Readers' choice 2021: Over a period of several weeks, you - our readers - voted for the most exciting bikes of the 2021 season. Over 3.600 votes came together and we have now evaluated every single one of them. The results were also extremely exciting for us - in the mountain bikes category, the results are as diverse as the category itself. From the racy XC file to full-throttle enduro, everything is included here.
The Velomotion readers' choice took place between December 15, 2020 and January 15, 2021. You have selected your favorites from a total of 17 bike categories. After the evaluation, we don't want to withhold the results from you and present you with the respective top 3.
Here you will find an overview of all categories and their respective winners:
[blog specific=“144862″]Beginner mountain bikes: these are your favorites for 2021
Among the entry-level MTBs, a newcomer from Giant found its way into our readers' hearts: the XtC SLR is the affordable aluminum version of the tried-and-tested race model from the same company and, at an attractive price, provides a very good basis for getting into the XC - and marathon area. With the Bulls Copperhead 1, a somewhat tamer bike lands on the second podium, which should not only cut a good figure in everyday life because of its overall somewhat more relaxed geometry - the MonkeyLink interfaces and eyelets for a luggage rack also look good here; In addition, the Copperhead entry-level model is very cheap at just under 800 euros. The podium is completed by the Grand Canyon from Canyon, a real hardtail evergreen that is also poaching in the trail HT segment with its latest version, a little more suspension travel and a dropper post.
With the XtC SLR, the proven high-end hardtail from Giant now also has an affordable aluminum version. On the one hand, of course, it inherits the racing genes of its carbon counterpart, but on the other hand it can also score points with its high variability: Not only can tires with a width of up to 2,4 inches be mounted in the rear triangle, the frame is also already designed for the installation of one prepared for a retractable seat post. This is how the racing file turns into a trail robber in a flash.
Price: 1.099 euros – 1.399 euros
Copperhead: Hardly any other name in the bicycle world stands so clearly for an attractive price/performance ratio. In 2021, the Copperhead 1 is the entry into the iconic model series from Bulls. Despite its sporty genes, it is probably more suitable for everyday use than almost any other bike in this category. In addition to numerous eyelets on the frame, the MonkeyLink interfaces are primarily responsible for this, to which a lighting system can be attached in a flash with a magnet.
Price: € 799
Simply consistent, consistently simple: With the high-quality aluminum entry-level Grand Canyon, the Kobelnz-based direct seller does without a front derailleur on all models. In this segment in particular, the bikes benefit enormously from the intuitive shifting behavior and the wide range of modern 1x drives. Starting with the Grand Canyon 7, there is also 20 mm more travel at the front and a retractable seat post in all models - perfect for sporty trail use.
Price: 799 euros – 1.799 euros
[blog specific=“139942″]Mountain bike hardtails: These are your favorites for 2021
So much for polarizing skinwall tires! The optically often controversial tires are one of the big similarities for your top 3 hardtails. With almost a quarter of all votes, the Epic Hardtail from Specialized was able to win a superior victory. Even in its latest version, the MTB classic has lost none of its fascination and not only impresses with convincing technical data and modern geometry, but also with its classic, elegant look. Another top bike from the professional circus comes in second: The Scale RC is probably one of the bikes on which the most victories have been clinched in recent years and the flip-flop finish on this year's top version simply looks sharp. The new Twostroke 01 from BMC in third place not only looks a bit out of line, but also has the most progressive and trail-compatible geometry of the top 3. With their new hardtail, the Swiss explicitly want to appeal to ambitious hobby riders - and less to full-blooded professionals.
The Epic Hardtail from Specialized is a superlative bike in 2021 as well. At under 800g, the frame of the S-Works model is the lightest of a production MTB without sacrificing stiffness. Unfortunately, at just under 10.000 euros, the top model is also a superlative in financial terms. But: In the other, significantly cheaper model variants, apart from a little extra weight, you don't have to do without the undisputed racing qualities of the Epic hardtail.
Price: 2.399 euros – 9.999 Euro
For many years, the Scott Scale has been synonymous with lightweight, high-end hardtails. This season, too, is ensured by a frame weight of under 1.000g, outstanding comfort thanks to clever frame construction and details like the integrated thru-axle attachment on the rear triangle. Especially on the top model, this premium bike also scores points with its Syncros components – be it the integrated carbon cockpit or the Silverton wheelset.
Price: 2999 Euro – 6.999 Euro
High end for everyone! The concept of the newly introduced BMC Twostroke could be something like this. Instead of following the seemingly irresistible “lighter, stiffer, more expensive” race hardtail dogma, the Confederates opted for a fresh approach. The light, but at the same time very robust frame has a balanced geometry that is just as good on the racetrack as it is on the trails at home.
Price: 2.499 euros – 3.999 Euro
[blog specific=“134689″]Mountain bike fullies: these are your favorites for 2021
With the Scalpel from Cannondale, a thoroughbred XC bike was able to push itself between the two downhill machines on the podium - this shows that race fullies are still very popular in 2021. The victory, however, clearly goes to the Stumpjumper Evo from the Californian company Specialized. The bike has outgrown its former trail roots and in its Evo version finally tears down all boundaries between trail bike, enduro, fun bike and race bike. The aforementioned Scalpel in second place, on the other hand, is trimmed for propulsion - even if it also has a lot of tough qualities for the trail in view of the increasingly demanding XC routes. The 2021 version of Trek's Slash still takes a deserved podium finish and is probably pretty much what you imagine when you talk about a full-throttle enduro.
A flatter steering angle, more suspension travel and more storage space in the swat box - the new model from the Californians offers everything a mountain biker's heart desires in the high-end S-Works equipment with elegant Fox Factory suspension and Sram XX1 Eagle gears. Although Specialized does not use aluminum models, it does offer four other carbon variants with RockShox and Shimano components, which are by no means inferior to their more expensive brother in terms of riding fun.
Price: 4.499 – 10.499 euros
[blog specific=“138340″]
The new Scalpel is faster and lighter than its predecessors. The top model impresses with noble components. Carbon wheels and attachments ensure a light weight and with the Fox Factory chassis, the XC bike offers potential for the racetrack. The "FlexPivot" rear end with its flexible carbon struts provides grip and traction off-road and if you don't want to use carbon and factory, you will find aluminum alternatives in addition to other carbon models.
Price: 2.299 – 11.499 euros
[blog specific=“130242″]
The Trek Slash is one of the most successful enduro bikes of this season. Downhill, the Americans' long-travel trail bike is an absolute delight; lies full in the curves and irons sportily over demanding terrain without losing the typical playful driving behavior. The Slash is available from an aluminum frame with Rockshox Lyrik to a premium carbon car with a stiff Fox 38 Factory or the new RockShox Zeb Ultimate with Shimano or Sram components.
Price: 2.923 – 9.454 euros