{"id":55998,"date":"2023-11-03T11:00:06","date_gmt":"2023-11-03T10:00:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/?p=750774"},"modified":"2023-11-03T13:46:10","modified_gmt":"2023-11-03T12:46:10","slug":"spoke-tension-mountain-bike-genres-is-there-too-much-choice","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/rss_feed\/spoke-tension-mountain-bike-genres-is-there-too-much-choice\/","title":{"rendered":"Spoke Tension | Mountain bike genres \u2013 is there too much choice?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Does the ever-growing number of bike categories serve rider purpose or cause unnecessary confusion? <\/p>

By Alex Evans\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Friday, 03 November 2023 at 10:00 AM<\/p>

\n\n

While many topics are close to our hearts here at BikeRadar, giving out bike-buying advice has a truly special place.<\/p>\n

And that could be helpful if today\u2019s topic is causing you concern; does the expansion of bike genres into even more focused niches make your head spin, or are you laser-focused on what type of bike you want?<\/p>\n

Maybe matching purchase expectations to reality is a daunting task. Or maybe you struggle to spot the differences between a top downcountry<\/a> or cross-country bike<\/a>. Perhaps you don\u2019t know whether you want the best enduro<\/a> or trail bike<\/a>. If any of those problems sound familiar, we\u2019ve got you covered.<\/p>\n

Even if our advice is helpful, it still doesn\u2019t change the fact that bike genres have been multiplying as rapidly as a colony of wild rabbits.<\/p>\n

This amount of choice certainly fuels opinion here at BikeRadar, and our tech gurus Robin Weaver, Tom Law and Alex Evans got together to chime in with their takes.<\/p>\n

Alex Evans: Which came first, rider needs or bikes we didn\u2019t know we wanted?<\/h2>\n
\"Norco\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Norco\u2019s high-pivot Range is a surprisingly versatile bike.<\/span><\/figcaption> Ian Linton \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Some would argue the evolution of mountain biking has created the space and need for plenty of terrain- and rider-specific genres of bike.<\/p>\n

Others would state categorically this raft of choice is industry-driven. By offering unique selling points \u2013 such as a sub-30lb trail bike with a 62-degree head angle capable of tackling downhill tracks \u2013 brands are able to sell more bikes, more easily.<\/p>\n

The irrational cynic in me is inclined to agree, \u00adespecially when there are mutterings of emerging categories such as upduro, downcross and freetrail, none of which have manifested in a bike you can buy\u2026 yet.<\/p>\n

But which came first? Was it the proverbial chicken of riding discipline or the unhatched egg of bike type?<\/p>\n

\n
\"Alex\n<\/picture><\/div>
My dear Giant Trance spanned the disciplines, tackling DH, XC and everything inbetween.<\/span> <\/figcaption> Alex Evans<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div> <\/figcaption>\n<\/figure> <\/div>
\n
\"A\n<\/picture><\/div>
Back in the day, bike type wasn\u2019t a barrier to entry. If you wanted to ride XC on your DH bike, there was nothing to stop you.<\/span> <\/figcaption> Alex Evans<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div> <\/figcaption>\n<\/figure> <\/div>
\n
\"A\n<\/picture><\/div>
Although this type of riding was called \u2018cross-country\u2019, we all rode different types of bike.<\/span> <\/figcaption> Alex Evans<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div> <\/figcaption>\n<\/figure> <\/div> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>

Indulge me for one second as I pop on my rose-tinted glasses to reminisce about a time gone by.<\/p>\n

A more youthful and enthusiastic Alex was lucky enough to own four bikes.<\/p>\n

Just like tech editor-in-chief Rob Weaver\u2019s stable (more on that below), my road bike<\/a> clunked grumpily down gravel tracks and my beloved Giant Trance XC bike was pushed to within an inch of its life on terrain way too gnarly for its intended purpose.<\/p>\n

My jump bike would not only frequent the local skate park and dirt jumps, but also be cycled uncomfortably to the shops. My downhill bike<\/a> took me on missions over field, mountain and doubletrack, amassing more miles than its gravity-focused form really should have allowed.<\/p>\n

My desecration of bike genres was driven through necessity rather than desire. After all, how was I supposed to enjoy the multiple pleasures of cycling\u2019s different disciplines (even back then) on the limited number of bikes a Saturday job salary could afford? Yet I wasn\u2019t the only person pushing the limits of what bikes were able to do.<\/p>\n

\"2023\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Yep, that\u2019s me riding flat pedals on a cross-country race bike. But I\u2019ve also ridden cross-country on a downhill bike, and downhill on a cross-country bike.<\/span><\/figcaption> Kyle Dewick \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

It turns out we were all exploring the edges of capability in the name of fun and adventure. And maybe that answers the cycling discipline diversification chicken and egg conundrum.<\/p>\n

It certainly seems \u2013 to me at least \u2013 that rider demand has driven evolution, and the industry has responded dutifully to our desires. Clearly, in this example, the discipline chicken came way before the bike-type egg.<\/p>\n

Because of that, we no longer have to go through the pain of taking inappropriate bikes on very niche rides.<\/p>\n

I\u2019m excited to see what the future of mountain biking looks like \u2013 driven by all our weird, wonderful and very specific needs.<\/p>\n

Tom Law: Bikes are versatile, so why do we need more niches?<\/h2>\n
\"Trail\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Even in one genre, such as trail bikes, there are so many different shapes and sizes.<\/span><\/figcaption> Olly Bowman \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Ever slide into your favourite restaurant, sit down, peruse the menu and have so much choice you don\u2019t know where to start? It\u2019s infuriating when you feel so hungry and just want to eat.<\/p>\n

So you take an age poring over the menu and finally get your food, only to realise what your buddy has would have been a way better choice. Now you have food envy. This is bad.<\/p>\n

There are people, such as myself, who order the same thing every time. You know you\u2019re going to be happy, full and satisfied with your choice.<\/p>\n

\"Get\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Get in a state picking a dish at a restaurant? Choosing a bike can be a similarly stressful dilemma.<\/span><\/figcaption> Getty Images<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

You may be wondering how any of that nonsense is related to bike genres.<\/p>\n

Well, I won\u2019t be alone in thinking choosing a mountain bike today is like having too much choice at your favourite eatery.<\/p>\n

You want an enduro bike, but it might be too much for some trails, or not enough for others. So you think about a trail bike and get the same conclusion but skewed slightly more the other way.<\/p>\n

Then you consider downcountry bikes. But if you have a downcountry bike, you might want a downhill bike for bike-park days.<\/p>\n

That journey can go round and round in circles.<\/p>\n

\"Tom's\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
It\u2019s perhaps the most hotly debated new sub-genre, but downcountry bikes are a lot of fun.<\/span><\/figcaption> Steve Sayers \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

And that\u2019s where I stand on the diversification of bike genres and niches.<\/p>\n

Modern bikes are so good. Enduro bikes now are better than the downhill bikes of 10 years ago. The trail bike has never been more capable. Downcountry bikes blend cross-country speed with trail-bike brawn.<\/p>\n

\"Canyon\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Enduro bikes are so capable, there\u2019s an argument they can be the \u2018one bike to rule them all\u2019.<\/span><\/figcaption> Andy Lloyd \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

The truth is, as the number of genres and niches grows and the gaps between them get smaller, the bikes within that confusing mess are often exceptional.<\/p>\n

Their quality and versatility can make it mind-numbing trying to wade through the marketing bumph of the latest \u2018slope-down-duro\u2019 bike, but that bike will be incredible to ride pretty much anywhere.<\/p>\n

And despite the headache, I\u2019d say that\u2019s a good place to be.<\/p>\n

Robin Weaver: Don\u2019t be put off by all the categories \u2013 there\u2019s a mountain bike for everyone<\/h2>\n
\"Male\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Downcountry bikes are seriously capable, and can handle a wide range of terrain types.<\/span><\/figcaption> Andy Lloyd \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

I get it. Pigeon-holing things can make life far simpler. Create categories and slot each bike into the most applicable one. It\u2019s neat and tidy, and I can see the appeal.<\/p>\n

But placing these theoretical constraints on bikes can be confusing and maybe even limiting.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t get me wrong, there\u2019s a reason we call a downhill bike a downhill bike \u2013 it\u2019s designed for one job and one job only. The same can be said for an all-out cross-country rig.<\/p>\n

Between these two category extremes, though, how we define a bike is a little more complex and open to interpretation.<\/p>\n

When I was growing up and racing downhill, things were simple. I had a downhill bike for racing and a jump bike with a long enough seatpost and gears that I could use it for cross-country riding.<\/p>\n

When I say cross-country riding, that included pedalling along singletrack, ripping turns in the woods and even heading to the dirt jumps (which, confusingly, we referred to as \u2018the trails\u2019).<\/p>\n

\"Merida\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Fancy riding XC on your enduro bike? Increased performance means you can, even if it might be slightly slower than on a dedicated XC rig.<\/span><\/figcaption> Olly Bowman \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

The void between downhill and cross-country has been filled since then.<\/p>\n

We\u2019re now at a point where we have downcountry bikes (burly cross-country bikes\u2026 or maybe lightweight trail bikes?), trail bikes, enduro bikes (bigger trail bikes), all-mountain bikes (these are the same as trail bikes\u2026 I think) and super-enduro bikes (even bigger trail bikes).<\/p>\n

For a newbie, I can see how this is confusing, especially if you\u2019re not even bothered about racing. What sort of bike do you need for just \u2018mountain biking\u2019? And will it do everything you want it to?<\/p>\n

For the most part, it\u2019s the amount of suspension travel<\/a> and geometry that defines which category a bike falls into (more or less). However, I feel, in this day and age, it shouldn\u2019t be the overriding factor or put limits (within reason) on the riding you\u2019ll do on any of these bikes.<\/p>\n

\"Nukeproof\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Enduro bikes are nearly as capable as DH bikes, and you can still pedal back to the top of the trails on them.<\/span><\/figcaption> Olly Bowman \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Yes, some bikes will naturally lend themselves to certain types of riding better than others. But if you\u2019re not racing, looking to optimise performance or make all the gains possible, there\u2019s no reason why you can\u2019t take your enduro bike on an all-day trail epic or slither down some technical descents on your short-travel downcountry machine.<\/p>\n

They might not be suited perfectly to these types of rides, but the bikes on offer are more than capable and will likely fare better than you might have been led to believe.<\/p>\n

My point here is bikes are so good now, the categories given to them aren\u2019t the be-all and end-all of what you can do on them. Use these categories as a guideline but don\u2019t be afraid to slide along that category spectrum, riding whatever takes your fancy.<\/p> <\/body><\/html>\n

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