The brand produces all categories of bikes, from daily commuting to racing bikes, and is popular for its high-end mountain bikes.
That said, Pivot places an undeniably strong focus on quality and its unlikely youll be disappointed. Its solid platform delivers power to the pedals, strong construction keeps your feet protected, and secure fit How Much Should You Spend on a Mountain Bike?
Trek and Specialized get the edge in terms of worldwide brand recognition, but Giant is a major player in the industry. They are bringing revolutionary changes to the E-bike industry as they continuously optimize their products design and performance. Cross country is seeing a resurgence and if the first round of the 2018 UCI XCO World Cup is anything to go by it looks to be providing some of the most exciting racing to date. The big downside to purchasing a Santa Cruz bike is cost.
Not to be mistaken for wheel makers American Classic, American Eagle is well recognised at world level XC. Heres the low-down on five of the less well known bike brands we are likely to see at the front of future World Cup races. These brands offer the most bang for your buck and are a great way to get a solid bike for hundreds, if not thousands, less than their competitors. In the 1980s, when most other companies were still building bike frames out of steel, Cannondale was taking a different approach with their lightweight alloy. Although the type of bike youre looking forhardtail or full-suspensionwill largely dictate your buying decision, it really comes down to how much youre willing to spend. If you are adventurous and going on a trip with mixed and demanding terrain, then the Gravel bikes series is your perfect partner. Subscribe now to NICOLAI FACTORY NEWS and be the first to hear about NICOLAI news from new product launches to events you can attend and exclusive offers.
Along with the bikes, the brand also offers its exclusive Gear.
Mountain bikes have come a long way in recent years, with trends like 29-inch wheelsand more recently, 27.5-inch wheelsblazing the trail for bikes that are better and more Santa Cruz is known for making some of the best bikes in the industry, and their attention to detail and quality of craftsmanship are second to none. Later they started manufacturing their own bikes in 2001, under the brand nameCanyon Bicycles GmBh.. Location: Golden, ColoradoPopular models: SB130 and SB150What we like: Highly desirable, fantastic-looking bikes that climb better than most.What we don't: One of the most expensive brands out there. Ibis focuses their efforts on only seven bikes: six full-suspension models (including the made-in-the-USA Exie) and one gravel grinder (the Hakka MX). Sesta, a full carbon 100mm travel XC race full suspension machine. You'll be amazed at what our urban bikes have to offer. For more, see our mountain biking gear reviews. I have fond memories of riding the Whistler Bike Park and North Shore trails aboard that shiny, bright chrome-and-red bike. For example, YTs top-of-the-line Capra 29 Core 4, which leaves little to be desired, comes in about $3,900 less than a similarly equipped model from Yeti (the SB165). Test rides can be done anywhere in Germany. Salsa Cycles has found a bit of a niche in the industry, catering more to backcountry explorers than those fixated on Strava KOMs. In addition, Pivot has another 13 models to choose from that cover everything from gravel/cyclocross to fat biking and e-MTB.
Perhaps one of their most popular models over the years has been the Stinky lineup (late 90s to early 2000s)the 130mm-travel freeride bike was well ahead of its time. After a 10-year hiatus, REI is back with the DRT 3.1 and 3.3 models, which feature 27.5+ or 29-inch tires and 120-140mm of travel (depending on size). Kona hit a bit of a lull while focusing on pavement-oriented bikes in the past, but the brand is back on the map thanks to their well-known full-suspension Process and hardtail Honzo models. Polands largest bike brand Kross has a complete line-up of bikes spanning all categories.
They forgo the middleman in the name of saving money and orders are placed directly through their website.
Its currently owned by Bart Brentjens, who won the first ever gold in mountain bike cross country at the Atlanta Olympics and who still commentates and plays a big role in XC racing to this day. In the end, you get what you pay for, but value-oriented options like Giant, Marin, and Diamondback often fit the bill better for most budget-conscious riders. A concept that provides a bit of comfort for the super stiff race frame. And just as Specialized has the Stumpjumper, its hard to talk about Giant without also mentioning the Trance line, which has been their go-to trail/all-mountain bike since its inception 15 years ago.
The Following was a particularly notable addition to their lineup: This 29er put Evil on the map and showed riders what larger wheels were capable of. You can also customize the bike according to your preference which is a really great feature.
And while Trek is perhaps best known for its focus on road riding (made especially popular by Lance Armstrong in many Tour de France competitions), their mountain biking lineup is equally formidable.
Ibis Cycles, a boutique brand that tends to fly under the radar, is well-regarded within the MTB community for producing top-notch bikes. Location: Santa Cruz, CaliforniaPopular models: Ripmo and RipleyWhat we like: Quality, responsive bikes with relatively reasonable pricing.What we don't: Currently only seven total models to choose from; relatively short seven-year warranty. We haven't had any personal negative experiences, but weve heard reports of subpar customer service and long turnaround and wait times for warranty claims. In my opinion, Washington-based Kona has achieved a sweet spot that few other brands have: Theyre large enough to offer bikes for all ability levels, yet small enough to remain connected to the riding community and stay true to their roots. Additionally, REI members get 10 percent back on full-priced items at the end of the year, which can add up if youre buying an expensive mountain bike. The brands goal is to design bikes that suit all purposes; whether you are a seasoned professional cyclist or want to buy your first bike, there is a bike specialized just for you!
Next. I spent a day riding one of these new rigs and was pleasantly surprised by how composed and competent it felt on my local trails. When Jolanda Neff, the reigning world champion, races for a relatively unknown brand, maybe we need to know a little bit more?
But arguments aside, its hard to ignore the value that brands like YT, Canyon, and Commencal provide. Every single bike is thought out to the tiniest detail, and therefore the perfect bike for your everyday life. In terms of popular models, Yeti has mixed things up recently with their aggressive geometry and unique, varying-front-and-rear-wheel travel of the SB115, SB130, SB140, SB150, and SB165 models. Haibike is pretty popular among professional cyclists due to its continuous innovation and advancement in the bike industry. Photo: OMX Pro Team.
At GHOST we have been building bikes for over 25 years. When you sign up for our newsletter, you agree to our privacy policy. The roots of Marin Bikes are tangled with the roots of mountain biking itself.
While the vast majority of mountain bike sales are still happening at local shops (something we fully support), purchasing a rig online is becoming more common and much easier by the year (the COVID pandemic has certainly accelerated this too).
This German bicycle company began its journey with the sale of imported bikes from Italy and bike parts in 1978. Location: Tempe, ArizonaPopular models: Firebird and Trail 429What we like: DW link suspension design is efficient on the climbs yet very capable on the descents.What we don't: Expensive and some models have polarizing looks. And while the two differ significantly in price (Evil only offers carbon bikes) and suspension design, both brands primary focus is designing high-quality bikes that are especially fun to ride in the woods. Saves the consent status of the user as to whether Matomo is allowed to run. We like that you can order from the convenience of your home but then pick it up in the store for freeif for some reason you dont like the color or fit of the bike, simply return it on the spot. Evil Bike Co. is one of the most intriguing brands to make our list. The last German bike maker is Kalkhoff.
Marin expanded into other types of bikes over the years, their presence in the industry growing and fading, but today they stand out for their focus on producing relatively affordable bikes that feature modern geometry and well-thought-out component groups. They eventually reversed course and saved face, but it was a good lesson that the biking community cares and public relations matter. The brand started production of e-bikes in 2007 and is one of the leading brands in e-bike manufacturing. The website cannot function properly without these cookies. The Level is Kross hardtail with an emphasis on cross country racing.
You might have spotted Silverback being raced in 2017 by Annie Last. If theres one brand that has me daydreaming of my next big adventure above all others, its Salsa Cycles.
Known for their unique approach to building and designing bicycles, Connecticut-based Cannondale has never been afraid to try new things. Saves the consent status of the user whether the cookie window should be displayed.
From a riders perspective, theres a lot to like about Santa Cruz. It created a buzz in Germany and got the attention of all professional bike lovers, and together with Derby, Mike Klugg launched its first series in 1994.
For many mountain bikers, understanding the background, history, and ethos of a company has a major impact on the purchase of a new rig. But considering its founder, mountain biking legend Chris Cocalis, this rise to popularity doesnt come as much of a surprise.
But while I love the look of the latest Habit (see our in-depth review here), I personally hope that Cannondale retains some of the quirkiness that it was once known for. Just enter your zip code or city and click search to see a list of all dealers near you. The legendary German rider Mike Klugg, a three-time World Champion in Cycling, founded the company in 1992. Recent and notable additions to their lineup include the Nomad, Bronson (now made in a mixed-wheel setup), and Hightower, and longtime riders likely remember the Bullit (of note: the Bullits name is back in the form of a new e-bike), Driver 8, VP Free, and Heckler with fondness.
It all started in a tiny garage where two Uwe Kalliwada and Klaus Mohwald thought of building a bike that would be fun and easy to ride.
Since then, theyve never looked up.
In addition, the brand is famous sponsors world-class cycling athletes like Sina Frei, Pastenier, and Anne Terpstra, and their team is a regular on the podium in World Cup championships. This is configured around either a 100mm or 120mm travel fork matched to the 100mm out back. Travel can be adjusted between 150-170mm, its also built around 27.5 x 2.8 tyre sizes.
Read more about us.. It was the Superspeed SBC carbon hardtail that she took to victory at the World Cup at Lenzerheide. Founded in the early 1970s, Specialized can be credited with catalyzing the explosion of mountain biking in the United States. Lifetime warranty on frames as well as pivot bearings.What we don't: Very expensive. While this might come as a surprise, the fact is that there are only a handful of factories that make the vast majority of bikes, and Giant Manufacturing is one of the larger sources. Annies team will mostly be riding BHs carbon framed,100mm full suspension Lynx Race (lower models get an aluminium frame) and Ultimate 29in carbon hardtail bikes.
Slider and Slider LT. And similar to other major brands on the list, Kona offers a lifetime warranty on all bike frames (excepting carbon models) produced after 2009. If you didnt manage to catch any of the action from Stellenbosch then make sure you check it out here because it was epic. Photo courtesy of UCI. Another commonality is that both companies recently updated their warranty policies from three years to lifetime. Another interesting tidbit: the Ripmo is designed to fit riders as short as 50, which isnt common among bikes with 29-inch wheels. One of the biggest brands in the business, Wisconsin-based Trek produces top-notch bikes across almost every price point. Used by Google Analytics to limit the request rate.
The price: $1,899. Its worth mentioning that Transition Bikes, another Bellingham-based, downhill-focused company, shares the same attitude. I spent the last few months aboard Gravel bikesalso known as adventure or all-road bikesare built to handle terrain ranging fromforest service roads to pavement, dirt, and even mellow singletrack.
Founded in 1985 and currently based in Golden, Colorado, this now-rider-owned company has a long-standing history in racing. If in doubt, please contact the dealer directly to find out if the bike is still available. Below we break down some of the most well-known mountain biking brands, including a brief history on each brand, each companys most popular models, and what sets them apart from the competition.
If you have given us your consent, you can revoke it at any time in the data protection declaration. The German bike brands manufacture some of the best innovative and dynamic road, Mountain, and gravel bikes.
Thats a lot of lawns to mow. Not to mention, Pivot only provides a 10-year warranty (as opposed to the lifetime warranty you get with Santa Cruz). Like many other companies, Santa Cruz offers a lifetime warranty on their frames. Consisting of fifteen models ranging from the aluminium framed, Shimano Tourney equipped Level 1.0, through to the carbon framed and Eagle XX1 equipped Level TE.
If theres one bike brand that riders lust over above all others, its Yeti. While their bikes undoubtedly are well-made and I appreciate the companys clear focus on riders, theres a reason Ive never owned a Yeti bike: They're just so darn expensive. Trail; a modern looking Reynolds 853 steel framed hardtail, again based around a 120mm fork, Soil; 130/130mm full suspension trail bike range, Expert 29, an aluminium cross country hardtail, Lynx 4.8 and Lynx 6, longer travel full suspension bikes. However, the products they are most renowned for are their Full Suspension and Hardtail Mountain bikes series.
The companys sustainability initiatives have led them to focus more on the development of premium E-bikes. For instance, the SB150 frame will set you back a whopping $4,700, while Ibiss similarly capable Ripmo comes in at $3,499. Location: Morgan Hill, CaliforniaPopular models: Stumpjumper and Turbo LevoWhat we like: Quality, proven bikes for every type of rider at nearly every price point.What we don't: A bit more cutthroat than other bike companies weve seen.
Our balance bikes, children's bikes and youth bikes are their perfect companions. The Slider LT ups the travel to 160mm. With over 1.4M followers on Instagram, the brand is perhaps the biggest German bicycle brand in the world.
The company owners have also launched another brand, Oxygen, which offers high-quality bicycle accessories for your needs.
As mentioned above, Evil does things a bit differently. And while they may have been bought by distribution giant Quality Bicycle Products in 1997, Salsas no-frills approach is as strong as ever. With only 14 dirt-focused models to choose from (including two e-MTB lines and a gravel grinder), the brand has been able to establish themselves as a major player in a relatively short amount of time (the company was founded in 1994).
The brand takes pride in its high-tech innovative Mountain and e-bikes. The brand is currently manufacturing top-quality Road, Gravel, Mountain, Hybrid, and E-bikes with attention to every little detail so you can enjoy every second of your ride.
We use affiliate links andmay receive a small commission on purchases. The catalog consists of various road bikes, cross bikes, triathlon bikes, and trekking bikes. We also ensure a ten-year supply of spare parts.
Plus, you lose the convenience and satisfaction of walking into your local bike shop and buying replacement parts directly off the shelf.
Perhaps even more notable, however, is the fact that theyve been able to grow significantly large without sacrificing that boutique-brand feel. We use cookies to make it easier to use and to further improve our service. While not necessarily at the forefront of innovation, Trek has always stayed relevant and received consistently positive feedback from riders across the industry. From the date of purchase you get 5 years warranty. More recently, Ibis came out with a long-travel 29er, the Ripmo (and even more aggressive Ripmo AF), which can be found tearing up the enduro race scene under riders by the likes of Robin Wallner. In fact, the companys founder, Bob Buckley, was part of the crew of Marin County, California, riders who first experimented with fat tire bikes and more sturdy frames for bumping down mountains in the late 1970s and early 80s. As well as an aluminium version of the Tomcat, Thmus also produce a good looking enduro machine called the Upper Rider. For MTB Kross also has five other ranges: BH is a popular brand in its home country of Spain and we can now get them here in the UK. This is a frame with some pretty cool features such as its floating seatstays. Since then, the brand has sponsored multiple athletes to Grand Tour, and World Tour Championship wins and has been used in numerous triathlons. This is, in part, because Trek has stayed true to its roots by sponsoring and supporting quality athletes like Emily Batty, Brandon Semenuk, Rachel, Dan, and Gee Atherton, Reece Wilson, and Loris Vergier, just to name just a few. Necessary cookies help make a website usable by enabling basic functions such as page navigation and access to secure areas of the website. The journey started as a supplier of bike parts. What truly sets Cannondale apart, however, has been their use of oversized aluminum tubing.
Saves the consent status of the user as to whether Google Analytics is allowed to run. We all are aware that Germany is famous for its well-engineered machinery and efficient automobiles. The company is especially cheeky in their marketing campaigns, using slogans like more betterer and tech crap to poke fun at the rest of the industry. The German bike company was established in 1990 by Werner & Wolfgang Hacht, two road racing drivers. Saves the consent status of the user as to whether YouTube is allowed to run. However, unlike the competition, the brand takes it one step further by applying that same warranty to all their bearings (if you ride in the muck regularly, youll come to appreciate this). All NICOLAI frames are manufactured in Germany.
For reference, in the late 90s, the Volvo Cannondale squad was one of the most sought-after and popular racing teams around, and the company sponsored accomplished athletes like Brian Lopes and Missy Giove in their heyday. Here is a list of all authorized GHOST dealers.
Our only complaints are that Ibis only offers a seven-year warranty and their designs arent the most beautiful around (although opinions vary a lot about their full-suspension styling). While getting a great deal on a bike is always a plus, there are inherent sacrifices that come with buying from a consumer-direct brand. The short-travel rig features a relatively slack head-tube angle, is fun to ride, and happily gets airborneall foreign concepts for 29ers back in 2015 when the Following made its debut.
Take a look around the parking lot and theres a good chance that at least 25 percent of the riders are on one of the Santa Cruz models listed above..
At first, they started their business by selling the premium brands like Shimango, Ritchey, etc., and in 1991, they presented their collection of Stevens bikes at the Euro fair. For example, the company launched a strikingly normal-looking mountain bike, the Habit. But one thing keen eyed viewers will have probably noticed is that for every recognisable Specialized, Trek or Scott on the start line there were an equal number of brands that you might never of heard of. Founder Scot Nicol started Ibis in his garage in 1981 and the brand was privately owned until 2000, at which point Nicol sold it to an investment company. Location: Wilton, ConnecticutPopular models: Trail and ScalpelWhat we like: Not afraid to do things a bit differently; lightweight aluminum frames.What we don't: The quirkiness can be polarizing. And no matter what model youre looking at, one thing remains clear: Salsas bikes are focused on getting you off the beaten path.
However, in 2005, the company reemerged and launched their popular Mojo carbon full-suspension mountain bike, which remains a staple in their lineup to this day. Their modest lineupsix bikes in totalall share a punk-rock persona and dont-mess-with-me attitude.
Meet our advisers and try out your dream bike. The Slider is a 140mm travel trail/all-mountain model. REI Co-op, who is better known for their backpacking and camping gear, is another great source for mid-range and budget-oriented models. In our experience, Liv products meet the same standard of quality we expect from Giant and can be a great option for everyone from beginners to experienced female riders. Known for producing quality bikes with high-end parts for exceptionally low prices, the German-based brand has triggered an onslaught of support-your-local-bike-shop debates. That said, while Co-op Cycles is certainly appealing from a value perspective, their bikes are slightly behind the times and a bit dated when it comes to geometry and design. Their racing team is famous for winning numerous championships starting in 1991. Furthermore, should anything ever go wrong, its much easier to walk into a shop for advice than it is to call up an online retailer.Back to Our Top Mountain Bike Brands See Our Mountain Biking Gear Reviews. The range includes the Aeroad series, the flagship bicycles powered by balanced geometry and lightweight. While their frames are certainly standouts when it comes to craftsmanship and design, it can be hard to justify such a high pricefor reference, their cheapest complete mountain bike comes in at over $5,000. The good news is theyre doing just that with their latest Scalpel XC race bike and Lefty Topstone gravel grinder.. They presented their first model in 1993 named LECTOR, which was a lightweight hardtail mountain bike, and it changed their entire world. Load-60andPackster -70are prime examples of those efforts. However, Specialized still is a major brand and has had its fair share of hiccups.
From the good-natured beginner bike to the aggressive enduro bike, there are many nuances.
Some of their more noteworthy and polarizing designs over the years have been the one-sided Lefty fork and unique Headshok unit, both of which replaced standard suspension forks on some models. This impressive balancing act has led to a number of popular models over the years.
Location: Santa Cruz, CaliforniaPopular models: 5010 and BronsonWhat we like: Boutique feel, top-quality frames, and standout attention to detail. Additionally, Trek has always stood behind their products with a lifetime warranty on frames (which Ive seen them honor firsthand). Founded in 1972, Taiwan-based Giant Manufacturing produces bike frames for many of the worlds top cycling brands. Comparing just the prices of bike frames (not complete bikes), Yeti typically comes in hundreds of dollars more than most other brands. The Stumpjumper may have paved the way, but Specialized continues to innovate year after year.
Focus also manufactures high-tech E-bikes, which are very famous across all of Europe.
Popular models include their long-travel 29er, the Firebird 29, as well as the time-tested Mach 4. That said, if youre tuned into the world of mountain biking, you might have noticed that Cannondale has started to reinvent themselves of late. For example, while many U.S. brands are just now launching e-bikes, Specialized has been leading the charge (no pun intended) with their Turbo Levo for years, and recently went the next step to partner with non-profit Call2Recycle to create a system for recycling all its e-bike batteries sold in the USA. Even the youngest kids love the feeling of sitting on a bike and exploring the world.
Trailtech / NICOLAI Event Sankt Andreasberg. The current portfolio of the brand includes Mountain bikes, cross bikes, trekking bikes, and e-bikes.