The German low mountain ranges - a strong piece of Germany, that's the slogan. Fullys with 120-130 millimetres of suspension travel are the perfect companions for the low mountain ranges. We imagine rushing along the forest roads in the Taunus with the long Superior or pounding the root carpets of the Bavarian Forest with the comfortable Ghost. We would start the Neustadt Marathon on the Canyon, ride the Merida on the Ochsenkopf and rumble over the challenging Black Forest single trails on the Rocky Mountain, for example in - oops, stop, now it's illegal.
We tested these eight all-mountain full-suspension bikes:
- Canyon Nerve AL 9.0 (BIKE-TIP consignor)
- Ghost Kato FS 8 (BIKE-TIP retailer)
- Giant Anthem SX
- Merida One-Twenty 7,800
- Rocky Mountain Thunderbolt 750
- Rose Ground Control 2
- Stevens Sella ES
- Superior XF 947
From sporty to downhill-orientated, everything is included
We have selected eight bikes for this comparison. There are not many models in the attractive price range between 2299 and 2800 euros. This surprises us, as we are told that these bikes and this price range are among the most attractive on the market. Anyone who reads BIKE regularly and between the lines knows that the industry is struggling to fill all niches with products. Hardtails, fullys, various wheel sizes and x-different suspension travel mean that not all companies are able to fill every gap. And since the switch from 26 to 27.5 inches, bikes with 120 millimetres of travel have been searching for their identity. Once again, the BIKE test lab provides proof of this. In the age of 26-inch bikes, 120 mm full-suspension bikes were regarded as light-footed and fast athletes, as marathon bikes with added comfort and safety. The 27.5-inch revolution had no effect on the suspension travel, but it did have an impact on the geometry (slacker angles), the weight (higher), the wheels (more massive) and the equipment (more downhill-orientated). Expressed in figures: On average, the test subjects weigh a whopping 13.3 kilos ready to ride. This means that these bikes are neither fish nor fowl. This makes it difficult to appeal to a broad target group. They are neither real pacemakers nor specifically designed for downhill riding. But in our opinion, this is precisely why they sell so easily. We have the sales text in our ears: "The bikes are the golden mean", "... the best of both worlds" or: "... just right to keep everything open."
Our test candidates offer more than a minimum level of driving comfort. Their purchase does not require a small loan. If you prefer a wide range of applications, then go for it. Especially because the clock is obviously ticking. Anyone who follows the news will be familiar with the story of the strong dollar and the weak euro - which means that bikes will soon become more expensive (see p. 16). A look at the equipment of our eight models confirms that the price/performance level is currently very customer-friendly. If you don't buy now, it's your own fault. Not only mail order companies, but also specialist brands are tempting customers with XT groupsets, adequate brakes and high-quality wheels. And of course, a telescopic seat post is a must in the low mountain range.
But why did we test the bikes on Lake Garda and not in the low mountain range? Because then it would have remained hidden that a 110 mm stem is unsuitable for hard descents, thin tyres with light tubes capitulate on sharp-edged rocks and 120 millimetres of travel is not enough for every terrain. What's more, at the end of February, our test crew was more in the mood for the tranquillity of Lago Dolce Vita than the slushy grey snow of the low mountain ranges.
If you are planning to buy a bike: You can find inspiration for trail experiences in unknown regions on the website mentioned at the beginning: www.deutschemittelgebirge.de. Among other things: Wasserkuppe, Fichtelberg, Feldberg, Großer Feldberg, Brocken, Großer Arber, Erbeskopf, Döbraberg, Donnersberg, Kalmit, Katzenbuckel or the Fichtelberg. And when you have pedalled up all these peaks, just start with the crossings: Thuringian Forest, Rhön, Swabian Alb, Ore Mountains, Palatinate Forest, Odenwald, Taunus, Hunsrück, Spessart and Harz.
You can download the detailed points table for the big comparison test of all-mountain sport fullys from BIKE 5/15 here.
