Your Cart is Empty
And how much is too much?
Let’s talk “travel”—mountain bike suspension travel, that is.
One of the most crucial factors in selecting a mountain bike is determining the appropriate travel for your riding style. "Travel" refers to the amount of suspension movement a bike has, and it plays a significant role in how your bike handles different terrains. This blog will delve into the different types of mountain bike travel and how to choose the best one for your riding style.
Mountain bike travel is categorized by the suspension's range of motion, measured in millimeters (mm). It affects the bike’s performance, comfort, and control over various terrains. Travel can range from as little as 80mm to as much as 200mm, and each range is suited to different types of riding.
Short travel mountain bikes typically feature 80-120mm of suspension travel. These bikes are often referred to as cross-country (XC) or trail bikes.
Cross-country riding emphasizes speed, efficiency, and climbing. XC bikes are lightweight and agile, making them ideal for racing and long-distance rides on less technical trails. The shorter travel provides sufficient cushioning for small bumps and rough patches while maintaining efficiency for pedaling and climbing.
Advantages:
Disadvantages:
Medium travel bikes, with 120-160mm of suspension, are versatile and well-suited for various riding styles. These bikes are often categorized as trail or all-mountain bikes.
Trail riding involves a mix of climbing and descending on moderately technical terrain. Trail bikes strike a balance between climbing efficiency and descent capability.
All-mountain riding is more demanding, involving rougher terrain and more technical descents. All-mountain bikes offer more travel than trail bikes, providing better control and comfort on aggressive trails.
Advantages:
Disadvantages:
Long travel bikes feature 160-200mm of suspension travel and are designed for more aggressive and extreme riding styles. These bikes fall into the enduro and downhill categories.
Enduro riding involves racing on timed downhill stages with untimed uphill transitions. Enduro bikes are built to handle rough, technical descents while still being capable of climbing.
Downhill riding focuses exclusively on descending steep, technical, and challenging trails. Downhill bikes are heavy, robust, and designed to withstand the rigors of extreme terrain and high speeds.
Advantages:
Disadvantages:
Selecting the appropriate mountain bike travel depends on your preferred riding style, the type of terrain you ride, and your skill level. Here are some key considerations:
Hey, it’s easy to get confused by all this. Don’t fret–come down to theDurango Outdoor Exchange, where our biking experts can explain it all in simple terms.
We’ve all read the disappointing headlines and shocking Facebook posts, and we maybe have even encountered problems of our own–national parks and other public lands in the U.S. are being impacted by severe federal budget cuts. These cuts have resulted in locked gates, reduced services, and loss of support for these lands that mean so much to us.
This means more than longer lines at entry stations. In some cases, there is legitimate concern that budget cuts will lead to impacts on historic sites and natural landscapes. This is a scary time to be someone who dearly loves our public lands, but there are ways that everyone, including you, can make a difference.
It happens to all of us–we accumulate a few too many pairs of skis, a bike saddle we took off an old steed but never found another use for, pants we **might**have, um, outgrown, and shoes we loved but just never fit right.
It’s nice to accumulate old gear in closets and sheds, but it’s nicer to sell it. Much nicer.
Selling your used gear to Durango Outdoor Exchange is a great way to pass on the good vibes and build store credit that you can use for upgrading your quiver(s). Best of all, selling your used outdoor gear is a super chill and easy experience. Read on to learn how.
Look–we can’t deny that huge ski areas are popular for a reason. Mega ski resorts often have the most terrain, the newest lifts, the snazziest shuttles, the most interesting base villages, and the best dining and aprés options. They can also (sometimes) have the best snow.
But big ski areas can also be a big pain in the rear. Crowds, traffic, lift lines, parking hassles, wild hotel and meal prices, and jaw-dropping lift ticket rack rates can all conspire to make skiing seem a LOT less fun than it should be.