All-mountain here, all-rounder there, and always this one-bike-for-everything fuss. Let's be honest: there will never be a one-size-fits-all bike - from cross-country racing to bike parks. And yet: The bikes in this test group have a huge range of uses.
140 to 150 millimetres of travel and priced between 2700 and 3000 euros. With these key data, the eight bikes in this test group hit the bull's eye for the majority of our readers. The majority? Exactly. According to the BIKE survey, the majority of our readers are touring riders and plan to spend around this amount on a fully. When asked what you can do with an all-mountain bike in this price range, it would probably be easier to briefly explain what it can't do. It doesn't necessarily have to be a marathon race or a daily visit to the bike park. In principle, everything in between is possible. In this suspension travel range, you can move confidently through low mountain ranges and also cut a first-class figure on holidays in the Alps with long, technical descents.
You can find these all-mountain fullys in the test:
- Canyon Spectral AL 7.0 (BIKE TIP: Test winner)
- Cube Stereo 140 C:62 Race 29
- Focus Jam Evo
- Giant Trance 1.5 Ltd. (BIKE TIP: Specialist retailers)
- Merida One-Forty 700
- Rose Root Miller 2
- Specialised Stumpjumper FSR Comp
- Transalp Signature II X12 AM 2.0
When it comes to the question of what the ideal all-mountain bike for a maximum of 3000 euros should look like, the manufacturers' approaches differ. In the mid-travel range of the bike categories, there are no clear trends in wheel size and frame material. In order to reflect the diversity of the market, we mixed and matched and added the variable of distribution channel: In our test field, mail-order brands meet specialist retail brands.
On the subject of wheel size: With Cube, Rose and Specialized, three 29ers are competing, the rest of the field rolls on 27.5 inch wheels. Unsurprisingly, the larger wheels benefit from better rollover behaviour, but also weigh more. However, the added safety when rolling over only comes into play when the terrain is correspondingly demanding and rough. Due to the slacker steering angle compared to the 29ers, the 27.5s also compensate somewhat for the effect of the smoother ride. One design challenge with 29ers is the chainstay length: the longer it is, the more difficult it is to lift the front wheel. Not all manufacturers manage to integrate the large rear wheel without stretching the rear triangle. Cube and Rose have the longest chainstays, while Specialized has a better handle on growth. Another disadvantage of the larger wheels: the additional weight. Rose and Specialized are at the bottom of the weight table. If you want to slim down here, you have to use the highest quality material. Cube proves that it is already possible in this class with the second lightest bike and wheels that are almost 900 grams lighter than those on the Specialized.
Frame material: Cube's good overall weight is also made possible by the full carbon frame. Although the C:62 frames are the cheapest in Cube's carbon range, the weight advantage over the aluminium competition of 420 to 860 grams is still very respectable. However, the Stereo 140 comes last in the stiffness test in the laboratory, although this is not a negative factor in practical use. And in relation to weight (STW), the frame even just leads the ranking (table p. 34). However, as carbon costs money, you have to accept compromises in terms of equipment. While other bikes come with a complete Shimano XT drivetrain including brakes, the Cube has an SLX/XT mix with groupless Shimano brakes and the cheaper original equipment Rhythm fork from Fox.
Distribution channel: With Canyon, Rose and Transalp, three mail order companies are represented. By dispensing with a broad dealer network and saving costs through direct sales, the equipment on all three bikes is above average. The Signature II from Transalp has the best equipment package, which in turn is reflected in the lowest weight at 12.8 kilos. Carbon handlebars and Magura MT7 brakes are not even available from the mail-order competition. The downside of mail-order bikes is often the service. In the event of damage, maintenance or adjustment problems, this can be time-consuming or costly. This is an argument that less technically experienced riders in particular should not lose sight of.
In direct comparison to the all-mountain models from the previous year, the overall equipment level has only changed slightly. The slightly higher weights in some cases are the result of the trend towards wider rims and tyres, which can be easily overcome for better downhill performance. As a result, the new All Mountains are even wider, which underpins the all-rounder claim.
CONCLUSION by Peter Nilges, BIKE Test Manager: Despite different concepts and wheel sizes, the test group is very homogeneous and of a consistently high standard. With the proven and universal Spectral, mail order company Canyon scored the most points. Among the specialist brands, Giant has the best All Mountain in its programme with the Trance.
Details on the test bikes:
Chain guide, frame guard and shock setup. In addition to the equipment, the manufacturers try to differentiate themselves from each other through individual details.
You can read this article or the entire BIKE 2/2017 issue in the BIKE app (iTunes and Google Play) or buy the issue in the DK shop reorder:
