These long-travel full suspension, near-downhill-specific geometry and beefy wheels and frames, freeride bikes are the full suspension “big hit” stunt-worthy big brother to DJ bikes, mastering rough technical terrain, gravity and “air time”.   

Freeride suspension is meant for the big hits:  typically about 7” travel in the fork and nearly that much travel in the rear shocks.  Disc brakes are standard, as are wide, 2.5” tires.

“Human-powered motocross meets the stunt man” pretty much sums up this awesomely fun bike genre.  Developed for use on the rainforest playgrounds of the shores of the Pacific Northwest, these bikes are designed to take the abuse of big jumps and other obstacles, and are still light enough for some uphill pedaling and nimble enough for stunts.

Freeride bikes are designed to be ridden hard!  They are the poster child for X-Games and other “extreme sport” events, and there is a subculture surrounding them that personifies a young, tough, independent and fearless rider.

There are hardcore versions meant to withstand the roughest terrain and abuse and “light” versions meant for smoother terrain, but these bikes are not intended for cross-country riding. There is also a shorter-travel “Slopestyle” version with similar geometry.  They all excel in playing on the gravity-assisted side of the mountain, or bike parks.