PRICE Good models from € 2500
WEIGHT 12 to 14 kilos (without pedals)
FEDERWEG 130 to 150 mm
AREA OF APPLICATION Challenging trails, flow trails, trail centres, easy bike park use, technical tours in the Alps
All-mountain bikes are more geared towards descents than climbs. With versatile, adjustable suspension up to 150 millimetres of travel, tyres up to 2.6 inches wide, powerful brakes and a telescopic seat post, you can master bumpy Lake Garda trails, small drops and jumps much more easily than with a trail bike. However, the downhill tuning does add weight and wide tyres roll more heavily. This does not rule out long tours, but requires a lot of effort uphill for even more riding fun downhill. 29-inch tyres are also gaining ground in this category. While the 27.5-inch models are lighter and more agile, 29er all-mountain bikes score points with their smoother ride in fast sections. However, they become more expensive if the additional weight of the large wheels is to be compensated for by extra-light components.
Canyon Spectral CF 8.0
The potent suspension, the equipment and the geometry give the Canyon a pinch of enduro charm. Grippy 2.6 mm Maxxis tyres on 27.5 mm DT Swiss wheels and a high front end underline this character on the first few metres of the trail. Downhill, the Spectral leaves nothing to be desired and takes the victory in the downhill classification on its way to the test victory in the All Mountains up to € 3200 category. The CF 8.0 is the cheapest carbon model in the Spectral series. Although the rear triangle is made of aluminium, the bike remains comparatively light even with it. There are sportier bikes on the climbs, even if the sensitive rear triangle is powerful. In the end, the advantages clearly outweigh the disadvantages, and the unique look with its distinctive seat dome and beautifully integrated details sets the bike apart from the competition.
Price 2999 Euro
Wheel size 27,5"
Weight 13.52 kilos without pedals
Spring travel front: 148 mm / rear: 150 mm
Tested in BIKE 6/18
BIKE judgement very good
Giant Trance 3
At the request of dealers, Giant has expanded the Trance series with this affordable entry-level model. Originally designed as a trail bike, it enters the all-mountain category with 155 mm travel at the front and 145 mm at the rear. It can easily deny its trail bike genes: With a convincing chassis with plenty of reserves and great handling, the very good all-round bike secured the tip for the best specialised bike in the test field. The climbing characteristics of the long-travel bike are good, the suspension sensitively filters out roots, the lightweight 27.5 mm wheels, delivered tubeless from the factory, accelerate well. The SR Suntour fork works convincingly, the rear suspension is sensitive. The Trance irons out a lot on the trail, and the playfulness doesn't fall by the wayside either.
Price 1999,90 Euro
Wheel size 27,5"
Weight 14.21 kilos without pedals
Spring travel front: 155 mm / rear: 145 mm
Tested in BIKE 7/18
BIKE judgement very good
Giant Trance Advanced 1
The Giant is an all-round successful all-mountain bike with very well-balanced handling characteristics and low weight. The equipment with Fox suspension, Sram GX Eagle, carbon wheelset and the excellent Maxxis High Roller tyres is top quality. No other bike in its test group achieved such a good balance of playfulness and composure. Guided by a 150 mm Fox fork, the Trance travelled light-footedly over the test lap without showing any signs of nervousness in the fast, rough sections. The suspension is comparatively firm, but the fork and Maestro rear suspension harmonise perfectly. The rear suspension proved sensitive on the climbs. With these characteristics, the Giant outperformed the competition in the test field in the pure practical evaluation.
Price 4399,90 Euro
Wheel size 27,5"
Weight 12.56 kilos without pedals
Spring travel front: 149 mm / rear: 148 mm
Tested in BIKE 5/18
BIKE judgement very good
Mondraker Foxy Carbon RR
With their fast-forward geometry, the Spaniards at Mondraker were pioneers of bikes with a long reach. Here they have implemented this modern design in a potent 29er all-mountain. Crouched low, stretched out like a leopard before the jump, the Foxy makes a spectacular appearance. However, with a short 30 mm stem, the riding position is still moderate. With 161 mm travel at the front and 151 mm at the rear, the extravagant bike not only imitates the swift acceleration, but also the smooth off-road gait of a big cat very well. With lightweight wheels, the 13.7-kilo bike accelerates well and remains smooth even at high speeds. Thanks to its short chainstays, it is not a long haul lorry despite its long reach. With a few enduro genes, the Foxy also masters rough terrain and hard landings.
Price 6299 Euro
Wheel size 29"
Weight 13.7 kilos without pedals
Spring travel front: 161 mm / rear: 151 mm
Tested in BIKE 11/18
BIKE judgement very good
Propain Hugene
The Hugene is a solid 29er all-mountain that impresses with its balanced handling and very good suspension, especially downhill. With the newly developed carbon fibre frame with 139 millimetres of travel, Propain has set itself the goal of presenting the all-mountain as a perfect all-rounder: light and powerful, but also fast downhill. And it succeeds because the 150 mm Fox Float suspension fork in the test model performs at the highest level and the rear suspension sensitively absorbs even hard impacts. It remains calm when pedalling uphill. Once you sit on the bike, you immediately feel comfortable. Going downhill, the Hugene is more suited to high speeds than to scrambling round tight bends. It is also worth mentioning that the Hugene can be extensively customised in a configurator.
Price 6100 Euro
Wheel size 29"
Weight 13.18 kilos without pedals
Spring travel front: 153 mm / rear: 139 mm
Tested in BIKE 6/18
BIKE judgement very good
Propain Tyee AM Carbon Free
Almost limitless customisation is the domain of Propain. Colour combinations and add-on parts can be freely configured when ordering by mail order. In the test, the Tyee was equipped with high-quality components such as Sram X01 Eagle and Fox Factory suspension elements. It proved to have very good handling characteristics both downhill and uphill and impressed as a top all-rounder with low weight. The riding position is comfortable, and the front wheel does not rise even on steep climbs thanks to the low front end and long chainstays. The kinematics offer a very good compromise between sensitivity and drive efficiency. You can do without the shock platform on the climbs. The rear triangle also smooths out rough rocky terrain and generates very good traction. With the same sensitivity, it sticks securely to the ground even on rough descents.
Price 4315 Euro
Wheel size 27,5"
Weight 12.59 kilos without pedals
Spring travel front: 140 mm / rear: 156 mm
Tested in BIKE 5/18
BIKE judgement very good
Rocky Mountain Instinct A50
With its aluminium frame, the A50 is the cheapest Instinct in the model range. However, it is not a cheap entry-level model. Rather, it impressed as a balanced, versatile all-mountain bike and secured the tip for the best specialised bike in the comparison test. The potent Fox suspension was very sensitive and worked extremely actively, and was also very forgiving in rough sections. Depending on the position of the Ride 9 system, a maximum of 156 millimetres of travel is available at the rear. However, the rear suspension pumps minimally when pedalling. Sram-level brakes and the narrow range of the 11-speed drivetrain cost a few points. However, the Instinct impressed on 27.5 mm wheels uphill and downhill with its balanced handling - and useful details such as the integrated chain guide.
Price 3200 Euro
Wheel size 29"
Weight 13.6 kilos without pedals
Spring travel front: 141 mm / rear: 156 mm
Tested in BIKE 6/18
BIKE judgement very good
Rose Pikes Peak 3 AM 27.5
Versatile and light, with a modern geometry, this is how the Pikes Peak presented itself and took the test victory in the all-mountain category. The equipment with Sram XO Eagle, lightweight DT Swiss wheels and the equally potent and harmonious Fox suspension is of high quality. At a light 12.5 kilos, the bike accelerates agilely, with the rear end only pumping a little when pedalling. The rear suspension has an impressive 161 mm of travel and absorbs even the most subtle bumps. The short 35 mm stem and the 800 mm handlebars provide confidence on the descents. The bottom bracket height, progression, steering angle and seat angle can be adjusted via a flipchip. The testers liked the downhill-orientated Pro-Low-Geo-Slack setting with a steering angle of 66.5 degrees and 333 mm bottom bracket height the best.
Price 4499 Euro
Wheel size 27,5"
Weight 12.48 kilos without pedals
Spring travel front: 151 mm / rear: 161 mm
Tested in BIKE 5/18
BIKE judgement very good
You can find this article in BIKE 4/2019 in the special "The 37 best bikes 2019". You can read the entire digital edition in the BIKE app (iTunes and Google Play) or the print edition in the DK shop reorder - while stocks last:
