In our big 2024 trail bike group test, we crowned an unexpected winner, had a few pleasant surprises and also spotted a few lemons, which we would never recommend you buy! Our test field includes 15 of the most exciting trail bikes of the season – but what does it take to be the best and worst trail bike of the year?
Let’s be honest, most of us are totally over-biked! We spend most of our time tackling tame home trails with big-hitting bruisers, just to be able to enjoy the extra travel on the occasional bike park trip or rowdy enduro holiday in summer. But is it really necessary with all the fantastic technology available these days?
Back in our 2022 trail bike group test, we recognised a clear pattern that has also repeated itself in this year’s test: modern trail bikes are becoming increasingly capable, allowing you to tackle faster, rougher trails and bigger jumps without smashing your bike (and yourself) into a million pieces. And no, modern trail bikes don’t pedal like shit. Quite the opposite: they don’t call for compromises uphill, and aren’t necessarily stupidly expensive either. Sounds too good to be true?
Trail Bike ≠ Trail Bike
First off, the days when we were buying bikes based on a predefined category are long gone. In other words, instead of fixating on a certain bike category, you should look for a specific bike model, regardless of whether it’s classified as an all-mountain, super enduro or full-suspension touring bike. There’s no such thing as “one bike for all”. Every manufacturer interprets the existing categories in a different way, relying on different specs, features and key data and keeping the focus on different things, blurring the boundaries between categories. What really counts is the overall concept and, of course, how well each concept suits your individual needs, riding style and intended use.
What became quickly evident again in this year’s test with 15 trail bikes, is that each model has its very own character, with huge differences distinguishing the bikes from one another. In other words, depending on the bike, you could either carve through a berm with extreme precision or slide through it hoping for the best – and that’s despite the fact many bikes share near-identical key data like the suspension travel, geometry and wheel size.
15 of the most exciting trail bikes of 2024 at a glance
Our test field consists of 15 modern trail bikes and includes all kinds of different concepts, from lively, lightweight speedsters to rowdy shredding machines and even several light eMTBs, which pushed their analogue competitors to the limits. It was a colourful bunch of contestants, with newcomers, underdogs, innovative high-tech trail bikes and bikes that have already set a benchmark in the past seeking to prove themselves against the new competition.
Our latest readers’ survey with 23,000 participants revealed which brands are most popular amongst our readers and which technologies arouse their interest. This gave us a good starting point to work from. On top of that, our editorial team racked their brains to understand which bikes simply couldn’t be overlooked, along with a few more niche options that our readers might not be aware of.
On this basis, we’ve put together an exciting test field with 15 hot, new bikes, which provided some exciting insights and plenty of interesting facts. For example, there’s a difference of over € 8,000 between the cheapest and most expensive competitors. Is this bonkers? Or is it unfair? Not at all, in fact, our test shows that the opposite is true! Curiously, there are bikes with nearly identical specs that have a price difference of over € 4,000, which caused quite a stir – wtf!
While most of the test field consists of analogue bikes, we also included four of the most important light eMTBs of the season, which rely on the four most exciting motor systems and battery concepts currently available on the market, thus appealing to a very wide range of rider types. This also explains the huge 7.5 kg weight difference between the lightest and heaviest competitors – that’s a whole road bike worth of difference! Are the heaviest bikes necessarily the slowest or most boring? Let us surprise you! There are also huge differences in terms of suspension travel, with the most conservative rear suspension generating 120 mm of travel at the rear, the most capable bike delivering a whopping 155 mm. Maybe that doesn’t sound like a fair comparison, but which one was more fun downhill?
For a better overview, here’s a list of all 15 bikes in our 2024 trail bike comparison test, with some of the most important data.
The Cannondale Habit LT 1 1 takes on the competition with a humble spec, renouncing any kind of fancy, shiny components. Together with the YT, it wants to prove that even the cheapest bike in this test can put a big grin on your face on the trail. The CUBE Stereo ONE55 C:62 SLT 29, on the other hand, comes with a top-tier spec at an affordable price. At first glance, it stands out from the crowd with some radical details: at 13.4 kg, for example, it’s the lightest bike in this test (alongside the SCOR), and at the same time, it’s the bike with the most travel, which is controlled by a very capable FOX X2 shock. Does this make it the most potent contestant downhill?
Just with its name, the shows its intentions. With a fully integrated EightPins dropper and tire inserts fitted as standard, the GHOST has a few party tricks up its sleeve. But is it enough to claim victory in our 2024 trail bike group test? Other bikes, like the MERIDA ONE-FORTY 10K, have plenty of tricks up their sleeves too. With the ONE-FORTY, the Taiwanese manufacturer introduces a versatile frame platform with flex-stays that relies on a brand new design language and innovative geometry concept.
As already mentioned, we didn’t miss the opportunity to include a few light eMTBs in our 2024 trail bike group test, deliberately ignoring all the hate they attract. And once again, they proved that they have a right to be in this test field. Let’s start with the sleek Mondraker Neat RR SL and its TQ_HPR50 motor system, which delivers a very natural ride feeling but also feels weak compared to the competition. In purely visual terms, its electric nature only becomes evident upon closer inspection. It’s a whole different story with the NICOLAI SATURN 14 Swift HRZ, which is distinctly recognisable as an ebike, integrating a brand-new Bosch SX motor into a machined alloy frame. At 600 watts peak power, the motor packs a real punch when you pedal hard.
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The Santa Cruz Heckler SL XX AXS RSV, too, is based on its analogue sibling, the Bronson. The FAZUA Ride 60 motor system is neatly integrated into the down tube, preserving the distinctive look of Santa Cruz’s VPP rear suspension. Like the Levo SL, it rolls on a mixed wheel setup with a small 27.5″ wheel at the rear, promising to be tons of fun on the trail, while packing a punch uphill. The Heckler can count on some family support, because the Californian brand also entered the race with one of their analogue trail bruisers, the Santa Cruz Hightower X0 AXS RSV, which looks a lot like the Heckler despite rolling on two big 29″ wheels.
Introduced only recently, the Orbea Occam LT M10 employs a versatile frame platform and allows you to customise both the spec and look of your bike down to the smallest detail using Orbea’s extensive online configurator. Does this make it the perfect trail bike for everyone? Well, there’s another bike in this test that lets you do pretty much the same, at least in terms of aesthetics. With the brand-new SCOR 2030 X01, you can design your very own frame protectors for the top and down tube using the Swiss brand’s online design tool. With only 120 mm of rear travel, it doesn’t have lots of reserves on paper, but the progressive suspension allows you to get rowdy downhill while maintaining a lively, nimble character on the climbs.
With the SCOTT Genius ST 900 Tuned, the Swiss manufacturer shows once again what seamless integration looks like, concealing the shock inside the frame and routing all cables internally. To round off the clean look, SCOTT also throw in a fancy one-piece handlebar/stem unit.While the high level of integration ensures a super tidy look, it also has its drawbacks, making it harder for home mechanics to work on their bike. Is the Genius ST 900 Tuned just as discreet on the trail as it looks? The Trek Fuel EX 9.9 X0 AXS T-Type is the latest evolutionary development of a true trail classic, the latest version of a bike which has been a regular in our group tests over the years. Particularly striking are the top-tier spec and countless customisation options, which allow you to alter both the geometry and kinematics of the bike. Can our trail veteran use its lengthy experience to secure Best in Test in our 2024 trail bike group test?
With its big brother securing victory in last year’s enduro group test, the YETI SB140 LR T3 X0 has big shoes to fill. It shares the same frame features and Switch Infinity suspension design as the enduro model, and (of course) comes in the same iconic turquoise finish. The spec is almost identical to the last contestant in this test, the new YT JEFFSY CORE 5 CF, which is packed with practical features. However, the German direct-to-consumer brand charges significantly less than its competitors for the fancy components – but is YT skimping elsewhere?
Of course, there are some bikes missing this year, and as much as we’d love to squeeze all of the trail bikes currently available on the market into one massive group test, this would simply be impossible. Many bikes, like the Propain Hugene, Specialized Stumpjumper, Canyon Spectral and Santa Cruz Bronson haven’t been updated since our last group test, and weren’t able to secure victory back then anyway. That’s why they didn’t even enter the competition this year, but you can still draw some interesting conclusions by reading last year’s reviews and comparing the bikes.
On the other hand, we would have loved to include some other bikes in this test, like the Canyon Neuron, Forbidden Druid and COMMENCAL TEMPO, but the manufacturers were either unable to deliver a bike in time, or simply too afraid to hear our opinion, so they decided not to send a bike for this test. Once again this year, there are bikes that didn’t live up to expectations, but more on this later.
What is a trail bike and what should it be capable of?
A good trail bike not only allows you to climb to the top of the mountain comfortably and without suffering too much, but also delivers tons of fun when shredding your way back down into the valley. Good composure and plenty of reserves are no longer exclusive to potent enduro bikes, with increasingly more trail bikes packing a punch on the trail.
Trail bikes are designed to be the perfect all-rounder and to deliver an unparalleled riding experience. Climbing performance isn’t compromised in any way – quite the opposite! Despite their impressive downhill potential, the trail bikes in this group test are surprisingly nimble, pedal-neutral and at the same time offer a high level of touring comfort. Furthermore, trail bikes aren’t subject to the limitations of racing, which is the case with many enduro and XC bikes. Instead, they’re designed to crank the fun factor up to eleven while inspiring huge amounts of confidence in the process, whatever trail you’re deciding to tackle. One of the most frequently asked questions amongst modern mountain bikers is whether your next rig should be an eMTB, which is partly due to the advent of the latest generation of light eMTBs. The advantages of light e-mountainbikes are obvious: ride more trails in less time, overcome laziness, and enjoy a wider range of applications, from rowdy trail expeditions to family weekends with a trailer and fun uphill sessions with your mates. Depending on which motor system you’re using, you’ll be able to engage in some wild climbing antics. The disadvantages? Higher prices, more wear and tear… but is the handling really worse?
Do I even need a new trail bike?
If you’re asking yourself this question, you probably forgot about the N+1 rule, which states clearly that you can never own enough bikes. However, if for some inexplicable reason, you want to stick to just one bike, modern trail rigs are the optimal addition to your bike cave, because they’re extremely capable and at the same time have great touring potential, thus covering an incredibly wide range of applications and delivering an insane amount of fun, even on more moderate trails. Furthermore, now is a great time to get a new bike, because many manufacturers and bike shops are currently offering huge discounts to empty their warehouses. If you want to know why, you should read our “Price war” article, which gives you an insight into the current state of the bike industry. But one thing’s for sure: at some point, the price-drop battle will come to an end and bikes will get more expensive again. Learn more about bikes and other cool stuff here at 3PATTING!