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We tested these bikes:
Click to go to the individual rating
All topics in this test:
The test bikes at a glance
Trail bike category | Suspension travel up to 148 millimetres | Price range up to 4999 euros
I love enduro bikes. There are few things that excite me more than unrestrainedly thrashing downhill riders with plenty of suspension down into the valley. The aplomb with which these bikes tame even the angriest trails inspires me enormously. However, the effortless acceleration of a race bike also gives me a similar endorphin rush. Anyone who has ever sprinted with less than ten kilos under their bum knows what I'm talking about. For everyone else: It feels like you've fallen into Miraculix's magic potion. Suddenly you're literally flying over climbs and feel as if you've ignited a range boost.
Everyday life for most bikers
However, my everyday life is different. It doesn't take place on wild enduro tracks or on race courses where the lactate just squirts into your muscles. This also applies to the majority of our readership. According to a survey, 44 per cent of all respondents prefer to ride off the beaten track and look for technical challenges on tours. In other words, the average biker clocks up the most kilometres on a quick after-work ride, on longer rides at the weekend or on occasional detours into the mountains.
If you choose an enduro bike for this purpose, you will have fun downhill, but will suffer all the more uphill due to the high weight and bulky tyres. However, a race bike also misses the mark due to its lack of downhill potential. This is where trail bikes come into play. Free from extremes, they position themselves between the unshakeable take-charge qualities of enduro bikes and the inspiring acceleration of race bikes. This opens up an extremely wide range of applications. Trail bikes are usually light enough for a brisk after-work ride, but still offer
enough reserves for technically demanding terrain.
Spring travel of around 140 millimetres
Seven of these supposed all-rounders compete against each other in this test. The price range extends from 3999 euros to 4999 euros. In addition, the 3199 euro reference bike from Radon is also in the mix. The recipe for success for the widest possible range of use has so far been: 130 millimetres of travel and 29-inch wheels paired with moderate geometry data. When it comes to components, most manufacturers choose a middle ground: reasonably light, but still stable enough to cope with more demanding terrain. This development approach keeps the weight in check, but at the same time creates downhill reserves and increases comfort on long tours.
Looking at the key data of our test group, only the bikes from Scott, Cube and Radon still fit into this scheme. Until the end, the Successful Canyon Neuron fully still a blueprint for a trail bike. With the new launch in spring, however, the suspension travel at the front and rear increased to a standardised 140 millimetres. This means that the bikes from Koblenz now belong to the more travel-heavy category of trail bikes. With the competition from Norco and Merida The suspension travel of the Norco Fluid measures 140 millimetres, just like the Canyon. In addition, Norco gives the Fluid a licence to shred with tyres from the Enduro range, a shock with a reservoir and massive aluminium parts. And the Merida? Strictly speaking, the bike from the industry giant is already poaching in the all-mountain segment with a 150 mm fork and thick 36 mm stanchions. Also combined with potent tyres and a smooth-running geometry, the One Forty has immense downhill qualities. Only the 140 millimetres of travel at the rear indicate that it still belongs to the trail bike category.
Trail bikes with down-country qualities
The counter-movement to the mining-orientated models is formed by Down-country bikes like the Hei Hei from Kona. With this subtype, manufacturers want to make trail bikes fit for the long haul again. Their chassis are trimmed for propulsion instead of maximum comfort. When choosing tyres, low rolling resistance takes precedence over puncture protection and grip, and the seating positions are sportier. That leaves the most unusual bike in this test, the Arc8 Essential SLX. The concept: race bike at the rear, enduro at the front. With only 118 millimetres of suspension travel, the Essential offers the least reserves in terms of suspension. The situation at the front is completely different: with a 64.5-degree steering angle, a 140-millimetre Pike fork and almost 500 millimetres of reach in size L, the Arc8 has dimensions that are otherwise only found on full-blown enduro bikes.
Different frame material on the test bikes
So much for taking stock. In addition to the different weighting of climbing characteristics and downhill qualities, the competitors also differ in their choice of frame material. Canyon, Kona and Arc8 rely entirely on carbon. At Cube and Scott, only the main frame is made of carbon fibre. Aluminium is used for the rear triangle. The downhill candidates from Norco and Merida, on the other hand, are completely welded from aluminium. The same applies to the significantly cheaper reference bike from Radon. Arc8 makes the best use of the potential of carbon fibres and, at 1740 grams, has by far the lightest frame on its wheels. However, the first place in the overall weight ranking is claimed by the excellently equipped Cube. The aluminium bikes came a long way behind with weights of between 15 and 16 kilos. For comparison: In our last enduro test in BIKE 6/23, the six bikes between 2699 and 10999 euros weighed an average of 15.22 kilos. Also exciting: Despite Scott's hybrid construction, the Spark came out on top in the stiffness ranking. Radon brings up the rear in this respect. In addition to our test bench, our test crew also attested to the Skeen Trail's less precise ride feel at the limit.
The equipment leaves little to be desired
When it comes to componentry, Canyon and Cube are in a lonely race at the top. Despite their expensive carbon frames, there is nothing left to be desired when it comes to components. Scott, Arc8 and Kona also score points with their classy chassis, but all three candidates forgo premium quality when it comes to the suspension. A final word of praise goes to the product managers at Norco: thanks to the cheaper aluminium frame, the Canadians create financial leeway and install the best suspension. The Fox combination of a 34 Factory fork with Grip2 cartridge and Float-X shock from the Performance Elite series provides the most versatile damping control and can be perfectly adapted to your personal riding style. This means that the Norco tames even angry trails almost as confidently as one of my beloved enduro bikes.
Test summary by Max Fuchs, BIKE test editor:
The bikes in this test are as varied as the range of applications for trail bikes. Depending on what the bike terrain looks like on your doorstep or how you define your personal area of use, each of the test bikes can be the right choice. Accordingly, the bikes are very close together in the scoring. Only the Canyon Neuron stands out with the most balanced riding characteristics and a super equipment package.
and a super equipment package and thus confidently secures the test victory.
The details of the different trail bikes
Facts, figures and data
The Canyon Neuron delivers the most balanced overall performance, wins the climbing classification and thus dominates this comparison. Scott puts together the second-best overall package. The most convincing downhill performance goes to the Norco. Also worth mentioning: Merida shines with great attention to detail in the usability and added value rankings.
Stiffnesses
Impeller inertia
Weights
Stiffness: Grey: Stiffness-to-weight (STW), the quotient of stiffness and frame weight. white: absolute stiffness in Newtons per mm deflection. The measurements were taken on a test stand at the Zedler Institute.
Moment of inertia impellers: The lower the value, the better the wheels can be accelerated.
Footnotes: Weight¹: BIKE measured values, ²with pedals (350 g), ³without rear shock, with rear thru axle, ⁴with tyres, cassette and brake discs
The alternatives to the trail bikes in this test
Hardly any other bike category is as diverse as trail bikes. While some price their top model at under 5000 euros, for others the portfolio only begins there. Here are the best alternatives to our test bikes.
Arc8 Essential XT
Price 5599 euros / weight 11.9 kilos / suspension travel 140 / 130 millimetres
The price of the tested SLX version at Arc8 only goes up. But the Shimano XT drivetrain is not the only upgrade on the next most expensive model. In addition to Fox performance suspension, DT Swiss system wheels are also used. The Arc8 carbon fibre cockpit unit contributes to the dream weight of under twelve kilos.
Canyon Neuron 5
Price 1899 euros / weight 15.1 kilos / suspension travel 140 / 130 millimetres
Canyon's entry into the Neuron family is available at an absolute bargain price. The geometry of the aluminium frame is identical to the carbon model we tested, but weighs a little more. Thanks to Shimano's Deore twelve-speed drivetrain and dropper post, you can get your money's worth even for less than 2000 euros.
Cube One22 HPA Pro
Price 1999 Euro >> available here / weight 14.9 kilos / suspension travel 130 / 122 millimetres
For less than 2000 euros, Cube equips the aluminium version of the One22 with a Rockshox Judy Silver fork and a Manitou Radium Expert shock. A dropper post, a Newmen cockpit and a Sram NX Eagle drivetrain are also included in the savings package. The weight remains below that of the cheaper aluminium competition.
Kona Hei Hei CR/DL
Price 6999 euros / weight 12.3 kilos / suspension travel 120 / 120 millimetres
In Germany, Kona will only be offering two carbon bikes under the name Hei Hei in 2023. The top model features Sram's GX Eagle AXS wireless shifting and glides smoothly over the trail thanks to Rockshox Sid Ultimate suspension. While the price tag hurts, the legs are spared thanks to the low weight.
Merida One Forty 400
Price 2799 euros / weight 16.9 kilos / suspension travel 140 / 143 millimetres
Merida offers the progressive geometry of the One Forty for less than 2800 euros. Compared to the 700 model tested, bikers have to make compromises on the suspension and live with a cheap SR Suntour XCR34 fork. The entry-level model is also around 1.2 kilos heavier. On the other hand, the frame offers a solid basis for demanding trails.
Norco Fluid FS A4
Price 2799 euros / weight 16 kilos / suspension travel 140 / 130 millimetres
At the same price as Merida, Norco manages to enter the trail bike portfolio - unfortunately with extra pounds. With a Rockshox Recon Silver fork, X-Fusion shock and Tektro brakes, the Canadians have put together a favourable equipment package. The drivetrain is a colourful mix of Shimano Deore, Sun Race and FSA parts. The aluminium frame is identical to that of the top model.
Radon Skeen Trail 10.0 HD
Price 4199 euros / weight 13.8 kilos / suspension travel 140 / 120 millimetres
While the Skeen Trail with aluminium frame is available from just 2499 euros, the Bonn-based mail order company also offers a carbon version with top equipment. Thanks to Fox Factory suspension, Magura MT5 brakes, Newmen wheels and a Sram X01 Eagle rear derailleur, nothing is left to be desired. According to our laboratory scales, the upgrade to the carbon frame alone saves a good 900 grams.
Scott Spark 970
Price 3199 Euro >> available here / weight 15 kilos / suspension travel 130 / 120 millimetres
Scott is paying more than the competition for its entry into the trail bike category. The X-Fusion shock with Twinloc technology is also integrated into the aluminium frame. Scott combines a Rockshox Judy Silver fork and a drivetrain mix of Sram SX and NX Eagle to create a down-to-earth basic configuration. Visually an absolute eye-catcher!
Max Fuchs
Editor
