Featured Image: Courtesy of Aspen Snowmass
So you’re looking for a new mountain bike setup. Well, you’ve come to the right place. To start, its important to understand that mountain biking is incredibly multi-faceted, and as you dive deeper into the sport, you’ll find that the rabbit hole goes on and on. Gear gets more specialized and disciplines become more defined the further in you go.
Zooming out to the beginning, let’s lay some groundwork on the three main disciplines of mountain biking. On the more extreme end of the spectrum is downhill—and, naturally, downhill mountain bikes. These are made purely for descending, as the name suggests. Think Red Bull Hardline. The main trade-off with this style of riding is that these bikes sacrifice all climbing ability for heavy-duty performance—long travel forks, rear shocks and extremely slack geometry. This basically means the bikes are super squishy and push your body’s center of mass back behind the front wheel, which is perfect for landing big airs and smoothing out rough terrain. It’s also rare to see these bikes or riders on your local single track as they mostly stick to bike parks.
On the other end of the spectrum is trail riding, and of course, trail bikes. These come in either a hardtail or dual suspension setup and are the most common type of mountain bike you’ll come across. Unlike downhill bikes, trail bikes feature shorter travel suspension and a less slack geometry. This makes them much better for climbing, but you are going to lose some downhill preformance.
Somewhere in the middle is enduro bikes. These bikes strike a balance between trail and downhill builds in terms of geometry and suspension travel. These bikes generally have more suspension travel and better down. You’ll usually see them ridden by people who don’t mind pedaling a bit more weight uphill in exchange for better performance on the roughest descents at local trail systems.
For this article, we’re focusing on a setup built around a trail bike. I believe trail bikes are the best do-it-all option, offering solid downhill performance on single track and semi-rough terrain while still letting you climb without feeling like you’re pedaling through quicksand. It’s also the perfect place to start if you’re not sure where you want to end up. A trail bike lets you explore all aspects of mountain biking and figure out what you like most.
This setup sits at a mid-tier level, meaning there are cheaper and more expensive options out there. We chose this level because it gives you serious reliability and performance, allowing you to just grab your bike and ride without having to think about it. It’ll feel high-quality, with no weird vibrations or distracting noises—just pure confidence and carefree riding.
Bike
Rossignol
Trail Mandate SLX
Price – $1,925
When purchasing a mountain bike, there are a few major things to look for to figure out if a bike is right for you—and if it’s priced well. Just on face value, this bike from Rossignol is super enticing thanks to its price-to-component ratio and performance potential.
The first hurdle you’ll hit when choosing a mountain bike is deciding between an aluminum or carbon frame. For this budget, we went with aluminum since it’s generally cheaper and slightly more durable than carbon. If you’ve got the cash, carbon bikes let manufacturers pack in longer travel components while keeping the build lighter. They’re also stiffer, which means better feedback on the trail.
The Trail Mandate SLX uses a proprietary aluminum frame, which is a durable choice for a bike at this price point. Pair that with its moderately slack trail geometry, and you’ve got a great balance between climbing and downhill performance.
The second major thing to consider is the bike’s front and rear suspension—or lack thereof. This is where you decide between a hardtail or a full-suspension build. For the purposes of this setup, we’re going with full suspension, which features front and rear suspension, for its superior downhill performance and appetite for gnarlier terrain. If you need to save some cash or just love crushing long rides, a hardtail can still be a great option. This is because the lack of a rear suspension makes the bike much stiffer which significantly improves efficancy of each pedal stroke.
The Trail Mandate SLX features a 140 mm RockShox fork in the front and a 140 mm RockShox shock in the rear. That’s on the squishier side for trail bikes, which means this thing will absolutely rip through rock gardens, soak up landings, and let you charge down hills after grinding your way up. The suspension also comes with lockout and damping features, letting you stiffen things up for better pedaling efficiency on the climbs.
One almost non-negotiable feature for mountain bikes these days is a dropper post. It lets you adjust your seat height with the click of a button—so you can stay seated while climbing and drop it out of the way for better downhill control.
Looking at the drivetrain and brakes, you’ll notice this bike comes with a mix of Shimano Deore and SLX components. The key thing here is to make sure you’re getting a reliable drivetrain from either SRAM or Shimano, and that the bike is equipped with hydraulic disc brakes. This Rossignol build checks both boxes with a top-tier Shimano drivetrain and 4-piston hydraulic disc brakes. It really doesn’t get much better than that.
Finally—and this is a big bonus—it comes stock with MAXXIS tires. These are top-of-the-line and basically the gold standard in the industry.
Helmet
Sweet Protection
Bushwhacker 2VI MIPS helmet
Price – $250
This is one of our favorite mountain bike helmets on the market right now. The Bushwhacker has a clean, low-profile silhouette that sits nicely on the head and comes in a bunch of solid colorways. It’s equipped with MIPS technology to protect against rotational and direct impacts, and it features a dial adjustment on the back to ensure a snug fit. Up top, you’ll find plenty of ventilation, including two perfectly placed vents that fit your sunglasses arms like a glove—trust us, this is an underrated feature. Finally, the helmet includes a visor to help keep the sun out of your face on those warm, dusty days.
Sunglasses
Smith
Shift Split MAG
Price – $315
From the eyewear giants at Smith, we’re highlighting the Shift Split MAG, which features one piece of tech we think is absolutely vital for mountain biking. You can magnetically switch between two lenses, making it easy to run a dark lens for sunny days and a clear one for cloudy conditions or night rides—all with the ease of magnets. To top it off look at the frameless design. It pairs perfectly with the minimalist aesthetic of the Sweet Protection helmet. These shades also come with Smith’s beautifully crafted lenses that provide great protection while still letting you spot the little imperfections in the trail.
Top
POC
Reform Light Enduro Tee – $65
Signal All-Weather Jacket – $390
Up top, we’re recommending a POC jersey and jacket for their standout craftsmanship and minimalist look that pairs well with the rest of the setup. The Enduro Tee is made from recycled materials and is designed to be lightweight to help regulate your temperature on warmer days. It comes in a variety of colorways to match whatever your aesthetic may be.
For colder or wetter rides, we’re big fans of the Signal All-Weather Cycling Jacket. It features a tapered fit around the waist and arms to improve mobility and cut down on wind noise. On the back, you’ll find a zippered pocket perfect for your phone, wallet, or a quick snack. To round it out, the jacket is built from ripstop waterproof fabric, keeping you dry and making sure it lasts for years to come.
Bottoms
Flylow
Goodson Short
Price – $100
For bottoms, we’ve gone with the Goodson Short from Flylow. These shorts are stretchy, which makes them incredibly comfortable and completely unobtrusive when flowing down single track. They come with an 11.5-inch inseam, offering full quad coverage and even some knee protection depending on your height. To top it off, they include two zippered pockets so your phone doesn’t go flying after a mandatory drop.
Shoes and Pedals
Scott MTB SHR-ALP Lace – $99
Synchros Squamish Flat Pedals – $89
Now, this will probably spark a debate between the flat and clipless crowds, but for this build we’re running flats—flat shoes and flat pedals. We think they’re the most user-friendly option. Sure, you might lose a bit of uphill performance, but for both new and experienced riders, they build confidence on the descent thanks to how easy it is to bail. Plus, when you roll into the brewery after your ride, you’re not the loud guy with clicky shoes. We’re going with the Scott MTB SHR-ALP lace shoe for its classic silhouette and grippy sole. It also features a burly plate under the insole to prevent flex, giving you a stiff platform to rip trail. Pair it with Synchros Squamish Flat Pedals—lightweight, aluminum-cast, and loaded with surface area for grip and stability.
Gloves
Hestra
Apex Long
Price – $50
Finally, we’ve got a pair of Hestra’s new Apex Long bike gloves. These gloves feature a stretchy, snug-fitting Lycra back and a synthetic suede palm with silicone reinforcement on the middle and index fingers for better grip on your brakes. Not only do they look good, but they’re also super comfortable. We see gloves as essential protection—not just for crash safety, but for added grip and control on the ride.
This setup isn’t trying to be flashy—it’s built to work. The Trail Mandate SLX paired with a quality kit gives you everything you need to get out there and ride without constantly thinking about your equipment. You’re not overpaying for premium features you don’t need yet, but you’re also not dealing with budget gear that’ll leave you stranded on the trail. This entire build is about getting you confident on single track so you can focus on what matters: having fun and figuring out what kind of rider you want to become.
