PANCHO HERRERA: This is Pancho Herrera with a brief discussion of the free ride bike, also commonly known as a trail or a park bike. Free riding is a sport that combines all elements of mountain biking. There is rugged down hilling similar to the downhill racers, and there is cross country climbs similar to a cross country bike. So, let us make sure that all of those elements are covered when you pick your equipment. A bike like this is a middle range bike, typically it has a medium range travel, not quite as much as your downhill racer, and certainly more than your cross country bike. Medium travel will say a 100 mm to a 130 mm is common, rear travel similar. It will have a middle size tire, we want to keep this bike as light as possible, it still has to go uphill, but as rugged as possible, because it can go down hill really fast. A bike like this, you can find its legs in a groomed park like Whistler, or on an adventure ride exploring your back remote trails. Riders of trail bikes or free ride bikes will typically use a full face helmet, similar to a downhill rider, because they're riding remote areas or because they are going very fast on rugged terrain, that extra measure of safety is always considered a good idea. Oftentimes, you also see this type of rider with a knee and shin guards combined with an elbow and forearm guards. Again, that extra measure of protection can pay off for you. A free ride bike like this one is typically equipped with a broad range of gears. They are certainly meant to climb up the hills, so we want to have a nice low range there to get you up the hill comfortably. You will also typically find a powerful set of disc brakes. A bike like this is certainly capable of going very fast downhill. You want to be able to arrest that speed. Riding position on a free ride bike is typically a little bit longer than a downhill rig. You want a little bit more room in that cockpit, gives you room to breathe, and control the bike. Remember that this bicycle is meant to go both uphill, effectively, and downhill well. So, it is trying to combine elements of both facets.
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