New MTB'r - Noob Question
 

Hello all. I'm new to mountain biking and as I've been looking into bikes, I am seeing there are several types available. I'm looking to get a bike here soon but want to make sure I get the right bike for me.

I've seen Trail Bikes, XC Bikes, and Free Ride Bikes advertised. I would really appreciate it if someone would explain exactly what type bikes these are so I could determine which bike is right for me.

Thanks in advance for any input and help!

Freeride bikes - burly strong. Built for drops not always good in tight technical sections. Decent at pedalling but not as clean or as crisp as xc. eg - BAnshee Scream or Kona Stinky. Weight of bike is not a concern.

Downhill - several kinda can be mistaken for freeride. Generally better at turning and worse at drops for strength. Depending on your ability will decide on which type. Hard to pedal as it is built for gravity use only. Weight of bike is not a concern.

Xc - A road bike for dirt. Ligthweight. Racing geometry high end expensive parts. Frame isn't always burly but built for speed. Must be light :).

Aggro xc or All mountain - Cross between freeride and xc. Lighty than freeride. Better at pedalling but can't handle bigger drops. This is generally the best bike for an intro rider as it allows them to figure out what style of riding the fit into.

Trail bikes - generic term for anything. Low end companies use this term to confus people who don't ask this question :D...usually made for casual riding and not strong enough to drop off of a curb (usually :D)

Good luck :D

You looking to just go riding out on the local trails and maybe try a some races? If so, you would want to look at an XC bike. Therry come with a wide variety of parts ranging from high end on some bikes to lower end on others. Look in the $500 to $700 range to begin with, or more if you've got it. Just going to bomb around the trails, and maybe do some more rugged downhill stuff at higher speeds? Then you would want a trailbike. While this term might be used by lower-end companies sometimes, looking for a reputable manufacturer who uses this term will get you what your looking for with as much quality as you can pay for. Good luck!

-Moab

XC bikes can be used for a wider varieity of riding that Mael mentioned. Some people now think that XC bikes are only good for racing and that really isnt true at all. XC bikes can be used for most anything you'll need as a noob it's just when you start getting into the whole jumping thing is where the line gets blured.

Thanks very much for the replies guys! I plan to hit challenging XC trails I guess you would say. In my local area here in Maryland I'm looking at single track, "rough terrain", and some nice downhills, both technical and more like fire trail type terrain.

I had biked for about a year quite some time ago and had a blast. I got pretty good actually but my schedule at that time kinda made it difficult to stay up with it. Anyway, didn't get to really dive into the sport but I'm looking forward to really enjoying it again!

I had gotten a mongoose iboc comp xc, was pretty good for me I guess. Anyway I'm rambling now :D Thanks again guys, sounds like my choice should be between a xc bike and trail bike. I've got some money to burn so this helps me to look in a specific class of bike. Thanks again guys.

Ransom - If you are looking for a used XC MTB, I have one for sale!! Check out the For Sale section under my name...Brahman Bull and the thread title is "Another Price Drop...03 Gary Fisher Tassajara."

What category would my stumpjumper FSR be in?

FS XC, full suspension cross country

-Middi-zon

thanks

Maryland represent! Where in MD are you from?

About how much money do you have to spend? If you have about 1400 try to find an 02' Specialized Enduro on closeout. Its basically a do anything bike, a little heavy though. Also if you have ever had any back problems you may want to go for a full suspension or a steel hardtail as it will take out some of the bumps from the ride and make you want to ride more. Good luck.

Heya Phatman! I live in Baltimore bro. When I was riding regularly I rode Patapsco State Park and Loch Raven reservoir which unfortunately I now hear no longer allows biking?

Where abouts do you live? Would be fun hooking up with fellow Marylanders from this community!

Tokus, I have come into a few grand of which I have been toying with putting towards a hooked up ride :D I always liked the FOES FXC and notice now they have the FXR. I've been trying to read up on it and catch up with the times so to speak. I'm really leaning towards FOES either the FXC or FXR.

Any comments on FOES would be appreciated tokus if you can offer any personal knowledge. I like the idea of the full suspension. Thanks again for the replies!

FOES, Yum, Drool!

Sweet bike, expect to spend at least $2,500 for a decent set-up (meaning XT level and higher and a top quality fork).

There are so many sweet bikes available these days (Foes included of course). Especially when you get into the $2,000 plus price range!

Have Fun Shopping!

L8R

Foes are sweet bikes and they're not over exposed which is a good thing. The FXC will be better if you plan on racing at all. The FXR is better if you trail ride rough stuff and need the extra suspension, but it will be a porker

Get and Intense Spider...

sweet. I'm from columbia. (sort of between baltimore and washington). when I ride, I like the mackeldon area of patapsco state park. not sure about the lock raven resivior, i'm just recently trying mtb from road. my bike is a bit layed up at the moment, and in case you haven't noticed we got 2+ feet of snow. I'll probably see you on the trail sometime, just not soon:D