FINAL VERDICT

Our ‘cheap’ full-suspension tests have historically been over almost before they’ve begun, with one acceptable bike standing proud of the obviously compromised competition. Everyone who rode the top three bikes here was blown away by how good they were, though, and each of them is a potential winner depending on your priorities and price limit.

Even the runner-up – Norco’s Fluid 29er – is a smooth-rolling cruiser with some good kit for the cash, although its steep head angle and short reach mean it’s pedestrian rather than progressive at heart. In contrast, the Sonder Evol is a really punchy, lively yet surefooted ride with a quality feel that’s straining at the leash to run wild on technical trails. It’s great value compared to bikes from mainstream brands, too, but can’t compete with Vitus or Calibre when you add on the cost of the dropper post it definitely needs.

Which of the other two to pick comes down to your riding preferences and price limit. The Calibre Bossnut Evo is a well-balanced, confident and easy-to-ride allrounder that’s the best full-sus we’ve ever tested for under £1,000, even if it too is desperate for a dropper. Meanwhile, the Vitus Escarpe is a flat-out shredder with swaggering enduro geometry and speed-breeding rear suspension that’s unbeatable under £1,500, particularly if gravity riding is your main game. With a dropper post and some of our favourite enduro rubber as standard, it’s also the answer to our “how much do you need to spend to get a fully sorted full-sus?” question, and worth the extra if you can afford it.