We tested these downhill bikes:
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The test bikes at a glance
We particularly look forward to big bike tests. After all, big bikes stand for action, fun, stunts and adrenaline - even more so than any other bike category. Five of our six test downhillers compete at the highest level in the World Cup. Reason enough to hire a suitable tester to chase the bikes around the track at World Cup speed.
South African and Munich resident Stefan Garlicki was immediately enthusiastic about the idea of being able to test downhill bikes from other manufacturers. The Scott rider and two-time South African downhill champion tested all the bikes with us on the former World Cup course in Schladming. Exciting: While many racers like to set up their suspension tightly, Stefan's setup was similarly soft as we ride it.
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In addition to the race check with Stefan, we rode all the big bikes along the 99 Jumpline on the second test day to test the downhillers' suitability for parking. The background noise of some of the bikes was striking. Transition, Mondraker and Propain rattled and creaked after one day of testing. Screws had to be retightened several times; some creaking noises persisted. It came as a surprise that racer Stefan doesn't consider the many adjustment options on high-end suspension systems to be necessary. His thesis: Hobby big bikers in particular, who do not familiarise themselves intensively with the subject matter, can do more wrong than right.
With our test bikes, we had every opportunity to tease every last ounce of performance out of the suspension - after all, we were testing the sinfully expensive top models. For all non-dentists and non-Aufthansa pilots, we took a closer look at the cheaper models.
Conclusion on the downhill bike test:
Do you have to spend so much money to have fun? Of course not! But sometimes irrationality wins out. These bikes come very close to the race bikes in the World Cup.
Impressions of the FREERIDE testers
STEFAN'S RACE-RANKING
- Propain
- Mondraker
- Specialised
Dimitri Lehner, FREERIDE editor-in-chief:
All the bikes were great fun. No wonder, as we ordered the top models. You can still make mistakes when buying, because the bikes have very different characters. You should know what you intend to do with the bike. My favourite: the Propain.
Daniel Roos, photographer:
At 1.68 metres tall, I can only see advantages with mullet tyres. The concept seems coherent. I love park tracks. If I could choose a bike from the test, I would choose the Transition (great for jumping) or the Specialized (can do everything).
Laurin Lehner, FREERIDE tester:
Crazy! Transition, Mondraker and Propain developed annoying creaking noises or screws came loose after just two days. Annoying! If I could keep a bike, I would take the Specialized, because it manages the balancing act between race and park best.
Figures, data, facts downhill bikes 2023
PARK RANKING
- Transition
- Canyon
- Specialised
- Propain
- Mondraker
- Cube
RACE RANKING
- Propain
- Mondraker
- Specialised
- Cube
- Canyon
- Transition
How FREERIDE tests
We tested the downhill bikes in the Bikepark Schladming. We started off on the former World Cup track to check its suitability for racing. It has everything a DH track needs: steepness, stone steps, drops, bends and jumps. Also on board: Worldcupper Stefan Garlicki, our celebrity tester. He tested the downhillers at high speed. On day two, we checked the park suitability on the 99 Jumpline. The track is ideal for comparing which of the rear triangles has the most pop and how manoeuvrable the bikes are over built tracks. We would like to thank Bikepark Schladming for their support.
FREERIDE ranking
The number (maximum 10 points) reflects the overall impression of the testers and is not an addition of the performance points.
- 10 Test winner, it couldn't be better.
- 9 Very good. Buy recommendation
- 8 Good. Solid performance
- 7 Below average. The product has weaknesses.
- 6 and less: We can only warn against this!
The following manufacturers were unwilling or unable to provide us with a test bike: Raaw, Nukeproof, Atherton, Prime, Commencal, Giant.
