The Best Trail Bike of 2025 – 16 of the Most Exciting Trail Bikes in Our 2025 Comparison Test

Year after year, we test the most exciting trail bikes currently available on the market, and the developments keep coming. For the first time, the test field has split into two camps, revealing how differently manufacturers interpret modern trail bikes. But what are the key differences, and which bike came out on top? We pushed 16 of the hottest trail bikes of the year to their limits, exploring every line in search of the best trail bike of 2025.

The occasional bike park session and odd rides in demanding terrain tempt many riders to opt for more capable bikes. However, most trails can be tackled without a problem with smaller, less aggressive bikes, which are often more fun and also climb significantly better. Thanks to modern geometries, sophisticated suspension designs, and robust components, today’s trail bikes provide more than enough reserves for most riders. With ongoing technological advancements, these bikes are now fully capable of handling faster, rougher trails, and bigger jumps – without compromising stability or safety. Even under heavy loads, the frames and components remain reliable for a long time.

And the best part: Despite the improved downhill performance, trail bikes are super efficient on the climbs. So if you’re looking for a versatile allrounder that allows you to tackle your home trails and long tours just as confidently as the occasional adrenaline- fueled bike park session, while at the same time requiring significantly less physical effort than long-travel bikes, modern trail bikes are the perfect choice.

In previous years, eccentric contestants, like the Orbea Occam LT and the Specialized Stumpjumper EVO, shook up our trail bike test field with significantly more capability. However, in our search for the best trail bike of 2025, we had an entire handful of such contenders. As a result, this year’s test field splits into two categories, clearly showcasing how modern trail bike development differs, and how different manufacturers take different approaches. The most exciting part: Uphill performance remained unaffected! Many of these bikes turned out to be true shredding machines, brimming with capability and able to keep up with some current enduro bikes even on rough bike park trails. Meanwhile, other trail bikes take a more moderate – but by no means inferior – approach. They stand out with a more balanced character, encouraging you to embark on long tours and playful flow-trail adventures. Thanks to their nimble, agile handling, they also deliver an exceptional fun factor.

Which bike is the best trail bike of 2025?

The days of making purchase decisions strictly based on ambiguous subcategories like all-mountain, super-enduro, or full-suss-tourers, are long gone. Nowadays, it’s not about labels and pigeon holes – it’s all about individual needs. How well does a particular bike match your riding style and favorite trails? What are your expectations for your next bike, and which criteria matter most to you?

If you can answer these questions for yourself, you’ll find a trail bike that perfectly meets your needs and gives you the best riding experience. Because mountain biking is more than just categories – it’s your own personal adventure.

But beware: On paper, many bikes look similar – same travel, similar geometry, identical wheel sizes. But once you take them on a trail, the differences quickly become apparent. Sometimes, a seemingly tame bike proves surprisingly capable, while another one with more travel reaches its limits sooner than expected. The same applies to climbing: less travel isn’t always better. Whether a suspension platform is efficient doesn’t depend solely on the amount of travel it generates, and a bike’s ability to sprint up the trail isn’t just about its system weight. Once again, this comparison test has made one thing clear: it’s not just about the specs – it’s about how the entire package harmonises on the trail. A bike’s true performance only reveals itself in real-world riding scenarios, while spec lists and geometry tabs alone say very little about its character on the trail.

Our Test Field: An Overview of the 16 Most Exciting Trail Bikes for 2025

Alongside the most exciting trail bikes of the year, our test field includes three eMTBs with cutting-edge motor and battery technology. These have become an integral part of the mountain biking world, and can easily keep up on the trail – not just uphill.

You know best which bikes and technologies you’re truly interested in, and what really gets you going. That’s why the insights we gain from our annual reader survey – with over 16,000 participants – play a crucial role in deciding which bikes make it into this test. However, there are also hidden gems beyond the mainstream. In addition to our years of expertise, we’ve used our insider knowledge of new bikes and products to compile this list.

A price difference of more than €7,000 between the cheapest and most expensive bike might seem unfair at first. However, the specs are surprisingly similar, and on the trail, the bikes’ performance is remarkably similar. So, does it always have to be the most expensive model, and is such a price gap really justified? There were also drastic differences in weight: There’s a weight gap of 6.2 kg between the lightest and heaviest bike in this test, which is mainly due to the mixed analogue/ eMTB test field. But even among the analogue contenders, the difference is as much as 2.7 kg. The reality: Heavier bikes aren’t necessarily slower on the climbs or less agile in tight turns.

There are also significant differences in suspension travel, with our test bikes sporting between 120 mm and 160 mm of rear travel. Sounds like a clear case – more travel, more downhill performance, right? But it’s not that simple. Geometry, kinematics, and the overall concept play just as big of a role. So, which bike truly performed best on the descents?

For better clarity, we’ve listed all 16 bikes from our 2025 trail bike comparison test, and summarized the most important data for you.

Brand	Model	Price	Travel (fr/re)	Weight in kg
Atherton	S.150	€ 7,200	160/150 mm	16.2
Canyon	Spectral CF LTD	€ 6,999	150/140 mm	14.6
Canyon	Spectral:ONfly CF LTD	€ 8,999	160/150 mm	18.6
Ibis	Ribmo XT	€ 7,448	160/150 mm	14.8
MERIDA	eONE-SIXTY SL	€ 10,999	160/160 mm	19.7
Norco	Optic C1	€ 7,800	140/125 mm	14.1
Orbea	Rise LT M-LTD	€ 9,989	160/150 mm	19.7
Pivot	Switchblade Team X0 Transmission	€ 9,299	160/142 mm	14.2
RAAW	Jibb V2	€ 8,400	150/141 mm	15.3
Rocky Mountain	Instinct C70	€ 7,900	150/140 mm	14.5
Santa Cruz	Bronson CC X0 AXS RSV	€ 9,999	160/150 mm	14.9
Santa Cruz	Hightower CC X0 AXS RSV	€ 9,999	160/150 mm	14.6
Specialized	S-Works Stumpjumper 15	€ 13,000	150/145 mm	13.6
Transition	Sentinel X0 AXS	€ 8,999	160/150 mm	15.0
Trek	Top Fuel 9.8 GX AXS	€ 6,999	130/120 mm	13.5
YT	JEFFSY CORE 5 CF	€ 5,999	150/145 mm	15.3

At the top of the list is the new Atherton S.150. These Welsh bikes are still a rare sight on the trails, and are known for their distinctive, minimalist look with round tubes and lugs. With the new S.150, Atherton introduce an aluminum trail bike that – also thanks to its DW-Link rear suspension – is designed to be the perfect all-rounder. But how does it perform on the trail?

One of the former champions is making a comeback too. Back in 2021, the Canyon Spectral CF took the top spot in our comparison test, and now it’s back with exciting updates: slightly less travel than its predecessor (150/140 mm), 29” wheels, and a standard K.I.S. steering stabilizer. But is that enough to outshine the competition once again? Its electric counterpart looks deceptively similar! The Canyon Spectral:ONfly cleverly integrates a 50 Nm TQ-HPR50 motor and 360 Wh battery into the sleek frame silhouette, sneaking into the test field as an eMTB. But how does the 18.6 kg German perform on the trail, and can it outpace its analogue counterpart? The second eMTB in the test field is the Orbea Rise LT, which already claimed victory in a comparison test by our sister magazine E-MOUNTAINBIKE last season, and is a favorite amongst the ENDURO editorial team – not just because of the practical MyO configurator. It also brings the most motor power to the table.

As the third eMTB in this test, the MERIDA eONE-SIXTY SL takes on the industry’s heavyweights. With 160 mm of travel front and rear, it generates the most travel in the entire test field. Assistance is provided by a 55 Nm Bosch SX motor and a 400 Wh battery.

Californian manufacturer Ibis has long been known for building bikes that can truly rip on the descents. Their enduro machine recently secured victory in our big enduro comparison test. Now, Ibis enter our 2025 trail bike test with the latest version of the Ripmo, which features a cleaner frame silhouette an even sleeker look. Just around the corner from Ibis, you’ll find the halls of Santa Cruz Bicycles, which enter the race with both their new Bronson and its nearly identical sibling, the Hightower. With its small 27,5” rear wheel, the Santa Cruz Bronson is the playful fun machine in the Californian manufacturer’s portfolio, and is guaranteed to slap a massive grin on your face – no matter the trail. Meanwhile, the latest generation of the Santa Cruz Hightower has been redesigned from the ground up. Like the Bronson, it now generates 160/150 mm (f/r) of travel, and also relies on a more downhill-oriented geometry than its predecessor, though it still rolls on 29” wheels front and rear.

As pioneers of high-pivot suspension designs, Norco enter this test with their short-travel trail bike, the Optic. But does the exciting concept of the Norco Optic hold up? Can a high-pivot design offer real advantages with a bike with so little travel? On the other hand, the Pivot Switchblade stays true to the American brand’s signature look, positioning itself as a versatile all-round trail bike. It continues to rely on the proven DW-Link rear suspension and vertically mounted shock.

German boutique brand RAAW has quickly gained cult status. With the Jibb V2, they present the second generation of their trail bike. However, one thing remains unchanged: the philosophy behind the RAAW Jibb V2, which focuses on a robust, simple design, and prioritises trail performance and long-term durability.

Legendary Canadian brand Rocky Mountain have proven time and again that they know how to build authentic trail rockets. But how does the revamped Rocky Mountain Instinct perform on the trail with its practical RIDE-4 system? “New Year, New Me” seems to be the motto of the new Specialized Stumpjumper 15. With a clean, streamlined look that finally ditches the asymmetric cross-brace, and a simplified lineup consisting of just one model with 150/145 mm of travel, Specialized are taking a clear direction.

With its understated look and excellent downhill qualities, the new Transition Sentinel fits seamlessly not only into the American brand’s portfolio but also into our comparison test. The Trek Top Fuel, on the other hand, enters the competition as an outsider. With the least amount of travel in the test field, it looks more like a beefed-up XC bike than a full-fledged trail bike. But how well can it hold up against competitors that have significantly more travel?

And of course, last year’s champion, the YT JEFFSY, couldn’t be missing. Not only did it win the big comparison test, but it also earned the coveted Best Buy Tip – something no other bike has ever achieved in our tests. Of course, it will try to defend its title this year. Will it succeed? Find out further down in our article.

Needless to say, not every bike made it into this year’s test. As much as we’d love to include every trail bike currently available on the market, it’s simply not possible. Many models, like the Orbea Occam LT, Trek Fuel EX, and Yeti SB140 haven’t been updated since our latest comparison test, and were already outperformed by last year’s winner. That’s why they weren’t included this time – though by carefully reading and comparing past reviews, you can still draw interesting conclusions.

Other bikes, like the Forbidden Druid, COMMENCAL TEMPO, and Pivot Trailcat LT, we would have truly loved to include. However, some manufacturers couldn’t deliver a bike in time – or simply feared bad feedback and chose not to take part. Because, as in previous years, not every bike in this test will roll away with a laurel wreath – but more on this later.

What is a trail bike, and what should it be capable of?

What makes a truly great trail bike? The answers are as diverse as the perfect trail itself! A good trail bike needs to do far more than just sit somewhere between cross-country and enduro. When climbing, it should make its way to the top of the trailhead efficiently, and without making every meter of altitude a struggle. High pedaling efficiency and effective power transfer are key – after all, no one wants to waste unnecessary energy. Additionally, a well-designed trail bike should provide a comfortable riding position both uphill and on level ground, thus proving a reliable companion on long rides. But the real magic happens on the descents: modern trail bikes are so composed and capable that they could have easily passed as mini-enduros in the past – and even today, they’re hot on their heels. They combine excellent descending qualities with a playful geometry, delivering maximum fun on the trail. A great trail bike doesn’t make compromises – it brings together seemingly opposing qualities into one seamless package.

Our Test Location: Bikepark Innsbruck

We conducted our comparison test for the best trail bike of 2025 in October 2024. However, organising such an extensive test at the end of the bike season was no easy task, as only a few locations are still suitable for testing at that time. Bikepark Innsbruck proved to be the perfect test location, offering ideal trail conditions and continuous opening hours late into the season. The park features a great mix of fast, well-maintained flow trails packed with jumps and berms, as well as technical singletracks and demanding downhill sections, ensuring plenty of variety. Thanks to the park’s layout, countless trails can be combined, as many of them intersect at common points, allowing riders to switch trails multiple times per lap. And for those who don’t want to sleep in a van, there are plenty of bike-friendly apartments within walking distance.

The ENDURO Test Crew

Our Big Trail Bike Comparison Test in Numbers

Our Test Criteria: What Makes a Great Trail Bike?

The best trail bike of 2025 stands out with balanced all-round performance, seamlessly combining supposedly-contradictory traits without making major compromises.

It’s not just about having the right components – the character of the bike plays a crucial role too. To highlight this and provide you with the best possible buying advice, we don’t rely on a rigid point-based rating system. Instead, we evaluate each bike as a whole. When assessing components, the price tag isn’t the deciding factor – what matters is how they perform on the trail, whether they match the bike’s intended use, and how they harmonise together.

For a better overview, we’ve summarized all the key criteria in our search for the best trail bike of 2025.

What Makes a Trail Bike a Great Climber?

No climb, no descent! A trail bike is designed to tackle climbs mostly under your own steam, so strong uphill performance is essential. A good trail bike features a balanced riding position, with the weight evenly distributed between your hands and saddle. This ensures comfort, even on long rides. On steep uphills, it’s crucial to have enough pressure on the front wheel for precise steering. An efficient rear suspension is key – it should remain pedal-neutral even without a climb switch. This ensures traction in technical sections, preventing roots and bumps from interfering with your line while at the same time offering more comfort than a locked-out shock. Weight and rolling resistance also play a big role in climbing and acceleration. However, once a bike gains momentum, a slight weight increase becomes barely noticeable.

What Kind of Handling Does a Trail Bike Need?

Judging a bike’s handling solely based on a geometry tab is not only misleading, but practically impossible. Even if two models share similar geometries on paper, they can feel completely different on the trail. Factors like suspension setup, the interaction between reach and stack, and the bike’s overall design play a crucial role. A good trail bike positions the rider centrally, is playful to ride, and also forgives riding mistakes. This makes it accessible for beginners while allowing experienced riders to stay in control, even after a long day in the saddle. By contrast, demanding bikes require full attention and precise weight distribution. These models demand excellent riding technique – small mistakes can quickly escalate from a simple “Oh-shit!” moment to a bad crash. That’s why the rule of thumb is: the more intuitive the handling, the safer and faster you’ll be on the trail.

Composure vs. Agility

Composure and agility are two of the most contradictory test criteria – yet the best trail bikes manage to combine both. Stability isn’t just about plowing through rock gardens at full speed – a bike also needs to have enough suspension reserves for extreme situations, and inspire confidence, thus allowing you to ride faster without hesitating. Agility, on the other hand, determines how quickly and effortlessly a bike carves through tight trails, snaps from a berm into a switchback, and flicks from side to side. The best trail bikes strike the perfect balance between these two opposing qualities.

What makes the perfect suspension on a trail bike?

A trail bike’s suspension isn’t just defined by its components. Personal setup and shock tuning also play a huge role. In a nutshell: suspension can only be properly judged on the trail. The perfect suspension combines high traction and sensitivity with enough support to pop off ledges while still offering enough reserves to bail you out with botched landings. Bikes like the Specialized Stumpjumper 15 and the Atherton S.150 absorb hits with confidence while generating plenty of traction, allowing you to focus entirely on the trail ahead. When the suspension effectively translates rider input– which is the case with the bike we just mentioned – you can play with the trail and launch off natural kickers despite the high level of composure.

What does the perfect spec of a trail bike look like?

We all want to ride, and not spend half the day fixing shit on the trailside because something’s broken again. That’s why the components should match a bike’s intended use. However, many manufacturers cut corners to keep the weight down or to make the bike look better on the paper or on the shop floor.

One of the most important components on a bike are the brakes. They’re not just your insurance in hairy situations but also play a crucial role in arm fatigue and overall safety. That’s why saving weight on the brakes isn’t just lame – it’s total nonsense ! Our comparison test once again showed that many manufacturers are on the right track. We’ve rarely seen these many powerful brakes paired with large rotors as in this test, and heavy-duty anchors like the SRAM MAVEN were a common sight – keep it up! However, the Norco Optic C1 and Trek Top Fuel came with super-weak brakes that are better suited for XC bikes. This severely limits the bike’s potential and safety, and we strongly recommend an upgrade.

Tires are another area where brands tend to skimp and cut corners. When it comes to rubber compounds, a softer front tire makes the most sense, while a harder one at the rear reduces rolling resistance and increases durability. Casing choice should match both the bike’s character and the wheel setup. Unlike alloy models, carbon rims only have two states: unscathed and wasted ! That’s why you want to use robust tires – especially considering the high price tag of carbon wheels. A dent in an aluminum rim is usually no big deal and rarely ends a ride. More robust tire casings also allow you to run lower air pressures, which improves traction and provides extra damping for both small vibrations and big impacts. Some trail bikes in this test came with extremely shallow-treaded tires. While these might roll nicely and work fine in dry summer conditions, they’re a no-go in loose,wet corners. A more aggressive tread-pattern at the front has little impact on rolling resistance anyway, because the front wheel carries less load on climbs.

There are arguments both for and against standardising certain components – like the tires and cockpit – for our comparison tests. After all, every bike’s spec is carefully chosen by a product manager who doesn’t just throw parts together randomly but carefully selects them to match the bike’s purpose and target audience. If we were to swap components before testing, we’d be taking away the manufacturer’s chance to present their product as they intended. Plus, nobody wants to buy a brand-new bike and immediately have to swap parts – we all love a bike that’s trail-ready straight out of the box.

Instead, we take a close look at the existing spec: which parts make sense? Where is there room for improvement? And what tuning tips can take your setup to the next level? If we come across major issues, we’ll swap those components and retest the bikes – or draw from our years of experience to provide practical tuning advice. Because sometimes, just one small upgrade can make your bike feel like a whole new ride.

What smart features and useful details does a trail bike need?

Clever and useful frame features can, albeit indirectly, boost the fun factor of a trail bike enormously. Extra storage options, for example, mean you can leave your backpack or hip pack at home. On the other hand, threaded bottom brackets make it easy to replace knackered bearings, saving you time and saving you an expensive trip to the swear box. All bikes in this group test have bottle cage bosses. Integrated storage compartments and tool mounts are no longer a rare sight, and have finally become the standard. However, the quality and user-friendliness of the systems vary greatly, and no one wants to be fumbling around with a storage hatch on the trail when you’re already dealing with a puncture on your day off. Still, the more storage options you have for your trail essentials, the less you need to carry on your body – thus reducing the risk of injury. After all, no one wants to land on the pump or mini-tool that’s inside your backpack.

Smart cable routing, frame protection, easily-available spares, and additional plastic covers like an integrated fender help minimize wear, improving both the riding fun and the bike’s overall look. Generously-sized downtube, chainstay and seat stay protectors ensure a quiet ride and prevent damage to the frame, thus helping maintain the bike’s resale value.

Can a trail bike’s performance be judged by its spec sheet?

Price plays a secondary role in this trail bike comparison test – not because money doesn’t matter, but because it should always be measured in relation to performance. That’s why we don’t rate value for money by how much bling-bling you get for the lowest price. Instead, we focus on trail performance and the actual benefits for the rider. After all, what good are the best components if the bike rides like a steel gate?

This means that even expensive bikes with relatively simple specs can offer great value for money if they perform exceptionally in real-world riding scenarios. At the same time, budget-friendly bikes with fancy parts can score poorly if they fail to impress on the trail. In the end, it all comes down to the overall package – from suspension and geometry to the rest of the components. That’s why the € 7,000+ price gap in our test isn’t really a big deal. On the contrary, it makes things even fairer by clearly showing what you actually need!

Analogue trail bike or eMTB?

The differences between analogue trail bikes and eMTBs aren’t always obvious at first glance. Motors like the Canyon Spectral:ON’s TQ HPR 50 blend seamlessly into the bottom bracket, while the minimalist display and remote are very discrete. The Bosch SX of the MERIDA eONE-SIXTY SL and the Shimano EP801 of the Orbea Rise LT are more striking visually, but they also pack more power and provide a stronger shuttle-like boost – meaning that they give you a bit more of a push than their more discreet light-assistance competitors.

Since motor systems massively influence a bike’s handling and character, you should think carefully about what you want from your eMTB before buying. Do you prefer long shuttle laps or a natural ride feel with just a little extra push? Do you need a removable battery, range extenders, or smart software features like virtual bike locks? Everything is possible – as long as you pick the right system. It’s definitely worth checking out the in-depth motor comparison test of our sister magazine E-MOUNTAINBIKE, where all the major drive systems have been thoroughly tested and reviewed.

What is the best trail bike of 2025? The winners, losers, and further recommendations

The search for the best trail bike of 2025 has not only exposed weaknesses, gimmicks, and some poorly thought-out solutions. More importantly, it has shown that bikes are constantly evolving. Features that would have turned heads just a few years ago have now become the norm. And a lot has changed when it comes to confidence and trail performance, both up and downhill. It’s also great to see that the most affordable bikes in this test don’t need to hide on the trail, even if some minor issues come up here and there. Alongside a well-deserved test winner and a seriously strong Best Buy recommendation, we’ve got plenty of other exciting bike recommendations, because this comparison was packed with interesting contenders! We’ve summarized all the key findings for you in a separate article.

The Competition of our 2025 Trail Bike Test Field

The competition of our 2025 trail bike test field isn’t sleeping, and even though not every bike rolls away with a laurel wreath and a champagne bottle, most of them bring exciting features and unique characters. That’s why we’ve once again summarized all the bikes and our test results for you.

The Canyon Spectral CF LTD kicks things off, impressing with agile, intuitive handling, and plenty of fun, especially on flowy trails. It does reach its limits on rough terrain, and a set of quickly worn-out shock bushings slightly dampened our overall impression. Still, as a fun-oriented trail bike, it offers good value for money and is an attractive option for riders of all levels.

Its electrified sibling, the Canyon Spectral:ONfly CF LTD, also stands out with a playful character, delivering tons of fun on the trail. With its intuitive handling and agile character, it’s a suitable choice for all skill levels. The motor provides a gentle breeze of tailwind on the climbs, allowing for a few extra laps before fatigue sets in. However, the worn-out shock bushings also slightly tarnish the overall picture here.

The next eMTB, the MERIDA eONE-SIXTY SL, presents itself as a well-equipped bike with excellent climbing qualities and a solid motor feel, delivering strong traction. On rough trails, however, the stiff cockpit and low front-end take away some composure and agility, leaving it behind its electrified competitors in this test, despite its fun factor on the trail.

The Norco Optic C1 is a stylish bike with an interesting concept, though it falls short due to the weak brakes. The long frame requires some attention when choosing your size, and while the Optic might appeal to a smaller niche of riders, it performs excellently within that niche. The strong suspension punches above its travel class, making it a flow trail rocket that can also handle rougher trails – as long as you know what you’re doing.

The Pivot Switchblade Team X0 Transmission is a well-engineered, high-end trail bike with precise, nimble handling. It’s a comfortable, efficient climber that generates tons of traction uphill, proving an excellent partner for long days in the saddle. Riding downhill, it impresses with direct handling, quick direction changes, and poppy suspension but loses composure at high speeds. Experienced riders looking for a snappy trail bike with premium design and top-tier components will love the Switchblade – as long as they can handle its demanding character in high-speed sections.

The RAAW Jibb V2 is a thoughtfully designed, high-end aluminum trail bike that stands out from the crowd with solid performance and excellent serviceability. The extensive adjustability options for both the geometry and suspension progression makes it particularly appealing to riders who love to fine-tune their bike. On the trail, it impresses with a firm, well-tuned suspension and balanced ride feel but lags behind the best bikes in this test in terms of agility and composure. That said, it’s still a very exciting option for home mechanics and individualists.

The Rocky Mountain Instinct C70 impresses with a clean, sleek look and a modern frame silhouette. Thoughtful details like the Penalty Box storage system round off the overall package. While it’s reassuringly composed and confidence-inspiring, it requires an active riding style, especially on climbs. If you’re looking for a robust, quiet bike with flexible adjustment options, you’ll find a strong all-rounder with lots of potential in the Instinct – provided you can compromise slightly on agility and uphill performance.

The Santa Cruz Bronson CC X0 AXS RSV is a pure fun machine, designed for downhill-oriented trail riding. The poppy suspension, the deeply-integrated riding position, and agile mullet setup provide a playful ride and plenty of confidence on rough trails. It remains stable and composed at high speeds but requires more effort on climbs compared to the competition. Still, it rewards with maximum fun on descents – a strong all-rounder for good times and party laps.

The Santa Cruz Hightower CC X0 AXS RSV, on the other hand, is the more reserved sibling to the rowdy Bronson. While the Bronson shines with its aggressive nature, the Hightower is built for long tours and moderate trails. In rough terrain and at high speeds, it’s not as composed,and the suspension shows some weaknesses. Uphill, however, it plays to its strengths: comfortable and efficient – perfect for long rides and relaxed singletrack adventures.

The Trek Top Fuel 9.8 GX AXS aims to be a trail bike but rides more like an XC bike that strayed off course. The sporty riding position makes it an efficient, lively climber, but the lack of reserves and stability limit its downhill performance, making technical trails more demanding. Flow trails are its natural habitat, where it excels with precise handling and high speeds. However, on natural, uneven trails, it falls significantly behind the rest of the test field and requires an active riding style and good skills.

The YT JEFFSY CORE 5 still holds its ground in the new test field, even if it can’t defend its previous titles. It remains an incredibly fun, agile trail bike with an excellent suspension setup, excelling on both flow trails and technical sections. Clever frame details make trail life easier, and even if you make a few upgrades to the not-quite-perfect stock spec, the JEFFSY is still more affordable than any other bike in this test field.

The Best Trail Bike of 2025: The Specialized Stumpjumper 15

In our comparison test, the Specialized S-Works Stumpjumper 15 proved to be an elegant yet brutally good trail bike that perfectly combines agility, control, and riding fun. It’s insanely maneuverable and still incredibly composed, proving a tremendous fun machine. With its firm, incredibly capable suspension and precise yet forgiving handling, it encourages you to play with the trail, begging you to pump, carve and pop off ledges – a true shredder! The only real downside? The price. That’s why we took another look at the Pro build – which wasn’t available at the time of this test. This version relies on the same key components as the S-Works model (suspension, brakes, drivetrain) but costs significantly less. At € 9,500, it’s far from being a bargain, but still a great deal cheaper without any performance sacrifices. Our top pick and clear test winner!

Our Best Buy Tip: The Atherton S.150

The Atherton S.150 once again stands in a class of its own. While it’s not the snappiest climber, it remains surprisingly efficient despite its weight. But on the descents, it delivers unmatched stability and confidence, all while maintaining impressive agility. Thanks to its beastly suspension, this bike literally sticks to the ground, generating bottomless traction without sacrificing support. At € 7,200, the S.150 is also one of the most affordable bikes in this test – which makes it an absolutely deserved Best Buy recommendation!

More Exciting Trail Bike Recommendations from Our Comparison Test

The Ibis Ripmo XT combines a fresh new look with the proven shredding capabilities the Californian manufacturer is known for. Not only does it look fast and sleek, but it also features thoughtful, well-executed frame details. With a strong mix of stability and agility and a flawless suspension setup, the Ripmo is unstoppable on the trail. On top of that, it’s also one of the best climbers in the test.

The Orbea Rise LT blends strong climbing performance, intuitive handling, and a capable suspension into a versatile package. Thanks to the extensive MyO configurator and flexible battery configurations, it can be tailored to individual needs. However, you’ll have to accept some minor drawbacks, like the distinct clunking noise of the motor. For trail bike lovers looking for a powerful and adaptable eMTB, the Rise LT is a great recommendation.

The Transition Sentinel X0 AXS combines a clean, rectilinear look with well-thought-out details and the practical BOOM Box storage compartment. It excels with a high level of composure and strong reserves, allowing it to outpace most of the test field in rough terrain. However, it can’t quite match the top contenders in terms of agility. Still, the Transition Sentinel is a versatile all-rounder, offering a comfortable riding position for long tours while also being tough enough for bike park sessions.

Are trail bikes not enough for you, or are you looking for something more relaxed?
Then check out the other comparison tests we’ve conducted recently:

• The best enduro bike of 2024
• Three hot downcountry bikes in direct comparison
• 9 lightweight e-mountainbikes in direct comparison
• The best downhill bike of 2024
• North America’s Finest Bikes

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Words & Photos: Peter Walker