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We tested these trail bikes:
Click to go to the individual rating
All topics in this test:
The test bikes at a glance
- Category: Trail bikes
- Spring travel: 130 to 144 millimetres
- Price range: up to 3400 Euro
The fact is, bikes are getting more and more expensive. Top models often cost five-figure sums. The prices for components and accessories are also reaching completely exorbitant levels. A groupset for the price of the Canyon Neuron in this test? Only recently introduced. Shoes for 400 euros? That's not even the end of the line. Evil Eye recently even showed sunglasses for over 600 euros.
As far as prices are concerned, the bike industry seems to have taken off completely. But it is also a fact that bikers are becoming increasingly cautious when it comes to buying. Inflation, exploding energy costs and rising food prices are causing household budgets to shrink like the Caspian Sea. According to statistics, a family with two children in Germany already belongs to the lower income bracket if their net income is less than 3213 euros per month. So let's keep our feet on the ground and see how we can cycle on this budget.
Trail bikes up to a maximum of 3400 euros
To find out, we set the limit for this trail bike comparison at € 3400. Six candidates fulfil this requirement, whereby the Canyon Neuron for 2699 euros is even significantly below the limit. As a reference bike, a Rocky Mountain Element for 4500 euros travelled to the Geißkopf for the test. The trails in the MTB Zone offer ideal test conditions and cover the entire range of use of a trail bike.
Even if the name suggests otherwise, the Enduro Trail 2 is trail bike terrain in its purest form: the natural route leads over soft forest ground, peppered with root passages and tight bends, directly into a gravel climb on which the test riders have to prove their climbing skills. We then turn into the final section of the freeride route for the final endurance test. Rocky steep sections alternate with bumpy full-throttle passages - this is where the wheat is quickly separated from the chaff when it comes to suspension and geometry.
Equipment without blingbling
But let's first clarify the question of what bikers can expect from a trail bike for a maximum of 3400 euros. Not much in the way of bling. The fact is, you can't expect factory suspension from Fox with shimmering golden stanchions in this price range. Instead, performance lettering on almost all suspension elements. The affordable Fox components dominate the test field. Cube and Specialized even use the even heavier Rhythm version of the 34 mm fork. The high-quality Rockshox Pike Ultimate with extensively adjustable damping on the Radon stands out positively. And the fork also impresses in practice with the best performance.
Bikers also have to accept compromises when it comes to the drivetrain: The NX drivetrains on Specialized and YT are not only conspicuously slow to change between gears - including long lever travel - but the range of just 454 per cent is also counterproductive for extensive trail tours. The brakes present a similar picture. Sram's inexpensive G2-R stoppers tend to stroke the brake discs rather than really get to grips with them. Only the groupless Shimano on the Giant is similarly weak. In general, however, the Shimano components are much better suited to this test field: sufficient gear range, crisp gear changes and convincing braking power on fast descents. Both the XT and SLX components leave little to be desired. If you like to climb extensively, you should also look for a 30 t chainring on the cranks to have a small gear in reserve for steep climbs.
The right tyres for your trail bike
There are also big differences in the tyres. From fast-rolling Schwalbe and Maxxis combos on the Canyon, Cube and Radon to the chunky Maxxis Minion DHF with grippy MaxxTerra compound on the Giant, everything is included. But what is the ideal tyre choice for a trail bike? Hard to say. But one thing is certain: a mix of a coarser profile and softer compound at the front and a faster-rolling tyre at the rear is usually the better choice than a single tyre - like our favourite combination from Specialized: convincing grip, pleasant damping and still passable rolling characteristics.
Trail buggies with different characters
Ultimately, the tyres should also match the character of the respective bike. And there are also big differences in this comparison. It is difficult to clearly define the trail bike category, as manufacturers pursue a variety of approaches here.
approaches. From the classic touring bike for long climbs and easy trails to the powerful downhill bike, where the uphill is more of a chore, everything is represented in this test. With its carbon frame weighing just 2474 grams and lightweight wheels, the Cube definitely belongs in the first category. The somewhat old-fashioned geometry with a steep head angle and slack seat angle also feels more at home on easy terrain. The Radon has similar virtues, although its carbon frame is a good 600 grams heavier.
On the other side, Specialized and Giant face each other. Slack head angles, long wheelbases, massive appearance. The two aluminium bikes only really come into their own on the descents and, with their powerful suspension, tempt you to leave the brakes open from time to time. But that doesn't mean you can't climb mountains on them. Thanks to modern geometries, both bikes climb with confidence, even if they are not quite as fast. The YT, on the other hand, with its sporty riding position and chunky tyres, is difficult to pigeonhole. It suffers a little from being overweight on the climbs, while the low front end and firm suspension slow it down on the descents.
As always, the truth lies somewhere in between. And that brings us to Canyon and our reference bike from Rocky Mountain. Both fit the trail bike category like a glove: thanks to sporty, comfortable riding positions, good rolling tyres and moderate weight, both trail bikes can be pedalled uphill without restrictions - the suspension is both traction-strong and drive-neutral at the same time. But neither the Neuron nor the Element leave anything to be desired on the descents either, reliably handling winding trails as well as fast, rough descents. It is all the more astonishing that Canyon offers a trail bike on a par with the Neuron for 1800 euros less. So if we keep our feet on the ground, we can confidently say that no one needs more bikes than the Canyon Neuron to have fun mountain biking.
Conclusion on the trail bikes by Stefan Frey, BIKE editor
What Canyon delivers for just 2699 euros is amazing. Solid equipment, well-balanced suspension, modern geometry - nothing is left to be desired. We only liked the Rocky Mountain better. However, the price of the Element doesn't quite match the meagre spec. If you're looking for a strong downhill rider at your side, the Specialized is the best choice. Its suspension is almost at all-mountain level, but it is still easy to pedal uphill. A classic tourer for long rides with gravel climbs and easy trails can be found at Radon.
What the testers say
Stefan Frey, BIKE editor
Even if the Rocky is out of contention: For me, it's the perfect trail bike. It climbs light-footedly and without any disturbing drive influences. Downhill, the great cockpit and the extremely well-designed suspension are inspiring.
Tobias Ziganek, BIKE tester
For me, a trail bike is more of an enduro replacement on tame home trails than a sporty touring companion. A powerful chassis, solid tyres and good brakes are therefore more important to me than a low overall weight.
Max Fuchs, BIKE editor
I love trail bikes for their extremely wide range of use. However, for the bikes with around 130 millimetres of travel to really cope with every scenario, they have to be light. Only the Cube achieves this in this price segment.
The details of the various test trail bikes
Even in the lower price segment around 3000 euros, manufacturers put a lot of love into the details. We particularly noticed the following points in the seven test candidates.
Trailbikes 2023: Facts, figures and data
Stiffnesses
YT dominates with its carbon main frame. They are followed by the aluminium bikes from Rocky Mountain, Giant, Canyon and Specialized. The hybrid frames from Cube and Radon have the lowest stiffness.
Stiffness: Grey: Stiffness-to-weight (STW), the quotient of stiffness and frame weight white: absolute stiffness in Newtons per mm of deflection. The measurements were taken on a test stand at the Zedler Institute.
Impeller inertia
Rocky Mountain utilises its price advantage and specifies the lightest wheels.
Radon and Cube also achieve good scores. Giant brings up the rear due to its potent tyres.
Moment of inertia impellers: The lower the value, the better the wheels can be accelerated.
Weights¹
The much more expensive Rocky Mountain has to admit defeat to Cube and Radon on the scales. The downhill-oriented Specialized even breaks the 15-kilo mark with pedals.
Weight¹: BIKE measurements, ²with pedals (350 g), ³without shock, with rear thru axle, ⁴with tyres, cassette and brake discs.
All individual ratings of the trail bikes at a glance
- ¹BIKE measured values
- ²The BIKE judgement reflects the laboratory measurements (BIKE laboratory measurement) and the subjective impression of the test riders. The BIKE judgement is independent of price. BIKE judgements: super (250-205 P.), very good (204.75-180 P.), good (179.75-155 P.), satisfactory (154.75-130 P.), with weaknesses (129.75-105 P.), unsatisfactory (104.75-0 P.).
Stefan Frey
Editor
