George Liston

28 Feb 2024

Mountain Bike Categories Explored: From Hardtail to Freeride

Welcome

Choosing the right mountain bike can be a daunting task, especially with the myriad of categories and options available in today's market.

From hardtails to full-suspension, and varying wheel sizes, each type of mountain bike serves a specific purpose and caters to different riding styles and terrains.

In this guide, we'll delve into the intricacies of mountain bike categories, exploring the features and characteristics of each type to help you find the perfect ride for your style and requirements.

Lets get into the Categories!

1. Hardcore Hardtail

An in-depth look at hardcore hardtail mountain bikes, designed for aggressive riding.

The Hello Dave is the epitome of a hardore hardtail. Just look at that geometry!

Now, a deep dive into the heart of mountain biking adrenaline – the hardcore hardtail. Raw power and untamed ferocity. So, buckle up and prepare to explore what makes hardcore hardtail mountain bikes the ultimate choice for riders who crave aggressive, no-holds-barred adventures.

Built for the Rough Stuff: When it comes to conquering the most challenging terrain nature has to offer, hardcore hardtails are in a league of their own. These bikes are purpose-built for aggressive riding, with features and components designed to withstand the punishment of the trail.

Slack Geometry: At the heart of every hardcore hardtail lies its aggressive geometry – slack head angles, low bottom brackets, and long reach measurements that scream one thing: speed. This geometry isn't just for show – it's engineered to provide stability at high speeds and confidence inspiring handling on technical descents.

Robust Construction: From the frame to the components, every part of a hardcore hardtail is built to take a beating. These bikes feature burly aluminium or steel frames that can withstand the rigors of aggressive riding, along with beefy suspension forks that soak up the bumps and keep you in control.

Long-Travel Forks: Speaking of suspension, hardcore hardtails are equipped with long-travel forks that provide plush cushioning and control on rough terrain. With travel ranging from 120mm to 160mm or more, these forks are designed to absorb the biggest hits and keep you charging forward with confidence.

Dropper Posts: When the trail gets steep and rowdy, having the ability to drop your saddle out of the way can make all the difference. That's why hardcore hardtails usually come equipped with dropper posts as standard equipment, allowing you to get your weight back and tackle technical descents with ease.

Wide Handlebars and Short Stems: To truly harness the power of a hardcore hardtail, you need control – and that starts with your cockpit setup. Wide handlebars and short stems give you maximum leverage and precision steering, allowing you to carve through corners and thread the needle on tight single-track with confidence.

Overview

In the world of mountain biking, few things compare to the adrenaline rush of riding a hardcore hardtail. With their aggressive geometry, robust construction, and no-nonsense components, these bikes are built to tackle the toughest trails with fearless abandon. So, if you're a rider who craves aggressive adventures and thrives on pushing your limits, a hardcore hardtail might just be your ticket to off-road glory.

2. Cross-country Mountain Bikes:

Overview of cross-country (XC) bikes optimized for speed and efficiency.

The Canyon Lux World Cup CFR Team bike is a pure bred XC race demon.

Interested in Cross Country? This video shows how focused and skilled these riders can be.

Overview

In the world of mountain biking, XC bikes are the ultimate tool for riders who crave speed, efficiency, and precision on the trail. With their lightweight frames, efficient geometry, and race-ready components, these machines are built to tackle the toughest climbs and fastest descents with ease.

So, if you're a rider who lives for the thrill of the chase and the challenge of pushing your limits, an XC bike might just be your ticket to off-road glory.

3. Downcountry bikes

Exploring the Emerging Category of Downcountry Bikes Blending XC Efficiency with Trail Capability

The Evil Following was the first bike to create the downcountry movement

The latest innovation in mountain biking that's blurring the lines between cross-country efficiency and trail capability. Here’s a guide to walk you through this thrilling new category of bikes that's taking the mountain biking world by storm.

The Best of Both Worlds: Downcountry bikes are the lovechild of cross-country speed machines and trail-taming behemoths. They combine the efficiency and agility of XC bikes with the capability and versatility of trail bikes, resulting in a ride that's perfectly suited to conquering a wide range of terrain with confidence and finesse.

Efficient Climbing Performance: At the heart of every downcountry bike lays a frame geometry optimized for efficient climbing. With steep seat angles and lightweight construction, these bikes excel at powering up climbs with minimal effort, allowing you to conquer even the steepest ascents with ease.

Trail-Ready Capability: But don't let their climbing prowess fool you – downcountry bikes are also fully capable when it comes to tackling technical descents and gnarly terrain. With longer travel forks, slacker head angles, and wider tyres than traditional XC bikes, these machines provide the stability and control you need to shred the trails with confidence.

Lightweight Construction: Like their XC counterparts, downcountry bikes are built to be as lightweight as possible without sacrificing durability. This lightweight construction not only makes them nimble and agile on the climbs but also enhances their manoeuvrability and responsiveness on the descents. Although don’t expect quite as much weight shaving as with the XC category.

Agile Handling: One of the hallmarks of downcountry bikes is their agile handling, which strikes the perfect balance between stability and manoeuvrability. Whether you're navigating tight switchbacks or railing berms at high speeds, these bikes provide the precision and control you need to stay on course and tackle any obstacle that comes your way.

Versatile Component Spec: To complement their all-around performance, downcountry bikes come equipped with a versatile component spec that's equally at home on the climbs and descents. From dropper posts and wide-range drivetrains to burly suspension forks and grippy tyres, every part of these bikes is carefully chosen to maximize performance and enhance the overall ride experience.

Overview

In the world of mountain biking, downcountry bikes represent the perfect marriage of cross-country efficiency and trail capability. With their lightweight construction, efficient climbing performance, and trail-ready capability, these machines are the ultimate tool for riders who crave versatility and performance on every ride. They are not designed to particularly be race machines like XC bikes but they are one of the most fun category of bikes on the market.

4. Trail bikes

Understanding the Versatility of Trail Bikes Designed for All-Around Performance

The Evil Offering is the perfect trail bike thats capable of anything

As we take a trip into the realm of trail bikes – the Swiss Army knives of mountain biking. We will discuss how these remarkable machines are designed for all-around performance.

Versatility at its Finest: Trail bikes are the jack-of-all-trades in the mountain biking world, combining the best elements of cross-country efficiency and downhill capability into one versatile package. Whether you're tackling technical climbs, shredding singletrack, or sending it down gnarly descents, a trail bike is your trusty companion for every adventure.

Balanced Geometry: At the heart of every trail bike lies a geometry that strikes the perfect balance between stability and agility. With moderate head angles, moderate travel, and a neutral riding position, these bikes offer confident handling in a wide range of terrain, from steep climbs to fast descents.

Moderate Suspension Travel: Trail bikes typically feature suspension travel ranging from 120mm to 150mm, with enough cushioning to smooth out rough terrain without sacrificing pedalling efficiency. This moderate suspension travel allows you to tackle technical descents with confidence while still maintaining efficiency on climbs and flats.

Descending Capability: With their capable suspension, aggressive geometry, and confidence-inspiring handling, these machines come alive when the trail points downhill. Whether you're bombing through rock gardens, railing berms, or launching off jumps, a trail bike provides the stability and control you need to push your limits and tackle any obstacle that comes your way.

All-Day Comfort: Trail bikes are designed with all-day comfort in mind. From plush suspension to ergonomic cockpit components, every aspect of these bikes is optimized to keep you comfortable and in control, even during long days in the saddle. So whether you're embarking on an epic backcountry adventure or hitting your local trails for a quick rip, a trail bike ensures that you'll be smiling from ear to ear the whole way through.

Overview

In the world of mountain biking, trail bikes are the ultimate tool for riders who crave versatility, performance, and all-around fun on the trails. With their balanced geometry, moderate suspension travel, and capability on both climbs and descents, these machines are the perfect choice for riders who want to tackle a wide range of terrain with confidence and style.

5. Enduro bikes

Delving into the World of Enduro Bikes, Built for Aggressive Descending and Technical Challenges

The Evil Insurgent Is a beast of an enduro bike. 168mm of unadulterated coil travel at the rear, this thing will smash any bike park

Adrenaline junkies and thrill-seekers! I give to you, enduro bikes – the ultimate machines for riders who live for steep descents, gnarly terrain, and hair-raising challenges.

Conquering the Downhills: Enduro bikes are purpose-built for the primary goal of going fast downhill. With aggressive geometry, long-travel suspension, and solid construction, these bikes are the weapon of choice for riders who crave adrenaline-fueled descents and technical challenges with the capability of getting you back up for another lap.

Slack Geometry: At the heart of every enduro bike lies a geometry that's as aggressive as the riders who pilot them. With slack head angles, low bottom brackets, and long wheelbases, these bikes are designed to excel at high-speed descents and railing corners with precision and confidence.

Long-Travel Suspension: Enduro bikes are equipped with long-travel suspension systems that provide control on the roughest terrain. With suspension travel typically ranging from 150mm to 180mm, these bikes eat up rocks, roots, and drops for breakfast, allowing you to maintain traction and control even when the trail gets rowdy.

Burly Construction: When it comes to handling the punishment of aggressive riding, enduro bikes are built like tanks. With reinforced frames, beefy suspension components, and durable wheelsets, these bikes are designed to withstand the rigors of high-speed descents and big hits, ensuring that you can push your limits with confidence.

Climbing Efficiency: But don't let their downhill prowess fool you – enduro bikes are also surprisingly efficient climbers. With modern suspension designs and efficient pedalling platforms, these bikes can tackle steep ascents and technical climbs with ease, allowing you to earn your turns and access the best descents the mountain has to offer.

Versatile Component Spec: To complement their aggressive performance, enduro bikes come equipped with a versatile component spec that's optimized for all-around performance. From dropper posts and wide-range drivetrains to powerful brakes and grippy tyres, every part of these bikes is carefully chosen to maximize performance and enhance the overall ride experience.

Enduro races take place over multiple stages with the rider making the way to each stage. So as you can imagine it takes a lot of endurance to finish, let alone win.

Overview

In the world of mountain biking, enduro bikes are the ultimate tool for riders who crave adrenaline, speed, and technical challenges. These machines are built to tackle the toughest descents and conquer the gnarliest terrain with confidence and style. So, if you're ready to push your limits and experience the thrill of riding on the edge swing by Cykel House and let's find the perfect enduro bike for you!

6. Downhill bikes:

Exploring Downhill Bikes, Engineered for Maximum Speed and Control on Steep Descents.

The Specialized Demo is the world champ Loic Bruni's bike of choice

Machines for riders who live to bomb down steep descents at ridiculous speeds, conquer gnarly terrain, and push the limits of what's possible.

No peddaling up-hill going on here, uplifts and gondolas only.

Lets discuss the features and capabilities of these gravity-defying rigs, designed to conquer the mountain with speed, precision, and control.

Unleash the Speed: Downhill bikes are purpose-built for one thing and one thing only: going fast downhill. With their aggressive geometry, long-travel suspension, and burly construction, these bikes are only for riders who want to unleash their need for speed and charge down the mountain with confidence.

Aggressive Geometry: At the heart of every downhill bike lies a geometry that's at the cutting edge. With the slackest head angles, lowest bottom brackets, and longest wheelbases, these bikes are designed to excel at high-speed descents and provide stability and control when the trail gets super rowdy.

Plush Suspension: Downhill bikes are equipped with long-travel suspension that soak up the biggest hits and provide a plush ride even on the roughest terrain. With suspension travel typically around 200mm these bikes eat up rocks, roots, and drops like they're nothing, allowing riders to maintain traction and control at ludicrous speeds.

Over-built Construction: When it comes to handling the punishment of downhill racing, downhill bikes are built like tanks. With reinforced frames and bombproof wheelsets, these bikes are designed to withstand the rigors of high-speed descents and big hits, ensuring that riders can push their limits with confidence.

Precise Handling: Despite their aggressive nature, downhill bikes are surprisingly precise when it comes to handling. With responsive steering, stable geometry, and predictable suspension behaviour, these bikes inspire confidence when the track gets really steep, allowing riders to carve corners, navigate technical sections, and hit jumps with precision and control.

Race-Ready Component Spec: To complement their high-speed performance, downhill bikes come equipped with race-ready components optimized for maximum speed and durability. From powerful brakes and gravity tyres to downhill specific drivetrains and suspension components tuned for big hits, every part of these bikes are carefully chosen to maximize performance and enhance the overall ride experience.

Downhill racing is a brutal sport and takes strength not only in the bikes, but menatlly and physically on the rider too.

Overview

Downhill bikes are one trick pony’s for riders who crave adrenaline, speed, and the thrill of pushing the limits of speed and control. These machines are built to conquer the steepest descents and dominate the gnarliest terrain with confidence and style.

7. Slopestyle:

An Introduction to Slopestyle Bikes, Tailored for Aerial Manoeuvres and Freestyle Riding

Erik Fedko's custom YT dirt jump bike for Crankworks

The thrilling world of slopestyle bikes – the ultimate machines for riders who live to defy gravity, perform jaw-dropping double blackflips, and unleash their creativity on the dirt.

Taking Flight: Big brothers to the dirt jump bike, slopestyle bikes are purpose-built for one thing: sending it to the moon. With their burly construction, and nimble handling, these bikes are the weapon of choice for riders who want to take their riding to new heights – literally.

Agile Geometry: At the heart of every slopestyle bike lies a geometry that's nimble and accurate. With short chainstays, low standover heights, and compact wheelbases, these bikes are designed to be flickable and manoeuvrable in the air, allowing riders to perform a dizzying array of tricks with ease.

Robust Construction: Slopestyle bikes are built to withstand the punishment of big hits and hard landings. With reinforced frames, strong suspension components, and durable wheelsets, these bikes are designed to take a beating and keep on ticking, ensuring that riders can push their limits with confidence.

Suspension Tuned for Big Air: While slopestyle bikes may not have as much suspension travel as their downhill or enduro counterparts, they're still equipped with suspension systems that are tuned for big air and hard landings. With short-travel forks and sometimes rear shocks, these bikes provide just enough cushioning to take the edge off rough landings without sacrificing the responsiveness and agility needed for cork 720s.

Unleash Your Creativity: But perhaps the most exciting thing about slopestyle bikes is the freedom they provide to riders to unleash their creativity and push the boundaries. Whether you're flipping, spinning, or whipping through the air, these bikes empower riders to express themselves in ways that defy gravity and capture the imagination.

In my opinlon Slopestyle is one of the most entertaining genre's to watch.

Overview

Slopestyle bikes are for riders who crave adrenaline, creativity, and the thrill of pushing the limits. With their agile geometry, robust construction, and freestyle-focused component spec, these machines are built to take riders to new heights – both literally and figuratively.

8. Freeride Bikes:

Exploring Freeride Mountain Bikes: The naughty child in the class.

Kurt Sorge Redbull Rampage Evil Insurgent. Image credit - MTB News

If you have ever watched Redbull Rampage you will understand these bikes are the ultimate machines for riders who live to push the boundaries. The name of the game is go big or go home! And you best believe there’s going to be some serious finesse and steeze.

Freedom to Explore: Freeride mountain bikes are the embodiment of freedom and creativity on the trails. With their durable construction, versatile geometry, and limitless potential for customization, these bikes are the perfect canvas for riders who want to express themselves and explore the full spectrum of mountain biking. Often riding the unriden path, freeriders are carving their own trails down the mountain, expect canyon gaps and rock rolls galore.

Versatile Geometry: With slack head angles, long wheelbases, and low bottom brackets, these bikes strike the perfect balance between stability at speed and agility in technical terrain, similar to downhill bikes but without the focus on race times. Allowing riders to tackle everything from steep descents to big jumps with a massive grin on their face.

Durable Construction: Freeride mountain bikes are built to withstand the punishment of aggressive riding and big hits. With reinforced frames, burly suspension, and bombproof wheelsets, these bikes are designed to take a beating and keep on ticking, ensuring that riders can push their limits with confidence and explore new lines without fear.

Plush Suspension: Freeride mountain bikes are equipped with long-travel suspension systems that provide plush cushioning and control on even the roughest terrain. With suspension travel typically at least 180mm these bikes eat up rocks, roots, and drops like they're nothing, allowing riders to maintain traction and control in the most challenging conditions.

Customizable Component Spec: One of the most exciting aspects of freeride mountain bikes is their potential for customization. Rider comfort is a must when tackling death defying jumps and drops, from adjustable suspension settings, customized cockpits and grippy tyres, every part of these bikes can be tailored to suit your riding style and preferences. Allowing you to dial in the perfect setup to ensure you’re able to give 110% commitment and avoid the consequence of a lapse in concentration.

Creative Expression: But perhaps the most exhilarating thing about freeride mountain bikes is the freedom they provide to riders to express themselves and push the boundaries. Whether you're sending massive jumps, hucking off cliffs, or sessioning your favourite features in the bike park, these bikes empower riders to explore new lines and unleash their creativity in ways that defy gravity and capture the imagination of the rider.

If you want to see how capable the freeride bikes are, take a watch of this.

Overview

These machines are built for a very specific purpose, fun. To conquer the mountain and all she can throw at you in your very own creative way, sure to negate the ‘Go-Pro’ effect and have you going viral on Instagram.

Race Categories

Fancy getting into racing? These are some of the most common categories, although there are many variations. Take a look at SiEntries at up coming events in you area

Cross-Country (XC): XC races typically involve courses that feature a mix of terrain, including climbs, descents, technical sections, and obstacles. XC races can vary in length and duration, ranging from short, intense events like cross-country Olympic (XCO) races to longer marathon-style events.

Enduro: Enduro races combine elements of both XC and DH racing. Riders compete in multiple timed downhill stages, with untimed transfer stages in between. Enduro races typically take place over the course of a day or multiple days, and the winner is determined by the fastest combined time across all stages.

Downhill (DH): DH races are all about speed and technical skill. Riders tackle steep, technical descents with the goal of completing the course in the fastest time possible. DH races often feature jumps, drops, rock gardens, and other challenging features.

Dual Slalom: Dual slalom races involve head-to-head racing on parallel tracks. Riders navigate a series of gates and obstacles as they race side by side down the course. Dual slalom races are fast-paced and exciting, with riders vying for the win in a knockout-style format.

Short Track Cross-Country (STXC): STXC races are short, intense XC events held on compact courses. Riders complete multiple laps around a circuit-style course, with the winner determined by the first rider to cross the finish line after a set number of laps.

4X (Four Cross): 4X races are adrenaline-fueled events that involve four riders competing head-to-head on a downhill course filled with jumps, berms, and other obstacles. Riders battle it out in a series of heats, with the top finishers advancing to the next round until a winner is crowned.

Marathon: Marathon races are long-distance XC events that test riders' endurance and stamina. Courses can range from 40 kilometers to over 100 kilometers in length, with riders tackling challenging terrain and varied conditions over the course of several hours.

Hardtail versus Full-Suspension:

Understanding the fundamental difference between hardtail and full-suspension bikes.

When it comes to choosing between a hardtail and a full-suspension rig, it's all about finding the right tool for the job. As one of the main men at Cykel House, I've spent countless hours helping riders navigate this decision, and I'm here to break it down for you.

First off, let's talk about hardtails. Picture this: a sleek, nimble machine with a single suspension fork up front and a rigid frame in the rear. Hardtails are the workhorses of the mountain biking world. They're lightweight, efficient, and offer a direct connection to the trail beneath you. Whether you're hammering out miles on smooth singletrack or tackling technical climbs, a hardtail could be your go-to companion. Hardtails are often a great bike to learn the basics on, as they can help develop key skills like pumping, jumping etc.

Now, let's shift gears to full-suspension bikes. Take your ride to the next level with duel suspension. Imagine floating over rocks, roots, and rough terrain with ease, thanks to the added cushioning and control provided by a full-suspension setup, smoothing out bumps and keeping you glued to the trail, even when things get rowdy.

But here's the kicker: while full-suspension bikes excel in rough and technical terrain, they do come with a bit of added weight and complexity compared to their hardtail counterparts. That's where the beauty of choice comes into play. It's all about finding the perfect balance between efficiency and comfort, between speed and control.

So, which one is right for you? Well, that depends on your riding style, your local trails, and your personal preferences. If you're all about covering ground quickly and efficiently, a hardtail might be the way to go. But if you crave the ultimate in control, especially when the going gets rough, a full-suspension rig could be your ticket to ride.

 Wheel Size: 27.5”, 29er or even 26”:

Exploring the Impact of Wheel Size on Ride Dynamics and Handling

Let's talk about one of the most debated topics in the mountain biking world: wheel size.

I’ve seen first-hand how wheel size can make or break your riding experience. So, let's dive in and explore the impact of wheel size on ride dynamics and handling.

27.5” Wheels:

Pros:

• Agility: Picture this: a nimble, flick-able machine that can dance through tight corners and technical terrain with ease. That's the beauty of 27.5” wheels. They strike the perfect balance between agility and stability, making them a favourite among riders who love to get rowdy on the trails.
• Acceleration: With smaller wheels comes quicker acceleration. 27.5” wheels are like rocket boosters for your bike, propelling you out of corners and up steep climbs with lightning speed. If you crave that instant burst of power, 27.5” wheels have got you covered.

Cons:

• Roll-Over Ability: While 27.5” wheels excel in agility and acceleration, they can struggle when it comes to roll-over ability. Larger obstacles like rocks and roots can feel more pronounced, leading to a bumpier ride and potential loss of traction in technical terrain.

29er Wheels:

Pros:

• Stability: 29er wheels are like the big brothers of the mountain biking world; stable, dependable, and always there to keep you on track. Their larger size provides a more planted feel on descents and at high speeds, giving you the confidence to tackle whatever the trail throws your way.
• Roll-Over Ability: If you're all about ploughing through rough terrain like a bulldozer, 29er wheels are your ticket to ride. With their larger diameter, 29 inch wheels roll over obstacles like nobody's business, smoothing out the trail beneath you and maintaining traction in even the gnarliest conditions.

Cons:

• Agility: With great roll-over ability comes slightly compromised agility. 29er wheels can feel a bit sluggish in tight corners and technical terrain, requiring more effort to manoeuvre and change direction quickly. If you're all about popping off jumps and threading the needle through tight trees, 29er wheels might feel a bit cumbersome.

26” Wheels:

Pros:

• Maneuverability: Ah, the classic 26” wheel – beloved by riders for its snappy handling and playful feel. 26” wheels are like a BMX bike's big brother, ready to whip, manual, and bunny hop at a moment's notice. If you're all about jibbing and sending it in the bike park, 26” wheels are where it’s at. With many freeride riders at Redbull Rampage choosing 27.5” up front and 26” wheel at the back, it shows that 26 aint dead.
• Acceleration: With their smaller diameter, 26” wheels are quick to spin up to speed, making them ideal for sprinting out of corners and powering up steep climbs. If you're a fan of explosive bursts of acceleration, 26” wheels won't disappoint.

Cons:

• Roll-Over Ability: Let's be real – 26” wheels can struggle when it comes to roll-over ability. Larger obstacles can feel like brick walls, causing you to lose momentum and struggle to maintain traction in rough terrain. If you're a fan of ploughing through rocks and roots, 26” wheels might leave you wanting more.

So, there you have it – the pros and cons of 27.5”, 29er, and 26” wheels laid bare. Now, it's up to you to weigh your options and decide which wheel size suits your riding style and preferences best. Whether you're all about agility, stability, or somewhere in between, we have you covered.

Final Words:

As we conclude our journey through the diverse world of mountain bike categories, I hope you've gained valuable insights into the various types of rides available and discovered which one resonates most with you.

Whether you're drawn to the speed and precision of cross-country racing or the adrenaline-fueled descents of downhill riding, there's a mountain bike category that's perfectly suited to your ambitions and aspirations.

Remember, finding your perfect ride is about more than just the specs and features – it's about finding a bike that speaks to your passion for adventure and exploration.

So whether you're hitting the trails for a leisurely ride with friends or gearing up for your next race, embrace the journey, push your limits, and savor every moment of the ride. And if you ever find yourself in need of guidance or inspiration along the way, don't hesitate to visit us or give us a call.

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