Information / advice for beginners to Mountain Biking in Les Arcs
Chosing a mountain bike can be a difficult decision if you are
starting out because they are designed for different uses and terrains.
* Cross country (XC) bikes have a small amount of suspension movement and are the lightest, so are not ideal for rough terrain. However they are fine for gentle trails and are perfect for complete beginners because they are the cheapest to hire at around 15 Euros a day.
* Freestyle bikes are heavier and have more suspension at the front and sometimes the rear, so are the better for rougher ground, and if you want to do some climbing as well as down hill because the suspension isn't too full on.
* Downhill bikes have the most suspension so are perfect for more experienced and technical downhill riders. However they are not suitable if you plan to use the chair lifts to go up the hill because you will expend a lot of energy trying to ride them up hill.
* 'Hard tail' is a catch all term for bikes which don't have rear suspension, and when people refer to a full suspension (FS) bike they are talking about downhill bikes which have both front and back suspension.
* Cross country (XC) bikes have a small amount of suspension movement and are the lightest, so are not ideal for rough terrain. However they are fine for gentle trails and are perfect for complete beginners because they are the cheapest to hire at around 15 Euros a day.
* Freestyle bikes are heavier and have more suspension at the front and sometimes the rear, so are the better for rougher ground, and if you want to do some climbing as well as down hill because the suspension isn't too full on.
* Downhill bikes have the most suspension so are perfect for more experienced and technical downhill riders. However they are not suitable if you plan to use the chair lifts to go up the hill because you will expend a lot of energy trying to ride them up hill.
* 'Hard tail' is a catch all term for bikes which don't have rear suspension, and when people refer to a full suspension (FS) bike they are talking about downhill bikes which have both front and back suspension.
"Thanks for all your great hospitality, and doing the BBQ, and for the great guiding. It really made the holiday." Ben
