Bicycles for freeride: review, types, characteristics and reviews

Bicycle Freeride is a sport discipline that involves riding a bike along difficult routes with various obstacles (natural and artificial). On an ordinary bike, it's almost impossible to drive this route, so special bikes for freeriding are used here. Today we will get to know more about this kind of extreme sport and find out what the bike should be so that it can overcome the freeride track.

general information

The name of this direction comes from the English phrase free ride, which translates only as "free movement." But how can you call a free ride on such difficult routes, which obey only after years of training and a dozen bruises? This is the essence - the more professional the cyclist, the more he can afford and the more difficult the track can submit to him.

Classic Freeride

There are two types of freeride: classic and lightweight (light). Classic is perfectly expressed in extreme driving in the wild. The athlete does not have any restrictions in the speed of driving, the length of jumps, the trajectory of movement and the steepness of the turn. In general, complete freedom of action. However, before learning how to ride in such conditions, you need:

1. Learn the technique of jumping, landing and running a bike.
2. Conquer dozens of trails: from simple to difficult.
3. Work on moral preparation. Namely, to develop the ability to make the right decision in an emergency situation on the basis of fundamental knowledge and experience. Without peace and reason, of course, you can not do.
4. Buy full equipment.

Athletes' reviews show that skating in this style allows you to get unforgettable emotions, enjoy natural beauty and conquer all new peaks. Particularly enjoyable is the overcoming of sites that even for motorists seem complicated (puddles, mud, unevenness and so on). Rolling on difficult routes, the cyclist greatly risks his safety, so without proper preparation, you should not do this.

The track, which abounds in slopes, irregularities, sharp changes in the path, cliffs, etc., will not yield to a cyclist who is used to skating around the city or forest trails. What do those who do not want to learn too long? Especially for such an audience came up with a light version of the freeride.

Light Freeride

This direction does not require special training from the rider and is very popular among non-professional cyclists, whose ranks are often recorded by tourists. In the facilitated version of the freeride there are no long stone slopes, sharp breaks and other complex elements. The route usually only slightly resembles the freerider track. On it you can find well-trodden paths, small artificial trampolines, minor irregularities and smooth turns. Descents for the light version of this sport, as a rule, are flat. If they are made of stones, then the stones are used small, without sharp corners. Sometimes, instead of a natural descent, an artificial, imitating mountain slope is built. There are no restrictions on speed and technology, so anyone who has the basic skills of riding a mountain bike can try himself in a light-free ride.

Bicycles for freeride

Since this direction is considered an independent sport, bicycles for it are produced separately. Professional bike for free style is a kind of mountain bike. Bicycles for freeride and downhill are very similar, but professionals know that they have significant differences. Among the features of the bike for extreme driving can be identified:

1. The strength of the structure.
2. Light weight.
3. Availability of the depreciation system.
4. Powerful brakes.
5. Wide tire profile.

When riding on difficult routes, the bicycle experiences serious dynamic loads, so the strength of the structure is especially important. The frame for such a bike is much stronger than the usual mountain. It is usually made of aluminum alloys.

In addition, that the bike should be reliable, it also should not weigh much. The lower the weight of a bike, the easier it is for a cyclist to climb uphill and fly over cliffs. Normally, bicycles for freeriding do not weigh more than 15 kilograms.

If mountain bikes often have only one shock absorber - the front, then in freeride bikes it does not hurt and the second one - the rear. The system for damping damping and vibration smoothes the shock loads that occur not only on the bike, but also on the bicyclist. The shock absorbers on such a bicycle have a large stroke, about 7 inches. Freeride usually uses two types of suspension: spring-elastomeric and spring-oil.

Professional bicycles for freeriding necessarily have a quality brake system. Usually they are fitted with disc hydraulic brakes with metal shoes - the most expensive and powerful type of brakes to date.

Wide-profile tires with a deep tread pattern allow the bike to maintain balance off-road, stone slopes and sand. With conventional wheels in such conditions it would be much more difficult.

According to cyclists' reviews, freeride bikes are a fairly specific vehicle. Apply them to other disciplines, not recommended. However, novice riders usually use such bikes for downhill and just mountain biking.

For comparison, consider several well-known brands that produce bicycles for freeride.

Ghost

German firm Ghost became famous all over the world due to the serious approach to the quality of each model. From the very beginning of its development, the manufacturer said that it does everything to make the trip on a bicycle bring maximum pleasure. Every day this phrase is confirmed by the creation of the next batch of bicycles for sports, travel and just rest with unsurpassed German quality. The manufacturer produces a huge number of models, which are divided into seven classes. A freeride-bike Ghost can be found in the MTB Fully class.

Cannondale

American brand, which gained worldwide popularity due to brightness, individuality, as well as innovative solutions in the bikes of Cannondale. Freeride-bikes of this manufacturer are recognized by many professional athletes.

Rock Machine

The Czech company, which was able to conquer the European and then the American market with lightning speed. The main advantage of the manufacturer in comparison with competitors is an excellent price-quality ratio. Many athletes and experts recommend for free riding exactly the model of the firm Rock Machine. Freeride-bikes of the company not once showed themselves at world-class competitions.

Trek

This company offers reliable bikes, which have a very ergonomic design. To date, the company is considered one of the most popular on the world market. Freeride-bikes Trek not once won in the competition of the highest class.

Security

The most important aspect of professional freeriding is safety. To protect themselves from injuries that may occur even with a simple fall, riders are required to use special equipment. Usually it includes a helmet, body and neck protection, knee pads, elbow pads and fingerless gloves.