For customers, of course, the dilemma does not end with the fact that they managed to enter the mountain bike category, from which they will choose their future bike. As already mentioned in our previous section, it is advisable to group mountain bikes in terms of use. You can start the division according to technical parameters, but the combination of different wheel sizes, spring travel varying by centimeter, and frame designs would not end even through pages.
Mountain bikes can be grouped as hobby bikes and hikers according to the type of terrain they are typically driven on.
A full-day tour with friends can take place between Budapest and Dobogókő, combining tourist trails and asphalt, or on the steep, stony, rooted trails connecting the two 2,000-year-old peaks of the Alps. Obviously, the concept of a "comfortable" bike may differ for different cyclists for a given terrain, for example, an experienced downhiller can feel good in the saddle of a hard-tail MTB on that tour in Pilis, but an absolute beginner, accustomed to asphalt, can use the all-wheel drive even on Hosszúhegyi út...
The following are the categories that can be easily defined for most customers, according to the above:
Hardtail mountain bikes: they are usually made with 29" wheels (smaller, or 27.5" or 26" in women's sizes), carbon, aluminum, or steel frame without damping and telescopic front. In terms of the drive system, the wide gear range is also important, as we use them on very steep climbs and terrains, and at the same time, we can also achieve high speeds on downhills take into account if you like to turn the bike at a higher speed, or if you drive at a slower speed. It is rare, but someone should look for a 2x11 or 2x12 drive. Stopping on today's mountain bikes is always ensured by disc brakes, of which it is definitely worth choosing a high-quality, hydraulic version. For example, there is often no perceptible difference between two models with different prices in terms of the shifter, the disc brake.
Rigid-tail bikes are typically recommended for hiking and hobby sports, for those who mainly like to relax in the field, in the forest, and who use this bike less for transportation. Of course, this category of mountain bike equipped with mudguards and accessories (the frame has holes for mounting) can also be used in the city (ATB category). Hardtail mountain bikes start at around 200,000 forints, and when approaching one million forints, you can already buy a machine with a carbon frame that meets the goals of even the most demanding hobby bikes. In the over a million category, it is worth thinking about if it will be used in competitive conditions, or if the lowest possible mass is important.
Mountain bikes with small suspension travel: While hardtail mountain bikes are more universal in that they can also be used for transportation as a compromise solution in addition to hiking, the small suspension travel (front-rear 100-130 mm) are the Jolly Jokers of mountain hiking. . (These are mainly used for XCO - Olympic cross racing as well) Due to their frame geometry, they are comfortable both up and down, they are also effective over longer distances, and their damping ensures a high level of comfort for their users in all conditions.
Obviously, in terms of equipment, they can be very different and there can be a difference of millions of forints between frame and frame. Above 500,000 forints, it is worth thinking about the whole package, but these bikes can raise the experience of mountain biking to a new level for many. The sky is the limit, more serious cross-country racing cars can reach the price of HUF 5 million. The more serious an all-terrain mountain bike is, the more options it offers in terms of suspension settings. Most of the modern fullkons also have dropper posts that can be controlled from the handlebars. As with the hard-tail Montis, the wide transmission range is also important here.
For non-competitive cyclists in this category, the carbon frame is actually a luxury, in terms of riding characteristics, it does not add as much to the efficiency of the bike as with rigid-tail bikes. In terms of mass, however, you can gain a lot with the carbon fiber frame material! For short spring travel, the 29" wheel size is typical.
All-mountain – medium travel – all-wheel drive mountain bikes: These bikes have a suspension travel of approximately 130-160 mm, and you can typically find a mix of 29" and even 27.5" wheel sizes. When it comes to the frame geometry of all-mountain mountain bikes, the slope comes to the fore, and in this category it is even more important that the climbs can also be completed efficiently. A dropper post that can be controlled from the handlebars is now a standard accessory, as are balloon tires (from 2.35” upwards). The only real difference between an aluminum or carbon frame is the weight, which of course is reflected in the price tag.
While hardtails and short-travel mountain bikes are also equipped with multi-chainring shifting systems, in the all-mountain category, single-chainring systems are almost the same, and bikes may also be equipped with chain drop prevention. These bikes are clearly sports equipment for hobby sports and technical slopes. On the other hand, they are not so suitable for transport and general touring use, because we carry unnecessary weight, and the geometry does not primarily support drive efficiency. On the technical trails, however, the longer travel and the sloping geometry are all the more necessary. The range starts at well over 500,000 forints, more like a million forints, and the limit, like the small spring-loaded fulls, is the starry sky.
Enduro mountain bikes: Enduro all-rounders are specially designed for downhill riding, but they are also suitable for climbing to the top of the slope in their saddle. They provide 160-180 mm of spring travel at the front and back, which is sufficient even if we use them in bike parks on ski slopes during the summer season. The head tube angle here is clearly closer to 60 degrees than to 70, the telescopes are 36 or 38 mm, and the stem is very short for direct control. It has a 1x11 or 1x12 drive system and devices to prevent the chain from falling. The dropper post is a standard accessory.
Enduro bikes have to withstand a huge load compared to lighter mountain bikes, bigger jumps, high speed on hard terrain. Of course, the frame and accessories must also be designed to be more durable, the 29" or 27.5" wheels are also of stronger construction (with 2.4 or more balloon tires). Despite this - since competitions are also organized in this field - we can meet carbon machine wonders at a price of around HUF 3-5 million. The starting price starts around HUF 1,000,000. The other areas of use of enduro mountian bikes are even more limited compared to all-mountain bikes, it is worth using them for what they are meant for: for enduros, for sports in bike parks.
Special mountain bikes: if a bicycle buyer has to think about the category in which he is looking for a mountain bike, then he is certainly not looking for a special sports device... Therefore, due to the limitations of the scope, we would not go into several categories now, only at the level of listing. Gravity bikes with larger spring travel are a separate caste of all-wheel drive mountain bikes: downhill bikes with a spring travel of around 200 mm, or freeride machines optimized for the biggest jumps. Dirt, street, or trial machines are made for representatives of skill disciplines, which are actually no longer mountain bikes in the strict sense of the word.
Of course, there are also special categories - not only for athletes - such as (was) the fat bike, which allows you to have fun in the snow and on muddy terrain (after a short yew bloom, it is becoming more and more extinct). Or larger spring-travel hardtail "fun-bikes" with extra tires, which are also "economical" versions of all-mountain or enduro machines. Special women's mountain bikes should also be mentioned, they are offered in most all-categories by major manufacturers, adapted to the needs of women.
