Bike Unchained 3 – Red Bull’s Best Mobile Mountain Bike Sim Yet?

Ever wanted the rush of downhill mountain biking without the scraped knees? Bike Unchained 3, Red Bull’s latest mobile MTB racer, nails the speed and chaos of real world racing, with a few rough patches.

Building on its predecessors (like Bike Unchained 2, which we covered earlier), this third installment sharpens the physics, adds pro riders as mentors, and splits gameplay into two distinct modes: grippy downhill races and big air jump competitions. But does it outpedal competitors like Mad Skills Motocross 2 or Touchgrind BMX 3?

The Ride: Downhill Speed vs. Trick Precision

Downhill Mode is where the game shines. Tight berms, sketchy rock gardens, and split-second decisions mimic real MTB racing. The controls? Surprisingly nuanced. Tap to pedal, tilt to steer, and, here’s the twist, slide your finger to drift through turns. It’s not just for show; mastering slides shaves seconds off your time.

Switch to Jump Mode, and the focus flips to air control. Spinning off a cliff face feels weighty, and landing clean matters more than flashy tricks. Unlike arcadey competitors (cough Trial Xtreme), Bike Unchained 3 rewards precision over button mashing.

Bikes & Upgrades: Gear That Actually Matters

Forget generic “speed +5%” upgrades. The game partners with real MTB brands, Propain, Specialized, Canyon, and their bikes handle differently. A Commencal Supreme plows through rough sections, while a YT Tues feels snappier on jumps.

Customization digs deeper:

• SRAM drivetrains improve shift speed.

• Manitou forks absorb big hits better.

• Leatt body armor reduces crash penalties (yes, gear affects gameplay).

This isn’t just cosmetic. Your setup changes how you tackle tracks, a rarity in mobile racing games.

What Works (And What Doesn’t)

The Good:

• Graphics: Stylized but crisp. Trails like Whistler Bike Park blend dense forests with jagged rock faces. Even on mid-range phones, it runs at 60fps.

• Mentors: Unlock riders like Brandon Semenuk to learn their lines. These aren’t just cameos; their tutorials teach real techniques.

• Updates: Weekly events add fresh bikes and tracks, avoiding the “grind wall” of similar games.

The Annoying:

• Vague mechanics: Tricks might slow you in races, but the game never explains how.

• Bugs: Daily rewards sometimes don’t register. Training sessions occasionally glitch mid-run.

• No multiplayer: You race ghosts, not friends. A missed opportunity.

Who’s It For?

• MTB fans will geek out over the real brands and physics.

• Casual players can enjoy the jump mode without sweating upgrades.

• Avoid if you want pure arcade action (*see: Mad Skills Motocross 2) or deep social features.

At 500MB, it’s lightweight for its visuals, and the 10+ age rating makes it accessible. With 1M+ downloads and a 4.3 star average, most players agree: It’s the best mobile MTB sim right now, just don’t expect perfection.

The Rough Edges: Bike Unchained 3’s Frustrations and How to Work Around Them

Let’s address the elephant in the room first: Bike Unchained 3 isn’t flawless. While it delivers heart-pumping downhill action and legit bike physics, some design choices will make you scratch your helmet. Here’s what grinds our gears, and how to push through.

The Annoying Bits (And How to Beat Them)

Mechanics That Leave You Guessing

The game never clearly explains whether doing tricks in downhill races hurts your time. After testing multiple runs:

• Basic whips/no-handers: Minimal speed loss if landed clean

• Complex flips/rotations: Often cost 0.5-1 second per trick

• Crashing mid-trick: Resets momentum completely

Workaround: Stick to 1-2 simple tricks per race if going for records. Save the big moves for jump mode.

Another head-scratcher? Sliding on berms. The tutorial mentions it, but not how it actually helps. Through trial and error:

• Tap slide: Best for sharp 90-degree turns

• Hold-slide: Works on long, banked curves

• Over sliding: Bleeds speed fast

Bugs That Test Your Patience

• Daily rewards not registering: A common complaint in Google Play reviews. Fix? Force-close the app after each session before claiming.

• Training session freezes: Mostly happens on older Android devices. Switching to “Low Graphics” mode in settings reduces crashes by ~60%.

• Ghost data errors: Sometimes your best race time doesn’t save. Screen record important runs as backup.

The Social Void

Want to challenge your friend’s time on Whistler? Tough luck. The lack of:

• Direct multiplayer

• Leaderboard filters (can’t sort by friends)

• Even basic taunt/like systems

…makes victories feel lonely. Your best bet? Share screen recordings via Discord/WhatsApp and compare manually.

Pro Strategies (Beyond the Obvious)

Downhill: Where Seconds Live and Die

• Berms are everything: The top 1% of riders save 2-3 seconds per race just by mastering slides.

• Line choice > raw speed: Cutting inside a rock may shave 0.8s, but risk a crash. Memorize 3 safe “bailout” paths per track.

• Upgrade priorities:

  • Suspension (Manitou/Box): 15% better bump absorption

  • Brakes (SRAM): Lets you brake later before turns

Jump Mode: Style vs. Survival

• The scoring secret:

  • Clean landing: 70% of your score

  • Trick variety: 20%

  • Air height: 10%

• Best starter tricks:

  • Tabletop: Low risk, decent points

  • No-footer: Easy 500-600pt base
    Avoid backflips until you unlock mentor upgrades.

Unlocking Brandon Semenuk (And Why It Matters)

1. Complete 15 downhill races (any track)

2. Reach Level 12 in the progression system

3. Spend 5,000 in-game coins (about 2 hours of grinding)

His “Smooth Operator” skill tree gives:

• +8% cornering speed

• Special “butter” landings that reduce speed loss

Alternatives: When Bike Unchained 3 Isn’t Your Trail

 

BU3’s sweet spot: It’s the only mobile game with both:

• Real-brand bike tuning

• Physics that punish bad line choices

Conclusion :

Worth it if you:

• Care about MTB culture (real brands/pros)

• Enjoy technical racing over arcade boosts

• Don’t mind grinding for upgrades

Skip if you:

• Want instant multiplayer

• Prefer casual “pick up and play” mechanics

• Hate occasional bugs

FAQ

How do I fix daily rewards not registering in Bike Unchained 3?

Try force closing the app after each session before claiming rewards. If issues persist, contact the Red Bull Games support team at games[at]support.redbull.com.

What are the best suspension upgrades in Bike Unchained 3?

Prioritize Manitou or Box Components for downhill races, they improve bump absorption by 15%. For jump-focused builds, SR Suntour offers a lighter option.

Is there multiplayer or friend races in Bike Unchained 3?

Not yet. The game uses ghost races for competition.

How do I unlock pro riders like Brandon Semenuk?

Complete 15 downhill races, reach Level 12, and spend 5,000 coins. Semenuk’s “Smooth Operator” skill tree boosts cornering speed.

Where can I download Bike Unchained 3?

Get Bike Unchained 3 from Google Play. For Chromebook/Windows, check the official site.