As mentioned many times before, mountain biking varies in its styles and levels, there are many types of mountain bikes available, in order to meet the needs of different bikers. These days all mountain bikes are manufactured with a shock absorbing system. A question asked by many bikers is, what is the difference between the different shock absorbers?

The answer to this question is especially important for those of us planning to experience the wonderful trails of Morzine. There are different needs for suspension, varying from the steep downhill trail descending from the slopes of the French Alps to the calm and relaxing cross country bike trails.

Before renting or purchasing a mountain bike, examine its shock absorbers. As a pose what is sometimes thought, there is a variety of mountain bike shock absorbers, meant for different kinds of riding styles. The main variables of shock absorbers are size, the level of suspension and the ability to adjust and the level of suspension. The

The ability to adjust shock absorbers allows bike riders to decide what kind of ride they would like to experience. The level of suspension basically means the level of shock the bike can absorb – how far can the front wheel go up and down in order to stay in contact with the ground and allow the biker to enjoy a smooth ride.

There are four basic categories of mountain bike shock absorbers, allowing the suitable amount of suspension for different kinds of mountain bikes. Cross country bikes usually have 11 centimeters of suspension. All trail bikes are fitted with between 11 to 15 centimeters of suspension. Free ride bikes are usually fitted with 17 to 20 centimeters of suspension. Finally, for those of us planning to ride down the slopes of Morzine, it is recommended to make use of a down hill mountain bike which has between 18 to 25 centimeters of suspension.

Feel free to consult us at Morzine before choosing a bike and a suspension system.

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