Off-Road Gear Guide: Mountain Bikes
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Written by: Brad Culp and Jay Prasuhn
“The trail is the thing, not the end of the trail. Travel too fast and you miss all you are traveling for.” –Louis L’Amour, American adventure writer.
We get what Mr. L’Amour is trying to say here, but clearly this guy has never raced XTERRA. When it comes to off-road triathlon, traveling fast takes precedence over soaking up the scenery. Whether you’re looking to compete in your first XTERRA in 2009, or you’re itching to upgrade your off-road gear, you’ll find it here. We’ve broken the bikes down into three categories based on price and performance demands.
Key
• 9 = 29er
• FS = dual suspension
• HT = hardtail
• W= female-specific geometry available
Here are the categories:
Beginner ($1,999 and under): These bikes are ideal for the casual XTERRA athlete who’s looking to compete in one or two events each season.
Click here for the beginner guide.
Advanced ($2,000 – $3,999): This group of bikes has what it takes to tear up the trails in Maui without the hefty price tag of top-shelf rigs.
Click here for the advanced guide.
Expert ($4,000 and over): These bikes are for the athlete who has to have it all and has plenty of change to spare. They’re fast, they’re sexy, and they’re definitely not for the budget-conscious.