Oriented Designs Mountain Bikes

In Mountain Bikes History, there are several different styles of mountain biking, usually defined by the terrain, and therefore bikes employed. All of the mountain bikes in this category fall into one of the above four categories and bikes of each of the above style can be found almost any of the following categories.

Cross Country (XC) mountain bikes usually have only a small amount of front and/or rear suspension (usually 65-110 mm) and are relatively light, which is achieved via the use of lightweight materials and construction in both frame and components. As a consequence, XC bikes are often less durable than other types of mountain bikes when used outside of their intended purpose.[citation needed] On full-suspension XC bikes, both front and rear, is typically provided by pneumatic (air) shocks or smaller coil/oil shocks and forks, which saves weight. Some full-suspension XC bikes may weigh as little as 21 pounds. Other XC bikes have only front suspension, and are normally referred to as hardtails. A few XC bike models have no suspension and use a rigid front fork, saving weight but relying more on rider skill to negotiate rough terrain. XC or general riding is the most popular form of mountain biking, focused on climbing and quick turning abilities rather than on the aggressive descent capabilities of freeride or single-purpose downhill mountain bikes. XC bikes reflect this in their lighter weights and steeper geometries. However, due to their lighter frames and suspension, most XC bikes are poor choices for heavy-impact activities such as jumps and high-speed traverse of large obstacles such as rocks and deep washouts.

Enduro/All-Mountain (AM) bikes are generally considerably heavier than XC bikes, typically weighing between 30 and 35 pounds (14 to 16 kg). These bikes tend to feature greater suspension travel, frequently as much as 6 inches (150 mm) of front and rear travel, often adjustable on newer mid and high end bikes. They are designed to be able to ascend mild-to-moderate inclines and descend steep declines, though their relatively heavy overall weight limits their utility in all-day rides involving steep climbs.