The Best Mountain Bikes: Staff Picks

Riders who gravitate to flow trails with lots of bermed turns and swooping arcs will love this bike's energy and snap. Salsa shortened this Horsethief's chainstays to 432mm (5mm less than previous generations) for extra zip through corners. But this bike is also one of the most versatile in our lineup: Flow-addicted cyclists who also like long cross-country epics, technical descents or even overnight bikepacking adventures should consider this rig for its adaptability to various riding scenarios. "This bike is great because it is so versatile," confirms Brent Ellinger, a sales lead at the REI store in Ann Arbor, Michigan, who has owned the Horsethief for several years. "This amount of travel makes for a bike that can do downhill trails if you have a little more skill, but it's still very efficient for flow trails that are less technical."

With a flip chip built into the rear shock's link mount, the Horsethief can adjust to an array of wheel and tires sizes. It comes with 29-inch wheels and tires that are 2.5 inches in front, 2.4 inches in back. But riders wanting to boost the bike's playful agility could swap in 27.5-inch wheels and wider tires (2.8 to 3 inches) for extra grip in corners and lumpy features. The flip chip adjusts the bike's bottom bracket height and head tube angle to keep such changes feeling balanced. The frame also includes two bottle cages and space for frame bags.

The Horsethief is also a solid trail bike for singletrack that ranges from buff to rowdy. Its standout advantage is its Split Pivot suspension design, which uses a concentric rear axle pivot to isolate pedaling and braking forces to improve traction while braking (with most mountain bikes, braking inhibits suspension performance, so in technical terrain, traction suffers). The Horsethief's short chainstay length also helps this bike hop through tight situations (like switchbacks and narrow gaps between boulders) to help riders feel agile.

Sizing skews toward tall folks. Even in size small, the bike's 30-inch standover height caters to people measuring 5'5" or more, while the XL size suits riders 6'2" and greater. Buy here.

The DRT 3.3 from Co-op Cycles helps beginners feel confident while delivering the performance that experienced riders want when negotiating technical singletrack. Its approachable price also endears it to entry-level riders, and yet the build includes quality components that appeal to the full ability spectrum and make this model an incredible value.

"The four-piston brakes are very strong, ensuring controlling speed on the descent," says Robert Blazoff, a retail specialist in the Northville, Michigan, REI store. Two-piston models cost less but typically deliver less stopping power. Paired with large, 180mm Shimano rotors, the Shimano Deore disc brakes scrub excess speed in a jiffy. That reassures tentative riders, and the shorter stopping distance also helps experts maintain momentum. Smaller sizes incorporate 27.5-inch wheels, while larger riders get 29-inch hoops. Doing so optimizes the bike's weight and handling for the size of its intended rider. And at 2.4 inches wide, the Maxxis tires balance rolling efficiency with confidence-boosting traction. Says Blazoff, "It will provide grip even on the steepest root-filled rocky technical climb." Thus, the DRT 3.3 provides all-around performance at a great price. Buy here.

Riders love the all-mountain Blackthorn for its composure in lumpy, raucous descents. The 64.6-degree head tube angle helps it plow over big rocks and encourages a sense of security in the steeps. The 160mm RockShox Lyrik Select+ fork absorbs airy drops. Thus the Blackthorn is "a big, stable ride, and great for technical trails," says Mike Knape, senior manager of data and analytics for REI who rides his Blackthorn on Bellingham's Galbraith Mountain north of Seattle.

He would not, however, describe it as "playful." Nor does it help riders feel superhuman on climbs, though its uphill performance is better than you might expect from this downhill-oriented bike, reports Knape. The Blackthorn Carbon SLX has a stiffer frame and weighs less than its aluminum counterpart, the Salsa Blackthorn SLX Mountain Bike, and thus requires less muscle when cranking uphill.

Like the shorter-travel Salsa Horsethief SLX discussed above, both versions of the Blackthorn incorporate a Flip Chip that adapts the geometry to various wheel and tire sizes. The Blackthorn also features Split Pivot suspension, which uses a concentric rear axle pivot to isolate pedaling and braking forces to improve traction while braking. And sizing caters to riders 5'5" and taller. Buy here or here.

If you're looking for an electric mountain bike (eMTB) that can handle the gnarliest climbs and steepest descents, the Moterra 4 from Cannondale delivers. This Class 1 e-bike uses Shimano's top-of-the-line motor, the EP8, which delivers a zippy 85nm of torque and pedal-boosting power to 20mph. That oomph helps riders clean rock slabs and tackle every uphill obstacle that the mountain throws at them.

"The Cannondale Moterra Neo 4 is a confidence-inspiring ride for all skill levels," says Tyler Roberts, a bike/ski mechanic in the Bend, Oregon, REI store. "Rock Shox suspension front and rear provides a plush ride that still pedals efficiently. This bike is a wonderful choice for riders looking to set off on longer rides with less fatigue and more smiles!"

Despite the bike's weight (like all electric models, the Moterra Neo 4 is heavier than motor-free versions) its handling is agile enough for tricky trails. "I found the extra weight contributed to greater tire grip and stability at speed," says Roberts. Four-piston TRP brakes and big, 200mm rotors facilitate effective stopping power for reliable control in steep, rowdy terrain. Maxxis Rekon tires in 2.6-inch width provide outstanding grip in corners.

The battery can be removed for convenient charging in your home—or you can plug it in while it's attached to the bike. Its 630 watt hours lets one rider log two to three 10 to 12-mile rides before the battery life dips. Just allow plenty of time to recharge: Riders report a slow charge time. Buy here

This bike is not just for shorter people. Offered in sizes ranging from XS to XL, the Habit 4 represents excellent value in a mid-travel bike built for smooth-packed dirt and moderately technical trails. The Habit 4 from Cannondale accommodates the not-tall end of the size spectrum with an appealingly shorter reach (405mm in the XS), a low standover height (37.8 inches in the XS) and size-specific engineering. Instead of simply shrinking size Medium, Cannondale tweaks the geometry of each frame size so it performs best for the intended rider. Size-specific suspension kinematics further ensure that the smallest (and biggest) riders all enjoy optimal handling.

The setup also strives to balance uphill and downhill capability and results in a major fun factor on all parts of the trail. The 77.5-degree effective seat tube angle places the rider in a forward position that helps conquer climbs. The 65.5-degree head tube angle hits the sweet spot for ups and downs: It lets riders maintain control over the front wheel while gaining elevation and offers stability during descents. It's the jack-of-all trades trail bike that lets enthusiasts enjoy easy paths, ambitious singletrack, and bermed corners in lift-served bike parks. Buy here.

This is no bike-path build. The Timberjack SLX 29 from Salsa uses a long, low and slack geometry that delivers stability through rough trail features. The front end features a 66-degree head tube angle to soak up big roots and rocks. That, combined with the 130mm front fork and the larger wheels' ability to create a smooth ride over lumpy singletrack, helps this hardtail conquer technical routes.

It pairs the long wheelbase with short chainstays (420mm to 437mm) that keep the handling from feeling sluggish. The design feels snappy in turns and makes this bike a wheelie machine: The rigid frame lets riders execute bunny-hops and manuals with less effort.

At 33 pounds, it's not the lightest hardtail available (its weight is comparable to many mid-travel full-suspension bikes) but it's less expensive—without sacrificing quality components. The Shimano drivetrain and MT brakes promise excellent durability and low-fuss maintenance. And because the frame includes Salsa's alternator dropout, riders can customize the geometry to adapt to their needs: You can lengthen the chainstays to improve stability at high speeds or while bikepacking, or achieve enough chain tension to turn the rig into a single-speed. Buy here.

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