Mountain Bike, Trail bike ou MTB

Mountain Bike or Trail Bike

It is not today that cycling is on the rise, be it urban, speed, cycling or mountain biking. It is becoming more and more normal for people who do bike trails and cycle for miles. Within this scenario, mountain bikes or trail bikes are increasingly being sought for their versatility. With these bikes you can do an urban cycle, you can practice cycling and in addition make your trails safely. Of course, we always have a loss when we don't use specific bikes for each modality, but with a mountain bike you reduce that deficit.

Using the right Cycling Equipment for your outdoor activities is of utmost importance not only for your own safety, but also to fully enjoy this amazing sport that is mountain biking!

Not all types of bicycles were made for trails. Mountain biking, among so many uses, is made for this. The others, because they do not offer as many components as they become less versatile.

Choice, there are many

Well, maybe you are already on the mountain bike and have been doing it for years, used to spending your weekends up and down trails. But if mountain biking is something new for you, a sport you want to get into, then my friend, you may want to think about the exact type of bike and sport you want.

The truth is that not all mountain bikes are designed with the sole purpose of going up or down mountains. On the other hand, not everyone who buys a mountain bike wants to use it to go up and down mountains.

What you need to keep in mind is that the naked truth of mountain biking is that there are so many types of bikes because there are different types of sport. For people who are really into practicing and who really want a trail bike, and in addition practice is a lifestyle, it is not uncommon to see them with 2 or 3 different types of bike.

For most people, however, the reality is a little different. Most people are happy enough with just one, and this single bike is usually used to satisfy all their needs. Another important point: buying a decent bike, even if you have some money left or a better financial condition, is usually synonymous with a significant investment.

Basic Features - Trail Bike

Brakes

One of the most important equipment on the trail bike, both for those who are starting to cycle on land and for those who already have experience, is a hydraulic disc brake. Hydraulic brakes offer much greater braking accuracy and greatly increase the safety of the trail bike.

But Gustavo, what about the V-Brake and cable disc brakes?

V-Brake brakes, or even cable disc brakes, have a lot of braking power and little precision. With the lack of grip on earth or gravel, the inexperienced cyclist will be locking the wheel all the time and the risk of falling increases considerably. So turn on the first tip and don't forget the hydraulic disc brake, okay?

Rim 29

At the beginning, the amateur cyclist needs the greatest possible stability and the most relaxed form to overcome obstacles. With the rim 29 and consequently larger wheels, you will go easier over the obstacles and have greater stability. This is critical for those just starting out. Having more security and confidence helps a lot in the evolution of the sport.

Smaller wheels require more skill to avoid obstacles and therefore represent greater difficulty and risk for cyclists.

My recommendation is always: start with rim 29 and gain experience. If it's easy and you want a bigger challenge, hoops 26 are the next step. They are even cheaper, but are being extinguished and more and more the resale is getting very bad. If you want to buy a 26, buy it! But remember the hydraulic disc brake.

There are also 27.5. But what they say is that it is slower than the 26 and does not go through obstacles like 29. So, I don't know if it would be the most appropriate.

Another important point: rim 29 is not just for tall people! If in doubt, go to a nearby store and try it out.

Suspension

The suspension of the trail bike is always a delicate point, because good suspensions are very expensive. However, there are bicycles with lockable spring suspensions that are easy to use for those just starting out.

It is important to keep in mind that this type of suspension is only for milder trails and for those who are at the beginning of the sport, because this type does not do well on trails with larger obstacles.

March

Basic Shimano groups for example offer a reasonable and inexpensive alternative for beginners. The downside of simpler groups is that they are far less accurate. In addition, they are much easier to deregulate and are much heavier than more sophisticated groups used on trail bikes.

Size

To avoid injuries and improve performance, the ideal is to look for a bike fit specialist. He will be able to tell you the ideal size of the trail bike for you and also the necessary adjustments. It may sound like bullshit, but this is very important.

Price

Last but not least, the price. To buy a trail bike with the features I mentioned, you will need an investment between R $ 2,500 (US $ 500) and R $ 3,500 (US $ 700). That's a new bike. I prefer to recommend buying new bikes because they have gangs specializing in bicycle theft to resell them in online classifieds WITHOUT FISCAL NOTE. So be alert because tomorrow it could be you: if you are going to buy a used one, DEMAND FISCAL NOTE.

Ready for the ride on your mountain bike?

Hope so! Any doubts about trail bikes or any other subject, comment there that I answer. Until the next post!

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the distinctions between different types of mountain bikes, and how should one choose the right type for their terrain and riding style?

Mountain bikes vary in suspension type, frame geometry, and wheel size. Trail bikes are versatile for varied terrains, while specialized MTBs like cross-country or downhill bikes are tailored for specific riding styles. Choice depends on the terrain type and personal riding preferences.