: 435mm

Buy from Jenson USA

12 . Alchemy Bikes – Arktos 120

Carbon / 12-Speed Shimano XT / 29×2.3″

MSRP: from $4,699 Alchemy Bikes

Fork : Fox 34 29 Factory Kashima 130mm travel Shock : Fox DPX2 Factory Kashima EVOL 120mm travel Wheels : Industry Nine 29 Enduro S Hydra

The Alchemy Bikes Arktos 120 is a full-suspension XC/trail mountain bike that’s perfect for riders who enjoy charging uphill and thundering down descents.

The Alchemy carbon frame is ultra-lightweight and laterally stiff, and the seat tube allows longer dropper posts like the stock Fox Factory 175mm Transfer dropper.

The Arktos runs on Alchemy’s patented Sine Suspension dual-linkage platform. This system provides next-level performance through enhanced efficiency on climbs and improved handling and traction on chunky descents. The 130mm and 120mm Fox Factory Kashima suspension soaks up all but the most aggressive hits.

The Arktos 120 comes with a choice of three 12-speed groupsets (Shimano XT or SRAM GX/X01). Each has a hill-crushing cassette and 180mm-rotor hydraulic discs. Finally,  burly Industry Nine enduro rims are fitted with Maxxis Minion DHF and DHR 29×2.3 tires, providing plenty of capability but adding some extra weight. 

Consider the Arktos if you want high-end performance and an award-winning carbon frame at a reasonable price. 

Head tube angle: 65.75-66.5-º / Seat tube angle: 77.75-78.5º / Chainstay: 437mm

Buy on Alchemy Bikes

13 . Pivot – Trail 429 Pro

Carbon / SRAM X0 Eagle / 29×2.4″

MSRP: $9,900

Fork : Fox Factory 36 GRIP2 140mm travel Shock : Fox Factory Float X, 130mm travel Wheels : Reynolds Blacklabel carbon

Pivot Cycles is a relatively new bicycle company that has already won awards for its innovative design.

This can be seen on its Trail 429 Pro 29er full-suspension trail/XC bike, a lightweight carbon beast with top-level parts. It’s a professional XC bike for advanced riders, with modern trail geometry in the low flip-chip setting that provides confidence on steep descents. 

The suspension is tight, with a Fox Factory 36 140mm fork up front and 130mm Factory Float X shock on the rear. The DW-Link platform and carbon fiber build kit allow you to get more power from each pedal stroke, making this a highly efficient climber. 

Using the 12-speed SRAM X0, 10-52t drivetrain you get perfect shifting every time and plenty of gears for steep grades. In addition, the Trail 429 has powerful four-piston SRAM G2 RSC hydraulic disc brakes. 

Don’t miss out on the Pivot Trail 429 Pro if you’ve got a huge budget and want unbeatable trail performance to match. 

Head tube angle: 66-66.5º / Seat tube angle: 75-75.5º / Chainstay: 430-432mm

Buy from Mike's Bikes

14 . Santa Cruz Bicycles – Tallboy R

Aluminum / 12-Speed SRAM NX Eagle / 29×2.4″

MSRP: $4,199

Fork : FOX Rhythm 34, 130mm travel Shock : Fox Float DPS Performance, 120mm travel Wheels : Race Face AR Offset 30

The Tallboy is of the most popular Santa Cruz full-suspension Mountain Bikes and this version has a tighter, more grounded feel, perfect for attacking bumpy terrain at high speed.

With the Santa Cruz Flip-Chip upper link, you can fit 29″ or 27.5″ rims and tires, although it comes standard with 29×2.4″Maxxis Dissector/Rekon EXO tires on Race Face AR Offset 30 rims.

The 12-speed SRAM NX Eagle groupset runs a wide-ratio 11-50T cassette for easy climbing and includes SRAM Guide T four-piston hydraulic disc brakes.

It’s finished off with a Burgtec Enduro MK3 stem, handlebar, SDT Tellis dropper, and Cane Creek 10 IS integrated headset.

Head tube angle: 65.7º / Seat tube angle: 76.8-76º / Chainstay: 436mm

15 . Juliana – Joplin 4 C R

Carbon C / 12-Speed SRAM NX Eagle /  29×2.4″

MSRP: $5,299 Evo.com

Fork : RockShox Pike Base 130mm Shock : Fox Float Performance DPS 120mm travel Wheels : Raceface AR Offset 30

The Juliana Joplin is a women’s full-suspension trail/XC mountain bike built for speed.

The premium Santa Cruz Carbon C frame is fitted with a RockShox Pike Base fork with 130mm of travel and a Float Performance DPS 120mm rear shock. These components are enhanced by the tailored lower-link VPP suspension that improves pedaling efficiency and traction. 

The drivetrain is a 12-speed SRAM NX Eagle with an 11-50t cassette for steep climbs and for braking you have SRAM Guide T hydraulic discs.

Finally, the Juliana Joplin 4 C R has an SDG Tellis dropper and 2.4″ Maxxis Dissector/Rekon 3C MaxxTerra EXO tires to provide confidence when descending on fast, chunky trails. 

Choose this women’s mountain bike if you love days on the trails with lots of elevation gain and a variety of trails. 

Head tube angle: 65.7º / Seat tube angle: 76-76.7º / Chainstay: 430-433mm

16 . Ibis – Ripley AF

🏆 Best all-around mountain bike for every terrain

Aluminum / 12-Speed Shimano Deore / 29×2.4″

MSRP: $3,799 Jenson USA

Fork : Fox Float 34 Performance, 130mm travel Shock : Fox Performance Float DPS, 120mm travel Wheels : Blackbird Send Alloy Max Clearance 2.6″

Coming in at just under $4,000, this is one of those bikes that outperforms its price tag. Straight off the bat, the 12-speed Shimano Deore groupset is impressive with hydraulic disc brakes. 

Naturally, it has a premium quality aluminum frame with superb DW-Link suspension technology, offering 120mm of rear travel from Fox Performance Float DPS shock. With a similar kit upfront, you get 130mm of travel on the Float 34 fork, and it’s all rounded off with Blackbird rims and 2.4″ Maxxis  DHR II and Dissector tires. 

 Head Tube Angle: 65.5º / Seat Tube Angle: 76º / Chainstay length: 432mm

17 . Yeti – SB115 C2

CARBON C1 BIKE

Available in 3 designs

Carbon / 12-speed SRAM GX Eagle / 29×2.5″, 2.3″

MSRP: $6,200 Competitive Cyclist

Another top-class mountain bike from Yeti , this combination XC and trail bike attacks both the hills and the drops with equal vigor and aggression. The lightweight carbon frame combined with the 12-speed SRAM GX Eagle 10-52T cassette makes easy work of hills, while the Switch Infinity rear suspension technology combined with 130mm travel on the Fox Performance fork makes downhills a breeze.

You get added support from a thick 2.5″ Maxxis Minion DHF front tire and 2.3″ Aggressor on the rear, wrapped around DT Swiss rims. Oh and let’s not forget the Fox Transfer dropper seat post for added ease and enjoyment!

Head tube: 67.6 / Seat Tube: 74.1 / Chainstay: 437mm

Buy on Competitive Cyclist

18 . Santa Cruz Bicycles – Blur

Carbon C / 12-Speed Shimano XT / 29×2.4″

MSRP: $6,599

Fork : RockShox Sid SL Select+ 100mm travel Shock : RockShox SidLuxe Select+ 100mm travel Wheels : Race Face ARC Offset 27

The race-ready Blur XC bike from Santa Cruz is designed for fast riding on cross-country trails.

The SuperLight suspension linkage combined with a 100mm RockShox Sid SL Select+ fork and SidLuxe Select+ shock provides plenty traction on the rougher stuff.

Fast-rolling 29er wheels, Maxxis Aspen 2.4″ XC racing tires, a stiff and lightweight carbon frame, and agile geometry give the Blur its high-performance personality. 

The groupset is a 12-speed Shimano XT with four-piston hydraulic disc brakes and plenty of gearing from the 10-51t cassette. 

Consider the Santa Cruz Blur if you’re ready to take your XC rides to the next level. 

Head Tube Angle: 65.7-65.4 / Seat Tube Angle: 77.5-76.8 / Chainstays: 423-433mm

Buy on Mike's Bikes   

19 . Cannondale – Habit Carbon 1 

MSRP: $5,500 Planet Cyclery

Every XC rider comes across an unexpectedly steep descent every now and again, leaving them in a precarious situation with an inadequate bike. The Cannondale Habit Carbon 1 rises to this challenge, offering an XC-specific bike that can tackle steep downhills with confidence.

It achieves this with the addition of a Cannondale DownLow dropper post combined with Cannondale’s Proportional Response Tuned suspension system. The RockShox Pike Select+ 140mm fork has slightly longer than usual travel for an XC bike, with the 130mm RockShox Super Deluxe Select+ rear shock to match. A wide-range SRAM GX Eagle drivetrain with a 10-52t cassette and SRAM G2 RSC hydraulic disc brakes make up a solid mountain-ready groupset that can tackle climbs and descents with ease.

HT: 66° / ST: 74.5° / Chainstay: 435mm

Buy on Planet Cyclery

20 . Evil – Following LS GX

MSRP: $6,450 evo.com

Evil Bikes is known for making high-quality mountain bikes that push the boundaries of design and innovation. The ‘Following’ is its versatile XC offering – a high-speed MTB with 29″ wheels, semi-compact geometry, and mid-range travel that can tackle unusually harsh conditions 

The proprietary DELTA suspension system and RockShox Deluxe Ultimate RCT shock are both highly tunable to adapt to varying conditions so if you feel like doing some downhill riding, simply adjust it to your needs and hit the trails. On this version of Evil’s Following, SRAM provides decent 12-speed gearing and instant braking with its mid-level GX Eagle groupset and G2 RS disc brakes.

Where Can You Ride a Short-Travel Mountain Bike?

Short travel mountain bikes are ideal all-rounder bicycles for fast and zippy trails, whether it is flat or hilly.

Downhill mountain bikes with lots of travel are ideal for extremely rough terrain with big drops and large obstacles but provide a disadvantage on flatter terrain. 

The less stiff your suspension is, the more speed you lose when riding fast on flat terrain. So you need to choose a bike that best suits the type of riding you intend to do. For most All-mountain, Cross-country, and Trail riding, you shouldn’t need more travel than 100-130mm. MTB bikes with travel between 140-180mm are intended for intense downhill and enduro-style riding.

Of course, many of these bikes have adjustable suspension, so in some cases, you can change it for the terrain of that day. However, if you don’t intend on ever tackling extreme downhills, big jumps, or huge drops, then there is no need to spend the extra on advanced suspension with unnecessarily long travel.

Other Factors to Keep in Mind

Carbon vs. aluminum: which is better.

Which is better: Carbon or Aluminum for a full-sus. MTB? Well, carbon has taken over the whole cycling industry for a while by now, and it is not different from the mountain bike scene. As carbon-tubing gets better each year, there is a reason why mountain bikers prefer carbon over aluminum. Carbon simply has the right ‘feel’ to the whole ride, while providing enough durability and ways to form a bike.

Tires & Tire Pressure

It is recommended to use more air in the rear tire when on trails.

• 29″ – 18-28 psi. Plus-size tires or on wider wheels (Ibis) can be run on lower,11-18 psi range
• 27.5″ (650b) – 16-30 psi.

Lowering your tire pressure means you create more contact with the ground so if you have thin tires, less pressure will provide more grip. However, while this may be a bit more comfortable offroad it comes at the sacrifice of speed on flatter ground. Depending on your weight, you should try to find a perfect balance that isn’t too low or too hard.

Tubeless tires can usually run lower pressure since there is no tube to pinch. Similarly, wider rims can also accommodate lower tire pressure. These are all factors to consider when pumping your tires.

Suspension set-up

You should always tune your suspension correctly to accommodate your weight and riding style. This can be done by rocking up and down on the bike to measure your ‘sag’ rate and then adjusting the air or spring pressure accordingly.

If you’re going to be hitting big jumps or drops, you’ll need a wider, looser suspension to take heavy impact. If you’re riding mostly flat trails, you’ll want it stiffer so you don’t over-compress and lose speed on each little bump.

Compression / Sag / Rebound

The Sag, as mentioned earlier, is important to measure and set accordingly before heading out on the trails. Once that’s done, set the rebound damping by pushing on the front suspension and seeing if you get any ‘bounce’. Tighten it until it only rebounds once, doesn’t bounce up and down.

For the compression settings, you’ll need to specify them according to your riding style. Different shocks have different settings, so it’s down to your style and preference. Basically, add more compression damping if you want tighter traction on corners, or less if you want more absorption on big drops.

Rider Weight

It’s important to get the correct weight distribution on a full-suspension bike otherwise you could injure yourself on the trails. The longer wheelbase a bike has, the more stable it will be, so heavier riders should consider this factor. 

Bottom bracket height is also important, as the higher the less stability you get but it can’t be too close to the ground either for obvious safety reasons. Generally, these measurements can all be perfected for you in-store when you buy a new bike. It’s always a good idea to have a professional fit your bike for you.

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8 great turn-shredding, climb-crunching trail mountain bikes for 2023

Mtb wheel size: which one is right for you, 1. yt industries izzo core 2.

The Izzo is made for being thrown around the trails

© YT Industries

Price: £3,199

Frame sizes: S, M, L, XL, XXL

Frame material: Carbon fibre front triangle/aluminium rear triangle

Wheel size: 29”

Travel: 130mm front/130mm rear

Find out more information

2. Norco Optic C3

The Optic is aimed at fun descents and tearing it up when riding hard

Price: €4,599

Frame sizes: S, M, L, XL

Frame material: Carbon fibre front triangle, aluminium rear triangle

Travel: 140mm front/125mm rear

3. Specialized Stumpjumper EVO Comp Alloy

You can swap the rear wheel for a 27.5” one if mullets are your thing

© Specialized

Price: £3,900

Frame sizes: S1, S2, S3, S4, S5, S6

Frame material: Aluminium

Travel: 150mm (S1) or 160mm (S2-S6) front/150mm rear

4. Propain Hugene CF Performance

Propain lets you custom the look of your bike for no extra fees

Price: €5,064

Frame material: Carbon fibre

Travel: 140mm front/140mm rear

5. Pace RC295 GX Ultimate

The RC295 is causing a stir for its capability in all situations

Price: £4,799

Frame sizes: M, L, XL

Travel: 140mm front/135mm rear

6. Nukeproof Reactor 275 Carbon RS

The Reactor comes in more than 10 different variations

© Nukeproof

Price: £5,999

Wheel size: 27.5”

Travel: 160mm front/140mm rear

7. Santa Cruz 5010 X01 AXS RSV

Danny MacAskill uses the 5010 for his trail-focused projects

© Santa Cruz

Price: £8,499

Frame sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL

Travel: 140mm front/130mm rear

8. Pivot Switchblade Pro X01 Fox Live Valve and Carbon Wheels

If money is no object, then it has to be a Pivot

Price: $13,799 USD

Frame sizes: XS, S, M, L

Wheel size: 29"

Travel: 160mm front/142mm rear

Want more of this?

Best down-country mountain bike: short travel shredders

• Danny Milner
• January 10, 2024

Short on travel but big on geometry, we review the best down-country mountain bike rigs – fleet-footed steeds that blend the speed of an XC bike with the capability of trail bike.

Trek Top Fuel 8 Credit: Roo Fowler

Short on travel, light on weight, but big on geometry, the best down-country mountain bike rippers give you everything you want and nothing you don’t. Fast and fun, in a lightweight, efficient package, these bikes can cover ground with minimal fuss and still be thrashed to within an inch of their lives on proper trails.

• Best mountain bikes: hardtail, XC, trail and enduro to suit all budgets
• Best cross-country XC mountain bikes

The Yeti SB120 is a down-country bike you can buy with your head as well as your heart

1. Yeti SB120

The best down-country bike if money is no object.

Wheel size: 29in | Frame: Turq carbon, 120mm | Sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL | Weight: 13.3kg (29.3lb) | Rating: 9/10

Reasons to buy:

• All round overachiever with superlative suspension
• Wide size range

Reasons to avoid:

• Agile rather than ultra aggressive
• Not actually that light
• No internal storage

From one of the most aspirational brands in the business comes the impeccable SB120. Yeti shrinks and shoehorns its unique Switch Infinity suspension design into the SB120 chassis. Where the swingarm moves up and down on dual Fox shafts just above the bottom bracket. And the new design has improved seals, bearings, hardware, and pivots, so it should stay in tip-top condition for longer.

And this clever suspension design really works. As we explained in our review, “the supple suspension is stable under power gives a really positive pedalling feel”. Then, when you really hit a something hard and the rear wheel sticks to the ground, giving superb traction and control. It needs a lighter set of wheels to do the flickable geometry and sublime suspension justice, but even out of the box the Yeti SB120 had us smitten.

Read our full review of the Yeti SB120

Santa Cruz’s Tallboy is a terrier that thinks it’s a rottweiler

2. Santa Cruz Tallboy

Best down-country bike for sending it.

Wheel size: 29in | Frame: Carbon CC, 120mm | Sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL | Weight: 13.08kg (28.84lb) | Rating: 9/10

• Outstandingly fast and focused full-send aggression
• Does things normally reserved for burlier bikes
• Superb size range
• Internal storage compartment
• Needs a pretty skilled rider to avoid pratfalls
• Uncomfortably uncooperative on technical off-piste trails
• Can be tiring to ride

Although often overlooked in the comprehensive, verging on confusing, Santa Cruz range, we think the Tallboy is an undiscovered gem. You’ve heard of small man syndrome, or small dog syndrome, well the Tallboy has small bike syndrome, where it steadfastly believes it’s actually an enduro bike, and deserves to be ridden as such. The stiff frame and aggressive angles beg to be wrung out on every descent, yet the efficient suspension and lightweight mean it’s always the first bike back up to the top of the hill.

For some riders, all that straining at the leash might be too much. But if you love wringing the neck of a short travel whip, and seeing your buddies slack-jawed in amazement as you undermine and overtake their big-travel enduro bikes, the Tallboy is the ultimate sleeper bike.

Read our full review of the Santa Cruz Tallboy

Transition’s Spur is still one of the finest down-country bikes we’ve ever tested

3. Transition Spur

Best lightweight down-country bike.

Wheel size: 29in | Frame: Carbon, 120mm travel | Sizes: S, M, L, XL | Weight: 11.25kg (24.8lb) | Rating: 10/10

• Perfect blend of speed and control
• Lightweight
• Not the most robust build if you’re carrying some timber
• Narrow size range

The Transition Spur is arguably the bike that spawned the down-country category, and also the bike that perhaps best defines it. At under 11.5kg, the Spur flies out of the gate, haring up climbs and tearing along high-speed singletrack. That lack of inertia encouraged us to sprint every rise, pop every jump, and schralp every turn, helped by the stable geometry and supple suspension.

With lightweight RockShox Sid forks up front, the temptation is to add travel and girth, but to do so is to dilute the Spur’s potency and add unnecessary grams. So while there’s a bit of flex when pushed hard, we’d treat that as part of the charm, and lap up the whirlwind of action that accompanies every descent. As we said in our review, the Transition Spur is “the best-realised ‘down-country’ bike we’ve ever tested and the one we all covet if we were spending our own cash”.

Read our full test review of the Transition Spur

Trek’s Top Fuel 8 offers a high-octane ride

6. Trek Top Fuel

Explosive trail weapon.

Wheel size: 29in | Frame: Carbon or alloy, 120mm travel | Frame sizes: S, M, M/L, L, XL, XXL | Weight: 14.89kg | Suspension travel: 130mm f/120mm r | Rating: 9/10

• Poppy, playful and efficient
• Available in six frame sizes
• Internal down tube storage
• Mino Link flip chip allows geometry tweaks
• Needs a 180mm rear rotor
• Accurate rear shock set up is crucial
• A solid build, so not the lightest in its class

While the Trek Top Fuel used to be a lean, mean, cross-country fighting machine, the middle-aged spread has left it sagging a little on the scales. But don’t let that fact put you off, because the ride quality is worth its weight in gold, even if it won’t be competing for gold medals on the race track.

In our test we praised the Top Fuel as offering a “fast, fun and engaging ride”. Where “Its poppy playful nature, combined with generous sizing, means you never feel limited by the travel for regular trail riding”. Combined, this means the Trek Top Fuel provides a high-octane ride that keeps the pace high without compromising on fun. If you can stretch to one of the carbon options, that will help shed some weight, and really light the blue touch paper.

Read our full test review of the Trek Top Fuel 8

The Canyon Neuron 6 is fast and frugal

7. Canyon Neuron 5

Speed freak that also enjoys a party.

Wheel size: 27.5in or 29in | Travel: 130mm | Frame sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL | Frame: Aluminium or carbon | Weight: 14.63kg (32.25lb) | Rating: N/A

• Friendly yet rewarding geometry
• Excellent value
• Seat tube could be a bit shorter
• Saddle is a bit too racy
• Not that light for a down-country bike

The Neuron is Canyon’s back-to-basics trail bike, newly updated for 2023, There are four carbon and four alloy models to choose from, with prices starting from £1,849 for the Neuron 5 and going up to £5,749 for the Neuron CF LTD. There’s also a kids’ Young Hero model with an XS frame and 27.5in wheels for £1,499, and women’s versions of the Neuron 6, Neuron 7 and Neuron CF8 available at no extra cost.

As with the previous bike, all XS and S frames come with 27.5in wheels, while the Medium upwards come with 29in wheels. As with most Canyons, you’ll need to factor in a bike box at £18.99 and delivery at £37.99 to all of the headline prices. Whichever you choose, the latest Neuron is versatile, affordable and a total blast to ride, as happy hitting enduro tracks and sending jumps as racking up the miles on a multi-day ride. The alloy frame has a comfortable, compliant ride that’s never jarring, and the choice of fast-rolling Schwalbe tyres means it rolls along almost effortlessly.

Read our full test review of the Canyon Neuron 6

Looks so sharp you could cut yourself just looking at it: The YT Izzo Uncaged 7

Rapier-sharp speed and agility

Wheel size: 29in | Frame: Carbon, 120mm travel | Frame sizes: S, M, L, XL, XXL | Weight: 11.4kg | Rating: N/A

• Acutely responsive and ruthlessly efficient
• Agile and accurate
• Good spec for the price
• Nowhere to hide in the rough
• Traction/grip is not the best
• Doesn’t really need the remote lockout
• Front tyre could be more aggressive

YT’s razor-sharp Izzo feels a million miles away from the brand’s signature Capra and popular Jeffsy trail bike. It’s blisteringly fast but ruthlessly unforgiving, so you need to be on top of your game and fighting fit to keep it under control and take the punches. It’s much stiffer than the Transition Spur, and not as capable as the Santa Cruz Tallboy or Yeti SB120, so in some ways it’s a bit of an anomaly. But it’s also a great-looking bike, feels amazing in certain situations, and the fact that it’s a challenge to get the most out of will definitely appeal to a certain type of rider.

Read our full test review of the YT Izzo Uncaged 7

Orange knows how to build a great handling bike, and the Stage Evo is no exception

9. Orange Stage Evo

Packs big bike geometry into a nimble 120mm package.

Wheel size:  29in | Frame: 6061-T6 Aluminium, 120mm travel | Frame sizes: S, M, L, XL  | Weight: 13.83kg (30.49lb) | Rating: N/A

• Incredibly well-poised handling belies its modest weight
• It’s arguably a trail bike

Orange may have ploughed its own furrow over the years, towed by a horse rather than a GPS-guided John Deere, but despite the UK-brand’s traditional frame materials and construction methods, it continues to bang out bikes that ride every bit as well as more cutting-edge rivals. Often even better. The Stage Evo is one such bike, and effectively a shrunken Stage trail bike. And from the very first corner we were reminded why Orange still commands a loyal customer base – the Stage Evo simply shreds. When we tested it, we noted “yes, it’s easy to ride beyond the physical limits of the travel, but that’s what makes the Stage Evo such an engaging bike on regular terrain”.

Read our first ride review of Orange Stage Evo

As soon as you release the reins, the Spur starts to gallop

What is a down-country mountain bike?

A few rules to help categorise a down-country bike. The first rule is that these rules are made to be broken!

Nothing over 120mm

No more than 120mm of suspension travel at either end. The archetypal down-country bike should have closer to 100mm of rear travel. And if there’s a 130mm travel fork up front, it’s ruled out. Usually. There are some outliers than we allow into the down-country fold. Otherwise the whole thing just gets far too close to a regular trail bike. So, no Norco Optic or Nukeproof Reactor 290c ST. Too trail-bikey.

Having said that, neither rear travel nor fork travel should have less than 100mm. Save that for XC race bikes.

With less mass to manhandle, down-country bikes like the YT Izzo goad you into throwing shapes at every opportunity. 

Nothing steeper than 67°

We’re talking head angles here. Non-XC geometry is the key thing that must be included if a bike is to be classed as down-country. And though we say ‘geometry’ we really mean head angle. There’s currently not much consensus about the other angles and measurements on down-country mountain bikes; they don’t all have longer reach numbers, nor steeper seat angles, nor super low BBs.

But the head angle on all down-country bikes cannot be steeper than 67°. 66° is arguably the most commonly seen number.

Big wheels only

You’ll not find any 27.5in wheels here. Nope, not even just on the rear as a modern mullet setup. 29in wheels rule the down-country roost.

Although it doesn’t have the poppiest suspension feel, the Tallboy is great fun on jump trails

What’s the difference between an XC bike and a down-country bike?

That’s a contentious one, and mostly a matter of opinion. But in our view, a down-country bike is a trail bike with the weight and travel of an XC bike, whereas an XC bike generally has steeper geometry, a lower front end and a stronger bias towards efficiency. Using, for instance, remote lockouts to maximise power transfer on smooth surfaces. The lines are blurred, however, and some XC bikes are closer to down-country bikes than others. And the components used also make defining bikes more difficult. Some down-country forks have all-out XC race forks. Some have middling 34-35mm stanchions. Some have four-pot brakes and huge rotors. Others just have 180/160 twin-pot combos. Some have dinky stems. Some still sport stems over 50mm long.

True XC bikes, like the Specialized S-Works Epic WC, are lighter, pricier, and more focussed machines. 

It’s the finishing kit that is perhaps key to the down-country experience. And expectation. Some down-country bikes appear to be aimed at ex-XC lycra-heads looking for more fun and less sketch in their rides. Other down-country bikes are aimed at the all-out aggro brigade who have tired of their super-capable enduro bikes and wish to inject a level of limit to their Sunday shredding.

In our opinion, it’s the latter type of down-country bike that is most interesting and exciting. But more capable XC bikes also provide unique thrills, and that injection of effortless pace never gets boring.

Slacker, longer, lower… shorter. Bring it on.

Gear-obsessed editors choose every product we review. We may earn commission if you buy from a link. How we test gear.

The 10 Best Bikes for Your Next Bikepacking Adventure

‘Biking’ + ‘Backpacking’ = ‘Bikepacking’

To me, bikes symbolize freedom, and bikepacking is the pinnacle of that freedom. There’s always another mountain looming in the distance or a remote village to visit, and the majority of the days end at a campsite with a stunning view. (There may be mosquitos and sand flies, too, but the view’s worth it.)

Bikepacking routes feature long rides over bumpy, unpaved surfaces like dirt, rock and gravel. We’re talking about riding for hours day after day on towpaths, rail trails, forested singletracks and all-but-forgotten dusty roads that lead to some of the most beautiful and diverse places in the world. For these kinds of adventures, you need a bike that is durable, reliable, and relatively easy to repair trail-side. It also helps to have lots of mounts or ‘bosses’ to attach cages and/or frames to help you load up your camping gear. The best bikes for bikepacking can carry the load, opening the door for you to go on some incredible cycling adventures.

Go on a Cycling Adventure! Best Water Bottle Cages ● Best Mountain Biking Shorts ● The Best U.S. Cycling Tours

The Best Bikes for Bikepacking

• Best Overall: Curve GMX+ Titanium
• Best Value: Kona Rove
• Best for Beginners: Canyon Grizl 7 Suspension 1by
• Best Hardtail Mountain Bike for Bikepacking: Salsa Timberjack
• Best Rigid Mountain Bike for Bikepacking: Surly Karate Monkey

The Expert: I’ve written about adventure travel and cycling gear for 15 years across a variety of outlets, including Time , Bicycling , Adventure Cycling Magazine , Fodors , BBC Travel , Next Avenue, and many others. My bikepacking adventures have taken me across Central Asia (following the Silk Road from Beijing to Istanbul), Northern Pakistan, Armenia, Jordan, Egypt, Indonesia, and most of Western and Eastern Europe. I also ride road, gravel and mountain bikes closer to home in the Catskills and the NYC cycling community’s home mountain, Bear.

What to Consider in a Bike for Bikepacking

Frame material.

Reliable bikepacking bikes can be made from many different materials . The metal used to make your bike frame will impact its weight and durability, as well as how they feel when riding, and whether or not they can be repaired.

Aluminum frames are common among $1,000-$2,000 bikes. They’re lightweight and stiff, but often require thicker, heavier tubes to make them strong. Aluminum, as a material, also doesn’t absorb road vibrations well, so you’ll feel every rock and root you ride over.

This is not to say that aluminum bikes aren’t conducive to bikepacking, though. I’ve ridden plenty of high-quality aluminum bikes: They’re tough and damage-resistant, making them a solid choice.

Steel frames provide exceptional strength, and can be repaired if and when they crack. That can be particularly helpful for bikepackers who run into issues mid-adventure. For example, one of my friends cracked his steel mountain bike frame in Northern Pakistan. We took it to a repair shop where they bolted two strips of metal on either side of the break to hold it together. You wouldn’t be able to successfully do that with aluminum or carbon.

Carbon frames are the lightest option, minimizing the heft of your loaded-up bike. That low weight is highly coveted among cyclists, and they're quite expensive. Once cracked, carbon bike parts generally cannot be fixed, so you definitely won’t be able to make repairs on the side of the road.

Titanium frames are my personal favorite. Like carbon, titanium makes for a light and comparatively expensive bike. It’s more durable than carbon, though, and is especially resistant to corrosion. It also absorbs road vibrations well, smoothing out bumpy rides on rough roads.

Manufactured with a range of sweeps and rises, using materials like aluminum, titanium and carbon, there are a lot of ways to build a comfortable, durable set of handlebars. Choosing the design that works for you is mostly a matter of personal preference, but there are a few small considerations I’d suggest if you’re optimizing for long bikepacking trips.

For starters, look for an ergonomic design with angled bends that suit your preferred riding style (upright or more bent over for example.), which will minimize the possibility of nerve compression and hand or wrist fatigue.

I’d also suggest looking for bars that you find comfortable holding in multiple positions. You don’t want your hands or fingers getting numb while riding; it's difficult to operate brakes and shifters when you can’t feel them. From my many trips, I’ve found that many bikepackers switch out the handlebars that came with their bike to the Jones H-bar , which are flat and curve back toward the rider at the ends.

Ultimately, the best thing to do is to try as many options as possible. If you’re able, go to your local bike shop and try leaning on a few different handlebars to find the right fit for you.

A set of good brakes is essential on any bike, but they’re especially important when you’re riding up and down steep hills while weighed down with heavy gear. Most all of the bikes in this guide feature mechanical disc brakes , which are better than rim brakes at bringing a loaded bike to a stop when descending. They also don’t get mucked up by mud, leaves, and other debris.

What’s the difference? Location, location, location! Disc brakes are positioned at the center of the wheel, squeezing brake pads against a brake rotor next to the wheel hub. Rim brakes are mounted on top, applying their pads to the outer wheel rim. In their centralized position, disc brakes can stop a bike using less force. (In other words, they don’t need to squeeze as hard.)

Hydraulic disc brakes are also a good choice for veteran bikepackers: They outperform standard mechanical disc brakes on stopping power, but are more expensive and can be difficult to maintain. Since you generally can’t expect to have access to a bike shop on a bikepacking trip, I would only recommend using them if you’re prepared to learn how to maintain them yourself . (Honestly, it would be a good idea to learn, regardless.)

I’m mechanical all the way, mainly because this keeps the components easier to repair and maintain when in far flung places and/or countries where the latest bike gear and technology isn’t the norm. You also don’t need to worry about charging your electronic shifting at a campsite or a hotel that only has electricity for a couple hours every night. This doesn’t necessarily make it a better option, just the one I’m more comfortable with.

Suspension Forks

A suspension fork provides some cushion when rolling over rough terrain, making your ride more comfortable. It isn’t an essential feature, but worth keeping in mind. Neither of my bikepacking bikes have one and I manage okay… Though there have been stretches where I wished that I had one.

Again, the biggest argument against bringing a bike with a suspension fork on your trip is maintenance. If you plan to bikepack long distances, you’ll need to plan for the possibility that something may go wrong miles from civilization. Bikepackers with suspension forks should learn how to service them , and carry some tools and parts for the job, including a shock pump , valve core tool , and spare valve.

Storage & Accessory Support

While you can always gear to your bike with Velcro straps, it pays to pick out a bike frame that supports a large assortment of mounts, which give you the ability to add cargo racks , saddle bags and other dedicated bikepacking storage solutions like Salsa’s EXP Series accessories . The longer and more remote the trip, the more stuff you have to carry.

Drivetrain/Gearing

When it comes to gearing , the most important thing to remember is that you’ll likely be much happier with more gear options, especially for pedaling at lower speeds when ascending. Bikepacking trips often send you into rocky territory where you may be climbing for a full day (or days) while hauling all of your gear. Dirt and gravel roads, forest trails and singletrack also usually require deeper gearing than your average road bike because of the added rolling resistance you’ll experience on uneven ground.

Picking a specific setup is a personal choice, based in part on your fitness level and the weight of your fully loaded bike. That said, as a general rule, you’ll likely want a wider range of gears than what you’d find on a traditional road bike.

For example, new bikepackers could try a 1x crankset with at least a 32-tooth chainring on the front, and a 10-42 or 11-46 rear cassette, which should provide a wide enough range of gears with the lowest allowing you to pedal yourself and your gear up a mountain. You could also try an internally geared hub, which eliminates the chances of breaking/bending or otherwise damaging your rear derailleur (since you won’t have one.) Not all internally geared hubs offer the same number of gears. Make sure to get one with 12 or 14.

If you want to make your bike mechanic happy, ask them what they think and to explain the pros and cons of each setup.

How We Selected The Best Bikes for Bikepacking

I picked these model bikepacking bikes after taking each of them on a successful trip, or based on recommendations from experienced bikepackers I met on one. I can talk about bikepacking gear all day, and I often get the chance–with other bikepackers, riders who want to learn about the hobby, and brand representatives who cater to bikepackers (many of whom partake themselves). With that in mind, I selected these picks specifically to give you a wide variety of styles and preferences, so there’s an option for every kind of rider.

Curve Cycling GMX+ Titanium

The Curve GMX+ Titanium has all the qualities I look for (and love) in a bikepacking bike. The titanium frame features a carbon fork and significant tire clearance, so you can swap tire widths if you want, depending on where you’re riding. There is an incredible number of mounts–four on the fork, and two for water bottles on either side of the downtube.

As I mentioned, I prefer titanium frames because of their strength-to-weight ratio and toughness. I’ve also found that they’re excellent for absorbing road vibrations. (I’m always mildly shocked at the difference when I occasionally take my carbon racing bike out for a spin.) With elongated geometry, a substantial fork and wide handlebars, this bike inspires confidence no matter where you are; pavement, sand, washboard, rock or root-laden singletrack.

The GMX+ is incredibly versatile. It comes with a flared Walmer drop bar, but you can also outfit it with a flat bar if that’s your jam. It’s also available in a wide range of frame sizes and with many drivetrain options. It’s the closest you can get without going full custom.

The first bike I ever brought on a bikepacking adventure, the Kona Rove holds a special place in my heart. The Rove stands out as a versatile go-anywhere kind of bike fit for city streets or gravel trails, as well as one of the few 650b/26-inch wheeled steel bikes with a low enough price point for a wide audience.

This is a big benefit if you plan to take your bike abroad. Outside of the U.S. and Europe, 26-inch wheels are the norm, rather than the exception, so it’s easier to find compatible parts if you need them. Between that and the steel frame, the Rove is a perfect “hope for the best, plan for the worst” kind of bike.

When I started riding it, the Rove was one of the most comfortable bikes I’d tried, and one of the least skittish when off-road. On my first bikepacking trip with the Rove in Cambodia, I had no real idea what I was doing but somehow made it through with only a few scrapes and bruises and a new found passion for traveling offroad.

Canyon Grizl 7 Suspension 1by

With a front suspension fork, clearance for up to 50mm tires, and a plethora of mounts for water bottles and other accessories, it’s easy to recommend the Canyon Grizl 7 to a first-time bikepacker who may not be used to riding on rough terrain hauling all their gear. The front fork keeps your tire firmly in contact with the ground, making descents feel less scary and reducing the impact on your hands and joints over the course of a long day slogging through washboard roads (or the majority of the Mongolian steppe.)

It’s relatively light, features quality components, and is easy to set up for bikepacking, since Canyon makes bags and packs designed specifically for the Grizl. It’s an excellent choice if you’re dipping your toe in the bikepacking pool, and need to buy a bike specifically for that first adventure.

Salsa Timberjack XT

One of the most difficult roads I’ve ever ridden a bike on was a narrow cliff ledge that snakes through the Karakoram Mountains to Shimshal , the last village in Pakistan before you hit the Chinese border. The narrow road cuts through rocky cliffs strewn with rubble and sheer drop-offs–not a ride for the faint of heart… or lung, or leg.

My friend Julian’s Timberjack, with its 130mm of travel, short chainstays, wide handlebars, and burly tires fared better than any other bike traversing over this treacherous span of our Karakorum cycling adventure. I watched him fade into the distance as I cautiously made my way over rushing rivers, impossibly steep inclines and a road made entirely of rock debris.

Sporting Salsa’s adjustable Alternator dropouts, the Timberjack can be outfitted with a Rohloff hub or single-speed drivetrain. There are plenty of rack mounts–down tube, seat tube, and top tube–for lots of different bikepacking configurations and internal cable routing, allowing for an effective and streamlined loadout.

Surly Karate Monkey

One of my exes once declared the Karate Monkey “the most perfect bike ever.” While there was a lengthy list of things we disagreed on, I admit that it’s an amazing mountain bike . With a rigid steel fork and steel frame, the Karate Monkey is built to withstand most anything you throw at or under it.

The current design can accommodate either 27.5- or 29-inch wheels, so you can set it up to suit your style and preferred position. It features rack mounts on the dropouts, as well as bosses on both sides of the downtube, so you can mount three water bottle cages if you want when traveling through areas where you may have trouble finding fresh water.

Perhaps most importantly, the Karate Monkey is compatible with most standard mountain bike standard parts, so it’s easy to customize for your bikepacking needs, or get a replacement part away from your home bike shop. That said, I’ve seen bikepackers riding Karate Monkeys on all kinds of terrain, all over the world: Not once have I ever seen one broken down or damaged.

Salsa Cutthroat C GRX 600 1X

Salsa designed the Cutthroat specifically for the Tour Divide Mountain Bike Race , a 2,745 mile -long bikepacking competition. That means it's well suited for very long trips with 16-hour days riding over everything from dirt trails to gravel, and all the tree roots you can stomach.

As all good bikepacking bikes do, it comes with a ton of mounts on the fork, down tube, top tube, and seat tube–17 in all. I also love the seat, which features thin seat stays and wide rectangle chain stays to absorb a lot of road vibration that would normally tire you out on this kind of terrain.

It also helps that this version of the Cutthroat features an ultralight carbon frame. (The “C” stands for “carbon.”) Steel frames traditionally reign as the most popular option among bikepackers traveling to parts unknown, but manufacturers have responded by building carbon adventure bikes with frames that can withstand quite a bit of thrashing over rough surfaces.

On a 5-month sojourn across central Asia, one of my riding cohorts made the very bold decision to bring Cutthroat and ride it hard like a mountain bike. He bombed rocky downhills as if he were invincible, and spiraled up steep, bumpy ascents with seemingly little effort. He managed to break a seat rail (not on the seat that came with the bike), which is not an easy thing to do, but the frame never cracked.

While the carbon frame still adds a little more potential for a trip-ending break, the Cutthroat is about as trustworthy as you can get.

Diamondback Haanjo 4 EXP

One of my favorite bikepacking buddies (and fellow adventure travel writer) Amy Jurries rides a Haanjo 4 EXP. She brought it on our eastern European ride across Georgia and Armenia, which ended up being much rougher (surface-wise) than we anticipated. We encountered singletracks through forests, pothole-laden asphalt and double-digit grades that went on for miles. There was more than one point where we thought our legs would most assuredly fall off.

Most gravel bikes will work well for bikepacking, but the Haanjo 4 ups the ante. It features a front fork with 60mm of travel, making it especially conducive to rough roads and bumpy trails. Its mechanical disc brakes are suitable for remote locales and are easy to maintain. It also has plenty of mounts on the top tube, down tube and seat tube.

The 1x11 drivetrain saves weight while still providing ample gearing for all the steep ascents you can handle, though you may wish for a few more on the top end for when you’re cruising over asphalt with a negative grade. Tomcat wheels with WTB Raddler tires help you keep the rubber on the road, even through questionable fields where the trail disintegrates into bush and grass.

Sometimes the terrain you’re riding on calls for bigger tires. The Trek 1120 bike is designed specifically for off-road adventures. It features large 29-inch wheels, which you can ride through sand and deep snow easier than you could on narrower tires.

On the storage front, the 1120 features three fork mounts and eight frame mounts, including a water bottle cage mount on the bottom of the downtube for those who don’t mind some dirt with their hydration. Best of all, it comes with removable front and rear racks, so you’re ready to carry a lot of gear before adding any accessories or modifications.

My favorite feature, though, is its horizontal sliding dropout, which allows you to easily switch to a single-speed setup if your rear derailleur has an unfortunate encounter with the ground or an immovable boulder. Hydraulic disc brakes ensure you’ll be able to stop when needed… Like before your trail sends you off a cliff. (Pro tip: Most mountain roads outside the U.S. lack anything resembling a guard rail.) The extra braking power comes in handy here, as the 1120 is relatively heavy.

All told, the Trek 1120 gives you the confidence to the kind of high-risk locales where a bikepacker might specifically want a fat tire bike, from the Jordanian desert to the snowy backcountry of Alaska.

Specialized Diverge Sport Carbon

I am a forever fan of Specialized bicycles, and the Diverge is one of my favorites. The carbon frame, matched with a carbon Future Shock fork and progressive geometry, makes it one of the lightest and fastest bikes on the bikepacking circuit.

Bikes with “progressive geometry” have a longer front end, positioning your body lower as you reach for the handlebars to minimize wind resistance. Even with the increased reach, slacker head tube, and longer offset fork, the Diverge feels solid on rocky terrain without sacrificing rolling speed on asphalt. It also has a shorter stem, which keeps the bike agile. The bottom bracket is high enough that you can swap the 700cs for 650bs if you want. It also features mounts galore including fork, top tube, and rack.

All in all, the Diverge and its light overall weight means you can carry more, faster and further with less overall perceived effort.

Cinelli Nemo Tig Gravel 2

I’ve found that there is a subset of bikepackers (and cyclists in general) who get ridiculously excited about handmade bike frames. Cinelli bikes are built entirely by hand in the brand's headquarters in Milan, which helps to justify the high price of the Nemo Tig Gravel 2. If you’re a bike nerd like me who waxes nostalgic about Richard Sachs bikes of yore, you may find yourself willing to pay it.

As the name suggests, the Nemo Tig Gravel is slightly better suited to gravel and dirt than extremely rough, rock laden surfaces. Not that you can’t ride it over rocks; you’ll just need exceptional bike handling skills and leg strength. If you’re going where singletrack is the majority of what you’ll be riding, you may end up doing a lot of hike-a-biking.

This bike also full of cool features that will excite cycling gearheads, like diamond-shaped seat stays with oriented ellipses, which contribute to the bike’s all-around comfort when pedaling long distances. The diamond shape helps to absorb road vibrations. Its custom-drawn Columbus Spirit triple-butted tubes feature three thicknesses across their length, trimming weight and bolstering their structure. I also love that you can pick from up to 69 different paint and finish options, including a range of pinks, lime green, burgundy, and white.

Q+A With Veteran Bikepacker Vanessa Nirode

What is the difference between bikepacking and bike touring?

The difference between a bike tour and bikepacking is in the route. Bikepacking trips typically revolve around cycling to and through beautiful, remote landscapes, with everything you need to survive strapped to your bike. They often provide rare opportunities to visit remote places like villages on the “Roof of the World” , and sleep in camping spots far from overcrowded campsites.

As a result, the cycling is often off-road-focused, with dirt trails, gravel roads, rail trails and pretty much anything that gets you away from cars and pavement.

While you’re still riding all day and camping out at night, bike tours usually stick to paved roads. Bike tour riders also usually carry more gear for a more comfortable overnight experience, including front and back panniers and possibly even a trailer. That’s a lot more stuff than you can afford to take when traveling rough trails and offroad: Keeping a trailer upright while riding a singletrack would be a serious struggle.

What type of bike should I bring on my bikepacking trip?

Many bikepackers–including me–will tell you that the best bike for bikepacking is the one you already own, especially if you’re just trying it out to see if it's your thing. While that old gravel or hardtail mountain bike you rescued from the street may not be as comfortable as something new you bought with a specific trip in mind, it’s definitely fine to get you through your first short trip - or even multiple trips.

If your bike doesn’t have enough mounts for your gear, you can strap things on using zip ties, bungees and/or Salsa rubber straps .

If you feel the need to purchase a new bike, though, I’d steer most people toward a hardtail mountain bike or gravel bike for their first bikepacking trip. If your route includes long stretches on rough roads or trails, look for a bike that has a fork with suspension to minimize the impacts.

What should I wear while bikepacking?

It’s important to bring comfortable clothes that you can ride in day after day. Most riders prefer padded shorts for a little cushion on a long ride. You may also want to wear some clothes with moisture-wicking properties so more of your sweat rolls off you.

Beyond that, pack the same way you would for any camping trip. Depending on the weather and climate, it’s always a good idea to bring some layers, including a warm base layer , rain jacket , and a long sleeve jersey or jacket in case it gets cold. If you’re planning a trip where you’ll ride through regions with different climates, make sure to include layers to account for all the types of weather you should expect to encounter. Look for gear that is packable (compresses down into a small size) and lightweight to optimize the space you have for carrying.

I recently acquired some clothing from the Fjallraven and Specialized collaboration, and am a huge fan of the Anorak pullover for cool days; it's roomy for layering and features tons of pockets plus side ventilation zips.

What should I pack when bikepacking?

Every bikepacker develops their own list of essentials over time, fine-tuning it with time and experience after every adventure. Here are some essentials that everyone needs .

For an overnighter, you need something for sleeping. That could be a small tent and a sleeping bag , or a bivy sack . It’s absolutely fine to use any camping equipment you already own, though veteran bikepackers typically start upgrading with lighter, more compact gear.

While you want to pack light, you will need more than the clothes on your back. Make sure to pack a separate set of clothes to sleep in, and at least one spare riding outfit in case you get caught in the rain or sweat a lot. This way, you’ll always have a dry one to put on in the morning. I also bring extra socks, a warm hat , and a compressible puffy jacket for cool evenings.

Don’t forget about supplies, either. Always carry enough water to last between stopping points where you know you’ll be able to refill. If you’re going somewhere where stores or fresh water sources will be far and in between, a portable water filter may be worth the investment.

Lastly, if you’re camping you will need cooking gear, though you should bring as little of it as possible. I’ve heated many bikepacking dinners (and morning coffees) up via a Pocket Rocket and titanium cup .

And snacks, don’t forget snacks.

Vanessa Nirode is a freelance writer who covers wellness, culture, outdoor adventure and travel for Hearst , HuffPost , PopSci , BBC Travel , and Threads , among others. She’s also a pattern maker and tailor for film and television but most of the time, she’d rather just be riding her bicycle.

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The Best Bikes for Every Type of Ride

By Christine Frietchen

All products featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

My world changed when I bought my first bicycle. Walking into the local bike shop, I was bewildered by the choices (and prices) of the best bikes. I left with a cheap hybrid bike—regretted that particular purchase after a mere month; see below—but it changed the way I experienced my hometown of New York City .

On a bicycle, you’re moving fast enough to really cover some ground , but slow enough to notice everything you miss whizzing by in a car. I began to call my bike excursions “tiny travels,” venturing to the Louis Armstrong museum in Corona, Queens , exploring the Civil War-era Fort Totten designed by Robert E. Lee, and pedaling out to the Steinway piano factory, around which a whole neighborhood had been built in 1870 for its German immigrant workers. Along the way I stopped for authentic Chinese dumplings, homemade Indian samosas, and Dominican street food.

I quickly moved on to a lighter, better quality two-wheeler, and nowadays, I travel with my bike whenever I can. It’s my preferred exploration vehicle.

There’s no time like the present to rediscover the wind-in-your-hair thrill and freedom of a bicycle , especially these days , when big getaways and elaborate travel aren’t options . Cycling allows you to quietly connect to your own ecosystem. You are part of the landscape rather than merely moving through it. You’ll notice architecture, scenery, and wildlife you never knew were just a few miles from home.

No one bike is perfect for every kind of riding, but there’s absolutely something out there for everyone. Below, seven types of the best bikes to cover the environments you're most likely to encounter and our pick for the best bike in each category, along with tips for where to get one and what accessories you'll want to purchase, too.

All products featured in this story are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Gravel bike

Best for: Pavement, dirt and gravel roads, touring

If any bike comes closest to a jack of all trades, it’s a gravel bike. Wide wheel clearance lets you go with fatter tires for rough terrain, or smoother rubber for pavement. Drop handlebars give you lots of hand positions for the best comfort on long rides. A wide gear range gives you smooth shifting for steep descents and climbing.

• Great for various types of terrain
• Wide gear range
• Lightweight
• No suspension, so not appropriate for true mountain biking or singletrack

Best gravel bike: Diamondback Haanjo 3 and Haanjenn 3 This versatile, snazzy looking bike has a longer wheelbase and slightly wider handlebars for excellent stability. It weighs just 24 pounds and includes frame mounts for fenders and racks to boost utility.

Buy now: Diamondback Haanjenn 3, $900, diamondback.com Buy now: Diamondback Haanjo 3, $1,10, eriksbikeshop.com

Mountain bike

Best for: Gnarly trails, singletrack

Mountain bikes have flat handlebars and a more upright body position that many people find comfortable. Full-suspension models are best for the roughest and most technical trails, like winding mountain singletracks, while ‘hardtails’ (front suspension only) work well for less technical terrain like rocky fire roads and muddy country lanes. Swap their nubby tires for smoother/smaller tires and lock out the suspension for a passible everyday bike on roads. Add fenders to fling off the mud. Most have a smaller number of gears compared to some other styles, which reduces maintenance, but can make it harder to find the comfiest one.

• Chews up trails and muddy terrain
• Can switch to slick tires for road use

Jessica Puckett

Lee Marshall

Meaghan Kenny

• Limited hand positions
• Limited gear range

Best mountain bike: Specialized Rockhopper Comp This classic hardtail is a great value and weighs a reasonable 29 pounds.

Buy now: $750, specialized.com

Best for: Leisurely neighborhood rides

Cruisers or beach cruisers are cute, stable bikes for touring the neighborhood . Many come standard with fenders, chain guards, and storage racks, and some have a step-through design that make them especially easy to get on and off. Their heavy weight makes them a challenge on hills, though.

• Stable, low center of gravity
• Usually come with fenders, baskets, racks, etc.
• Cute and nostalgic
• Terrible for hilly areas

Best cruiser: Townie Electra 7D Step-through This easy-to-ride bike has a low axle height, making it effortless to put a foot down at stops. At 35 pounds, you’ll want to stick to flat terrain.

Buy now: $630, trekbikes.com

Electric bike

Best for: Fun riding with less effort

Electric bikes have revolutionized cycling, making it accessible for those with mobility issues, and enabling everyone to ride much farther with a fraction of the effort. “Pedal-assist” models have the same feel as a regular bike, but your pedal strokes are supercharged by the motor. Most have a removable rear- or tube-mounted battery with a range of between 30 and 60 miles before needing a recharge. Some hide the battery in the frame, so it’s not obvious you’re riding an e-bike.

• Goes further with less fatigue
• Pedal-assisted models still feel like riding a bike
• Many no longer “look” like an electric bike
• Must recharge battery/limited range
• Heavy, expensive

Best E-bike: Cannondale Treadwell Neo EQ The Treadwell hides its battery within the frame tube and to the naked eye looks like any other bike. The battery can’t be removed, so you’ll need a garage or storage area with a power source for recharging. The battery has about a 40-mile range and brings total bike weight to about 39 pounds.

Buy now: $2,650, cannondale.com

Commuter bike

Best for: Stop/start urban rides

Commuter bikes, sometimes called urban bikes, are simple and good looking for city and suburb commutes and family rides. Their flat handlebars and upright riding position ensure good visibility for city rides, stop/starts, and hitting up the farmer’s market, but aren’t as comfortable for long endurance rides.

• Better for hills than a cruiser or a folding bike
• Can be fitted with fenders, racks
• Not for off-road use

Best commuter bike: Brooklyn Bicycle Co. Bedford 3-Speed This hip-looking urban bike has a steel frame that absorbs pothole bumps. It comes in both three- and seven-speed versions.

Buy now: $580, brooklynbicycleco.com

Best for: Speed and endurance on well-maintained roads

Want to know what it’s like to bomb a descent at 50 mph? ‘Roadies’ are fast, light, and sexy, with carbon-fiber frames and an aggressive, lower riding position. But they get expensive fast—a $2,500 model can be considered a starter bike and they can run up to $15,000 with electronic shifting and braking, race wheels, and every aerodynamic doodad.

• Precise sizing
• Aerodynamic and fast
• Overkill for casual neighborhood rides
• Not for off-roading

Best road bike: Trek Domane SL6 This full-carbon beast comes in a wide range of precise sizes to fit anyone from 4’11” to 6’3.” Upgraded versions come with electronic shifting, race wheels, and even a custom paint job.

Buy now: From $4,100, trekbikes.com

Folding bike

Best for: Office workers

These problem-solving bikes fold up with just a few flicks (it’s one of those things that will take you 20 minutes the first time, then 90 seconds thereafter). The urban suit crowd can carry their bike from the ‘burbs by commuter train, then unfold and ride the last few miles to the office, refolding in a flash for the elevator. The small wheels on a folding bike are perfectly fine for good roads, but you’ll feel every bump or pothole otherwise.

• Best for storage/tight spaces
• Travel bags and boxes available
• Not good for long rides or serious hills
• Bumpy ride on less-than-smooth roads

Best folding bike: Brompton M6L This 26-pound, six-gear bike from the folding-bike leader is easy to fold and unfold down to 23”x 23” x 11”.

Buy now: $1,590, rei.com

Hybrid bike

Best for: Your back-up bike

Also called a ‘comfort’ or ‘fitness’ bike, hybrids try to be everything, but excel at nothing. Low-grade components and heavy weight make them fine for a ‘guest’ bike, but that’s about it. Rather than a hybrid, think hard about what you want to do on your bike, and match to one of the types above. If you must buy a hybrid, get the cheapest possible model at a big-box store and don’t expect much. Another option is to hit up garage sales and plan on getting a tune-up at a local shop.

• Inexpensive
• Lowest-grade components
• Uncomfortable

More bike tips

Size matters.

At minimum, you need a bike that allows you to straddle it comfortably, and easily put a foot on the ground when stopped. You should not have to rock side-to-side to reach the pedals. You’ll see bikes sold in ranges (S/M/L etc.) or as a numeric size (46 is about the smallest you’ll see, and 62 the largest).

Where to buy

Bikes are mechanical. Parts wear out and need replacement, and you’ll need periodic tune ups. That makes your local bike shop the best bet for an initial purchase, as you’ll likely get a couple of years of free adjustments. Some brands now offer online ordering with pickup at a local shop or home delivery.

Essential accessories

You need a brain bucket (a helmet) and a bike pump at minimum (you can get decent versions of both for $30 to $70). Get a bike lock if you plan on making some stops ($20 to $100).

Optional gear

Bottles cages, fenders, racks, and baskets add weight but increase utility. Most bikes have mounts for these. A small repair kit with an extra inner tube and inflation tool can be a life saver if you’re far from home with a flat tire.

Non-profits with maps and travel tips

For more details on routes, check out Adventure Cycling Association , an advocacy group focused on bike touring in the U.S., and Great American Rail Trail/Rails to Trails Conservancy for maps and a database of trails in your state.

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Our Favorite High-Performance Trail Bikes This Year

Six Pinkbike writers and editors tested 15 trail bikes last year. These five picks impressed us the most.

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Testers and PinkBike editors spent the last year hitting singletrack from Bellingham to Squamish to evaluate 2024’s newest crop of trail bikes. Fifteen bikes, ranging from hard-charging, downhill-oriented crushers to cross-country-style rippers, were in the mix, but when all the dust settled, these six impressed the most in overall performance.

At a Glance

• Editors’ Choice — Best Overall: Scor 2030 GX ($6,499)
• Editors’ Choice — Best Value: YT Jeffsy ($4,399)
• Best High-Pivot Trail Bike: Forbidden Druid ($7,199)
• Best All-Around: Cannondale Habit Carbon LT 1 ($5,550)
• Best for Getting Air: Commencal Tempo LTD ($4,900)
• Best Easy Ride: GT Sensor ($4,313)

How to Choose a Trail Bike

How we test, meet the lead testers.

All gear in this guide was tested by multiple reviewers. If you buy through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission. This supports our mission to get more people active and outside. Learn more .

Editors’ Choice — Best Overall

Scor 2030 gx.

$6,499 at Scor

Build: 2030 GX Weight: 29.9 lb (size M/L)

Pros and Cons ⊕ It’s a better descender than most 120-millimeter travel bikes ⊕ Very quiet, no cable rattle or excessive chainslap ⊗ Your enduro bike might start collecting dust

It only takes one three-letter word to summarize why the Scor 2030 is our 2024 Editor’s Choice winner: FUN. With its stubby back end and relatively slack head angle, the 2030 is incredibly entertaining, especially on technical, rolling terrain. Pumping, manualing, and jumping are the 2030’s strong suits, but it also squeezes every last drop of performance out of its 120 millimeters of rear travel. That trait allows it to shine brighter than most bikes in this travel bracket when faced with chunky, technical sections of trail.

The 2030 is more focused on the descents than some other bikes in this category (like the Yeti SB120 ), but Scor’s designers didn’t forget that it needs to go uphill, too. It’s an energetic pedaler, free of any wallowing or mushiness while still delivering enough traction to keep that low-profile Rekon tire from spinning wildly. The perfect balance between efficiency and grip can be tricky to achieve, but the 2030 does it very well. It has the quickness you’d hope to get from a 120-millimeter bike without any accompanying harshness.

The geometry plays a large part in how comfortable the bike feels in the steeps, but the suspension deserves a mention, too: the Deluxe Ultimate shock is very well controlled, with a smooth ramp up at the bottom of the stroke. It’s a trait we noticed with the Scor 4060 a couple of years ago—there’s no harshness towards the end of the travel, which makes it easier to plop off a drop or push through a pointy rock garden without worrying about running out of travel.

Yes, there are limits—we’re still talking about a 120-millimeter trail bike here—and I’m not about to say it can go wheel-to-wheel with a full-on enduro bike. However, the fact that it can handle those more technical trails while also remaining entertaining on mellower ones is worth noting. The suspension opens up nicely at higher speeds, and it can deal with quick impacts very well.

The frame itself ticks all the boxes when it comes to the features we’d expect to see on a modern trail bike—there’s in-frame storage, angle-adjusting headset cups, well-sealed bearings, and effective chainslap protection that keeps the 2030 satisfyingly silent. The 2030 is one of those bikes that makes you want to keep on riding, sneaking in as many miles as possible before it’s time to return to reality.

Editors’ Choice — Best Value

$4,399 at YT

Build: Core 4 Weight: 33.3 lbs (size S) Sizing: S-XXL

Pros and Cons ⊕ Easy and intuitive to ride ⊕ Good balance between stable and energetic riding ⊗ The suspension has its limits in rough, fast terrain

As a now-longstanding staple of the YT lineup, the main theme of the Jeffsy is alive and well: a 29er trail bike meant to get along with just about anything you might encounter. The all-mountain geometry of the updated model keeps the ride both stable and energetic—the ideal balance in a trail bike. But the third model also features a host of updates we’re seeing on many modern bikes, the most notable being the in-frame storage. The storage hatch stands alone above the bottle instead of doubling as the plate that carries the water bottle—eliminating the eventual loosening or rattling that might accompany the dual-duty designs.

I had an excellent first ride on the Jeffsy, and the positive feeling hasn’t waned much since that day. From quick laps on my local favorites to longer, very technical rides, the bike has felt predictable, fun, and simply easy to ride. YT seems to have nailed the tricky balance of a bike that is easy to cruise on while still holding its own when pushed hard or thrown into more serious terrain.

Climbing feels supportive and efficient—the bike remains energetic over technical terrain in and out of the saddle. Descending is intuitive and well-balanced, with excellent cornering performance and great pop on jumps and jibs. With the 145 millimeters of rear travel, I only bottomed out a few times on some serious hits. The bike has an active feel through chattery terrain, especially when you let off the brakes and push through the bike.

An immediate takeaway was just how quiet the Jeffsy is, with no rattles, creaks, or other annoyances developing over the past couple weeks of riding. Another rosy first impression is the dialed build kit—there’s nothing I’d change out of the gate on my Core 4 test bike. The brakes, drivetrain, suspension, wheelset, and cockpit are all pretty close to what I’d choose for a bike of this ilk, so I’m more than happy to stick with the stock options.

Direct-to-consumer brands like YT can still offer value that most shop model brands can’t compete with, as with the new Jeffsy. Topping out at $6,499, the Jeffsy lineup has 5 builds that cater to a wide array of budgets, depending on price, experience level, and component preference.

Overall this strikes me as a great bike for people looking for easy and intuitive handling, an unfussy layout, and a solid ride feel regardless of how hard you’re pushing the bike. But don’t let that dissuade you if you’re keen to ride hard, as Jeffsy is more than willing to get rowdy.

Read the full review

Best High-Pivot Trail Bike

Forbidden druid.

$7,199 at Forbidden

Build: GX FX Weight: 32.4 lbs (size M)

Pros and Cons ⊕ Descends like a longer travel bike ⊕ Extremely quiet ride ⊗ The extra idler wheel can require more servicing ⊗ A unique spin on geometry means the XL frame’s chainstay grows extremely long through the travel

If you’ve ever ridden an idler-equipped high-pivot bike—meaning the bike’s main pivot is placed above the top of the chainring and the rear wheel axle—you know the calming effect that the rearward axle path brings to the nature of the ride. Forbidden has taken that to a trail bike, something seldom utilized on a 130-millimeter-travel bike. The original Druid won over fans of shorter travel bikes with its ability to handle descents as if it had magical powers—now, it’s transcendent. Even with a longer-travel model in the lineup, Forbidden’s enduro racer, Rhys Verner, claimed the top spot this season aboard the Druid V2.

We took the Druid out on singletrack uphills and downhills with chunky rock outcrops, and the bike felt superbly balanced. Thanks to the high pivot design and the Super Deluxe rear shock, the Druid handled technical bumps with ease and had no trouble carrying speed. The Druid thrives in singletrack because you can stay seated upright and comfy, and you don’t lose much speed when pedaling across roots.

However, the admirable suspension qualities of high-pivot bikes don’t come easily—they typically require more upkeep to maintain maximum drivetrain efficiency. Due to the precise placements of the pivots on the Druid V2, you cannot adjust the geometry. To pick between a 64 or 64.5-degree head tube angle, you’ll need to choose the specific frame member that houses either a 27.5 or 29-inch rear wheel. Although the brake line’s routing passes through the seatstay, it’s not a swap you’ll be making in the parking lot. On that note of chainstays, Forbidden scales their front to rear center lengths proportionally per size, so the same ratio is kept on all frame sizes. Even taller riders may have trouble wielding the 466-millimeter chainstay found on the XL frame size.

Overall, the Druid is one of the more capable short-travel bikes for riders who prefer snappy handling. It might take a while for some riders to acclimatize to its lengthy rear triangle, but the unbelievably smooth descent is worth it.

Read the Full Review

Best All-Around

Cannondale habit carbon lt 1.

$4,163 at REI $4,163 at Cannondale

Build: Sram GX Eagle Weight: 31.4 lbs (size L)

Pros and Cons ⊕ Balanced and composed in tricky situations ⊗ Not super efficient on the uphill

When we covered the release of the Habit , it struck me just how sensible and conventional it was. There was no quirkiness to it, at least on the surface, and everything about it seemed to be pragmatic and well-judged. The Habit LT’s geometry, frame features, and simple layout all scream modern, sensible trail bike. The frame has some nice subtle features, with a rubber cover to stop your chainstay from gobbling up rocks, non-guided routing that is very easy to work with thanks to a removable panel on the downtube, ISCG threads, and a tried-and-true threaded bottom bracket.

Though it is a typical four-bar bike, the Habit has a comparatively low anti-squat value. This may be bad news for all-out efficiency on smooth roads, but it’s good news if you need your suspension to adapt to terrain on rougher climbs. The Habit is comfortable on undulating terrain thanks to that higher stack, and the suspension tracks and grips well. I sometimes used the climb switch for hard-pack fire roads or tarmac stretches, but for anything remotely rough, I set it to open and let it flow. It might not be the most suited to out-of-the-saddle pedaling hard, but the bike does strike a great balance between tracking and efficiency. The Habit LT is weighted on the front, balanced on most trails, and able to handle very steep trails because of this well-proportioned and pragmatic geometry. I’m not a believer in massive reaches, especially when combined with short rear ends—the grip the Habit achieves on any type of trail is a testament to this. Extra-regular is no bad thing.

Overall, this is a very well-executed bike that simply works very well. Balance, composure, maneuverability, and comfort can oftentimes seem like ideologies that are opposed to one another in bikes, and you can merely have two or three out of the four at best. The Habit LT makes a very strong argument that, as riders, we might just be able to have it all.

Best for Getting Air

Commencal tempo ltd.

$4,900 at Commencal

Build: Tempo LTD Weight: 30.9 lbs (size S)

Pros and Cons ⊕ Quick and lively ⊕ Never met a jump or corner it didn’t like ⊗ Thru-headset cable routing can make maintenance more difficult

No matter which direction the trail points, the Tempo is fast. It has a satisfying snappiness that rewards hard pedaling efforts, especially on rolling terrain where the bike can be pumped and pushed to maintain that momentum. It’s also a very energetic climber, which will be a welcome trait to anyone coming off of a longer travel machine with more subdued pedaling manners. Compared to longer, slacker bikes where you need to swing wide to navigate awkward switchbacks, the Tempo is happiest taking the inside line, following a tight, precise arc on its way upwards. I’d be tempted to call it a trail bike for riders who prioritize the climbs—except that it’s a blast on the downhills too.

The Tempo is the type of bike that can breathe new life into mellower trails while also holding its own on the rowdier stuff. Modern mountain bike categories can be nebulous at times, but this is a trail bike in the truest sense of the term, well-suited to spinning out the miles while also goofing off and hitting every lip and landing possible. Do I wish it didn’t have thru-headset cable routing and better-sealed frame bearings? You bet, but I wouldn’t consider either of those deal-breakers. The overall ride characteristics of the Tempo are overwhelmingly positive, enough so that I’d be willing to deal with a little extra shop time.

Best Easy Ride

Gt sensor carbon.

$4,313 at GT

Build: Carbon Pro LE Weight: 32.7 lbs (M) Sizing: S-XL

Pros and Cons ⊕ Feels like an old friend—easy to ride ⊕ Quiet ⊗ No in-frame storage ⊗ No flip-chips or ways to adjust the geometry

In 2023, it was nearly five years since the Sensor received a significant update, so it was high time GT revised its 29-inch trail bike. The Sensor’s frame still has that distinctive GT look, but the amount of rear travel has been bumped up to 140 millimeters, a change that’s accompanied by revised geometry.

There are five models in the Sensor lineup—three with carbon frames (except for the chainstays) with 140 millimeters of travel, and two with aluminum frames with 130 millimeters of travel. Prices range from $2,300 for the alloy Sensor Comp and go up to $5,750 for the Sensor Carbon Pro LE.

The Sensor’s geometry falls into what I’d call extra-normal-modern. The 65-degree head angle is moderately slack, but not extreme, and the 480-millimeter reach for a size large paired with a 77-degree seat angle is a familiar recipe. Compared to the previous version, the reach is approximately 10 millimeters longer per size, and the seat angle is a degree steeper.

After a series of almost suspiciously great rides, my conviction is growing stronger that the new Sensor is a good one. It climbs well, with enough support to leave the shock’s climb lever alone, and there’s plenty of traction even when set up with 25 percent sag. On the descents, the suspension does a great job of muting hits of all sizes. The tune on the RockShox Super Deluxe feels ideally suited to the Sensor’s kinematics—it’s fluttery off the top to take care of the small bump chatter, and then settles nicely into its stroke when dealing with repeated larger impacts.

The geometry may be fairly middle of the road, but it’s a recipe that works well, and the result is a bike that feels like a familiar, friendly companion almost immediately.

Read the full review here

The trail bike category is the most saturated in mountain biking, so it’s understandable if you’re feeling a bit overwhelmed. Fortunately, there are a few easy questions you can ask yourself to narrow the field.

What Kind of Riding Will You Mostly Be Doing?

As much as you may want to answer this one with flowy, singletrack heaven, it’s important to be realistic about what you’ll actually be riding. This can be determined by the time of year that you mostly get out there (which will determine what the conditions will be like), which trails are most accessible to you, and which region you bike in. Are you planning on taking big trips consistently, or will you mostly stay local?

Will You Be Riding Lift-Accessed Trails?

If most of the riding you’ll be doing is lift-accessed, you may want to look in the enduro category. If you’ll be doing a mix of both and are planning on hitting jumps, look for a bike that has enough travel but doesn’t compromise on the uphill either.

What’s Your Riding Style?

If you prefer to charge through steep, technical sections, you could be looking at a very different bike than if you’re a more playful rider who likes to find side hits. Again, be honest with yourself about this. How do you actually ride, and what’s aspirational?

What’s Your Budget Like?

Yes, mountain bikes are expensive. But you do have options. Consider buying used (the market has finally gotten more reasonable this past year), by checking out Pinkbike’s marketplace or looking on Craigslist. Or, check out our best value bikes page for cheaper new bikes. If you’re thinking about buying a used bike (which can be an excellent option), watch this video from PinkBike Originals.

Are You Able to Test it Out?

You must take a bike at least for a spin around the block before you pull the trigger. You might find that you’re uncomfortable on a bike with a certain geometry that you’re not used to—and although sometimes it does take some more time on the bike—you’ll know if you’re just not sitting right. Taking it for a spin will also help the shop determine which size is best for you.

• Number of Testers: 6
• Number of Products Tested: 15

PinkBike leads our mountain bike testing and just like in previous years, the team took out as many trail bikes as they could over the whole year. They tested trail bikes in Bellingham, Washington, and Squamish, BC, in a wide range of conditions that included everything from muddy, rainy days to ones with blue skies and perfect dirt. Testing was lead by Mike Kazimer, the managing tech editor for PinkBike , who is based in Bellingham, Washington and manages all mountain bike gear coverage.

Mike Kazimer : Managing tech editor for Pinkbike, alien skeptic.

Mike Levy : Tech editor for Pinkbike, believes in aliens (or lizard people at the very least).

Alicia Leggett : News editor for Pinkbike who sometimes moonlights as a tech editor.

Sarah Moore : Content manager for Pinkbike, former elite-level cross-country mountain bike racer.

• 2024 Gear Reviews
• 2024 Summer Gear Guide
• mountain bike

When you buy something using the retail links in our stories, we may earn a small commission. We do not accept money for editorial gear reviews. Read more about our policy.

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Best MTB travel bags and boxes 2024 – the safest way to pack your bike for travel

Our expert round-up of the best mountain bike travel bags and boxes to buy for your next trip abroad

1. Best for big wheels

2. best for versatility, 3. best for easy packing, 4. best big size, 5. best budget hardcase, 6. best inflatable padding, 7. best cardboard box cover, 8. best free option.

• How to choose
• How to pack your MTB

Quick list 1. Best for big wheels 2. Best for versatility 3. Best for easy packing 4. Best big size 5. Best budget hardcase 6. Best inflatable padding 7. Best cardboard box cover 8. Best free option How to choose How to pack your MTB

Whether you're going on vacation with your bike or heading abroad for a big race, the best MTB travel bags, cases and boxes are a worthwhile investment for getting it there safely. 

It's scary to send your best mountain bike down the conveyor belt at the oversized baggage check-in and put it in someone else's hands for an extended period of time. You can be as cautious as you like, but overworked baggage handlers and automated baggage systems may not be quite as gentle. There are horror stories of airlines destroying bikes, but bike bags and boxes are pretty well designed these days and do well to deliver your pride and joy to your destination and back unscathed.

That's why it's important to pack it as well as possible, using the best mountain bike travel bags and boxes. These travel bags and boxes are specially designed to pack your mountain bike safely, with dedicated compartments and nooks and crannies for the most delicate components. Other things to consider include their portability, durability, and value for money.

To make this buying process easier for you, our expert reviewers have tested out the best MTB travel bags and boxes that you can buy today. Our top option is the Evoc Travel Bag Pro, while our budget choice is a cardboard box – usually free from your local bike shop. Read on for our complete list, or skip to the bottom of the article for our buying advice to help you choose the best option for you, and our tips and tricks for packing your mountain bike safely for its travels.

The best MTB travel bags and boxes

Why trust BikePerfect Our cycling experts have decades of testing experience. We'll always share our unbiased opinions on bikes and gear. Find out more about how we test.

The quick list

Best MTB travel bag for big wheels

Excellent protection with plenty of Velcro straps and padding, sturdy handles, and an internal stand.

Read more below

Best MTB travel bag for versatility

A lightweight, robust nylon bag with an aluminum base frame which connects to your bike at the axles.

Best MTB travel bag for easy packing

Designed for easy packing, the Scicon bag is built around an internal bike stand which is 12mm and 15mm thru-axle ready.

Best large MTB travel bag 

Lightweight, soft-shell case with an integrated mount, and multiple internal and external pockets.

Best budget hardcase MTB travel bag

With a hard shell offering superior protection, the case is held together by a self-tightening strap system.

Best inflatable padding MTB travel bag

The Jetpack uses inflatable air bags to offer great protection for your bike and its components.

See the next 2 bags and boxes ↓

Best cardboard box cover MTB travel bag

A box cover, made from water-resistant nylon with replaceable rollerblade wheels, and reinforced base and corners.

Best free MTB travel box

Lightweight, free, recyclable, and the easiest option for those who don't travel frequently.

Evoc Travel Bag Pro

Specifications, reasons to buy, reasons to avoid.

Around any bike event, you're likely to see a sea of Evoc bike bags, because they are some of the best you can buy. With room for anything from a lightweight roadie to a long and slack 29er enduro bike, the Pro version includes an aluminum tray that attaches to the axles of the bike inside the bag, and doubles as a work-stand when it's time to rebuild. 

Inside the bike is secured with a range of Velcro straps and purpose-built padding, and the external wheel pockets will hold up to a 29 x 2.6in wheel and tire. Inside the bag, there are internal pockets for tools and pedals and the removable plastic ribbing allows the bag to be rolled up for storage. 

The back features two ultra-smooth rollerblade wheels, and there is a third which slots into the front handle for easy transition from the baggage claim to your accommodation. 

Pro Bike Mega Travel Case

With room to easily swallow road, TT and mountain bikes, the Pro Bike Mega Case is huge and features an aluminum base frame which connects to your bike at the axles. With so much room inside the case, the seatpost doesn't need to be removed, just lowered.

The inside of the bag has plenty of well-padded provisions to hold your frame securely, and the four 360-degree wheels at the bottom make the bag move easily in a straight line, but can be cumbersome in crowded baggage claim areas or train stations. 

With handles galore, the outer fabric seems to mark a bit in transit, however, it's robust and, weighing just over 8kg, you should be able to get your bike and a bit of extra gear inside before you tip into overweight-baggage territory. 

Scicon AeroComfort MTB

The beauty of the Scicon AeroComfort MTB is you can pack your bike and hardly turn a bolt. Packing is as simple as removing the wheels. 

The bag is built around the Antishock Bike Frame (ABF) which is 12mm and 15mm thru-axle ready and designed to secure mountain bikes of all sizes with up to 29in wheels. The reinforced wheel pockets are located inside the bag and feature plastic caps so your cassette won’t poke through the bag. 

At 14kg empty it is a bit heavy, but the weight penalty is more than made up for in packing ease and convenience. The bike straps into the bag securely, and the 360-degree wheels allow for easy one-handed dragging . With all of that said, we’ve seen baggage handlers stack Scicon bags upside down on baggage carts on multiple occasions so they won’t roll away, so consider some additional padding for your handlebars and shifters.

Thule RoundTrip Traveler

Bike bags are expensive, and if you don't have a bundle to drop on a soft-travel case, the Thule RoundTrip Traveler does well to toe the line between price, performance and protection. Using removable plastic ribbing for shape, the RoundTrip Traveler folds down completely flat when not in use.

The bike is secured with a fixed-fork block which has adaptors for all modern axle standards and uses a padded bottom-bracket block, similar to the standard Evoc bag. Inside there are heaps of zippered pockets for items such as tools and pedals, and the bag sees padded wheel pockets big enough for 29er wheels and tires. 

At the back, there are two sizeable alloy roller wheels that don't get caught up on cracks or doorways and, at 7.7kg empty, it's noticeably lighter than pricier models.

B&W International Bike Box II

The B&W International Bike Box II is one of the simplest options on the market. There are no complicated packing procedures – instead, you get a few layers of foam to protect the frame from the wheels and box, and it all fits inside two interlocking plastic sides.

The clamshell design uses six self-tightening Velcro buckles to prevent the case from slipping open, and it features a surprising number of handles given the design. B&W International has updated the case with a new plastic designed to flex and not crack and there are no latches or hinges to break.

With room for up to a 62cm frame, the case rolls on four wheels, two fixed and two free rotating, and weighs 11kg with the included padding.

Biknd Jetpack

Using unique inflatable padding and strategically placed rigid reinforcements, the Biknd Jetpack is well padded and big enough for just about any bike. The Jetpack does well to keep everything separated and insulated from clanging into other parts of the bike during transit, and the inflatable cushions insulate your wheels from the outside of the bag without adding much bulk. 

The bag opens flat to simplify packing, and the bike connects at the axles to an aluminum frame – Biknd includes adaptors for every modern axle standard. With access to both sides of the bike, packing is simple, although you will need to remove your bars.

YT Industries Body Bag

The YT body bag combines the best aspects of using a cardboard bike box and purpose-built bag to travel with your bike. The Body Bag is basically a box cover, made from water-resistant nylon with replaceable rollerblade wheels on and handles galore. 

With reinforced corners, the bag features internal cinch straps, the zipper goes nearly all the way around the case, and YT even includes a TSA friendly lock. 

Weighing just 4.5kg, you’ll need to source a box that measures 34 x 90 x 134cm, which unsurprisingly happens to be the dimensions of the boxes YT uses.

Which brings us to...

Cardboard bike box

Yes, we realize the irony in recommending a cardboard box after we've spent all this time talking about the merits offered by purpose-built bike travel cases; but considering a box is how even the most expensive bikes are shipped from the factory, they work pretty well for travel, too.

First and foremost bike boxes are free. Boxes are also lightweight, meaning you can throw other gear in for extra padding. Sometimes it can be a struggle to manipulate your bike and get it securely packaged inside but it's the easiest solution for those who don't travel frequently.

That said, a cardboard box is not weather resistant and if it's raining or gets wet, the integrity of the box can be compromised.

How to choose the best mountain bike travel bags and boxes

Hard or soft shell.

Hard shell trombone-case-style bike bags were the best way to travel with a bike for quite some time; however, engineers at bike brands are pretty clever and softshell bags are nearly on par for protection, weigh less, and often have removable ribbing so they can be rolled up for storage. 

Does its empty weight matter?

With a plastic base, wheels, internal skeleton, and robust materials, bike bags are heavy before you put anything inside, and some are considerably bulkier than others. Most airlines will give you 23kg / 50lbs before they hit you with an exorbitant overweight baggage fee, and when your bag weighs 12kg empty, when you pack a 10kg mountain bike, shoes, and a track pump you'll be nudging up against that limit. 

Do I need to disassemble my bike?

No bike bag will take your bike fully assembled, but some require considerably more disassembly and mechanical acumen than others. At the very least you’ll have to pop your wheels off, but some bags also require you to remove your seatpost, handlebars, and even the fork. 

What size box do I need?

Are you just looking to travel with your bike, or will you be taking trips with your mountain bike, too? Does your roadie have an integrated seat mast or aero bars? Are you riding an XL frame? These are all things to take into account when shopping for a bike travel case because some of the more compact options are simply too small for certain bikes and frame sizes.

Are wheels and handles a useful addition?

For something designed to help you move around with a bike in tow, bike travel cases are surprisingly awkward and cumbersome to move around with. At the very least you'll want plenty of handles to help you hoist your bag onto a conveyor belt or into the back of a car. If you'll be walking much after you land, a good set of wheels will make your life easier.

How to pack your bike into a bag or box

All bike boxes and travel cases require a different amount of disassembly, but these tips and tricks to packing your bike should help you make a smooth job of it.

1. Remove the derailleurs and rotors

Just about every bike bag out there comes with some sort of protection for your rear derailleur and brake rotors, but airlines have a knack for rendering them ineffective. Learn from our mistakes and just take the suckers off, as there's nothing worse than beginning to unpack your bike to find a bent rotor or a broken derailleur hanger. If you are removing rotors, don't forget to put a brake block in the caliper to prevent the pads sticking together or the pistons getting stuck – in a pinch, a folded over business card works too.

2. Deflate your tires

When you’re packing your bike, take a second to let the air out of your tires because airlines don’t allow anything pressurized into the cargo hold because it violates civil aviation safety regulations. Before the engineering types slide into the comments, yes we know that the cargo hold is pressurized to ~10,000ft which will only add 3-4psi to your tires, and it’s extremely unlikely a tire will burst in transit. The reason you need to take this step, is because if you do send your bike through with the tires inflated, there is the distinct possibility that an airline employee will pull your bag up and attempt to deflate them – we’ve heard horror stories of bags and tires cut. Avoid the drama and just let the air out. 

3. Add some extra padding

Yes, we have just spent the last few hundred words saying how great bike bags and boxes are, but there's nothing wrong with a bit of added peace of mind. Some bags come with foam tubing, however pipe insulation or a sliced up pool noodle is perfect for an extra layer of protection. You can also pop into your local bike shop and, if you ask nicely, they might even give you some of the packaging from a newly unboxed bike.

4. Fill the gaps

If you have a few spare kilos in your bike bag once it's packed, throw your shoes, riding clothes, bars and gels and whatever else will fit without tipping your bag over the limit. If you've paid for 23kg / 50lbs, you should use it.

5. Invest in a paint pen

Saddle height and bar roll aren’t something you often think about until either one is a little bit off, and the last thing you want to do on your riding vacation is to pull over constantly and faff with minor adjustments. A couple of dots and lines with a paint pen will allow you to replicate your preferred position on the bike first try every time.

Born and bred in Colorado, and now based in Australia, Colin comes from a ski racing background and started riding as a way to stay fit through the summer months. His father, a former European pro, convinced him to join the Colorado State University collegiate cycling team, and he hasn't stopped since. It's not often he pins on a number nowadays, and you'll likely find him in search of flowy singletrack, gravel roads and hairpin corners. Colin has worked at Bikeradar and is a regular contributor to Australian Mountain Bike and Cyclist magazines. 

Rides: BMC Team Machine SLR01, Trek Top Fuel 9, Ibis Ripley

• Mildred Locke Freelance writer

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Switchback Travel ( Jason Hummel )

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Mountain biking can take on many forms, from hot laps on the backyard trail to long, winding singletrack through the alpine. Regardless of the riding style you gravitate toward, nearly every trip out requires you to carry water, snacks, tools, and other gear. The most common carry method is a mountain bike backpack, and below we break down our top picks for 2023. Designs vary pretty widely, and important considerations include carrying comfort, interior volume, water-hauling capacity, and pockets and organization. For more background information, see our comparison table and buying advice below the picks.   

Our Team's Mountain Bike Backpack Picks

• Best Overall Mountain Bike Pack:  Osprey Raptor 10
• Best Budget Mountain Bike Pack:  REI Co-op Link 15 L
• Best High-Capacity Mountain Bike Pack:  Patagonia Dirt Roamer 20L
• Best Bike Pack with Integrated Back Protection:  Evoc Trail Pro 10
• Best Minimalist Mountain Bike Pack:  CamelBak Chase Vest 50 oz.

Best Overall Mountain Bike Pack

1. osprey raptor 10 ($165).

With a versatile, do-everything design and plenty of practical features, Osprey’s Raptor 10 and women’s-specific Raven 10 earn our top spot for 2023. We’ve tested multiple variations of the pack over the years, and its all-rounder nature and premium build continue to impress: The Raptor’s 10-liter capacity is spacious enough to fit extra layers, lunch, pads, and a small bike pump for longer rides, but it’s equally easy to compress it for quick lunch laps. For organizing gear, the pocket layout is extremely well sorted with a grand total of 10 zippered and stretch pockets, including a dedicated space for tools with a built-in roll pouch at the base. Carrying comfort is another highlight, and in the techy stuff and during all-day efforts, the wide shoulder straps—Osprey dubs them their “winged” harness—nicely distribute weight and give it a well-balanced feel. Tack on a quality 2.5-liter Hydraulics LT reservoir, best-in-class helmet carry, and burly 210-denier nylon construction, and the Osprey was our runaway favorite.

No pack is perfect, however, and we did have a few quibbles with the Raptor and Raven during testing. Specifically, we wish the hydration hose had a stronger magnet where it attaches to your sternum. The bite valve pops off fairly easily, and we’ve found it dangling on a couple occasions mid-descent (one tip: feeding the hose through the stretchy fabric on the sternum strap will keep it close to you if it happens to pop off). Additionally, the hipbelt pockets are set back a little far and can be slightly hard to access, although they’re a nice size for storing small items like snacks or lip balm. Finally, the Raven and Raptor are a healthy investment at $165 for the latest versions. You can save a little with an alternative the CamelBak Mule 12 ($130), but no pack puts it all together as well as the Osprey. And if you need a little extra room, both the Raptor and Raven are offered in a 14-liter version for $175. See the Osprey Raptor 10   See the Women's Osprey Raven 10

Best Budget Mountain Bike Pack

2. rei co-op link 15 l ($80) .

You can often rely on REI for quality gear at a good discount, but most of their know-how is in the hike and camp spaces. That said, we were pleasantly surprised with their budget-minded bike pack, the Link 15 L. Organization is often compromised among cheap designs—a complaint we had with the $90 Osprey Katari below—but the Link has a large main compartment, designated pouches for your wallet and bike tools, and an included 2-liter water bladder (there’s also nice routing for the tube to snake up and out of the pack). Plus, there’s no shortage of outside pockets, where it’s easy to stow a muddy layer and kneepads mid-ride. It’s true you can’t snug it down as nicely as premium alternatives, and 15 liters is likely overkill for some, but the Link is pretty well balanced thanks to the moderately wide and cushioned hipbelt (most entry-level packs use more basic and less comfortable webbing designs).

What do you give up for the REI Co-op Link's lower price? Overall refinement is a step down from pricier alternatives, and the water bladder design in particular could use improvement. Specifically, we wish it were easier to re-insert after filling—a quick-disconnect tube would certainly help—and despite being positioned on your lumbar spine to keep the center of gravity low, we occasionally felt unwanted pressure on our lower back. Compounding this, the back padding tends to crease and rub around the lumbar, which isn’t ideal for hours-long rides. For these reasons, the Osprey Raptor/Raven 10 above and other premium alternatives like the CamelBak Mule and Evoc Trail Pro below outshine the Link 15 L when it comes to overall comfort and performance. But for new or occasional riders, there’s a whole lot to like. See the REI Co-op Link 15 L

Best High-Capacity Mountain Bike Pack

3. patagonia dirt roamer 20l ($159).

Patagonia entered the mountain bike gear arena with their flagship Dirt Roamer series (jackets, pants, etc.), but hydration packs are new to the stage. The Dirt Roamer 20L here stands out as a high-volume pack that sticks to Patagonia’s ethos with a sustainable and streamlined design. The pack has a generous main compartment that’s accessed with vertically oriented zippers (we appreciate that it has two zippers for opening small sections at a time) and a separate side-access sleeve for the water reservoir. And although the design is relatively simplistic, it doesn’t skimp on organization with internal elastic loops and small pockets for separating gear. Whether you’re headed out on an all-day ride or shuttling in camera gear for the perfect photo op, the Dirt Roamer is well equipped for the job.

Sweaty backs are part of the mountain bike experience, but we found that the Patagonia fell short of alternatives like the Dakine Drafter and CamelBak Mule Pro below in terms of ventilation. Even though it boasts a mesh backpanel, we were quick to heat up and often found salt deposits from sweat on the rear of the pack. Additionally, we noticed more movement and bounce than expected off jumps and drops despite the four-compression-strap layout. To be fair, some level of movement is to be expected given the capacity, and the wide, oversized waistbelt helped with stabilization. In the end, the Dirt Roamer 20 is too much pack for many riders, but its high-capacity shape and creative zipper design make it a quality option for gear-intensive adventures. See the Patagonia Dirt Roamer 20L

Best Bike Pack with Integrated Back Protection 

4. evoc trail pro 10 ($240).

If you gravitate toward steep and rugged descents or have a propensity for gap jumps, exposed skinnies, and other features that push the risk-reward ratio, a pack with integrated spine protection is worth considering. Within this category, we love the Evoc Trail Pro, which is snug and balanced on the roughest trails and boasts the brand’s Liteshield Plus back protector—a built-in pad engineered to absorb shock and prevent the spine from overextending in the event of a crash. On top of the helpful safety feature, the Trail Pro boasts the best hipbelt of any pack we tried: It’s supremely comfortable even when pulled snug, and stretchy Velcro straps that sit under the buckle reduce pressure and friction around the navel. And unlike many options here, the Trail Pro’s hipbelt pockets are large and easily accessible—great for on-the-go snacking and keeping your phone handy. A final bonus: The Trail Pro is offered in two sizes for dialing in a more precise fit, which is a rarity in the market.

We strongly considered the Evoc Trail Pro 10 as our top all-around pick—it’s that good. However, at $75 more than the next-most-expensive pack here (the top-ranked Osprey Raptor), it’s a hard sell for many riders, especially considering you’ll have to purchase a water bladder separately. In addition, those who aren’t pushing the limits in terms of terrain, air time, and/or speed will likely find the back protection superfluous. Another small complaint we had is that the spine protector negatively impacts breathability, so the Evoc lands on the warmer end of the spectrum (it’s noticeably hotter than standard designs like the Osprey Raptor or CamelBak Mule, although the panel can be removed). For a boost in breathability, Osprey’s Raptor Pro also includes built-in spine protection and features a slightly more ventilated backpanel design. That said, the Osprey is pricier at $280 and only available in an 18-liter capacity, while you can get the Trail Pro in 10, 16, and 26-liter versions. See the Evoc Trail Pro 10

Best Minimalist Mountain Bike Pack

5. camelbak chase vest 50 oz. ($105).

CamelBak is one of the original manufacturers of hydration packs, and their products are tried and true. The Chase Vest is no exception, featuring a thoughtful blend of running vest-like carrying comfort and organization with a cycling-specific feature set. One major draw of the vest style is its stability: The Chase is comfortable and doesn’t bounce or shift around, even on rugged trails or when catching air. The practical pocket layout is also praise-worthy, especially given the pack’s relatively low volume—the shoulder strap pocket even fits an iPhone, which has been particularly handy for checking our location on unfamiliar trails. In fact, we’d go so far as to say that the Chase Vest offers the easiest access of any design here.

One tradeoff to the Chase Vest’s snug, well-balanced fit is breathability. The nature of the vest style is that it covers more of your body—thereby making it feel warmer and more restrictive to airflow on midsummer rides. Another issue we ran into was that the CamelBak reservoir was hard to fill and felt heavy in the vest (there’s less pack to handle the bladder's weight and bulk when it’s full of water). Instead, we think of the Chase Vest as a great alternative to a hip pack: It has a larger capacity than most waist designs, includes a water reservoir and a nice array of pockets, and carries a load better thanks to the snug fit around the back—all at a very reasonable price point to boot. See the CamelBak Chase Vest   See the Women's CamelBak Chase Vest

Best of the Rest

6. camelbak skyline lr 10 ($135).

On the heels of CamelBak’s Chase Vest above is their Skyline LR (short for “low rider”), which is designed to maximize support along the lumbar region. How it works: By positioning the water reservoir and main compartment along the lumbar spine, the pack effectively focuses weight at the lower back and hips to keep your center of gravity low. We wore the Skyline LR on the Whole Enchilada in Moab—a trail with no shortage of drops, technical pedals, and chundery rock fields—and found it offered a supremely comfortable ride with minimal movement or shifting. We were also very pleased with the magnetic drinking hose attachment: It locks into place once attached, which keeps the hose from releasing and flopping around while riding (an issue we experienced with the Osprey Raptor above). And the tube easily disconnects from the bladder, which eliminates the hassle of having to re-route the hose after refills.

With its somewhat goofy shape, the Skyline LR 10 pack won’t be winning any fashion awards. But a positive of the layout is that the pack is a great breather, making it a solid mid-capacity option for riders who prefer the unrestrictive feel of a low-riding hip pack. Pocket access was another nitpick—a common theme with many of the packs here—as the side-wing pockets sit pretty far away from your hips and are tricky to reach without twisting your body. But if you prioritize function over looks (which many mountain bikers do), the Skyline LR 10 excels as a versatile and comfortable pack for when the going get rough. Note: There’s limited stock of both the Skyline and women’s Solstice at the time of publishing, but the packs are available at a hefty discount (around $70 on Amazon currently) while supplies last. See the CamelBak Skyline LR 10   See the Women's Solstice LR 10

7. USWE Airborne 3L ($120)

USWE (pronounced “you-swii”) is a Swedish brand with origins in dirt biking, and they brought that expertise into the MTB space with a unique—and eye-catching—harness design. The trademarked “No Dancing Monkey” system offers a secure, adjustable, non-restrictive fit that attaches to your chest with a single buckle (i.e., no sternum strap). The elastic straps stretch to accommodate heavy breathing but also manage to stay taut and snug enough for when your heart rate lowers. We were admittedly skeptical of the cumbersome-looking setup, but we found the harness effectively prevents major bouncing even with the 2-liter water reservoir filled. Storage is limited at just 3 liters (there are 9 and 15L capacities available), but we appreciate that USWE included a detachable 1-liter pocket, and you can purchase add-ons like a waterproof phone pocket and camera harness to boost organization.

The Airborne 3 is most similar to the CamelBak Chase Vest above, and we found that their fit and overall level of comfort were quite close. What pushes the Airborne down our rankings? For one, it lacks stretchy dump pockets for easily stowing layers, and without shoulder strap pockets, access to snacks and tools is slightly less convenient. It’s also worth noting that the design/location of the harness strap could be uncomfortable for women with larger chests. All that said, this pack has gained a lot of traction in the professional riding and racing community and for good reason—its figure-hugging, no-bounce harness works really well. See the USWE Airborne 3L

8. Thule Vital 8L ($160)

Thule likely isn’t the first brand that comes to mind for backpacks, but we’ve been impressed with the quality of their hiking, travel, and MTB collections. The Vital 8L here stands out in one key way: its secure and extremely practical hose attachment system. Rather than the button-sized magnets or plastic hooks used on other designs, Thule utilizes a strip of magnets (about 5 in. in length) along the right-hand shoulder strap to keep the hose in place while riding. You simply pull the nozzle as usual to drink and then release, and the hose reconnects to the strap automatically. It’s an elegant and very secure solution that we found works flawlessly.

For the rest of the pack, the Vital stacks up pretty well to big hitters from Osprey, CamelBak, and Dakine. Organization is good overall—we especially liked the mesh pockets right at the hips that are well sized for snacks and easy to access without having to remove the pack. And the Vital carries weight relatively low, which keeps it solidly in place even during steep and technical descents. At 8 liters for the biggest size, the Thule likely won’t do the trick for most full-day efforts or times of year when you need extra layers. Additionally, they omitted a helmet carry, which could be a dealbreaker for some. Overall, it’s not a home run and is a little less of an all-rounder than our top picks, but the smart hose solution and excellent all-around build quality make it a good offering nonetheless...  Read in-depth review See the Thule Vital 8L   See the Women's Thule Vital 8L

9. CamelBak Mule Pro 14 ($160)

If it’s not readily apparent, CamelBak leads the charge in mountain bike pack offerings, and their top-end design is the Mule Pro 14—a souped-up version of their bestselling Mule hydration pack. In terms of best uses, the pack’s larger capacity (the standard Mule is 9.5L), 3-liter water bladder, easy-to-use helmet carry, and highly breathable layout make it a great choice for long rides (the extra space also comes in handy if you haul kiddos around on a Mac Ride or Shotgun seat). For staying cool, there’s extensive use of open-weave mesh on the shoulder straps, and the sculpted backpanel has suspended mesh to keep air flowing. And injury-conscious riders will appreciate that CamelBak offers a compatible impact protection panel for an additional $55—at $215 all in, the setup handily undercuts the $240 Evoc Trail Pro above.

Why is the Mule Pro ranked here? While it has a lot of great features, including a second battery sleeve for e-bikes, it lacks the refinement of our top picks. The contoured shape impacts comfort—the base is pretty firm, and we had some complaints about rubbing along our lower back. Usable interior space is also impacted by the backpanel, and we found it difficult to truly leverage the higher capacity with bulkier items like pads. Finally, in contrast to the brand’s Skyline LR 10 above, the Mule’s hose magnet (which sits on the sternum strap) doesn’t hold well and pops off easily while riding. These complaints are enough to push the Mule Pro below alternatives like the Evoc Trail Pro (if you want back protection) and Osprey Raptor (for a traditional pack), but it remains a solid do-everything option.  See the CamelBak Mule Pro 14   See the Women's CamelBak Mule Pro 14

10. Dakine Drafter 10L ($160)

Dakine first made its name in the surfing and windsurfing market in the 1980s, and the brand has more recently zeroed in on the winter sports and mountain biking spaces. The Drafter 10 here meets many of our pack needs: It has a versatile 10-liter capacity, durable construction, and very breathable backpanel design (it rose to the top in this category, alongside the Mule Pro 14 above). It has some thoughtful features, too, including compatibility with the brand’s DK Impact Spine Protector (a $50 add-on), e-bike battery storage in the main compartment, and exterior straps that nicely accommodate knee pads. On paper—and on the trail—it checks many of the boxes for the average rider.

How does the Dakine Drafter 10 compare with Osprey’s Raptor 10 above? The option for spine protection is unique to the Drafter, and we prefer its hydration hose design, which can be fed and secured along either shoulder strap rather than the across the body. They also differ in reservoir placement—the Dakine’s is along the lumbar, while the Osprey’s is vertically oriented. In this case, we think it’s a wash: The lumbar location keeps weight concentrated lower, but the Osprey’s is more evenly distributed and closer to your back. What pushes the Raptor ahead for us, however, is its very comfortable carry. We struggled getting a good fit with the Dakine, and the flared shoulder straps put extra pressure on the inside of the strap, which led to rubbing. Along with a minimalist waistbelt and the fact that it weighs an extra half-pound (something both our testers noticed), the Dakine can’t match the standout carry-ability of the Osprey.  See the Dakine Drafter 10L   See the Women's Dakine Drafter 10L

11. Osprey Katari 7 ($90)

The Osprey Katari 7 rounds out our list with a sleek build and sub-$100 price tag. Like with the REI Link 15 above, it’s not all cost-cutting here: Even with its no-frills, essentials-only design, the Katari can carry a bunch of water (it comes with the same 2.5L Hydraulics LT reservoir as our top pick), is offered in three capacities (1.5, 3, and 7L), and features functional stretch side pockets for small items you want easy access to. For riders who need a lot of water but not much else—think multi-hour rides in hot or desert-like regions—the concept makes a whole lot of sense.

Unfortunately, the Katari has a few notable faults. Most significantly, all our testers complained that the pack puts essentially all the weight on your shoulders. Combined with a minimalist backpanel that priorities ventilation over structure, the pack felt floppy and bounced around far more than expected for such a lightweight design. And while we like the concept of the vertical main compartment zipper (similar to that of the Patagonia Dirt Roamer above), the Osprey only has one zipper, so you can’t strategically open certain portions of the pack and will need to be mindful to prevent items from spilling out. In the end, it misses the mark for us, and we think the $10-cheaper REI Link is the more complete and well-executed budget design. But if simplicity wins out for you—the REI is admittedly pretty big with its 15-liter capacity—the Katari is a worth having on your radar. See the Osprey Katari 7   See the Women's Osprey Kitsuma 7

Mountain Bike Backpack Comparison Table

Mountain bike backpack buying advice.

• Mountain Bike Backpack Capacities

Carrying Comfort: Shoulder Straps and Hipbelts

Pockets and organization, hydration reservoirs, additional mountain bike pack features, fit and sizing, women’s-specific mountain bike packs, breathability and ventilation, pack weight, build quality and durability.

• Mountain Bike Backpacks vs. Waist Packs  

Mountain Bike Backpack Capacities

Like backpacks designed for other activities, mountain bike packs are available in a variety of capacities depending on your gear needs and the length of your typical ride. On our list above, designs range from the small and minimalist USWE Airborne 3L to the super spacious Patagonia Dirt Roamer 20L. For all-day and remote outings that require substantial water intake and a full workshop of tools, a bigger option like the Dirt Roamer or CamelBak Mule Pro 14 makes a lot of sense. If after-work hot laps are more your style, a smaller model like the Airborne or 2.5-liter CamelBak Chase Vest might be sufficient. And the sweet spot for many will be somewhere in between (including our top-rated Osprey Raptor 10). Below we break down the various pack volume ranges by category and best use(s).

5 Liters and Under: Just the Essentials/Quick Rips Packs with 5 liters or fewer of carrying capacity, like the USWE Airborne 3L and CamelBak Chase Vest, are best suited for quick rides that require minimal gear and water. That said, 5 liters can fit a surprising number of essentials: keys, a bike tools, a phone, a thin jacket (like the Patagonia Houdini), and a bar. This volume can also suffice if you have additional organization on your bike in the form of an under-seat tool bag or a storage compartment on (or in) your frame. And finally, small packs are a nice option for races when you’re able to refill water and resupply at aid stations.

6-9 Liters: The Essentials “Plus” If you’re venturing out on a longer ride, you probably need space for the essentials and then some. With 6 to 10 liters, you can fit a more protective rain shell, additional water, and a heftier first aid kit. However, this capacity is a bit of a tweener size, in our opinion: slightly larger than minimalist designs (like the USWE Airborne and CamelBak Chase mentioned above) but not quite big enough to keep you comfortable and hydrated during all-day outings. In our experience, packs in the 6- to 9-liter range (like the Osprey Katari 7 ) are best for rides that don’t last more than a few hours.

10-15 Liters: The All-rounder Capacity The 10- to 15-liter volume is the goldilocks capacity for us and the range we’d go with if we had to choose just one pack. The versatility is hard to beat: You can use compression straps to reduce unwanted space during hot laps but then expand it into a voluminous pack for longer or more gear-intensive rides. At this volume, there’s enough space to carry a couple liters of water, and you won’t have to make as many compromises when packing (no need to decide between the brownie or the warm hat—bring them both!). We tested packs of this size on the Whole Enchilada in Moab—a classic big ride with 7,000 feet of descending —and had plenty of room to fill our reservoirs to the brim, stow additional layers for the cold morning, and bring an array of snacks and gels.

16L+: Long Epics and Gear-Intensive Days If you’re an adventurous rider who gravitates toward big, epic days like Gifford-Pinchot traverses and backcountry trips to the Chicoltins, a larger pack is likely your best bet. Packs in the greater-than-16-liter category, like the Patagonia Dirt Roamer 20L and Evoc Trail Pro 26L , provide ample space for multiple layers (even a puffy jacket) to accommodate unpredictable mountain weather. They have no problem fitting items like a water filter , robust repair kit, navigational gadgets, and even more specialized equipment like an SLR camera kit or trail work tools. Keep in mind that packs this big are more likely to feel unwieldy when stuffed full—you’ll want to be cognizant of weight distribution when packing—and are decidedly overkill for the average ride, but they have their place for lengthy and gear-heavy outings. 

Reading the product descriptions above, you’ll see we make numerous references to pack comfort. A lot of factors come into play for a comfy-riding design, including fit and sizing (detailed below), but first and foremost are the shoulder straps and hipbelts. Starting with the former, we prefer light padding that offers enough cushioning for hauling a laden-down pack—a full water reservoir can weigh a surprising amount—but isn’t so bulky that it feels like it’s too far off your body. Additionally, shoulder strap shape is important, and you’ll see a number of the best options have an opened-up, winged layout to reduce restriction and potential pressure points as you reach forward to the handlebars. In general, you get nicer padding and more thoughtful shoulder strap designs as price goes up, including on packs like the Osprey Raptor 10 , CamelBak Chase Vest, and Evoc Trail Pro.

Hipbelts fall into two basic camps: webbing-only or wider shapes that feature a mesh lining. If you’re wanting only the basics and don’t plan to haul much weight or water at a time, a webbing-only belt like what’s found on the Osprey Katari can do the trick. But there’s a reason that pack is ranked at the bottom of our list—it’s just not that comfortable. The webbing strap feels restrictive when you pull it snug, is unable to distribute much weight to take it off your shoulders, and doesn’t do as good of a job keeping the pack from bouncing around through technical sections. As a result, if you’re getting a standard backpack (i.e., not a vest-style design like the CamelBak Chase), we think it’s worth opting for a wider belt. Most are very lightly padded and have a wider shape at the hips that keeps the pack close to you for better support, and some include pockets for small items like snacks.

It’s hard to capture your friend sending a rock-roll with a cracked phone, and no one likes a soggy, squished granola bar. For these reasons (and many more), well-designed pockets and compartments are an important consideration when choosing a pack. Some riders prefer the simplicity of a single large pocket (like what you get with the Patagonia Dirt Roamer ), while others will appreciate a wider assortment of smaller spots for keys, a wallet, a phone, and bike tools. It’s also nice to have a separate space or external straps to stash a wet or muddy layer without dirtying or soaking your other gear. Final organizational features to consider include a dedicated tool kit pouch, a helmet attachment (like Osprey’s LidLock mechanism), an e-bike battery pocket, a water bladder sleeve (which we cover more in depth below) and a blinker light attachment—just to name a few.

In general, we’ve found that most mountain bike packs don’t prioritize pocket accessibility—perhaps as a way to discourage fumbling with gear while riding. That said, we appreciate the ability to quickly retrieve items like a snack or our phone, because stopping and taking off a backpack just to grab a bite of a granola bar can be a real annoyance. A few designs above are better equipped for the job than most. The CamelBak Chase Vest , for instance, has handy pockets on the shoulder straps (one major draw to the vest style), while the Evoc Trail Pro boasts large hipbelt pockets that are easy to access while riding.

Most mountain bike packs come with a hydration reservoir (also commonly referred to as a bladder), but some brands, like Evoc, require that you purchase one separately. On our list, Osprey, REI, Dakine, Patagonia and USWE all use HydraPak-brand reservoirs (though they might add their own design features), while CamelBak uses their own line of bladders. Below we break down important design considerations between the various sizes and styles. Reservoir Capacities Hydration-equipped mountain bike packs generally come with a reservoir in the 1- to 3-liter range—and most of the time, this decision is made for you when you purchase your pack. For example, the REI Co-op Link 15 L features a 2-liter reservoir, while the CamelBak LR 10 comes with a 3-liter bladder. That said, it’s often possible to mix and match reservoirs. If you’re biking in particularly warm weather or know you’ll be out for a long time without the ability to refill, bumping up to a larger model can be a good idea—just make sure it fits inside your pack. And while it’s also possible to swap in a smaller-capacity reservoir, the easier solution is to just fill your existing bladder halfway. Pro tip: If you go this route, invert the reservoir after filling and suction out air through the hose to mitigate sloshing.

Openings Styles: Slider vs. Twist Cap Reservoirs generally feature one of two primary opening mechanisms: a top opening that folds and seals with a slider (like those from HydraPak) or a large, threaded opening with a twist-off cap (like those from CamelBak). The slider on a HydraPak bladder is arguably easier to fill solo thanks to the bigger opening. We’ve also found the lid on many CamelBak designs to be a bit finicky—we’ve soaked our packs after failing to line up the threads precisely or tightly enough on several occasions. This is largely a matter of personal preference, however, and the opening style on your bladder may or may not be an important consideration for you.

Bite Valves Bite valves are a convenient way to hydrate while pedaling, and the mechanism is very simple: Gently compress the valve by biting down, and water will begin flowing through the hose as you suck. The primary difference between valves is the on/off mechanism: CamelBak’s and Osprey's feature a lever, while most HydraPak designs twist open and closed. We've found the majority of bite valves are fairly easy to use and leak-free, although we’ve found that CamelBak’s require less suction, which is certainly a bonus (they claim their Crux reservoirs  offer 20% more water per sip, which lines up with our experiences). Bite valves are imperfect and occasionally fall off—we’ve already lost one on our Patagonia Dirt Roamer—but fortunately, it’s an easy and cheap (typically under $10) replacement.

Hose Attachment: Magnet or Clip When you’re pumping corners and scaling rooty trails, your hands aren't free to reach to resecure your bladder hose as they might be when you’re running or hiking. With that in mind, we really value an easily accessible hose attachment, and especially one that doesn’t flop around while riding. Most hoses are held in place by a quick-release magnet or clip. The majority of packs above use the former, which makes attaching and unattaching very easy—place the magnets close to each other and let physics do the rest. The magnet is located either across the body on the sternum strap (common on Osprey packs but also found on the CamelBak Mule Pro) or on the same side as the hose (like the Dakine Drafter  and Thule Vital).

Of note: We’ve found that the hose occasionally squiggles out of place with the across-the-body design. To combat this, Patagonia, REI, and most CamelBak packs have a clip to keep the hose in place, which involves unclipping it in order to sip—a somewhat tedious step to execute while riding, but arguably worth the effort for the added security. 

Reservoir Shape and Placement Water is heavy and prone to leaking, so the location of your reservoir is a detail that shouldn’t be overlooked. Some packs, like the Patagonia Dirt Roamer, house the reservoir in a separate compartment to ensure it’s protected from sharp equipment (and to help keep your gear dry if it leaks). Others have a sleeve inside the main compartment with a clip for suspending the reservoir to keep it from slipping downward as it empties.

There are also differences in bladder positioning: Some packs have vertically oriented pockets, so the reservoir lays flush against your back, while others (like the CamelBak Skyline LR 10 and REI Link 15) position the bladder low on the lumbar spine. This will largely come down to what feels most comfortable for you, but we’ve found the low reservoir placement to be great in terms of overall stability. Finally, it’s important to note that some bladders—including those that come with the LowRider and Dakine Drafter—are specifically designed to fit in their respective pockets, meaning they can’t be transferred between packs.

Helmet Attachment A dedicated helmet attachment system is nice if you’re looking to stow your lid during an uphill car shuttle, on a hike-a-bike section of trail, or grabbing a bite après-ride. Some riders also carry their bike helmet on their pack during long climbs on forest service roads, particularly in hot conditions. Depending on your use of the feature, this could be an important consideration or inconsequential (we land on the former). But few things scream “gaper” more than a helmet dangling by its chin strap, bouncing and clanking around as you walk into the brewery after your ride. If you anticipate using a helmet carrying system, designs range from quite simple (like the compression straps on the REI Link 15) to fairly sophisticated (like the chin strap slot on the CamelBak Mule Pro ). Our favorite is Osprey’s LidLock system, which is essentially a well-laced bungee strap with a rigid plastic plate to secure the helmet in place.

Integrated Back Protection Riders pushing their limits and learning new tricks may benefit from a pack that incorporates back protection, like the Evoc Trail Pro. How it works: An impact-absorbing panel at the back safeguards your spine against rocks and other sharp objects that could cause damage during an unintentional spill while also preventing it from overextending. Importantly, there are two levels of protection available, and both the Evoc Trail Pro and CamelBak Mule Pro (with the $55 Impact Protector Panel add-on) boast level 2 protection (EN 1621-2), which meets the highest standard for impact absorption in the event of a crash.

In terms of downsides, protector panels inevitably add weight and bulk, but the good news is that they’re removable for less demanding rides. This also means they’re easy to replace—like a mountain bike helmet , a back protector’s integrity is compromised once impacted, and we highly recommend purchasing a new panel after a crash. Of note: Evoc will evaluate any of their protectors’ integrity and send a replacement for free if it’s been damaged.

Friction points are inevitable during long days in the saddle, and it’s essential that you find a pack that fits. In addition to being more comfortable, a well-fitting pack will also feel more stable while riding. Most designs are only offered in a single size (the Evoc Trail Pro and Patagonia Dirt Roamer are two exceptions), but the good news is that adjustable sternum, waist, and shoulder straps are nearly universal. With the ability to move and adjust the straps, we’ve had no issues sharing a pack among riders of multiple sizes. No two bodies are the same, however, and we highly recommend trying packs on before you buy to ensure you can get a snug (but not restrictive) and comfortable all-around fit.

While most of the packs on our list (and on the market) are one-size-fits-all, many do come in a women’s-specific version. However, the differences between men’s and women’s designs are relatively minor. In the case of the Osprey Raptor (men’s version) and Raven (women’s), the Raven has a slightly shorter torso length and comes in different colorways. For the Mule Pro, CamelBak states that the women’s model has a different fit and shape than the men’s version, including a more contoured shoulder harness. In the end, we recommend going with whichever model fits and feels best—regardless of the labeling.

Since mountain biking is a highly aerobic and often sweaty sport, breathability is a top consideration for many riders. And while many of the packs we tested advertise ventilated backpanels and sweat-wicking technology, overall performance varies quite a bit—striking a good balance between a snug fit and maximum airflow is no small feat. The Patagonia Dirt Roamer and CamelBak Chase Vest, for example, sit close to the back and don’t rank highly in terms of overall ventilation. Conversely, the mesh backpanels on the CamelBak Mule Pro, Dakine Drafter, and Osprey Raptor/Raven are positioned farther away from the body (or have offsetting to padding to create some space), allowing air to flow between your back and the pack. We called out any notable outliers—on both sides of the spectrum—in the write-ups above, but if you tend to run warm or prefer long, hard days in the saddle, you’ll likely want to opt for a suspended mesh design over a close-fitting backpanel.

Pack weight is dependent on multiple factors, including capacity, fabric thickness, and number of features—among others. On our list above, the lightest option is the CamelBak Chase Vest   at a scant 10 ounces, while the heaviest is Dakine Drafter 10L at 2 pounds even. While that’s a relatively small range, it’s important to consider what you’re getting for the added heft. In the case of the Dakine Drafter, that means thick fabrics that hold up well to long-term use, dedicated e-bike battery storage (among myriad other pockets), and exterior straps for accommodating bulky items like knee pads. By contrast, the Chase Vest is decidedly minimalist with its streamlined coverage, flimsier build, and limited feature set.

A final consideration is the weight of your typical load—stuffing the lightweight Chase Vest with an SLR camera and extensive toolkit would likely make for a bouncy, unwieldy ride. If you’re partial to long days in the saddle that require a lot of gear, we’d recommend going with a burlier (i.e., heavier) pack. From our experience, the most balanced designs land in the 1- to 2-pound range.

Given the inherently rough nature of mountain biking, the packs above are all designed to withstand considerable use and abuse. However, some are better equipped for the job than others. Fabric denier is a common measurement of fabric thickness, and we've included the listings for the pack body when available in the table above. Materials like heavy-duty nylon (often 200 denier and up) as well as strong, waterproof zippers are good indicators of overall durability. While none of the packs above threatened to unravel at the seams during testing, there were a few that stood out in terms of all-out toughness and build quality, including the Evoc Trail Pro and Dakine Drafter —the two heaviest designs on our list, which is no coincidence. 

Mountain Bike Backpacks vs. Waist Packs

Out on the singletrack, you’ll likely encounter folks who are adamant wearers of waist packs (also known as hip packs or fanny packs) and others who are proponents of traditional backpacks. At the end of the day, a decision between the two designs largely boils down to your intended use(s) and personal preference. By nature, backpacks tend to have more volume (7-25L), which translates to more water-carrying capacity and additional space for a windbreaker , snacks, and tools—a great fit for longer days out. Waist packs, on the other hand, are lower-volume (typically 1-5L) and better suited for shorter rides or days at the bike park. Most waist packs fit just the essential items (e.g., a granola bar, tool, and phone), and some offer detachable holsters for securing a water bottle.

One consideration to keep in mind is that overloaded waist packs can feel unstable and bouncy, while backpacks distribute weight more evenly and keep the load closer to your back. However, with more coverage comes less breathability. Waist packs are generally cooler on hot summer days, but don’t be fooled—your lower back produces a lot of sweat, and the thickness and construction of the hipbelt can have a sizable impact on ventilation. Some riders also like the added assurance of having full coverage along their back in the event of a fall—although for the utmost in protection, you’ll want to go with a dedicated protector pack like the Evoc Trail Pro. In the end, both have their places and we find ourselves rotating between designs depending on the adventure of the day. For our favorite waist packs, we currently swap between the simple Dakine Hot Laps 1L and feature-rich Patagonia Dirt Roamer 3L . Back to Our Top Mountain Bike Pack Picks   Back to Our Mountain Bike Pack Comparison Table

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The Best Mountain Bike Brands (And The Ones You Should Avoid)

P icking out the perfect mountain bike can make a big difference in your experience on the trail, whether cruising through local trails or dropping into big backcountry terrain. For dedicated mountain bikers, your bike is not just a piece of equipment. It's your ticket to adventure, exploration, and, most importantly, safety.

Mountain bikers make up a dedicated community of enthusiasts who take their rides, gear, and experiences seriously. Therefore, it's only logical that mountain bike brands should share this passion and commitment to excellence for their community. Today, we're looking at what makes a mountain bike brand truly stand out, exploring what features to look for in a great bike brand as well as the ones that typically fall short in the demanding world of mountain biking.

Whether you're a pro looking for advice or a complete newcomer thirsting for those first trails, this is a great place to start learning about the best mountain bike brands (and the ones you should avoid) to arm you with the knowledge to find the perfect bike brand for your individual needs. Get ready to gear up and confidently head out into the great outdoors.

Read more: 12 Major Motorcycle Brands Ranked Worst To Best

Best: Specialized

Specialized is a major player in the high-end bicycle market and has well deserved its position as a perennial favorite among amateurs and professionals alike. Since 1974, Specialized has been forging a unique path as an innovator for cyclists, by cyclists. The sport of mountain biking as we know and love it today was still in its infancy during the 1970s, but vision and a love for cycling drove Specialized to introduce the first production mountain bike with the Stumpjumper in 1981.

The brand's passion for pushing the envelope has not abated in the intervening decades, and today, the range includes everything from cross-country (XC) hardtails to long-travel, full-suspension downhill racers and from entry-level options through to elite-level, competition-ready machines that bear the S-Works mark. Even the Stumpjumper has not escaped the Specialized stable.

The latest iteration of this time-honored machine improves upon generations of geometry-tweaking to give riders stability and control while ripping aggressive trails in any condition. New technology has not evaded the Specialized team either, with new e-bike offerings incorporating proprietary e-drive motors tuned to match the riding style of the bike they are mounted in.

It's safe to say that innovation and development will be a staple of Specialized for years to come.

Trek had remarkably humble beginnings for such a major force in the bicycle world. In the mid-1970s, the Trek bicycle company was formed over a few drinks in a quiet Wisconsin bar, and it has gone from strength to strength ever since.

As the sport of mountain biking matured following its introduction into the Olympics in 1996 at Atlanta, Trek grew and developed its off-road offerings. This culminated with the establishment of the 'C3 Project' and the 'Trek Factory Racing Team' in the 2010s. Through close access to high-end racing and a wise investment in research and development, Trek has built a comprehensive mountain bike catalog with everything to suit first-time novices up to seasoned professionals.

A notable example of this innovation and design is the Fuel EX, a dual-suspension, singletrack legend. The latest version has been updated and improved in almost every way, from longer suspension travel to extended frame geometry. The incremental evolution in frame design makes the sixth-generation Fuel EX more stable at speed without compromising agility and rider control. Trek even managed to fit a hidden storage compartment in the down tube.

Bold new bike tech has not escaped the off-roading range either. The company has incorporated the latest e-drive motors into its offerings, from speed-focused hardtails to long-travel trail bikes. Trek looks set to continue its quest to push the limits of the mountain bike world for years to come.

It sounds a bit like an April Fools' joke, but from its humble beginnings on April 1, 1981, Ibis evolved into a legitimate name in the mountain bike world.

Founder Scot Nicol initially got to work learning the frame-building craft alongside the pioneers of the mountain biking movement. This technical apprenticeship, combined with a deep passion for ripping mountain trails, has created a trusted and respected brand for mountain bikers, by mountain bikers.

As you might expect from a smaller manufacturer, the Ibis mountain bike catalog is concentrated into only a handful of models, but this modest lineup packs a mighty punch. The range covers its bases well with offerings for gravel riders through to enduro racers and down-hill e-bikes built for rough terrain .

The Ibis Rimpo V2S has garnered praise from the mountain bike community and is perhaps the best example of the company's dedication to quality and design. The V2S is the latest iteration of this famed trail bike and exemplifies Ibis' commitment to continued design development. Thanks to a steep seat-tube angle and relaxed steering geometry, the Rimpo has been made more stable while ripping and improves comfort and control when ascending.

Although a much larger operation than in its early years, Ibis today remains as committed as ever to developing the next generation of machines for serious mountain bikers.

Best: Revel

Headquartered in Carbondale, Colorado, Revel is a unique newcomer that is making waves in the mountain bike world. From its community-focused mindset to its group of hardcore riders and bike creators, Revel is an innovative company with bikes to match.

And how could they not innovate? The company's location was chosen to provide the Revel team of climbers, skiers, and mountain bikers with a convenient backyard. To make the most of this epic playground, Revel is dedicated to "engineer and build the absolute best bikes in the world."

This passion and drive are most clearly on display in the new Rascal, a do-it-all beast packing the latest tech. The proprietary CBF (which stands for Canfield Balanced Formula, we'll have you know) focuses the peddle forces around the top of the chainring. This maximizes pedaling efficiency and provides for playful suspension travel. This, combined with a shorter wheelbase for precise handling, has caused a stir in the mountain bike world.

Revel has also partnered with engineers to develop Fusion-Fiber which promises to be stronger and lighter than conventional carbon fiber as well as reduce its environmental impact. With such a drive for mountain bike innovation and so many gnarly trails to test their creations, we expect Revel to further its impact in the years to come.

Best: Santa Cruz/Juliana

Founded in 1993 in a small garage in Santa Cruz, California, the brand quickly made a name for itself in mountain biking. From the start, Santa Cruz sought to upset the norms with bikes that were stronger, more agile, more responsive, and meet the real needs of riders across different terrains.

Santa Cruz's journey of product evolution is highlighted by its diverse range of high-performance bikes, including the iconic V10 and the versatile Bronson. With the introduction of Juliana, a line dedicated solely to women cyclists, the company has shown its dedication to inclusion. These bikes are all engineered specifically for women's ergonomics but with the same high-quality materials and advanced features as the rest of the Santa Cruz lineup.

Santa Cruz is a leader in mountain bike technology, having developed the Virtual Pivot Point (VPP) suspension. This delivers new, unparalleled shock absorption and smoother handling than ever before, allowing a rider to take control of rough descents or aggressive hills easily. At the same time, carbon fiber is integrated into any of their frame designs so that every bike can achieve optimal strength, stiffness, and lightness.

The company invests heavily in research and development, with ongoing projects focusing on enhancing material science and propulsion techniques to offer even lighter, faster, and more environmentally friendly bikes. As mountain biking evolves, Santa Cruz is poised not just to react, but to lead, promising exciting advancements that will redefine the industry.

Best: Giant/Liv

Anyone in the bicycle world will be familiar with Giant. The behemoth from Taiwan has been producing these much-loved machines since 1972 and has been pushing the limits of carbon fiber bicycle production since 1987.

As a cutting-edge developer, it sponsored major road cycling teams and moved into the mountain bike sphere in 1995. In 2008, Giant formed the Liv brand, a dedicated women-focused bike label that is run by women, for women. Giant and Liv's catalogs have always been vast, covering everything from your first 12-inch peddler found under the Christmas tree to your competition-ready race bike in any category.

With such a long history of innovation and quality production, it's no wonder that Giant and Liv are such power-houses in the mountain bike game. The Liv Intrigue X puts Liv's development strength on full display. The use of lightweight construction without compromising strength or geometry is coupled with an impressive SyncDrive motor to make for a tech-filled trail rider.

The Giant label has an equally impressive offering in the Trance X. This trail bike uses a progressive suspension system paired with industry-leading RockShox units to give 135-millimeter rear travel and 150 millimeters at the front without conceding control or peddling efficiency. With such a customer-focused design ethos, the next generations of Giant and Liv bikes promise exciting innovation.

Born from a deep love of nature and mountain biking, Kona was founded in 1988 with one guiding principle: build bikes that could withstand the demanding and diverse terrains of the Pacific Northwest. From the beginning, Kona was about building a bike culture that put the rider first.

Kona's passion for mountain biking continued beyond just making innovative bikes. Its range of bikes is impressive, known particularly for its multi-award-winning hardtail bikes. From the classic Cinder Cone to the modern-day Process series, Kona's lineup has blossomed to encompass each model developed expressly with rider feedback and riding conditions in mind.

The Kona Process (in its many iterations) is possibly the best example of how innovation and understanding of riders' needs come together perfectly in Kona's lineup. The X-CR designation is noted for its high-speed-focused geometry that allows for a forgiving ride while also being lively and easy to control. Also included in this range is the Process X-DH which offers high-level downhill racing control and feel but is paired with components that allow it to sit at a more amateur price point.

Kona still focuses on the ultimate high-end bikes and maintains the Kona Factory Team, which races top-level competitions that push the company's Kona machines to the limit.

Yeti has become synonymous with mountain biking and is the brand of choice for those who want a sturdy, precise ride. It particularly appeals to serious mountain bike enthusiasts and professional racers.

Yeti hit the mountain bike scene in 1985, producing custom machines for the still-fledgling mountain bike race scene. This close relationship with mountain biking did not only consist of bike building; they also formed an impressive race team. This link between the race world and design development has culminated in the current lineup of eight performance-focused bikes to suit different riding styles and terrain demands. 

The SB120 is Yeti's answer for people who want a bike that can do it all. This new model was released in 2022 and shows off the brand's innovative features and attention to detail. The travel numbers are combined with a diverse parts offering from component partner SRAM. Adding to the SB120's high-quality build is Yeti's proprietary suspension system.

Yeti developed the innovative Switch Infinity suspension system designed to optimize riding stability and shock absorption over diverse terrains. This system is an example of Yeti's technical excellence and rider-centric design. Yeti also continues to refine its bikes' frame geometry while integrating high-quality materials to achieve an optimal balance of lightweight strength and performance.

Bike Brands To Avoid

When it comes to mountain biking, there's an entire world out there that's all its own, where performance and durability are the name of the game. However, a few brands focus on the mass market, which is more suited for the casual biker. Here's a rundown of several brands that might not meet the expectations of more serious riders.

Originally big in the BMX scene, Mongoose has expanded into mountain biking. While they maintain a nostalgic appeal, many of their models now populate department store aisles, designed with cost rather than performance in mind.

A historically solid brand, Schwinn now makes bicycles with highly variable quality. The company sells some high-quality models good for serious mountain biking, but also sells through department stores, which tend to feature their budget lines — no-frills machines lacking durability or performance features for serious mountain biking.

Next bikes are among the cheapest, mostly found in department stores. These bikes are meant for occasional leisure riding and likely can't withstand the tough conditions imposed on mountain bikes. The costs are cheap at the expense of quality and poor performance, which are most important in extreme mountain biking.

For serious mountain bikers, choosing the right bike is everything. You need a brand that can withstand the sport's challenges and keep you safe while you tackle the trails. It's one of the most important decisions you'll make.

How Did We Choose These Brands?

With so many bike brands on offer and so many individual bicycle options to choose from, it's important to consider a few key points when deciding which ones stand out and which are less than inspiring.

When formulating our list, we considered many important factors to reach a consensus. We looked for brands with a passion for innovation that push the boundaries of what's possible in mountain biking because they drive our sport forward.

Likewise, we looked for brands with a versatile catalog that showed an understanding of the market and the demands of riders. Importantly we took into account the feedback of customers as well as brand reputation, after all, who knows the bikes better than those who go out and ride them every day?

A brand's history and legacy can influence its expertise in making the best mountain bikes on the market. Each brand's journey and involvement in the community were also taken into account in our selection. While not the primary focus, we also considered the price range and accessibility of these bikes.

When choosing a mountain bike, it's essential to consider your specific needs, budget, and the type of riding you plan to do. Visiting local bike shops, testing different models, and doing thorough research will help you find the best mountain bike for your adventures.

Read the original article on SlashGear

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