The Ibis Mojo – another favourite with our riders

Mountain Bikes Advice: What are they like to ride?

Mountain bikes need to be tough and durable to take the punishment of rugged tracks and off-road potholes. They’re designed more for durability than speed, and are generally tougher and heavier than you’ll need for road riding, with lots of extra low gears to help you get up the toughest of hills in the roughest conditions. They have sturdy, strong frames and thick wheels with heavy, rugged tyres, designed to absorb the hard bits of off-road trails and paths as well as find their own way in the wild. Many also come with hydraulic suspension to soak up the knocks and bumps.

You sit a little higher on a mountain bike, giving you a better view and easing the stress on your back. The front bar is fixed high so that you can hang when going downhill for extra stability.

 Browse all mountain bikes

Technical stuff

• Mountain bikes are made to withstand the bumps, jumps and stresses of off-road riding while giving you as much stability and comfort as possible.
• There are three types of mountain bike, with different levels of suspension – rigid (no suspension), hardtail (front suspension only) and full suspension
• Frames give better clearance over obstacles while making sure the bike’s centre of gravity keeps it stable
• Braking systems are tough and sensitive
• Seats are made to maximise comfort in difficult conditions
• The wheels have rims and spokes that are strong, durable and resilient
• Tyres tend to be fat, knobbly and soft to maximise traction on challenging surfaces
• You can increase your speed on roads by up to 20% by fitting thinner tyres to a mountain bike

Suitable for:

The Specialized Hardrock 29er rocks!

Anyone from complete beginner to seasoned cyclist.

Best for:

• If you’re planning a lot of off-road riding, you’ll need one of these to cope with potholes, ruts, rocks and roots
• Commuting – if your route involves insane hills and rough roads
• Off-roading
• Downhill racing

Avoid if:

• You plan to do most of your riding on the road (see hybrid bikes)
• You have a need for speed (see road bikes)
• You want to do long-distance cycle touring (see touring bikes)

See our top picks in mountain bikes

Browse all mountain bikes

Still want more advice?

We’ve produced lots more guides to help you find out more about bikes, cycling and cycle gear. These include sizing guides for bikes and clothing, and handy guides to cycle clothing, bike accessories, commuting with a bike, and more. Browse our full range of guides here.

And if these guides don’t answer your questions, we’re here to help – just give our friendly customer service team a call on 01572 737 626. Lines are open Mon-Fri, 9.30am-5pm UK time.

Posted by Sally 27/04/2012

Tags: bike guide, buying guide, find the right bike, helpful guide, mountain bikes, mtb