The Quantock Hills are renowned across the UK, boasting some of the South West’s finest mountain bike trails, with something for everyone from the gentle wooded combes to up on the open heathlands where the views across the country reach into South Wales. There are a myriad of bridleways taking in some of the most exciting natural downhill and cross-country trails in the country. If you love MTB and live anywhere near any of our stores in the West Country then you absolutely have to ride the Quantocks.
The lumpy terrain of this stunning Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty demands a high price for the technical adrenalin-fuelled descents, which you must pay by getting yourself up the vertiginous, lung-busting climbs. So if you’re going to take on the coveted trails, you’re going to need a lively steed which can both descend like a dream and surge energetically up steep climbs.
1. Giant Trance 4 Full Sus
The Trance is a trail bike that thrives in the most challenging of conditions, be it technical climbs, sketchy descents or all-day epics. Its lightweight and stiff ALUXX SL (super-light) aluminium frame and a new Maestro suspicion system gives 140mm of plush rear travel, providing a cushion on even the most gnarly trails.
£1499.99
2. Trek Fuel EX5 29er
The world’s best-loved mountain bike has been given a major capability boost for 2017 with more travel and far more aggressive geometry, the perfect marriage of trail and cross country. The frame of hydroformed Alpha Platinum Aluminium is complemented by a RockShox suspension system with Sector Silver RL at the front and RockShox Deluxe RL at the rear, with gearing provided by Shimano Deore.
£1649.99
3. Specialized Stumpjumper Comp FSR 29er
The definitive trail bike, the Stumpjumper needs no introduction. Versatility is key for the consistent, responsive and super fast king of the Specialized fleet. The frame is equipped with the proprietary Rx Trail Tune shock and a Rockshox Revelation RL fork, Roval Traverse wheels and SRAM brakes and gears. The 29er wheel size is trickier to manage on the most technical sections, so this one may be better in the hands of intermediate to expert level riders.
£2199.99
4. Liv Hail 2
This women’s specific trail bike boasts a super lightweight frame design with mind-blowing power transfer for superior climbing prowess. The ALUXX SL Aluminium frame is equipped with a RockShox Yari fork and Deluxe RL at the rear, SRAM NX1 gears and confidence-inspiring hydraulic disc brakes. This nimble and playful bike is everything you need to explore and adore the full spectrum of Quantock trails.
£2499.99
5. Specialized Epic Comp Carbon FSR 29er WC Torch
Wrapped in the torch paint job introduced for the Olympic Games, the Epic Comp Carbon frame pushes the boundaries of design and engineering – even borrowing from road bike design to harness the tight geometry and light weight construction that optimise efficiency and stiffness. These innovations make it the perfect all-round machine to leap up climbs and munch through descents with explosive power and nimble handling.
£2899.99
6. Specialized Rhyme Comp Carbon FSR
No trail is too gnarly or climb too steep for this uniquely designed, women’s specific trail bike. The Rhyme introduces a RockShox Yari fork which is tailored specifically for women, mounted on a carbon frame which blends stiffness with light weight, with a tight geometry that makes the bike characteristically sharp and agile.
£2999.99
