![]() Pros: Aggressive geometry and stiff, low-slung frame great handling on really steep terrain.The bike rides with more confidence than you might expect and, apart from the dropper lever, there really isn’t much to fault.Ĭanyon’s Spectral 125 handles steeps really well. The bike has a dropper post, which is great for such a gravity-focused bike, but the dropper lever is a bit small and not the easiest to use. The relatively steep seat-tube angle helps you get your weight over the bottom bracket, and the wide-ranging 10-51 tooth cassettes help winch you up the toughest climbs. The bike is happiest heading downhill, where it feels planted, and the Shimano SLX four-piston brakes provide a whole load of stopping power. The MTR 9.0 is Boardman’s flagship mountain bike, with an upgraded alloy frame, 150mm RockShox fork, a Deluxe Select+ rear shock and a groupset that is, by and large, comprised of Shimano SLX-level parts. Cons: Contact points detract from overall package.Pros: Rides with confidence and has excellent brakes RockShox fork and rear shock.Read our full Propain Hugene Custom reviewīoardman’s MTR 9.0 is great on the downs.While this build costs £4,695, pricing starts at €3,300 for the German brand’s bike. This bike is a custom build with a Fox 34 Performance Elite fork and DPX2 shock, SRAM X01 drivetrain and Newmen wheels with Schwable tyres. There’s a touch of pedal bob when you’re stamping on the pedals but we only really noticed this on flat, trail-centre straights. The bike is composed when you start pedalling and the seated position is comfortable. It is agile and playful in the corners encouraging you to throw the bike around. It provides plenty of stability and the back wheel hugs the ground. The geometry is also longer, lower and slacker with a steeper 76.5-degree seat angle and 65.5-degree head angle. The Propain now has 140mm of rear travel to better balance the 140mm or 150mm front fork options. The Propain Hugene was our Trail Bike of the Year in 2020, but 2021 saw Propain refresh the bike, updating the geometry and increasing travel. Pros: Incredibly composed rear suspension beautifully built, sleek carbon frameset.Propain updated the Hugene’s geometry in 2021. The bike is also ripe for upgrades and, with a few parts swapped out, we think it would be great as a lightweight, mile-munching machine. So really this is a bike for speedy trail centre rides, rather than super-challenging terrain. You do have to shift your weight forward to keep front-wheel traction over tricky ascents, and downhill the bike is fairly noisy. The geometry is modern but not extreme with a generous reach, leading to a comfortable ride. There is a bottle mount too, but we found there to be minimal clearance. The triple-butted alloy frame looks purposeful and has externally routed cables, making for easy maintenance. It has a well-chosen spec that balances cost, performance and strength, with a RockShox front fork, a SRAM NX Eagle drivetrain and Maxxis tyres. The Boardman MTR 8.9 has the same geometry and suspension as the pricier MTR 9.0. Cons: Limits become clear on extreme terrain.The Boardman MTR 8.9 has the same geometry as the MTR 9.0. Read our full Bird Aether 9 (2021) review.When it comes to climbing, ample space between the saddle and bar lets you put your body weight in the right place and the suspension robs very few watts.Įlsewhere, the bike has a full Shimano XT M8100 groupset and DT Swiss EXC 1501 wheels, making this bike not just a great performer but excellent value for money too. ![]() Paired with the RockShox 140mm Pike Ultimate fork and Super Deluxe rear shock, this translates to a bike that is unflappable and right at home on twisty, steep descents. The Bird Aether 9 won our 2021 Trail Bike of the Year award, thanks to its ability to deliver in virtually all situations from long days in the saddle to short, sharp bursts in the woods.īird is known for long and slack geometry and the Aether 9 follows suit, with a 65-degree head-tube angle and 77-degree seat tube. Pros: BikeRadar’s trail bike of the year 2021 excellent geometry exceptional value for money.The Bird Aether 9 is pleasingly simple with its silver aluminium frame and external cable routing. ![]()
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