Bike Of The Year 2024: These are the 5 most popular full-suspension marathon bikes of the year

The category of race full-suspension bikes with 100 to 120 millimetres of travel is currently one of the most exciting in the entire MTB cosmos. Not only will the world's best athletes be battling it out for Olympic gold in the cross-country discipline in Paris this year. The fascination for mountain bike marathons is also as great as ever. Lightweight bikes are increasingly being given more reserves in terms of suspension travel and geometry. This also makes them attractive for non-racers and tour riders. In recent months, a veritable wave of new marathon bikes has rolled onto the market. BIKE has compiled the most exciting of them and put readers to the test: Who builds the most popular race bike of the year? A total of 5654 bikers cast their votes. Clear the ring for the Bike Of The Year in the Marathon Fullys category.

1st place: Trek Supercaliber - 38 % of the votes

When Trek lifted the neoprene cover on Jolanda Neff's World Cup bike in 2019 and presented the first Supercalibre to the public, the surprise was perfect: Is it a hardtail? Is it a fully? The world had never seen damping technology with a suspension strut partially integrated into the frame on a race bike before. In the latest generation, Trek brings the Supercalibre into the present, gives it a little more travel and progressive geometry around a 67.6 degree steering angle. The Iso-Strut rear suspension system, whose shock no longer bears the Fox name but Rockshox instead, offers 80 millimetres of crumple zone. The fork has 110 millimetres of travel. Optimised kinematics should ensure that even less leg power is lost in the suspension. A floating brake mount decouples the suspension from braking influences. The optimised SLR carbon frame of the top models, which cost up to €11,499, weighs a whopping 250 grams less than its predecessor. The light and super-fast Trek Supercaliber is the most popular marathon bike of the year!

Facts Trek Supercalibre

• Wheel size: 29 inch
• Frame material: Carbon
• Front suspension travel: 110 millimetres
• Rear suspension travel: 80 millimetres
• Frame weight: 1672 grams (SLR frame, BIKE measurement, size L)
• Weight of complete bike: 9.86 kilos (model 9.9 XX AXS, BIKE measurement, size L)
• Price: from 3999 Euro

We have already been able to test the Trek Supercaliber Gen2 extensively. Hardly any other bike deserves the term 'race bike' more. The pointed character of the Silver Arrow is not for everyone. Even the updates and the mini increase in suspension travel don't change that. From a racer's point of view, however, the Trek can be the perfect weapon for the big day, because in its new version the Trek Supercaliber is even more focused on speed - uphill and downhill. - Jan Timmermann, BIKE test editor

2nd place: BMC Fourstroke - 21 % of the votes

The fact that the BMC Fourstroke secured the silver medal in the vote for the most popular marathon bike of the year should come as no surprise to technology fans. The lightweight race bike from Switzerland has quite a few refinements up its sleeve. The fully integrated, automatic Autodrop dropper post is even a small tech innovation. It not only extends at the touch of a button, but also retracts again - without any action on the part of the rider. This saves racers from having to bend a knee or two to lower the saddle in competitions and gives them more energy. In the 01 version, which is optimised for cross-country use, the carbon Fully has 100 millimetres of suspension travel at the front and rear. The bikes without the number suffix each offer 20 millimetres more. Even if the last update dates back to autumn 2022the geometry of the Fourstroke is still right up to date. A 67 degree head angle ensures a smooth ride on the descents and 427 millimetre short chainstays keep the BMC nice and agile. The top model with team equipment costs 13,499 euros.

Facts BMC Fourstroke

• Wheel size: 29 inch
• Frame material: Carbon
• Front suspension travel: 100 / 120 millimetres
• Rear suspension travel: 100 / 120 millimetres
• Frame weight: 2286 grams (BIKE measurement, size L)
• Weight of complete bike: 10.46 kilos (model 01 Two, BIKE measurement, size L)
• Price: from 8999 euros >> available here

In our test, the handling characteristics of the BMC Fourstroke 01 proved to be a sensible compromise of low weight and solid downhill performance. Light, fast and innovative - that sums up the Schweizers in a nutshell. BMC has successfully refined the geometry and performance compared to its predecessor. However, the price of 8999 euros - for the simply equipped entry-level model we tested - is disproportionately high. - Max Fuchs, BIKE test editor

3rd place: Wilier Urta Max - 17 %

The Wilier Urta Max has long since made a name for itself among cross-country and marathon racers thanks to its lightweight high-modulus carbon frame. The Italians have over 100 years of experience in frame construction. In the latest SLR series the race bike is not only compatible with 2.4-inch wide tyres and Vario supports, but also offers additional reserves for demanding routes with 120 millimetres of suspension travel at the front and rear. The revised rear suspension with special swing arm technology is designed to efficiently prevent negative influences from the drive and brakes on the chassis. Modern geometry features have not been spared either. The steering angle is 67.5 degrees flat and the seat angle is 75 degrees steep. For the top model with the new electronic Rockshox Flight Attendant suspension Wilier calls for 13,900 euros.

Facts Wilier Urta Max

• Wheel size: 29 inch
• Frame material: Carbon
• Front suspension travel: 120 millimetres
• Rear suspension travel: 120 millimetres
• Frame weight: 2173 grams (manufacturer's specification, size L)
• Weight of complete bike: not specified
• Price: from 6200 Euro

4th place: Mondraker F-Podium - 15 %

BIKE has never tested a Mondraker F-Podium - but hopefully that will change soon! The Spanish race-fully is undoubtedly exciting. Based on a carbon frame weighing less than two kilos and the optimised Zero Suspension System, the F-Podium is a clear contender for the podium in cross-country and marathon races. The bike has 110 millimetres of suspension travel at the rear and 120 millimetres at the front. In the DC version ("Downcountry"), the rear suspension squeezes five millimetres more out of the shock. Mondraker was an early pioneer of long, slack geometries and the fastest fully in the line-up is no exception. A 66.5 degree head angle meets a 480 millimetre reach in size L. The finest model with Rockshox Flight Attendant suspension is limited to a homeopathic number of 20 bikes worldwide and costs 13,799 euros. However, more price-conscious mountain bikers will also find what they are looking for among the nine model variations.

Facts Mondraker F-Podium

• Wheel size: 29 inch
• Frame material: Carbon
• Front suspension travel: 120 millimetres
• Rear suspension travel: 110 / 115 millimetres
• Frame weight: not specified
• Weight of complete bike: from 11.1 kilos (manufacturer's specification)
• Price: from 4699 Euro >> available here

5th place: Cervélo ZFS-5 - 9 %

More and more road bike specialists are entering the mountain bike scene. This applies not only to riders like Tom Pidcock & Co. but also to manufacturers. After the presentation of their first hardtailCervélo soon followed up with a cross-country and marathon fully. On the road, the Canadians have long been known for their finely crafted carbon frames. The first full-suspension bike from Cervélo offers a choice of 100 or 120 millimetres of travel at the front and rear. The latter version has a 66.6 degree head angle and will soon be subjected to an extensive BIKE test. In order to offer racers of all sizes the same balanced riding characteristics, the chainstays grow with the frame size. The maximum price for the ZFS-5 is 11,299 euros.

Facts Cervélo ZFS-5

• Wheel size: 29 inch
• Frame material: Carbon
• Front suspension travel: 100 / 120 millimetres
• Rear suspension travel: 100 / 120 millimetres
• Frame weight: not specified
• Weight of complete bike: 12.01 kilos (model 120 GX AXS T-Type, BIKE measurement, size XL)
• Price: from 5399 Euro

More new marathon fullys

Shortly after the BIKE reader survey went live, other well-known manufacturers also presented their race fullys for the current model year. Although not all of these were included in the survey, they are no less exciting. We have not only summarised the latest race innovations once again, but have also already tested some of them:

• Berria Mako: Spanish cross-country temperament
• Cannondale Scalpel: razor-sharp and powerful at the same time
• Liv Pique: Professional race bike for fast women
• Pinarello Dogma XC: World champion bike from Italy
• Specialized Epic 8: World first with electric suspension
• Stoll M3: Attention lightweight construction fans