How do I choose the best trail bike? | Mountain Bike Rider

If you’re shopping for a new trail bike, it probably hasn’t escaped your attention that there’s a bewildering array of options on the market.

So, as well as being the most popular category of full-suspension bike, it’s also one of the most confusing.

In terms of travel, you’ve got options anywhere between 120 and 150 millimetres at the rear.

You can choose from 29in wheels front and rear, 27.5in wheels front and rear, or a mixed wheel mullet bike with a 29 up front and a 27.5 at the back.

Factor in an almost limitless combination of geometry variables and sizing options and it’s hard to know where to start.

So in order to try and make some sense out of the different options on the market, and help you guys choose the right bike for your needs, we’ve gathered together three different interpretations of the modern trail bike, all from Canyon’s Spectral range.

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[TheVic]

I bet a 120-130mm fully is enough for 80% of riders and trails out there - and even make those trails more fun…

[foxychico]

I recently just bought the Canyon Spenctral 29 CF7 and it is the best bike I have owned 10/10 would recommend!!

[themuslimmountainbiker]

I have a Spectral 29 AL6 with 160mm travel up front and am lovin' it. Brilliant all rounder!

[jamiewilliams]

I haven’t seen any reviews of the 2022/2023 spectral in the 27.5 front and rear, everyone reviews the 29er, the mullet and the 125 would love to see somebody talk about the special, 27.5

[superawesomefuntimego]

I ran the Spectral 2022 CF8 for a while this year, rung up about 500 miles on it. Brilliant bike and excellent pretty much everywhere and even did my first Enduro on it. I liked it as well or maybe even better on tame trails than my 2021 Stumpjumper Expert and it blew the Stumpy away when trails got gnarly. In the end though, I just sold both and picked up a new Propain Tyee (after I test rode one), which just gave me a hair more confidence than the CF8, granted some of that may be because it is a Large VS Medium on the Spectral and the Tyee is running a coil, which tracks the trails I ride a bit better.

[Milessongs]

I would choose the CF 125 for it's travel range, and especially for the availability in a 27.5 version. LOTS of benefits to that wheel size in a trail bike, contrary to popular marketing.

[trkoo]

I bought a light 150first, worked every where but was always the slowest going up or down. Switched it to 170 although this worked amazing downhill and still climbed like a truck it was so much that flat trails where really boring. Than bought a 120 this works amazing on flattish trails as it is fast light and fun. I used this mainly and 170 for bike parks and downhill stuff.

[avySeal]

Thanks for this video. Last week, I was actually comparing these bikes to the other brands with the same travel.
I have an enduro bike and I’m looking for a nice trail bike. Much appreciated.

[cglasford]

I've watched pretty much every video on the Spectral 29er and Spectral 125 and I'm still not sure which is the better bike for myself or my riding.

[edgeofsanitysevensix]

Just ordered a 125 CF9. Looks perfect for me who wants a bit of everthing without huge amounts of travel

[nord]

The comment duo is the Best on YouTube, the bikes are awesome. Please just make more videos!

[anders]

Excellent video guys, informative and well presented!

[Taylor]

Really wish they would offer the mullet in different specs the same as the others. Atm I just can’t let go of my 650b CFR spectral as it’s so fun to ride.

[hambo]

The logos don't line up on the front wheel of that Spectral 29. Unrideable.

[zufrisally]

The heading is Deceptive. Covers only about the Spectral. This is the best Canyon sponsored advertisement I have seen..

[mikkopulkkinen]

I think mbr makes the best mtb bike reviews at the moment. That said, if I'd be looking for trail bike I would pick the middle one but I'm more interested of bike park stuff so mullet bike with a steady platform and more travel for shure. At the moment I have 5y old Primer that has with 140/125 mm travel, about 13 kg, which sounds similiar to the spectral 125, playful, fast. The terrain I ride mostly is flat and I like to do long rides but it can handle more steeper stuff too.

[JorgeDiaz-busk]

I picked up the Spectral 29 160/150 it’s great for the trails around here and climbs surprisingly well. 👍

[Zoey]

The last 2 seem like enduro bikes to me. But that first is definitely a trail bike.

[philliplanfre]

Easy to use and clean. Very convenient.

[bitumen]

Best trail bike is the one you already have.