History MTB

Cross Country (XC)
Cross Country is (by far) the most common form of mountain biking. Cross country terrain typically is considered as having as many, or more, ascents than descents and does not include any kind of stunt riding. Mountain bikes tend to have only a small amount of suspension travel (usually 80-100 mm) on the front and/or rear, and are fairly light. This is achieved via the use of lightweight materials in both frame construction and components. As a consequence of their lightweight material they are often weaker than other bikes.

Suspension, both front and rear, is typically provided by pneumatic (air) shocks and forks, which saves weight. Some XC bike models have no suspension at all and use a rigid front fork, saving weight and relying more on rider skill to negotiate rough terrain. XC bikes are often as light as 20 pounds (9 kg), or as heavy as 30 pounds (14 kg). XC riding is one of the more common types of riding and in its extreme form can be entirely uphill, hence the lightweight rigs.



Enduro / All-Mountain (AM)
Enduro bikes are generally heavier than XC bikes, typically weighing between 30 and 35 pounds (14 to 16 kg). These bikes tend to feature greater suspension travel, often as much as 150 mm of front and rear travel, which can be adjustable on newer mid and top range bikes. Enduro bikes are effective on technical downhill trails. The frame angles are typically steeper than those found in downhill bikes. This enhances maneuverability over and around small objects. These bikes are designed to be able to ascend and descend mountains, integrating the climbing abilities of XC bikes with the suspension technology of freeride bikes.



Freeride (FR)
Freeride mountain biking requires heavier-duty bikes to perform jumps, drops and technical features. Though freeride bikes are typically heavier than cross country bikes, they are lighter than downhill bikes to allow the rider to complete difficult climbs.

Freeride mountain bikes are similar to Enduro bikes, but with less emphasis on weight and better suspension. Freeride bikes tend to have ample suspension, with eight or more inches of travel fairly commonplace. The components are built from stronger (and consequently heavier) materials.

Freeride bikes are designed to be more versatile than any other bike. They are somewhat capable of being ridden uphill; however, their moderately steep head tube angles make them difficult to maneuver while angled uphill or traveling at a low rate of speed.

Freeride bikes typically range in weight from 30 to 45 pounds. Freeride biking usually includes some degree of natural terrain stunts such as hucking (ramping) and is usually more comprised of downhills and stunts, with uphill travel usually for the purpose of reaching this terrain, hence the necessity for a freeride bike to be able to travel uphill somewhat efficiently.

The most durable (and expensive) freeride bikes are designed almost solely for hucking and are incapable of any comfortable level of uphill travel. It is common for freeriders to frequent lift accessed riding terrain, offered at ski resorts during the off season, or simply walk their bikes uphill.



North Shore
North Shore is a subset of Freeride biking. North shore biking includes man made elevated bridges. North shore biking often includes extremely technical terrain including jumps and drops.

North shore mountain biking originated in the slick, rocky hills of Vancouver, Canada's north shore, thus it was coined "north shore" riding. Because of the almost, if not completely unridable terrain, riders began building bridges over swampy or muddy areas. These bridges evolved into complex, often times extremely challenging, man-made stunts. Because stunts are often narrow and may require the rider to move very slowly regardless of width, north shore riding requires intense balance and bike handling skills.

North shore bikes, such as those by manufacturer Norco, are much like freeride bikes in their geometry and downhill bikes in their components. North shore stunts have evolved to not only include simple and complex bridges, but also large drops and high speed descents through a series of stunts. North shore bikes commonly have as much travel as downhill and freeride bikes.
Trials
Trials involve jumps, hops and balance to navigate obstacles while performing tricks. Trial competitions award style and originality. The competitions are held both off-road and in urban environments.

Mountain bikes are set up very specifically for the purpose of bicycle trials. They typically have no suspension at all, though some still make use of some form of it. Competition rules require bikes to have multiple gears for competition, but most riders never use their shifters. Many non-competitive riders run single-speed, choosing a fairly low-speed, high-torque gear. Most modern trials' bikes have no seat at all, as the rider spends all of his time out of the saddle. These bikes are significantly lighter than almost all other mountain bikes, ranging from 15 to 25 pounds. This makes maneuvering the bike much easier.



Downhill (DH)
Downhill riding is common during the summer at ski resorts or other areas where riding uphill is not required (due to ski lifts, trucks, etc.). Downhill courses involve massive jumps and drops as well as technical terrain. Downhill riders wear body protection. Downhill bikes are heavy (40-50 lbs) and are not designed to be pedaled uphill.

Mountain bikes typically have eight or more inches (200 mm) of suspension travel. They are built as light as possible for racing. They are very strong and due to the typically large, high gears and long, soft travel, they are suitable only for riding dedicated downhill trails and race courses. The suspension is set to sag around 30% front and 50% rear of full travel, creating ample traction around bumpy corners. The head angle is often as slack as 64 degrees.

Competition downhill mountain bike racing is where most mountain bike technology is innovated, as most bike manufacturers sponsor a number of riders. Downhill biking is just as it sounds. Most riders who ride exclusively downhill do so in competitions or ride almost exclusively on lift accessed terrain. Due to the high speed nature of downhill riding most bikes only have one chain ring, a large bash guard and a chain guide. Downhill mountain biking is the most high profile category of competition biking.