EXPLORER PRO SL

In MTB terms, the score is mostly about momentum on flats and climbs, rather than jump or drop capability. What pushes it in this direction is relatively narrow MTB tires that roll quickly, wheel momentum that helps it carry speed between pedal strokes, and a more budget-friendly drivetrain that focuses on value. Taken together, those choices reduce wasted energy when you're trying to go fast.

Climb score: 7.0/10. Within Mountain bikes, it ranks above average. It’s set up for steady spinning on climbs. That lowest gear comes out around 18.2 gear inches. Compared with similar bikes, this low gear is easier than about ~36% of them. Think of “gear inches” like a difficulty score for your easiest gear: lower = more spin-friendly on climbs. You’ll be able to keep a steady spin even when it gets steep. Build kits can differ by size and spec level, and not every detail is published by every brand, so use this as a practical guideline.

Suspension performance: 5/10. It’s grouped into “Confident trail control”. This usually points to stronger bump control and steadier tracking when the surface gets choppy. It’s a common compromise: calmer front wheel, efficient rear end. It should keep the bike more controlled on mixed surfaces, especially through repeated small-to-medium impacts.

Balanced fit - a versatile position for long rides and faster efforts. This is an estimate; exact fit varies by spacers and rider setup.

In Mountain / Crosscountry, Main reasons for the fit flexibility result: Separate bar and stem components keep fit changes practical, Cable routing is on the simpler side, which helps adjustability; Seatpost details do not strongly point to a very locked-in or very flexible system. So we classify it as Adjustable. In practice, it is about how easy fit changes are with normal parts and service work.

Comfort comes out to 6.4/10, which usually translates to a nicely smooth ride. So it’s tagged Balanced overall. The posture is neutral (posture 6/10), which gives a steady, predictable feel without pushing you too far forward.

Compared to similar bikes, this is priced very competitively. The value score is 1–10. Higher means better value for money; lower means the price is high for what you get. Uses MSRP as a baseline; real-world prices can be lower (discounts can change the value). Based on the parts list, it’s roughly 34% cheaper than what similar builds typically cost. In its peer group, it tends to be better-priced than many, beating about 65% of listings. Quick reference: €1.235 listed versus about €1.871 for a comparable build. Put simply: this is strong value for what’s included.

This setup is aimed at fast trail riding on less extreme terrain. It has about 100 mm of suspension travel (how much it absorbs bumps), which suits smoother trails. The Hardtail setup supports this riding style.