The 9 Most Expensive Mountain Bikes in the World

4. $11,500: Bianchi Methanol 9.1 CV These days Bianchi is generally only known for their road bikes, but apparently they also recently released this ultra-expensive hardtail mountain bike. At $11,500, this is officially the most expensive production hardtail that we were able to track down. The Methanol 9.1 CV comes with a full carbon, Boost-spaced frame with …

By Greg Heil
January 9, 2017 Last Updated: January 9, 2017

24 comments

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4. $11,500: Bianchi Methanol 9.1 CV

These days Bianchi is generally only known for their road bikes, but apparently they also recently released this ultra-expensive hardtail mountain bike. At $11,500, this is officially the most expensive production hardtail that we were able to track down.

The Methanol 9.1 CV comes with a full carbon, Boost-spaced frame with Bianchi’s proprietary Countervail vibration canceling technology. While it comes stock with a SRAM XX1 1×12 Eagle drivetrain, it’s also Shimano Di2 compatible if you choose to go that route. Other shiny bits include Formula R1 Racing brakes and a 100mm Fox 32 Factory Kashima fork. According to the Bianchi website, the Methanol 9.1 CV comes spec’ed with alloy DT Swiss XR 1501 Spline 29er wheels, although the photo above features an optional Crankbrothers Cobalt wheelset.

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Simon Dgb 2017
Sep 1, 2017

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.

1 reply

Jeff Barber Georgia // 1998
Jan 12, 2017

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

0 reply

AUTHOR

Greg Heil Colorado // 2008
Jan 12, 2017

Ah nice catch!!

Joel DH North Carolina // 2016
Jan 9, 2017

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.

BhamBiker 2018
Jun 15, 2018

Also found Giant Propel Advanced SL 0 Disc

-- It's a hardtail --

Greg Heil Colorado // 2008
Jan 9, 2017

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 :)

mtbmike509 2011
Jan 9, 2017

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

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!!

Jeff Barber Georgia // 1998
Jun 15, 2018

Ahem, a hardtail road bike. :)

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.

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.

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!)

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?

dpb1997 Alberta // 2015
Jan 21, 2017

HI,

These prices are ridiculous in my opinion.

Interestingly for all the front mech haters and 1x11 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.

kenwrightjr Georgia // 2016
Jan 9, 2017

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.

-1 reply

Jeff Barber Georgia // 1998
Jan 9, 2017

Is it just me or do both of the Cannondale bikes look sorta cheap? I think it's the paint job that does it.

Gabriel Cortes Puerto Rico // 2015
Jan 12, 2017

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.)

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"

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 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.

dmaier1963 Pennsylvania // 2014
Jan 10, 2017

Love my Bonzon 2015

bikerboy15 California // 2016
Jan 9, 2017

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...

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".

4. $11,500: Bianchi Methanol 9.1 CV

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