Components

Forks, shocks, brakes, drivetrains, wheels and everything bolted to the frame.

• Drivetrain

  Everything that turns your legs into forward motion: cranks, chainring, chain, cassette, derailleur and shifter. A modern mountain bike runs one chainring and twelve sprockets — 1×12.

• Tubeless tyres

  Tyres that seal directly to the rim with no inner tube, holding liquid sealant that plugs small punctures as you ride. Less weight, fewer flats and more grip at lower pressure.

• Dropper post

  A seatpost that drops at the push of a lever on the bar and rises again on its own. The saddle goes out of the way for the descent and comes back for the climb, without stopping.

• Wheel size

  Mountain bikes roll on 26′′, 27.5′′ or 29′′ wheels. Bigger wheels roll over obstacles more easily and carry speed; smaller ones are quicker to turn and throw around.

• Rear shock

  The spring and damper that control the rear wheel of a full-suspension bike. Its tune and setup decide whether the back of the bike grips, pedals and lands well.

• Suspension fork

  The telescopic front fork that lets the front wheel move up over bumps instead of throwing them into your hands. It is what steers the bike through rough ground.

• Disc brakes

  Brakes that squeeze a steel rotor on the hub instead of the rim. Hydraulic disc brakes are the standard on mountain bikes: strong, controllable with one finger and unbothered by mud.