In the world of hyper-specific niche product categories that can sometimes dominate mountain biking, “trail bikes” is the broadest and most general. It can mean anything from short-travel, lightweight XC+ bikes to near-enduro shredders. But the unifying theme is one bike that can make the widest range of trails and rides the most fun. Which sounds pretty good to us, right?
Here are six of the best bikes with the highest smile-to-mile ratios that were released or reviewed in this year.
Six top trail bikes for 2024
Trek Top Fuel Gen 4
Trek’s re-launch of the Top Fuel may have been more low key than the brand’s usual splash, but the fourth generation of this trail bike shines bright even without all the lights and fanfare of a media blitz. The updates are smart, allowing more customization to make the Top Fuel your own, and bring this ever popular trail bike up to date. That allows it to keep doing what it does best: making all kinds of trails, from fast XC to more challenging trails, thrilling to ride.
YT Jeffsy Core 5
YT Jeffsy Core 2
YT Jeffsy MKIII
Released late last fall, 2024 is the first full season that Jeffsy is roaming the world. The third version of YT’s do-it-all trail bike remains streamlined and simple. Small geometry updates, UDH compatibility and, for carbon fibre frames, an internal storage compartment. Jeffsy proves that you don’t always need a ton of flash and features to make riding all kinds of trails very fun. With 29″ wheels, 145mm of rear travel and a 150mm fork, the Jeffsy is capable and agile on a wide range of terrain. After first sampling the carbon fiber option, a longer test on the alloy Jeffsy Core 2 showed it has all the fun of the fancier frame for less of the price. That is something we can get behind.
Rocky Mountain Instinct
For those that like to fiddle, tweak and personalize their ride, the new Rocky Mountain Instinct offers an impressive array of options. Set to its stock middle-range settings, the new Instinct is easy to pedal and more capable than it’s 140mm rear wheel travel (150mm fork) might suggest. But a suite of adjustments, including a Ride-4 geometry chip, a two-position rear axle to change chainstay length and 10-mm of reach adjustment, allow riders to really dial in the Instinct to suit their needs, trails and preferences. Fast and stable on steeper trails? Sure. Nimble and supportive for faster pedalling and tighter trails? Also yes. And a…
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