We round up 2014’s best racing bikes

If you’re wanting to get into mountain bike racing, whether of the cross-country, enduro or downhill flavour, there are plenty of racing bikes that are ready from the shop floor or box. No changes necessary, these bikes are fully kitted out with the products that make each excel at its chosen discipline. So you can spend more time racing and less time setting up. That’s if you’ve got the funds, of course…

Cross-country: Scott Spark 900 RC

The Spark is a long-time favourite of cross-country racers, combing a tight suspension platform with a light build and fast handling. Scott lead the way with carbon fibre and the heart of the bike is a HMX carbon frame with a four bar suspension configuration.

Their TwinLoc technology, a remote handlebar lever operating the Fox Nude shock, lets you easily switch between the three available suspension settings on-the-fly. So you can flick the lever to lock out the shock on the climbs, open it up fully on the descents, or into ‘traction’ mode when you want it a bit firmer.

£5,599.00 is a shedload of cash but you do get a bike decked out with some bling parts, and that ensures the bike is pretty svelte on the scales. And of course ensures it is ready to race anything. The 23lb weight will give you a fighting chance on the hills. SRAM’s XX groupset offers slick shifting and Shimano XTR disc brakes handle the braking duties. Syncros XR RC 29in wheels are shod with Schwalbe Rocket Ron treads. It’s a package that offers you few excuses other than you’ve not been training hard enough.

Price: £5,599
More information: Scott Spark 900 RC