
Freeride Bikes
What is a freeride bike?
A freeride bike is a bike that combines elements of downhill, trail, and enduro bikes. A 170mm travel bike is usually the go-to for freeride. So, bigger and burlier than an enduro bike, but slightly less travel and lighter than a dedicated downhill bike. The reason is that freeride bikes are built to be solid bike park bikes, but are also meant to be more pedalable than downhill bikes. You might not crush any uphill records on a freeride bike, but you can crawl up and shred down.
BALANCED TRAIL BRUTALITY
Slayer
Smash every trail in total confidence. The Slayer was right there at the start of the freeride movement, and that “heritage-of-send” lives on. Longer and slacker than ever, expect villainous levels of confidence when ripping big mountain trails or devouring the park.
Is a freeride bike the best bike for riding bikeparks?
Depending on who you ask, maybe! If you are 100% positive you will only ever ride the bike park and you will never ride uphill, get a downhill mountain bike. But, if you want to shred the bike park hard and ride trails outside of the bike park, a freeride bike might be the ticket. What’s nice about freeride bikes is that some (but not all) are dual crown fork compatible. That means you can equip it with a massive fork for soaking up big features at the park, and pretty much achieve downhill status. On top of that, freeride bikes have gottens so good in recent years that many riders will tell you a dedicated downhill bike is no longer really necessary.
Can I pedal bike up the trail head?
Yep! But slowly. If charging up trailheads and climbs is your game, a freeride bike will not be for you (opt for a trail or cross country bike instead). But if you’re happy to do the “steady as it goes” thing uphill and then want to annihilate the downhill, a freeride bike is a good choice.
Gear for freeride mountain biking
Stories featuring freeride bikes View all
Alex is gearing up to drop into Red Bull Rampage aboard his 1996 Ski-Doo Scandic inspired Slayer, which has been beautifully painted by Fresh Paints of Whistler.
In 2022, a concussion sidelined him on the day of his intended debut at Red Bull Rampage. This year, he's back on the start list more fired up than ever to get back to the desert. Watch as we step inside the life of Alex, a rider who lives and tra...
Tucked away in the mysterious forest of Vallée Bras-du-Nord, lives an ancient beast only talked about in whispers. Join Rocky Mountain riders Alex Volokhov, Vaea Verbeeck, and Hayden Zablotny as they navigate the legendary trail they call “Godzilla”.