In the ongoing debate between pedal power and motorized assistance, one might assume that a motorized bike would generally outpace a traditional bicycle. However, when it comes to downhill mountain biking, the scenario isn’t so straightforward.
Red Bull recently conducted an experiment to determine which type of bike is faster on their renowned Hardline course. This challenging track, located in Wales, UK, is known for its extreme difficulty and technical demands. The current record for completing the 1.4-mile course is held by Jackson Goldstone, who clocked in at 2:20.5 in 2022 on a Santa Cruz V10.8 downhill mountain bike.
For this test, Jonny Walker, one of the world’s top dirt bike racers, took on the Hardline course. Walker rode a 2024 Beta RR 300 two-stroke dirt bike, which weighs 235 pounds and delivers 39 horsepower (29 kW). In contrast, Goldstone’s record-setting bike weighs just 37 pounds and relies entirely on human power.
Despite the apparent advantages of Walker’s motorized bike, such as its horsepower, the heavier weight posed a significant challenge, particularly in the course’s tight and technical sections. Ultimately, Walker completed the course in 2:33, securing the third-fastest time. While impressive, it fell short of Goldstone’s pedal-powered record.
This experiment highlights that in certain scenarios, such as downhill mountain biking, the agility and maneuverability of a lighter, pedal-powered bike can outperform the raw power of a heavier, motorized counterpart.