Picking the best beginner mountain bike needn't be difficult or confusing. Read our expert testers' advice and reviews to get the right MTB for you.
Mountain Bike Rider
Best mountain bikes under $/£500: capable and affordable MTBs
Find the best mountain bikes under £500 for you. Be warned: all of these great value bikes will hook you into a new sport and a whole new way of
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.
Canyon switches its Neuron:ON with new colours
Fancy a value trail bike with Shimano EP8 tech? That will be Canyon’s latest Neuron:ON. The German brand has added bold new colourways to the affordable aluminium-only e-bike, which configures…
Kona Honzo (2022) review
Long, low and slack was a phrase rarely used in 2012 when the original steel Honzo was launched with the aim of becoming the best hardtail on sale. But with…
Merida Big Trail 600 (2022) review
The last time we lined up Merida’s Big Trail in a bike test against the best hardtails on the market it was quite a different machine. All models rolled on…
Nukeproof Scout 290 Comp review
One look at the Nukeproof website and you’ll notice there’s a strong focus on trail, enduro and DH riding, with a range of bikes that look very fit for purpose.…
Turn your Santa Cruz Bronson into a mullet Nomad
Bronson will always be a storied name for Santa Cruz. The original Santa Cruz headquarters was in Bronson street. And the company’s first 27.5” enduro bike was named Bronson, too.…
Whyte 629 V4 review
Whyte’s reputation for producing the best trail and enduro bikes is second to none. This UK brand’s design team doesn’t seem to sit still, constantly refining dimensions, geometry, and specs.…
127 new Giant e-bikes stolen near London
Mere weeks after a Shimano parts shipment was hijacked in Germany, many e-bikes have been stolen in a single act – near London. Giant has confirmed that 127 of its…
UK’s lost trails saved after deadline to register them is cancelled
Some 49,000km of unregistered public access paths have been saved from extinction, after the government agreed to cancel its deadline to register them. We’d had until January 1 2026 to…
Best electric mountain bike: join the riding revolution!
Stating the obvious: the best electric mountain bike will be flipping great! We had so much fun with this best-of list we’re embarrassed to call it "work".
Pivot Mach 4 SL gets SRAM UDH friendly mech hanger
Pivot has updated its Mach 4 SL lightweight 29er. The American brand’s lightweight mileage eater continues with unchanged geometry and suspension specification. But the rear triangle has seen some alteration.…
Canyon launches the Spectral 125: A short-travel shredder for riders who like to redline
Short-travel trail bikes are all the rage. And while it’s lightweight down-country bikes that seem to be getting all of the attention, Canyon has adopted a different approach with the…
Ragley adds new colours for Mmmbop and Big Wig
Ragley has announced some new colourways, for two of its progressive geometry models, in the current frame range. The brand known for bringing value to steel and alloy hardtail riders,…
Best cross-country XC mountain bikes: hardtail and full-suspension
The best crosscountry mountain bikes are about raw speed, making them lightweight, efficient and ideal for fast, flowing singletrack as well as racing.
Authorities in Scotland warn riders about storm risk
With storm damage having postponed the Naughty Northumbrian, authorities are warning mountain bikers to remain vigilant. This week, meteorologists are predicting intense storm conditions over much of southern and central…
Starling shows carbon prototype e-bike
British boutique steel frame brands – like Starling – are the least likely, to produce carbon-fibre models. That’s the perception, right? And few come with more authentic British ‘built-in-shed’ legacy…
Best mountain bike 2022: The ultimate trail, XC and enduro bikes
Choosing the best mountain bike is hard. There's loads of them. They all look similar yet different. Our expert panel of reviewers narrow things down.
Orange Stage 6 Evo SE first ride review
Tired of feeling disconnected from the trail thanks to miles of suspension travel? Well, the Orange Stage 6 Evo aims to deliver that frenetic, plugged-in feeling you get from the…