Bike Of The Year 2024: These are the 5 most popular trail bikes of the year
Jan Timmermann
· 03.07.2024
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Trail bikes have always been exciting because they promise to combine high downhill capabilities with a wide range of action. Since the all-mountain category has put on more and more pounds, trail bikes have increasingly established themselves as the new, egg-laying sows of milk. One bike for everything still has its appeal in an increasingly specialised world. Fullys with 120 to 140 millimetres of travel are now the most versatile touring bikes - ideal for after-work rides, Alpine adventures and trail action alike. So it's no wonder that the manufacturers are still playing the trail bike market with unbroken vigour. Attractive all-rounders keep popping up. The winner of our reader survey at BIKE is an old favourite in a new guise. 5612 bikers cast their votes. Clear the ring for the Bike Of The Year 2024 in the trail bike category.
1st place: Canyon Lux Trail - 48 % of the votes
When Canyon presents a new fully, the Koblenz-based mail-order company is sure to attract a lot of attention. The new Lux Trail was no different. No other bike so clearly wins the title of Bike Of The Year. Almost every second reader voted for the carbon full-suspension bike with 120 millimetres of front and rear travel. With attractive equipment options at fair prices, the Canyon Lux Trail is taking mountain bikers' hearts by storm. Nomen est omen, it is a trail-specific brother of the Lux race bike. The Lux Trail inherits some of its favourite features, such as a low weight and a one-piece cockpit made of lightweight carbon. The 66.8 degree steering angle is designed to ensure a smooth ride on the downhill. A reach of 476 millimetres in size L stretches the rider over the bike in a sporty manner. In the most exclusive version with an extra-light CFR frame, the trail bike costs 8499 euros. The Canyon Lux Trail is the most popular trail bike of the year!
Facts Canyon Lux Trail
- Wheel size: 29 inch
- Frame material: Carbon
- Front suspension travel: 120 millimetres
- Rear suspension travel: 120 millimetres
- Frame weight: 2137 grams (CFR frame, BIKE measurement, size L)
- Weight of complete bike: 11.16 kilos (CFR model, BIKE measurement, size L)
- Price: from 3299 Euro
The BIKE test revealed why the Canyon Lux Trail is a reader favourite. Despite the increased suspension travel at the rear, the bike remains more of a marathon racer than a classic trail bike. Varied and pedalling-heavy trail tours and marathons are the ideal area of use. This is where the lightweight shines with sporty virtues such as speed and agility. - Peter Nilges, BIKE Test Manager
2nd place: Yeti SB120 - 21 % of the votes
Last year, Yeti presented a completely revised product range. Including the SB120 trail bike. In order to stiffen the proven Switch-Infinity rear suspension kinematics and achieve more tyre clearance in the rear triangle, Yeti designed a completely new frame with an optimised carbon layup. The straight down tube of the new Yeti SB120 is less protruding and is therefore out of the line of fire in the event of high obstacles and flying rocks. There is 130 millimetres of travel at the front and 120 millimetres at the rear from the proven and further revised Switch Infinity rear triangle. The reach values are generous for a trail bike (475 millimetres in size L) and the steering angle is slack at 66.5 degrees. Yeti is not known for low prices. On the other hand, there is a good portion of cult factor - on the 9490 euro top model anyway.
Facts Yeti SB120
- Wheel size: 29 inch
- Frame material: Carbon
- Front suspension travel: 130 millimetres
- Rear suspension travel: 120 millimetres
- Price: from 7890 euros >> e.g. available here
3rd place: Scor 2030 - 15 %
Enduro-like geometry and a bike park-approved frame paired with just 120 millimetres of rear travel. Scor is launching the 2030 on the market with this daring interpretation of a trail bike. The fork has 140 millimetres of suspension travel. If the reserves at the rear are not enough, the crumple zone can be increased to 130 millimetres with a rear shock with more travel. The 2030 is even compatible with coil spring shocks. With the slack steering angle (64.5 degrees) and the long reach (485 millimetres in size L), it is clear where the journey is heading: rapidly downhill. However, the noticeably short rear end (432 mm chainstays in frame size L) also promises a good deal of playfulness when performing tricks and on narrow trails. There is a storage compartment in the down tube for tools and spare parts. At the top end of the price range is a top model costing 8999 euros.
Facts Scor 2030
- Wheel size: 29 inch / Mullet
- Frame material: Carbon
- Front suspension travel: 140 millimetres
- Rear suspension travel: 120 millimetres
- Frame weight: 2909 grams (BIKE measurement, size L)
- Weight of complete bike: 13.49 kilos (GX model, BIKE measurement, size L)
- Price: from 4999 Euro
The Scor 20230 has already been on our test bench and had to prove itself in a practical test. Play the Mountain - the riding characteristics of the Swiss bike perfectly match the company philosophy. In capable hands, the bike transforms every trail into a playground. However, there are more balanced models for simple touring missions. - Max Fuchs, BIKE test editor
4th place: Atherton AM.130 - 11 %
When probably the fastest family in the bike community designs a trail bike, it naturally comes with unrestricted bike park approval. The Atherton AM.130 relies on the patented DW6 rear triangle with 130 millimetres of travel and a choice of a 140 or 150 mm fork. The shorter version has a 65.5 degree head angle. The chainstay length also increases with the size change, but at 430 to a maximum of 436 millimetres, it is of the more playful variety. With 22 different frame sizes, Atherton bikes are unique on the market. This is thanks to the special production of their frames. In this process, carbon tubes are glued into 3D-printed titanium sleeves. The sleeves are produced in-house, which simplifies customisation. The length of the carbon tubes can also be customised, making it possible to offer such a wide range of frame sizes at the factory. The price tag for the most exclusive complete bike is 7605 euros.
Facts Atherton AM.130
- Wheel size: 29 inch
- Frame material: carbon / titanium
- Front suspension travel: 140 /150 millimetres
- Rear suspension travel: 130 millimetres
- Frame weight: from 3100 grams
- Weight of complete bike: from 13 kilos
- Price: from 6435 Euro
In our test, the Atherton AM.130X with 150 mm fork was all about riding fun. The bike is the perfect playmate for new school jibbers. The bike park approval even allows for big stunts. Our absolute highlight: the great rear suspension function. The trail bike is also making a name for itself with its unusual design. - Peter Nilges, BIKE Test Manager
5th place: Vitus Mythique - 6 %
Vitus has made a name for itself as a direct mail order company for attractively priced mountain bikes. With the Mythique model, the Brits are targeting the trail sector. 140 millimetres of suspension travel at the front and 130 millimetres at the rear. In the latest version, the steering angle measures 65.5 degrees and the seat angle 77.5 degrees. The aluminium frame is of course technically up to date: Trunnion shock mount and Sram UDH derailleur hanger are also on board. Wrenchers will be pleased with the threaded BSA bottom bracket and the externally routed cables. The rear bearings are the same as on the more expensive Vitus models and are said to be particularly durable. All in all, the Vitus Mythique presents itself as an uncomplicated companion at a fair price. You won't find overpriced high-end prices at the mail order company. The Mythique starts at a maximum of 2799 euros.
Facts Vitus Mythique
- Wheel size: 29 / 27.5 inch
- Frame material: Aluminium
- Front suspension travel: 140 millimetres
- Rear suspension travel: 130 millimetres
- Price: from 1799.99 euros
More new trail bikes
Shortly after the BIKE reader survey went live, other well-known manufacturers also presented their trail bikes 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 trail bike innovations once again, but have also already tested some of them:
Jan Timmermann
Editor
