By Stan Portus

Published: Monday, 13 December 2021 at 12:00 am


Imagine a bike that can tackle all-day epic rides with ease and efficiency, cover ground extremely fast and has just the right mix of componentry to fly down descents and you’re on your way to picturing the best downcountry mountain bikes.

Here, we list the best downcountry mountain bikes in 2021, as tested and rated by our expert reviewers at BikeRadar.

A relative newcomer to the mountain bike scene, downcountry bikes are growing quickly in popularity because they give you everything you need and nothing you don’t.

Many of these bikes started life as race-ready cross-country mountain bikes, but they have been given some extra travel and a more progressive geometry, while retaining their XC speed.

Not all downcountry bikes are built the same, though. While some are more like beefed-up cross-country mountain bikes, others are closer to the best trail mountain bikes – pared-back and adrenaline-seeking.

We’ve put together a buyer’s guide at the end of this article to help you choose the best downcountry bike for you and to help explain this new category of bike.

The best downcountry mountain bikes in 2021, as tested by our expert reviewers

  • Transition Spur X01: £6,000 / $6,499 / AU$10,499 
  • Juliana Wilder CC X01 AXS TR Reserve: £8,299 / $9,449
  • Specialized Epic EVO Expert: £6,750 / $6,300 / AU$10,100 / €6,699
  • Trek Top Fuel 8: £3,850 / $3,830 / €4,099 / AU$5,300
  • YT Izzo Pro Race: £4,599 / $5,299 / AU$83,99 / €5,299
  • Nukeproof Reactor Carbon 290 ST: £4,700 / $4,700 / AU$6,600
  • Scott Spark 900 Tuned AXS: £8,199 (international pricing TBC)

Transition Spur X01

5.0 out of 5 star rating
"Best
Transition’s Spur is its all-country bike that’s been designed from the ground up to “effortlessly explore, seek and pursue the mountain in ways you never imagined”.
Steve Behr / Immediate Media
  • Great geometry
  • Smooth downhill, sprightly uphill
  • £6,000 / $6,499 / AU$10,499 as tested

Unlike some downcountry bikes, the full-carbon frame Transition Spur is neither a beefed-up XC machine or a pared-back trail bike. Instead, Transition started from the ground up to build a bike that, it claims, will cover ground quickly and fly down descents.

The Spur has 120mm of travel in both the front fork and the rear shock, and when it comes to descending it really shines a light on how capable a bike like this can be, staying composed with an innate ability to smooth out the trail despite its modest travel.

When climbing, the Spur is quick and efficient, surging forward as you step on the pedals, and staying firmly rooted on rough pitches.

Overall, Transition has created a bike with superb geometry, well-considered kit and a ride that would put many longer-travel bikes to shame.