Bikes

All the latest bikes comprehensively tested. If we don’t think a product is worthy of our hard-earned, we won’t tell you to part with yours for it. That’s the promise we make with our bike and equipment tests. For all our tests we guarantee that:

  • They’re conducted by some of the most experienced and knowledgeable riders in the business.
  • Ratings are awarded only after a thorough testing process on a variety of terrain.
  • Tests are independent, and in no way influenced by our advertisers.

In most cases, we fit control tyres, bars and stems to the test bikes to ensure a level playing field and to highlight differences in handling. Tyre pressures are equalised to keep grip levels identical. We also weigh and measure the bikes ourselves, because this data doesn’t always tally with the manufacturer’s official figures. The numbers you read in the tests are the actual angles and measurements.

Our ratings are awarded out of 10, with 10/10 being the top mark.

  • 1-4  Means something’s wrong. Possibly a design flaw or a major weakness.
  • 5-6  OK – one or two faults but has potential
  • 7  Worth considering
  • 8  Very good – for the money, we’d buy it
  • 9  Excellent – a slight mod or two and it might be perfect
  • 10  Simply the best!
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Showing reviews 541–560 of 868

vitus escarpe 29

Having endured all four of the UK’s seasons as one our fleet of long termer test bikes, how has the keenly priced Vitus Escarpe 29 VR held up?

£1,529.99
Score 9

sonder broken road

The Sonder Broken Road is built for adventure, so where better to test it than on a 10-day expedition in the Himalayas? Great geometry and pricing.

£1,899.00

The Merida eOne-Twenty provides a thrilling and intoxicatingly addictive ride. Great geometry, rapid and flickable. One of the lightest e-mtbs available.

£5,000.00
Score 9

The Cannondale Habit 5 has totally nailed the fit and sizing and the tighter suspension response makes it feel fast, efficient and fun to ride.

£1,799.99
Score 8

giant trace 3 2017

Get the front end dialled and the Giant Trance 3 is instantly transformed into a weapon. The suspension response is super stable, it’s not lost any sensitivity.

£1,749.00
Score 9

Expanding its range, sorting its sizing and making the best of Plus-size tyres — Genesis Tarn 20 is another trail-ripping hardtail from Genesis.

£1,799.00

The Scott Scale 730 Plus will instantly win you over as you carve effortlessly through corners, blast down the rowdiest descents and spin up loose technical climbs with aplomb.

£1,279.00
Score 9

Long, low and slack, and with a frame that apes the ride of a full-susser, the Stif Morf XT is a blast to ride.

£1,999.99

The NS Snabb Carbon E is a lightweight all-mountain offering that is only a tweak or two away from perfection.

£3,439.99

Named after a venomous North American spider, the Intense Recluse is a 140mm travel trail bike rolling on, what we now consider, ‘traditional’ 27.5in wheels.

£8,700.00
Score 7

A fun, playful bike that rewards a dynamic riding style, can be ridden off the brakes in the roughest terrain thanks to the excellent rear suspension.

£6,499.00
Score 9