Electric mountain bikes

The cross-country mountain bike is designed for performance, speed, and efficiency over long distances. Lightweight and responsive, it's ideal for fast climbs and rolling trails. It's often used in competition, but is also suitable for recreational cyclists looking for a fast and versatile bike.

• Suspension : semi-rigid (front suspension only) or full with medium travel (100–130 mm)
• Use : rolling trails, long hikes, fast climbs
• Advantages : lightweight, efficient, good for cardio

The trail mountain bike is the most versatile. It offers a good balance between climbing and descending, making it an excellent choice for riders who enjoy exploring different types of terrain. It often features full suspension (front and rear) and moderate travel.

• Suspension : full, with medium travel (130–150 mm)
• Use : mixed trails, moderate ascents and descents
• Advantages : comfort, control, adaptability

For those looking to push their limits, the enduro mountain bike is designed to tackle technical descents while maintaining reasonable pedaling capacity for the climbs. It's more robust, with long-travel suspension, perfect for alpine trails or aggressive tracks.

• Suspension : full, long travel (150–180 mm)
• Use : challenging descents, technical terrain, bike parks
• Advantages : stability, robustness, downhill performance

The downhill mountain bike is made for extreme speed and stability in highly technical conditions. It's a heavy bike, designed exclusively for high-intensity descents, often in mountain resorts.

• Suspension : very long travel (200 mm+)
• Use : very technical descents, DH competition
• Advantages : ultimate control, shock absorption, aggressive geometry

Choosing a mountain bike depends on several key criteria, such as the type of terrain you want to explore, your skill level, and the type of mountain bike that best suits your needs. Among the different types of bikes, you'll find models suited to a variety of trails, ranging from lightweight and fast cross-country bikes to robust enduro bikes designed for technical descents.

If you're a beginner, it might be wise to start with a model with a front suspension fork for a more stable and less technical ride. On the other hand, for experienced cyclists or those seeking thrills, a full-suspension mountain bike (front and rear) will be perfect for absorbing shocks on rough terrain.

Don't forget to choose tires suited to Quebec's mountain conditions, with wide tires for more traction and better grip on muddy or rocky terrain. Wheel size also plays a key role in handling: 29-inch wheels offer better stability on rolling terrain, while smaller wheels, such as 27.5-inch wheels, are more maneuverable for more technical trails.

Electric mountain bikes combine the advantages of a traditional mountain bike with pedal assistance. This type of mountain bike allows you to ride on challenging trails, even steep climbs, while reducing the effort required.

Electric mountain bikes are equipped with powerful motors and long-lasting batteries, perfect for cyclists looking to explore long distances or power down descents without exhausting their resources.

The dual suspension on these models provides better shock absorption, improving comfort and stability on rough terrain. Furthermore, the pedal assist makes climbing technical mountain bike trails easier, allowing you to tackle varied terrain with less effort while maintaining good traction on uneven surfaces .

When shopping for an electric mountain bike, you can choose a model that matches your riding style, whether for long off-road rides or more extreme descents.

Front-suspension mountain bikes are generally lighter and more responsive, better suited to smooth trails and less technical terrain. In contrast, a full-suspension mountain bike (front and rear) is designed to absorb vibrations and offer better control on rougher terrain, such as steep inclines and forest trails .

If you enjoy downhill riding and are looking for better shock absorption , a full - suspension mountain bike will be an excellent choice.

Cross-country mountain bikes and trail mountain bikes offer different performance levels depending on the type of terrain you want to explore.

The 120-130mm travel cross-country bike is designed for speed and efficiency on relatively smooth trails. It's lighter and more responsive, with a shorter fork and reduced travel, making it ideal for riders looking to cover long distances with minimal resistance. This type of mountain bike is perfect for rolling terrain and less technical trails.

The trail mountain bike , on the other hand, is more versatile, offering a good compromise between climbing and descending. It is often equipped with full suspension (front and rear) and moderate travel (130–150 mm), making it suitable for mixed trails and rougher terrain. With this type of mountain bike , you benefit from better traction and shock absorption , allowing you to climb hills while maintaining good control.

Tires play a crucial role in the performance of a mountain bike , as they provide contact, traction , and stability on varied mountain trails . Wide tires are often preferred for their superior grip on surfaces like sand or mud. They also offer increased comfort by better absorbing vibrations from rough terrain.

It is essential to shop for tires suited to your type of mountain bike to ensure a smooth and safe ride, especially if you are planning off-road adventures .

Quebec offers numerous mountain biking destinations. You'll find trails suited to all levels, from beginners to thrill- seeking cyclists. Quebec abounds with exceptional mountain biking centers, particularly in the greater Quebec City area. This region alone boasts five major centers that rival those of Western North America: Sentiers du Moulin (SDM), Empire 47 (E47), the newest addition, Centre Castor at the Valcartier Military Base, Vallée-Bras-du-Nord and Roquement de Saint-Raymond de Portneuf, Le Massif de Charlevoix in Petite-Rivière-Saint-François, and the most renowned for its international events, including the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup for over 29 years, Mont-Ste-Anne.

At Le Pédalier, you will find mountain bikes adapted for these routes, with tires and suspensions designed to handle the mountain conditions in Quebec.