Our test winner’s stablemates

SPECIALIZED STUMPY EVO COMP YT INDUSTRIES DECOY MX CORE 2

£3,999

£5,546

The entry-level Stumpy Evo is the Comp. For just shy of £4k you get a full carbon frame that features SWAT storage and adjustable geometry. And while it’s currently sold as a pure 29er there’s already an aftermarket mullet link that corrects the geometry for use with a 27.5in rear wheel. And if you’re in any doubt about how good value the Status is, it shares the same Fox suspension components with Stumpy Evo Comp.

All models in the Decoy MX range have 170/165mm travel, share the same carbon front end, Shimano STEPS EP8 motor and custom 540Wh battery. What changes as you move down the range is the switch to an alloy rear end and the associated build kits. As such the entry-level Decoy MX Core 2 sports a Rockshox Zeb fork and Super Deluxe Select shock. Shifting is still 12-speed Shimano, but XT makes way for Deore.