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Some bike models are simply encountered more frequently in the wild. Whilst other mountain bikes are kept in the shop, they are constantly being sold like hot cakes. These top-selling bikes seem to meet demand exactly with their range. We invited the 4 biggest sellers from Canyon, Cube, Santa Cruz and Scott to the test to find out why.
Probably all of us have already spotted a Canyon Spectral on the trail or know someone who has a Cube Reaction in their garage. Surely someone in your circle of friends already owns a Scott Spark and you'll come across a Santa Cruz Hightower in almost every bike park lift queue.
From the sellers' point of view, these are successful models. Mountain bikes that apparently attract prospective buyers better than other offers. If a bike sells like hotcakes, it must be good, right? We wanted to put this theory to the test, analysed the selling points of the four top sellers and tested whether the deals are really that good.
How do you decide how well a mountain bike sells? When answering this question, many customers will probably quickly think of the price-performance ratio. This could very likely explain why at least two of our test candidates are in such high demand.
The Cube Reaction C:62 Pro costs €1999 and offers functional equipment and a lightweight carbon frame with a sleek design. The Canyon Spectral CF7 is also vying for buyers' interest with a carbon chassis for 3399 euros. It comes with tried and tested components and promises a wide range of uses. A lot of bike for a reasonable price - a recipe for success.
With the Scott Spark 920 TR for € 5499 and the Santa Cruz Hightower C GX AXS for € 7399, the price tag is harder to justify the high sales figures at first glance. In these two cases too, carbon frames score points with solid equipment packages.
However, Scott uses an aluminium rear triangle. On top of the rational incentives to buy, however, there is a certain emotional prestige factor. With radical system integration and the face of cross-country megastar Nino Schurter, the Scott Spark has made a name for itself.
Thanks to its lifetime warranty and proven frame design, the Santa Cruz Hightower has the image of a sustainable purchase decision. These also seem to be things that make mountain bikers willing to whip out their credit cards.
The test candidates: Bestsellers from Canyon, Cube, Santa Cruz & Scott
Canyon Spectral CF7
Thanks to its direct-to-consumer concept, Canyon is known for its attractive ratio of equipment quality to cost. In the Spectral, the Koblenz-based company packs its sales advantages with a whole host of technologies into a package that is hard to resist. The carbon bike features two flip chips, the K.I.S. steering stabiliser system and Mullet tyres. Fox suspension and Shimano SLX components round off the deal.
- Range of use: All Mountain
- Suspension travel: 150 / 140 mm
- Wheel size: 29/27.5"
- Frame material: Carbon
- Weight: 15.1 kg
- Price: 3399 Euro
Cube Reaction C:62 Pro
Our test series kicks off with the recently launched Cube Reaction. A classic race hardtail with 100 millimetres of suspension travel and a rigid seat post, without any equipment innovations. Instead, Cube has invested in the carbon frame and now offers a lighter, more stylish chassis for price-conscious hardtail fans. For the drivetrain and brakes, the Pro version features tried and tested parts from the Shimano XT and Deore series.
- Range of use: Cross Country / Marathon / Tour
- Suspension travel: 100 mm
- Wheel size: 29"
- Frame material: Carbon
- Weight: 10.6 kg
- Price: 1999 Euro >> available here
Santa Cruz Hightower C GX AXS
Santa Cruz's Hightower is the most expensive bike in this test group. The all-mountain starts the new model year with new kinematics, an adapted carbon frame and more travel. Santa Cruz sells the fully with an extensive warranty and specifies rock-solid parts to the latest standards on the GX AXS model. Thanks to the slightly cheaper C-Layup, our test bike aims to appeal to the senses of discerning buyers despite the price tag.
- Range of use: All Mountain
- Suspension travel: 160 / 150 mm
- Wheel size: 29"
- Frame material: Carbon
- Weight: 15.0 kg
- Price: 7399 Euro
Scott Spark 920 TR
It goes without saying that the Scott Spark cuts a fine figure in the bike shop window with its futuristic frame design. The bike with its integrated shock and Twinlock suspension system has already won many a title in professional XC sport. In the TR version, the Spark has 130 millimetres of suspension travel at the front and 120 millimetres at the rear and is turning into a trail bike. Particularly popular: the 920 model with carbon frame and mid-range equipment.
- Range of use: Trail / Tour
- Suspension travel: 130 / 120 mm
- Wheel size: 29"
- Frame material: Carbon
- Weight: 13.3 kg
- Price: 5499 Euro
How BIKE tests
We have been testing and evaluating complete bikes for over 30 years. Our test procedure is based on the riding impressions of at least three experienced BIKE testers. To substantiate our impressions, we base our findings on measurement data from our own test laboratory. At BIKE, we go to unprecedented lengths to objectively assess mountain bikes. These criteria are decisive for the evaluation of mountain bikes without a motor:
Driving behaviour
The most important point in the evaluation system accounts for 65 per cent of the final score for fullys and 45 per cent for hardtails. We differentiate between how well a bike can be ridden uphill and downhill and how the suspension works accordingly. On the uphill, we assess the geometry: Is the comfort right? Is the power transfer right and can you survive long days in the saddle? On technical climbs, we award penalty points for the front wheel climbing early and a lack of control in key sections. We also judge the efficiency of the suspension. There are deductions for strong bobbing when pedalling. Features such as an effective platform, a lockout or a handlebar remote are rewarded by our points system. Also important: Does the rear suspension generate good traction even under chain tension without bottoming out?
The playfulness category is dedicated to riding fun. Handy bikes with lively handling score points here. Models with high (wheel) weight, sluggish chassis and bulky geometries are at a disadvantage here. In the downhill classification, we differentiate between riding characteristics, geometry and suspension qualities. In the first category, we place particular emphasis on the riding position: are you well integrated in the bike, can it be controlled intuitively and how much confidence does the geometry convey on steep terrain or at high speeds? In terms of the suspension, the absorption capacity and response behaviour of the suspension elements are important: Do the front and rear harmonise, do the fork and shock absorb fast impacts and does the rear end generate good traction even under braking?
Laboratory values
The total weight and wheel inertia are included in the overall assessment. Our lab crew determines frame stiffness and exact geometry data so that we don't have to rely on the manufacturer's values for geometry or an individual's gut feeling when it comes to stiffness. For hardtails, we also measure the seating comfort on the test bench.
Equipment
There are a total of five assessment criteria behind the 25 per cent. In addition to the quality of the components and add-on parts, we evaluate things that create added value for the rider. This could be an integrated tool or a steering stop limiter, for example. We also honour the size of the water bottle that can be transported on the frame, the retractability of the saddle and finally the quality and workmanship of the frame.
Service friendliness
A traffic light in the points table provides information on how easy it is to carry out service and maintenance work on the bike. Green stands for good service friendliness, orange for medium, and red warns of stress when tightening screws. We rate the cable routing, how easy it is to replace the bottom bracket and headset, whether the frame is sufficiently protected in problem areas (chainstay, down tube, etc.) and whether a universal derailleur hanger has been specified.
The new spider
We show the strengths and weaknesses, and therefore the character, of a bike at a glance with the new spider diagram. Basically, the larger the coloured area, the better the bike. But the rating in the individual criteria is also visible here. We adjust the weighting depending on the bike category. In this way, we fulfil the different requirements for freeride or trail bikes, for example.
Top sellers in the test: what we noticed
As already stated, the price of a product has a huge influence on its sales success. It is quite obvious that the majority of all mountain bikes are not sold to full professionals, but to normal "average bikers".
You won't find any top models for over 10,000 euros among the bestsellers. Logically, after all, we don't all drive round the racetrack in a Ferrari and drink 100-year-old whisky. In most cases, the spearhead of the portfolio is reserved for wealthy connoisseurs and sponsored experts.
That leaves the mid-range models: frame concepts with drivetrains from the Shimano SLX to XT or Sram GX League that were found to be good. Gears and brakes only occasionally gave cause for criticism in our test. Here and there, however, additional costs have to be factored in. Prices for complete bikes vary depending on the brand and sales concept. In principle, however, all test bikes have what it takes to be a bestseller.
Mid-range chassis
Whether Canyon, Santa Cruz or Scott: the rear suspension concepts of the three fullys are tried and tested. However, one of the most difficult tasks for a product manager must be the choice of fork and shock. High-quality suspension costs money pretty quickly.
All full-suspension test bikes rely on Fox softeners. The affordable Canyon received a Float X at the rear in the lowest performance class for this model range. Fox also has a simpler model in its suspension fork range. In the test, the Fox 36 Rythm only just lived up to the potential of the Spectral.
The Scott Spark comes with Fox performance suspension. Here too, a few adjustment options are missing and the riding performance is still quite different from the more expensive parts, but functional suspension and damping are guaranteed.
The only difference between the Performance Elite suspension components on the Santa Cruz and the top Fox parts is the lack of Kashima coating. Hardly anything is left to be desired here. The affordable Cube hardtail is led by a fork from the high-quality SID series from Rockshox, but its function in the base version is indeed rather "basic".
The faster, more technically adept and more demanding customers are, the more worthwhile it is to invest in increasingly high-quality suspension elements. If the choice is between two different models, the suspension, like the tyres, should be the last thing to be saved. Speaking of which, two manufacturers, Cube and Scott, specify tyres that fall short of the bikes' potential.
Progressive or conservative?
"Geometry costs nothing" is often said. It's true, of course: from a purely production point of view, the price of a frame with a steering angle that is out of shape is pretty insignificant. However, the cost driver is of course the development process.
For example, trail bike geometries have changed a lot in recent times and the Scott Spark, which seemed very progressive at the time of its launch, has a hard time keeping up with bikes with more modern geometries, at least on demanding trail downhills.
The same applies to the Cube Reaction Hardtail, whose geo has only just been adapted, but is conservative compared to the equipment used by most professionals. However, this can also be expressed positively: The Reaction offers proven handling that even MTB newcomers can quickly get to grips with.
Both Scott and Cube are not the first choice in their categories for customers looking for the most downhill action, but can play to their strengths on classic MTB tours.
Canyon has been known for radical geometry concepts for some time now. The Spectral CF7 is no exception and comes with a progressive reach, slack head angle and all kinds of other geometry gimmicks. In the hands of an experienced rider, however, it is not the geometry but rather the equipment that is a limiting factor.
At first glance, the new Santa Cruz Hightower, with even more travel and progressive, size-dependent geometry, is also decidedly fun to ride, especially downhill. On the most expensive bike in this test group, the equipment no longer holds back. However, our practical test also confirms the All Mountain's surprising climbing abilities. At the end of the day, the combination of geometry and equipment quality depends on personal preferences and budget.
Conclusion
After our test, I can well understand why these bikes have established themselves as bestsellers. Cube and Canyon also sell on price, but not only. Santa Cruz and Scott fulfil many of the wishes of demanding customers. Despite a lot of praise, we were also able to expose one or two weak points. - Jan Timmermann, BIKE test editor
Jan Timmermann
Editor
