Frame Selection

Cross-Country

The classic cross-country racing platform is a very lightweight hardtail, or a dual-suspension chassis with three inches of travel, that is designed primarily around pedaling and climbing efficiency.
  • Bike weight range: 8.kg to 11.kg
  • Intended use: Intelligent rider on prepared race circuits, dirt roads and maintained trails
  • Maximum level of abuse: 2.5-foot/762mm jumps and moderate technical terrain.
  • What it is not: Durable beyond its intended use, crashworthy, or suited for aggressive riding downhill riding.
  • Maximum Abuse level: Competitive speeds on an official cross-country course.
Dual-Suspension Trailbike

A cross-country oriented design that is more durable and crashworthy than a hardtail racing platform. Suspension travel ranges from four inchs/1001.6mm to five inches/127mm and the trailbike definition includes some hardtails. Climbing and pedaling efficiency remains job one for this category, but there is more emphasis on technical handling skills.
  • Weight range: 10kg to 12.7kg
  • Maximum abuse level: An aggressive riding style, including minimal jumps and drops (three feet/762mm or less) associated with technical cross-country riding.
  • What it is not: A trailbike is not suitable for downhill shuttle runs, jumping and stunts.
All Mountain

All-mountain designs are perfect for aggressive play-riders who have no desire to tackle big climbs or grandeur cross-country rides. It is well suited for ski-areas as long as you stay clear of any aerial stunt that exceeds the height of your handlebar. The extra durability that the all-mountain bike has over a cross-country trailbike makes it a better choice for technical riders because its strength and stable handling can cover more mistakes.
  • Weight range: 11.5kg to 16kg
  • Accepted abuse level: Jumps and drops up to five feet with soft transitions and higher speeds over rough, technical descents than a cross-country trailbike can handle.
  • What it is not: A technical freeriding bike and not for dirt jumping.
Freeride Frame Selection

Pushing the envelope of your personal skill level is the nature of the freeriding experience, so it is no surprise that the perfect bike for the job could be a 13kg plus hardtail with a burly frame and long-stroke fork. The off-the-shelf version, however is a 15kg- to 20kg, long-travel monster that is designed to take whatever its rider can dish out—and still be pedaled with some degree of efficiency. Although it is a cousin to the downhill racing chassis, its taller, more compact frame geometry reflects the need for a free rider to be pedaled at low speeds over very technical terrain.
  • Weight range: 15kg-23kg pounds
  • Maximum abuse: Anything that the rider’s body can withstand without damage. Freeriding bikes are massively strong, but not unbreakable, so riders in this category must factor in the replacement costs of every component as a cost of doing business in the woods.
Downhill Racing Frame Selection

The downhill racing design has evolved well beyond an all-purpose gravity-powered racer that could be used as a recreational ski area bike. Today, a competitive racing chassis requires super-sensitive suspension, frame geometry that favors cornering, and it sits low to the ground to maintain momentum over rough terrain. Top downhill machines can use lighter components because mechanics and spares are waiting at the bottom of the course. All of these racing attributes erode the usefulness of a dedicated downhill racer to be used for freeriding, or as an aggressive all-mountain platform.
  • Weight range: 15kg to 23kg
  • Acceptable level of abuse: Anything the downhill association considers legal on a professional downhill course, with scheduled maintenance and inspection of all components.
  • What it is not: Anything resembling a useful cross-country bike. And it’s not a toy — beat it up and you will not win races.