| A full suspension mountain bike can get you through | | | | mountain bikes that will take where you need to go. |
| the trees, over roots and down the hill and do most | | | | * All mountain or all terrain mountain bikes are a great |
| of this for you with a little help on your part. In the | | | | combination bike that offer a bit heavier design for |
| past mountain bikes were rigid in design and harder | | | | cross country riding and are more tolerant of rougher |
| to handle on trails and downhill. Then the 1990's | | | | terrain than the cross country mountain bikes. Their |
| introduced full suspension mountain bikes (meaning | | | | full suspension ranges from about 4 to 6 inches of |
| suspension forks over the front and rear tires) | | | | travel. They are not ideal for racing, but hey isn't it |
| offering a lot less stress on the body and much more | | | | about the adrenaline rush, anyway? |
| absorption on the bike when traveling downhill and | | | | * Free ride bikes are designed with more suspension |
| over tougher terrain. They are now built with tougher | | | | in mind and less focus on weight. They are ideal for |
| disc brakes to accommodate an immediate stop | | | | the local mountain bike park and are specialized for |
| since nature can surprise you with a fallen tree or a | | | | tougher terrain, jumps, stunts and drops. Free ride |
| newly sprung river. | | | | mountain bikes have about 6 to 8 inches of full |
| Full suspension mountain bikes offer better control | | | | suspension travel. |
| and more comfort. The style of full suspension | | | | * Downhill bikes are a heavier in design to facilitate |
| mountain bikes depends on the type of riding you | | | | fast, downhill. They usually have about 7 to 10 inches |
| want to do and the type of terrain you want to ride | | | | of full suspension. These bikes are tough and can |
| on. The mountain bikes listed below all include full | | | | handle velocity and the aggressive rider well, yet |
| suspension in varying degrees: | | | | pedaling uphill will be an effort. |
| * Cross country mountain bikes are ideal for relatively | | | | All types of full suspension mountain biking can offer |
| smooth backcountry trails. They are designed with | | | | increased risk. Be sure to purchase protective/survival |
| less than about 4.5 inches of suspension and are built | | | | gear, including helmets, full face helmets, and body |
| to be low weight, somewhat durable and efficient for | | | | "armor" especially if you are free riding or down hilling. |
| performing speed. K2 T:Nine Summit Mountain | | | | Full suspension mountain bikes can get you on the |
| Bike(designed specifically for women) and Marin's East | | | | trails and into nature thanks to full suspension |
| Peak XCountry Bike for men are two cross country | | | | technology but it's up to you to be safe. |