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.

And as long as bikes fall within regular checked baggage dimensions (62 inches and under 50 pounds), they can be checked for free with all your other luggage. If a bike is oversized or overweight (meaning it weighs 51 to 100 pounds or is 62 to 80 inches in total dimensions), expect to pay an additional $75.