What Bike & Kit Should You Choose For Your Riding Style?

The Mountain Biking industry can often be a minefield when trying to find the right bike and kit for you, so in this video, Neil Donoghue & Blake Samson run you through a comprehensive range of bikes and cycle clothing to show you some pros & cons, hopefully helping you pick the perfect combo for your riding styles!
⏱ Timestamps ⏱
0:00 - Intro
0:22 - Hardtail bikes
1:17 - XC bikes
2:45 - Trail bikes
4:43 - Dirt Jump & Slopestyle bikes
5:24 - Enduro bikes
6:38 - DH bikes
8:30 - Freeride bikes
9:49 - Fat bikes
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[@Cosmos.Kiyopon]

When blake's suggestion was the hardtail and Enduro, it gave me more confidence on my hardtail. Thanks blake!

[@yengsabio5315]

I use my hardtail XC MTB on some enduro trail available at my end albeit gently. It's the only MTB I have. What I did is to fit a beefier wheelset & tyres so that I can better tackle the trails available here at my end. Lots'a love, cheers, & Mabuhay, from tropical Philippines! #KeepBiking

[@Cosmos.Kiyopon]

@@yengsabio5315 I did the same thing you did with your bike. I have a trinx and added some maxxis tyres.I encountered a problem where my rear wheels side knobs bumps to the side of my frame until it melted the insides of my trinx. I changed my frame with some frame with more clearance at the back. And LASTLY You're From the PHILIPPINES? you know what? Im from there too! Taga saan ka sa ph?

[@yengsabio5315]

@@Cosmos.Kiyopon I'm presently in Laguna for my graduate study. I'm from Isabela. Re tyre clearance, I normally use a tyre with width that is 70% of the distance between seat stay. In my case, I use any tyre with 2.25" max width. Beyond that, I'll have tyre rub issues on the seat & chain stays. My rim inner diameter width is 30 mm. It complements very well my WTB Riddler & Trail Boss tyres, and Maxxis Ardent tyres. All are 27.5" x 2.25".

[@METEORA_47]

hardcore hardtail for sure 🤘

[@shershahrex]

When buying my latest bike I opted for a hardtail mainly because they're lighter, simpler, faster and in my opinion just more fun to skid and mess around with

[@englishforya]

If you do what you need, you’re surviving. If you do what you want, you’re living.

[@lewiscaple466]

Just did my first downhill race and I think I've found my riding style. Forest of Dean has some great trails for this where you don't need an uplift to get in a lot of runs!

[@pituife]

A VERY important point is the shock lockout. I have a trail fully with 120mm, but I love XC Marathon, so I keep the shocks locked most of the time and am just as fast as my previous hardtail. When up the mountain, going down the red trails unlocked is 10 times more fun than the HT.

[@pituife]

And lycra 🤣

[@KevinT3141]

I'd like to try Enduro or Trail. I ride a basic XC hardtail I got a decade ago as a rugged commuter bike, then started 'mountain biking' with it 2.5 years ago when I stumbled onto a flowy green trail on a camping trip. The only upgrades so far is proper flat pedals paired with some Five Tens and a dropper post, and I've been loving it. It would be interesting to ride a full-sus bike one day but I want to wear this bike out first. Still a lot of skills I can learn and improve upon with it...

[@mohammadasad9781]

Go for the best bike you can afford. Definitely worth saving up for something meant for the sport. Started on a XC hardtail myself, and got a FS just a couple months after. Nothing wrong with that. I love the sport much more than before too.

[@winklertribe5268]

This was a great explanation of the mountain bike continuum! Thanks Neil & Blake!

[@mendyviola]

Love my hard tail 26” 2001 Trek 6000. It has done everything I’ve asked it to do for over 20 years and then some. Virtually zero maintenance, even after a few crashes. I am convinced it’s pretty much indestructible.

[@Hanmieson]

Same here with my gt avalanche 1.0 26"

[@Durwood71]

The Trek 6000 is a beauty. I had the 1993 model and would still be riding it if it hadn't been stolen out of my garage two years ago.

[@miguelfragoso7023]

How often do you service the fork?

[@Babciakapciemciezleje]

@@Durwood71 aw I'm sorry 😔

[@Super_Naught]

this is a great video I wish I guys would have made last year haha. lots of great info here and identifying each category of rider down the the clothes worn is brilliant. thanks for this gem!

[@danieltoo8567]

Just started my new MTB hard tail bike ride. Good info thanks for sharing , now I know my new hard tail bike can be used for 👍🏻

[@tobylestrange4081]

Loved this video thanks guys. i know it all obviously but it's really amazing to see it layed out simple without too much detail. just amazing

[@gmbn]

Glad you enjoyed it Toby, thanks for the comment!

[@jcollins9840]

Great video! I use my fat tire bike for everything, it will go anywhere.

[@kalijasin]

GMBN, there is also freeride, full suspension, gravel, dirt, park, e-bike.

[@Null_Key]

they cover freeride at 8:29 watch the video lol

[@markb7954]

I love riding my hardtail trail bike with 150mm travel. I think it’s perfect for a ride with the family and at home having on the backwood trails and jumps. I would like to try a fat bike but the funds right now don’t support getting one

[@Cross-Country-Biker]

I swore by hard tail with a nice fork...now 30 years on hot a giant anthem...what a blast...thanks for an entertaining vid 🤙

[@Seppster58]

Great video guys. I went from a hardtail to an XC bike. Lovin' every minute on it.

[@miguelfragoso7023]

To an XC hardtail?😂

[@jacobus2725]

I am a XC rider, have a down-country bike now because I love xc so much but love smashing the trails, so the down-country bike fits my needs just perfectly!🚀🚀 Went from a 100mm hardtail to 100mm dual-suspension xc bike to now having a dual-suspension 120mm down-country bike!🚀

[@grumpy-dad3701]

Hardtail 29ers for me. No need to change had some much fun time and been on some great adventures with my Babe.

[@nito_gocni5460]

I just found the name for my riding style! Down country!! Been trying to explain for a while how I like cross country that's a little more on the rough and challenging side but an aggressive trail bike always felt too much to get up to speed.

[@johnathanbennett1901]

This has helped with my next choice Generally it’s just fun riding and doing more trail parks/ bike parks. I do have some cross county challenges in the pipeline. I’m thinking trail bike due to the all round nature

[@Brotha_J619]

Ty helped me alot to know what the differences are💪🏽💪🏽

[@captjak4386]

I like this one! Very informative and entertaining. It was explained briefly in a short vid. Anyway, mine is enduro all day everyday!!!💯

[@gmbn]

Glad you liked it!

[@Bear0280]

I love enduro bikes and would love to try a fully kitted up Jump Bike/ Hard Tail to get some Gnarly air🤘🏼

[@LuckyJack99]

Another great vid - old school xc hard tail all the way here mates!

[@johnostrum6953]

I peeped that Garmin watch on your wrist 👀👀👀 one of the best accessories I’ve ever bought. Makes riding/tracking unfamiliar trails so much easier

[@METEORA_47]

freeride is naughty look.loving it🤘

[@iainrossiter758]

Awesome video.

[@johnadamson7236]

great video, very useful!

[@gmbn]

Thanks John, Glad you found it useful!

[@johnadamson7236]

@@gmbn I love your videos, I am definitely a trail rider!

[@huntii]

Trail bike with 130mm front and 125mm in the back is the sweet spot for me 👌 Perfecto

[@readordienn]

After few years of break. Bought Giant talon 2GE (2022) this saturday. Mainly because im heavy and wanna lose some weight, but yeah im rly happy with the bike, didnt tought that hardtails would be for me.

[@imposter613]

For my needs, a Xc Hardtail is the best choice

[@rowanrolinson3323]

Sick video

[@darian_eugene_1452]

Nice vid

[@frontierfishingwithryanmac1981]

I have been wanting to try riding a fat bike since I live in a place where we have snow for 6 - 8 months of the year... or it at least feels that way some years!

[@rozscyclingadventures]

I have a 29er trail bike with 120mm travel, a 27.5 enduro bike with 160mm travel and going to build up a 29er XC bike with 100mm travel as the trails where I live are not aggressive. Trail and enduro used in bike parks.

[@brianwilliam6288]

id love to see more of those hardtails on dual crown fork!

[@lilschwaby940]

I’m on a fully rigid Fatbike but I take it everywhere. We don’t have any big trails here but I want to upgrade it or get something capable of sending jumps and downhill trails without fear of compromising my bike.

[@Munchkinross]

Love my XC bike, I'm rather short, so I prefer a lighter bike. added a shorter stem for comfort, next upgrade is a dropper post so I can better bomb down those hills. Most of my riding is on longer rides and trails where there is a fair amount of climbing. A bit slower down the technical stuff and not into big jumps. We don't have much in the way of downhill trails where I live.

[@Mr.Grave.]

Been on a hardtail for 10 years (taking so much care of the thing I love it). I'm saving up for my first full sus trial bike. I'm pretty tall and singled out the Canyon Spectral 125 for comfortable dimensions and the terrain around my area which is a full mix. I had a pretty gnarly crash doing jumps back in the day and now that I'm getting older I'm just looking for something snappy and fun to rip up local features.

[@rnyll]

Legit was also looking through full sus bikes and it's either the Canyon Spectral 125 or the Vintus Mythique VRX. While saving up for a full sus bike is impossible for me for now, definitely looking forward to a time where I could afford one! Good luck and have fun getting your first full sus! 👏👏👏

[@Mr.Grave.]

@@rnyll Thanks and I hope you're able to eventually get one too!

[@LuLeBe]

Wonder why you'd pick the 125? Doesn't really weigh less and a more playful suspension setup is possible with volume tokens etc on the normal spectral as well, plus you can adjust it for all-day bikepark or Enduro riding when needed. If you go with the spectral, I'd pick the normal one. Or something more lightweight that's not just a smaller shock, like a Specialized Stumpjumper.

[@Mr.Grave.]

@@LuLeBe Good questions that I've been considering over the last half of this year. A couple reasons I've come up with. We don't have big features or downhill trails in my area. The shorter travel would be more fun in my opinion. The reach and chainstay fit my preference for my height better than the normal spectral. I had tried a similar geometry previously and it felt right for my size.

[@UilleannPiper404]

To me, Canyon are making the best bikes for the price they cost.

[@whysosalty]

Would love to try a top spec enduro. Currently on a hardtail and love it. Had a FatBoy and loved that, get some funny looks on it but i was always smiling on that thing. Next bike is Trail or Enduro can;t decide as my skills have increased and want to push myself more and more on the bike, plus i have the ultimate MTB van and want the bike to match when going to trails centres and parks.

[@aaz_m_t_b]

My favourite is hardtail with fox 40 fork

[@uldi1s]

I love my hardcore HT, and would love to try a Fat HT bike :)

[@jmendez73]

Nice video…thanks! Would you make a video showing how different are skills needed when you move from a hardtail to full suspension bike? I’ve been riding my basic hardtail for years and looking to upgrade. But I’m afraid of being bounced out of a full suspension bike when landing from a drop or jump…as I see happens to some riders on fails and vails videos…thanks!

[@1xMily.]

Me personally (Harcore) Hardtail, Enduro, and DJ haha

[@adventure_hannah3841]

Cool video! One question, What's "slack" vs "steep" head angles?

[@giralds2016]

slip back into a 90s hard tail with nice upgraded forks. ... just about all 90s bikes were jack of all trades bikes, and the competitions weren't any easier., Simplest recommendation is to get an entry level trail bike and bang out till you find what you want to do best... then make that specialty bike your second, utilizing the trail bike for cross training

[@stujm8376]

Enduro… all day every day. I would love to try downhill and a fat bike, they just look like so much fun

[@kevinliang9502]

I love my fat bike. Solid frame, 4.9" tires, 1x11 drive train. I love how simple it is. No fork to maintain and super simple cockpit. About the only thing I do to it is change the chain once a season. I always get looks and people commenting on it at the local trails.

[@owensnicholas]

I have a downcountry bike, and I’m moving to a much more mountainous location soon. I’m considering a trail bike on the bigger end of travel. I still want to be able to make it up hill. But I also want to demo some to see. :)

[@ptchristanMTB]

Great stuff Neil and Blake! Question - do you have a review or anything for Norco Sight A1 2021 and 2022?

[@rachelbrodie7932]

Would love to try a fat bike. Defo fat bike the husband has wanted one for years now

[@charlie9ine]

I love my enduro bike.

[@bobothericefarmer1878]

Sick bikes

[@TrailGeezer]

This was a joy to watch! I picked up a 27.5+ hardtail. You guys didn’t cover plus bikes in this video. Are they worthless?? So far I love it but it is a little slow.

[@clnfreakone8486]

I bought a new hard tail in November after not riding for 15 years and commented to riding it for a year to find out what style I want to ride and figure out what I want in a full suspension so I can buy the right one when I drop $4k on it … I’m leaning to xc/trail full suspension more a fan of technical trail riding I’m to old to do the big air downhill stuff anymore

[@ChrisCapoccia]

top race xc bikes are probably all carbon, but more affordable alloy full sus xc bikes are available and perfectly fine for regular people who don't need the lightest frame

[@kyboy9730]

My favorite bike is enduro.

[@matsmellberg9127]

When i started mountain biking i bought Orbea OIZ, but with my riding style and the trails i go for i change to the Orbea Occam. In my case it was right to change. I feel better with the trail bike and i think it take some time ti figure out what ridge style you perform. it's a jungle out there.

[@Kozza-13]

Enduro bike for me but on the lower scale 150mm rear and 160mm front it let's you ride it anywhere and it's still a very capable bike. Talking about what to wear on what bikes iv noticed that recently next to no one is wearing neck braces now but a few years ago you wouldn't be at the dh trails without seeing them

[@jamlarna]

Man the purple full face and goggles are beautiful 😍

[@nidfnix6228]

Hardtail for life - more fun, less maintenance. Pfft why should I waste time to clean additional linkages on fullies when I can simply shred on a ht 😜

[@lemmontree1]

Just got myself a Hardtail and a Fatbike after years without a bike. Fuckin lovin it!

[@burningatthetrailhead]

Free ride hardtail for me 🤘

[@Y34RZERO]

I have a full rigid fatbike. I'm thinking of buying a hardtail again. I always prefered a hardtail.

[@jackmcculloch9355]

Then theres those dudes on gravel bikes out there smoking everyone on the tech trails

[@danielvelasquez7708]

Holy crap that many mountain bikes, I am normally an XC or Trail persons more adventurous, not very serious about competition, and is that Anna's bike the Orbea (Coil rear shock) with Fox 38.

[@bleed_from_within_is_life9960]

I think ima go for a down country bike I'm riding hunting trails around my property but also using it to get around town quick I love high speed trail riding but these trails have hills going up at about a 35-40° angle about 50 feet give or take a little I do like to toy with jumps and stuff too I love wheelies

[@FatboyAussie]

Got a Yeti SB130 with X01 gear. Would love to ride a canyon sender CFR

[@tomassanesson902]

Stylish bikes🤘🤘👍

[@eurobeatmachinist732]

Steel hardcore hardtail for everything.

[@deedontworry]

Enduro! 👌👌

[@andrewince8824]

Kit is personal. Don't be coerced into copying your mates, go with what you are comfortable in. I'm equally happy in a proper Jersey as I am in a vest depending on the weather. Backpacks or hip packs depending on where I'm going and what I need with me. Shorts, hiking trousers or DH trouser depending on the weather and ride. Just go with what's comfortable for you.

[@farizshj]

I have tried all types of bikes, but trail bikes is the best.

[@zenscapeUKmedia]

Really good video - but when you talk about a downhill bike, a "triple clamp fork" is a term borrowed from moto-cross/motorbikes and refers to the triangle formed by two fork legs and the steerer crown, not the fork loop and two legs!

[@lostintransit5822]

Hardtail for me

[@benjaminkaufmann893]

Nice pink orbea

[@Durwood71]

My bike does double duty for commuting and recreation, so a rear rack is a must, which means hard tails only for me. I'm probably the only guy at my local trail sporting a rear rack and a kickstand! The ideal solution would be two bikes, one for commuting and one for recreation, but then you're looking at double the cost for parts and maintenance, although I suppose it would reduce wear and tear since my ride time would be divided between each bike. How's that for a rationalization? "No, really, I bought two bikes in order to _save_ money!"

[@TWIZZeditzz]

DH buys me every day!

[@V.Dragnev]

Enduro/ trail ;)

[@British_Bruv]

Hello GMBN I have had a question that I have been asking for a while now and it is "can U please somehow get a polygon siskiu T7 to rate and say what U like about it" as I am saving for one and would like to now what U think if it if you can that would be awesome thanks and keep up the amazing videos

[@stevenfyfe585]

So which of those groups would you say that a trek rail 9.7 would be in ?

[@charleswhite7612]

Blake keeps saying “Criss-Country” Criss Country Bike, Chris Country… 😁😉

[@montesim4]

I prefer Trail/enduro and slopestyle Bikes! What is the best trail combo for tires?

[@franklee6301]

Depends on conditions where you live.

[@Kcducttaper1]

Without even watching this yet, I can already tell you that the correct answer is "yes".

[@linea2000]

Hated the look of Fatbikes until I saw a 14yr old ride down a cliff on one. I immediately asked him if I could have a go. (I didn't go anywhere near the cliff)

[@syntax_error1706]

What's the model name of the hardtail you showed in the vid and where can i buy it?

[@luifran6824]

What is the best MTB for aggressive riders that can take a hard landing but also good for doing stunts ?

[@jaynolajones]

Trail bike all day long 🤘

[@MaryLuMuir]

Hey guys, thank you so much for the video! Loved it, saved it. I have probably a strange question: as a beginner I’m currently riding a hardtail, but I go on rides with friends who have .. gravels. So I often fall behind, especially in the city on nice flat paths. If I were to change the bike for another type of those you have mentioned, what could it be? Thanks!

[@Pesmog]

A quick cheap thing to do rather than buy a new bike is to fit the same tyres as your friends and use similar pressures. Gravel tyres are narrower and pedal more efficiently than mountain bike tyres (particularly in town) so just a tyre change could get you much closer to them. The sizes are similar and there will certainly be something in the gravel tyre range that will fit your hard tail. A hard tail mountain bike is very versatile and very robust if you are a beginner and take the odd tumble. I would stick with your bike for now until you get more experienced and then decide what genre of cycling you want to do long term. Keep the old tyres though for winter rides in the mud.

[@MaryLuMuir]

@@Pesmog thank you for a detailed answer, definitely an option 👍🏼🔥

[@Pesmog]

@@MaryLuMuir Looking at all the bikes shown in the video the hardtail you are using is probably the closest to your friends gravel bikes anyway, hence the tyre change recommendation. You could perhaps make the case for an alternative being a hardtail carbon XC mountain bike (which can be very light and expensive) but a conventional hardtail is generally as close as you will get to a Gravel bike if you want to use a mountain bike.

[@Chris-de2qc]

If you guys start doing harder trails then your hard tail will be much better

[@brendancycling12]

I ride a XC bike but it would be fun to ride a fat bike in snow!

[@skooterbrah]

To be completely honest, riding a fattire anywhere is stupid fun! They are even better on any loose terrain that would stop a regular MTB dead in its tracks.

[@skooterbrah]

To be completely honest, riding a fattire anywhere is stupid fun! They are even better on any loose terrain that would stop a regular MTB dead in its tracks.

[@yosefben-yehudah4604]

I am a very aggressive biker, and have broken a few bikes in my lifetime; what would you suggest? I would like a bike that is made for going up and down hills.

[@stefanhansen5882]

Which is best for lightweight bike packing?

[@Neuro713]

Love my fatty with 120mm forks, its my commuter and also jump bike. Nothing can stop it

[@nameless6058]

i am a beginne to mountain biking i tried hard tail, and enduro bike, and now i tried downhill bike and it suites me well but my co biker said that i am a beginner and downhill will not improve my skills and it is only for professionals can you help me what is your thought about this. when i am on downhill bike i can see the progression of my confidence on technical trails and jumps.

[@S.F.D.R]

whats the brand for the red fat bike in the video?

[@clemens8744]

long travel enduro bike with mixed wheels and dh forks.

[@clemens8744]

@TELEGRAM ME:@Globalbike hurray! Only one question: which one? The only giveaway I'm aware of has already been won by someone else as announced in the last dirtshedshow. And if you actually were from GMBN, how come that you had to put up a new and exclusive channel in order to inform me? Given the chances I must think that this message is simply another stupid Spam. If you csn prove me wrong, I hope you take my apologize and I'll repeat myself: HURRAY

[@computerbob06]

"Unless you want to go really fast on the rough stuff!" Don't let Blake hear you saying that!

[@LastAphelion]

I think I want an E downcountry bike but they don't seem to exist, I don't want the 50+ pound weight and enduro suspension of a full powered, but I am extremely hopeful that the Transistion Relay will be a good bike as while it seems a bit more travel than I need, the promise that you are allowed to pedal it off and feel like a normal bike, and above the assist limit with no drag sounds too good to be true. I just wish it was more like an E Spur or Sentinel in geo since if I didn't go E bike I'd want the Spur or Sentinel

[@hambo76]

Orbea Rise?

[@chriswalker499]

Is it me or endro bikes from two years ago. Are now in the trail category?

[@RicardoRodrigues166]

Would love a video about getting back on a bike after suffering injuries. Few years back whilst riding I broke my arm, got a weak wrist with a slipping ulna now, broke my ankle n fibia too and have very little confidence to get back on, Ive put it off for a few years now out of fear... Would love to hear your guys experiences or tips on how to get around this, are wrist/ankle braces worth it? etc?. Thanks.

[@charlie_one_9]

Ever since breaking my ankle about 15 years ago, I’ve always worn ankle braces. Highly recommend ‘em. As for gloves, see if you can find ones with wrist wraps built in.

[@RyanCranage]

I rode freestyle BMX at a high level for a decade. Tore my MCL in my knee, broken wrist, arm, ankles, leg, I had brain cancer in 2016 also. I wear lace up ankle braces, a knee brace, and decent pads. Once I accepted I wasn’t going to look good on a bike, or be fast trying to set crazy times out on the trail. The fear went away and I just enjoyed it. Take it slow, go at your pace and be realistic about your abilities.

[@MrDblStop]

Look into 'strength and conditioning' rehabilitation. Specific resistance exercises using weights, bands, body weight, etc, for the injured parts. And general weight training for the rest of you. You will feel much more confident when you feel both generally stronger, and realise that the injured parts are working OK.

[@donparsons1237]

Don't forget too add neck protection too your Extrem Down-Hill rides... lots of riders have been seriously injured with neck injuries... just saying all... thanks for the video ...