Mountain Bikes

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Mountain bikes come in a range of shapes and functions, so while you may know you want a mountain bike, you now have to decide what type of mountain bike. Basically mountain bikes are being used for a range of terrain, from the recreational rider to the cross country traveller and downhill speedster. Mountain bikes are lightweight, sturdy, rugged and versatile enough to ride through town or take bush. Similar to other Bicycles, they come in a numerous styles, colours and configurations, and are made from a range of materials with a wide selection of components.  All these options make choosing a bike not an easy decision.  But read on to learn more about your options when shopping for a mountain bike.

What Type of Mountain Bike?

Mountain bikes are broken down into four main types:

  • Recreational  - These are basic mountain bikes with wide tyres and plenty of gears and are perfect for riding around town.  Some have front suspension, aluminium frames and shimano  components. Most of these entry-level mountain bikes are not recommended for off-road dirt riding. Prices start at $220.
  • Cross Country  - Lightweight and designed for pedalling and climbing. These bikes have front or dual suspension although they're not meant for serious jumping. Great performer on and off road. Prices range $1350 - $8000. 
  • Freeride  - These bikes are tough and heavy, and they're designed to go to unthinkable places -- boulders, drop-offs, and gap jumps. They are similar to downhill bikes, but they have a shorter wheel base. The trade-off is better pedalling efficiency than downhill bikes. But they are definitely not a distance bike, lacking large chain rings. Prices range $1380 - $9000.
  • Downhill  - Specially designed for going downhill -- fast. But, lacking low gears, they aren't designed for climbing. Long wheelbases and extra suspension allows these bikes to handle rough terrain at high speeds.  Some have adjustable rear shock absorbers. Prices range from $1300 - $6300.

Hard Tail or Full Suspension?

Hard tail bikeLooking at a series of different mountain bikes, you'll notice two basic structural types:

  • Hardtail  - These bikes have a traditional-looking frame. All the bars clearly run between the major parts. A triangle of bars joins the saddle, rear wheel and front gears giving the bike a fixed rear triangle frame with no rear suspension. These bikes are called hardtails and are a common design in hybrid, road and mountain bikes. Sometimes these bikes have front-suspension features. This style is a popular choice for casual riding, on- and off-road and is less expensive than full suspension bikes.
    • Weight -- Sturdy and durable, but not heavy, making it easier to pedal on smooth, flat surfaces.
    • Wheels -- The slimmed down tyres are better for fine, packed dirt or roads where they won't create much drag. The knobs still help provide grip and friction on less than smooth surfaces.
    • Speeds -- Lots of gears make these bikes versatile for riding on medium- or small-size hills.
    • Frame -- A classic look, without rear shocks. Not so great for distance riding or racing -- because of the weight, but perfect for casual or sport riding.
    • Handlebars -- If you aren't worried about speed, the handlebars won't be a problem. You can choose straight bars, raised or dropped, depending on what feels best. If speed is an issue, stick to the dropped handlebar style found on road bikes.
    • Price -- Front-suspension and hybrid mountain bikes are cheaper than full-suspension models. And the cost savings aren't just up front: A hardtail bike won't require as much maintenance as a full-suspension bike.

  • Full Suspension  - These bikes can be a little funky in design -- the saddle is seemingly disconnected from the rear wheel. Full suspension bikes have increased shock absorption designed specifically to make riding on impossibly rough terrains more enjoyable. The have both front suspension forks and rear shocks. High-end models are all full-suspension, making them great for the backcountry, but their performance on city streets and uphill climbs is lacking in comfort and agility. The more suspension a bike has, the more sturdier and shock resistant it will be. That's why a full-suspension mountain bike is perfect for intense trail riding. That's also why it isn't the best bike for riding around town or on paved surfaces in general. These bikes do best for riding distances less than 20 kms on rough terrains that might be slightly hilly but not steep.
    • Frame -- The distinctive frame (which begs the question: Is the seat even attached to the rear wheel?!) is extra sturdy in order to help reduce vibrations, which in turn makes the bike great for handling rocky, rugged terrain.
    • Weight -- The tough frame weighs a lot, making it too heavy for road riding, racing or getting up hills.
    • Suspension -- The suspension lets you bounce around and remain comfortable. However, on a regular paved road the extra weight and bulk of a full-suspension bike will only be cumbersome.
    • Wheels -- The super wide 24", 26" or 29" wheels have extra knobby treads that provide great traction in the dirt and mud. But on roads they cause too much drag and make you pedal twice as hard.
    • Handlebars -- The handlebars are either straight, low-rise or high-rise. That doesn't mean that they significantly lower or raise your body. In fact, mountain bikes are meant to keep you fairly upright. This makes them perfect for trail riding, where aerodynamics are not as important as on paved roads.
    • Speeds -- Despite the high gear count (usually 24 or 27 speeds), the bulk makes it too heavy to really make uphill riding any fun. Go for a sport bike instead if you want to tackle mountains. For downhill, full-suspension is the way to go. You get speed and great control.
    • Price -- These full-suspension bikes are the cream of the crop, so you can imagine the price tag will reflect the prestige. This is a key reason why many people stick to a hardtail bike. If you really want a top of the line bike but can't afford it, check out last year's models. They will be just as good, but much cheaper.

Clearly there is a world of difference between these two types. That distinction produces the single most important decision you'll have to make before purchasing your new bike: Full or hardtail?

Other Factors

Major Brands 
  • Frame Materials -- Read the breakdown in the Road Bikes buying guide. As with road bikes, stiffness, lightness and strength  are favourable in frames. You might not expect anyone to want a stiff bike on rough terrains, but the shocks take care of comfort on full-suspension bikes, leaving the frame to deal with performance instead of wasting energy on flex (the amount the bike gives).
  • Size -- Standing over the crossbar, you should have about 100 mm between your crotch and the bar. For city riding, you only need 25 or 50 mm. Sit on the saddle and put your foot on the pedal and push it as close to the ground as it gets. Your leg should be nearly straight, with a slight bent.  Remember you can adjust the height of the seat, but only so much.
  • Components -- Unless money is no issue, it'll be very expensive to get all the best components at high quality grades. But you can prioritize and go after the best model of a specific part. This guide recommends concentrating on the following:
    • Brakes: It's not feasible to change from one brake system to another once it's installed, so know what type of brake you want before the purchase.
      • Disc: A metal disc is attached to the wheel hub, rotates with it and, when applied, presses against the wheel to slow it.
        • Pro: Reliable, effective in all conditions (even in muddy or wet terrain), easy to apply.
        • Con: Heavier, expensive.
      • Rim: Friction pads, when applied, slow the bike by slamming against the rim of the wheel.
        • Pro: Light, inexpensive.
        • Con: Performance varies by terrain and type of riding (not good in mud or water); wears down quickly.
    • Wheels: Mountain bikes use a wide (2.0"-2.5") tyre which provides more air volume, giving you a better grip on loose surfaces like dirt and sand. If you're riding on roads or hard-pack trails, you can use a narrower (1.5"-2.2") tyre.  Tread is more significant on mountain bikes because of the varying terrain. For roads you can use slicks which are not as knobby as off-road tyres.  Hard-pack trail riders will use a tread that has a smooth centre and knobby outers to help grip loose surfaces on turns. Look for Geax Girdo  or Maxxis  Tyres. For more hardcore trails, look for a knobbier tyre with smaller knobs in the centre and deeper ones at the edges. Downhill bikers need to focus more on maximizing air volume in their tyres to take the shock of hard impacts. Also look for a tyre with a wide, knobby tread pattern.
    • Pedals: Consult the Bike Pedals buying guide.

Lists of Mountain Bikes by Type:

Recreational

Cross Country    

Freeride

Downhill

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