The VTC or mountain bike is the most versatile bicycle there is! Comfortable and practical, it's the perfect synthesis of the MOUNTAIN BIKE and the classic city bike, borrowing qualities from both. A hybrid bike, a 2-in-1 bike, the VTC is a true all-rounder, ideal for those looking for a single model to facilitate their daily commute in town and for leisure activities.
WHAT'S A VTC FOR?
A versatile bike par excellence, the VTC is at home everywhere, on roads and off-road trails alike, with the exception of overly rough terrain, reserved for true mountain bikes. Most VTCs are equipped with telescopic forks to ensure comfort in all conditions, especially on rocky trails. Perfect for the city, it can be transformed into a real utility bike by fitting a few accessories accessories, such as mudguards and a luggage rack, which can also be used for touring or even long-distance riding.
VTC features
As an all-purpose hybrid bike, ready for all uses, from urban to touring, the VTC borrows its components from different types of bicycles, such as mountain bikes, classic city bikes and travel bikes.
A stable, comfortable frame
The frame of a mountain bike is generally comfortable and adaptable. It's usually made of aluminum and features a geometry comparable to that found on touring bikes, with an emphasis on stability and a longer-than-average wheelbase.
On a VTC, the rider's position is fairly upright, with the handlebars at the same level as the saddle. This means that the chest is not tilted too far forward, and the head is held high in a secure position, so that the rider remains alert to events on the road.
As with classic city bikes and travel bikes, the frame of the same VTC model is very often offered in both men's and women's versions (with a steeply inclined horizontal tube to make it easier to straddle). As a general rule, men's VTCs always have a slight slope, making them easier to straddle and handle, especially when carrying a load.
Equipment designed for comfort
Although some mountain bikes come with rigid forks, it's customary for a mountain bike to be fitted with a telescopic fork, with a reasonable travel of between 50 and 100 mm, depending on the terrain.
All VTCs are fitted with 28-inch wheels that offer good performance and comfort on the road, with highly versatile tires that are sufficiently cramped to ensure effective handling on hiking trails.
Some models even come with an adjustable stem, so you can fine-tune your position.
Components borrowed from mountain bikes
In addition to telescopic forks and knobby tires, VTCs also borrow a number of braking and transmission components from mountain bikes.
They are often equipped with hydraulic disc brakes, effective in all conditions. They also benefit from a gear system with derailleurs, for smooth pedaling and easy climbing. In fact, you'll often find mountain bikes with triple chainrings, to help you ride comfortably on all roads and paths, whatever the profile.
WHICH CRITERIA TO CHOOSE?
Your choice of mountain bike will depend on your riding style, which may be truly hybrid, for both roads and trails, or more road-oriented (city riding) or trail-oriented (leisure riding).
If you plan to use your mountain bike mainly on the road, for your daily commute in town for example, it will need all the practical accessories (luggage rack, mudguards) to run errands, carry small items and protect you from bad weather! Make sure your telescopic fork has a locking system, or opt for a VTC with a rigid fork.
For sport-oriented leisure riding, you can opt for a lightweight, streamlined VTC, without superfluous accessories (mudguards, luggage rack), equipped with a telescopic fork and optimized drivetrain (double or triple chainrings) depending on the profiles you plan to ride.
For touring-oriented leisure riding, choose a VTC well equipped with useful accessories (luggage rack, mudguards, etc.) to discover unfamiliar trails as comfortably as possible.
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