34
35
General Purpose Riding
CONDITION 2
Bikes designed for riding Condition 1, plus smooth gravel roads and
improved trails with moderate grades where the tires do not lose ground
contact.
INTENDED For paved roads, gravel or dirt roads that are in good
condition, and bike paths.
NOT INTENDED For off-road or mountain bike use, or for any kind
of jumping. Some of these bikes have suspension features, but these features are
designed to add comfort, not off-road capability. Some come with relatively wide tires that
are well suited to gravel or dirt paths. Some come with relatively narrow tires that are best
suited to faster riding on pavement. If you ride on gravel or dirt paths, carry heavier loads
or want more tire durability talk to your dealer about wider tires.
MAXIMUM WEIGHT LIMIT
Rider (lb/kg)
Luggage* (lb/kg)
Total (lb/kg)
300 / 136
30 / 14
285 / 129
For Touring or Trekking
300 / 136
55 / 25
355 / 161
Cross-Country, Marathon, Hardtails
CONDITION 3
Bikes designed for riding Conditions 1 and 2, plus rough trails,
small obstacles, and smooth technical areas, including areas where
momentary loss of tire contact with the ground may occur. NOT jumping.
All mountain bikes without rear suspension are Condition 3, and so are
some lightweight rear suspension models.
INTENDED For cross-country riding and racing which ranges from
mild to aggressive over intermediate terrain (e.g., hilly with small obstacles like roots,
rocks, loose surfaces and hard pack and depressions). Cross-country and marathon
equipment (tires, shocks, frames, drive trains) are light-weight, favoring nimble speed
over brute force. Suspension travel is relatively short since the bike is intended to move
quickly on the ground.
NOT INTENDED For Hardcore Freeriding, Extreme Downhill, Dirt Jumping, Slopestyle,
or very aggressive or extreme riding. No spending time in the air landing hard and
hammering through obstacles.
TRADE OFF Cross-Country bikes are lighter, faster to ride uphill, and more nimble
than All-Mountain bikes. Cross-Country and Marathon bikes trade off some ruggedness
for pedaling efficiency and uphill speed.
MAXIMUM WEIGHT LIMIT * Seat Bag Only
Rider (lb/kg)
Luggage* (lb/kg)
Total (lb/kg)
300 / 136
5 /2.3
305 / 138
Appendix A
Intended use of your bicycle
WARNING: Understand your bike and its intended use. Choosing the wrong
bicycle for your purpose can be hazardous. Using your bike the wrong way is
dangerous.
No one type of bicycle is suited for all purposes. Your retailer can help you pick the
“right tool for the job” and help you understand its limitations. There are many types of
bicycles and many variations within each type. There are many types of mountain, road,
racing, hybrid, touring, cyclocross and tandem bicycles.
There are also bicycles that mix features. For example, there are road/racing bikes
with triple cranks. These bikes have the low gearing of a touring bike, the quick handling
of a racing bike, but are not well suited for carrying heavy loads on a tour. For that
purpose you want a touring bike.
Within each of type of bicycle, one can optimize for certain purposes. Visit your
bicycle shop and find someone with expertise in the area that interests you. Do your
own homework. Seemingly small changes such as the choice of tires can improve or
diminish the performance of a bicycle for a certain purpose.
On the following pages, we generally outline the intended uses of various types of
bikes.
Industry usage conditions are generalized and evolving. Consult your dealer about
how you intend to use your bike.
High-Performance Road
CONDITION 1
Bikes designed for riding on a paved surface where the tires do not
lose ground contact.
INTENDED To be ridden on paved roads only.
NOT INTENDED For off-road, cyclocross, or touring with racks or
panniers.
TRADE OFF Material use is optimized to deliver both light weight and
specific performance. You must understand that (1) these types of bikes are intended to
give an aggressive racer or competitive cyclist a performance advantage over a relatively
short product life, (2) a less aggressive rider will enjoy longer frame life, (3) you are
choosing light weight (shorter frame life) over more frame weight and a longer frame
life, (4) you are choosing light weight over more dent resistant or rugged frames that
weigh more. All frames that are very light need frequent inspection. These frames are
likely to be damaged or broken in a crash. They are not designed to take abuse or be a
rugged workhorse. See also Appendix B.
MAXIMUM WEIGHT LIMIT
Rider (lb/kg)
Luggage* (lb/kg)
Total (lb/kg)
275 / 125
10 / 4.5
285 / 129
* Seat Bag /Handlebar Bag Only
