What type of mtb do i need

Carbon fibre was once found exclusively in the professional ranks due to its high cost and difficulty to work with. Over time the price has come down, manufacturing processes have improved and carbon fibre is now common in mountain biking. Carbon fibre is directional in its nature and can easily be moulded into any shape enabling manufacturers great freedom with tube profiles and frame shape. The downfall of carbon fibre is it can crack under excessive stress to an area such as impact from a crash or over tightening screws.

Once the integrity of the carbon has failed, the material can become extremely fragile and dangerous to use. At this point it either needs to be repaired or replaced. Steel is a common material used in entry-level bikes.

Steel is strong and relatively inexpensive but weighs more than aluminium and carbon fibre frames. Before aluminium and carbon fibre, steel was the material of choice for mountain bikes, both recreational and professional. Modern, premium steels can be quite expensive and laborious to use and so lost favour with many brands choosing other materials that offered greater stiffness to weight ratios. Titanium is rarely used on mountain bikes due to its high cost. Titanium is relatively light weight, highly durable and won't corrode like steel.

Unlike carbon fibre and aluminium that can easily be molded, titanium is hard to work with which makes it an expensive material choice. Titanium has a distinct advantage over aluminium and carbon fibre in that it's incredibly resilient in the event of a crash. It takes a lot to damage titanium which is why people choose it as a lifetime luxury purchase. As well as being durable, titanium frames are comfortable and with new machining techniques the tubes can be made very thin enabling the weight to be kept low.

A groupset comprises of brakes and the drivetrain which is thought of as the bike's engine room. The drivetrain consists of the cranks, chainrings, chain, cassette, derailleurs, and shifters. The drivetrain is a closed circuit which propels the bike and as you spend more money, the efficiency, durability and shifting performance increases while the weight decreases. As you work up the groupset hierarchy, the materials change. Entry level groupsets are made up of mostly low-grade alloys which move to the higher-grade alloys, and then the highest-grade alloys, carbon fibre and titanium for the top-of-the-line options.

Oddly, the trend these days is for more expensive bikes to feature fewer gears, and so bikes over a certain price will move to a 1x drivetrain single chainring on the front option with either 11 or 12 gears at back.

Electronic drivetrains are available too. Mountain bike groupsets are far more complex than road bikes due to the different demands of each riding style and often groupsets are made up of a mixture of component grades and brands. Choice of frame, wheel size, and type of riding will dictate a number of gears on the cassette, type of crankset, brakes, shifters, and derailleurs.

Cranksets are available as a triple, double or single. A double crankset is more common these days and will normally have a large chain ring with 36 - 42T, and a small chain ring with 24 - 28T. The double crankset offers similar gear ratios to a triple but with fewer parts, and so is lighter and provides improved efficiency. A recent trend is the 1x or 'one-by' drivetrains whereby the front derailleur is removed and there is only a single chain ring on the front.

This further reduces moving parts, reduces weight and in some cases still provides similar gear range to a double crankset. These 1x drivetrains have partly shot to success as space is made available for a dropper seatpost remote by removing the left-hand shifter for the front derailleur. Given the different crankset options available and different kinds of trails, the cassettes on mountain bikes vary dramatically.

Ratios can be similar to a road bike at , or as large as for the latest 1x SRAM Eagle speed drivetrains. If a 1x drivetrain is in use, expect a larger cassette range to make up the difference. Type and quality of brakes will differ from groupset to groupset. There are two common brake types available in modern mountain bikes. These are cable operated disc brakes and hydraulic disc brakes. Hydraulic systems are deemed superior as they're based on automotive technology that produces a lightweight, reliable and low maintenance system with fantastic brake control.

As with most other elements of the groupsets, as the price increases so do the quality of materials used, which provides lower weight, better modulation brake control , durability and reliability. Once the only choice, rim brakes do still exist in mountain bikes, but will only be found on the very cheapest of new bike options. For a full breakdown on the hierarchy of components offered by Shimano and SRAM, along with a more detailed explanation of how the gears work, check out our complete guide to mountain bike groupsets.

So now that you know what type of mountain bikes there are to choose from, paired with what type of wheel size will suit you, it's time to find out what kind of budget will get the perfect bike for you. Spending more money on a bike will typically but not always result in a reduction of weight, better suspension, improved shift quality, increased durability and greater comfort.

The materials of the bike's frame and fork will change as the price increases, typically moving from steel to aluminium to carbon fibre.

Groupsets will have a similar progression, as will wheelsets which follow a similar path from aluminium to carbon fibre. Due to additional moving parts and technology required, suspension systems increase the price of a bike, dual-suspension bikes with large amounts of travel are generally the most expensive.

This price range is targeted at recreational riders, families and beginner riders. Often the term 'mountain bike' is a descriptor of the bike's aesthetic. At most, bikes of this price are capable of tackling smoother, well maintained dirt trails.

The frame is likely to be made from aluminium or steel and highly durable, but it's the parts that are likely not up to the task. Although dual-suspension mountain bikes are available at this price it's best to steer clear of them in favour for a hardtail or rigid bike. Cable rim and disc brakes are both an option here, disc brakes the preferred option as they perform better in wet. It is unlikely to find hydraulic disc brakes at this price, they typically become available in the next price bracket.

Gear ranges will typically be smaller than more expensive bikes as it's assumed you won't be climbing any significant hills. Wheels are typically both heavy and weak at this price point. Good news for entry level riders looking to cover basic trails. A good hardtail becomes accessible at this price point, as do hydraulic disc brakes. Hydraulic brakes require less maintenance and provide more power and better modulation.

The frame will be a little lighter and likely made of aluminium. You should be looking for an 8-speed cassette as a minimum, most likely paired with a double or triple crankset up front. Tyres will also improve having a better tread profile for proper trails whilst providing improved ride quality and performance. You may be able to find a dual-suspension mountain bike at this price point, but they will still be far heavier and less durable than a good hardtail, so it's worth holding off until the budget can stretch a little further.

For those looking for a dual-suspension mountain bike, this is the place to start. This uses a large diameter axle which creates a stiffer connection between the wheel and fork, massively improving steering accuracy. You should also look out for a fork and frame that uses a tapered head tube with a larger diameter lower bearing and matching fork crown. These offer improved stiffness and mean you can choose from a wider selection of forks when you upgrade in the future.

These help prevent the chain from falling off on rough terrain. Many manufacturers will now start fitting tyres and wheels that can be used without an inner tube. These tubeless systems can reduce punctures and save weight. This is the magic amount of money where full suspension bikes with reasonably lightweight frames and well-controlled, adjustable shocks start to become available. At this sort of money, all bikes should have well-controlled and adjustable air-sprung forks, preferably with a thru-axle design and a tapered steerer.

Short-travel cross-country bikes designed for long distance riding will be light enough to ride all day, while longer-travel trail bikes will be able to tackle seriously rugged descents and get you back up to the top without any issues.

Suspension units will be of a higher quality, with much more damping adjustment on offer. We would definitely expect a 1x drivetrain at this price point. Some bikes may even come with a dropper seatpost that allows the saddle to be lowered without having to stop.

These are great for riding technical terrain and a definite plus for most riders. The choice will be yours of whether you want to spring for a carbon frame with components that you upgrade as they wear, or an aluminium option with top-flight components as standard.

Bikes will be very specific to their intended use, with a wide range of travel options and frame geometry, but full-suspension designs now become commonplace. Hardtails should be equipped with top-end components including the latest speed or speed drivetrains from Shimano and SRAM.

Dropper posts will be fitted to everything but the most dedicated cross-country bikes. Tyres are likely to come in specialist rubber compounds to suit their use and tubeless compatibility is a given. Wheels will be tough yet lightweight. More carbon fibre means less weight, while components are likely to be high quality, lightweight and tough items from respected manufacturers.

As well as bikes from big brands, there are numerous smaller manufacturers providing high quality, specialist machines. Plenty of mountain bikers in fact, discover that they can easily ride trails they used to fear simply because they have a good suspension system.

Another wonderful thing about suspension is that it greatly reduces the amount of beating your body takes. If you're suffering from a stiff neck or sore lower back on rides, you'll be amazed at the difference a suspension makes.

Jolts from big hits are absorbed by the shocks and never have a chance to slam your body so you finish rides relaxed and comfortable think of the money you'll save on chiropractor bills. Front or Full? There are two main types of suspension mountain bikes, those with front suspension called hardtails and those with front and rear suspension called full suspension.

Deciding which to get is the bicycle world's equivalent of whether to buy a PC or Macintosh computer, though full suspension tends to be the more popular choice for most riders. Traditionally, front-suspension mountain bikes have been lighter and a tad more efficient, which is why hardtails had pretty much dominated the cross-country racing scene. As weights have dropped and full-suspension efficiency has improved, even World Cup pros are pulling out fully suspended bikes for rough courses.

Because front-suspension bikes have only one shock, the frames are simpler than full-suspension models, which means they're lighter and a little easier to clean and maintain. There are also dirt-jumping hardtails made for air time, wheelies and urban assault riding on and over obstacles you find almost anywhere , which feature low, beefy frames and suspension forks.

Full-suspension machines are becoming more the norm because they offer speed, comfort and control, which is so much fun that most people don't mind the slight weight penalty. Plus, any pedaling efficiency lost in the rear suspension system is more than made up in faster downhill and flat-terrain speeds.

You'll also find your rear wheel sticking to technical climbs better than on a hardtail. And, you'll have more energy on long rides because you're taking less of a beating. Short Or Long Travel? There are different types of full-suspension bikes defined by the amount of travel the shocks provide and what the bike is designed to do. Short-travel models offer one to three inches of suspension to take the bite off the rough stuff while retaining impressive efficiency.

They're popular for cross-country and all-around use. Slopestyle and gated-racing bikes utilize about three to four inches of travel. You're standing up off the seat when riding these bikes, and the ample stand-over height allows them to be highly maneuverable. These bikes fly fast and high on dirt jumps, drops and gated racecourses. Two types of medium-travel suspension bikes are the all mountain and freeride.

The former is great for riding challenging cross-country courses with its 4 to 6 inches of front and rear suspension. Plus, its efficient frame and components channel most of your energy into forward motion. It too climbs to the top, but its durable components and wheels may add extra weight. Downhill bikes have long-travel suspension 7 to 10 inches and are designed for descending steep and technical terrain. The slack head-tube angle and long wheelbase stabilize the bike at speed and over rough terrain.

The plush suspension absorbs both fast chatter bumps and big hits. This bike is a beast to pedal uphill and is better suited for gravity-oriented rides. We can show you some of these different bike types and demonstrate how they vary and how the different suspension systems and components work.

Shimano makes a full line of components. Our chart below displays the various parts groups these companies offer, how they differ and what level rider each is designed to suit. Note that, depending on the components you choose you may have an option of a double- or triple-chainring crankset. Choose based on your riding and shifting preferences.

A triple is the traditional mountain bike setup excellent for all-around use. Doubles are popular with competitive riders who prefer the simpler, faster shifting they offer.

Please ask us if you have any questions about the components on the bicycle you're interested in and we'll be happy to explain more.

Keep in mind that bicycle companies don't always use the same level of components on a bike. For example, as a nice upgrade, sometimes they'll put on a Shimano XT rear derailleur on a bike that's mostly equipped with Shimano Deore components. Also, the larger bike makers like to "brand" their bikes by installing components made in house.

So you'll often find pedals and cranks bearing the company's name or the name of their in-house brand. Rim Or Disc Brakes In the past few years there have been impressive advances in brake designs and today you'll find amazing stoppers on every bike you buy. There are two types, rim usually called "linear-pull," "direct-pull," or "V-brake" and disc the common types are "mechanical-disc" and "hydraulic-disc".

Rim brakes are the traditional brake design that rub on the rim to slow and stop the bike. These work great, usually weigh less than alternatives and are simple to service and repair. Rim brakes have some weaknesses, however. Because they rub on the rims, they gradually wear the rims, which may damage them in time. Also, muddy and wet conditions rapidly wear rim-type brake pads and also reduce gripping power, sometimes significantly.

For these reasons, many off-road bikes today come with disc brakes, which grip a disc also called a "rotor" attached to the center of the wheel and work similar to some car brakes. These are affected less by wet and muddy conditions so you don't lose much braking power and they don't wear the rims so your wheels will last longer.

Some models utilize hydraulics for awesome modulation, stopping power and reliability. Like the brake pads on rim brakes, disc-brakes have brake pads sometimes called shoes , that wear, too, however, these tend to last longer and hold up far better in muddy and wet conditions so the pads don't need replacing as often.

Plus, with hydraulic discs, there are no cables to worry about so with just a little simple maintenance you have amazing brakes always at the ready. Wheels Mountain bikes come with impressively reliable wheels and tires that are designed to withstand the rigors of off-road riding. The rims are wide and shaped for optimum strength. Rider weight, terrain and technique are also factors in how long off-road wheels last. With just a little care, they'll run true for years. Off-road tires provide awesome traction and control and they're soft enough to lessen the jolts you feel riding over ruts, roots and rocks.

What features should you look for and how can you find the best mountain bike for your money? Whether you have your sights set on enduro racing or you just want a commuting bike that you can take on the trails at the weekend, there's a style to suit you. Shop mountain bikes at Wiggle. The two main types of mountain bikes are 'hardtail' and 'full suspension. You'll need to think about the type of terrain you'll be riding on and your budget before you decide which one you go for.

Hardtail mountain bikes are great all-round bikes. No rear suspension means the build is less complex and less expensive, so you can get a decent model for less money than a full-suss. This makes them a perfect choice for getting to grips with off-road riding and learning basic skills before you decide whether you need full suspension.

No rear shock also means they are often lighter than a full suspension bike at a similar price point. This makes them a great all-round option that you can use for commuting and touring as well as weekend trail riding. Full suspension mountain bikes are perfect if most of your riding will be off-road.

Although the rear shock can carry a weight penalty, it can provide extra comfort on long days, particularly for those who suffer from knee or back pain. The decision between a carbon or an aluminium frame will partly be decided by how much you can spend. Carbon bikes are generally far more expensive. Before you commit your cash, it's worth thinking about which material is better suited to the riding you'll be doing as the differences between the two materials mean they're both good at different things.