THE YEAR'S BEST AND MOST EXCITING BIKES - MOUNTAIN
Bicycling|Issue 03, 2022
Bicycling’s annual Bike Awards are the culmination of a year’s worth of real-world ride testing of hundreds of bikes. We rode them as you would—commuting on city streets, in the bikepark, up tough climbs, deep in the woods, or just out for a spin after a busy day. In selecting our top 40, we evaluated each bike’s performance, its value, and how it stacks up against similar models in its category. We thought hard about each bike and whether it was one we’d want for ourselves before recommending it. If you’re searching for a new road, mountain, gravel, or commuter bike—or just dreaming—one of these will be right for you.
THE YEAR'S BEST AND MOST EXCITING BIKES - MOUNTAIN

JULIANA WILDER X01 AXS TR CARBON CC

$9,450 // 23.7 LB (Small)

Purpose-built for the XC rider who has outgrown 100mm-travel bikes, the Juliana Wilder can take on more challenging trails, bigger features, and wilder terrain. At just under 24 pounds—in a size small—and with 115mm-travel in the rear, it’s an XC bike that is just as capable as many heavier-weight trail bikes.

Juliana sweats the details in the frame geometry. By incorporating chainstay lengths specific to each frame size, the brand delivers on the Wilder’s intentions of a snappy, fun ride. You’ll find this bike easy to flick between roots and rocks of any size. This bike begs you to let your hair down and rip the party lines.

The Wilder still responds with urgency when you want to be the first woman on the singletrack after the spicy gravel climb. The X01 Eagle AXS Shifting and 12-speed, 10-50 tooth cassette lends you the smoothness and grace you might be lacking once your heart rate gets pinned in pitch or battle. Once you crest the summit, drop the butter-smooth, RockShox Reverb Stealth dropper post and let the Wilder wile out.

Beyond the Wilder’s ride quality, the bike is loaded with nice details. A tiny chainguide offers that little bit of extra security. Cable routing is fully internal, giving the bike a sleek, almost spacecraft-like majesty. The pairing of Industry Nine Hubs and Reserve 28H Carbon Rims is a great choice for climbing efficiency, lifespan, and reliable engagement. Parts of the frame most vulnerable to chain slap and trail spew are protected with a molded rubber coating.—Taylor Kuyk-White

This story is from the Issue 03, 2022 edition of Bicycling.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the Issue 03, 2022 edition of Bicycling.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM BICYCLINGView All
ONE MAN'S OBSESSIVE CRUSADE TO Take Down Zwift Cheats
Bicycling US

ONE MAN'S OBSESSIVE CRUSADE TO Take Down Zwift Cheats

Indoor cycling and virtual racing are booming, and so are the ranks of digital dopers abusing the platforms.

time-read
10+ mins  |
Fall 2024
WHAT I LEARNED WHEN LOST IT ON A MOUNTAIN BIKE
Bicycling US

WHAT I LEARNED WHEN LOST IT ON A MOUNTAIN BIKE

A lifelong roadie tries singletrack for the first time. It did not go as planned.

time-read
10+ mins  |
Fall 2024
THE UNLIKELY HERO WHO RECOVERED OVER 200 STOLEN BIKES IN ONE AMERICAN CITY
Bicycling US

THE UNLIKELY HERO WHO RECOVERED OVER 200 STOLEN BIKES IN ONE AMERICAN CITY

It was a sunny day in the summer of 2022. There were some things I had to move into the house, so I left the garage door open. I was gone less than 15 minutes.

time-read
10 mins  |
Fall 2024
YOU CAN BE MORE THAN JUST A CYCLIST
Bicycling US

YOU CAN BE MORE THAN JUST A CYCLIST

I'VE ALWAYS HAD A LOVE FOR SPORTS, starting with the usual team ones such as football and baseball. But that faded in favor of more individual pursuits. Watching my dad roll down the driveway to go for a ride, I wanted to do the same. The bike was my first taste of freedom, a freedom to do it my way.

time-read
2 mins  |
Fall 2024
THE RIGHT SADDLE CAN CHANGE YOUR LIFE
Bicycling US

THE RIGHT SADDLE CAN CHANGE YOUR LIFE

UP UNTIL RECENTLY, I WAS, AT BEST, A TWICEa-month cyclist.

time-read
3 mins  |
Fall 2024
HOW TO SAY GOODBYE TO THE RIDER YOU USED TO BE
Bicycling US

HOW TO SAY GOODBYE TO THE RIDER YOU USED TO BE

CYCLISTS OF ALL LEVELS GO THROUGH various phases or eras over the years they spend in the saddle. For the vast majority of riders (myself included), these things happen privately, without fanfare.

time-read
4 mins  |
Fall 2024
BIKES MAKE THE WORLD A MORE INCLUSIVE PLACE
Bicycling US

BIKES MAKE THE WORLD A MORE INCLUSIVE PLACE

LIFE'S A BEAUTIFUL PUZZLE THAT COMES in all sorts of shapes, colors, and sizes.

time-read
2 mins  |
Fall 2024
WHAT MAKES A GOOD CYCLING SCENE, ANYWAY?
Bicycling US

WHAT MAKES A GOOD CYCLING SCENE, ANYWAY?

I'VE HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF INVOLVING myself in a few populous and dramatically different cycling communities.

time-read
3 mins  |
Fall 2024
CHOOSE GEAR THAT INSPIRES YOU TO HAVE FUN E
Bicycling US

CHOOSE GEAR THAT INSPIRES YOU TO HAVE FUN E

EVEN THOUGH I TEST LOADS OF CYCLING gear for a living, sometimes I get locked in on particular items and find it difficult to enjoy competing products, even if those products have obvious advantages.

time-read
3 mins  |
Fall 2024
WHY YOU DESERVE A CUSTOM BIKE
Bicycling US

WHY YOU DESERVE A CUSTOM BIKE

Custom. The word evokes passionate opinions about what constitutes a custom-made bike and who gets to ride one. There's this idea that they're wildly expensive pieces of functional art meant only for the fittest, fastest riders.

time-read
10+ mins  |
Fall 2024