Trail bikes are one of the most popular and crowded segments in mountain biking and cover a broad range of travel and geometry numbers. Bikes that fall in this niche range from short travel shredders offering as little as 120mm at the back, all the way up to 150mm of rear squish.
All of this makes the task of crowning the best trail bike or even just creating a short list of the top performers quite a challenge. With such a broad-ranging category; terrain, riding style, and personal preferences come into play. Some prefer bikes at the longer travel mini-enduro end of the spectrum, while others want a steed that pedals like a cross-country rig but can handle steeper, rougher and more adventurous trails.
With these variations in mind, we have created a short list of our favourite 120mm to 150mm rear travel bikes. At the shorter travel end, we have bikes like the Pivot 429 with only 120mm of rear travel. On the burlier and more aggressive side of things, we have bikes like the Specialized Stumpjumper EVO, Canyon Spectral and Scott’s new Genius, all sporting 150mm of rear travel.
There are some notable omissions from this list, like the Transition Smuggler and Commencal Tempo. And the reason for that is we haven’t tested them yet, and we can’t rate something among the best of the bunch based on second-hand information.
So, without further ado, here is our picks of the best trail bikes we’ve reviewed here at Flow.
Related:
- Top 8 Best Enduro Bikes | The best enduro mountain bikes ridden & reviewed
- Top 8 Best XC Bikes | The best cross country mountain bikes ridden & reviewed
- Top 12 Best e-MTB Bikes | The best electric mountain bikes ridden & reviewed
Merida One-Forty
Highs: The One-Forty is great value for money with well spec’d suspension and drivetrain packages
Lows: The Merida branded dropper post has some reliability issues, and the headset cable routing is not service-friendly and prone to creaking.
The new Merida One-Forty is a radical change from the previous design. Now with 143mm of rear travel and equipped with a 150mm fork, the One-Forty is close to what many would consider the definition of a modern trail bike. It’s a comfortable and efficient climber while still providing loads of grip and control on the descents.
Out of the box, the new One-Forty comes set up as a full 29er, however, it can be converted to a mullet with the flip of a chip and, of course a 27.5in rear wheel. While slotting in the smaller rear increases the agility of the bike, it also increases rear travel to 151mm to help keep the angles intact. Those geometry numbers are very modern to boot, with a 65º head angle, super steep 80º seat angle and generous reach lengths. We tested the Mid (medium) size version with 480mm of reach.
There are six models available to choose from, ranging from the $3,299 alloy 400 model up to the $11,499 carbon 10K model. Merida also provides riders with a handy online suspension set-up guide to help them get dialled in.
What stood out to us with the Merida One-Forty was its versatility and responsiveness. The suspension offered great support, and the modern geometry instilled confidence on tight, steep and technical trails. It is the type of bike you can comfortably ride all day and is playful enough to jib around on shorter rides.
But it wasn’t all rainbows and unicorns, the infinitely adjustable would only run at full length and the headset — which the cables run through — creaked from day one. Minor issues aside we had an absolute ball ripping around on the One-Forty.
To find out more read our full review of the Merida One-Forty.
Norco Fluid FS
Highs: Great component selection across the range to fit a variety of budgets. Sturdy frame and confidence-inspiring geometry.
Lows: Heavy alloy frame and quick-wearing stock tyres. Otherwise, there is not much to complain about.
The Norco Fluid FS is a poster child for a trail bike that punches above its weight class. With dialled geometry and great component selection, it can still confidently tackle technical terrain that others with the same amount of suspension travel would baulk at. The Fluid FS we tested was the alloy version, though Norco has since announced a carbon version of this bike too. The Fluid has 140mm travel up front and 130mm in the back, with a 65º head angle and 77º seat tube angle, the riding position is relaxed and comfortable.
What stood out was how burly the frame is and the way the suspension complimented the geometry, making it feel like the Fluid has a lot more travel than it does. Setting up that suspension is a breeze thanks to Norco’s extremely detailed Ride Aligned setup guides.
Even with the burly frame, the Fluid FS still climbed well. While it is no rabbit up the hills, it is a comfortable and smooth climber. The active rear suspension and custom shock tune provide oodles of traction and comfort for a confidence-inspiring ride over rough terrain. And with less travel than other bikes in the segment, the Fluid still felt playful and sprightly while still being manageable at high speeds.
The Fluid is a mighty capable bike, but it only has 130mm of get-out-of-trouble squish, so there is a limit to what this bike can handle, but it’s a damn-capable trail bike. With that, weight weenies and those who are into longer-distance cross-country riding will want to look elsewhere.
We also love that Norco is offering the Fluid FS in high-level build kits, making quite a case not to go carbon.
Click here to read our full review of the Norco Fluid FS.
Scott Genius
Highs: Impressive engineering feats to deliver such a great suspension platform that is completely hidden and should require less maintenance. It is such a versatile bike that will suit a wide range of riders.
Lows: Headset cable routing, the handlebar-mounted suspension remote won’t gel well with some riders. The lack of downtube protection on the high-end carbon frames is a bit of a concern for a bike designed to tackle technical terrain.
Completely redesigned for 2023, the all-new Scott Genius created quite a stir when it was launched. Following the design cues of the shorter travel Spark, Scott has hidden the rear shock away inside the frame, bumped up fork travel to 160mm and made the bike a dedicated 29er. It still has 150mm of rear travel via the covert custom Fox Nude shock. As with the old Genius and many of Scott’s other bikes, there is a TwinLoc handlebar remote to control the different suspension modes.
Geometry is adjustable via modular headset cups, which allow for independent adjustment of the head angle. Alloy models can swap between the steeper 65.1º head angle and slacker 63.9º, while the carbon models get an additional neutral set for a 64.5º option. The seat angle is 77º, and the reach on our medium test rig has grown to 460mm — that’s 20mm longer than the previous version.
There are a total of seven different models available in Australia, ranging from $5,199 AUD for the Alloy Genius 940 all the way up to the Genius ST 900 Tuned, which retails for $14,199 AUD. The ST stands for “Super Trail” which means beefier tyres, a piggyback Nude Float X rear shock and Grip 2 Fox 36 forks instead of the Fit 4 damper in the standard Genius. The handlebar remote only changes the modes of the shock, whereas in the standard Genius, it’s connected to both ends.
Both of our testers were impressed with how versatile the Genius is, ascending as well as descending — making it the ideal companion for those riders who have long climbs to get to their favourite rip-roaring downhills. The integration on this bike, however, is a double-edged sword. All of the cables run through the headset, and the climbing and descending prowess on offer are due in large part to the TwinLoc remote — and your willingness to take advantage of it.
There is a lot more to cover with this bike, click here to read our full review of the Scott Genius.
Trek Fuel EX
Highs: Robust chassis, no proprietary suspension, spot-on geometry and predictable ride characteristics.
Lows: Heavy frame, frame stiffness can feel harsh at times with a bit more feedback felt by the rider compared to other bikes.
The 6th generation of Trek’s Fuel EX trail bike is its most radical transformation yet, and this new bike is a hit. With increased travel at both ends, now 150mm up front and 140mm in the back, it has a 64.5º head angle, seat tube angle of around 78º depending on the frame size and flip-chip settings, and a low BB with 38mm of drop.
With a robust chassis, in-frame storage and Trek’s famous active braking pivot (ABP), the new Fuel EX also brings across the Mino Link flip-chip that enables you to up the fork travel to 160mm or run the bike as a mullet. There is another flip chip at the lower shock mount that offers linear and progressive settings making the Fuel EX coil shock compatible. But wait, there’s more, Trek has also provided generous frame protection, size-specific chainstays, and aftermarket headset cups are available to further tailor the geometry.
So, with such an impressive feature list, how does it ride? We were dazzled by Trek’s supportive suspension platform, spot-on geometry and improved pedalling efficiency.
The solid chassis helps make the Fuel EX highly responsive in corners and pushing into berms, encouraging riders to be playful and helping them feel connected to the trail. That same stiff chassis also tends to transmit more feedback, making it less comfortable to ride over rocky terrain.
The new Fuel EX feels more like an enduro bike than its predecessor, but it’s not as plush as others in the segment.
Click here to go more in-depth with the Trek Fuel EX.
Specialized Stumpjumper
Highs: Light but capable frame, with great features such as the SWAT frame storage and guided internal cable routing.
Lows: The light chassis can be a bit too flexy for larger riders, new suspension design is not as active under braking as the previous four-bar design, not the best value for the money.
The Stumpjumper has the longest pedigree of any of the trail bikes on this list. It celebrated its 40th birthday back in 2021, and as a present for all the die-hard fans, Specialized gave the Stumpy a complete ground-up redesign. Along with the standard Stumpjumper, Specialized also released the longer travel Stumpjumper EVO, more on that later.
The standard Stumpjumper has a 140mm fork and 130mm travel out back. Specialized has employed a similar flex stay design in the rear to the Merida One-Forty and One-Sixty bikes. This helps to shave weight, and create a sprightlier feel on the trail.
As you would expect from Specialized, you get their SWAT in-frame storage, guided internal cable routing, threaded BB, and well-placed frame protection.
The Stumpjumper rides lighter than most of its competitors, thanks in part to the flex stay design and the custom tune of the shock. The riding position is comfortable and well-proportioned, with no crazy reach or seat tube angles.
The geometry numbers are modern, but a little conservative compared to some bikes it is up against. The head angle is 65º, reach is 450mm, which is paired with a 76deg seat tube angle for the S3 size/ Stumpjumper, which sits where most other brands have their medium-sized bike.
It’s an easy bike to pilot, with superb geometry that allows you to push it hard on the descents while still offering an agile and lively feel on flowy singletrack. It’s a thoroughly comfortable partner for taking on long rides across technical terrain, but, it’s not the fastest-rolling bike on this list, nor does it offer fantastic value for money.
Click here for our review of the Specialized Stumpjumper in the 29in spec, and with the updated linkage that transforms the Stumpy into a mullet.
Specialized Stumpjumper EVO
Highs: Encourages you to engage hooligan mode on the descents and has a feature-packed frame.
Lows: Fairly cumbersome on the climbs, with a lot of pedal bob.
While the Stumpjumper EVO shares a name with its short-legged sibling, this bike is an entirely different animal.
The EVO retains the familiar Specialized four-bar suspension design and rocks a 160mm fork and 150mm travel rear end. That’s a 10mm increase at both ends over the previous generation. It also has a 6-way adjustable geometry, allowing you to adjust BB height and head tube angle.
The in-frame SWAT storage is now bigger too, allowing room for a tool roll and SWAT soft flask for extra water. Like the standard Stumpjumper, there is a range of alloy and carbon models available across a range of prices.
The Stumpjumper EVO has a smooth, active and sometimes floaty suspension feel that eats big hits, but is progressive enough to be coil-compatible. There isn’t a great deal of feedback through the pedals, instead, you get boatloads of traction and great response from your inputs at high speeds.
Suspension and chassis combine forces to provide a ride that encourages you to attack the trail and go faster on the descents. This bike is an absolute hooligan on the downhills, behaving more like an Enduro bike than a trail bike — which is why some on the Specialized Enduro team have chosen it for EDR shenanigans.
While all these characteristics help it behave like a beast down a trail, it does mean that climbing is more laborious than on other bikes. The suspension sinks down into its travel easily, resulting in your weight being pushed back behind the cranks more, and there is also a noticeable pedal bob when climbing.
Click here for our full review of the Stump Jumper EVO.
Giant Trance 29
Highs: The new Trance now comes with in-frame storage, longer stroke dropper post and adjustable geometry.
Lows: Praxis crankset is prone to dropping chains, and the Live Valve version looks like a bird’s nest with all the cables.
Another platform that has been around for years is the Giant Trance. Originally released when 26in wheels were your only option, the Trance jumped on the 29er bandwagon early before becoming a 27.5in only option. Now the Trance is back as a 29er only, that is unless you opt for the burly Trance X which is available in both 27.5in and 29in wheels and tacks on 20mm of travel at both ends.
The all-new Trance, features Giant’s first-ever in-frame storage but only on the carbon models. Slotting in as a short travel trail bike with a 130mm fork and 120mm rear travel, it uses Giant’s well-known and reliable Maestro suspension system. It has a burly frame with well-placed rubber armouring and adjustable geometry via a flip chip.
Speaking of geometry, the bike boasts a 65.5º head angle, longer reach, and steeper seat angle, which varies depending on the size. On the trail, these changes provide the rider with masses of cornering grip and confidence-inspiring handling, that really boosts the capability of this popular trail bike.
The new Trance rides with the attitude of a much longer travel bike. It feels planted but is still responsive and playful on the trail. With all these improvements to its descending prowess, it has surprisingly still been able to increase its climbing performance over the previous model. The steeper seat tube and longer chainstays help keep the rider centred and over the pedals more than before.
The biggest downside to all these changes is that you can sometimes run out of suspension travel, there is only so much work 120mm of squish can do before it’s out of its depth.
The big news for this Trance on top of the new frame is the Fox Live Valve version, Fox’s electronically controlled suspension lockout system is available on the top-spec Trance Advanced Pro 29 1. While the Live Valve system hasn’t really taken off since its launch, it works very well on the Trance. It helps to improve on the already fantastic climbing ability of the Trance and allows riders to leave the geometry settings in the low position to drop the BB and really stick to the trail on the descents. Then with the suspension stiffening up on the climbs, there is less chance of pedal strikes with the lower BB.
Click here to check out our full review of the Giant Trance 29.
Pivot Trail 429
Highs: Beautiful carbon chassis, fantastic pedalling performance and spot on suspension characteristics.
Lows: Rattly cable ports are disappointing at this price point; super boost, makes sourcing some replacements more difficult.
For such a small company, Pivot makes some of the most impressive and innovative bikes around. The Trail 429 is no exception. With 120mm of rear travel and either a 130mm or 140mm fork up front, the Trail 429 should be close to the top of the list anyone looking for a short travel ripper. That is, only if you can afford one.
Rolling on 29in wheels, the Trail 429 comes in either a race build which gives you a 130mm fork, or the enduro build with a 140mm fork. Our size medium test rig has a 455mm reach and head tube angle of 66ºor 66.5ºdepending on the flip chip, which adjusts BB height by 6mm and seat tube angle by 0.5 degrees. Oh, and it’s mullet-friendly.
The bike is light, our test build came in at 12.4kg without pedals. This low weight, combined with the impressive performance of the dw-link suspension, makes the Trail 429 an absolute rocket on the trails. For such a great pedalling bike, it still descends better than most, with the small amount of rear travel soaking up hits so well, you would be forgiven for thinking you were on a much longer travel bike.
The good news doesn’t stop there, it corners like the tyres are glued to the track. It’s hard to tell how much of this is due to the wider Super Boost rear end or just the stiffness of the chassis. Either way, the bike absolutely rips turns.
The flip side of that is if you destroy a wheel, or are looking for an upgrade, Super Boost does limit your options.
There are a multitude of builds available, up to 20 different configurations to be precise.
Click here for our full review of the Pivot Trail 429.
Canyon Spectral
Highs: Progressive geometry and stiff frame make this a snappy and lively bike. Robust enough for tackling tough enduro tracks and high-speed descents.
Lows: Stiff frame can feel harsh at slower speeds, not as jibby as the old 27.5in version.
The Spectral is Canyon’s 29in, trail smashing, mini enduro machine. It has 150mm travel out back and a 160mm fork, this bike is one capable beast. So much so that it has often been used by Canyon’s CLLCTV enduro racers, and we saw Jesse Melamed and Dimitri Tordo on one at both Tasmanian EDR stops earlier this year.
The now 29er-only Spectral has adjustable geometry via a flip chip, which changes the head and seat angle by 0.5 degrees and the bottom bracket height by 8mm. While this bike is not mullet compatible, there is a dedicated Spectral Mullet available, as well as a hard-hitting short-travel Spectral 125.
One feature that will make mechanics everywhere happy is the one-sided pivot hardware. Other than the right chainstay pivot, all hardware is accessed from the non-drive side with a single hex key. The hardware also gets replaceable threaded inserts, so if you do strip one, it can be easily replaced. Now available in both alloy and carbon versions, the direct-to-consumer German brand should have a model for most rider’s price points.
On the trail, this big, long, slack 29er absolutely shreds. It has a buttery smooth and active suspension, and the handling is confidence-inspiring. Its geometry is very ‘now’, and it speaks well to the evolving demands of modern trail riding.
The taut carbon frame also means the ride isn’t the most compliant when things get really chunky though, particularly if you’re feeling tired or just riding at slower speeds. And the longer geometry does require a slightly more committed riding style to get the most out of it.
Click here to read our full review of the Canyon Spectral.
Canyon Neuron
Highs: Sleek lightweight frame that boasts balanced handling and efficient pedalling performance.
Lows: Fit 4 fork lacks sensitivity and tyres can struggle on rocky terrain.
Canyon is stacking the trail bike segment with several capable and well-built machines. On top of the three versions of the Spectral, they have now added the all-new Neuron to the list.
With a bit of overlap with both the Spectral 125, and Lux Trail, you may question the need for three platforms in such close proximity. But despite the similarities on paper, the Neuron is an entirely different species.
The Neuron is lightweight, kilometre-eating machine. Compared to its predecessor, it’s calmer and more stable at speed, and we love that it comes with a properly long travel dropper post. But it’s still a well-rounded trail bike with intuitive handling on tight trails and great pedal efficiency on big mountain climbs. The low weight is certainly appealing, and it helps to set the Neuron apart from some of its peers that seem to be getting heavier each year.
It likes to go uphill and emits very little pedal bob when seated on your way up. It’s an excellent choice for riders wanting a capable trail bike but one that isn’t modelled off an enduro bike. It can handle flowy, undulating trails with ease and only comes unstuck on rockier, fast and flat-out trails.
If this sounds like your ideal bike, you can check out the full review of the Canyon Neuron here.
Marin Rift Zone
Highs: Fantastic geometry and supportive suspension at a great price.
Lows: Heavy for a trail bike and only two-piston brakes.
Marin is known for making well spec’d budget-friendly bikes, and the Rift Zone is no exception.
On paper, this bike ticks a lot of boxes. It has a 140mm fork and 130mm of rear travel, you can choose from a 27.5in or 29in version and several different builds. Geometry is very much on trend with a 65.5 º head angle, 77º seat tube angle and 460mm of reach on a size medium.
But all those ticks on paper mean nothing if they don’t translate onto the trail. Luckily for the Rift Zone the package works well in the real world too. It has an aggressive character that like many other bikes on our list, makes you feel like you are on a mini enduro rig. Thankfully, the build kit is up to the task and can take the abuse you will want to throw at it.
Sold in Australia through Bicycles Online, the Marin will arrive at your doorstep in a box and require some building before it is ready to tackle the trails.
Where it comes unstuck is its weight, you really notice how sluggish it feels when climbing or on long flat sections of trail. Thankfully, with its low cost you might still have funds available to upgrade the heavy, slow-rolling tyres to something a bit lighter and faster. The next step could be lighter wheels, resulting in a burly trail bike for a fraction of the cost of most of the competition.
If you are on a budget or just starting out and you are looking for something capable that won’t break the bank, then you should be considering the Marin Rift Zone. It surprised us, with how capable a budget-friendly trail bike can be.
Click here to read our full review of the Marin Rift Zone
Polygon Siskiu
Highs: Exceptional package for the price. Sporty handling for a tough trail bike.
Lows: Heavy frame and underpowered brakes.
Keeping the budget-friendly theme going is the Polygon Siskiu. Its numbers resemble the Marin Rift Zone, with a 140mm fork and 135mm rear wheel travel. There is a 27.5-inch version in sizes small to medium and a 29er available in a medium to extra-large size The travel does increase on the 27.5-inch bikes to 150mm front and 140mm of travel out back.
Geometry is up-to-date with a 65.5º head angle and 76.5º seat tube angle. The reach on our medium test bike came in at 460mm. Polygon is another direct-to-consumer brand sold through Bicycles Online in Australia, thankfully set up out of the box is easy and straightforward.
The Siskiu is not a light bike, with our tester coming in at 14.8kg after setting up the tyres tubeless. But despite the weight and chunky tyres, it climbed without too much convincing. Its low BB did mean there were a few pedal strikes when things got techy, and the rear shock wants to sink low into its travel very easily.
Point it downhill, and the Siskiu is a smooth and floaty descender. The meaty tyres and predictable suspension soak up stand-alone impacts without a fuss. It only really came unstuck when there were repeated bigger hits, it’s here that the suspension couldn’t recover fast enough to take the next one.
Successive big hits aside, the Siskiu is an impressive trail bike, the handling is sporty, and it feels very playful on the trail. While it is a very capable bike, it is most at home on flowy trails where its lively nature really gets to shine. Overall, there is a lot to like about the Polygon Siskiu especially considering the sub $4k price tag.
Click here for our full review of the Polygon Siskiu T8.
Trail bikes are continually evolving, and arguably in two distinct directions — the mini-enduro sled and the lightweight, capable allrounder. With that, trail bikes are a huge segment, and we’re constantly seeing new clever technology being applied in this category, like the Canyon Spectral KIS with a spring-loaded steering damper. We’re constantly testing new bikes and will be updating this list up to date as the leaders in the pack come the the surface.
If there are any that you think we’ve missed or you would like us to take a look at, let us know in the comments below.