Test bestseller bikes 2023: Price-performance bikes from race to enduro in comparison
Max Fuchs
· 16.11.2022
4516 euros - that's how much two weeks of luxury holidays in the Seychelles cost. However, the average BIKE reader prefers to spend this amount on a new mountain bike. That's the result of this year's reader survey.
For so much money, common sense would naturally hope for a sophisticated piece of sports equipment free of compromises. But far from it. Gone are the days when almost all full-suspension bikes costing €4,000 or more raced down the trails in carbon fibre. Fine components, electric parts and high-end suspension are also dying out in this price category. The financial pressure caused by supply bottlenecks, inflation and rising energy costs is so high that the mountain bike industry has no choice but to raise prices. It has never been so difficult to find a bargain. Really? In our research for bikes with the best price-performance ratio, we came across some real bargains.
We tested these 10 mountain bikes from the All Mountain, Trail, Marathon and Enduro categories:
You will find these topics in the test of the best-selling bikes:
No limits: Only the bikes with the best price-performance ratio are allowed to be tested
No restrictions on suspension travel, no price limit and also no specifications for the area of use: "We only want the bike with the best price-performance ratio" was how we formulated the test requirement this time, which gave the manufacturers plenty of room for manoeuvre when choosing the model. To ensure that the comparison was limited to the most popular brands, we used the results of our reader survey as a basis. We only invited brands to the test that were in the top twenty in our readers' popularity rankings. The result: ten models with suspension travel between 110 and 170 millimetres and a price range from 1699 euros to 6299 euros. With this variety, it quickly becomes clear that there is no standard recipe for a good price-performance ratio.
Five bikes between 3000 and 5000 euros are the most popular
YT, Specialized, Radon, Rose and Cube take the most obvious route and place themselves in the mid-range price segment between 3000 and 5000 euros. From carbon marathon bikes to classic touring bikes and aluminium enduro bikes, the five candidates cover almost the entire market variety of fullys. Most of our readers are also looking for a partner in this area. With the budget as a fixed factor, the aim is to match the price point with the best possible riding characteristics. If this is achieved with flawless geometry, a sophisticated chassis or well thought-out components, nothing stands in the way of a top price-performance ratio.
Two hardtails under 2000 euros compete in the test
Merida and Giant represent the original form of mountain biking in this test. In terms of price, the two trail hardtails play in a league of their own for under 2000 euros. Without the rear triangle construction of full-suspension bikes, the duo benefit from a huge price advantage. Fortunately. Because when it comes to off-road capability in the practical test, the unsprung rear suspension is inevitably inferior to the capabilities of the full-suspension competition. However, anyone who reduces hardtails to their rigid rear triangle is ignoring an important selling point: the low maintenance requirements. Life with a fully is accompanied by worn-out bearings, defective shocks and creaking joints. This is stressful and increases the running costs for spare parts and repairs. So if you can do without a comfortable rear end, a hardtail is a far less complicated and less costly overall package.
Big comparison of bikes from specialist retailers and mail order companies
Also important: As with all of our tests, we do not differentiate between retailer and mail-order brands in our evaluation. However, as 28 per cent of our readers voted the direct-to-consumer brand Canyon as the top manufacturer, it is worth making a brief comparison. In addition to Canyon, Rose, YT and Radon also rely on the online-based business model. You choose your bike on the manufacturer's website, pay and then have it delivered to your door. There are no costs for the dealer. This leaves more money to spend on better components or even lightweight carbon fibres instead of aluminium. Sounds tempting. On the other hand: In the event of a warranty claim, service work or repairs, online customers usually have more work to do. Permanently manned hotlines can quickly get on your nerves. Sending back and forth is also inconvenient. At a specialist dealer, on the other hand, services are included in the purchase price. Personal modifications to the bike, such as a more comfortable saddle or different tyres, are usually included in the purchase at no extra charge.
Two competitors start in the upper price range up to 6300 euros
But now to the two final candidates from Scor and Scott. First of all: The Scor brand was only created just under a year ago under the umbrella of BMC. Unlike the Swiss racing specialists, the newcomers are not yet among our readers' favourites. However, as price only plays a subordinate role in BMC's performance line-up, the All Mountain Scor 4060 ST promises to perform better in our price-performance test. At € 6299 and € 5499 respectively for the Scott Spark, both Swiss brands define themselves through maximum off-road performance. Whatever the cost. With Scott, the calculation works out. The outstanding riding characteristics, clever detail solutions and functional equipment come at a price, but our points system rewards the overall package with top marks. The price-performance ratio is therefore right.
The price alone does not make a test winner, it is the overall package that counts.
However, the test results of other bikes show that models from the cheaper segment can also score points. The Canyon, for example: 2299 euros is the entry price into the mail-order trail bike world. Sounds extremely cheap. But the riding experience convinced us. Merida's trail hardtail also taught us a lesson: it is clearly inferior to the more expensive fullys on downhills. However, a successful geometry and well thought-out add-on parts make it a lot of fun to ride on moderate terrain for just 1899 euros.
So you don't necessarily have to invest 4516 euros to enjoy bike sports to the full. Our test shows that it can also be cheaper. So you can confidently add a few euros more to your holiday account. It doesn't have to be a two-week luxury holiday in the Seychelles.
Conclusion on the best-selling bikes 2023 test by Max Fuchs, BIKE test editor
"Seven of the ten test bikes are below the 4000 euro mark. That's less than the average that BIKE readers are prepared to spend. But that fits. The trail bike from Canyon, the all-mountain from Rose and the trail hardtail from Merida are absolutely convincing off-road. First and foremost, only the higher weight limits the range somewhat compared to the more expensive model variants. Scor, Scott and YT, on the other hand, break the 4000 euro barrier. In the practical evaluation, however, only the Spark can clearly set itself apart from the cheaper rest of the test group."
The closing balance sheet
The table shows the test results of all models in relation to the price.
As the more expensive bikes usually achieve the better test results, the majority of the candidates are lined up in a straight line. The starting point is the cheapest Giant with the fewest points and ends with the maximum score of the Scott for € 5499. All models that are more or less on this imaginary line can convince with their price-performance ratio. Exception: Radon. The Bocholt-based company scored a huge number of points for the features. However, we would have expected more in the practical test. Specialized and Scor stand out in particular. They can't justify their price with the performance they deliver. Canyon and Scott go in the opposite direction. Both perform better than you would expect at this price.
The manufacturers' favourite cost-saving measures for equipment
1 Brakes
It's a shame that the brakes are the first area where most manufacturers cut back. The groupless Shimano brakes in combination with cheap brake discs from Giant and Rose deliver the lowest braking performance. However, the Shimano Deore on the Canyon and the Magura MT Thirty from Cube could also be more powerful.
2 own brands
In the lower price segment, many manufacturers rely on add-on parts from their own production. Compared to branded parts, you often have to accept compromises in quality. Canyon, Cube and Merida rely on in-house production even for the dropper post. The Giant even has its own suspension fork and wheels.
3 The frame
A simple design saves money. This is demonstrated by the frame designs from Specialized and Rose: uncomplicated and reduced to the bare minimum. In addition, the American paint finish performs worst in our paint test. The Scott embodies the opposite with its sophisticated system integration and the YT with its unmistakable design language.
Retrofitting components: performance is not always a question of price
1 Repairs
If you take the time to learn how to tighten screws, you are making a sustainable investment. In BIKE 9a/22 special issue Workshop Special, we reveal how to do it. (Available for non-subscribers with the DK app or order right here). For example, a brake pad change in a bike shop costs around 20 euros plus materials. For larger repairs, it is not a bad idea to get quotes from several workshops and compare them. You can find out how to recognise a good workshop here.
2 Drive
Shifters at Shimano SLX or Sram GX level take bikers anywhere thanks to their wide range. In the more expensive classes, you mainly pay for slightly less weight and sometimes more sophisticated materials. However, there is still a price difference of 50 euros between an SLX cassette and the more expensive XT model. Compared to the X01 cassette, Sram's GX is even 190 euros less. Inexpensive wear parts also perform well. In the BIKE test, however, the more expensive models showed a slightly longer service life.
3 Spring elements
For example, those who can do without the separate adjustment of the high and low-speed compression damping, as on the Rockshox Deluxe Ultimate shock, can opt for cheaper models such as the Deluxe Select+. The only difference between the Fox Performance Elite and the Factory models with Grip2 cartridge is the Kashima coating on the dip tubes - and a price difference of 130 euros for the 34 mm forks, for example.
4 Tyres
Hardly anything determines the riding characteristics as significantly as the choice of tyres. Compared to the most expensive Maxxis combination in the BIKE tyre test 9/2022 the pair of our price-performance tip from Specialized Butcher and Purgatory saves a whopping 55 euros. Cushioning and grip are still at a very good level.
5 Brakes
The difference between Shimano's four-piston version of the SLX brakes and the XT model is just under 90 euros. However, most bikers would not be able to tell the difference in a blind test. The same applies to a Sram G2 Ultimate and a cheaper G2 RSC brake. Price difference: 116 euros.
Interview with Jo Beckendorff, industry expert and journalist for various trade magazines
BIKE: Real bargains on bikes have been difficult for some time now. Why is that?
Jo BeckendorffThis has to do with availability. In the entry-level and mid-price range, dealers are full. They are no longer reordering and suppliers' sales forecasts are falling. However, there is still a lack of components for sporty and high-priced mountain bikes. This is also down to Shimano. But not only that: there are also delivery problems with alternative options. Bargains can still be found on the second-hand market. Refurbishment in particular harbours enormous potential and is becoming increasingly professional. If you still want to buy a high-quality bike at a low price, you should consider a reconditioned used bike.
With inflation and the energy crisis, many people are trying to keep their money together. Is demand now falling?
Anyone still waiting for a bike will still want to buy one. The now full stocks in the entry-level segment will also continue to be in demand. However, a mountain bike for 4000 euros or more is not exactly a basic purchase. Especially in the high-end segment, this is more of a discretionary purchase. If it is difficult to get a luxury bike at the moment anyway and the money is needed elsewhere, for example for energy costs, this purchase will be postponed. It depends very much on the purpose of the purchase. In the sporting sector, people prefer to keep the money in their pockets. From a mobility perspective, however, a bicycle can also be a cost-cutting model compared to public transport and cars. Then the purchase price plays less of a role.
The high prices are putting bikers off. When can they expect discounts again?
For high-quality mountain bikes, full stocks and therefore discounts are not in sight. On the contrary: these bikes will become even more expensive. It is impossible to predict how raw material prices and transport costs will develop. Even the dream of European bike production cannot become reality from one day to the next. It will not be able to completely eliminate dependence on supply chains. You won't get more bike for your money in the near future. That's why it's better to buy at the current list price than to wait.
Max Fuchs
Editor
