Top 10 Mountain Bike Brands

August 17, 2016 by Corey Davis

Mountain biking is one of the most popular disciplines of cycling and the selection of mountain bike brands out there is enormous. Knowing what kind of riding you plan to do will help decide which brand of bike is best for you. Some of the biggest companies such as Trek, Cannondale and Specialized offer a top of line reliable mountain bike with some of the best technology in the industry. Smaller mountain bike brands such as Niner, Felt, and Santa Cruz offer high performance machines that are a bit more niche marketed toward the high-end consumer market. Below are the top 10 mountain bike brands in our opinion, in no specific order.

The Big Mountain Bike Brands

Specialized

Specialized offers a full array of bikes depending on the type of riding you plan to do, from cross country to downhill to fat bikes, they have you covered. “From ultra-lightweight XC hardtails to our World-Championship-proven FSR suspension designs found on our trail and downhill bikes, you’ll find the ideal setup for your riding style”. Specialized is one of the largest bike companies in the world, based in California, and focus on technology and innovation. Specialized is a market leader with a lot of other company’s modeling their bikes and ideas after the innovative designs Specialized comes up with.

Cannondale

One of the most innovative designs on the market, Cannondale created the lefty fork making it one of our top ten mountain bike brands. Cannondale’s signature green color schemes and asymmetrical fork give it a stand out look for a top-performing bike. Cannondale’s mountain bike line is focused mainly on cross-country and is making a strong surge in the enduro category of mountain biking. Cannondale has coined many acronyms for any new innovations they develop such as Ai, Si and hologram. All of these new innovations are only available on Cannondale bike’s and makes them some of the best mountain bikes you can purchase.

Trek

Trek has the most models available to select from. Trek offers one of the largest women’s specific lines and models from beginner mountain bikers to world cup racers. “Our lineup has every rider covered, from those just beginning to push their limits, to those racing or going for serious air. If you’re seeking a ride to expand your horizons in expansive environs, look no further.” Trek is based in Waterloo, Wisconsin and has always had a strong focus on values and creating the most elegant machine possible.

Niner

At Niner their passion for mountain biking is evident in every product they create. Niner is a relatively new company compared to some of the bigger brands previously mentioned, but that has not stopped them from creating one of the best mountain bikes on the planet. Niner is primarily focused on their mountain bike line, and has become one of the most recognizable bikes amongst different mountain bike brands. Their passion and commitment to making exquisite mountain bikes is seen throughout every bike they design.

Felt

“At Felt, our mission remains as it’s been since the beginning: to design, develop and deliver the best bicycles in the world. Period.” Felt is a company that truly stands behind their statement above; they create quality bikes based on constantly innovating their designs. Felt’s full suspension trail bike is probably one of their most popular mountain bike designs. Felt’s main focus is on performance and creating fast durable bikes.

Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz is one of the top mountain bike brands available. Santa Cruz only offers mountain bikes, so you can rest assured all of their energy is put into creating the best mountain bike possible. Santa Cruz started like many tech companies in Southern California in 1993 in a single car garage. Now they offer 16 different mountain bike line ups with one of their most popular being the women’s Juliana line. Santa Cruz is known for being a little bit weird and out there when it comes to mountain bikes, but that’s one reason people like them so much!

Giant

Being the largest bicycle manufacture on the planet makes their name Giant a very fitting name. Giant mountain bikes can be found anywhere in the world, and their shear size has helped them become one of the biggest mountain bike brands in the world. The size of the company has helped them create some of the best designs because of the amount of resources they are able to own.

Scott

Starting as a ski company Scott has always been focused on creating the lightest most efficient mountain bike possible. Their mountain bikes have won many world cups and races around the world. In the early days of carbon fiber, Scott broke the world record for the lightest mountain bike frame, something uncommon in the early days of mountain biking.

Yeti

No not the overpriced cooler, the mountain bike brand that is based on passion and creativity. Yeti has created a culture that is focused on having fun and making you feel comfortable and enjoying your time on the bike. Yeti has a simply philosophy, they build bikes they want to ride. With this kind of passion and attention to detail many companies could learn a lot from Yeti.

Kona

Kona found inspiration from the Hawaiian Islands and offer an extensive list of mountain bikes to choose from. Their list of bikes is so long it would be close to impossible not to find a bike that suits you. They even have a place on their website to help you pick out the perfect bike, because of the wide array of lines they offer. Kona is certainly one of the best mountain bike brands because of this.

3 Wheeled Bike For Adults — Best 5 For Your Riding

February 12, 2016 by Wade Shaddy

When you say 3 wheeled bike, you probably think about the tricycle that you rode as a child. However, contemporary 3 wheeled bike models are designed for adults. Some of them have little in common with the trike from your childhood, while others are almost exactly like the smaller versions.

Common Transportation

You’ve probably seen a traditional upright 3 wheeled bike on TV or in movies, or perhaps on your travels if you have visited any Middle Eastern or Eastern countries. The 3 wheeled bike is as common a mode of transportation as any other type of vehicle.

The Older Crowd

More older riders than ever are now riding recumbent trikes. As the price has come down, more younger buyers are trying trikes, but the 50-plus crowd continues to lead the trend. According to the AARP Bulletin, some manufacture’s have estimated that at least 75 percent of 3 wheeled bike customers are over 50. It only makes sense; Recumbent trikes benefit riders who experience conditions common in older people.

Advantages of The 3 Wheeled Recumbent Bike

Spreads the weight: Standard upright bicycles or trikes, focuses your body weight on two small sit bones, the hands, and the feet. A recumbent bike, with its reclined seating position focuses weight on the rider’s bottom, back, legs and feet, effectively spreading the weight.
More aerodynamic: 3 wheeled recumbent bikes have a lower level of gravity and a triangular shape to cut through the wind. This results in less drag and as a result it is less taxing on the arms or legs, depending on the model you have.
Speed: Having the body positioned so low to the ground really makes a huge difference in speed, especially in windy conditions.
Balance: For many older riders, or anyone else for that matter, not having to worry about balance is a big plus.
Adaptability: Can be adapted to people with disabilities.

Potential Downfalls

Hard to see in traffic. Flags can help you overcome it.
On hills, you can’t stand up to gain leverage or power. Gearing should allow for you to overcome this.

Advantages of The Upright 3 Wheeled Bike

Better visibility in traffic. The higher seating position allows more visibility above car hoods and other obstacles.
Step through design for easy mounting and dismounting
Bicycle stores love you, much more availability of parts for easy repair. Also are easier to work on.
Typically more cargo area.
Built to last.

Potential Downfalls

Less efficient than a recumbent.
Upper body weight is placed on the rear end and hands the same as a normal bike.
Typically built cheaper than a recumbent.

A Lot of Choices – The Best 5

With what seems like hundreds of different configurations, styles, prices and types of 3 wheeled bikes out there, it’s almost counterproductive to state that any bike is better than another. It depends on your individual needs. With that in mind, here are some different options:

Greenspeed GT3 Folding Recumbent

Small trike with a lot of personality. Designed to be easily transported so you can fold it up to fit in your car, or take up less space in storage. It is quickly folded with only a 6mm hex wrench and one quick-release for the frame hinge.

What to Use it For

This bike is great for weekend warriors, commuters, or even assisted touring. Available in small and standard sizes, it’s easy to find one that fits. With a weight limit of 265 lbs, it accommodates most people with ease. $2,690

Terra Trike Tadpole Rover

The Rover has probably introduced more people to a 3-wheeled bike than any other recumbent trike on the market. It’s restored health and happiness to thousands of owners who never thought they would be active again. The Rover is perfect for any type of rider – young or old, large or small.

Internal Gearing

The Rover employs the NuVinci N-360 hub. It works with a continuously variable shifting system to give the rider minute control over the ride. It is a zero maintenance, zero learning curve, zero intimidation hub that makes learning to ride a 3-wheeler easy. There is no derailleur or fixed gears to worry about, and it doesn’t matter if you are pedaling or not to shift. All the rider has to do is twist the shifter on their handlebar and the hub increases or decreases the gearing immediately to what feels best for the rider.

$1,499 with the NuVinci Hub.

Mobo Triton Pro 20

Easy to ride for adults and kids with easy adjustments. Think of it as a more affordable version of the tadpole design. Sturdy and stable. $499.00

Mission SOLO Low Step Adult Tricycle

The new Mission SOLO has been specially designed with a low step over of only 6 inches from the ground making it easy to mount and dismount. It’s proven to be very popular with the elderly and physically challenged. The Mission SOLO helps to raise the independence of disabled people and achieve a greater sense of self-worth. It’s ideal for those little shopping trips with a large basket on the rear to carry groceries. $820.

Schwinn Meridian Single Speed Adult Tricycle

This is the basic 3 wheeled bike for beginners which might remind you of the trike you had as a child. It’s also the most affordable at only $269.

Ten Best Fat Bikes and Their Advantages

February 10, 2016 by Wade Shaddy

Think of the fat tire bike as the monster truck of the cycling world. You might have seen one before; a bike that looks like it has car tires. To put it mildly — they’re FAT. They look ungainly, and for the most part they are. Bearing in mind that the over-the-top fat tire bike is not designed for speed or responsive handling, the fat tire bikes look really cool and they’re a blast to ride in conditions that a normal bike would go nowhere with. Following a brief run-down are ten of the best fat bikes out there right now. Have another one you’re a big fan of? Let us know in the comments below.

Fatties in Competition

Fatties have been around for more than a decade but have only captured the mainstream cycling world’s attention over the past couple of years. It’s due in part because of their versatility and the growing popularity of extreme adventure riding and racing. For example; hundreds of competitors ride fat bikes over the challenging Arrowhead 135 course every January in Minnesota. If you’re interest is peaked, there are a lot more racing and events out there just waiting for you and your best fat bikes.

Wide Tires

Standard mountain bikes typically have a tire width of about 2 inches. Fat bike tires are about double that — or more even. The massive tires can also be ridden at dramatically lower pressure. The width allows fat bikes to float on loose, non-solid surfaces where any other bike would just sink in and go nowhere.

Low Pressure

Mountain bike tires range from about 25–65 psi, but the gigantic fat tires can handle pressures as low as 10 psi or even less. Lower pressure allows the tire to grip the ground under the rider’s weight, drastically increasing the contact area of the tire thus increasing traction even of loose surface such as snow or sand where the fat bike is at home.

All Terrain

For other conditions, such as sand or soft snow, the extra width and low pressure allows the rider to float more easily over the softer, more unstable surface. The tires react to snow-packed and icy surfaces gliding through icy corners that can send you hurtling to the ground on a standard mountain bike. As an added benefit, the squishy tires also make for a much more comfortable ride on any surface as it’s a built in suspension.

The Best Fat Bikes For You

Now that you know a bit more about fat bikes here are ten of the best fat bikes for you to consider for a totally different riding experience.

Trek Farley

The Trek Farley may just be at the top of the food chain, both in performance, looks, and price. It also accommodates one of the widest tires out there at 5 inches.

Carbon or Alloy frame
Tubeless tires
Rockshock Bluto Fork
Up to 11 speeds

With up to six different models of the Trek Farley the models range from about $1,200 to about $4,800.

Surley Ice Cream Truck

The Ice Cream Truck is near the top of the best fat bikes list primarily because it has one of the largest, most voluminous tires out there at 4.8 inches. And it’s eye candy.

4130 chromoly steel tubing
Shimano SLX CS-HG81-10-speed cassette
Six frame sizes from extra small to xxLarge
$2,700.00

Specialized Fatboy

A worthy first-time fat bike, with only slightly less width at 4.6 inches.

FACT carbon fiber fork
M4 alloy frame construction
SRAM X7 Type 2.1, 10-speed
$ 1,699.00

Felt Double Double 30

Tires getting smaller at 4 inches in width, the Double Double is at home for daily use on any surface.

Aluminum Frame
Custom hydroform fork
Shimano 10-speed
$1,999.00

Borealis Echo XX1 fat bike

The echo is performance-oriented, with clearance for 4.8 inch tires.

Full carbon frame
Fully guided internal cable routing
SRAM XG-1195 cassette
$4,750

Turner King Kahn

The Kahn, with over five inches of travel and a massive foot print, allows a rider to stick lines only available to mountain goats and downhill pro’s in the past. When traction is virtually unlimited, a rider can push through limits. You only need to know one thing: This fat bike is full-suspension since Turner only makes full suspension bikes

$5999

Cannondale Fat CAAD 1

The bike for those who ride in every season on every surface. Fans of the “lefty” fork will recognize this unique design on the Fat CAAD.

Aluminum Frame
SRAM components
4.8-inch tires
Bike specialty — mowing things down
$3,730

Canyon Dude CF 9.0 EX

With an innovative carbon frame weighing in at an incredible 1550 g, this is one of the lightest fatties out there. The Dude may look fat but don’t let that fool you – nothing stands in its way.

SRAM drivetrain
4.0-inch tires designed for a faster ride than other fatties
Rockshock fork
$4273.13

Genesis Caribou

Not tied-down to specific single-season use, and much more than a just ‘snow bike’, the trail-orientated geometry and fat tires lend themselves well to year-round use.

Chromoly steel frame
Shimano and Samox drivetrain
4-inch tires
$ 1852.42

Moonmen #MOO

This bike is all about playing. Moonmen bikes are foremost about the joy of riding, especially when you’re floating over a fluffy snow, bike packing across the desert, or taking a podium at your local race series. This bike company is so new, that reviews are for the most part, unavailable. It also has so many different options, that listing even part of them is not fair, but here are the basics:

Single Speed
Titanium
$3600 and up

Ten Best Folding Bikes for Traveling

February 2, 2016 by Wade Shaddy

A folding bike is bicycle that can be compacted by folding or separating some of its components. Older designs were primarily for leisure, touring, and commuting. Contemporary folding bikes include sleek road bikes and mountain bikes. They are designed to be as lightweight as possible and can be folded easily without using tools. Are folding bikes something you can use? Here are the best folding bikes and a brief run down of what folding bikes are.

Old-School Folders

Early folding bikes were hard to ride, heavy, crude, slow to fold, and often collapsed in a heap. But the early ’90s changed all that when rail operators and airlines began to tighten restrictions on conventional bike transportation. The concept of a super-compact foldable bike caught on, partly because they could still travel for free, and they were lighter in design and materials.

New Designs Rule

Contemporary designers have developed at least 150 folding bike designs and thanks to developments in smaller tires, technology and frame materials, the ride quality, weight and performance of the best folding bike is similar to that of their rigid cousins.

Some Distinct Advantages

Foldable bikes offer distinct advantages over conventional machines. It’s the freedom to travel anywhere with your folding bike that gives it a magic quality. A folding bike opens up entirely new ways of traveling.

Things to Consider in a Folding Bike

You’ll be carrying the bike by hand. The more you pay, the lighter the machine (typically). Generally speaking. folding bikes are more expensive than their non-folding counterparts.
Folded size is important too. If you expect to travel by air, the smaller the better.
Small wheels usually give lighter steering but a harder ride.
If you can’t live with small wheels, folding bikes are available with standard wheels, but they won’t fold as small.
Anything with a tire bigger than 20-inch will fold slowly, with more difficulty.
Bikes with 16 or 18-inch wheels have a limited range, but the best are still capable of 50-100 mile rides.
Avoid production or department store folding bikes. They tend to be heavy, with weird or clumbsy folding mechanisms and are just all-in-all a bad purchase.

The Ten Best Folding Bikes

In no particular order, here are ten different models to look at and consider. Note that bicycle specifications, availability, and stated prices may vary without notice in different regions. Always check specifications with your local supplier.

The Montague Boston

Use this one for city touring, around town for errands, commuting or appointments.

Full size, 700c wheels
Folds in 20 seconds
Weighs in at 24 lbs
Single speed
19 or 21 inch frame
$699.95
Buy Here

Pacific If Mode

Think of it as the Tesla of folding bikes, high-end and luxurious.

For city commuters who use public transport.
Looks at home folded up on a subway train or in an office.
Performs on the street like any full size bike.
Dual speed system
14.7 kg
$2,850
Buy Here

Montague Swiss Bike

This is your folding mountain bike option. Go anywhere, mud, dirt, and it climbs like crazy.

Front suspension
26-inch all-terrain tires
Folded Size: 36-by-28-by-12
32 lbs
Frame sizes 16, 18 and 20-inch
$629.95
Buy Here

The Ritchey Break-Away Steel Cross Frameset

Frameset only, but can be purchased fully built. Great for a cyclocross option. Rugged. It splits in half.

Full size bike can be split apart to fit into travel case
For serious roadies who travel by air
Add your own components and wheels
$1,499.95

Brompton M3L

This company has a long-standing reputation for quality and stability in compact folding bikes.

Fold size 22.2-by-21.5-by-10.6 inches — one of the most compact among comparable folding bikes.
16-inch wheels.
Three-speed gearing
25.3 pounds
Retailing from $1,280

Dahon Speed D7

A good folding bike without breaking the bank. Provides a surprisingly smooth

and stable ride for a folding bike. A budget price that gets high marks for value.

Seven speeds
20-inch wheels
15 second fold down
28 lbs
Folded size 11.7-by-25-by-25 inches
Retailing from $1,280
Buy Here

Bike Friday 1st Class tikit

Reported to be the fastest compact foldable bike on the market. Ggets high marks for its excellent ride quality and easy-to-use folding mechanism. reviewers say the bike is solidly built and has a comfortable ride. The quality of the ride defines the Tikit.

Folded dimensions: 35-by-24-by-15 inches
16-inch wheels
25.8 pounds
Shimano Nexus eight-speed internal hub (thus the speed)
$1,998

Dahon Tournado

Full-sized luxury in a folding road bike. A good choice for tourists and travelers who want a packable bike for touring or exploring. The frame comes apart into two pieces, so that after some additional disassembly the entire bike fits into an airline-legal suitcase

Full sized, 700c wheels
24 pounds
Folded size of 11.7-by-29.3-25.7 inches.
10 to 15 minutes to fold up
Comes with it’s own travel bag on wheels
Triple-ring drivetrain

Citizen Barcelona

Affordable, compact and reliable. Even though the Citizen Bike Barcelona doesn’t have the smallest fold, reviewers say it is comfortable to ride and the price is hard to beat. If comfort and value trump speed and compactness, then you’ll appreciate this bike’s laid-back sensibility

20-inch wheels
Three speeds
30 lbs
30-by-27-by-15 inches
$399

Ravello Bikes – Modifying Your Current Bike Into a Folding Bike

Ravello Bikes takes your existing bike, aluminum or steel, cuts it in half at strategic points and places flanges in place to disassemble and reassemble the bike. This is a great option if you already have a bike and want it smaller for travel. The flanges add some weight by functionality wise it is more or less the same.

Best Bike Brands

November 28, 2014 by Lee Agur

Best Bike Brands

Everyone keeps asking what are the best bike brands? There is no one answer fits all. It depends what kind of cycling you are doing! Road biking, Mountain biking, commuting, triathlon, cross? Nevertheless, I do pick my favourite bike brands based on the type of cycling I am doing.

Truthfully, if you want to find the best bike you should decide on your price range first, then determine what kind of qualities you value most ie. ride feel (comfort, stiffness, handling) then look at which bike brands offer models of bikes that fit your criteria. That being said, there are industry leaders in certain categories but realize that by blindly selecting one model of a bike brand over another it is a style choice and not a performance choice.

Best Road Bike Brands

Selecting the best road bike brand is no easy task. There are thousands of models to choose from and price point is an incredibly important variable. Below is a list of the best mid range to high end bike brands on the market with a picture of one of their bikes. If you are looking for the best entry level road bikes then here they are: The Best Road Bikes Under $1000.

Trek

Cervelo

Giant

Specialized

Cannondale

What about you? Do you agree that these are the top 5 best bike brands? What is your favourite?

Best Mountain Bike Brands

What kind of mountain biking you anticipate on doing is the most important factor in the best brand to buy! Are you into cross country (XC), Trail/Enduro, All Mountain or Downhill (DH)? No matter what kind of riding you are doing here are the top 5 mountain bike brands:

Specialized

Santa Cruz

Trek

Yeti

Giant

What is your favourite mountain bike brand?

Best Triathlon Bike Brands

For the best bike brands in the triathlon series I refer to Kona. As you may or may not know Kona is home to the Ironman World Championships and is arguably composed of the most well informed riders on the planet.

Cervelo

Cervelo continues to dominate the triathlon field at Kona or at any triathlon generally representing double or more of it’s closest competitor. Cervelo’s triathlon P series has a fantastic combination of aerodynamics, comfort and speed.

Trek

In 2009 Trek came out with the Speed Concept and blew everyone’s mind on how sleek the ride looked with all of its components so perfectly integrated. Many of the triathlon bikes these days have adopted Treks style. In the popularity contest, Trek is the second most popular bike ridden at Ironmans.

Specialized

Specialized now has the SHIV which is boasted to be stiff and amazing in cross-winds. It doesn’t hurt that Tony Martin won the UCI Time Trial World Championships on it back in 2013.

Felt

Felt has a wide range of triathlon bikes that appeal to the beginner all the way up to the elite. Felt is continually rising in popularity in the triathlon world.

BMC

Rounding up the top 5 in the best triathlon bike brands is BMC. The timemachine has become a very successful bike since 2011 and 2012 when Cadel Evans road to Tour de France Victory and Andrea Raelert established a new world record over the Ironman distance.