This bike category usually only has around 130 millimetres of travel at the rear, but they are powerful, agile and ideally manoeuvrable and playful. Because not all trail bikes are the same. Some of these bikes are aimed more at the cross-country group. Others have the playfulness of a basket full of puppies and make freeriders happy with these characteristics. We show you our top 3 trail bikes for freeride mountain bikers.
Attention: Freeriders who opt for this bike category should be aware that these small-stroke bikes have significantly less reserves. This means that drops, lines on angry descents, etc. must be hit with precision. Powerful enduro bikes or even freeriders iron out the rider's mistakes with their massive travel - this is not the case with trail bikes.
These are our top 3 trail bikes
Santa Cruz 5010
The US cult brand Santa Cruz gave its cult trail bike a makeover last year. The fifth generation of the 5010 now rolls as a mullet instead of on small 27.5-inch wheels. The geometry has been refreshed, plus features such as a storage compartment in the down tube and a peephole to check the sag of the shock. The 5010 has remained true to itself in terms of suspension travel: 140 millimetres at the front, 130 at the rear.
The 5010 is ideal for undulating trails, where the rider benefits from the bike's propulsion. The super-short chainstays and moderate geo ensure a playful ride. This can be easily adjusted using a flip chip. In the 5010-C version, the 5010 cracks the 14-kilo mark. That's a lot for a trail bike. Even in the top version, the bike should still weigh 13.7 kilos. We tested the bike last year in the 14.2-kilo version and were still impressed. It steers directly and lively over the trail and provides enough counter-pressure for jumps and bunny hops. Even the favourable suspension elements in the tested model could not upset the Harmonie suspension. As a result, the bike also surprises on angrier trails, although you want to hit the line more precisely here. It's worth swapping the 800 mm handlebars and the downhill tyres for more trail bike feeling. Many models are currently reduced.
CONCLUSION: The Santa Cruz 5010 is one of the best of its kind. Playful, potent enough and stylish. But unfortunately also expensive, especially in light.
Santa Cruz 5010 CC X01 (tested model)
- Material: Carbon
- Suspension travel: 140/130 millimetres
- Wheel size: Mullet
- Suspension: RockShox Pike Ultimate / RockShox Super Deluxe Ultimate
- Gear system: Sram GX AXS
- Brakes: Sram G2 RS
- Wheels: i9 hubs, Reserve 30 HD
- Tyres: Maxxis Minion DHR 2 3C MaxxGrip Exo / Maxxis Minion DHR 2 MaxxTerra Exo
- Sizes: S, M, L, XL
- Price: 6199 Euro
- Weight: 13.9 kilos (without pedals)
STRENGTHS
> Handling
> Touring suitability
WEAKNESSES
> Price
> Brake
Cannondale Habit
The Cannondale Habit is the jib bike of jibber-in-chief Josh Bryceland. In addition to the model tested here, Cannondale also offers the Habit in the LT version (Long Travel), with a 150 mm fork and 140 millimetres of travel at the rear.
On the trail, the Cannondale Habit shines with intuitive handling. The moderate geometry creates a sweet spot of agility and smoothness. Despite the rather long chainstays, the Habit can be pulled onto the rear wheel with manageable effort. Ripping through corners, pushing into turns, bunny-hopping - the Habit does all this very well, not least because of its light weight (depending on the spec). The bike has no geometry adjustment or storage compartment. The Rockshox suspension works sensitively and makes its travel readily available. The suspension travel is well utilised without skimping on support. The rear suspension even feels like it has more than the specified 130 millimetres of travel.
CONCLUSION: A thoroughbred (freeride) trail bike with lots of fun genes, propulsion and sufficient downhill ability.
Cannondale Habit LTD (tested model)
- Material: Carbon
- Suspension travel: 140/130 millimetres
- Wheel size: 29 inch
- Suspension: RockShox Pike Ultimate / RockShox Super Deluxe Ultimate
- Gear system: Sram XO AXS
- Brakes: Sram G2 RSC
- Wheels: DT Swiss XMC 1501
- Tyres: Maxxis Dissector/ Maxxis Rekon Exo Maxxterra
- Sizes: S, M, L, XL
- Price: 8499 Euro
- Weight: 13.1 kilos (without pedals)
STRENGTHS
> Handling
> Touring suitability
WEAKNESSES
> Price
> No geo-adjustment
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Commencal Tempo
The Tempo is the fully with the smallest stroke in the Commencal range. At 14.5 kilos in this suspension travel class, it's a chubby little bike, but for us it's still a prime example of this bike category.
A bike with only 125 millimetres of travel at the rear has rarely made it into FREERIDE. But the Commencal Tempo impressed us straight away with its playful geo and potent rear suspension. Top: the 3-position rear shock. Uphills are easy thanks to the comfortable riding position. On rough descents, the bike needs to be ridden with precision, but in return it steers more directly and sportily than almost any other bike. Manuals, cornering - the speed is always fun. The bike generates enough propulsion on up-and-down trails, but it would benefit from a weight reduction and mullet tyres. The handlebars with a lot of rise took some getting used to at the beginning. There are six models to choose from, ranging from 2479 euros to 5653 euros. Aluminium only.
CONCLUSION: The trail bike from Andorra is an all-round weapon for trail jibbers, provided you have a certain amount of riding ability.
Commencal Tempo
- Material: Aluminium
- Suspension travel: 140/125 millimetres
- Wheel size: 29 inch
- Suspension: Fox 34 Factory/ Fox DPS Factory 3rd Pos.
- Gear system: Sram GX Eagle
- Brakes: Shimano XT
- Wheels: DT Swiss XM 1700 Spline 30
- Tyres: Maxxis Minion DHR II 3 C MaxxGrip Exo Protection/ Maxxis Dissector 3C MaxxTerra Exo Protection
- Sizes: S, M, L, XL
- Price: 4463 Euro >> available here*
- Weight: 14.2 kilos (without pedals)
STRENGTHS
> Rear triangle
> Geometry
> Robust aluminium frame
WEAKNESSES
> Very little stroke
> Weight
Other favourite bikes from the FREERIDE editorial team in this bike category
Laurin Lehner
Editor
