Top 13 Best Trail Bikes | The best trail bikes ridden & reviewed


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. 

Trail bikes cover a huge range of travel and riding styles, and with in that spectrum, there are almost sub-categories of these bikes beginning to form. Either way, bikes in this category basically need to do everything well.

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 new Specialized Stumpjumper 15, Canyon Spectral and Scott’s new Genius, all sporting between 140mm and 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.

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Best Trail Bikes Merida One-Forty
The Merida One-Forty is a HUGE departure from its predecessor, and it’s so much better for it.

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.


Best Trail Bikes Norco Fluid FS
The Norco Fluid is a muscley little trail bike the punches well above its price tag, and the 130mm of rear travel.

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.


 

Juliana Furtado

Highs: Light, fun and playful with great maneuverability

Lows: Small cockpit space decreased stability and comfort of the bike

The Juliana Furtado is a short-travel trail bike built on the same platform as the Santa Cruz 5010. The latest model comes with a 140mm travel fork and 130mm of rear travel, utilizing the VPP dual-link suspension design.

The Furtado frame is exclusively made from carbon fibre and targets the premium market. There are two versions available: the more affordable option features the C carbon frame, while the higher-end models use the lighter CC carbon frame. Now with a slacker head angle for the descents, and a 29in wheel up front and 27.5in wheel in the rear, the updates make the descents all the more fun on this light and nimble rig.

Descending on the Furtado lived up to its reputation: it’s incredibly playful—though that’s an understatement. A trail that felt flat and dull on a heavier bike turns into a thrilling ride on this one. Every root and small bump along the trail transforms into a jump, and the bike’s agility and responsiveness are truly exceptional.

The Furtado embodies Juliana’s description perfectly: it’s fun, agile, and playful, catering to a style of riding that modern, long-travel bikes are too robust to deliver. It excels when pumping and flowing smoothly, particularly shining on undulating trails with bumps and obstacles to zip around. On more technical sections of trail the Furtado sometimes felt less secure and stable, likely attributed to its shorter overall length.

If you’re drawn to the Furtado but would prefer the Santa Cruz flavour, the Santa Cruz 5010 mirrors the Furtado in most aspects. Featuring the same components with the exception of Juliana-specific saddle and grips, the 5010 has a slightly firmer shock tune out of the box, is slightly heavier overall, and is available sizes range from X-Small to XX-Large.

To read about Lia’s complete ride impressions, head over to the full review of the Juliana Furtado


Best Trail Bikes Scott Genius
Scott’s new Genius manages to hide 150mm of rear travel inside the frame and the TwinLoc rear suspension makes this one versatile trail bike.

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.


Best Trail Bikes Trek Fuel EX
The Fuel EX has to be the most adjustable bike of the bunch, and it’s impressive responsive on the trail.

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.


2025 Specialized Stumpjumper 15

Highs: Supremely supple suspension, impressive bottom-out composure, highly adjustable frame

Lows: High entry price, no alloy models (yet)

For 2025 Specialized has amalgamated the previous Stumpjumper and Stumpjumper EVO into a new bike called the Stumpjumper 15. The number refers to it being the 15th generation of the platform, which first arrived all the way back in 1981.

Splitting the difference between the old Stumpjumper and Stumpjumper EVO, the new version features a 150mm travel fork and 145mm of rear travel. Most models roll on dual 29in wheels, though each frame is capable of fitting a 27.5in rear wheel by way of an aftermarket mullet link. It’s also compatible with 160mm travel forks and coil shocks.

At the heart of the Stumpjumper 15 is a proprietary shock that has been developed by Specialized’s in-house Ride Dynamics team and manufactured in partnership with Fox Racing Shox. Called the GENIE, it’s essentially a Fox Float with a secondary air sleeve around the main shock body. This additional chamber creates a huge volume of air for the first 70% of the travel, providing a much flatter spring curve that aims to deliver a super plush, coil-like feel.

Climbing aboard the Specialized Stumpjumper for the first time, the way the rear suspension sinks into its travel immediately reminded me of the Enduro. It is seriously plush back there, giving you the impression that you’re sitting on a much longer travel bike.

Plonk the Stumpjumper into a nasty rock garden and its supple suspension sees it float through with a remarkable level of isolation between your feet and the ground. The shock’s hyper-sensitivity sees it absorbing trail rubble of all shapes and sizes, keeping the tyres driving into the dirt to maximise grip.

In many regards, it isn’t a dramatic departure from the old Stumpy EVO, and that is indeed a very good thing. We’re glad to see the geometry carried over along with the flip chips and adjustable headset. Combined with the mullet link and coil shock compatibility, there’s a plethora of setup options to suit different riders and trail conditions. Really it’s the custom GENIE shock that threw the biggest curveball with its high volume, dual-stage air spring introducing a unique ride quality that’s surprised us in more ways than one. We’ve been impressed by its outstanding suppleness that makes for a luxuriously smooth ride across rocky and rooty trails. Traction is brilliant, and so too is its ability to swallow big hits and harsh landings. Bottom-out control is outrageously good, and combined with the excellent geometry and sorted build kit, the Stumpjumper offers bucketloads of confidence for ripping down technical descents.

Click here for our review of the 2025 Specialized Stumpjumper 15. 


Best Trail Bikes Giant Trance 29
The Trance is one of the most popular trail bikes on the market, thanks to the Maestro suspension platform. A lot has changed since it was first launched with 26in wheels.

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. 


Best Trail Bikes Pivot Trail 429
The dw-link suspension never ceases to amaze us with the way can can eat bumps and then provide an unshakeable pedalling platform.

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.


2024 Pivot Switchblade

Highs: Highly effective rock-swallowing suspension, and impressive technical climbing abilities

Lows: High-end models do not come cheap and no stock mullet option

For 2024, Pivot is ready to unleash the 3rd generation of the platform. It may initially appear quite similar to its predecessor, but a raft of updates to the frame, geometry and suspension platform have merged together to elevate its descending capabilities and overall appeal.

Slotting in between the Trail 429 and the Firebird, the Pivot Switchblade is the brand’s do-it-all mountain bike. It’s equipped with a 160mm travel fork, 142mm of rear travel and 29in wheels. Along with its new front end, the Pivot Switchblade has been treated to a revised suspension design. Rear travel remains the same and you’ll still find a dw-link platform, but the linkages are all-new including a notably longer lower link that produces a more rearward axle path. The goal here was to elevate the Switchblade’s descending performance by improving its ability to gobble up square edge hits. Pivot says the updated kinematic also delivers more grip for technical climbing.

As is often the case for Pivot, the suspension performance on this bike is superb. The dw-link platform is consistent and predictable, with a stable quality that sees it riding high in its travel. Since the rear shock doesn’t wallow in its travel, you’re treated to a useful amount of ground clearance that can often mean the difference between clearing and stalling over a crux point.

The new Switchblade is also a noticeably sturdier bike on the descents. There’s more front centre for you to push into, with the slacker head angle and longer reach encouraging a centre-forward attack position. Combined with the longer wheelbase, the improved suspension performance really does elevate the Switchblade’s composure at speed. There’s more grip and stability to tap into, and that sees it effectively closing the gap on the bigger Firebird.

The new Switchblade is still a light, responsive and efficient trail bike that can scale some pretty gnarly technical ascents. However, refinements to its geometry and dw-link suspension platform have boosted its descending chops to make for a smoother, calmer and more stable ride at speed. That’s likely to win over some of those who had previously been looking at the bigger Firebird, with the new Switchblade offering a potentially more versatile package for those who don’t necessarily need a 170mm travel bike.

Check out Wil’s review of the 2024 Pivot Switchblade for all of the details and impressions.


2024 Canyon Spectral 

Highs: Fantastically dynamic handling and sublime rear suspension

Lows: New geometry creates sizing confusion

Totally redesigned for 2024, the Canyon Spectral features a brand new carbon frame and a reduction in travel. Compared to the old bike’s 160/150mm travel configuration, the new Spectral comes is now equipped with a 150mm travel fork and 140mm of rear wheel travel.

A nifty feature of the new Spectral frame is its chainstay flip chip, which allows the rear end to accommodate a 27.5in or a 29in wheel. Most models will be available to purchase as a full 29er or as a mullet, though riders will have the ability to switch between wheel setups down the line as they wish. The exception is the Extra Small frame, which is only available as a mullet.

Another big story is that each Canyon Spectral model will now be coming with the K.I.S steering stabiliser fitted as standard. Standing for ‘Keep It Stable’, K.I.S was first introduced in 2022 on a limited edition Spectral model. The system comprises of two springs that sit inside the top tube and connect to a cam bolted onto the fork steerer. The springs add a self-centring force to the steering, and it works well to reduce wheel flop on steep climbs and minimise deflection when riding through chunky rock gardens. Additionally, K.I.S helps to ‘connect’ the rear wheel to your inputs at the handlebar, and that brings some interesting benefits to hard cornering on sketchy surfaces.

Thanks to the slimmed-down rear end and 10mm reduction in travel, the new Spectral has a considerably more zesty feel than its chunky figure would have you assume. It is terrifically agile, with the short chainstays and mullet setup doing a lot of the legwork when darting around tight and twisty trails.

There’s great support from the suspension too, with the bolstered mid-stroke giving your feet a notably stronger platform to push against. There’s greater reward when pumping the bike through rolling terrain, and it springs into the air whenever commanded. Manuals and nose bonks feel equally effortless, making for an action-packed ride for those willing to exploit its inherent playfulness.

Indeed if you’re looking for a capable and fun-filled all-rounder that errs on the more aggressive side, the Spectral gets the thumbs up from us. Just make sure you take a good look at the geometry chart to make sure you choose the right frame size.

Click here to read our full review of the Canyon Spectral. 


Best Trail Bikes Canyon Neuron
The Neuron on the other hand is at the opposite end of the trail bike spectrum. This thing is begging for big backcountry adventures.

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 who 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


Best Trail Bikes Marin Rift Zone
Marin is best known for its well executed budget friendly mountain bikes, and the Rift Zone embodies this goal.

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


Best Trail Bikes Polygon Siskiu
The Polygon Sisku offers a whole lotta bike for less than $4,000 AUD.

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 to the surface.

All of the bikes listed above are brilliant, and it’s difficult to find a bad bike these days, however there are a few that stand out as leading the charge. Trek’s Fuel EX and Specialized’s Stumpjumper 15 have to be some of the most versatile and adjustable bikes available on the market, which puts them in a position where the rider can tailor the bike to their preferences. Because of this, the Flow team regard these as setting the benchmark in capable trail bikes.

On the other end of the spectrum, bikes like the Canyon Neuron and Pivot 429 are quick, responsive and lively bikes that can party on some rough terrain if need be. These are ultra-versatile and an absolute blast to ride, but you can find the limits quickly when comparing them to their mini-enduro bigger brothers like the Canyon Spectral or Pivot Switchblade.

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.

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