Review

Best of Test 2016 – All Winning Bikes of this Season

26.12.2016
by


ENDURO Issue #25: 5 Trail Bikes under €2,000 on Test

Hier gehts zum Artikel: 5 Trailbikes unter 2.000 € im Vergleich
Read the full article here: 5 Trail Bikes under €2,000 on Test – Are these the real ‘bikes for the people?’

We all lust after Ferraris and Lamborghinis. As children, we stared transfixed at posters of exotic cars on our walls – but we know that unless our lottery numbers come in, we will never own one! For most of us, the closest we get to a supercar is when they howl past our tired family sedans on the motorway. It’s the same with bikes: we all dream of owning the latest and greatest masterpiece, sculpted from carbon and titanium – but in the real world, we typically set our sights a little lower. Can you get a great bike for under €2000? To find out, we tested five of the best affordable trail bikes to find out which offered the most bang for our hard-earned bucks.

Best in test: Trek Fuel EX 5

Trek Fuel EX 29 5.0 | 130 / 130 mm (v / h) | 14.80 kg | € 1,999
Trek Fuel EX 29 5.0 | 130 / 130 mm (front / rear) | 14.80 kg | € 1,999

The Trek Fuel EX 5 29 is a born descender – punching forward like a Russian sprinter jacked up on HGH and testosterone, hammering down the trail faster than the brakes can deal with. Its poise and confidence makes a mockery of rocks and obstructions, and the rolling speed is enough to blow your eyeballs out the back of your head. It takes the ‘Best in Test’ with ease but Chain issues did result in much profanity, however.

Best value: Radon Slide 130 8.0

Radon Slide 130 8.0 | 130 / 130 mm (front / rear) | 13.70 kg | € 1,999
Radon Slide 130 8.0 | 130 / 130 mm (front / rear) | 13.70 kg | € 1,999

The Radon Slide 130 8.0 offers a great specification for the money taking our Best Value award, and its distinctive looks carry a premium feel that belies its budget-friendly price. However, the Slide’s downhill credentials are hampered by poor componentry choices and tall geometry, making it more suited to day-long trail adventures and flow trails.

All bikes in test: Cube Stereo 120 HPA Race | Lapierre Edge AM 527 | Radon Slide 130 8.0 | Trek Fuel EX 29 5.0 | Vitus Escarpe

Did you enjoy this article? If so, we would be stoked if you decide to support us with a monthly contribution. By becoming a supporter of ENDURO, you will help secure a sustainable future for high-quality mountain bike journalism. Click here to learn more.

Page 6 of 6 Prev Next
Table of Contents
  1. #020: Bikes under € 2,599
  2. #021: Modern XC Bikes
  3. #022: High-End Trail Bikes
  4. #023: Short-Travel Trail Bikes
  5. #024: High-End Enduro Bikes
  6. #025: Trail Bikes under € 2,000

You may also like

ENDURO Mountainbike Magazine

ENDURO is the leading magazine for mountain bike technology and the modern trail riding lifestyle. We cover high-end bikes, global trends, and technical innovations – in-depth, bold, and always with an eye on the bigger picture. Our editorial approach speaks to everyone who sees mountain biking not just as a sport, but as a way of life. We view bikes as more than just the sum of their parts, evaluating products through the lens of real world riding rather than just on the spec sheet, testing bikes everywhere from alpine adventures to intense bikepark laps.

Since 2011, ENDURO has stood for journalistic quality and transparent reporting in the MTB segment. In our in-depth individual and comparison reviews, our specialist test team brings years of on-trail experience from around the world to deliver well-founded verdicts and real guidance for riders. Our awards are internationally recognized as a benchmark for innovation and quality in the bike industry, offering reliable orientation for readers, retailers, and manufacturers alike.

ENDURO is published in both German and English, reaching an international audience.