Mountain bike

Trail bikes

- Carbon is particularly worthwhile for wheels, frames and, to some extent, seatposts; its benefits are often limited when it comes to handlebars, cranksets and e-MTB components.  
- Riding behaviour is influenced more by tyres, tyre pressure, suspension, geometry and stability than by the frame material or the maximum use of carbon.  
- Recommended order of upgrades: tyres and suspension first, then wheelsets, followed by the seatpost and handlebars if necessary; carbon frames and cranksets tend to be the final stage of upgrading.

​Carbon or aluminium: these components are worth the extra cost

- David Cachón spent months planning to capture a bike jump right before a solar eclipse.  
- Together with Fernando Marmolejo and Daniel Villadsen, he searched for the perfect location near Calatayud in Zaragoza.  
- The position of the sun, the photographer’s position, the bike manoeuvre and the lighting were all precisely coordinated, as there were only a few seconds left to capture this once-in-a-lifetime shot.

Solar eclipse: a ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ shot

TRAIL BIKES

- Fully priced at 1,999 euros, featuring branded components and a dropper seatpost, but with an outdated frame design and conservative geometry from 2021.  
- Long suspension travel and a weight of 14.7 kg deliver a comfortable but not particularly dynamic ride, making it more suitable for beginners.  
- Budget components such as underpowered Magura brakes, basic Schwalbe tyres and SRAM NX limit performance and genuine MTB enjoyment.

Cube Stereo One 22 Pro review: a full-suspension MTB for under 2,000 euros

- The 2018 Specialized Stumpjumper Evo set new standards for trail bikes with 150/140 mm of suspension travel and extremely progressive, downhill-inspired geometry.  
- With a 63.5° head angle, 480 mm reach and 440 mm chainstays, it outperformed even many enduro bikes of the time in terms of downhill stability and control.  
- Its geometry philosophy – long, flat and with moderate travel – shaped modern trail bikes and is still considered technically cutting-edge today.

Specialized Stumpjumper Evo: This 9-year-old trail bike is still the benchmark!

- Beginners should look for sturdy frames, suspension, drivetrains, wheels and good tyre compounds, even on a limited budget.
- Really well-equipped hardtails for challenging terrain usually cost between around 1,700 and 2,000 euros.
- High-quality full-suspension bikes with dropper seatposts and modern features typically cost between around 2,400 and 3,400 euros from direct-to-consumer retailers.

Canyon, Propain, Radon, Rose and YT: This is how much a good entry-level MTB costs when bought directly from the manufacturer

- According to Testpraxis, a good mountain bike costs at least around 2,500 euros; anything below that often involves outdated technology and significant compromises.
- The cheapest models under 700 euros are mostly hardtails; they are more suitable for occasional off-road use and are not well-equipped enough for serious terrain.
- Recommended hardtails start at around 2,000–2,500 euros, whilst full-suspension bikes with up-to-date technology usually start at 3,000–3,500 euros, though some are available from 2,499 euros with certain compromises.

Cube, Giant, Scott, Specialized and Trek: This is how much a good entry-level MTB costs in specialist shops

- A comfort-oriented e-full-suspension bike for touring and easy trails, 120 mm of suspension travel, 26.5 kg, with the focus on confident handling rather than bike park use.  
- Bosch Performance Line CX (Gen5) with up to 120 Nm and a removable 800 Wh battery offers a long range; price: 3,999 euros.  
- Practical, robust spec featuring an XT rear derailleur and MT520 four-piston brakes; compromises include Smart-Sam tyres, a Psylo fork and weight.

E-MTB fun for under 4,000 euros? Absolutely, says the Cube Stereo Hybrid ONE22 Race 800!

- The S-Works Turbo Levo R Ultralight weighs 18.8 kg thanks to its 600 Wh battery and consistent use of high-end lightweight construction based on the existing Levo R platform.  
- Specialized uses extremely lightweight XC wheels, narrower tyres, smaller brake discs and premium components to save around 2.5 kg compared with the top-of-the-range model.  
- According to the editor, some of the tuning measures limit the bike’s suitability for trail riding; the bike comes across more as an expensive proof-of-concept; the price is likely to be around 20,000 euros.

Lightweight design or misuse?: The 18.8-kilo Specialized Levo R Ultralight under scrutiny

- In Germany, e-MTBs dominate the market: 741,000 were sold in 2025, compared with just 52,500 non-motorised bikes.
- The reasons for the e-MTB boom include a lack of time, more experiences per ride, peer pressure and the desire for comfort.
- Traditional MTBs are considered to have reached their full potential, with households already well-equipped, whilst rapid innovations in e-MTBs are constantly creating new incentives to buy.

Why everyone’s buying e-bikes these days: mountain bikes without motors are just too good

- Spectral:On CF 8: a well-balanced all-rounder with playful handling, an 800 Wh battery and a full-carbon frame for 3,999 euros, but with a relatively underpowered motor.  
- Strengths: attractive price, enormous range, high-quality frame, balanced handling; Weaknesses: motor performance, rattling noises, rear suspension curve too soft.  
- The CF 9 AXS shares the same frame and motor, but for an extra 500 euros offers significantly better suspension components, brakes and electronic gear changes.

Canyon Spectral:On CF 8: A slow-seller or a brilliant bargain?

- Vado 3 X: a premium full-suspension touring e-bike with a 105 Nm motor, an 840 Wh battery and a high level of comfort thanks to its upright riding position and wide tyres.  
- Comprehensive electronics: touchscreen display, PIN lock, Apple ‘Find My’, optional range extender, and a radar warning system on the top-of-the-range 6.0 model.  
- Very confident, dynamic handling and high practicality for everyday use, but heavy, expensive and Sram brakes that tend to squeak.

Vado 3X 6.0 review: This is Specialized’s top e-bike for touring

- Norco Fluid: new 6066 aluminium frame, 140/130 mm travel, internal cable routing, flip-chip for 29"/Mullet, UDH, lifetime warranty  
- Size-specific geometry (S1–S5, approx. 152–198 cm), 65° head angle, 76.5–77.5° seat angle, reach 432–512 mm, chainstays 428–444 mm  
- Three models (A1, A2, A3) with different Shimano groupset configurations, prices from 2,299 US dollars; European prices and riding impressions to be confirmed

One bike, endless possibilities: the new Norco Fluid is perhaps the most sensible trail bike

Trail bike mountain bikes at a glance: Good uphill and downhill | All information and current test reports on the all-rounder ►

Trail bikes - information on the all-rounder mountain bike

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Trail bikes - information on the all-rounder mountain bike

Carbon or aluminium
These components are worth the extra cost

Solar eclipse
A ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ shot

Cube Stereo One 22 Pro review
A full-suspension MTB for under 2,000 euros

Specialized Stumpjumper Evo
This 9-year-old trail bike is still the benchmark!

Canyon, Propain, Radon, Rose and YT
This is how much a good entry-level MTB costs when bought directly from the manufacturer

Cube, Giant, Scott, Specialized and Trek
This is how much a good entry-level MTB costs in specialist shops

E-MTB fun for under 4,000 euros? Absolutely, says the Cube Stereo Hybrid ONE22 Race 800!

Lightweight design or misuse?
The 18.8-kilo Specialized Levo R Ultralight under scrutiny

Why everyone’s buying e-bikes these days
Mountain bikes without motors are just too good

Canyon Spectral:On CF 8
A slow-seller or a brilliant bargain?

Vado 3X 6.0 review
This is Specialized’s top e-bike for touring

One bike, endless possibilities
The new Norco Fluid is perhaps the most sensible trail bike

Trail bikes - information on the all-rounder mountain bike

​Carbon or aluminiumThese components are worth the extra cost

Solar eclipseA ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ shot

Cube Stereo One 22 Pro reviewA full-suspension MTB for under 2,000 euros

Specialized Stumpjumper EvoThis 9-year-old trail bike is still the benchmark!

Canyon, Propain, Radon, Rose and YTThis is how much a good entry-level MTB costs when bought directly from the manufacturer

Cube, Giant, Scott, Specialized and TrekThis is how much a good entry-level MTB costs in specialist shops

E-MTB fun for under 4,000 euros? Absolutely, says the Cube Stereo Hybrid ONE22 Race 800!

Lightweight design or misuse?The 18.8-kilo Specialized Levo R Ultralight under scrutiny

Why everyone’s buying e-bikes these daysMountain bikes without motors are just too good

Canyon Spectral:On CF 8A slow-seller or a brilliant bargain?

Vado 3X 6.0 reviewThis is Specialized’s top e-bike for touring

One bike, endless possibilitiesThe new Norco Fluid is perhaps the most sensible trail bike

Carbon or aluminium
These components are worth the extra cost

Solar eclipse
A ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ shot

Cube Stereo One 22 Pro review
A full-suspension MTB for under 2,000 euros

Specialized Stumpjumper Evo
This 9-year-old trail bike is still the benchmark!

Canyon, Propain, Radon, Rose and YT
This is how much a good entry-level MTB costs when bought directly from the manufacturer

Cube, Giant, Scott, Specialized and Trek
This is how much a good entry-level MTB costs in specialist shops

Lightweight design or misuse?
The 18.8-kilo Specialized Levo R Ultralight under scrutiny

Why everyone’s buying e-bikes these days
Mountain bikes without motors are just too good

Canyon Spectral:On CF 8
A slow-seller or a brilliant bargain?

Vado 3X 6.0 review
This is Specialized’s top e-bike for touring

One bike, endless possibilities
The new Norco Fluid is perhaps the most sensible trail bike