Wide, knobbly tyres for traction, and a wide range of gears to help you get up and over mountains or across fields. Some mountain bike ranges have front suspension but are rigid at the back (‘hardtail mountain bike'), and some have front and rear suspension for cushioning jumps and drops (‘full suspension' or ‘full sus'). Others have neither. Here's our Guide to full suspension vs hardtail mountain bikes.

Hardtail bikes are generally a little cheaper and more efficient on the climbs whereas full suspension bikes are more focused on the downhill riding to the sacrifice of uphill efficiency.