Plus, we think the Yeti is a bit more refined-the Ibis’s internal routing needed a little work to keep from rattling, as one example-and the styling of the Ripmo does leave a little to be desired (although that’s subjective). As such, it comes up a little short of the slightly more versatile and better-climbing SB130 above. And while it’s energetic and happy to pop off features along the way, it’s realistically more bike than a good number of trail riders actually need. The steep seat tube and DW-Link suspension make it out-climb expectations, and the carbon frame and quality Shimano SLX groupset help keep weight in check.Ĭombining 29-inch wheels and a lot of travel does mean the Ripmo is overkill for flatter, flowy, and less technical trails. What makes the Ripmo a favorite among trail riders, however, is its do-everything performance. There’s even an option to select a coil shock if you plan to dabble in the enduro world. Stepping up in aggressiveness from the Yeti above, you get an extra 10 millimeters of travel at the front and 17 millimeters at the rear, along with a slacker head angle and burly Maxxis Assegai tires. If you live in an area like the Pacific Northwest and your local trails are filled with rough and steep terrain, or you simply want a cushier ride for absorbing big hits, it’s hard to beat Ibis’s latest Ripmo. What we like: Enduro-ready downhill performance with surprisingly good climbing chops. All told, the Yeti’s do-it-all nature earns it our top spot for 2022.Ī Close Second (For Rougher Terrain) 2. And with the premium price, you’re getting some nice extras, including a lifetime guarantee against defects on the frame and a crash replacement warranty where they’ll offer you discounted replacement parts. That said, Yeti sticks to high-end parts, and when spec’d the same, its pricing actually is quite close to competitors like the Ibis Ripmo and Santa Cruz Hightower. Their “entry-level” model rings in at $6,200, and the lightly upgraded GX Eagle variation here comes in at a steep $6,500. The main knock against Yeti bikes is that they’re not great values, and this mostly holds true for the SB130. Finally, the SB130 is impeccably built and easily one of the best-looking bikes around, sporting Yeti’s famous, turquoise-colored frame (the “Brick” color option isn’t too shabby either). Just as importantly, it’s an efficient climber and has a very light and playful personality that’s a ton of fun on flowy and smooth sections (unlike some burly bikes, it’s not overkill on easier terrain). Sporting 150-millimeters front and 130-millimeters rear travel, it falls nicely in the heart of the trail category, and its progressive geometry and plush suspension mean it’s planted and composed when tackling technical trails. While we readily admit that the term “quiver killer” is overused, we can’t help but think Yeti made just that with the extremely versatile SB130. What we like: Premium construction, aggressive geometry, and superb up- and downhill performance. Top Entry-Level Trail Bike for Beginners: REI Co-op Cycles DRT 1.1īest Overall Trail Mountain Bike 1.Best Short-Travel Trail Bike: Evil The Following.Best Budget Full-Suspension Trail Bike: YT Jeffsy Core 2.Best Hardtail for Trail Riding: Salsa Timberjack XT 29.Best E-Mountain Trail Bike: Specialized Turbo Levo Comp.A Close Second (For Rougher Terrain): Ibis Ripmo V2.Best Overall Trail Mountain Bike: Yeti Cycles SB130.For more, see our buying advice and comparison table below the picks. Below we detail our top seven picks for 2022, which are broken down by type and best use and include everything from a beginner-oriented hardtail to fast and fun full-suspension rigs. And with rapidly changing technology and an ever-growing number of options, it can be hard to nail down the best ride for your needs. From smooth and flowy post-work rides to rough and rowdy all-day backcountry epics, the trail mountain biking category covers a wide range.

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