MTB buying advice: Orientation crisis? The right bikes for all freeride types

There are so many MTB categories. With E, without E. This absolute buying guide for freeride mountain bikers gives you an overview. No matter what type of gravity biker you are and where you are most likely to find yourself: We'll tell you which category is right for you. The bike models presented here are prime examples of their respective categories.

What kind of mountain biker are you? The right bike for every type of freerider

For jibbers: Trailbike

You're an advanced biker and a real fanboy of the 50to01 crew. Do you love manuals, nosebonks and pushing your bike into loam turns? Is a lot of propulsion also important to you, because you're usually on tame up & down tracks? Then this is your class! A playful trail bike, light and airy with little suspension travel. Nothing for the bike park.

For "I want to do everything with it"-types: Trailduro

You want the all-in-one bike. One bike for everything? We have to disappoint you, there is no such thing. But the category most likely to achieve this is trail enduro bikes. In other words, bikes with around 150 mm of suspension travel and a weight of around 14 kilos. Tip: The choice of tyres has the most effective influence on the setup.

For endurists

Finale Ligure is your dream destination and shuttle rides with furious descents are right up your street? You don't want to miss out on the occasional bike park visit? You're happy to accept the extra weight and the rather smooth geometry for tame up & down rides. You are so Enduro!

For "I only ride park"-types

You find trail rides boring, only built trails in the park get you going. That's why weight hardly matters to you, instead you want a reliable bike with enough reserves. We have the right bike category for you: Freeriders!

For double-bridge fork fanatics: Big-Bike

You love the downhill. You don't want to make any compromises in the park and want to get high on speed on the downhill. A big bike is the right bike for you, my friend!

For the lazy: E-freerider

Uphills are a horror for you. But you want to go up mountains where there is no gondola? Then you want maximum reserves for plenty of speed on the descent. Are you less interested in playing with your bike; speed is your formula for happiness? E-freerider is the magic word.

For "I can't decide" types: Minimal-Assist-/Light-E-MTB

You want an e-bike, but only as a light support for nasty climbs on mountain tours, but are reluctant to do without the handling of an organic bike - then hopefully you have a well-paid job. Because an E-Light Trailduro is just the thing for you. And they are expensive.