best trek bike for trail riding

Best Trek Bikes You Can Get: Complete Lineup Overview for 2024

Trek is one of the first brands that comes to the mind of both beginners and experienced cycling enthusiasts. But what are the best Trek bikes on the market? Let’s see

They have a HUGE range of bikes , in all price categories, for different purposes, many of which are often seen at top-level competitions, such as the Grand Tours. This American bicycle and product manufacturer enjoys respect in all cycling categories, including road, mountain, gravel, cyclocross, touring, and commuting.

We’ll take a closer look at the lineup of best Trek bikes across different model series and tell you more about each!

Where It All Began…

Marlin series, domane series, supercaliber series, émonda series, speed concept, roscoe series, fuel series, 520 – 920 – 1120 adventure series, farley series, slash series, powerfly series, checkpoint series, ticket series.

Trek Bikes was established in 1976 , in a small shed in Waterloo, Wisconsin. It is the brainchild of Bevill Hogg and Dick Burke who started making their first steel bikes with just five employees.

Trek made their first mountain bike in 1983, which quickly became very popular across the USA. The first carbon frames came off the production line a few years later, and Trek was already a well-known name worldwide by 1990s.

Among other things, Trek is also a big advocate for women cycling , being one of the first companies to design women-specific frames in the early 2000s.

Also read:  Trek vs. Giant Bike Brands Comparison

Perfect Trail Glider

Marlin is one of Trek’s most popular trail lines . It’s intended for beginners with prices that stay around $1,000 and includes both models suitable for both men and women.

The number of models changes, but it usually stays at around 5 or 6 models that differ in terms of components and colors.

All Trek Marlin models are hardtail , with 100 mm of front travel, lots of gears, Shimano components, and disc brakes.

What’s interesting is that these models are available with either 27.5″ or 29″ wheels , depending on the size of the frame.

It’s an excellent choice for mountain biking beginners and casual riders who like hitting the trails from time to time.

Our Top Pick: Trek Marlin 5 Gen 2

Our favorite model and the true representative of this Trek’s versatile line is Trek Marlin 5. It is a reasonably priced hardtail bike that offers a lot for the money and will not disappoint any mountain biking newbie.

This bike comes equipped with SR Suntour’s 100 mm of travel and rolls on Bontrager tires that are 2.20″ wide . That makes it an excellent choice for XC riders, mild trails, and even daily commutes on less than ideally paved roads.

What sets Marlin 5 from other bikes that cost around $700 are hydraulic disc brakes . They’re a rare find in the entry-level trail world and they mean a lot to transform the on-trail experience.

Shimano Altus components and a 2×8 drivetrain are a good starting point and suit well with this model.

See the Model on Trek Bikes

Proper Road Warrior

Domane is one of Trek’s most popular lines of endurance road bikes . This line usually numbers between 20 and 30 models in different price categories. There are a few entry-level and mid-range bikes to choose from, but the majority are high-end road machines that cost thousands of dollars.

As expected, there are both men’s and women’s models to choose from, but the majority of them are unisex. Apart from these, the Trek Domane series also includes several e-bikes, such as the Domane+ LT.

As one can expect, Domane models come with nothing short but the best SRAM and Shimano component groups. Some of them sport V-brakes, whereas others brake with discs.

This line is also known for featuring Trek’s front and rear IsoSpeed decouplers that decrease vibrations in the headset and the seat tube.

Check out our reviews on Domane models:  2 –  3 – 4 .

Our Top Pick: Domane+ LT

Choosing one favorite Trek Domane model is not an easy job — most of them are jaw-droppingly good . However, when it comes to the electric models, Domane+ LT really stands out.

This high-end electric machine is built around a full carbon frame and fork with adjustable IsoSpeed decouplers both up-front and in the back.

Its e-parts are cleverly hidden in the oversized down tube, so this bike is pretty discrete. The motor and the battery will assist you up to 20 mph , and after that, you’re on your own.

Domane+ LT can also boast with a full Ultegra drivetrain and disc brakes, so it’s intended for serious roadies who will know how to use these components to their full potential.

This model sells for between $5,000 and $12,500 , but it’s well worth the money because it is one of the best Trek bikes you can get.

See the Models on Trek Bikes

True XC Machine

If you want the best of the best in the cross country world , then you should end your quest with Trek Supercaliber. This is a line of crème de la crème XC bikes with carbon frames, full suspension, and pretty steep price tags.

There are around 7 models you can choose from, but you’ll have to save between 5K and 12K  to own one. Ouch!

Trek Supercaliber models are light, fast, nimble, and swift. They feature strong and responsive carbon frames and short travel that makes these bikes precise in the corners.

Trek designed Supercaliber models with a rear shock IsoStrut design that puts the shock into the top tube. That gives Supercaliber models characteristics of both hardtail and full-suspension bikes.

Our Top Pick: Trek Supercaliber 9.9 AXS

Trek Supercaliber 9.9 AXS is simply the best you can get in the XC Mountain Biking world at the moment. This is a top-of-the-line XC racing monster that will instil fear in the opponents at the start line.

Like all other models in this line, Supercaliber 9.9 AXS comes with the IsoStrut integrated shock design that makes this bike fast and responsive. It’s extremely light as well, weighing under 21.83 lbs .

The drivetrain and the list of components are crowned with a fully wireless SRAM XX1 Eagle AXS groupset that shifts quickly, smoothly, and precisely.

Its 29″ wheels and 2.20″ Bontrager XR1 Team Issue tires will gobble obstacles like they don’t exist.

According to Trek, this is one of the lightest, fastest, and stiffest XC race bikes they have ever made. There’s nothing else we can do but agree.

Lightest Road Bikes

Trek created the Émonda series for roadies who are in the game because of speed, performance, and timed personal records.

These are high-end road bikes with racing geometry and some of the lightest carbon road frames Trek has ever made.

Trek Émonda consists of more than 10 models that cost between around $2,300 and $13,000 . This includes unisex models that can be ridden by all genders and no women-specific models.

The cheaper, ALR models, are made from aluminum, whereas the higher-specked SL models have stiff carbon.

Émonda was intended as a group of efficient climbing bikes , with up to 28 mm tires and disc brakes

Our Top Pick: Émonda SLR 9

If you’d fall asleep and dream about the world’s best and lightest performance carbon road bike in the world, you’d probably be dreaming about Trek Émonda SLR 9.

This bike exceeds expectations in all areas of road racing performance. It’s built around Trek’s lightest disc road frame that weighs just 665g, whereas the entire bike weighs less than 6.5kg (~14 lbs).

This mouth-watering package also includes Bontrager Aeolus carbon wheels, a carbon bar/stem combination, and a full 2×11 Shimano Dura-Ace drivetrain.

All Émonda models are equipped with hydraulic disc brakes. In the case of SLR 9, they’re Shimano Dura-Ace.

This bike costs $12,500 but comes with components and technological solutions that will allow the right pair of legs to win podiums and competitions on a regular basis.

Beat The Wind

Trek Speed Concept is a super-fast and super-light aero bike, ideal for triathlons and TT races . If you believe that time is valuable and that every second counts, you’ll fall in love with its tech and aerodynamics.

Related: Best Triathlon Bikes

Trek Speed Concept sells for between $8,800 – $14,000 , which is why it is common to see it both with pro and with amateur races.

Its main selling points include an adjustable aero frame developed in a wind tunnel , a headset integrated into the frame, deep carbon aero wheels, Ultegra components, and more.

Through Trek’s Project One , Speed Concept can be adjusted to fit your body perfectly and become 100% percent unique and yours.

Speed Concept is also known for the Bontrager Integrated Speed Storage that blends with the frame and does not affect the aerodynamic properties.

True Trail Hardtail 

Roscoe is a line of reasonably-priced hardtail bikes intended for trail-loving mountain bikers. There aren’t too many models in the Roscoe line (around 5) and one of them can be yours for between $1,200 and $2,800.

Here you’ll find both men’s and women’s models, each one being unique and offering different specs and colors. What’s common for all of them are massive 27.5+ tires that make no compromises on the trails.

Trek Roscoe bikes can also boast with light and efficient 1x drivetrains , playful frame geometry, and hydraulic disc brakes.

All but the cheapest Roscoe 6 also have dropper posts which is always a big advantage and a pleasant surprise in this price range.

Trail enthusiasts and first-timers will love the Roscoe line!

Our top pick: Roscoe 8

Roscoe 8 is one of the highest-specked models from this line.

Those who choose to spend $2,400 on it will get a capable and fun two-wheel package that offers excellent value for money.

You’ll get a 1×11 SRAM NX Eagle drivetrain with a wide-range 11-50T cassette. The 27.5″ x 2.80″ tires are massive; they’ll give you enough confidence to always choose the more demanding line and go out and ride no matter the conditions.

The frame is made of aluminum , which makes the bike slightly heavy (14.32 kg / 31.57 lbs), but the frame performs well on the trails and offers good responsiveness and great power transfer.

Trek Fuel is a line of versatile all-mountain bikes ideal for aggressive singletracks and descents. This is a gang of around 15 high-end bikes with lightweight aluminum or carbon frames, slack geometries, and lots of travel.

If you want to own one, you’ll have to spend between $2,500 and $4,000 for an aluminum model and up to $11,000 for a carbon frame. That’s steep but well worth it.

These are 29ers , but XS and S frames come with 27.5 wheels. When it comes to components, the list differs greatly relative to the price point.

Travel is usually in the 130mm to 140mm range , which makes Trek Fuel bikes real all-mountain monsters and gives them the necessary capabilities to dominate trails.

Our top pick: Fuel EX 8

We chose Fuel EX 8 as our favorite model from this Trek’s lineup. At $4,000 it’s not a budget bike, but it’s pretty reasonably priced considering the components you get with it.

It’s ideal for all-mountain enthusiasts who simply love hitting all types of trails and terrains and spending time outside.

This model has a lightweight aluminum frame coupled with 140 mm Fox Rhythm 34 fork and a 130 mm Fox Performance Float EVOL rear shock.

Apart from that, it has a 1×12 SRAM GX Eagle drivetrain with a massive 10-50T gear range. Coupled with excellent Shimano Deore hydraulic disc brakes, you can climb and descend any hill that comes in your way.

Best for touring

Apart from excellent road and mountain bikes, Trek is also a commonly seen name in the bike touring and bikepacking categories.

Their offer for this type of adventuring includes three models called 520, 920, and 1120 . The first two are intended for bike touring expeditions, whereas 1120 is best for bikepacking. Their prices range between $1,500 and $3,000.

The 520 and 920 models feature touring frames with comfortable touring geometries. The frames are already equipped with lightweight aluminum front and rear racks, so you’re ready to rumble.

1120 is a bikepacker’s dream , ideal for off-road adventures thanks to the aluminum frame, carbon fork, wide wheels, and front and rear racks.

If your idea of cycling includes exploring the world , there are few better choices than Trek 520, 920, and 1120.

Our Top Pick:  520

Trek 520 is a bike touring beast, perfect for open roads and all-day explorations . This bike has a very long tradition, as the first model was built in the 1970s. It costs around $1,800, which makes it even more desirable in the bike touring world.

The 520 comes with a practical and durable steel frame and custom-made front and rear racks that can carry a lot of weight.

The drivetrain has 27 gears with Shimano Sora and Alivio components, ideal for long days when you need to pedal for 10 hours over a variety of terrains.

If you plan to spend months on the road and carry front and rear panniers loaded with food and gear, Trek 520 is a bike that can keep up.

Expand the borders

Farley is Trek’s collection of extremely capable fat bikes with massive tires and stocky frames. They’re ideal for men and women who find regular mountain bikes can’t keep up with their adventurous spirit.

If you want to ride on snow, sand, over sharp rocks, and through mud, then you need a Trek Farley. There are around 5 models you can choose from here, priced between $2,000 and $3,500 . But prices can vary.

Frame materials include both aluminum and carbon , depending on how much money you’re ready to spend. However, what’s common for all models are intimidating 27.5 x 4.5″ tires . They’re some of the widest you can find in the world of fat bikes.

What’s also commonly seen on all Farley models are 1x drivetrains with quality Shimano and SRAM components that can get you through any challenging terrain.

Our top pick: Trek Farley 5

Trek Farley 5 is by far our favorite model from this series. It’s the best value fat bike you can find around with a light and compliant aluminum frame and an even lighter carbon fork that’s stiff and responsive.

The first thing you’ll notice on it is its 4.5″ wide Bontrager tires that are unstoppable when you take them over rocks, tree stumps, and through snow and sand.

A 1×10 Shimano Deore drivetrain gives you plenty of gears and a pretty decent value for around $2,000.

The package also includes hydraulic disc brakes , an internal derailleur, and dropper post routing, as well as plenty of rack and water bottle mounts.

For Commuting

A hybrid bike is used for different things by different people. Some use hybrids to commute, others to exercise, and some just to be on the move. The Trek FX series has the perfect hybrid for all of these purposes.

It’s a collection of a large number of different hybrids with step-over and step-through frames , men and women-specific models, and different price points.

The majority of bikes in this range are entry-level models , costing between $600 and $1,000, but there are some more serious models as well that reach $2,000.

All come with 700c wheels, flat bars, slightly wider tires, and aluminum or carbon frames and forks.

If you need a bike to get from home to work, run errands around the city or lose some weight and get fit, you’ll find it in the Trek FX lineup.

Our Top Pick: FX 1

The one we recommend entry-level cyclists to go for is the Trek FX 1 — the cheapest and most versatile option. This bike costs just $700 and has components and characteristics that suit the entire family.

It sports a lightweight aluminum frame and a comfortable and strong steel fork that accommodates 700c wheels and 35mm wide tires.

This makes it possible for FX 1 to commute on paved and unpaved roads equally well.

Shimano Tourney and Altus derailleurs put 21 gears at your disposal, which is more than enough for casual city riding on bike paths and streets.

Bottom point is that this is a simple and comfortable bike ideal for casual riders who just need to get from point A to point B and not spend an awful lot of money.

Proper Enduro

Trek Slash are proper enduro bikes built to dominate sketchy descents and demanding singletracks. They’re equipped with massive 29″ wheels, carbon or aluminum frames, and excellent mid-range and high-end Shimano and SRAM components.

The Slash line numbers around 10 bikes that cost $4,500 to $12,500 , so they are definitely not cheap. However, keep in mind that these enduro machines are intended for professionals and those who feel that way.

These bikes are characterized by a long wheelbase, very slack geometry , and impressively long travel.

You’ll be working with Fox and RockShox suspension that gives you 150 to 160 mm of travel , which is ideal for challenging enduro rides and downhills.

All Slash models also come with dropper posts and high-end braking systems that ensure precision and confidence. 

If you like it when things get rough, then get a Trek Slash bike!

Our Top Pick: Trek Slash 8

We believe that the best representative of the Slash family is Trek Slash 8. At $4,200, it’s pretty reasonably priced, even though still intended for experienced riders who will know how to put it to good use.

It sports a lightweight yet burly Alpha Aluminum frame with a 65-degree head tube angle , internal routing, and downtube guard.

Slash 8 is bejewelled with RockShox suspension with 160 mm of travel on the fork and 150 mm of give on the shock.

Other highlights include the SRAM GX Eagle 1×12 drivetrain, SRAM Guide R 4-piston brakes, and grippy 2.40″/2.60″ Bontrager XR5 tires.

The value for money Trek Slash 8 offers is excellent and its performance on the trails is even better.

Electric bikes have been a full-fledged member of the mountain biking family for a long time now. Trek is giving their contribution to e-MTBs with their Powerfly series.

This a selection of around five hardtail and full-suspension bikes with powerful electric motors and durable batteries. To own one, you’ll have to spend around $5,000 on average.

Trek Powerfly bikes are ideal for riders who struggle with some injuries or just can’t be bothered to tackle grueling climbs in order to enjoy some nice descents.

Powerfly models are available with both aluminum and carbon frames and with 27.5″ and 29″ wheels. They’re equipped with a wide range of high-end Shimano and SRAM components, all of which feature capable 1x drivetrains.

If you want to keep smashing challenging trails but you need some extra juice now and then, Trek Powerfly will meet your demands.

Our Top Pick: Powerfly 5

The versatility and capability of Trek’s e-bikes can best be seen on the example of Trek Powerfly 5. It’s a practical bike with an excellent value that will enable you to get back in the saddle and set new records.

This model is priced at $4,200 and is built around an Alpha Platinum Aluminum frame. The 500 Wh battery is fully encased in the downtube and the Bosch 250W motor is located in the bottom bracket.

Therefore, the bike looks sleek and all of the electric components are protected well. The motor will assist you up to 20 mph, and after that, you’re on your own with a 1×12 SRAM SX Eagle drivetrain.

All in all, if you want a high-performing trail e-bike with 120 mm of travel and durable Bosch electric parts, you’ll be quite happy with the Powerfly 5.

Versatile Gravel

Gravel riding is slowly but surely becoming one of the most popular cycling disciplines in the world. Gravel bikes are talked about everywhere and the number of gravel events is on the rise.

Trek’s response to the expanding gravel culture is the Checkpoint line . This is a range of around 10 excellent gravel-specific bikes, suitable for everyone’s pocket.

They are built with aluminum or carbon frames and forks, with plenty of eyelets to equip them with racks and water bottles and ride for days.

All Checkpoint models have 700c wheels with wide and knobby tires ideal for soft gravel and hardpacked dirt. They’re equipped with high-end and mid-range components, disc brakes, drop bars, and 1x or 2x drivetrains.

If you want to get on the Gravel bandwagon, Trek Checkpoint is your ticket.

Our Top Pick: Checkpoint AL 3

Trek Checkpoint AL 3 is the cheapest of all models in this range, which makes it affordable and accessible. It costs just $1,200, so it’s the perfect first gravel bike for those who want to explore the world.

Even though this is an introductory model in the lineup, it’s still packed with neat features that will allow you to use and abuse this bike.

It comes with a 200 Series Alpha Aluminum frame, a carbon fork , versatile 32c tires, and Shimano Sora components. You’ll have access to 18 speeds on your adventures with a 2×9 drivetrain, which is a pretty good range.

Checkpoint AL 3 also has mechanical disc brakes and weighs just 10.5 kg (23 lbs), which is excellent for a bike in this price range.

Even though most riders prefer buying complete bikes, there are those who want their bikes to be unique and just their own. If you’re one of those and you want to build your own trail bike , you can consider the Trek Ticket series frames.

These are lightweight framesets made from aluminum, perfect for building trick bikes, dirt bikes, and jump bikes. They’re available in both hardtail and full-suspension iterations, so you can make your pick depending on your preferences.

The hardtail Ticket frame is characterized by a compact rear end, long top tube, and horizontal sliding dropouts. Therefore, you can built it into a geared or a single-speed setup.

The FS frame is ideal for building a slopestyle MTB . It comes with a 100 mm Fox rear shock and is commonly used by Trek C3 Project riders.

If you wish to build your own bike from scratch , Trek Ticket frames are a good place to start.

See the Ticket Frames on Trek Bikes

Trek does not excel only when it comes to adult bikes. They make plenty of models for their youngest fans as well. Trek’s collection of bikes for kids is pretty impressive and includes lots of MTBs and cruiser bikes.

The wheel sizes range from 16″ to 24″, and there are models both for boys and for girls.

Trek’s lineup for kids also includes plenty of models with training wheels , ideal for the tiniest of riders who are still learning how to ride and balance a bike.

Our top pick: Trek Roscoe 24

Trek Roscoe 24 is a rigid mountain bike intended for kids. It is as capable as any adult trail bike. This is a mid-fat model with 2.8″ wide tires and costs just $570.

Roscoe 24 is the perfect first serious mountain bike for any child who loves riding on trails. It will help them develop control and the wide tires will give them more than enough confidence in all situations. 

Trek Roscoe also features a lightweight 1×8 Shimano drivetrain and powerful Tektro mechanical disc brakes. The entire bike weighs around 11 kg (25 lbs), so kids will be able to lift it.

The selection of colors includes silver, orange, and pink, so both boys and girls will easily fall in love with this bike.

See the Kids Bikes on Trek Bikes

Our Top Pick For Girls: Precaliber 24

For girls who want to practice their off-roading skills , Trek Precaliber 24 is a perfect choice.

This is a girls’ bike with 24″ wheels and wide and knobby tires. It’s ideal for daily rides to school and back home, as well as adventures away from paved roads.

Precaliber 24 sports a 1×8 drivetrain that offers more than enough gears for most situations. The lightweight and sturdy aluminum frame is coupled with a performance suspended fork that boosts capabilities and comfort.

This bike also has a kickstand, so it can be parked without chipping the paint. Talking about paint, Precaliber is available in white and magenta colors, both of which are really nice and girly. 

Final Verdict On Best Trek Bikes

Trek makes some of the best bikes in the world , without any doubt. This brand’s strongest points are tradition, reliability, durability, and incredible value.

The reason why they are so popular around the world is that they have a HUGE selection of bikes . No matter who you are, you will be able to find the perfect bike for your needs. And one that also fits your budget!

The 14 Trek lineups we covered above are a good place to start looking for your perfect Trek bike! So choose yours and enjoy the ride 🙂

See ALL Trek Bikes

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4 thoughts on “ best trek bikes you can get: complete lineup overview for 2024 ”.

What about the x-caliber series

Hi Blueboy,

Thanks for that suggestion. We will keep that in mind for future articles.

I order an Electra Townie Cruiser 8g eq step thru creme color in May from my local trek shop. Laurel Ave ft collins CO 80524. They said sometime between July and September. That’s a long time to wait for my new bike. Only Calvin has been helpful the others not so much. Can you tell me when it will arrive?

Hi Mary, I suggest you give them a call during store hours at 970-482-6006.

Store hours are : Monday 11:00 AM-6:00 PM Tuesday 11:00 AM-6:00 PM Wednesday 11:00 AM-6:00 PM Thursday 11:00 AM-6:00 PM Friday 11:00 AM-6:00 PM Saturday 10:00 AM-5:00 PM

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Bike Finder

Results have arrived, trek mountain bike buyer’s guide - best trek mountain bikes (supercaliber, procaliber & more).

Whether you have World Cup XC aspirations or dream of epic downhills, Trek has a mountain bike for you. Here's the skinny on Supercaliber, Fuel, Fuel EX, Slash, and many other models.

Written by: Bruce Lin

Published on: Feb 25, 2022

Posted in: Guides

Trek’s wide range of mountain bikes covers everything from ultra-lightweight XC hardtails to downhill and enduro trail slashers. But how do you know which Trek mountain bike is right for you?

This overview is your guide to all things Trek MTB. In addition to covering every model in the current Trek mountain bike catalog, we’ll decode Trek naming conventions and delve into Trek’s innovations in rear-shock technology.

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Trek XC bikes

Trek procaliber.

Wheel Size: 29” Suspension travel: 100mm front

The Procaliber is Trek’s carbon XC hardtail and its lightest mountain bike. It’s a pure cross-country race bike optimized for fast courses where maximum pedaling efficiency is essential for climbing and acceleration. It features a rear IsoSpeed decoupler that provides extra compliance over rough roots and rocks.

Who it’s for: XC riders who want the lightest, most efficient bike, or who ride less-technical terrain.

Trek X-Caliber

Wheel Size: 29” (27.5” for S) Suspension travel: 100mm front

The X-Caliber is Trek’s entry-level, aluminum XC hardtail. The lightweight aluminum frame provides lots of performance on fast courses without breaking the bank. It’s a great option for newer riders looking to get into XC racing.

Who it’s for: XC riders and racers looking for a budget hardtail.

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Trek Supercaliber

Wheel Size: 29” Suspension travel: 100mm front / 60mm rear

The Supercaliber is Trek’s lightest, most efficient, full-suspension XC bike. During development, Trek kept the Supercaliber under wraps (they literally hid the rear suspension during races) while Trek’s factory race team tested it at World Cups. The Supercaliber uses a unique IsoStrut suspension system with a frame-integrated shock. This provides 60mm of suspension travel, just enough to take the edge off bumps and harsh impacts while keeping the weight, stiffness, and efficiency close to the Procaliber hardtail. The Supercaliber is designed to be the perfect compromise between a hardtail and a 100mm full-suspension bike.

Who it’s for: XC riders looking for the lightest, most efficient full-suspension race bike available.

Trek Top Fuel

Wheel Size: 29” Suspension travel: 120mm front / 115mm rear

The Top Fuel is Trek’s full-suspension marathon XC bike. The previous generation Top Fuel was a pure XC race bike with 100mm of travel front and rear. In 2020, the travel was been increased to make it more capable on descents. The Top Fuel could be considered Trek’s “downcountry” bike, a cross-country bike that balances downhill performance and pedaling efficiency. It will hold its own in fast XC races, but it’s versatile enough for trail riders who enjoy big rides on technical terrain.

Who it’s for: Marathon XC racers and riders looking for a “downcountry” bike.

Trek trail bikes

Trek Fuel EX

Wheel Size: 29” (27.5” available for XS and S) Suspension travel: 140mm front / 130mm rear

The Fuel EX is Trek’s most popular mountain bike model, and for good reason. The latest generation of this all-rounder has been refined with more suspension travel and modern geometry to make it equally capable uphill and downhill. It’s designed to suit the majority of riders and the widest range of terrain. If you’re looking for a quiver killer bike that will feel comfortable, capable, and efficient enough for all types of riding, the Fuel EX is a top choice.

Who it’s for: Trail riders looking for one bike to handle everything from XC to technical downhill trails.

Trek Roscoe

Wheel Size: 27.5” plus Suspension travel: 120mm front (100mm on XS)

The Roscoe is Trek’s basic aluminum trail hardtail with 27.5” plus tires for traction and comfort. The robust aluminum frame and affordable component builds make it a great choice for newer riders building their confidence and skills on the trail.

Who it’s for: Trail riders looking for a fun, inexpensive, easy to maintain hardtail trail bike.

Trek Stache and Full Stache

Wheel Size: 29” plus Suspension travel: 120mm front / 130mm front and rear

Discontinued in 2021, the Stache and Full Stache were Trek’s 29-plus hardtail and full-suspension models, respectively. These extra-large wheels and tires enhance rollover, traction, and comfort. These models are loved by bikepackers who need to carry large amounts of gear and desire extra comfort for backcountry riding and multi-day journeys.

Who it’s for: Trail riders and bikepackers looking for a mountain bike that maximizes traction and comfort.

Trek Farley

Wheel Size: 27.5” Fat Suspension travel: 100mm front or Rigid

The Farley is Trek’s fat bike specializing in terrain like snow and sand which require the additional “float” and traction of 4-5” wide fat tires. The newest generation of Farley uses 27.5” diameter fat tires instead of traditional 26” fat tires. Trek is a believer that using a larger diameter tire offers better performance in all conditions.

Who it’s for: Riders riding snow and sand.

Trek enduro bikes

Trek Remedy

Wheel Size: 27.5” Suspension travel: 160mm front / 150mm rear

The Remedy is Trek’s playful 27.5” trail bike. Older Remedy models were available with 29” wheels, but with the latest generation, Trek has committed to making the Remedy its sole 27.5” full-suspension bike. An ample amount of suspension travel allows the Remedy to tackle tough and steep downhill terrain while smaller 27.5” wheels make it feel easier to maneuver and throw around. It will suit riders who jump and jib their way down trails and who prioritize style and fun over all-out speed.

Who it’s for: Trail riders looking for a capable and playful bike.

Wheel Size: 29” Suspension travel: 170mm front / 160mm rear

The Slash is Trek’s 29er enduro race bike. It provides the most suspension travel and slackest geometry short of Trek’s Session downhill bike. Available only with 29” wheels, it smooths out the gnarliest terrain and maximizes downhill speed. The Slash is used by Trek’s factory Enduro World Series race team and will suit riders looking for a competitive enduro race bike, or a bike that will enhance their confidence on steep and technical downhill trails.

Who it’s for: Enduro racers and riders looking for the most downhill capable bike that can still be pedaled uphill.

Trek MTB range

Trek has a huge selection of mountain bike models, and within every model, there is a wide range of builds to choose from. The hierarchy within models is described using letters and numbers that can be confusing to uninitiated buyers. Below is a guide to decoding Trek’s naming and numbering system.

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Trek mountain bike range

Trek mountain bike models use a number (e.g. Trek Fuel EX 9.9) to indicate the frame material and component build. Models with a 5 through 8 use aluminum frames, with 5 indicating entry-level builds and 8 indicating top-of-the-line aluminum builds.

Models with a 9 use carbon frames. To differentiate build levels within carbon models, Trek uses a decimal system that ranges from 9.5 to 9.9, with 9.5 indicating entry-level builds and 9.9 indicating top-of-the-line builds.

Higher numbered bikes cost more but are equipped with better components.

For example, a Fuel EX 9.9 ($9,499) has a top-of-the-line OCLV carbon frame, SRAM XX1 Eagle AXS drivetrain, Fox Factory suspension, and carbon wheels, stem, and handlebars. A Fuel EX 5 ($2,399) has a more budget-friendly aluminum frame, Shimano Deore drivetrain, entry-level RockShox and X-Fusion suspension, and alloy wheels, stem, and handlebars. In between are several Fuel EX models that offer different frame materials and component builds so riders can pick the bike that fits their needs and budget.

Trek suspension technology

Trek has a long history of innovation, and it has introduced several ground-breaking technologies to the sport. Here is a list of technology and features that are only found on Trek mountain bikes.

Trek RE:aktiv and Thru Shaft shocks

In 2014, Trek worked with Penske Racing to develop RE:aktiv valve technology for its rear shocks. In RE:aktiv shocks, a spring-loaded valve inside the shock body provides increased low-speed compression for more pedaling support. When the shock's shaft speed increases on rough terrain, the valve opens up to quickly absorb impacts before closing again. RE:aktiv shocks are designed to reduce the need for lockouts and compression adjustment on full-suspension mountain bikes when pedaling on smooth terrain or climbing.

In 2018, Trek added Thru Shaft to its RE:aktiv shocks. Most mountain bike shocks are designed around an internal floating piston, or IFP. When a shock absorbs a bump, a damper shaft moves through the shock and displaces oil. This displaced oil needs to go somewhere, so it pushes against the IFP, compressing a gas charge behind the IFP.

The Thru Shaft design eliminates the need for an IFP by allowing the damper shaft to exit out the bottom of the shock. The damper no longer needs to compress an IFP to create space for displaced oil. This makes the shock more responsive and reduces friction. RE:aktiv Thru Shaft shocks are currently found on the Fuel EX, Remedy, and Slash.

Trek IsoStrut

IsoStrut is a minimal, frame-integrated shock designed to provide the comfort and control of rear suspension while maintaining weight, stiffness, and efficiency that rivals a hardtail. To save weight, instead of an ABP suspension pivot, there is flex built into the seat stays to provide a virtual pivot. In its current form, it is only found on the Supercaliber cross-country bike where it provides 60mm of suspension travel.

Trek Knock Block and Straight Shot down tubes

Most mountain bike frames have a curve in the down tube where it joins the head tube to prevent interference with the fork crown. Trek’s Straight Shot down tubes, however, are straight from the head tube to the bottom bracket to increase frame stiffness and strength. This means the fork crown might hit the down tube if it spins around during a crash.

The Knock Block system prevents this with a chip in the top tube that interacts with a keyed stem, spacers, and headset top cover. The Knock Block stops the handlebars and fork from spinning, preventing the fork crown from striking the down tube. There's also a molded guard on the down tube as a redundant measure. As an added bonus, Knock Block also prevents brake and shift levers from scratching or damaging the top tube.

Knock Block can be found on all of Trek’s carbon mountain bike models and the aluminum versions of the Fuel EX, Remedy, and Slash.

Hopefully this guide to Trek mountain bikes puts you in a better place to select the best Trek MTB to suit you riding needs (and also the best build for your price range). If you’re still having trouble deciding, reach out to a TPC Ride Guide at (866) 401-9636 who can better help you understand the pros and cons, and ultimately find the right bike for you. Do you already have one of these Treks? Let us (and other cyclists) know in the comments what you love about your Trek MTB.

What do you ride? Which Trek bike is your favorite? What questions do you have? Let us know in the comments!

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Trek bikes range: which model is right for you?

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The humble beginning of Trek bicycles took place in the "red barn" - once a carpet warehouse - in Waterloo, USA. The first bikes were steel touring frames , but within three years the brand had expanded substantially.

Eventually outgrowing the barn, Trek moved into a much larger headquarters - still in Waterloo - in the year 1980. From there it began to manufacture road racing bikes, then in 1983 created its first mountain bike before moving into accessories come 1984.

Having started out in steel, Trek moved into developing aluminium bikes in 1985. The first Trek branded full carbon frame came in 1989 - the Trek 5000 had a frame weight of 1.5kg. It was built by an outside manufacturer and discontinued after a year. Trek made its own efforts at carbon, with an in-house production, in 1992 to much greater success.

>>> Trek mountain bikes: which model is right for you?

Now, Trek offers the Madone (aero bike), Domane (endurance bike), Emonda (lightweight race bike) and Checkpoint (gravel bike) as well as the Boone cyclocross and Speed Concept time trial machine.

Trek's OCLV Carbon

You can trust Cycling Weekly. Our team of experts put in hard miles testing cycling tech and will always share honest, unbiased advice to help you choose. Find out more about how we test.

Trek's carbon bikes have always used their own patented 'OCLV carbon' - this stands for Optimum Compaction Low Void. It believes this carbon creates the best compromise between low weight and high strength and stiffness.

Optimum Compaction refers to the way sheets of carbon are layered into the mould, and optimised via heat and pressure - in Trek's opinion the two treatments are administered to the perfect ratio. Low Void refers to the minimisation of space between the layers of carbon, which might otherwise reduce strength and durability.

In 1995, Trek opened an independent facility inWhitewater, Wisconsin. The idea being that the Waterloo factory would work in frame development only. For those who want to customise their ride, the'Project One' custom paint programme arrived in 2001.

Trek's pro cycling support

Trek supported now disgraced American cyclist, Lance Armstrong, through his peak years. In 1997, it helped him sign with their sponsored team, US Postal Service Pro Cycling. He won his seven editions of the Tour de Frances on bikes bearing the brand name, but all of said wins were later taken from him following doping violations.

In 2014, the brand sponsored the Trek Factory Racing Team, now calledTrek–Segafredo. In that role, it provided bikes for high profile winners such as Fabian Cancellara and Alberto Contador,as well as Jens Voigt, and notably his Hour Record in September 2014.

In 2020, Trek continued to support the Trek-Segafredo men's and women's race outfits, two highly successful teams.

Trek's acquisitions

Over the years, Trek has made a number of high profile acquisitions. The most famous, perhaps, Gary Fisher bicycles - the mountain bike brand which it took over in 1993.

Later came Bontrager Cycles in 1995 and Electra Bicycle Company in 2014. Bontrager, now Trek's component and apparel brand, maintains the same name as does Electra, the creator of leisure bikes and accessories.

Useful links for road bike shoppers…

Trek's road bike models

Trek is able to offer a wide range of different bikes, each tuned to a slightly different purpose. Some model families are available in a selection of standards (SLR premium carbon, SL carbon, ALR premium aluminium and AL aluminium), and then these come with assorted levels of componentry to suit your price bracket.

To add even more depth to the range, Trek offers many models in two different 'fits'. The Madone and Émonda come as standard in an H2 (traditional) fit, but there are versions in what it calls 'H1' fit. This is more aggressive, shaving off about 30mm on the head tube to create a longer, lower ride. The Domane comes in an H2 'Endurance' fit, with a few models in 'Pro Endurance', again with a longer and lower stance on offer.

Here's a look at the key model families...

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Trek Domane

Our expert review:

Reasons to buy

Reasons to avoid.

The Trek Domane was introduced in 2012. It was created to offer a comfortable ride, the key feature being an IsoSpeed decoupler which separated the seat tube from the top tube, thus reducing vibrations and fatigue.

In 2016 it gained theFront IsoSpeed, which helps to reduce vibrations at the front end without impacting handling. This came alongside a new slider, which alters the level of dampening offered by the rear.

In its most recent update , the Domane took notes from the Madone with an aero fork profile, whilst becoming more versatile thanks to clearance for 38mm tyres (without mudguards, 35mm with). It also gained a downtube compartment for stashing tools (or snacks!).

Though comfort is important to the Trek Domane, it's still a racing frame, and its prowess has been demonstrated by UCI WorldTour riders at major one-day Classics, such as Strade Bianche and the Tour of Flanders. The top Domane bikes come with an H1.5 fit, which was developed with the Trek-Segafredo teams to offer the optimal balance between aerodynamics and endurance.

The Trek Domane - available as a men's build or with women's specific componentry - is a fast selling model, which comes in a range of frame materials.

The Domane SLR uses the lightest carbon Trek offers, the SL is one step down, whilst the AL uses aluminium and is the cheapest of the range.

Trek Madone

The Trek Madone is quite another beast, and the bikes come built for men and women; the latter's models with women's saddles and narrower handlebars . With an aggressive geometry and stiffness to boot, it's a road race hero, and aerodynamics have become part of its lifeblood. When we tested five aero bikes , head to head, the Trek Madone came out fastest.

Modern Trek Madone's feature a high level of integration, with the cables tucked away yet reachable via an access point at the top of the down tube.Wind tunnel testing has helped Trek to create theirKVF (Kammtail Virtual Foil) tube shapes, used on the frame and fork. These unconventional tube shapes are designed to further reduce drag, helping the rider/bike unit to slice through the air efficiently.

Because being bumped around doesn't make you faster, the Madone also features an IsoSpeed decoupler at the seat tube and more recently an adjustable one at the head tube, which offers greater compliance whilst still being integrated to prevent adding drag.

The newest model, according to Trek, can offer 17 per cent more compliance through to 21 per cent more stiffness, depending upon your chosen setting. A damper at the seatpost is also said to cut rebound by 13 per cent. All of these stats add up to a bike that can be comfortable and stiff at the same time - and one that earned a place in our 2018 Editor's Choice awards.

The majority of the bikes come in a more relaxed 'H2' geometry, save for the Madone SLR, which is in an 'H1.5' fit - this is designed to allow riders to achieve an H1 fit or an H2, depending upon their set up.

Trek Émonda

Adding more depth to the Trek family is the Trek Émonda, launched in 2014. Designed to be a climbing bike, newer adaptations are capable of negotiating mixed terrains - with disc brakes available and tyre clearance to 28mm.

>>> Trek Émonda range explained

Trek continues to work on developing the Émonda, dropping the weight of the top end Trek Émonda SLR to 640g in a size 56cm (665g with discs) and 1091g for the Trek Émonda SL (1149g with discs). The weight difference is largely achieved by the use of700 Series OCLV carbon on the SLR, as opposed to 500 series on the SL.

The aluminium model has seen some major work and the result earned it a place in the Editor's Choice 2019 awards. The key characteristic we loved was the way it simply didn't look, or ride, like aluminium. A lot of this is down to Trek's 'Invisible Weld Technology' which increases the surface area of the frame, adding to strength and reducing weight. The ALR model's frame weight comes in at a competitive 1112g, or 1131g with discs, and it uses the brand's 300 Series Alpha Aluminium.

The carbon models are available in 'SLR' build or 'SL', the former being the lightest and the latter more affordable. The majority of Trek Émonda bikes cone in an 'H2' fit, but they can be purchased in an 'H1' geometry, if you choose the top end 'Race Shop' version.

There are a few nods to neatness and integration around, such as the use of 'Blendr Integration' which seamlessly mounts Bontrager’s cycling computer, Ionbike lights or even Garmin computers directly to the handlebars. On SLR versions there's ‘Control Freak Cable Management’ which allows for shifter and brake cables to be housed through the frame.

Trek Checkpoint

With gravel and adventure bikes a fast growing category, the Checkpoint is Trek's offering to fill that sector. The crucial element here is that both the SL and ALR frame options come fitted out with 35c gravel tyres, and can accommodate rubber up to 45c. They've all got internal cable routing, to ensure much stays out, whilst the higher end models use 'Control Freak' routing which is neater.

>>> Best gravel bikes: the top models reviewed

If you opt for the carbon SL model, you get vibration dampening from an IsoSpeed decoupler at the rear, too.  To provide stability and confidence on light trails as well as comfort on all-day adventures, the geometry is not as aggressive as the road bikes elsewhere in the range. Such all-day rides warrant plenty of kit, so there's mounts for racks and mounts. Similar to elsewhere in the range, there's AL, ALR and SL models.

Trek Speed Concept

Trek's Speed Concept time trial bike has been raced by the pros yet is still seen on the amateur race scene as a popular option.

>>> Check out Fabian Cancellara's 2016 Speed Concept

The frames use 500 Series OCLV Carbon, boasting the KVF (Kammtail Virtual Foil) tube shapes described in the Madone, plus a carbon fork with integrated brake and stem - the key goal being cutting through the air quickly.There's space to fit Trek's SC Draft Box and SC Sped Box, largely used by triathletes carrying snacks.

Trek Boone 5

Trek's got plenty of experience in the muddy realm of off-road cycling - and they've got a selection of cyclocross bikes. The Trek Boone 7 model comes with hydraulic disc brakes, a one-by crank and 12-speed cassette and they've all got Bontrager's own 33c cyclocross tyres.

The frame material is Trek's 600 series OCLV carbon, and there's front and rear IsoSpeed decouplers to help riders negotiate the mud without excess transfer of vibration. Combining the mud ready tyres, disc brakes, 'cross focused cable routing and geo into an aluminium package is the Trek Crockett family.

They key differentiation is the frame material, which is300 Series Alpha Aluminium, and there's no decoupler. However, it's still a performance bike that's ready to race.

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Michelle Arthurs-Brennan the Editor of Cycling Weekly website. An NCTJ qualified traditional journalist by trade, Michelle began her career working for local newspapers. She's worked within the cycling industry since 2012, and joined the Cycling Weekly team in 2017, having previously been Editor at Total Women's Cycling. Prior to welcoming her daughter in 2022, Michelle raced on the road, track, and in time trials, and still rides as much as she can - albeit a fair proportion indoors, for now.

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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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7 Best Trail Mountain Bikes of 2022

For versatile bikes that can tackle long climbs and moderately technical descents, we break down the year’s top trail models.

Switchback Travel ( Jason Hummel )

We use affiliate links and may receive a small commission on purchases. Read more about us . 

From smooth and flowy post-work rides to rough and rowdy all-day backcountry epics, the trail mountain biking category covers a wide range. And with rapidly changing technology and an ever-growing number of options, it can be hard to nail down the best ride for your needs. Below we detail our top seven picks for 2022, which are broken down by type and best use and include everything from a beginner-oriented hardtail to fast and fun full-suspension rigs. For more, see our buying advice and comparison table below the picks.  

Our Team's Trail Mountain Bike Picks

• Best Overall Trail Mountain Bike: Yeti Cycles SB130
• A Close Second (For Rougher Terrain): Ibis Ripmo V2
• Best E-Mountain Trail Bike: Specialized Turbo Levo Comp
• Best Hardtail for Trail Riding: Salsa Timberjack XT 29
• Best Budget Full-Suspension Trail Bike: YT Jeffsy Core 2
• Best Short-Travel Trail Bike: Evil The Following
• Top Entry-Level Trail Bike for Beginners: REI Co-op Cycles DRT 1.1

Best Overall Trail Mountain Bike

1. yeti cycles sb130 c2 gx eagle ($6,500).

While we readily admit that the term “quiver killer” is overused, we can’t help but think Yeti made just that with the extremely versatile SB130. Sporting 150-millimeters front and 130-millimeters rear travel, it falls nicely in the heart of the trail category, and its progressive geometry and plush suspension mean it’s planted and composed when tackling technical trails. Just as importantly, it’s an efficient climber and has a very light and playful personality that’s a ton of fun on flowy and smooth sections (unlike some burly bikes, it’s not overkill on easier terrain). Finally, the SB130 is impeccably built and easily one of the best-looking bikes around, sporting Yeti’s famous, turquoise-colored frame (the “Brick” color option isn’t too shabby either). 

The main knock against Yeti bikes is that they’re not great values, and this mostly holds true for the SB130. Their “entry-level” model rings in at $6,200, and the lightly upgraded GX Eagle variation here comes in at a steep $6,500. That said, Yeti sticks to high-end parts, and when spec’d the same, its pricing actually is quite close to competitors like the Ibis Ripmo and Santa Cruz Hightower. And with the premium price, you’re getting some nice extras, including a lifetime guarantee against defects on the frame and a crash replacement warranty where they’ll offer you discounted replacement parts. All told, the Yeti’s do-it-all nature earns it our top spot for 2022. See the Yeti SB130 C2 GX Eagle

A Close Second (For Rougher Terrain)

2. ibis ripmo v2 slx ($6,099).

If you live in an area like the Pacific Northwest and your local trails are filled with rough and steep terrain, or you simply want a cushier ride for absorbing big hits, it’s hard to beat Ibis’s latest Ripmo. Stepping up in aggressiveness from the Yeti above, you get an extra 10 millimeters of travel at the front and 17 millimeters at the rear, along with a slacker head angle and burly Maxxis Assegai tires. There’s even an option to select a coil shock if you plan to dabble in the enduro world. What makes the Ripmo a favorite among trail riders, however, is its do-everything performance. The steep seat tube and DW-Link suspension make it out-climb expectations, and the carbon frame and quality Shimano SLX groupset help keep weight in check.

Combining 29-inch wheels and a lot of travel does mean the Ripmo is overkill for flatter, flowy, and less technical trails. And while it’s energetic and happy to pop off features along the way, it’s realistically more bike than a good number of trail riders actually need. As such, it comes up a little short of the slightly more versatile and better-climbing SB130 above. Plus, we think the Yeti is a bit more refined—the Ibis’s internal routing needed a little work to keep from rattling, as one example—and the styling of the Ripmo does leave a little to be desired (although that’s subjective). Of note, Ibis covers both ends of the trail category really well, and their lighter and snappier Ripley is a top choice among short-travel options. See the Ibis Ripmo V2 SLX

Best E-Mountain Trail Bike

3. specialized turbo levo comp alloy ($7,500).

Specialized has been at the forefront of electric mountain bikes in North America, and their Turbo Levo is a leading all-mountain design. The latest bike is a real grin-maker—trust us on this one—and received a host of improvements that set it apart. Its new mullet setup (29 in. wheels at the front, 27.5 in. at the back) gives it a balanced and easy-to-control feel but still can smash through technical terrain, and its electronics have seen a nice upgrade in durability and refinement. Further, their Mission Control App provides quick access to the battery’s status and allows for easy customization of performance. Overall, among a fast-growing and competitive field of e-mountain bikes, we think the latest Turbo Levo is at the top of the list.

Currently, the biggest barrier to an e-mountain bike of any kind is price. Despite packing an aluminum frame, the Turbo Levo Comp here is $7,500, and carbon models start at a whopping $9,000. Additionally, the extra drive system adds a significant amount of weight–it’s not uncommon for e-bikes to weigh upwards of 50 pounds or more. This added heft also has performance drawbacks, and we found the Turbo Levo is quite a bit less flickable and more reluctant to get off the ground than the brand’s analog Stumpjumper Evo (or the less-powerful Levo SL e-bike). Finally, land managers and lawmakers still are trying to figure out where e-bikes fit into outdoor recreation. Regulations vary by state and riding area, but oftentimes they technically are not legal to ride on singletrack trails. See the Specialized Turbo Levo Comp

Best Hardtail for Trail Riding

4. salsa timberjack xt 29 ($2,099).

Minnesota-based Salsa Cycles is best known for their bikepacking, touring, and gravel-oriented designs, but they’ve been making some serious headway in mountain biking of late. Their Timberjack XT 29 hardtail is case in point with its well-thought-out spec package and adaptable design. The bike’s burly 2.6-inch tires and highly adjustable 130-millimeter RockShox 35 Gold RL fork provide more than enough cushion for rocky and rooty descents (by hardtail standards). And the relatively slack geometry and fast-rolling tires encourage shenanigans like popping off trailside lips and manualing down the trail. What we really like about the Salsa, however, is its nod to bikepacking. You simply won’t find too many other hardtails that offer as many mounting locations for gear as the Timberjack. 

Salsa updated the Timberjack last year, and key changes include a slacker head tube (66.4° on all sizes) and an impressively expansive number of build kits (including 27.5+ wheel sizes). The 29er XT model here features premium components like Shimano’s XT drivetrain at a reasonable price point. The design offers fast and reliable shifting—it even smooths out shifts that would otherwise clunk into place while on an incline—and its 12 speeds have a very wide range. This gives the Timberjack excellent versatility for hauling you up extended climbs and over variable terrain. That said, the burly construction and wide tires mean the bike isn’t as nimble and fast as a more cross country-focused design. But for a capable and well-rounded hardtail that’s built to last, the Timberjack is an excellent choice. See the Salsa Timberjack XT 29

Best Budget Full-Suspension Trail Bike

5. yt jeffsy core 2 ($2,999).

In contrast to premium brands like Santa Cruz or Yeti, YT Industries has built its popularity around offering big-time value. The German-based manufacturer is the best-known direct-to-consumer company that forgoes the middleman (bike shops) and allows shoppers to purchase directly from their website. The Jeffsy is their popular trail/all-mountain offering, and the Core 2 29 base model is a screaming deal: You get quality Fox suspension components front and rear, a DT Swiss wheelset, dropper post, and top-performing Maxxis Minion tires for hundreds less than its competitors. And jumping up to their top-flight Core 4 model ($5,199) will get you components typically found on bikes that cost thousands of dollars more.

What are you giving up by shopping from a consumer-direct company? For one, inventory is hit-or-miss, and at the time of publishing, many sizes and colors are multiple months out (or unavailable altogether). In addition, it can be difficult to get replacement frame parts as bike shops generally don’t stock them. Moreover, buying online means you don’t get a chance to test ride the bike before throwing down some serious cash. But for those who prioritize saving money and are willing to take on a little extra risk, the YT is an enticing option and a solid value. For another direct-to-consumer option, check out Commencal’s Meta TR (starting at $2,500), which also outperforms its modest price tag. See the YT Jeffsy Core 2

Best Short-Travel Trail Bike

6. evil the following ($6,599).

Short-travel full-suspension bikes hit a sweet spot for many riders, and the light and fast Evil The Following currently is our favorite of the bunch. Updated a couple years ago, the bike’s well-balanced riding position hits that desirable combo of near-XC-level climbing that doesn’t terrify you on the descent, 29-inch wheels, and enough suspension travel (130mm front and 120mm rear) for smaller drops and moderately techy terrain. Plus, it’s an extremely refined build with a high-end carbon frame, well-thought-out dimensions, and a creative rear linkage that’s both durable and great to look at. The Evil is not a value leader by any stretch—the $6,599 MSRP for the GX model is Yeti territory—but the bike’s snappy and extremely energetic personality will quickly win you over. 

Where does the Following fall short? To start, like the SB130 above, we’d love to see a true entry-level (or even mid-range) version offered with an aluminum frame for those just starting out or wanting to stick to a lower price point. If you fall into that camp, we recommend looking at YT’s Jeffsy Core 2 ($2,999) above. Additionally, riders who prioritize rough and rowdy descents likely will find the Following a little under-gunned—both the Yeti SB130 and Ibis’s Ripmo get the advantage for this type of terrain. That said, the Evil is a faster, nimbler, and more efficient climber than those alternatives, which makes it a better choice for big days. See the Evil The Following

Top Entry-Level Trail Bike for Beginners

7. rei co-op cycles drt 1.1 ($599).

Sub-$600 mountain bikes may conjure up images of cut-rate big-box-store specials, but REI’s Co-op Cycles DRT 1.1 packs a surprisingly good punch. To start, it checks the right boxes for a budget build with a lightweight aluminum frame, 100 millimeters of front suspension travel, and proven Shimano drivetrain. Arguably its biggest selling point is the Tektro hydraulic disc brakes, which have superior stopping power compared with the cable-actuated brakes that you typically find at this price point. And it’s all backed up by REI’s excellent warranty—something you definitely don’t get from the Targets and Walmarts of the world.

What do you give up with the entry-level Co-op Cycles DRT 1.1? For starters, this bike is aimed more at gravel bike paths and mellow singletrack than anything technical. Additionally, the budget-oriented SR Suntour fork will certainly be out of its element during rough and bumpy descents (the quick-release axles don’t help either). If you’re looking for something much more trail-worthy, check out the brand’s DRT 1.2 (our top pick in our article on mountain bikes under $1,000 ). The upgraded model is more aggressive in just about all ways, including more suspension travel, wider tires, and a better overall spec package. However, at nearly half the price, the DRT 1.1 is a great option for most recreational or first-time riders. See the REI Co-op DRT 1.1

Trail Mountain Bike Comparison Table

Trail mountain bike buying advice, frame material: carbon fiber vs. aluminum, full-suspension vs. hardtail, wheel size: 27.5 vs. 29er, drivetrain and gearing, electric mountain bikes (e-mtb).

• Unisex vs. Women's-Specific Models

Trail Bike Price Guide

Buying a mountain bike online, consumer-direct bikes.

• Should I Buy a Used Bike?  

As a whole, aluminum-framed bikes still dominate the trail category, but carbon fiber is becoming increasingly common. What’s driving its growing popularity? The main advantages are less weight—approximately 1 pound depending on the frame—and increased stiffness. The additional rigidity of the material compared with aluminum leads to better power transfer and higher efficiency. For committed cyclists, those are pretty convincing performance advantages.

Carbon does come with its fair share of downsides, however. Right off the bat, you can expect to pay about a $1,000 premium for upgrading from an aluminum to carbon frame. Additionally, aluminum does a better job absorbing impacts from trail debris and surviving a high-speed crash (carbon can crack from hard hits). Finally, aluminum is easier to be recycled once a bike has reached the end of its life, although that’s still a hotly debated topic. In the end, it often comes down to budget: carbon has plenty of advantages, but it’s a hard sell if you’re only dabbling in the sport. And we can’t help but think that the extra cash may be better spent on a visit to Whistler instead.

When buying a new trail bike, one of the most commonly asked questions is: should I buy a hardtail (suspension fork only at the front) or full-suspension (includes both a front suspension fork and rear shock) model? There are a number of factors to consider when making this choice. Are you on a tight budget? Are you just starting out? Are your local trails smooth and with few obstacles? If so, a hardtail is probably the best choice for you. However, should your local terrain be rooty and rocky, or maybe you just like going downhill fast, then a full-suspension rig probably is the better option. This is just the tip of the iceberg, however, and we break down the additional considerations below.

Performance In terms of overall riding performance, hardtail and full-suspension mountain bikes each come with their fair share of pros and cons. Starting with hardtails, their lower weight and lack of suspension travel makes them fast and easy to pedal quickly. As a result, they excel on long rides and climbs. But should the going get rough—especially on the downhill—a full-suspension bike quickly takes the lead. The added rear suspension helps soak up bumps and offers a much more comfortable ride in general. FS bikes are the weapon of choice for most intermediate to advanced riders. Having said that, full-suspension designs like our top-rated Yeti SB130  typically weigh more, are significantly more expensive, and will not be as efficient at climbing or on non-technical trails.

Maintenance If you’re looking for a simple and low-maintenance bike, then hardtails take the cake. Their lack of rear suspension means they forgo any bushing, bearing, or pivots that generally require extra care and attention. This becomes especially true should you live in a wet and muddy climate, which can wreak havoc on full-suspension bikes if they go unmaintained. Because of these characteristics, it’s not uncommon for dedicated mountain bikers to own a full-suspension bike for summer use and a hardtail for when the trails turn to slop. Bikes like the Salsa Timberjack are able to hold their own against short-travel full-suspension rigs yet are much simpler to keep fresh should you often ride in the rain.

Price Once again, if a low price is your top priority, then hardtails are the clear choice. Quality full-suspension trail bikes, with their added rear shock and linkage, are simply too complex to design and build on the cheap. From the list above, the $2,999 YT Jeffsy Core 2 is about as low as we’d advise going with a full-suspension design (there are a few just below $2,000 that are suitable as well). Sure, you could certainly spend less than that on a bike from a big-box store, but in reality, it’s going to ride terribly. The parts won’t last, the suspension will be overwhelmed, and you’ll be quickly wishing you bought a lighter and more comfortable hardtail instead.

Unisex vs. Women’s-Specific Models

Many trail bikes are made in a unisex style and a range of sizes (typically from “S” to “XL”). This can work well for both men and women, although riders on the shorter end of the spectrum can run into some challenges getting an ideal fit. Some brands like Trek address this by offering a wider range of sizes within the unisex line. Taking Trek’s Fuel EX as an example, the bike is made in “XS and “S” frame sizes with top tubes that dip down more aggressively right in front of the seat and smaller wheels (27.5 rather than 29). This makes it easier for shorter riders to comfortably stand over and control the bike. For many women, simply having an array of size options is all they need to get a great fit.

In addition, a number of brands make dedicated women’s mountain bikes. In the past, these mostly have been shrunken-down versions of the unisex models in different colorways. And while that’s still true in some cases—especially on the budget end of the spectrum—many quality brands make women’s-specific trail designs with retuned suspensions, handlebars that are narrower with smaller-diameter grips, and reshaped frames. There also are women’s-only bike brands, including Juliana (Santa Cruz’s sister brand) and Liv (Giant). Liv Cycling in particular really stands out as a leader with a growing collection of XC, trail, and e-mountain bikes for women. In the end, a unisex design like the aforementioned Fuel EX can be a great pairing for many lady riders, but there are a number of potential benefits in opting for a women’s-specific model.

The majority of us do a significant amount of shopping online, so why not do the same when purchasing a mountain bike? They’re certainly more complicated to figure out than a set of dish towels, but there’s a lot of recent movement towards online sales from consumer-direct brands (more on this below), major retailers like REI Co-op and Competitive Cyclist , and even manufacturers themselves like Diamondback. If you’re considering going this route, it’s important to ask yourself a few questions before clicking that buy button. Are you comfortable doing basic assembly and mechanical projects? Will someone be at home to take delivery and sign for your new ride? And, perhaps most importantly, are you comfortable choosing the right size and style of bike without taking a test spin?

One of the most important pieces of the new bike puzzle is getting the correct size, which can be the difference between riding your bike down the hill or wanting to throw it down the hill. Luckily for us, most reputable online retailers and brands provide a significant amount of fit-related information. Size charts are often tailored to specific models, and you’ll then get size recommendation based on your height or inseam length. Taking this a step further, Competitive Cyclist offers one of the most comprehensive fit guides we’ve seen, compiling measurements for your inseam, forearm, lower leg, and more. Taking this detailed approach is one way of ensuring you wind up on a bike that fits you properly.

Should I Buy a Used Bike?

The trail bikes listed above are the latest and greatest in their respective categories, but purchasing a used model is a great way to save and cut down on waste. To start, keep in mind that mountain bike technology has been rapidly evolving even in the past few years, so we recommend picking up a pretty new design. Further, it’s a good idea to closely inspect the bike in person to make sure you’re not buying an unmaintained money pit. With the drivetrain, verify that the chainring teeth are shaped like triangles and less like shark fins. If they look like the latter, it’ll likely need to be replaced. The frame, brake pads, and chain should also be inspected for undue or heavy wear. Finally, see if the rubber seals around the suspension components are cracking or if oil is running on the outside of the fork—both are signs that service is required.

If you’re not comfortable with checking a bike’s mechanical soundness, it’s often worth having a local shop take a look (or you could purchase a former demo bike from a shop, so you can ensure it was properly maintained). Even a modest hardtail can set you back a few hundred dollars, and higher-end models hold their value well enough to justify getting a professional opinion. We recommend calling ahead to make sure they offer the service and that they can fit you in. In the end, used bikes have their place—especially for those just getting into the sport—but it’s a good idea to make an informed, smart decision. Back to Our Top Mountain Bike Picks   Back to Our Mountain Bike Comparison Table

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Trek Rail Review | A plush, powerful & frustratingly near-perfect electric mountain bike

The not-so-minor details.

Trek Rail 9.8 XT

https://www.trekbikes.com

From $7,499 AUD ($12,499 AUD as tested)

- Incredible suspension performance - Hugely confidence-inspiring ride quality - Powerful & intuitive Bosch Smart System - Big battery offers big range potential - Powerful brakes - Solid wheels & tyres

- Battery mount failure - Longer wheelbase has reduced agility - Seat angle could be steeper - Limited size range

Justin & Dan review the Trek Rail

Since it was introduced back in 2019, the Trek Rail has joined the likes of the Specialized Levo, Merida eOne-Sixty and Norco Sight VLT as one of the stalwarts of the Aussie e-MTB scene. Available in alloy and carbon across a wide range of price points, and powered by the excellent Bosch Performance Line CX motor, the Rail has grown to become a very popular electric mountain bike.

We last reviewed a carbon Trek Rail 9.8 in 2019 and an alloy Trek Rail 9 in 2021 . Though they weren’t perfect, we were mighty impressed by the quality of the suspension and the balanced handling. Trek has since updated the Rail lineup, incorporating a suite of improvements that are designed to take its technical prowess to a whole new level. To see how all the changes play out on the trail, we got our hands on this shiny Trail Rail 9.8 XT to put through the wringer.

Watch our Trek Rail video review here:

For a full-powered e-MTB with dual 29in wheels, the Rail is arguably one of the best-handling bikes in its category.

An overview of the Trek Rail

Designed to cover everything from backcountry trail riding through to e-Enduro racing, the Trek Rail features a 160mm travel fork and 150mm of rear wheel travel. It comes fitted with 29in wheels, though by flipping the Mino Link into the High position, Trek says you can run the Rail as a mullet with a 27.5in rear wheel.

As with almost every Trek full suspension mountain bike, the Rail is built around the ABP four-bar suspension platform. The most rearward pivot is concentric to the thru-axle, which Trek says helps to decouple braking forces from the suspension.

The top models are equipped with a custom RockShox Super Deluxe Ultimate RT3 shock. Codeveloped between RockShox and Trek, this fancy shock features the unique Thru Shaft damper design, and as we’ll discuss shortly, is a big contributor to the Rail’s overall ride quality.

Frame & geometry updates

While the alloy frame remains unchanged, the Trek Rail’s carbon frame has been beefed up significantly.

The seat tube has swollen to a 34.9mm diameter, increasing chassis strength and allowing you to fit a modern long-stroke dropper post. Trek has also adopted the new 1.8in head tube standard to bolster front-end stiffness, while improving the proportions with big travel forks like the RockShox Zeb and Fox 38.

Also new is the Knock Block 2.0 headset. The steering limiter still prevents the handlebar controls from smacking into the frame, but a larger turning radius means it’s entirely unnoticeable on the trail.

Along with the beefier frame, Trek has also updated the Rail’s geometry. The most significant change is the seat tube angle, which steepens by almost two degrees to 76.7°. The reach has increased, growing by 12-22mm depending on the frame size, and the head angle is also a hair slacker at 64.2° in the Low geometry setting.

One number that hasn’t changed is the 448mm rear centre length, which is about as short as you’ll find for a 29er fitted with a Bosch motor. In comparison, the Scott Patron gets a 454mm rear centre, while the Avanti Hammer-E LT comes in at 462mm.

Bosch smarts

The latest carbon Trek Rail also updates to the Bosch Smart System. The tidy Kiox 300 display is tucked out of the way behind the headset, while the LED controller sits next to the left-hand grip.

Powering the Rail is the Bosch Performance Line CX motor and a 750Wh PowerTube battery. You can charge the battery in situ, or it can be easily removed from the frame with a key for charging separately.

Compared to previous generation Bosch systems, the latest Smart System provides you with far greater functionality and the option to tune the motor. If you’re curious to learn more about its full potential, check out our Bosch Tuning Tips article for everything you need to know.

Trek Rail price & specs

There are five models in the current Trek Rail lineup; two with alloy frames and three with carbon frames.

Prices kick off at $7,499 AUD for the Trek Rail 5, which is pretty good for a Bosch-equipped bike. However, it’s worth noting that the alloy models do carry over the previous generation frame, which uses a smaller 500Wh or 625Wh battery along with an older display and controller.

On the other side of the price spectrum is the Trek Rail 9.9 XTR, which sells for $15,999 AUD. This model is also available to customise through the Project One bike builder, for those who want something a little different to the norm.

As blingy as the 9.9 model is, we’re not particularly interested in the additional electronic gizmos it comes with. Instead we requested the Trek Rail 9.8 XT to review, as we think this is the bike that more people are likely to purchase. Despite selling for $3,500 less, it still features the same carbon frame, rear shock and Bosch Smart System as the 9.9 model, albeit with a more practical parts spec.

What about the 2023 Trek Rail?

It’s worth acknowledging that since receiving our 2022 test bike, Trek has quietly introduced some updates for the 2023 iteration of the Rail.

These changes are predominantly based around the user interface, with the alloy Rails updating to the Bosch Smart System with the LED controller and Kiox 300 display. The carbon Rails will then come with the newer Mini Remote and System Controller. Otherwise the frames, motors, batteries, and the majority of the component spec will be identical between the 2022 and 2023 models.

For those eager to wait for a 2023 Trek Rail model, we’ve been informed that stock will begin arriving in Australia in April.

2022 Trek Rail 9.8 XT

• Frame | OCLV Mountain Carbon, ABP Suspension Design, 150mm Travel
• Fork | RockShox Zeb Select+, Charger 2.1 RC Damper, 44mm Offset, 160mm Travel
• Shock | RockShox Super Deluxe Ultimate RT3, 230×57.5mm
• Drive Unit | Bosch Performance Line CX, 85Nm
• Battery | Bosch PowerTube 750Wh
• Wheels | Bontrager Line Comp, 30mm Inner Width
• Tyres | Bontrager SE6 Team Issue 2.5in Front & SE5 Team Issue 2.5in Rear
• Drivetrain | Shimano XT 1×12 w/e*13 Plus 34T Crankset & 10-51T Cassette
• Brakes | Shimano XT 4-Piston w/203mm Rotors
• Bar | Bontrager Line Pro OCLV Carbon, 27.5mm Rise, 780mm Width
• Stem | Bontrager Line Pro, Knock Block, 45mm Length
• Grips | Bontrager XR Trail Comp Lock-On
• Seatpost | Bontrager Line Elite, Travel: 150mm (M), 170mm (L), 200mm (XL)
• Saddle | Bontrager Arvada
• Confirmed Weight | 23.94kg
• RRP | $12,499 AUD

Testing the Trek Rail

In addition to testing the Trek Rail 9.8 XT on our home trails, this bike has accompanied us along some bigger alpine missions up at Mt Buller in Victoria’s High Country.

Buller has proven to be a terrific environment for a big and burly e-MTB like the Rail, with plenty of entertaining options for gaining elevation and some brilliant purpose-built descents to enjoy on the way back down. Tying it all together are epic views of the surrounding mountains, making this one of our favourite destinations to explore over the summer months.

To give it a proper workout, we took the Rail on a smorgasbord of backcountry singletrack around Buller including the recently refurbished Delatite River Trail, Clancy’s and the absolutely brilliant Stonefly. We also used the Rail to rack up plenty of self-shuttled laps of the gravity trails, including Outlaw and the classic ABOM.

Trek Rail sizing & fit

While models like the Slash and Fuel EX are known for being offered in a huge range of sizes, the carbon Trek Rail models are currently only available in Medium, Large and X-Large sizes in Australia. We’re told that a Small will be arriving later this year, which will come fitted with a 625Wh battery to fit inside its shorter downtube. In the meantime, those after a Small will need to look towards the alloy Rail.

To suit the height of Dan (183cm) and Justin (180cm), we’ve been testing a Large. Compared to the previous model the reach has grown from 465mm to 487mm, which is a significant jump. The steeper seat angle does help to position the rider more centrally within the cockpit, though we reckon it could be a lick steeper since the effective top tube length on this bike is very long.

This presented more of an issue for Dan, who has shorter arms and prefers a more upright climbing position. To suit his proportions and riding style, Dan slid the saddle all the way forwards on the rails to steepen the effective seat angle and shorten the distance to the grips. Justin on the other hand had no such issues with the saddle in the middle of its adjustment range, and found the cockpit to be perfectly comfortable out of the box.

The takeaway from our experience? We’d recommend that anyone on the border between two sizes take a closer look at the geometry chart, as you may want to size down rather than up.

Even with the saddle shunted forwards, the Rail doesn’t suffer from a front-heavy riding position. That’s because the stack height is quite generous, coming in slightly taller than the old model. Combined with the well-proportioned bars, amenable grips and saddle, we’ve found it to be a comfortable bike during long exploratory missions out in the hills.

Suspension setup

Setting up the Rail’s suspension is made easy thanks to Trek’s online calculator , which is a fantastic tool for getting you started with air pressures and rebound settings.

For Justin (85kg), the suggested settings proved to work well right off the bat. In comparison, Dan (83kg) made use of the recommended air pressures but trended towards a faster rebound setting to suit his more aggressive riding style.

There’s plenty of adjustment available with both the Zeb fork and Super Deluxe RT3 shock, which allows you to tweak the damping to suit different trail conditions. In particular, the 3-position compression dial on the rear shock makes a notable change to rear end grip and support, so we’d recommend experimenting with all three settings.

Once set up to preference, we didn’t need to touch the suspension at all throughout the test period. Bigger riders or those who are particularly heavy on their landings may want to fit an extra volume spacer in the rear shock to increase bottom-out support, but the stock setup will likely work well for most.

Trek Rail weight

Without pedals and with the tyres setup tubeless, our Trek Rail 9.8 XT test bike came in at 23.94kg.

That’s a little heavier than claimed, though it’s a reasonable figure for a big travel e-MTB with a 750Wh battery. If you’re particularly concerned about weight, you might want to look towards the mid-powered Trek Fuel EXe , which is over 5kg lighter.

Although the Bontrager SE6 and SE5 tyres use reinforced Core Strength casings, at just over a kilo each they’re significantly lighter than a full-blown DH tyre. Factoring in the abuse we’d likely be dishing out on the Rail, we fitted a CushCore Pro insert into the rear wheel to help ward off potential punctures and rim damage. Tyre pressures were set between 21-24psi up front, and 24-26psi out back.

What do we dig about the Trek Rail?

As with previous models, we’ve been consistently impressed by the outstanding suspension performance on the new Trek Rail. This bike is beautifully balanced, offering great small-bump sensitivity while still delivering heaps of support. Along with the powerful brakes, aggressive tyres and long wheelbase, you can ride this bike bloody hard on some very rowdy terrain.

It has to be said that the Zeb is a perfect match for a burly bike like the Rail. An e-MTB is inherently more difficult to correct if you push it slightly off-line, with the added weight compounding any mistakes. The Zeb’s stiff 38mm chassis helps to keep the front wheel tracking where you want it, while the sensitive action soaks up off-camber impacts, maximising ground contact for increased grip.

It’s a similar story out back with the custom Super Deluxe shock. Trek says the IFP-less design of the Thru Shaft damper reduces the ‘stick-slip’ effect when the shock is rapidly changing direction between compression and rebound, resulting in smoother and more responsive operation. Given how supple it is back there, it’s hard to argue with that claim.

Combined with the trunnion bearing mount and ABP linkage, the Rail delivers incredible sensitivity across a wide range of impacts and riding speeds. Traction and compliance are superb, with the shock recovering well on rapid-fire impacts. We never fully bottomed out the rear suspension, while the mid-stroke support means the Rail has surprisingly good pep on flowier jump trails. The fact that it ‘only’ has 150mm of rear travel means it doesn’t totally numb the trails like a longer travel e-MTB would.

Stout frame & responsive handling

Enhancing the Rail’s enthusiastic on-trail demeanour is its stiff carbon frame, which feels noticeably sturdier and more responsive than previous iterations. Paired to the Zeb up front, the handling is direct and surefooted.

Much like the Canyon Spectral:ON , that chassis stiffness never results in untoward harshness. Indeed the supple suspension, high volume tyres and alloy rims ensure the Rail contours the terrain rather than pin-balling you around.

The short rear end also contributes to the responsive handling, helping to make the Rail feel manageable despite its heft. While a longer rear centre can improve high-speed stability, it tends to make the bike more sluggish and harder to leave the ground. Trek has avoided that sensation with the Rail, with its short chainstays providing a welcome dose of agility. It rips corners confidently, and thanks to the supportive suspension, it’s also more than happy to take to the air.

Bosch power & control

Along with its supple suspension and sturdy chassis, the Bosch Performance CX Line motor is another key component to the Trek Rail’s all-round performance. In our experience, this is the best full-powered motor out there.

Set to the adaptive eMTB mode, power delivery is responsive and intuitive. There’s plenty of low-range torque on tap, and the overrun feature means power continues to be applied even if you need to briefly coast over roots and rock ledges on a technical climb.

It’s particularly advantageous for larger-sized riders, with the Bosch motor providing masses of support and powerful acceleration. For lighter riders, bumping the assistance mode down to Tour+ will still provide that intuitively adaptive power output, albeit with a less abrasive punch and a milder overrun.

If you’re willing to make use of the lower powered settings, it’s possible to eke out some serious mileage. Indeed with the big 750Wh battery, you’re unlikely to experience any range anxiety with the Rail. This bike offers proper long-range potential, making it a fantastic option for huge e-MTB adventures out in the mountains.

While it will happily cruise along, the Rail also enjoys climbing fast and aggressively. Despite not having enormous chainstays, it’s still very calm and composed on steeper gradients. There’s little wander from the front wheel, with the long wheelbase and active suspension keeping the whole bike glued to the ground.

We didn’t encounter an excessive number of pedal strikes, though switching the shock’s compression dial into the firmer position does lift the ride height noticeably. Furthermore, flipping the Mino Link into the High position will garner you an additional 5mm of pedal clearance, while sharpening the seat angle and shifting more weight onto the front wheel. This will be useful for more active riders, and those who are scaling chunky climbs and eroded gullies.

The only real limiting factor on the climbs is the rear tyre, which didn’t have as much bite as we wanted. The tread profile is a little too shallow, and it lacked grip when the conditions were wet. We’d consider fitting an SE6 on the rear, which would offer more predictable traction on loose and slippery terrain.

What don’t we like?

As with the previous Trek Rail 9 we tested, we encountered a few annoying issues with our Rail 9.8 XT.

Most disconcerting was the battery rattling around in the frame. After a dozen or so rides we noticed a heavy clunking sensation on the descents that felt a bit like a poorly-adjusted headset. This turned out to be from the upper battery mount, which had come loose from where it bolts into the downtube. While the battery was still able to provide power to the motor, it meant the whole assembly was rattling around inside the frame. Not ideal.

This is of course a disappointing experience to have on a bike costing over $12K.

Our local Trek dealer put in a warranty claim, and within a couple of days we received a solution. This comprised of a small metal bracket that sits on the outside of the downtube, with two bolts passing through it to secure the internal battery mount to the frame. The bracket did the job, and has eliminated the clunking sensation on the descents.

This is of course a disappointing experience to have on a bike costing over $12K. Having to spoken to other Trek dealers, it appears that we’re not the only ones to have encountered this issue, which leaves us wondering why bikes are being sold without the bracket in the first place.

Even after the fix, the Rail hasn’t been totally quiet. The Bosch motor exhibits the usual clacking noise on the descents, though we found it pretty easy to ignore after the first few rides. One of the Mino Link bolts and the main pivot came loose partway through testing, which required some fresh Loctite and a torque wrench to keep them snug. The rear thru-axle has also come loose on two occasions, so we’d recommend checking it regularly to make sure it remains nice and tight.

It can be a bit of a tank

While the Trek Rail is a mostly well-balanced bike, it has to be said that riding across flatter and more mellow terrain is not its raison d’etre. Its long wheelbase and overall heft can make it a handful on tight and flat turns, which require some muscling to negotiate.

The short chainstays mean it isn’t a total barge, but compared to the previous version it does require a more forward-biased riding position. This sees it rewarding a more active and assertive rider, especially when you’re threading the front wheel through twistier singletrack.

For smaller folks and those who are newer to the sport however, the Rail can feel like a bit of a tank. If you’re looking for a less brutish riding experience, you might want to consider the lighter and lower-powered Fuel EXe or perhaps even an alloy Rail that features less stretched-out geometry.

Now while it is a lot of bike to manage, we should point out that for a full-powered e-MTB with dual 29in wheels, the Rail is arguably one of the best-handling bikes in its category. It’s certainly far more fun and involving to ride than the Scott Patron , despite being more capable overall.

It is less agile than the Specialized Levo however, which shares the same amount of travel but packages it into a dedicated mullet platform with a 27.5in rear wheel. Of course it is possible to fit a 27.5in wheel to the back of the Rail, which would be a great option for riders looking for a more playful character and a little extra tyre-to-arse clearance. If you do decide to go down that route, you can take your Rail into a Trek dealer to have the Bosch system reconfigured for the smaller wheel circumference, which will maintain the proper speed reading and motor output.

It’s worth noting that even with the Mino Link in the High position, a mullet setup would result in a lower BB. With that in mind, it may be worth considering fitting a 170mm airshaft to the Zeb, since the Rail’s frame is rated for it. This would lift the ride height and slacken out the head angle further, turning the Rail into a more gravity-focussed machine.

Component highs & lows

When it comes to the price to performance ratio, there’s no doubt that the Trek Rail 9.8 XT hits the sweet spot in the range.

The suspension is top-notch and offers plenty of usable adjustability. The Zeb’s Charger 2.1 RC damper is excellent, and really doesn’t give up a whole lot compared to the pricier Ultimate version. The Thru Shaft shock is brilliant, and it’s a big reason why the Rail is so plush and controlled.

The Shimano XT groupset is solid, and we’re glad to see a genuine Shimano 12-speed chain when other brands have been skimping and fitting a KMC chain instead. Unfortunately a freak encounter with a rock that got jammed in the chainring caused the chain to break while Justin was partway through a Stonefly mission. A spare link rescued the day, though once back in the workshop we had to replace both the chain and chainring. It was a timely reminder that stuff gets absolutely hammered on an e-MTB, and having a fancy XTR or AXS drivetrain might not be the most practical approach.

We did bleed the brakes partway through testing, as the rear was feeling slightly spongey. Thankfully it’s a quick and easy process to do with Shimano brakes, and we didn’t need to touch them for the remainder of the test period. While heavier riders will benefit from fitting a 220mm rotor up front, we found the stock setup to be plenty powerful.

Given the bush-bashing you can do aboard the Rail, we’ve been happy to have alloy crank arms and rims. Bontrager’s Line Comp wheels have been absolutely solid throughout testing, with no loose spokes, rim dings or freehub pops to speak of.

We’ve also managed to come out the other side with zero punctures or sidewall tears, which is quite frankly, amazing. The stock tyres will perform well in most Australian conditions, though if this were our bike, we’d put the SE6 on the rear to increase climbing grip and cornering traction on loose surfaces. We’d then fit a stickier compound tyre up front, like a Maxxis Assegai 3C MaxxGrip, a Specialized Butcher T9 or a Continental Argotal Super Soft DH tyre.

As far as touch points go, the LED controller is functional, but the way it sits up above the bar makes it somewhat vulnerable in the event of a crash. The Kiox 300 display is nicely tucked out of the way though, with a vibrant screen that provides you with access to loads of data without being too distracting for the rider. Still, we’re glad to see Trek update the Rail for 2023 with the newer System Controller and Mini Remote for a more discreet user interface.

What about the alloy Rail?

If you didn’t quite have the budget to stretch to the Rail 9.8 XT, the alloy Rail 9 is definitely worth consideration. It features the same suspension package, wheels and tyres, and it still gets a Bosch Performance Line CX motor. It’s equipped with a smaller 625Wh battery though, and it uses the slightly older generation frame with a shorter reach and slacker seat angle. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, as we found it to be a slightly more agile bike due to the shorter wheelbase, which will potentially be preferable for less experienced riders.

Trek Rail vs Norco Sight VLT

Speaking of comparisons, a bike that we’ve spent a load of time on is the Norco Sight VLT , which is another thoroughly popular e-MTB in Australia.

Like the Rail, the Sight VLT features 160/150mm of travel and is built around 29in wheels. It’s also available with an alloy or carbon frame, though Norco has equipped it with a Shimano EP8 motor and a custom battery that’s available in 500, 720 and 900Wh sizes.

The spec you get for the money is notably better with the Sight VLT. With a 720Wh battery, the top-end Norco Sight VLT C1 sells for $12,899 AUD. That’s a similar price to the Rail 9.8 XT, but the Norco’s spec is significantly more desirable with Fox Factory Series suspension, SRAM Code RSC brakes, a OneUp dropper, DT Swiss wheelset and Maxxis DoubleDown tyres as standard with a 3C MaxxGrip Assegai on the front.

Spec aside, these two bikes do produce quite a different ride experience on the trail.

The Sight VLT feels like a bigger, heavier and less refined e-MTB. This sensation was accentuated on the bike we tested, which came fitted with a 900Wh battery that weighs half a kilo more than the Rail’s 750Wh battery. However, it’s really the Sight VLT’s longer rear centre (462mm vs 448mm) that makes the biggest difference in terms of handling.

The longer wheelbase does make the Sight VLT incredibly stable, and we found it would happily plough its way downhill with a plush and bottomless feel to its rear suspension. However, it’s not as responsive as the Rail. It’s noticeably harder to change direction, with a cumbersome feel through the corners and across tighter trails. It’s also much more difficult to lift up the front wheel when launching off a drop or manualling down the trail.

The long chainstays and steep seat tube angle makes the Sight VLT a very planted bike on the climbs. Unfortunately the Shimano EP8 motor doesn’t produce the same power or overrun as the Rail’s excellent Bosch motor, resulting in slower climbing speeds and less assistance on technical stop-start features. The Rail pulls further ahead on tight switchback climbs, with its shorter chainstays allowing it to pivot around with more precision.

While both bikes are great examples of a modern full-powered e-MTB, the Rail edges out the Sight VLT when it comes to suspension performance and all-round handling. Whether it’s worth the price premium depends on how much value you place on its ride quality, Bosch system and Trek’s warranty support.

Trek Rail vs Trek Fuel EXe

Of course the competition for the Trek Rail isn’t just coming from other brands. With the recent introduction of the Fuel EXe , Trek now has an alternative choice in its e-MTB lineup.

Compared to the Rail with its 85Nm motor and 750Wh battery, the Fuel EXe takes a sleeker and lighter-weight approach. It’s built around a tiny TQ motor that puts out 50Nm of peak torque, and it uses a much smaller 360Wh battery. Along with its slimmer frame construction, it weighs in at just 18kg for the complete bike.

The Fuel EXe does have less travel with a 150mm fork and 140mm at the rear. However, the frame will accommodate a 160mm travel fork, which is exactly how we set it up for our long-term Fuel EXe review . Along with stickier tyres and a few other changes, the Fuel EXe is an incredibly capable and fun e-MTB to ride.

Comparing the two bikes, it’s obvious that the Fuel EXe’s suspension isn’t as plush as it is on the Rail. The extra 10mm of travel and the custom Thru Shaft shock gives the Rail hypersensitive performance that delivers more grip and more comfort when things get choppy. Along with the slacker geometry and added weight, it’s a more planted bike at speed, especially when full-gassing it on hectic DH trails.

When things get tight and twisty however, the lighter Fuel EXe offers greater agility. It’s easier to ride, with more intuitive and involving handling that doesn’t make you feel like you’re an unwilling passenger. The lower weight is instantly noticeable on the trail, allowing you to change direction with less effort. It’s just also easier to deal with on a practical day-to-day basis, like when you need to flip it over to repair a puncture or load it onto a bike rack on the car. Combined with its softer and whisper-quiet motor output, it’s a less intimidating bike for newer riders.

The Fuel EXe is no doubt the better option if you’re riding in a group with regular mountain bikes. It’s quiet and stealthy, so it’s less out of place. And with the motor set to the lower assist modes, you’ll be riding at similar speeds to everyone else.

If everyone in your riding group has a full-powered e-MTB however, you’ll be putting in considerably more effort with the Fuel EXe. You’ll need to make use of the highest assist setting, which tends to drain the 360Wh battery quite quickly.

Speaking of, we actually had both the Fuel EXe and the Rail during a big backcountry ride around Mt Buller. On the final climb back to the village, the Fuel EXe’s battery ran flat, while the Rail finished with 50% left in the tank. Put simply, the Rail offers you more capacity for long rides with plenty of elevation gain. That makes it the better option if epic rides in the mountains are on the agenda, particularly if you’re going to be riding with other e-MTBs.

Flow’s Verdict

The latest generation Trek Rail continues to be one of the best handling full-powered e-MTBs we’ve tested.

The cornerstone is its terrific suspension performance, which offers excellent small-bump sensitivity and grip with a responsive feel all the way throughout the travel. Indeed the way it manages to balance big-hit compliance while still giving good pop is mighty impressive. Along with its stout chassis, long wheelbase and burly build kit, the Rail is capable of monster trucking its way down some pretty gnarly descents.

It isn’t a total barge on flowier singletrack however, which is largely down to its taut carbon frame, responsive suspension and short chainstays. Certainly for a 24kg e-MTB, it’s one of the more intuitive and fun bikes to ride.

It’s a mighty fine technical climber too. The powerful Bosch motor is responsive and intuitive, while the 750Wh battery offers loads of range for proper all-day rides in the mountains.

We reckon it would benefit a steeper seat angle, and given how many frame sizes Trek offers in its regular mountain bike range, it’d be great to see the Rail produced in a similar range of sizes. And while the majority of the build kit on the Rail 9.8 XT proven to be solid, we were disappointed to encounter a glaring problem with the battery on our test bike. This is an expensive bike after all, so we have high expectations.

Once that issue was sorted, the Rail has proven to be a solid performer that we’ve thoroughly enjoyed on some epic rides over the summer season.

We wouldn’t necessarily recommend it for smaller riders or those who are newer to mountain biking, as its overall heft and raked-out wheelbase can make it a handful on more mellow terrain. Those riders will likely be better served by the lighter Fuel EXe, or perhaps even an alloy Rail with its slightly more moderate geometry.

But if you’re after a powerful and highly capable e-MTB that thrives on enduro-type trails, the Rail delivers control and composure in spades, especially when things get steep, fast and chunky.

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The 9 Best Bikes You Can Buy Right Now

From cargos to commuters to e-bikes, these are the most impressive rides on the market.

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

Stay safe and prepped. Check our picks for the best bike helmets and bike pumps before your next ride.

The Best Bikes

Best Overall Bike

Specialized diverge e5 gravel bike.

Best Overall E-Bike

Aventon level.2 commuter e-bike.

Best Hybrid

State bicycle 4130 all-road flat bar bike.

Best Utility Commuter

Co-op cycles co-op cycles generation e1.1 electric bike.

Best Road Bike

Trek domane+ slr 9 axs e-road bike.

Best Cargo Bike

Specialized globe haul st bike.

Best Trail Bike

Yeti sb120 t3 x01 eagle axs mountain bike.

Best Step-Through E-Bike

Denago commute model 1 e-bike.

Best Foldable Bike

Brompton electric p line urban folding e-bike, what to consider, style and use.

Are you looking for a daily commuter or something to take with you on RV vacations a few times per year? Do you need to haul groceries each week, or are you just looking for a weekend workout? The bike you purchase should be one that best suits your lifestyle.

The right bike for you doesn’t always correlate directly with wheel size or tire tread—consider the foldable bike , for example, for those living in small spaces—but knowing your needs will help you find the bike best for you.

Take into account the type of trail (or lack of) you’d use your bike on, as well as how much or little you’ll haul, the maintenance you can handle, your fitness level, and if you’ll ever need to toss this thing in a bus, car, or train.

As a general rule of thumb: The fatter the tire, the better it is on rough terrain. City-dwellers may do best with a road bike with skinnier tires for speed on pavement and smooth surfaces, but if you plan on taking weekend trail trips, lean toward gravel and hybrid bikes. These can better rip through rocks and dirt roads.

As for frames, steel is the heaviest material you can buy, though it can take a harsher beating than lighter materials like aluminum and carbon. Opt for an aluminum or carbon bike if you need something that you can easily load into your car or the train. Lean toward steel if you plan on riding rugged terrain more often than paved roads.

There may be multiple answers to the best type of bike that suits your lifestyle (and we certainly don’t turn our noses up at bike collectors), so opt for a multifunctional hybrid if you have varying needs.

Electric or Manual

Consider electrifying your ride if you plan on using your bike for commuting , especially if you live in an area with lots of varied inclines. Electric bikes have motors that provide pedal assistance or throttles to make moving your bike easier, which counts for a lot—especially if you’re carrying a backpack or a load of groceries. You can get to your destination with less effort, as well as considerably faster, using an e-bike.

E-bikes are pricer than manual bikes, but you can still grab a reliable one for less than $2,000. They increase your carrying capacity, grant travel range that’ll rival your car (for most errands, at least), and make pedaling easier, thus helping conserve your energy. (This comes in clutch when you’re trying to get to the office without sweating through your shirt.) In addition to crossing flat paths with minimal effort, most e-bikes can handle the occasional trail on your weekend ride.

How We Evaluated

We found the best bicycles through research, familiarity, and hands-on riding experience. To find the best bikes in each respective category, we consulted our longtime expertise and tests, including our buying guides to the best e-bikes , cargo , commuters , and more. We also considered our 2023 Bike Award winners , as well as input from Bicycling test editor Tara Seplavy. These bikes are the best of the best.

Although it’s an entry-level bike , the Diverge E5 is one versatile gravel. Its frame can handle up to 700c x 47mm or 650b x 2.1-inch tires, which make it an off-roading beast, or you can swap to 30mm- or 32 mm-wide rubber tires for a faster, sportier ride.

According to Bicycling test editor Dan Chabanov, “the Diverge E5 can be a road bike, gravel bike, drop-bar mountain bike, touring bike , or adventure bike” with a few tweaks of its components. This ride will take you from the dirt to the pavement at a price that matches its comfort.

Since its debut late last year, we’ve championed Aventon’s updated Level.2 as the best e-bike you can buy. We still stand by that opinion today.

The Level.2 updates its predecessor with a new torque sensor, delivering power to the rear hub motor more evenly. It sports integrated lights to increase rider visibility, a small and easily legible display, fenders, a rear rack, throttle assist up to 20 miles per hour, an eight-speed Shimano Acera derailleur, and Tektro hydraulic disc brakes.

Best of all, it’s a smooth, natural ride that makes commuting a pleasure.

If you can’t choose between a gravel or a road bike, why not both? State Bicycle, best known for making excellent sub-$500 fixies , designed an equally impressive all-road bike—the 4130.

It sports a State-branded 1x11 drivetrain for easy shifting, mechanical disc brakes, and sturdy thru-axel dropouts, plus several mounts that make it easy to strap on fenders and racks for commuting and touring. You can also grab it with tubeless-compatible 700c x 38 mm or 650b x 2.1 in. tires to swap as needed.

Its steel frame makes it fairly heavy, but with a few upgrades, the 4130 can be your do-anything, go-anywhere workhorse.

Update: As of March 13th, 2023, all available Co-op Generation e1.1 bicycles are equipped with new gearing (changed to an 11-34T freewheel and 48T chainring). Customers who previously purchased the Generation e1.1 with old gearing (a 14-34T freewheel and 42T chainring gearing) can bring their bike to an REI location after April 15th, 2023 for a free upgrade.

REI in-house label Co-op Cycles specializes in family and kids bikes, and its Generation e1.1 is a solid entry-level utility e-bike priced well enough for casual riders to comfortably splurge. It has a suspension fork from SR Suntour, a Shimano Altus drivetrain, and Tektro hydraulic brakes—everything else is brandless and made for REI, including its frame, wheels, saddle, and seat post.

Its components pair well together, and the included rear rack and sturdy aluminum frame make hauling smaller loads and short commutes easier. This isn’t as cargo-ready as the Globe Haul ST, but if you need a quick way to zip those groceries home, the Generation e1.1 will do just fine.

Read Full Review

The Domane+ SLR 9 AXS is a high-speed carbon e-road bike that feels more like riding a traditional road bike than e-bike. This surprisingly lightweight e-bike has a lower max torque than other e-bikes, along with a 300-watt motor, saving weight where it counts.

The low-torque motor helps give it a smooth, seamless start when the motor kicks in—you won’t even notice it working. The speed the Domane+ provides riders is incredible, and to ride one is simply a joy, even if you prefer a traditional non-motorized bike.

After three months of testing , we found the Specialized Globe Haul ST to be a solid choice between entry-level cargo bikes and pricy e-bike haulers. Atypical for cargo bikes, the Globe Haul ST is actually a joy to ride, built to replace short vehicle trips and medium-distance bike rides.

It has a weight limit of 419 pounds (including the rider), and even when loaded up, it still feels like a lightweight, zippy commuter, capable of climbing up to 28 miles per hour.

Its 20-inch wheels are 3.5 inches wide, offering more stability while riding, even when loaded. It’s also a smaller e-cargo capable of tight turns, and its battery can handle 71 miles of range on the lowest setting and 27 miles on the highest.

The SB120 is a well-balanced mountain ride that can handle most trail conditions, from flat trails to steep climbs and descents, as well as tight twists. Its seat angle comfortably positions riders to tackle intense pitches, while the suspension system eats bumps and floats at mid-to-high speeds. With 20 millimeters of travel, a 130-millimeter fork, four-piston brakes, strong wheels, and burly tires, the SB120 is a beast.

Test editor Matt Phillips says, “The SB120 not only rewards line choice and precision, it also allows you to pick the fastest line through most terrain. It has been quite a while since I rode a bike that feels this balanced and intuitive on the trail.”

Denago’s Commute Model 1 offers a smooth ride feel without the torquey power of most e-bikes, making it approachable, comfortable, and breezy. The Model 1 has a 652-watt battery hidden within its step-through frame and a 500-watt rear hub motor, capable of a pedal-assisted speed of 28 miles per hour or 20 miles per hour with the throttle.

It also has many starter components for a solid commute: hydraulic disc brakes, a suspension seat post and fork, integrated lights, a rear rack, a kickstand, and fenders.

While the Commute Model 1 isn’t as powerful as some of our other favorite e-bikes, it’s a steady, calm ride that makes it best for riders of any experience level .

The premium version of Brompton’s Electric C Line , the Electric P Line Urban is a lighter, speedier, and more user-friendly folding bike.

The Electric P Line shares the same 250-watt front hub motor and 300-watt-hour battery pack, but where the C Line relies on full steel, the P Line sheds its weight with a titanium rear triangle and fork. The P Line e-bike has four speeds, and the amount of acceleration it provides is extremely impressive—our tester was amazed by how quickly its 250-watt motor reached 15.5 miles per hour from a dead stop.

Available with a choice of mid- or high-rise cruiser bars, this stylish bike folds down to about a two feet long and tall, plus its battery detaches for easy travel. It’s also under 40 pounds, which, for an e-bike, is an amazing feat.

Kevin Cortez is an editor for Runner's World, Bicycling, and Popular Mechanics covering reviews. A culture and product journalist for over ten years, he’s an expert in men’s style, technology, gaming, coffee, e-bikes, hiking, gear, and all things outdoors. He most recently worked as the Style Editor for Reviewed, a top product recommendation site owned by USA TODAY. He also helped with the launch of WSJ's Buy Side commerce vertical, and has covered the music and podcast industries for Mass Appeal, Genius, Vulture, Leafly, Input, and The A.V. Club. Equally passionate about leisure as he is his penmanship, Kevin dedicates his spare time to graphic novels, birding, making cold brew, and taking long, meandering walks.

As Deputy Editor, Tara Seplavy leads Bicycling’s product test team; after having previously led product development and sourcing for multiple bike brands, run World Championship winning mountain bike teams, wrenched at renowned bicycle shops in Brooklyn, raced everything from criteriums to downhill, and ridden bikes on six different continents (landing herself in hospital emergency rooms in four countries and counting). Based in Easton, Pennsylvania, Tara spends tons of time on the road and trail testing products. A familiar face at cyclocross races, crits, and bike parks in the Mid Atlantic and New England, on weekends she can often be found racing for the New York City-based CRCA/KruisCX team. When not riding a bike, or talking about them, Tara listens to a lot of ska, punk, and emo music, and consumes too much social media.  

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The Best Hardtail Mountain Bikes

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Best Beginner Mountain Bikes of 2024

Mountain biking is a great blend of exercise and outdoor adventure that draws in a wide range of recreational cyclists. The bar for entry into the sport is fairly low other than the initial cost of buying a bike, which ranges from several hundred to several thousand dollars. While you can easily spend more than $10,000 on a high-end mountain bike, we limited our selections below to more beginner- and budget-friendly options below $5,000.

Because it’s a significant purchase and there are lots of brands, models, and features to consider, beginner mountain bikers often get hung up on the decision. But if you have a budget in mind and understand the main features and your style of riding, you can narrow down your choices quickly. We talked to experts and did extensive research to identify the best beginner mountain bikes of 2024.

Table of Contents

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

REI Co-op Cycles DRT 1.3  »

Extremely capable suspension

Brand-name components

Includes seat-dropper post

Limits you to mellower terrain only

Low-end front suspension

The REI Co-op Cycles DRT 1.3 is a lower-cost hardtail mountain bike that has most of the features of a modern mountain bike: disc brakes, 1x12 Shimano drivetrain, and Maxxis tires. It also includes a handlebar-controlled seat-dropper post which is an essential upgrade for riding a hardtail on more technical trails. From the RockShox front suspension to Maxxis Rekon tires and the Shimano Deore drivetrain, the DRT 1.3 gives you mid-tier components at a budget price point. Co-op Cycles is outdoor superstore REI’s house-brand bikes and, while they sell several cheaper mountain bikes in their line, the DRT 1.3 gives you worthy component upgrades that will translate into better performance and durability.

It also offers a bit more travel in the front suspension. Most budget hardtails use a cheaper 100mm- or 110mm-travel fork, which limits you to only the gentlest terrain. The hardtail DRT 1.3 has serious limitations if you plan to progress into steep, technical terrain, but there’s more room to grow here than with cheaper bikes better left on paved paths or gravel.

The 1x12 Shimano Deore drivetrain system eliminates the need for a front derailleur which simplifies shifting for learning riders to just one set of shifters instead of two. It also eliminates a common source of shifting malfunctions while maintaining a good range of gears to tackle a variety of terrain.

Trek Marlin 7 Gen 2  »

Great value

Lightweight for easier climbing

Lets you upgrade over time

Still uses name-brand components

Limits you to mellow terrain only

Rougher ride than full-suspension

Trek is known for quality mountain bikes, with high-end professional-grade models costing over $10,000. But it also knows that most new trail bikers aren’t ready to fork over that much cash, so it also makes much cheaper models such as the Marlin 7 Gen 2 that save around the edges but build on the same proven frame designs.

The Marlin 7 is a hardtail, which is a big reason why the cost remains under $1,000 (no expensive rear shock and mechanism. That means it’s best-suited for mellower trails, gravel roads, and paved paths. For the price, it’s also relatively light at just under 30 pounds, so it’s easier to pedal until you build up your fitness. The bike is highly upgradeable. However, if you find you prefer rougher, more technical terrain, you’ll eventually need to upgrade to an all-new full suspension bike.

That said, the components such as wheels, shifters, drivetrain, and brakes are all made by name brands in the industry, so they should perform better and last longer than the no-name parts used on department store bikes. They’re also easier for bike shops to repair or replace since they’re more common.

Canyon Neuron 5  »

A full-suspension mountain bike for less

More capable on technical trails

High-quality components

Efficient uphill for a full suspension

Limited on features and aggressive terrain

Higher initial investment than hardtail bikes

You may have seen Canyon bikes out on trails, but you’ve never seen them in bike shops. That’s because they use a direct-to-consumer model to keep the cost of their bikes (relatively) low. The Neuron 5 is their most affordable full-suspension bike, and it’s a great beginner option thanks to a low weight and efficient performance. (If you’re surprised that a $2,000 price point is “affordable”, read our FAQ on pricing below.)

While any full-suspension mountain bike offers a smoother ride than a hardtail, the Neuron 5 isn’t overly plush, fitted with a modest 130-mm rear travel and 140-mm up front that will soften the ride without making the bike too heavy or inefficient on climbs. The orientation of the rear shock keeps the bike’s geometry more rigid during climbs, which translates to more efficient power out of each pedal stroke. This is great for newer riders who haven’t developed as much sport-specific skill and power.

Despite the low price point, the component spec sheet features all respected name brands. The 12-speed Shimano Deore drivetrain is a reliable workhorse, front and back feature RockShox suspension, and the Schwalbe tires are light and fast. The biggest reason to spend more or look at other models is if you know you’re more downhill-oriented and want a plusher ride for more aggressive downhill trails.

Ibis Ripmo AF  »

High-end components on a midtier bike

All-around capable

Modern geometry for stability and speed

Higher initial investment

Ibis is known for high-end performance bikes for a bit less than the luxury brands such as Santa Cruz and Yeti, and the Ibis Ripmo AF delivers modern full-suspension frame design and some higher-end components in a package that can be had for less than $3000. That price tag might not seem low to new bikers but similar bikes from other manufacturers can cost more than $5000.

The Ripmo prioritizes downhill capability more than most beginner bikes, with 140 mm of rear travel and 150 mm in front, so it’ll be ready for you when you’re ready to tackle steeper trails and bigger obstacles. That capability comes at a bit of weight penalty, with an overall weight of 34 pounds for a large. But it climbs well for what it is, and recreational riders who endure the uphill to enjoy a spicy downhill won’t mind.

There are cheaper full-suspension mountain bikes, but you get a lot with the Ripmo in terms of components. The SRAM GX/NX drivetrain gives beginners a taste of the high end in their shifting, and everything from the seat to the brakes comes from respected brands such as SRAM, WTB, and Maxxis. This is a great option for new riders who want their first bike to be as good as it can be without diving right into the high-end of the market.

Norco Sight A3 SRAM  »

More travel than most beginner bikes

High-end components for a midtier bike

Bigger suspension for bigger descents

Beginner riders usually look for smoother trails and avoid fear-inducing obstacles such as rock drops and steep descents. But as your skills progress, you may find yourself seeking them out. While by no means a downhill-first bike, the all-mountain Sight A3 comes with more travel than most beginner mountain bikes, with a 160-mm RockShox Yari fork in front and 150-mm RockShox rear shock.

The overall package is on the heavy side, but it still pedals uphill well and uses smart design to help you get out most of the power you put in to each stroke, especially on more technical climbs. You also get all the expected trappings of a high-end bike, with a quality SRAM SX Eagle drivetrain, tubeless Maxxis tires, and seat-dropper post. Overall, it’s a great all-around bike for riders that are getting into the sport at least in part to chase the adrenaline high of challenging descents.

The 2024 Sight A3 made some fairly substantial changes to the rear suspension mechanism, so the 2023 model (linked above) can be had for less for entry-level bikers who can do without the newest tech.

Trek X-Caliber 8  »

Efficient power transfer

Lightweight for the cost

Easy to upgrade components

Good for gravel, mellow trail, or pavement

No dropper post included

Limited on tougher terrain

If you’re getting into mountain biking more for outdoor time and fitness than the adrenaline rush, a cross-country oriented hardtail like the X-Caliber saves you weight and money and delivers efficiency for long rides. You can easily spend 2-5x the cost of the X-Caliber on a XC bike (check out the short-travel full-suspension Supercaliber ), but the X-Caliber gives you a solid hardtail base with mid-tier components that can be upgraded over time.

If you spend most of your time on trails, even mellow ones, a seat-dropper post should be your first upgrade; it will make the hardtail platform less frightening on more challenging descents. But out of the box, the 110-mm RockShox fork, Bontrager hubs and rims, and Shimano XT drivetrain are an improvement over lesser components in exchange for a slightly higher price tag.

The X-Caliber is a great option for spin class junkies who want to take their love of pedaling outside, aspiring racers, and endurance junkies chasing course records instead of adrenaline rushes. The level of suspension is plenty for mellow trail rides and it won’t feel sluggish when logging miles on gravel or pavement.

State Bicycles 6061 Trail+ Fat Bike  »

Plusher, more stable ride

Better for larger riders

More capable on sand or packed snow

Slower than regular mountain bikes

More effort to control

Less upgradeable as skill progress

Fat bikes are often considered a niche product for winter biking or casual cruising, but they can be a great first bike for the right type of beginner. Fat bikes such as State Bicycles’ 6061 Trail+ Fat Bike use much bigger tires than traditional mountain bikes; the tires also are run at lower pressures and thus act like suspension without adding expensive shocks.

The bigger, softer Kenda Juggernaut tires on the 6061 Trail+ deliver a much more plush ride on rougher trails, and the lack of suspension means a simpler bike design that’s easier to maintain and repair. It’s also much more sure-footed in the hands of a novice and can be a great way to get comfortable with mountain biking. Plus, it has the distinct advantage over traditional bikes of being capable on sand if you’re a beachgoer and on packed snow if you want to keep biking through the winter.

The downsides are a higher price than a hardtail and higher weight, which makes it tougher to pedal uphill and more difficult to deftly guide through techy terrain. As your skills and fitness progress, you’ll eventually want the lighter weight and agility of a traditional mountain bike, so it’s also harder to grow into intermediate riding. The weight penalty and cost scares most beginners away from fat bikes, but the affordable State 6061 Trail+ costs much less than most fat bikes and could be a great starter bike for those who want maximum stability and traction, as well the ability to navigate soft sand and/or packed snow.

The Bottom Line

Modern mountain bikes are lighter, faster, and more fun than ever, but they don’t come cheap. Ultra-cheap options sacrifice too much durability and performance to be worth considering, so look for a brand-name bike with lower-tier components from trusted brands to keep your initial cost down.

Going with a hardtail such as our top overall pick, the REI Co-op Cycles DRT 1.3, over a full-suspension bike can cut costs significantly, but consider the terrain you’ll be riding and how much you want to progress since hardtails can be limiting. If you’re willing to spend a bit more for a plusher ride and more room to grow with your bike, we like the Canyon Neuro 5 as a more affordable full-suspension option for beginner mountain bikers.

Things To Consider When Buying Beginner Mountain Bikes

Bike Fit and Size: No amount of tech and features can make up for a bad fit with your mountain bike. Too big, and you’ll struggle to move it around quickly and deftly. Too small, and you’ll lose stability and increase your risk of crashing. More expert riders develop a feel for the right fit, but beginners are best served by visiting a bike shop that can lead you through the process and seat you on actual bikes.

Sizing and geometry can vary widely between manufacturers and models, so don’t assume that if a “large” bike from one brand fits you well, you’ll love that size for any bike. "If a bike isn’t fit properly, it can lead to injury over time, so it’s important to work with a knowledgeable expert to be properly fit to your bike," says Colin Edwards, a bike buyer for Evo . He suggests visiting a larger bike retailer that have you try a range of different bikes and sizes to find the best fit for your body and riding style.

Suspension Type: The big question for most beginner mountain bikers is whether to go with a hardtail or full-suspension bike. Hardtails have front suspensions but are rigid in the rear of the frame. This provides more efficient power transfer and is usually lighter, but limits your ability to tackle more technical terrain.

Full suspension bikes have come a long way and use smart designs and modern materials to keep weights as low as possible and minimize efficiency differences. However, the substantial increase in cost when jumping to a full-suspension bike makes hardtails an attractive option for newbies on a budget.

Emma Dunn, a Colorado-based mountain biking instructor and former racer, says beginner bikers often start with hardtails for the lower cost. But she warns that this can hamper their growth. “People think full suspension is heavy, and the bikes really used to be pigs,” she says. “But if students show up on a hardtail with no dropper post, it’s kind of limiting as to how they can progress. Nowadays, if you get a shorter-travel full-suspension bike, they’re perfect.” Still, hardtails can meet your needs (and save money) if you plan to mostly ride flatter, gentler terrain and focus more on longer rides than technical descents

Frame material: Today, most mountain bike frames are made from either aluminum or carbon. (Steel frames are heavy and unforgiving and found mostly in ultra-cheap bikes.) If you’ve shopped for bikes at all, you’ve probably noticed carbon frames can add hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars to the cost.

Carbon composites are lighter than aluminum in general, but for beginners, that savings of around 1 to 2 pounds is likely not worth the cost jump. Advanced riders prefer carbon, as the material’s characteristics simultaneously help dampen rough terrain better than metal and deliver better power transfer. These are subtle differences to pick up on for a novice rider, however, and there are better bang-for-your-buck upgrades in components unless budget simply isn’t a concern.

Wheel size: Wheel sizes used to be a hotly debated topic, but the mountain bike marketplace has largely settled on 29-inch wheels as the best size for most riders. (Smaller riders may prefer common 27.5-inch wheels, which are also common.) While 29-inch wheels accelerate more slowly and are less nimble on tight terrain, most expert riders choose them for their increased traction and improved ability to tackle large obstacles. They're also more efficient once up to speed, requiring less work than smaller wheels over the duration of a ride.

The biggest exception to this is for smaller riders, who may struggle to gracefully maneuver the larger wheels. They can benefit from 27.5-inch wheels, or a “mullet” that puts a 29-inch wheel up front to tackle obstacles and a 27.5-inch wheel in the back to make the bike more nimble.

Price: Mountain bikes have gotten both much better and much more expensive in recent years. Experts who we spoke with cautioned against spending any less than about $700 on a hardtail or less than $2,500 on a full-suspension mountain bike.

The downsides of cheaper bikes show up in performance, weight, and durability. No-name bikes and components suffer from more quality control issues and can be harder to repair, and their increased weight and inefficiency lead to a sub-par experience. If you buy a slightly more expensive bike and end up not sticking with the sport or just find you want something different, sites such as Pinkbike and The Pro’s Closet make it fairly easy to sell a used mountain bike.

“For your bike, you want to go with an established brand," Dunn says. "For drivetrain, you want SRAM or Shimano. Even the lower-tier components from name brands are easier for mechanics to repair or replace. Cheaping out usually leads to failures.”

How We Chose The Best Beginner Mountain Bikes

Our contributor Justin Park consulted mountain bike coaches, bike race directors, and bike company product managers to assemble our guide to the best beginner mountain bikes. These included Emma Dunn, a mountain bike coach and former racer; Stuart Sundell-Norlin, of Bike & Nordic at Christy Sports ; Andy Tesch, co-owner of Wilde Bicycle Co. ; and Colin Edwards, buyer at Evo for bikes and bike apparel.

With so many options and such a wide range of price points, Park then filtered the pool of bikes considered with additional research on brands and models to select our top picks. For each bike, he evaluated components such as drivetrain, suspension, and brakes. He also identified what sets each bike apart from similar offerings in the same category. He focused on bikes that provide great value for the class they fall within, rather than ones at the high end of the price spectrum.

WHY YOU SHOULD TRUST US

Justin Park is an experienced outdoor equipment expert specializing in mountain bikes, snow sports, and backpacking equipment. His award-winning journalism has appeared in national magazines, newspapers, and digital outlets from Popular Mechanics to Bicycling. He has worked in the mountain bike industry for the past 15 years and rides almost daily near his home in Breckenridge, Colorado.

Mountain bikes have improved in design and performance over the past two decades, but the prices have climbed along with the improvements, so as with any purchase, only spend what you can afford. Expect to spend at least $700 for a decent hardtail mountain bike and $2,500 for a quality full-suspension bike.

There are a lot of ultra-cheap options below these thresholds, but they usually have a sharp drop-off in performance and durability, so it's smarter to spend more. Most shops will let you take test rides or demo/rent a bike for a few days, which is the best way to test fit and get a feel for the type of bike you prefer.

A hardtail bike has front suspension, while a full-suspension bike has both front and rear shocks that make for a smoother ride on rough trail. Hardtail bikes are cheaper than full-suspension bikes in general and require more skill to use on rocky and rooty trail. Full-suspension bikes are heavier, though higher-end full-suspension bikes weigh less and climb more efficiently than the downhill-oriented full-suspension rides of years past.

If budget is a primary concern and you don’t intend to ride many rough, technical trails, a hardtail bike will be plenty capable and is often half the cost. If you’re planning to ride a lot of rocky or rooty terrain, it may be worth spending more upfront to get the smoother ride of a full-suspension bike.

For new mountain bikers, the material used for the frame of a mountain bike isn’t something to agonize over. Most lower-cost bikes use aluminum or alloy frames that are light but not as expensive as carbon frames, which cost hundreds or thousands more. Carbon frames are a bit lighter than aluminum, but that doesn’t justify the price difference for most riders who aren’t racing.

Yes, beginner mountain bikes generally share very similar builds to more advanced (and more expensive) bikes. The biggest difference for most beginner bikes is that they use cheaper components. However, most bike components can be upgraded one at a time as they wear out, break, or you simply outgrow them as you improve.

About Our Team

Justin park.

Contributor

Jeff Kinney

Senior Editor

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 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

Anna Borges

Karthika Gupta

• 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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Cycling made Simple.

Made By Cyclists

Best Bikes For Paved Trails

December 27, 2022

This article may contain affiliate links where we earn a commission from qualifying purchases.

Paved trail riding is an excellent way to break free from the urban hustle but is less risky than mountain biking.

However, paved paths can throw up some unexpected obstacles and terrain changes, so your standard road bike isn't always the ideal ride. The best bikes for paved trails are hybrids and dual sports. These are made for paved surfaces but can handle surprises such as gravel.

The best bikes for paved trails are:

• Co-op Cycles CTY 1.1
• Cube Hyde Race
• Giant Revolt 2
• Schwinn GTX Comfort Hybrid
• Aventon Soltera
• And more...

In the movies, all paved paths are perfectly manicured and smooth. The reality is much different. Sure, they're easier to navigate than your average mountain biker's trail, but you can find yourself navigating the unexpected. Also, unless you live in paradise, there is the weather to consider. You want tires with traction but without the heavy nubs of a MTB.

This is when hybrids and dual sports bikes come into their own. Of course, they're not going to win a road race or take you up a rugged mountain. However, they can smoothly glide along the pavement but won't lose their grip if the terrain or the weather tosses up an unexpected challenge.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

10 Best Hybrids And Dual Sports Bikes For Paved Trails

Cruisers are tempting for paved trails, but they can barely climb a hill. Road bikes can climb and give you speed, but they can lose grip when the pavement vanishes. That's why I've dived into the hybrid and dual-sport market. Weight still matters as you need to climb. But you might still want the comfort of a cruiser or the geometry of a road bike.

1. Co-op Cycles CTY 1.1 Bike

The Co-op Cycles CTY is a hybrid that comes in a step-over and step-thru style. This sturdy build comes does well on pavement and can handle gravel. It is a popular choice for city commuters, but it also makes a great weekend bike for those who enjoy groomed trail riding.

It has plenty of gears to help you climb those hills, and the disc brakes provide reliable stopping power. It has a comfortable saddle, and the ergonomic handles keep the rider's hands, fingers, and wrists from going numb. The attachment points provide the option of adding a rear rack for those who want to haul extra gear.

Pros of Co-op Cycles CTY 1.1

• Comfortable
• Plenty of gears
• Stable design

Cons of Co-op Cycles CTY 1.1

• Sizing runs small

2. Cube Hyde Race Bike

The Cube Hyde Race Bike needs its speed put into perspective. The bike is fast for a hybrid, but this isn't a road racer. This comfortable design handles beautifully, even on paths with melted snow. It is low maintenance, not even needing its chain oiled as it uses a belt instead.

The geometry of the Hyde is comfortable, putting riders in an upright position. It's a fun ride that does beautifully on pavement but can handle it if the terrain becomes crumbly or turns to gravel here and there.

Pros of Cube Hyde Race

• Can even handle mildly snowy conditions
• Fast for a hybrid

Cons of Cube Hyde Race

3. diamondback haanjo 1 dual sport bike.

The Diamondback Haanjo 1 Dual Sport easily crosses from city streets, onto paved trails, and over to groomed gravel and dirt. It isn't the fastest we're listing, even for a bike of similar gearing. It will climb those hills but takes its time.

However, it's a good bike for the price you're paying. The brakes are disc, it's on the lighter side for a hybrid, and it can handle a good variety of terrain, perfect for when the paved trail tosses you some surprises.

Pros of Diamondback Haanjo 1

• Lightweight
• Comfortable geometry

Cons of Diamondback Haanjo 1

• Limited gearing

4. Giant Revolt 2 Bike

The Giant Revolt 2 Bike is an agile gravel bike that smoothly rides along the pavement and can handle rougher terrain. It climbs nicely, is lightweight, and provides a cushioned ride despite the lack of suspension.

It is considered an entry-level for a gravel bike. But the additional features found when bumping up are unnecessary if you primarily stick to paved trails. It can handle a variety of weather conditions, providing a safe ride even in the wet and patches of slush. The geometry is positioned for speed but comfortable to see you through a longer ride.

Pros of Giant Revolt 2

• Handles a variety of weather
• Tubeless tire system

Cons of Giant Revolt 2

• The cables around the handlebars are not fully integrated, so that they could snag on a rough trail

5. Marin Larkspur 2 Bike

The Marin Larkspur 2 is aimed at the "urban warrior." The rider who sticks to mostly pavement but might find themselves navigating rougher terrain from time to time. It has a cruise-bike feel to its geometry. Yet, it climbs hills beautifully, including a dropper post to help. Thus, it pumps up inclines easier than bikes in a similar style and price point.

You might not win the race downhill, however. But that's due to you sitting upright, which is hardly aerodynamic. However, you will enjoy the breeze rushing through your hair and have a comfortable back.

Pros of Marin Larkspur 2

• Climbs beautifully
• Dropper Post
• Comfortable "cruise" geometry

Cons of Marin Larkspur 2

6. orbea vector 15 bike.

The Orbea Vector 15 can easily transition from a commuter bike onto the groomed trails. It has all the accessories a commuter would desire: mudguards, a rear pannier rack, and lights in the front and rear. But it has the tires and brakes that can handle the challenges that crop up on the trail.

The geometry is also a nice blend, with a nod to a racer, but upright enough that your back isn't going to ache after only 20 minutes and provides you with a bit more visibility.

Pros of Orbea Vector 15

• Good lightening
• Fun to ride downhill
• Direct Cable Routing

Cons of Orbea Vector 15

7. schwinn gtx comfort hybrid bike.

The Schwinn GTX Comfort is a hybrid with a high step-thru frame. As a result, it is a comfortable ride, even when covering longer distances. It can also reach pretty high speeds once you get it going. But its excellent stability will keep you upright while having fun.

However, its weight is notable, and this hybrid does lean heavily towards the mountain bike territory. But at its price, it might be worth the slight drawbacks.

Pros of Schwinn CTX Comfort

• Gets good speed
• Climbs well

Cons of Schwinn GTX Comfort

8. schwinn network hybrid.

The Schwinn Network Hybrid is less mountain bike-like than its GTX cousin. In addition, it typically costs less and weighs less, too. However, you do lose the disc brakes and are stuck with linear-pull. Although, these brakes do perform well for what they are.

Despite not being given the comfort label, it is a cushioned ride, thanks to an extra-padded saddle and a suspension fork that performs a treat. Like the GTX, there are plenty of gears, and it can climb. However, it is also built to go the distance.

Pros of Schwinn Network Hybrid

• Suspension fork

Cons of Schwinn Network Hybrid

• No disk brakes

9. Sixthreezero EVRYjourney Hybrid

The Sixthreezero EVRYjourney Hybrid favors the cruiser and weighs like it. But it has 7-gears and is built for comfort. As a result, it's a lovely and stable ride on the trails so long as there are no monster hills to tackle.

The geometry is kind to your hips, knees, and back while allowing you to push. The peddles are positioned, so you still get a full extension despite being able to put both feet down flat when stopping. The saddle is cushioned, nice and thick. In addition, the handlebars swoop in for a relaxed positioning. So, this accessible bike will help you keep moving if you have aches and pains.

Pros of Sixthreezero EVRYjourney

• Flat foot technology
• Ergonomic design
• Built for stability

Cons of Sixthreezero EVRYjourney

10. trek fx 3 disc bike.

The Trek FX 3 Disc is a hybrid bike with a carbon fork that leans towards the fitness category. It can haul a decent load, up to 300lbs, rider and gear included. Trek's geometry puts riders in a more upright position than a road bike, but it can still gain some decent speed. It's also a durable build, which should be able to serve you for years and years.

The Trek FX 3 Disc neatly straddles the commuter and weekend trail rider. It can be modified with racks. Its brakes will safely stop you no matter the weather and various surfaces.

Pros of Trek FX 3 Disc

• Excellent brakes
• Easily modified for racks

Cons of Trek FX 3 Disc

• This isn't the fastest choice

10 Best E-Bikes For Paved Trails

E-bikes are becoming a popular alternative to minivans. However, that's too bulky for most paved trails. Nor is driving a motorcycle-wanna-be appropriate. What cyclists need is an e-bike that still looks and acts like a bicycle but with some assistance. Thankfully, the e-bike world also has some excellent city and hybrid choices that are perfect for paved trails.

1. Ampler Curt E-Bike

The Ampler Curt is a sporty city bike with a practically hidden battery. It is built for pavement and is highly responsive. Its European speed limit can be annoying, but the bike happily exceeds this when your legs are doing the work. This is annoying in heavier e-bikes, but the Ampler is lighter than some non-electric hybrids, making it easily work as a regular bike.

However, the Ampler Curt isn't really a hybrid but a commuter with road racing tires. Thus, this is for people who are doing urban paved trails rather than the more rugged variety. But the Ampler is a fun choice for those it suits.

Pros of Ampler Curt

• Sleek design
• Discreet battery

Cons of Ampler Curt

• Battery doesn't detach for charging

2. Aventon Soltera E-Bike

The Aventon Soltera comes in two styles: step-over and step-thru . Both come with the choice of single or 7-speed and are available in two sizes. It is a class 2, but its throttle can be removed if you require a class 1. But for tackling trails, it is best to get the 7-speed. The extra gears are helpful if the battery is drained and climbing hills.

Aventon Soltera is a city bike that can do trails rather than a hybrid. The advantage is the bike has a zip and snap that's nimble. But the tires are not overly slick, so that they can handle some light patches of gravel and unevenness. But you will need to put some effort into it when climbing due to its more lightweight motor.

Pros of Aventon Soltera

• Decent weight
• Well priced
• Moves and steers like a bike

Cons of Aventon Soltera

• Not for somebody looking for high powered

3. Canyon Precede: ON CF 9 ST E-Bike

The Canyon Precede ON CF 9 is a carbon-fiber city bike that loves a paved trail. It's built to make your ride smooth, efficient, and stylish. However, a well-groomed gravel trail is not beyond its capabilities. Its handles well, and its motor responds beautifully.

It also has a display that does the math for you. Rather than just tell you how much battery it has left, it gives you the estimated distance, too (so helpful).

Pros of Canyon Precede

• Quality motor
• Can handle gravel if required
• Display gives you the estimated distance the battery has left

Cons of Canyon Precede

• Takes work to get on in the States

4. Priority Current E-Bike

The Priority Current is a slick-looking bike that disguises its battery.  It's an excellent commuter bike that beautifully climbs hills. Thus, it performs well on paved trails, and its sturdy tires will keep you upright should you hit patches of gravel or nail a pothole. It is also a quiet ride, thanks to the belt drive system rather than a chain. Thus, it blends in better with other cyclists on the trails.

One very nice perk of the Priority is its battery's fast charging time. Using its 4 amp Premium charger, it only takes 2-3 hours. This is fantastic while on vacation, allowing you to take a long morning ride and then get back on the trails in the late afternoon.

Pros of Priority Current

• Fast charging time
• Good climber
• Quiet belt drive system, rather than a chain

Cons of Priority Current

• Lacks suspension, and its tires and seat don't make up for this

5. Propella 7S E-Bike

The Propella 7S is a well-priced e-bike built for pavement and fun. It's also light enough that if the battery gives out before you're home, you can pedal on without giving yourself a heart attack. Thankfully, the Propella battery recharges quickly, making it an easy bike to use throughout the day.

The battery isn't hidden, but it looks like a thermos or water bottle, so you're not going to attract much negative attention on the trails. It is also a pretty quiet ride, too. This isn't a gravel bike, but if you end up having to go off pavement here and there, you'll be fine.

Pros of Propella 7S

• Fast charging
• Not too heavy

Cons of Propella 7S

• No integrated lights

6. RadCity 5 E-Bike

The RadCity 5 comes in high-step or step-thru. It's a well-priced commuter e-bike that can be taken out on a paved or groomed trail. It has racks and add-on kits to make hauling picnics and hiking gear easy. Both styles put riders in a more upright position, making them comfortable and accessible.

RadCity isn't a nibble, zippy bike. Instead, it is stable and trustworthy, giving anxious riders confidence. But its design is eye-catching and doesn't look like some cheap, clunky starter bike.

Pros of RadCity 5

• Excellent gear carrying options

Cons of RadCity 5

• Its weight makes it a bummer when the battery dies

7. Ribble Hybrid AL E E-Bike

The Ribble Hybrid AL E is a lightweight option that doesn't look like it has a battery. It seems like a pleasant, comfortable, weekend-at-the-park ride, nothing more. It produces a quiet and smooth ride, and if you manage to deplete the battery, it has 11 gears to see you home.

This hybrid favors urban riders but can handle groomed trails that lack pavement. In addition, the tubeless tires provide a good grip.

Pros of Ribble Hybrid AL E

• Clean design, does not look like an e-bike
• Tubeless tires

Cons of Ribble Hybrid AL E

• Not a high-powered choice

8. Sixthreezero Hybrid-EVRYjourney E-bike

The Sixthreezero EVRYjourney electric bicycle is practically a cruiser; it is so comfortable.  But this ergonomically designed hybrid's cushioned and stable tires can handle gravel if required. In addition, it comes with a foldable basket and rack space. It's an excellent choice for riders who still want to do paved trails but struggle with chronic issues, such as a painful back.

• Smooth shifting and assist
• Ergonomic geometry

9. Schwinn Marshall Hybrid Electric Bike

The Schwinn Marshall Hybrid is an e-bike that can handle gravel and dirt. It isn't a mountain bike, but it is much more robust than most of the others on this list. It's an affordable option for riders who know they're mostly going to be doing paved trail riding but also find themselves confronted with slightly more challenging terrain during summer camping trips.

Pros of Schwinn Marshall

• Removable battery
• Integrated lights
• Can handle a variety of terrain

Cons of Schwinn Marshall

• Slightly heavy if the battery goes

10. Wilier Centro1 Hybrid E-Bike

The Wilier Centro1 Hybrid is a luxury e-bike designed to make riders feel like they're flying on a road bike, but with assistance. Thus, it might be more than some cyclists want for paved trails. But for those wanting the feel of a road bike, this is an excellent choice. It moves like a road bike and looks like one.

However, it does mean that this is a fair-weather ride. The tires are not built to handle rainy conditions, nor is this bike designed for superior stability. This is for people who want to be agile and fast but have extra power when confronted with hilly challenges.

Pros of Wilier Centro1

• It looks like a sleek road bike
• Excellent climbing
• Moves like a road bike

Cons of Wilier Centro1

• This is not a wet weather ride

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Trek Enters the Radar Game With CarBack Bike Radar

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Trek is on a tear this year, with many new products slightly outside their comfort zone (looking at you CHRGTime ). The two products are slightly different than what we expect from the bike manufacturer but happily welcomed.

Trek CarBack Radar — What is It?

By now, we all know how bike radars work; if not, let me crudely explain. The radar detects a vehicle while mounted on the seatpost or saddle. When detected, the radar sends a signal to your head unit or phone and alerts the rider of the approaching vehicle. The head unit or phone will audibly let the rider know through a series of “beeps” of the approaching vehicle. Some head units will show the vehicle’s progress approaching on the side of the screen.

Now that we know what it is and how it works let’s discuss how the Trek CarBack unit addresses radar use and safety.

The new Trek CarBack unit boasts a slew of features, some best in class, including spotting rear-approaching vehicles up to 240m (not km – thanks everyone!). Like other radars on the market, the CarBack runs an any-time visual light that can be seen up to 2km away.

Riders can choose between a daytime running light with focused optics and an interruptive flash pattern for light patterns—solid lights-on or no-light mode. Users can toggle through these via their head unit or smartphone.

Smartphone Integration

CarBack works with GPS head units and Smartphones, so you don’t need a cycling computer to enjoy the safety on your ride into town. For smartphone use, Trek offers a new Accessory App, and riders can choose between audible and visual alerts and can see the exact location of approaching vehicles in real-time.

The unit itself is robust and compact, with ample water-proof features. It is also light enough (100g on our scale) to attach to a seat bag or seatpost without taking up too much real estate.

Battery life is a major deal for radars because if they run out, you’re out of luck for some extra protection. The Trek CarBack uses a neat, visible battery gauge. The gauge has a four-bar LED battery indicator. This visual aid is much better (IMO) for seeing the charge than checking your headunit. Plus, when the head unit (or phone) senses the CarBack, it lights up, letting you know the battery status.

Trek CarBack Radar Features:

• Daytime Running Light visible from up to 2km
• Radar for rear-approaching vehicle detection up to 240m
• ANT+ is compatible with all significant GPS head units
• Visible power gauge
• USB-C rechargeable
• The Trek Accessory app allows compatibility with phone
• Compact design better fits on more bikes
• Simple, versatile mount works with aero seat posts
• Weight: 100g with attachment piece
• MSRP: $200.00

Trek CarBack First Impressions

If it’s safety-related, I’m in, especially if it’s for road riding. The roads are so dangerous that sometimes it’s tough just getting out. The addition of a radar to my daily riding has helped ease some of that anxiety. I was an early adopter of the radar game. I purchased one as soon as it came out and have been an advocate ever since. New units pop up every now and then, but they rarely stand up to the Garmin Varia that I hold as the test bar.

Unboxing and Mounting

The Trek CarBack is a compact rectangular unit, a departure from the long-range used by Bryton and Garmin. Its compact design and light weight make it easy to mount on many road and off-road bikes. I find that the heavy radar units move around on gravel and off-road rides, so a lighter unit is appreciated.

The mount that comes with the unit is the “standard” Trek mount with a gummy strap. The strap is long enough to wrap around many different-shaped seat posts, are included. I like the gummy-style straps, but only when they work. The wire-style after-market ones from KOM Cycling are my favorite. I’ve used them with my Garmin Varia for years with no issues.

The CarBack is flawless (or has been thus far). Pairing it with my Garmin 1080 Solar was easy. The unit’s functionality is as described, and it’s loud. I like the battery life indicator on the side of the unit. It’s nice to see when you’re off the bike for a quick break.

Regarding detecting cars, I felt the CarBack was on par or quicker than the units I’ve used. The detection is accurate, and the same is true of the approaching speed of the cars. The battery life is solid, and I’ve yet to run the unit fully. Since the addition of the Trek Charger Station, I’ve vowed to charge my gear more often. The retail price of $200 is slightly less than the competitors.

Final Impressions

If you’re looking at radars, there are many good options. The best one is the one you use and keep charged. The Trek CarBack has many features that I like, especially its size and weight. It’s an excellent option for someone who likes radar safety and wants to take the unit from bike to bike quickly. The ability to use the Trek Accessory App is an excellent addition to the unit’s usability. If you’re thinking about a radar, they are worth it: peace, peace, and safety. The Trek CarBack comes highly recommended and performs at the top tire with units like the Garmin Varira.

Trekbikes.com

Jordan Villella is the Racing Tech Editor for BikeRumor.com, specializing in cross-country mountain, gravel, road, and cyclocross. He has written about bicycles and bike culture for over fifteen years with no signs of stopping.

Before BikeRumor, Jordan raced professionally and wrote for MTBR and the now-defunct Dirt Rag Magazine. He’s covered the World Championships, World Cups, and everything in between — where he loves to report what people are riding.

Based in Pittsburgh, PA,  Jordan coaches cyclists of all abilities with  Cycle-Smart ; you can find him racing bikes around North America and adventuring with his family.

For an inside look at his review rides follow him on Strava .

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The app connectivity is also useful for more basic head that can at least pair with your phone for notifications.

I am as sure that the units are not kilometers as I am that there is a vehicle approaching me, in bed, from somewhere within 240km, but it is below the horizon. Meters, maybe?

you say it can detect cars 240km away. That’s almost 150 niles! Incredible!

It makes you wonder what ill effects those intense radio emissions will have on riders drafting someone using this.

Note: the ill effects in question come from being right behind a radar unit that can detect cars out to 240 km, which of course this unit can’t. There are of course no ill effects from being behind realistic bike radar units. It’s only the ones with the imaginary 245 km detection range, i.e. the MiG-25 rabbit-killing radars that are of concern.

The MiG-25’s radar had a detection range of 100 km and was documented to have killed rabbits (Victor Belenko, defecting MiG-25 pilot). That means that a bike radar with a 240km detection range would be more powerful, intense, and likely able to render your riding mate’s innards well done in short order.

It can’t be that intense if it’s able to run for 7 hours off a 2000mAh cell.

I WISH haha, I fixed it — thanks everyone!

How many simultaneous vehicles can it detect?

Always expect a vehicle is behind unless you checked in a mirror* or looked back and saw nothing in threatening position….how/who is to prove your device failed/was misaligned etc. when you’re dead? It’s russian roulette to gamble on the road- it can be bad enough as it is- play safe.

(* not to be endorsing any name-brand product/device; out in rural areas I wear a small mirror attached to my glasses which with a quick sweep back shows me if I’m clear or not; there are helmet mounted ones as well- in the city I dont bother with the mirror as it can block peripheral vision of an oncoming lane and there is always a vehicle behind)

besides that, Trek/bnt is known for very secure electronic devises. Remember the recall on the flare or ion lights in the past. not to mention the fender lights on some models a few years ago. Would not like it to see that such a rear light would fail during ride and people would trust it over their own eyes.

Garmin 1080 Solar?

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Trek takes the fight to Garmin with new CarBack Radar rear light

Brand promises 'best in class experience compared to Garmin Varia and other competitors'

Trek, known predominantly for its bikes, has long made a selection of genuinely excellent bike lights under its Bontrager subsidiary. Its Flare RT, for example, has long existed in our guide to the best bike lights , as has a selection of its front lights. 

In recent years, that Bontrager name has been phased out somewhat, but if today's news is anything to go by, the product development continues apace, as the Trek range has an all-new flagship light on offer, complete with inbuilt radar technology, called the CarBack.

Now, I know what you're thinking, and much like the existing – longstanding – Garmin Varia RTL515, Trek's new product promises to combine the performance of the brand's market-leading rear light technology with a rear-facing radar that will alert you of approaching traffic from behind. 

Trek says it will connect to your bike computer via ANT+ or an app on your smartphone (presumably via Bluetooth), and allow you to see where on the road behind you a car is at any given time, and how quickly they may be approaching.

Like its Flare RT rear light, Trek describes it as a Daytime Running Light, promising visibility from up to two kilometres away. Meanwhile, it also says the new inbuilt radar is able to detect vehicles at up to 240 metres. 

Radar technology is well revered by the Cyclingnews product testers. It integrates naturally into riding habits and gives a real sense of increased safety, but Trek knows that it's got stiff competition from Garmin, whose Varia radar and rear-light combos have been on the market for over half a decade already. 

But Trek remains confident. In the product's media release, Trek explicitly calls out its competitor by promising a "best in class experience compared to Garmin Varia and other competitors."

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Those other competitors are currently few in number. Garmin's patent on the technology expired in 2021, according to reports by DC Rainmaker , and two lesser-known companies were both quick to jump on the bandwagon with Bryton launching the Gardia and Magene launching the Magicshine Seemee in the summer of 2022. 

Trek's entry into the market might be a little delayed by comparison, but the on-paper specs appear competitive. It will feature USB-C charging, IPX7 waterproofing, and connectivity to all of the major bike computers . It will also boast a newly designed mount that Trek says will work with all bikes, including its Madone aero bike.

It will be priced at £169.99 / $199.99 / €199.99 / AU$299, and is available to buy at Trek Bikes right away. 

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As the Tech Editor here at Cyclingnews, Josh leads on content relating to all-things tech, including bikes, kit and components in order to cover product launches and curate our world-class buying guides, reviews and deals. Alongside this, his love for WorldTour racing and eagle eyes mean he's often breaking tech stories from the pro peloton too. 

On the bike, 32-year-old Josh has been riding and racing since his early teens. He started out racing cross country when 26-inch wheels and triple chainsets were still mainstream, but he found favour in road racing in his early 20s and has never looked back. He's always training for the next big event and is keen to get his hands on the newest tech to help. He enjoys a good long ride on road or gravel, but he's most alive when he's elbow-to-elbow in a local criterium. 

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Best women’s trail bikes: shred with confidence around your local trails

The best women’s trail bikes for riding around trail centers and natural terrain

The best women's trail bikes are key to shredding your way to happiness. If your dream day out involves flying along trails, playing on natural terrain, whizzing up fire roads and technical climbs before ripping down descents, then our guide to the best women’s trail bikes will help you find the right bike for you. 

Trail bikes are a brilliant and versatile choice if you’re looking for a go-anywhere, do-anything, playful-feeling ride. They’re less focussed on speed than cross-country bikes, so tend to have a bit more suspension travel and a less aggressive on-bike position. They’re also well suited to long rides on undulating terrain and climb well, and thanks to ever-evolving suspension technology can also handle some pretty technical descents too. 

• Best women’s mountain bikes
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Our selection of the best women's trail bikes includes some bikes designed specifically for female riders, from Liv and Canyon, as well as others that are based around a unisex frame with other elements designed to suit female riders better. For example, most women’s trail bikes will feature suspension tuned for the on-average lighter weight of female riders so they get the best performance out of them.

In terms of versatility and capability, it’s hard to beat the Juliana Furtado but it is the priciest option on the list. The Trek Fuel EX 8 has a huge range of sizes to suit smaller and taller riders, while in terms of value-for-money the Canyon Spectral WMN is hard to beat.

Finally, do women have to ride women’s specific bikes ? Not at all, and even female-focused brand Liv would say that its bikes aren’t for everyone. Some women find they really work for them, others quite the opposite. Ultimately, it’s about what works for you, and it’s always worth taking any bike you’re considering for a test ride if you can.

Jump ahead to what to look for when buying a women's trail bike .

Best women's trail bikes

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.

Juliana Furtado C XT

Specifications, reasons to buy, reasons to avoid.

The Furtado is a 27.5in 130mm travel trail bike that’s an absolute blast to ride. It's agile, playful but will give you the confidence to push yourself and your riding. 

The bike includes a flip-chip which allows you to switch between a more descent-focussed low setting and a climb-friendly high setting. 

While the price tag is high, Juliana and its brother-brand Santa Cruz make exceptionally fun, playful and capable trail bikes, and the Furtado is adaptable enough to make it equally fun to blast around your local trails, take on a big back-country bikepacking adventure, or practice your descending and jumping skills. The brand also offers a lifetime bearing warranty which helps reduce the costs of keeping the bike running sweetly for years to come. 

The RockShox Pike fork and Super Deluxe shock with a women’s specific tune offer plenty of plush suspension that cushions the rider from hard hits while helping maintain plenty of traction and grip. Shimano XT brakes provide good, powerful braking to help control speed, while the Shimano XT 12-spd groupset provides a wide enough range to make spinning up steep climbs easy and powering through sprints thrillingly speedy. 

Liv Intrigue 3

A trail bike that’s designed to take on more technical, chunky terrain, the Liv Intrigue has been designed for women by women, like all bikes in the Liv lineup.

The 27.5in wheels are combined with grip-giving Maxxis High Roller II tires which will suit a wide range of trail conditions. Shimano hydraulic disc brakes provide reliable wet-weather braking but are one area that would be great to upgrade further down the line to something a little more powerful. 

SRAM Eagle SX in a 1x12-spd range provides plenty of gears for handling long climbs while at the other end gives enough 'oomph' to power into sprints. 

The head angle isn’t as slack as others on the market, so it’s a little more nervy on descents but the 150mm of front travel, courtesy of the quality RockShox Pike forks plus RockShox Deluxe Select shock, can handle most rock gardens, drops, root sections and anything else you choose to throw your bike down.

Canyon Spectral CF 7 WMN

Direct-sell brand Canyon produces some impressive bikes that combine performance with exceptional value for money, and the Canyon Spectral WMN is no exception to the rule. Boasting an incredibly impressive spec list with performance-focussed, durable parts, this is a bike that will support you on your quest to ride further, faster and have more fun. 

This WMN version of the popular Canyon Spectral trail bike boasts a cockpit designed for female riders with narrower bars and tuned suspension. Components are adapted to each size in the range. 

RockShox suspension front and rear with plenty of travel make this bike fun on both your local trail center and gnarlier terrain, while the powerful 4-piston hydraulic disc brakes ensure that you’re able to rein in your speed easily when you need to.

Scott Contessa Spark 910

Based around a unisex frame with women’s specific finishing kit and suspension tune, the Contessa Spark is a trail bike with DNA close to Scott’s racing roots. The geometry certainly sits closer to the XC side of things with a relatively steep head angle. It feels nimble and eager to ride as fast as you’ll let it, while the wide SRAM Eagle GX 1x12-spd groupset offers plenty of gears for putting down the power at one end and eating up climbs at the other. 

Climbing ability is aided by the 29er wheels which roll more easily over rough ground and obstacles, and once up to speed keep their momentum with a deceptively smooth sensation; you’ll be going faster than you realize. Shimano SLX hydraulic disc brakes offer plenty of stopping power for when you want to shave that speed. 

The Maxxis Rekon tires are a good all-rounder, again more focussed on the XC side of trail riding. They’re fast rolling but with a good amount of tread, but for muddy conditions or technical descents you may want to swap them for something with a bit more bite. 

Specialized Stumpjumper Alloy

The Stumpjumper has a long history of trail riding behind it, and the latest iteration of this beloved Specialized bike is proving popular with riders of all levels on all types of trail terrain. It’s fun, capable and feels playful on the trail, partly due to the progressive geometry. The slack head angle feels great on descents, while the steep seat tube angle makes climbing much more efficient and comfortable. 

While Specialized no longer offers women’s specific bikes, as it feels that unisex bikes with appropriate contact points offer the best fit, it will swap out saddle, stem and/or handlebars like-for-like to suit the rider, free of charge. So if you prefer a different saddle to the one that comes stock, you can ask for it to be switched over for you, gratis. 

Specialized also offers the bike in a whopping 6 sizes (listed as S1 to S6) and it has an easy-to-use online fit tool to help you work out the best size for you, taking into account not just your height but also your preferred riding style and terrain. 

SRAM SX 1x12-spd provides that wonderful wide gear range, which the X-Fusion/RockShox blend on the suspension gives plenty of support on technical features.

Trek Fuel EX 8 XT

Trek, like Specialized, no longer offers women’s specific models and instead focuses on tuning the spec and suspension to the average rider of each size of the bikes in a model range. It also provides a huge size range with smaller intervals between each size to allow for a better fit, plus size-specific parts. 

The XS and S sizes come with 27.5in wheels, and the other sizes (including a second S offering) have 29in wheels. The size ranges up to an XXL and includes a M/L size which straddles a height range that a lot of riders fall between. XS and S also have a curved top tube to give a lower standover height, which is better for shorter riders. 

The Fuel is a lot of fun to ride, and the spec on the EX 8 model is just the right blend of performance and value for money at this price point. It’s got everything you need to give you confidence and inspire you to ride further, faster and have more fun on the trail. 4-piston hydraulic disc brakes provide powerful speed control with subtle control, while the Shimano XT 1x12-spd groupset has range enough to allow you to both spin easily up steep climbs and put the power down to gain speed. 

What to look for when buying a women's trail bike

1. What makes a bike ‘women’s specific’?

The term women’s specific gets used a lot in cycling, and its meaning has changed over the years. In short, it’s a bike that has been designed for the average female rider. Different brands have different interpretations of what that means. Liv (sister brand to Giant Bicycles) and some Canyon WMN bikes are designed around female-only body dimension data and have a different geometry to their unisex/male counterparts, as well as components and spec designed to optimize the ride experience for female riders. Juliana Bicycles bikes are based around the same frames as its brother brand Santa Cruz, but with different colors, contact points and suspension tune. Specialized, Trek and most other brands offer unisex bikes designed to suit male and female riders, with the option to swap or tweak elements like the saddle or handlebars to suit different requirements. 

2. Isn’t ‘women’s specific’ just marketing hype?

Historically, the approach to designing bikes for women was a bit lackluster. What’s called colloquially ‘shrink it and pink it’ was the main method: make it in smaller sizes and make it a ‘feminine’ color like pink because women are shorter and like pink. These products also often featured lesser parts for the same price, or were more expensive than their unisex/male counterparts, though happily, this doesn’t hold true anymore, bar for a few limited exceptions. People are understandably cautious of the term as a result, but generally speaking the term actually has more research behind it these days. 

3. Suspension travel

Most trail bikes have frame travel of around 130mm, controlled by the shock, though some go up to 140mm. This is usually plenty for most trails, and blends capability on technical features with a playful, maneuverable feel. At the front, most trail bikes will have anywhere between 130mm to 150mm, with longer travel making short work of rough terrain, but it can also compromise climbing ability, so if you’ve got or like plenty of uphill riding, bear this in mind. 

4. Wheel size

Trail bikes commonly come with either 27.5inch wheels or larger 29inch (often referred to as 29er) wheels. Smaller wheels are typically more maneuverable in tight terrain and often work better on small bike sizes like S and XS. 29er wheels feel much smoother over rough terrain, don’t as get caught up on loose ground as smaller wheels can.

Aoife loves a bike-based adventure, whether it’s out in the mountains on her MTB or exploring new places by road or gravel. She’s tested a LOT of bikes and kit, and is passionate about making cycling accessible for everyone. After all, it’s much more fun with friends, right?

Bikes currently owned: Juliana Maverick, Liv Devote

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The 20 Best Electric Bikes You Can Buy Right Now

N o segment of bicycles is growing faster than electric bikes—and that demand is good for you, the e-bike shopper. Newer brands like Aventon , Rad Power Bikes , and Ride1Up have sprung up, offering affordable options you can buy online, bolstering the higher-performance e-bikes from more established players like Specialized , Trek , and Pivot .

Designs keep improving, tech is becoming more reliable, and capabilities are expanding. Whether you purchase online or through a retailer, you can find everything from folding e-bikes , fat-tire e-bikes , electric-assist road bikes, and a sea of commuter and city electric bikes. Liberated from some of the standard bike constraints (like weight and gearing), e-bike design has exploded.

To make these reviews as helpful as possible, we focused on lower to mid-price options from brands you can purchase directly online—though we did include a couple of recommendations for more expensive e-bikes that our team of bike testers loved.

If you are looking for a higher-performance e-bike, check out Bicycling’s 2023 Bike Awards .

You’ll find 12 exceptional, award-winning bikes rigorously vetted by our editorial team.

The Best E-Bikes You Can Buy Right Now

[product-summary-view] stripped

The Three Classes of E-Bikes

After determining which style of bike is right for you, the next consideration is which class of e-bike best fits your needs. In the U.S., there are three classes, defined by the type of assist and how fast the motor will propel you. Most electric bikes are defined as class 1 or 3. Class 1 bikes have a motor (max 750w) that assists while pedaling up to 20 mph. Class 3, also known as “speed pedelec,” can have up to a 750w motor (aka 1-horsepower) but can assist you up to 28 mph. Both are allowed in most states and cities without needing a license.

Class 2 models have become more popular with riders, especially at lower prices. These models have a throttle that can propel a bike up to 20 mph without needing continuous pedaling.

Some bikes blur the lines. Aventon’s popular Pace 500 , for example, is technically a Class 3 e-bike in that it reaches speeds up to 28 mph, but it also has a throttle that tops out at 20 mph (the maximum legal speed for a throttle).

Two E-Bike Terms to Know

Torque: Measured in Newton meters (or Nm), torque is a rotational measurement of force—and the number to pay attention to when you want an idea of an e-bike motor’s output. More torque means more power off the line and more boost to your pedaling. The heavier the bike, the more torque it needs. Lighter road bikes typically have 30 to 40Nm of torque, and trail and cargo models (generally) have at least 80Nm. Most commuter bikes fall somewhere in between.

Watt Hours : The size of an e-bike’s battery is measured in watt-hours (or Wh). This measurement represents the energy stored in the battery and how many watts it can deliver each hour. The higher the number, the longer the range, but the faster you go, the less range you get. So, if a 504Wh battery paired with a 500-watt motor gives you one hour of ride time at the highest assist, riding at about half that power will double your range.

Other E-Bike Features to Consider

Locking Battery : As electric bike options continue expanding, many brands now seamlessly integrate batteries to make the bike look sleeker (and more like a traditional non-assist bike). Most batteries lock to the bike and come with a key that lets you unlock and remove it, which serves multiple purposes: You can remove the battery and charge it off the bike, a locked battery deters (and hopefully prevents) a thief from stealing it, and an e-bike with the battery removed is safer for hauling on a bike rack and lighter for carrying up steps.

Wider Tires: Because e-bikes can maintain higher speeds for longer periods than standard bikes, you want extra control. Wider tires provide better traction and the freedom to leave the pavement with little penalty, and a suspension fork will help tame some of the rougher roads you might explore. Good disc brakes are a must, too, for slowing a heavy bike at high speed. This is not a place to skimp.

Integrated Lights : Some e-bikes have an integrated lighting system that turns on when you power up the bike. While this is an awesome feature to have, it’s not a deal-breaker if your bike isn’t equipped this way. With so many great bike lights available, it’s just as easy to attach your own.

Certification

Following a dramatic increase in fires caused by the lithium-ion batteries used in electric bikes, there is a push from local officials, regulatory agencies , and advocacy groups across the U.S. for improved safety certification of e-bikes, batteries, and motor units. Recently, New York City enacted a law requiring that any e-bike sold in the city (starting September 16, 2023) “has been certified by an accredited testing laboratory for compliance with Underwriters Laboratories (UL) standard 2849”.

However, just because something is marketed as UL 2849 compliant, tested to UL 2849, or even “certified to UL 2849” does not mean it is UL Safety Certified. Ibrahim Jilani, UL’s Global Director of Consumer Technology notes, “Certification is always earned by a manufacturer and not a given when they undergo a product submittal. The UL Mark, or any authorized certification mark, can only be issued upon successful demonstration of meeting the requirements of the safety standard.” UL’s updated list of products Certified to UL 2849 can be found here .

Bicycling contacted many brands who informed us they are evaluating the standards and certification process. So, expect the list of Certified e-bikes to grow in the coming months. If owning a UL 2849-certified bike is important to you, ask the brand from which you purchase it for proof of certification. You can cross-reference OSHA ’s Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratories if you want to take a deep dive into the topic.

How We Tested

Our team of experienced bike testers evaluated each model here on its overall quality, its safety features, handling, motor, battery life, and whether the components and features added to the overall quality of the ride. We tested most of these bikes on our local roads, commuting to and from work, using them to stock up on groceries and beer, and running their batteries down to officially see how long they last on one charge.

A few bikes here were not available for testing. In those cases, we relied on the expertise of our test team, interviews with product managers, and rigorous research to compare the bikes’ value and performance against similar models we have tested.

BEST OVERALL E-BIKE

Aventon level.2.

Aventon updated its outstanding Level e-bike to have a smoother ride and added visibility. A new torque sensor delivers power to the rear hub motor more evenly than the previous generation bike. The Level.2 has a more natural and intuitive feel when riding. The integrated lights and a smaller, easier-to-use display help make one of our favorite commuter e-bikes even better.

In our testing, the Level performed better than expected in every situation. The Aventon Level.2 remains the best commuter e-bike you can purchase for less than $2,000 and one of the best commuter bikes you can buy overall. The updates to the platform make an already great bike even better. Aventon still has the first-generation Level available for only $1,500 .

This e-bike has everything you need for commuting or getting around town. Plus, the Level rides great and is priced right. Additionally, Aventon is currently offering $200 off pricing on a spare battery with the purchase of a Level.2. Now's the time to level up!

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REI MEMORIAL DAY SALE

Co-op cycles cty e1.1.

The CTY e1.1 from REI's Co-op Cycles house brand is one of the best deals that you can find. The Class 1 bike has a 300 lb. carrying capacity and is powered by a Bafang hub drive motor and a 450Wh battery semi-integrated into the downtube. Additionally, REI equips the e1.1 with a Shimano Altus 7-speed drivetrain and Tektro hydraulic disc brakes with 180mm rotors. Standard lights, center-mount kickstand, and Schwalbe Big Ben tires with added flat protection make this bike ideal for commuting or riding around town.

For those unsure about assembling a bike at home, the Co-op CTY can be purchased online and delivered to an REI store for assembly (or if you're buying it as a gift). Plus, for REI members, it comes with free flat tire repair and two years of free adjustments.

MEMORIAL DAY SALE

Priority e-coast.

Get 15% off on Priority Bikes all Memorial Day weekend using the code MDW15!

Beach cruisers are part of the quintessential summer experience. Usually, beach cruisers are heavy, clunky, rust-prone, and hard to ride anywhere but on the boardwalk. Priority’s E-Coast cast those notions aside. This beach bike has everything needed for summer days at the beach (or riding around town or the campground). The E-Coast’s aluminum frame and fork will not rust like on old steel beach cruisers and the Gates belt drive never needs chain lube. 26-inch diameter x 3-inch wide tires helps the bike float over sand and soak up the cracked pavement. The 500W rear hub motor gets the E-Coast up to a 28mph top speed and hydraulic disc brakes ensure stopping power.

BEST CHEAP E-BIKE

Aventon pace 350.2.

Aventon updated its Pace range with a new frame and fork, integrated battery, and tail lights sleekly designed into the seat stays. At $1,200, the Aventon Pace 350.2 continues to deliver an outstanding balance of price and performance, now with a fresh new look. As a Class 2 e-bike, it has a max pedal-assist speed of 20 mph with a thumb-controlled throttle. The Pace 350 rolls on 27.5 x 2.2-inch e-bike-rated tires and stops via mechanical disc brakes. A 7-speed Shimano drivetrain and five levels of pedal assist provide various options. The bike doesn’t have fenders or integrated racks, but the Pace 350 felt viable for daily commuting.

If you need a little more speed and range, check out the Aventon Pace 500.2 for $300 extra or the all-new Pace 500.3 for $500 more. It has a 28 mph top speed, hydraulic disc brakes, an adjustable stem, and an 8-speed drivetrain. Read our review of the excellent Pace 500 model below.

READ PACE 500 REVIEW

BEST COMMUTER E-BIKE

Cannondale treadwell neo 2.

We're fans of the Treadwell for its clean looks and upright rider position. Not quite a hybrid (but also not a foot-forward style cruiser), Cannondale's Treadwell models are unique, practical bikes for city commuting or riding around town. The Treadwell Neo 2 improves on this by offering electric assistance without incurring a big weight penalty. This makes for a lighter and zippier riding bike at a lower price. A Class 1 rear hub motor moves the Treadwell along smoothly with up to 20 mph pedal-assisted power. The 7-speed drivetrain and a wide-range cassette help you get up longer hills, and the Maxxis 650b tires roll fast on pavement.

BEST E-CARGO/BIKE OF THE YEAR

Specialized globe haul st.

We named Specialized’s Globe Haul ST Bicycling ’s 2023 Bike of the Year in our Spring 2023 issue. This amazing short-tail cargo bike packs 419 pounds of carrying capacity into a surprisingly compact frame. With powerful brakes, dialed geometry, and well-thought-out features, it's ready to tackle commuting, grocery getting, neighborhood errands, or getting a kid to daycare. Without active suspension, the Haul relies on massive 3.5-inch tires, which work well on all but the roughest roads. What seals the deal on the Haul is, simply put, that it’s a blast to ride, which might not strike you as earth-shattering, but many e-cargo bikes just aren’t. What makes e-cargo bikes good often comes down to their utility, and the Haul ST has that in spades. But what it does so well is simultaneously managing to be incredibly practical and irresistibly fun.

READ FULL REVIEW

BEST FAT TIRE E-BIKE

Aventon aventure.2.

Aventon has been on a roll, with new models and revisions to existing platforms. The brand's update to its Aventure fat tire e-bike is no exception. At first glance, there are not many big visual differences between the original Aventure and this second-generation model. However, once outside, the small changes feel huge.

Compared to the original Aventure ( on sale for $1,500 ), the Aventure.2 rides much smoother. The new torque sensor allows more control over the acceleration of Aventure's 750W rear hub motor, making the bike's ride more intuitive. Some of our test riders found the previous model to have too much torque, particularly for lighter-weight riders or those new to e-bikes; the Aventure.2 remedied this fault.

In addition to the new torque sensor, the Aventure.2 has an updated head unit interface, integrated turn signals, front light, rear rack, and fenders. We found the Aventure.2 well-suited for commutes (especially on snowy days and gravel pathways) and off-road on doubletrack trails. The bike's weight and components limit its functionality on singletrack for more aggressive mountain bike riding.

BEST UTILITY DEAL

Co-op cycles generation e1.1.

The Co-op Cycles Generation e1.1 is an excellent bike for short trips, cities, and around-town use. It comes equipped with a rack, lights, and Schwalbe Super-Moto-X tires with puncture protection. Co-op equips the e1.1 with Tektro hydraulic disc brakes (unlike some competitors in the class) for improved stopping power and an SR suspension fork to smooth out the ride. Plus, REI provides service and warranty on Co-op bikes.

BEST CRUISER

Ride1up cafe cruiser.

Designed with a classic moto style, Ride1Up's Cafe Cruiser has a casual ride feel. And it's also practical with a built-in rack and light. The zippy 750W motor powers the Cruiser to 28mph (20mph using the throttle) with a suspension fork and 3-inch wide tires to smooth out the ride. Ride the Cafe Cruiser to the bar, along the boardwalk, or to Sunday morning brunch. Add an optional passenger kit for $125 with a padded seat for the rack, footpegs, and wheel guards.

BEST SPORT HYBRID

Trek dual sport+ 2.

Unlike other electric vehicles, for bicycles, the term ‘hybrid’ refers not to the type of motor but to the style of bike. In bicycle parlance, a hybrid is a bike that combines the quick and sporty feel of a road bike with the upright riding position of a mountain bike. This makes them very popular for riders that use their bikes in various ways—from commuting to fitness to bike paths, and even light gravel roads or non-technical trails.

Trek makes some of the best hybrids on the market and its electric version is also an excellent choice. The Dual Sport+ 2 features a sleek aluminum frame that fully hides a 250Wh battery. A rigid aluminum fork helps save weight (and cuts down on maintenance) over the low-cost suspension forks often found on e-bikes in this price range. Grippy, yet fast-rolling 50mm wide tires help provide traction and Shimano hydraulic disc brakes ensure reliable stopping power.

BEST FAT TIRE COMMUTER

Rad power radrover 6 plus.

With the Radrover 6 Plus, Rad Power has made a fat tire e-bike that is comfortable to ride on pretty much any terrain, from urban streets riddled with potholes to off-road paths with rocks or snow. Updated display and hydraulic disc brakes make the RadRover 6 Plus substantially nicer to ride than its predecessor.

The bike's extreme weight makes it feel sluggish at times. And the weight makes moving the bike up or down any stairs an issue. However, the RadRover's powerful 750w rear hub motor helps overcome increased rolling resistance and the weight of the four-inch-wide tires. The bike is available in traditional or step-through frame styles in your choice of charcoal or white color.

BEST STEP-THROUGH

Denago commute model 1.

This Denago has all the features a rider might want for city riding or commuting. We enjoyed this bike so much that we named it ‘Best Step-Through’ in the 2023 Bicycling Bike Awards .

It's a class 3 e-bike rolling on 27.5"x2.6" tires and powered by a 500-watt rear hub motor (capable of a maximum pedal-assisted speed of 28 mph or 20 mph with throttle alone). The 45-mile range, 652 Wh battery is neatly tucked into the downtube and removable for charging. But that's only the start of what makes this bike stand out.

The Commute 1 has a hefty list of standard features. This includes a suspension fork, hydraulic disc brakes, lights, fenders, and a rack. The bike's cockpit is designed for rider comfort with a swept-back bar, adjustable stem, and ergonomic-shaped lock-on grips. We also like Denago's use of a suspension seatpost and big cushioned saddle.

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BEST PERFORMING FOLDING E-BIKE

Brompton electric c line.

Brompton’s bikes are engineering marvels. Lightweight, portable, and quintessentially British, Bromptons can be found on the streets, trains, and busses of most major global cities. The Electric C Line is the e-bike variant of the brand’s original C Line series. The 250W front-wheel drive Electric C Line is powered by an easily removable 300Wh battery to a maximum assisted speed of 15 mph. This Brompton fold down in under 30 seconds to a tidy 25.3'' x 23'' x 10.6''. Read our review of the Electric P Line (a lighter-weight version of the C Line) for more details.

BEST SINGLESPEED

Ride1up roadster v2.

Singlespeed bikes are great because they are low maintenance, have a clean aesthetic, and typically weigh less than bikes with multiple gears and derailleurs. Ride1Up's Roadster v2 barely even looks like an e-bike, plus it features a belt drive drivetrain that doesn't need chain lube. We found the Roadster best for flatter terrain and bike lanes—the gearing makes it a little tough to get it up to speed in hilly areas. For an extra $150 you can step up to the Roadster Gravel with disc brakes, a Gates belt drive, and 42mm wide tires.

BEST UL 2849 CERTIFIED E-BIKE

Velotric discover 1.

This commuter model from Velotric is one of the few e-bikes available on UL’s Certified Listing . The Discover 1 delivers style and features that are tough to beat for the price. This 500W e-bike rolls on 26" wheels with 2.5" wide tires, providing quicker acceleration and extra grip. The bike also features front and rear fenders, hydraulic disc brakes for improved stopping power, and a 7-speed Shimano drivetrain. While only offered in a single size (standard or step-through frames available), Velotric gives you five color choices (six on the step-through) from which to choose—from the bright and poppy (mango or cyan) to more neutral tones (forest, sand, or gray). Plus, save $200 at checkout when purchasing two bikes.

MOST VERSATILITY

Benno remidemi.

The Benno RemiDemi puts the fun in functionality! Not only is the bike a blast to ride, but it also carries up to 400 pounds (rider + cargo) and is built with quality components throughout. And Benno offers a selection of accessories so you can do everything from carrying a kid to daycare, grocery runs, commuting, or even carrying a surfboard.

The compact, one-size-fits-most aluminum frame and cromoly fork roll on 20”x3.6” puncture-resistant tires. At the heart of the RemiDemi is a super reliable 250W Bosch Performance series mid-drive motor powered by a 400Wh Bosch Powerpack battery. Unlike many similarly styled e-bikes, but lower-priced competitors, the RemiDemi rides smoothly and quietly.

BEST PERFORMING CITY E-BIKE

Specialized turbo vado 4.0.

Specialized's Turbo Vado 4.0 just feels ' right '. From the motor to the interface to the aesthetic design to the parts selection to the ride quality, the details on the Turbo Vado 4.0 have all been thoroughly thought through to perform as a seamless package. This is a rare quality that anyone—be they a lifelong cyclist or getting their first e-bike—can benefit from and enjoy.

We have ridden a lot of e-bikes over the years, and the Specialized Turbo models consistently test amongst the best in all categories. The brand puts a ton of development time into its Turbo series e-bikes by refining the motor tune and carefully selecting parts. This work pays off with best-in-class ride quality. If you have hesitated to try an e-bike because you think it won't feel like your favorite non-assist bike, try a Specialized Turbo. You'll quickly become a convert.

Specialized offers the Turbo Vado at several price levels between $3,250 and $5,500. You can purchase Turbo Vados with traditional or step-through frame styles, derailleur or internal hub drivetrain configurations, and several color offerings.

BEST VALUE E-TRIKE

Buzz cerana t.

E-Trikes are making big waves since e-bike heavyweight Rad Power launched its new RadTrike model . Trikes are a great option for riders uncomfortable riding more traditional two-wheel bikes or who regularly carry items (such as groceries, beach supplies, or pets). Buzz's Cerana T features a 350-watt mid-drive motor with pedal assistance up to 20mph. The wide-profile 24" x 3.0" front tire and dual 20" rear wheels provide stability, while disc brakes help ensure controlled stops. A step-through frame (holding an integrated battery) makes it easy to get on or off the trike, and the cushy seat and upright position add to rider comfort.

BEST E-ROAD BIKE

Trek domane+ al5.

A great way to explore backroads or longer routes, electric-assist road bikes have opened up road cycling to more people. Trek's 31-pound Domane+ road bike provides pedaling assistance up to 20 mph and approximately 55 miles (in Eco mode) via a 250W (40Nm) HyDrive hub motor and 250Wh internal battery. For longer rides, an optional range extender battery can double the range. The AL5 model features a Shimano 105 2x11-speed drivetrain and hydraulic disc brakes. The bike comes stock with 32mm wide tires but can be fitted with tires up to 38mm for light gravel and dirt road rides.

Read our review of the lightweight, high-performance Domane+ SLR version here .

BEST FULL SUSPENSION E-MTB

Trek fuel exe.

The EX-e is lighter, a lot lighter—10 or so pounds—than a full-power e-bike because it uses a less powerful motor requiring a smaller battery. That makes it appealing to riders who want an e-bike but also want the feel and handling of an unpowered e-bike. It should also interest lighter and less powerful riders put off by riding a 50-pound eMTB. As Senior Test Editor Matt Phillips discovered, being less powerful doesn’t mean less fun. The EX-e proves that the old Less Is More axiom works for e-bikes too.

READ FULL REVIEW VIEW GALLERY

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Know what’s coming The Trek CarBack bike radar and rear light alerts you to rear-approaching cars and features a daytime-visible light so you can stay aware of your surroundings and stand out to passing vehicles. It’s a win-win for riders and drivers alike, allowing for safer passing and sharing of roadways.

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Designed to help make roads safer for everyone

Helps you see drivers

CarBack’s focused radar helps detect rear-approaching vehicles from up to 240m away.   

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An integrated daytime-visible rear light can be seen by drivers from up to 2km away.   

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Smart phone and GPS compatible

You can pair CarBack with most major GPS cycling computers, GPS sport watches, and with your smart phone using the Trek Accessory app.  

Visible battery gauge 

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A waterproof IPX7 rating helps protect your CarBack in wetter weather, and USB-C charging is quick and convenient.  

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CarBack’s smaller profile fits on smaller frames and on bikes with saddle bags.  

Audible and visual alerts

Pair CarBack with your phone and the Trek Accessory App and choose how you get alerts. Keep the App screen open for a visual display of detected vehicles or run it in the background with audio alerts alongside your favorite ride mapping app, or from your phone safely tucked into a jersey pocket.

See rear-approaching vehicles in real time with the Trek Accessory app Download the Trek Accessory app to pair CarBack with your phone and get the added benefit of seeing the exact location of approaching vehicles in real time. Plus, when you pair your radar with the app, you can activate audio alerts to get pinged for oncoming cars even when you have your phone in your pocket or are using other ride mapping apps.

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