the biggest mountain bike review portal

Plenty of mountainbike reviews and comparisons

Only our mountain bike reviews provides the complete market overview. Our unique testing system doesn’t just look at a small selection of mountain bikes. Unlike any other median, our innovative approach allows us to test every mountain bike available. And to help you find your dream bike for your individual needs, you can sort through all the mtb reviews super easily using our filters. This is made possible by our huge database of mountain bikes and bike parts. Overall, we look at each bike uniformly in over 100 meaningful criteria, which are hidden in the specification and the frame. So exactly and uniformly only we give our experience on mountain bikes.

Which mountain bike components are used for evaluation

Overall, we look at each bike uniformly in over 100 meaningful criteria, which should give you a very good and detailed idea about your future bike. Our review takes into account all components that are relevant to the riding experience. The main components considered in our mountain bike rating system are:

• Groupset
• Brake
• Tires
• Wheels
• Suspension
• Seatpost
• Frame
• Handlebars
• Stem

The more than 100 criteria – which we evaluate in a standardized manner – are weighed up independently, depending on the intended use. And that´s the key to our statement quality. Our goal is not only to compare two rear derailleurs that are installed on different bikes, but a lot more: we want to give you an impression of the riding experience that you can expect from your future bike. And to do so, we have not only broken down and weighed up evaluation criteria in detail, but have also taken a look at the geometry of all bikes. But first things first.

We also review the mountain bike geometry

Anyone who deals intensively with mountain bikes before buying a bike is quickly overwhelmed by the technical jargon of the industry. Reach, stack, steering angle are important geometry measures that significantly influence the handling of a mountain bike. We therefore not only evaluated the equipment of each bike, but also took a detailed look at its geometry. So that you don’t have to take a degree in mountain bike science yourself, we analyzed the geometry of all bikes uniformly and drew conclusions for our test. With this analysis, we give you the following information at hand:

• How coherent is the geometry for the range of use of this bike?
• How does the seating position of this bike turn out: Sporty or comfortable?
• How is the handling of this bike on the trail: playful or smooth?
• Does the frame size run large or small?

In an extra article, we also explain the most important geometry measurements

Every rating that somehow flows into an MTB test on bike-test.com can be traced back to one fact. And most importantly in the whole thing remains: EVERY MTB, REGARDLESS OF MANUFACTURER, IS TREATED EXACTLY THE SAME.

We have reviewed following mtb types

Mountain bikes are indeed divided into MTB categories according to suspension travel. Each of these individual mountain bike types has a specific area of application. To test an MTB properly, it is extremely important to compare it with other mountain bikes in the same category. Our large comparison tests do just that. We divide the market into the following mountain bike types.
If you want to know more about the MTB types, we have a complete article about mountain bike categories for you here.

Beginner mtb – These mountain bikes should buy beginners

Beginners do not want to spend huge sums when buying a bike, which is why we limit this test field to a maximum of 1500 €. In the price range below 1500 € we recommend only mountain bike hardtails. So bike without a suspended rear. In this category, the industry has a wide range of products for different purposes. Especially the still young trend towards all-round hardtails should appeal to many mountain bike beginners. Click on our market overview and find the bike that best suits your purpose. With our filters, the market can be sorted spitzenmäßig. Here we have the best beginner bikes for under 1000 € for you. Under 1000 € there are bikes that have obviously already been trimmed for sporty use. Models with a little more suspension travel, modern single drive and grippy tires also allow driving fun in rougher terrain. Especially for children and young people who want to start mountain biking, these models should be interesting.
Have a look at our detailed review on cheap hardtails.
Also nice: All tests on hardtails under € 1500 €.

The review of mtb fullys up to 2000 € has surprised us

Who wants to buy a full-suspension MTB, should spend at least 1500 €. Because if bike manufacturers want to build a decent fully under 2000 €, they must sharpen the pencil well. In the specification of the product manager must really turn over every euro. Mostly, the product managers are forced to compromise, which is why we often advise our buddies in this price range to a hardtail. However, there are also companies that surprised us. The predominantly German companies (Cube, Rose, Ghost), but also Marin and Vitus, are known for their extremely good price performance and prove it with these full-suspension mountain bikes under 2000 €. The Rockrider All Mountain 100s, Canyons cheapest Neuron, the Rose Ground Control and Lapierres Zesty convince in the price range up to 2000 € all three bikes have a high-quality aluminum frame and telescopic supports. This promotes the fun in the single trail. In terms of equipment, there is still some room for improvement. Considering the price, however, each of these fullys is a good deal.
Just read our detailed review article on cheap MTB fullys.
Here you can find reviews of all fullys under 2000 €.

This is how the Cross Country Bike review 2022 turns out

Cross country bikes are the purest of all mountain bikes. With low weight and a sporty riding position, you can really rack up the miles on these things. At least as long as the terrain is not extremely rough. Because in steep descents or jumps, these bikes reach their limit pretty quick. But, with these wheels you are well equipped for a cross country race or at a MTB marathon. The carbon frame is almost standard in this bike category. The question of whether to buy a fully or a hardtail usually gets settled by the price tag. Under 3000 €, there are hardly any reasonable cross country fullys, but already very good carbon hardtails. The direct mailer Radon and Orbea have extremely good hardtails in the price range up to 3000 €.
Just check out our detailed review on all race bikes.
Go the hard way: All cross country hardtail reviews
Or check ou all of our cross country fully reviews

The Downcountry bike review

Downcountry bikes are not a marketing gimmick of the industry, but are really fun on the trail – and are here to stay. Especially sporty touring riders will love this bikes because of its light-footed approach. It is precisely this feeling that significantly sets them apart from the somewhat more sedate trail bikes. With these light touring fullys you can ride an alpine crossing or start at a MTB marathon. Downhill, they exude significantly more reserves than a racefully because of the better tires, the 120 suspension fork and the telescopic post. The biggest drawback of these bikes remains their relatively high price. Our review shows: Who wants to buy a good downcountry bike must spend 3000 – 4500 €. But then there are really good bikes. Both the Orbea Oiz TR, as well as the KTM and the Canyon Lux Trail are among the classics in the downcountry segment. They are not only fun downhill, but also allow the occasional marathon use. All three bikes offer the possibility of mounting two bottle cages.
Of course we have a detailed downcountry bike article.
And of course you can chek out all of our down country bikes reviews

Our favorite test field: mountain bike trail bikes

Trail bikes are the all-rounders among mountain bikes in the 2022 season. Downcountry or race bikes are more mile-hungry. All-mountain bikes and enduro MTBs ride better downhill. If you mainly want to ride trail tours in low to mid mountain ranges or are toying with the idea of crossing the alps in the next few years, then you will most likely be happy with a trail bike. The advantage of this bike category: there are many affordable models that already promise a lot of riding fun. While Giant, Radon and Scott build bikes with aluminum frames in this price range, Cube already relies on a carbon main frame with its Stereo 120 TM HPC 29. All bikes have modern 1×12 gears and range in weight around 14 kilos. Especially the suspensions and the wheels still offer some tuning potential compared to the more expensive models.
More detailed information in our trailbike test article.
Have a look at all of our trailbike reviews.

We have tested 232 All Mountains and are thrilled

All mountain bikes are the new enduros. Powerful chassis, modern geometries and predominantly installed 29er wheels make current all mountains real fun in the downhill. Even an enduro race or occasional bike park use are possible with these bikes. On trails in low mountain ranges but also in alpine terrain, these bikes make a good impression. Long climbs remain conquerable. However, the high weight demands a good fitness level from the rider.Really good models are available from 3000 €. The German direct mail order companies YT, Radon and Canyon dominate this market segment, with extremely tightly priced models. In this price range, the carbon frame is almost stadard. The chassis also ranks at a very high level.
Want to have fun downwards?
Read the detailed information on all mountain bikes in our test article.
Or directly hav a look at the best all mountain bikes we reviewed.

Enduros reveal a narrow area of us in our review

The market for enduro mountain bikes in 2022 is more diverse than ever. The most important question you need to ask yourself before buying an Enduro MTB is whether you want to get a bike with 160 or rather 180 millimeters of suspension travel. Our tip: With 160 millimeters, most riders can easily cope. 180er bikes are only worthwhile with high body weight and regular bike park use. After we have analyzed the entire market, there is still good news: Price-aggressive brands Canyon, Cube, Radon or Propain already build extremely good enduros for 3000 to 4000 €. If you want to spend more, you can get extremely nice bikes from hip US manufacturers like Specialized or Santa Cruz. If you want to buy an Enduro for less than 3000 €, you don’t have to ask yourself the question about the frame material. In this price range, only enduros with aluminum frames are offered. The fact that in this price segment there are almost only bikes from direct mail order companies such as Propain, Radon, or Canyon, also shows that in the calculation is fought with hard bands. The bikes on offer usually weigh well over 15 kilos, which severely restricts touring suitability and uphill riding fun. You also have to be prepared to make compromises when it comes to the equipment. Very inexpensive components are often used, especially for the gears and wheels. In return, there are already strong brakes with four pistons per saddle and reasonable suspensions on the vast majority of models.
Here we have a deep digging review on enduro bikes.
And this are all the enduro bikes we reviewed.

The Trailhardtail review promises affordable riding fun

Trail hardtails are already extremely fun off-road at affordable prices. Anyone who wants to spend under 2000 € and is looking for a touring bike with a knack for enduro trails, usually can not go wrong with a trailhardtail. Especially beginners or young bikers should be appealed to this concept. But you should also not get your hopes up. Comfort is significantly lower with a trail hardtail than with a fully. And at high speeds, a trailhardtail also requires good riding technique. In the price range below €2000, the German manufacturer Rose really steps on the gas with its Bonero. Generally, you can count on modern 1×12 gears and reasonable braking systems in this price range. A good suspension fork is not yet a matter of course in the market segment under 2000 €.
Save some bucks and read our long trailhardtail review.
Save some time and directly check out the best trailhardtails we reviewed.

How much money do you want to spend when buying a mountain bike?

High quality mountain bike fullys you get for 2000 € and more. The somewhat simpler mountain bike hardtails are good from about 1000 € for sporty use. It is important that you are not blinded by the prices of the industry. Sure, there are bikes for 14000 € and more. But you do not necessarily have to spend that much money to have fun on the trail. My experience has shown: Above a price limit of about 5000 €, the difference on the trail is hardly recognizable. So you can also find very good bikes already well below 5000 €.
Here we have an special article about how much a good mountainbike should cost.

Do you want to buy a mountain bike fully or hardtail?

Fullys are technically the superior mountain bikes. But they are heavier, more expensive and require more maintenance than hardtails. That explains why hardtails still have a huge fanbase more than 40 years after they were invented. A definate statement about whether you should buy a fully or a hardtail is therefore difficult to make. Ask yourself which of the above arguments are the most important for you personally and then make your decision.
Lets get deeper into the question weather you should by a fully or an hardtail here.

Lets talk about how much travel your new mountain bike should have

How much fun you will have biking does not primarily depend on how much money you want to spend on your mountain bike. It’s much more important that you buy a mountain bike that’s perfect for your individual purpose. For many bikers, fun in the descent is the main aim. However, you should be aware that you also have to haul the long suspension travel of an enduro or all-mountain uphill. In addition, it takes extreme routes to exploit the potential of these downhill-hungry bikes. So when looking at the bigger picture, a trail bike is often the best choice.
You not sure which type of mountainbike you need? Then read this detailed article.

Which mountain bike wheel size is the best?

In general, you have to distinguish between wheel size and frame size for mountain bikes. The usual wheel size for adults is 26, 27.5 or 29 inches and varies depending on the area of use, but also the size of the rider. It is therefore possible that a very tall person may need a 23 inch bike frame, which in turn has a 29 inch wheel built into it. The two dimensions in a bicycle can quickly be confusing for beginners, which is where we come in to explain and simplify these things. For example, children bikes come in two-inch increments starting at the wheel size of 12 inches. The rule of thumb for the correct wheel size is simple. The bigger you are, the bigger the wheel should be. The table above also gives you an orientation.
Should you have more questions about wheel sizes, we also have an extra article.

We also reviewed woman specific mountainbikes

Some manufacturers have ladies specific models on offer. We have in our filter section the possibility to filter these bikes specifically. Often there are women’s models in smaller sizes than the men’s models. Mostly the contact points to the body are specially adapted to ladies. Handlebars are slightly narrower, saddles women-specific. Chassis often have a lighter tune which is adapted to the low body weight of women. Sometimes women’s models are simply painted pink.
Take a look at all ladies bikes we reviewed.

We show you which mountain bikes are available

A great service we offer you when buying a mountain bike is that we show you which bikes are currently available online. Especially in times of supply bottlenecks, this is an important factor when buying a bike. We have won the largest online stores in Germany as partners and show their availability on our portal. If you set the filter to “immediately available bikes”, we will only show you bikes that you can buy immediately. Take a look at which MTBs you can currently buy from our partners.
Check out all the bikes that are currently availible.