Reasons to avoid: BB could be a finger’s width lower. Fatter tyres and more standover clearance would be welcome

Frame: Carbon, 170mm travel | Motor: Specialized Turbo SL 2.2, 35Nm | Battery: Specialized 320Wh | Rating: 8/10 We have highlighted the shortcomings of the drivetrain, but we do not want it to be the defining characteristic of the Xtrada 5. Because from the very first pedal stroke it felt like the best riding bike in its class. With the Maxxis Ikon tyres it carries speed really well, but unlike the Jamis, the frame puts the rider in a more commanding position. Your body takes less of a beating than on the Carrera and with the saddle dropped you can really motor on the Polygon. Reasons to buy: Devours rough terrain, while still being nimble and playful. Rear suspension feels superlative. Now comes with a huge battery, easily removable battery and great specification. Quality suspension and shifting components This steel BFeMAX 29er boasts a build that screams technical capability. Andy Lloyd / Immediate Media

What’s the lifespan of my battery?

Wheel size: 29in | Frame sizes: S, M, L, XL | Weight: 13.25kg (29.2lb) | Suspension travel: 130mm front | Rating: 10/10 Wheel size: 29in f/27.5in r | Frame sizes: S1, S2, S3, S4, S5 | Weight: 15.75kg | Suspension travel: 160mm f/160mm r | Rating: 10/10 Bike manufacturers use seat tube length to denote frame sizes. These can be in inches, or use descriptive terms like Small, Medium and Large. The problem is, there’s no standardised sizing tool, so one brand’s medium can be the same as another’s large. Even so, there are still plenty of other components on board to help users achieve the performance that they need. The ease of handling and control also has a lot to do with the braking and shape of the frame.

The Fury can also lay claim to having a more progressive geometry than many of its competitors at this price point. This helps make it comfortable on climbs, and when paired with its 650b wheels it has a solid, stable feel and great descending composure. Basically, bike companies have got most of the kooky, bad designs out of their system now. The differences between them are now extremely subtle. Learning about suspension theory and setup is more important. Reasons to avoid: Spoke mounted speed sensor. Key needed for battery removal. Motor rattle similar to Bosch and Shimano Wheel size: 29in | Frame sizes: S, M, L, XL | Weight: 14.31kg | Suspension travel: 120mm front | Rating: 9/10are a popular choice with many riders. That is why is it is no surprise that Voodoo offer such a model to those that favour the approach. The wheels and the tyres are the star of the show here. Frame: 6061 Alloy, 150mm travel | Motor: Bosch Performance Line CX, 85Nm | Battery: Bosch PowerTube 750Wh | Rating: 8/10 Doesn’t roll as fast as 29in, but easier to turn and accelerate. Generally stronger and lighter than big wheels too. Paired with big volume tyres (2.5in and upwards) you get a more comfortable ride and improved grip.

Frame: Carbon , 140mm travel | Motor: SyncDrive Pro2 85Nm, powered by Yamaha | Battery: EnergyPak Smart Compact 400Wh | Rating: N/A Riders can approach the trails at speed, with the SRAM 1×11 GX gear and hydraulic disc brakes. A lot of this control also comes down to the geometry on the frame and the forks. Hardtails are lighter. Hardtails have less to go wrong or require servicing. Hardtails are easier to clean. Hardtails can be faster and more fun on smoother trails. Adding to this the fact that hardtails are cheaper than their full-sus counterparts means that hardtails aren’t going to be extinct anytime soon. The reasons are simple. You remain seated far more on an e-bike than an analogue bike – mostly because the motor prefers a high cadence, and the up-down piston motion of your legs when standing up doesn’t mesh well with the smooth, consistent power delivery of the motor. So without any rear suspension you’re in for a punishing ride on anything but billiard-table smooth trails. Also noteworthy is that this is one of a very very few bikes, and quite possible one of the only eMTBs, built specifically for women, designed by a team of engineers who use only women’s body dimension data and ride characterists for the frame design and component choice.Some of the latest XC bikes have progressive geometry that lets you blast the descents just as hard as you can scorch the climbs Choosing the best mountain bike for: Cross-country (XC) riding We never take a product at face value and manufacturer’s claims are always probed. That’s why we measure the weight, travel and geometry on all our test bikes (the numbers we publish are our own figures unless specified). In group tests we always try to fit control tyres to create a more level playing field and help isolate critical differences in handling and suspension performance. What sort of riding are you going to do? These hydraulic brakes are said to be ideal in wet conditions, and the large 27.5’’ wheels help too. When we add in the extras of the alloy frame and great front suspension there is clearly a lot to love. 7. Boardman Mountain Bike Pro 29er The Orbea Rise M-Team is considered a bridge between the Light- and full-power e-mountainbikes because it has a conventional Shimano EP801 motor that’s been throttled from 85 Nm to 60 Nm, as indicated by the RS suffix. In addition, the Rise has a large 540 Wh internal battery, which you can increase to a whopping 792 Wh with the optional range extender. This is the second largest battery capacity in the entire test field, and that’s in combination with a more economical motor compared to the standard EP8!

Reasons to buy: More sizes, more adjustability, more travel, more support from the suspension, more power and more torque than before, Same price, same weight. 160Wh range extender included with S-Works bike. Wheel size: 27.5in | Frame sizes: S, M, L, XL | Weight: 13.61kg | Suspension travel: 130mm front | Rating: 9/10

Bikes like the Voodoo Bizango Pro are a superb place to start your mountain bike adventure What’s your budget?