MTB bargains & the most expensive bikes in the world: It pays to compare prices

In recent years, the bicycle industry has increased its turnover almost tenfold. 2022 was another record year for the bike market. The supply bottlenecks from the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic seemed to have been overcome and customer demand remained high. With the start of the war in Ukraine and rising inflation, prices for mountain bikes also climbed ever higher. Last year, prices in the bike industry rose by around 20 per cent, far outstripping the inflation rate.

Moon prices & discount campaigns

In 2023, many manufacturers presented sinfully expensive new products, such as the recent Component giant Sram with the Eagle Transmission drivetrain (Price for the complete Sram Eagle Transission XX SL groupset: 2650 euros). The prices for high-end complete bikes also climbed into previously unknown spheres. The top model Scott Scale RC SL costs a whopping 14,000 euros making it the most expensive production hardtail in the world to date.

On the other hand, more and more manufacturers are also announcing price cuts. Rose and YT already adjusted their prices at the end of 2022 in the interests of consumers. For March 2023, Specialized has now also followed suit with reductions of up to 20 per cent. According to the manufacturer, this is due to the easing of logistics and production. Canyon, Focus, Radon and Propain are also currently (as of 30.03.23) courting the favour of buyers with discount campaigns.

Current mountain bike bargains

These examples show how much money can currently be saved when buying a bike. Customers should always inform themselves well, because comparison has never been as important as it is today.

• Canyon Strive CFR: 5299 instead of 6299 euros
• Giant Trance X2: 2599,00 instead of 2999 Euro
• Propain Tyee CF and Tyee AL: up to 500 euros discount
• Radon Slide Trail AL 7.0: 1759 instead of 2199 euros
• Rose Thrill Hill 3: 2999 instead of 3999 Euro
• Specialised Stumpjumper EVO Comp Alloy: 2870 instead of 3500 Euro
• Trek Remedy 7: 2299.20 instead of 3099 euros
• YT Jeffsy Uncaged 8: 4699 instead of 5499 euros

MTB price comparison: You can really save here

Two examples from major manufacturers illustrate just how differently mountain bikes can be priced. The direct comparison of low-cost discount bikes and high-end premium parts shows that the fun of biking doesn't have to be expensive (but it can be).

The incredibly large price differences for bikes are astounding, almost frightening. Instead of the top model from Giant, customers could put four entry-level models in their garage. In the case of Trek bikes, the ratio is as high as one to five.

Giant Trance: Discount model can also be fun

Giant Trance Advanced Pro 0 (11,999 euros) vs. Giant Trance X2 (now 2699.10 euros instead of 3299 euros)

The Giant Trance with the characteristic Maestro rear suspension system is a true classic among all-mountain bikes. The fully was presented to the public for the first time back in 2004. In our comparison test of affordable all-mountain bikes in BIKE 03/23 the Trance X2 with balanced handling characteristics and good touring suitability. The affordable Giant scored points not only with its attractive price, but also with its lightweight aluminium frame and modern geometry.

However, our testers criticised the poor quality of the components. The lacklustre Rockshox 35 suspension fork and the tame Shimano brakes of the lowest quality class slowed down the Trance X2, especially on descents. The complete Sram SX Eagle drivetrain fitted to the entry-level bike is available online for as little as 240 euros. Nevertheless, the Giant Trance X2 offers good potential for trail tours and is a particularly attractive deal at a reduced price of 2699.10 euros.

With the top model Trance Advanced Pro 0, Giant gets everything out of its all-mountain platform. Without the "X" suffix, it may have ten millimetres less travel at the front and rear, but the carbon frame alone saves around another kilo of weight and is the perfect basis for a really light fully. For the painful price of just under 12,000 euros, the bike comes with some of the best components the market has to offer: Fox Factory suspension with Kashima coating, Sram X0 Eagle AXS wireless drivetrain, Giant carbon cockpit, Shimano XTR brakes and carbon wheels from Zipp. Compared to the entry-level all-mountain Trance X2, the Trance Advanced Pro 0 trail bike is more than four times as expensive.

Fuel vs Remedy: Bargains at Trek

Trek Fuel Ex 9.9 XX1 AXS Gen 6 (€ 12,749) vs Trek Remedy 7 (currently € 2479.20 instead of € 3099)

The Trek Remedy is also an old favourite in the all-mountain category. With the 7 model, Trek combines an aluminium frame with a Rockshox 35 suspension fork, Sram NX Eagle drivetrain, Sram Guide T brakes and cockpit as well as Bontrager wheels. As with the Giant Trance, all-mountain bikers can look forward to a well-made aluminium frame on the Remedy 7, but have to make significant compromises when it comes to the quality of the components. Cheap suspension elements in particular quickly prevent the frame platform from realising its full potential on the trail. The current discount of over 600 euros is causing bargain fever.

Compared to the Remedy, the latest version of the Trek Fuel Ex is actually a very modern bike. The carbon frame offers a storage compartment in the down tube, maximum geometry adjustment options and useful details. In the BIKE test, the All Mountain proved to be versatile and fast. With Fox Factory suspension elements, Bontrager carbon parts, Sram Code RSC brakes and Sram XX1 Eagle AXS wireless drivetrain, the Trek Fuel Ex 9.9 XX1 AXS Gen 6 is undoubtedly superbly equipped. So it's hardly surprising that this high-end bike costs five times as much as the affordable Trek Remedy 7.

Falling prices despite inflation

So how do sinfully expensive luxury bikes and bargain offers fit together? What are the reasons for these huge price differences? What about the future availability and price development of mountain bikes? Should bikers strike now or wait and see? A look at the bike market answers some burning questions.

Anyone who wanted to buy a new mountain bike at the beginning of 2022 was often left out in the cold due to miserably long delivery times. In comparison, according to the comparison portal Idealo, availability at the beginning of 2023 has improved by an incredible 300 per cent. The fact that many retailers reordered their products during the boom period is now leading to full warehouses. So the good news from the delayed repeat orders is that Overall, bikes are no longer in short supply. Direct mail order companies such as YT and Canyon in particular are advertising immediately available mountain bikes at favourable prices.

The dazzling exceptions are those top models above the 10,000 euro mark, which are meeting with increasing incomprehension in the bike scene with their price tag. According to industry experts, this could be due to the fact that high-quality MTB parts are currently in short supply and delivery times for some components are still long. International manufacturers in particular are feeling the effects of this. In addition, the demand for high-quality bicycles remains high.

In contrast, the warehouses are filled with bikes from the lower price range. Inexpensive mountain bikes in particular are currently being discounted by manufacturers. Looking at the bike market as a whole, prices have actually fallen by around eleven per cent compared to the beginning of last year. However, prices are currently only falling slowly due to general inflation. The higher costs for raw materials, energy and delivery will continue to be passed on to consumers in the future.