| Mountain bikes are designed for off-road riding. | | | | with this design feature both front and rear |
| Whether made for racing or the more leisurely rider, | | | | suspensions. These bikes are the latest mountain bike |
| there are four basic frame designs for mountain | | | | design. For a long time riders avoided full suspension |
| bikes: rigid, hard-tail, soft-tail, and full suspension. | | | | bikes because they were heavy and they tended to |
| The rigid (also commonly known as fully rigid) | | | | sag in the middle like an old swayback horse. It took |
| mountain bikes resemble a conventional sort of bike | | | | years for engineers and riders to perfect a viable, |
| as you would imagine it. A rigid mountain bike has | | | | functional full suspension mountain bike. It was in the |
| neither a rear suspension nor a front suspension. | | | | 1990's when these bikes finally reached a point |
| These used to be the most common kind of | | | | where they were marketable. |
| mountain bike but they are rapidly being replaced by | | | | In addition to the frame and suspension, there are |
| the more comfortable models which feature some | | | | other differences in mountain bike designs. One key |
| sort of suspension system. Fully rigid bikes tend to be | | | | area where bikes differ is the brakes. Mountain bikes |
| lower-priced than models with a suspension. Many | | | | either have some form of caliper brakes, which are |
| riders still prefer rigid bikes because it's what they're | | | | the kind of brakes typically associated with bikes. |
| accustomed to, and the feel that the rigid design | | | | This kind of brake squeezes the rims to slow and |
| allows them greater control. | | | | stop the bike. The other type of brake is the drum |
| Another common mountain bike design is the hard-tail. | | | | brake. Drum brakes on bikes are similar to the |
| Hard-tail mountain bikes are so named because they | | | | braking system on automobiles. Drum brakes are |
| have a conventional rear end without a suspension. | | | | more expensive than caliper brakes but they're also |
| Hard-tails differ from fully rigid bikes in that they have | | | | easier to maintain. Mountain bike braking systems |
| a front suspension. The hard-tail is perhaps the most | | | | have even been made which utilize hydraulic power. |
| popular mountain bike design. Many professional riders | | | | Another area where you have some choice in |
| prefer the feel of a hard-tail and the comfort of a | | | | mountain bike design is tire size. Mountain bike tires |
| front suspension. | | | | typically range in size from 24" to 29". Smaller tires |
| The next kind of mountain bike design is the soft-tail. | | | | are used when greater maneuverability is required as |
| As you probably guessed, soft-tails employ a rear | | | | in stunt-riding and jumping. Larger tires are used when |
| suspension. Rear suspensions are a more recent | | | | speed is the key. |
| innovation than front suspension due to the | | | | As with any other important purchase, do your |
| complexities of the design. Soft-tails are often more | | | | homework before buying a new mountain bike. Think |
| expensive than hard-tails, but they also tend to be | | | | about your needs and your budget. Mountain biking is |
| more forgiving. | | | | a terrific past-time. It's a fun way to get some fresh |
| Finally there's the full suspension mountain bike. Bikes | | | | air, enjoy the outdoors, and improve your health. |