Bike Buying Guides
If you're thinking about buying a bike but you're not sure what bike to get, you're in the right place. We have detailed guides to many of the absolute best models of mountain bikes, gravel bikes, and road bikes.
Browse our model guides by bike type or brand below.
Bike Categories
Select a bicycle category to see all the model guides for that type of bike.
All-Mountain
All-mountain bikes are designed to handle all trails in all weather. In the past it referred to any bike that was not a pure cross-country race bike or a pure downhill bike. With modern bikes, an all-mountain bike can be considered to fit between trail bikes and enduro bikes in terms of suspension travel, geometry angles, and durability.
Cross-Country
A Cross-Country (XC) mountain bike is specifically designed for racing and riding long distances, fast. These bikes are characterized by their lightweight construction, efficient pedaling platforms, and nimble handling. Cross-country trails and races often feature a mix of climbs, descents, and technical sections, requiring a bike that can excel in both uphill and downhill situations. XC bikes typically prioritize climbing efficiency and speed.
Down-Country
A Down Country mountain bike is a relatively new category that bridges the gap between ultralight XC race bikes and tougher, heavier trail bikes. Downcountry bikes are designed to offer the efficiency and climbing prowess of XC bikes while being more capable of handling technical sections. They're a result of developing XC bikes in a more versatile direction and can also be considered as a short-travel trail bike.
Downhill
A downhill bike is built for one thing and one thing only. Going down hill, hard and fast. These bikes are used in extreme racing like the Red Bull Hardline races. They're meant to be hauled to the top of the trail on a chair lift or shuttle, on so-called gravity-fed tracks.
Electric bikes
Electric mountain bikes have become increasingly popular in recent years as a way to be able to tackle harder trails, ride faster, cover more ground, or still have the energy to hit the trail on a "rest" day.
Enduro
Enduro mountain bikes are designed for enduro racing, where the rider is timed based on downhill sections but has to climb up the hill and even transfer between sections themselves. This means the bikes focus on maximizing downhill performance without tiring the rider out too much on the uphill sections. Even if it might be slow going, you can still get up the hill on an enduro bike.
Freeride
Freeride bikes are purpose-built mountain bikes designed for riders who seek out adrenaline-pumping descents, jumps, and features. These bikes are engineered for riding mostly bike parks and extreme natural terrain. They're half a step away from downhill bikes: you can still pedal uphill with a freeride bike, although it's going to be at a crawl. Modern freeride bikes are so good, having a dedicated downhill-only bike isn't necessarily necessary.
Gravel
Gravel bikes are a versatile cross between road bikes and mountain bikes. They're designed to handle a variety of terrains, from smooth pavement to gravel paths and milder mountain biking trails. Some gravel bikes are even equipped with a full suspension. These bikes are especially popular among bikepackers.
Mountain
Mountain bikes are what we're all about! Below, you'll find detailed model guides to some of the best mountain bike models out there. Click on any model to access a detailed guide featuring specifications, features, and insights to help you choose the ideal bike for your adventures.
Road
Road bikes are designed for riding far and fast on paved roads. They're the type you'll see at big races like the Tour de France. They're usually designed for an aerodynamic riding position, and come with a variety of grip positions and sometimes elbow rests. They usually have a gear range designed for high speeds. Road bikes come in race, endurance, aero, time trial, and gravel flavors.
Trail
Trail bikes are the classic do-it-all mountain bike. For many weekend warriors and enthusiast riders, a trail bike is the right choice when you need one bike that can take you everywhere.
Bike Brands
Select a cycling brand to see all the available model guides for that brand's bicycle models.
Cipollini
Cipollini is an Italian luxury bicycle brand founded by former professional cyclist Mario Cipollini, known as "The Lion King" for his dominating sprinting prowess. Established in 2010, Cipollini combines Italian craftsmanship with cutting-edge technology to create high-performance bikes that exude style and speed.
Diamondback
Diamondback is a well-established American bicycle brand with a rich history dating back to 1977. Originally known for their BMX bikes, Diamondback has since expanded its lineup to include a wide range of bicycles, from mountain bikes to road bikes and everything in between.
Juliana Bicycles
Juliana Bicycles is a pioneering brand dedicated to empowering women in the world of mountain biking. Born from the same visionary minds behind Santa Cruz Bicycles, Juliana builds high-performance bikes designed just for women. Juliana has quickly become a shining star in the women's mountain biking community.
Niner Bikes
Niner is a Colorado-based company focused exclusively on off-road bikes. Their brand is deeply rooted in the spirit of adventure and exploration. Their bikes are designed to inspire riders to push their limits and experience the freedom of two wheels and endless trails. Niner has earned a reputation as a trusted name in the industry among enthusiasts and professionals alike.
Norco Bicycles
Norco is a Canadian bicycle brand that was founded in 1964 in mountainous Vancouver, British Columbia. The brand started as a bicycle shop and eventually expanded into producing their own line of bikes. Their slogan "No Other Way" gives you an idea of their single minded dedication to mountain biking.
Nukeproof Bikes
Nukeproof is a British bike brand known for their expertise in downhill and enduro mountain bikes, They originally focused on producing high-performance components and have since expanded to include full bikes.
Orbea
Orbea is a popular brand in Europe that's starting to make its presence known in the United States. They produce very high quality bikes that we're easily able to recommend to our customers. Airpark is one of only a few select Orbea authorized dealers in the US.
Rocky Mountain Bicycles
Rocky Mountain Bicycles is a Canadian bike brand that was founded in 1981 in Vancouver, British Columbia. The brand is known for its high-performance mountain bikes that are designed and tested in some of the most rugged and challenging terrain in North America.
Santa Cruz
Mountain biking is an exhilarating sport that requires top-notch gear and equipment. One of the leading companies in the industry is Santa Cruz, known for their high-quality bikes, innovative technology, and commitment to excellence. All of their bikes are built right in California in their own factory, and they make their own carbon fiber frames.
SCOR
SCOR is a fresh contender in the mountain biking scene from the picturesque (and mountainous!) Jura region of Switzerland. Founded by engineers at BMC, SCOR represents a departure from the status quo.
Yeti Cycles
Yeti is a high-end mountain bike brand that was founded in 1985 by John Parker in California. Parker started the company as a way to produce high-quality bikes for himself and his friends. They chose the name "Yeti" because of their extreme, almost mythical adventures in the mountains.