All bicycles are designed with a specific type of riding in mind, and the components in the bicycles are built to withstand the stresses resulting from that kind of usage. If a bicycle is subjected to higher than expected forces, the frames and components may fail prematurely.
To make it easier for you to decide if a specific model is appropriate for you, we have created several bike categories and classified each bike into one of them. Below you will find a description of each bike category.
Note that these divisions are for reference only. There is a huge number of other factors that can have an effect on how much a bike can withstand. For example, a heavy rider that does not have good technique can destroy a bike that will hold up forever when ridden by a light, experienced rider. Therefore it is important for you to take this into account when choosing the bike category that suits you best.
BIKE CATEGORY 0
Intended use: UNDER PARENTAL SUPERVISION
Products in this category can only be used by children under appropriate parental supervision on smooth surfaces. They should never be used near stairs, on steep downhill slopes, near swimming pools or ponds, on public roads or in areas with the likelihood of traffic.
BIKE CATEGORY 1
Intended use: ROAD RIDING
Bicycles in this category should only be used on regular paved surfaces or alternatively on very smooth unpaved surfaces at speeds not exceeding 25km/h. The tires must maintain constant ground contact. These bicycles are not designed for any kinds of jumps or drops.
BIKE CATEGORY 2
Intended use: ROAD & GRAVEL
Bicycles in this category can be use on paved roads and on reasonably smooth off road trails. They are designed to handle small jumps and drops that exert forces equivalent to jumping a bike onto a flat surface from a height of approximately 15cm.
BIKE CATEGORY 3
Intended use: PUMPTRACKS & FUN
Bicycles in this category can be used on pumptrack lines for beginners and easy off-road trails. They are designed to withstand jumps and drops that exert forces equivalent to jumping a bike onto a flat surface from a height of approximately 25cm.
BIKE CATEGORY 4
Intended use: XC & TRAIL
Bicycles in this category can be used off-road on easy and moderately difficult MTB trails, and are designed to withstand jumps that exert forces equivalent to jumping a bike onto a flat surface from a height of approximately 40cm. These bicycles should not be ridden at speeds exceeding 30km/h on rough surfaces.
BIKE CATEGORY 5
Intended use: DIRT JUMP
Bicycles in this category can be used on all kinds of pumptracks and dirt jump trails. They are designed to withstand jumps that exert forces equivalent to jumping a bike onto a flat surface from a height of approximately 60cm. These bicycle should not be ridden on rough MTB trails.
BIKE CATEGORY 6
Intended use: ALL MOUNTAIN
Bicycles in this category can be used off-road on all kinds of MTB trails, and are designed to withstand jumps that exert forces equivalent to jumping a bike onto a flat surface from a height of approximately 60cm. These bicycle should not be ridden at speeds exceeding 45km/h on rough surfaces.
BIKE CATEGORY 7
Intended use: DOWNHILL FREERIDE & ENDURO
Bicycles in this category are designed to cope with the hardest MTB trails and are designed to withstand jumps that exert forces equivalent to jumping a bike onto a flat surface from a height of approximately 100cm. They can be ridden at hight speeds on rough terrain.
