Although the most popular bike, most riders do not ride off road and thus endure some comprises (including higher rolling friction and a somewhat slower ride on dry pavement) while not experiencing the off-road benefits. But, their ruggedness, comfort, and stability, appeal to many riders.
From the serious enthusiast’s perspective, mountain bikes have evolved and improved significantly over the past several years, with designs tailored for their intended use, be it cross country (racing over long distances), downhill racing, bike packing, trail riding and racing, or dirt jumping.
Mountain bikes are a great choice for recreational riders but can also be used for commuting.
They are well suited for riders who want a solid, rugged and durable bike to ride over all surfaces.
Many commuters like mountain bikes because they can withstand potholes while still providing comfort. The offset is that their smaller diameter wheel makes the mountain bike somewhat less efficient on dry pavement than road bikes with their larger diameter wheel.
How to Choose a Mountain Bike
The first step in choosing your mountain bike is to plan how and where you plan to ride. Your riding style, the terrain, and your riding preferences will guide your choice.
Mountain bike design can generally be categorized by intended use:
* XC XC/Race * Enduro All Mountain * Free Ride / Downhill * Park / MTBMX
There has been movement towards a 29 inch (vs 26 “) wheel diameter, which although it results in a higher center of gravity, will provide higher speeds and higher roll-over capability for trail obstacles. The disadvantage of the 29er is the higher center of gravity (less stability in cornering) and a higher stand-over height which makes it not well suited for shorter riders. To compensate, a 27.5 inch model is also available, although it is less popular in the US than in Europe.
Mountain Bikes We Recommend
We offer several designs of mountain bikes to meet the intended uses, budget, and expectations of our riders.
XC XC/Race Bikes
* GT Karakoram 3.0
* GT Karakoram 2.0
Enduro All Mountain
* GT Force
Free Ride / Downhill
* GT Force
* GT Fury
Park / MTBMX
* GT Labomba
* GT Ruckus DJ.
For those that want the general capabilities of a good mountain bike, even if there will not be significant off-road riding, we offer the GT Karakoram Comp that offers excellent performance at a reasonable price. For the die-hard enthusiast, we offer an extended line of GT bikes.