The 10 Best Trail Bikes of 2023
By: Colin Edwards: Bike Buyer | July 14, 2023
“Trail” might just be the most nebulous category in mountain biking. It means different things to every person and every riding area. So it’s hard to pin down what makes a mountain bike a trail bike over being an XC or Enduro rig. We’ve done our best to narrow it down with this list though. Every bike we feature here is a capable, versatile, efficient, and most importantly, fun machine. Every bike here could handle an XC race or two every summer, along with a bike park or shuttle day here and there as well. Every bike on this list is efficient enough for long, all-day rides, but plush enough for rowdy, technical trails. Every bike on this list makes mountain biking fun, and that’s what trail bikes are about anyway.
New This Year:
Over the years the designers of the best trail bikes have perfected their formula. They’ve figured out the geometry that gives the best compromise between descending stability and playfulness. They’ve designed suspension systems that don’t waste energy on the up but are supple and responsive in chunder. And they’ve worked hard to spec every bike on this list with components that work precisely and reliably. So if you want to choose a trail bike that can handle it all, and will leave you with a grin on your face after every ride, there’s a bike on this list for you.
Santa Cruz Hightower
The newest version of the Hightower remains one of Santa Cruz's greatest hits of engineering - now further refined and bottled into their most all-terrain of bikes. Big on wheels, medium on travel, short on fuss, this is the do-it-all model that does it over and over again thanks to a versatile balance of geo, spec and durability. If you’re not looking for extremes, just something extremely good, the Hightower is your elevator.
| Rear Travel | Wheel Size | Original Price |
| 145 mm | 29” | $3,799.00 - $11,549 |
Santa Cruz Tallboy
The rowdiest XC bike in the land is back, and it's better than ever. Updated with snappier suspension, size-specific chainstay lengths, and a storage compartment in the downtube to stow your Oreos (you're welcome), the new 2023 Santa Cruz Tallboy is a proven trail killer with the chops to keep going all day.
| Rear Travel | Wheel Size | Original Price |
| 120 mm | 29” | $3599.00 - $10399 |
Devinci Marshall A 29 SX 12s
The Devinci Marshall A 29 SX 12s Complete Mountain Bike combines versatile geometry, smart design, and dependable parts to make for one of the best value bikes on the planet. Its 130mm of Split Pivot suspension is plusher in chunky zones than any platform that pedals this well has a right to be, and when combined with 140mm up front? Simply trail-perfect. A mid-travel bike with extremely durable components, made from lightweight and tough aluminum: this is a smart buy.
| Rear Travel | Wheel Size | Original Price |
| 130 mm | 29” | $2,649.00 |
Orbea Rise M20 E-Mountain Bike
As one of the latest breed of ultra lightweight e-bikes, the Orbea Rise M20 E-Mountain Bike seeks to replace your everyday trail ripper. It's not much heavier than many traditional bikes, and its smaller battery and motor are more about enhancement than overpowering. This bike rides with the power off as well as its unplugged ancestors, so a trail ride isn't all that different from your normal bike except for the fact that you'll find yourself covering the same mileage in half the time. This bike will change your perspective. Instantly.
| Rear Travel | Wheel Size | Original Price |
| 140 mm | 29” | $7,399.00 |
Juliana Roubion
Whether blind racing or just blindly enjoying the trails as they come, the Juliana Roubion’s MX wheel combo feels like the best mix since Aperol met spritz. A 29-inch front wheel serves up high-speed stability and high rolling confidence. Meanwhile the 27.5-inch rear wheel makes for an intuitive and highly maneuverable rear end that loves to get sideways around the most ragged of switchbacks. We’re pretty sure there’s no better bike to tackle alpine terrain.
| Rear Travel | Wheel Size | Original Price |
| 150 mm | 29'' Front, 27.5'' Rear | $4999.00 - $10,549 |
Santa Cruz Chameleon
Santa Cruz made the Chameleon for riders who like to sculpt their ideal bike, and aren’t afraid to experiment. Whether 29er or mixed, geared or fixed, multiple major configuration transformations are made easy via the interchangeable dropouts. The low slung top tube and progressive geometry means this bike blends into whatever surroundings you place it. From raucous short-cuts across town to skipping the city altogether. It turns itself to trail exploration with the flip of an Allen key, thanks to the triple-bolt cargo cage mount under the downtube and standard bottle mount within the frame.
| Rear Travel | Wheel Size | Original Price |
| Hardtail | 29” | $2599.00 - $3199 |
Marin Rift Zone 2 29
If you go mountain biking for the fun factor – the real fun factor, not that Type 2 stuff – get the Marin Rift Zone 2 29 Complete Mountain Bike on your radar, pronto. With a long, low, and slack trail geometry and Marin's most speed-oriented MultiTrac Suspension, this bike is every bit the modern trail shredder - and it comes with a solid component set tuned to get the most bang for your buck. Saddle up, this one rips.
| Rear Travel | Wheel Size | Original Price |
| 130 mm | 29'' | $2,399.00 |
Juliana Joplin
The Juliana Joplin doesn't respond well to being pigeonholed. Sure, you can pedal all day on the winding trail to nowhere in particular, but this short travel 29er is much more than a one dimensional XC specialist - it's a kaleidoscopic multiverse of gravity assisted trail capability. A slack front end, VPP suspension, and light but tough Carbon frame turn the Joplin into a versatile, confident whip eager to prove itself on trails near, far, and gnar.
| Rear Travel | Wheel Size | Original Price |
| 120mm | 29” | $5,299.00 - $8599 |
Santa Cruz Nomad
Load up the van, hit the road, climb a mountain, hammer it back down, huck the road gap, throw the bike back in the van, drive to the bike park and do laps on laps. Hell, you could even rock up to the startline on it. The Santa Cruz Nomad’s forte is being ready and willing to go wherever, whenever. The only thing it needs is a rider willing to press send.
| Rear Travel | Wheel Size | Original Price |
| 160 mm | 29'' Front, 27.5'' Rear | $4999.00 - $8399 |
Orbea Oiz H30
On your Orbea Oiz H30 Complete Mountain Bike, you've earned your prize money before you even get to the start line. The money you save by choosing this one more than makes up for any perceived shortcomings in its component build—and with solid Shimano parts and remote-lockout Fox suspension, you'll have the same stuff as half the field anyways! This is a purebred XC/trail race machine for riders who let their lap times do the talking.
| Rear Travel | Wheel Size | Original Price |
| 120mm | 29” | $2,999.00 |
Learn More With Our Other Bike Guides:
- Mountain Bikes - How to Choose
- Mountain Bikes - Size and Fit Guide
- Mountain Bikes - How to Get Started Mountain Biking
- Mountain Bikes - How to Choose a Wheel Size
- Mountain Bikes - Suspension Basics
- Mountain Bikes - How to Choose a Mountian Bike Dropper Post
- Mountain Bikes - How to Choose MTB Handlebars
- Mountain Bikes - How to Choose MTB Pedals
- Mountain Bikes - How to Change Bike Pedals
- Mountain Bikes - How to Clean
- Mountain Bikes - How to Bleed SRAM Brakes
- Mountain Bikes - How to Bleed Shimano Brakes
- Mountain Bikes - How to Convert to Tubeless Tires
- Mountain Bikes - How to Replace Internal Cable Housing
- Mountain Bikes - How to Adjust Your Rear Derailleur
- Mountain Bikes - How to Bleed a RockShox Reverb Seatpost
- Mountain Bikes - How to Service Fox and RockShox Fork Lowers
- Mountain Biking - What to Bring Mountain Biking
- Mountain Biking - What to Wear Mountain Biking
- Mountain Biking - How to Choose Knee Pads
- Bikes - Size and Fit Guide
- Gravel Bikes - How To Get Started Gravel Biking
- eBikes - Classes, Features & More
- eBikes - Where to Ride eBikes
- Bike Accessories - Helmet Size & Fit Guide
- Bike Accessories - How to Choose Bike Shoes
- Bikes - How to Choose Bike Tires
- Bikes - How to Change Bike Pedals
- Bikes - How to Repair & Replace a Bike Chain
- Bikes - How to Choose Accessories
- Bikes - Urban Riding Tips
- Travel & Destination Guides - Where to Mountain Bike
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Our bike buyer has an endless amount of knowledge on all things bike stemming from years of experience in the bike industry in tandem with their countless hours out on the dirt, gravel, and tarmac. evo's buyers assess all products coming to market, lean into this knowledge, and put together this selection of the best products. They have a unique perspective as they truly see everything offered across the category.
Colin Edwards
Meet Colin Edwards, evo's in-house Bike Buyer and mountain biking aficionado. With 15+ years of e-commerce buying experience under his belt, Colin is the go-to guy for all things related to "Riding Dirt." He's worked across various categories, including bike, snowboard, travel, climbing, and surfing, giving him the know-how to recognize and select top-notch mountain biking products for evo's customers.
Colin's been shredding trails since he was a kid, starting on his trusty hardtail Trek 800 Sport. Born and raised in Utah, he recently made the move to Bellingham, WA with his partner, Kenz. Colin's real-world biking experience, combined with his background in product trends, relationship building, and sales analysis, makes him an invaluable asset to the evo team.
When he's not busy handpicking the raddest gear, you'll find Colin ripping through PNW trails or hunting for the world's best dirt. And when the snow falls, he's all about snowboarding. Colin also loves trail running and exploring the PNW's stunning landscape with his two dogs and Kenz.
With Colin's expertise and passion fueling evo's mountain biking selection, you can trust that his recommendations are spot-on and tailored to the evo community's adventurous spirit.