| No matter what type of mountain bike you are | | | | about weight. Their frame angles are usually steeper |
| searching for, there are several different frames | | | | than those seen on downhill bikes. |
| available depending on the type of usage they will | | | | Dirt jumping mountain bikes are in between a freeride |
| receive. Cross-country bikes have little front or rear | | | | bike and a BMX bike, and are usually made of |
| suspension and are very light, as they use materials | | | | extremely strong materials. They have fast rolling |
| that are light in weight for the frame and also the | | | | tires, which are either slick or mostly slick. Dirt |
| various other components. This makes them not as | | | | jumpers usually feature oversized handlebars and low |
| strong as their other mountain bike counterparts if | | | | seat posts. They usually have extended rear brake |
| they are used for something other than their | | | | cables and no front brake, allowing the rider to spin |
| intended purpose. Pneumatic shocks are usually the | | | | handle bars without getting the brake cables tangled. |
| suspension of choice on these frames. | | | | Single speed mountain bikes have only one set gear |
| All terrain mountain bikes are a mix of freeride and | | | | ratio. The ratio is chosen depending on where the |
| cross-country bikes and usually weigh from 29 to 35 | | | | bike is being ridden, the skill and strength of the bike |
| pounds. They have a better suspension travel, and | | | | rider, and the bike size. These types of frames are |
| usually brakes that can be adjusted. They are made | | | | fully rigid, and made from steel. They are usually |
| to climb and descend steep hills. | | | | ridden by people who are very fit on milder or |
| Downhill bikes usually have 7 or more inches of | | | | moderate cross-country terrain. |
| suspension travel. These frames are light, yet strong, | | | | Dual slalom is much like mountain cross, but there are |
| as they are made from expensive alloys. They are | | | | only two competitors. There are generally lanes for |
| designed to be ridden down racecourses and downhill | | | | each rider, although some have a single lane |
| trails. They feature the greatest sag so they can get | | | | throughout much of the course. They have technical |
| good traction over trails that are bumpy. Since | | | | courses and have smaller jumps than mountain cross |
| downhill riding involves high rates of speed, most of | | | | courses have. The bikes used for mountain cross are |
| these bikes have one front chain ring, large bash | | | | also used in dual slalom. |
| guard, as well as a chain guard, but now many riders | | | | Whatever type of bike you are looking for, knowing |
| are forgoing the bash guards to lighten the weight of | | | | where you will be riding ahead of time can save you |
| the frames. | | | | a great amount of money and frustration. When you |
| Freeride mountain bike frames are made from | | | | can choose the best mountain bike frames for your |
| materials that are more durable and heavier than | | | | purpose, you will get the most use out of them, as |
| cross-country bikes. They are much like downhill | | | | well as the most fun. |
| bikes, but they are more about strength and less | | | | |