$2,500 Full-Suspension Mountain Bike Comparison Test

Can a rider buying a full-suspension mountain bike get durability and peak on-trail performance for under $2,500? Vital MTBers, welcome to the third edition of our budget mountain bike comparison test. “Budget” is a relative word and $2,500 is a ton of money to spend on a bike you have to pedal yourself. Over the years, however, we’ve come to realize that if we want a full-suspension mountain bike that can withstand the rigors of lots of miles on legit trails, this is the price range to be in. Any cheaper and the bikes and their parts just don’t perform or hold up to real riding over time.

A huge thanks goes to our video supporters

We’re testing new bikes here, but never forget the used market, which can bring a lot of bang for the buck if you know what to look for. Additionally, new bike prices are constantly changing with some big sales and discounts to be found, so keep in mind that the prices reflected in this video may differ from what you find today.

We rounded up 6 full-suspension 29ers in the 130mm to 140mm rear travel range. These are considered trail bikes if you’re unaware of how mountain bikes are classified. A trail bike is made to do a little bit of everything, and hopefully do it pretty well. It has more travel than a cross-country bike and less travel than what’s called an enduro bike. Some of our test bikes are purchased at local bike shops, while the others are ordered directly from the brands online and prices here don’t reflect shipping costs or taxes. Bikes bought from a local shop will be assembled and ready to ride out the door, while direct-to-consumer bikes require some assembly upon delivery. All the direct brands we tested provide the necessary assembly tools in the packaging like hex wrenches and shock pumps.

Every bike in our test has 29-inch wheels, hydraulic disc brakes and a 1x drivetrain which means there are 11 or 12 speeds on the rear gear cluster and only one chainring at the cranks. While there are component similarities between the bikes, each model is definitely its own machine with unique fit and riding characteristics.

This year, for good measure, we threw in a Specialized Stumpjumper Comp Alloy which is currently on sale for $3,200. Would $1,000 price bump provide enough performance benefit to make our testers want to ignore the other bikes?

Join us for some fun as we put these bikes to the test near Reno, Nevada, and hopefully, you’ll get some insight about which bike may be best for you.

Video Contents
0:00 - Intro
1:42 - Bike Sizing, Testers, Overview of Test Fleet
3:40 - Bike Weight Challenge
5:18 - Marin Rift Zone 29 2 - $2,299
9:40 - Giant Trance X 29 2 - $2,280
12:39 - Rossignol Mandate Deore 11 - $1,499
16:10 - Polygon Siskiu T8 - $1,999
19:28 - Rocky Mountain Instinct A10 - $2,029
22:17 - Norco Fluid FS A3 - $2,249
25:19 - Would Our Testers Spend $1,000 More on a Nicer Stumpjumper?

We had a blast testing these wallet-friendly mountain bikes, and we hope that you’ve learned which bike may be best for you. Whether you’re spending $2,000 or $200 dollars on a bike, it’s all about the ride and all we want is that you get out on the trails and experience the joy a bike can bring. If you have any questions or comments, let us know down below and we’ll see you on the trails!

#MTB #mountainbike #bike

[mustclime]

I love these budget tests, thanks for posting them.

[kenalexander]

I really enjoy a budgt bike review. It is what normal people can afford and it is great info for someone trying to get into the sport with a more capable bike than a Walmart bike. It is crazy when there is $10k + bikes. I am not sure who is buying those bikes and I make $140k/year.

[johnatanbustos]

Having purchased the Marín half way through the year I'm SO glad I did and did so thinking of those upgrades they mention @ the end. Great handling bike and Best bang for the buck, obviously

[blakekennard]

Recently purchased the Marin rift zone Xr for $2300. I have about 20 miles on it so far. I’m 5 foot 10” tall and weight 220 fully kitted on the size large. Things I like, this bike is an all a rounder, corners playfully with that short rear end, the shimano 4 piston brakes have all the stopping power in the world when pushing it to the limit, dual Maxxis assegies have a ton of grip in various terrain, the Marzocchi z1 air took some effort to dial in but is nice and soft off the top and provides predictable mid stroke and bottom out protection. The rear fox float X tracks the ground on chop and edges but if very poppy and playful for coming out of berms and getting in the air considering its heft, with a 65.5 degree hta it feels nimble and quick around tight switchbacks, and initiating corners. Things that could be better depending on your style of riding or terrain you ride would be: faster rolling rear tire, (dissector/trail boss, even a specialized eliminator would work), converting to tubeless sooner that later, I’ve yet to do it, and some DMR V11 pedels for there grip and slight con cavity.
The Marin bars and cockpit setup are plenty good and I don’t plan on upgrading any of it until it breaks or wears out. Overall a joy of a bike to ride and play on, it really is made for fun! Great video

[mikeflanigan]

Really nice to see hands on testing and real world experience.

[John_D]

One of the best vids all year. Would love to see a hardtail test in the same price range.

[hambo]

I bought my son the Norco Fluid A3 and shortly after the Rockshox 35 developed a bushing issue. It was sent to RS and they sent back a Pike Ultimate (C2.1)! So now it's a bit lighter and much nicer to ride :) Next upgrades will be a GX shifter and nicer wheels.

[THRENO]

Got the stumpjumper alloy back in 21 for $2999 cad and put a $1000 in it over time upgrading myself. Learned alot and happy with the bike.

[anders]

For anyone wondering, the "11spd" Shimano Deore RD-M5100-SGS is happy to double as 12spd just by replacing the shifter to 12spd (SL-M6100/7100/8100). The RD-M5100-SGS and RD-M6100-SGS is basically the same product with different paint jobs.

[adrianw]

I've had my Polygon T8 for almost a year now. It's been a solid performer.

[baddriversofcolga]

The deals on the Rossignols are insane. I didn't even know they made bikes.

[rickphil]

I love how you critically go on to detail comparing these bikes. love your review still best bike for geometry marin

[nicholkid]

Love this type of review. I'm hoping next year to switch to full sus on a budget. Too bad I can't buy anything right now cause the deals are pretty crazy. They were selling that Norco fluid here for only $2k cad. Obviously the spec isn't the best but at that price it doesn't matter.

One bike that looks really interesting to me is the updated 2024 giant stance, which now has thru axle and better geo. Hopefully you guys get to test that one when it comes out.

Also it's nice to know that the 2 piston Shimano brakes work alright because most cheap bikes come with those but I've never tried them.

[hundoc]

It needs to said for newer riders that 2500 for a bike is expensive. I got along perfectly fine riding real Colorado trails with a 1400 dollar brand new full suspension Giant Stance 2. It was reliable and the parts held up no problem. You get more features and better equipment if you spend more but you don’t have to spend 2500 dollars like these guys are saying to have a reliable rig to go ride. Don’t buy a Walmart bike and you’ll be good. Even my 600 dollar new Specialized Rock Hopper did just fine with no reliability issues. You have to look at this thru the right lenses. Guys like on this video that are used to riding double blacks with 170mm travel bikes that cost 10 grand will say these 2500 dollar bikes aren’t that great. 2500 dollar bikes are really really good and 1500 dollar bikes are still good and keep you on the trails reliably

[tvz_acid]

In my opinion, the best budget bike a mountain bikers can buy if they are on a budget (talking about an enduro bikes) is Radon Jab 9.0. Comes with a Rockshox Zeb Select+ and Magura MT5's and the bike comes in at about 2300USD (or around 1800USD because they are the mostly on sale). I hope you guys will take the bike in consideration if you ever man a budget enduro bike video. Cheers!

[markcaldwell]

I really enjoyed this video guys. Thanks for testing a group of "affordable" bikes that are not out of reach for many of us.

[jesusalbertoguerrerocarden]

I bought a Giant Trance X1 a little over 2 years ago and been slowly upgrading it and it is a totally diferent and much more capable bike. Now that I'm done with the upgrades I don't feel the need to buy something more expensive.

[Avigazed]

I was surprised and impressed to learn about the inclusion of a freehub on the Marin, a bike I'm looking at. That and the Alpine Trail, and the Ibis Ripmo.

[prancisfena]

I appreciate how the context for the price range is set as well as tips on checking the used market. 👍 Kudos Vital.

[TivonSanders]

I'm surprised the Canyon Spectral 125 didn't make the list. Excellent review and comparison though! Loved it.