We bring you the rundown of the very best mountain bikes under £3000. Trail bikes In both 27.5in and 29in wheel sizes. In association with Alpinestars.
Alan Muldoon
Bike Test Editor
It was love at first sight with the Santa Cruz Heckler SL, and having tried it, I’m now convinced it rides as good as it looks
When Santa Cruz launched the Heckler SL back in September 2023, my first thought was “wow, that’s one good looking bike”. Yes, even the bike test editor at MBR is…
Forbidden’s Dreadnought V2 has even longer chainstays than the original high-pivot enduro sled. And after two days riding it I think it’s the right move
Given the updates to the Druid V2 trail bike and the recently launched Supernought DH bike, it should come as no surprise that version two of Forbidden’s enduro platform –…
Best mountain bikes under £1000 or $1400: brilliant bargain bikes
Expert reviews of the very best mountain bikes under £1000/$1400 right here from our expert testers. From rapid hardtails through to burly hardcore bikes.
Looking for the fastest direct-sales downhill bike? The Canyon Sender CFR 29 would be my first choice if I was going racing again
With the CLLCTV Factory race team, CLLCTV FMD and CLLCTV Pirelli teams all racing the Sender, Canyon’s commitment to DH racing at the very highest level is second to none.…
Best full-suspension mountain bike: maximum speed, comfort, and control
It's the test you've all been waiting for, where the best full suspension mountain bike models fight it out for the coveted title of Trail Bike of the Year.
The YT Tues might be 5 years old, but if I was buying a DH bike today, this is where I’d spend my money
Spotted in 2018 ridden by Aaron Gwin, then launched in Feb of 2019, the current 29in YT Tues is now officially 5 years old. That’s the same year that YT…
Propain’s Rage 3 CF DH race bike has 215mm of travel and can be built around 29in or MX wheels – just don’t pick the wrong wheel size
As raced by Phil Atwill and his Propain Positive World Cup team mates, and ridden by YouTube star, Remi Metailler, the Propain Rage is built for the roughest tracks, gnarliest…
13 sneaky tricks you need to know when buying a lightweight e-bike
It stands to reason that even the best e-bikes are going to be heavier than the best analogue bikes for the simple reason that they come with the additional weight…
Lee Cougan launches the Crossfire Trail, a 120mm travel XC bike that boasts a broader remit. But does it deliver?
XC racing is evolving at a blistering pace and the bikes need to keep up. So the new Crossfire Trail from Lee Cougan boasts 120mm travel, remote lockouts and clearance…
Canyon pulls out all the stops on the new 2024 Spectral CF 9 trail bike with less travel, more sizes, internal storage and steering stabilisation as standard
Canyon clearly isn’t afraid to innovate. Because after just one year and a trial on just one model, it is back with a brand new range of Spectral CFs, all…
The new 2024 Canyon Spectral trail bike is packed to the brim with features, including adjustable geometry, internal storage, and a steering stabiliser
Canyon’s Spectral CF is a trail bike that needs no introduction. But how do you make one of the best trail bikes on the market even better? Well, you throw…
Swap out the tyres for something chunkier and the Saracen Mantra Trail would be my ultimate trail hardtail
With progressive geometry and MX wheels, the latest Saracen Mantra Trail LSL takes us one step closer to the perfect hardtail mountain bike. But has Saracen gone far enough? In…
The new Pivot Switchblade doesn’t get trendy internal storage or a steep seat angle, but there are good reasons for not following the crowd
Squint, and you’d be hard pushed to tell the difference between the brand new Pivot Switchblade V6 and the one that was released in 2020. It doesn’t help that both…
Will you be swapping your Trek Rail or Specialized Turbo Levo for a Honda, Ducati, or Yamaha e-bike?
E-bike sales are currently dominated by traditional mountain bikes brands like Specialized, Trek, Canyon and Giant. But there are an increasing number of motorcycle brands keen to get in on…
My job is Bike Test Editor, and here are my predictions for 5 hard-hitting enduro bikes that will get a complete refresh in 2024
Most bike brands operate on a three year model cycle, so you don’t need a crystal ball to predict which models are due an update. It’s not a hard and…
Riding the Intense Tracer 279 Pro made me feel 20 years younger
First, I want to get some facts on the ground. At 16.33kg the Intense Tracer 279 Pro is a ballpark weight for one of the best modern enduro bikes with…
My job is testing mountain bikes and these are the best products I’ve ridden this year
I’ve been the Bike Test Editor here at mbr for over 20 years, and I’ve been reviewing mountain bikes professionally for another ten, so it’s fair to say I’m very…
Forbidden’s new Supernought DH bike gets a high-pivot, but that’s not its most interesting feature
With a season of World Cup racing under its belt, Forbidden’s prototype race bike is finally ready for production. Sporting 205mm of rear wheel travel, the Supernought is designed to…
Aper Bikes’ new KOMPace enduro bike gets a CNC-machined frame, sliding rail pivot, and EXTREMELY rearward axle path
Designed and manufactured in Greece, Aper Bikes also brings something new to the table. Its innovative Rising Pivot suspension configuration uses a rail design to achieve 160mm travel and a…