Mountain bikes, or MTB as they are sometimes called, are robust bikes with wide tyres, designed for off-road riding. At present, they are arguably the most popular sports bike type in the EU. They are durable and comfortable off-road, but their higher weight and rolling resistance makes them unsuitable for paved roads, where they simply can’t reach the same speed as some other bike types. You can choose between hardtail mountain bikes, which are cheaper and lighter, or those with full suspension, which are more comfortable in rough terrain, but also more expensive.
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Mountain bike types
Cross country mountain bikes
- Comfortable and suitable or all common terrain types
- Comfortable frame design for an upright sitting position
- Designed for short and medium trips (under 80 km)
- Suitable for both paved roads and off-road
- Wide gear selection (3 × 9, 10 × 3)
- Affordable
- Long service life
Cross country mountain bikes have a large number of gears, ensuring smooth riding. Most frames allow you to mount carriers or child seats as well.
Trail mountain bikes
- For recreational athletes
- Maximum power transfer when pedalling
- Good handling
- 2 × 10 and 2 × 11 gears
- Designed for both short rides and long cross country marathons
- Sports sitting position—the biker “lies" on the bike
Trail mountain bikes are more precise and lighter than recreational cross country mountain bikes. The top tube angle in this type is more pronounced.
All-mountain bikes
- For amateur athletes and professionals
- Maximum performance and minimum weight
- The frame geometry emphasises maximum performance and manoeuvrability in every situation
- 1 × 11 and 1 × 12 gears (for rapidly alternating climbs and descends)
All the components in these bikes are designed to be as light as possible and capable of handling massive one-time load. On even surface, they are not nearly as fast as bikes with 2 x 10 gears, for example.
Full suspension mountain bikes
- Feature a suspension fork and rear suspension
- Maximum comfort when riding on any rough terrain.
Full suspension bikes represent the technological peak of bike technology, but the downside is their higher weight (about 1 kg more), more demanding maintenance, and higher price.
Design
Women’s mountain bikes
Although women can easily ride men's bikes, specially modified models may suit their physique better in some cases.
- Lowered top tube
- Shorter seatpost or special women’s saddle (can also be used on a classic mountain bike)
