Affordable trail bikes are getting crazy capable
The mountain bike I had as a kid in the late 90s had zero suspension. Sounds crazy in today’s context where even the cheapest shopping mall bike has a front suspension. Don’t get me wrong, you can certainly have a lot of fun on rigid mountain bikes, as I did back in those days. But as an adult used to the comforts and ease of a road bikes on a nice smooth asphalt, I’m so glad that the MTB industry made such huge strides in bike tech.
And the advancements in suspension are just the tip of the iceberg. Let’s go over a brief checklist of inventions that just make the life of a mountain biker today so much easier.
Dropper seat posts. They are something I had no idea I needed until I used one. They turn pretty much any mountain bike into a trail-ready machine with a press of a button.
Modern geometry. Modern trail bikes are longer and slacker which makes you feel a lot safer and confident on descents. This is huge, especially for those who are just starting out.
The one-by drivetrain. Gone are the 3-chainrings I knew from the 90s. A single chainring in the front with 12 speeds in the back are almost the norm. So much simpler, yet just as versatile.
Tubeless tires. Sure, these are pretty common on road bikes as well. But I would say they are even more impactful on the trails. Being able to run lower air pressure and experience significantly fewer flats is a big deal.
Light weight. Trail bikes are no longer cumbersome heavy machines. Even budget ones weigh under 15 kg and higher-end get close to 12 kg. This makes them truly versatile, light enough for long rides and climbs yet confident on descents.
The second-hand market is full of great deals
You can get a capable full-suspension trail bike for under €1400 brand new. That surprised me when I first started shopping for a trail bike. Especially because a bike at that price point comes with nearly all the amazing tech advancements I mentioned earlier.
But things get even more interesting when you start looking at second-hand bikes. If you’re wondering, like I was, why there are such seemingly crazy-good deals out there, here’s why: COVID. Yep, let me explain.
Remember the lockdowns, social distancing, and all that fun stuff? One unexpected side effect was that people started searching for new ways to stay fit and have fun outdoors, away from restrictions and crowded spaces. Cycling became an obvious choice, and bikes flew off the shelves. Manufacturers responded by ramping up production to meet the soaring demand.
But as life returned to normal after the worst of COVID passed, demand for bikes dropped off just as quickly. That’s why bike brands began offering big discounts, and why the second-hand market is now packed with barely used bikes at great prices.
Huge growth in trails and bike parks
Getting a really capable bike for a very reasonable price is a great starting point for anyone new to trail riding. But wait, there’s more!
As mountain biking has grown in popularity over the years, so has the demand for fun trails and bike parks. And with that demand came a boom in mountain biking infrastructure.
It’s not like I had never heard of a bike park before I bought my trail bike, but it was only when I started looking at what was available near me that I realized just how much things had changed. When I was a kid, we simply rode on forest paths, with the natural contours of the terrain and a few roots as our only obstacles. Today, it’s a completely different scene.
A significant number of ski resorts now operate as bike parks during the off-season, and there are countless trail areas featuring berms, jumps, and technical sections, some even with entire structures built from stone and wood. There’s so much to choose from that I honestly think it’s going to take me several years just to visit the best bike parks and trail spots in Czechia, where I’m from.
A lot of great educational and relatable content online
Riding trails is fun right from the start. Even as a roadie, you can jump in and enjoy yourself. But as you get more into it, wanting to ride more efficiently, tackle jumps, or take on rougher terrain, you quickly realize just how many different skills there are to master.
The great news? There’s an incredible amount of high-quality advice available from seasoned riders online. The number of detailed YouTube tutorials I found on manuals, bunny hops, jumping, and balance techniques is astounding.
And it’s not just about tutorials. There are tons of great creators making videos at every skill level, from complete beginners to professionals. Nothing hypes me up more than watching someone like me land their first jump or finally link a few features on a trail. Plus, you can find plenty of videos from your local trails, giving you a preview of what to expect and which spots might be the most fun for you.
It’s an exciting time to get into trail riding. But as welcoming as this sport has been, there were a few surprises I didn’t see coming. I’ll share those in the next article.
