What’s not to like about riding, further, faster and for longer? For other disciplines like Trail, All-mountain or Enduro racing, a bike with longer travel and a dropper seatpost is popular. Check out more about the history of MTB. nearly always with full suspension but usually a little smaller to make tricks easier. It is all about riding slowly around a course in complete control over obstacles such as boulders, logs, beams etc all without putting your foot down. But you will still have a big smile on your face at the end. Mountain Biking Styles Many bike manufacturers categorize their bikes based on the following mountain biking styles to help you decide what type of bike is appropriate for you. These competitions are very popular,  as riders can express themselves any way they see fit. The idea with single speed is simplicity. Soft tail − A frame with some amount of rear suspension. Even blue runs are pretty simple with small features that can be avoided. Okay so specialist bikes makes a particular type of MTB easier but you don’t need it to have fun. Electric bikes are much heavier than normal mountain bikes, but then weight is less important as you have assistance for the climbs. For all of these... DH (Downhill), Dirt Jumping, Dual Slalom, Electric Bikes, eMTB, Enduro, Fatbiking, Four Cross, Freeride, Full Suspension, Hardtail, MTB Trials, Single Speed, Single Track, Touring, Trail Riding, XC (Cross Country). Trail mountain bikes are perhaps the most commonly used mountain bikes out there. Dual or full Suspension − A frame with … Single Speed. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. While this is not what they are made for, fatbikes are easy to ride and popular. Sometimes known as freestyle, dirt jumping is a type of MTB that involves getting airborne on purpose-built jumps. They use 20 or 26 inch wheels and sport  small, low frames. It progresses from a basic mountain biker into the different specialisations. It’s about enjoying the trails so the more technical the route you’ll be riding the better bike you’ll need. They are: 1. Although they are designed to be specialist you’ve probably seen people riding them around town. So getting huge air and performing tricks while heading down hill. Although most riders have full suspension some ride hardtails. You can easily can climb 2000+ metres in altitude to ride trails that would be very difficult to reach. You get two main types of rider, those doing it to get somewhere, those riding for the trail. Mountain bike trials, also known as observed trials, is one of the least common types of mountain biking but also one of the most creative. This allows for a narrower steering diameter for better airborne tricks such as barspins and tailwhips. The bikes are similar to downhill bikes with good suspension and are made to be punished. So anything that is the equivalent of what would be used in Enduro racing. Fatbikes use oversized tyres that are around 97 mm (3.8″) thick. As the name implies you will still be riding uphill and downhill. Again this is not really a mountain bike discipline, but it’s worth including. Though all mountain bikes (abbreviated as MTB) are designed for non-asphalt terrains, there are differences according to each discipline, mainly in geometry and suspension. Generally, they have more travel in the front suspension (around 150 mm) and are beefier than XC or Trail bikes with wider tires. This type of mountain biking involves riding your bike up and down hills. Cup and cone bearings are the older and more affordable type. We have gone for what we feel is a logical order for this guide to 16 different types of mountain biking. The easiest green runs are for beginners and have minimal technical features. The … But due to the racing culture behind it, it is considered to be more extreme. Sometimes these differences can be confusing, so in this article we will try to shed some light on the different disciplines and what type of bike is best suited for each one. To be honest though, in these days of high tech, ultra specialised bike frames, even experienced bikers often struggle to figure out which mountain bike is right for them. It starts when you get a buzz from a short downhill section and you start to seek out more. Single track is generally natural without lots of manmade features, usually they are also multi use so watch out for walkers. There are many different types of mountain biking: Similar to downhill bikes, trial riders will often build their own bikes rather than purchase one off a shelf. While there are plenty of different terms manufacturers use to describe their bikes, there are 4 basic types: Cross Country (XC), Trail, All Mountain (Enduro), and Downhill (DH). Personally I consider all mountain to be more extreme XC with bigger obstacles, rougher trails and harder riding. They are slightly heavier than … Trail. The goal of this guide to 16 different types of mountain biking is to provide you with an understanding of the most popular mountain biking disciplines. You can use a hardtail XC bike on intermediate downhill trails and you could take a AM bike on more punishing routes. It is just any bike that only has front suspension. You carry your own equipment and the goal is to travel self sufficiently by bike. So enduro is a stern test for complete riders. Bikes will usually be fitted out with accessories such as bar ends, drinks carriers, and front and rear panniers. But many of the different MTB styles overlap. See our, Prescott Circle Trail -Sundog Road Section. Pump Track. This type of riding is very intense and extreme, offering riders the chance  for ultimate thrills and excitement. Free riding involves finding the perfect line down the mountain using all of the terrain to express yourself. Again, bigger volume tyres help out on the downhills and a short stem and wide bar give you maximum control. Keeping weight down is always a factor and rather than paniers they tend to use a backpack. Dirt jump mountain bikes also called street mountain bike, are basically big BMX bikes crafted for crazy acrobatics in sculpted jump parks. Although there is a trend for bigger, heavier frames emerging particularly on the more serious trails. Trail bikes are basically more aggressive cross country bikes. … Dual slalom is racing down two similar tracks that are side by side. Mountain Bikes – Which Type Is Best for You? In areas where routes are maintained you’ll get some banked corners (berms) to make the ride more flowing and other features to improve the ride. Think Red Bull Rampage. The overall terrain is pretty flat – so you are not riding downhill. It gets less press than downhill riding because it is not as dramatic to televise. Beware! These bikes are commonly used at skate parks or with dirt jumps. As one of the most challenging of these four different types of mountain bike disciplines, downhill mountain biking involves not only negotiating backwoods paths and rugged mountain trails but also facing sudden drops, high jumps, and punishing stony areas referred to as “rock hardens” in mountain biking slang. Includes various types and the kinds of bikes used, as well as the 'rules' and methods for each kind of riding. Trail riders will hop and  jump their bikes over obstacles, which requires an extreme amount of balance and concentration. Downhill mountain biking usually takes place in specially designed bikeparks. With so many different types of mountain biking available you may think you will need a garage full of bikes in order to enjoy each discipline. Off road touring involves covering large distances on your bike. BMX. 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