Decathlon Bikes 2023: 2x2 new Rockrider MTBs for the summer

In recent years, Decathlon has shown time and again that, in addition to low-priced and rather mediocrely equipped bikes, there are also bikes on the sales floor that don't have to shy away from comparison with well-known manufacturers - and that are a statement in terms of price. The E-MTB Rockrider Stilus in particular showed its qualities in the test. And that Rockrider Race 900 hardtail by Emeline Detilleux even competes successfully in professional sport.

For the coming summer of 2023 Decathlon announced three and a half new bikes in addition to a few minor updates. The decimal calculation for the reason that the MTB-Fully Rockrider Feel will be released in two variants. In the hardtail family, Decathlon is presenting the Rockrider Race 720 after. And the touring and bikepacking hardtail is also new in terms of orientation Rockrider EXPL 700. Decathlon has not yet provided any information on prices - we will add them here as soon as we have them.

Travelling with the Rockrider EXPL 700

Bags on the handlebars, bags in the frame, bags on the whole bike - bikepacking, touring cycling or simply commuting are all the rage, and Decathlon is also entering this segment with its MTB Touring category. The French sports outfitter already has various bags in its portfolio under the name "Riverside". The Rockrider EXPL 700 hardtail wants to be your faithful touring companion who is there for you every day. Solidly equipped with a robust aluminium frame including a mudguard on the down tube. A Rockshox Recon Gold with 120 millimetres of suspension travel smoothes out the forest floor and cobblestones. The drivetrain is equipped with Shimano Deore components throughout. The 1x11-speed drivetrain and 180/160 mm brakes are more suited to the back country hills than the high mountains. Rather unusual for a bike in size M or L is the complete 27.5 inch tyres with Sunringle Duroc 40 rims and Vittoria Agarro tyres (2.6 inch width) - the other hardtails from Decathlon/Rockrider are fitted with 29 inch wheels.

The geometry of the Rockrider EXPL 700 can be described as sporty, as the 73 degree seat angle and the reach of 425.5 mm (size M) and 449.5 mm (size L) stretch the rider over the mountain bike hardtail. The 740 mm wide handlebar provides good control. From the summer, only the sizes M (165-174 cm tall - manufacturer's recommendation) and L (175-184 cm) will be available. This gives the Rockrider EXPL 700 a total weight of 13.6 kilos. Not quite light for a hardtail, and certainly not for a gravel bike predestined for bikepacking, but certainly robust enough for year-round use with one, two, three... bags.

A rush of speed with the Rockrider Race 720 hardtail

Decathlon is expanding its fleet of cross-country hardtails with the Rockrider Race 720. 2023 will see it join its carbon siblings Race 900 and 740 in the summer with an aluminium frame, making it the more affordable option. Whereby the "small" 740 Rockrider hardtail with carbon frame and Sram NX/GX equipment comes in at a moderate 1800 euros. The new 720 should therefore cost even less. However, it offers a Manitou Machete 100 mm suspension fork, a full Sram NX drivetrain and 29-inch Sun Ringle Duroc 30 wheels. Decathlon relies on its own Rockrider Fast 500 tyres with a width of 2.3 inches.

At 75 degrees, the seat angle of the Rockrider Race 720 is significantly steeper than that of the touring bike, so you pedal more sportily from the top - but the reach is longer: between 429 mm (size M) and 450 (L). Overall, the Race 720 will be available in sizes S to XL and weighs between 12.2 and 12.6 kg (size XL), which is also much lighter than a touring MTB and is a pretty good weight compared to the major manufacturers in this price range.

Over all mountains with the Fully Rockrider Feel

In addition to the well-known all-mountain hardtails and fullys called "AM" by Decathlon, the French company is now pushing the new Rockrider Feel all-mountain bike onto the Decathlon sales floors in two versions: Feel 900 S and Feel Team Edition (TE) S. In terms of geometry, they are similar, i.e. based on the same full carbon frame with 130 mm rear travel and 140 mm at the front. The seat angle is specified at 76 degrees, which positions the rider nicely upright above the bottom bracket. The reach is also a good deal longer than the race hardtail: between 450 mm (size M) and 475 (L) - a whole 2.5 cm more in comparison. Both Rockrider Feel fullys will be available in sizes S to XL (up to 200 cm tall). The difference between the two models lies in the quality of the components. Even though Decathlon has not yet named any prices, both all-mountain bikes should be in the upper price segment of the French sports retailer's portfolio. There is also no information yet on the weight of the two Rockrider Feel models.

Rockrider Feel 900 S

The more affordable of the two, the Rockrider Feel 900 S, relies on a Rockshox Revelation suspension fork and a Deluxe Select+ rear shock. The drivetrain is equipped with Sram NX Eagle components throughout: 12-speed drivetrain with 11/50 cassette. Decathlon has opted for Mavic Crossmax XLS wheels for the Feel 900 rather than its own. However, the tyres are again 29-inch Rockrider Grip 500 with 2.4-inch front and 2.25-inch rear tyres. From our tests of other bikes, we can assess the Sram G2 brakes: they are usually weak, even if they are equipped with four pistons, 200 disc at the front and 180 at the rear. On the other hand, the included dropper post, which other manufacturers often have to retrofit for a lot of money, is a nice addition to the overall package.

Rockrider Feel TE S

The TE stands for Team Edition and is immediately associated with World Cup bikes, pro calves and cheering at the finish line. This extra dose of motivation is underpinned by really fine equipment that could carry you over one or two personal best times. The suspension shines - also visually - with a Rockshox Pike Ultimate suspension fork and a Deluxe Ultimate shock. Sram GX Eagle components are used for the drivetrain, except for the chain (here NX). Naturally in a modern 12-speed transmission with a 10/52 cassette. The carbon wheels from Mavic (Crossmax XLR Carbon), which are fitted with the same Rockrider tyres as the Feel 900 S, are almost glamorous. The Rockrider Feel TE S also comes with the aforementioned dropper post and Sram G2 brakes (200/180 mm discs).

Encore: Fully Rockrider Race 900 S with small upgrade for the 2023 season

The Rockrider Race 900 S is already available with a choice of two gear options (Sram GX or GX AXS) and wheels (Mavic Crossmax/Reynolds Carbon). Decathlon is making improvements to the frame and fork for the upcoming 2023 summer season. The full carbon frame will be 50 grams lighter: depending on the option selected, the complete Race Fully still weighs between 11.6 and 11.8 kg in size M according to Decathlon - the predecessor model is specified at 11.5 kg. The fork is now a Rockshox SID Rush RL with 120 mm instead of a Reba; the shock remains a high-quality Rockshox Sidluxe Select.