Another top name, Nino Schurter, is estimated to earn between $500,000 and $1,000,000 annually.

Mid-travel bikes are a good compromise between downhill performance and pedaling/climbing efficiency. They usually have 120-140mm of travel. Many call these bikes "quiver-killers," because they can do it all (well, almost).

For riders looking for maximum efficiency, an agile ride and a bike that translates rider input to the trail, less travel is the ticket. With 80-110 mm of travel the bike feels less like a magic carpet over roots and rocks.

As with other types of mountain bikes, fork travel is usually dependent on discipline. Cross-country hardtails typically have 100mm of travel, but more aggressive hardtails can have suspension travel of up to 150mm.