Bikes August 6, 2019 For many mountain bikers, understanding the background, history, and ethos of a company has a major impact on the purchase of a new rig. However, with so many brands to choose from, it can be difficult to navigate the landscape and find a good match. From value-oriented companies like Diamondback to high-end, carbon-only players like Yeti, the brands below stand out to us as the top in the business, after all, we’ve spent a lot of time on the trails testing bikes and soliciting input from fellow riders. Related: The Best Mountain Bikes for Your Budget Below we break down some of the most well-known mountain biking brands, including a brief history on each brand, each company’s most popular models, and what sets them apart from the competition. For more, see our mountain biking gear reviews. 1. Specialized Location: Morgan Hill, California Popular models: Stumpjumper and Rockhopper What we like: Quality, proven bikes for every type of rider at nearly every price point. What we don’t: A bit more cutthroat than other bike companies we’ve seen. Founded in the early 1970s, Specialized can be credited with catalyzing the explosion of mountain biking in the United States. Although their bikes are manufactured in Taiwan (which is common within the cycling industry), the brand’s roots are firmly planted in California. A staple within their lineup and a model many may have heard of is the Stumpjumper. Introduced in 1981, the Stumpjumper was the first mass-produced mountain bike in the world and the company still offers 28 versions of the full-suspension design under the same name today. Related Post: 10 Best Mountain Bike Helmets: You Can Buy now And the brand’s wider collection covers everything from entry-level mountain bikes to the road and electric bikes, meaning there’s an option for just about everyone. The Stumpjumper may have paved the way, but Specialized continues to innovate year after year. For example, while many U.S. brands are just now launching e-bikes, Specialized has been leading the charge (no pun intended) with their Turbo Levo for years. The company also has consistently developed unique solutions to common problems. For instance, Specialized created SWAT Technology (short for “Storage, Water, Air, and Tools”), which includes tool and tube storage accessories that can be purchased separately and some models even include it. However, Specialized still is a major brand and has had its fair share of hiccups. Related: The Best Road Bikes 2019 for the Money Reviews Most notorious was a 2013 instance in which the company sent a cease-and-desist letter to a small café and bike shop in Canada that shared the same name as one of their road bike models, Roubaix (which also is the name of a popular biking destination in France). They eventually reversed course and saving face, but it was a good lesson that the biking community cares and public relations matter. 2. Trek Bikes Location: Waterloo, Wisconsin Popular models: Fuel and Remedy What we like: No-nonsense company with an expansive range of models and build kits; lifetime warranty on their frames. What we don’t: Not as innovative as many other brands on the list. One of the biggest brands in the business, Wisconsin-based Trek produces top-notch bikes across almost every price point. And while Trek is perhaps best known for its focus on-road riding (made especially popular by Lance Armstrong in many Tour de France competitions), their mountain biking lineup is equally formidable. One of their most well-known models in this category is the Fuel EX, a long-standing offering that has been lauded as a jack of all trades. And despite numerous changes over the past 10+ years to its geometry and design, Trek has done a great job retaining its do-it-all personality. Related: Best Cycling Sunglasses: Improve Your Vision and Keep Your Eyesight Keen with top Brands While not necessarily at the forefront of innovation, Trek has always stayed relevant and received consistently positive feedback from riders across the industry. This is, in part, because Trek has stayed true to its roots by sponsoring and supporting quality athletes like Emily Batty, Brandon Semenuk, and Rachel, Dan, and Gee Atherton, just to name just a few. Additionally, Trek has always stood behind their products with a lifetime warranty on frames (which I’ve seen them honor firsthand). It’s also worth mentioning that Trek is one of the few big brands that allow you to fully customize your bike I’ve spent more time than I’d like to admit choosing the perfect color combinations on their Project One online bike builder and daydreaming about my next set-up. 3. Giant Bicycles Location: Taichung, Taiwan Popular models: Trance and Talon What we like: Extensive manufacturing experience and very competitive prices. What we don’t: Dated geometry on most models, except for the new Trance 29. Founded in 1972, Taiwan-based Giant Manufacturing produces bike frames for many of the world’s top cycling brands. While this might come as a surprise, the fact is that there are only a handful of factories that make the vast majority of bikes, and Giant Manufacturing is one of the larger sources. Their in-house bike brand is known simply as Giant started up a little later in 1981. And just as Specialized has the Stumpjumper, it’s hard to talk about Giant without also mentioning the Trance line, which has been their go-to trail/all-mountain bike since its inception 15 years ago. While it’s by no means at the pinnacle of progressive geometry, the Trance is a solid choice for riders who want one bike that can do it all. Trek and Specialized get the edge in terms of worldwide brand recognition, but Giant is a major player in the industry. Related: 5 Best Cycling Gloves for Comfort and Protection on Your Ride Every time I help someone search for a new bike, I end up coming back to Giant for their competitive pricing and solid reputation. While their bikes might not be at the forefront of innovation, it’s simply hard to beat the value. And finally, it’s worth mentioning that Giant launched a sub-brand, Liv Cycling, in 2008, which is a women’s only cycling brand that features a comprehensive collection of bikes and apparel designed for women and by women. In our experience, Liv products meet the same standard of quality we expect from Giant and can be a great option for everyone from beginners to experienced female riders. 4. Santa Cruz Location: Santa Cruz, California Popular models: Hightower and Nomad What we like: Boutique feel top-quality frames and standout attention to detail. Lifetime warranty on frames as well as pivot bearings. What we don’t: Very expensive. Santa Cruz is a bit of an anomaly in the cycling world. With only 13 dirt-focused models to choose from, the brand has been able to establish itself as a major player in a relatively short amount of time (the company was founded in 1994). Perhaps even more notable, however, is the fact that they’ve been able to grow significantly large without sacrificing that boutique-brand feel. This impressive balancing act has led to several popular models over the years. Recent and notable additions to their lineup include the Nomad, Bronson, and Hightower, and longtime riders likely remember the Bullit, Driver 8, VP Free, and Heckler with fondness. Take a look around the parking lot and there’s a good chance that at least 25 percent of the riders are on one of the Santa Cruz models listed above. From a rider’s perspective, there’s a lot to like about Santa Cruz. Like many other companies, Santa Cruz offers a lifetime warranty on their frames. However, unlike the competition, the brand takes it one step further by applying that same warranty to all their bearings (if you ride in the muck regularly, you’ll come to appreciate this). Related: 5 The Best Cycling Jerseys Reviews 2019 Santa Cruz’s bikes also are very thoughtfully designed you won’t find any subpar components and you can truly tell the designers are passionate about the sport. The big downside to purchasing a Santa Cruz bike is cost. In the end, you get what you pay for, but value-oriented options like Giant and Diamondback often fit the bill better for most budget-conscious riders. 5. Cannondale Location: Wilton, Connecticut Popular models: Habit and Cujo What we like: Not afraid to do things a bit different; lightweight aluminum frames. What we don’t: The quirkiness can be polarizing. Known for its unique approach to building and designing bicycles, Connecticut-based Cannondale has never been afraid to try new things. Some of their more noteworthy and polarizing designs over the years have been the one-sided Lefty fork and unique Headshok unit, both of which replaced standard suspension forks on some models. What truly sets Cannondale apart, however, has been their use of oversized aluminum tubing. In the 1980s, when most other companies were still building bike frames out of steel, Cannondale was taking a different approach with their lightweight alloy. Even today, the company still uses this material liberally in their lineup. Once a powerhouse in the industry, Cannondale has lost some of its popularity in the last decade. For reference, in the late 90s, the Volvo Cannondale squad was one of the most sought-after and popular racing teams around, and the company sponsored accomplished athletes like Brian Lopes and Missy Giove in their heyday. But Cannondale seemed to lose its way (and market share) in the decade that followed. That said, if you’re tuned in to the world of mountain biking, you might have noticed that Cannondale has started to reinvent themselves of late. For example, the company launched a strikingly normal-looking mountain bike, the Habit. But while I love the look of the new Habit, I hope that Cannondale retains some of the quirkiness that it was once known for. 6. Diamondback Location: Kent, Washington Popular models: Release and Hook What we like: Consistently undercuts the competition in price. What we don’t: Has catered to big-box stores in the past and ignored the advanced-user market. When it was founded in the late 1970s, Diamondback was primarily focused on BMX bikes. However, the company since has established itself as a reputable player within the bike industry as a whole. Similar to Cannondale above, Diamondback used to be a household name whose bikes were considered the best of the best (longtime riders likely will recall their cross-country WCF carbon hardtail and Viper BMX bikes from the early- to mid-1990s). However, after a series of ownership changes which led to a focus on less expensive big-box-store models, Diamondback bikes fell out of popularity among more committed cyclists. Currently based out of the Seattle area, Diamondback has been committed to reclaiming its reputation over the past couple years. After spending a handful of days on one of their newest full-suspension bikes, the Release 3, I was pleasantly surprised: at just under $3,000, the rig is a great value and leaves little to be desired. Related: 15 Best Men’s and Women’s Cycling Shoes You Can Buy Right now Similar to Giant above, Diamondback offers bikes at affordable prices compared to the competition, which can be great for any rider who’s more concerned about price than what logo is slapped on their frame. It’s also worth noting that you can buy bikes directly from Diamondback’s website something that not all big brands offer and the company has one of the more impressive bike-building tutorials to help you get rolling (literally). 7. Yeti Cycles Location: Golden, Colorado Popular models: SB130 and SB150 What we like: Highly desirable, stunning looking bikes that climb better than most. What we don’t: One of the most expensive brands out there. If there’s one bike brand that riders lust over above all others, it’s Yeti. Founded in 1985 and currently based in Golden, Colorado, this now-rider-owned company has a long-standing history in racing. The brand has been known to seek out younger talent and foster them into formidable riders (some of the most well-known examples include John Tomac, Jared Graves, Richie Rude, Aaron Gwin, and Julianna Furtado). In terms of popular models, Yeti has mixed things up recently with their aggressive geometry and unique, varying-front-and-rear-wheel travel of the SB100, SB130, and SB150 models. Yeti bikes are typically known for at least one of three things: the company’s vibrant “Yeti Teal” frame color, the unique rear suspension platform known as Switch Infinity, and high cost. While their bikes undoubtedly are well-made and I appreciate the company’s clear focus on riders, there’s a reason I’ve never owned a Yeti bike: they’re just so darn expensive. Comparing just the prices of bike frames (not complete bikes), Yeti typically comes in about $400 more than most other brands. For instance, the SB100 frame will set you back a whopping $3,400, while Santa Cruz’s similarly equipped Blur comes in at $2,999. However, if you can stomach the steep cost, you’ll have one of the most enviable set-ups on the trail. 8. Pivot Cycles Location: Tempe, Arizona Popular models: Firebird and Mach 6 What we like: DW link suspension design is efficient on the climbs yet very capable on the descents. What we don’t: Expensive and some models have polarizing looks. While not steeped in history like most of the other brands on this list, relative newcomer Pivot (started in 2007) has already made a name for themselves. But considering its founder, mountain biking legend Chris Cocalis, this rise to popularity doesn’t come as much of a surprise. Headquartered in Tempe, Arizona, Pivot is known for pushing out high-quality carbon and aluminum bikes covering a variety of disciplines. Popular models include their new long-travel 29er, the Firebird 29, as well as the time-tested Mach 4. Also, Pivot has another 16 models to choose from that cover everything from gravel/cyclocross to fat biking. And while most of their bikes are only offered in carbon, Pivot has recently introduced less-expensive aluminum options in the Mach 6 and Switchblade. Similar to other boutique brands’ offerings, Pivot bikes don’t come cheap. While their frames are certainly standouts when it comes to craftsmanship and design, it’s simply hard to justify such a high price for reference, their cheapest bike comes in at a whopping $3,799. Not to mention, Pivot only provides a 10-year warranty (as opposed to the lifetime warranty you get with Santa Cruz), so it’s easy to see why their bikes aren’t as popular. That said, Pivot places an undeniably strong focus on quality and it’s unlikely you’ll be disappointed. 9. Ibis Cycles Location: Santa Cruz, California Popular models: Ripmo and Mojo What we like: Quality bikes with relatively reasonable pricing compared to their competition. What we don’t: Currently only six total models to choose from; short seven-year warranty. Ibis Cycles, another boutique brand that tends to fly under the radar, is well-regarded within the MTB community for producing top-notch bikes. Founder Scot Nicol started Ibis in his garage in 1981 and the brand was privately owned until 2000, at which point Nicol sold it to an investment company. Less than two years later, Ibis went bankrupt and closed its doors. However, in 2005, the company reemerged and launched it’s popular Mojo carbon full-suspension mountain bike, which remains a staple in their lineup to this day. More recently, Ibis came out with a long-travel 29er, the Ripmo, which can be found tearing up the enduro race scene under riders by the likes of Robin Wallner. Another interesting tidbit: the Ripmo is designed to fit riders as short as 5’1”, which isn’t common among bikes with 29-inch wheels. Ibis focuses their efforts on only six bikes: four full-suspension models, a newly released and relatively affordable hardtail (the DV9), and one gravel grinder (the Hakka MX). And while Ibis only makes carbon frames at the moment, they are one of the more reasonably priced boutique brands, for example, their new carbon hardtail mentioned above clocks in at just over $2,000 with an 11-speed SRAM NX drivetrain, which is an impressive feat. Our only complaint is that Ibis only offers a seven-year warranty. While this might seem like a long time to own a bike, most other companies boast longer coverage. 10. Evil Bike Co. Location: Bellingham, Washington Popular models: The Wreckoning and The Following What we like: Focus on having fun and excellent downhill performance. What we don’t: Limited three-year warranty. Evil Bike Co. is one of the most intriguing brands to make our list. The Bellingham-based company takes a different approach to designing their rigs, heavily influenced by what the owner, Kevin Walsh, wants to ride. And considering that Evil was born in the Pacific Northwest where steep and rough trails are the norm, it should come as no surprise that their models are heavily descent-focused. The Following was a particularly notable addition to their lineup: this 29er put Evil on the map and showed riders what larger wheels were capable of. The short-travel rig features a relatively slack head-tube angle, is fun to ride, and happily gets airborne all foreign concepts for 29ers back in 2015 when the Following made its debut. As mentioned above, Evil does things a bit differently. Their modest lineup six bikes in total all share a punk-rock persona and don’t-mess-with-me attitude. The company is especially cheeky in their marketing campaigns, using slogans like “better’er” and “tech crap” to poke fun at the rest of the industry. It’s worth mentioning that Transition Bikes, another Bellingham-based, downhill-focused company, shares the same attitude. And while the two differ significantly in price (Evil only offers carbon bikes) and suspension design, both brands’ primary focus is designing high-quality bikes that are especially fun to ride in the woods. The most notable downside: both Evil and Transition only offer three-year warranties, which is significantly shorter than much of the competition. 11. Salsa Cycles Location: Bloomington, Minnesota Popular models: Timberjack and Fargo What we like: Their bikes are centered around adventure and constantly have us daydreaming about our next trip. What we don’t: Short two to a five-year warranty, depending on the model. Salsa’s humble beginnings can be traced back to a Northern California garage in the early 1980s. And while they may have been bought by distribution giant Quality Bicycle Products in 1997, Salsa’s no-frills approach is as strong as ever. Perhaps best known for their backpacking and adventure-focused models, like the time-tested Fargo and Tour Divide-winning Cutthroat, Salsa also offers a comprehensive range of more traditional mountain options. One of their more popular models comes in the form of a hardtail, known as the Timberjack 27.5+, which can be set up with frame bags for backcountry overnights or stripped down for singletrack. We recently tested a version of this bike and thoroughly enjoyed its plus-sized tires (2.8-inches wide at both the front and rear) and aggressive feel. Salsa Cycles has found a bit of a niche in the industry, catering more to backcountry explorers than those fixated on Strava KOMs. As with the Timberjack above, most of their offerings come equipped with mounting locations for bags, bottles, or extra supplies. And no matter what model you’re looking at, one thing remains clear: Salsa’s bikes are focused on getting you off the beaten path. If there’s one brand that has me daydreaming of my next big adventure above all others, it’s Salsa Cycles. 12. Kona Location: Ferndale, Washington Popular models: Process and Honzo What we like: A no-frills company with competitive pricing that prioritizes fun over all else. What we don’t: Limited online availability. In my opinion, Washington-based Kona has achieved a sweet spot that few other brands have: they’re large enough to offer bikes for all ability levels, yet small enough to remain connected to the riding community and stay true to their roots. Founded in 1988 in Vancouver, Kona’s mountain bikes always have been more about fun than anything else. Perhaps one of their most popular models over the years has been the Stinky lineup (the late ‘90s to early 2000s) the 130mm-travel “freeride” bike was well ahead of its time, in my opinion. I have fond memories of riding the Whistler Bike Park and North Shore trails aboard that shiny, bright chrome-and-red bike. Kona hit a bit of a lull while focusing on pavement-oriented bikes in the past, but the brand is back on the map thanks to their well-known full-suspension Process and hardtail Honzo models. Now more than ever, the two designs illustrate the company’s focus on fun, and it’s clear that their roots are tied to the Pacific Northwest head up to Bellingham for a day and I bet you’ll find one of these bikes out on the trail. Beyond mountain bikes, Kona also has some other styles in their lineup, including everything from fat bikes to commuters. And similar to other major brands on the list, Kona offers a lifetime warranty on all bike frames produced after 2009. 13. Co-op Cycles Location: Kent, Washington Popular models: DRT lineup What we like: Reasonably priced models with a focus on beginner and intermediate riders. What we don’t: Dated in both design and geometry. REI’s Co-op Cycles went through a major rebranding effort in late 2016 and is now more dirt-focused than ever before. Formerly known as Novara, the in-house brand was well-regarded in the urban and traditional road-cycling community, and their bikes typically costed less than the competition while using similar-quality parts. Today, Co-op Cycles boasts a total of 26 adult models from the road to adventure to mountain bikes that start at $499 for the entry-level DRT 1.1 mountain bike (their high-end offering is the DRT 3.2 at $2,799). Perhaps the biggest news about Co-op Cycles since its launch, however, is the reintroduction of a full-suspension bike into their lineup. After a 10-year hiatus, REI is back with the DRT 3.1 and 3.2 models, which feature 27.5+ tires and 120-140mm of travel (depending on size). I spent a day riding one of these new rigs and was pleasantly surprised by how composed and competent it felt on my local trails. That said, while Co-op Cycles is certainly appealing from a value perspective, their bikes are slightly behind the times and a bit dated when it comes to geometry and design. 14. YT Industries Location: Hausen, Germany Popular models: Capra and Jeffsy What we like: Direct-to-consumer model delivers amazing bang for your buck. What we don’t: There are inherent challenges and risks in working with an online-only company. YT Industries was one of the first direct-to-consumer companies to enter the U.S. bike market and has remained extremely popular ever since. Known for producing quality bikes with high-end parts for exceptionally low prices, the German-based brand has triggered an onslaught of “support-your-local-bike-shop” debates. But arguments aside, it’s hard to ignore the value that brands like YT, Canyon, and Commencal provide. If you’re looking to score the best bike for your money, it’s almost impossible not to be tempted by their low prices, which regularly undercut the brick-and-mortar competition by hundreds (if not thousands) of dollars. For example, YT’s top-of-the-line Capra, which leaves little to be desired, comes in about $2,500 less than a similarly equipped model from Santa Cruz. That’s a lot of lawns to mow. While getting a great deal on a bike is always a plus, there are inherent sacrifices that come with buying from a consumer-direct brand. We don’t have any personal experience buying from these companies (yet), but we’ve heard reports of subpar customer service and long turnaround and wait times for warranty claims. Plus, you lose the convenience and satisfaction of walking into your local bike shop and buying replacement parts directly off the shelf. Nevertheless, if you’re simply looking to get the most bang for your buck, then going consumer-direct is an intriguing option Where to Buy a Mountain Bike While the vast majority of mountain bike sales are still happening at local shops (something we fully support), but purchasing a rig online is becoming more common and much easier by the year. We like Backcountry and Competitive Cyclist (which are jointly owned and share a lot of inventory) for their knowledgeable online staff, great fit tool, a large selection of high-end offerings, and reasonable shipping costs. Other popular online bike retailers include Jenson USA, Chain Reaction Cycles, and Colorado Cyclist. REI Co-op, who is better known for their backpacking and camping gear, is another great source for mid-range and budget-oriented models. We like that you can order from the convenience of your home but then pick it up in the store for free–if for some reason you don’t like the color or fit of the bike, simply return it on the spot. Additionally, REI members get 10% back on full-priced items at the end of the year, which can add up if you’re buying an expensive mountain bike. One final consideration for buying online, which is still in its infancy, is working with consumer-direct brands like YT Industries and Canyon. They forgo the middleman in the name of saving money and orders are placed directly through their website. These brands offer the most bang for your buck and are a great way to get a solid bike for hundreds, if not thousands, less than their competitors. And as mentioned above, working with your local bike shop may still be one of the best options out there. Their hands-on knowledge, combined with the fact that you’re able to test ride the bike before purchasing, makes for a great combination. Furthermore, should anything ever go wrong, it’s much easier to walk into a shop for advice than it is to call up an online retailer.
