Why do you want a new mountain bike? Maybe you’re new to the sport? Or you’re an old pro looking to switch it up and change disciplines? It’s also possible you just want that new bike feeling. Whatever the reason, we’ve come up with a list of the best mountain bikes for men to jumpstart your next adventure.
There’s no shortage of great bikes on the market. Lightweight hardtails will support you on long rides through the woods, both at the serious and casual level. If you’re more of a daredevil, a full suspension gravity bike will be your pick for daring descents on rock-strewn downhills.
Here at The Adventure Junkies, we aim to help you find the perfect bike to fit your passion. We’ll guide you through the options to help you make a confident and informed choice.
THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO FIND THE BEST MOUNTAIN BIKES FOR MEN
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MOUNTAIN BIKES FOR MEN 101
5 THINGS TO CONSIDER TO FIND THE BEST MOUNTAIN BIKES FOR MEN
1. RIDING STYLE AND TERRAIN
The first consideration concerns how and where you want to ride. Are you looking for a versatile bike that can handle most terrain or do you need something specialized for a specific trail or area?
Here at The Adventure Junkies, we have explored this topic in greater detail in Bram Reusen’s article, titled Types of Mountain Bikes, and provided a quick overview below.
Many riders will do fine with a trail bike. Trail bikes can run a wide gamut though, from stiff frames without suspension, to hardtails, to advanced full suspension designs.
Budget-conscious riders will want to look at the affordable hardtails. Trail bikes tend to have relaxed geometry, making them easy to navigate and turn in most situations.
Rear suspension tends to increase the weight and price of a bike but for hardcore riders, it’s a necessity. Long-distance enduro riders have the toughest choice, needing low-weight bikes with innovative rear suspension such as the Infinity Suspension system found on Yeti bikes.
Serious downhill riders are also looking for full suspension, but without the light-weight requirement. This type of riding, called gravity, is best on heavier, more durable bikes that can absorb hostile terrain.
2. SUSPENSION AND SHOCKS
Suspension types is a topic full of jargon and marketing buzz, which Bikeroar.com breaks down in a recent post detailing the types. The bikes we’re looking at use a variety of suspension types. However, the biggest factor for most people will be between full suspension and hardtails which just have front suspension.
Many bikes have a feature called suspension lockout, letting you selectively disable the suspension while riding. This is useful for anyone who might ride on pavement or on challenging ascents, where the suspension can absorb some of your energy.
3. WHEEL SIZE
For decades, this wasn’t a choice. Mountain bikes had 26″ wheels. According to B’Twin, this standard was born out of habit, not deliberate design.
Innovation and engineering would expand the range to 27.5″ and 29″, which brought higher speeds and better rolling, although at a cost to durability and agility.
Despite being the middle child, 27.5″ has become the de facto standard, with the other two wheels handling the fringes. Smaller wheels are more durable and handle better, and many gravity riders prefer 26″ wheels for those reasons.
Riders looking for peak speed opt for 29,” sacrificing a little durability and handling for the speed benefit of the bigger wheel.
Some bikes are designed to handle different sizes, making them a good choice if you’re having a hard time committing to one wheel size. Riders who enjoy a mix of cyclocross and downhill riding may want a single bike that can do both.
4. BRAKE SYSTEM
Disc brakes are the standard for mountain biking, but there is a lot of variety within this category. Mechanical disc-brakes are the most affordable option but one that won’t perform as well as more expensive hydraulic, or fluid, operated brakes.
We’ve discussed the pros and cons of these systems in the article, MTB Brakes 101. Most of the bikes we’ve reviewed here come with hydraulic brakes and all of them can be upgraded or changed. Brakes are important but shouldn’t be a deal breaker in picking a new bike.
5. WHO YOU RIDE WITH
The company you keep will influence the type of bike you need. Talk to your friends, make sure you have similar goals and then look for a bike that compliments those goals.
You shouldn’t get matching frames or color coordinate, but you’ll want to stay in a similar style. While you could solo a gravity bike on a regular trail, it’ll be harder to keep up and enjoy riding with friends on light-weight enduro machines if you’re on the 40-lb clunker.
Photo by http://ift.tt/2tSPQZ0
BEST MOUNTAIN BIKES FOR MEN REVIEWS
BEST MEN’S MOUNTAIN BIKES FOR OVERALL
YETI SB6 CARBON XT-SLX
Check out the latest price on:
Jenson USA
BEST FOR: Hardcore enduro racing on a feather-weight bik
WHEEL SIZE: 27.5″
WEIGHT: 30.5 lbs
PROS: Weight, suspension, performance
CONS: Price
IBIS MOJO 3 SPECIAL BLEND
Check out the latest price on:
Jenson USA
BEST FOR: Versatile riders who want one bike for everything
WHEEL SIZE: 27.5″ or 27.5″ Plus
WEIGHT: 28.6 lbs
PROS: Weight, versatility
CONS: Price, durability
ORBEA RALLON X30
Check out the latest price on:
Jenson USA
BEST FOR: Enduro racers looking for a machine that perfectly climbs and corners
WHEEL SIZE: 27.5″
WEIGHT: 30.6
PROS: Geometry, suspension, value
CONS: Corner-cutting on some components
BEST MEN’S MOUNTAIN BIKES FOR TRAIL
ORBEA OCCAM TR H30
Check out the latest price on:
Jenson USA
BEST FOR: Trail riding on varied terrain
WHEEL SIZE: 29″
WEIGHT: 30.8 lbs
PROS: Geometry, value, double suspension lockout
CONS: Loose feel
DIAMONDBACK RELEASE 3
Check out the latest price on:
Jenson USA
BEST FOR: Trail riding on 27.5″ wheels
WHEEL SIZE: 27.5″
WEIGHT: 30.9 lbs
PROS: Suspension, versatility
CONS: Weight
NINER RIP 9 RDO 3 STAR XT
Check out the latest price on:
Jenson USA
BEST FOR: Speed-obsessed trail rides needing a wide range of gears
WHEEL SIZE: 29″
WEIGHT: 29.9 lbs
PROS: Speed, performance
CONS: Price
BEST MEN’S MOUNTAIN BIKES FOR GRAVITY
BANSHEE DARKSIDE ZEE
Check out the latest price on:
Jenson USA
BEST FOR: Serious downhill riding that demands high power braking
WHEEL SIZE: 27.5″
WEIGHT: 32.7 lbs
PROS: Braking power, suspension, handling, durability
CONS: Price
GT FURY ELITE
Check out the latest price on:
Jenson USA
BEST FOR: Pro race feel on a beginner friendly downhill bike
WHEEL SIZE: 27.5″
WEIGHT: 40.4 lbs
PROS: Suspension, handling
CONS: Weight, components
BEST MEN’S MOUNTAIN BIKES FOR BUDGET
DIAMONDBACK HOOK 27.5″
Check out the latest price on:
Amazon | Jenson USA
BEST FOR: Versatile riders on a budget
WHEEL SIZE: 27.5″
WEIGHT: 30.1 lbs
PROS: Price, versatility
CONS: No suspension lockout, components
KONA KAHUNA
Check out the latest price on:
Jenson USA
BEST FOR: Riders looking for a reliable budget 29er
WHEEL SIZE: 29″
WEIGHT: 27.1 lbs
PROS: Price, performance
CONS: Components
The post Men’s Mountain Bikes 101 appeared first on The Adventure Junkies.
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