High-end downhillers: 6 big bikes on test feat. World Cup racer Stefan Garlicki
Team FREERIDE
· 22.09.2024
They always need a lift, only shine on steep terrain and quickly feel bulky on winding trails. That's right, we're talking about big bikes. Only unicycles have a smaller range of use. And yet these powerhouses fascinate like no other type of bike, surrounded by the "Formula 1" flair of the Downhill World Cup. So it's no wonder that every self-respecting bike label has a Downhill or freeride bike with plenty of suspension travel in the programme - if only for reasons of prestige. In economic terms, the big boxes are hardly relevant for the companies. So let's be glad that big bikes exist at all.
Big bikes: These are the 6 high-end downhillers in the test
Alutech, Commencal, Kavenz, Propain, Raaw and YT - our test field is exciting, even though many manufacturers were unable to deliver this time. We had also enquired about the following manufacturers, but they were either unwilling or unable to provide us with a test bike: Nukeproof, Atherton, GT, Devinci, Intense, Pivot.
The bikes in the test
The test bikes are all mail-order bikes, all from Germany - except for the Commencal. That comes from Andorra. We were particularly curious about the Commencal, which Amaury Pierron used to put in fabulous runs in Val di Sole and Les Gets. The Andorrans were reluctant to hand over a test bike. They shy away from comparative tests, they said, but they make an exception for the Supreme DH. Aha, we thought, why so shy? You really don't need to hide with this bike. And so it was. The white and gold racer pleased all the testers and parried the bumps on the World Cup course in Leogang with particular aplomb. Top score 10 out of 10.
However, very few of us ride downhill races, but are rather park rats. This inevitably leads to the crucial question: Are good race bikes also good park shredders? We say yes, at least in this test field. But we had a lot of fun on the jump tracks with all the test bikes. The super-light Kavenz, even set up as a single speed bike for park use, hopped from jump to jump in a particularly "airy" manner.
The Propain won the comfort category with its cream suspension. It filters the bumps so well that you can still do two runs on it while you're already heading for the car park with the other bikes and tired arms. In short, we're very enthusiastic, but we also have to grumble. The test bikes from Propain and Alutech creaked like the pirate ship Black Pearl in a storm after just two days in the park. So annoying!
Conclusion on the bigbikes
Maximum riding fun downhill - Bigbikes for Life!
What the freeride testers say
If you're looking for a big bike with full race capability, there's no getting round the Commencal. That's hardly surprising, I know. The Commencal is confident, safe and, with its high-pivot rear end, offers a little more comfort than the very similar YT. Visually, both are real beauties. - Dimitri Lehner
I felt the fastest on the Propain. The comfortable suspension helped me to cope with the demanding track. In comparison, I was much more challenged on the other bikes. Kavenz and Raaw in particular require very active riding, which wears you out. - Lars Scharl
The Propain gives you the most for your money. The comfort suspension is a revelation. This hoover rear end dominates 90 per cent of the trail. Only on fast, hard hits does the rather soft rear end get swallowed up, where the Commencal and YT are more confident. - Laurin Lehner
Application range of the bigbikes
Weights in comparison
The ranking of the big bikes
Parkranking
- Propain
- YT
- Raaw
- Cavity
- Commencal
- Alutech
Raceranking
- Commencal
- YT
- Propain
- Alutech
- Cavity
- Raaw
Personal racer ranking from World Cup racer Stefan Garlicki
- YT
- Commencal
- Propain
General information on the ranking
The number (maximum 10 points) reflects the overall impression of the testers and is not an addition of the performance points.
- 10 points: Test winner, it couldn't be better.
- 9 points: Very good. Purchase recommendation
- 8 points: Good. Solid performance
- 7 points: Below average. The product has weaknesses.
- 6 points and less: We can only warn against this!
How the Freeride tests
In this test, we tested the big bikes on the World Cup track in Leogang and on the park trails in Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis. With us: the reigning South African downhill champion Stefan Garlicki. Stefan checked the bikes for high-speed suitability on the UCI downhill track. Steepness, stone steps, drops, bends, jumps - the track in Leogang has it all.
Later, the bikes had to prove their freeride suitability on the park trails in Leogang and Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis. Handy, agile big bikes with plenty of pop for jumps scored the most points. The skills from the park and downhill were included in the overall score.
