All-Mountain bikes are full-suspension bikes built for epic adventure riding and rough, technical trail riding.  With long-travel suspension (5-7” of travel) they are plush enough to make multi-day backcountry rides pleasurable.   While they are light enough for climbing, they are not as light as pure XC bikes.  What they lack in XC bikes’ light weight is made up with superb stability and the ability to soak up big bumps on fast descents.

Full suspension, and long-travel suspension in particular, can be an asset on technical, rocky climbs.  Keeping the rear wheel on the ground and spinning is more efficient than having it bounce around and over rocks as hardtails are prone to doing.

Although All-Mountain bikes are close to XC bikes in geometry, they offer riders a slightly more upright position which makes for easier downhill riding and less tendency to “endo” (go over the handlebars).  Their geometry is not as aggressive (lower front end) as XC bikes.  This means rider position needs to be adjusted when climbing to keep the front wheel from lifting or feeling squirrely, but many riders don’t feel that much difference between XC and AM while climbing, and the difference on the descent is remarkable!

The long travel and the slightly more upright geometry make AM/Trail bikes popular with people whose main concern is “getting beat up” on the mountain bike, and adventure riders looking for a sturdy, reliable, comfortable full suspension bike.