Mountain Bike Guide

If you’re new to mountain biking then choosing the right bike can seem daunting. With so many manufacturers, models, types and sizes available the options may appear endless. Broadly speaking, a mountain bike or MTB is a bike designed to be ridden off-road on trails and bridleways. In our mountain bike guide we’ll look at the different types out there, what kind of riding they’re designed for and help to narrow down which one is right for you.

Made for riding over rough terrain, a mountain bike is characterised by features such as grippy, high volume tyres, suspension and wide, stable handlebars. These features help to provide comfort and maintain traction when riding off-road. There are two main types within the mountain bike category – hardtail and full suspension. A hardtail mountain bike has a suspension fork at the front with a rigid rear end and full suspension (full sus) bikes, as the name suggests, have suspension at the front and the rear. The types of hardtails and full suspension MTB’s can then differ depending on the style of riding they’re used for – this could be Enduro (all-mountain), Cross Country (XC) or Trail Riding.

 

HARDTAIL MOUNTAIN BIKES

Hardtail mountain bikes offer a great entry point into the world of off-road riding. Featuring a front suspension fork with 80-120mm of travel and a fully rigid rear end, a hardtail is versatile and can be used for trail centre riding, cross country racing and as a do-it-all everyday bike.

 

Cross-country hardtails such as the TREK PROCALIBER, CUBE REACTION or SPECIALIZED CHISEL are designed to be light and fast and come equipped with around 100mm of travel in the front suspension fork. These bikes are built for fast-paced riding and racing and are commonly spec’d with 29″ wheels and narrower, fast rolling tyres. Most XC bikes feature lightweight affordable aluminium frames with higher end carbon fibre frames providing an ever lighter setup that’s ideal for racing.

Trek Procaliber

 

Hardtail Trail MTBs are a popular choice among new mountain bikers as they inspire confidence and are extremely capable when the trail goes downhill. Featuring a front fork with between 120 and 150mm of travel they offer greater comfort and control over rough terrain. Available with either 27.5″ or 29″ wheels, a hardtail Trail Mountain Bike frame will be more robust than a typical Cross Country hardtail but will be slightly heavier. Some of the most popular trail bikes we offer include the TREK ROSCOE, WHYTE 905 and MERIDA BIG TRAIL 400

Merida Big Trail 400

 

FULL SUSPENSION MOUNTAIN BIKES

Full suspension mountain bikes offer the opportunity to ride over more challenging and steeper terrain when compared to a hardtail. A front suspension fork combined with a rear shock smooths out rough terrain at both ends of the bike. A full suspension MTB is ready to roll over just about anything encountered on the trails – from tree roots to big old rocks. The wheel size and amount of travel in the front and rear will vary depending on the specialisation – there are full suspension bikes for Cross Country, Enduro, Trail Riding.

 

 

Cross Country Full Suspension mountain bikes such as the TREK SUPERCALIBER and SPECIALIZED EPIC  are perfect for the most physically demanding XC courses. These bikes are most commonly equipped with 29″ wheels and 100mm of suspension travel. Narrower, fast rolling tyres and lightweight aluminium or carbon fibre frames make these bikes agile and nimble for negotiating the ups and downs of XC riding.

Trek Supercaliber 9.8 XT

 

Full Suspension Trail mountain bikes are set up for more unpredictable terrain when compared to an XC bike, with between 120-150mm of suspension travel absorbing the harsher obstacles thrown up on a trail ride. Greater travel means you can tackle rougher terrain with confidence as well as improved stability and control when travelling at higher speeds. Available in 27.5” or 29” wheel sizes, these bikes are perfect for UK trail centre riding. Some of our most popular full suspension trail bikes include the CANNONDALE HABIT, TREK REMEDY and WHYTE T-140

Whyte T-140

 

For all mountain riding a Full Suspension Enduro MTB is the way to go. More robust and with more travel (between 150 and 180mm) than an XC or trail bike, they are designed to take on steep descents while still retaining the capability to ride back up the mountain. A modern Enduro bike such as the YETI SB150, MONDRAKER FOXY or CUBE STEREO 150 is characterised by a slack head angle and a long top tube and strikes the near-perfect compromise between strength and weight.

Trek Slash

 

If you’d like any further advice on the huge range of mountain bikes available then just give us a call on 01539 821443 or email info@wheelbase.co.uk