MTB

Cross-country mountain biking

Cross-country mountain biking is an Olympic discipline that requires participants to complete a 40-kilometer circuit as quickly as possible. The mountain bike equipment used by these athletes must be strong and durable, and have good performance potential.

Enduro mountain biking

Enduro mountain biking is a sport that focuses on downhill courses, but where participants also have to tackle climbs. Enduro courses have timed portions of mostly downhill racing, with a negative elevation gain, length and difficulty that can vary. Between the different downhill portions, there are non-timed areas, mainly uphill. To tackle these climbs you will have to carry your bike and/or simply ride the pedal.

Downhill Mountain Biking

Downhill mountain biking is a sport that is practiced downhill and frequently in the mountains. Riders use full-suspension mountain bikes, equipped with shocks, springs and forks adapted to their practice.

The different mountain bike components

Mountain biking regularly requires adapting your bike with equipment that varies greatly. This is because each discipline requires specific equipment that meets the requirements of the practice. Indeed, each discipline has its own specificities that force mountain bikers to adapt their bike. The different components (handlebars, wheels and crankset) are therefore adapted according to the type of activity practiced by each rider.

The different parts of the MTB wheel

The wheel is one of the most important pieces of mountain bike equipment. It is composed of four parts: rims, tires, spokes and hubs.

The size of mountain bike wheels varies according to the practice, but we find 27.5 and 29 inch wheels. The diameter of the tire also influences comfort and performance. There are three types of wheel materials: steel, aluminum and carbon. The best bikes, especially racing bikes, use lighter MTB materials such as carbon.

Steel wheels are a cheap option for mountain biking. They are very heavy and not suitable for high-end bikes, as they make the bike heavier and more difficult to pedal or ride. Aluminum is recommended for moderate cyclists as it is a good alternative to carbon which is more expensive but light. Carbon wheels are very popular with riders looking for performance with lightweight wheels that offer excellent efficiency.