The bike park season is about to begin, or in many places it's already open. If you're still looking for a proper bike park machine that's also affordable, we've compiled ten great value bikes for you. With these bikes, you can shred in the bike park without a worry and save money – leaving you with plenty of cash for lift tickets and road trips.
An overview of the ten best shredding machines at affordable prices:
- Canyon Torque 6
- Commencal Meta SX V4
- Cube Stereo ONE77 Pro 29
- Ghost Riot EN
- Radon Swoop AL 8.0
- Rose Scrub SC
- Scott Gambler 20
- Specialized Status 2 170
- Trek Fuel EX
- YT Capra Core 1
Canyon Torque 6 – Freerider with dual-bridge license
The Canyon Torque 6 boasts impressive components, including a RockShox Vivid Select shock, Select+ ZEB fork, and SLX four-piston brakes with large 220/203 mm rotors. The direct-to-consumer bike is available in two colors and four frame sizes – there's also a freeride version, the Torque DH CLLCTV. This model forgoes a wide-range drivetrain and dropper post, instead featuring a beefy RockShox Boxxer fork (with 190 mm of travel) up front and a Vivid Coil shock. Both models are currently available for just under €3.000.
- Travel 170mm/170mm
- Wheels Mullet
- Features high-performance features, variant with double bridge fork
- www.canyon.com
- Price (RRP) €3.299
- Current discount -300 €
Commencal Meta SX V4 – with mullet setup for party laps
The Andorran brand has a strong presence in the gravity segment. The Meta SX V4 is a relatively inexpensive entry point into the bike park season and is currently priced at just over 1.000 The price has been reduced by €. However, riders will have to do without a dropper post as standard. The SRAM Guide T brakes don't have a good reputation in downhill riding, but the rest of the components – NX Eagle drivetrain, Maxxis tires, e*thirteen LG1 DH Base rims, and RockShox suspension – are robustly chosen.
- Travel 170 / 160 mm
- Wheels Mullet
- Features No dropper mail
- www.commencal.com
- Price (RRP) €3.173,33
- Current discount -1.001,58 €
Cube Stereo ONE77 Pro 29 – long-travel enduro bike with strong components
For just under €2.800, Cube has put together a strong component package: The DVO suspension is unique and unparalleled in this price range, the Magura MT5 brakes deliver plenty of power, and Newmen supplies the cockpit and wheels. The frame offers a wealth of features and is even available in size XXL. An air shock is fitted as standard, but thanks to the two shock mounts, a coil shock can also be used. The head angle is also fine-tunable.
- Travel 170 / 170 mm
- Wheels 29"
- Features Powerful features, flip chip, steering angle adjustment, coil and air compatible
- www.cube.eu
- Price (RRP) €2.799
- Current discount possibly in specialist shops
Ghost Riot EN – strong performance thanks to coil damper
The 170/160 mm RockShox suspension with coil damper on the Ghost Riot EN makes it clear that this is a true downhill machine. The nearly €3.000 enduro bike is slowed down by reliable SRAM Code R brakes with 200 mm rotors, and the Maxxis Assegai front tire comes in the grippy MaxxGrip compound.
- Travel 170 / 160 mm
- Wheels 27,5″ (S), 29″ (M, L, XL)
- Features Coil damper, chain guide
- www.ghost-bikes.com
- Price (RRP) €2.999
- Current discount possibly in specialist shops
Radon Swoop AL 8.0 – full throttle on the trails
The Radon Swoop AL 8.0 from the direct-to-consumer brand impresses with its powerful Fox suspension, consisting of a Fox 38 Performance fork with Grip damper and an X2 Performance shock. Schwalbe Trail/Soft tires and responsive Magura four-piston brakes ensure grip and stopping power. And the best part? This aluminum freeride bike is currently available for €1.699!
- Travel 170 / 170 mm
- Wheels 29"
- Features FlipChip - a real price-performance hit with the current discount.
- www.radon-bikes.de
- Price (RRP) 3.199 €
- Current discount -1.500 €
Rose Scrub – Suspension travel is key
Want even more? This freeride and downhill machine from the online retailer not only comes with massive suspension travel, but also in two versions: one with a 190mm RockShox Zeb, so you don't have to miss out on barspins like Brendon Semenuk, and the other with a powerful Boxxer for maximum control. Both are available for €3.200, and the rest of the components, including a SRAM GX 7-speed DH drivetrain and Schwalbe Big Betty bikepark tires, are naturally optimized for downhill performance.
- Travel 190 / 200 mm
- Wheels Mullet
- Features Angle headset, single or triple crown fork
- www.rosebikes.de
- Price (RRP) €3.200
Scott Gambler 20 – Barspin ban due to double bridge
The Scott Gambler 20 is a purebred downhill bike and knows only one direction – downhill! The raw-look aluminum frame is fitted with a RockShox Boxxer Base fork, a RockShox Vivid Coil Base shock, and SRAM DB8 brakes. The Gambler comes standard with a mullet setup, but a full 29" setup is also available for racers. A nice touch: The Maxxis Assegai/DHRII tire combination with its DH casing is perfectly suited for bike parks.
- Travel 200 / 200 mm
- Wheels Mullet
- Features Downhill bike, optional full-29″ setup possible
- www.scott-sports.com
- Price (RRP) €3.299
- Current discount possibly in specialist shops
Specialized Status 2 170 – a versatile freeride bike with cult status
Already in its second generation, the Californian freeride bike has achieved near-cult status. The 170 mm of rear travel is managed by a coil shock, while a Fox 38 Rhythm fork with a GRIP damper handles the front. TRP Trail Evo brakes provide stopping power, and Specialized Butcher tires (with Grid Gravity casing on the rear) offer the necessary grip. For particularly young or smaller shredders, there's a special size variant, the Status 2 170 Zero. Intriguingly, the DH version of the Status 2 170 with a dual-crown fork is currently available for €3.099 – €50 less than the standard model.
- Travel 170 / 170 mm
- Wheels Mullet
- Features FlipChip, Zero variant for young / small drivers
- www.specialized.com
- Price (RRP) €3.149
- Current discount possibly in specialist shops
Trek Fuel EX – convertible trail bike
The Trek Fuel EX offers the lowest MSRP of €2.499 and simultaneously the most travel options. Rear travel can be selected between 145 and 160 mm, while the front is approved for 150 to 170 mm. However, the suspension itself is only suitable for limited shredding. The aluminum frame features a progression chip to adjust the spring curve, as well as a frame storage compartment in the downtube – you can't get more enduro-ready for this price!
- Travel 170 / 160 mm
- Wheels 29"
- Features Suspension travel is adjustable in many ways, frame storage compartment, wire tires, progression chip
- www.trekbikes.com
- Price (RRP) €2.499
- Current discount possibly in specialist shops
YT Capra Core 1 – a tough business
The YT Capra in the Core 1 build is perfect for spending the whole summer in the bike park. The frame is available in a subtle matte black, and there's also a bright green option to turn heads on the trail. Riders can choose between five frame sizes and a mullet or full 29" setup. Marzocchi suspension is provided, and the €2.799 bike comes equipped with Continental Kryptotal tires.
- Travel 170 / 165 mm
- Wheels Mullet, 29″
- Features Choice between mullet and full 29″ in all sizes
- www.yt-industries.com
- Price (RRP) €2.799
Information and images: Manufacturer