Mid-range full-suspension bikes: This is the price you’ll pay for a high-performance full-suspension MTB

If you really want to have fun on the trail, you need a mountain bike that’s up to the challenges of off-road riding. There’s virtually no upper limit to the prices – high-quality full-suspension bikes can easily cost more than 10,000 euros. For most riders, however, such an investment isn’t an option. At the same time, the cheapest models often fail to impress in terms of features, weight or handling. That’s why many mountain bikers turn their attention to the mid-range. In this price bracket, full-suspension bikes already offer impressive performance without putting too much strain on the budget.

For this reason, we have analysed the ranges offered by specialist retailers such as Cube, Giant, Merida, Mondraker, Orbea, Santa Cruz, Scott, Specialized and Trek, as well as direct-to-consumer brands such as Canyon, Propain, Radon and YT, in order to identify attractive models in this segment. A clear trend is emerging in Germany: demand for non-electric mountain bikes is steadily declining. The range on offer is shrinking accordingly. This is leading to a remarkable development: in some cases, high-quality full-suspension bikes now cost about the same as comparably equipped e-mountain bikes with carbon frames and motors. But there are also some real bargains to be found in the high-end mid-range!

Conclusion

High-quality mid-range full-suspension bikes start at around 6,000 euros in specialist shops. Through mail-order retailers, you can find comparable models for 1,000 to 1,500 euros less. Personally, I’m convinced that investing in a mid-range bike pays off in the long run. Prospective buyers should keep an eye out for special offers and discounts. - Jan Timmermann, BIKE editor

The perfect mountain bike is in the mid-range category

​With mountain bikes, the improvement in performance diminishes steadily as the price rises. Whilst the difference between an entry-level and a mid-range model is clearly noticeable, the differences compared with the most expensive top-of-the-range models are often surprisingly small. This is precisely why many consider the mid-range to offer the most attractive value for money. These bikes offer everything ambitious riders expect: high-quality components, impressive handling and plenty of reserves for challenging terrain. Anyone who rides regularly and wants to enjoy their bike for the long term will often find this to be the most sensible investment. Our experience from numerous comparative tests confirms this impression: whilst mid-range full-suspension bikes are no longer bargains, in practice they offer a riding experience that comes surprisingly close to that of the top-of-the-range models.

When making a purchase, prospective buyers generally have the choice between traditional specialist retailers and direct-to-consumer retailers. Bicycles from specialist retailers benefit from an extensive network of dealers offering personalised advice, test rides and a local point of contact for service and maintenance. Direct-to-consumer retailers, on the other hand, bypass the middleman and sell their bikes directly via the internet. The distribution costs saved in this way are often reflected in more attractive prices. In return, buyers may in some cases have to accept compromises when it comes to advice, assembly or after-sales services.

This is what a mid-range full-suspension bike should offer

​In the mid-range segment, many – though not all – full-suspension bikes feature carbon frames. Often, the same frame is even used as on the top-of-the-range models in a series. The price differences therefore stem primarily from the components fitted, which have a significant influence on handling and the bike’s intended use:

• Chassis: Quality depends primarily on the suspension unit. Even in the mid-range, systems are now being used that are functionally very close to the top-of-the-range models. These include, for example, RockShox forks with Select+ suspension or Fox models from the Performance Elite series. Compared with the premium models, riders only have to accept minor compromises here.
• Drive: Electronic gear systems have now become available in the mid-range market. Wireless systems ensure precise gear changes, high shifting speed and a wide range of gear ratios. Typical examples in this category include Shimano’s XT Di2 and SRAM’s GX Eagle AXS transmission.
• Wheels and tyres: Wide rims with an internal rim width of 30 millimetres are now standard on high-quality mountain bikes. Some manufacturers even fit carbon wheelsets in the mid-price range. Buyers shouldn’t have to make any significant compromises when it comes to tyres either. High-quality folding tyres from Maxxis or Schwalbe models featuring the Addix Super rubber compound are standard features here.

Mid-range full-suspension bikes from specialist retailers

​For our comparison, we took a close look at the full-suspension ranges from specialist brands such as Cube, Giant, Merida, Mondraker, Orbea, Santa Cruz, Scott, Specialized and Trek, regardless of their intended use. We noticed that many manufacturers have significantly streamlined their ranges in recent years. There is often a gap between affordable entry-level models and high-priced top-of-the-range variants, meaning that classic mid-range full-suspension bikes are becoming increasingly hard to find. Consequently, the selection of high-spec full-suspension bikes in the mid-price segment is rather limited. Anyone looking for such a model in specialist shops will therefore need to carry out targeted research and carefully compare the remaining options. Naturally, the chosen model should also be perfectly suited to the intended use.

Even Bulls’ top-of-the-range models don’t break the bank. They come with top-quality chassis components, but do have to make some compromises when it comes to the drivetrain. Cube, too, doesn’t venture into the luxury bracket, but its mid-range model requires no real compromises and undercuts all other specialist brands on price. Giant has significantly scaled back its full-suspension range and now only offers mid-range specifications in the traditionally high-priced cross-country segment. Due to a somewhat unconventional mix of components, the mid-range models in Merida’s line-up require compromises in terms of specification. The classic mid-range models from Mondraker, Santa Cruz and Specialized are already very high in quality and price. Thanks to a wide selection of models, mid-range models from Orbea, Scott and Trek are available at reasonable prices according to our criteria.

Mid-range full-suspension bikes from mail-order retailers

Canyon offers high-quality mid-range components on a state-of-the-art carbon frame for under 5,000 euros. At Propain, the online configurator also allows you to fit aluminium models with mid-range components and save money. YT also fits high-quality components to aluminium frames and even throws in generous discounts. Even with a carbon frame, Radon’s top-of-the-range model – the brand’s only ‘bio’ full-suspension bike – is extremely good value; thanks to a hefty discount, high-end parts are already included in the box. Rose’s only full-suspension bike is a freeride and downhill bike with an aluminium frame.

​What do you think: do you also prefer to snap up mid-range mountain bikes? Let us know what you think in the comments!