Mountain Bike: How Many Modalities Are There?

Mountain biking (MTB) is considered an Adventure Sport, a competitive cycling done on natural circuits, usually through forests on narrow paths with steep climbs and very fast descents. In Peru, we have many routes for practicing cycling, here are some highlights.

Some specialties and competitions are regulated by the UCI (International Cycling Union), while others are held in a friendly manner. For the practice of this sport, the use of a full-face helmet, knee pads, elbow pads, back protectors, neck protectors, gloves, and suitable shoes is essential.

XC - Cross Country

The most popular and common modality of MTB. The one seen in Mountain Bike competitions and practiced by the vast majority of users. That is, it consists of crossing the mountain at high speed, pedaling hard, with the difference that it is mostly done on flat tracks.

Types of Bicycles: rigid or full suspension. Suspensions usually have a travel of 100mm and tires between 1.9 and 2.2 in size.

XC - Cross Country Marathon

Similar to Cross Country, but with much longer routes. Technical climbs and descents and many kilometers of pedaling. Generally practiced in competition, although a ride of more than 60 km can also be considered a marathon. In this modality, the runner's cardiovascular endurance prevails over their technical level.

Types of Bicycles: Very lightweight rigid or full suspension bikes. Suspensions usually have a travel of 100mm and tires between 1.9 and 2.1 in size.

All Mountain

The most popular modality among full suspension bikes. Practically the same as Cross Country, but oriented towards the use of bikes with full suspension systems. A few jumps along the way. It is a MTB modality that appears when we add a more technical and difficult mountain to the Trail, especially downhill.

Types of Bicycles: Full suspension bikes. Suspensions usually have a travel between 100mm and 120mm and tires between 2.0 and 2.2 in size.

Enduro

Variant of All Mountain, with a preference for very technical paths, trails, very technical climbs and descents, and various jumps. It is a competitive MTB modality where there is a greater portion of downhill and uphill sections.

Types of Bicycles: Full suspension bikes with reinforced frames. Suspensions usually have a travel between 120mm and 160mm and tires between 2.1 and 2.3 in size.

FreeRide and Urban FreeRide

Modality based on overcoming natural or artificial obstacles in the mountains, trails, cliffs, streets, cities, or circuits prepared for it. Any type of mountain bike not reflected in these modalities is called Freeride, or free style, which can be competitive or not.

Types of Bicycles: Without or with full suspension with reinforced frames. Suspensions usually have a travel between 140mm and 180mm and tires between 2.2 and 2.6 in size.

Downhill, DownHill, or DH

The competitive downhill. Descending a marked circuit as fast as possible. Body protections, full-face helmets, and a lot of technique. It is a MTB racing modality that consists solely of descending a mountain (or city with steps, ramps, etc.) at full speed.

Types of Bicycles: Full suspension bikes with reinforced frames. Suspensions usually have a travel between 180mm and 220mm and tires between 2.3 and 2.7 in size.

Tell us, what modality do you practice or would you like to practice?