What are people's favorite true trail bikes in 2026?

Nabbed a new Ripmo V3 for a good price. It's definitely a welter weight with stock wheels but a lighter set of wheels and tires decidedly put a good bit of pep in its xc-ish step. I had intentions of getting the rocker and clevis to turn it down to a Ripley V5 but honestly haven't felt the need to with the lighter wheelset. Likely will still at some point (tinkerers gotta tinker), but that's very low priority for now. I've only two complaints with it. 1. the tube in tube routing for the dropper prevented me from running a 213mm Revive dropper (interference with the actuator) and 2. the sealing around the downtube strorage frame was to be desired. Not the door itself, but the frame the door latches to. It has a skinny lil o-ring that isn't up to snuff. Fixed that one with a bit of silicon caulk, a side benefit of remodeling the bathroom. 

All that to say a Ripley V5 should be on your list of rigs to try. 

Went thru the whole trail bike exercise last year as well and ended up going with lighter casing tires, a different shock, and switching up the geometry with a stevo - ended up staying with the stumpy.

I snagged a gen 2 XL Optic frame for $575 lightly used last spring. It rips. I wish it had a bit more stack, and the recommended dropper says 170 but I was able to put a 210 OneUp in there and shim it to 200 and get it to work. Oh and it's pressfit, but it hasn't caused me issues thus far.

I demo'd a Smuggler and it felt very similar. I think I'd go for the Smuggler if I had the money but the Optic is a damn good deal and really fun.

I had a Switchblade, and then went with a 5010 and quite happy with my decision for what I consider a trail bike.  I loved the switchblade, but for all around riding I prefer the 5010 (greens through black trails).  Pumping and jumping its so fun, but still handles tech super well.  FWIW I run it in high.  If you want 29 wheels and likely a bit more roll over speed, I'd assume the tallboy is a pretty good bike.  As someone shorter who buzzed his butt with 29, I like the mullet and don't feel its really that much less efficient.  In some ways steep climbs are easier on a mullet.  

I've also heard the last gen Optic (non HP) is excellent from a riding partner who has ridden lots and lots of bikes that opinion I trust more than most.  

I was bummed when they went away from that last gen optic design. If they just made that same bike with a carbon rear end to bring the weight down a bit, and did a couple little tweaks to modernize the geo, it would be the perfect trail bike. The new gen optic is cool, and probably a ton of fun in the right situation, but that is a very small situation. 

NorCo revolver 130.  

I assume they felt beefing the xc bike up took it into optic territory and adding the high pivot took the optic into something pretty distinguishable from the competition.  That said the 27.5 optic is one bike I’d love to own if I could justify something just for one set of trails out of everything I ride.

That’s tough. A true trail bike is always subjective and really depends on the region. Personally if I lived in Bellingham I would not want my only bike to be a Spur or another short travel bike, but that is just me. I would lean toward a Stumpjumper 15 with a 150 mm fork. The frame weighs about 6.3 pounds which is pretty light for this category. I have been on one for a few months now and I am honestly really impressed.

It is about the same frame weight as a Smuggler but in my opinion it is a bit more versatile. Before owning the Stumpy I had a Spire and Smuggler combo and loved both bikes. The Stumpy feels like it can punch above its weight while still being able to build it under 30 pounds if you want. I also have a Spur which is a great bike, I just would not want it as my only bike in Bellingham personally.

YT izzo with an Ohlins TTX1 and a 140mm lyrik. Perfect trail bike for my area, pedals efficiently, jumps great and can handle some chunk. 

Another +1 on the Smuggler. I snagged a ‘23 GX build a little over a year ago. I have swapped out almost everything on it since then. Put a 150mm Helm Fork on it along with a 130mm Tigon coil. It’s as fun of a bike as I’ve ever ridden!

Another vote for a second light wheelset with light tires. This completely transforms the way the bike rides and has the additional benefit of not having to adapt to geometry or component differences between bikes.

Tallboy is a beloved bike but I found it to be not quite what I was looking for.  I had mine built up with an overforked Fox 36.  The result was a 120mm bike that was barely better on the uphills and definitely worse on the downhills than my 150mm bike.  I had a Transition Sentinel and Santa Cruz Tallboy in stable at the time and going back and forth between the two was pointless.  The Sentinel was only slightly heavier and substantially better on the downs.  Not to say the Tallboy is a bad bike but for my skills and riding terrain I didn't see the point.

Best trail bike of 2026 is any modern 150/160mm bike.  These bikes are highly capable on the downs and nearly as fast as a 120/130 bike.  Especially if you are someone who likes to pedal/fit.  A 150mm bike pedaled by someone who is reasonably fit will 10/10 beat the guy who is reasonably out of shape on a 120/130 carbon wonder bike.

My two cents.

Sb120 LR gets my vote. Im in the same position. I have an All-Mountain HT V4. Need a rapid 120 bike  and DH rig on either side of it.

Tallboy is a top option all around - leaning more descent focus in the category.  It's also being replaced this spring(think full 29 5010)

Geometry and efficiency the SB120 takes it for me.

I have a V2 Sentinel and a Spur. Both bikes are great and I have even thought about selling both to get a smuggler since it can be built up almost as light as the spur but is more fun on the way down. At the end of the day, I am happy with having a fairly short travel bike that is really fun and is much more enjoyable on the trails I take it on while also having the sentinel for gnarlier trails and taking it to the bike park. I think if I had just the smuggler or something similar i'd be wishing it was either the spur or the sentinel on a lot of rides. My spur is the stock SID GX build when they were first released and its done admirably on some pretty tech trails, but it doesn't pretend to be a different bike setup this way, keeps me in check. That being said, I would not want it to be my only bike, especially if I lived in Bellingham (i live in the Portland area and also wouldn't want it to be my only bike here either). I had the sentinel as my only bike for a while and it was great, but the when the smuggler came out I highly considered it if I only wanted one bike and then bought the spur since I wanted to keep the sentinel and didn't want too much overlap. 

Three more options that I think meet the OP request and I didn't see previously mentioned here: Banshee Prime, Canfield Tilt, or Revel Rascal. All of which have frame only options on sale right now directly from the manufacturers for $2200 or less.

It's not all about climbing speed and fitness though, the 120/130 bikes FEEL very different on the trail. You get a lot more direct feedback and much more "snappy" behavior, which can be very rewarding if you ride them on trails that suit them. Even a light build on a capable 150 bike doesn't get anywhere near that same feeling. Of course it all depends on the terrain you ride. If you take your shorter travel bike on essentially the same kind of steep and rough trails that your 150 bike excels on, you'll just beat yourself and the bike up for no reason. BUT, if you do have some more flowy "rollercoaster" rides in your area, the extra travel just becomes a hindrance, and the shorter travel bike will be so much more fun. If you can have two bikes, definitely go proper short travel for one of them, if you need to stick with one bike for everything, it becomes much more critical to match the bike to what you are riding.

I have had a 2023 optic for a year or so. It’s a really fun, versatile bike. Probably the best bike I’ve ever ridden on flow trails because of how supportive the suspension feels and how easy it is to carry speed on flatter sections. It is a really good jumper for only being 125 mm travel. I’ve also raced local XC races on it and have been completely fine and wouldn’t hesitate to race a local enduro on it (Midwest enduros aren’t super gnarly). I will agree that the stack height does feel pretty low and does benefit from a 50 mm rise bar and slightly taller front end. There have been some really good deals on these lately on both marketplace and buy/sell.

I disagree that it's a small situation--the new Optic is a really fun bike. It's weird that the Forbidden Druid gets tons of love, but the new Optic hasn't gained traction. You need to ride one to understand it. It manages to chew up chunk with the high pivot, but it remains light and lively due to its trail bike DNA. 

The previous gen Optic was also a blast. If you liked that, the updated Fluid is basically the same and quite reasonalby priced. 

I have a prime, and its kinda a funny one. It's knocking on the door of all mountain, but it does pedal quite well. I feel like the next gen Phantom is going to be a very nice bike. Can't wait to see the Gen 4 Banshees!

I have a 23 Optic C1 and for a daily driver its great. I initially bought it as a one bike solution... It was a sad attempt to calm down a little.. I bumped up the 36 to 150mm. The bike is very progressive out of the box; It is awesome for popping around local trails. I find it to be quite efficient. Besides the fork bump up , I did put WAO Union Carbon wheels on it.. All in I believe its around 31lbs.   In October I ended up buying an Enduro bike again as I miss it too much . So now I think I may lower the fork back down to 140 again.  If you like riding flow trails or tight flowy single track, this bike was made for that... Its so good when you're pushing into rollers and corners.  If you are looking at one of the closeout deals, depending on what you like to ride; I would try and get a model with a 36 on it.. I found the experience a lot better than the Pike models (tried both... pike just didn't feel like it was up to it on that bike)

Still on an S6 21' stumpy alloy 140/130. Occasionally dropping in a 150 air spring and heavy duty wheels for more aggressive stuff and it's honestly perfect. Can handle everything with just a wheel/tire swap.

I agree.  The phantom is a bike I really looked into at one time.  There's a guy around here that rides his everywhere and loves it.

Had a similar dilemma and ended up on a rocky mountain instinct due to some pretty crazy deals, long chainstays, deep dropper insertion, and fairly light weight.  

Only had 1 ride on it but am stoked so far. 

I came here to share my disappointment of the lack of Rocky Mountain recommendations. Nice to see someone chime in. If we stick to the 120-140mm travel bracket, don't sleep on a 2022-2024 Element. Those bikes are far more capable that the travel number lets on and work well with 140mm fork options. 

Totally agree on the frame set ripoff. I have to ask what is the goal of this bike? Are you looking for light and fast or fun play bike? Or a bit of both?  For pure speed the Mondraker Raze, Pivot Trialcat Lt are the fastest 130mm bikes you can buy. Closely followed by the V5 Ripley. Out of those 3 the Ripley can easily be built up or down to suit your needs. The Raze is way underrated but rides amazing. Light frame set.  Forward geometry is legit. Framesets on sale. Headset cable routing kept me from buying one. I have a Pivot Trailcat Lt. On the right trails it is incredibly good. You can ride it pretty much anywhere but your skills better be there. This is a very stiff frame a big plus if you’re a heavier rider. I am not so I get more feedback through the frame than I do on an Ibis or Yeti. The Ripley is more forgiving and capable especially with a 150mm fork. I should have bought the Ripley. Timed laps have been a wash. The Ripley is more fun In my opinion. Butter geo as well. Both are heavier than they should be. My insane Trailcat LT build is still over 29lbs. My V2S Ripmo only weighs 100grams more. Bikes have gotten FAT! 
SCOR 2030 I had one last season. Still regret selling it. Best geometry of any trial bike I have ever owned. Such a fun bike. Super cheap on Jenson right now Down side rear suspension is firm. Swapping the air can from the progressive to regular helped a lot. 
Revel Rascal great trail bike. Punches well above its numbers for sure. Cloud like suspension. It is truely amazing on rough descents. Only downside it’s not quite as quick as the Mondraker, Pivot, Ibis. I think a Fox Neo might change that some. Frame sets on sale. 
Transition Smuggler might be the most fun bike in this category. Only drawback it’s not as quick as any of the others I have mentioned. It’s very similar to the Revel in climbing speed. Again a Fox NEO shock could help with that speed difference though. 
I haven’t ridden a Tallboy in a while but I’d imagine it’s great on the downs and ok on the climbs. I owned a handful of Santa Cruz bikes over the years all descended very well. All climbed ok. Difference between climb times on my Bronson vs my Ripmo on a 30 minute climb is over a minute less on the Ripmo. Bronson feels better on the downs and much better in the chunk. Somehow I’m faster on the Ripmo almost everywhere. 
These are all extremely good bikes I’m splitting hairs at best here. Your height and weight can make one of these feel better or worse than the others. Your ride style and terrain are also big factors. I know getting a hold of demos is a royal expensive pain in the ass but, Get out and demo a couple. I’ve made the expensive gamble too many times. It’s not worth it. 
Tires make a bigger difference in speed than travel does. 

 

I’ve seen the recommendations of smuggler over spur, and I agree. I will add that a spur with a piggyback shock and a 130mm fork is a hoot

Agreed 100%. I just wish I would have been able to make the rear end supple enough to save my old ankles. Such a nice ride with a 140mm 34 on it.

Get the optic. Used to have one and it’s still the best bike I’ve ridden to date.

I'm just gaga over my L 2023 Smuggler. I bought the frameset new, but now used ones are commonly available. It's just a very fast very capable trail bike, that I can still manage some Enduro lines on but also commonly do XC loops too.

Mine weighs 28.3#s ready to ride but mostly has all the tricks except I have a heavier dropper, front tire, one insert and seat. I had a Spur V1 before it and I reused many of the parts for the Smuggler build, and the Smuggler is not only faster going down, but it's actually considerably faster going up than the Spur as well. It's just a better bike. Much more comfortable as well. 

Every single bike I've ever purchased I had multiple issues with and was always looking for a better fit. My Smuggler is the first bike that I'm like, yah, it's pretty much perfect as is. Just don't feel the need for anything else.

Also, it does like a lot of LSC to pedal at it's best. It'll move too much if you try and make the rear suspension move super freely.

Two notes:

1) mine is a large and therefore the shortest reach that gets the 440mm CS length. The only thing I'd change is to make the CS a hair longer, but it's fine. But a size XL might have some negatives in this regard.

2) The other thing to note is that they run small. Mine with a 150mm fork (the listed geo is for the 140mm fork) only has a reach of 467mm. My buddy bought a medium at 5'10" and his butt was nearly over the rear axle and his pedaled poorly. So, choose sizing carefully.

I know it’s boring, but for quiver killer style trail bikes the liveability is really important. You don’t want a one bike deal if that thing needs constant maintenance or is a ball ache to ride…

There are lots of good options. When I had to choose I built an Arrival in 140mm and got a set of 170mm links too. The durability, easy of service, and lack of need to service has made it a joy to ride and own. You can pick them up occasionally now at a pretty good price.