Thank you for taking the time and putting in this much effort! With 16,392 participants answering up to 125 questions, once again, you’ve made our reader survey the biggest and most representative in the mountain biking industry. Without your passion and valuable insights, not only this survey but also our work wouldn’t be possible. You’re awesome – thank you for being part of this unique community!
… participants from 128 countries, an impressive 125 questions, and an average completion time of 24 minutes! Altogether, you dedicated 393,706 minutes to our reader survey. That’s 6,562 hours or 273.5 days – wow! Our annual reader survey is more than just a tradition – it’s the beating heart of our work. Without you, our job would only be half as rewarding. We aim to provide you with a magazine that inspires you, and want to help shape the bike industry in line with your wishes and requirements. Your feedback helps us identify new challenges in the scene and respond to current demands. And the best part: it’s not just us who benefit from your responses, but the entire industry! Manufacturers worldwide use the results anonymously to optimize their products and improve mountain biking. Through your answers, you’re actively helping shape the bikes of the future!
By the way: Across our entire publishing house and all four magazines – ENDURO, E-MOUNTAINBIKE, GRAN FONDO and DOWNTOWN – we counted an incredible 45,739 participants this year.
Amazing!
Together, we’re transforming the scene
Your enthusiasm and the high number of participants show us that you want to make an impact and drive change. Your responses not only shape our comparison tests and the selection of bikes we review but also influence many of the stories you can read here for free. What is technically possible right now? How are trends evolving? Where should we travel next to discover the best bike routes? Your dedication is our inspiration, and your diversity makes our reader survey an invaluable tool – for us and the entire industry. Thank you for being part of it and for shaping the mountain biking world with us!
But who are you, really? This year’s reader survey paints a fascinating picture of our community. The age range spans from 14 to 84 years – an impressive spectrum! The youngest participant is an aspiring young rider, while the oldest reader proves that the passion for cycling knows no bounds. Respect! Many of us can only hope to still be shredding trails and discussing the latest tech gadgets with our bike buddies at such an age. By the way, the average age is now 42 – a solid four years older than last year.
A big thank you also goes out to our female readers. While you still make up just 3% of our readership, we’re fully committed to providing more tailored content for you. As you read these words, our female testers are already hitting the trails for you. Stay tuned!
Your names also reveal an exciting diversity, though a few favorites stand out: Sabine is the most common name among our female participants. For the men – unsurprisingly – Michael takes the top spot once again. Special shoutout to all 152 Peters in our community!
Participants from 128 countries contributed their perspectives, including exotic locations like Angol, Georgia, Mexico and Algeria, each represented by one single participant. The main focus, however, remains in Europe. A full 78% of participants come from the “Old Continent”, highlighting the strong roots of the mountain biking community. Germany leads the pack with 7,197 participants, followed by the United States and the United Kingdom. Austria and Switzerland also rank among the countries with the highest participation.
The survey results also provide fascinating insights into your financial priorities and the background of our community. The average net household income is € 66,623, highlighting your considerable purchasing power. A significant portion of this income is dedicated to your passion for mountain biking. On average, you’re planning on spending € 5,036 on your next bike – € 26 more compared to last year. Added to this are investments in components and gear, which for many of you are just as important as the bike itself.
On average, you’ve been riding mountain bikes for 17 years – an impressive level of experience! But new faces are enriching the scene too: 8% of you took up mountain biking during the COVID-19 pandemic. 2% have been riding for less than a year, and 1.25% admitted they’ve never been on a mountain bike before.
Welcome to the community! For all newcomers and curious minds, we’ve put together a comprehensive beginner’s guide to help you start your mountain biking journey. Check it out to find the right bike and useful tips and tricks for your first rides!
What do you do when you’re not riding your bike?
Of course, you’re not only active on two wheels but also pursue a wide range of hobbies off the bike, with traveling right at the top of the list of your favorite activities. Some of you have already planned exciting trips that could inspire us all. If you have hidden gems or have discovered exciting new locations we should check out, be sure to let us know! We love diving into the unknown as much as you do, and have also planned some thrilling trips to places you’ve probably never heard of – we’ll be sharing them with you soon! With bikes in tow, of course! 😉
Another activity you love – no surprise here – is camping and van life, which highlights your connection to nature and your adventurous spirit. Be sure to check out our rooftop tent comparison test this year! Your enthusiasm for kids’ bikes is also evident, with 31% of you wanting to share your beloved hobby with the next generation. But watch out – those little shredders might be overtaking you sooner than you think!
For the gourmands amongst you, there are clear favorites too: 31% appreciate good coffee – so you definitely want to check out the coffee specials from our sister magazine, DOWNTOWN! 30% of participants also love a good beer, and we can only agree with that. But a fine glass of wine also has its fans among our readers.
Other interests such as cars, photography, motorcycles, wearables, or computer and electronic gadgets prove how diverse your passions are, extending far beyond the trails.
This is what makes the mountain biking community such a vibrant and exciting group to be a part of.
A perfect mix of adventure and enjoyment
On average, you spend 10 days a year on bike trips – an impressive amount of time to explore new trails and create unforgettable memories. You invest an average of € 156 per day to enjoy the perfect blend of action and relaxation. This includes countless laps on shuttle trails and in bike parks, as well as the reward of a well-earned post-ride beer with sea-views. You truly make the most of your adventures. And that’s exactly what makes mountain bike travel so captivating: discovering new places, experiencing breathtaking trails, and enjoying the freedom on two wheels. Sounds like the perfect getaway? We think so too!
When you hit the trails, your typical ride covers an average of 27.8 km. Over the course of a year, you rack up an impressive 1,762 km on your bikes, showcasing your endurance and dedication. Collectively, that adds up to 28,882.74 km – more than 27 times around the Earth or 3.7 trips to the Moon and back. That’s a significant number of test kilometers to help manufacturers refine their bikes and guide their decision-making.
Off to the garage
The variety of bikes in your garages reflects your passion and diverse interests. The clear favorite among your steeds are enduro bikes, which 60% own – no surprise, as it offers great versatility, allowing you to tackle tough descents while still climbing to the top under your own steam. Close behind are trail bikes, owned by 46% of our participants, which are the ideal companion for long tours and strike the optimal balance between up and downhill performance. E-mountain bikes are gaining popularity too, with 22% of you owning one, while downhill bikes hold a solid spot in your collections at 7%.However, many of you don’t stop at mountain bikes. Gravel bikes are part of the lineup for 23% of our readers – the perfect tool for long adventures beyond the tarmac. For more on this, check out our sister magazine, GRAN FONDO. Bikes also play a key role in your urban lives, with 16% of you owning a city eBike. If you’re looking for more inspiration in this segment, be sure to visit DOWNTOWN.
At the top of the brands parked in your garages are Specialized and Canyon, each with an 8% share, closely followed by Santa Cruz at 7%. Propain and Trek share fourth place, each with 6%. On average, you’ve spent € 4,176 on your current bike – a significant investment in your hobby. Interestingly, you’re willing to spend nearly € 1,000 more on your next bike, showing that your expectations and standards are still rising.
On average, your trusted two-wheeled companion stays with you for 34 months – nearly three years of tackling climbs and descents together. You’re impressively satisfied with your bikes, giving them an average rating of 4.3 out of 5. Even more remarkable: 41% of you award them the top score of 5! This highlights how much you value your bikes as reliable partners on all your adventures. On the flip side, criticism is close to nil – only 0.5% of you rate your bike a 0 or 1. If you’re one of them, it might be time for an upgrade! 😉
But as perfect as it sometimes seems, life isn’t always a bed of roses. 78% of you report having experienced issues with your bikes. Annoying noises, like creaking and rattling, are the most common, affecting 32% of you. Brake problems, such as a spongy feel or issues with the drivetrain, are mentioned frequently too. Tires and wheels follow closely, with around 26% needing repairs or adjustments in these areas. However, not all of you face mechanical challenges: fortunately, 22% report having had no problems with their beloved bikes so far. For these lucky riders, the fun carries on uninterrupted!
Many of you already know clearly which components to upgrade in the near future. Tires are right at the top of the list, with 26% of our readers naming them as the most important upgrade. The dropper post is a popular choice too, with 22% planning to replace theirs – our comprehensive dropper post comparison test could provide some helpful inspiration. Alongside these key components, smaller upgrades such as grips, saddles, and pedals are also high on the agenda. However, many of you are also considering more expensive upgrades, including brakes, wheels, and drivetrains. Additionally, 8% are contemplating a particularly costly upgrade to their suspension fork. If you’re one of them, make sure to check out our latest suspension fork comparison test, which features in this issue!
A full 85% of you have plans to optimize something on your bike, highlighting your technical affinity and dedication in the workshop. Even though 41% state that they’re very satisfied with their current bike, upgrades and tuning remain a priority. This shows that tinkering isn’t just about necessity, but about the joy of customising and continuously improving your bike. After all, it’s not only about the functionality of the bike but also about the excitement of taking your ride to the next level, even if it’s not strictly necessary. And this is exactly what makes the mountain biking community so special: a passion for perfection and innovation.
But what about your next bikes?
This year’s reader survey provides fascinating insights into your buying plans and preferences. 18% of you are planning to buy a new bike in the near future, while another 31% are at least considering it as an option – a clear sign that the topic is on many of your minds.
But what type of bike are you planning to buy, and how has this changed compared to last year? The trend shows some notable shifts: Enduro bikes remain firmly in the lead at 40%, although they’ve lost 12 percentage points compared to last year. Trail bikes, on the other hand, are gaining popularity, with a 4-point increase, now at 24%. Unsurprisingly, eMTBs are also on the rise, climbing 5 percentage points to 21%. Downcountry, cross-country, and downhill bikes complete your future plans, with popularity ranging between 3% and 5%.
Wheel size preferences also reveal interesting trends. While 29” wheels still dominate at 61%, they’ve seen a slight drop of 3 percentage points. Meanwhile, mullet setups are becoming increasingly popular, with their share rising by an impressive 17 points to 29%. This may be tied to the growing offerings from manufacturers, but it’s evident that you’re embracing the trend. On the other hand, 27.5” wheels are losing ground, now accounting for just 4% – a significant drop of 16 percentage points.
When it comes to which brand your next bike should be, a clear favorite emerges: RAAW leads the list of the most popular brands for your next purchase. However, the competition is close behind: Specialized take second place, followed closely by Canyon. Propain and Santa Cruz are also among your favorites, highlighting the diverse range of brands that capture your interest.
Your priorities when buying a new bike are clearly defined. Right at the top of the list is handling, which you see as the decisive factor. Close behind is suspension performance, an essential requirement for your expectations of a modern mountain bike. High-quality specs and components are amongst your top criteria too, showing that you’re unwilling to compromise on quality. At the other end of the spectrum, brand image only plays a minor role for most of you. In other words, it’s crystal clear that you prioritize functionality and trail performance over appearance – a strong statement for pragmatic decisions and high standards.
But what (and who?) guides you when it comes to buying a new bike? An impressive 69% of our readers state that we as a magazine are the most important factor in their decision-making process. That’s truly an honor and proves just how much you trust our expertise, tests, and recommendations. In addition to our content, test rides and advice from friends also play a key role. After all, there’s nothing more convincing than trying a bike yourself or relying on the honest opinion of a buddy with similar expectations. At the other end of the spectrum are the factors that influence you the least: only 9% draw inspiration from social media, and even fewer pay attention to the opinions of sponsored riders.
If you’d like to see even more content from us and experience the ENDURO magazine in its purest form, you should check out our free and interactive app – if you’re not already using it, that is 😉. Four times a year, we release a new issue packed with exciting content, including all our major comparison tests, inspiring stories, and buyer’s advice, available in the app before they go live on the website. The feedback from the experts speaks for itself: with an average rating of 4.5 stars, you’ve shown us how much you appreciate our app. This feedback is both proof and motivation for us to continue delivering the best digital mountain bike experience for you. Plus, our free app issues can be conveniently read offline on any smartphone, tablet, or even on your MacBook.
The lucky winner of the reader survey
Of course, there was also a lucky winner of the brand-new RAAW Jibb V2. Adam from the Czech Republic was the fortunate recipient of this masterpiece – and the experience went far beyond simply receiving the bike. Adam had the unique opportunity to meet the RAAW team and Ruben in person and ride with them on their home trails. After a guided tour and a behind-the-scenes look at RAAW, he got his first glimpse of the new Jibb V2. Then it was straight to the trails to put the bike to the test on its home turf.
A dream came true – and it was even better than I imagined! I couldn’t quite believe it until I stepped into the RAAW office. I really won! The eight-hour drive was totally worth it.
-Adam
For everyone else who wasn’t so lucky this time, there’s no need to be disappointed. You’ll soon have another chance to take part in our next reader survey and win a cool bike. Don’t miss out – stay in the loop and sign up for our newsletter to keep up with the latest news and secure your chance to win more amazing prizes!
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Words: Peter Walker Photos: Julian Lemme
