Different Types of Mountain Bikes
Understanding the Types of Mountain Bikes
Mountain biking as a sport has been around for almost thirty years and is still gaining in popularity. At the beginning, there were not too many types of bikes to choose from: it was either a bike tough and light enough for cross country riding or a bike tough enough to handle the pounding of racing downhill.
Today, there are mountain bikes specifically designed for specific types of riding. You may not need or want a particular type of mountain bike for each type of riding that you may or may not be exposed to. If you are looking to buy just one bike that will meet all your mountain biking needs, it would help you to decide if you know about the types of mountain bikes that are on the market.
1. Cross country (XC)
Jamis Dagon Pro Cross Country 2008 Model
Cross country is a broad classification and most mountain bikes will fit into this class. The cross country bike is the most traditional and the most popular of the mountain bikes. They are nimble and relatively light weight, between 20 and 30 pounds. Cross country bikes can be rigid (no suspension), hardtail (just front suspension) or full suspension. It can be used with ease for riding on paved trails or commuting. Cross country bikes are well-suited for the average weekend mountain biker who will most often ride off road bike trails and the occasional hills and mountains. High end cross country bikes are used for competition.
2. Downhill
Kona Coilair Freeride 2010 Model
Downhill or freeride mountain bikes are build to be very durable and fitted with beefed-up parts, and in turn are heavy, weighing anywhere between 35 to 45 pounds. The bikes are built to handle big drops and hard hits while barreling down mountain sides at full speeds. They are not designed for climbing hill. A ski lift or vehicle is needed to transport the bike to the top of a hill or mountain. Downhill bikes come with front and rear suspension to smooth out the ride and disc brakes for the stopping power. Freeride or downhill bikes are usually custom bikes and are among the more expensive mountain bikes.
3. All-Mountain
The all-mountain mountain bikes, or trail bikes, are a blend of the cross country and the freeride bikes: not as sturdy and heavy as freeride and downhill bikes and not as agile and light as cross country bikes. An all-mountain bike is a mountain bike built to handle almost everything a mountain biker will run into on a full day of riding. Trail bikes will meet the demands of what most people will expect from their bike. The bikes are an excellent balance between efficiency, comfort, control, and cost.
4. Trials
Trials bikes are very specialized bikes designed for specific kind of bike “riding.” Trials riding consist of hopping and jumping the bike over obstacles. This can be done outdoors or indoors, off-road or in an urban center, formal or informal course. Most trials bikes look more like BMX bikes. The bikes can be fitted with either 20″, 24″ or 26″ wheels and have very small, low frames, and some bikes don’t even use a saddle, which can get in the way of the rider.
5. Jump and Slalom
Slalom and jump bikes are designed for jumping, street racing, and slalom down mountains. In competitive jumping, the rider performs certain tricks and moves while in mid air, and is judged on difficulty, creativity and execution. The sport is a cross between mountain biking and BMX. The bikes are similar to regular mountain bikes but are usually come with just sturdy front suspension. They are built sturdy to handle enormous hits and falls, which make them heavier than bikes used for racing. But the bike still have to be light and agile enough street racing and slalom events. This type of riding is similar to trials riding. The jump bikes are often customized by its rider.
These classifications for the different types of mountain bikes are by no means written in stone. Mountain bike companies may give a line of their bikes a classification that may not fit exactly in a class and make up their own name to market their bikes, with names like backcountry, gravity and out of bounds. Regardless of labels, the design and characteristics of a bike is what determines its use and purpose.
File under Types of Mountain Bikes.
