Mountain Biking styles
Since the 70’s, when the mountain bike appeared for the first time, till present day,
Mountain biking has developed and self improved, and today it can be divided in to
Categories. Each category has its own unique character and every rider find himself connected to one or even more. Some riders even combine number of styles in one ride and biking sites like morzine have tracks adjusted to each style.
XC – Cross country:
Cross country riding characterized by riding in plain terrain with no technical uphill or downhill terrain. XC bikes characterized by hard tail, front suspension, and their geometry adapted for long periods of cycling.
AM – All mountain:
This category is the newest and developed only recently. Some XC riders started to look for challenging tracks including steep and rocky terrain. The AM bike are heavier than XC and usually including full suspension and geometry that allows to perform more technical riding while still comfortable for long periods of cycling.
FR – Free ride:
FR is a completely different style from XC and AM. Free ride characterized by riding steep downhill terrain with natural terrace, forcing the riders to jump over it.
FR riders must be skilled and self protected to take this kind of tracks.
FR bikes are heavy and planned to hold high pressure, have full suspension and their geometry adjusted for more technical ride.
DH – Down Hill:
Downhill ride has one goal: speed.
DH tracks like FR are also take place in rough terrain but optimized for faster riding than FR.
DH bike are lighter and longer than Free ride bike, and have full suspension as well.
DH riding is very dangerous and requires high technical skills as well as full body protection.
DJ – Dirt Jumps:
DJ is a stunt riding. The tracks are made from small dirt hills allowing the riders to make jumps.
DJ bike are small, light and has a hard tail, to ease stunts.
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