Mountain biking is a rather varied sport that has many facets and it is not easy to make a clear classification straight away. Before e-bikes, bikes had to take into account that the power of our legs was not infinite, and therefore products suitable for uphill (XC) and models for downhill (DH) had to be created. In the middle we found bikers who liked a bit of everything, who had to compromise with "hybrid" models: for example all-mountain or enduro bikes.
This of course still applies today with the difference that e-bikes have arrived, which often do not need all these small differences on a geometric level since the engine makes up for some lack of watts in our legs. On e-bikes, we focus more on the differences in terms of the motor and battery. The 29" standard has now made everyone agree and even the telescopic one can be put on any type of bike (discover the advantages of the telescopic).
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF E-BIKES?
How many types of MTBs are there?
Here is our breakdown, without prejudice to the fact that the Mountain Bike world is constantly evolving:
- Cross Country / Marathon
- Down Country/Trail
- All-Mountain
- Enduro
- Freeride
- Downhill
XC (cross country) / Marathon
The term XC takes its name from the Olympic discipline of MTB, namely Cross Country. These are races on a technical circuit (about 3-4km) to be repeated several times. So you need bikes that climb very well, sacrificing a little on the descent.
Within this category we can find both Front Suspension and Full Suspension (full suspension) bikes. By now the Fulls have reached excellent levels also in terms of pedalability and are also chosen in the fastest races, offering undoubted advantages in terms of comfort and downhill.
Outside of the competitive field, the XC bike is an excellent vehicle for the amateur who wants to train or who wants to tackle routes that are not too difficult. The excursion varies from 80mm to 100mm.
ALL THE NEWS ABOUT CROSS COUNTRY
Down Country / Trail
We decided to put together Down Country and Trail because they are similar categories. They are the bikes that we recommend to the amateur who wants to enjoy MTB because they are Cross Country bikes that however adopt solutions more suited to safety/comfort such as wider tires, slightly less aggressive geometry and telescopic seat post.
Here we do not find Front Suspension but only dual suspension: they are designed for longer routes and races, where an excessively rigid and reactive vehicle would be tiring. Also highly recommended for amateurs who want to do MTB tours having a higher safety margin than a Cross country bike that is not very forgiving. The travel varies from 110mm to 130mm.
ALL THE NEWS ON THE DOWN-COUNTRY
All-Mountain
The term all mountain refers to two completely opposite aspects of mountain biking: that is, uphill and downhill, that is, a bike that can make large uphill differences in altitude but then be able to tackle challenging descents. Not an easy objective where compromises must certainly be made.
The geometries are capable enough for the descent, without taking them to extremes, but we try to keep the weight down during assembly. The telescopic seat post is practically mandatory. A vehicle for those who want to indulge in some downhill fun: and to do the technical descents you have to go up. The excursion varies from 130mm to 150mm.
ALL THE NEWS ON ALL-MOUNTAIN
Enduro
Enduro has evolved a lot over the years: when it was born (in the early 2000s) the philosophy was that of all-mountain: that is, the objective was to go down but, naturally, you also had to go up. Here the bikes had to get on and off with dignity. Over the years, enduro has taken on a competitive connotation and now these are bikes with excellent downhill properties, sacrificing a bit of climbing.
If we want to give a percentage, they are bikes that embrace the 70% downhill and 30% uphill concept. They are models suitable for competitive use or in bike parks: they require good riding technique to be exploited. The excursion varies from 150mm to 170mm.
ALL THE NEWS ON ENDURO
Freeride
Freeride is increasingly a niche category, given that modern Enduro bikes are increasingly becoming mini bikes Downhill. Freeride, to simplify the concept, is nothing other than the Downhill seen from a non-competitive point of view: in this category very aggressive bikes on a geometric level go well but with the use of a single crown fork at the front (unlike the Downhill who use the double crown fork).
Freeride bikes are vehicles that are difficult to pedal: they are bought with a view to bike parks or mechanized ascents with bike shuttles. Some users prefer them to DH due to the single-plate fork which is less restrictive when used on natural trails (narrower/slower). The freeride bike is the ideal vehicle for those who want to have fun by focusing more on style than speed. The travel varies from 170mm to 190mm and the wheel size can be 29" or mullet (27,5" at the rear and 29" at the front).
ALL THE NEWS ON FREERIDE
Downhill
Vehicles designed only for going downhill: here there is no such thing as pedaling uphill. They are born without telescopic but only in a low seat configuration. Long wheelbase, open steering angle and extended seat post: everything is optimized for downhill riding. Requires an advanced driving technique.
Here the weight of the vehicle takes second place. Compared to freeride bikes, DH bikes have double crown forks and the wheel size can be 29" or mullet (27,5" at the rear and 29" at the front).
ALL THE NEWS ON DOWNHILL
