“Roads? Where we’re going, we don’t need roads.”
Mountain Bikes have come a long way from their modern-day origins in the 1970s. Today’s mountain bikes come in an impressive array of sub-categories, from light-weight trail-riding cross-country mountain bikes, to super heavy duty dirt-jumpers and freeride bikes.
Cross-Country Bikes
Cross-country (aka XC) bikes are light, fast, and nimble mountain bikes that are designed for keeping your tires on the ground as you carve up the trails, climb over logs, and master the mountainside.
While not engineered or warrantied for dirt-jumping or downhill, cross-country mountain bikes are the lightest, fastest, and most enjoyable way to do everything else mountain biking has to offer. Most XC bikes have only front suspension, but some come with both front and rear suspension. Rear suspension gives more control over rough terrain, at the cost of being significantly heavier.
All-Mountain Bikes
All-Mountain bikes are designed to take a lot of the abuse XC bikes can’t, while still being lightweight and aimed at technical riding. They can handle small drops and rougher trails while not making climbing a total pain.
Dirt Jumpers
Dirt jump bikes are designed for catching air on dirt tracks and taking big hits when you land. They have suspension in the front and none in the rear to provide control while riding but also the stiffness to jump. Incredibly durable, they are also heavier than XC or All-Mountain bikes.
Downhill Bikes
Downhill racing is designed to get from the top of the hill to the bottom as fast as possible, flowing down over any obstacles. They have dual suspension (front and rear) to let you keep control no matter what’s under you.
Freeride Mountain Bikes
Freeride mountain bike riding is about tackling anything in your path, from roots to jumps and taking the most fun path down the mountain.
