CAN someone explain the differences of the bikes?
what is a XC bike,
a FReeride bike,
DH,
AM?
what is a XC bike,
a FReeride bike,
DH,
AM?
MOUNTAIN BIKES?
- Thread starter Jackie B
- Start date
This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.
XC is lightweight, may have curled down handlebars, front shock hardtail (or not) skinny wheels, aggro tires, for on and off street tracks.
DH is heavyyy with full suspension front and rear, wide wheels, aggro tires, only for riding lift to top, then bombing down trail.
Freeride, prolly a marketing gimmick for a reglar 'ol mountain bike, with ultra light frame, discbrake, front and rear suspension.
But, wadda I know?
DH is heavyyy with full suspension front and rear, wide wheels, aggro tires, only for riding lift to top, then bombing down trail.
Freeride, prolly a marketing gimmick for a reglar 'ol mountain bike, with ultra light frame, discbrake, front and rear suspension.
But, wadda I know?
Cross country bikes usually have only suspension in the front and tend to be cheaper. There are high end xc bikes tho with carbon frames and even rear suspension. If you went to a mountain bike race that had on start and one finish, the field would be covered in these bikes. Also they usually now have 27.5(650b) or 29 inch wheels. Downhill bikes are not meant to be ridden up a hill, the geometry is set up to just to bomb down a hill. They are heavy and have big suspension front and rear. These bikes can take a beating. Wheel sizes for downhill bikes are 27.5 or 26.
All mountain bikes are a mix between the two and are what most riders get. There are also "enduro" bikes that are in between all mountain and downhill. Go look at a bike manufacturer website like Norco or specialized to see the differences.
All mountain bikes are a mix between the two and are what most riders get. There are also "enduro" bikes that are in between all mountain and downhill. Go look at a bike manufacturer website like Norco or specialized to see the differences.
XC = Cross country mountain bike: Typically lighter, due to lightweight construction. Setup for variety of mild-ish terrain. Typically well groomed single track. Most are either hard tails, or short travel (4" or less) full suspension. Wheels are typically lighter in construction. This and a mild trail bike are really the only bike frame that I Feel carbon fiber is an acceptable material.
AM = All Mountain. typically 5-6" of travel, full suspension mountain bikes While not as light as a cross country bike, or as heavy as a full on downhill bike, they are designed so that you can pedal them up hill then point it downhill for a fun e-ticket on more aggressive terrain. I'd prefer alloy bikes for this realm, but there are many good carbon frames in this realm.
Freeride Typically 6+" of travel, with steeper geometry, and higher bottom brackets for clearance. These are designed for lower speed maneuvering over pretty hard terrain, ladders, jumps etc. Commonly these bikes are build to take a 25' drop to flat without being hurt. These bikes are typically very heavy. Most can be pedaled up the hill, but it's really a compromise. I'd consider a freeride bike to be the Land Cruiser of the bike world. For these bikes I'd avoid carbon like the plague.
DH = Downhill. These bikes are 6+" of travel, typically dual crown forks (much like motocross motorcycles). These are desgiend to go mach:retarded down the hill over bumps, rocks, jumps etc. They typically have a slacker geometry and low bottom bracket. These bikes typically are lighter than freeride bikes, but aren't abused as hard. But again for this type of bike, I'd avoid carbon like the plague. I'd consider these the rock buggy of the mountain bike world.
Once thing I have noticed about the mountain bike world, is that frames, forks, wheels and other parts are designed for riders who are under 175lbs. IF you're over 175 ride ready, you have to go with heavy bike parts, unless you're independently wealthy and can afford to be replacing stuff all the time. (I'm 240lbs ride ready and have to rebuild my forks once a year, and shocks every other. The 'higher end' stuff was even more frequent than that, and carbon fiber is a no-go for me. I don't care what any carbon manufacturer says, I **WILL** break it).
Hope this helps.
AM = All Mountain. typically 5-6" of travel, full suspension mountain bikes While not as light as a cross country bike, or as heavy as a full on downhill bike, they are designed so that you can pedal them up hill then point it downhill for a fun e-ticket on more aggressive terrain. I'd prefer alloy bikes for this realm, but there are many good carbon frames in this realm.
Freeride Typically 6+" of travel, with steeper geometry, and higher bottom brackets for clearance. These are designed for lower speed maneuvering over pretty hard terrain, ladders, jumps etc. Commonly these bikes are build to take a 25' drop to flat without being hurt. These bikes are typically very heavy. Most can be pedaled up the hill, but it's really a compromise. I'd consider a freeride bike to be the Land Cruiser of the bike world. For these bikes I'd avoid carbon like the plague.
DH = Downhill. These bikes are 6+" of travel, typically dual crown forks (much like motocross motorcycles). These are desgiend to go mach:retarded down the hill over bumps, rocks, jumps etc. They typically have a slacker geometry and low bottom bracket. These bikes typically are lighter than freeride bikes, but aren't abused as hard. But again for this type of bike, I'd avoid carbon like the plague. I'd consider these the rock buggy of the mountain bike world.
Once thing I have noticed about the mountain bike world, is that frames, forks, wheels and other parts are designed for riders who are under 175lbs. IF you're over 175 ride ready, you have to go with heavy bike parts, unless you're independently wealthy and can afford to be replacing stuff all the time. (I'm 240lbs ride ready and have to rebuild my forks once a year, and shocks every other. The 'higher end' stuff was even more frequent than that, and carbon fiber is a no-go for me. I don't care what any carbon manufacturer says, I **WILL** break it).
Hope this helps.
@Tigerstripe40 pretty much nailed it on the head.
Bike can be fashioned to do what you want but really can't do multiple things. The AM/FR genre is a mid-range between XC and DH.
Bike can be fashioned to do what you want but really can't do multiple things. The AM/FR genre is a mid-range between XC and DH.
Where are you riding? How tall are you?
You might also go over to pinkbike.com - cruise the classifieds you hit & see what bikes are under each "classification" FS.
I only really hear 2 terms myself, XC & DH
XC - anything you ride you might be worried about weight, has a single crown fork (since everything aside from roadies have 'em now days)
DH - prob dual crown, mega travel suspension, "weight be damnd" - if you're close to a place, you might ride ski lifts in Summer & well, just ride it down hill.
In our little bunch, we all just assume some travel rr & unless you say "hardtail" - seems dual susp, trail use bikes are the "default bike" up here - prob because you suffer riding road, and susp makes for a wider margin of luck/skill when in motion.
But I'm a ~45 yo, not cool adult.
My age demographic just look at fixed gear bikes & our knees hurt.
I only really hear 2 terms myself, XC & DH
XC - anything you ride you might be worried about weight, has a single crown fork (since everything aside from roadies have 'em now days)
DH - prob dual crown, mega travel suspension, "weight be damnd" - if you're close to a place, you might ride ski lifts in Summer & well, just ride it down hill.
In our little bunch, we all just assume some travel rr & unless you say "hardtail" - seems dual susp, trail use bikes are the "default bike" up here - prob because you suffer riding road, and susp makes for a wider margin of luck/skill when in motion.
But I'm a ~45 yo, not cool adult.
My age demographic just look at fixed gear bikes & our knees hurt.
I love the Santa Cruz Bronson but I can't pay $9,000 dollars for one........
@Jamie Heubergery - was this for me since I posted both my 1st & now my 2nd Bronson?
I promise I'm nowhere near $9K in my B2 (and my B1 was $3k, sold it for exactly that too, passed my savings to next owner)
I'm in a deal with a buddy that SC sends out ____ of frames/complete bikes to demo, etc - and frames are "consumer promotion" (means I got a huge discount).
I did the math on my B2 not long ago, I may be set up different than you choose, but building mine was under $4500 - and I splurged on drivetrain, hubs, cranks, brakes, rotors.
Even at retail a "S" package carbon is ~$4500. But if you wait about 3 months yet, the B2 is coming out in aluminum. If I didn't get my frame discount, I'd have waited for the popcan B2. Part of what I heard when my buddy who can hook me up told me.
I let people ride mine as part of the whole "consumer promo" thing - and I don't put the sell on anyone - I let the bike advertise. That said, the industry is going nuts trying to standardize for the next decade(heck, 5 yrs!) - if you like the Nomad, next year it gets a Boost / 148 rear axle. Sram released a 12 speed rr cassette last week.
I get you though, it's a tough pill to swallow when you wheel your new ride, knowing it is more $$$ than a whole lotta Toyota Corrola / Camrys.
Good luck!
Lots of weird info in this thread.........
I've had this new Trek Remedy bike out on 5 rides so far. Everything from flat XC riding, with climbing to taking it down a 'black diamond' downhill flow trail. So far, this bike has exceeded my expectations in spades.
I currently own 6 bikes and this bike will replace 4 of them (everything except the dedicated downhill sled for lift served days, and the road bike). This is truly a 'one bike quiver'.
While I got a discount, It was not cheap. But so far the bike has been more than worth it.
OK, I'm just going to own it....I'm old so the previous 2 comments you made I don't understand.
Are we a bunch of old hacks (possible & probable), what is "more correct" than anything we said if what we said is gay?
And is 'cheddar' -good like money or cheesey, like, well - cheese?
Cut me slack, I'm old - and to a guy lots younger my bike ain't cool & I know it.
Care to clue us/me 'old folks' in? - No joke, I don't understand you buddy.
If I'm your version of a hack/toolio - open to hearing your opinion.
I am not sure what 'the cheddar' means, either.
however, what I do know is that the Remedy uses a fully floating shock. The bottom pivots leverage ratio is different than the top pivots leverage ratio, and the shock connects them together. The shock was also co-developed by Fox Racing Shocks and Penske to offer regressive damping rates which coupled with the fully floating shock and pivots designs is actually really a good thing.
I guess Penske and Ohlins are at the absolute top of motorsport shock design and most of their products are used on Forumula One, and Superbike racing. And I thought King racing shocks were expensive...
however, what I do know is that the Remedy uses a fully floating shock. The bottom pivots leverage ratio is different than the top pivots leverage ratio, and the shock connects them together. The shock was also co-developed by Fox Racing Shocks and Penske to offer regressive damping rates which coupled with the fully floating shock and pivots designs is actually really a good thing.
I guess Penske and Ohlins are at the absolute top of motorsport shock design and most of their products are used on Forumula One, and Superbike racing. And I thought King racing shocks were expensive...
No..... not trying to be a smart ass. Cheddar = $$$. That rear shock, the Penske design, is the best thing about that bike. Without that shock, the bike is almost less than marginal. It's a great bike, I have one that's similar; the Fuel EX. These bikes are certainly wonderful and can replace most bikes in ones lineup, as you've said. I like that I can ride for hours on end with my Fuel and not feel fatigue in my lower back, tough my legs may bitch some. Another full suspension bike I ride often has the same amount of suspension as the Fuel EX. It's an EVIL Following. A lot of good bikes offered in this 120 - 150mm segment and carbon is a great frame material option.
As to the Weird Info comment, it's funny to hear folks erroneous thoughts on carbon as a frame material or their take on hard tails being skinny tire XC bikes for well groomed trails, mild trails. Hell, I ride with very low tire pressure on carbon wheels in very rocky terrain. I'm not worried about breaking anything.
I, like a lot of folks where I live, grab their hard tail bikes to harness the gnarness. Often the best tool for the job, the geometry of a good # of today's hard tails is great for up's and downs (short chain stays, slack head tube.) We mainly ride steel frames combined with wide wheels and large volume tires. It's nice.
Not all Santa Cruz Bronson's cost $9k. You want a top of the line build Bronson, then you're going to pay. My wife rides a carbon Santa Cruz 5010 (when she's not riding well groomed, mild trails on her 9'r hard tail) that cost less than half that #.
Tigerstripe40, you're on the money concerning the top shock designers and collaborations. Ohlins has just jumped fully into the bike suspension game. Their North American headquarters is just up the road from my office, Pisgah Forest is their proving ground. In addition, the boss man's kids are both World Cup downhill racers, Luka and Walker Shaw. A Day in the Life with Walker and Luca Shaw - Pinkbike
In conclusion, 45 years of age is not old at all. Don't be so harsh on yourself LINUS. I have you by about 5 years..........
As to the Weird Info comment, it's funny to hear folks erroneous thoughts on carbon as a frame material or their take on hard tails being skinny tire XC bikes for well groomed trails, mild trails. Hell, I ride with very low tire pressure on carbon wheels in very rocky terrain. I'm not worried about breaking anything.
I, like a lot of folks where I live, grab their hard tail bikes to harness the gnarness. Often the best tool for the job, the geometry of a good # of today's hard tails is great for up's and downs (short chain stays, slack head tube.) We mainly ride steel frames combined with wide wheels and large volume tires. It's nice.
Not all Santa Cruz Bronson's cost $9k. You want a top of the line build Bronson, then you're going to pay. My wife rides a carbon Santa Cruz 5010 (when she's not riding well groomed, mild trails on her 9'r hard tail) that cost less than half that #.
Tigerstripe40, you're on the money concerning the top shock designers and collaborations. Ohlins has just jumped fully into the bike suspension game. Their North American headquarters is just up the road from my office, Pisgah Forest is their proving ground. In addition, the boss man's kids are both World Cup downhill racers, Luka and Walker Shaw. A Day in the Life with Walker and Luca Shaw - Pinkbike
In conclusion, 45 years of age is not old at all. Don't be so harsh on yourself LINUS. I have you by about 5 years..........
The thing with bikes is that as long as you have fun and it gets you out that is really all that matters. My brother is still ripping his 2001 Titus Racer X 26er and year before last built up a carbon 26er hardtail from On-One. Now everybody for the last 5yrs would ask him what the hell he was smoking to keep those bikes as they are now worth ZERO but all that matters is he loves the bikes and they get him out. And even at 44yrs old he still whoops my butt on a regular basis (and I am 6yrs younger).
Like anything, the technology around the construction of the bikes evolves and changes and eventually we get trickledown. Just like my Thumper, which is a stumpy FSR clone, uses the same horst link suspension found on said bike. That was only able to happen when Specialized lost the patents and everyone went ape$h!t on the designs. I have been on my bike for 2yrs now and it is already outdated with its 12x142 rear and 130mmx2 travel (29er though). And even 29ers are starting to become a bit obsolete due to the advancements being made in 27.5 bikes and now the focus on mid-fat.
Again, it gets me out, it FREAKIN RIPS and I love it so I will do what I have to to keep her moving for however long I can then move to the next bike. I am sure that I will see someone soon that will be like "DUDE... that bike is OLD why not get something newer with a better geometry and design!!!" my response will be "sure give me the money and I will. Until then I will rip this singletrack shred sled!!!"
Like anything, the technology around the construction of the bikes evolves and changes and eventually we get trickledown. Just like my Thumper, which is a stumpy FSR clone, uses the same horst link suspension found on said bike. That was only able to happen when Specialized lost the patents and everyone went ape$h!t on the designs. I have been on my bike for 2yrs now and it is already outdated with its 12x142 rear and 130mmx2 travel (29er though). And even 29ers are starting to become a bit obsolete due to the advancements being made in 27.5 bikes and now the focus on mid-fat.
Again, it gets me out, it FREAKIN RIPS and I love it so I will do what I have to to keep her moving for however long I can then move to the next bike. I am sure that I will see someone soon that will be like "DUDE... that bike is OLD why not get something newer with a better geometry and design!!!" my response will be "sure give me the money and I will. Until then I will rip this singletrack shred sled!!!"
- Joined
- Mar 30, 2012
- Threads
- 1
- Messages
- 15
Xc bikes are what bike shops think are cool
All mountain bikes are what riders think are cool (and are)
My other bike is a bike.
I have 6 total (and a frame)....
1973 Peugeot PX-10
1998 Gary Fisher Mt Tam
2005 Astrix Havoc (frame)
2007 Transition Dirt Bag
2007 Raleigh XXIX+G
2009 Yeti 303R-DH
2016 Trek Remedy.
The Remedy replaces the GaryFisher, Transition, Raleigh and if I wasn't into lift served DH, the Yeti. And even then it's a tough call.
I am not sure what to do with the Astrix frame (there's nothing wrong with it, other than needing some bearings and a shock rebuild).