The best trail bike of 2024

The Rocky Mountain Element is the cult model from the Canadians. Over the past decades, the bike has evolved from a purebred race bike, which has even started at the Olympic Games, to a touring bike. With 130mm of travel in the fork and an excellent geometry, it is equipped for mountain bike tours in Canadian style. This means: This bike shies away from no singletrack. The top models made of carbon are not cheap, but they weigh less than 12 kilos, making them top performers even on long climbs in the Alps.

With the Ride-4 geometry adjustment, the geometry can be adapted to personal preferences via a flip-chip. It’s a bit unfortunate that the slackest setting also comes with slightly less travel. If you want even more reserves on descents, you can replace the front tire mounted at the factory with one with a bit more tread. Otherwise, the Rocky Mountain Element is a bike without flaws. If you’re willing to pay a bit more than you would with Cube or YT, you’ll get a bike with a cult image.

The Cube Stereo One22 is a classic. Even though the frame has remained unchanged for several years, the Stereo One22 is still one of the best trail bikes you can buy in 2024. Low weight and an unbeatable price-performance ratio in terms of equipment are the trump cards that the Stereo One22 holds up its sleeve.

The rather linear rear suspension is very sensitive and has a comfortable character. The Stereo One22 is not a bike for bombing downhill, but a faithful partner for long tours. In the price range around or below 4000 €, Cube currently offers a deal that makes the competition’s heads spin. Those willing to spend more money will get a cooler geometry with Specialized or Rocky Mountain, but not better equipment.

The Specialized Epic 8 is currently the most successful bike in the Cross Country World Cup. In the Evo version, the bike aims to appeal to trail enthusiasts with more travel on the fork. The Epic Evo 8 is one of the very few trail bikes newly introduced for 2024. While Cube, YT, and Rocky Mountain are starting with relatively old frames, Specialized is keeping up with the latest trends here. The storage compartment in the downtube and the threaded BSA bottom bracket are clear advantages that the competition currently cannot offer.

The sporty seating position is likely to appeal to those who like to climb to the summit quickly. With 12 kilos for the top model and 13 kilos for the Comp version, the weights of the bikes are also consistently in the green range. The Fox suspension is known for its sensitive response. Heavier riders might want to mount larger brake rotors for more power.

There is nothing to fault with the frame and rear triangle. The VPP rear suspension is the heart of the Tallboy. It not only absorbs hits but also ensures a stiff frame construction with its closed rear triangle. Details like the storage compartment in the down tube and, above all, a service like the lifetime warranty set the noble Santa Cruz apart from other manufacturers.

The weight of 12.6 kilos without pedals and with lightly treaded Maxxis Forekaster tires is very good. The price of 12000 € for the top model is also beyond outrageous. But luckily, the more affordable Tallboys starting from 5000 € also perform excellently on long tours. Anyone looking to rack up comfortable miles will find in the Tallboy not only a luxurious but also a reliable partner.

The YT Izzo, like the Cube Stereo One22, is one of the long-established bikes in this selection. In contrast to the Cube Stereo One22, however, the top versions feature a full carbon frame and are geometrically a bit more modern. While bikes from Santa Cruz, Specialized, and Rocky Mountain aren’t available for under 5000 €, YT currently offers the Izzo at a really fair price. The entry-level model, currently discounted, starts at just 2300 €.

The option to mount only one bottle cage and the Pressfit bottom bracket are definitely small pills to swallow with the YT Izzo. But when it comes to trail performance, this bike stands up to significantly more expensive competitors. Weighing in at under 13 kilos, even the top model’s weight is impressive.

Giant is still considered the largest bicycle manufacturer in the world. And of course, with this reputation, the Taiwanese can’t hide in the trail bike segment. While Rocky Mountain, Specialized, and Santa Cruz operate exclusively in the high-end segment, and Cube and YT have no bikes over €5000 in their portfolio, Giant tries to bridge the gap between these two worlds with the Trance. Because the affordable aluminum models of the Trance are available starting at €2000. On the other hand, the high-end carbon bikes aim to impress even the most tech-savvy enthusiasts with electronic suspension.

The smooth handling and especially the first-class Maestro rear suspension make the bike a blast on descents. The storage compartment in the down tube offers space for a spare tube and a multitool. So, the backpack can stay at home on small tours. Like the VPP rear suspension from Santa Cruz, Giant’s Maestro rear suspension also boasts a closed frame triangle, making the frame not only stiff but also allowing the rear suspension to perform better in the terrain than many others. This is a clear joker of the Giant Trance.

The Spark stands out from the competition with its design featuring an integrated shock. Not only is the frame construction with the integrated shock sleek, but it also offers significant structural advantages. Thanks to the wide support bearings, it achieves a low frame weight while maintaining good stiffness. The shock is completely protected from dirt, and it can easily accommodate two bottles within the frame triangle. These are all points that touring riders will especially appreciate. This makes the Spark an excellent touring bike that should be on your radar even in its fourth year since its initial release.

In terms of geometry, the Spark is still completely up to date. Compared to many competitors, the Spark bikes are also incredibly light. For those willing to dig deep into their pockets, you can get a bike weighing 11-12 kilos. However, in the price range under 5000 €, the bikes are significantly less well-equipped compared to competitors like Cube or YT. Here, Scott mainly charges for the innovative frame. But even the entry-level model comes with the handlebar-mounted lockout.