Downhill bikes: Express check: The fastest big bikes in the UCI DH World Cup
Laurin Lehner
· 14.07.2025
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The UCI Downhill World Cup is considered the most prestigious event in gravity mountain biking and plays a central role for the entire industry. Year after year, the race series attracts the best athletes in the world - and with them a global audience that follows developments in the sport with excitement. For manufacturers, sponsors and organisers, the World Cup is more than just a sporting competition: it serves as a showcase for technical innovations, marketing strategies and brand trends. In the scene itself, the World Cup enjoys an almost mythical status - those who succeed here belong to the absolute elite. At the same time, the event plays a key role in shaping the image of the sport: it stands for adrenaline, precision, passion and professionalism. The UCI Downhill World Cup is therefore an engine for growth, media presence and further development - both in an economic and cultural sense.
These are the fastest downhill bikes...
... and which are also commercially available (with one exception). We based our selection on the UCI downhill results in Val di Sole.
Santa Cruz V 10
The V10 is now in its eighth generation and has already claimed numerous World Cup victories. The bike offers geometry adjustments on the chainstay, rear triangle and head tube. The most prominent rider: Jackson Goldstone, who conquered the Black Snake in Val di Sole in a spectacular 3:38 minutes on his V10 - the fastest time of the race. Fastest German on the V10 - Nina Hoffmann, 7th place.
- Suspension travel: 200/208 mm,
- Weight 18.2 kg,
- Wheel size: Mullet or All-29
- Price: from 7699 euros
Canyon transmitter
The new Sender has been available since this season and now comes with a trendy high-pivot rear triangle. Just like the World Cup race bike, the production model also features the K.I.S. steering stabiliser. Troy set the second fastest time in Val di Sole with his transmitter: 2.24 seconds behind Jackson Goldstone. The bike was even the fastest among the women. The Sender CFR is available in two versions, carbon only.
- Suspension travel: 200/200 mm
- Weight: 17.9 kilos*
- Wheel size: Mullet
- Price: from 4499 Euro
Commencal Supreme V5
No, it wasn't race aces Loris Vergier or Amaury Pierron who set the fastest time on the Black Snake with the Supreme DH V5, but newcomer Dylan Maples. The big bike from Andorra relies on aluminium as a frame material, a high-pivot rear triangle and a successful geometry. We've already ridden it - and were stoked!
- Suspension travel: 200/220 mm
- Weight: 18.2 kg
- Wheel size: Mullet
- Price: from 4400 Euro
Specialised Demo
Admittedly: The currently available production demo (aluminium) has little to do with the prototype race car of world champion Loïc Bruni. Loïc has colourful buttons on the handlebars to control the suspension; the suspension is - for reasons of secrecy - covered with a plastic cover. The Specialized community, on the other hand, must - or may - continue to ride the old Demo. Because the currently available model is still one of the best big bikes on the market.
- Suspension travel: 200/200 mm
- Weight: 17.6 kg
- Wheel size: Mullet
- Price: from 8300 Euro >> available here
YT Tues
The second-fastest big bike among the women comes from Franconia. The carbon downhiller rolls on either All-29 or Mullet tyres. The Tues was last relaunched last year and does without a high-pivot rear triangle - but proved in our last comparison test that it is one of the best on the market: fast, comfortable, yet playful and fairly priced.
- Suspension travel: 200/200 mm
- Weight: 16.1 kilos*
- Wheel size: Mullet or All-29
- Price: from 4299 Euro
Cube 215 HPC
The carbon version of New Zealander Jess Blewitt and our German Max Hartenstern rolls on All-29 wheels. Our test conclusion 2024: "The Two15 controls directly and quickly - provided you choose your lines precisely. No comfort miracle, familiarisation necessary." Only the aluminium version (27.5 inch) is currently available on the website. The price is fair.
- Suspension travel: 200/215 mm
- Weight: 16.1 kg
- Wheel size: Mullet or All-29
- Price: from 2999 Euro >> available here
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Laurin Lehner
Editor
