BIKE TYPE DESCRIPTIONS:
HARDTAIL
Beginner Hardtails: Hardtail MTBs offer a level of simplicity that can’t be beat. They are light
and fast and can be an economical choice for a beginners.
XC Hardtail: Hardtails are efficient pedaling bikes, it’s plain physics! Without a rear shock, a
hardtail eliminates the energy that is wasted transferring power to the pedals.
Trail Hardtails: Trail riding can be just as fun without a shock. Burlier than an XC Hardtail, these
Trail Hardtails are designed to handle anything on the trail.
FULL SUSPENSION XC
Cross Country bikes are light, climb-friendly bikes. They can be a hardtail or have a short amount of rear travel that allow you to spend more time in the saddle. XC bikes have a more upright riding position, meaning that you’re not too stretched out reaching for the grips. These bikes are at home on trails that are less technically demanding and are often race-ready for long distances.
TRAIL
Trail bikes are designed to handle a bit more than an XC bike. They allow you to climb to the top and really enjoy the descent. This is where you start to see bikes that can take a little bit more abuse. Trail bikes are more capable on moderately technical trails and have more front and rear travel than a XC bike.
ALL-MOUNTAIN
All Mountain bikes are designed with the geometry to inspire confidence at speed. With a bit more travel than a trail bike, an AM bike can tackle most trails happily and still like to pedal up. Often described as the "do-all" MTB category.
ENDURO
The biggest versions of ‘All Mountain’ bikes are referred to as Enduro bikes. Ready for fast, technical descents, an Enduro bike can handle the roughest terrain and still get you back to the top. The geometry is more extreme than you would find on a do-all, versatile trail bike and is designed to go downhill and over obstacles, fast.
DOWNHILL
Most commonly paired with a dual crown fork and specific DH drivetrain, these bikes are ready
for competition or laps down the rowdiest bike park trails. They are designed and spec'd solely
for downhill trails at high speeds and very rough terrain.
If you’re looking to spend the weekend at the bike park or ready to pin on a number at your
local DH race, these bikes will do the trick. Downhill bikes are designed to handle the
chunkiest rock gardens and steep, loose trails.
GRAVEL
Gravel bikes have become the go-to for rides on everything from pavement to rough off-road surfaces to single track. A road bike geared for adventure, the modern gravel bike has a slacker head tube and the ability to run larger tires. Often paired with an MTB drivetrain, gravel bikes can be used for bike-packing as well as set up for racing.
ADVENTURE
Overnighter? Multi-day bike pack? These Adventure bikes have you covered. With larger volume tires and comfort in mind, these gravel bikes are ready to accessorize and get you off the beaten path.
E-BIKE
E-bikes allow the rider to accomplish higher speeds and longer distances with ease,
boosting them up hills and across varied terrain. E-bikes are equipped with electric motors that amplify the riders speed when the bike is pedaled. E-bikes range in discipline from Trail to DH with an array of travel options, wheels
sizes and types of motor. An E-bike allows the rider to accomplish higher speeds and longer
distances with ease, boosting them up hills and across varied terrain.
Trail E-bikes: E-bikes can be found in all disciplines of mountain biking, from XC to DH. Check
out these Trail E-Bikes to see which ones right for you.
Gravel E-bikes: Electric assist gravel bikes will take you to all of your favorite ride spots faster
with the ability to go further. Check out this list of Gravel E-bikes…??
All other E-bikes: These Electric assisted bikes are great for getting around town, commuting
or finding the level of fitness that’s right for you.
DH E-bikes: These DH bikes are equipped with an electric assist to get you to the top of the
gnarliest descents that most shuttle rigs can’t.
TOWN BIKES
We recommend these Town bikes because they are comfort driven to get you across town to the market, the office or a leisurely cruise on the local bike path. Town bikes are great for hauling groceries or achieving the level of fitness that’s right for you.
ROAD BIKES
Many OUTERBIKE exhibitors also manufacture Road bikes.
MOUNTAIN BIKE DESIGN EXPLAINED:
WHEEL SIZE
Like frame material, there are multiple options to choose from when it comes to wheel size but
most modern MTBs offer 27.5" or 29" wheels. Here's some qualities of each to help you
choose whats right for you:
29" wheels have a larger contact patch, meaning that more rubber
is touching the ground at any given time than a smaller diameter wheel. This translates to
more grip as you corner, brake, and climb. A 29" frame also gives the rider the feel of being
'inside' the bike instead of on top of it. This is due to whats called 'bottom bracket drop' which
is when the BB is located beneath the centerline of the wheels axles (something 26" wheels did
not do well) adding the sensation of being planted and more stable at speed.
While 27.5" wheels also have bottom bracket drop, it is not as substantial as a 29er. Due to their smaller
wheel diameter, 27.5" frames have shorter chainstay lengths which give a more responsive feel
and increased handling when the rider wants to turn at a tighter radius or change direction
quickly.
FRAME MATERIAL
Frame material can determine price as well as the quality of the ride. The two most popular choices are carbon fiber and aluminum. Here's some pros and cons for each to help you decide: Carbon fiber is lighter and stronger, but more fragile and expensive. Aluminum is cheaper and more durable, but heavier. As far as the quality of the ride, carbon fiber is damper and more torsionally stiff. Choosing a frame material comes down to deciding which of these factors above are most important to you.
GEARING
MTB drivetrains are offered in multiple configurations and which one you choose is based on the type of riding you're doing and the price point of your new bike. A 1x drivetrain is the simplest version available, consisting of 1 chainring, a rear derailleur and multiple sprockets on a cassette. The advantage to a 1x is that it frees up space on your handlebars for a dropper lever, you're less likely to drop a chain because it is fixed to one chainring and you are saving some weight by not having a front derailleur with multiple chainrings. Also common is a 2x drivetrain. This version has 2 chainrings in the front, a front derailleur, a rear derailleur and multiple sprockets in the rear. The 2x allows for a greater range in gearing and is best suited for a rider 'geared' for ascending.
BUILD KITS/PRICE POINT
When a manufacturer refers to a ‘build kit’ or ‘spec’, they are referring to which components are used in putting together a complete bike. Choosing the build kit on a new MTB will determine the cost for the model you are interested in. All major component manufacturers offer their products in a range of price points. The difference being material, durability and weight. Lower priced kits will mostly likely provide more function, sacrificing weight savings and tunability, where as high priced complete bikes provide more performance with higher quality, lighter and more tunable component options.
GEOMETRY
Modern MTB geometry is comprised of the measurements that create the shape of the frame. Reach, stack, head tube angle, chainstay length, wheelbase and bottom bracket height are all measurements that determine what the bike is designed for and what terrain it is most suitable. For instance; a short wheelbase, steep head tube angle and short chainstays would make for a more XC oriented bike suited to climb and be more comfortable pedaling longer distances as opposed to a frame with a slack head tube angle, a long wheel base and low bottom bracket height which would be more at home handling rowdy descents.
DROPPER POST
A dropper post is a seat post that actuates up and down to create the proper body position for different riding techniques. These posts are operated by a lever on your handlebar and can be easily used while riding.
SUSPENSION
Full Suspension VS Hardtail- Full-suspension bikes are equipped with a rear shock as well as a front suspension fork whereas a Hardtail features a suspension fork and no rear shock. A full suspension bike is a bit more capable on rough terrain giving the rider more stability and confidence over obstacles. A Hardtail gives you pedaling efficiency on climbs and can be fast on smoother trails. Hardtails are simpler to maintain and great for beginners.
SIZING
Bike manufacturers have a goal in mind with each bike they design. Getting the correct fit is the most important aspect to consider when shopping for your first or new mountain bike. We recommend checking the Sizing Chart that is available on each manufacturers webpage or coming to join us at an OUTERBIKE event to see what size bike is best for you.
