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The luxury segment is flourishing, both in the hi-fi industry and among manufacturers of mechanical watches. The mountain bike market is no exception. Some models even break the 10,000 euro mark. And it doesn't just seem to be individual outliers, but almost a trend. On the websites of popular brands such as Specialized or Trek, bikes with electric suspension or wireless shifting are so prominent at the top of the list that, after a brief search of the market, you ask yourself: Is it normal for mountain bikes to cost as much as a small car? Fortunately not. The bikes in our test field are between 1000 and 1500 euros. The big question is: What can these bikes from the lower end of the price list do?
One thing is clear: for up to 1500 euros, there are almost only hardtails on the market. Because these bikes do not have a rear suspension compared to fullys, they are often said to lack comfort and are only moderately suitable for off-road riding. Technology-loving bikers see them only as an outdated and therefore cheap entry-level drug for bike newcomers. A provocative thesis that cannot be upheld, at the latest when looking at the sales figures and the portfolio of the major manufacturers. There are not only many, but also extremely expensive hardtails. Insiders from the sales departments of German bike companies confirm: 20 to 30 per cent of their sales are normal hardtails, i.e. bikes without a rear shock and without a motor on the bottom bracket. Fullys are becoming significantly more expensive due to their more complex construction. Does this mean that hardtails are the dinosaurs among mountain bikes and are only popular because of their favourable price?
You can find the surprising answer to this question in the test report. We tested these bikes in BIKE 4/2020:
- Bulls Copperhead 3 S 29
- Canyon Grand Canyon AL SL 8.0
- Ghost Nirvana Tour Essential
- Merida Big.Nine NX-Edition
- Radon Jealous AL 8.0
- Rockrider XC 500 29
- Specialised Chisel
The entire "Easy biking" special from BIKE 4/2020 is available as a PDF for €3.99 in the download area below. The article on these seven hardtails with all the test results including points tables, technical data and grades is also available separately for 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 BIKE. We don't pay for them, but the opposite is the case: we charge for them, hundreds of thousands of euros every year.
You can find this article in BIKE 4/2020. You can read the entire digital edition in the BIKE app (iTunes and Google Play) or the print edition in the DK shop reorder - while stocks last:
