The best looking bikes of 2021

These are the best looking bikes the Singletrack team has seen in 2021. Some we’ve never even seen in the flesh (or metal, or carbon) let alone actually ridden. You can but dream…

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By ben_haworth

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The best looking bikes of 2021

I’m with Chipps on this one.

I’m in agreement on the tyres on the pink Starling – never been a fan of the big yellow logo on Maxxis. Shame Michelin have ditched the subtle look for blue and yellow monstrosities on their newer models.

Yep that Spark is stunning.

That Transition looks lovely

Not really fair on the other bikes, having to compete with a Starling.

That Stanton is triggering some serious cognitive dissonance with the steel front and carbon rear.

The Raaw looks lush. Any idea how to actually get a frame and fork here in Brexit Britain though?

Spark looks like it’s missing a motor, Starling is lovely, Stooge looks like it was made for Screaming Lord Sutch.

The Starling, Transition and Raaw win for me. Some good choices up there. In true recommend what you have style, I would add the Swarf 155 to the list.

The Transition is a looker for sure.

Love how the seat stays and top tube align.

I do quite like the Scott Spark too, but there is a collaboration with Bold that just looks better!

Bold and Scott partnership

Kenevo SL is my pick, I wonder why…

Definitely not Charlie’s – the equivalent of saying there’s no good music anymore. And loving the Australian Pink Floyd. or something.
I like Rocky Mountains. And the new Element. I bet it’s an even more beautiful thing in the flesh.. I’ll buy one when I’ve got some (loads of) money.

ps. Wot, no eBikes?? LoLZ (oh one just arrived! Of course it’s the least ebike looking ebike (but still minging 😛 )

My form follows function sensibilities twitch looking at that Spark – putting all your suspension gubbins directly in harm’s way of UK filth in it’s own muck gathering pocket. Hmmm

The Starling is lovely. If you’ve not watched the GCN Makers episode 1 on Joe McEwan (and Caren Hartley of ISEN Workshop) it’s really worth a watch over Christmas.

Definitely not Charlie’s – the equivalent of saying there’s no good music anymore. And loving the Australian Pink Floyd. or something.

Zing!

The Starling shows exactly how to make a beautiful, very modern bike in a traditional style.

The Stooge, not so much.

I’d go with the Cotic Jeht in gritstone they had at their ardrock tent – it looked very nice with lots of orange hope parts

The Spark has quite a hint of GT RTS about it, no…? 🙂

The Starling for me, although I’m biased as I’ve just taken delivery of a BTR in exactly that shade of pink…

I like the RAAW because I like straight tubes and simple lines.
The Spur and Sparks are nice for carbon bikes.
Why now hardtails on the list (I’m not counting Charlie’s ‘look I’m different’ choice)?
My HT choice would be the latest Pipedream Sirius.

Hardtails you say?

You say “hardtails”?

i asked our Scott rep about the spark, he said 2023 at the earliest. had a customer turnd up in his van to buy one that day too 🙂

WOT no Huhn….

https://www.instagram.com/p/CBfC1cvFy89/?utm_medium=copy_link

WOT no Huhn…

Posted June 2020…

Love how the seat stays and top tube align.

+1 for me.

Pipedream Sirius is a serious looker. Especially with a blue SID up front.

“When Intense was Intense”

I also think the recent Specialized have been rather easy on the eye:

Much as I love the Starling and also think the Orbea is a pretty bike, I can’t get past the straight-line top tube and seatstay aesthetic of the Transition Spur. Thought it was stunning the moment I saw the launch pics and it still grabs me. That metallic grey & gold ‘black powder’ paintjob is a big part of the appeal though – it’s still a good looking bike in the ‘deep sea green’, but not as drop dead gorgeous.

Would love to give the Stooge a try. I’ll bet the ride feel of the frame and fork is great.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/139123245@N03/shares/fQ234H

Top of the lookers list for me right now (tanwalls aside)

i asked our Scott rep about the spark, he said 2023 at the earliest.

You might want to call your rep again.

My LBS has one in store – and it’s available – albeit size small.

But definitely in stock in the flesh.

Looks great too.

MountainMania Tring – In stock 2022 Spark 910

Starling looks awesome barring the colour. I’m a sucker for skinny tubes

The sparks seat tube is slacker than the head tube. Looks like it has suffered a front on crash.
The starling I didn’t think I would like, but I do. But I think it would be better in a powder blue, to go with the ohlins yellow.

I agree with Hannah. Spur is the best looking.

My form follows function sensibilities twitch looking at that Spark – putting all your suspension gubbins directly in harm’s way of UK filth in it’s own muck gathering pocket.

Shock is entirely encased in the frame on the Spark – stays clean, wherever you ride it. pivots are same as any other pivot obvs

I was scrolling through the list and was thinking “surely any hardtail will easily beat any full suspension bike going when it comes to looks?” and then I got to Charlie’s choice and was proven (by my own preferences) wrong. Of the options I think I prefer Hannah’s pick of the Transition.

Geez.
Nearly all of you lot need to get down to Specsavers, pronto. Chipps needs to be right at the front of the queue.
And Benji needs the extra test like we had at school in the ’70s and ’80s for colourblindness.

Amanda’s prescription still seems to be OK.
And Charlie passes with the choice of colour on his.

That Nordest looks good tho.

Glad I’ve ordered a Shand – it’s gonna win hands down without the 12-pint beer goggles needed for some of the choices presented !😁

Top of the lookers list for me right now (tanwalls aside)

It looks like it’s melted. Yuck.

recent Specialized have been rather easy on the eye:

I feel they’re making their best bikes ever but I just can’t get on board with the lopsided aesthetic. The Enduro looks OK though.

Pipedream Sirius is a serious looker.

But the seatstays “miss” the top tube. :O

The Spark doesn’t do anything for me. Maybe with a less XC version it would improve.
Spur is super-nice right up until that head tube. Probably still great in the flesh.

I’m a sucker for straight raw aluminium tubes though so I vote Raaw! (I’m just looking past the seat tube for now)

I’m all in for the Starling, utterly gorgeous. Would totally keep the pink too…

@CharlieDontSurf have you ridden the Dirtbomb? Any thoughts?