Upgraded marathon full-suspension bikes: The better trail bikes?

Sporty touring bikers are currently facing a problem when looking for equipment: classic trail bikes with 120 to 140 millimetres of suspension travel are increasingly suffering from excess weight. More and more manufacturers are turning these all-rounders, once designed for versatility, into mini enduro bikes with thick tyres and robust components. This cancels out the multi-talented idea. In the price range around 4500 euros, the average weight of this category has now levelled off at around 14 kilos. A few years ago, even enduro bikes with up to 160 millimetres of travel and bike park approval were still under the 13-kilo mark. Carefree touring fun, large action radii or brisk laps around the house are obviously no longer part of the requirement profile of trail bikes, which are becoming increasingly downhill-orientated.

Worn-out racefully frames as the basis for downcountry bikes

Despite all the enthusiasm for the adrenaline rush, have the developers forgotten that there is still the sporty touring rider? Will kilometre-hungry riders soon have to torture themselves over the Alps with the heavy playmates of downhill-focused shuttle fans? Fortunately not. Because many manufacturers have recognised the gap in the market and are making a virtue out of necessity. Instead of developing stand-alone MTB models, they are using emaciated race-fully frames as the basis for the battle against the kilos. With 120 instead of 100 millimetres of suspension travel, grippy tyres and retractable seat posts, the lightweight racing bikes mutate into bikes suitable for touring. We present an overview of the most exciting of these downcountry bikes.

Specialised Epic Evo

At just 1742 grams in size L, Specialized has built the Epic Evo by far the lightest frame for trail use. With 116 millimetres at the rear, the Evo is more on the sporty side. The bike is based on the World Cup Racefully Epic. The Evo version dispenses with the efficient Brain system and is designed to appeal to sporty trail bikers with more suspension travel, wide tyres and a dropper post. The top-of-the-range S-Works model is not available in Germany. The Evo Expert model for 8100 euros marks the upper end of the model range. The entry-level model of the Epic Evo costs 4600 euros, the Comp version 5700 euros.

Mondraker F-Podium DC

When it comes to sporty touring bikes, the DC version (DC = Down Country) of the F-Podium is a must. In our Comparison test in BIKE 12/20 the pimped Marathon Fully collected the most points. Despite 20 millimetres more suspension travel, the race ambitions of the F-Podium remain intact. The sporty riding position and easy-rolling tyres make the Podium DC model the Spaniard is the first choice for performance-orientated touring bikers. But don't kid yourself: Downhill, the competition pulls away with coarser tyres and more comfortable geometries.

BMC Fourstroke LT

Under the dictation of two-time Olympic champion Julien Absalon, the Fourstroke lived up to its name. Tried and tested on the toughest race tracks, the racefully has so far fulfilled the dreams of performance-orientated bikers. In order to cater for trail bikers who are hungry for kilometres, the Swiss have now added a more powerful long-travel version to their thoroughbred racing machine, called the Fourstroke LT. Equipped with 120 millimetres of suspension travel at the front and rear, a fully integrated dropper post and 2.4 inch wide tyres, the range of use extends far beyond the barriers of the race track.

Canyon Lux Trail

Strictly speaking, the Canyon Lux has been half downcountry bike since its launch in 2018. The Koblenz-based direct-to-consumer brand equipped some Lux CF models with 110-millimetre suspension forks and dropper seatposts. The rear suspension travel in the BIKE test lab was also always around 107 millimetres - a little more than classic race bikes have. However, as sporty full-suspension touring bikes based on race bikes are becoming increasingly popular, the Canyon with the new Lux Trail a genuine downcountry bike for 2022. The main differences compared to its predecessor: 120 millimetres of suspension travel on the fork and a longer and flatter geometry for smoother riding.

Cube AMS One11

After four years and various BIKE test victories, the Upper Palatinate team from Cube for 2022 a new AMS. As with its predecessor - the AMS 100 with a C:68 frame presented in 2017 - there will also be two down-country models with 120 mm forks called "One11" in addition to the classic racefully version with 100/100 millimetres (abbreviation "Zero99"). To meet the tougher demands of off-road riding, the down-country models come with 30 mm rims, four-piston brakes at the front and Vario supports. The main frame is based on the race models. Only the carbon rear triangle is longer and a shock with more travel is used.

Duel in BIKE 04/22: Cannondale Scalpel SE vs. Santa Cruz Blur TR

The two high-end bikes Santa Cruz Blur TR and Cannondale Scalpel SE are literally hungry for kilometres. The basic prerequisite for long-distance suitability is still the lowest possible weight. In order to land below the magical twelve-kilo mark, these two manufacturers also make use of the petite carbon chassis of their own Marathon fullys. Equipped with a little more travel on the shock, 120 mm forks and telescopic seatposts for better downhill performance, the range of use of the flyweights shifts noticeably towards touring.

To find out which of the two manufacturers has the better downcountry bike, we came up with a very special test scenario. Our test route took us from south to north through the singletrack paradise of the Palatinate Forest and back again. Over 200 kilometres with 3900 metres of altitude difference spread over three stages, we were able to pit the two rivals against each other in their supreme discipline: Namely on long tours, where the modern downhill-heavy trail bikes are now running out of breath.

You can read the complete test report on the duel between Cannondale and Santa Cruz in BIKE 04/2022 - in stores from 1 March!