How Many Types of Mountain Biking Are There?

Mountain biking is an exhilarating and adventurous outdoor activity that has been embraced by outdoor enthusiasts around the world. It’s a type of cycling where riders traverse a variety of terrain, including trails, dirt roads, single track, and even snow.

Depending on the type of terrain or the goals of the rider, there are several different types of mountain biking.

Cross-Country (XC) Mountain Biking

Cross-Country (XC) mountain biking is one of the most popular forms of mountain biking. XC riders typically ride on trails that vary in technical difficulty depending on the type and skill level of the rider.

The main goal for XC riders is to cover a lot of distance over varied terrain as quickly as possible. The bikes used for this type of riding are usually lightweight and have suspension in both front and rear to absorb shock from impacts while riding over obstacles like rocks, roots, and other debris.

All Mountain (AM) Mountain Biking

Also known as “Enduro” or “Trail” riding, All Mountain (AM) mountain biking is another popular type of mountain biking. AM riding is similar to XC riding in that it involves tackling a variety of terrain but it tends to be more focused on going downhill than up. Riders often use full suspension bikes with more aggressive geometry which allows them to take larger jumps and drops than an XC bike would be capable of handling.

Downhill (DH)

Downhill (DH) mountain biking is one of the most extreme forms of mountain biking. It involves riding down steep, technical trails at high speeds with large jumps and drops along the way.

This type of riding requires special equipment like full-face helmets and body armor due to the dangerous nature associated with it. DH bikes are usually heavier than other types because they must be able to handle large drops without breaking.

Freeride

Freeride mountain biking combines elements from both downhill and all-mountain styles but with an emphasis on performing tricks such as spins, flips, grabs, etc. Freeride bikes typically have more travel than an all-mountain bike but less than a downhill bike so they can handle jumps while still being nimble enough to perform tricks.

Dirt Jumping

Dirt Jumping involves performing tricks while going over man made jumps made out dirt or wood mounds in skateparks or anywhere else where jumps can be built. This style requires specialized equipment like hardtail frames with short wheelbase for stability when airborne along with strong wheels for taking impacts when landing.

In conclusion, there are five main types of mountain biking: Cross Country (XC), All Mountain (AM), Downhill (DH), Freeride, and Dirt Jumping. Each one requires different skillsets and specialized equipment depending on what type you are doing so it’s important to understand what each one entails before you jump into it.

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Alex Wright