Full Suspension Bike reviews from Reddit
Summary
We analyzed 366 Reddit reviews across 8 subreddits and 40 posts to rank the best Full Suspension Bike brands recommended by redditors, including communities like r/MTB, r/mountainbiking, r/bikepacking, r/whichbike, r/mountainbikes. Top-rated brands include Ibis (4.8/5), Specialized (4.5/5), YT (4.6/5).
Stats
Reviews366
Subreddits8
Posts40
Brands35
Products88
366 reviews from
and
By Brand
/By Product
#1
Ibis
4.8
(41)
"Ibis Ripley."
"Another Ibis Ripley owner here. It's a great frame."
"I 3rd the Ripley!!"
"Ripley, ripmo or one of the Canfields or revels."
"Ripley climbs ever so slightly better than the Ripmo."
"That Ripley is serious mountain goat, it just loves to climb."
"Ripley."
"Ripmo carbon 🤘 is what I ride."
"Ibis Ripley, pivot bikes in general all climbs particularly good."
"+1 for the Ripley."
#2
Specialized
4.5
(41)
"Love my Stumpjumper EVO, it's a goat on the climbs and a monster truck on the descents"
"If there is anyway you can find the used epic 8 or epic 8 evo... That's my bikepacking and everything bike and I am in love."
"EPIC EVO"
"Specialized Epic Evo is a climbing machine"
"When I climb I feel like the bike wants to fly."
"I switched to a 2016 Specialized Enduro 27.5 that was a comfy all-round climber and even better on the tech stuff."
"Epic Evo for speed; Tallboy for comfort."
"100% Specialized Stumpjumper."
"I have a trance x for the summer and bike park and SC chameleon for the winter and they’re both amazing machines"
"They can get a $2k full suspension like the Trance with Deore 1x12, solid suspension (Fox,Marz), good brakes, DHF/Aggressor tires, etc. That's going to perform better than a hardtail with a slightly better fork"
#3
YT
4.6
(32)
"I got a YT Jeffsy0core 2 last year for 1900. It's an aluminum trail bike that I feel is capable enough to handle pretty much anything."
"YT jeffsey might be the most budget friendly in the market right now."
"YT Jeffsy all day."
"I recommend Jeffsy. Still climbs like a beast."
"My YT Izzo climbs like a champ and is great on the flow trails we have here."
"YT Jeffsy if buying direct."
"YT Capra Core 1. It's 2k right now. You won't find a better speced bike for the price."
"Yt jeffsy"
"Check out YT Jeffsy. They might have a build in that range."
"YT Capra"
#4
Giant
4.4
(27)
"Such a well balanced bike and makes tech climbs look easy."
"I climb best on Trance in techy terrain."
"I picked up a giant trance x 29 in august for 2,300."
"I have a Giant Trance Advanced 27.5 trail bike."
"Giant trance x 29."
"I've got a 2022 Giant Stance which has been a great starter bike and cost 3K AUD at the beginning of the year. Highly recommended."
"I have the trance 2 and LOVE it!"
"I got my gf a Trance X Advanced Pro 29 1 used from a bike shop for about 3500 and it's been an amazing bike."
"It has gone up in price ($3650), but would certainly buy it again at the price it is today."
"2020 Giant Stance 29 1 went live on the site today for $1800."
#5
Polygon
4.4
(24)
"I had the same recommended when I wanted a full squish in the same price range… but no, I wanted a full squish pal!!! 😅 ended up w a Polygon, love it."
"Siskiu T8. Awesome bike, great components, fantastic price. Literally can't beat it."
"Get the t8. Even if you do XC, still get the t8 over the d7."
"Polygon T8 is currently on sale for $2000. Preorder it. You will not find anything better for the price."
"Polygon T8 is on sale for $2000 right now and would be a better bike for your description."
"Polygon Siskiu T8. Unbeatable value with 150mm up front, 140mm in the rear."
"I seriously considered keeping the hardtail and just buying the polygon siskiu T8. What a bargain."
"Polygon all the way, love my 2022 D7"
"Polygon-siskiu-d7-2022"
"They are probably the best budget friendly option available."
#6
Trek
4.5
(19)
"I really like my Trek Slash"
"Trek super caliber is a great deal with great climbing."
"Trek supercaliber"
"My climbing times now match my previous times on my head tail."
"The Supercaliber is a superb climber - and descends beautifully."
"Climbs like a goat, rides like a dream."
"Crushes climbs and descents."
"I can personally vouch that the fuel ex 9.7 is fucking rad."
"Trek fuel ex is hard to beat."
"Literally any of the above or other manufacturers."
#7
Scott
4.5
(17)
"Scott Spark or Genius."
"Scott Spark would be my first choice. The bike climbs sooooooooo good!"
"Amazingly light, nimble, great climbing bike!"
"My money would go on a Scott spark."
"Scott spark is what you are after."
"With racing wheels, it weighs in at 21.5lbs with a dropper. It’s an absolute goat on the climbs and rips the descents too!"
"I love my Scott Spark RC for it."
"Scott Spark, you can lock out the suspect on the handlebar."
"I bought a Scott Spark for this purpose. Hidden rear shock means I can use an off-the-shelf full frame bag with worrying about getting in the way."
"Scott spark and enter in xc races"
#8
Norco
4.4
(17)
"Norco Optic is a fantastic climber AND will still rock the downhills."
"Amazing climber."
"Have a look at Norco Optics. Love mine."
"Check out the Norco fluid"
"Norco fluid is pretty sweet."
"Definitely the Norco"
"If you can afford the $400 more upgrade to the Fluid FS1, it would be worth it. The components are significantly better."
"I really like my Fluid, but the spec in that price range changed a good bit compared to 2023."
"2023 Norco Fluid on Jenson website $1,400 to 1,700 depending on the model."
"Norco fluid is a fantastic bike."
#9
Canyon
4.2
(17)
"Canyon has a bunch of models in your price range, personally out of those I'd probably go with Neuron 6."
"I ended up getting a canyon spectral a week ago"
"Get a Canyon spectral AL 5 XL"
"Came across Canyon Neuron 6.0 and pulled the trigger when they were on sale for $1799."
"I used to bikepack on my old full suss until it was stolen. Was a Canyon Spectral that I used to do bikeparks with."
"Neuron got that downcountry geo and it's cheap too."
"Canyon has a bunch of models in your price range, personally out of those I'd probably go with Neuron 6."
"Canyon or YT perhaps?"
"I went from a 10yr old Trek hardtail to a Canyon Neuron 6."
"I pulled the trigger on a spectral Al 6 when it was like 20% off at one point, i.e., 2500eur + 60eur shipping and bike box. I've ridden it a bit now and can't complain so far."
#10
Transition
4.7
(15)
"Transition Spur."
"Transition Spur, very lively on climbs."
"Recently got a transition spur and absolutely love it."
"The Transition Spur is killer."
"I think a transition spur would be right up your alley."
"I recently got a transition spur and it climbs incredibly well."
"My transition Spur is great at climbing…. And descending."
"Transition Smuggler. Phenomenal all around."
"I’d highly recommend a transition over a stump jumper."
"I have a Transition Scout and I love it."
#11
Orbea
4.4
(13)
"Climbs like a rocket."
"Orbea Oiz seems to come out as the best climber."
"Orbea Oiz."
"No complaints about my Orbea Oiz."
"Orbea oiz, found my 2022 h10 tr for 3600. Loving it so far."
"It’s great climbing."
"Orbea oiz."
"Orbea oiz."
"Orbea occam or norco fluid."
"Orbea Occam is pretty great at climbing. I was pleasantly surprised!"
#12
Santa Cruz
4.7
(12)
"Blur"
"Is the right answer."
"Climbed so effortlessly."
"Santa Cruz Blur.. I see some folks mentioning the Tallboy but Blur by no comparison is a much better climbing bike."
"It rocks the techy climbs."
"I enjoy climbing on my Santa Cruz Hightower, and now I’m loving heading downhill even more"
"Santa Cruz Blur"
"6'7" and running the XXL Santa Cruz Hightower LT. Great Bike for that size"
"I saw Bronson builds close to $3500 for the entry level carbon builds the other day."
"Santa Cruz Blur is a pretty safe choice"
#13
Vitus
4.5
(12)
"I still have a vitus and it's treated me incredibly well. Especially great for inspiring confidence in my friends who now use it when I take them riding"
"Vitus Mythique VRX."
"If you want carbon, nothings going to beat the vitus."
"Vitus anyday"
"VITUS FTW! Look for the pinkbike reviews on, I believe it was deemed 'best budget bike of 2020'"
"Check out their new Mythique. A bit more travel but probably gives you the most for your money in your price range."
"Vitus & Polygon have great entry level bikes. Relative to other brands, they are much less expensive"
"I have a 23 Vitus mythique that climbs like a burned ass monkey."
"Check Vitus out. The mythique is a great option"
"I'd add Vitus to the list depending on where you live"
#14
Marin
4.1
(13)
"Marin Rift Zone 2."
"Marin Rift Zone or Alpine Trail."
"An affordable choice would be the Marin Rift Zone 3 29. Climbs really well even with stock config."
"Marin Rift Zone or Polygon Siskui T8 or T9."
"Always been happy with the Marin rift zones for the money. Anything 2 and up should be good to go."
"Marin rift zone 2!"
"2023 marin rift zone 2 would be my choice"
"Marin Rift Zone can be had starting around $1800"
"Marin Riftzone 2 for $2k"
"Ive been looking at marin rift zone's."
#15
Yeti
4.9
(8)
"It can climb and descend well."
"The switch infinity thing is amazing."
"Yeti SB120 for sure."
"I love it! It climbs well."
"Check out the Yeti SBxxx, Ibis Ripxx and, Pivot Shadowcat."
"Yeti 120-140….150-165 if you like downhill too."
"Yetis climb super well!"
"Just ordered a sb140 trail not LR."
#16
Fezzari
4.4
(7)
"Fezzari Delano Peak, carbon frame, 150/130."
"Please check out fezzari Delano peak as well."
"I went with a Fezzari Delano Peak. It is out of your price range but they do have other models at or under 2k."
"I have a Fezzari Abajo Peak its around in the 2k range."
"Fezzari"
"Fezzari Abajo peak."
"Fezzari"
#17
Intense
4.2
(6)
"Intense 951 trail/xc will get you a carbon bike in that range."
"Intense 951- costco has a great price on them."
"Intense 951"
"Costco Intense 951 Trail or 951 XC."
"Costco intense 951 trail. Easy win for 2k."
"Costco currently has the Intense 951 on sale for 2k."
#18
Commencal
4.2
(6)
"Commencal has great value and great bikes."
"A Commencal Meta is a good option for $2k"
"Commencal or Canyon. Any bike from these brands and preferably alloy."
"Commencal meta"
"Take a peek at the Commencal Meta. Great bikes for the money."
"Commencal makes JR bikes. Basically kids bikes with full sized parts on them."
#19
Propain
4.4
(5)
"Propain hugene. Loving my tyee. They are amazing rides with good entry level pricing."
"Now I just built a Propain Tyee 29er with a coil which seems to climb even better."
"Propain hugene."
"Propain Tyee. Rocky Mountain Altitude"
"Propain Tyee!"
#20
Salsa
4.2
(5)
"I've done all of my bikepacking so far on a Salsa Spearfish. It's super versatile, pedals well, and plenty of framebag space."
"It’s a fantastic bike."
"The spearfish is on sale right now, so might pull the trigger before this weekend."
"Salsa Horsethief. I test rode one before I decided on my Ripmo AF."
"Salsa blackthorn"
#21
Full Suspension Bike
4.0
(4)
"If you want a affordable full suspension bike I would look online for a second-hand bike. You can usually find some bikes for a good price."
"Leaning more towards the Trek because I like the geometry better and it’s just a bit cheaper."
"With $2000 budget definitely look at pinkbike and CL. You can get *alright* full suspension bikes new within that range."
"I would recommend you buy used. Pinkbike has lots of options, and most sellers offer shipping."
#22
GT
4.3
(3)
"Literally any of the above or other manufacturers."
"Mikes Bikes has the GT Sensor for $1,300."
"The new GT Sensor looks sweet. $4200 for a pretty killer build."
#23
Kona
4.0
(3)
"I love my Kona Hei Hei for climbing."
"I love my Kona Hei Hei."
"Kona process DL"
#24
Spot
5.0
(2)
"For absolute Billy goat climbing, the Spot Mayhem. Fantastic bike."
"Spot makes some bikes that are great climbers. Either the mayhem if you want more travel."
#25
Revel
5.0
(2)
"My Revel Rail climbs like a mountain goat."
"Revel for sure."
#26
Banshee
4.5
(2)
"Banshee phantom"
"Banshee Phantom. KS2 linkage gobbles up the tech."
#27
Pivot
4.0
(2)
"Pivot Trail 429 is what I ride, great climber."
"Pivot 429."
#28
Siskiu
4.0
(2)
"I ended up getting a Siskiu T7 on sale and fwiw I’ve liked it a lot."
"Siskiu T7 definitely has the best geo and spec in your list."
#29
Devinci
4.0
(2)
"DaVinci Marshall"
"Devinci Marshall 29 ≈ $2700."
#30
Juliana
4.0
(2)
"Check out Juliana. They're not cheap tho."
"Specifically designed for women."
#31
Ari
4.0
(1)
"Yeah I’m considering that or a Ari cascade peak so we’ll see what happens"
#32
Rocky Mountain
4.0
(1)
"Rocky Mountain Element 10"
#33
Biktrix
4.0
(1)
"Consider biktrix juggernaut fs series. The main battery is 17ah and it supports having a second one."
#34
Coast Cycles
3.0
(1)
"Cro Mo steel frame, not aluminum."
#35
Gravity
3.0
(1)
"OR a sale deal on Full Suspension - like this [https://bikesdirect.com/products/gravity/full-suspension-mountain-bikes/fsx29-1by-full-suspension-mountain-bikes.htm]"
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