Downhill bikes are the mountain biking equivalent of sports cars. They’re captivating, and everyone loves to watch them. Usually, they’re packed to the brim with exciting technologies, and not only are they incredibly fun but also insanely fast. Plenty of reasons to pit six of the most exciting downhill bikes against each other in a downhill comparison test.
Sure, there are definitely more practical bikes out there – at least if you don’t live right next to a bike park. But hey, we all pursue our beloved hobby to have maximum fun and a great time. And that’s exactly what modern downhill bikes are made for, even if you can’t ride them all the time.
Downhill bikes are also technology carriers of the future. They significantly drive the development of modern mountain bikes and influence performance. Electronic suspension, unconventional frame materials and manufacturing techniques, telemetry systems, and hidden linkages are not uncommon in the World Cup circuit. Many innovative design approaches are tested for the first time on downhill World Cup tracks all around the globe, where they’re pushed to the limit under maximum stress. Some of these concepts trickle down to our trail and enduro bikes, while others quickly disappear from the scene. On the other hand, DH bikes only rely on essential components – no big rear derailleurs, additional cables for dropper posts, or chaotic cockpits to be seen.
But downhill bikes are far more than just purebred racing machines. With them, you can create unforgettable experiences, crush wild party laps at the bike park, and take your skills to the next level. They inspire huge amounts of confidence, offer enormous reserves, and come equipped with incredibly robust components. This allows you to attempt crazy stunts in all confidence and do things you wouldn’t dare with an enduro bike. Plus, you won’t get tired as quickly when spending a whole day at the bike park, while having more fun and feeling safer in the process. Of course, we couldn’t resist setting up a timing system on our test track – because with downhill bikes, you can really let loose. Our goal? To find out which bike is the fastest so that you can edge out the competition at your next race against the clock or your buddies.
The six bikes in the test field on our search for the best downhill bike of 2024
There are many exciting and sleek downhill bikes on the market, with a wide range of technologies and concepts to choose from. From high-end race machines with countless linkages and adjustment options to affordable, simple alloy bikes designed for pure speed. Unfortunately, many of the downhill bikes already seen in the World Cup are far from mass production or were never intended for it in the first place. Therefore, it would be unnecessary to include these bikes in our “best downhill bike of 2024” comparison test. After all, you want to be able to buy a bike and have fun with it, not just look at it! That’s why the six exciting, modern downhill bikes we chose cover a wide spectrum, both in terms of price and character.
First up is the GIANT Glory, which has also spent a long time as a prototype on race tracks around the world. Now it has reached production maturity, and really surprised us in this test. Needless to say, the latest generation still features GIANT’s iconic Maestro rear suspension and builds on the experience of its predecessors. Alongside proven technologies are several smart new features. The GIANT Glory in the configuration we tested retails at € 7,999.
Our “best downhill bike of 2024” comparison test coincided with the debut of the new Pivot Phoenix V5. While a striking prototype model with lugged carbon frame has been seen in the downhill World Cup for quite some time now, the production bike with a distinctive, Pivot-style carbon frame will be available soon on the market. The unique and complex rear suspension design with dual-chain and high pivot point remains, making it one of the most expensive bikes in this test. But how does this complex bike fare against the competition?
On the other side of the complexity spectrum stands the RAAW Yalla!, which focuses on ease of maintenance and durability, and relies on a simple, robust concept. With its distinctive look and wide adjustment range, RAAW’s alloy steed is making a name for itself in the MTB scene. But how fast is this € 7,500 aluminum rocket?
With a very casual € 4,799 price tag, the ROSE Scrub is the most affordable competitor in our 2024 downhill bike comparison test. On paper, it impresses with mostly high-quality components and takes on the competition with a very competitive overall package. But can it deliver on the trail and prove itself as an affordable shredder?
A true downhill classic that couldn’t be left out in this comparison test is the Santa Cruz V10. For years, it’s been an integral part of the downhill segment, and is distinctly recognisable with its unmistakable frame silhouette. Frequently seen in bike parks, it’s amongst the most popular DH bikes out there but, at € 9,699, also one of the most expensive ones. But is the price justified, and can the latest generation of the V10 leave the competition behind in a cloud of dust?
Last but not least, we’re happy to introduce the YT TUES MK4, which has already claimed several World Cup titles and with its wide range of adjustability, has the potential to be a favorite among park rats. But is the TUES a park bike or a racing machine, and can it meet all the criteria with a price of just € 5,999?
| Brand | Model | Weight in kg | Wheel size | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GIANT | Glory Advanced | 17.0 | 29″/27.5″ | € 7,999 |
| Pivot | Phoenix V5 | 16.1 | 29″/27.5″ | € 9,499 |
| RAAW | Yalla! | 17.0 | 29″ | € 7,500 |
| ROSE | Scrub DC 3 | 17.8 | 29″/27.5″ | € 4,799 |
| Santa Cruz | V10 DH X01 | 16.6 | 29″/27.5″ | € 9,699 |
| YT | TUES MK4 CORE4 | 16.1 | 29″ | € 5,999 |
The test crew and location of our 2024 downhill bike comparison test.
Portes du Soleil is one of the most popular bike spots in the world, especially when it comes to bike park laps and the gypsy life. Legendary downhill and enduro races, as well as old-school freeride events, have already been held in this biking region. Slightly off the beaten path – but still included in the lift pass – is the Swiss village of Morgins. Once considered an insider’s tip, it’s steadily gaining popularity, not least due to the newly constructed gondola that has replaced the iconic old chairlift. When hitting the trails, you can expect big, fast berms, steep downhill tracks, and perfect dirt. This made it a prime location for us to put six powerful downhill bikes to the ultimate test. For our test course, we combined several trails and equipped a one-minute stretch with SPORTident timing to find out just how fast these downhill bikes really are – with the same riders, of course.
Back in the days, I started out with an old hardtail, which was quickly replaced by a thoroughbred downhill bike. Since then, there’s hardly been a season where I haven’t been riding DH bikes. During my two seasons in Whistler, I spent nearly 200 days behind a double crown fork. After all, there’s nothing better than party trains on Dirt Merchant – and for that, a downhill bike is simply perfect!
Simon
To be honest, I wasn’t interested in downhill bikes for quite some time, until my work gave me more and more opportunities to ride real DH rigs. With them, you can pull off big stunts while feeling a lot safer in the process, and epic bike park sessions are far less exhausting than with an enduro bike. Ever since I rode one, I don’t want to go without downhill bikes anymore.
I make a living from downhill racing and spend a lot of time on World Cup downhill tracks. I recently secured third place at the German Championships. The experience I’ve gained from testing different bikes helps me know exactly what I can demand from my race bike.
The test criteria for the best downhill bike of 2024
Some of you might be led to assume that evaluating a downhill bike is simpler than with any other bike category. The uphill is limited to getting to the lift queue and is therefore completely irrelevant – the focus fully is on downhill performance. Easy, right? But what do hobby riders expect from a good downhill bike? Sure, you want it tobe insanely fast, but at the same time you want it to deliver one thing above all when joining a laid-back party train at the bike park: huge amounts of fun! The best downhill bike of 2024 needs to rip through corners, provide plenty of boost on jumps, and inspire confidence to tackle big drops and risky maneuvers. Beyond its performance on the trail, it should offer a suitable spec, top build quality, and smart details. If possible, it should also stand out from the crowd with versatile adjustment options and innovative concepts.
Trail performance
The best downhill bike of 2024 integrates you deeply into the frame, with the weight evenly distributed between the front and rear, inspiring huge amounts of confidence even in frighteningly steep terrain and avoiding unnecessary weight shifts. It must be able to unite two antithetical riding qualities, composure and agility and excel in tight, slow trail sections just as well as in high-speed root carpets and fast jumps. The suspension should provide enough feedback from the ground and offer solid support for jumps and rollers, while at the same time generating huge amounts of traction for maximum grip in technical trail sections.
Speed
Of course, the best downhill bike of 2024 also has to be incredibly fast, so you can stay ahead of your buddies on a Sunday and leave the competition behind in a cloud of dust at your next race. The timing results from SPORTident provided clear outcomes, revealing significant differences between the bikes despite the short segment. Each bike completed two timed runs, with the fastest time recorded. It was particularly interesting to see how fast and effortlessly bikes like the Pivot Phoenix V5 and Santa Cruz V10 could rip through the forest ground, while the ROSE Scrub not only ended up at the lower end but was also much more demanding to ride. Pushing to the limit over an entire race run is not only more exhausting but also incredibly dangerous.
| Tester | Bike / Time / Slower in percentage | Bike / Time / Slower in percentage | Bike / Time / Slower in percentage | Bike / Time / Slower in percentage | Bike / Time / Slower in percentage | Bike / Time / Slower in percentage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Juli | Pivot / 47.372 / 0 % | Santa Cruz / 48.375 / 2.12 % | YT / 48.750 / 2.91 % | RAAW / 48.804 / 3.02 % | GIANT / 49.500 / 4.49 % | ROSE / 49.953 / 5.45% |
| Peter | Pivot / 52.484 / 0 % | Santa Cruz / 52.752 / 0.51 % | YT / 53.506 / 1.95 % | GIANT / 54.254 / 3.37 % | RAAW / 55.043 / 4.88 % | ROSE / 56.024 / 6.74 % |
| Simon | Pivot / 56.867 / 0 % | YT / 57.101 / 0.41 % | Santa Cruz / 57.185 / 0.56 % | RAAW / 57.270 / 0.71 % | ROSE / 57.984 / 1.96 % | GIANT / 58.852 / 3.49 % |
*The percentage indicates how much slower each bike was compared to the fastest bike for the different testers. For example, for Juli, the Rose Scrub is 5.45% slower than the Pivot Phoenix V5.
While on our short segment the time readings were relatively close, the differences are much bigger over an entire trail or in a real race run. An example of this is the difference between the Pivot and the ROSE, based on Julian’s times. The ROSE was 5.45% slower than the Pivot in our measured segment. If you extrapolate this difference over a 4-minute track – which is typical for a modern downhill course – the ROSE would be 13.08 seconds slower than the Pivot.
Spec and frame quality
A downhill bike undeniably has to withstand a lot of stress, so it should be designed and trimmed uncompromisingly towards robustness. Sturdy, durable wheels, tough tires with downhill casings and powerful brakes are just as important as good suspension. Big sealed bearings, like those you find on the RAAW Yalla!, increase longevity and save you from having to disassemble the bike after just a few bike park sessions. Broken bearing bolts, like on the GIANT Glory, or constantly loosening screws and scratched frames, like on the ROSE Scrub, are extremely frustrating. These are areas that definitely need improvement.
Adjustability
Most downhill bikes in this test offer adjustment options to fine-tune the geometry according to the trail, the area of application and most importantly, to your personal requirements and riding style. Not only does playing around with different settings increase the fun factor, it also enhances the bike’s performance and safety, because riding styles are very different. The RAAW Yalla! offers by far the most adjustment options, while the competition usually focuses on one or two geometry-altering features. These include everything from different wheel sizes, shock progression, adjustable head angle and reach, to tweaking the bottom bracket height.
An overview of the test field in our “best downhill bike of 2024” comparison test
The GIANT Glory, which was developed over a long period of time, drifts into the new season as a well-rounded package. The sleek frame stands out with numerous yet simple adjustment options. On the trail, the Glory doesn’t offer the highest level of composure, which is particularly noticeable in high-speed sections, and with hard landings, it passes on nasty hits all the way into your ankles. However, the bike makes up for this with its agility, which makes the GIANT Glory the nimblest bike in the entire test field and a true cornering devil.
The RAAW Yalla! stays true to its roots. The bike impresses with its classic look and, as usual, offers a high degree of adjustability. On the trail, it feels just as solid as it looks. While it lacks a tad of nimbleness, the composed, secure character of the Yalla! inspire huge amounts of confidence, making it easy to shred your way back down into the valley. If you’re looking for a bike that’s easy to work on and makes high-speed descents a piece of cake, the Yalla! is a reliable companion.
The ROSE Scrub is living proof that high-quality components alone don’t make a good bike. The adjustment options are very limited, which could be acceptable in this price range if the bike performed well on the trail – but unfortunately, it doesn’t! In a nutshell, the Scrub feels unbalanced, inspires very little confidence, and the suspension is unresponsive, stiffening up noticeably with fast, consecutive impacts and offering little pop – a true disappointment.
The Santa Cruz V10 is a true classic among downhill bikes, and has evolved continuously over the years. On the trail, it strikes an impressive balance between composure and agility. The V10 is an outstanding all-rounder that can be perfectly tailored to your preferences thanks to its wide range of adjustments. And the best part: the V10 comes with an absolute fun guarantee! No matter the trail, with the V10, you’ll always reach the valley with a massive grin on your face.
Although the YT TUES isn’t exactly a revolution to its predecessor, it’s still a very sleek bike that delivers a solid performance on the trail. It can be perfectly tuned to your individual preferences and works well as both a park and race bike. While it may not provide any wow moments on the trail, the YT TUES delivers strong performance thanks to its robust suspension, confident handling, and good balance, making it appealing to a wide audience.
The best downhill bike of 2024: The Pivot Phoenix V5
Pivot’s DH World Cup team’s extensive testing has definitely paid off with the new 2025 Phoenix. This bike not only looks extremely stylish but is also unstoppable on the trail. The Pivot Phoenix V5 strikes an impressive balance between composure and agility, and despite its focus being on racing, the Phoenixis also great fun and immediately won over all our testers, securing a well-deserved Best in Test at warp speed.
Are downhill bikes a bit too much for you, and are you looking for something more suited to relaxed trails?
Then take a look at the other comparison tests we’ve conducted recently:
The best enduro bike
The best trail bike
The best light e-mountain bike
The best bike park bike
North America’s finest bikes
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Words: Peter Walker Photos: Peter Walker
