These bikes are the best hardtail mountain bikes available. From budget up to mid-range price points, we have chosen four winning options for any budget.
Hardtail
Ragley Blue Pig Race (2021) first ride review
Ragley Blue Pig loves nothing more than rolling about in the dirt. The name's been recycled but there's nothing old school about this hooligan hardtail.
£2,199.99
Ribble HT 725 Pro Build: first ride review
The Ribble HT 725 has a mainframe that's UK-designed Reynolds heat-treated chromoly steel hardtail featuring slack and long geometry.
£1,899.00
Canyon Stoic 4 (2021) first ride review
It’s prime hardtail season, and just in time is this Canyon Stoic, with aggro components and geometry, a full spread of sizes and real world availability.
£1,799.00
Yeti ARC T1: first ride review
With its latest hardtail - the Yeti ARC T1 - this iconic brand reimagines one of its retro classics for the modern era. If only the pricing was retro too...
£4,799.00
Canyon Exceed Team CFR: first ride review
With a single-minded focus on success, Canyon’s new Exceed hardtail is aimed at vanquishing long-distance stage races, such as the Cape Epic, and blitzing short-course XC sprints. Need to know…
£5,349.00
Merida Big Trail 600 gets 29in wheels: first ride review
The Merida Big Trail 600 is the eerily quiet new hardtail from Merida, with 29in wheels, modern geometry and some delicious little details.
£1,500.00
Scott Scale 920 review
If you’re after a cross country race hardtail with a proven track record, then look no further than the Scott Scale 920.
£2,199.00
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Mondraker Chrono Carbon R review
From the very first pedal stroke, the Mondraker Chrono Carbon R felt purposeful, poised and precise, instantly reacting to the most subtle of rider inputs.
£2,399.00
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Trek Procaliber 9.7 review
The Trek Procaliber 9.7 crossed our finish line first because it’s the fastest bike on test. And in XC racing, that’s all that counts.
£2,250.00
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Ribble HT Ti review
The Ribble HT Ti is Ribble Cycles' first mountain bike in 20 years and it blends the old and the new with classic titanium tubes and modern geometry.
£3,199.00
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Cotic Bfe Gold review
For 2020, Cotic Bfe has been revamped. The head angle is now a degree slacker for more control, while a steeper seat tube improves the climbing position.
£3,102.00
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Pace RC 627 Ultimate GX review
The Pace RC 627 has the ride quality and specification to back up the geometry, and with that sleek, slender look, it will become a modern classic.
£3,179.99
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Norco Torrent S2 review
Slender steel tubing gives the Norco Torrent S2 a distinctly retro look. But make no mistake; this is a thoroughly modern 29er trail hardtail.
£1,845.00
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Specialized Fuse Expert 29 review
The new Specialized Fuse Expert 29 lends a lightweight alloy frame with 29in wheels and a 130mm fork. Ther most aggro trail hardtail.
£1,649.00
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Voodoo Bizango Carbon: first ride review
The acclaimed Bizango has a carbon stablemate but can Voodoo conjure up another classic? Read our first ride review of the Voodoo Bizango Carbon.
£1,000.00
Vitus Sentier 275 VR
Successfully defending its 2018 title, the handsome Vitus Sentier 27 VR defies its sub £1,000 price point with the best spec, geometry and overall finish.
£999.99
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Vitus Nucleus VR
What can we say about the Vitus Nucleus 27 VR that’s not been said? As winner of this test four years in a row, its accolades say everything.
£499.99
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Voodoo Bizango 29
Voodoo Bizango is the winning bike from 2018 and nothing has changed, not even the price, although it's supposed to be £670 but pricing seems pretty fluid.
£650.00
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Calibre Two Cubed review
The Calibre Two Cubed is the Go Outdoors own-brand's latest bike. The Two Cubed is dominant in the hardtail arena as £1k Bossnut is in full suspension.
£449.00
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