The end of 2023 saw a host of exciting new mountain bikes being released or, at least, teased to the public.
We’ve summed up five of the most exciting mountain bikes currently available (or soon to be released) as we start 2024.
We’ve got a legendary downhill bike that’s making a comeback, two revamped trail favourites, an electric enduro rig specced with one of the most talked-about tech releases of 2023 and more.
YT Jeffsy
YT’s fun-loving trail bike has been a top performer in each of its previous iterations. Now in its third generation, the YT Jeffsy has been revamped again with several upgrades.
The headline update is the inclusion of a neat frame storage system. This is a first for YT and brings the carbon Jeffsy up to date with the latest high-end trail bikes.
The other updates may seem less significant on paper, but they all add up to the most recent Jeffsy’s incredibly fun and balanced ride feel.
Interestingly, the YT’s rear travel has been clipped by 5mm, taking it to 145mm, while the 150mm-travel fork remains unchanged.
The reach and chainstays have also stretched slightly, with the former growing by 5mm (in size Large) and the latter eking out an extra 2mm. The seat angle remains size-specific, sitting at a steep 77.9 degrees (size Large), and is paired with a pretty slack 65-degree head angle.
Canyon Lux Trail
Based on the World Cup-winning cross-country race bike with which it shares a name, the previous Lux Trail was essentially a Lux with a tweaked front end.
However, for 2024, Canyon has reinvented the Lux Trail with a new frame.
The new Lux Trail boasts 120/115mm of suspension travel front and rear, and uses a ‘hanging rocker’ rear suspension design, which Canyon says gives it better small-bump sensitivity.
Canyon has changed more than just the aesthetic of the Lux Trail. The geometry has seen a substantial overhaul, too. The 76-degree seat angle is a degree-and-a-half steeper than before and the reach measures in at a lengthy 480mm in size Large.
While the 67-degree head angle is still on the steeper side, it fits the overall intentions of the Lux Trail well.
Leaning into its cross-country heritage, the Lux Trail comes fitted with a remote lockout on all models. Trail riders will appreciate that this is accompanied by a dropper post, as well as internal frame storage and a multi-tool tucked away under the top tube.
Propain Ekano CF
One of the most hotly anticipated products of 2023 was SRAM’s Eagle Powertrain eMTB drive unit. Delivering cutting-edge tech in a holistic system that pairs flawlessly with the brand’s Transmission drivetrain, the Eagle Powertrain is currently available only on a select few bikes.
One such bike is Propain's first carbon electric mountain bike, the Ekano CF, a long-travel electric enduro mountain bike.
Its big-mountain intentions are made clear by the 64-degree head angle, 78-degree seat angle and 475mm reach in size Large.
Interestingly, the Ekano CF boasts long 453mm chainstays across the size range, which may help to keep the front end weighted on steep climbs.
Intense M1
The Intense M1 downhill mountain bike debuted in 1994. Back then, it was hotly sought after, with many of the top brands of the day buying and re-badging M1 frames for their downhill race teams to use.
The M1 was eventually retired from professional downhill racing in favour of the carbon Intense M90. However, last year saw the resurgence of the M1 in the form of a raw aluminium prototype. Developed and tested by the likes of Aaron Gwin and Dak Norton, the M1 prototype quickly bagged a World Cup podium in 2023.
Details about the Intense M1 are still scarce, but the bike marks the brand’s return to aluminium construction and uses a high-pivot six-bar link to deliver 203mm of rear-wheel travel.
With rumours of a revamped Intense Factory Racing team on the horizon, we’re buzzing to see the reborn M1 between the tapes again in 2024.
Trek Slash
Bringing high-pivot suspension design to the mainstream enduro market, the latest Trek Slash certainly splits opinions with its polarising look.
Trek introduced the high-pivot suspension design to its range last year with the Session downhill bike. Compared to the Session, the pivot on the Slash sits considerably higher up the seat tube, with the idler pulley below and behind it.
Previous versions of the Slash never had the most radical geometry, but the numbers have been tweaked, with the Slash now sporting a 77-degree seat angle and a very slack 63.5-degree head angle.
A flip chip in the lower shock mount enables you to adjust the progressivity of the 170mm rear-suspension travel, giving you the choice between a coil and air shock. The new Slash also comes stock as a mullet bike. However, it’s ready to take a larger 29in rear wheel if desired.
And there you have it, five bikes we’re buzzing about this year. Have we missed any? What would you add to the list?
