Over hills and mountains. TOP 5 bikes for cross-country

Premier Captain Disc 2015

Premier low-cost bikes are great as a first mountain bike. At the same time, they are not inferior in reliability, controllability and quality to some models of more famous brands. Of course, in order to reduce the cost, the manufacturer had to make concessions, but they are not as critical as they might seem.

The frame of the bike is steel. Of course, steel is heavier than aluminium, but on the other hand, such frames have an increased margin of safety and reliability. Therefore, the model is relatively heavier than the other bikes presented in this selection. Again, due to this, the bike dropped a little in price. But double aluminium rims are both strong and light. By the way, there are 26-inch wheels that are perfect for beginner cyclists.

As a true representative of the hardtail class, the bike received a suspension fork manufactured by Premier with a spring-elastomer mechanism. The solution is not the highest quality, but you are unlikely to feel small potholes and bumps. In addition, disc mechanical brakes are installed, which will provide good traction in bad weather or when driving through mud.

The reduced cost of the model is also provided by entry-level equipment. There are Shimano Tourney derailleurs, a 6-star cassette, which together with a 3-star crank gives 18 speeds. This amount is more than enough for a bike of this class, and for leisurely trips it is generally perfect. On top of that, Shimano Revoshift shifters are used — also an entry-level classic of sorts. Note that the whole kit is very balanced and is the best suited for beginners.

Of course, the main advantage of the Premier Captain Disc is its affordable price and a kit suitable for beginners. Therefore, it can be a great gift for conquering small slides and summer cottages, as well as city walks.

Pride XC-2.0 2015

The main goal of the east european manufacturer Pride is the development and production of affordable, but reliable and high-quality bicycles. It all comes together in the 2015 XC-2.0. This is one of the most budgetary hardtails not only in the company's arsenal, but also among other bikes on our market.

The model is based on a strong and lightweight 6061T aluminium alloy frame, which was developed using butting and hydroforming technologies with additional reinforcement at the weld points. The bike has a bright design with a high-quality coating, so it looks modern and stylish. For better recognition, the stem, handlebar and seatpost are decorated with markings. Note that the weight of the bike is only 14.4 kg, for an amateur-level bike, this is not even bad.

This model uses twin aluminium rims for durability and light weight, with a diameter of 26" — the standard for MTB. The fork is based on spring-loaded elastomer damping with 60mm of travel. This means that it will cope with light bumps and small potholes, but it is hardly worth counting on more.

The bike received a Shimano 21 speed transmission with the famous Tourney shifters. The system features a new design, improved reliability and updated brake levers. On the other hand, these are still entry-level elements (they are taken to reduce the cost of the bike). However, the overall reliability of the body kit is quite at an acceptable level. Among other interesting features of the model, it is worth noting the Wellgo pedals with DU technology, which consists in using smooth polypropylene instead of bearings, while the pedals are reliable and rotate smoothly.

The Pride XC-2.0 is designed for beginners who are not ready to pay extra for their first cross-country bike, but want to get the most for their money. This is a reliable and lightweight model for very active, but not extreme riding.

Pride XC-26 Disc 2015

Another model from Pride has a number of differences from the previous bike that justify its higher cost. And despite the fact that outwardly the bikes differ only in colour, these are two different bikes with their own zest. The XC-26 MD 2015 is more versatile, so it is suitable not only for beginners, but also for active sports enthusiasts who ride not only in parks, but also outside the city or through forest plantations.

Unlike the previous bike, this model received Tekrto Novela mechanical disc brakes with a diameter of 160 mm, so the bike will feel more confident in bad weather or on a track with a lot of mud. Excellent traction is provided by Innova IA-2545 tyres, thanks to which you can accelerate well on a flat road and not get stuck in sand or dirt. The 26-inch rims are double-engineered and made from aluminium so that they are not only strong but also very light.

One of the features of this bike is a spring fork with a stroke of 80mm. Many will object, saying that the fork is elastomeric, which means that it does not work well for pits and bumps. In words, this may be true, but the fork has a built-in stiffness regulator, which greatly expands the capabilities of the bike. For a model of this level, this is a real find. And coupled with the durable Zoom MTB 152 handlebar, comfort and ease of control are achieved.

The frame is made of aluminium alloy, which makes it both durable and lightweight. Therefore, the weight of the bike barely reaches 14 kg. On the frame there are additional mounts for installing fenders, a boot or a child seat, depending on the needs of the cyclist. Therefore, the model easily turns from a mountain bike into a city bike for walking, trips to the country or to the store for bread.

For added versatility, the 21-speed transmission is the perfect choice for any task. Despite the use of entry-level components from Shimano, KMC and Neco, there is no need to worry about the reliability of the bike. Moreover, all the details are tested by time, by many other bike manufacturers and by the users themselves, so Pride managed to create an advanced bike for a wide range of cyclists and all kinds of cross-country tasks.

Schwinn Moab 3 2015

The American manufacturer Schwinn has a history of more than 100 years of bicycle manufacturing. Despite this, the American symbol of cycling is weak or almost not widespread in the expanses of Europe. The fact is that in the 80s, the conservative manufacturer Schwinn lost the mountain bike race to more progressive competitors (even though the company's bikes were turned into the first MTB prototypes). However, in recent decades, the company has been reborn like a phoenix from the fire, releasing reliable, comfortable and modern cross-country and mountain bikes.

Moab 3 2015 is a representative of the popular line and a confident middle class among other bikes from the manufacturer. It has a discreet, very laconic design with lots of decals and discreet Schwinn logos. The frame is made of aluminium using butting technology, tapered tubes and a signature fishtail. However, the weight of the model leaves much to be desired — this is the main drawback of bikes with 29-inch wheels. Even though thin but strong double aluminium rims are used. Wheels of this diameter provide the best flotation and speed on flat and rough terrain, and also have better efficiency than 26-inch counterparts. They are paired with Tektro Novela mechanical disc brakes that have proven themselves on countless bikes.

A spring-loaded elastomer fork with 100 mm travel is responsible for reducing vibration and improving handling. It has a mechanical locking function that will improve acceleration on flat areas, as well as adjusting the softness of the springs. Thus, you can adjust the damping to your needs — fast acceleration with minimal vibration cut-off or soft springs, but slower acceleration.

In addition, the bike is equipped with an 8-star rear cassette and a 3-star front cassette, which gives a total of 24 speeds. The manufacturer uses a Shimano Alivio rear derailleur — a reliable, durable and time-tested model, and a Shimano Altus front derailleur — a versatile solution with improved chain transfer. An interesting feature of the bike is that the shifters are separated from the brake levers, so that if one of them fails, you do not have to change the entire system.

Great model for beginners and hobbyists who want to own a bike with 29-inch wheels. It has not only a versatile and durable frame, but also reliable components that stand the test of time. Therefore, the bike will not let the owner down even in difficult conditions.

Felt Nine 70 frame 18

Felt is primarily known for its reputation for quality and reliability. Even the manufacturer's affordable bikes are distinguished by the best workmanship, modern technology and time-tested quality components. In addition, the company often uses developments from older and more expensive models in the junior and medium lines, thereby providing low-cost buyers with the latest equipment.

The Nine line is based on the popular Six series bikes, but with many tweaks and improvements. Their main difference is that all Nine models received 29-inch wheels. The Nine 70 uses twin aluminium rims with aluminium hubs and steel spokes. WTB Nano Comp tyres provide good rolling and excellent handling regardless of weather and road conditions. In general, the bike is designed in such a way that it has minimal rolling resistance and high stability. Therefore, during acceleration and descent, the speed will be maximum.

The aluminium frame is made from 6061 alloy, double butted and hydroformed. Improved handling performance is achieved through a sharper head tube angle. The lower centre of gravity improves handling, especially on difficult mountain descents. It also uses a tapered steerer tube for improved road control and a Suntour XCM HLO fork with 100mm of travel, lockout and adjustable spring rate.

In addition, Tektro HDC hydraulic disc brakes are installed, which guarantee a pleasant and smooth operation, plus a high degree of compression of the brake disc and, as a result, a quick stop. The Nine 70 uses a 9-ring SRAM MTB rear cassette, giving the rider a total of 27 speeds for fast cadence changes, easy accelerations and climbs. In addition, the model is equipped with shifters and a Shimano Acera front derailleur and a Shimano Alivio rear derailleur. These are proven premium entry-level components for highly demanding users.

The Felt is not cheap, but just a great bike no matter how you look at it. The Nine 70 features a smart frame design, quality components and hydraulic brakes. All together provides reliability and controllability, which will be useful for fans of fast off-road driving and descents, as well as weekend extreme sportsmen.