Dirt bikes from Canyon, Merida and Rose: Three fun machines in the pump track test

Riding a pump track is great fun. Once you've tasted it and experienced the feeling of flow, you'll probably want to visit this type of bike playground again and again. Fortunately, there are now plenty of pump track facilities all over Germany and the nearest one is usually not far away. Children love the combination of rolling and pumping anyway, but adults should also give this fun sport a chance and go for a spin. In principle, this is possible with any vehicle and any class of bike. However, only dirt bikes offer the maximum fun factor and lasting durability. In recent months, Canyon as well as Merida and Propain have presented a new edition of their dirt bike range. Reason enough for us to put the three pump track specialists through their paces in the lab and in practice.

The test bikes at a glance

1st Canyon Stitched 360 CLLCTV

• Suspension travel: 100 mm
• Wheel size: 26"
• Frame material: Aluminium
• Weight: 11.22 kg (BIKE measurement, without pedals)
• Price: 1499 Euro
• Protop price-performance ratio, high equipment quality down to the last detail, light-footed handling
• Contraflat wide cockpit not ideal for every level of riding ability, sometimes less smooth at high speeds

2nd Merida Dirt 700

• Suspension travel: 100 mm
• Wheel size: 26"
• Frame material: Aluminium
• Weight: 11.39 kg (BIKE measurement, without pedals)
• Price: 1999 Euro
• Probalanced riding characteristics and super rider integration, wide range of use, good equipment
• Contraexpensive, atypical dirtbike parts and features

3 Rose Bruce 2

• Suspension travel: 100 mm
• Wheel size: 26"
• Frame material: Aluminium
• Weight: 11.45 kg (BIKE measurement, without pedals)
• Price: 1500 Euro >> available here
• Pro: good compromise between smoothness and manoeuvrability, easy to control in various situations
• ContraDrive problems on the single-speed sprocket, price-performance ratio below the level of the predecessor and direct competition

Comparison in the laboratory and in practice

At first glance, there are hardly any noticeable differences between the dirt bikes from Canyon, Merida and Rose. All three offer 100 millimetres of suspension travel, small 26-inch wheels and a single-speed drive. All candidates are available in two different frame sizes to adapt the bike to your body size and desired riding characteristics. While the smaller sizes are ideal for agile trickery, we opted for the larger size for use on the pump track. Even at second glance, the dirt bikes remain surprisingly homogeneous. A 200 gram difference in weight is hardly noticeable. In the BIKE test lab, we were also only able to determine subtle differences in wheel acceleration. Canyon and Merida roll into the test with the same wheel and tyre combination. Only the wheels of the Rose accelerate a little slower due to the coarser front tyre.

In terms of geometry, the differences between the dirt bikes are small but significant. The Rose combines the slackest head angle with the shortest frame and thus achieves smoothness and manoeuvrability in equal measure. The Canyon is even more agile. With the shortest wheelbase, it requires a firm hand on the handlebars at high pump track speeds, but also masters tight lines with flying colours. Merida has opted for a slightly longer main frame, which integrates the rider very well into the system, feels familiar to mountain bikers and creates excellent handling in many situations.

We deliberately tested the most expensive models in the manufacturers' line-up. Here, the Merida Dirt has a 500 euro price disadvantage compared to the direct-to-consumer models due to its specialist dealer connection. The same frame would also be available with an economical spec on the Dirt 500, which is only half the price, but Canyon doesn't let anything burn here, relying on its strengths and putting an absolutely convincing price-performance ratio on the tyres. The Rose also impressed us on the pump track and during tricks. Unfortunately, there are two small hairs floating in the Bruce soup, meaning that the Rose can't match the test-winning praise of its predecessor. The spec falls just short of the competition and the singlespeed set-up of our test bike was not up to scratch.

Conclusion

In this price category, pump track riders won't go wrong with any of our test bikes. Canyon offers the best balance of features, riding characteristics and cost. Last year's winner Rose also has to measure itself against this. The defending champion has a solid dirt bike concept, but a direct comparison reveals some minor weaknesses. The most convincing pump track bike overall comes from Merida. However, its high surcharge is difficult to justify. - Jan Timmermann, BIKE editor

The test track

The bikes were tested on the new pump track in Weyarn, Upper Bavaria. The local association Ride & Roll e.V. is the owner of the publicly accessible facility and invested a lot of time and commitment in the project. The pump track was financed purely with grants and donations. Unfortunately, the financing has not yet been finalised and almost 15,000 euros are still missing (as of the beginning of June 2026). The municipality granted a loan for this amount, which the association would like to repay soon. Ride & Roll e.V. Weyarn currently has around 160 members, around half of whom are children. The association welcomes donations and new members.

>> You can find our big pump track guide from riding technique to dirt bikes under this link.

>> We have tested 8 other dirt bikes here on the pump track.

>> What makes a good pump track? A track builder reveals in an interview.