Mountain bike

Cross Country Bikes

- Carbon is particularly worthwhile for wheels, frames and, to some extent, seatposts; its benefits are often limited when it comes to handlebars, cranksets and e-MTB components.  
- Riding behaviour is influenced more by tyres, tyre pressure, suspension, geometry and stability than by the frame material or the maximum use of carbon.  
- Recommended order of upgrades: tyres and suspension first, then wheelsets, followed by the seatpost and handlebars if necessary; carbon frames and cranksets tend to be the final stage of upgrading.

​Carbon or aluminium: these components are worth the extra cost

- Mid-range full-suspension bikes offer excellent value for money and often perform almost as well as significantly more expensive top-of-the-range models.  
- In specialist shops, high-quality mid-range full-suspension bikes start at around 6,000 euros, whilst mail-order retailers usually offer comparable models for 1,000–1,500 euros less.  
- The range of mid-range full-suspension bikes is shrinking, whilst certain brands in the mail-order sector are offering affordable models – some heavily discounted – fitted with top-of-the-range components.

Mid-range full-suspension bikes: this is the price you’ll pay for a high-performance full-suspension MTB

- High-end mountain bikes without a motor typically cost between 8,000 and 16,000 euros for mass-produced models, whilst bespoke bikes can cost over 20,000 euros.  
- Cross-country models with lightweight carbon frames, a racing focus and top-of-the-range components such as Fox/RockShox suspension and XTR/XX SL are particularly expensive.  
- Specialist retailers offer expensive high-end bikes with added-value servicing, whilst online retailers offer slightly lower prices; the range of premium hardtails and XC full-suspension bikes is shrinking.

Exclusive and high-priced: Market overview of high-end mountain bikes without motors

- The Epic 9 Expert costs €6,999, sits between the Sport and S-Works models, and is clearly designed for cross-country racing.  
- Weighing 11.1 kg, with a carbon frame, 120 mm of travel and progressive geometry, it offers a very capable race chassis.  
- Fitted with GX Eagle AXS, Roval carbon wheels and powerful brakes, it’s race-ready, but there’s still scope for weight reduction.

Specialized Epic 9 Expert review: a world-class cross-country bike at a mid-range price

- Blur with 120 mm front/rear travel, progressive suspension curve and Superlight single-pivot design, engineered for modern XC trails.
- CC carbon frame with extended geometry (reach), 66° head angle, 75° seat angle, sizes S–XL, 29", Glovebox and space for two large bottles.
- Seven variants ranging from €4,999 to €12,499, weight from 11.2 kg; Standard and Race kits with different handlebar set-ups, tyres and remote lockouts.

Longer, flatter, more travel: Upgraded: The revamped Santa Cruz Blur Racefully

- Specialized is expanding the Epic 9 range with two more affordable models: the Sport (€4,199) and the Comp (€4,999), both featuring the same FACT 11m carbon frame
- Epic 9 Sport: entry-level model in the Race range, featuring a Reba fork, SIDluxe shock, wireless gearshift, simpler brakes and aluminium wheels
- Epic 9 Comp: features a better SID fork, Motive brakes and an X-Fusion dropper post, but retains aluminium wheels and more affordable gear components

New Specialized Epic 9 Sport and Comp models: the ultra-light race bike now from 4,199 euros

- Dangerholm’s Scott Spark RC weighs 8.99 kg, is based on the Spark RC SL with 120 mm of travel, and is designed for practical use in marathon racing.
- Weight is reduced by a paint-stripped carbon frame and lightweight components such as Pi Rope wheels, a titanium crankset and a Vertical Helium Race dropper post.
- Unique details such as the Flight Attendant suspension, Trickstuff Piccola brakes and a polished raw carbon finish characterise the bike as thoroughly tuned.

Dangerholm’s Scott Spark RC: Under 9 kg despite system integration

- Micro-travel full-suspension bikes from Trek, Specialized and BH offer 75–80 mm of rear travel and are designed to strike the perfect balance between hardtails and XC full-suspension bikes.  
- Specialized is the most uncompromising and closest to a hardtail, BH is comfortable with plenty of traction, whilst the Trek Supercaliber is considered the most balanced and versatile design.  
- The advantages include high forward momentum, low weight and greater comfort than hardtails; the disadvantages are less reserve on trails, a narrower range of use and, in some cases, high prices.

​Micro-travel rather than cross-country: the three fastest full-suspension race bikes in the world?

- In Germany, e-MTBs dominate the market: 741,000 were sold in 2025, compared with just 52,500 non-motorised bikes.
- The reasons for the e-MTB boom include a lack of time, more experiences per ride, peer pressure and the desire for comfort.
- Traditional MTBs are considered to have reached their full potential, with households already well-equipped, whilst rapid innovations in e-MTBs are constantly creating new incentives to buy.

Why everyone’s buying e-bikes these days: mountain bikes without motors are just too good

- Aluminium full-suspension bike with progressive XC geometry, 120/110 mm travel, weighing 12.8 kg and priced at €2,499 – an affordable alternative to the Specialized Epic 8.
- Versatile enough for everything from touring to easy trails and first races, thanks to its adjustable geometry, flip-chip, dropper post and spec tailored for all-round use.
- Budget components on the fork, brakes and cassette limit performance but offer potential for tuning; weight and price remain within reasonable limits.

Specialized Chisel Comp review: Epic performance at an aluminium price

2,000 km on a short-travel full-suspension bike: how reliable is the BH Lynx SLS in an endurance test?

It doesn’t all have to be about e-bikes: 7 mountain bike highlights from Eurobike 2026

Marathon mountain bikes at a glance: Who is a marathon bike suitable for? All information and current test reports

Marathon mountain bike - The most important information

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Marathon mountain bike - The most important information

Carbon or aluminium
These components are worth the extra cost

Mid-range full-suspension bikes
This is the price you’ll pay for a high-performance full-suspension MTB

Exclusive and high-priced
Market overview of high-end mountain bikes without motors

Specialized Epic 9 Expert review
A world-class cross-country bike at a mid-range price

Longer, flatter, more travel
Upgraded: The revamped Santa Cruz Blur Racefully

New Specialized Epic 9 Sport and Comp models
The ultra-light race bike now from 4,199 euros

Dangerholm’s Scott Spark RC
Under 9 kg despite system integration

Micro-travel rather than cross-country
The three fastest full-suspension race bikes in the world?

Why everyone’s buying e-bikes these days
Mountain bikes without motors are just too good

Specialized Chisel Comp review
Epic performance at an aluminium price

2,000 km on a short-travel full-suspension bike
How reliable is the BH Lynx SLS in an endurance test?

It doesn’t all have to be about e-bikes
7 mountain bike highlights from Eurobike 2026

Marathon mountain bike - The most important information

​Carbon or aluminiumThese components are worth the extra cost

Mid-range full-suspension bikesThis is the price you’ll pay for a high-performance full-suspension MTB

Exclusive and high-pricedMarket overview of high-end mountain bikes without motors

Specialized Epic 9 Expert reviewA world-class cross-country bike at a mid-range price

Longer, flatter, more travelUpgraded: The revamped Santa Cruz Blur Racefully

New Specialized Epic 9 Sport and Comp modelsThe ultra-light race bike now from 4,199 euros

Dangerholm’s Scott Spark RCUnder 9 kg despite system integration

​Micro-travel rather than cross-countryThe three fastest full-suspension race bikes in the world?

Why everyone’s buying e-bikes these daysMountain bikes without motors are just too good

Specialized Chisel Comp reviewEpic performance at an aluminium price

2,000 km on a short-travel full-suspension bikeHow reliable is the BH Lynx SLS in an endurance test?

It doesn’t all have to be about e-bikes7 mountain bike highlights from Eurobike 2026

Carbon or aluminium
These components are worth the extra cost

Mid-range full-suspension bikes
This is the price you’ll pay for a high-performance full-suspension MTB

Exclusive and high-priced
Market overview of high-end mountain bikes without motors

Specialized Epic 9 Expert review
A world-class cross-country bike at a mid-range price

Longer, flatter, more travel
Upgraded: The revamped Santa Cruz Blur Racefully

New Specialized Epic 9 Sport and Comp models
The ultra-light race bike now from 4,199 euros

Dangerholm’s Scott Spark RC
Under 9 kg despite system integration

Micro-travel rather than cross-country
The three fastest full-suspension race bikes in the world?

Why everyone’s buying e-bikes these days
Mountain bikes without motors are just too good

Specialized Chisel Comp review
Epic performance at an aluminium price

2,000 km on a short-travel full-suspension bike
How reliable is the BH Lynx SLS in an endurance test?

It doesn’t all have to be about e-bikes
7 mountain bike highlights from Eurobike 2026