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What are the different types of mountain bikes?

When you are on your bike, it’s a different vibe! It’s totally up to you when to stop it for a long break or to continue riding ahead the eternal roads waiting you. You would never be able to experience this beauty from any other modes, be it a tour-bus, rental car, train or whatever. In other words, there is almost nothing which can beat the unique freedom and joy that biking provides a person!

Among the different types of biking, mountain biking is something which is worth doing. It uncovers unseen wonders of nature, boosts your spirit to another level and brings a lifetime of memories. However, before you are set to do mountain biking it is important that you acquaint with some of the different types of mountain bikes.

These days, several incredible mountain bikes with various technologically advanced features are available in the market. These bikes are built on purpose to increase the confidence level of the riders and moreover provide a thrilling riding experience on all kinds of trails. But it is found that at least some of the riders find it quite difficult to choose a bike for them among the huge range of mountain bike options available. Here, we introduce some of the prominent types of mountain bikes to you such that you get a clear idea about which kind of bike you will need for your riding style or the type of trail you wish to ride.

Cross country

Cross country bikes are some of the lightest mountain bikes and usually weigh around 7- 16kilograms. These bikes of great endurance and efficiency is known for its high pedalling performance, versatility and are perfect companions for those who wish to pedal along a great distance. It also suits riders who prefer climbing over descending. Cross country bikes possess tires of faster rolling resistance and a geometry almost similar to road bikes.

Downhill

As the name suggests, downhill bikes are those mountain bikes used for downhill biking. Durability and stability are the most significant features of these bikes since they ride on most steep, technical trails. DH bikes are generally slack and consists of tires of great traction. They share a great similarity with free ride bikes. These bikes are the perfect partners for those who don’t love to pedal uphill, but have a great skill and passion for high speed and trails of big drops and jumps.

Trail bikes

With a great traction, durability and rolling efficiency, trail bikes are perfect mountain bikes to cover rocky, technical trails at a great speed. Apart from more suspension, more gravity-oriented components these bikes also have a more relaxed geometry altogether making it suitable for riding along almost all kinds of terrains. Being great climbers and descenders, trail bikes are the best for riders who love both downhill and uphill along with some occasional drops and jumps.

All mountain & Enduro

All mountain bikes are those bikes which are designed for the competitive riding ‘Enduro’ which consists a combination of timed downhills and untimed uphill. These type of mountain bikes are featured with strong components suitable for climbing and descending the trails. The tires of Enduro bikes are designed in favour to aggressive knobs for cornering and enable great traction facility. These are lightweight bikes and possess slightly more suspension travel when compared to the trail mountain bikes.  

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What is downhill mountain biking

Mountain biking is not just about a single style of riding, but offers a variety of rides, be it leisurely trail riding, exhilarating biking along new paths or mind-blowing adventurous ones. Among this, downhill mountain biking is regarded the most dangerous and risk requiring style of biking. Even though it’s risky, the fun and experience it brings on to you is simply another level. 

Downhill mountain biking is performed on the extremely steep and rough terrains that often exhibits jumps, rock gardens and various other obstacles. This clearly suggests that downhill mountain biking is not just riding bikes downhill, but a sport which requires great endurance, bike handling skills and level of fitness. Only a rider who owns excellent mental control and efficiency can manifest very good riding in downhill mountain biking.

Since downhill riding takes you along most crooked paths, it is obvious that you need full body armor while practicing it. In addition to a full-face helmet with non-removable chin guard you will also need knee pads, back protector, elbow pads and long-finger gloves in this riding. These all-protective equipment ensure your safety against the risk of injuries and provide a comfortable riding experience without restricting your free movement. 

Before you get to the track of downhill, you need to be in acquaintance with the downhill bike. This is very important since the downhill bikes are really distinct from the ‘normal’ bikes and other mountain bikes. Downhill-specific bikes are usually heavier and stronger than usual mountain bikes and consists large disc brakes, front and rear suspension with over eight inches of travel as well as a very heavy frame. This all set up ensures that the bike easily glissade over the rock gardens, tree roots and rugged landscapes giving riders the most perfect and enthralling ride. 

It is also important to sharpen up your performance in downhill mountain biking before you actually get into it. As previously told, this involves knowing the DH bike, its size, tire pressure, brake levers, handlebars to everything and practice to maintain a perfect posture when you are on the bike. Master the technique of active handling of the bike, pedals level and one-finger braking such that you finally become fit to match the downhill discipline required in the sport.

If you are really into the spirit of downhill mountain biking, all you need is to build up your confidence, practise and improve the bike handling skills and balance. Then you are set to experience the adventurous rides, paths and much more that downhill has to offer. Once you catch the spectacular discipline of downhill, its fun, thrill and joy, then there is definitely no going back! 

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Introduction to Mountain Biking

How about an adrenaline rush ride along changing, rugged landscapes? Or a recreational trip across beautiful trails offering mind blowing nature and scenario? Pretty exciting it seems, right?

Mountain biking, more than a sport, have become a routine of life for many riders across the world. It is no surprise if one says there is nothing which beat the thrill and magical feel that riding along trails give a person. This kind of riding take you along off-roads, often rough terrains and trails challenging the rider in you, giving you beautiful experiences, fun moments as well as helping you connect with nature. There is no doubt that mountain biking brings you a lifetime experience and if you are someone who is in love with biking, it is definitely something you need to encounter and get to know. 

Special bikes with enhanced features, referred as mountain bikes, are particularly designed for mountain biking in order to tackle the rough terrains and rugged landscapes. Since riding get off the beaten track, mountain biking also often requires great endurance, bike handling skills, core strength, self-reliance and balance.  However, if you are a beginner don’t feel too much stressed or challenged! Mountain biking offers different kinds of rides ranging from leisurely pleasant rides to adventurous ones. You can start by experiencing rides along easy trails before stepping into dangerous off-roads and crooked paths. 

Types of Mountain Biking

Cross country

Cross country mountain biking is a type of mountain biking which involves climbing and descent on terrains. This point-to-point riding requires great efficiency, endurance, fastness and technical skills compared to other kinds of mountain biking. Trails can be few miles to 25plus when it comes to distance and with a typical XC bike cross country rides would definitely be a great and wonderful experience that you will have. 

Trail riding

Trail riding is considered the most popular, uncompetitive type of mountain biking and is the best style if you are a person looking for some leisurely rides with your friends. Trails vary from gentle ones to extremely rough routes and you can decide to ride along single routes or trail centres depending on your level of adventure and difficulty. But as the difficulty of the trails increases there comes a need of greater technical facilities, levels of fitness and specifically designed trail bikes. However, most basic of bike design would go for trails that are less drastic and such trails would offer you the most pleasant rides, especially when you are with your favourite tribe.

All mountain/enduro

A combination of timed downhills and untimed uphill, enduro is a popular competitive riding in which the winner is decided on the basis of fastest combined time on downhills. Irrespective of racing or not, enduro is the term commonly used these days for all mountain ridings. This type of riding includes trail riding, leg burning climbs, descending and much more giving you an enthralling experience of mountain biking. Lightweight mountain bikes with moderate-travel suspension systems, strong components suitable for climbing and descending are the ones particularly designed for all mountain biking. 

Downhill

Downhill, as the name suggests refers to riding bikes downhill. This style of mountain biking along extremely steep terrain is regarded one of the most dangerous and risky sport. Thus, it is obvious that the rider possesses a good level of fitness, mental control, efficiency and handling of the bike. In this riding you need to wear full-face helmet, body armor, kneepads, full body suit etc in order to protect yourself against risk of injuries. Downhill-specific bikes with large disc brakes, front-rear suspension and heavier frame are the ones usually designed for this type of mountain biking.

Freeride

Freeride is a type of mountain biking which includes anything and everything from downhill racing to jumping, riding along trails and even adventurous stunts. In short it is a ride without any set of rules and goals on natural terrain. Though it is hard to categorize or define a typical freeride bike, heavier bikes with front-rear suspension can be regarded as the ones usually designed for freeride mountain biking.

Types of Mountain Bikes

Full suspension bikes

Full suspension mountain bikes, as the name suggests are the bikes with suspension on both front and rear wheels. With the front fork and rear shock, this type of bikes makes sure absorption of all the impacts of the trail leaving the most comfortable ride to the person. Moreover, full suspension bike is perfect if you are a person who looks forward riding on technical trails and do have a need for great speed. 

Hardtail bikes

Hardtail mountain bikes are the ones which have only one suspension fork in the front which help absorb the impact on the front wheel. These light bikes have easy maintenance which makes it a popular and convenient choice among smooth trails and almost all kinds of terrains except most crooked, dangerous downhill mountain biking. Hardtail mountain bikes are also less expensive compared to full suspension bikes and is hence a perfect choice if you are looking for a mountain bike on low budget. 

Equipment and accessories for mountain biking

Bike

Specially designed mountain bikes with increased durability and enhanced performance are required for mountain biking. You can decide if you need a full suspension, hardtail or rigid bike depending upon your riding style, purpose, budget and comfort.

Helmet

Mountain bike helmets that are strong enough to provide more protection and coverage than the usual road bike helmets are required during riding.

Glasses

Goggles or glasses used in normal biking can be used in order to provide protection against debris while on the trail.

Clothing and shoes

Unlike road touring clothes of delicate fabric, mountain biking requires clothes of heavy fabric which allows one to withstand falls. Shoes having gripping soles and the ones compatible with clipless pedal systems are the generally preferred types for mountain biking purposes.

Hydration system

Mountain biking, being an energy taking activity, urges the need to organize a hydration system consisting simple water bottles to water bags with drinking tubes in hydration pack.

Bike tools

Bike tools, extra bike tubes and pumps are essential since you don’t know when you would face a mechanical problem and need an urgent help.