Are you the fitness type?
Are you bored of running and have wasted enough time bending iron in the gym? Then perhaps mountain biking is just the thing for you: dynamic, challenging in terms of fitness and coordination and outdoors in nature. You don't have to compete with the pros in the next marathon - you can also train your fitness, work up a sweat and have fun on your home circuit. Instead of racing down challenging Alpine trails, do kilometres and metres in altitude count for you? Then the fitness section is the right place for you.
HT - Hardtail: No suspension at the rear and a suspension fork at the front: hardtails are the most original type of mountain bike and have experienced a new boom in recent years with the 29er trend. Their low weight makes them easy to accelerate, they climb light-footedly and offer a direct riding experience on gravel descents and gentle trails. Perfect for racing and beginners on a budget.
CC - Marathon-Fully: Racefullys usually get by with 100 millimetres of suspension travel at the front and rear. The geometries are sporty and efficiency dominates the chassis. The extra weight compared to a hardtail is compensated for by greater comfort and more traction on rough terrain. Recommended models with good equipment and reasonable weight start at 2000 euros. Marathon fullys also cut a fine figure on tours in the low mountain ranges.
Do you prioritise the bike experience?
Crossing the Alps once in your life - many beginners discover mountain biking with this in mind. Those who prioritise the experience of nature, mountain panoramas and kilometres of descents fit into our adventure category. Whether it's a day tour in the low mountain range, a weekend in a mountain hut in the Alps or a group outing lasting several days: with full-suspension bikes from the all-mountain segment, you are ideally equipped. If you're focussing on downhill riding, you'll want a little more suspension travel up to 150 millimetres.
AM - All Mountain: The touring bikes par excellence are known as all-mountain bikes. These fullys with suspension travel of 120-150 millimetres are very versatile: from marathons to trail tours in the high mountains. These bikes are characterised by moderate angles, a compact riding position and dropper seat posts. This means you can climb comfortably and really accelerate downhill. For lightweight, high-quality models, you can expect to pay around 3000 euros, while beginners can expect to pay 2000 euros.
FB - Fatbike: With 4.8-inch tyres, fatbikes are the latest craze among mountain bikes. However, the history is still young, the number of manufacturers is still limited and opinions are controversial. The springy tyres mean that there is (almost) no need for suspension elements. That's why Fattys are mostly hardtails. They show their strengths in extreme conditions (snow, sand). Fatbikes are all-rounders with guaranteed fun.
Do you want action and speed on your mountain bike?
Speed, adrenaline and riding skills create indescribable moments of happiness on downhills. Experts refer to this as "flow". When you get on your bike, you want to chase down technical single trails with a big grin on your face and take off boldly. How you get up the mountain is not so important to you - you can even take the cable car. The main thing is that the downhill gets going. Then mountain bikes with a lot of suspension travel (160-200 millimetres), fat tyres and full suspension are the perfect bike for you.
ED - Enduro: From 160 millimetres upwards, a mountain bike can call itself an enduro bike. Uphill you take it a little easier. The focus is on riding fun on technical trails, jumps and the fight against the clock downhill. The brakes and suspension have real take-off qualities, and the tyres and components are also solidly built. Top enduro bikes weigh around 13 kilos, but also cost 4000 euros and more. Solid bikes weighing 14.5 kilos are available from 3000 euros.
FR - Freeride: No terrain is too steep for freeride bikes, no trail too bumpy and no jump too far. With their 180 millimetres and more, they swallow every obstacle and don't give a damn whether they are easy to pedal. Because to get up the mountain, the pilot uses a gondola or a shuttle. Durability comes before weight for all components. This quickly adds up to 16 kilos. Simple freeriders are available from 3000 euros.
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