| If you're planning to give your bike a hard time, by | | | | mountain trials, then you might find a cross-country |
| riding on dirt tracks, across hairpin bends and on | | | | mountain bike is more suitable. These are usually |
| steep, gravel inclines, then you're going to need a | | | | made of lightweight, resilient materials, and can weigh |
| mountain bike. This type of bike is designed for rough | | | | as little as 20 pounds, although some can weight up |
| riding conditions, and they're very rarely ridden on | | | | to 40 pounds. This is in comparison to all-mountain or |
| paved roads. Mountain bike enthusiasts love to cycle | | | | enduro bikes, which usually range from 30-35 pounds. |
| along narrow, unpaved trails. Their bike however, | | | | Cross-country mountain bikes have better |
| suffers high levels of wear and tear in those | | | | suspension, specifically for uphill climbs or steering |
| conditions, which is why cycle manufacturers | | | | over hairpin bends. |
| developed mountain bikes. | | | | You can also buy free ride mountain bikes, which are |
| For starters, mountain bikes have tires that are much | | | | built of stronger, heavier materials. These are mainly |
| bigger and fatter than standard bicycles, and they're | | | | designed for easier pedaling, but can still be |
| made of stronger rubber. This makes it easier for the | | | | maneuvered around dangerous obstacles and steep |
| bicycle roll smoothly over obstacles and run freely on | | | | turns. They're not as efficient as a cross-country bike |
| pebbled tracks. They also provide better traction. | | | | because of their weight, which is generally between |
| Good suspension is another critical part of mountain | | | | 40-50 pounds. |
| bike design. Strong suspension is essential, and more | | | | If you expect to be doing lots of riding on downhill |
| recent designs can have both front and rear | | | | tracks and racecourses, then a downhill mountain bike |
| suspension, to help deal with heavier thuds. There are | | | | might be for you. They're not as strong as free ride |
| a number of different suspension styles available, and | | | | bikes, but have better traction than most of the |
| depending on the type of trails you plan to ride along, | | | | other types of mountain bike. |
| different ones might be suitable. They are: | | | | For short distances, you are probably best with a trial |
| Hard tails - front suspension fork, some have a rigid | | | | bike, which doesn't have any suspension. They don't |
| fork | | | | have a proper seat or a vestigial pad, and generally |
| Soft tails - the rear suspension rests on the frame | | | | only weight around 15-20 pounds. |
| rather than pivots | | | | There are also dirt jumping, urban and street |
| Dual Suspension - front suspension fork, rear | | | | mountain bikes, which are all hybrids of trial and |
| suspension, rear shock absorbers and linkage | | | | mountain bikes. They're very strong, and usually have |
| Fully Rigid - rigid front and rear suspension | | | | a chain guide for front and rear gears, and have |
| If you're more interested in traveling cross-country, | | | | anywhere from one to nine gears. |
| rather than necessarily sticking to heavy-duty | | | | |