We Tested 4 Great Value Mountain Bikes | Specialized, Vitus, Cannondale & Merida Hardtails Reviewed

The best mountain bikes around £1000 right now represent a huge leap forward in terms of spec, geometry and value compared to their counterparts from just a few years ago.

That said, for those new to the sport or those who don’t have masses of money to spend, 1000 dollars or pounds is a lot of cash to spend on a bike, and the prospect of upping that budget even a little bit is a daunting one.

Watch the whole video to find out the difference between a bike worth £750 and a more expensive £1350 bike - is the extra money worth it?

BikeRadar’s technical editor, Alex Evans tested four hardtails on a mix of the trails they’re most likely to be ridden on. The trails ranged from fireroads and bridleways through to more technical trail-centre loops and singletrack in Scotland’s Tweed Valley, home to the famous Glentress Forest trail centre and host to the UK’s round of the Enduro World Series, to find out exactly where they excel and where their limits are.

Bikes on test:

Vitus Nucleus 29 VRS – 01:58
Cannondale Trail SE 4 review – 05:54
Specialized Fuse 27.5 (2021) – 09:23
Merida Big.Trail 500 – 13:24

Vitus Nucleus

Cannondale Trail SE 4

Specialised Fuse 27.5 (2021)

Merida Big.Trail 500

What would be your top value mountain bike for around 1000 dollars or pounds? Which bike would you choose from the four bikes we tested? As always, comment below!

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#mountainbikereview #MTB #hardtailhero

[cosmicsheep]

Finally some merida bikes getting featured 🙌

[MC]

Here is a suggestion: get a friend that has a lot of experience with MTB's, go online and get yourself a second hand bike for the same budget that you initially set out. You'll probably get double the value for your money and enjoy better shifting, braking and overall performance! But other than that, good list and I really appreciate Bike Radar spending some time at more affordable bikes!

[andresquintero]

I like you guys and the reviews are genuinely really good all the time. Although this video stretched a bit the proportions going from a £800 to a £1400 bike; but have to give credit to the fact that you checked affordable MTBs in the market.

[stevecrump]

Wow.. the price of these bikes are making my old bike collection look even better value. ...

[thehenchdude]

I have the Merida, and as a novice I cant give a comparison but its very good for me. 100% reccomend it.

[jplanta]

just recently purchased a Merida Big trail and i can say it is the best Hardtail i ever own.

[rak]

Just brought myself a 2021 Nucleus 27 VR, coming this week, first bike I've brought in 15 years :D

[CorvetteGuy]

Nicely done… refreshing seeing a video on economy bikes instead of 5 figure super machines.

[skieyz]

Disagree with the negative review of the Vitus, hence owning it myself. The price range of the bikes tested was huge and had no true comparison considering that the vitus is half the price of the Merida and Specialized. Yes the Vitus might not have the greatest frame(only $900 bike btw), but it’s geometry makes it far more capable in my opinion than its rival the Cannondale. And the other two bikes are just not something to compare this bike to. Vitus has many other bikes in between the price range of these bikes that have far better specs than the ones tested. I just think that this comparison was not fair and think the Vitus is still the best bang for the buck brand for budget hardtails.

[figoagogo]

Wow, the specs for a sub 1k hard tail are getting stingy... When did 1k become "budget" level 😟

[Bke]

I'm 5'10" and buying a Merida Big Trail. As this is my first modern 29er would you go L or XL. Review says XL but I wonder if it will feel too large when you're not used to 29ers.

[zazu]

The way to break aluminum is to flex it. Before bikes, or any other goods, one has to understand how market works. There is a video somewhere on YT about vine experts who couldn't differ red from white vine on blind test. Same about bikes. Those lower welded seatstays are matter of fashion, and from the point of strength of the frame, quite ridiculous. Just wait couple of years and you will see that no bike has them like that anymore. It took the industry 10-15 years to remove front derailleur, chainrings and cables. That shows how clever they are. And now they sell single chainring at higher price than triple ring that consists of more material, and is more complex to produce. Fashion, fairytales and again fashion.

[skarabyll]

I just got the Marin SQ 2 in L very happy so far

[bleeez]

Shall I get the vitus nucleus 27 vr or marin bobcat trail 3?

[johnykryll]

At last some real vids on affordable bicycles, not the overpriced out of reach bikes these channels tend to push, all of them sponsored of course. Well done BR

[WOLFTICKVIDEOS]

If Evans MTB Saga hadn't featured a Vitus Nucleus, we wouldn't have even known about them. I don't know if we will ever get any of these, but thanks for showing some good value options for biking on a budget.

[Mrtom]

Mate wicked vid but I was looking at the trek marlin 6 vs the vrs29 what would u go for

[TheDiablosixsix]

Good luck actually being able to buy one of these!!

[MrJamesLuz]

It’s 2021, rear QR bike frames should be illegal

[haydenfaulk]

ALERT! Do not buy the Specialized Fuse! There are so many problems with the bike that are dealbreakers! Cable rattle, soft wheels, weak brakes, not replaceable chainring, tall seat tube, and a super short dropper post!