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$1,500 and up
Serious bikes for long rides and rough trails.
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Giant Revolt 2
Gravel (drop bar) · 2026 · $$$$
A sensible gravel bike for dirt roads and mixed rides, with 12mm thru-axles, tubeless-ready rims and room for up to 53mm tires using the flip chip. The 2x9 Shimano CUES gearing gives a low 32x36 climbing gear. The Shimano RS305 mechanical disc brakes work but need pad adjustment as they wear and do not have the power of hydraulics.
Sizes: XS: 5′1″–5′5″ · S: 5′3″–5′7″ · M: 5′7″–5′11″ · M/L: 5′9″–6′1″ · L: 5′10″–6′3″ · XL: 6′2″–6′7″
| Gearing | 2×9 (18 speeds) |
|---|---|
| Brakes | Mechanical disc |
| Suspension | None (rigid) |
| Wheels | 700c × 45 mm tires |
| Weight | — |
| Easy to work on | 5/5 |
- + Disc brakes: Stop well in the wet. Mechanical ones need the pads dialed in now and then.
- + Cassette gearing: Easy to swap for a wider range or a new drivetrain later.
- + Thru-axles: Stiff, and the wheels line up the same way every time.
- + Rack mounts: Carry a rack and bags for commuting, groceries or touring.
- + Tubeless-ready wheels: Run lower pressure with fewer flats.
Where to buy: Maker's page
Specialized Diverge 3 Alloy (Diverge E5, Shimano CUES)
Gravel (drop bar) · 2026 · $$$$
A capable gravel bike that also handles commuting and loaded touring, with rack and fender mounts and room for 47 mm tires. The 2x10 Shimano CUES group with hydraulic discs and 12 mm thru-axles is a real step up from budget gravel bikes, and the carbon fork takes some sting out of rough roads. The stock Pathfinder tires are wire bead and the setup is not tubeless ready, so tires are the first worthwhile upgrade.
Sizes: 44: 4′8″–5′0″ · 49: 5′0″–5′4″ · 52: 5′4″–5′7″ · 54: 5′7″–5′10″ · 56: 5′9″–5′11″ · 58: 5′11″–6′2″ · 61: 6′2″–6′5″
| Gearing | 2×10 (20 speeds) |
|---|---|
| Brakes | Hydraulic disc |
| Suspension | None (rigid) |
| Wheels | 700c × 40 mm tires |
| Weight | 23 lb (10.5 kg) |
| Easy to work on | 5/5 |
- + Hydraulic disc brakes: Strong, light-touch stopping that works in the wet and self-adjusts as pads wear.
- + Cassette gearing: Easy to swap for a wider range or a new drivetrain later.
- + Thru-axles: Stiff, and the wheels line up the same way every time.
- + Light (about 23 lb): Quicker to accelerate and easy to carry.
- + Rack mounts: Carry a rack and bags for commuting, groceries or touring.
Where to buy: Maker's page
Trek Checkpoint ALR 4
Gravel (drop bar) · 2025 · $$$$
Made for gravel roads, bikepacking and fast mixed-surface rides. The carbon fork, thru-axles, SRAM Apex 1x11 and room for 45mm tires make it a capable all-rounder, and it has mounts for racks, fenders and frame bags. The cable disc brakes need more hand effort and adjustment than hydraulics, and the T47 bottom bracket needs the right tool.
Sizes: 49: 5′1″–5′4″ · 52: 5′4″–5′6″ · 54: 5′6″–5′9″ · 56: 5′9″–5′11″ · 58: 5′11″–6′1″ · 61: 6′1″–6′3″
| Gearing | 1×11 (11 speeds) |
|---|---|
| Brakes | Mechanical disc |
| Suspension | None (rigid) |
| Wheels | 700c × 40 mm tires |
| Weight | 22 lb (9.9 kg) |
| Easy to work on | 4.5/5 |
- + Disc brakes: Stop well in the wet. Mechanical ones need the pads dialed in now and then.
- + Cassette gearing: Easy to swap for a wider range or a new drivetrain later.
- + 1x gearing: One front ring: simple shifting and less to adjust.
- + Thru-axles: Stiff, and the wheels line up the same way every time.
- + Light (about 22 lb): Quicker to accelerate and easy to carry.
- + Rack mounts: Carry a rack and bags for commuting, groceries or touring.
- + Tubeless-ready wheels: Run lower pressure with fewer flats.
Where to buy: Maker's page
Marin Rift Zone 1 (29)
Full-suspension mountain · 2025 · $$$$
A budget full-suspension trail bike with 130 mm rear and 140 mm front travel, a dropper post, tubeless-compatible tires and an 11-speed CUES drivetrain with an 11-50 cassette. It is a lot of capable bike for the money, but the rear wheel uses a 141 mm quick-release rather than a thru-axle and the Tektro brakes are entry level. XS and S use 27.5-inch wheels, M to XL use 29s.
Sizes: XS: 5′1″–5′3″ · S: 5′3″–5′6″ · M: 5′6″–5′10″ · L: 5′10″–6′2″ · XL: 6′2″–6′4″
| Gearing | 1×11 (11 speeds) |
|---|---|
| Brakes | Hydraulic disc |
| Suspension | Front and rear |
| Wheels | 29" × 60 mm tires |
| Weight | — |
| Easy to work on | 5/5 |
- + Hydraulic disc brakes: Strong, light-touch stopping that works in the wet and self-adjusts as pads wear.
- + Cassette gearing: Easy to swap for a wider range or a new drivetrain later.
- + 1x gearing: One front ring: simple shifting and less to adjust.
- + Tubeless-ready wheels: Run lower pressure with fewer flats.
Where to buy: Maker's page
Giant Stance (2026, replaces Stance 2 in the US)
Full-suspension mountain · 2026 · $$$$
A trail bike for riders ready to learn rougher singletrack, with 130 mm of rear travel, a 140 mm air fork, a dropper post and tubeless-ready Maxxis tires. The 1x10 Shimano CUES drivetrain is durable and cheap to replace, and the 12x148 rear with a UDH hanger leaves room to upgrade later. The Fox Rhythm shock only adjusts rebound, so take the time to set sag and air pressure for your weight.
Sizes: S: 5′4″–5′8″ · M: 5′7″–5′11″ · L: 5′10″–6′2″ · XL: 6′2″–6′6″
| Gearing | 1×10 (10 speeds) |
|---|---|
| Brakes | Hydraulic disc |
| Suspension | Front and rear |
| Wheels | 29" × 61 mm tires |
| Weight | — |
| Easy to work on | 5/5 |
- + Hydraulic disc brakes: Strong, light-touch stopping that works in the wet and self-adjusts as pads wear.
- + Cassette gearing: Easy to swap for a wider range or a new drivetrain later.
- + 1x gearing: One front ring: simple shifting and less to adjust.
- + Thru-axles: Stiff, and the wheels line up the same way every time.
- + Tubeless-ready wheels: Run lower pressure with fewer flats.
Where to buy: Maker's page
Trek Fuel EX 5 Gen 7
Full-suspension mountain · 2026 · $$$$
A real trail bike for riders who want to climb and descend rough terrain, with 150 mm of travel up front, 145 mm in back, a dropper post and 12-speed Deore. The 2.4 in. tubeless-ready tires and 180 mm rotors give good grip and control. The Shimano MT200 two-piston brakes are the weak spot on long steep descents, and at about 17 kg it is not a light bike.
Sizes: SM: 5′1″–5′5″ · MD: 5′5″–5′10″ · LG: 5′10″–6′2″ · XL: 6′2″–6′5″
| Gearing | 1×12 (12 speeds) |
|---|---|
| Brakes | Hydraulic disc |
| Suspension | Front and rear |
| Wheels | 29" × 61 mm tires |
| Weight | 37 lb (17.0 kg) |
| Easy to work on | 5/5 |
- + Hydraulic disc brakes: Strong, light-touch stopping that works in the wet and self-adjusts as pads wear.
- + Cassette gearing: Easy to swap for a wider range or a new drivetrain later.
- + 1x gearing: One front ring: simple shifting and less to adjust.
- + Thru-axles: Stiff, and the wheels line up the same way every time.
- − Heavy (about 37 lb): Harder to carry up stairs and slower up hills.
- + Tubeless-ready wheels: Run lower pressure with fewer flats.
Where to buy: Maker's page
No paid placements: the order follows price, never a store or brand. Sizes come from each maker's chart. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.