Cross-country or marathon bikes
For sporting use right through to racing. The performance of the Marathon bikes is more important than comfort, it's about saving energy. Low weight, a sporty riding position and high-quality components are part of the specification. Suspension travel usually 100 millimetres. Partly also as Hardtails still on the road. However, the boundaries are currently melting into a sporty down-country bike with a mixture of downhill capability and cross-country genes.
Down-Country Bikes
Rocky Mountain kicked things off in 2017 with a new edition of its Element - today, the upgraded race fullys have developed into a bike category of their own. The classic 100 mm version for XCO racers and the sporty touring fullys usually rely on the same lightweight frame. The increased down-country riding fun for the trails only comes from the changed equipment: light 120 mm forks, Vario supports, more powerful brakes and coarser tyres turn the World Cup bullet into a light, efficient and good-natured touring bike with a wider range of use. Some manufacturers even see "down country" as the future of cross-country bikes: the current Scott Spark is no longer available as a classic race bike with 100 millimetres of suspension travel.
Trail bikes
From the other side come the Trail bikes heran: Tendentially downhill-oriented with mostly 130 millimetres of suspension travel - but still light enough to scrub many kilometres. Of course, a dropper seat post and chunky tyres are a must. The weight is usually around 12 to 13 kilos. The riding position is more upright compared to the sporty models before and the brakes are generously dimensioned to ensure good handling on downhills.
All Mountain / Enduro Bikes
Maximum range of use is the hallmark of the All Mountain category. The increase in All Mountain Bikes means Enduro bike. Downhill like a freerider, uphill like a racing goat. All Mountain stands for the all-round fully par excellence. A weight-optimised frame, balanced seating position and lightweight wheels ensure fun on the tour. Suspension travel: 140 to 170 millimetres.
Freeride / Downhill bikes
A few years ago, suspension travel beyond 160 millimetres was reserved for motorised bikes. Currently Freeride bikes with up to 180 millimetres and optimised geometries for downhill sessions through the roughest terrain. Made possible by very stable and durable components.
Downhillers, on the other hand, are pure competition machines - exclusively full throttle downhill. Often more than 18 kilos live weight, an extremely short geometry offset to the rear and suspension travel of around 20 centimetres on a double bridge fork spoil the uphill flow. Fortunately, there are lifts and gondolas.
Dirt bikes
Dual slalom, biker cross, trail jumps on the BMX track or letting off steam on the pump track in the city - these are the playgrounds of dirt bikes. Hardtails with extremely short geometries - plus wide, high handlebars and a stubby stem, often even just one brake.
