You are looking to buy a right mountain bike. But you are confused what type of bike is fit for you. In this article, we will cover the basics of 5 different types of Mountain bikes. To help you understand their features, before making a buying decision.
Which type of bike should you pick if you are a beginner, a middle level rider or an expert.
Basically, each type of bike has it’s own specific purposes and used for different professional levels of riders.
Things to know before picking a right mountain bike
Mountain biking is a sport which cyclist ride their bicycles off- road, normally on the very rough terrains. So technically ,mountain bikes are bikes with normal functions as bikes. Together with special design to make them more strong , durable. And be able to perform well on each different riding style and terrains.
Mountain bikes need to have strong frames, good suspensions that can be front or rear suspension. They are on the front wheels and rear wheels. They also have very sharp brake systems like mechanical or hydraulic disc brakes. And very well cooperated drive train system with many speeds are necessary for this type of sport.
People who do mountain biking sport need to have a good health and good skills to perform difficult techniques. To achieve the goals many hours of practice and a good balanced nutritious meals are must be conditions.
Addition to all of these above factors. Riders need to learn skills to repair their flat tires, fix breaks, loosen chains. They always need to bring with them: water, spared food, repair kit for bikes, and some first aid kit in case of injury.
For a short trek, which close to civilization riding area when riders can find the support. But for the longer treks ,far from any help . They have to learn skills to self service and survive themselves.
Trail Bikes
Trail bikes ride on off-road trails, like back-country roads, single track , wider bike park trail or fire roads.
Single track is a type of mountain biking trail in which the roads for riding are narrow. And just almost fit to the with of bike. The roads tend to down ward direction and following the fall line., rough , Rooty, with many bumps. Many riders love this type of sport. Because riders themselves find excitement in conquer obstacles alone over tree roots, berms, banked turns, hills , drops , jump.
Double tracks (or fire roads or wider bike park trail) is a bit different with a single track. The trail has 2 lines parallel . It is more smoother than a single track and 2 or more riders can cycle at the same time.
A trail bike may be the right mountain bike for you
Bikes for this type of sport are the most regular common mountain bike. Because it is not for heavy and serious racing purposes. Therefore ,they are suitable for the beginners. Or any one who wants to use them for fun outdoors, fitness or recreation
If you want to have a mountain bike just to have some happy riding. To join with families, friends on a weekend ride. And then this bike is for you.
The typical specs of this bike: the handlebars are wider than other mountain bikes
Suspension travel is 120 -140 mm. Suspension travel is the amount of movement which bike’ front and rear fork can absorb .Especially when bike hit the obstacle. The style of trail mountain sport is not so hard so the length of suspension are enough to support riders from the hard bumps and do not slow down bike movements.
Head tube angle 67-69°. ( Head -tube angle is the angle that the head tube forms with the ground. The steeper head-tube angle shows that a bike can move faster and climb better. The lower angle shows that the bikes will be good at high speeds but not so good at climbing). For trail riding, this head tube angle is standard because trail riding have a tendency to go down trails.
Cross- Country Bikes
Cross- country cycling turned to be Olympic sport in 1996. Name of cross- country is determined by the terrain on which riders perform. Cross-country courses mean the riders perform riding on mix of different terrains like :single track , smooth double tracks and rough forest paths. And even on the rather smooth paved roads that connect the trails.
Bikes used for cross-country style normally are lightest , about from 8- 12 kilograms. They have front suspension but some are rigid. The specific design is for speed and climbing prowess. They normally have suspension travel from 80- 100 mm . The steeper head-tube angle from 70- 71°. offers the possibility of fast move and perfect climbing.
Fat tires bikes are special made for type of cross- country sport.
This type of bike has tires bigger than normal one. So they are a good choice for beginners who want to ride in the wilderness on sand or snow areas. The oversize tires give excellent traction on the rough terrain.
Fat- tire bikes usually have a rigid fork that means no suspension. Reason for this is the bikes are used for riding on quite smooth surfaces.
If you are considering attending a competition like a racier ride for your local trails. This bike is perfect for you.
So a cross-country bike can be a right mountain bike for you like to have a light bike which can do light mountain sport on the mix terrain
All- Mountain Bikes or Enduro Bikes
Enduro is one type of mountain racing sport which riders perform both downhill and uphill skills. But time for downhill is counted and for uphill is not counted. Enduro also means the time for racing will take place longer than other riding style. It can be one or two days. But it can be a week long.
Racers in one day Enduro usually perform with 3-5 different stages on different sections. It can be descending terrain, single track… on a determined time.
We can somehow understand that Enduro means Endurance. Time for this type of racing is longer and the racers must be at very good health state. They must have good technical skills to ride on different courses and physical power to overcome obstacles.
Bikes for Enduro are special made for racers Material frame can be aluminum alloy but mostly they are made from Carbon fiber and they have full suspension. Enduro bikes have suspension travel from 140 -170 mm and head tube angle 65-68 °.
If you are a middle- level rider and know how to master skills, this bike is for you.
Freeride Bikes
Freeride mountain bikes are like it’ name, style free. Riders do riding without a set course, goals or any rules on natural terrain. They can do spin tricks, drops, jumps with their own style.
Bikes for freeride mountain style are some thing as same as downhill mountain bikes. But they are lighter , the length of suspension travels are shorter, which allow riders can go uphill and downhill easily.
Most Freeride bikes have headtube a bit steeper and wheelbases shorter than downhill mountain bikes.
Frame material of freeride mountain bikes mostly are aluminum alloy but can be very fine steel alloy. this enables the bikes to perform in extreme condition without deformed.
Downhill or Park Bikes
Down hill mountain biking is the most hardest style of mountain biking. Riders perform their practice on very rough and steep terrains, with features like jumps , drops, rock garden and other difficult obstacles. They can drop from the height more than 3 meters and jump up more than 12 meters.
The serious and hard style mountain biking require racers must have very strong skills ,strength, flexible bodies and sharp brains to count the falling point of gravity to avoid injuries.
Downhill Bikes or Park bikes have a solid design with big, heavy frame, full brakes and full suspensions. They are heavier and stronger than other mountain bikes. The suspension travel can be long till 200 mm. They can quick absorb the bumps and suspensions can quick return to the original state for the purpose to protect races to maximum.
This bike is suitable for expert riders who mastered skills about conquering obstacles. The riders must wear full -jaw protection helmets and special protection jackets.
The bottom line
Finding out a right mountain bike can be a bit overwhelming job for the beginner. But it can be easy if you know well your wishing riding style.
