Photo by Chris Kendall

Originally Posted On: How to choose a mountain bike – types, length, characteristics – OneMegaShop – Global online store

Trying to figure out which mountain bike is right for you? Here’s how to approach the question:

 – Riding style: Different riding styles dictate different types of bikes. So the first thing to think about is where and how you are going to ride.

 – Key features: the most important are suspension, wheel size, frame material, drive and brakes.

 – Size: last but not least, you have to make sure your bike is the right size for you. The easiest way to find a bicycle is in specialty stores.

This is probably the most common type because this category of mountain bike is not based on any particular riding style. If your goal is to spend time with friends riding local trails, conquering peaks and bypassing descents, this is the bike for you. Bikes in this category are a mix of fun, performance and reasonable weight.

Features:

– 120-140mm suspension travel,
– angle of the head tube of the bike frame 69°.

Suspension stroke is the amount of movement provided by the front and rear suspensions.
The head tube angle of the bike frame is the angle that is formed between the head tube of the frame and the ground. If it is sharp, you are usually talking about a faster bike that will traverse peaks more easily. A blunt angle means that the bike will provide better stability at high speeds, but will not climb as well.

This type usually involves fast riding with an emphasis on extreme climbs. Distances range from a few kilometers to 40+, and the specifics of the bikes are their efficiency and lightweight nature. This is a super bike for those who prepare for competition or prefer more extreme riding on asphalt and dirt roads.

Features:

– suspension travel is 80-100 mm,
– angle of the head tube of the bike frame is 70-71°.

Very large tires, from 10 cm to 12+ cm wide, provide this bike with excellent traction, especially on surfaces such as sand or snow. Fatbikes are suitable for beginners, because the wide tires allow the rider to comfortably traverse rough terrain.

Riding these bikes can be compared to racing on steroids, with fat-burning effects on high climbs and long, terrifying descents. Also consider that these bikes exhibit more technical performance, both man-made and natural. The design of All-Mountain bikes provides high performance on steep descents. At the same time, these bikes are lightweight and quite nimble, even when going uphill.

Features:

– Suspension travel is 140-170 mm,
– angle of the head tube of the bike frame 65-68 °.

They are mostly ridden in a park equipped with elevators. Downhill bikes are big and heavy. Cyclists need to wear equipment: helmet, fully covering the face, protective vest, to make jumps, when there are ledges, rocky mountain gardens and wooden ladders on the way.

Features:

– suspension travel – 170-200+ mm,
– angle of the head tube of the bike frame 63-65°.

Suspension type and wheel diameter are the two main parameters that determine the type of terrain the bike can traverse. You also need to understand characteristics such as frame material, number of speeds, and brake type to narrow down your options when choosing a bike.

  – Rigid: Not the most popular type of mountain bike, with a non-suspension design. It is easy to use and usually not expensive, yet riders prefer bikes with suspension, which provide a more comfortable ride. Most fatbikes are rigids. According to bike owners, wide tires and low tire pressure provide the grip needed to soften the impact on the saddle while riding.
– Hardtail: These are bikes with a cushioning fork at the front, necessary to reduce pressure on the front wheel, and no suspension at the back. Hardtails tend to be less expensive than full-suspension bikes. These bikes have fewer moving parts (which usually affects maintenance). Most hardtails have a time-locked fork travel feature that allows you to use the bike as a rigid if you wish.
– Cross country: mostly approximated by hardtails, as these bikes distribute more power between the pedal stroke and the rear tire. Hardtails are also designed for mountain trails. The low price and ease of maintenance make them a great option for anything but serious mountain trails with difficult climbs.
– Full Suspension: There is a wide variety of dual-suspension bikes, but the main point is that the suspension fork and rear wheel cushioning system softens the impact when riding on trails. This greatly reduces the impact on the rider, increases traction and provides a comfortable and enjoyable ride.

Dual bikes can easily handle all the bumps and vibrations on the road. However, these bikes can wobble a bit and lose some of their power transfer when climbing uphill. As a result, most full-suspension models have the ability to lock the rear suspension for better uphill power transfer.

  – 66 cm: Not so long ago, all adult mountain bikes were equipped with 66 cm wheels. They’re still available, but now when you go to a bike store and ask the salesman for a mountain bike, he’ll ask: “do you want 66cm, 70cm or 74cm?”
– 70cm: being the “golden mean” between the standard 66cm and 74cm, these bikes are a better option, able to traverse terrain much easier than 66cm bikes, but more maneuverable than 74cm bikes. They are found on both two-pods and hardtails.
– 74cm: These bikes have 74cm wheels, which are slightly slower to accelerate, but once you start moving, you can cover many more distances than 66cm bikes. They are more efficient for long rides at a certain pace, and they also have a higher “angle of attack”, which allows the wheels to conquer road obstacles more easily. These bikes have become very popular for cross-country rides. 74-cm wheels are commonly found on rigids, hardtails, and dual-suspension models.
– 70+ cm: The “+” sign means super wide wheels and tires, usually + 7 cm or even more. As the width of the tires increases, so does your sense of comfort and confidence on the road. They also guarantee more stability on bumps in the road, which is why there is a recent trend to install wide tires and wheels.
– 60 cm: children’s mountain bikes have 60 cm wheels that fit their height. There are also less expensive variants of bikes for adults of simple design. In general, these bikes are designed for children 10 – 13 years old, however, it rather depends not on the age, but on the height. Younger children can start with a bike equipped with 50-inch wheels.

The frame affects the weight, durability, lifespan, price of the bike, and ride quality.

 – Aluminum alloy is the most common material used to make mountain bike frames. There are more expensive models, they are made of lightweight aluminum, which is the result of the money spent by manufacturers, as well as the efforts they have made in choosing the design, details, as well as a certain manufacturing process.

In addition, materials such as steel, titanium and carbon fiber (carbon) are used to create frames:

 – Steel is a stiff, inexpensive material that provides a smooth ride, but it is quite heavy for a mountain bike.

 – Titanium – strong and lightweight, but requires a lot of effort, so it is used for the models of the extra class.

 – Carbon – Common on cross country, fatbikes and all-mountain bikes. It is usually used to make high-end bikes because of its durability and light weight. This material is quite expensive because it requires labor-intensive production.

The number of gears (speeds) of a bicycle is the product of the number of front sprockets by the number of rear sprockets in the cassette. Mountain bikes are equipped with everything from one speed to thirty or more gears. Consider as an important factor that having many combinations of front and rear sprockets, as well as the number of teeth on them, is a complex arrangement.

To make it easier, you should take care of things like your fitness and the route you will be taking. If there will be a lot of hills on your route, and climbing them is a challenge, you’ll need more gears. If you’re a strong mountain biker or prefer to ride on flat terrain, you won’t need as many low gears to get uphill, so you can get by with fewer gears, which will also make your bike much lighter.

Mountain bikes traditionally have two or three front sprockets. However, mountain bikes with a single front sprocket and a 9, 10 or 11 sprocket-filled cassette are considered more comfortable. Single sprocket bikes are lighter and easier because only one derailleur is needed to move the gears in the cassette, but the prices for such a design are very high.

Keep in mind that it is quite easy to modify the gears after you have purchased the bike. So this question is not a primary consideration when buying a bike.

Today, virtually every level of bicycle (excluding entry level) is equipped with disc brakes, not rim brakes as it used to be.

Disc brakes are distinguished by the fact that the brake pads are mounted on a disc embedded in the wheel hub. There are two types of them: hydraulic – characterized by ultra-fast and sharp braking with minimal effort, independently control the wear of the pads; actuated (mechanical) – requires manual adjustment when worn.

Advantages over rim brakes: smoother braking under any conditions; cheaper to change a disc than the whole wheel; superior performance in mountain and wet terrain; less force applied.

Disadvantages compared to rim brakes: difficult to check and repair pads. Hydraulic brakes are more expensive to maintain.

Rim brakes some entry-level models have brakes that act on the rim of the wheel to which the pads are applied.

Advantages compared to disc brakes: economical; easy to monitor pad wear and replace.

Disadvantages compared to disc brakes: wheel rim constantly wears out, forcing the replacement of the entire wheel; low braking energy; less effective in high humidity and on dirty surfaces; during active braking it is necessary to press the lever with double force.

If the bike suits your height and riding style, and has enough maneuverability for you, then this is what you’ve been looking for. The right bike can improve your handling skills and increase your confidence on the road, and help you handle both professional and recreational rides.

 – Mountain bike sizes: the standard sizes are S, M, and L, usually similar for all brands. The size (rosta) depends on your height. Many manufacturers provide special tables that compare size and height. If you are in between sizes, it is better to choose the previous size, as in general, the model with a smaller frame is more comfortable.

 – Get help from a consultant for a better choice: having a general idea of what kind of bike you want, it’s time to go to a specialty store. It is there that you will be able to be offered the right models. You can also try out a few bikes, which is the best way to find your bearings.

 – Go for a test ride. Ask to try out a few bikes. With the consultant’s help, your choice should narrow down to two to three options. They may be identical in features and price, but behave completely differently in traffic. Ride each for five to ten minutes on different surfaces, including a small hill. In most cases, one of the bikes will suit you better than the others. You should feel as if the bike is an extension of your body.

Any self-respecting bike store will provide a final mechanical safety inspection of your bike before you roll it out the door. Also, ask to have the suspension adjusted to your weight.

Make sure you have at least the essentials for repairs and maintenance: a spare tube, patch kit, pump, a set of screwdrivers and wrenches, chain lubricant, and something to store it all. And don’t forget your helmet.

Many stores provide the first repair for free. Rest assured, you’ll be back with your new bike there to take advantage of this opportunity.