3) Santa Cruz V10 CC – £7699

With proven success behind it and the cult status that comes with being ridden by Minnaar, Peaty and Ratboy, the Santa Cruz V10CC is one of the most coveted bikes on the market.

The sixth generation of the flagship Santa Cruz model now offers 216mm of travel in two adjustable geometry positions. The shock rate has been tuned to be more linear and deliver consistent damping throughout the travel.

The introduction of XL and XXL sizes last year also mean it’s viable for the tallest of riders.

Full review of the Santa Cruz V10 CC here

6) Specialized S-Works Demo 8 – £7000

The Specialized S-Works Demo is most at home on rough, rocky, steep and technical downhill tracks.

It sails down the steepest terrain you can find with a silence that speaks volumes, and the clean, smooth style of the bike has become iconic in the world of mountain biking.

The bike has been proven on the big stage time and time again, with Aaron Gwin famously riding it to glory even without a chain in Leogang in 2015, and going on to take the series win in style.

Full review of the 2016 Specialized S-Works Demo 8 2016 here

7) Intense Cycles M16C Pro Build – £6895

The M16 is described as “a world-class, downhill racing machine”. It’s got 9.5 inches of rear travel, with geometry developed in conjunction with Bernat Guardia, Jack Moir, Luca Cometti and Ferran Jorba and Intense test pilots Chris Kovarik, Shaun Palmer and Claire Buchar. A few names you may recognise, then.

Intense is a bike brand with one hell of a legacy, and they’re still innovating now. The M16 is one of the longest travel downhill bikes on the market, but this does impose certain limits when you’re not going in a straight line.

Full review of the Intense Cycles M16C Pro Build here

10) Orange 324 Factory / Polygon COLLOSUS DH9 / Transition TR500 / Devinci Wilson Carbon SL / Giant Glory Advanced 0 – £5500

There are a few downhill bikes that come in at the £5500 mark give or take a pound, so the tenth and final spot in our list is divided between five rigs.

The Orange 324 is a bike handbuilt in Halifax with old school looks and modern geometry, the Polygon Collosus DH9 a proven Red Bull Rampage winner, the Devinci Wilson Carbon SL a charismatic bike that delivers straightforward performance and the Transition TR500 playful, powerful and fun. The Giant Glory is one of the lightest downhill bike available, and one with a smooth ride which translates to serious speed.