Our Favorite 2022 Aggressive Trail Bikes: Round Table Discussion | 2021 Fall Field Test

Our six 2022 aggressive trail bikes have been ridden, tested, timed, and scrutinized for individual reviews, but now it's time to cast the votes for our favorite bike of the bunch.
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[@jaspergeens5841]

Never thought that i would hear specialized and value in the same sentence’s

[@deterrentdubz9116]

Value doesn’t mean cheap it means value! A lot of people forget that!

[@jacob.rausch]

"specialized has bad value" how bout that

[@jaspergeens5841]

@@deterrentdubz9116 i know for an example you can buy a full carbon propain with factory suspension, better wheels and brakes for €5000, this specialized is €6000 and i know it is a direct consumer brand but the difference shouldn’t be that big. As an extra example i bought a ripmo af for €4000 with factory suspension, that’s value

[@schlicss]

Evo alloy frameset is 1900 usd. Easily best frame + shock for the money.

[@ostankovalex1176]

@@schlicss propain be like 300 usd cheaper :)

[@katsaras1]

Propain all day long... When I first saw propain bikes I didn't like how they looked BUT the 2021 models are just amazing! The shock placement, the value, performance and the looks are all there!

[@stankiah]

Propain is the new YT

[@Hugo_Helgas]

@@stankiah but with better customer service*

[@jormol]

Have tested the Izzo before. Would love to test the Hugene to see how it handles!

[@Perception_]

Propain in the main frame.

[@lukeneill1568]

Not here in Australia. Pricing through the roof.

[@adrianmcleod2983]

Good job guys and girls, I'm a huge fan. Nothing better then waking up early, having a cup of coffee and watch a review clip. Thank you the great start to the day 😀

[@andyjonathan2486]

9:52 agreed 100%. Longer length = more capability when it gets rowdy.

[@IndiaMikePapa]

And that's a scientific FACT!

[@seandenham1703]

It would be great if you compared your top pick from this year to the top picks from the previous couple of years

[@Putzinator]

As a Stumpy Evo owner the ending never made me feel so justified in my purchase lmao. Good vid lads and lassies!

[@francisdee9955]

Isn’t propain best value for money if you configure it right?🤔

[@jonathanhowson6420]

It depends if you value warranty etc. A lot of the direct sales brands you are off the bike for a few months. Specialized are usually pretty quick.

[@ianbarthelmes7223]

maybe, but factory suspension...

[@noah1239]

Also the prices really differ in different countries. I payed 3.300€ for a Propain Spindrift with Rockshox Ultimate Suspension, Code RSC Brakes and a BikeYoke Dropper wich is awesome value for money if you compare it with Sepcialized or even Canyon

[@hotdealwire]

Yeah, I don't understand why Alicia picked the Hugene as her favorite but then said she would buy the Evo. The Hugene can be had with better parts than the Evo comp for $400 more and it will be a at least 2 lbs lighter to start - I'm guessing the frame is >2.5lbs lighter. I'm a huge Evo fan, just can't justify the price for the carbon version. Carbon to carbon comparison makes the Hugene more than $850 cheaper with shipping and tax.

[@douglassmoore9255]

I would have loved to see the rocky mountain instinct and the Trek Fuel EX in this lineup as well, but I'm really glad the SCOR made it in there.

[@douglassmoore9255]

Next one I'm desperate for is the Bold Linkin!!

[@thecount1001]

great test. awesome video clips, i haven't ridden Pemberton and clearly i'm missing something. some impressive terrain, and Alicia is a great addition. she can really rip.

[@ericgaisser1668]

Great review. If I was in the market for a new bike I would go for the Propain Hugene for the Vermont trails I ride. Great comments from both Alicia and Mike. On a funnier note, Alicia has some great facial expressions. Seems like she doesn't want to look at the camera sometimes. Keep up the great content.

[@jimm244]

Sold me on the Propain…I’ll be keeping my eye on them for my next bike (just bought a 2022 Hightower, so it’ll be a few years).

[@traildogisla]

Get my Starling in February and will be sending down more than a couple of national 2 day Enduro's along with big mountain days 😊

[@vasipro]

Ps. That Stumpjumper melts my heart. Alluminium is old school. 🤘

[@Zminte]

Uuhm....steel?

[@vasipro]

@@Zminte I don't know ... Someone presented me a new purchase, a hardtail from a type of steel. Haven't ride it, but it was valuable (almost 3000 euros) and paint job amazing, of course with good parts.

[@shemshem9998]

all this protain stuff is just increadible, it seems that every time they release a bike it hit all the marks, no weird stuff, every time its spot on, you cant go wrong with them

[@jaspergeens5841]

And in europe they have incredible value

[@sylasstorer]

yeah kinda like transition

[@shemshem9998]

@@jaspergeens5841 yep, only bike brand that can compete is commencal and YT when it comes to performance per €

[@darrinkulyk9560]

I Have a 160 Pike and a 160 M1 2 Different Bikes . I Like the M1 More EVEN Though the Pike IS 8.5/10 😎

[@devinbyrnes8058]

I would go the SCOR. I have rocks to ride, and some dirt occasionally, but mud is not really something I deal with. That colour looks hideous with Maxxis yellow sidewalls though.

[@NorthernSkiAndCycle]

Exactly, if you're not in the PNW or UK, then the Scor is probably the best bike of the bunch.

[@nicholashines7686]

I’m going Propane

[@dhrracer]

I think we should try to move away from referring to some bikes as "enduro bikes" as enduro is a race format and your local enduro race may be far from what a world enduro race may be. For another example look at the California Enduro Series races. Toro Peak vs China Peak. Some may want there DH bike at one and there XC at another. And yes XC and DH races could be in the same situation. So what do we do? Good question.

[@snbsmtb]

Sick just love the great vibes not to mention all the detailed information on the bikes!!

[@juancarlossznak2326]

I got a Giant Trance X and it's the best bike I've had till now. The flipchip feature is amazing. Really good going up and amazing going down. Really happy. From the test the propane looks very nice. The stumpjumper definitely is a great bike but not a fan of the looks how ever. Keep on with the field tests 💪🏼

[@dadventuretv2538]

Some of the looks on Alicia’s face 😂😂 love it. I like the mix of riders you all always seem to come up with to do these review. 🤙

[@derwoode]

Please give a list the bikes that you are rating. This review is confusing for those of us who are new to biking.

[@antonplatz7662]

Did Jason do the video editing? sound like IFHT intros

[@chawkins45ify]

Glad I got my carbon SJ EVO comp for $4300 when I did, best bike I've ridden and I've ridden a ton

[@xhead86]

For real, I got mine for $4200 right before they did the price increase which was a great deal, full Fox suspension full slx drive train and all the adjustability on a full carbon frame

[@michaelscofield2730]

Why does it seem like you guys never include Evil bikes in your reviews? I think the following would have done very well in this crowd

[@JoeBarrow021104]

Love that saying the golden retriever of bikes. Myself, I'm finally to the point where my riding skills are good enough to make that investment. Yes bikes are hella expensive which makes videos like this AMAZING on helping me make that final choice. Just wish I can find a place to let me test ride on a trail however living in the midwest, aka STL MO, I have yet to find one. That is if they even exist 🤣 which I highly doubt but a man can dream.

[@uonadtehrrocks]

A Specialized and 5 brands I have never heard of…

[@brunogregori8491]

Such good work and good bikes ... and some nice niche ones. I'd take Propain; if it only had the option of a Shimano drivetrain and brakes, it would be perfect.

[@werewwerew1]

At least in Europe you can spec it with Formula Cura 4 or with Magura MT7 brakes, which both are supposed to be fantastic. No Shimano drivetrain option is annoying though, thats true. I guess they get a nice big discount from SRAM for that.

[@BlackFlag94]

I love my Trek Fuel EX 8... HOWEVER... the StumpJumper EVO Alloy was not available when I bought it, I would definitely choose the Stumpy over mine if I had my time again.

[@PatioHaggerty]

"The golden retriever of bikes." Ha! I agree and love my Stumpy Evo.

[@DocGTO]

Totally agree. It's hard to beat the Stumpy!

[@tonyruiz347]

How do these compare to the sb150?

[@ernestjohnson4436]

1st place specialized 2nd propane 3rd score. Good choices. I would go with the score only because i live in socal so no mud for me lol

[@olinblackwell5211]

Shoulda called this “5 bikes you’ve never heard of and a Stumpjumper”

[@DandyHippo]

Any thoughts on Norco Optic?

[@exothermal.sprocket]

Sitting at my computer.. I'M NOT PEDALING!! I'M NOT PEDALING!! I'M NOT PEDALING!! 😆

[@ertugrul791]

Scor and the ghost are my favorites because they’re just really beautiful and something different

[@Coerced]

Specialized would have been my bike if I wasn't exactly in between sizes. The size differences are big enough for people to fall right in between

[@jamie7674]

Is this bike the Riot EN 170 or Riot pro 170? Would you recommend this to a novice on trails and for bike park rides?

[@chrismccaffrey8109]

I'm really curious how the Guerrilla Gravity Smash would fit in with this review. I'm deciding between the Propain and the Smash currently.

[@rodrigopages1054]

That evo is indeed a damn good value bike (obviously crazy expensive let’s be real, but compared to the available bikes on the market its really well specked )

[@gasmaske1232]

In America maybe, but in Europe they are much more expensive.

[@Mardegente2024]

@@gasmaske1232 almost same price in dollars to euros, actually

[@baddriversofcolga]

@@gasmaske1232 It's not a good value in the U.S., either.

[@willlange9978]

The Starling was a nice outside the box choice for comparison. Can a boutique bike brand compete with the corporate juggernauts? Next time I would really like to see a new Zerode belt drive with the 9 speed Pinion alongside the usual suspects.

[@kevinclark9176]

Cool selection of bikes in this test. I would have liked a more direct comparison of the SCOR and Propain. Both seemed to get similar marks on being able to climb well with minimal bob but still bomb downhill while being fun. MAYBE it sounds like the Propain is slightly more geared toward uphills than the SCOR and the SCOR slightly better down. Is this correct? Both seem damn solid though. I’d have liked to see the GG Smash in this test (can’t have all the bikes I guess). What would be cool is if you kept the top 1 or 2 bikes from this test to use as a baseline for next year’s.

[@musicIVI]

How does the Optic sit in your ranking amongst these other aggressive trail bikes?

[@CalgaryDynastar]

Down duro up country 27 9er modern geo nimble on the uphills and masher on the dh.... Just ride a bike and shaddapppp!

[@Pienimusta]

**Insert compulsory "Why X was not tested?"**

[@tomasalamos4967]

hellow, how does Propaine Hugene's climbing performance compare to the downcountry bikes that were rated relatively good for the downhill, such as the trek top fuel and the rocky mountain Element?

[@troycarpenter3675]

Very good question. I have last year's top fuel. I really like it. I don't care for the knock block or the fact it's heavy. I've been eyeing the hugene and the 429 trail.

[@coinroyale]

Would it Make sense to include brands we actually we see in our stores? Like norco sight, transition sentinel, orbea Occam, rocky mountain instinct, evil offerin, santa Cruz Bronson,...to name a few? Would be nice to see the Evo stacked up against the list above from Pinkbikes testing. Is this possible?

[@vomErsten]

Of those, only the Bronson is one I would see in stores around me, lol. Here it's Speshy and Trek dominating heavily with Yeti, Santa Cruz, and Scott making up the bulk of the small remainder.

[@Numkinwig]

Maybe start pushing Trailduro.

[@savageferria505]

No meta TR?

[@eightlivesdownmtb]

Just as I (and no doubt all of the commentators) predicted. Spesh do just make a flipping good bike. But I’d buy the Propain. Or the Starling. I just love that machine.

[@pipolchamp8205]

please test the antidote carbonjack, their rear shock design is the most interesting tbh

[@ericmillar8446]

Excellent bikes this coming year! Nice bike reviews!

[@MiciahChamberlain]

You should try the Hightower 3

[@thiccmelon5712]

Spectral?????

[@shojimtb3911]

Hi just curious on what sunglasses are you guys using’ pretty cool and simple keen on buying one’ thanks for the reply in advance

[@jasonbrownett4262]

Lovely bikes but I'm burnt out with full suspension bike tests, internet is flooded with them, such a shame hardtails are ignored especially when they've come so far! Such a breath of fresh air when I see a good hardtail review, at the point where I don't bother watching reviews if its full sus.

[@stiingya]

PB bike tests are the best... thank you!!

[@KillershredsTK]

Still on 1x11 would go for the starling

[@thomasvandenbrink5005]

Can you do this with hardtails

[@zakedginton8767]

don't get me wrong that the specialised is a good bike but the price is far too high for what you get, and a really small detail that bugs me with specialised is that they use royal wheels which are actually just rebranded dt Swiss wheels.

[@mtnbikerva1]

PIVOT SWITCHBLADE! why is it not here?

[@mudkayak6305]

I know I know but after your review and now this "best choice" you've successfully bumped me from Polygon T8 up to the Stumpy Evo $3,800 option. Think I really want to play with mix wheel mod as well. At 5'10 do you suggest S3 or S4? BTW, my credit card company thanks you...

[@schlicss]

I’m 5’10” and went with the S4. I have a long torso, with average wingspan and shorter legs. 475 reach seems perfect. That’s with a 50mm stem too. Could always go to a 40 or 35 if it feels too long.

[@mudkayak6305]

@@schlicss thanks, I also run with SQLabs 16 degree backsweep bars so that woukd tighten up reach. Bikes just keep getting longer but I ride some tight rocky stuff so Im think S4 + mullet = win.

[@JoshTaylor]

I'm 5'11" and love my S3. Super comfortable w a 40mm stem and 35mm rise bars. If the majority of my riding was gravity then maybe I'd have gone for the S4.

[@mudkayak6305]

@@JoshTaylor interesting to say the least. Yeah I ride all around definatly some dh but certainly not exclusive. so 1 rider is 5'10 on an S4 and you at 5'11 on S3. I suppose a little more manueverablity would be S3 and at my 5'10 that could be a perfect fit

[@JoshTaylor]

@@mudkayak6305 also, you can run a little longer stem if the S3 reach is a bit short. You can't shorten a frame.

[@altf13wa]

"Golden retreiver of bikes". Like that phrase :)

[@dusutapa7699]

Can u plz tell which is the best full suspension MTB under 35000

[@FlowHuntersMTB]

Does anyone know the name of the intro theme/song?

[@HowTeq]

The stumpy elite alloy come switch both fox factory

[@pdrnpdx]

Upcountry?

[@mtnbikerva1]

Pivot FIREBIRD?

[@daveandmerlin]

Starling Murmur looks something special

[@scheibelhut38]

That is a rectangular table

[@cyclicalcycler993]

I Agree

[@th_js]

Coffee

[@JimmyBeanz13]

The way she looks around, she looks soo cute but diabolical!

[@zonoskar]

Really disappointed with the SCOR, that looks like such a beautiful bike,. but I also wouldn't want to deal with that mud pit.

[@theguy1633]

I feel like that issue only applies if you live in a predominantly muddy area. I'm sure we will see SCORs be pretty common in areas that are either desert or dont have winter riding.

[@chfphoto]

Sold me on the Propain!

[@adrianrogers6976]

What glasses is Henry wearing at the beginning 0.06

[@KestrelYI]

66 degrees is now steep? Wow.

[@troycarpenter3675]

Yeh it's getting almost ludicrous. The thing has to actually be able to turn sooner or later!

[@siwalder1618]

I think the Occam would fit near the top end of this test personally. Never been so happy with a bike.

[@BoxCarBoy12]

The Occam is pretty amazing! I'm blown away at how well it climbs while still being trail bike capable on the downhills

[@siwalder1618]

@@BoxCarBoy12 yeahmate exactly, it almost feels assisted.. only downside is the feeling of guilt towards my current hardtail which I haven't touched in months 😞

[@TRATAL82]

All out of my price range :( Guess I'll get the base model stumpjumper

[@alexstudly]

You missed the nukeproof reactor 😳

[@mtbman1980]

they didnt miss anything they can only test what they get sent......bikes are hard to get this year still

[@yipchitaywonga]

full article link is broken :(

[@oliverreis5625]

hello pinkbike, why you didnt try the new canyon spectral alloy?

[@jzgibsneanzeije5530]

Thats 160 travel

[@oliverreis5625]

@@jzgibsneanzeije5530 ok

[@maffin2917]

@@jzgibsneanzeije5530 its 150 rear 160 front just like the stumpjumper evo

[@th_js]

@@jzgibsneanzeije5530 It is not.

[@jzgibsneanzeije5530]

@@th_js it really is

[@andrewcrawley285]

This one time. At band camp

[@86309]

As Sam says, ‘’Trailduro”

[@stillshunter]

But what does Mike think? Sneaky bugger took the MC chair so he’d just ride and not decide

[@ls66]

The bikes we didn't liked?

[@TheJofrica]

Henry looks really, really different here

[@simsimw]

Rn i can’t mtb cuz it’s winter

[@Hervy_21]

my dream bike 😭😭

[@RCKING1]

nicolai saturn 14st all day

[@Adambutterball4]

I would argue the $4200 Propain Hugene model might be better value than the base Stumpy AF… hard choice

[@Hardworkpays209]

me sitting here just waiting for specialized to come out with an alloy enduro lol

[@myong9]

Stumpy!!!!

[@volli56]

The bike is solid and my Ebike conversion went great. kzbin.infoUgkxHL1v1R3NE5x4KiYfyt8dnQmyNYz7qi5L Very smooth ride at 30mph with no problems (135 miles ridden so far). The picture is a bit deceiving - there is WAY less space in the center of the frame than it shows. The suspension connection takes up the entire thing. So I needed to attach my battery on the bottom of the frame and my controller on the top. Instructions for assembly were lacking but honestly it wasn't too hard to figure out even though I have very little bike knowledge. Watched some youtube videos on adjusting the disk brakes but that was it. Still, I am loving it and very happy with the purchase.

[@trentvlak]

I can't see myself buying any of these bikes honestly.

[@lukerisser9163]

Too bad the ghost didn’t preform well because that may just be the coolest looking bike I’ve ever seen

[@bensun432]

Bikes are really expensive

[@willbyrne6221]

Mike levy amazing presenter! But my god the other two beside him are easily the most boring people I've ever seen

[@psimetric8887]

+ bikes - faces

[@wandelmacherstudio]

Dude should 've asked the girl first, for sure. Stop holding her down. SRY - too obvious. Distracts at least us from Germ-Any a lot ;-)

[@Mardegente2024]

The Mona Lisa has nothing on Alicia's smile. Mesmerizing 😋

[@patrick1150gs]

Could you add a fat ( +200 lb ) weekend rider to your reviewers? Light weight youngsters will always be the fastest riders, but it's old fatties likes me that can afford these beautiful rides.