The second-hand MTB is a bike that lets you ride on any kind of rough terrain. It has wide, knobbly tyres that let it go anywhere: your playground will no longer have any limits! MTB ranges are very wide: you can find entry-level bikes at around €200, but also very high-end second-hand MTBs at €10,000. On Troc-Vélo, you will find a wide choice of second-hand MTBs. Mountain biking is a very popular sport that covers many disciplines such as cross-country, enduro, all-mountain and downhill.
How to choose your second-hand MTB?
With the multitude of offers and models available, choosing a second-hand MTB is becoming more and more complex. Let's look together at which materials, which wheel size and which type of second-hand MTB suit you best: let's go!
A second-hand hardtail MTB or a second-hand full-suspension MTB: which to choose?
The second-hand hardtail MTB:
This is an MTB fitted with a front suspension fork and a frame without suspension. On trails where the ground is hard, a hardtail MTB will be more pleasant and offer more traction than a full-suspension bike. This type of MTB is easier to handle on less technical terrain. A rigid frame allows excellent transfer of pedalling power to the rear wheel, both on climbs and in sprints. If you want to make the difference on the climbs, be aware that a hardtail MTB is lighter than a full-suspension one (1.5 kg less on average): enough to gain those few crucial seconds in competition!
The second-hand full-suspension MTB:
This is an MTB with a front suspension fork and a rear shock. Full-suspension MTBs are much more effective on rough terrain. Thanks to the rear shock, the tyres stay in better contact with the ground, which improves traction and grip. No more dreading roots, rocks and banks: the full-suspension MTB absorbs the impacts and gives the rider maximum comfort, limiting fatigue in races or over long distances.
The different materials for MTBs:
Steel: a strong and affordable material
A steel MTB offers its rider great strength at an affordable price. It is a bike that is more flexible and therefore more comfortable. But the downside of steel is its weight: it is a fairly heavy material. It will not be the first choice for a rider seeking performance.
Carbon: high-end, combining lightness and strength
This material gives the MTB strength, stiffness and lightness. A carbon MTB guarantees optimal efficiency that makes the most of the rider's efforts. The top-of-the-range frames are generally made of carbon. This is also reflected in the price, and smaller budgets will need to turn to more affordable materials such as aluminium or steel.
Aluminium: the happy medium between carbon and steel
An aluminium MTB will be lighter and stiffer than a steel MTB. This is a strength in terms of efficiency and the bike's liveliness. However, it is a drawback in terms of riding comfort.
Wheel size:
26 inches
26” wheels guarantee maximum manoeuvrability. However, they are wheels that tend to be disappearing, as they are too small to offer optimal efficiency. They are still used on junior bikes, though.
27.5 inches
27.5” is a good compromise between the agility of 26” wheels and the efficiency of 29” wheels. These are the most common wheels on the leisure MTB market.
There are also 27.5+ wheels: they are the same size and allow wider tyres to be fitted for more comfort and manoeuvrability. They are mostly found on electric MTBs.
29 inches
29” wheels appeal thanks to their ability to roll over obstacles and their greater efficiency. This wheel diameter is now a standard for sporty MTB enthusiasts and in competition.
How to choose between Trail, XC, AM, DH and Enduro MTBs?
Cross-Country (XC) MTB
Cross-country is a discipline open to everyone, generally practised in the forest, with the family, for leisure or in competition. Generally, a hardtail bike is recommended for these rides. The trail MTB is at ease over bumps, will clear obstacles and will climb long ascents.
Find more than 4,000 second-hand XC MTBs on Troc-Vélo
All-mountain (AM):
All-mountain is a very complete discipline practised in the mountains, as its name suggests. All-mountain routes are very varied: they combine climbs, descents and technical terrain. This discipline is made for MTB riders who enjoy thrills, playing with rough terrain and sharing their adventures in the great outdoors. The all-mountain MTB is not, however, intended for extreme or specific uses: it will not tackle extreme slopes as well as a downhill bike.
Find more than 1,500 second-hand AM MTBs on Troc-Vélo
Enduro:
MTB enduro is inspired by motorbike enduro and is a fast-growing discipline. Halfway between cross-country MTB and downhill MTB, MTB enduro is practised on courses made up of several sections:
timed special stages on the downhill sections
a liaison route with a rideable section to link the special stages
untimed climbs, but with a maximum time allowed
Find more than 1,900 second-hand Enduro MTBs on Troc-Vélo
The downhill (DH) MTB:
The downhill MTB, also known as DH (Down Hill), is a discipline whose aim is to descend as fast as possible on rough mountain tracks specially designed for the purpose. Downhill MTB is a demanding sport, and you will need a suitable and reliable bike. The main criteria to consider when choosing your downhill MTB are strength, lightness and suspension.
Find more than 500 second-hand DH MTBs on Troc-Vélo
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