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Best Short-Travel Full-Suspension Mountain Bikes – 100 to 130mm

Ibis Ripley – One of the most iconic short-travel playbikes available.

Trail and Cross-Country mountain bikes offer limitless fun on various terrains. There are quite a few different mountain bike types out there, but in this review – we’ll be focusing on the lighter end of the spectrum, bikes that are considered as short travel full-suspension mountain bikes.

• You may also like:   15 Best Full-Suspension Mountain Bikes to Consider

Best Short-Travel Full-Suspension Mountain Bikes

1 . orbea – oiz h20.

Best XC Full-Suspension Mountain Bike

Aluminum / 12-Speed Shimano Deore  / 29×2.35″

MSRP: $3,599 Jenson USA

Fork : Fox 32 Float Rhythm, 120mm travel Shock : Fox i-Line DPS Performance, 120mm travel Wheels : Orbea OC1 25c

The Orbea Oiz H20 is a sleek full-suspension XC bike built for speed and efficiency. With a premium aluminum frame, quality components, and World Cup geometry, you’ll be smashing your PRs with the Oiz in no time. 

It’s ideally suited to cross-country or long-distance trail riding, with a 12-speed Shimano Deore/XT groupset that includes a 10-51T cassette.

Fox provides both the I-Line DPS Performance shock and the 32 Float Rhythm fork. To complement the lightweight Orbea OC1 rims, you get 29×2.35″ Rekon Race EXO tires.

Head tube angle: 68º / Seat tube angle: 74º / Chainstay: 435mm

Buy on Jenson USA

2 . Santa Cruz Bicycles – Blur C S

MSRP : $5,549 Evo.com

Fork: RockShox SID SL Select 100mm travel Rear Shock: RockShox SIDLuxe Select+ 100mm travel Wheels:  RaceFace AR Offset 29″

The Santa Cruz Blur is the famous MTB brand’s race-ready XC bike, designed to be lightweight, fast, and efficient. 

The Blur C S uses Santa Cruz’s more affordable carbon grade, which has excellent stiffness and strength characteristics that help maximize power transfer.

A 100mm travel RockShox SidLuxe Select+ shock is enhanced by a patented SuperLight suspension linkage that keeps the weight low but enhances rear-end traction on trickier sections. 

This build comes with a SRAM GX Eagle 12-speed, 10-50T drivetrain with Level TL hydraulic disc brakes. Other notable components include the fast-rolling Maxxis Aspen 2.4″ tires, an SDG Tellis dropper for extra descending control, and lightweight RaceFace AR Offset rims. 

Pick the Santa Cruz Blur C S if you’ve got lofty XC ambitions and the budget to match. 

Buy on evo.com

3 . Pivot – Mach 4 SL Ride

Carbon / 12-Speed Shimano XT/SLX / 29×2.2″

MSRP: $6,199 Competitive Cyclist

Fork : Fox Float 34 Performance Step-cast 120mm  Shock : Fox Performance Float DPS 100mm  Wheels : DT Swiss X1900 alloy

The Pivot Mach 4 SL Ride is a sleek full-suspension XC MTB by a lesser-know but high-end MTB manufacturer, perfect for racers who want top performance.

The full carbon frame is incredibly light and strong, built for 29″ wheels and DW-Link suspension that perfects anti-squat characteristics for a snappy, responsive feel and extra traction. This model comes with race-ready 2.2″  Maxxis Ardent Race EXO tires.

The Mach 4 SL Ride has 100mm rear and 120mm fork suspension. In addition, you’ll have ample gearing from the 12-speed Shimano XT/SLX drivetrain. Thankfully, Pivot includes a Fox Transfer Performance Elite  dropper post with 100 to 150mm travel depending on the size. 

Choose the Pivot Mach 4 if you want to take your XC riding to the next level with a bike that’s ready for aggressive riding. 

Buy from Competitive Cyclist

4 . Niner – Jet RDO 4-Star

Carbon / 12-Speed Shimano XT / 29×2.6″

MSRP: $6,799 Jenson USA

Fork : Fox 34 Float Factory GRIP2 EVOL 130mm travel Shock : Fox Float X Factory EVOL 120mm travel Wheels : DT Swiss XM-1700 Spline 30

One of the more expensive offerings on our list, this Niner full-suspension mountain bike is a burly trail/XC bike with modern trail geometry and top-quality parts.

The RDO Carbon frame features Niner’s CVA suspension platform, integrated protection, and 2.6″ tire clearance. The 130mm travel Fox Float Factory fork and 120mm Float X Factory shock provide a plush feel on rough trails while the CVA design improves the pedaling efficiency of the system. 

A 12-speed Shimano XT drivetrain comes with RaceFace Next R carbon cranks and a 10-51T cassette. 180mm rotor XT hydraulic disc brakes round out the groupset.

An unusual inclusion is the Schwalbe Nobby Nic Addix Speedgrip 2.6″ tires which are very versatile and tough but add a little more weight. Finally, you have a KS Lev SI dropper with 100 or 150mm of travel. 

Choose the Jet RDO 4-Star if you want a highly-capable trail/XC bike with innovative design features, solid components, and long-lasting quality. 

Head tube angle: 66.5º / Seat tube angle: 76º / Chainstay: 430mm

5 . Rocky Mountain – Element Alloy 30

Aluminum / 12-Speed Shimano Deore  / 29×2.4″

MSRP: $3,089 Jenson USA

Fork : RockShox Recon Gold 130mm Shock : RockShox Deluxe Select+ 120mm travel Wheels : WTB ST Light i27 TCS 2.0 TR 29″ (27.5″ on XS frame)

The 29″ Rocky Mountain Element Alloy 30 is a cross-country/trail MTB with a do-it-all personality.

The FORM alloy frame has relatively aggressive trail geometry which pairs well with a RockShox Recon Gold 130mm fork, Deluxe Select+ 120mm shock, and Toonie Drop dropper post for confident riding on most trails. 

The groupset includes Shimano’s Deore M6100 drivetrain with a  10-51T cassette with MT4100 hydraulic disc brakes. This setup and Maxxis Rekon 2.4 makes climbing easier and descending safer. 

Head tube angle: 65º / Seat tube angle: 76º / Chainstay: 436mm

6 . Yeti – SB120 T1

Turq-Series Carbon / SRAM X01/GX Eagle / 29×2.5/2.3″

MSRP: $8,200 Jenson USA

Fork : Fox Factory 34 GRIP2 130mm  Shock : Fox Factory Float DPS 120mm Wheels : DT Swiss XM1700

The SB120 is a Yeti full-suspension MTB focused on cross-country and trail riding. This bike has an eye-watering price but has the spec and performance to match.

The Yeti SB120 T1 is built for speed and versatility with 29″ wheels and modern trail geometry. This is balanced by confidence-inspiring and premium 2.5/2.3″ Maxxis Minion DHF/Aggressor EXO tires. 

A blended SRAM groupset consists of a 12-speed, 10-52t X01/GX drivetrain that provides reliable and durable performance and G2 RSC four-piston hydraulic disc brakes. The wide gear ratio allows for easy hill climbs while powerful brakes ensure safe descents.

Consider the SB120 T1 if you want a high-end trail bike for tackling a wide variety of trails. 

Head tube angle: 66.5º / Seat tube angle: 76.5º / Chainstay: 433-443mm

7 . Co-op Cycles – DRT 3.3

A reliable, affordable XC bike

Aluminum / 12-Speed Shimano SLX / 27.5 or 29 x2.4″

MSRP:   $3,299 REI

Fork : RockShox Revelation Motion Control RC 120 or 130mm Shock : RockShox Deluxe Select+ 120 or 130mm Wheels : WTB ST Light i30 TCS

The DRT 3.3 is a cross-country bike with plenty to offer beginner or intermediate XC mountain bikers. It features progressive wheel sizing and suspension travel based on frame size, Airsprung RockShox suspension, and premium Maxxis High Roller or Dissector tires. 

This bike has a lightweight but strong aluminum frame that helps keep the price down without sacrificing too much performance. This is boosted by a Shimano SLX 12-speed with a 10-51t climbing cassette and powerful Shimano SLX disc brakes for controlled descending. 

Head tube angle: 66/67°   /   Seat tube angle: 75°   /   Chainstay length: 433/441mm

Buy on REI.com

8 . Juliana – Wilder C R TR

MSRP : $4,899 Evo.com

Fork: RockShox SID RL 120mm travel Rear Shock: Fox Float Performance DPS 115mm travel Wheels: RaceFace AR Offset 

Julianna’s Wilder is a race-ready trail bike designed to tackle the toughest trails with confidence. As Santa Cruz’s women-specific brand, Julianna takes advantage of its VPP suspension system to provide the Wilder with unbeatable suspension performance.

Large 29″ RaceFace AR rims and slack geometry allow you to roll over any obstacle on the trail. In addition, female-tailored geometry and a Carbon C frame ensure the Wilder is painless to maneuver.

Finally, this bike is built on an SRAM NX Eagle drivetrain and paired with grippy Maxxis Rekon Race tires and powerful SRAM Level T hydraulic disc brakes to ensure smooth climbing ability and controlled descending. 

Buy on Evo.com

9 . Marin – Rift Zone 1

Best value full-suspension mountain bike

Series 3 Aluminum / 11-Speed Shimano Deore / 29×2.3″

MSRP: $1,899 Jenson USA

Fork : RockShox Recon Silver RL 130mm Shock : X-Fusion O2 Pro R 125mm Wheels : Marin Aluminum Double-Wall

The Rift Zone is a 29-inch trail mountain bike designed for speed over fast, flowy trails.

Multi-Trac suspension improves big hit absorption and delivers a more efficient pedaling platform for the 130mm RockShox Recon Silver RL fork and a 125mm X-Fusion O2 Pro R rear shock.

Vee Tire Crown Gem 29×2.3″ tires are durable but lack some grip in the corners and are slightly slow for this type of bike.

The Rift Zone 1 runs a typical 11-speed Shimano Deore drivetrain with Shimano MT201 hydraulic disc brakes and is finished off with a budget alloy seatpost instead of a dropper.

This is a solid XC/trail bike that offers excellent value for money in the entry-level category of full-sus bikes. 

Head tube angle: 65.5º / Seat tube angle: 76º / Chainstay: 425mm

  Buy on JensonUSA.com

10 . Norco – Fluid FS 2

MSRP: $2,499 Jenson USA

Fork : RockShox 35 Silver R, 130mm travel Shock : RockShox Deluxe Select, 120mm travel Wheels : Stan’s NoTubes Flow D 

The Norco Fluid is a full-suspension mountain bike with an innovative progressive frame design for enhanced fit and performance. It features 130mm of front travel and 120mm in the rear, with a reliable Shimano Deore 12-speed drivetrain and matching Shimano MT420 hydraulic disc brakes.

Norco chose Stan’s NoTubes Flow D rims with Maxxis Dissector 2.4″ tires for their excellent grip and durability. For a seatpost, you can rely on an X-Fusion Manic dropper. Every detail is accounted for on the Fluid FS 2, making it an excellent value trail bike.

Head tube angle: 66º / Seat tube angle: 76º / Chainstay: 431mm

Buy from JensonUSA.com

11 . GT – Sensor Sport

Aluminum / MicroSHIFT Advent X, 10-Speed / 29 x 2.3″

MSRP: $2,300

Fork : RockShox Recon Silver, 140 mm Shock : X-Fusion 02 Pro RL 130mm travel Wheels : WTB Aluminum rims

The GT Sensor Sport is a full-suspension trail mountain bike designed to handle almost any trail out there .

This bike can smash climbs and thunder down descents with ease thanks to GT’s LTS rear linkage technology which soaks up trail chatter and improves traction.

The lightweight, durable aluminum frame is fitted with a RockShox Recon Silver RL 140 mm fork and an X-Fusion 02 Pro RL 130 mm shock which offer decent performance for this price range. 

This bike takes rolls along smoothly and corners confidently with 29″ wheels wrapped in WTB Breakout 2.3″ tires. Finally, you can rely on a MicroSHIFT Advent X  10-Speed drivetrain for smooth shifting and powerful but inconsistent Tektro HD-M275 hydraulic brakes. 

Head tube angle: 65.5º / Seat tube angle: 76º / Chainstay: 435mm

Buy from Jenson USA

12 . Alchemy Bikes – Arktos 120

Carbon / 12-Speed Shimano XT / 29×2.3″

MSRP: from $4,699 Alchemy Bikes

Fork : Fox 34 29 Factory Kashima 130mm travel Shock : Fox DPX2 Factory Kashima EVOL 120mm travel Wheels : Industry Nine 29 Enduro S Hydra

The Alchemy Bikes Arktos 120 is a full-suspension XC/trail mountain bike that’s perfect for riders who enjoy charging uphill and thundering down descents.

The Alchemy carbon frame is ultra-lightweight and laterally stiff, and the seat tube allows longer dropper posts like the stock Fox Factory 175mm Transfer dropper.

The Arktos runs on Alchemy’s patented Sine Suspension dual-linkage platform. This system provides next-level performance through enhanced efficiency on climbs and improved handling and traction on chunky descents. The 130mm and 120mm Fox Factory Kashima suspension soaks up all but the most aggressive hits.

The Arktos 120 comes with a choice of three 12-speed groupsets (Shimano XT or SRAM GX/X01). Each has a hill-crushing cassette and 180mm-rotor hydraulic discs. Finally,  burly Industry Nine enduro rims are fitted with Maxxis Minion DHF and DHR 29×2.3 tires, providing plenty of capability but adding some extra weight. 

Consider the Arktos if you want high-end performance and an award-winning carbon frame at a reasonable price. 

Head tube angle: 65.75-66.5-º / Seat tube angle: 77.75-78.5º / Chainstay: 437mm

Buy on Alchemy Bikes

13 . Pivot – Trail 429 Pro

Carbon / SRAM X0 Eagle / 29×2.4″

MSRP: $9,900

Fork : Fox Factory 36 GRIP2 140mm travel Shock : Fox Factory Float X, 130mm travel Wheels : Reynolds Blacklabel carbon

Pivot Cycles is a relatively new bicycle company that has already won awards for its innovative design.

This can be seen on its Trail 429 Pro 29er full-suspension trail/XC bike, a lightweight carbon beast with top-level parts. It’s a professional XC bike for advanced riders, with modern trail geometry in the low flip-chip setting that provides confidence on steep descents. 

The suspension is tight, with a Fox Factory 36 140mm fork up front and 130mm Factory Float X shock on the rear. The DW-Link platform and carbon fiber build kit allow you to get more power from each pedal stroke, making this a highly efficient climber. 

Using the 12-speed SRAM X0, 10-52t drivetrain you get perfect shifting every time and plenty of gears for steep grades. In addition, the Trail 429 has powerful four-piston SRAM G2 RSC hydraulic disc brakes. 

Don’t miss out on the Pivot Trail 429 Pro if you’ve got a huge budget and want unbeatable trail performance to match. 

Head tube angle: 66-66.5º / Seat tube angle: 75-75.5º / Chainstay: 430-432mm

Buy from Mike's Bikes

14 . Santa Cruz Bicycles – Tallboy R

Aluminum / 12-Speed SRAM NX Eagle / 29×2.4″

MSRP: $4,199

Fork : FOX Rhythm 34, 130mm travel Shock : Fox Float DPS Performance, 120mm travel Wheels : Race Face AR Offset 30

The Tallboy is of the most popular Santa Cruz full-suspension Mountain Bikes and this version has a tighter, more grounded feel, perfect for attacking bumpy terrain at high speed.

With the Santa Cruz Flip-Chip upper link, you can fit 29″ or 27.5″ rims and tires, although it comes standard with 29×2.4″Maxxis Dissector/Rekon EXO tires on Race Face AR Offset 30 rims.

The 12-speed SRAM NX Eagle groupset runs a wide-ratio 11-50T cassette for easy climbing and includes SRAM Guide T four-piston hydraulic disc brakes.

It’s finished off with a Burgtec Enduro MK3 stem, handlebar, SDT Tellis dropper, and Cane Creek 10 IS integrated headset.

Head tube angle: 65.7º / Seat tube angle: 76.8-76º / Chainstay: 436mm

15 . Juliana – Joplin 4 C R

Carbon C / 12-Speed SRAM NX Eagle /  29×2.4″

MSRP: $5,299 Evo.com

Fork : RockShox Pike Base 130mm Shock : Fox Float Performance DPS 120mm travel Wheels : Raceface AR Offset 30

The Juliana Joplin is a women’s full-suspension trail/XC mountain bike built for speed.

The premium Santa Cruz Carbon C frame is fitted with a RockShox Pike Base fork with 130mm of travel and a Float Performance DPS 120mm rear shock. These components are enhanced by the tailored lower-link VPP suspension that improves pedaling efficiency and traction. 

The drivetrain is a 12-speed SRAM NX Eagle with an 11-50t cassette for steep climbs and for braking you have SRAM Guide T hydraulic discs.

Finally, the Juliana Joplin 4 C R has an SDG Tellis dropper and 2.4″ Maxxis Dissector/Rekon 3C MaxxTerra EXO tires to provide confidence when descending on fast, chunky trails. 

Choose this women’s mountain bike if you love days on the trails with lots of elevation gain and a variety of trails. 

Head tube angle: 65.7º / Seat tube angle: 76-76.7º / Chainstay: 430-433mm

16 . Ibis – Ripley AF

🏆 Best all-around mountain bike for every terrain

Aluminum / 12-Speed Shimano Deore / 29×2.4″

MSRP: $3,799 Jenson USA

Fork : Fox Float 34 Performance, 130mm travel Shock : Fox Performance Float DPS, 120mm travel Wheels : Blackbird Send Alloy Max Clearance 2.6″

Coming in at just under $4,000, this is one of those bikes that outperforms its price tag. Straight off the bat, the 12-speed Shimano Deore groupset is impressive with hydraulic disc brakes. 

Naturally, it has a premium quality aluminum frame with superb DW-Link suspension technology, offering 120mm of rear travel from Fox Performance Float DPS shock. With a similar kit upfront, you get 130mm of travel on the Float 34 fork, and it’s all rounded off with Blackbird rims and 2.4″ Maxxis  DHR II and Dissector tires. 

 Head Tube Angle: 65.5º / Seat Tube Angle: 76º / Chainstay length: 432mm

17 . Yeti – SB115 C2

CARBON C1 BIKE

Available in 3 designs

Carbon / 12-speed SRAM GX Eagle / 29×2.5″, 2.3″

MSRP: $6,200 Competitive Cyclist

Another top-class mountain bike from Yeti , this combination XC and trail bike attacks both the hills and the drops with equal vigor and aggression. The lightweight carbon frame combined with the 12-speed SRAM GX Eagle 10-52T cassette makes easy work of hills, while the Switch Infinity rear suspension technology combined with 130mm travel on the Fox Performance fork makes downhills a breeze.

You get added support from a thick 2.5″ Maxxis Minion DHF front tire and 2.3″ Aggressor on the rear, wrapped around DT Swiss rims. Oh and let’s not forget the Fox Transfer dropper seat post for added ease and enjoyment!

Head tube: 67.6 / Seat Tube: 74.1 / Chainstay: 437mm

Buy on Competitive Cyclist

18 . Santa Cruz Bicycles – Blur

Carbon C / 12-Speed Shimano XT / 29×2.4″

MSRP: $6,599

Fork : RockShox Sid SL Select+ 100mm travel Shock : RockShox SidLuxe Select+ 100mm travel Wheels : Race Face ARC Offset 27

The race-ready Blur XC bike from Santa Cruz is designed for fast riding on cross-country trails.

The SuperLight suspension linkage combined with a 100mm RockShox Sid SL Select+ fork and SidLuxe Select+ shock provides plenty traction on the rougher stuff.

Fast-rolling 29er wheels, Maxxis Aspen 2.4″ XC racing tires, a stiff and lightweight carbon frame, and agile geometry give the Blur its high-performance personality. 

The groupset is a 12-speed Shimano XT with four-piston hydraulic disc brakes and plenty of gearing from the 10-51t cassette. 

Consider the Santa Cruz Blur if you’re ready to take your XC rides to the next level. 

Head Tube Angle: 65.7-65.4 / Seat Tube Angle: 77.5-76.8 / Chainstays: 423-433mm

Buy on Mike's Bikes   

19 . Cannondale – Habit Carbon 1 

MSRP: $5,500 Planet Cyclery

Every XC rider comes across an unexpectedly steep descent every now and again, leaving them in a precarious situation with an inadequate bike. The Cannondale Habit Carbon 1 rises to this challenge, offering an XC-specific bike that can tackle steep downhills with confidence.

It achieves this with the addition of a Cannondale DownLow dropper post combined with Cannondale’s Proportional Response Tuned suspension system. The RockShox Pike Select+ 140mm fork has slightly longer than usual travel for an XC bike, with the 130mm RockShox Super Deluxe Select+ rear shock to match. A wide-range SRAM GX Eagle drivetrain with a 10-52t cassette and SRAM G2 RSC hydraulic disc brakes make up a solid mountain-ready groupset that can tackle climbs and descents with ease.

HT: 66° / ST: 74.5° / Chainstay: 435mm

Buy on Planet Cyclery

20 . Evil – Following LS GX

MSRP: $6,450 evo.com

Evil Bikes is known for making high-quality mountain bikes that push the boundaries of design and innovation. The ‘Following’ is its versatile XC offering – a high-speed MTB with 29″ wheels, semi-compact geometry, and mid-range travel that can tackle unusually harsh conditions 

The proprietary DELTA suspension system and RockShox Deluxe Ultimate RCT shock are both highly tunable to adapt to varying conditions so if you feel like doing some downhill riding, simply adjust it to your needs and hit the trails. On this version of Evil’s Following, SRAM provides decent 12-speed gearing and instant braking with its mid-level GX Eagle groupset and G2 RS disc brakes.

Where Can You Ride a Short-Travel Mountain Bike?

Short travel mountain bikes are ideal all-rounder bicycles for fast and zippy trails, whether it is flat or hilly.

Downhill mountain bikes with lots of travel are ideal for extremely rough terrain with big drops and large obstacles but provide a disadvantage on flatter terrain. 

The less stiff your suspension is, the more speed you lose when riding fast on flat terrain. So you need to choose a bike that best suits the type of riding you intend to do. For most All-mountain, Cross-country, and Trail riding, you shouldn’t need more travel than 100-130mm. MTB bikes with travel between 140-180mm are intended for intense downhill and enduro-style riding.

Of course, many of these bikes have adjustable suspension, so in some cases, you can change it for the terrain of that day. However, if you don’t intend on ever tackling extreme downhills, big jumps, or huge drops, then there is no need to spend the extra on advanced suspension with unnecessarily long travel.

Other Factors to Keep in Mind

Carbon vs. aluminum: which is better.

Which is better: Carbon or Aluminum for a full-sus. MTB? Well, carbon has taken over the whole cycling industry for a while by now, and it is not different from the mountain bike scene. As carbon-tubing gets better each year, there is a reason why mountain bikers prefer carbon over aluminum. Carbon simply has the right ‘feel’ to the whole ride, while providing enough durability and ways to form a bike.

Tires & Tire Pressure

It is recommended to use more air in the rear tire when on trails.

• 29″ – 18-28 psi. Plus-size tires or on wider wheels (Ibis) can be run on lower,11-18 psi range
• 27.5″ (650b) – 16-30 psi.

Lowering your tire pressure means you create more contact with the ground so if you have thin tires, less pressure will provide more grip. However, while this may be a bit more comfortable offroad it comes at the sacrifice of speed on flatter ground. Depending on your weight, you should try to find a perfect balance that isn’t too low or too hard.

Tubeless tires can usually run lower pressure since there is no tube to pinch. Similarly, wider rims can also accommodate lower tire pressure. These are all factors to consider when pumping your tires.

Suspension set-up

You should always tune your suspension correctly to accommodate your weight and riding style. This can be done by rocking up and down on the bike to measure your ‘sag’ rate and then adjusting the air or spring pressure accordingly.

If you’re going to be hitting big jumps or drops, you’ll need a wider, looser suspension to take heavy impact. If you’re riding mostly flat trails, you’ll want it stiffer so you don’t over-compress and lose speed on each little bump.

Compression / Sag / Rebound

The Sag, as mentioned earlier, is important to measure and set accordingly before heading out on the trails. Once that’s done, set the rebound damping by pushing on the front suspension and seeing if you get any ‘bounce’. Tighten it until it only rebounds once, doesn’t bounce up and down.

For the compression settings, you’ll need to specify them according to your riding style. Different shocks have different settings, so it’s down to your style and preference. Basically, add more compression damping if you want tighter traction on corners, or less if you want more absorption on big drops.

Rider Weight

It’s important to get the correct weight distribution on a full-suspension bike otherwise you could injure yourself on the trails. The longer wheelbase a bike has, the more stable it will be, so heavier riders should consider this factor. 

Bottom bracket height is also important, as the higher the less stability you get but it can’t be too close to the ground either for obvious safety reasons. Generally, these measurements can all be perfected for you in-store when you buy a new bike. It’s always a good idea to have a professional fit your bike for you.

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The Best Short-Travel Trail Bike – 6 Mountain Bikes in Test

Bikes are growing increasingly versatile, lines are blurring and long-travel bikes are climbing more easily and faster than ever before. But does that mean that short-travel trail bikes are growing more potent on the downhills too?

Our trail bikes are changing. We now have suspension kinematics that minimise pedal bob, while maximising big-hit fun. Seat tubes are growing steeper so we can climb better and bikes are growing increasingly lighter. The latest generation of 140–150 mm trail bikes have become the holy grail of do-it-all machines. So why do manufacturers still offer short-travel trail bikes? Is there a benefit to bikes with 130 mm or less travel? Are we missing something? So many questions. It’s time for some answers.

Does short-travel mean less fun?

Does short-travel mean less fun? No way! If your local mountains are more like molehills, and your Sunday ride involves long connections between the trails, a short-travel bike will be a quick-riding passport to adventure and endless fun. On flow trails, a short-travel bike will pump faster through compressions and stay higher in its travel, rewarding you with more smiles and heaps of excitement. On many rides, carrying extra travel only dulls the sensations and feedback from the trail, meaning less agile and engaging handling than a well designed short-travel bike can provide. While a 140–150 mm trail bike is a great choice for many riders, the best bikes in this test show it’s important to choose a bike based on where and how you want to ride, rather than just numbers on a spec sheet.

Imagine driving a Dodge V8 and a stripped out rally hatchback down a tight-twisty road. We can guarantee you’ll have more fun in the lighter, more agile rally car.

The short-travel trail bikes in this group test

For this group test, we wanted to include a diverse selection of bikes at a range of prices. On paper, all six bikes share similar geometry (with one exception) and range of application. All are 29ers, a wheel size that best suits the kilometre eating, corner railing nature of a good short-travel bike. The Specialized Epic EVO and Trek Top Fuel both mark a step up in versatility from dedicated XC race machines. They essentially take a racing platform but slack and stretch it out. The Whyte S-120C enters from the opposite end of the spectrum, packaging an enduro bike ethos in a short-travel chassis. Sitting in the middle, the Canyon Neuron, Merida ONE-TWENTY and Yeti SB100 are purpose built to be good at everything from marathon epics to fast laps of your local loop.

Suspension kinematics are important

The saying “It’s not about the size, it’s about how you use it” has never been more apt. With short-travel bikes, progressive suspension kinematics are essential. With less to play with, the suspension needs to maintain control and can’t give up all its travel too quickly. For active riders, the Merida ONE-TWENTY, Trek Top Fuel and Whyte S-120C excel with a supportive kinematics that give just enough travel to smooth out big hits and almost always retaining some reserves. The result is that these bikes provide massive support for pumping to generate free speed from the trail and also provide lots of feedback from the trail. In contrast, the Canyon Neuron and Yeti SB100 have more linear kinematics, sacrificing a little mid-stroke support in pursuit of comfort and control through rock gardens, as well as boosting comfort and reducing fatigue on longer rides.

Be suspicious of a low weight on the spec sheet

If you think that less travel equals less weight, you might have to reconsider. Given how hard we ride our bikes, both short- and long-travel bikes will actually require very similar components and in turn, it becomes hard to cut down weight without significant compromises in performance.

No matter if you have 100 or 150 mm of travel, you’ll still be riding effectively the same suspension units, need the same high-performance tires and will want to be able to brake just as quickly. Many brands make compromises to lower their bikes’ weight, saving a few grams on the scales by fitting inferior components. Brakes are often an easy and not immediately obvious downgrade. Fitting delicate 160 mm rotors on the rear and specifying smaller callipers might save 200–300 g, but the brakes still have to slow down the mass of a hard-charging 80+ kg rider. Do you ride a flow trail slower than an enduro trail? We don’t. Merida is the only brand to get this right, fitting powerful SRAM Code RSC brakes to their ONE-TWENTY. Tires are the next place to cut weight. While short-travel trail bikes do not need to come fitted with super heavy downhill casings, we still expect to see a versatile, capable and above all durable tire.

Carbon vs Aluminium Wheels

You can have a lighter bike without performance compromises but it will come at a cost. Spending more allows manufacturers to fit better components that reduce weight while maintaining or even improving performance. We are generally big fans of aluminium rims, especially on harder hitting bikes where they are more affordable if damaged and offer a smoother ride feel. However, lightweight carbon rims accelerate quicker and give the bike a more lively and agile feel, properties that in our test enhance the ride of our short-travel bikes. The Merida ONE-TWENTY 8000 scores well here, saving over 400 g on the combined wheel weight (4.38 vs 4.79 kg) when compared to the Yeti SB100 fitted with similar all-round tires. The Trek Top Fuel and Specialized Epic EVO both have very lightweight wheelsets, but also ‘cheat’ a bit by fitting lighter but less durable and versatile tires for combined wheel weights of 3.94 and 4.02 kg respectively.

These bikes are made to climb fast so why don’t they have steep seat tubes?

This is a great question and one that consumed our team during much of our testing. The bikes in this group test have an average seat-tube angle of 74.8° , making them slacker than the latest geometry trends in trail and enduro bikes. The Merida again takes the win with a 75.5° seat tube angle, but still falls short when compared to the latest enduro bikes. Take the Yeti SB100: its 74° seat tube angle is far slacker than the newer and longer travel SB130 and SB150 which both have 77° effective seat tubes. It’s true that short-travel bikes sit higher at sag than long-travel bikes, reducing the effective seat tube angle less, but could they learn a lesson in efficiency from their bigger brothers? Yes, they could. All the bikes in this test climbed better with the saddle far forwards on the rails, indicating that slightly steeper seat tubes would benefit overall pedalling efficiency. We hope that short-travel bikes follow the steep seat tube trend that is sweeping through the trail and enduro sector.

Tops & Flops

Often small details can make a huge difference: seamless integration, first-class ergonomics and carefully selected parts. Easier said than done – here are some of the tops and flops from this grouptest.

How we tested the bikes and where?

We packed the bikes into the back of a van and headed to the amazing trails of Ballater in the Scottish Highlands. Ballater is the hidden gem of Scottish riding, offering long flow trails, gruelling ascents and an iconic fast and furious ridgeline descent that is the perfect test of a short-travel ripper. We braved the Scottish midges and challenging weather conditions to push the bikes hard. Parts broke, tires were slashed but great fun was had. For a more thorough test of the bikes’ downhill performance, we also challenged them hard on shuttle assisted runs in the notorious Innerleithen bike park.

The test team

Six bikes with six very different personalities left us with many surprises. After extensive testing, the biggest surprise has been just how versatile short-travel bikes have become. Yes, many of the tires lacked grip and the brakes were weaker, but we soon found ourselves effortlessly straying onto full-bore enduro trails. The second surprise is just how much fun short-travel bikes are to ride. After-work rides become longer and big climbs are relatively speaking effortless. Staying high in their travel with supportive suspension, they turn even the most boring trails into a playground. Every compression is the opportunity to pump for more speed and every bump becomes the lip of a jump. If your trails are more flow than gnar, you’ll have more fun and smiles on a short-travel bike.

When it came to choosing our favourites, it was a tough call. With an XC oriented build kit, the Specialized Epic EVO was a beast on the climbs but it felt least at home on variable terrain. We also weren’t completely convinced by the Micro Brain shock, especially the noticeable delay before the inertia valve opens the compression damping under compression. The Canyon Neuron is the polar opposite: linear and efficient it would make a perfect bike for comfortable long tours but lacked spark when pushed to the limit. As is usual for Canyon, it does represent excellent value for money though. The Whyte S-120 C is the fastest bike on challenging terrain, where its progressive geometry and capable build kit give it an advantage that can be measured in seconds on the descents However, the uncompromising enduro specification and heavier wheelset is noticeable on the climbs when chasing the best in this test.

It was almost impossible to separate the top three bikes with all of them receiving high praise from the testers. The Trek Top Fuel is a testament to a new way of thinking. Potent, versatile and fiercely competitive, we can’t think of many situations where it would not excel. It was only the increased complexity of the TwistLoc (a grip shifter style suspension lockout) and the weak brakes that pushed it off the top spot. The Yeti SB100 was also a team favourite, blending effortless ground-covering efficiency with an easy-going playfulness that delighted all our testers. With a beautiful frame that deserves upgraded components, it’s a bike that we would be proud to own. For the first time ever, a Yeti takes our Best Value award. That leaves the Merida ONE-TWENTY : a versatile trail rocket that happily went everywhere and anywhere we took it. With a faultless build kit, great brakes, great suspension and an agile and engaging ride that will delight riders of all experience levels, there is nothing to fault, giving it the well-deserved Best In Test award.

All bikes in test: Canyon Neuron CF 8.0 | Merida ONE TWENTY 8000 | Specialized Epic Expert Evo | Trek Top Fuel 9.9 | Whyte S-120C RS | Yeti SB100 C GX

If you’re looking for a bike with more travel you should definitely check our test about the best enduro bike of 2019: The best enduro bike you can buy

This article is from ENDURO issue #040

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9 Best Mountain Bikes For Short Riders

From my research the best mountain bike for short riders is the Cannondale Trail 6 2021 mountain bike because it is able to fit the shortest riders. All these bikes I have found have high star ratings and are arranged from shortest to short riders. You will learn about the features and benefits, plus find out what real customers think of these mtbs. Check it out below.

Review of the Best Mountain Bikes For Shorter Riders

1. cannondale trail 6 – 2021.

The Cannondale Trail 6 is the best mountain bike for the shortest of riders. It can fit riders who stand 4 feet 6 inches tall to 5 feet 2 inches . Bikers will get a smooth ride because the frame is made of durable smartform C3 alloy which is very light.

You can shift into the right gear to handle steep climbs easily. It is equipped with Shimano M315 Rapidfire Plus 2 x 8 speed shifters. The shifting is smooth and efficient. For safety there is good stopping power and control from its Shimano hydraulic disc brakes.

When going down hill your ride will be stable. This is because the slack is 68 degrees which creates very stable handling. Going over roots, rocks, and bumps is no problem due to its SAVE micr-suspension which has strategically engineered flex zones built into the frames rear triangle.

The tires are 27.5 inches, but the bike also comes in 29 inches tires. They are WTB Ranger Comp tires which are 2.25 inches wide so you will have maximum grip going around corners. For great control the handlebars have a 25mm rise, 8 degree sweep, and 6 degree rise. They are 720mm wide. The weight of the Cannondale Trail 6 is 32 pounds or 12.8 oz.

What do real owners think.

The first rider I found is experienced and rides many times per week. He was impressed with this bike as it rides like a sports car. He says it gets you to where you want to go easily. He found that the gears are tight and smooth. When he shifts there is no slippage. It turn tighter and sharper than bigger bikes.

The next rider is a casual mountain biker who rides around one time per week. He explained that the geometry of this bike fits him very well. It feels more comfortable to ride than the other bikes in this price range. It shifts and rides smoothly, plus the brakes are strong and the riding position is perfect.

The third rider said she does not have numbness in the hands or pelvic area anymore after riding this bike. When she pedals her legs feel evenly worked between the quads and the hamstrings. She says the gears are good for flat trails and the gears are very good for going uphill.

2. Co-op Cycles DRT 1.0

The Co-op Cycles mtb fits short riders who are 4 feet 9 inches to 5 feet tall . The frame is made of 6061 aluminum which is lightweight and enables you to go fast with ease. You get 100mm of travel due to its SR Suntour aluminum lower suspension fork which is lightweight and gives you a smooth ride over rough terrain.

Going up various inclines is pretty easy because you have 21 gears to choose from. This bike has a Shimano 3 x 7 drivetrain for 21 gears for all kinds of terrain. The tires are 26 inches which helps shorter riders to land on their feet if they are in a crashed as opposed to a larger tire size. For maximum gripping power the tires are 2.1 inches wide.

When you want to slow down or stop safely you can rely on the bikes tektro hydraulic disc brakes. They give you reliable stopping power whether you are on or off road and in all types of weather conditions.

This mountain bike only weighs 31 pounds so it is easy enough to carry over small streams if needed. 300 pounds is the total weight limit. This includes the bike, the rider, and any gear the rider may carry on the bike or on rider’s body.

The first rider is a woman who stands only 4 feet 10 inches. This was her first mountain bike and she got an extra small size mtb. She said it fit her perfectly. She is a beginner who rides many times per week. She likes that this bike has simple components.

The next rider is a female who is less than 5 feet tall. She is also a beginner rider and mountain bikes many times per week. She says the bike has amazing shocks and stability. She likes the wide handlebars it gives her excellent control. This bike has been very good for her lower back.

The third rider is an experienced mountain biker that rides many times per week. He has had this bike for over 3 years. He took it for a tune-up but other than that there has not been any other maintenance done. He likes the performance and durability of this bike as he rides on medium level trails.

3. Marin Wildcat Trail WFG 1 For Short Adults

The Marin Wildcat Trail is a good fit for shorter mountain bikers who are 4 feet 10 inches to 5 feet 2 inches tall . This bike is a cross between a trail mtb and a sport mountain bike. It is built with a Series 1 aluminum frame and has water bottle cage mounts and rear track mounts.

The aluminum frame is sturdy and lightweight allowing you to be able to climb hills fast. The water bottle cage mounts enable you to stay hydrated and the rear track mounts let you bring more supplies if you like.

You can climb up long hills by using the Tourney drivetrain which is 3 x 7 giving you 21 gears to choose from. For maximum stopping power the Wildcat is equipped with Power CX7 mechanical disc brakes. You can slow down just enough to zoom around corners without slowing too much.

On the front of the bike there is 100mm of travel so you can smoothly go over rough terrain. The tires are 27.5 inches and they are 2.25 inches wide. This width gives you good traction on all types of terrain.

For increased control the handlebars are fairly wide at 740mm. There is a 31.8mm riser and a 12mm riser for enhanced performance and comfort. The grips or bar tape for the bike is called Marin dual density. It helps you grip the handlebars without making your hand numb.

I was not able to find any owners of this mtb in order to research their experience with it. But if you are between 4’10 and 5’2 then give this bike a try because it will fit you which is most important. See how it feels for you and performs.

4. Co-op Cycles DRT 1.1

The Co-op Cycles DRT 1.1 is best for mountain bikers who are as short as 5 feet to 5 feet 3 inches . The frame is made of 6061 aluminum which is lightweight and durable. The frame can handle a total weight of 300 pounds. This consists of your bodyweight and anything else you are carrying on yourself and the bike.

The front wheel of the bike will give you a smooth ride over all types of terrain. This is because of its SR Suntour suspension fork which gives you 100mm of travel and additional control on technical trails.

Going uphill or downhill is no problem because it has a Shimano 3 x 7 drivetrain giving you many gears to choose from. Shifting is made smooth and easy due to its Shimano Tourney rear derailleur. You don’t need to worry about gear slippage or skipping gears.

When it is time to brake its Tektro hydraulic disc brakes provide maximum stopping power as well as finess braking when going around turns. This happens on or off road and in all kinds of weather conditions.

The tires are Kendra Kadre and 27.5 inches, plus the width of the tires is 2.1 inches. At 2.1 inches in width you can ride faster than tires that are wider. The handlebars are flat for control and the bike weighs 31 pounds 10 oz so it is not too heavy to climb hills fast.

The first rider is less than 5 feet tall riding this bike. He weighs less than 100 pounds and is less than 18 years old. He rides many times per day and is an experienced mountain biker. He says the bike is awesome, it is comfortable and easy to ride.

He had no trouble going on blue trails and a double black many times. He finds the bike to be good overall and he can do jumps with it very well. The only problem was it came assembled improperly.

The next rider is exactly 5 feet tall. He got the extra small size and it fits him perfectly. He thought the handlebars were too wide when he picked it up. Fortunately REI took off an inch of the handlebars right then and there.

He is a beginner and has ridden the bike so far on the road and on dirt trails. He says he is very happy with the bike and rides many times per week.

The last rider is 5 feet 2 inches tall. She is a casual mountain biker and rides multiple times per week. This is her first brand new mtb and thinks it is light and well built. She has ridden on a paved bike trail and dirt roads and says the bike handles great. She really appreciates the shocks.

5. Trek Slash 9.8 GX AXS 29er

The Trek Slash 9.8 GX AXS is designed so that it can fit short riders that are 5 feet to 5 feet 5 inches . This is a higher end mountain bike so the frame is made of OCLV Mountain Carbon. Carbon is very still and tough so it can handle big hits on the trails. It is also lightweight so you can go fast on all types of terrian and inclines.

The travel on the front of the bike is 160mm so you can handle serious hits and not get thrown off the bike. It has a RockShox super deluxe ultimate shock with an updated Thru Shaft damper. As you ride over rough terrain its RockShox ZEB fork which has 38mm stanchions will ensure you stay on your path line.

The Slash 9.8 is an enduro mtb which has 29 inch wheels. These wheels will roll over rocks and roots more easily than 27.5 inch wheels. Plus on flat ground you can go pretty fast. Get up to speed using its very quick SRAM GX Eagle AXS wireless electronic shifting.

Shifting into the right gear for various terrain and inclines is smooth, smart, and entirely wireless. It is all cable free with the SRAM GX Eagle drivetrain. There is a second down tube guard to protect the frame better from flying rocks, sticks, and the weather.

The wheels are Bontrager Line Elite 30 carbon wheels. They have a 108 tooth Rapid Drive hub for explosive acceleration when you need it at the right time. This carbon is strong, lightweight, and flexible so as to handle all types of terrain.

The seat tube is wider for more strength and stability. The dropper is wider as well, it is 34.9mm in diameter. It is stronger and more durable so you can move it up and down faster. The down tube has a big internal storage section so you can store any tools and gear.

Check Price and Reviews on Trek.com

6. Huffy Stone For Short Female Adults

The Huffy Stone is a women’s mountain bike which best fits riders who are at least 5 feet tall . The frame is made of steel which is very durable. It is backed by Huffy’s limited lifetime warranty. The frame is 17 inches and is a charcoal gloss hardtail frame.

You can climb uphill and ride downhill or just accelerate to full speed using its micro-shift twist shifter which gives you 21 speeds to choose from. The indexed Shimano rear derailleur provides smooth shifting with no skipping or slippage.

As you go faster you will need maximum traction for going around turns and corners. The wheels of this Huffy are 26 inches and the tires have knobs on them so you will grip into the dirt trails. When it is time to slow down or stop you have its linear pull hand brakes for consistent stopping power.

The seat is a premium ATB saddle that has stitched sides for long lasting durability. There is a quick release alloy lever which allows you to adjust the seat height fast. Holding on to the handlebars is easy using the Kraton grips which are very comfortable.

This first rider is a beginner. She says that the bike is lightweight even though the frame is made of steel. She found all the bike parts to be in good shape. It came with all the tools so she could put it together. She likes the paint job and found the bike easy to work on.

After 10 minutes of riding she did not find the seat comfortable so she will change it. She likes that there are 21 gears to use. A negative is the third major gear takes longer than the first two gears to hook onto the drivetrain.

The next rider said he found this bike easy to assemble and the price is affordable. When he rode it he said that it is like floating on a cloud. The ride is very smooth yet you can feel the mtb is built very solid. He found the gears to work smoothly and the brakes have good stopping power.

7. Diamondback Release 4D Full Suspension

The Diamondback Release 4D fits short riders that stand 5 feet 1 inch to 5 feet 4 inches tall . The frame is made of carbon which is very strong and yet very lightweight. It is considered a higher end frame in mountain biking. The front and rear triangle is made of monocoque carbon giving you a stiff and efficient ride.

This bike has full suspension for the smoothest ride. Its link level rear travel is 130mm and has Fox Float DPS Evol LV shocks. The front travel is 150mm and uses a Fox 36 Performance Float fork which will absorb all the bumps you can handle.

If you need to push down on the pedals aggressively you don’t need to worry about the jumping around. This is because it has a level link suspension system that isolates chain forces from the trail impact. The chain remains level when going down technical trails.

You have 12 speeds to choose from when shifting the Diamondback Release 4D. It has a SRAM NX Eagle 12-speed single ring drivetrain for consistent and reliable shifting. Going uphill is made easier due to its 50-tooth granny gear.

For maximum stopping power this mtb uses hydraulic disc brakes. It uses SRAM G2 R brakes which include 4 piston with 180mm in the front, and has rear centerline rotors. You will be able to stop and slow down with great accuracy to handle any technical turns.

The wheels are 27.5 inches in diameter. They are Maxxis Minion DHS wheels and the tires are 2.3 inches wide. So you will have good traction on dirt trails and going around corners. The handlebars are made of DB35 aluminum and they are 780mm wide for maximum control and stability.

8. Schwinn Mesa

The Schwinn Mesa is built using a small frame which best fits mountain bikers who are 5 feet 2 inches to 5 feet 6 inches tall . The frame is made of mountain tuned aluminum which is lightweight and durable.

The suspension is at the front of the bike. It uses a Zoom HL565 aluminum suspension fork so you can glide over dirt trails and gravel paths. The impact from rocks, roots, and bumps are absorbed into the suspension for increased comfort.

Changing gears is easy and accurate using its Shimano EZ-FIRE shifters. They are supported by a Shimano Tourney 21 speed drivetrain. When it comes time to stop the Mesa uses Aluminum mechanical disc brakes. This is for all-terrain and all-weather stopping power. Finally the wheels are 27.5 inches in diameter and are wide enough for maximum traction on dirt trails and corners.

The first rider I found using the Mesa said he found the bike to be lightweight and well made. Right out off the box he put the bike together easily. He thought the grips and the saddle were too hard so he will replace them. Plus he added an extender to raise up the handlebars.

The next rider like all the main components of this bike. The drivetrain is good and the 21 gears are great as he explained. The brakes work very well, though he had to adjust the disc brake calipers so that they would contact the rotors evenly. He only needed to assemble the front wheel, handlebars, and seat.

The third rider explained that this bike is quiet, tight, and feels high end. He likes the paint job and the rims are pretty good. He likes the look and shape of the grips but they are hard and provide no give. He didn’t like the saddle and replaced it with a WTB Silverado.

9. Schwinn Bonafide

The Schwinn Bonafide has a 17 inch frame which fits short riders from 5 feet 3 inches to 5 feet 7 inches tall . The frame is made of aluminum so it is lightweight and flexible in order to absorb trail impacts.

The Bonafide has more gear choices than many other bikes with its 24-speed trigger shifters. There are front and rear derailleurs which make shifting gears smooth and easy. No need to worry about slippage or gear skipping.

The disc brakes are mechanical for the front and back wheels. This gives you all-condition stopping power. Steady gearing is ensured due to its durable alloy cranks. This also results in less maintenance time.

The Bonafide is a 29 inch hardtail mountain bike. The rims are high profile double wall alloy rims. They are light and strong for increased durability. The tires are 2.25 inches wide and have knobs on them so you can absorb all impacts from rocks, roots, and bumps.

The first rider said this bike worked great right out of the box. He loves the 29 inch wheels. He found that some of the midrange gears were jumping. So he flipped over the bike and discovered the cable needed adjusting. Just turn the rear derailleur in or out to get the chain exactly in the middle of the gear.

The next rider thought the look of the Bonafide is great. After taking out the bike from the box there were no scratches. Putting the bike together was easy for him. The front and rear derailleur shifted perfectly on his first ride. He says this is a great entry level mountain bike.

I hope you are able to find the best mountain bike for a short mountain biker among this group of bikes. Just match your height to one of these mtbs for a good fit.

Best down-country mountain bike: short travel shredders

• Danny Milner
• January 10, 2024

Short on travel but big on geometry, we review the best down-country mountain bike rigs – fleet-footed steeds that blend the speed of an XC bike with the capability of trail bike.

Trek Top Fuel 8 Credit: Roo Fowler

Short on travel, light on weight, but big on geometry, the best down-country mountain bike rippers give you everything you want and nothing you don’t. Fast and fun, in a lightweight, efficient package, these bikes can cover ground with minimal fuss and still be thrashed to within an inch of their lives on proper trails.

• Best mountain bikes: hardtail, XC, trail and enduro to suit all budgets
• Best cross-country XC mountain bikes

The Yeti SB120 is a down-country bike you can buy with your head as well as your heart

1. Yeti SB120

The best down-country bike if money is no object.

Wheel size: 29in | Frame: Turq carbon, 120mm | Sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL | Weight: 13.3kg (29.3lb) | Rating: 9/10

Reasons to buy:

• All round overachiever with superlative suspension
• Wide size range

Reasons to avoid:

• Agile rather than ultra aggressive
• Not actually that light
• No internal storage

From one of the most aspirational brands in the business comes the impeccable SB120. Yeti shrinks and shoehorns its unique Switch Infinity suspension design into the SB120 chassis. Where the swingarm moves up and down on dual Fox shafts just above the bottom bracket. And the new design has improved seals, bearings, hardware, and pivots, so it should stay in tip-top condition for longer.

And this clever suspension design really works. As we explained in our review, “the supple suspension is stable under power gives a really positive pedalling feel”. Then, when you really hit a something hard and the rear wheel sticks to the ground, giving superb traction and control. It needs a lighter set of wheels to do the flickable geometry and sublime suspension justice, but even out of the box the Yeti SB120 had us smitten.

Read our full review of the Yeti SB120

Santa Cruz’s Tallboy is a terrier that thinks it’s a rottweiler

2. Santa Cruz Tallboy

Best down-country bike for sending it.

Wheel size: 29in | Frame: Carbon CC, 120mm | Sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL | Weight: 13.08kg (28.84lb) | Rating: 9/10

• Outstandingly fast and focused full-send aggression
• Does things normally reserved for burlier bikes
• Superb size range
• Internal storage compartment
• Needs a pretty skilled rider to avoid pratfalls
• Uncomfortably uncooperative on technical off-piste trails
• Can be tiring to ride

Although often overlooked in the comprehensive, verging on confusing, Santa Cruz range, we think the Tallboy is an undiscovered gem. You’ve heard of small man syndrome, or small dog syndrome, well the Tallboy has small bike syndrome, where it steadfastly believes it’s actually an enduro bike, and deserves to be ridden as such. The stiff frame and aggressive angles beg to be wrung out on every descent, yet the efficient suspension and lightweight mean it’s always the first bike back up to the top of the hill.

For some riders, all that straining at the leash might be too much. But if you love wringing the neck of a short travel whip, and seeing your buddies slack-jawed in amazement as you undermine and overtake their big-travel enduro bikes, the Tallboy is the ultimate sleeper bike.

Read our full review of the Santa Cruz Tallboy

Transition’s Spur is still one of the finest down-country bikes we’ve ever tested

3. Transition Spur

Best lightweight down-country bike.

Wheel size: 29in | Frame: Carbon, 120mm travel | Sizes: S, M, L, XL | Weight: 11.25kg (24.8lb) | Rating: 10/10

• Perfect blend of speed and control
• Lightweight
• Not the most robust build if you’re carrying some timber
• Narrow size range

The Transition Spur is arguably the bike that spawned the down-country category, and also the bike that perhaps best defines it. At under 11.5kg, the Spur flies out of the gate, haring up climbs and tearing along high-speed singletrack. That lack of inertia encouraged us to sprint every rise, pop every jump, and schralp every turn, helped by the stable geometry and supple suspension.

With lightweight RockShox Sid forks up front, the temptation is to add travel and girth, but to do so is to dilute the Spur’s potency and add unnecessary grams. So while there’s a bit of flex when pushed hard, we’d treat that as part of the charm, and lap up the whirlwind of action that accompanies every descent. As we said in our review, the Transition Spur is “the best-realised ‘down-country’ bike we’ve ever tested and the one we all covet if we were spending our own cash”.

Read our full test review of the Transition Spur

Trek’s Top Fuel 8 offers a high-octane ride

6. Trek Top Fuel

Explosive trail weapon.

Wheel size: 29in | Frame: Carbon or alloy, 120mm travel | Frame sizes: S, M, M/L, L, XL, XXL | Weight: 14.89kg | Suspension travel: 130mm f/120mm r | Rating: 9/10

• Poppy, playful and efficient
• Available in six frame sizes
• Internal down tube storage
• Mino Link flip chip allows geometry tweaks
• Needs a 180mm rear rotor
• Accurate rear shock set up is crucial
• A solid build, so not the lightest in its class

While the Trek Top Fuel used to be a lean, mean, cross-country fighting machine, the middle-aged spread has left it sagging a little on the scales. But don’t let that fact put you off, because the ride quality is worth its weight in gold, even if it won’t be competing for gold medals on the race track.

In our test we praised the Top Fuel as offering a “fast, fun and engaging ride”. Where “Its poppy playful nature, combined with generous sizing, means you never feel limited by the travel for regular trail riding”. Combined, this means the Trek Top Fuel provides a high-octane ride that keeps the pace high without compromising on fun. If you can stretch to one of the carbon options, that will help shed some weight, and really light the blue touch paper.

Read our full test review of the Trek Top Fuel 8

The Canyon Neuron 6 is fast and frugal

7. Canyon Neuron 5

Speed freak that also enjoys a party.

Wheel size: 27.5in or 29in | Travel: 130mm | Frame sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL | Frame: Aluminium or carbon | Weight: 14.63kg (32.25lb) | Rating: N/A

• Friendly yet rewarding geometry
• Excellent value
• Seat tube could be a bit shorter
• Saddle is a bit too racy
• Not that light for a down-country bike

The Neuron is Canyon’s back-to-basics trail bike, newly updated for 2023, There are four carbon and four alloy models to choose from, with prices starting from £1,849 for the Neuron 5 and going up to £5,749 for the Neuron CF LTD. There’s also a kids’ Young Hero model with an XS frame and 27.5in wheels for £1,499, and women’s versions of the Neuron 6, Neuron 7 and Neuron CF8 available at no extra cost.

As with the previous bike, all XS and S frames come with 27.5in wheels, while the Medium upwards come with 29in wheels. As with most Canyons, you’ll need to factor in a bike box at £18.99 and delivery at £37.99 to all of the headline prices. Whichever you choose, the latest Neuron is versatile, affordable and a total blast to ride, as happy hitting enduro tracks and sending jumps as racking up the miles on a multi-day ride. The alloy frame has a comfortable, compliant ride that’s never jarring, and the choice of fast-rolling Schwalbe tyres means it rolls along almost effortlessly.

Read our full test review of the Canyon Neuron 6

Looks so sharp you could cut yourself just looking at it: The YT Izzo Uncaged 7

Rapier-sharp speed and agility

Wheel size: 29in | Frame: Carbon, 120mm travel | Frame sizes: S, M, L, XL, XXL | Weight: 11.4kg | Rating: N/A

• Acutely responsive and ruthlessly efficient
• Agile and accurate
• Good spec for the price
• Nowhere to hide in the rough
• Traction/grip is not the best
• Doesn’t really need the remote lockout
• Front tyre could be more aggressive

YT’s razor-sharp Izzo feels a million miles away from the brand’s signature Capra and popular Jeffsy trail bike. It’s blisteringly fast but ruthlessly unforgiving, so you need to be on top of your game and fighting fit to keep it under control and take the punches. It’s much stiffer than the Transition Spur, and not as capable as the Santa Cruz Tallboy or Yeti SB120, so in some ways it’s a bit of an anomaly. But it’s also a great-looking bike, feels amazing in certain situations, and the fact that it’s a challenge to get the most out of will definitely appeal to a certain type of rider.

Read our full test review of the YT Izzo Uncaged 7

Orange knows how to build a great handling bike, and the Stage Evo is no exception

9. Orange Stage Evo

Packs big bike geometry into a nimble 120mm package.

Wheel size:  29in | Frame: 6061-T6 Aluminium, 120mm travel | Frame sizes: S, M, L, XL  | Weight: 13.83kg (30.49lb) | Rating: N/A

• Incredibly well-poised handling belies its modest weight
• It’s arguably a trail bike

Orange may have ploughed its own furrow over the years, towed by a horse rather than a GPS-guided John Deere, but despite the UK-brand’s traditional frame materials and construction methods, it continues to bang out bikes that ride every bit as well as more cutting-edge rivals. Often even better. The Stage Evo is one such bike, and effectively a shrunken Stage trail bike. And from the very first corner we were reminded why Orange still commands a loyal customer base – the Stage Evo simply shreds. When we tested it, we noted “yes, it’s easy to ride beyond the physical limits of the travel, but that’s what makes the Stage Evo such an engaging bike on regular terrain”.

Read our first ride review of Orange Stage Evo

As soon as you release the reins, the Spur starts to gallop

What is a down-country mountain bike?

A few rules to help categorise a down-country bike. The first rule is that these rules are made to be broken!

Nothing over 120mm

No more than 120mm of suspension travel at either end. The archetypal down-country bike should have closer to 100mm of rear travel. And if there’s a 130mm travel fork up front, it’s ruled out. Usually. There are some outliers than we allow into the down-country fold. Otherwise the whole thing just gets far too close to a regular trail bike. So, no Norco Optic or Nukeproof Reactor 290c ST. Too trail-bikey.

Having said that, neither rear travel nor fork travel should have less than 100mm. Save that for XC race bikes.

With less mass to manhandle, down-country bikes like the YT Izzo goad you into throwing shapes at every opportunity. 

Nothing steeper than 67°

We’re talking head angles here. Non-XC geometry is the key thing that must be included if a bike is to be classed as down-country. And though we say ‘geometry’ we really mean head angle. There’s currently not much consensus about the other angles and measurements on down-country mountain bikes; they don’t all have longer reach numbers, nor steeper seat angles, nor super low BBs.

But the head angle on all down-country bikes cannot be steeper than 67°. 66° is arguably the most commonly seen number.

Big wheels only

You’ll not find any 27.5in wheels here. Nope, not even just on the rear as a modern mullet setup. 29in wheels rule the down-country roost.

Although it doesn’t have the poppiest suspension feel, the Tallboy is great fun on jump trails

What’s the difference between an XC bike and a down-country bike?

That’s a contentious one, and mostly a matter of opinion. But in our view, a down-country bike is a trail bike with the weight and travel of an XC bike, whereas an XC bike generally has steeper geometry, a lower front end and a stronger bias towards efficiency. Using, for instance, remote lockouts to maximise power transfer on smooth surfaces. The lines are blurred, however, and some XC bikes are closer to down-country bikes than others. And the components used also make defining bikes more difficult. Some down-country forks have all-out XC race forks. Some have middling 34-35mm stanchions. Some have four-pot brakes and huge rotors. Others just have 180/160 twin-pot combos. Some have dinky stems. Some still sport stems over 50mm long.

True XC bikes, like the Specialized S-Works Epic WC, are lighter, pricier, and more focussed machines. 

It’s the finishing kit that is perhaps key to the down-country experience. And expectation. Some down-country bikes appear to be aimed at ex-XC lycra-heads looking for more fun and less sketch in their rides. Other down-country bikes are aimed at the all-out aggro brigade who have tired of their super-capable enduro bikes and wish to inject a level of limit to their Sunday shredding.

In our opinion, it’s the latter type of down-country bike that is most interesting and exciting. But more capable XC bikes also provide unique thrills, and that injection of effortless pace never gets boring.

Slacker, longer, lower… shorter. Bring it on.

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Short or Long Travel: Which Is the Best All-Around Mountain Bike?

How much slower does a modern long-travel bike climb? And what are the differences downhill?

Heading out the door? Read this article on the Outside app available now on iOS devices for members! >","name":"in-content-cta","type":"link"}}'>Download the app .

If you want one bike to do everything, how much travel should it have? All bikes have to find a compromise between climbing and descending performance, and suspension travel is usually seen as a good indicator of where a bike sits on that spectrum.

But recently, short-travel trail bikes are a lot more capable, while long-travel bikes are much better at climbing. So how much slower is a modern long-travel bike uphill? And what are the differences downhill?

Caught up in all this is the question of tire choice. How much of the difference in climbing speed between an enduro bike and a trail bike comes down to the tires? Can fast-rolling tires close the gap? And can sticky tires make a short-travel bike descend as well as a long-travel one? Let’s find out.

Nukeproof Reactor

• 130 / 150 mm travel • Weight as tested: 14.4 Kg / 31.7 lbs (“trail” tires, 200 mm rotors) • Size tested: XL • Price: $7,062

Nukeproof Giga

• 170 / 180 mm travel • Weight as tested: 15.2 Kg / 33.5 lbs (“trail” tires, air shock) • Size tested: XXL • Price: $7,415

To make things as comparable as possible, I got hold of a Nukeprof Reactor RS and a Nukeproof Giga RS. The Reactor has 130 millimeters of rear travel and 150 millimeters up front, while Giga serves up 170 millimeters (rear) and 180 millimeters (front). These models have identical brakes, drivetrains, and cockpits. With the same wheels and tires fitted, only the frame and fork are different. Both use full-carbon frames and RockShox Ultimate-level suspension. The Reactor has a Lyrik fork to the Giga’s Zeb, but the difference in chassis diameter is appropriate to the travel offered in each case.

Although the photos used here were taken with a coil shock fitted to the Giga, the testing was carried out with a RockShox Super Deluxe air shock to match the shock on the Reactor. I upgraded the rear rotor size on the Reactor to 200 millimeters so both bikes could accept the same wheels for comparative testing.

I set both bikes up with 30 percent shock sag and suspension settings as I would normally have them.

For the most part, I used the wheels that came stock on the Reactor for both bikes to remove the variable of tire choice. These tires were a Maxxis Dissector, EXO+ casing, MaxTerrra compound (rear) with a Maxxis Assegai, EXO casing, MaxxTerra compound (front). For brevity, I’ll call these the “trail” tires from now on. Fitting these tires and the air shock to the Giga dropped its weight to a respectable 15.2 kilograms – only 800 grams (1.8 pounds) more than the Reactor with the same wheels.

I also tested with a stickier pair of tires (fitted to another alloy wheelset for easier wheel swaps). These were a Maxxis Assegai in DoubleDown casing, MaxxGrip compound on the rear, with a Schwalbe Magic Mary, SuperGravity casing, Soft compound, on the front. We’ll call these the “enduro” tires. These wheels/tires weighed 600 grams more than the trail wheels/tires.

For the climbing test, I used a pair of SRM power meter pedals to control my effort, which I kept at a steady 250 watts. I rode both bikes up the same gentle and smooth fire road climb. I used a short climb so I could do five laps on each bike in quick succession and take an average. If I only did one or two longer climbs on each bike, there would be no way of knowing if any difference in times was down to the bike or just a fluke.

I did this first with the trail tires at my usual riding pressures (23 and 26 psi) then I re-tested the Reactor with the enduro tires. Here are the times:

As you might expect, the Giga was slower on average than the Reactor, but the average time was only 0.8 percent slower. Because the Reactor wasn’t consistently quicker, and the average difference between the bikes was so small, we can’t be sure from these numbers if the difference between the bikes is real or just a fluke. In science terms, the difference wasn’t statistically significant.

But even if we take the 0.8 percent difference at face value, that’s about what we’d expect from the weight difference between the two bikes alone, suggesting the travel per se (i.e. the pedaling efficiency) wasn’t having any effect.

In contrast, with the enduro tires fitted, the Reactor went 4.1 percent slower, or 3.4 percent slower than the Giga with the trail tires. In both cases, these are statistically significant differences, because the Reactor with Enduro tires was consistently slowest. To give that some context, over a half-hour climb, the enduro tires would add about one minute and fourteen seconds to the Reactor’s time. Or to go at the same pace, you’d need to produce about 260 watts instead of 250 watts; if you’re already working hard, that could be very noticeable.

The added weight of the heavier tires would only be expected to slow things down by at most 0.6 percent, so most of that difference is down to rolling resistance. This added drag will make covering ground slower on the flat and even downhills too (so long as traction and braking aren’t what’s limiting speed).

Subjectively, you can feel a little pedal bob from either bike, but there isn’t dramatically more with the Giga. The position is quite different due to the Reactor’s lower stack height and slacker seat tube angle (74.5 degrees vs. 78 degrees); this stretches out the spine which feels much less comfortable to me, especially on long climbs. Doing timed testing over technical climbs is virtually impossible because the time can vary so much from one run to the next depending on line choice, technique and luck, but when riding over bumpy terrain the Giga is noticeably smoother. The softer suspension obviously helps here but having your weight further in front of the rear axle also reduces how much your weight lifts when the rear wheel moves over a bump. Though I can’t put a number on it, I much preferred the Giga for technical climbs.

To see how they compare for descending, I chose a short local trail I know well with a good mix of roots, rocks, steep twisty sections and flat fast sections. It’s not the most technical trail in the world and it’s definitely not the roughest, but on the day of testing (which was a couple of days before taking these photographs), it was wet and slippery, making it a good challenge. To level the playing field and keep things simple, I stuck with the trail tires on the Giga and the enduro tires on the Reactor.

The Giga went first, and despite doing two laps to get up to speed on the course before getting the timer out, I shaved 2-3 seconds off my time from one run to the next. This is always a problem with timed testing. My first time on the Reactor (my fourth timed run of the day) matched the first run on the Giga. It improved from there but levelled out at one minute and sixteen seconds.

I did one more run on the Reactor with the trail tires and matched my fastest times, suggesting the stickier tires weren’t much of an advantage on this course anyway. I’m sure that on a more treacherous course—or in the hands of a rider who is better at finding the limit of grip—the enduro tires would become a significant advantage.

Subjectively, the enduro tires felt much more damped and surefooted and I was locking up less on the steep sections, but this didn’t seem to translate into more speed for me. Even with the sticky tires on the Reactor, the Giga felt much smoother, calmer, and more stable. The higher bar and slacker head angle combined with suspension that feels more settled “in the travel” makes going faster feel more within my comfort zone. I also felt like there was more time left on the table with the Giga, whereas the last two runs on the Reactor would be hard for me to improve on.

Because there are so many variables at play when descending, I wouldn’t read much into the times themselves. But they reveal that, although I felt closer to the edge on the Reactor, I was in fact going slower.

Closing Thoughts

The biggest takeaway for me is just how much difference tire choice makes for climbing speed. Sure, the enduro tires I tested are pretty draggy, but they’re not DH tires or mud spikes, and the trail tires (with an Assegai up front) are far from the fastest you can get. In fact, they held their own even on slippery descents.

I’m sure plenty of people don’t care about going slightly faster or feeling more comfortable on steep descents; in fact, I often hear people say they find it more fun to have a sketchier ride at slower speeds. But if that’s the case, why not fit slicker tires which will offer a real boost in climbing speed as a bonus? You could always use the lockout or run 10 percent sag if you want your enduro bike to feel sketchier! Personally, I have more fun on a long travel bike as it gives me the confidence to try new lines or ride them with more commitment.

The other surprise was that the Giga was barely slower uphill than the Reactor with the same tires, and if you want to close the efficiency gap even more you could always use the lockout.

One caveat here is that a power meter may not be the best way to measure and control effort in an efficiency test when comparing suspension efficiency. I discuss this with Mike Levy in this episode of the Pinkbike Podcast , but the bottom line is that I think the power meter method is valid for measuring efficiency when pedalling sitting down (as in this test), but it doesn’t work for out-of-the-saddle sprinting, and that’s where the extra travel is more likely to be a disadvantage.

It’s also fair to say the Reactor isn’t the fastest-climbing short-travel bike out there. But the Giga probably isn’t the most efficient among 170 millimeter+ bikes either. It’s based on a downhill bike and it’s designed to be even more gravity-focussed than Nukeproof’s Mega enduro bike. More to the point, it doesn’t have a huge amount of anti-squat , and higher anti-squat levels would probably make it climb even better. In one of Levy’s efficiency tests , the 170 millimeter-travel Santa Cruz Nomad (which has quite a lot of anti-squat) was faster than the 130 millimeter Ibis Mojo (despite having slower tires), suggesting a long-travel bike with generous anti-squat can be as just as efficient as a shorter travel one.

The bottom line is that ample suspension travel needn’t be a hindrance uphill, but grippy tires will slow you down a lot. So if you want one bike to do everything, it might make sense to pick a long-travel bike with a spare set of fast-rolling tires for mellower rides.

This article first appeared on our sister site, Pinkbike .

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Best trail mountain bikes 2024 – we test 11 excellent ride anywhere MTBs

Trail MTBs have become the ultimate do-everything mountain bikes, efficient on the climbs and confident on the descents. Here's our expert pick of the best around

The best trail mountain bikes are designed to be all-around MTBs that can take on any trail, all day long. As trail mountain biking fills the middle ground between enduro and XC, it's the most popular riding style and virtually every brand has at least one trail bike in its range.

Trail bikes are designed to combine uphill and downhill performance. For this reason, they often have a relatively efficient pedaling platform, yet the best trail bikes will shine on the downhills too. Usually sitting somewhere between 130 and 150mm of front and rear travel, these machines can tackle everything from trail center loops to gnarly off-piste steeps.

With so many quality trail bikes here, it's very tough to pick any overall winner and the one that's best for you will depend on where and how you want to ride.

Our five star rated trail MTBs are the Specialized Stumpjumper Evo Comp and Forbidden Druid V2. The Canyon Spectral 29 CF8 and YT Jeffsy Uncaged 6 are also excellent bikes that give maximum bangs per buck, so are our best value choices.

If you're unsure if trail MTBs are you right for you, our guides to the best mountain bikes and best mountain bike brands which should help you make your decision. And if you're looking to upgrade an existing bike, you may want to have a look at our top trail tire guide and our our article on the best dropper posts . We've also got a buying advice section on what to look for in a trail bike at the bottom of this article.

The best 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.

Specialized Stumpjumper Evo Comp

Our expert review:

Specifications

Reasons to buy, reasons to avoid.

Specialized offers the Stumpjumper in a huge range of spec, travel options, and in two wheel sizes, however, the Specialized Stumpjumper Evo Comp version is a happy medium between cost and components and is the Goldilocks model for us.

The Evo Comp model is made from the brand's Fact 11 carbon and features 160mm up front and 150mm at the back. The geometry is great, with a really well-centered feel descending and easy poise when climbing. Don't get us wrong, there are bikes out there that climb or descend better, but there aren't many that do both quite so well and it's finding the balance that makes the Stumpjumper such a great bike.

Not only does the Stumpjumper have impeccable ride manners, but Specialized has also packed the Stumpjumper Evo with practical features including a SWAT storage (with hydration reservoir included) and tuneable geometry. It also comes with a full SRAM GX drivetrain, complementary tire combo, and high-control brakes

Reviewer Guy Kesteven said. "It’s light and agile enough to be a joy on less techy, pedaling trails or just big days out in the hills but controlled and calm enough to really push the potential of its radical geometry options. The fact you can play around with big changes to those settings in just a few minutes between runs is a unique and invaluable gift for riders who really like to dig into their dynamics too." Read more in-depth thoughts in our review of the Specialized Stumpjumper Evo Comp .

Forbidden Druid V2

While high-pivot bikes using idlers are becoming increasingly popular on downhill bikes and enduro bikes, they haven't really filtered down to the best trail bike market that much yet. Idler-equipped bikes have the advantage that the suspension and drivetrain are more disconnected giving better suspension performance, however, this can come at the cost of pedaling efficiency. 

The Forbidden Druid V2's drivetrain creates less drag than it's predecessor and gives better chain security. Forbidden have also enhanced the Druid's riding character and the new incarnation combines short travel, agility and responsiveness with long travel control and confidence for a best of both worlds feel.

In testing, our tech editor, Guy, reported that the Druid V2 "charges, pops and hustles like a hard pedaling short travel bike but carries speed through jank and jolt sections like some kind of catapult. When that generates more speed than you’re expecting (which will happen a lot at first) it’ll save your stupid ass/arse and throw you straight back into the ring on your toes and ready to go. It does it without any of the old stretchy weirdness either, so not only is the overall performance better it’s easier to go harder on sooner.

Reviewer Guy Kesteven summed up the Druid V2. "With up to date, suspension flattering geometry, less drag, internal storage, smarter servicing touches and a killer spec right down to the correct tire carcasses at each end mean the Druid is truly something special. In fact, when I’m increasingly saying test bikes are sorted, capable and forgiving but in many ways increasingly similar, the Forbidden has got just enough freak to make it one of the bikes I’ve enjoyed riding most and been gutted to hand back in years."

For more, see our full Forbidden Druid V2 XO review .

Specialized Status 140

The Specialized Status 140 proves you don’t need to spend a fortune and have more than six inches of travel to have an absolute blast.

The attack-focused geometry is designed to come in super hard. With the front wheel way out front and the back end tucked as far underneath you as possible, the basic handling dynamic is as close to one of those kids' skid steer chopper trikes as you’ll get. While there’s no shortage of stability or ‘stick it into turns way harder than seems sane’ confidence at the front, the super-short back end also helps you get the nose off the deck surprisingly easily. 

The squat back end, with chunky double-sided pivots is properly stiff too, so it’s really easy to exaggerate the natural difference in turning circles and scrub rates of the front and rear wheels and kick or hip it off line like a hero. Even the RX Trail Tune on the shock is pretty tight, so you’re getting more mid-travel support to shove through berms on than typically comfort-focused Specialized FSR bikes. The short stroke fork does really well most of the time too, although more aggressive riders or slam landers will probably want to clip a couple more volume spacers under the air spring top cap to create a more progressive stroke. 

It certainly doesn’t smooth out or roll through jank as well as a twin 29er like the Stumpjumper Evo. And, while the steep 76-degree seat angle helps get weight forward over the bars on climbs, the front still wanders all over the place on steep sections and the short back end doesn’t grip as well either. But overall our tester, Guy Kesteven, reported that it is, "one of the most naturally playful, anarchically agile and responsive trail/park bikes I’ve ridden at any price point. If the trails are tight and/or steep with gaps and pops rather than relentless root and rock mess, it’s seriously fast too. Everything from parts pick to stealth aesthetics feels spot on for purpose."

Find out more in our full Specialized Status 140 review . 

Norco Optic C2

The Norco Optic C2 is well established as a great setup for good time riding so it’s no surprise that this bike feels sorted as soon as you grab hold of the grips. What stood out when we test-rode it is the way the Optic feels absolutely spot-on from geometry to shock tune.

As soon as we started riding, the Optic began offering rich communication between bike and rider. Norco has bumped up the high-speed compression and given the bike plenty of low-speed compression progression which gobbles up stutter bumps, roots rocks, and debris whilst race inspired shock tune will reward warp speed.

Beyond the excellent geometry and chassis dynamics, the component spec is superbly pitched to flatter the feel and capability. It’s practical, well priced and even the cheaper bike still packs all the play essentials into the package if your working with a tighter budget.   

Mick Kirkman summed up the latest Optic C2 in his review. "With sublime rear suspension, the Optic is still one of the best downcountry bikes around. Less carbon parts for more dosh and a swap from sorted Schwalbe to vague Vittoria tires mean 2023’s kit list isn’t as good value as previously, but the Optic C2’s spirit still shines through."

Get full details of the Norco Optic C2 in our review.

Canyon Spectral 29 CF8

Canyon's Spectral is a trail bike doing its best enduro impersonation and can continually step up to the job in hand the harder you push. This is down to the properly radical geometry which can teach any trail that normally terrified us a lesson in Canyon domination. 

The offset of the bulky trail build means climbing isn't as easily earned as other trail bikes. That said if you're faced with a steep and technical crux section, the Spectral has superb traction and control that will leave sharper-feeling bikes struggling. 

Once pointed down the Spectral can transition from a smooth, calm, and collected cruiser to a controlled and precise technical downhill weapon. With a characteristic that becomes more alive the harder you ride, it encourages you to seek out as much fun on the trail as possible.

Guy noted in his review that "the core of the bike is an impeccably balanced, firmly supportive, and accurate tracking technical trail and DH weapon. One that increasingly comes to life, popping, drifting, sending, and playing the harder you push it" and was so impressed he awarded the Canyon Spectral 29 CF8.0 a five-star review. 

YT Jeffsy Uncaged 6

Direct sales brand, YT Industries, is much better known for its gravity bikes, specifically the YT Capra which is a common sight at enduro trail spots. The Jeffsy is one step below the Capra in the lineup with 10mm less suspension. 

With 150mm of travel, the Jeffsy still ripped on the downhills during our testing and is more than capable of dabbling with everything from flowing singletracks to enduro trails. The geometry isn't as radical as you would expect from a brand like YT but we found that further helped with the Jeffsy's versatility. 

Unsurprisingly, bikes this good are hard to get a hold of and with YT's stock getting snapped up quickly, bikes are frequently changing spec and out of stock. 

When Rich Owen reviewed the Jeffsy he found "the ultra-responsive nature of the Uncaged 6 is hard to ignore. Everywhere I rode, the bike felt as if it was champing at the bit to go faster and hit the trails harder." For more info, check out our full review of the YT Jeffsy Uncaged 6 model.

Merida One-Forty 6000

Our techical editor, Guy, seriously rates this shorter travel 140mm travel trail bike that's already picked up a bunch of awards from other testers in the industry too. He's also rave reviewed Merida’s longer travel, higher cost One-Sixty 8000 and reckons it's one of the best enduro mountain bikes available.

Whatever size you opt for (XShort, Short, Mid, Long or XLong), they're all extremely roomy for their size with our Mid test bike measuring 480mm. That gives you plenty of room to maneuver and helps give a planted feel on the trail. 

The 150mm Marzocchi Bomber Z1 fork gives a supple up front end, but in its default trim, it ramps up at the end of the stroke in a very similar way to the 143mm travel RockShox Deluxe Select+ at the rear, so any ugly landings are tidied up neatly once the shock's damper is dialed in. Flex seat stays, rather than pivots, add rear end extra flex too.

A super steep 80 degree seat angle and high level of traction from a naturally ground tracking rear end combines with a mid length stem and 65 degree head angle combo stops the bike from feeling too floppy when you’re winching the bike upwards. Add an efficient, seated pedaling feel, and you can climb up ridiculously steep, technical upslopes when you’d be walking or wanting an uplift on a lot of bikes. The only big drawback is the One-Forty's weight, which comes in at around 500g more than comparative rivals.

In his full Merida One-Forty 6000 review , Guy summed up the bike as one that "packages radical, hard riding geometry, smooth suspension plus wheel and travel change potential and a lot of neat features with super solid, good value kit. It’s on the hefty side though and the seat angle might not agree with everyone".

Mondraker Raze Carbon RR

Mondraker’s Raze is a lightweight mid-travel trail steed with a 150mm travel fork, 130mm shock, and Mondraker’s sleek aesthetic. The RR version gets full Fox Factory suspension monitored by its unique MIND telemetry system .

With a lightweight frame, a slightly compliant, conforming – rather than rigidly harsh – feel and the Raze Carbon RR feels inspiringly alive and responsive on the trail, never rabid or rowdy.

The MIND system gathers suspension and ride data and sends it to a smartphone app. This allows you to study how your suspension performed over a ride and tune it accordingly. You also get detailed telemetry on your performance which you can properly geek out on – if that's your thing.

In his review, Guy remarked, "Despite so many bikes following much of Mondraker's pioneering geometry lead, it has managed to keep its signature ride character deliciously distinctive. The light, lithe, perfectly imbalanced suspension of the Raze RR makes it a proper ‘chef’s special’ in terms of accentuating that agility and inherent ‘skill gifting’ to the maximum." For more info on this tech-packed bike, check out our full Mondraker Raze Carbon RR review .

Santa Cruz Chameleon

A hardtail in best trail bike? Surely some mistake, but no. The Santa Cruz Chameleon is here very much on merit, as this eighth edition of Santa Cruz's trail-friendly hardtail is the most versatile, confident and flat-out-fun incarnation yet. It's also the most engaging and easiest-on-the-wallet entry into owning one of this premium brand's bikes.

Despite the finishing kit being a tad below par to that found on comparably priced bikes, the forgiving yet massively capable ride is so much fun that it won't ever cross your mind. 

It can run both MX (mullet) or full 29er configurations which we found gave it a delightful double personality. "In MX format it’s got proper pop, precision, and powerful responsiveness for attacking the most fun trails flat out or you can choose the 29er option for the smoothest ride and tap out the tempo as far into the hills as your curiosity takes you." For our full verdict, check out our Santa Cruz Chameleon review .

Santa Cruz 5010 CC X01 RSV

If you are looking for the ultimate fun-loving trail bike, it's hard to look past the Santa Cruz 5010. It's now running a mixed wheel combo (29 up front and 27.5 rear), rather than a straight 29er, which gives it a more playful and agile ride quality. If Strava segments are the goal of a trail ride then this is probably not the bike for you, however, if slashing corners and throwing shapes over jumps for insta-bangers is your thing then no other bike is going to come close.

However, it would be a disservice to say that the 5010 is slow. The Virtual Pivot Point (VPP) is dialed to efficiently deal with chaotic trails and on twisty tight tracks, the 5010 carries excellent speed due to its explosive cornering speed. You might need to work it a little harder on the way up, however, it's all worth it when gravity is on your side.

Mixed wheels might not suit everyone but as Guy points out, "if you’re the kind of rider who hunts for every turn to hook, loamy corner to explode sideways out of or slight lip to hip then the 5010 is an absolute riot. The fact it’s more stable and sucks up way more trouble fires you along the trail with more flow than before. It hasn't lost its killer kick and precision agility meaning you’ve got even more speed to play with, too." Check out our full review of the Santa Cruz 5010 CC X01 RSV to find out more about this mixed-wheeled shredder.

Atherton Bikes Trail AM.130

The Atherton's have evolved from a successful trio of siblings dominating World Cup downhill racing to a factory race team and innovative frame manufacturer. Atherton Bikes started with AM.200 downhill bike before extending the range with the AM.150 enduro bike and AM.130 trail bike.

All the bikes share the same carbon tubing and titanium lug manufacturing process and Dave Weagal designed DW6 suspension system that's used on the downhill bikes. Not only does that mean supple suspension performance but also a chassis strong enough to tackle Bike Park use and downhill riding, plus the AM.130 is sold with a lifetime warranty.

One of the big advantages of Atherton Bikes' manufacturing is that they are able to offer the AM.130 in 22 different sizes – which is far more than we see from any other brand. These sizes feature reach numbers between 410mm and 530mm in increments of 10mm. On top of that, all but the four smallest frame sizes are available with two different stack heights.

The unique construction method is sure to turn heads as well so if you're looking for a boutique trail bike that will stand out on the trails, then the Atherton Bikes AM.130 is an excellent choice.

For riders needing a little more capability, Atherton Bikes also offers an AM.130.X which gets a 150mm fork and a 0.5 degree slacker head angle. For more details, see our news article on the Atherton AM.130 .

How to choose the best trail bike for you

What's the best trail bike geometry.

Mountain bikes have been getting longer and lower as time has progressed. With wheel and suspension technology continually improving and brands embracing new fork offsets, trail bikes are becoming ever more capable. 

Expect to see head angles between 64- and 66-degrees and seat angles between 74- and 75-degrees. With such a range of geometry figures, one trail bike could ride very differently from another, so if you are unsure what would suit you, many shops or retailers offer test rides or demo days so that you can try before you buy.

How much suspension travel should a trail bike have?

Only a few years ago, travel was a bike-defining characteristic, but that's no longer the case. We're seeing cross-country bikes with over 100mm of travel, trail bikes pushing up against 160mm of squish, and enduro bikes that bottom out at 150mm. 

Trail bikes can range from 130mm of travel all the way up to about 160mm, and quite often we see forks that are about 10mm longer than rear shocks. Added travel at the front gives a bike a bit more composure on the downhills, while a shorter stroke at the rear makes it easier for designers to keep the chainstays compact leading to a lively feel on the trail. 

While hardtail trail bikes are becoming less common, there are still a few around. The simplicity of the frame keeps the price down, and expect to find a 130-150mm fork and 29-inch or 27.5+ wheels and tires. If you are interested in that option, check out our best hardtail mountain bike guide.

Should I got for 29 or 27.5-inch wheels?

Over the years, the wheel size debate has been hotly contested. Trail bikes take advantage of both wheel sizes, and historically if you wanted an agile and maneuverable ride, 27.5 was your ticket, while if you were looking for rollover and speed, you'd want a 29er. However, as things have progressed, brands seem to be embracing the larger wheel size.

Because a 27.5-inch wheel with a 2.8-inch tire is roughly the same diameter as a 29er with 2.3-inch rubber, quite a lot of frames designed for bigger wheels will be compatible with both.

And if you want the best of both worlds, lots of bikes are available as a mixed-wheel mullet option, with a 29in upfront and a 27.5in wheel on the rear.

Should a trail mountain bike have an alloy or carbon frame?

Alloy frames are cheaper to produce, so it's no surprise to find them at the lower end of the pricing spectrum, while carbon dominates the upper end. There are great bikes in both materials, and ultimately your budget will determine what your new bike is made from. Some brands offer an alloy version of a frame specced with top-end components for a fraction of the cost of the carbon frame with the same build. If you are planning on upgrading parts over time go for the carbon version, if you are looking for the best performance-to-cost ratio then an alloy frame is probably the way to go.

What components should I look for?

For the most part, if you are choosing an XC bike, you will choose lightweight XC parts, and if you are going enduro, you will go full enduro. Trail bikes are a little different and really blur the lines between disciplines. Much of the component choice will be dependent on your local trails and riding style. 

If you're looking to try out the odd bit of enduro riding, there is no harm in beefing up components like wheels, tires, or brakes to handle the extra stresses. However, if your trails are tamer or if cruising and flow are more your style, choosing lighter-weight parts would be a good way to go.

How we test trail bikes

Given that most trail bikes are designed for a fairly wide range of conditions that is exactly what we test them in – everything from fun trail center loops to gnarly, natural off-piste descents and everything in between. We also like to push the bikes beyond their designed use to see how they perform – as that is what you may end up doing out in the real world. While this is somewhat dependant on the season, we also aim to ride the bikes as many different riding conditions as possible to see how they perform in sucky mud and over slippery roots as well as on dusty, fast running hardpack. This also helps to give us an understanding of how the bikes will stand up to hard use and if it will still function if parts of it are clogged up with mud or affected by other trail debris.

Meet the testers

Guy's been testing and writing about mountain bikes since the 90s, he’s written several million words about several thousand test bikes and a ridiculous amount of riding gear. We are willing to bet that there aren't many trail bikes Guy hasn't ridden over the last couple of decades.

Rich has been riding mountain bikes since the early nineties and professionally testing bikes and kit for over a decade. While he has ridden mountain bikes of every kind, Rich is definitely a trail bike rider at heart and loves finding flow on more technical lines. 

An ex-elite downhill racer, Mick's been mucking about and occasionally racing mountain bikes for over twenty years. Nowadays, he's mostly riding enduro-style terrain on conventional and electric bikes. 

Rich has been riding mountain bikes for over 30 years and mostly likes hitting flowy yet technical trails that point downhill. A jack of many trades, he has competed in cross-country, enduro and long distance MTB races. A resident of North Devon, Rich can mostly be found pedaling furiously around his local trails, or slightly further afield in the Quantocks, the Mendips or Exmoor. 

Current rides: Merida One-Forty 6000, Banshee Paradox

Height : 175cm

Weight : 68kg

• Guy Kesteven Technical-Editor-at-Large
• Mick Kirkman Freelance writer
• Colin Levitch Freelance writer

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Yeti SB150 Review: A Long-Travel 29er Built to Do Everything

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Low, slack, and stretched, this long-travel 29er performs so well climbing and descending that riders who love the downhill could make it a one-bike quiver.

Bikemakers often claim their all-mountain or trail bike is the only one you need. But no all-mountain or trail bike we’ve tested is compromise-free on big descents. And while bomber enduro rides like the Santa Cruz Bronson, Pivot Firebird, and Specialized Enduro will put a smile on your face during rowdy downhills, they still compromise some performance on climbs.

Enter the Yeti Cycles SB150 , launched today, starting at $5,199. With a 150mm travel shock and 170mm travel fork, it offers the best example of a long-travel 29er bike that climbs as well as an all-mountain bike — while descending confidently even in harsh terrain. And after my test, I think you’ll consider selling your downhill, enduro, and all-mountain bikes to own an SB150.

Yeti SB150: A Better MTB

The new SB150 has what Yeti calls “progressive race geometry.” That means longer reach, steeper seat angle, and a slacker head angle combine with a shorter fork offset.

During development, Yeti took its popular SB5.5 and, according to Yeti director of engineering Peter Zawistowski, “Frankensteined” it to explore the progressive race geometry on offer.

“We wanted a slightly more progressive leverage curve, space for a water bottle in the front triangle, and lower standover height while maintaining our well-known Yeti Switch Infinity efficient pedaling platform,” Zawistowski said.

So Yeti opted for a 15 percent leverage curve based on feedback from riders. The result, Zawistowski said, provides better small-bump compliance as well as a “wider range of compatibility of shocks” and a “wider tuning window for rider weights and styles.”

“If you break shock travel into thirds —beginning, middle and end — with the new leverage curve, in the beginning of travel the bike is more sensitive to small bumps. In the middle of the travel, it’s well supported. And in the end of travel, the bike has even more bottom out resistance than previously. These new progression percentages give us a wider range of compatibility of shocks and a wider tuning window for rider weights and styles.”

In short, the Yeti Cycles team actually figured out how to make a mountain bike with better steering that’s more versatile and capable overall. And to do so, the brand filed 15 patents in the process.

“We’d get on a bike with a wheelbase 30mm longer and it would feel shorter,“ said Product Manager Ryan “Rocket” Thornberry. “On paper, everything about this bike looked wrong. But on the trail, it was like we made an impossible wish list and all of it came true.”

Yeti SB150 Review

I rode the SB150 for a long weekend, hammering a wide variety of trails at Colorado’s Snowmass and Buttermilk ski resorts. That included a 1,800-foot climb up the front side of Snowmass on buff flow trails, transitioning to rocky, technical, and fall-off-your-bike-steep descents. Then I rode it for another week on backyard trails at my home in Vermont, where I typically ride bikes with far less suspension.

In short, I was stunned at the SB150’s adaptability and performance. The new geometry helped the bike steer exceptionally well. I smoothly rode features where other bikes gave me pause. I felt centered on the bike — a driver not a passenger.

Ordinarily, I would have never considered taking a bike this big on some of the trails I rode — especially the monster climb at Snowmass. But the SB150 crushed it all, making me rethink what and where I’ll pedal. At first glance, this bike appeared too much for everyday riding. I was wrong.

On multi-hour rides on technical singletrack, I soared over obstacles I previously considered sketchy. Without pause, the bike rolled over it playfully and sturdily.

Plus, the bike climbed as well as any all-mountain bike. I knew the SB150 would crush any downhill I pointed it toward, so I was most surprised by its ascents. On uphill flow trail, it was a 100 percent adequate climber, not sluggish at all. And thanks to Yeti’s Switch Infinity additional linkage, there was no bobbing around as I slogged up alongside the lifts.

I didn’t bother to lock out the shock, yet the bike didn’t bounce around. Then, when I hit sections of technical uphill singletrack I wasn’t sure I’d be able to pedal, the bike cruised through with agility and confidence-inspiring handling.

On rooty, easy-coasting singletrack, the SB150 smoothed out the trail. It absorbed small bumps but never felt like a beast when I needed to make a quick correction to avoid an obstacle.

When pushed to perform, the bike handles with catlike agility while rolling over everything in its path. Like all Yetis, the SB150 is made for an aggressive rider who wants to push themselves and the bike. But its slow-speed handling is also spot on.

The kinematics of the SB150 are on point. So is the new shock tune. If it’s set up properly, you’ll use all this bike’s travel and get everything you want, including small-bump sensitivity and midstroke support. And you’ll maintain a poppy, lively feel as well as better bottom-out resistance. Yeti Cycles built this bike with great tunability for a wide range of riding styles and rider weights.

Maintenance

The new bike also makes maintenance and modifications easier. A 60mm shock extender allowed Yeti to get optimal shock placement and space for a water bottle in the main frame. The extender also allows the shock to be removed for servicing quickly and easily. The two-piece extender doesn’t clamp onto the shock — it has bearings. These minimize friction, so you’re not wearing through bushings as you ride. And the extender fits inside the shock link, keeping the bike frame narrow.

New Yetis, from the SB100 up, share hardware. So you won’t have to wonder if you grabbed the correct spare derailleur hanger for your next big trip. And the bikes are maintenance friendly for your mechanic. The shock is easily removable, and the bottom bracket port can be unscrewed, simplifying dropper post install.

The cockpit is user-friendly too. Much like Yeti’s SB100, the 150 has lower standover height, making it more accessible to smaller riders and more comfortable for everyone. By lowering the seat tube height, the SB150 is compatible with up to a 200mm dropper post, though it comes with Fox’s Transfer 150mm dropper. Yeti also made the switch to a 31.6mm seatpost diameter to compensate for consumers’ tendency to overtighten seat tube collars, which commonly interferes with correct dropper post operation.

Yeti 2019 model year bikes, including the SB150, now come with a lifetime warranty for the original owner. And they’re more durable than ever without being heavier. The SB150 is tested to downhill standards and has undergone substantial impact testing both in the lab and under the rider on the Enduro World Series circuit.

Yeti SB150 Impressions

I was blown away by the SB150’s performance, both on its own and compared to other long-travel 29ers I’ve tested. Drawbacks I experienced with other brands, like pedal strike, weren’t an issue here.

But setting this bike up to get the best ride will take time, more so than on any other Yeti I’ve ridden. Tiny tweaks in sag and suspension make a noticeable difference.

The SB150 is spec’d with a piggyback Fox Factory X2 shock and a Fox Factory 36 fork. But it’s Fox-approved for a coil if that’s your preference. Set up the bike according to recommendations on Yeti’s  new website , launched today. Then, hone in on settings in a more scientific way: Ride it repeatedly on the same section of trail, making small tweaks each time.

Then, once you feel you’ve got it tuned to you, let it loose anywhere.

Berne Broudy is a contributing writer at GearJunkie.com.

Broudy has been writing about cycling, skiing, and outdoor gear for more than 20 years. Before that, Broudy spent time guiding hiking and cycling tours in South America, Europe, and the U.S.

Based in Vermont, Berne Broudy is a core user of and expert in outdoor, cycling, and ski gear, as well as overlanding and powersports gear. She has been writing about outdoor products, business, and issues for more than 20 years. She has written and photographed for more than 20 publications and has served as a contributing editor at many of them.

Broudy currently sits on several nonprofit boards in her home state of Vermont. She is an avid mountain biker, gravel biker, backcountry skier, overlander, and adventure traveler.

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When a mountain bike is sized just right, it makes having fun, building confidence, and improving skills that much easier. These XS mountain bikes have the same features and performance as their larger framed counterparts but feature a smaller frame, smaller wheels, and size-specific components — perfect for any ripper aged 13 and up.

Marlin is a trail-tough hardtail mountain bike that excels just as much on the singletrack as it does in the urban jungle. It’s durable, versatile, and comes at an unbeatable price.

Roscoe is a cross country crusher and a pure mountain machine. This hardtail is made to connect you with the trail and designed to help you progess your skills wherever you roam.

A lightweight aluminum frame, quality parts, and incredible versatility make the X-Caliber the XC ripper for improving your skills and endurance on the longest of trails.

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Let loose in the singletrack and take on bigger terrain at faster speeds with this fully capable longer-travel suspension mountain bike. Any trail, any way, Fuel EX is up to get down.

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Powerfly Equipped

This electric mountain bike is equipped to handle the demands of trail riding with the versatility of a city bike. Load up, ride to class, then hit the trails after.

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Electric bikes give you all the joys of cycling without some of the main challenges. You don’t have to strain your muscles too much to conquer steep hills, and you don’t have to reach your destination looking frazzled and sweaty.

However, to enjoy all the benefits of e-bikes, you have to choose a model that fits your stature. And that can be hard for a smaller size adult or teen.

But there are some great options that may include a folding electric bike , an e-bike with smaller wheels, or an e-bike that you can buy in a Small frame size or that sits lower to the ground. After researching these options as well as the overall quality of a variety of electric bike models and brands, I found some impressive choices.

The 12 best small electric bikes include the following:

• RadExpand Step-Thru by Rad Power Bikes
• Rad Power Bikes RadRunner
• Prolog by LeMond Bike s
• Cannondale Adventure Neo
• Electra Townie Path Go Step-Thru!
• Aventon Level
• Rad Power Bikes RadWagon
• Propella 7S
• Electric Bike Company Model X
• Gazelle Ultimate C380
• iZip Simi Step-Thru

The rest of the article will discuss the e-bike models above, highlighting their strong suits, what makes them work as a small e-bike, and any other characteristics you should know about.

These e-bikes were chosen as the best small electric bikes, not by frame size, but because they offer a feature that makes them easier to manage, especially for a smaller person. Continue reading and you’ll discover my favorite small e-bike as a size-challenged adult!

1. RadExpand Step-Thru (Favorite)

As a small woman myself and a rider of the RadMini, the RadExpand’s predecessor, I can’t help but choose this as my all-time favorite small electric bike!

Yet another e-bike model by the largest US-based brand, Rad Power Bikes, the RadExpand folding electric bike fits riders sizes 4’10” to 5’10”. So it was intentionally designed as a small e-bike for a size-challenged person!

With its small 20″ X 4.0″ wide tires and step-thru frame (you can also get a step-over one), it’s easily the best small electric bike for small grownups and even teen e-bike riders .

With a 750W electric motor, Tektro disc brakes , Shimano gears, front and rear lights, and a throttle, it’s a great value at a reasonable price (around $1500).

This is one of the best e-bikes for a small or average-sized person due to its folding ability. Thanks to its smaller tires, it can be easily folded into a compact unit and taken with you wherever you go. Plus its step-thru frame makes it easy to get on and off quickly, even without tall legs.

The RadExpand folding step-thru model is as stylish as it is efficient. It’s also the best folding electric bike in its price category.

Want to learn more about the “famous” RadMini folding e-bike ? Take a look!

2. Rad Power Bikes RadRunner

The RadRunner is one of the most valuable small e-bikes you can get as an adult. It’s also a fan favorite amongst many Rad Power Bikes enthusiasts and for good reasons. Its unique blend of usefulness, versatility, and affordability makes it one of the e-bikes you should expect to see several times when you’re out on the streets each day.

This electric bike features a custom drivetrain, small but wide Kenda tires (20″ X 3.3″), and a high-capacity rack (120lbs or 54.43kg). The 750 watts motor comfortably beats many other e-bikes in this price range.

Yet the bike frame is undoubtedly one of the biggest reasons for its popularity. The construction means it can serve as a commuter or leisure bike for adults in different size categories. In fact, it allows kids and even smaller grownups to ride on the rear seat without affecting pedal assist.

3. Prolog By LeMond Bikes

One electric bicycle that has grown in popularity over the last year is the Prolog series from Knoxville-based Lemond. The Prolog is an excellent commuter e-bike featuring a light frame and an exquisite matte-finish exterior. The fancifully designed fenders give the bike a luxurious look.

The main components of the electric bike come from popular names in the bike manufacturing industry, including Shimano (gearing system), Panaracer (tires), and Mahle (drive system). Combining these units gives you a versatile and durable electric bike that’s easy to manage and repair.

Available in three different frame sizes, it can fit just about anyone, even though it’s a step-over.

Do you want to test your speed limits? This lightweight e-bike is one of the fastest around.

4. Cannondale Adventure Neo

If you’re in the market for an electric bicycle you can trust for your commute that isn’t overfitted with unnecessary bells and whistles, the Cannondale Adventure Neo 4 should be high on your list. The manufacturer is one of the biggest names in this niche, so you’re getting an e-bike supported by a strong network of affiliate shops and retailers.

The model features a light aluminum frame and a Bosch 250-watt motor. The built-in seat suspension helps ensure a comfortable ride at all times. The mid-drive motor has no issues navigating streets, backroads, and village lanes. You can expect to get up to 64 miles (103km) out of the 400Wh battery on a full charge. The battery is also removable in case you’ve got an extra.

The cables are routed internally, giving you a clutter-free appearance. The Shimano hydraulic brakes also guarantee reliable performance at all times.  

Thanks to the step-through frame, getting on and off the bike is easy, especially for smaller adults. In fact, this e-bike offers a large or small frame size , allowing a person as short as 4’9″ (149cm) to ride comfortably.

5. Electra Townie Path Go!  

If you’re looking for an e-bike that delivers well on short trips around town and during longer trail rides, the Electra Townie Path Go Step-Thru is an excellent option to go with. The unit features step-over pedals, typically found on racing and e-mountain bikes. The result is a more balanced ride experience at all times. 

The unit features 27.5-inch (69.85 cm) tires and a high-capacity battery that can last up to 65 miles.

Other interesting features you can expect to find include a SmartphoneHub controller (which allows easy monitoring of ride data) and the Flat Foot technology, which moves the pedals to match up with the saddle as closely as possible. With this technology, you can enjoy riding with your leg fully extended—a super comfortable position—and relaxing your foot on the ground at stops is a lot easier (especially if you’re a size-challenged person).

6. Cero One

If you’re looking for a reliable and comfortable electric cargo bike good enough for your commute, carrying cargo, or taking your kids to school, the Cero One is one of the best. The model sports an eye-catching design with a smaller front wheel and larger back wheel combo made for easy maneuverability.

The Cero One is compact, lightweight, and laden with high-end components from manufacturers like Shimano, Satori, and Schwalbe.

The combination of the Gates carbon belt drive , 250-watt Shimano Steps Motor, and the Schwalbe tires combine to give you an e-bike that can conveniently relegate your car to the background. Cero supports customization, so you can spec out your electric bike as you deem fit and have it arrive at your doorsteps ready to go.

7. Aventon Level Step-Through

The Aventon Level is a hugely practical e-bike that has an unassuming exterior and comes in a Small/Medium size frame (in addition to Medium/Large). Don’t let the simplistic design deceive you, though. The bike is powerful enough to compete with other commuter electric bicycles on the market today.

The unit features full fenders, a kickstand, a rear cargo rack, and an upright geometry. The reserved exterior houses a powerful motor you’re sure to feel on mounting the bike. It’s another e-bike that features a throttle .

Its rear hub motor delivers 750 Watts of peak power and 500 watts of sustained power. A 672 Watt-hour lithium-ion rechargeable battery supplies the motor with power. You can expect 40 miles (64.37 km) of average range from the fully charged battery. The electric parts are neatly tucked away, giving it an aesthetically pleasing look.  

The bike’s 8-speed Shimano drivetrain, Kenda tires, and the Suntour fork combine to deliver a seamless and pleasurable riding experience. This e-bike is also quiet while in full flow.

The Aventon Level is competitively priced compared to some others in this niche. However, it’s not designed for night riding right out of the box. There are no lights or bells installed.

8. Rad Power Bikes RadWagon

The latest iteration of the RadWagon sports a complete redesign. It’s now lower to the ground and a lot easier to maneuver. The tires are now smaller and fatter after redesign by Rad Power Bikes’ in-house team and Vee Tire Co.

An interesting feature on the bike is the twist throttle which comes in handy when pedaling is limiting or too tasking.

Although it’s rather long and carries a ton of cargo, its small tires keep it low to the ground and easy to step onto. Traditionally, full cargo e-bikes are quite large. But this one allows a short person to manage it comfortably.

Some users have reported electrical arcing on the bike, though, so it’s best to store yours in a shed or indoors. It’s also not a good idea to assemble the bike on your own. If you do, visit a manufacturer-approved service partner to go over your assembly.

9. Propella 7S

If you’re looking for an e-bike that does the basics and isn’t too expensive, the Propella 7S is one of the best you can find in this price range. It’s an affordable model with a reliable motor and a powerful frame you can trust in a wide range of situations and on all kinds of roads.

The reason this is listed as one of the best small e-bikes is not due to the frame or wheel size. It’s because it is one of the lightest-weight e-bikes making it easily manageable for any size adult (and at a very reasonable cost of around $1299).

The unit features Shimano hydraulic disc brakes and a 250Wh Samsung battery that powers the Bafang motor. The battery goes from zero to full in less than three hours. Other cool features include the suspension seat, pedal-assist function, and an LCD to monitor the battery level. With the multi-speed setting, tackling any hills is a breeze on this bike.

One notable downside to choosing this electric bike is Propella’s direct-to-consumer model. There’s very little support on the local front, so if your e-bike develops major issues, you may find yourself in a bind.

10. Electric Bike Company Model X

One of the first things you’ll notice about the Model X is that it looks more premium than the price will indicate. As an e-bike assembled in the USA , the manufacturer’s attention to detail is immediately evident once you fully unbox it.

Although it’s not a step-thru frame, you can choose a small tire size of 24″ as opposed to the regular 26″.

The unit is another one that features a throttle, and it runs quietly while in motion except for the faint whirl you might hear from the rear hub motor. The steel fork, aluminum frame, and Fat Frank tires all combine to ensure you’ll enjoy a smooth ride every time you’re on the road.

The retro handlebar and the comfortable saddle deliver relaxed sitting while the e-assist makes controlling the e-bike a breeze. The pedal assist function can deliver top speeds of 28 miles (45.06 km) per hour.

The 500-watt motor on this unit can deliver up to 1,500 watts of power, which makes this unit a good option for even the sporty crowd. The vanilla design doesn’t come with a lot of bells and whistles. If you want optional fittings like GPS tracking , suspension seat posts, special frame colors, extra batteries, a rear rack, or other such fittings, you’ll have to request them separately.

One downside customers have pointed out on this unit is that the hub motor makes changing flat tires more difficult than it should be.

11. Gazelle Ultimate C380

The superb design of the Gazelle Ultimate C380 immediately screams “high quality” even from afar. It’s no surprise that the manufacturer offers a 10-year frame warranty.

The unit features a 500W battery, durable hydraulic disc brakes, neatly integrated taillight, and a powerful headlight. There aren’t many better-looking bikes you can compare to this unit. 

Away from the aesthetic side, the e-bike delivers a smooth riding experience.

The mid-drive motor is a Bosch Performance Line 3.0 that ensures the e-bike can deliver top speeds of up to 20mph (32.18 kph). The low step-through frame is nicely balanced and as stable as you’d expect from a bike in this price range.

Are you looking for a low-maintenance e-bike? The stepless gear system and maintenance belt drive on this unit is a combination that will keep the bike running seamlessly most of the time.

Little extras like leather grips and the Selle Royal saddle round off the features that make this unit a truly upscale electric bike model. However, the jury’s out if it’s worth the price, especially compared to other commuter e-bikes.

are step-through e-bikes unisex? Get the answer here!

12. iZip Simi Step-Thru

If you’re in the market for a cheap cruiser e-bike you can ride in an upright position, the iZip Simi Step-Thru is one of the best small electric bikes in its price range (under $1800). The step-through frame ensures you can easily put your foot down when you’re at stoplights. The manufacturer throws in fenders, a kickstand, a rear rack, and lights—a welcome surprise at this price range.

However, the manufacturer saves money in other areas. For example, the unit features Shimano’s 7-speed drivetrain. You’ll instantly notice that it’s not quite as smooth as the drivetrain on higher-end e-bikes. However, it works well enough, so you shouldn’t have any problems climbing most hills.

The unit features a hub-driven SR Suntour, which gets a bit wonky while engaging or disengaging. However, it balances out as soon as you get going, and you can barely hear any noise from the motor while in motion. The Simi Step-Thru also features Tektro mechanical disc brakes, which gradually grind to a halt when applied. It’s a nice change from the jarring braking adopted by some other e-bike models in this range.

The battery on the unit can last around 62 miles (99.77 km) if you’re cruising at the slowest setting. If you want to go speeding, be ready to recharge fairly quickly as the range drops to just 15 miles (24.14 km) if you’re riding on the fastest e-bike setting.

The bike frame comes in four colors: Navy Blue, Salmon, Turquoise, and Charcoal gray.

Should You Buy an Electric Bike? (Bonus)

You should buy an electric bike if your lifestyle allows you to draw full value from the investment. If you’re an avid cyclist, an e-bike allows you to cover more ground without expending too much energy.

Senior citizens or people recovering from injuries may also use an electric bike to stay active. Some environmentally aware commuters also rely on electric bikes for a commute that won’t leave them all sweaty on arrival to the office. You don’t have to wait until you can afford an electric car to make your commute more eco-friendly.

Regardless of your lifestyle, you can find a reason to pay for an electric bike .

How To Finance an Electric Bike

There aren’t many financing options for e-bikes yet. Lending companies are less likely to offer a plan for an electric bike. However, more manufacturers are making it possible for prospective customers to pay for their bikes with monthly payments. Check your preferred manufacturer’s website to see what offers they’ve got.

How Can You Choose the Right Electric Bike?

To choose the right electric bike, you need to first determine how you intend to use it. The right bike will vary from one individual to another. If you have to ride across flat terrain for your commute, you can get by with a Class 1 electric bike. 

Cycling enthusiasts looking for more versatility should go with Class 2 or 3 e-bikes . Class 1 e-bikes don’t have a throttle, but they feature pedal-assist functions with a maximum speed of 20 mph (32.18 kph). Class 2 electric bikes also have maximum speeds of 20 mph (32.18 kph) but feature throttle assist.

Class 3 e-bikes feature pedal assist and have a maximum speed of 28 mph (45.06 kph). They also don’t have throttles.

Across all three classes, motors are limited to 750 watts. The power distinction across different electric bicycles is most visible in the motor ratings and the battery capacity. If you’re an avid e-biker, you’re better off choosing an e-cargo bike with a powerful motor and battery combination.

Other Tips To Keep in Mind When Buying an E-Bike

• Choose brands with readily available bike components. Companies like Shimano and Bosch make parts for the most popular e-bike brands. Choosing bicycle models with parts from these companies means you won’t have to look too hard to find replacement parts when you need them. Also, it ensures your local bike shop can help with repairs when you need them.
• E-bikes are not maintenance-free. Many e-bikes require even more maintenance compared to standard bikes. You should keep this in mind when calculating the cost of your bike.
• Pay attention to e-bike laws and regulations in your state. Some local governments have banned certain types of e-bikes. You should pay attention to what the rules say about owning e-bikes in your area. This guide from the National Conference of State Legislatures is a good place to start.
• Learn how to ride a normal bicycle first . We’ve covered some of the smallest e-bikes you can find in the market today, but most of these can go up to 20 mph (32.18 kph). If you don’t have standard cycling experience, you risk losing control at moderate to high speeds. Seasoned cyclists on non-electric bikes don’t ride at top speeds at all times. It’ll be more difficult for you as a beginner.
• Keep all safety tips in mind . Riding an e-bike doesn’t make you immune to accidents. There’s an argument that electric bikes are riskier than standard variants. Features like pedal and throttle assist can make you ride absent-mindedly. Always exercise caution when out on the streets—crowded or not—and don’t forget your helmet .

Tall e-bike riders… here are the best e-bikes for you!

Read about some of the other best electric bikes in their category:

• Best Electric BMX Bikes
• Best E-Bikes for Sand and the Beach

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Rad power bikes vs. quietkat brands comparison, advantages and disadvantages of folding e-bikes: should you buy, 7 best e-bike storage solutions (ideas for home and garage), e-bike conversion guide: converting your bike to electric, 18 best e-bike companies: brands made in the usa.

Whether you're a newbie curious about your first e-bike, or a seasoned rider looking for the latest trends and tips, you've come to the right place. 🚴‍♂️⚡🌟

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The 7 Best Electric Mountain Bikes of 2024

A little boost can make mountain biking even better.

No, I assured him, I wanted to pedal myself. I ended up on a cobweb covered bike with bald tires that was pulled from the depths of a basement. Big mistake. I spent the next several days sweating up long alpine climbs while four-generation families gleefully floated past on powered bikes.

Now, Americans are increasingly realizing what Europeans have known for years: e-mountain bikes make it fun to ride longer or can help us go faster. E-mountain bikes combine off- road functionality with pedal-assist power that makes it easier to get to the top of the climb. Modern geometry and components make these bikes just as fun to ride downhill as their non-powered counterparts. These bikes keep improving as motors and batteries become more reliable, more powerful, lighter, and more efficient.

More importantly, bicycle designers have gone well beyond simply bolting a motor onto a bike and calling it an eMTB. The best models feature motors with enough power and range to let you get the most out of your ride, and are also built to be stable and capable of tackling any trail.

When you’re choosing an electric mountain, look for one that offers a high-power motor, a battery with long life (and/or the capability to add a backup battery), sufficient suspension travel, and a price that fits your budget.

The Best Electric Mountain Bikes

• Best Overall: Specialized Turbo Levo Alloy
• Best Hardtail: Aventon Ramblas
• Best Lightweight: Santa Cruz Heckler SL
• Best Enduro: Yeti 160E
• Best Women's Specific: Liv Intrigue X Advanced E+ EL 3

What to Consider in an Electric Mountain Bike

Why you should trust us, how we selected these e-mtbs, our full electric mountain bike reviews, q&a with expert andrew bernstein.

When you’re shopping for an electronic mountain bike, you’ll want to factor in not only the motor’s power and features, but also the bike’s basic capabilities.

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Since electronic mountain bikes are heavier than non-motorized bikes, you’ll want to consider a bike with more suspension travel than you have on your non-motorized bike. The longer your travel, the more cushion you’ll get when you encounter obstacles. 

Most full suspension e-MTB fall in the 150- to 160mm range, which offers a nice balance of increased comfort and improved control for first-time buyers.

Motor Options

In addition to choosing the right kind of bike, you’ll also need to decide which pedal-assist motor option is right for you. There are three electric-assist classes in the United States. Class 1 motors kick in only when you pedal and stop helping you at 20 mph. Class 2 also offers pedal assist up to 20 mph, but these bikes can also have a throttle-powered mode that allows users to engage the motor without pedaling. Class 3 is pedal-assist like Class 1, but will help you until you hit 28 mph.

• Class 1: 20 MPH max assist speed; throttle is not standard equipment
• Class 2: 20 MPH max assist speed; throttle comes standard equipment
• Class 3: 28 MPH max assist speed; throttle is not standard equipment

Other countries classify e-bikes differently, and many countries do not allow e-bikes to assist riders beyond 20 miles per hour.

Most performance-oriented electric mountain bikes are Class 1. Electric mountain bikes generally feature one of two types of motors: mid-drive motors, which are contained in the frame at the bottom of the bike between the pedals; and rear hub motors, which are built into the rear wheel.

Bikes with rear hub motors are generally less expensive but are also less powerful. A mid-drive motor will almost always offer more power. Because the extra weight on a mid-mount bike is centered in the bike and lower to the ground, these bikes are generally easier to handle than bikes with hub motors. Mid-mount bikes do tend to be more expensive, but all of our favorite bikes feature this type of motor.

Battery Life, Range, Maintenance, and Safety

On top of the motor, you’ll want to consider the battery size and range. More is always better for performance, but a battery with longer range will also weigh more and cost more. 

As a bike's weight increases, it requires more effort from the rider to handle. This is an especially important consideration for smaller riders, and extra weight can also become a bigger challenge at faster speeds, when you need to handle the bike more aggressively.

A lighter bike will offer better handling, but if you sacrifice too much battery capacity to cut weight, you may find yourself pedaling home with no assist if you take a wrong turn.

Like all e-bikes, eMTBs can be pedaled as a normal bike if the battery dies, so you’ll still be able to get home, but it will require extra effort and possibly more time.

While we can confidently say a larger battery provides more range, it is difficult to accurately estimate any e-bike's exact range. Many factors impact an e-bike's range: How much boost you’re using (most power systems offer three or four settings), how much you weigh, the terrain you’re riding, how much climbing you’re doing, the air temperature, rolling resistance from the tires, and even how clean and lubricated the drivetrain is.

Do not take any brand's word on its range claims. Start conservatively as you test your bike’s range. The more you ride, the better you’ll understand how far your batteries can carry you in different conditions. If your bike’s main battery isn’t cutting it, some models let you add an external range booster, or swap the internal battery for a fresh one. Be warned: These accessories can be expensive!

Like all batteries, e-bike batteries do lose capacity every time they’re charged and discharged. Unfortunately, that means that the more you ride, the sooner you’ll need to replace your battery. Even so, an e-bike battery should give you years of reliable riding.

Follow your bike's manufacturer’s recommendations for storage, but most batteries will last longer if stored with about a 40-percent charge (but don’t forget to plug your bike in about six hours before riding, to make sure you start your ride with a full charge).

Batteries should also be stored at room temperature whenever possible and not left outside or in an unheated garage in freezing temperatures. Some bike brands, including Specialized, have a setting that will prevent the battery from charging fully. This feature is designed to extend the battery’s life, but you may want to disable the feature if your rides regularly use your battery’s full capacity.

If, after a few years, your battery loses enough capacity that you want to replace it, be sure to contact your bike’s manufacturer or local dealer and purchase a certified replacement battery through the brand or its dealer.

Don’t be tempted by cheaper options available online from third-party brands. These third-party batteries are generally not certified by bike brands and may void your bike’s warranty. More importantly, third-party replacement batteries often do not have important safety features, and, as a result, these batteries have been identified as the cause of several serious fires. 

There is currently legislation pending at the state and federal level that will bar the sale of non-certified batteries in the U.S., but they are still available as of this writing.

Drivetrains

While a handful of bicycle drivetrain manufacturers exist, almost every e-mountain bike will have either a Shimano or SRAM drivetrain. Both are reputable manufacturers that offer reliable shifting and a wide-ranging gear set. Some drivetrains feature electronic shifting. Such drivetrains offer quick and precise shifting, but they will add cost.

The added power of an e-bike puts more strain on a bike’s drivetrain. You can expect to replace your chain more frequently, but you can get more life out of your components if you back off the pedals when shifting, and ease the chain between gears instead of mashing the shifter and the pedal at the same time.

Given the increased weight of an electronic mountain bike, you’ll want to make sure yours is equipped with hydraulic disc brakes, as most are. These brakes offer lots of stopping power and modulation, which ensures you’ll remain in control regardless of your bike's weight, or how fast you go. 

Several brands offer hydraulic disc brakes, though again, Shimano and SRAM usually lead the way. For additional power, look for bikes featuring four-piston brakes.

Bicycling has been vetting and reviewing bikes, gear, and accessories for more than 50 years. The bike recommendations here are based on the extensive work of the test team, which includes Deputy Editor Tara Seplavy, Senior Test Editor Matt Phillips, Test Editor Dan Chabonov, and Maintenance Editor Gabe Ortiz. Together, they have more than 60 years of ride-testing experience and insight that they bring to every recommendation they make.

For electric mountain bikes, Matt Phillips and Tara Seplavy oversaw these selections based on the team’s collective testing experience, as well as their own extensive knowledge of the category.

Andrew Bernstein has been a cyclist nearly his whole life and a passionate road rider and racer since he was a teenager. These days, he rides road and gravel bikes around his home in Boulder, Colo. As a former bike salesperson and Bicycling Gear Editor, Andrew has had the chance to ride many bikes and meet many Bicycling readers, helping him to know what to look for in making these recommendations.

Dan Cavallari is a born tinkerer with a garage full of tools to prove it. He spent 14 years as a bicycle mechanic in various shops across the United States and is the editor/publisher of both Slowguyonthefastride.com and DawnpatrolMTB.com. He is the former technical editor of VeloNews Magazine. Find him on Instagram: @DawnPatrolMTB @slowguyonthefastride .

The recommendations here are the combined efforts of Dan Cavallari who has been riding mountain bikes for nearly 30 years, and testing them professionally for more than a decade, in addition to the testing efforts and combined experience of the Bicycling test team, and, finally, the research and industry expertise of Andrew Bernstein.

Each bike recommended here offers an excellent ride quality balanced with assist capabilities most useful to mountain bikers. Based on the cumulative experiences and input of the experts and test team, these are the best electric mountain bikes you can buy right now.

Specialized Turbo Levo Alloy

Specialized has always been known for technical innovation, and when it entered the e-bike market 10 years ago, its first Turbo bikes were highly polished and well-designed. Things have only gotten better since then, and the current generation of Specialized Turbo e-bikes is built around Specialized’s own fast-engaging motor.

The Levo’s 500Wh battery holds enough electrons to carry most riders through all-day rides, and the geometry is designed to make for a stable bike that you can still whip through the technical sections.

Aventon Ramblas

Aventon’s do-it-all hardtail is built around the brand's proprietary motor and power system, which includes a 708Wh battery. The battery gives this bike a longer range than many others, even without a range extender, making the Ramblas perfect for riders who prioritize full days in the saddle. The bike is on the heavier side, which may make it harder to handle, especially in tight terrain, but the responsive Rockshox fork will help riders fly across square-edge bumps.

Santa Cruz Heckler SL

The Heckler’s slick styling means your riding buddies may not believe that you’re riding an e-bike, at least not until you power away on the first climb. The motor and battery—made by Fazua, a German manufacturer—are so svelte that they almost entirely disappear into the standard Heckler’s frame.

The power comes on smoothly and will work dependably for years. Few brands have as much experience building mountain bikes as Santa Cruz does, and you can feel its experience in the trail-proven handling when you take this bike out for a shred.

Read Full Santa Cruz Heckler SL Review

Yeti’s first e-mountain bike uses Shimano’s EP8 drive system and will help you cruise any trail. Yeti may be new to e-bikes, but the Colorado-based brand has a long track record of building bikes that are as playful as they are competent on rough, steep terrain.

In that tradition, the 160E is ready to tackle any trail, and especially thrives on rough and steep trails. The bike comes in a variety of component configurations, allowing riders to choose their parts, and, to an extent, their price point. The model linked here is built with a dependable Shimano XT drivetrain and Shimano hydraulic disc brakes.

Read Full Yeti 160E Review

Liv Intrigue X Advanced E+ EL 3

The Intrigue X Advanced E+ Elite, which is Liv’s first performance carbon trail eMTB, demonstrates the promising future of ultra-lightweight electric mountain bikes. The SyncDrive Pro2 motor engages smoothly but is slightly less powerful than other motors. The drive system was co-developed with Yamaha and should prove durable enough for many happy miles.

Smaller and lighter riders will find that the motor has plenty of power, and its light weight makes it easy to drive this bike across and through technical sections. We also like the bike’s sleek design, and Liv’s focus on female rides mean that the total package is well thought out with touch points optimized for female riders.

Read Full Liv Intrigue X Advanced E+ EL 3

Specialized Turbo Levo SL Kids

E-bikes can help kids imagine the long rides they’ll be able to enjoy as they get older and stronger. At the same time, the boost can make it practical to take your child out on longer rides that they wouldn’t have enough energy for on their own.

Like all ebikes, this Levo is heavier than comparable non-powered models. That means that it takes more work for the rider to push it around corners, but the geometry is well-designed and the mid-mount motor helps to keep the bike well-balanced for even the smallest riders.

Co-op Cycles DRT e3.1

REI’s Co-Op brand focused on giving riders a great value in a bike that’s fun to ride. The DRT e3.1 has a durable aluminum frame and a solid mix of components that will be dependable without increasing the price of the bike too much. The German brand Bosch is one of the leaders in e-bike motors, and its proven power system should last for thousands of happy miles.

While REI is not generally known as a bike shop, its national network of stores and friendly staff are known for being helpful and professional, ensuring that Co-Op riders will have a dependable place to go for maintenance, advice, and any warranty issues that should arise (although that’s unlikely to be needed).

Expert Andrew Bernstein Shares What Extras To Take On Your Ride, When to Update Firmware, and Where to Ride

What accessories will i need.

Definitely get yourself some comfortable riding apparel. Mountain bike apparel comes in lots of choices, so choose the one that speaks to the way you want to ride and suits your personal style. 

If you want to ride long, it’s a good idea to invest in a hydration pack, and you’ll definitely want to carry supplies to fix a trail-side flat, and tools to address minor trail-side breakdowns.

How often should I update my bike’s firmware?

Most e-bike makers will update their bike’s firmware periodically and you can either update the firmware via an app on your phone, or take your bike to an authorized dealer who will be able to install the update for you. 

In nearly all cases, firmware updates are not essential to bike’s operation, but as with all electronically-controlled pieces of hardware, your bike will work best if the firmware is updated at least every six months or so.

Where can I ride my e-bike?

Unfortunately, there are many different rules about e-bike access on public (and private) land. While many land managers are making an effort to better-accommodate e-bikes, there is no uniform rule at this point. 

We suggest that you check the regulations for any trails you plan to ride before heading to the trailhead, and always be sure to follow posted rules and regulations – riding where you’re not supposed to could result in a ticket.

Andrew “Bernie” Bernstein is a former Bicycling Magazine Gear Editor, and Bicycling marketing manager. While at Bicycling, he promoted the Bicycling Fall Classic, and the famed Fifth Street Cross Thursday Night Training Series. Bernie was an elite track and road racer from 2010-2019. In 2019, he was hit by a driver near his home in Boulder, CO. The crash nearly killed him and left him with paraplegia. He considers himself very lucky to still now be able to hike, and ride with the help of an e-gravel bike. He’s written about his experience as a paracyclist disabled athletes for Men’s Health, Bicycling, and Outside Magazine. You can follow his adventures on Instagram .

Dan is a writer and editor who runs Brown Tie Media (publisher of Slowguyonthefastride.com and DawnpatrolMTB.com ) and a born tinkerer with the garage full of tools to prove it. His life on two wheels started with an overwhelmingly heavy Huffy and progressed into top of the line mountain, road, and gravel bikes over the course of many miles and pedal strokes. He is the former longtime technical editor for VeloNews Magazine and spent 14 years as a bicycle mechanic in various shops across the US. Dan's writing and photography has appeared in VeloNews Magazine, Triathlete Magazine, Podium Runner Magazine, Women's Running Magazine, Cycling Weekly, Rouleur Magazine, Road Bike Action Magazine, Mountain Bike Action Magazine, CycleVolta.com , Tomsguide.com , Cycle Sports Japan, CyclingTips.com , Bikerumor.com , Bicycle Retailer, and more.

A gear editor for his entire career, Matt’s journey to becoming a leading cycling tech journalist started in 1995, and he’s been at it ever since; likely riding more cycling equipment than anyone on the planet along the way. Previous to his time with Bicycling , Matt worked in bike shops as a service manager, mechanic, and sales person. Based in Durango, Colorado, he enjoys riding and testing any and all kinds of bikes, so you’re just as likely to see him on a road bike dressed in Lycra at a Tuesday night worlds ride as you are to find him dressed in a full face helmet and pads riding a bike park on an enduro bike. He doesn’t race often, but he’s game for anything; having entered road races, criteriums, trials competitions, dual slalom, downhill races, enduros, stage races, short track, time trials, and gran fondos. Next up on his to-do list: a multi day bikepacking trip, and an e-bike race. 

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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NCAA.com | May 13, 2024

2024 ncaa softball bracket: women's college world series scores, schedule.

The 2024 NCAA DI softball tournament is here. The bracket was announced on Sunday, May 12 in an ESPN2 selection show. Regional action will run May 16-18, followed by super regionals from May 23-26. The tournament culminates with the eight-team 2024 Women's College World Series starting on May 30 in Oklahoma City.

AUTO-BID TRACKER: Every conference tournament champion and automatic bid

The 2023 Women's College World Series finals ended with Oklahoma sweeping Florida State to win a third-straight national championship. Below you can find all the information about the 2024 DI softball tournament. 

Here are the key dates for the 2024 NCAA DI softball tournament: 

• See the full selections release here
• Regionals: May 16/17-19
• Super Regionals: May 23-25 or May 24-26 
• Women's College World Series: May 30-June 6/7 in Oklahoma City 

2024 DI softball regionals  (May 17-19)

*All times Eastern

Austin Regional – Austin, Texas

• Game 1:  No. 1 seed Texas (host) vs. Siena | 4 p.m. | LHN
• Game 2:  Northwestern vs. Saint Francis (Pennsylvania) | 6:30 p.m. | ESPN+
• Game 3: Winner of Game 1 vs. Winner of Game 2 | 1 p.m.
• Game 4: Loser of Game 1 vs. Loser of Game 2 | 3:30 p.m.
• Game 5: Loser of Game 3 vs. Winner of Game 4 | 6 p.m.
• Game 6 | TBD
• Game 7  if necessary  | TBD

Norman Regional – Norman, Oklahoma

• Oregon vs. Boston University | 5:30 p.m. | ESPN+
• No. 2 seed Oklahoma (host) vs. Cleveland State | 8 p.m. | ESPNU
• Game 3: Winner of Game 1 vs. Winner of Game 2 | 3 p.m.
• Game 4: Loser of Game 1 vs. Loser of Game 2 | 5:30 p.m.
• Game 5: Loser of Game 3 vs. Winner of Game 4 | 8 p.m.

Knoxville Regional – Knoxville, Tennessee

• Virginia vs. Miami (Ohio) | Noon | ESPN+
• No. 3 seed Tennessee (host) vs. Dayton | 2:30 p.m. ESPN+

Gainesville Regional – Gainesville, Florida

• No. 4 seed Florida (host) vs. Florida Gulf Coast | Noon | SEC Network
• South Alabama vs. Florida Atlantic | 2:30 p.m. | ESPN+

Stillwater Regional – Stillwater, Oklahoma

• Kentucky vs. Michigan | 3 p.m. | ESPN2
• No. 5 seed Oklahoma State (host) vs. Northern Colorado | 5:30 p.m.   | ESPN+
• Game 7  ​​​​​​​if necessary  | TBD

Los Angeles Regional – Los Angeles, California

• Virginia Tech vs. San Diego State | 6 p.m. | ESPNU
• No. 6 seed UCLA (host) vs. Grand Canyon | 8:30 p.m. | ESPN+
• Game 3: Winner of Game 1 vs. Winner of Game 2 | 5 p.m.
• Game 4: Loser of Game 1 vs. Loser of Game 2 | 7:30 p.m.
• Game 5: Loser of Game 3 vs. Winner of Game 4 | 10 p.m.

Columbia Regional – Columbia, Missouri

• Washington vs. Indiana | 3 p.m. | ESPN+
• No. 7 seed Missouri (host) vs. Omaha | 5:30 p.m. | ESPN+

Stanford Regional – Stanford, California

• Mississippi State vs. Cal State Fullerton |  7:30 p.m. | ESPN+
• No. 8 seed Stanford (host) vs. Saint Mary’s (California) | 10 p.m. | ESPN2

Baton Rouge Regional – Baton Rouge, Louisiana

• California vs. Southern Illinois | 3:30 p.m. | ESPN+
• No. 9 seed LSU (host) vs. Jackson State | 6 p.m. | SEC Network

Durham Regional – Durham, North Carolina

• South Carolina vs. Utah | Noon | ESPN+
• No. 10 seed Duke* (host) vs. Morgan State | 2:30 p.m. | ESPN+
• Game 3: Winner of Game 1 vs. Winner of Game 2 | 11 a.m.
• Game 4: Loser of Game 1 vs. Loser of Game 2 | 1:30 p.m.
• Game 5: Loser of Game 3 vs. Winner of Game 4 | 4 p.m.

Athens Regional – Athens, Georgia

• Charlotte vs. Liberty | 3 p.m. | ESPN+
• No. 11 seed Georgia (host) vs. UNCW | 5:30 p.m. | ESPN+

Fayetteville Regional – Fayetteville, Arkansas

• Arizona vs. Villanova | 6 p.m. | ESPN+
• No. 12 seed Arkansas (host) vs. Southeast Missouri State | 8:30 p.m. | ESPN+

Lafayette Regional – Lafayette, Louisiana

• No. 13 seed Louisiana  (host) vs. Princeton | 5:30 p.m. | ESPN+
• Baylor vs. Ole Miss | 8 p.m. | ESPN2

Tuscaloosa Regional – Tuscaloosa, Alabama

• Clemson vs. Southeastern Louisiana | 2 p.m. | ACC Network
• No. 14 seed Alabama (host) vs. USC Upstate | 4:30 p.m. | ESPN+
• Game 5: Loser of Game 3 vs. Winner of Game 4 | 8 p.m.

Tallahassee Regional – Tallahassee, Florida

• Auburn vs. UCF | 2 p.m. | ESPNU
• No. 15 seed Florida State (host) vs. Chattanooga | 4:30 p.m. | ACC Network

Bryan-College Station Regional – Bryan-College Station, Texas

• Texas State vs. Penn State | 4 p.m. | ESPNU
• No. 16 seed Texas A&M (host) vs. UAlbany | 6:30 p.m. | ESPN+

2024 Women's College World Series schedule (all times ET)

• Game 1 : TBD vs. TBD, noon | ESPN
• Game 2 : TBD vs. TBD, 2:30 p.m. | ESPN
• Game 3 : TBD vs. TBD, 7 p.m. | ESPN2
• Game 4 : TBD vs. TBD, 9:30 p.m. | ESPN2
• Game 5 : TBD vs. TBD, 7 p.m. | ESPN2
• Game 6 : TBD vs. TBD, 9:30 p.m. | ESPN2
• Game 7 : TBD vs. TBD, 3 p.m. | ABC
• Game 8 : TBD vs. TBD, 7 p.m. | ESPN
• Game 9 : TBD vs. TBD, 3 p.m. | ABC
• Game 10 : TBD vs. TBD, 7 p.m. | ESPNU
• Game 11 : TBD vs. TBD, noon | ESPN
• Game 12 (if necc.) : TBD vs. TBD, 2:30 p.m. | ESPN
• Game 13 : TBD vs. TBD, 7 p.m. | ESPN2
• Game 14 (if necc.) : 9:30 p.m. | ESPN2
• WCWS Final Game 1 : TBD vs. TBD, 8 p.m. | ESPN
• WCWS Final Game 2 : TBD vs. TBD, 8 p.m. | ESPN
• WCWS Final Game 3 (if necc.) : TBD vs TBD, 8 p.m. | ESPN

How the championship works: Regionals — at 16 sites — are double-elimination and scheduled for May 16/17-19. The 16 winners advance to super regionals and play a two-team, best-out-of-three series either May 23-25 or May 24-26. The eight winners earn spots in the 2024 Women's College World Series in Oklahoma City. The WCWS begins May 30 in double-elimination format. The final two teams play a best-of-three series for the national championship beginning June 5.

How to get tickets for the Women's College World Series

You can  purchase tickets for the 2024 WCWS here.  The Women's College World Series is played at Devon Park in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Softball  Championship: Future dates

Women's college world series championship history.

Below is the complete, year-by-year NCAA DI softball national championship history since 1982.

*Indicates undefeated teams in final series. 

#-UCLA’s 1995 national championship was later vacated by the NCAA’s Committee on Infractions

• 2024 Women's College World Series picks, before regionals

2024 DIII softball championship: Selections, bracket, schedule

2024 NCAA Division III Softball Committee announces championship bracket

• Championship Info
• Game Program

DI Softball News

• 2024 WCWS picks, before regionals
• 2024 NCAA softball bracket: Women's College World Series scores, schedule
• Committee chair breaks down 2024 NCAA softball bracket
• 2024 NCAA DI softball bracket selection show
• NCAA Division I Softball Committee announces 2024 championship field
• 2024 Big 12 softball: Bracket, schedule, scores, TV times for the tournament
• 2024 SEC softball: Bracket, schedule, scores, TV times for the tournament
• 2024 college softball conference tournaments: Schedules, brackets, auto-bids
• College softball power rankings: Tennessee rises to No. 2

WCWS most outstanding players since 1982

Follow ncaa softball.

College softball's all-time home run leaders

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Statue of Lenin

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Statue of Lenin - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

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AAA: Nearly 1.3M Michigan residents expected to travel for the unofficial start of summer

MICHIGAN (WLUC) - Michigan residents are expected to travel in numbers that exceed pre-pandemic levels for this year’s Memorial Day weekend.

AAA forecasts nearly 1.3 million Michiganders will travel 50 miles or more. That’s 12,827 more holiday travelers than 2019, and the second highest forecast since AAA began tracking these numbers in 2000.

Total Number of Michigan Travelers

Nationally, AAA also projects the second highest traveled Memorial Day on record. Nearly 43.8 million Americans will journey 50 miles or more during the holiday travel period*. That’s 1.7 million more travelers than last year (4% increase), yet slightly behind 2005′s record of 44 million.

National Travel Numbers

“Memorial Day will be the start to a very busy summer of travel,” said Debbie Haas, Vice President of Travel for AAA – The Auto Club Group. “American travelers are forecast to surpass pre-pandemic levels, making this the busiest Memorial Day holiday weekend in nearly two decades. The main driver of the projection is strong consumer interest in traveling both domestically and abroad.  Interest in traveling internationally is at the highest level in recent years.”

Road trips are expected to be the second highest on record in Michigan and to set a record nationwide, with nearly 1.5 million more Americans on the road than last year . AAA projects nearly 38.4 million will travel by car over Memorial Day weekend, the highest number for that holiday since AAA began tracking in 2000. The national number of drivers this year is up 4% compared to last year and 1.9% higher than in 2019.

“Traveling by car is appealing for many people because of the convenience and flexibility it provides,” said Adrienne Woodland, spokeswoman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “However, Memorial Day drivers may have to pay more at the gas pump.”

During last year’s holiday weekend, Michigan gas prices averaged $3.60 per gallon. Today, the state average is $3.64. Visit GasPrices.AAA.com to view daily state and metro average prices. Drivers can use the free AAA mobile app to find the lowest gas prices in their area, and get discounted pricing at the pump by participating in the Fuel Rewards Program .

“Drivers should expect continued volatility at the pump as the summer driving season gets underway,” Woodland continued. “The wildcard remains the cost of oil, and unlike last year, there are now two wars – in the Middle East and Ukraine – that could roil the oil market.”

Airports are bracing for a spike in travelers. AAA expects 3.51 million Americans to travel by air this holiday weekend, an increase of 4.8% over last year and 9% jump compared to 2019. This will be the most crowded Memorial Day weekend at airports since 2005, when 3.64 million flew for the holiday as the travel industry finally rebounded post 9/11. This Memorial Day weekend, air ticket prices are comparable to last year.

According to AAA booking data, the average price for a round trip domestic flight will cost $778. That’s 2% more than last year’s holiday weekend. International flights are 4% more expensive – averaging $1485 for a roundtrip ticket. Several factors play into how much travelers pay for airfare, including destination, number of stops, and fare class. For example, passengers who book nonstop flights with seat selection and carry-on bags included will likely pay more than those who select basic economy with a layover.

In reviewing all hotel bookings with AAA, domestic hotels are 5% cheaper this Memorial Day weekend compared to last. The total average cost per stay (which can be multiple nights) is $500. International hotels are about the same as last year. The average cost per stay is $660.

Nearly two million people are expected to travel by other modes of transportation , including buses, cruises, and trains. AAA projects 1.9 million people will take these other modes of transportation, an increase of 5.6% compared to last year.

“This category took the biggest hit during the pandemic,” Haas said. “Now – five years later – we’re back to 2019 numbers. Leading the charge is the resurgence in both ocean and river cruising, which came back extremely strong and continues to gain popularity. With ships of all sizes being introduced each year, there is constantly something new and exciting to explore for first time and repeat cruise enthusiasts.”

Domestic car rentals are 17% cheaper this Memorial Day weekend compared to last . Average total cost for a rental (which is typically for a few days) is $439. International car rentals are 16% cheaper this Memorial Day weekend compared to last. Average total cost for a rental (which is typically for a few days) is $617.

· Cities with the highest rental demand this Memorial Day weekend are Orlando, Denver, Atlanta, Boston, and Las Vegas.

· The busiest pick-up dates are Thursday, May 23 and Friday, May 24, with rental reservations averaging five days in length.

· The most popular vehicle classes reserved for Memorial Day weekend are mid-size and full-size sedans, small and mid-size SUVs.

Best/Worst Times to Drive and Peak Congestion by Metro

INRIX , a provider of transportation data and insights, says drivers leaving Thursday or Friday should hit the road early to avoid mixing with commuters. Travelers going back home on Sunday or Monday should avoid the afternoon hours when return trips will peak.

“Travel times are expected to be up to 90% longer than normal. Travelers should stay up to date on traffic apps, 511 services, and local news stations to avoid sitting in traffic longer than necessary,” said Bob Pishue, transportation analyst at INRIX.

Please note that the times listed below are for the time zone in which the metro is located.

For example, Atlanta routes = ET and Los Angeles routes = PT.

Copyright 2024 WLUC. All rights reserved.

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Best Mountain Bike Backpacks of 2023

From simple designs for lunch laps to high-capacity options for all-day epics, we break down our favorite mountain bike packs of the year.

Switchback Travel ( Jason Hummel )

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

Mountain biking can take on many forms, from hot laps on the backyard trail to long, winding singletrack through the alpine. Regardless of the riding style you gravitate toward, nearly every trip out requires you to carry water, snacks, tools, and other gear. The most common carry method is a mountain bike backpack, and below we break down our top picks for 2023. Designs vary pretty widely, and important considerations include carrying comfort, interior volume, water-hauling capacity, and pockets and organization. For more background information, see our comparison table and buying advice below the picks.   

Our Team's Mountain Bike Backpack Picks

• Best Overall Mountain Bike Pack:  Osprey Raptor 10
• Best Budget Mountain Bike Pack:  REI Co-op Link 15 L
• Best High-Capacity Mountain Bike Pack:  Patagonia Dirt Roamer 20L
• Best Bike Pack with Integrated Back Protection:  Evoc Trail Pro 10
• Best Minimalist Mountain Bike Pack:  CamelBak Chase Vest 50 oz.

Best Overall Mountain Bike Pack

1. osprey raptor 10 ($165).

With a versatile, do-everything design and plenty of practical features, Osprey’s Raptor 10 and women’s-specific Raven 10 earn our top spot for 2023. We’ve tested multiple variations of the pack over the years, and its all-rounder nature and premium build continue to impress: The Raptor’s 10-liter capacity is spacious enough to fit extra layers, lunch, pads, and a small bike pump for longer rides, but it’s equally easy to compress it for quick lunch laps. For organizing gear, the pocket layout is extremely well sorted with a grand total of 10 zippered and stretch pockets, including a dedicated space for tools with a built-in roll pouch at the base. Carrying comfort is another highlight, and in the techy stuff and during all-day efforts, the wide shoulder straps—Osprey dubs them their “winged” harness—nicely distribute weight and give it a well-balanced feel. Tack on a quality 2.5-liter Hydraulics LT reservoir, best-in-class helmet carry, and burly 210-denier nylon construction, and the Osprey was our runaway favorite.

No pack is perfect, however, and we did have a few quibbles with the Raptor and Raven during testing. Specifically, we wish the hydration hose had a stronger magnet where it attaches to your sternum. The bite valve pops off fairly easily, and we’ve found it dangling on a couple occasions mid-descent (one tip: feeding the hose through the stretchy fabric on the sternum strap will keep it close to you if it happens to pop off). Additionally, the hipbelt pockets are set back a little far and can be slightly hard to access, although they’re a nice size for storing small items like snacks or lip balm. Finally, the Raven and Raptor are a healthy investment at $165 for the latest versions. You can save a little with an alternative the CamelBak Mule 12 ($130), but no pack puts it all together as well as the Osprey. And if you need a little extra room, both the Raptor and Raven are offered in a 14-liter version for $175. See the Osprey Raptor 10   See the Women's Osprey Raven 10

Best Budget Mountain Bike Pack

2. rei co-op link 15 l ($80) .

You can often rely on REI for quality gear at a good discount, but most of their know-how is in the hike and camp spaces. That said, we were pleasantly surprised with their budget-minded bike pack, the Link 15 L. Organization is often compromised among cheap designs—a complaint we had with the $90 Osprey Katari below—but the Link has a large main compartment, designated pouches for your wallet and bike tools, and an included 2-liter water bladder (there’s also nice routing for the tube to snake up and out of the pack). Plus, there’s no shortage of outside pockets, where it’s easy to stow a muddy layer and kneepads mid-ride. It’s true you can’t snug it down as nicely as premium alternatives, and 15 liters is likely overkill for some, but the Link is pretty well balanced thanks to the moderately wide and cushioned hipbelt (most entry-level packs use more basic and less comfortable webbing designs).

What do you give up for the REI Co-op Link's lower price? Overall refinement is a step down from pricier alternatives, and the water bladder design in particular could use improvement. Specifically, we wish it were easier to re-insert after filling—a quick-disconnect tube would certainly help—and despite being positioned on your lumbar spine to keep the center of gravity low, we occasionally felt unwanted pressure on our lower back. Compounding this, the back padding tends to crease and rub around the lumbar, which isn’t ideal for hours-long rides. For these reasons, the Osprey Raptor/Raven 10 above and other premium alternatives like the CamelBak Mule and Evoc Trail Pro below outshine the Link 15 L when it comes to overall comfort and performance. But for new or occasional riders, there’s a whole lot to like. See the REI Co-op Link 15 L

Best High-Capacity Mountain Bike Pack

3. patagonia dirt roamer 20l ($159).

Patagonia entered the mountain bike gear arena with their flagship Dirt Roamer series (jackets, pants, etc.), but hydration packs are new to the stage. The Dirt Roamer 20L here stands out as a high-volume pack that sticks to Patagonia’s ethos with a sustainable and streamlined design. The pack has a generous main compartment that’s accessed with vertically oriented zippers (we appreciate that it has two zippers for opening small sections at a time) and a separate side-access sleeve for the water reservoir. And although the design is relatively simplistic, it doesn’t skimp on organization with internal elastic loops and small pockets for separating gear. Whether you’re headed out on an all-day ride or shuttling in camera gear for the perfect photo op, the Dirt Roamer is well equipped for the job.

Sweaty backs are part of the mountain bike experience, but we found that the Patagonia fell short of alternatives like the Dakine Drafter and CamelBak Mule Pro below in terms of ventilation. Even though it boasts a mesh backpanel, we were quick to heat up and often found salt deposits from sweat on the rear of the pack. Additionally, we noticed more movement and bounce than expected off jumps and drops despite the four-compression-strap layout. To be fair, some level of movement is to be expected given the capacity, and the wide, oversized waistbelt helped with stabilization. In the end, the Dirt Roamer 20 is too much pack for many riders, but its high-capacity shape and creative zipper design make it a quality option for gear-intensive adventures. See the Patagonia Dirt Roamer 20L

Best Bike Pack with Integrated Back Protection 

4. evoc trail pro 10 ($240).

If you gravitate toward steep and rugged descents or have a propensity for gap jumps, exposed skinnies, and other features that push the risk-reward ratio, a pack with integrated spine protection is worth considering. Within this category, we love the Evoc Trail Pro, which is snug and balanced on the roughest trails and boasts the brand’s Liteshield Plus back protector—a built-in pad engineered to absorb shock and prevent the spine from overextending in the event of a crash. On top of the helpful safety feature, the Trail Pro boasts the best hipbelt of any pack we tried: It’s supremely comfortable even when pulled snug, and stretchy Velcro straps that sit under the buckle reduce pressure and friction around the navel. And unlike many options here, the Trail Pro’s hipbelt pockets are large and easily accessible—great for on-the-go snacking and keeping your phone handy. A final bonus: The Trail Pro is offered in two sizes for dialing in a more precise fit, which is a rarity in the market.

We strongly considered the Evoc Trail Pro 10 as our top all-around pick—it’s that good. However, at $75 more than the next-most-expensive pack here (the top-ranked Osprey Raptor), it’s a hard sell for many riders, especially considering you’ll have to purchase a water bladder separately. In addition, those who aren’t pushing the limits in terms of terrain, air time, and/or speed will likely find the back protection superfluous. Another small complaint we had is that the spine protector negatively impacts breathability, so the Evoc lands on the warmer end of the spectrum (it’s noticeably hotter than standard designs like the Osprey Raptor or CamelBak Mule, although the panel can be removed). For a boost in breathability, Osprey’s Raptor Pro also includes built-in spine protection and features a slightly more ventilated backpanel design. That said, the Osprey is pricier at $280 and only available in an 18-liter capacity, while you can get the Trail Pro in 10, 16, and 26-liter versions. See the Evoc Trail Pro 10

Best Minimalist Mountain Bike Pack

5. camelbak chase vest 50 oz. ($105).

CamelBak is one of the original manufacturers of hydration packs, and their products are tried and true. The Chase Vest is no exception, featuring a thoughtful blend of running vest-like carrying comfort and organization with a cycling-specific feature set. One major draw of the vest style is its stability: The Chase is comfortable and doesn’t bounce or shift around, even on rugged trails or when catching air. The practical pocket layout is also praise-worthy, especially given the pack’s relatively low volume—the shoulder strap pocket even fits an iPhone, which has been particularly handy for checking our location on unfamiliar trails. In fact, we’d go so far as to say that the Chase Vest offers the easiest access of any design here.

One tradeoff to the Chase Vest’s snug, well-balanced fit is breathability. The nature of the vest style is that it covers more of your body—thereby making it feel warmer and more restrictive to airflow on midsummer rides. Another issue we ran into was that the CamelBak reservoir was hard to fill and felt heavy in the vest (there’s less pack to handle the bladder's weight and bulk when it’s full of water). Instead, we think of the Chase Vest as a great alternative to a hip pack: It has a larger capacity than most waist designs, includes a water reservoir and a nice array of pockets, and carries a load better thanks to the snug fit around the back—all at a very reasonable price point to boot. See the CamelBak Chase Vest   See the Women's CamelBak Chase Vest

Best of the Rest

6. camelbak skyline lr 10 ($135).

On the heels of CamelBak’s Chase Vest above is their Skyline LR (short for “low rider”), which is designed to maximize support along the lumbar region. How it works: By positioning the water reservoir and main compartment along the lumbar spine, the pack effectively focuses weight at the lower back and hips to keep your center of gravity low. We wore the Skyline LR on the Whole Enchilada in Moab—a trail with no shortage of drops, technical pedals, and chundery rock fields—and found it offered a supremely comfortable ride with minimal movement or shifting. We were also very pleased with the magnetic drinking hose attachment: It locks into place once attached, which keeps the hose from releasing and flopping around while riding (an issue we experienced with the Osprey Raptor above). And the tube easily disconnects from the bladder, which eliminates the hassle of having to re-route the hose after refills.

With its somewhat goofy shape, the Skyline LR 10 pack won’t be winning any fashion awards. But a positive of the layout is that the pack is a great breather, making it a solid mid-capacity option for riders who prefer the unrestrictive feel of a low-riding hip pack. Pocket access was another nitpick—a common theme with many of the packs here—as the side-wing pockets sit pretty far away from your hips and are tricky to reach without twisting your body. But if you prioritize function over looks (which many mountain bikers do), the Skyline LR 10 excels as a versatile and comfortable pack for when the going get rough. Note: There’s limited stock of both the Skyline and women’s Solstice at the time of publishing, but the packs are available at a hefty discount (around $70 on Amazon currently) while supplies last. See the CamelBak Skyline LR 10   See the Women's Solstice LR 10

7. USWE Airborne 3L ($120)

USWE (pronounced “you-swii”) is a Swedish brand with origins in dirt biking, and they brought that expertise into the MTB space with a unique—and eye-catching—harness design. The trademarked “No Dancing Monkey” system offers a secure, adjustable, non-restrictive fit that attaches to your chest with a single buckle (i.e., no sternum strap). The elastic straps stretch to accommodate heavy breathing but also manage to stay taut and snug enough for when your heart rate lowers. We were admittedly skeptical of the cumbersome-looking setup, but we found the harness effectively prevents major bouncing even with the 2-liter water reservoir filled. Storage is limited at just 3 liters (there are 9 and 15L capacities available), but we appreciate that USWE included a detachable 1-liter pocket, and you can purchase add-ons like a waterproof phone pocket and camera harness to boost organization.

The Airborne 3 is most similar to the CamelBak Chase Vest above, and we found that their fit and overall level of comfort were quite close. What pushes the Airborne down our rankings? For one, it lacks stretchy dump pockets for easily stowing layers, and without shoulder strap pockets, access to snacks and tools is slightly less convenient. It’s also worth noting that the design/location of the harness strap could be uncomfortable for women with larger chests. All that said, this pack has gained a lot of traction in the professional riding and racing community and for good reason—its figure-hugging, no-bounce harness works really well. See the USWE Airborne 3L

8. Thule Vital 8L ($160)

Thule likely isn’t the first brand that comes to mind for backpacks, but we’ve been impressed with the quality of their hiking, travel, and MTB collections. The Vital 8L here stands out in one key way: its secure and extremely practical hose attachment system. Rather than the button-sized magnets or plastic hooks used on other designs, Thule utilizes a strip of magnets (about 5 in. in length) along the right-hand shoulder strap to keep the hose in place while riding. You simply pull the nozzle as usual to drink and then release, and the hose reconnects to the strap automatically. It’s an elegant and very secure solution that we found works flawlessly.

For the rest of the pack, the Vital stacks up pretty well to big hitters from Osprey, CamelBak, and Dakine. Organization is good overall—we especially liked the mesh pockets right at the hips that are well sized for snacks and easy to access without having to remove the pack. And the Vital carries weight relatively low, which keeps it solidly in place even during steep and technical descents. At 8 liters for the biggest size, the Thule likely won’t do the trick for most full-day efforts or times of year when you need extra layers. Additionally, they omitted a helmet carry, which could be a dealbreaker for some. Overall, it’s not a home run and is a little less of an all-rounder than our top picks, but the smart hose solution and excellent all-around build quality make it a good offering nonetheless...  Read in-depth review See the Thule Vital 8L   See the Women's Thule Vital 8L

9. CamelBak Mule Pro 14 ($160)

If it’s not readily apparent, CamelBak leads the charge in mountain bike pack offerings, and their top-end design is the Mule Pro 14—a souped-up version of their bestselling Mule hydration pack. In terms of best uses, the pack’s larger capacity (the standard Mule is 9.5L), 3-liter water bladder, easy-to-use helmet carry, and highly breathable layout make it a great choice for long rides (the extra space also comes in handy if you haul kiddos around on a Mac Ride or Shotgun seat). For staying cool, there’s extensive use of open-weave mesh on the shoulder straps, and the sculpted backpanel has suspended mesh to keep air flowing. And injury-conscious riders will appreciate that CamelBak offers a compatible impact protection panel for an additional $55—at $215 all in, the setup handily undercuts the $240 Evoc Trail Pro above.

Why is the Mule Pro ranked here? While it has a lot of great features, including a second battery sleeve for e-bikes, it lacks the refinement of our top picks. The contoured shape impacts comfort—the base is pretty firm, and we had some complaints about rubbing along our lower back. Usable interior space is also impacted by the backpanel, and we found it difficult to truly leverage the higher capacity with bulkier items like pads. Finally, in contrast to the brand’s Skyline LR 10 above, the Mule’s hose magnet (which sits on the sternum strap) doesn’t hold well and pops off easily while riding. These complaints are enough to push the Mule Pro below alternatives like the Evoc Trail Pro (if you want back protection) and Osprey Raptor (for a traditional pack), but it remains a solid do-everything option.  See the CamelBak Mule Pro 14   See the Women's CamelBak Mule Pro 14

10. Dakine Drafter 10L ($160)

Dakine first made its name in the surfing and windsurfing market in the 1980s, and the brand has more recently zeroed in on the winter sports and mountain biking spaces. The Drafter 10 here meets many of our pack needs: It has a versatile 10-liter capacity, durable construction, and very breathable backpanel design (it rose to the top in this category, alongside the Mule Pro 14 above). It has some thoughtful features, too, including compatibility with the brand’s DK Impact Spine Protector (a $50 add-on), e-bike battery storage in the main compartment, and exterior straps that nicely accommodate knee pads. On paper—and on the trail—it checks many of the boxes for the average rider.

How does the Dakine Drafter 10 compare with Osprey’s Raptor 10 above? The option for spine protection is unique to the Drafter, and we prefer its hydration hose design, which can be fed and secured along either shoulder strap rather than the across the body. They also differ in reservoir placement—the Dakine’s is along the lumbar, while the Osprey’s is vertically oriented. In this case, we think it’s a wash: The lumbar location keeps weight concentrated lower, but the Osprey’s is more evenly distributed and closer to your back. What pushes the Raptor ahead for us, however, is its very comfortable carry. We struggled getting a good fit with the Dakine, and the flared shoulder straps put extra pressure on the inside of the strap, which led to rubbing. Along with a minimalist waistbelt and the fact that it weighs an extra half-pound (something both our testers noticed), the Dakine can’t match the standout carry-ability of the Osprey.  See the Dakine Drafter 10L   See the Women's Dakine Drafter 10L

11. Osprey Katari 7 ($90)

The Osprey Katari 7 rounds out our list with a sleek build and sub-$100 price tag. Like with the REI Link 15 above, it’s not all cost-cutting here: Even with its no-frills, essentials-only design, the Katari can carry a bunch of water (it comes with the same 2.5L Hydraulics LT reservoir as our top pick), is offered in three capacities (1.5, 3, and 7L), and features functional stretch side pockets for small items you want easy access to. For riders who need a lot of water but not much else—think multi-hour rides in hot or desert-like regions—the concept makes a whole lot of sense.

Unfortunately, the Katari has a few notable faults. Most significantly, all our testers complained that the pack puts essentially all the weight on your shoulders. Combined with a minimalist backpanel that priorities ventilation over structure, the pack felt floppy and bounced around far more than expected for such a lightweight design. And while we like the concept of the vertical main compartment zipper (similar to that of the Patagonia Dirt Roamer above), the Osprey only has one zipper, so you can’t strategically open certain portions of the pack and will need to be mindful to prevent items from spilling out. In the end, it misses the mark for us, and we think the $10-cheaper REI Link is the more complete and well-executed budget design. But if simplicity wins out for you—the REI is admittedly pretty big with its 15-liter capacity—the Katari is a worth having on your radar. See the Osprey Katari 7   See the Women's Osprey Kitsuma 7

Mountain Bike Backpack Comparison Table

Mountain bike backpack buying advice.

• Mountain Bike Backpack Capacities

Carrying Comfort: Shoulder Straps and Hipbelts

Pockets and organization, hydration reservoirs, additional mountain bike pack features, fit and sizing, women’s-specific mountain bike packs, breathability and ventilation, pack weight, build quality and durability.

• Mountain Bike Backpacks vs. Waist Packs  

Mountain Bike Backpack Capacities

Like backpacks designed for other activities, mountain bike packs are available in a variety of capacities depending on your gear needs and the length of your typical ride. On our list above, designs range from the small and minimalist USWE Airborne 3L to the super spacious Patagonia Dirt Roamer 20L. For all-day and remote outings that require substantial water intake and a full workshop of tools, a bigger option like the Dirt Roamer or CamelBak Mule Pro 14 makes a lot of sense. If after-work hot laps are more your style, a smaller model like the Airborne or 2.5-liter CamelBak Chase Vest might be sufficient. And the sweet spot for many will be somewhere in between (including our top-rated Osprey Raptor 10). Below we break down the various pack volume ranges by category and best use(s).

5 Liters and Under: Just the Essentials/Quick Rips Packs with 5 liters or fewer of carrying capacity, like the USWE Airborne 3L and CamelBak Chase Vest, are best suited for quick rides that require minimal gear and water. That said, 5 liters can fit a surprising number of essentials: keys, a bike tools, a phone, a thin jacket (like the Patagonia Houdini), and a bar. This volume can also suffice if you have additional organization on your bike in the form of an under-seat tool bag or a storage compartment on (or in) your frame. And finally, small packs are a nice option for races when you’re able to refill water and resupply at aid stations.

6-9 Liters: The Essentials “Plus” If you’re venturing out on a longer ride, you probably need space for the essentials and then some. With 6 to 10 liters, you can fit a more protective rain shell, additional water, and a heftier first aid kit. However, this capacity is a bit of a tweener size, in our opinion: slightly larger than minimalist designs (like the USWE Airborne and CamelBak Chase mentioned above) but not quite big enough to keep you comfortable and hydrated during all-day outings. In our experience, packs in the 6- to 9-liter range (like the Osprey Katari 7 ) are best for rides that don’t last more than a few hours.

10-15 Liters: The All-rounder Capacity The 10- to 15-liter volume is the goldilocks capacity for us and the range we’d go with if we had to choose just one pack. The versatility is hard to beat: You can use compression straps to reduce unwanted space during hot laps but then expand it into a voluminous pack for longer or more gear-intensive rides. At this volume, there’s enough space to carry a couple liters of water, and you won’t have to make as many compromises when packing (no need to decide between the brownie or the warm hat—bring them both!). We tested packs of this size on the Whole Enchilada in Moab—a classic big ride with 7,000 feet of descending —and had plenty of room to fill our reservoirs to the brim, stow additional layers for the cold morning, and bring an array of snacks and gels.

16L+: Long Epics and Gear-Intensive Days If you’re an adventurous rider who gravitates toward big, epic days like Gifford-Pinchot traverses and backcountry trips to the Chicoltins, a larger pack is likely your best bet. Packs in the greater-than-16-liter category, like the Patagonia Dirt Roamer 20L and Evoc Trail Pro 26L , provide ample space for multiple layers (even a puffy jacket) to accommodate unpredictable mountain weather. They have no problem fitting items like a water filter , robust repair kit, navigational gadgets, and even more specialized equipment like an SLR camera kit or trail work tools. Keep in mind that packs this big are more likely to feel unwieldy when stuffed full—you’ll want to be cognizant of weight distribution when packing—and are decidedly overkill for the average ride, but they have their place for lengthy and gear-heavy outings. 

Reading the product descriptions above, you’ll see we make numerous references to pack comfort. A lot of factors come into play for a comfy-riding design, including fit and sizing (detailed below), but first and foremost are the shoulder straps and hipbelts. Starting with the former, we prefer light padding that offers enough cushioning for hauling a laden-down pack—a full water reservoir can weigh a surprising amount—but isn’t so bulky that it feels like it’s too far off your body. Additionally, shoulder strap shape is important, and you’ll see a number of the best options have an opened-up, winged layout to reduce restriction and potential pressure points as you reach forward to the handlebars. In general, you get nicer padding and more thoughtful shoulder strap designs as price goes up, including on packs like the Osprey Raptor 10 , CamelBak Chase Vest, and Evoc Trail Pro.

Hipbelts fall into two basic camps: webbing-only or wider shapes that feature a mesh lining. If you’re wanting only the basics and don’t plan to haul much weight or water at a time, a webbing-only belt like what’s found on the Osprey Katari can do the trick. But there’s a reason that pack is ranked at the bottom of our list—it’s just not that comfortable. The webbing strap feels restrictive when you pull it snug, is unable to distribute much weight to take it off your shoulders, and doesn’t do as good of a job keeping the pack from bouncing around through technical sections. As a result, if you’re getting a standard backpack (i.e., not a vest-style design like the CamelBak Chase), we think it’s worth opting for a wider belt. Most are very lightly padded and have a wider shape at the hips that keeps the pack close to you for better support, and some include pockets for small items like snacks.

It’s hard to capture your friend sending a rock-roll with a cracked phone, and no one likes a soggy, squished granola bar. For these reasons (and many more), well-designed pockets and compartments are an important consideration when choosing a pack. Some riders prefer the simplicity of a single large pocket (like what you get with the Patagonia Dirt Roamer ), while others will appreciate a wider assortment of smaller spots for keys, a wallet, a phone, and bike tools. It’s also nice to have a separate space or external straps to stash a wet or muddy layer without dirtying or soaking your other gear. Final organizational features to consider include a dedicated tool kit pouch, a helmet attachment (like Osprey’s LidLock mechanism), an e-bike battery pocket, a water bladder sleeve (which we cover more in depth below) and a blinker light attachment—just to name a few.

In general, we’ve found that most mountain bike packs don’t prioritize pocket accessibility—perhaps as a way to discourage fumbling with gear while riding. That said, we appreciate the ability to quickly retrieve items like a snack or our phone, because stopping and taking off a backpack just to grab a bite of a granola bar can be a real annoyance. A few designs above are better equipped for the job than most. The CamelBak Chase Vest , for instance, has handy pockets on the shoulder straps (one major draw to the vest style), while the Evoc Trail Pro boasts large hipbelt pockets that are easy to access while riding.

Most mountain bike packs come with a hydration reservoir (also commonly referred to as a bladder), but some brands, like Evoc, require that you purchase one separately. On our list, Osprey, REI, Dakine, Patagonia and USWE all use HydraPak-brand reservoirs (though they might add their own design features), while CamelBak uses their own line of bladders. Below we break down important design considerations between the various sizes and styles. Reservoir Capacities Hydration-equipped mountain bike packs generally come with a reservoir in the 1- to 3-liter range—and most of the time, this decision is made for you when you purchase your pack. For example, the REI Co-op Link 15 L features a 2-liter reservoir, while the CamelBak LR 10 comes with a 3-liter bladder. That said, it’s often possible to mix and match reservoirs. If you’re biking in particularly warm weather or know you’ll be out for a long time without the ability to refill, bumping up to a larger model can be a good idea—just make sure it fits inside your pack. And while it’s also possible to swap in a smaller-capacity reservoir, the easier solution is to just fill your existing bladder halfway. Pro tip: If you go this route, invert the reservoir after filling and suction out air through the hose to mitigate sloshing.

Openings Styles: Slider vs. Twist Cap Reservoirs generally feature one of two primary opening mechanisms: a top opening that folds and seals with a slider (like those from HydraPak) or a large, threaded opening with a twist-off cap (like those from CamelBak). The slider on a HydraPak bladder is arguably easier to fill solo thanks to the bigger opening. We’ve also found the lid on many CamelBak designs to be a bit finicky—we’ve soaked our packs after failing to line up the threads precisely or tightly enough on several occasions. This is largely a matter of personal preference, however, and the opening style on your bladder may or may not be an important consideration for you.

Bite Valves Bite valves are a convenient way to hydrate while pedaling, and the mechanism is very simple: Gently compress the valve by biting down, and water will begin flowing through the hose as you suck. The primary difference between valves is the on/off mechanism: CamelBak’s and Osprey's feature a lever, while most HydraPak designs twist open and closed. We've found the majority of bite valves are fairly easy to use and leak-free, although we’ve found that CamelBak’s require less suction, which is certainly a bonus (they claim their Crux reservoirs  offer 20% more water per sip, which lines up with our experiences). Bite valves are imperfect and occasionally fall off—we’ve already lost one on our Patagonia Dirt Roamer—but fortunately, it’s an easy and cheap (typically under $10) replacement.

Hose Attachment: Magnet or Clip When you’re pumping corners and scaling rooty trails, your hands aren't free to reach to resecure your bladder hose as they might be when you’re running or hiking. With that in mind, we really value an easily accessible hose attachment, and especially one that doesn’t flop around while riding. Most hoses are held in place by a quick-release magnet or clip. The majority of packs above use the former, which makes attaching and unattaching very easy—place the magnets close to each other and let physics do the rest. The magnet is located either across the body on the sternum strap (common on Osprey packs but also found on the CamelBak Mule Pro) or on the same side as the hose (like the Dakine Drafter  and Thule Vital).

Of note: We’ve found that the hose occasionally squiggles out of place with the across-the-body design. To combat this, Patagonia, REI, and most CamelBak packs have a clip to keep the hose in place, which involves unclipping it in order to sip—a somewhat tedious step to execute while riding, but arguably worth the effort for the added security. 

Reservoir Shape and Placement Water is heavy and prone to leaking, so the location of your reservoir is a detail that shouldn’t be overlooked. Some packs, like the Patagonia Dirt Roamer, house the reservoir in a separate compartment to ensure it’s protected from sharp equipment (and to help keep your gear dry if it leaks). Others have a sleeve inside the main compartment with a clip for suspending the reservoir to keep it from slipping downward as it empties.

There are also differences in bladder positioning: Some packs have vertically oriented pockets, so the reservoir lays flush against your back, while others (like the CamelBak Skyline LR 10 and REI Link 15) position the bladder low on the lumbar spine. This will largely come down to what feels most comfortable for you, but we’ve found the low reservoir placement to be great in terms of overall stability. Finally, it’s important to note that some bladders—including those that come with the LowRider and Dakine Drafter—are specifically designed to fit in their respective pockets, meaning they can’t be transferred between packs.

Helmet Attachment A dedicated helmet attachment system is nice if you’re looking to stow your lid during an uphill car shuttle, on a hike-a-bike section of trail, or grabbing a bite après-ride. Some riders also carry their bike helmet on their pack during long climbs on forest service roads, particularly in hot conditions. Depending on your use of the feature, this could be an important consideration or inconsequential (we land on the former). But few things scream “gaper” more than a helmet dangling by its chin strap, bouncing and clanking around as you walk into the brewery after your ride. If you anticipate using a helmet carrying system, designs range from quite simple (like the compression straps on the REI Link 15) to fairly sophisticated (like the chin strap slot on the CamelBak Mule Pro ). Our favorite is Osprey’s LidLock system, which is essentially a well-laced bungee strap with a rigid plastic plate to secure the helmet in place.

Integrated Back Protection Riders pushing their limits and learning new tricks may benefit from a pack that incorporates back protection, like the Evoc Trail Pro. How it works: An impact-absorbing panel at the back safeguards your spine against rocks and other sharp objects that could cause damage during an unintentional spill while also preventing it from overextending. Importantly, there are two levels of protection available, and both the Evoc Trail Pro and CamelBak Mule Pro (with the $55 Impact Protector Panel add-on) boast level 2 protection (EN 1621-2), which meets the highest standard for impact absorption in the event of a crash.

In terms of downsides, protector panels inevitably add weight and bulk, but the good news is that they’re removable for less demanding rides. This also means they’re easy to replace—like a mountain bike helmet , a back protector’s integrity is compromised once impacted, and we highly recommend purchasing a new panel after a crash. Of note: Evoc will evaluate any of their protectors’ integrity and send a replacement for free if it’s been damaged.

Friction points are inevitable during long days in the saddle, and it’s essential that you find a pack that fits. In addition to being more comfortable, a well-fitting pack will also feel more stable while riding. Most designs are only offered in a single size (the Evoc Trail Pro and Patagonia Dirt Roamer are two exceptions), but the good news is that adjustable sternum, waist, and shoulder straps are nearly universal. With the ability to move and adjust the straps, we’ve had no issues sharing a pack among riders of multiple sizes. No two bodies are the same, however, and we highly recommend trying packs on before you buy to ensure you can get a snug (but not restrictive) and comfortable all-around fit.

While most of the packs on our list (and on the market) are one-size-fits-all, many do come in a women’s-specific version. However, the differences between men’s and women’s designs are relatively minor. In the case of the Osprey Raptor (men’s version) and Raven (women’s), the Raven has a slightly shorter torso length and comes in different colorways. For the Mule Pro, CamelBak states that the women’s model has a different fit and shape than the men’s version, including a more contoured shoulder harness. In the end, we recommend going with whichever model fits and feels best—regardless of the labeling.

Since mountain biking is a highly aerobic and often sweaty sport, breathability is a top consideration for many riders. And while many of the packs we tested advertise ventilated backpanels and sweat-wicking technology, overall performance varies quite a bit—striking a good balance between a snug fit and maximum airflow is no small feat. The Patagonia Dirt Roamer and CamelBak Chase Vest, for example, sit close to the back and don’t rank highly in terms of overall ventilation. Conversely, the mesh backpanels on the CamelBak Mule Pro, Dakine Drafter, and Osprey Raptor/Raven are positioned farther away from the body (or have offsetting to padding to create some space), allowing air to flow between your back and the pack. We called out any notable outliers—on both sides of the spectrum—in the write-ups above, but if you tend to run warm or prefer long, hard days in the saddle, you’ll likely want to opt for a suspended mesh design over a close-fitting backpanel.

Pack weight is dependent on multiple factors, including capacity, fabric thickness, and number of features—among others. On our list above, the lightest option is the CamelBak Chase Vest   at a scant 10 ounces, while the heaviest is Dakine Drafter 10L at 2 pounds even. While that’s a relatively small range, it’s important to consider what you’re getting for the added heft. In the case of the Dakine Drafter, that means thick fabrics that hold up well to long-term use, dedicated e-bike battery storage (among myriad other pockets), and exterior straps for accommodating bulky items like knee pads. By contrast, the Chase Vest is decidedly minimalist with its streamlined coverage, flimsier build, and limited feature set.

A final consideration is the weight of your typical load—stuffing the lightweight Chase Vest with an SLR camera and extensive toolkit would likely make for a bouncy, unwieldy ride. If you’re partial to long days in the saddle that require a lot of gear, we’d recommend going with a burlier (i.e., heavier) pack. From our experience, the most balanced designs land in the 1- to 2-pound range.

Given the inherently rough nature of mountain biking, the packs above are all designed to withstand considerable use and abuse. However, some are better equipped for the job than others. Fabric denier is a common measurement of fabric thickness, and we've included the listings for the pack body when available in the table above. Materials like heavy-duty nylon (often 200 denier and up) as well as strong, waterproof zippers are good indicators of overall durability. While none of the packs above threatened to unravel at the seams during testing, there were a few that stood out in terms of all-out toughness and build quality, including the Evoc Trail Pro and Dakine Drafter —the two heaviest designs on our list, which is no coincidence. 

Mountain Bike Backpacks vs. Waist Packs

Out on the singletrack, you’ll likely encounter folks who are adamant wearers of waist packs (also known as hip packs or fanny packs) and others who are proponents of traditional backpacks. At the end of the day, a decision between the two designs largely boils down to your intended use(s) and personal preference. By nature, backpacks tend to have more volume (7-25L), which translates to more water-carrying capacity and additional space for a windbreaker , snacks, and tools—a great fit for longer days out. Waist packs, on the other hand, are lower-volume (typically 1-5L) and better suited for shorter rides or days at the bike park. Most waist packs fit just the essential items (e.g., a granola bar, tool, and phone), and some offer detachable holsters for securing a water bottle.

One consideration to keep in mind is that overloaded waist packs can feel unstable and bouncy, while backpacks distribute weight more evenly and keep the load closer to your back. However, with more coverage comes less breathability. Waist packs are generally cooler on hot summer days, but don’t be fooled—your lower back produces a lot of sweat, and the thickness and construction of the hipbelt can have a sizable impact on ventilation. Some riders also like the added assurance of having full coverage along their back in the event of a fall—although for the utmost in protection, you’ll want to go with a dedicated protector pack like the Evoc Trail Pro. In the end, both have their places and we find ourselves rotating between designs depending on the adventure of the day. For our favorite waist packs, we currently swap between the simple Dakine Hot Laps 1L and feature-rich Patagonia Dirt Roamer 3L . Back to Our Top Mountain Bike Pack Picks   Back to Our Mountain Bike Pack Comparison Table

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America's Best Small Beach Town Is an Old Florida Gem With Crystal-clear Waters and a Scenic Bike Path

Old Florida meets laid-back island living in elegant Boca Grande.

• The Best Times to Visit

Things to Do

Where to stay, where to eat and drink, where to shop, how to get there.

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While the state of Florida welcomes almost 140 million visitors each year, only a small portion of them make their way to serene Gasparilla Island and its main hub, Boca Grande. This upscale yet down-to-earth community on the Gulf of Mexico is just the right amount of under-the-radar, except when it comes to its role as “tarpon capital of the world."

In the words of Nikki Heimann, manager of The Pink Pony — an island-favorite ice cream shop opened in 1988 by her grandfather — the stoplight- and franchise-free community is “like stepping back in time.”

“Our beaches are stunningly clean and our water is usually clear and sparkling, with a bountiful variety of sea life,” she says. “A big allure is game fishing in our deep-water pass for tarpon. We have two well-maintained historical lighthouses with a museum and state park on the south end, and a smooth bike path that runs the whole length of the island, so many people enjoy renting a golf cart or bicycle to spend the day cruising around. It’s a great place to visit if you’re looking for peace, tranquility, and quiet time.”

Beyond its looks, Boca Grande is resilient. Along with much of Southwest Florida, especially Sanibel and Captiva islands to the south, it was devastated by Hurricane Ian in September 2022. The Pink Pony reopened soon after the storm, but other establishments were not so fortunate. “Many iconic features of our landscape are gone forever," Heimann says. "Everyone around here has their story and struggle that they’re going through. We are just thankful we didn’t get washed out.”

Back in action, Boca Grande remains a captivating place to visit — a tranquil respite from the frenetic pace of our modern world (and many parts of Florida) with a beachy, small-town allure. In fact, Travel + Leisure rated it the best small beach town in the country in 2023. Find out why for yourself by exploring the village by golf cart, bike, or your own two feet.

Nikki Heimann, The Pink Pony

It’s a great place to visit if you’re looking for peace, tranquility, and quiet time.

Ben Krut/Getty Images

The Best Times to Visit 

Like many beach towns in Florida , Boca Grande is a seasonal destination. “Most people enjoy coming to the island during our busy ‘social season’ when the town is bustling with activity and the Florida sunshine is a delightful reprieve from the winter snow up north,” Heimann says. This period lasts from approximately Thanksgiving to spring break.

“Then, we roll into tarpon season, when the fishing families come to town and enjoy the island through summertime,” she continues. “Many downtown businesses close during August and September, so that’d be the time to come if you like to sweat in solitude.”

While mid- to late summer is a crowd-free, quieter time in Boca Grande, you may have trouble securing a stay, as the Gasparilla Inn closes annually from mid-July to early October. However, other hotels stay open, and there are assorted vacation rentals available. When planning your visit, remember that the best time to visit Florida , in general, is spring and winter as hurricane season lasts from June 1 through Nov. 30 each year, so there’s always a chance of storms during the summer and fall. 

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As one might expect of America’s best small beach town, the best things to do in Boca Grande are in, around, or on the water — namely, fishing, shelling, boating, beaches, and biking. Heimann says the number one thing she recommends is not so much an activity but an experience: enjoying a sunset either on the beach or a paddleboard. Other things to do include climbing the Gasparilla Island Lighthouse (known locally as the “range light”) and heading to Gasparilla Island State Park for swimming, snorkeling, or fishing. Keep an eye out for the tarpon that often jump and roll in the deep waters of Boca Grande Pass. Or, for more tarpon time, go during the annual World’s Richest Tarpon Tournament , a tradition dating back to the early 1980s. Thousands of dollars in prize money is on the (literal) line.

You can see much of what Gasparilla Island has to offer on the Boca Grande Bike Path . The island is only seven miles long and a half-mile across at its widest point, and this 6.5-mile path runs past highlights like Banyan Street, the Boca Grande Historical Society , and the pretty-in-pink Johann Fust Community Library . The north end is close to Glass Bottom Rentals , where Heimann recommends renting a clear kayak to paddle around the old railroad trestles nearby.

Try to score an invite to the members-only Useppa Island ; otherwise, a day trip to Cayo Costa should scratch the island-adventure itch. It’s accessible only via boat or kayak, with a ferry service available from several mainland locations.

Courtesy of The Gasparilla Inn & Club

Gasparilla Inn & Club 

The Gasparilla Inn & Club represents old Florida at its finest, striking the perfect balance between ritzy and relaxed. The inn has a variety of accommodation options, from rooms and suites in The Main Inn to private cottages and two- to four-bedroom villas. Guests can take part in a range of activities, from golf to croquet, fitness classes, and spa treatments. The inn has four eateries — just be sure to pack with the dress code in mind.

Boca Grande Hotel

The quaint Boca Grande Hotel offers more laid-back accommodations on the north end of Gasparilla Island, near Uncle Henry’s Marina , but the closest public beach access is three miles away. The property has an outdoor pool, loungers that you can rent out and bring with you to the beach, and a guest laundromat for cleaning up before you repack your suitcase. Next door, you can grab a deli sandwich or ice cream from Kappy’s Market .

The Palmetto Inn

A sister to the Boca Grande Hotel, The Palmetto Inn is located in the Downtown Boca Grande Historic District and just a short walk from the beach. Built as a private residence in 1900, it’s now a charming inn with seven suites and some of the lowest in-season rates on the island.

The Innlet on the Waterfront

Located on the waters of the Boca Grande Bayou, The Innlet on the Waterfront is an unfussy charmer with about 30 waterfront and courtyard-facing rooms. Amenities include a pool, on-site restaurant serving breakfast and lunch, plus a full-service marina if you BYOB (Florida-speak for "bring your own boat"). Be on the lookout for manatees as you enjoy your breakfast on the patio of The Outlet.

Gasparilla Inn

Guests of the Gasparilla Inn will be delighted to find that its restaurants are some of Boca Grande’s best. It has an elegant main dining room (open for breakfast and dinner), the casual Pink Elephant (open for lunch and dinner), and the atmospheric BZ’s, where the public and guests alike can enjoy beverages and snacks while taking in views of The Gasparilla Golf Club and Charlotte Harbor. The Beach Club is another favorite for poolside beverages and lunch but is reserved for inn guests and members only.

The Temptation Restaurant 

To experience Boca Grande like a local, order the fish of the day at The Temptation Restaurant . Signature dishes include crab cakes served with roasted shrimp sauce and pan-fried lemony-garlic snapper, while the daily special might be blackened tripletail or chargrilled pompano. The wine list is equally impressive.

Scarpa’s Coastal

Sister to the beloved, family-owned Scarpa’s Italian in Lakeland, Scarpa’s Coastal serves fresh Florida seafood with an Italian flair. It also offers an extensive wine menu with bottles imported from Napa Valley and Italy. Patrons rave about the crab cakes, pasta, and chicken dishes.

Eagle Grille and Miller’s Dockside at Boca Grande Marina

The Boca Grande Marina is home to two restaurants, Eagle Grille and Miller’s Dockside . At Eagle Grille, you’ll find a quieter setting with second-floor waterfront views, while Miller’s Dockside has a sports bar atmosphere right on the water. They have the same menu, full of fresh coastal cuisine like oysters, Gulf grouper, and shrimp.

Sisters Restaurant

It’s not vacation unless you go out for pizza at least once, and Sisters Restaurant is the place to do it. This homey spot offers classic Italian comfort foods to eat indoors or out — and, yes, it really is owned by twin sisters.

The Pink Pony

What’s a beach day without a stop for ice cream? The best place to grab a sweet treat is The Pink Pony, the kind of hometown ice cream shop that once rented out movies on VHS and developed photo film. Things are different now, but visitors can continue at least one generations-old Boca Grande tradition and stop in for hand-dipped Amish ice cream, sorbets, specialty sundaes, shaved ice, all-fruit smoothies, açaí bowls, and coffee drinks. The Pink Pony also has snacks, beer, wine, bagged ice, and souvenirs. And don’t miss Tortuga , the outdoor walk-up window serving authentic Mexican food behind the storefront.

Boca Grande has local, family-owned shops selling souvenirs, art, clothes, and more. Heimann recommends Fugate’s — “a classic island gift store that has a little bit of everything,” she says. Or stop by Barbara Anne’s for a special piece of jewelry to commemorate your trip. 

At the family-owned Smart Studio Art Gallery & Shop (which has another location in Maine), you’ll find stunning local art, including original paintings, prints, driftwood sculptures, gifts, and home decor. Or, if you’re in the market for light tackle or outdoorsy clothing and accessories, stop by Boca Grande Outfitters .

Samuel Foster/Getty Images

Aside from the private Coral Creek Airport, which is less than 10 miles from Boca Grande, there are several public airports nearby. The closest is Punta Gorda Airport (PGD), about an hour away, which is serviced by Sun Country and Allegiant Air with nonstop flights from about 50 cities.

There’s also Sarasota Bradenton International Airport (SRQ) and Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW), both of which are about an hour and a half away, and Tampa International Airport (TPA), which is about two hours away by car. Boca Grande is over three hours from both Orlando International Airport (MCO) and Miami International Airport (MIA). No matter where you fly into, there’s just one road onto Gasparilla Island: the Boca Grande Causeway.

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trek roscoe mountain bike for sale

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Trek Roscoe 6 - 2024

Roscoe 6 is the ideal gateway to mountain biking for new riders looking to have a fun time on the trail. It boosts confidence with a 140mm travel air-spring fork that soaks up bumps and roots, an easy-to-use 1x Shimano CUES drivetrain, and playful frame geometry that makes it easier to control your bike on technical trails and winding singletrack. It's right for you if... You know there are good times to be had on the trail, and you want to be part of them! You're looking for an easy entry to the sport of mountain biking on a bike that will keep you excited and motivated to get out there day after day. The tech you get A strong aluminum frame, fast-rolling 29er wheels with wide, grippy 2.6" tires, and an SR Suntour fork with 140mm of travel. It has a trail-tough Shimano CUES drivetrain with 9 speeds and a wide range of gears for climbing, hydraulic disc brakes, and a dropper post for extra room on rough trails. The final word Roscoe 6 is your new best friend on the trail. It's patient, playful, and confidence-inspiring. It's all about getting out there, having fun, and enjoying the great sport of trail riding! Why you'll love it - It's more fun to be a better rider: Roscoe is so stable and forgiving, it's like an instant ability upgrade - 29er wheels and wide 2.6" tires make for a grippy, confident, and fast-rolling ride - The dropper post lets you lower your saddle on the fly so it's out of the way on descents - Its 140mm suspension fork has plenty of travel to soak up big roots and rocks Features: Ready to get rowdy With 140mm front travel, trail-smashing 29-inch wheels, and dialed-for-dirt frame features, Roscoe is ready to get rowdy on your favorite rides. Progressive trail geometry A long reach, slack head angle, steep seat angle, and short chain stays combine for a ride that's confidence-inspiring, yet still nimble and fun. The strong quiet type Roscoe stays well protected with a double-sided chainstay guard, tough downtube guard, and internal cable guides that help your ride stay quiet, even over rough trails. Shimano CUES Inspired by rider demand for trouble-free drivetrain longevity and performance, Shimano CUES offers a new foundation for versatility and durability across a range of both electric and standard bikes. CUES features Shimano’s new LINKGLIDE drivetrain technology for significantly increased life on wear items like chains, cassettes, and chainrings. Shimano LINKGLIDE LINKGLIDE technology has been specifically engineered for incredible durability while still delivering smooth and decisive shifting – along with a great pedaling experience. Available exclusively on Shimano CUES drivetrains. Upgrade your pedals and love your bike more Pedals are two of the five touchpoints that connect you with your bike, and even though this bike comes with a pair, upgrading to pedals that boost control and grip will greatly improve your ride. See the pedal guide and find the best pedals for your riding style. We recommend flat pedals for simple versatility.

* Subject to change without notice.

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Trek roscoe 7 review.

• Fun Factor - 30% 7.0
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Trek Roscoe 24

Roscoe 24 is a mid-fat kids' mountain bike designed to build confidence on the trail. It takes cues from the adult Roscoe, but this ride was built from the ground up for kids. 2.8" mid-fat tires, a 1x drivetrain, and a wide-range cassette make Roscoe the ideal bike for little rippers who want to build skills and have a ridiculous amount of fun keeping up with Mom, Dad, or an older sibling. Fit for riders 51-59" tall. It's right for you if... Your little shredder is ready to hop off the neighborhood streets and onto the trail, and you want to get them started the right way with a real-deal mountain bike that builds skills and confidence from the outset. If you're looking to teach your little one the wisdom of the trail, there's no better teaching tool than Roscoe. The tech you get A durable Alpha Gold Aluminum frame with a sloping top tube for added clearance, 24" wheels with mid-fat 2.8" tires for added traction and stability, a 1x8 Shimano drivetrain with a wide-range cassette for hills and technical sections, mechanical disc brakes, and loads of thoughtful details borrowed from adult MTB tech, like a closed front dropout and a tucked-in rear brake caliper so when kids drop their Roscoe it doesn't mean an automatic trip to the shop for a replacement part. The final word Give a kid a Roscoe and you'll make a mountain biker for life. Mid-fat tires and a wealth of kid-specific design details make this bike the perfect introduction to the trail. If your little one is ready to tag along when you hit the singletrack, this is the kid-friendly set-up that's made to build confidence, skills, and a healthy obsession with the world's greatest activity. Why you'll love it - There's no family outing as fun as a trail session, and Roscoe is the ideal kids' bike for building great memories - This isn't a small adult bike—it's built from the ground up for kids, by people who know exactly what works for them and what doesn't - When you're learning to ride, simplicity is best: a 1x8 drivetrain lets kids focus on keeping the rubber side down - The kid-specific frame geometry has a sloping top tube that makes it easier to hop on and off - The rear brake caliper is tucked into the frame to help prevent damage from laying the bike down

Due to supply-chain issues, Specs are subject to change without notice.

Trek has slashed up to 30% off bikes and gear in its sale. I've picked out the best MTB bargains on offer

TrekFest is on now and there are huge discounts on MTBs, e-MTBs and top Trek and Bontrager gear

1. US Bike Deals

2. uk bike deals, 3. us and uk gear deals.

Trek has launched its 'TrekFest' sale, and not to be outdone by its North-American rivals Specialized, who also have a Spring Sale on, TrekFest has some mega-discounts. There are site-wide price-cuts on a wide selection of mountain bikes like its best budget hardtail – the Trek Marlin and some of its highly rated e-MTB models like the Trek Fuel EXe. There are also deals from Trek's in-house brand Bontrager, which manufactures MTB helmets , shoes, and lots more...

I've had a hunt around both the Trek US and Trek UK sites and picked out the best deals on offer and added what I think are some of highlights below. The discounts are currently live but end soon. So I'd suggest if something catches your eye, don't hang around, because they are bound to be snapped up quickly.

Marlin 8 Gen 2: Was $1,329.99, now $999 Trek says the Marlin is its most popular budget hardtail mountain bike. This aluminum framed Gen 2 version has a $330 discount with a build that features a RockShox Judy Silver fork, a SRAM SX Eagle 12-spd drivetrain and Shimano hydraulic disc brakes. The Bontrager Kovee wheels are tubeless ready and they roll on Maxxis Ardent Race rubber.

Available in two color choices, sized from XXS-XL.

Fuel EXe 9.9 XTR: Was $12,999 , now $11,999 The Fuel EXe 9.9 XTR is one of Trek's best electric mountain bikes . Built around its OCLV Mountain Carbon frame, the Fuel has a 360Wh battery that powers a TQ motor which puts out 50Nm of torque and 250 watts of maximum continuous power.

You also get 150mm of RockShox Lyrik Ultimate fork travel paired with 140mm of RockShox Super Deluxe Ultimate rear suspension. A Shimano XTR drivetrain, Bontrager carbon wheels and a Bontrager dropper post make up a very nicely specced e-MTB that currently has a $1,000 discount.

Four colors and all sizes are available S-XL.

Rail 9.8 XT Gen 4: Was $8,999, now $7,999 Another discounted electric mountain bike from the Trek line-up is the Trek Rail 9.8 . The brand's long-travel carbon framed enduro e-MTB comes with the Bosch Performance Line CX motor , a long-range 750Wh battery and 85Nm of trail-shredding power.

Adding to the Rail's spec highlights is a 170mm RockShox ZEB Select+ fork , and RockShox Super Deluxe Ultimate shock with a Shimano XT 1x12 drivetrain. Four colors and all the sizing are available plus a tasty $1,000 discount.

Top Fuel 9.8 XT: Was $7,049, now $5,899 Trek's Top Fuel is one of the best cross-country mountain bikes on the market. Lightweight, carbon-framed and has another brilliant line-up of components that make it a bit of a bargain with its current $1,150 discount.

The Top Fuel has a 120mm RockShox SID Select+ fork , 120mm of rear travel with a RockShox SID Luxe Ultimate shock , and a Shimano XT drivetrain. Bontrager Line Elite 30 carbon wheels and a Bontrager Line Elite Dropper complete the spec.

Roscoe 8: Was $2,399, now $1,999 The Trek Roscoe 8 is another entry-level hardtail with a specification ready for some serious cross-country riding. This Roscoe build features a lightweight aluminum frame, a 140mm RockShox 35 Gold fork , a SRAM NX Eagle drivetrain, 4-piston brakes, and a dropper post. 

A $400 discount and sizes XS-XL are available in two size color options.

Slash 9.9 XX1 Gen 5: Was $12,549, now $9,999 Trek say the Slash 9.9 is its best enduro mountain bike in the range. It's also the go-to bike for the Trek Factory Racing Enduro team. This model has a $2,500 discount and you get a bike ready for anything. 

A full carbon frame, hard-hitting suspension with RockShox Flight Attendant , Bontrager carbon wheels, and a SRAM XX1 Eagle drivetrain make this top-of-the-line ride a very attractive buy with the current discount. Available in all sizes and the very stealthy-looking Lithium Gray colorway.

Marlin 8 Gen 3: Was £1,025, now £825 The Trek Marlin Gen 3 is the latest model of its popular budget hardtail mountain bike. The Gen 3 has an updated geometry, and the alloy frame features a RockShox Judy Silver fork, a SRAM SX Eagle 12-spd drivetrain and Shimano hydraulic disc brakes. This latest model also gets a TranzX dropper post too.

Available in two color choices, but with limited sizing, grab it while you can.

Top Fuel 9.8 XT: Was £6,100, now £4,270 Trek's Top Fuel is one of the best cross-country mountain bikes on the market. Lightweight, carbon-framed and has another brilliant line-up of components.

Top Fuel has a 120mm RockShox SID Select+ fork , 120mm of rear travel with a RockShox SID Luxe Ultimate shock , and a Shimano XT drivetrain. Bontrager Line Elite 30 carbon wheels and a Bontrager Line Elite Dropper complete the spec.

Roscoe 8: Was £1,675, now £1,394 The Trek Roscoe 8 is another entry-level hardtail with a specification ready for XC riding. This Roscoe build features an aluminum frame, a 140mm RockShox 35 Gold fork , a SRAM NX Eagle drivetrain, 4-piston brakes, and a dropper post. 

A £280 discount and sizes XS-XL are available in two size color options.

Slash 9.8 XT Gen 5: Was £6,000, now £4,500 Trek say the Slash 9.8 is one of its best enduro bike models coming with the brand's OCLV Mountain Carbon frame. It features a massive 160mm of travel from the highly-rated RockShox Super Deluxe Ultimate shock , paired with a RockShox ZEB Select+ fork and 170mm of travel. 

Only available Lithium Gray colorway and sizes M-XL.

Bontrager Foray MTB Shoes: US: Were $159, now $111 UK: Were £159, now £111 Trek says the Foray shoe is a versatile MTB shoe ready for trail riding and even cyclocross. Its versatility makes it one of the best gravel shoes too.

Foray has a Boa L6 dial for a customizable fit, a stiff sole and a durable upper featuring the added protection of GnarGuard – a rubberised coating that protects against abrasions and other damage. Four color choices and a ton of sizing are available.

Trek Line Elite Pedals: US: Were $119, now $94 UK: Were £109, now £76 The Trek Line Elite are SPD-compatible clipless MTB pedals . Dual-sided and made from forged aluminum, which they say makes them durable and lightweight. They have an easy clipping-in platform and a stylish aesthetic look to back up the performance features.

Bontrager Line 31.6 Dropper Post: Was £199, now £139 The Bontrager Line 31.6 dropper post has everything needed to contend as one of the best dropper posts around. It has internal cable routing and should provide reliable and infinite adjustability. This discounted version comes with 170mm of travel and allows fine-tuning with easy-fit 10mm or 30mm travel-reducer spacers.

Bontrager Flatline Shoes: Were $139, now $99 Were £139, now £97 The best flat mountain bike shoes should deliver plenty of grip to keep you connected to the pedals. The Bontrager Flatline tick the boxes here and comes with a grippy Vibram outsole, that partners up with a reinforced toe box for protection and durability.

They come in three stylish colorways – Black, Olive and Charcoal (the Gum sole on the Charcoal is very cool) and loads of sizes are available.

Trek Rally WaveCel Helmet: US: Was $159, now $119 UK: Was £149, £104 The Trek Rally has the Virginia Tech 5 Star safety rating which makes it a great choice as one of the best MTB helmets available. Featuring WaveCel, which is a collapsible cellular safety structure that protects the head during a crash. It also has a Boa fit system and an adjustable visor.

Loads of colors and sizing are available.

Bontrager Rally MTB Shoe: US: Were $149, now $119 UK: Were £149, now £104 The Rally is a clipless mountain shoe and is made from a super durable design with an abrasion-resistant coating and a reinforced, durable toe box for protection.

They also offer a more relaxed fit for comfort on the bike but plenty of support making them a highly practical trail MTB shoe. Five color and plenty of sizes are available.

Based in Edinburgh, Paul Brett is a staff writer for  BikePerfect.com . He has been an avid cyclist for as long as he can remember, initially catching the mountain biking bug in the 1990s, and raced mountain bikes for over a decade before injury cut short a glittering career. He’s since developed an obsession for gravel riding and recently has dabbled in the dark art of cyclocross. A fan of the idea of bikepacking he has occasionally got involved and has ridden routes like the North Coast 500, Scotland and the Via Francigena (Pilgrim Route), Italy.

Current rides: Marin Alpine Trail 2, Ribble 725, Cube Stereo 160

Height: 175cm

Specialized has a massive sale on – with up to 50% off bikes and gear. Here's my pick of the biggest MTB and off-road bargains

Forget Amazon, Muc-Off has a massive 30% sale right now. Get huge deals on cleaning products, lubes, tubeless kits and more...

Could this be the most expensive camper van ever created? It's well-prepped for wild mountain bike adventures but the price is just insane

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Trek offering up to 30% off bikes and parts in crazy april mtb sale.

Specialized is offering up to 50% off some of its most popular premium mountain bike, and Trek isn’t trailing far behind. The brand’s 140mm trail bike range offers some stellar deals. You can get a Fuel EXe 9.9 XX1 AXS for only £9,499.95, a tidy discount from this e-bike’s usual retail price of £13,500.  

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Fancy the advanced Fuel EX frame and geometry, but don’t require a mid-drive motor to assist with pedalling? The Fuel EX 9.9 XX1 AXS Gen 6 is selling for only £7,994.50, as opposed to its usual list price of £11,800. 

Trek has slashed prices on its long-travel 29er enduro bike, too. The Slash 9.8 XT Gen 5 is selling at 25% off, for only £4,500, which gets you a RockShox ZEB fork, Shimano XT 1x12 drivetrain, four-piston brakes and Line Elite 30 carbon wheels, with a 108T internals gearing the rear hub. 

Dedicated trail and enduro riders value dropper posts but if your dropper needs replacement or upgrading, Bontrager Line Elite droppers are only £251.99 discounted from £359.99. These dropper post deals apply to both 34.9- and 31.6mm diameter Line Elites. 

Beyond bikes and components, the Trek sale includes apparel and accessories. Keen on some lightweight, ultra-efficient carbon-sole kicks? Bontrager XXX shoes are marked down by 30% from £349.99 to £244.99. 

Helmets? The best deal is Bontrager’s Rally WaveCel lid. With extended coverage for skull base protection and an interweaved structure featuring the WaveCel energy absorbing and dispersing material, these helmets are great for trail and enduro riders who desire enhanced safety. Bontrager’s premium Rally mountain bike helmets are now only £89.99, instead of £149.99. 

What’s the cheapest deal with Trek’s big sale? That will be the Bontrager left-side load water bottle cage. A handy upgrade (literally), especially for endurance mountain bikers and riders on XS frames, at only £6.99. 

Trek’s sale runs until the end of April.

• www.trekbikes.com

You might also like:

• 9 tips to keep your suspension running sweeter for longer
• Opinion: You don't need a dropper post on your gravel bike
• Best way to transport mountain bikes

Author block

Lance Branquinho

Lance Branquinho is a Namibian-born media professional who graduated to mountain biking after injuries curtailed his fascination with trail running. He has a weakness for British steel hardtails, especially those which only run a single gear. Lance is an award-winning writer who has contributed to myriad piblications all over the world including Cyclingnews, Bike Perfect, MBR, Topgear, TopCar and  Car magazine.

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"Has the chops to squeeze every last drop of fun from local park trails, plus the talent to conquer black diamond terrain on the weekends."

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Trek Roscoe 6, comes with zefel frame pouch, bontrager under seat pouch with tube repair kit, bontrager air pump .installed taffy tire liners. Have paperwork

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Elektrostal

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Find the right bike route for you through Elektrostal, where we've got 330 cycle routes to explore. The routes you most commonly find here are of the hilly type. Most people get on their bikes to ride here in the months of June and August.

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Flat routes | Hilly routes | Uphill routes | Downhill routes | Quick rides | Long tours | Top rated routes

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Analysis of real estate market in Moscow Oblast, Russia:

40 Facts About Elektrostal

Written by Lanette Mayes

Modified & Updated: 02 Mar 2024

Reviewed by Jessica Corbett

Elektrostal is a vibrant city located in the Moscow Oblast region of Russia. With a rich history, stunning architecture, and a thriving community, Elektrostal is a city that has much to offer. Whether you are a history buff, nature enthusiast, or simply curious about different cultures, Elektrostal is sure to captivate you.

This article will provide you with 40 fascinating facts about Elektrostal, giving you a better understanding of why this city is worth exploring. From its origins as an industrial hub to its modern-day charm, we will delve into the various aspects that make Elektrostal a unique and must-visit destination.

So, join us as we uncover the hidden treasures of Elektrostal and discover what makes this city a true gem in the heart of Russia.

Key Takeaways:

• Elektrostal, known as the “Motor City of Russia,” is a vibrant and growing city with a rich industrial history, offering diverse cultural experiences and a strong commitment to environmental sustainability.
• With its convenient location near Moscow, Elektrostal provides a picturesque landscape, vibrant nightlife, and a range of recreational activities, making it an ideal destination for residents and visitors alike.

Known as the “Motor City of Russia.”

Elektrostal, a city located in the Moscow Oblast region of Russia, earned the nickname “Motor City” due to its significant involvement in the automotive industry.

Home to the Elektrostal Metallurgical Plant.

Elektrostal is renowned for its metallurgical plant, which has been producing high-quality steel and alloys since its establishment in 1916.

Boasts a rich industrial heritage.

Elektrostal has a long history of industrial development, contributing to the growth and progress of the region.

Founded in 1916.

The city of Elektrostal was founded in 1916 as a result of the construction of the Elektrostal Metallurgical Plant.

Located approximately 50 kilometers east of Moscow.

Elektrostal is situated in close proximity to the Russian capital, making it easily accessible for both residents and visitors.

Known for its vibrant cultural scene.

Elektrostal is home to several cultural institutions, including museums, theaters, and art galleries that showcase the city’s rich artistic heritage.

A popular destination for nature lovers.

Surrounded by picturesque landscapes and forests, Elektrostal offers ample opportunities for outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, and birdwatching.

Hosts the annual Elektrostal City Day celebrations.

Every year, Elektrostal organizes festive events and activities to celebrate its founding, bringing together residents and visitors in a spirit of unity and joy.

Has a population of approximately 160,000 people.

Elektrostal is home to a diverse and vibrant community of around 160,000 residents, contributing to its dynamic atmosphere.

Boasts excellent education facilities.

The city is known for its well-established educational institutions, providing quality education to students of all ages.

A center for scientific research and innovation.

Elektrostal serves as an important hub for scientific research, particularly in the fields of metallurgy, materials science, and engineering.

Surrounded by picturesque lakes.

The city is blessed with numerous beautiful lakes, offering scenic views and recreational opportunities for locals and visitors alike.

Well-connected transportation system.

Elektrostal benefits from an efficient transportation network, including highways, railways, and public transportation options, ensuring convenient travel within and beyond the city.

Famous for its traditional Russian cuisine.

Food enthusiasts can indulge in authentic Russian dishes at numerous restaurants and cafes scattered throughout Elektrostal.

Home to notable architectural landmarks.

Elektrostal boasts impressive architecture, including the Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord and the Elektrostal Palace of Culture.

Offers a wide range of recreational facilities.

Residents and visitors can enjoy various recreational activities, such as sports complexes, swimming pools, and fitness centers, enhancing the overall quality of life.

Provides a high standard of healthcare.

Elektrostal is equipped with modern medical facilities, ensuring residents have access to quality healthcare services.

Home to the Elektrostal History Museum.

The Elektrostal History Museum showcases the city’s fascinating past through exhibitions and displays.

A hub for sports enthusiasts.

Elektrostal is passionate about sports, with numerous stadiums, arenas, and sports clubs offering opportunities for athletes and spectators.

Celebrates diverse cultural festivals.

Throughout the year, Elektrostal hosts a variety of cultural festivals, celebrating different ethnicities, traditions, and art forms.

Electric power played a significant role in its early development.

Elektrostal owes its name and initial growth to the establishment of electric power stations and the utilization of electricity in the industrial sector.

Boasts a thriving economy.

The city’s strong industrial base, coupled with its strategic location near Moscow, has contributed to Elektrostal’s prosperous economic status.

Houses the Elektrostal Drama Theater.

The Elektrostal Drama Theater is a cultural centerpiece, attracting theater enthusiasts from far and wide.

Popular destination for winter sports.

Elektrostal’s proximity to ski resorts and winter sport facilities makes it a favorite destination for skiing, snowboarding, and other winter activities.

Promotes environmental sustainability.

Elektrostal prioritizes environmental protection and sustainability, implementing initiatives to reduce pollution and preserve natural resources.

Home to renowned educational institutions.

Elektrostal is known for its prestigious schools and universities, offering a wide range of academic programs to students.

Committed to cultural preservation.

The city values its cultural heritage and takes active steps to preserve and promote traditional customs, crafts, and arts.

Hosts an annual International Film Festival.

The Elektrostal International Film Festival attracts filmmakers and cinema enthusiasts from around the world, showcasing a diverse range of films.

Encourages entrepreneurship and innovation.

Elektrostal supports aspiring entrepreneurs and fosters a culture of innovation, providing opportunities for startups and business development.

Offers a range of housing options.

Elektrostal provides diverse housing options, including apartments, houses, and residential complexes, catering to different lifestyles and budgets.

Home to notable sports teams.

Elektrostal is proud of its sports legacy, with several successful sports teams competing at regional and national levels.

Boasts a vibrant nightlife scene.

Residents and visitors can enjoy a lively nightlife in Elektrostal, with numerous bars, clubs, and entertainment venues.

Promotes cultural exchange and international relations.

Elektrostal actively engages in international partnerships, cultural exchanges, and diplomatic collaborations to foster global connections.

Surrounded by beautiful nature reserves.

Nearby nature reserves, such as the Barybino Forest and Luchinskoye Lake, offer opportunities for nature enthusiasts to explore and appreciate the region’s biodiversity.

Commemorates historical events.

The city pays tribute to significant historical events through memorials, monuments, and exhibitions, ensuring the preservation of collective memory.

Promotes sports and youth development.

Elektrostal invests in sports infrastructure and programs to encourage youth participation, health, and physical fitness.

Hosts annual cultural and artistic festivals.

Throughout the year, Elektrostal celebrates its cultural diversity through festivals dedicated to music, dance, art, and theater.

Provides a picturesque landscape for photography enthusiasts.

The city’s scenic beauty, architectural landmarks, and natural surroundings make it a paradise for photographers.

Connects to Moscow via a direct train line.

The convenient train connection between Elektrostal and Moscow makes commuting between the two cities effortless.

A city with a bright future.

Elektrostal continues to grow and develop, aiming to become a model city in terms of infrastructure, sustainability, and quality of life for its residents.

In conclusion, Elektrostal is a fascinating city with a rich history and a vibrant present. From its origins as a center of steel production to its modern-day status as a hub for education and industry, Elektrostal has plenty to offer both residents and visitors. With its beautiful parks, cultural attractions, and proximity to Moscow, there is no shortage of things to see and do in this dynamic city. Whether you’re interested in exploring its historical landmarks, enjoying outdoor activities, or immersing yourself in the local culture, Elektrostal has something for everyone. So, next time you find yourself in the Moscow region, don’t miss the opportunity to discover the hidden gems of Elektrostal.

Q: What is the population of Elektrostal?

A: As of the latest data, the population of Elektrostal is approximately XXXX.

Q: How far is Elektrostal from Moscow?

A: Elektrostal is located approximately XX kilometers away from Moscow.

Q: Are there any famous landmarks in Elektrostal?

A: Yes, Elektrostal is home to several notable landmarks, including XXXX and XXXX.

Q: What industries are prominent in Elektrostal?

A: Elektrostal is known for its steel production industry and is also a center for engineering and manufacturing.

Q: Are there any universities or educational institutions in Elektrostal?

A: Yes, Elektrostal is home to XXXX University and several other educational institutions.

Q: What are some popular outdoor activities in Elektrostal?

A: Elektrostal offers several outdoor activities, such as hiking, cycling, and picnicking in its beautiful parks.

Q: Is Elektrostal well-connected in terms of transportation?

A: Yes, Elektrostal has good transportation links, including trains and buses, making it easily accessible from nearby cities.

Q: Are there any annual events or festivals in Elektrostal?

A: Yes, Elektrostal hosts various events and festivals throughout the year, including XXXX and XXXX.

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Our commitment to delivering trustworthy and engaging content is at the heart of what we do. Each fact on our site is contributed by real users like you, bringing a wealth of diverse insights and information. To ensure the highest standards of accuracy and reliability, our dedicated editors meticulously review each submission. This process guarantees that the facts we share are not only fascinating but also credible. Trust in our commitment to quality and authenticity as you explore and learn with us.

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Geographic coordinates of Elektrostal, Moscow Oblast, Russia

City coordinates

Coordinates of Elektrostal in decimal degrees

Coordinates of elektrostal in degrees and decimal minutes, utm coordinates of elektrostal, geographic coordinate systems.

WGS 84 coordinate reference system is the latest revision of the World Geodetic System, which is used in mapping and navigation, including GPS satellite navigation system (the Global Positioning System).

Geographic coordinates (latitude and longitude) define a position on the Earth’s surface. Coordinates are angular units. The canonical form of latitude and longitude representation uses degrees (°), minutes (′), and seconds (″). GPS systems widely use coordinates in degrees and decimal minutes, or in decimal degrees.

Latitude varies from −90° to 90°. The latitude of the Equator is 0°; the latitude of the South Pole is −90°; the latitude of the North Pole is 90°. Positive latitude values correspond to the geographic locations north of the Equator (abbrev. N). Negative latitude values correspond to the geographic locations south of the Equator (abbrev. S).

Longitude is counted from the prime meridian ( IERS Reference Meridian for WGS 84) and varies from −180° to 180°. Positive longitude values correspond to the geographic locations east of the prime meridian (abbrev. E). Negative longitude values correspond to the geographic locations west of the prime meridian (abbrev. W).

UTM or Universal Transverse Mercator coordinate system divides the Earth’s surface into 60 longitudinal zones. The coordinates of a location within each zone are defined as a planar coordinate pair related to the intersection of the equator and the zone’s central meridian, and measured in meters.

Elevation above sea level is a measure of a geographic location’s height. We are using the global digital elevation model GTOPO30 .

Elektrostal , Moscow Oblast, Russia

Roscoe. See the bikes. Hardtails have more fun. Dive into rowdy terrain on the all-new Roscoe. It's built for a good time from the ground up, and fearlessly flies down the same gnarly trails you'd ride on a fully. But because it's shock-free, you don't have as much to maintain and the trail feel is unbeatable. Less fuss, more fun—that ...

Trek Roscoe 6. $1,199.99. Trek Roscoe 8. $1,999.99 $2,399.99 17% Off. Trek Roscoe 9. $2,499.99 $2,799.99 11% Off. Page 1 of 1. Shop Trek Roscoe hardtail mountain bikes, your new trail ready hardtail bike with plus sized tires and smooth dropper posts. Satisfaction guaranteed!

Roscoe 7. 38 Reviews / Write a Review. $1,649.99 $1,899.99. Model 5260351. Retailer prices may vary. Roscoe 7 is a hardtail for riders who are ready to cut loose and have a blast ripping up the trail. A plush 140mm suspension fork, 29er wheels, and a wide-range drivetrain with plenty of gears make this bike great for new riders yet playful ...

Roscoe. With 140mm of squish up front, Roscoe delivers hardtail simplicity and fully capability for a heavy-hitting trail bike that amps up every ride. 5 Results. Items. 24.

Roscoe 8 is a trail hardtail for anyone looking to have some serious fun out in the dirt. Its 27.5+ mid-fat tires, a wide-range 1x12 drivetrain, and 120mm suspension fork make it a blast on every trail, from packed singletrack to the loose stuff. It's a laid-back trail mountain bike dressed in a high-quality spec that's ready to party.

Discover your next great ride with Roscoe 8 - 2021, Medium. See the bike and visit your local Trek retailer. Shop now! Discover your next great ride with Roscoe 8 - 2021, Medium. ... Red Barn Refresh bikes; Pre-owned mountain bikes; Roscoe 8 - 2021, Medium; Roscoe 8 - 2021, Medium; We'll take care of you. ... Sale & clearance Customize How to ...

Roscoe 6 is the ideal gateway to mountain biking for new riders looking to have a fun time on the trail. It boosts confidence with a 140mm travel air-spring fork that soaks up bumps and roots, an easy-to-use 1x Shimano CUES drivetrain, and playful frame geometry that makes it easier to control your bike on technical trails and winding singletrack.

Model 585984. Retailer prices may vary. Roscoe 7 is a mid-fat trail hardtail for riders who favor a fun and lively ride. Confidence-inspiring 27.5+ wheels and plus-sized tires, a plush suspension fork, and a wide-range drivetrain with plenty of gears make Roscoe 7 stable enough for new riders, and playful enough to make even the most ...

Discover your next great ride with Roscoe 9 - 2023, X-Large. See the bike and visit your local Trek retailer. Shop now! Discover your next great ride with Roscoe 9 - 2023, X-Large. ... Red Barn Refresh bikes; Pre-owned mountain bikes; Roscoe 9 - 2023, X-Large; Roscoe 9 - 2023, X-Large; We'll take care of you. ... Sale & clearance Customize How ...

Details. Roscoe 7 is a hardtail for riders who wanna have a blast ripping up the trail. A plush 140mm suspension fork, 29er wheels, and a wide-range drivetrain with plenty of gears make this bike great for new riders yet playful enough to make even the most experienced shredders smile.

1643-5260355. Experience the thrill of the trails with the Trek 2024 Roscoe 7 Mountain Bike from SCHEELS. Designed for dirt, this bike features a robust threaded bottom bracket for increased durability in challenging conditions, and International Standard Chain Guide (ISCG) mounts for easy chain guide installation and adjustment.

Our Verdict. The Trek Roscoe 7 is an adaptable and well-rounded hardtail mountain bike that is competent in most of situations. Climbing abilities were rock solid and this bike is more capable than you might think on the descent. This hardtail rolls on 29 x 2.6-inch rubber that delivers a comfortable and surprisingly efficient ride.

Get the best deals on Trek Mountain Bikes when you shop the largest online selection at eBay.com. Free shipping on many items | Browse your favorite brands ... Trek Roscoe 8 - Large (19.5") - Matte Slate - Good Condition Bike - NICE!! $1,249.95. or Best Offer. $300.00 shipping. 28 watching.

About the Roscoe 6 Roscoe 6 is the ideal gateway to mountain biking for new riders looking to have a fun time on the trail. It has plus-sized tyres that inspire confidence by elevating traction, a suspension fork that soaks up the big bumps and roots, an easy-to-use 1x drivetrain and playful frame geometry that makes it easier to control your bike on technical trails and winding singletrack ...

Marlin 6 2022. Trek Bicycle Peoria. Now $699.99 From $749.99. Showing 24 out of 150 results. Buy a huge range of new and used Trek Hardtail Mountain Bikes, from America's No.1 Bike Website.

Details. Roscoe 20 is a mid-fat kids' mountain bike designed to build confidence on the trail. It takes cues from the adult Roscoe, but this ride was built from the ground up for kids. 2.8" mid-fat tires, a 1x drivetrain, and a wide-range cassette make Roscoe the ideal bike for little rippers who want to build skills and have a ridiculous ...

Details. Roscoe 6 is the ideal gateway to mountain biking for new riders looking to have a fun time on the trail. It has plus-sized tires that inspire confidence by keeping you stable, a suspension fork that soaks up the big bumps and roots, an easy-to-use 1x drivetrain, and playful frame geometry that makes it easier to control your bike on ...

Details. Roscoe 24 is a mid-fat kids' mountain bike designed to build confidence on the trail. It takes cues from the adult Roscoe, but this ride was built from the ground up for kids. 2.8" mid-fat tires, a 1x drivetrain, and a wide-range cassette make Roscoe the ideal bike for little rippers who want to build skills and have a ridiculous ...

Trek has launched its 'TrekFest' sale, and not to be outdone by its North-American rivals Specialized, who also have a Spring Sale on, TrekFest has some mega-discounts. There are site-wide price-cuts on a wide selection of mountain bikes like its best budget hardtail - the Trek Marlin and some of its highly rated e-MTB models like the Trek Fuel EXe. . There are also deals from Trek's in ...

Roscoe. See the bikes. Hardtails have more fun. Dive into rowdy terrain on the all-new Roscoe. It's built for a good time from the ground up and fearlessly flies down the same gnarly trails you'd ride on a fully. But because it's shock-free, you don't have as much to maintain and the trail feel is unbeatable. Less fuss, more fun ...

Specialized is offering up to 50% off some of its most popular premium mountain bike, and Trek isn't trailing far behind. The brand's 140mm trail bike range offers some stellar deals. You can get a Fuel EXe 9.9 XX1 AXS for only £9,499.95, a tidy discount from this e-bike's usual retail price of £13,500. Cycling motivation: 8 tips to get you back on the bike Are flat pedals worth it ...

Roscoe 8. $1,999.99 $2,399.99. Model 5260381. Retailer prices may vary. Roscoe 8 is a trail hardtail for anyone looking to have some serious fun on the dirt. 29er wagon wheels smooth out rocks and roots, grippy 2.6" tires give you a boost in traction, and a 140mm suspension fork make it a blast on every trail, from packed singletrack to the ...

Mountain bike - $600 ... 256 Lake Havasu Ave near Smoketree. bicycle type: mountain. frame size: 17.5. wheel size: 27.5 in. bicycle frame material: alloy. suspension: suspension fork ... model name / number: Roscoe 6. serial number: 2078u0320. QR Code Link to This Post. Trek Roscoe 6, comes with zefel frame pouch, bontrager under seat pouch ...

Find the right bike route for you through Elektrostal, where we've got 327 cycle routes to explore. The routes you most commonly find here are of the hilly type. Most people get on their bikes to ride here in the months of June and August.

* calculated weighted mean of apartment cost per 1 square foot/meter in Elektrostal secondary housing market. Among prices in range from 30 to 200 thousand Rub/m² for Elektrostal.Among apartments with area in range: from 20 to 350 m², from 215 to 3767 ft².

40 Facts About Elektrostal. Elektrostal is a vibrant city located in the Moscow Oblast region of Russia. With a rich history, stunning architecture, and a thriving community, Elektrostal is a city that has much to offer. Whether you are a history buff, nature enthusiast, or simply curious about different cultures, Elektrostal is sure to ...

Geographic coordinates of Elektrostal, Moscow Oblast, Russia in WGS 84 coordinate system which is a standard in cartography, geodesy, and navigation, including Global Positioning System (GPS). Latitude of Elektrostal, longitude of Elektrostal, elevation above sea level of Elektrostal.