A short introduction to mountain bike types

Hardtail:

29er, race geometry (Überhöhung), suspension exclusively on fork, typically with 100 mm travel

+ maximum uphill performance, highest speed, best acceleration

- requires good driving skills, particularly on technical trails

 

All mountain:

mostly 29er but also 27.5, relatively low travel (100-120 mm) suspension on both wheels

+ still relatively good uphill performance, rear wheel suspension and geometry facilitate control on technical trails

- Much of a compromise

 

Enduro:

mostly 27.5, geometry promotes an upright seating position, relatively high travel (120-160 mm) suspension on both wheels

+ very good downhill performance, geometry facilitates control on technical trails, high jumps and drops possible

- long uphill passages are tough pieces of work

 

Downhill / Freeride:

mostly 27.5, saddle is so low that it is hardly useful for seating, extremely high travel (> 160 mm) suspension on both wheels, heavy duty, heavy

+ extremely good downhill performance, extremely high jumps and drops possible

- uphill? Where is the cable car? Heavy weight can be obstructive in technical passages.