We all have a money-is-no-object dream list of the most desired mountain bikes from the best MTB brands around the world. Even in the current financial climate, cost of living crisis, general doom and gloom and state of the bike industry, the top mountain bike brands are still able to bring out more and more expensive bikes.
What is your dream superbike? It's a question often debated here at Bike Perfect HQ, and I asked myself the question: what are the most expensive mountain bikes currently available to buy? No fancy gold-plated, diamond-encrusted one-of-a-kind bikes that cost $500,000 though. Just off-shelf from either an online retailer or from a shop, a 'normal' mountain bike that I could, if I had the money, splash out on today.
You might fancy the lightest e-MTB possible like the Scott Dangerholm Lumen or the fanciest exclusive paint job around that matches your Porsche 911 (editor laughs out loud) or a cutting edge race-ready XC bike that matches the likes of Tom Pidcock, the World XCO Champion. Whatever you have in mind as your dream bike, these drool-worthy bikes that caught my eye might have you reaching for your credit card. All packed with cutting-edge technology and the very best of components, aimed to give the ultimate in MTB performance, and show why mountain biking is still the best thing ever, whatever you choose to ride, not just, in this case, some of the most expensive mountain bikes around. We've listed them from the lowest price to the most expensive. All of them are likely to give your wallet heart failure though.
5. Ducati TK-01RR Limited
First up is the Ducati TK-01RR Limited from the iconic Italian motorbike brand. Who have teamed up with Thok, the Italian performance e-MTB specialists and the Swedish masters of suspension Öhlins for this e-Enduro beauty. Priced at $10,995 / £10,890 / €10,890 it's not the most expensive on the list but certainly one of the best-looking.
I got a first look at the Ducati Powerstage RR Limited Edition e-MTB which is similar to this bike, with a frame also built by Thok. Surprisingly for this list the Ducati TK-01RR Limited has a 6061 aluminum frame, decked in a colorway lifted straight from a Ducati MotoGP race bike. The Ducati TK-01RR Limited will certainly have you standing out on the trails, but good looks are backed up with an impressive list of advanced components to deliver outstanding performance, particularly in the downhill sections. Ducati says this bike is full of attitude and a pure adrenaline rush to ride. The frame features a 1.8-inch tapered head tube, that gives the Ducati TK-01RR a unique-looking design, but they add it gives greater stiffness in the steering area.
The downhill performance is enhanced with an Öhlins DH38 double-plate fork, this multiple Downhill MTB World Cup winning fork has 180mm of travel, developed in racing, it's a benchmark in its category, delivering a fluid, fast and controlled ride. The Öhlins DH38 is stiffer than the RXF38 found in the Ducati TK-01RR and should ensure incredible wheel control on the ground in the most extreme conditions. To the rear is Öhlins TTX spring shock absorber with 170mm of travel. It uses exclusive TTX technology which is long proven in the motorcycle sector, now applied to MTBs, it looks like it's lifted straight from a Ducati Monster 30° Anniversario. Ducati adds that this exceptional performance suspension package elevates the riding experience by increasing stability, absorbing roughness and transmitting excellent traction.
Elsewhere the motorcycle influence continues with the Magura MT7 brakes, which are 4-piston aluminum monobloc, with massive 220mm discs at the front and 203mm at the rear. Power is provided by the Shimano Steps EP8 motor with 85Nm of torque that is paired with a 12-speed drivetrain from Shimano with a 630Wh battery.
Things get super carbon for the rest of the build starting with the wheels and the Crankbrothers Synthesis Carbon in a MX setup (mixed wheel mullet), and more carbon goodness comes in the Renthal Fatbar handlebar, the battery cover and the engine guard. The Italian vibes are completed with the Pirelli Scorpion Enduro S tires.
The Ducati TK-01RR Limited can be ordered through the Ducati dealer network and online at Ducati.com.
4. BMC Fourstroke 01 LTD XC
The Swiss masters of lightweight XCO performance MTBs bring us the eye-wateringly priced BMC Fourstroke 01 LTD XC that they say exceeds the demands of the world’s top racers and also the wallets of us mere mortals which has an RRP of $13,499 / £12,400 / €12,999.
Made from premium carbon with Autodrop Technology, BMC claims the BMC Fourstroke 01 LTD XC weighs in at a race-ready 15kg with fully guided cable routing designed around the brands progressive geometry. BMC claim Fourstroke 01 LTD will be your XC secret weapon and comes with SRAM XX1 Eagle AXS drivetrain, SRAM Level Ultimate brakes, DT Swiss XRC 1200 wheels and the BMC Autodrop integrated dropper seatpost.
An updated APS Suspension System features next-level kinematics and what they claim is a best-in-class suspension performance designed to deliver full traction and great efficiency. The APS dual-link suspension has 100mm of front and rear travel with the Fox Float 32 SC Factory fork and a Fox Float DPS Factory shock both with Kashima coating.
One of the many stand-out features on the BMC Fourstroke 01 LTD XC is the Autodrop Seatpost Technology which is the first ever fully integrated, automatic dropper post. This revolutionary technology featured on Fourstroke 01 enables on-the-fly and squat-free seatpost dropping. There are no batteries required with the dropper post actuated by a cable, while the Autodrop function is powered by pressurized air contained in the downtube air tank. Filled using a regular track pump, it gives around 100 activations of the Autodrop system before refilling.
The BMC Fourstroke 01 LTD XC is a stunning-looking machine coming in a gorgeous looking Neon Red/White colorway, finished with Vittoria Mezcal tires, a Prologo Dimension NDR T4.0 saddle and a BMC Carbon bar. Available from BMC dealers worldwide more information can be found at BMC-Switzerland.com.
3. Specialized S-Works Turbo Levo SL Carbon LTD
Across the pond to the US giants Specialized and the S-Works Turbo Levo SL Carbon LTD, a power-assisted superlight, superbike. Our Technical-Editor-at-Large Guy Kesteven gave the standard issue Specialized S-Works Turbo Levo SL Carbon a five-star review, and called it "the ultimate heavy-hitting lightweight e-MTB". This version as the name suggests is a Limited Edition, and priced at $15,000 / £13,500 / €15,000. It does come with some extra bang for your buck, but with the same Levo SL SW Frame made from Fact 11m carbon fiber.
Specialized says the Levo SL will deliver unmatched ride quality and capability, amplified - the ultimate trail bike. Strategic carbon fiber layup provides super-responsive chassis stiffness and it weighs in at just 17.96kg. They add that by stripping away the mass, they have kept the Levo SL lean and responsive, ready for heavy abuse, but light enough to nail big moves. Its dialed geometry, kinematics, and shock tuning leave nothing desired.
The suspension on the S-Works Turbo Levo SL Carbon LTD is by RockShox and their Lyrik Ultimate Flight Attendant fork with 160mm of travel and the rear shock is Flight Attendant SuperDeluxe Ultimate with 150mm of travel which combined with the MX wheel set up ensures, they claim, a stable and surefooted performance on the most hectic terrain. For riders who prefer the rolling and traction benefits of a 29-inch rear wheel, there is a flip-chip to mount the big wheel too.
The motor is their own SL 1.2 motor that boasts unmatched smoothness, is almost silent and delivers forty-three percent more torque (50Nm), and thirty-three percent more power (320 Watts) than its predecessor. The battery is an integrated 320Wh battery pack with the option of a 60Wh Range Extender.
SRAM provides the transmission and braking with their SRAM XX Eagle Transmission and SRAM Carbon Crankset. SRAM Code Ultimate Stealth brakes with 200mm rotors provide ample stopping power. Carbon wheels are Roval Traverse SL 29 and Roval Traverse SL 27.5 shod with Specialized Butcher tire at the front, and Specialized Eliminator on the rear.
A RockShox Reverb AXS dropper seatpost with a Bridge Ti-railed saddle and a Roval Traverse SL Carbon bar complete this stunning build on the Specialized S-Works Turbo Levo SL Carbon LTD. Available in a Gloss Carbon / Dark Moss Green colorway only, full details can be found at Specialized.com.
2. Porsche eBike Cross Performance EXC
From superbike manufacturers to supercar legends and the Porsche eBike Cross Performance EXC and like its Ducati e-MTB rival the German supercar brand have joined forces with renowned high-quality frame builders Rotwild. Based in Dieburg, near Frankfurt Rotwild has been manufacturing high-performance mountain bikes since 1996 and has also partnered up with other automotive industry big hitters like Audi, Mercedes-AMG, and of course Porsche.
Sporting the famous Porsche badge you'd expect a premium price tag and the Porsche eBike Cross Performance EXC doesn't disappoint, priced at $15,350 / £13,999 / €13,999. High performance like their cars is the aim of the Porsche electric mountain bike. It features a weight-optimized carbon frame, a powerful Shimano motor and a 630Wh battery, which was designed by Studio F. A. Porsche and as mentioned developed with Rotwild.
The carbon frame is claimed to give the Porsche eBike Cross Performance EXC a unique e-MTB character and guarantees maximum off-road performance with an optimally coordinated selection of premium components. Fox Factory provides the suspension front and rear with their Fox 34 Float Factory suspension fork with 120mm travel and the Fox Float DPS Factory air shock at the rear.
Wheels are the Crankbrothers Synthesis Enduro Carbon, and Magura provides the braking power with their MT7 four-piston brake system. Transmission is Shimano XT Di2 12spd along with the Shimano EP801 motor and Shimano 630Wh battery. Other noteworthy finishing items are the Crankbrothers Highline 3 telescopic seat post and the Carbon Flatriser handlebar.
You can also choose from six original Porsche vehicle colors via the Porsche website and the Porsche eBike Cross Performance EXC will be manufactured exclusively according to each order and individually painted. For all the details visit Porsche.com.
1. Scott Spark 900 Ultimate
Yes, the Scott Spark 900 Ultimate is our top rated most expensive mountain bike. Scott say it's the perfect mountain bike and this stunning-looking full-suspension MTB is lightweight and ultra-capable on all sorts of terrain. The Spark 900 Ultimate weighs in at a claimed feathery 10.9kg and comes with a price tag of $16,999 / £13,999 / €13,999.
As you would expect at this price point, the development, technology and componentry are at the highest level with the frame made from the most advanced carbon fibers available in the market, followed by intensive use of specific tools, like FEA (Finite Element Analysis) software, to map out the carbon lay-up. Scott also uses Evo-Lap technology, their extensive computer modeling system, that allows the carbon layers to be optimized to specific areas of the frame which results in a super light and compact frame without sacrificing the stiffness, comfort or impact resistance.
The cutting-edge tech continues with the integrated suspension platform that they say allows for Scott to refine the suspension characteristics without sacrificing weight. They add that for the optimal performance of a suspension shock, power transfer must be as direct as possible, and avoid inefficient directional movements. Therefore the frame construction around the shock is designed to be much more rigid, reducing movement and delivering efficient power transfer. The integrated suspension also helps Scott to engineer a frame with a lower shock placement which lowers the center of gravity. As a result, the Spark 900 Ultimate gives riders better handling and a more stable, confidence-inspiring ride.
Suspension front and rear come from Fox with their 34 Float Factory Air Kashima fork with 130mm travel, and the rear shock is the Scott custom Fox Nude 5T Factory EVOL Trunnion Kashima, with three modes and 120mm of travel. The Fox lineup on the build is completed with a Fox Transfer Factory Kashima Dropper Post.
Transmission is the wireless SRAM XX1 Eagle AXS 12-speed, with SRAM XX1 Eagle carbon cranks, and braking power comes from Shimano and their XTR 4 Piston Disc brakes with 180mm rotors. The rest of the bike is kitted with an array of carbon goodies including a Syncros Fraser iC SL DC carbon bar, a Syncros Tofino Regular carbon saddle, and Syncros Silverton SL2-30 CL full carbon wheels wrapped in Schwalbe Wicked Will tires. Feeling tempted? Full details on the Scott Spark 900 Ultimate can be found at Scott-Sports.com.
Whatever your weapon of choice maybe when it comes to a superbike, these five beauties won't let you down. If you've got any money left over, check out the best chain lube deals below...
