The Downcountry category has been around for a few years now, and by this point most mountain bike brands have a bike in their lineup that fits the description. Not only that, there are downcountry tires and shoes available now. But what does downcountry even mean?
In this episode, Matt and Jeff take a stab at defining downcountry, taking into account geometry, suspension travel, weight, and components. Other questions addressed include:
- How do downcountry bikes differ from cross-country and trail bikes?
- What were some of the earliest downcountry bikes?
- Which popular mountain bikes today can be considered downcountry?
- Are certain trail types or race disciplines well suited to downcountry bikes?
- What are your impressions of the downcountry bikes you have tested over the past few years?
- Where does the downcountry category go from here into the future?
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Good podcast. I think you and Matt should do an episode on the terms “overbike” and “underbike” as well.
Great idea that would be fun. I’ll say it right now, I’m a fan of underbiking but not over haha.
Is it not the rider that causes the under/over thing?
If not, it’s all Jeff’s fault, he made me do it! ;P
Good point, there’s no such thing as the right bike for the trail. It’s some combo of the trail and the rider.
Downcountry, pahhhh!
Everythingcountry is superior in every way.
As a normal, non-Dentist who can afford one bike for all conditions, I’d rather be over biked than underbiked with modern geo/suspension, even in mostly flat Minnesota. I’d love to have an ultralight down country rig, but an extra $5k-$10k isn’t just laying around. Whatever extra money I do have gets used for destination riding where my 150/160mm bike can handle just about everything relatively comfortably.