Can I Beat This PRO Enduro Racer? Budget Hardtail Vs $$$ MTB

Who’s fastest? A pro rider or a punter like our very own Tom Marvin? The answer seems obvious, but imagine if there was a way Tom could go faster than a pro…

Tom goes head to head with Enduro World Series winner, World Championship downhill racer, and former British XC national champion, Trek Factory Racing’s 🥁… Hattie Harnden!

But there’s a twist: Hattie is going to start off on her enduro-spec carbon Trek Slash, but then ride the same track on four other bikes, decreasing in travel and ultimately price, to see at what point Tom’s time on the Slash is faster than hers, if at all!

Who will win?

Which bike would you most like to ride? Let us know in the comments 👇

#MBUKmagazine #MTB #mbuk #mountainbike #mbuktech

Chapters:
00:00 Intro
00:57 The Bikes
02:00 Trek Slash Race Lap
04:44 Trek Fuel EX Race Lap
06:23 Trek Supercaliber Race Lap
08:24 Trek Roscoe Race Lap
10:31 Trek Marlin Race Lap
14:44 Results

His Own Bikepark! | A Lap With Olly Wilkins

This Disease Kills Bike Parks 🪦 Why Revs Closed

The Kids SHRED | Dare Valley Bike Park Tour

E-MTB Vs. Motorbike | We Swap Bikes With @BillyBolt57 ​

How To Start A Bike Company | Starling Cycles Factory Tour!

Listen to the BikeRadar Podcast

Follow BikeRadar on our social media channels:

BikeRadar is supported by Mountain Biking UK and Cycling Plus Magazine –For more information and to subscribe please visit

For more content like this see our latest subscription offer –

[bikeradar]

Do you think YOU have what it takes to beat a PRO racer? 🤔🚵‍♀

[Andy_ATB]

There aren't many riders who have gone from twice Cyclocross National champion, to the Downhill National champion the year won EWS rounds as a Downhill World Cup podium. A proper 'all round' talent.

[JAvellino]

Hattie is beyond impressive, and this is one of the better mountain bike videos I've seen in months. Fantastic!

[DarthFurball]

Far from ruining the video, I think Hattie proved you can be fast and have fun without blowing a huge amount of cash!

[mattes]

Impressive. It’s the rider not the bike.
Getting smoked by an entry level bike is what makes you wanna burn your 8k super enduro.
But honestly I think that the gain of confidence a longer travel bike gives, supports the beginner rider even more, than a experienced or pro rider.
The pro is used to riding on the edge and knows what is possible, plus higher skills and confidence anyway.

[ifitrollsrideit]

"Holly Molly!" Haha, now nice is Hattie whilst still hammering down the drops on a short travel hardtail. Pretty sure I'd be using stronger language. :D

[bcnephew]

So interesting on many levels. Would have been nice to see all the bikes on the same tires, but good to have them as they come as well. I would love to know if Hattie has done any testing on the Fuel vs. Slash given that many pro enduro riders run a short travel bike in at least some rounds? If not, is she considering it now? The other interesting issue is the effect of multiple runs on the same track, as it pertains to home field advantage. Makes me think of the results of the Tasmania rounds of the EDS and how much they differed from the rest of the series. Might be best to distribute the rounds as widely as possible to minimize the impact of local experience. Lastly, I think Supercaliber has a relatively steep head tube angle compared to other top XC bikes? This was so much more interesting than junker bike vs. 10k

[Hiefi]

Love and hate it at the same time, when i am completely on the edge of my riding and can not imagine, that its possible to go any faster and someone overtakes me right away and it is looking so effortless... 🤷‍♂
That to me shows how much a good riding positon and confidence can do. Both things i can definitly improve this year

[buggen]

Damn .. I get that she gets more comfortable for each ride but that's incredible

[mckayflake]

The most interesting thing is that the fuel beat the slash (the bike she races full time). I’m curious if you would start to see a bigger difference if the track was much longer

[stuartmoseley]

Nice video, great job Tom and Hattie especially considering the weather!

[simonpace]

Would have been good to see Hattie ride the first bike again to see how much getting to know the trial made a difference...

[Bayman]

Very good movie. You and Hattie have the courage to ride in such rainy conditions 👍 As for bikes, I was considering a bike good enough to ride in a Bike Park in Poland, and Trek Marlin 8 gen 3 was on that list. Because, as you mentioned, it won't break the bank, and for starters it's good :) That was until I found out about the new Trek Procaliber 6 😊 which may cost a little more, but is WORTH every penny spent. Trek Slash is on my wish list. But not the carbon one she has, because I'm not a pro and it costs a LOT, but Slash 7 Gen 5 from 2023 for half the price. Keep up good work.

[alanhill]

Excellent video Tom I really enjoyed it awesome riding

[buildingreno]

Great video. The Roscoe is a really fun bike!

[mickhurley]

Hats off to Hattie, my new hardtail hero.
That was super fun to watch, I really enjoyed this, her fun is infectious. More of her, more of this content. It had both entertainment and great information.
Nice to see you doing content that has a pro and pro bike involved but is relatable to a punter rider.
Ive 3 kids, and with me riding also, obviously cant afford 4x expensive bikes, so as we build up our livery, I picked up a Marlin 7 (our 4th Trek) for one of them this week. Good to know the Marlin is still a capable bike. And I wonder would the fact you dont take the higher lines on it and reduced speed lead to less chance of a crash/injury..win win where kids are concerned.

[lbanezjs]

i think the punter is a very fast punter..

[LaurentiusTriarius]

Less emtb content and more of this pls ☺️

[chewchew]

As she rode them she got used to the trail...which add to faster time..

[gg.youlubeatube]

If you got the skill you can send it on a door of the barn.