Freeride bikes feature longer travel, more relaxed geometry, and rugged components that distinguish these larger bikes from their Trail category siblings. They will be more capable when the trail gets steeper, the descents are longer and more uneven, and the hills get bigger.

Freeride could probably be a separate category, but most freeride bikes today are usually all-mountain or sometimes enduro bikes with much more durable parts.

Buy a Freeride bike if: you want a bike that will be more comfortable on descents, no matter what you encounter along the way, but you still want to pedal. If you want to ride steep trails and big objects, maybe even the occasional bike park or enduro race, this is the category for you.

Do not buy a Freeride bike if: you want the most efficient bike on the climbs, you do not like downhills, or you only want enduro racing.

Gary Fisher coined the term mountain bike in 1979. That same year, Fisher and Kelly founded MountainBikes the first company specializing in the manufacture of such bikes.

The company dissolved in 1983; that same year Fisher founded Gary Fisher Mountain Bikes. Fisher sold his company in 1991 to Anlen of Taiwan, remaining in the position of CEO. Fisher developed the first commercially produced full-suspension bikes designed by Mert Lawwell, a former motorcycle racing champion. His bike, the Gary Fisher RS-1, was released in 1992. In 1992, Howie Cohen, who had previously imported Nishiki, Azuki and Kuwahara bikes, assisted Gary Fisher with his brand. 18 months later, he brokered the acquisition of Fisher by Trek Bicycle Corporation.

On June 16, 2010, Trek Bicycle Corporation announced the “Gary Fisher Collection, a line of Trek bicycles that will replace the standalone Gary Fisher brand”.