How to choose a mountain bike: complete guide

The MOUNTAIN BIKE is a type of bicycle and also the name of a cycling discipline. It is characterized by the expectation of riding on various dirt trails, from gravel roads to mountain paths, uphill and downhill. 

We have prepared some tips to help you navigate the vast world of MTB, guiding you in choosing the most suitable MTB for you and your needs. Our goal is to make you enjoy and fall in love with this discipline.

There are several types of mountain bikes (MTB), each designed to tackle specific conditions and terrains. When choosing the most suitable MTB, it is essential to consider the differences between the various categories. Based on the intended use of the MTB, the following subcategories can be defined:

• Trail - Enduro: Trail bikes are the most basic mtbs, they are versatile and adapt to different types of terrain and paths. They can be either front or full suspension. Enduro bikes, on the other hand, are for those who love to have fun on challenging and adventurous trails, whether in races or during leisure time, involving climbs but especially steep descents, quick turns, tight corners, and jumps! They are dual suspension bikes with wide suspensions and a dropper seat post for rapid changes in slope.

• XC: indicates a specific competitive specialty recognized by the UCI. These are lap races on short courses to be repeated several times, characterized by technical climbs and typically descents on single track. XC or cross-country bikes are therefore designed to tackle these competitions. They usually feature only front suspension, 29” wheels, carbon frames, and a geometry designed to offer responsiveness and speed.

• Downhill - Freeride: these are bikes for those who ride exclusively downhill and want to do it at full speed! Extremely rigid, they have dual suspension and a very wide fork expansion.

If you are approaching the world of MTB for the first time, our advice is to try to understand which specific type inspires you the most and feels closer to you. You could take advantage of our bike tests to try different models or start with a standard mountain bike, so to speak, with front suspension and 29-inch wheels. Some examples could be the Marlin range from Trek or the Trail range from Cannondale: ideal mountain bikes, also in terms of price, for those who want to approach off-road riding with a fun, safe, and quality product.

We also recommend checking out our USED bike catalog where you can find second-hand mountain bike models, perfect for trying out this sport and... letting yourself be conquered!

The enthusiasm for the electric world has not excluded any discipline, not even the MTB world. Thus, for some time now, the best bicycle brands have been offering a wide range of electric mountain bikes, also referred to as e-MTBs. They generally feature the characteristics of traditional mountain bikes in terms of frame geometry, setups, sizes, and types of wheels and tires, but they also include a motor that activates pedal assistance. This way, the cyclist can reach breathtaking peaks that would be difficult to achieve with a traditional mountain bike or ride with fitter friends without always being the last one.

There are different types of motors and autonomy, and the perfect e-MTB for you should also be chosen based on your fitness level and the intended use.

Finally, it is possible to set the level of assistance you desire, and you can thus enjoy the adventure!

Riding a mountain bike (MTB) on off-road paths exposes the biker to varying risks of falling depending on the difficulty of the trail and the presence of obstacles such as rocks, tree roots, bushes, and water drains. To avoid injury, it is important to always wear a helmet, opting for a full face helmet if downhill riding, and protective gear.
Additionally, we recommend carrying a protective backpack or a waist pack, to have on hand water and food supplies, a spare inner tube and a replacement/repair kit, and a multi-tool in case you need to do minor maintenance on your bicycle.