5 awesome mountain bikes for riding in Wales
Thursday 8 November
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We bring you 5 great mountain bikes for making the most of the fantastic trails that Wales has to offer. From complete beginner to avid enthusiast, there's a bike here for all riders.
Wales is blessed with a variety of high quality mountain biking terrain to rival almost any other country on the planet. Gentle forest roads, man-made sculpted trails, epic natural wilderness routes and super gnarly downhill tracks - Wales has something for all tastes.
So what do you look for in a mountain bike to harness the potential of this world-class mountain biking destination? If you’re a beginner looking to start hitting some of the trail centres, you probably won’t have a huge budget but you’ll want a reliable and strong bike which can be upgraded and tuned to match your riding style as you get to grips with the sport. If you’re an intermediate rider wanting to raise the bar and challenge yourself you may be looking at investing some serious cash into a do-it-all high-spec rig to keep your thrills coming thick and fast for the next couple of years. Or if you prefer the all out adrenalin rush of downhill and are not so keen on the cardio torture of climbing up big Welsh hillsides you may want to opt for a downhill bike with super plush suspension and a confidence-inspiring geometry.
Here are 5 great mountain bikes which we think are right at home here in the mtb mecca of Wales.
Saracen Ariel
Mid-travel all-rounder for efficient climbing and fast and loose descending.
From £2250
Saracen have really upped their game in the last few years, and particularly noteworthy in their range is the Ariel which can be considered an “all mountain” style bike. This is a great value package if you’re looking for your first full suspension bike or simply want the maximum quota of wild trail-ripping fun your money can buy.
The Ariel is available in 140mm and 160mm travel versions, both of which will devour pretty much all Welsh trails with ease. The longer travel guise may appeal to riders who also want to dip into more technical downhill tracks.
Recommended trails for the Saracen Ariel - MBR, Coed-y-Brenin and Raven, Brechfa
Check out the Saracen Ariel at Tredz
Kona Blast
Entry level, future-proof hardtail for everyday mtb duties.
From £599
Pacific North West mountain bike company Kona have been making tough and reliable bikes since 1988. Their simple and effective designs are a regular sight around the many Welsh trail centres and all the bikes in their range are more than fit for the purpose.
The Blast is Kona’s low/mid range hardtail, ideal for complete beginners who want to make sure their first mountain bike purchase is a sensible one. The Blast features Kona’s legendary strong and durable aluminium frame along with a tried and tested list of components from the likes of Shimano and Rock Shox. There’s no surprises here; just a great starter bike with plenty of scope for improvements and upgrades in the future.
Recommended trails for the Kona Blast - Summit, Nant-yr-Arian and Twrch, Cwmcarn
Check out the Kona Blast at Sunset Cycles
Norco Aurum
Affordable downhill machine with fast and balanced descending capabilities.
From £2100
High quality and robust downhill mountain bikes don’t come cheap, but Norco have filled a bit of a gap in the market as the entry level Aurum comes in at just over £2000. This bike is gaining quite a reputation as one of the best in its field, with its low slung centre of gravity, well balanced riding position and good looks. You’ll spot a few of these at the British Downhill Series races in Moelfre, Caersws and Llangollen; more than capable of putting a trophy or two into the hands of a rider with the right skills.
Suspension travel on the Aurum is a mighty 200mm front and rear and there are a range of build options depending on budget. If you’re looking for the perfect balance of cost and performance in a downhill bike, we reckon the Norco Aurum is hard to beat.
Recommended trails for the Norco Aurum - Revolution Bike Park, Llangynog and Y Du, Antur Stiniog
Check out the Norco Aurum range on Evans Cycles
Transition Covert
Hard-hitting steed for fast and furious singletrack blasts or big mountain epic adventures.
From £2750
Transition are a smaller brand who have become known in recent years for their pleasing mountain bike designs and rider owned company philosophy. The covert fits into their “all-mountain” category and aims to provide almost everything you will ever need in one neat package. This bike climbs big hills with more efficiency that you would expect and also descends technical and steep Welsh terrain without drama. With the Covert, you will find yourself searching the trail for the most challenging lines instead of shying away from them. Confidence inspiring and thoroughly enjoyable.
Recommended trails for the Transition Covert - Wild Cart, Antur Stiniog and Whites Level, Glyncorrwg
The Covert comes as frame only or in a range of build options. Check it out at Tamed Earth
Cotic Soul
Iconic steel hardtail which could be the ultimate Welsh trail swiss army knife.
£499 frame only
Hardtails are not just for beginners. Although full suspension is the most common style of mountain bike seen on Welsh trails these days, a properly spec'd hardtail can still hold its own on the majority of trails, even the gnarly stuff. Some riders love the simplicity and reliability of a hardtail and steel is as popular as ever with its forgiving and responsive ride characteristics.
The Cotic Soul is a great choice for riders looking to custom build a high-end hardtail. It certainly isn’t cheap at just shy of 500 notes and really needs a further investment of around £1500 to do it justice but what you’ll end up with is the real deal. This bike will allow you to really enjoy the true spirit of mountain biking in Wales.
Recommended trails for the Cotic Soul - Penmachno, Betws-y-Coed and Blorenge, Brecon Beacons
Check out the options at Cotic
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