Whats the difference between a cross-country, a downhill, and a freeride bike?
Cross-country bikes are usually hardtails and most often just have just front suspension. They are the most lightweight type of mountain bike. However, there is a new generation of cross-country bikes that have rear suspension, although this suspension does not have as much travel as full downhill bikes. The angles of a cross-country bike can be fairly steep to be able to handle lots of singletrack. Weight range is 20-26 pounds. Downhill bikes are full-suspension frames built with very slack angles for going downhill fast with little concern for riding back up the hill. Downhill bikes have lots of travel front and rear, with the front fork often a triple-crown fork and have powerful disc brakes for stopping. Everything on a downhill bike is heavy duty, so it the heaviest among the mountain bike choices with a weight range of 35-45 pounds. Freeride is a term for a new generation of heavier and more solidly built bikes that are typically full suspension. Freeride bikes are marketed towar
