BikeRadar’s 2016 Most Wanted Awards are underway. You can cast your votes by clicking here.
Vote for your favorite trail bike now!
Our editors assembled the list of nominees based on the following criteria: bikes with a proven record of success under our own testers; bikes that push the envelope in terms of technology and design for their respective categories; and last but certainly not least, bikes and gear that make us want to get out and ride.
Our team of sprocket junkies may have chosen the contenders, but it’s up to your, our readers, to the make the final verdict on which bikes deserve the title of ‘Most Wanted’.
Let’s take a look at the trail bikes that are ready to shred.
Ibis Mojo 3
This new 130mm trail bike is designed to work with both 27.5 and 27.5 wheels. Ibis managed to attain an impressively short 425mm chainstay length. Up front, there’s a 66.8-degree head angle when mated to a 140mm fork.
Mojo 3 frame is said to be equal in stiffness to its HD3 big brother, but at far reduced weight of just 2.5kg/5.5lb including its Fox Factory Float DPS EVOL and Kashima-coated rear shock.
Santa Cruz Hightower
The Hightower may share the same 135mm of rear suspension travel as its predecessor, the Tallboy LT, but the geometry and handling is different enough that Santa Cruz opted to give the bike a new name to accompany its more aggressive personality
The Hightower is a rowdy long-travel 29er that can pull double-duty as a 27.5 rig, so you can have big wheels or wide rubber to suit your needs.
Specialized Stumpjumper FSR 6Fattie
The 6Fattie is the 27.5 version of the popular Specialized Stumpjumper FSR. The wider treads give this bike incredible traction that has wowed our testers.
The bikes of the Specialized 6Fattie family sport 150mm of front suspension and 135mm of squish out back. The Specialized SWAT storage system has also been integrated into these bikes, so you can store all your tools and gear on, and even in, the bike.
Transition Scout
The Scout is a short-travel brawler that fights far above its suspension numbers. The Scout uses Transition’s Giddy Up Link suspension system, essentially a four-bar Horst Link set-up. In the case of the Scout, it’s tailored to work with 125mm of rear travel.
Short 425mm chainstays, a corner-carving 324mm bottom bracket height, combined with a slack 66.9-degree head angle make this an incredibly fun trail bike.
Trek Fuel EX
The Fuel EX can be racy or rowdy, depending on your mood. Trek’s Mino link allows the rider to change the geometry of the Fuel EX or make it higher and steeper or lower and slacker, so the bike can fit your riding style or terrain.
The Fuel EX comes in alloy or carbon versions with 120mm of front and rear travel in versions with 27.5 and 29in wheels.
So which trail bike is your Most Wanted?
To vote, head to our awards page below and select the bikes and products you think deserve the title of 'Most Wanted'.
