Mountain biking is a popular hobby all across the world. From gentle off-road rides to hardcore mountain biking with tricks and jumps, this is a fun sport that’s sure to get you a workout!
When you’re ready to rip up and down the mountain biking trails, you may wonder just how much a mountain bike actually weighs (since, unless you have an e-bike, you are the one propelling this two-wheeled contraption up and down the mountain).
Although it depends on the materials of the frames and the extent of suspension, mountain bikes are undoubtedly heavier than any other type of bike.
The average weight for a mountain bike (compared to other bikes)
A mountain bike’s average weight is 30 pounds (compared to 17.5 pounds for the average road bike). While mountain bikes may be heavier than many other types of bikes, the weight is still important, and the main reason people upgrade components is to shed that weight.
If you are concerned with the weight of your mountain bike, there are a few things that you can do to help make it lighter.
Hardtail Mountain Bikes: Average Weight
The average hardtail will come in at between 26 pounds to 28 pounds for a bike that was well thought out designed. Generally speaking, higher end bikes have better components and a thoroughly vetted for high-quality balanced with maximum usability (including considering the wright of the bike). On the flip side, less expensive hardtails can be heavier than this range.
Why are hardtail mountain bikes lighter?
Just like the name suggests, a hardtail mountain bike has a “hard tail,” meaning it lacks rear suspension. Without the added weight of the rear suspension, hardtail mountain bikes are your lightest option. They are built to be lightweight and relatively simple.
This is a great option for cross country racers or occasional weekend riders looking for a relatively fast but uncomplicated mountain bike.
You might also like…
- How does a bicycle dropper post work?
- Mountain Biking is an Expensive Hobby: Some Ways To Help with That
- Schwinn Boundary vs Schwinn Axum DP: Which Bike is Right for You?
- 4 Things That Mountain Bikes are Good for: It’s a Versatile Type of Bicycle
- Gravel Bikes vs Mountain Bikes: Which one is the faster bike?
Full Suspension Mountain Bike: Average Weight
Now, looking at full-suspension mountain bikes, you will come in quite a bit heavier due to the added components compared to hardtails. In fact, the average full suspension bike comes in at 30 pounds to 34 pounds!
The addition of rear suspension adds weight but also comfort and versatility. They usually have a unique frame geometry that increases the weight of the frame, in addition to the extra weight from the rear suspension mechanism itself.
Downhill mountain bikes are generally the heaviest of the bunch, averaging around 35lbs. This is due to their purpose and requirement for added stability and protection when going down the side of the mountain.
If you are looking to do a lot of uphill riding in the mountains, you may want to consider a hardtail mountain bike or a full-suspension bike that’s on the lighter side of the weight range. Again, as you look at high-quality bikes, they are often able to use materials that will reduce the overall weight.
How important is the weight of a mountain bike?
You might ask yourself just how important a few extra pounds might be. Well, it really depends on your situation. As mentioned above, if you’re riding several times a week and want to ride up and downhill, you might want to consider finding the lightest option available that fits within your budget.
However, if you’re an occasional mountainbiker or maybe are just buying a mountain bike because you like the way they look, you can probably afford to go with a less expensive option that perhaps weighs a little more.
When shopping for a mountain bike (especially if it’s online), make sure you take a look at the weight and compare the different weights.
But most importantly: Look for reliable components and quality frames. Yes, a reduction in the weight of a mountain bike can help improve performance, especially uphill, but if the rest of the bike is junk, you won’t be happy with it.
If you feel the need to shave weight off your mountain bike, you can upgrade your wheelset, go tubeless, get clipless pedals, upgrade to a 1x drivetrain or invest in a full carbon fiber frame.
The lighter the frame, components, and parts, the more expensive they are likely to be.
Conclusion
So there you have it! We dove into the different weight ranges of mountain bikes and talked about a few different options to consider when researching which mountain bike might be best for you. Happy riding!
