BikeRadar's long-term review bikes

Welcome to the home of BikeRadar’s long-term test bikes.


At the start of the year, every member of the BikeRadar team selects a long-term test bike to ride over the course of the following 12 months.


Some choose a bike from their favoured discipline and ride it hard for a year, constantly scrutinising its performance; others opt for a bike that takes them outside of their comfort zone, in a bid to get to the bottom of the burning questions facing prospective buyers.


Our long-term test gives us the opportunity to truly get to grips with these machines, so we can tell you how they perform through different seasons and on ever-changing terrain.


We also use them as test beds for the latest kit, chopping and changing parts to see what really makes the difference – and help you decide which upgrades are worth spending your money on.


Below you’ll find the latest updates to this year’s machines. There’s something for everyone, from lightweight road bikes to enduro mountain bikes, via electric bikes and gravel bikes.


If you have any questions about the bikes on test – or upgrades you want to suggest – click through to the reviews and post your questions and suggestions in the comments.


Luke takes the Canyon Strive CFR Underdog to Whistler

Luke and the Strive fly out to Canada to take on Whistler's iconic trails together
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4799
$N/A / AU$ 7,399 / 4,999€

Will looks back on an Intense year with the Tracer

Will's time on the Tracer comes to an end
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{"AUD":"9499.00","EUR":"6499.00","GBP":"5799.00","USD":"6899.00"}

Is the Ridley Noah Disc Essential the right bike for Stan?

Stan reflects on his time riding the Ridley Noah Disc Essential and how his cycling has changed
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{"EUR":"5195.00","GBP":"4729.00"}

Preventative winter maintenance for Oscar's Look 765 Optimum

What has the Look 765 Optimum been like to maintain?   
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{"EUR":"4690.00","GBP":"4690.00","USD":"5500.00"}

Mud-conquering tyres for Jack's Giant TCX Advanced Pro 2

Jack wraps up the CX season and gets ready to head for the beach
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Tom Law's Transition Smuggler Carbon GX

Tom welcomes a longer-travel bike in search of some added gnar factor
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Robyn’s Sonder Camino Ti Rival 1

Robyn looks ahead to new adventures on the Camino in 2024
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{"GBP":"2449.00"}

Gary's Ribble Hybrid AL Leisure Fully Loaded Edition

Gary reaches the end of the road on the versatile Ribble
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Tom's Merida One-Forty 6000

Will this super-long trail bike convince Tom that stretched-out bikes can live up to their hype?
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Rob’s Rå Valravn S custom gravel bike

The Rå Valravn hasn’t had an easy summer and is in need of some love
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Custom-fitted frame

Max's Vitus Sommet 297 AMP

Max enjoys the hair-raising air time that longer-travel bikes can offer. He's hoping this mullet-wheeled setup will enable playful yet planted feelings when shredding
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Robyn’s Canyon Grail 6 WMN

Is this versatile gravel bike the perfect answer to the question ‘I wonder where that trail goes’?
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Tom's Lauf True Grit Race AXS

Tom’s well acquainted with the True Grit and is looking to put this latest version through its paces over south-west England's finest gravel
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Liv Devote Advanced 1

Helen hopes to improve her off-road skills with Liv’s adventure-ready gravel bike
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Simon's Giant TCR Advanced Pro 2 Disc

Simon hopes the latest TCR might be the perfect all-round road bike at a great price
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Alex's gravity-focused Yeti SB165 final update

Alex tries to prove why 27.5in wheels still have a place on the mountains
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Helen's Specialized Diverge X1

A year of getting off the beaten track exploring local tracks and byways
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Matthew’s Giant Trance E+ 1 Pro final update

Riding unassisted up hills is so last year
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Tom's Hope HB.130

Did this boutique, UK built, mid-travel, modern-shaped trail bike live up to Tom's hopes?
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Plus £285 for Hope crank upgrade

Tom's Bergamont E-Horizon Expert 600 Gent

Tom’s an idealist when it comes to urban transport, could this electrically assisted hybrid be the perfect tool for BikeRadar’s resident man about town?
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Felix's Cannondale Synapse Disc Ultegra update #3

Felix's appetite for epic rides has grown, so the endurance-focused Synapse seems like the perfect companion
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Matthew’s Specialized Roubaix Expert final update

Future Shock 2.0 endurance bike is shockingly good
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Alex's custom Marin Gestalt X commuter

Has Alex built the ultimate hassle-free commuter bike?
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Max's Saracen Zenith Elite LSL

Max planned to get back to his roots on Saracen’s new hardcore hardtail, so how did he get on?
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