Leave the tarmac behind and head for the trails in the great outdoors with your trail MTB.
What is a trail MTB?
Whether for sport or leisure, trail MTB lets you play with nature, push yourself and share good times too. A trail MTB is a hardtail MTB with no rear suspension. It is a versatile MTB that suits a ride on forest tracks just as well as an "off-road discovery" outing. with a trail MTB, you easily get over bumps and obstacles, as well as long climbs. It is the favourite tool of MTB touring fans, but also of young riders at cycling schools. The trail MTB is the type of MTB with the widest range on offer. Indeed, it is an MTB open to the general public and accessible to a great many households.
How to choose your second-hand trail MTB?
Aluminium or carbon frame for a trail MTB: how to choose?
Today, there are 2 frame materials for MTBs: aluminium or carbon. A trail MTB with an aluminium frame offers a good balance between lightness and strength. If you are looking for performance, a carbon MTB frame will guarantee you the best balance between lightness and stiffness.
Before buying a trail MTB, take a good look at the overall condition of the frame (rust, impacts, scratches…): it tells you a lot about how the MTB has been used and how long it will last. Trail MTB riding requires a frame in good overall condition if you want your MTB to stay with you for the long term.
Full-suspension or hardtail trail MTB?
In general, for a trail MTB, a hardtail MTB is preferred. They are often cheaper and suit most rides. Hardtail MTBs have a single suspension at the front of the MTB. Your MTB is stiffer and lighter. As a result, your energy is concentrated on efficient pedalling. Maintenance is easier.
However, if you ride on broken terrain, you will appreciate a full-suspension MTB. Heavier than a hardtail, the full-suspension MTB will be harder to get back up to speed and is less suited to trail MTB riding.
Be sure to check the condition of the suspension and how it works: make sure it is not locked and that it rebounds in a lively way.
What wheel size should you choose for your trail MTB?
Wheel diameter is measured in inches. Wheel diameter is an important criterion when choosing your trail MTB. Today, 4 wheel diameters exist on the market.
27.5’’ and 27.5’’+ wheels: the ideal wheels for a trail MTB
Today, go for 27.5” wheels on your trail MTB: this MTB wheel format combines manoeuvrability and liveliness for the enjoyment of all MTB riders. 27.5”+ wheels give you a little more comfort: they combine the advantages of the other sizes with more grip, versatility and stability. It is not the rim height that changes but the width compared with 27.5’’, which lets you fit your trail MTB with tyres with a bigger volume.
26’’ wheels: the historic standard but less suited to trail MTB
Historically, most trail MTBs were fitted with 26’’ wheels. This wheel format is not really used any more today. It was much appreciated for its manoeuvrability and stiffness, but it remains uncomfortable compared with its rivals and does not offer very satisfactory efficiency. We do, however, recommend it for children.
29’’ wheels: for more committed riding than trail MTB
29’’ wheels are reserved for more committed and sporty riding: they are the biggest, for more speed and easier clearing of obstacles. Efficiency and stability will be there with this type of wheel. They will, however, be less manoeuvrable and less effective when accelerating again.
Before buying your second-hand MTB, check the tension of each spoke, the tyre inflation and their wear so as to avoid any nasty surprises.
What type of braking for a trail MTB?
For small budgets, choose a trail MTB with rim brakes: easy and powerful in dry weather, they are less effective in the rain or mud. A small plus: they are easy to maintain. Today, many entry-level trail MTBs are still fitted with rim brakes.
For effectiveness, go for a trail MTB with mechanical disc brakes: More progressive and powerful, you can use them in all weather. This gives your MTB better braking. Be careful, though, with cable adjustment.
Hydraulic disc brakes are reserved for more committed riding: Precise, powerful and progressive, this type of brake offers high-performance, detailed handling. Note that maintenance is more demanding on this type of brake. It is rare to see this type of braking on a trail MTB, as it is more expensive and not essential for moderate riding. It is generally reserved for more intense disciplines such as DH.
When buying a second-hand trail MTB, remember to check the condition of the brake pads, as well as how responsive the braking is. In general, check all the cables and housings to make sure they are in good, working condition. A rusty or slack cable will play tricks on you. A trail MTB with well-maintained components is a guarantee of a longer lifespan. Who knows? You might even resell it second-hand in a few years on Troc-Vélo.
Lapierre, Giant, Scott… Find the biggest brands of new or second-hand trail MTBs on Troc-Vélo
See all Lapierre trail MTBs
See all Giant trail MTBs
See all Scott trail MTBs