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The former premier class of freeride mountain bikes has been under pressure for years. First the big bike hype surrounding downhillers, and then the modern Enduro MTBs the freeriders. Influenced by the Enduro World Series, enduro bikes suddenly boast a similar amount of suspension travel. What is freeride, what is enduro? Everyone seems to be losing track. Norco, for example, sent the Range to the enduro test - The "moped" would have fitted best in this test, apart from the price, because more freeride is hardly possible.
In the past, the definition was: 180 millimetres at the front and a similar amount of travel at the rear = freerider! Two of our test bikes fulfil these criteria and also identify themselves as bike park and shred bikes on the manufacturers' websites. Specialized, on the other hand, doesn't want to commit itself. The Specialized Status only has 160 millimetres of travel - but with a strong bike park recommendation.
The Tense delivery situation for bikes is not only a problem for bike buyers, we also have difficulties getting bikes for our FREERIDE tests. Of the seven manufacturers requested, only three were able to deliver bikes in this price range of around 3500 euros: Canyon, Specialized and Propain. Their mountain bikes are made of aluminium and use different wheel concepts. Canyon uses 27.5 inch wheels, Propain 29 inch and Specialized Mullet (29 inch front, 27.5 inch rear).
In terms of weight, only Specialized remains under 16 kilos and thus gains in all-round suitability. However, all freeride bikes can be pedalled uphill reasonably well. Canyon and Specialized also have a platform function at the rear, which helps. All three bikes feel most comfortable on the descents - freeriders! While Propain's Spindrift is the most stringent "baller", the Specialized Status impressed us with its playfulness. In contrast, we struggled with the "tried and tested" Canyon Torque. The mail order company delivered a bike whose geometry didn't fit any of the frame sizes on offer. The squat riding position and stiff suspension put the bike in last place. An annoying misunderstanding?
Conclusion on the 2022 freeride bike test:
These three tested freeride bikes for around 3500 euros are the most fun in the bike park. Although they don't have the speed potential and reserves of a downhill bike, they can still be pedalled up the mountain. The potent Propain wins the test, but the Specialized Status 160 is more playful, while the Torque unfortunately shoots itself out.
The complete comparison test of freeride bikes around 3500 euros with all information, data and grades can be downloaded as a PDF at the end of the article.
We tested these three freeride bikes:
Freeride bikes for beginners in a quick check: Not bad!
Download:
Laurin Lehner
Editor
