Mountain biking is an extreme sport that involves lots of rough riding off-road. In order to have the best experience, you need to choose the right mountain bike that’s durable, made of quality and sturdy materials that can endure a rough ride. Depending on the type of riding you plan to do, there are multiple choices of mountain bikes and there isn’t a single mountain bike that will accommodate every rider and every type of riding. When it comes to the different types of mountain bikes, you need to choose a specific one that will meet all your needs as a biker. Let’s take a look at the different types.
- Dirt Jump Bikes – Designed to be able to spend as much time in the air as they do on land, these offer masses of clearance thanks to their low slung frames. The frame material is usually rough and durable steel and the components are designed to be strong and heavy rather than light. Most of them have one gear which means there are less parts that can be broken.
- Trail Mountain Bikes – These are a great choice if you are just starting to ride off-road, but they’re also great for any rider. Trail mountain bikes use a suspension fork at the front in order to improve handling and grip, as well as provide cushioning from hard bumps. Furthermore, they provide an advantage when pedaling as they can move up or down as you ride them, thus the rigid rear of a hard tail will turn all your effort into forward motion.
- Cross-Country Trail Bikes – These bikes are all about covering great distances, regardless whether you’re racing or just riding with your friends. They’re designed to be efficient on smooth ground and are built with light aluminium frames. The more expensive models use carbon fibre to reduce even more weight.
When you decide which type of bike you want to purchase, it’s important that it has features that will benefit your riding experience. Both rim and disc brakes are an option for mountain bikes and both have their limitations and advantages. Disc brakes are the latest technology and provide more stopping force but are also more expensive than rim brakes.
Suspension can be found in both the rear and front of a mountain bike, or just one or the other. Jumping, bumpy riding and aggressive mountain biking requires a better suspension system. Mountain bikers should consider getting more or less suspension depending on how aggressively they intend to ride their bike.
Wheels are also of great importance. The hub material, width and spokes are all important aspects of the wheel and should be considered when purchasing a brand new trail mountain bike. While comfort and preference should be taken into account, the wheel choice should mainly be determined by the type of riding you plan to do.
