FINALVERDICT

Whether it was on long rides out of the door, across town and around our local trails, or fast, repeated head-to-head shootouts further afield, our quartet of carbon XC race bikes surprised us, both in terms of just how darn fast they were at getting from A to B, but also what they could achieve downhill – although skinny tyres and minimal frame weight add up to a ride feel that’s far removed from what you might expect of a trail or enduro bike.

The Cube Reaction C:62 SL is a competent bike, with top-performing components and tyres that instil more confidence than most XC rubber on wet, sloppy trails. However, its traditional shape and super-stiff ride meant it was left behind by the others when push came to shove. Choosing a favourite from the Canyon Exceed CF SL 7.0 and Specialized Epic Hardtail was tough. The Canyon has some outstanding kit (the fork especially), although the carbon wheels split opinion between ‘fast and light’ and ‘a bit harsh’. The Specialized was the leader when it came to the frames, with a modern shape and sublime finish. If we could have the components from one and the chassis from the other, we’d be very happy indeed.

Overall though, it was the Merida Big.Nine XTEdition that was the least compromised. Yes, we’d like it to be a touch longer and slacker, but that barely held it back. The equipment bolted to the frame performed really well, and its composed ride – thanks to a more forgiving back end – meant it was our first choice when we wanted to crank out some fast miles.