The different types of mountain bikes
Trail or downhill? It used to be that the answer to this question alone would guide future off-road enthusiasts in their purchase of the perfect mount. Today, cyclists face many more choices. Here's our guide to selecting the right bike for your off-road adventures!
For some years now, manufacturers have been working to ensure that every user has THE bike for the best experience, depending on his or her riding style.
The various mountain bike models share many characteristics:
- They are adapted to off-road riding, from gravel trails to neck-breaking rocky descents.
- They have one or two suspensions, enabling them to tackle a wide range of obstacles.
- They benefit from a wheel travel, i.e. a vertical movement of the wheel that facilitates the absorption of ground impacts, varying between 80 mm and 200 mm to maintain stability on uneven terrain.
- Their wheels are wider (between 2 and 5 inches) and more studded than their asphalt counterparts, to ensure better traction.
- They have a special geometry, notably the angle of their forks according to their preferred gradient.
Their frames are made of aluminum or carbon.
It's the various combinations of each of these features that make a bike a cross-country bike, an all-terrain bike, an all-mountain bike or a downhill bike.
Unlike other types of sports equipment, buying a higher-end bike is not a disadvantage if the rider is less experienced. The important thing is to have a bike that's adapted to the use the rider will make of it!
How to know what type of rider you are?
To make the right purchase decision, you need to ask yourself two questions:
What do you WANT to do on the trail?
What can you do on the trail?
Do you want to hurtle down 18% gradients at high speed, ride on forest trails or simply ride on suitable paths? Are you a cyclist who expects your bike to react at the drop of a hat to complete a course in record time, or do you prefer to have more control and absorption at will, without your enthusiasm being dampened by a slightly slower cruising speed? Are we aiming for stability, performance or versatility?
Where are the trails near your home? Where's your next playground for a weekend getaway? Vélo Québec offers a practical directory of 2,385 kilometers of trails to identify where every style of mountain biking will find its happiness.
The different types of mountain bikes
Cross-country bikes are a versatile solution for all cyclists wishing to give themselves time off asphalt. Typically featuring simple front suspension and a short travel of 80-110mm, cross-country bikes deliver pleasant pedaling efficiency on rolling trails. Often lightweight, they are renowned for being faster and easier to handle, especially if you opt for the performance models. Performance models also include a range of dual-suspension bikes.
Cross-country sport bikes, especially those with 29-inch wheels, are similar to hybrid bikes. Of course, they're heavier, but they're suitable for occasional cyclists who want to pedal both on bike paths and trails. It's a bit like a small SUV on two wheels!
These are the bikes of choice for trail riders looking for control and stability on rough terrain. With their more aggressive geometry and travel between 110 and 130 mm, these bikes promise better absorption. They generally feature two suspensions, and are consequently heavier (and slower) than the more responsive cross-country bikes.
This style of bike has greater travel (between 140-170mm) and a longer wheelbase. An All-Mountain model generally has 140-150mm of travel (front/rear suspension), while an enduro model will have around 160-170mm of travel. This gives it superior absorption, greater control and the comfort often appreciated by long-distance riders. At the same time, it can tackle more aggressive descents, while offering even more efficient pedaling capabilities. Because of these same characteristics, it is inevitably a little heavier and less efficient on climbs than a cross-country or trail model. On the other hand, its range of use remains very broad. It can just as easily take you on a several-hour outing on the trails, as it can take you out for some fun on bike park trails.
The downhill bike
Their aggressive angles are designed for one thing: hurtling downhill... then taking the lift before doing it all over again! It has little pedaling capacity, but unrivalled stability and control on descents, thanks to a geometry with very open angles and over 180 mm of travel.
Chose the right wheels
The former standard of 26 inches is more or less a thing of the past, relegated to youth bikes. Since then, common mountain bike wheel diameters have been 27.5" (or 650b), 29" and 27"+ (or fattie), a 27.5" wheel having 3" wide tires.
The larger the wheel, the greater its ability to tackle major obstacles, and the better its traction. What you gain in absorption, you lose in weight and handling. A cyclist looking for more speed will opt for 29" wheels, while another who prefers maneuverability will choose 27.5" wheels. As for the 27" + wheel, it's an excellent compromise between traction, stability and handling. It's an insurance policy for less experienced riders, but also an interesting option for daredevil cyclists who constantly want to push their limits.
Most mountain bikes accept different types of studs and tire widths. So, depending on the choice of tire, you can compensate for or improve some of your mountain bike's characteristics, for example by fitting your trail bike with 27.5" tires for better performance on tight singletrack. However, some bikes allow you to swap wheels. For example, many models with 29" wheels can accept fattie wheels. So it's not uncommon for a mountain biker to own several wheels, which he selects according to his day's playground.
Get ready and shop your mountain bike wheels today at Bicycles Quilicot!
With all these different types of mountain bikes, there's a model to suit every rider's style. Are you ready to buy? Would you like to take the time to find out more about the features and equipment of each model?
Browse our online store and discover our different mountain bike ranges!
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