In the last issue, we tested high-end enduro bikes. Some of these bikes cost more than 6000 euros. We were criticised for this. "You're getting more and more decadent," wrote reader Daniel A. by email. Armin H. asked via Facebook message: "Would you spend that much money on a bike yourself?" The readers held up a mirror to our faces and were of course right in their criticism. Expensive high-end bikes should remain the exception in the test. That's why this time we focussed on bikes with a price tag that doesn't just make Lufthansa pilots and chief physicians nod their heads.
We ordered all the cheap price-breaker big bikes that were available. Unfortunately, most of them were cancelled. No wonder in Corona times, when the manufacturers' warehouses are empty. Forks, tyres and groupsets are as rare as Biontech vaccines. Nevertheless, three manufacturers were able and willing to supply a test bike - albeit not the exact price-breaker model requested. According to the motto: We take what we get, we said: "Whatever, give it to me!"
In the end, two old acquaintances rolled into our test cellar, which of course should not be missed (Canyon Sender and YT Tues) and the brand new workhorse of race icon Danny Hart (Cube Two15). All the bikes have 27.5-inch wheels, all are made of aluminium - and all are pretty chubby. None of these downhill bikes weigh less than 17 kilos. Cube and Canyon equipped their bikes with Marzocchi suspension including steel spring shocks. YT relies on Fox with an air shock. The equipment is functional throughout, the price-performance ratio is impeccable. "You don't need more big bike", summarised tester Wolfi Watzke.
We set up the suspension according to the manufacturer's recommendations, ran the tyres with standard air pressure (1.6 bar at the front, 1.8 at the rear) and pushed the bikes over the twisty freeride descent and, of course, the angrier downhills. The result was what it had to be and what we already suspected: The three bikes worked very well, albeit with slightly different characters. This is not surprising, as the manufacturers' World Cup teams provide important input and the bikes are uniformed with proven suspension elements.
Conclusion
You don't have to spend more money on a big bike. The price-performance ratio of these bikes is impeccable. Freeriders will be happy with the Canyon, speed junkies with the Cube. If you love both, go for the Tues. Oh, the world can be so simple!
You can download the comparison test of the three big bikes from FREERIDE 2/2021 with an overview of four other affordable big bike models that you should also know about as a PDF below the article. The test costs 1.99 euros.
Why not free of charge? Because quality journalism has a price. In return, we guarantee independence and objectivity. This applies in particular to the tests in FREERIDE. We don't pay for them, but the opposite is the case: we charge for them, namely tens of thousands of euros every year.
- Canyon transmitter 6
- Cube Zeo 25 Race
- YT Tues Comp
Overview of other bigbikes:
- Commençal Furious Ride
- Propain Rage AL
- Rose Soulfire DH
- Scott Gambler 930
Downloads:
Laurin Lehner
Editor
