Mountain Bikes
Mountain bikes, explained.
Mountain bikes are built to take a beating: suspension forks to soak up roots and rocks, wide knobbly tyres for grip in mud, powerful brakes, and low gearing for steep climbs.
Hardtails (front suspension only) are lighter, cheaper and easier to maintain — ideal for trail centres, woodland and towpaths. You don't need full suspension unless you're riding genuinely rough downhill terrain.
They're also a great choice as a do-everything bike if your routes mix tarmac, gravel and grass — just expect a bit more effort on the road than a hybrid.
What they are
Tough, suspended bikes with grippy tyres and low gears, built for off-road terrain.
Best used for
Trail centres, forests, bridleways and towpaths — or as a rugged do-anything bike.
Good to know
A quality hardtail beats a cheap full-suspension bike every time at the same price.
About this range +
At this end of the market the honest advice is simple: buy a hardtail, not full suspension. A budget full-susser spends your money on a heavy spring that will fail; a good hardtail like the Claud Butler Edge HT puts it into the frame, wheels and gears where it counts. Our range runs from 26" wheeled all-rounders for bridleways and towpaths up to 29er trail bikes, in frame sizes from 14" to 20" — check our frame size guide if you're between sizes.
Every bike is built and safety-checked in our Shrewsbury workshop before dispatch, with free UK delivery, a 12-month warranty and 90-day no-quibble returns. Fancy electric assistance on the climbs? See our Claud Butler Ridge 1.0 e-MTB review.
Not sure which one's right?
Answer four quick questions and our Bike Finder will match you to the perfect ride from this range.