The best possible bike buying advice you can take to heart is to set a budget for yourself, stick to it, and don’t go hopelessly into debt when it’s time to upgrade your mountain bike. Here on Singletracks we’re big fans of running what ya brung and focusing on the most important part of mountain biking: enjoying the ride!
However, I can’t help thinking: “what if I won the lottery? What is the most expensive mountain bike that money could buy?” While I may need to start playing if I want to win, I realized that there wasn’t an exhaustive, accurate list of the most expensive mountain bikes in the world. So I decided to create one.
While of course you can break the bank by going fully-custom everything and adding over-the-top bling to your rig, to level the playing field I focused solely on non-custom, production mountain bikes with stock build kits. If you’re ordering off the shelf, here are the 9 most expensive mountain bikes to buy with your lottery winnings.
9. $10,600: Yeti SB6 XX1 Eagle Turq
As best I can tell, there’s a three-way tie for the 7th, 8th, and 9th most expensive mountain bikes in the world, with all three of these models ringing in at $10,600. We decided to cut this list off at 9 models because it turns out there is a large number of mountain bikes clustering around the $10,500 mark. So, we present to you the top 9.
One of the models at the $10,600 price point is the renowned Yeti SB6 enduro rig with the top-end Turq carbon, kitted out with an XX1 1×12 Eagle drivetrain.
The SB6 rocks 6″ of suspension travel, provided by a top-of-the-line Fox 36 fork and a Fox Float X Evo rear shock. In addition to the blinged-out drivetrain, this model of the SB6 comes stock with 27.5″ ENVE M70 carbon Boost wheels.
Total bike weight: 28.8lbs
9. $10,600: Yeti SB5.5 XX1 Eagle Turq
The SB5.5 is quite similar to the SB6 and is priced identically. The main difference? The 5.5 has 5.5″ of travel (shocker) and 29″ wheels, vs 27.5″ on the SB6.
The 5.5 features the same XX1 1×12 Eagle drivetrain, Turq carbon frame, and Fox suspension as the SB6, as well as SRAM Guide RSC brakes. The 5.5 also sports carbon ENVE M70 wheels.
Total Bike Weight: 27.9lbs
9. $10,600: BMC teamelite 01 XTR Di2
Wait, a hardtail mountain bike for over $10,000?! Yes, and this isn’t even the most expensive hardtail on this list… keep reading!
The full-carbon teamelite 01 racing hardtail is spec’ed with a Shimano XTR Di2 drivetrain, Shimano XTR brakes, 100mm Fox Float 32 Factory fork, and carbon DT Swiss XRC 1200 wheels. While this is technically a hardtail, BMC’s unique frame offers some forgiveness thanks to a high tech elastomer softtail design. In his article from Interbike, Aaron explains it this way:
It uses what BMC calls MTT, or micro travel technology. Basically, there is an elastomer where the seat stays meet the seat tube that allows for a very small amount of rear wheel travel – up to 17mm. BMC includes three different durometers of the elastomer so riders can customize the feel to their liking. Swapping out the elastomer is done easily by removing two bolts.
Total Bike Weight: 20.25lbs (with pedals)
Click to page 2 for more ultra-expensive mountain bikes!
Ok, I confess I just bought a Cannondale Black Inc. Full Suspension but I didn’t pay anywhere close to full retail from Evan’s Bikes out of the UK. It was a factory demo. I’m not a pro rider in fact this was my first mtb since my last one was stolen back in 2009 the same day i bought it. I know this sounds somewhat crazy but I bought the bike because it every component was so beautifully engineered the materials, the design with the lefty carbon fork, the shimano XTR parts and those Enve wheels. I have since put on about 60 miles mainly in Monza Park in Italy (where the F1 takes place) and love it. To me it was no different from buying a beautiful complicated watch or a special car. Im not an expert timekeeper or a race car driver I like objects that are very well made where attention to detail and design are appealing. When I was a child I fell in love with the Alan C Record carbon/alloy race bike that was in a window display in London back in the late 80’s with beautiful campagnolo parts like those gorgeous triangular shaped brakes. I would often stand in front of that shop window aftwr hours and look at that bike. I never did get to own it or even touch it so when I saw the Cannondale looking past the sad paint color it kind of reminded me of that special bike that was rare and exotic from when I was a kid so I just bought it.
When I read this article I imagined it narrated by Robin Leach from the 1980’s lifestyles of the rich and famous TV show, you could have subtitled your article, “Champagne wishes and caviar dreams”.
Found a couple you’all missed:
1. Speaclized Epic 10,500 USD
(https://www.specialized.com/us/en/men/bikes/mountain/cross-country/sworks-epic-fsr-di2/115286)
2. Intense carbine 29 c 10,943 USD
http://www.intensecycles.com/bikes/carbine-29c
3.
Hi Joel,
Thanks for the comment! However, I did find both those bikes. We decided to cut the list off at $10,600 because not only is the S-Works Epic FSR priced at $10,500, but so are a lot of other bikes.
Also, I looked into pricing for the Intense Carbine (and M16c) and checked with my marketing contact at Intense. According to Intense, the most expensive Carbine (Factory model) is currently $9,499 USD, which doesn’t quite crack the $10,600 bottom price on this list either.
But again, thanks for the links and doing some research man!!
I found the Intense on this website from Redbull http://www.redbull.com/uk/en/bike/stories/1331752112140/the-most-expensive-mountain-bikes-on-the-planet
and they listed the Intense as much higher. But if you actually asked somebody from Intense, then your price is definitely the correct one. A wonder where Redbull came up with their price?
Yeah, I spotted that same article when I was doing my research, and is one of the things that prompted me to put together my own list 🙂 It seemed to me that that article was poorly researched (including the Carbine and not the BMC?) and the standard didn’t make sense (of course a gold-plated one-off fat bike is going to cost more than a standard production mountain bike).
I think there are 2 possibilities with the Intense price in the Red Bull article:
1) Intense has dropped their prices in the past year, similar to Spec. and Trek. I found another price for the Intense M16c on a different website that was over $11,000 but when I double checked with Intense, again, the current price is below $10k.
2) Since this article was posted on the UK version of the Red Bull website and the price is listed in pounds, that is the price that it costs to get the Intense Carbine Factory in the UK. But since Intense is based in California, price for the US market is much more reasonable.
Assume this is not a current year or US model, but impressive at $11,500.
https://www.specialized.com/us/en/bikes/mountain/cross-country/epic/sworks-epic-29/106406
Yeah I came up with that link too Mike. It looks like Spec knocked the S-Works Epic FSR Di2 down a grand from $11,500 to $10,500 this past year. Also, Trek and several other brands have slashed prices across most of their top-end lines in the past year. While that might mean Spec & co. don’t make this list, that’s probably a good thing for them 🙂
Thats what I found too. Probably a good idea from a business perspective. I mean honestly: who pays 10 grand for a bike? (I would if I had the cash!)
Yep, I know that Yeti spec pretty well and have thought it is a little high compared to retail prices. Still think these halo or hyper bikes drive people to buy lower down the line, so glad to see companies putting them together and shoot, it spawned a whole article and discussion here so I think they serve a purpose. Even at $10k, that’s nothing on what people spend in other sports. Did you see where super-car isn’t good enough anymore and they call the $1m cars hyper cars now?
People I know that buy small manufacture’s $3k carbon frames, ENVE Wheels, SRAM Eagle, XTR, etc… make that decision long before they walk into a bike shop or sometimes even test ride. They have the money and just want the best it can buy and $200 or $500 isn’t going to influence the decision much.
Also found Giant Propel Advanced SL 0 Disc
— It’s a hardtail —
Ahem, a hardtail road bike. 🙂
Sheesh!!!!!!! That unreal and impratical! Why would you spend that much on a bike!! I mean c’mon, only professional racers should need or have this type of stuff. I can’t imagine spending an extra 5k on a bike for what? Do you really enjoy your ride more with the 10.5k bike. I enjoy riding on my 500 dollar bike but i don’t race still shouldn’t you be able to well on a 5k bike, both will get you to the finish. Dunno i think it’s fairly ridiculous.. it does help with trickle down at least…
Is it just me or do both of the Cannondale bikes look sorta cheap? I think it’s the paint job that does it.
I was thinking the same thing while putting the article together, and I think it’s the paint job. Matte black and murdered out components were really cool a couple years ago, but not so much anymore–Cannondale seems to be a couple years behind the paint scheme trends.
I think what annoys me the most is the silver lettering and accents. Looks like a Bikes Direct bike to me. All black would have been much fancier, like the American Express Black card you would use to buy the bike.
I guess they are trying to create a S-Works like brand that is identifiable, but when their $10k bikes looks like their $3k trigger trail bike I think they missed too. The Team version with the color matched ENVEs looks more like a $10k bike to me, but a 69.5 head angle, don’t think I’d have the skills to ride it downhill.
You do know that people in the $10k bike market to budget a few thousand more or so for custom stickers, shock tuning, matching kits, a trail day with your suspension tech, winter trip to Tucson to dial it in with your mechanic… no wait, that’s the industry race teams. Well maybe the custom stickers, if I have ENVE wheels I’d want to let everyone know.
As far as worth it, I’ve never see anyone buy really nice stuff and say, “Man, I wish I’d bought something else”
So many paint schemes to choose from, yet many companies don’t really take chances on different. Niner’s new RLT has an awesome design. Take a look (I’m talking to you and the other bike companies.)
If the BMC is on backorder, then 2 scenarios exist: 1- They can’t get the components, etc in fast enough to produce the bikes for timely shipments or 2- SOMEBODY somewhere is buying these bikes and apparently isn’t blinking an eye! Amazing.
I agree with you Jeff about the Cannondale colors. It was the very first thing I noticed on both and was immediately turned off. You gonna build a bike with THOSE price tags you better splash some paint on it somewhere. Cause I want that thing to POP as I’m shredding downhill and if I don’t look good at least IT will look good!
Re: BMC: yeah, that’s why I mentioned it 🙂
Also, I’ll point out that if scenario 1 exists (they can’t get components fast enough to fulfill shipments) then that means that scenario 2 must exist: Somebody is buying these bikes! And if these are the only two possible scenarios, then that means that Scenario 2 must exist: “Somebody is buying these bikes!”
There’s a third, but less likely (IMO) scenario: they aren’t actually producing any of these bikes until somebody presses the order button on the website. So in a sense, the complete build isn’t put together and shipped until the bike is ordered.
The fourth scenario: they’ve produced enough of these models for the limited demand by dealers, but don’t currently have any in stock at BMC HQ.
Love my Bonzon 2015
Alvin Mullen pointed out in a separate thread that the KTM Scarp 29 Sonic 12s retails for $10,995, which would qualify for our list.
https://www.ktmbikeindustries.com/bikes/mountain-bikes/full-suspension/scarp-29-sonic-12-g.html
Ah nice catch!!
HI,
These prices are ridiculous in my opinion.
Interestingly for all the front mech haters and 1×11 lovers four of the bikes came with two chainrings… Then again, I guess for around a $1000 for the drive system it needs to include something extra…!
Regards.