The Mountain Bike Classification Guide
As a mountain bike press editor, one of the most well-liked questions that lands on my desk each week is the ask for a better understanding of the classification of the bikes on the market and their intended riding purposes. In effort to address these issues, the following is general guide to each mountain bike label and its respective purpose.
TRAIL-
The universal, most well rounded and largest market segment of the mountain bike industry. Trail bikes are typically sturdy framed, outfitted with a potpourri of worthy components, and can handle most riding conditions thrown at them. It is versatility and competitive pricing that makes these bikes appeal to a vast majority of riders in all disciplines. Options generally include front or dual suspension setups, disc brakes, 2 to 5 inches of fairly supple suspension travel, and overall weights in the middle of the spectrum.
All Mountain (AM)-
Many industry insiders criticize the All Mountain label as being derived by marketing departments of bike manufacturers in effort to trick riders into believing they need more than one bike to be happy. While this may be right to a degree, the fact is the All Mountain bike earns its name due to its alleged ability to handle all aspects of the mountain (climbs, descents, jumps etc.) They are typically beefier than a trail bike with anywhere from 4 to 7 inches of suspension travel. Components are typically a mix of lighter cross country gear and beefed up downhill bits in effort to smear the lines between the classification system. Like the trail bike, this is a fairly large (and upcoming) segment of the market despite being a bit heavier and more sluggish than the true trail bike.
CROSS COUNTRY (XC)-
Whereas on paper both a trail and tainted country bike appear quite similar the versatility of today's saunter and All Mountain bikes are forcing a true cross country setup into a category of its own. The basis of the cross-country approach is component selection of the lightest possibly available. Since the goal and usage of this setup is centered on endurance racing, attributes such as durability and long-term reliability are bartered for shaving off pounds, ounces, and grams. Suspension go is very soft and kept to a minimum, existing only to peaceful out trail conditions rather than absorb large hits. The cross-country bike is the proper choice for the rider looking to race endurance or trail-sprint on the lightest possible bike (at the cost of frequent maintenance and a generally disposable attitude). Here the hard tail (lack of rear suspension) is still a contender.
Dual Slalom or 4X-
Just as specific as the Cross Country division is to racing on flat ground,the Dual Slalom or Mountain Cross or Four Cross (4X) bikes are designed specifically for race applications giving up reliability and long-term durability for a light-weight efficient pedaling platform designed especially for carrying speed and cornering. Truly a mixed bag of options, rigids, hard tail and dual suspension set-ups are all commonly found. Like in skiing, dual slalom or 4-cross racing is typically gated and involves racing against other competitors down the side of a jump laden, berm filled, mountain. This bike is literally disposable and is designed to win races then be totally rebuilt or replaced making it a very purpose-driven choice.
Down Hill-
The downhill bike is, in essence, the exact opposite reasoning of the XC setup in that suspension travel is at an absolute maximum (hovering around 9 inches of ultra beefy, extra-stiff travel) and overall bike weight that can easily approach the 50 pound mark. However, consider gravity working with the rider and it becomes definite how downhill bikes are capable of pounding through seemingly impossible rock gardens, swallowing up massive rain wash-outs, and hucking unrealistic hang time off dirt doubles, tabletops, and cliff drops. However as with any specific setup, there are cons to counter the pros. In this case, it is trail riding that suffers. Many true downhill bikes lack gearing low enough to allow a rider the ability to tackle anything other than gravity-assisted riding. As such, downhill riders typically ride the ski lift (or are driven via car or truck (called shuttle-runs)) back to the top of the mountain once they reach the bottom. With such incredible weight under the rider, pedaling uphill is nearly impossible. Supposedly, the All Mountain bike came into being in attempt to remedy this reality.
Freeride-
Some riders appreciate the idea of flying down the mountain side with gravity sucking the wind from their lungs but rather than racing against a stopwatch (as is the case in downhill riding) these individuals seek out jumps and stunts from which to go big. This is where the Freeride bike comes into play. Physically it looks a lot like a downhill race bike. However, upon closer examination, the freeride bike contains components thats aren't as light-weight as its downhill-only cousin in effort to make the bike able to withstand repeated hard landings. Although unexcited quite heavy and overbuilt, these bikes are at least capable of being pedaled on multi-use trails but come equipped with enough suspension proceed and braking ability to tame North Shore style construction loaded with drops, wooden obstacles and chutes. Other details that separate them from their their downhill cousins are slightly shorter overall lengths, stubbier ergonomics, and less attention to wispy weight-saving components that are essential to competitive racing.
Dirt Jump/ Stunt & Urban-
What if someone took a lightweight, single speed BMX frame and outfitted it with 4 to 5 inches of stiff yet lightweight mountain bike forks and replaced the tiny 20 inch wheels with 24 inchers? You would have a jump-specific mountain bike, that's what. At home in skate parks, BMX dirt tracks, wooden vert ramps, and urban assaults everywhere, these bikes describe the rider looking to show off some freestyle. Simplicity to the bike's manufacture is the key and riding styles that favor body English are most at home here. Being able to land smoothly on the transition (landing ramp) is an essential part of mastering these bikes as they rarely come equipped with rear suspension and in some cases, have none at all.
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Filed under Running Bike by on Dec 17th, 2011. 