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MTB
7 exciting dirt jump, pump track and slopestyle mountain bikes
Whether you see yourself as the next slopestyle superstar or a dirt jumps hobbyist, these are the rides for you.
What's a good mountain bike for pump tracks, dirt jumps and slopestyle biking? For these forms of aggressive riding, you need to be able to throw the bike into turns, jumps, and tricks. That means it should be compact, low-slung, and robust. MTB World Champion Richie Rude started off riding a BMX bike and mountain bike on the trails in Redding, Connecticut, near his house.
“I'm most looking forward to riding and racing in beautiful places and being my best on the bike,” says Rude.
To find the best ride for your next adventure, here are the best mountain bikes for pump tracks, dirt jumps, and slopestyle.
How to choose the right mountain bike for your next ride
When it comes to mountain bike dirt jumping and pump track riding, at first glance, it might appear that all bikes are the same — small, burly hardtail frames, with few gears and one brake.
But look a bit closer, and it turns out that there are a few aspects of the bike to consider before buying a dirt jumper:
- Is the frame aluminum or steel? The former will be lighter, the latter more durable.
- Does it have MTB or BMX cranks? The steel BMX cranks will be bombproof (and allow smaller chainrings), but the MTB alternatives are still pretty strong and often lighter.
- Does it have a big-brand dirt-specific fork? You’ll need one, as a standard MTB fork or a cheap alternative might be too long and won’t take the big hits of those massive jumps you aren’t always going to get right.
- Are there sizing options? Most brands only offer a ‘one size fits all’ model, but shop around to try out frames designed for taller riders.
Of course, it’s always worth evaluating the full bike spec too. Remember, though, that most dirt bikes are indestructible and spare parts are reasonably cheap. Don’t sweat too much over the build.
Oh, and what’s that about slopestyle? For the likes of the slopestyle competitions on the Crankworx World Tour, you’ll notice that some of the big name pros are on short-travel full-suspension bikes. These take the character of dirt bikes and add a rear shock to take those 40-feet-to-flat senders.
Want more biking action? Learn more about the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup.
Below are the 7 best bikes for dirt jumps.
01
DMR Sect
The Sect is one of the more popular frames out there
© DMR
- Price: £950/€1,126/$1,245
- Material: Chromoly steel
- Size options: One size only
- Color: Orange or Jade
- Wheel size: 26"
- Components highlight: RST Dirt 100 fork
British company DMR pretty much invented mountain bike dirt jumping — or at least has been around since its earliest moments. And it’s no surprise that they’re still going strong. The Sect is one of the most popular frames for dirt riders.
According to the DMR website, “The Complete DMR Sect Dirt Jump Bike uses the same legendary dirt geometry as found on our DMR Sect frame, including a super short rear end for spins and flips, 69-degree head angle for stability, great toe clearance for barspins and low standover for tailwhips.”
02
Scott Voltage YZ 0.1
Scott Voltage YZ 0.1
© Scott Sports
- Price: £1,299/€1,544/$1,710
- Material: Aluminium
- Size options: One size only
- Color: One color
- Wheel size: 26"
- Components highlights: X-Fusion Slant DJ 100mm fork
SCOTT Voltage’s dirt frame is great-looking, bombproof and a nippy ride for pump tracks as well as dirt jumps. It's the bike that makes Brendan Fairclough so steezy at the trails. Or is it the other way around?
The SCOTT Voltage website emphasizes this bike’s versatility. “Equipped with ultrashort adjustable chain stays, a tapered headtube and high-end components, this bike is perfect for hitting the pump track, the dirt jumps or jibbin’ through the streets.”
03
Marin Alcatraz 2
Three words: Frames of Mind. That is all you need to know
© Marin
- Price: £1,399/€1,559/$1,499
- Material: Aluminium
- Size options: Short and Long
- Color: Purple/Violet
- Wheel size: 26"
- Components highlights: 100mm Manitou Expert coil fork, fork
If you liked what you saw in Matt Jones’ Frames of Mind video (and if you haven’t seen it, get out from under that rock), then the bike you’ll need in order to replicate the flips, spins, and, er, ridiculous camerawork is Marin’s Alcatraz. A great-looking hardtail built for the biggest tricks.
“We worked hand-in-hand with Matt Jones to define the exact needs of a modern dirt jump frame,” says the Marin team.
5 min
Matt Jones: Frames of Mind
Matt Jones unveils unique tricks in his new edit with a visual twist that brings one of Red Bull’s most iconic stills techniques to life.
Matt Jones unveils unique tricks in his new edit, which features a visual twist that brings one of Red Bull’s most iconic stills techniques to life.
04
Commencal Absolut RS
Solid components make the Absolut Dirt a bomb-proof option
© Commencal
- Price: £3,000/€2,083.33/$2,300
- Material: Aluminium
- Size options: One size only
- Color: Purple, Lilac, and Dark Slate
- Wheel size: 26"
- Component highlights: ROCKSHOX Pike DJ, 100 mm travel fork
Commencal’s great-looking Absolut Dirt is fast becoming one of the most popular complete dirt bikes available — and for good reason. Solid components and an unbeatable price make it hard to look elsewhere.
According to the Commencal website, “The ABSOLUT is perfect for pump track, dirt jumps and street or park riding. It's ideal for learning the basics of freestyle.”
05
Santa Cruz Jackal
Available as frame-only, the Jackal is a great starting point for any build
© Santa Cruz
- Price: £838.49/€994.53/$1,099 (frame only)
- Material: Aluminium
- Size options: M and L
- Color: Depends on dealer’s stock
- Wheel size: 26"
If you're looking to rip around the pump track and know every millisecond counts, the Jackal could be the bike you need. Santa Cruz’s dirt bike has been in the Californian brand’s line-up for a long time and it’s easy to see why. A luxury, super-fast, solid frame, it’s favored by the likes of Mitch Ropelato, winner of the 2019 Crankworx Ultimate Pump track Challenge.
Santa Cruz Bicycles explains, “Overbuilt to last forever, these frames will take more abuse than you can dish out, yet still weigh in at under 5lbs.”
06
Canyon Stitched 360
The Stitched 720 Pro can handle both dirt jumps and pump tracks
© Canyon
- Price: £949/€999/$999
- Material: Aluminium
- Size options: Short and Long
- Color: Shockwave Black or Barely Olive
- Wheel size: 26"
- Component highlights: A stiff front fork 100 mm with a through axle.
For a little extra comfort at the trail or slopestyle course, Canyon’s full-suspension Stitched 360 is a solid, reasonably-priced (for its level of quality) option. It comes with a six-year guarantee, but it probably won’t provide you with the style and skill of Canyon’s team rider, Thomas Genon.
The Canyon team says, “Built to take a serious beating: we developed the Stitched to swallow up the biggest hits on dirt kickers, street parcours, and pump tracks alike.”
07
NS Bikes Soda Slope
The Soda Slope’s perfect for those who want (and can afford) a premium ride
© NS Bikes
- Price: £2,499/€2,964.04/£3,275.41
- Material: Aluminium
- Size options: One size only
- Color: Depends on store’s stock
- Wheel size: 26"
- Component highlights: Manitou Circus Expert 120mm travel, 20mm axle, alu taper steering tube
The Soda Slope frame is a trick-friendly sled that’s ready to hit any jump or slopestyle course you can throw at it. Plus, you can run it as a single-speed or with a derailleur thanks to the concentric bottom bracket.
According to NS Bikes’ website, “The Soda Slope was designed to feel just like a proper dirt jump bike that has a safety valve for big hits and high speed runs.”
The ultimate ride awaits
Selecting the right mountain bike for dirt jumps, pump tracks, and slopestyle requires a focus on durability, handling, and overall performance. Each of these bikes offers distinct features tailored to aggressive riding. Remember to consider factors like frame material, fork specifications, and sizing options to grab the best bike for different terrains. Gearing up and hitting those trails with one of these bikes can make the most of each biking experience.
