How much does a bike cost for trail addicts?

We’ve put four mountain bikes, ranging from €2500 to over €6000, through their paces to answer the pivotal question: How much do you need to invest for a proper trail riding experience? Conversely, what can you anticipate getting for your budget?

Why shouldn’t we compare apples to oranges? After all, when you’re hungry and standing in front of the fruit basket, it’s all about choice. Before sinking your teeth into the juicy flesh, your brain has to weigh the options: flavor, price, size, appearance…all these factors go through a rapid-fire evaluation. So, the proverbial comparison we often laugh about is very much a reality.

In the world of mountain bike purchases, reality also forces you to choose between products that seem incomparable. Depending on the size of your wallet, your options might range from a minimalist hardtail to a fully decked-out enduro rig.

And the main takeaway from this test can be viewed from two angles. Either you know by the end how much longer you need to save to afford a bike that meets your personal demands, or you already have a set budget for your new mountain bike. In that case, this article might burst a small dream bubble in your head, but it will also let you know what to expect within your preferred price range.

All of our test bikes are designed to deliver sheer riding pleasure on serious trails. Yet, they span a price difference of over €6,000. The brand new Orbea Laufey Trail Hardtail is our entry-level model in the high-quality mountain bike world, priced at €2,500. On the other end of the spectrum, the also brand new Liteville 303, at over €8,000, represents the high-end segment.

Caught in the middle, the Radon Slide Trail AL, offering full suspension at the enticing price point of under €3,000, and the Canyon Spectral, with an MSRP of €5,000, vie for the favor of bike enthusiasts. The Canyon already flaunts exclusive innovations like the K.I.S. system and SRAM’s GX Eagle drivetrain, making it clear that it’s not shy about stacking up against premium models.

Even though there’s over a €4000 difference between our test bikes, this doesn’t even begin to tap into the extremes of the market. After all, there are also bikes out there breaching the €10,000 mark. And of course, we’re well aware that Orbea has a Laufey on offer for under €2000. Nevertheless, our selection of test bikes was made with intent.

This comparison aims to reflect reality. And let’s be honest: Would you ever consider shelling out a five-figure sum for a mountain bike? Most would hesitate to give a resounding “Yes” to that question.

One thing that also needs to be considered is that our statements always align with the manufacturers’ suggested retail prices (SRPs). It’s clear that there’s currently intense price competition in the market. Many SRPs have or will likely shift in the biker’s favor. Some models are already being sold at a significant discount. However, the level of discounting varies greatly and therefore doesn’t provide a reliable basis for our testing.

On the flip side of the price spectrum, it’s true that you can find trail-hardtails for under €2000. But in our comparison, we wanted to give the hardtail a fair shot to showcase its appeal. To use a couple of idioms: We don’t shy away from comparing apples to oranges, but we won’t send someone to a gunfight armed only with a knife.

As a specialty retail brand, Orbea can’t price as aggressively as direct-to-consumer brands like Radon and Canyon. Similarly, a Rose Biker’s Dream might be sold for less at the Rose online store compared to an Orbea Laufey, when factoring in the lack of dealer margin and comparable spec levels. And a price difference of €500 either way becomes less significant when you look at the most expensive bike at €6999.

When comparing apples and oranges, it’s crucial to judge them by the same standards. Naturally, we weighed each bike using the same scale. We went the extra mile by weighing the wheelset of each bike separately to accurately gauge the rotating mass.

However, the final verdict isn’t solely based on this weight chart. It was more important for us to test the bikes on consistent terrain. Choosing Finale Ligure as our testing grounds makes it clear what benchmark we’re setting. The bikes must prove themselves in rugged terrain. Finale Ligure is a mountain biking hotspot renowned for its serious trails that captivate riders. And we wanted to feel that thrill.

If you’re more interested in bikes for your next marathon race and less intrigued by the descent adrenaline rush, then subscribe to the newsletter at the bottom of the page. We’ll soon have a similar comparison ready for you. Nevertheless, many insights from this test can certainly be extrapolated to bikes with less suspension travel.

In all our tests, we make it a priority to avoid evaluating a bike from a one-sided perspective. Even though shredding a trail downhill can get our adrenaline pumping, we don’t let the thrill of the descent overshadow everything else. After all, you can’t truly revel in that descent-induced euphoria without conquering the climb that precedes it.

When you break down a bike ride by time, over 70% of it is spent either grinding up ascents or traversing flat stretches to reach the trailhead. We refuse to dismiss this significant amount of time as a mere mandatory exercise outside our evaluation. Certainly, this time hasn’t been weighted as heavily as the time spent on the trail in our ride impressions. However, every bike in this test was scrutinized for its performance both uphill and downhill.

For those who live right next to a bike park or exclusively ride with the aid of a shuttle, the situation may look different. Nonetheless, we stand by our stance that a mountain bike should at the very least not be a nuisance on climbs. For those who curse the ascent, the E-MTB category now offers awesome bikes at https://emtb-test.com/en/, which make the uphill challenge almost obsolete.

The new Orbea Laufey is a beacon of hope for those whose budgets are well below the €3,000 mark. Can it deliver the thrills on serious trails? The absence of a rear shock not only saves you the component and the cash you’d shell out for it but also simplifies the frame construction when compared to a full-suspension rig. In this case, the hardtail principle offers several advantages over the full-suspension setup:

This combination positions the most budget-friendly bike in our lineup as also the lightest. On ascents, the Laufey leaves its competitors in the dust. This trait gives the Laufey a substantial range for epic rides, securing it a special place in our hearts.

Looking at the trail hardtail competition, it’s clear: The Laufey is one of the most descent-focused trail hardtails on the market. Powerful brakes, beefy 2.6″ tires, a storage compartment in the downtube, and a super low bottom bracket set it apart from its rivals. For those ready to tackle rough terrain, the Laufey proves to be a steadfast companion that doesn’t flinch at any trail.

The components from Ergon and the short Shimano brake levers make the bike ergonomically pleasant. This allows for long rides without discomfort at the body contact points. In our detailed review of the Laufey, it’s clear: Orbea has done a lot right with the Laufey, but it can’t perform miracles.

A hardtail is always a hardtail, no matter how downhill-focused its setup may be. When the pace picks up on the trail, the hits to the rear are such that you lose control significantly earlier than you would on a full-suspension bike. You have to substantially adjust your speed and riding style with a hardtail compared to a full-suspension. If you can handle that, you’ll find in a hardtail a loyal companion for long rides and sweet trails.

The Radon Slide AL is the most budget-friendly full-suspension rig in our roundup, and it caught us by surprise. Good news from deep dive test:its full-suspension design on descents over a hardtail. The bad news: when eyeing the pricier competitors, it’s evident there’s room for improvement in some areas.

Given its price point, the Radon delivers strong performance. With quality rubber, a reliable braking system, and a solid fork, you can confidently tackle even the gnarliest trails of Finale Ligure.

The more you pin the throttle, the more you’ll have to compromise on the rear suspension setup and geometry. The lack of a piggyback reservoir on the shock causes the oil temperature to skyrocket during extended descents. Both the compression and rebound damping noticeably fade over the course of a long downhill run.

A closer inspection of certain details and features also suggests that under heavy use, you can expect to replace parts now and then. The relatively small pivot bearings and cable routing beneath the bottom bracket demand extra TLC in the workshop compared to other bikes.

At a weight of 15.6 kilograms without pedals, you’ll probably hit fewer trails by day’s end than you would on a hardtail. The climb is a grind with this rig. But does throwing more money into the mix make a difference?

The Canyon Spectral CF 8 with KIS system is noticeably pricier than the Radon, yet it tips the scales at the same weight. It boasts more travel and is more descent-focused, but it still weighs in at 15.5 kilograms just like the Radon. This clearly indicates that pedaling to the trailhead with this bike is only somewhat enjoyable.

However, in its mullet setup, the Canyon Spectral is an absolute railer on the descents. Within the 160 mm travel category, it leaves nothing to be desired in downhill performance. The Rock Shox suspension delivers stellar results, and DT Swiss wheels are renowned for their robust construction. The tires not only interlock perfectly with the terrain but also score high marks for puncture protection with the EXO+ casing from Maxxis. Plus, it boasts some genuine innovations on board.

The K.I.S. steering stabilization system remains mostly inconspicuous, yet during our extensive test its presence was distinctly perceptible. While the incorporation of the K.I.S. system in its initial evolutionary stage into the design of an existing bike hasn’t pushed its limits just yet, it’s certainly not an absolute gamechanger at present, but still a meaningful innovation that adds value.

With the Canyon Spectral CF, you’re getting a wicked ride for the descents, but even at around 5000 €, there’s still a compromise to be made. Climbing with this bike also requires a fair amount of rider input. Those unwilling to put in the effort will need to dig deeper into their pockets.

When money is no object, suddenly a lot becomes possible. The Liteville 303 boasts 160mm of travel on the fork and tips the scales at under 14 kilograms. But are there any compromises in its components?

For €6999, Liteville kites out their rig with nothing but top-notch parts. The Syntace Carbon wheels and Fox Factory suspension not only shave off weight but also deliver flawless performance on the trails. The aluminum frame, weighing in at approximately 3300 grams, competes in the same league as current carbon models. The Magura brakes provide more stopping power than necessary.

Our in-depth review of the Liteville 303 reveals that those willing to dig deep into their pockets will get a whip that brings immense joy both on the downhill and the climb to the trailhead. The bike impresses with its low weight and responsive handling on the trails.

The raves about the bike’s low weight and snappy handling come with a few trade-offs, though. Both the geometry and the comfort-focused suspension can reach their limits a bit quicker at race pace compared to, for example, the Canyon Spectral. Enduro racers might desire more resistance from the suspension and a bit more stability at high speeds.

However, it’s important to note: If you’re in the market for a wide-open, full-throttle shredder with 160mm of travel, you’ve got more than one option. The Liteville is a climb-hungry all-rounder with delightful handling and sleek details. And it proves one thing: those who can afford a premium will indeed get a tad more bike than what’s available in the more budget-friendly brackets.

The one bike that truly mitigates the need for compromise, both on the climbs and descents, is, in fact, the Liteville, which comes at a price tag of over 6000€. With ample suspension travel and a light weight, it ticks both critical boxes for a day in the rough without any lift assistance.

The Spectral, in the 5000€ price range, may offer an even more stellar downhill performance, but it demands better fitness from the rider on ascents due to its weight. If you’re the type to hitch a ride on a shuttle to the trailhead and prefer a laid-back approach to climbing at home, the compromise this bike presents might be a non-issue for you.

The real takeaway from this test is that even if you’re planning to drop only €3,000, you can still score a rock-solid ride in 2024. The Radon Slide Trail does require some compromises. It’s on the heavy side, and its rear damper struggles on prolonged descents. Plus, over time, you’re likely going to need to swap in some new parts. But it can still deliver loads of downhill thrills.

Many riders either don’t want to or can’t shell out €3,000. For them, trail hardtails like the Orbea Laufey or the Rose Bonero are genuinely solid picks. You’ll need to be open to making some significant compromises on descents, but you’ll still get to experience the true mountain biking ethos. However, if you’re all about bombing downhills and keeping up with your buddies on full-suspension bikes, a hardtail might not cut it in the long run. The limitations imposed by the rigid rear end come to light precisely where it matters most: on the downhills.

Of course, we’ve put every test bike through the paces with our cutting-edge testing system in a standardized manner for your benefit. Within the widgets, you’ll find not just all the geometry specs and pricing details, but also the latest offers from dealers. And you have the option to pull any bike into our comparison tool to, for instance, compare the geometries directly.