Updated 5/13/25 with ride impressions.
Roughly two months after launching a new steel gravel bike, State is introducing the 4130 Trail hardtail, a mountain bike the brand hopes “delivers everything you need and none of the fluff.” The State 4130 Trail naturally features a 4130 chromoly steel frame, and the default $1,499 build includes a RockShox Psylo fork, which is rare for a mountain bike at this price point.
State 4130 Trail hardtail specs
- 4130 chromoly steel frame with external routing
- 130mm fork travel
- Weight: 33.6lb as tested (size L/XL)
- Price: $1,499
- Buy from State Bicycle Co.
Looking at the geometry, the 4130 Trail cuts modern lines. The 65° head tube angle is properly slack for the 130mm-travel fork. Sub-430mm chainstays promise a playful ride feel while still offering clearance for tires up to 29×2.6″. I’m testing a size large/extra-large, and the 490mm reach feels comfortable — not too long, not too cramped. Even though I’m 6’3″, the 844mm standover height is noticeably high.
| XS/S | S/M | M/L | L/XL | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seat Tube Length(mm) | 380 | 405 | 430 | 460 |
| Top Tube Length(mm) | 594.7 | 622.6 | 645.5 | 673.3 |
| Head Tube Angle(Degree) | 65 | 65 | 65 | 65 |
| Seat Tube Angle(Degree) | 74.5 | 74.4 | 74.4 | 74.4 |
| Head Tube Length(mm) | 100 | 110 | 120 | 130 |
| Front Center(mm) | 737.6 | 766.7 | 790.9 | 820 |
| Rear Center(mm) | 426.5 | 426.5 | 426.5 | 426.5 |
| Wheelbase(mm) | 1158.2 | 1187.5 | 1211.7 | 1240.9 |
| BB Height（27.5*3.0 Tire）(mm) | 312 | 312 | 312 | 312 |
| BB Height（29*2.6 Tire）(mm) | 321 | 321 | 321 | 321 |
| BB Drop(mm) | 56 | 56 | 56 | 56 |
| Reach(mm) | 420 | 445 | 465 | 490 |
| Stack(mm) | 628.3 | 637.4 | 646.5 | 655.5 |
| Standover Height（27.5*3.0 Tire）(mm) | 784 | 800 | 817 | 835 |
| Standover Height（29*2.6 Tire）(mm) | 793 | 809 | 826 | 844 |
External cable and hose routing — with the exception of the dropper cable — makes for easy repairs and upgrades down the line. There are mounts for two water bottles inside the front triangle, and the rear dropout is UDH-compatible.
Stock build
The stock build for the State 4130 Trail hardtail offers a great start, though one of the first add-ons pretty much everyone will want is a dropper post. Fortunately, State makes it easy to add a PNW Range dropper post and lever to your build for an extra $199. I’ve only ridden a couple of miles on the 4130 so far, and rest assured, I’ll be adding a dropper post before my first real test ride.
The RockShox Psylo is the real star at this price point: it’s essentially a budget Lyrik. The fork, with 35mm stanchions, features a SoloAir air spring offering both rebound and low-speed compression adjustments.
State skimps on the drivetrain, offering an 11-speed Microshift XLE derailleur paired with an 11-42t cassette. So far, my test bike shifts just fine, but this might not be a wide enough gear range for some riders. For $499, buyers can upgrade to a 12-speed, SRAM AXS wireless drivetrain.
The XLE derailleur is clutched, keeping chain slaps to a minimum, though you’ll want to add your own chainstay protection to the 4130 Trail frame. Not coincidentally, buyers can add a $12.99 LizardSkins chainstay protector to their build.
The cockpit, saddle, crankset, and even the wheels are State-branded. Everything is pretty entry-level, which isn’t a surprise at this price point. It’s clear that most buyers will have an eye toward making key upgrades to the 4130 sooner rather than later. The bike ships with tubes, but the wheels and tires are tubeless-ready, and State helpfully includes tubeless valves, so all you need is sealant to go tube-free.
Stock WTB Trail Boss tires are a nice addition, and the Tektro 2-piston hydraulic brakes feel surprisingly good, at least so far. Parts that don’t get a lot of attention — like the bottom bracket and headset — are pretty average. As any mechanic knows, it’s easier to install and work on quality parts; I struggled to tune both the headset and crankset before riding.
Priced at $1,499, the State 4130 Trail is less expensive than a steel hardtail build from a boutique brand and even some of the larger brands that still offer steel-frame builds. Frame-only pricing starts at $495, and clearly, the price goes up quickly even for the complete bike once you add a dropper post and consider upgrades to the drivetrain and cockpit.
On the trail
On the trail, the State 4130 hardtail feels pretty good. The fork isn’t overly supple or responsive off the top, though once you get into the middle of the stroke it’s very capable. When it comes to bigger hits, it’s up to the task as well. The steel frame does a good job soaking up trail chatter too.
One of the first things that gives away that this isn’t a more expensive bike is that it’s loud when riding bumpy terrain. And it wasn’t just chain slap; I struggled to get the headset and fork tight enough, but not so tight that the steering felt restricted, which added to the noise.
Reviewer profile height: 190cm (6’3″) weight: 75kg (165lb) testing zone: Southeast, USA
My test bike came in a box marked XL, though the frame had a giant L sticker on it. A representative for State assured me that the bike I tested was the extra-large size. It’s a little confusing because the website lists four sizes: XS/S, S/M, M/L, and XL. Based on that information, there isn’t a straight large, only medium-large.
In any event, the bike I tested was too small for me. The 770mm handlebars are too narrow for my tastes, and the cockpit feels short and cramped. A few folks who saw me riding the bike remarked that it looked too small.
I threw a Fox Transfer Neo dropper post on the State 4130 Trail bike, and the post worked great. I highly recommend adding a dropper post if you plan to do any serious trail riding.
Additional feedback from friends was pretty much universal: The State 4130 Trail bike is a good-looking bike. When it comes to hardtails, looks are pretty important IMO. Trail bike hardtails are all about personality, and the State 4130 Trail makes for a fun companion.
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