| The sport of mountain biking has over the last 20 | | | | parts. The most common of breaks that can be |
| years, developed into one that is both competitive | | | | found on specialized mountain bikes is a counter lever |
| and shows endurance of the riders. Mountain biking | | | | breaking system, which allows mountain bikes to |
| started in the 1970s when riders started taking their | | | | gradually break without overheating both the breaks |
| bicycles off road and onto more rugged terrain. | | | | and the tires. |
| During these early years anyone wishing to do | | | | Gears are also another consideration for a good |
| mountain biking had to customize their own bikes to | | | | mountain bike. Mountain biking is geared at riders who |
| make them more sturdy for the rougher ride. | | | | race over rough terrain, up steep hills and mountains |
| Some of the first men's mountain bike races involved | | | | or inclines, in any weather and on any surface. So to |
| the riders taking their bikes up hills and mountains and | | | | be ready to manage these varied elements a |
| then racing them down the descent. The bicycles at | | | | mountain bike should have multiple gears. Gears allow |
| the time were not equipped to deal with the speed | | | | the riders to be able to traverse the different |
| that was gained on these descents or the surfaces | | | | gradients easily while ascending and descending hills |
| that the mountain bikers rode on. During these early | | | | and mountains. As with a car the more gears the |
| years breaks would over heat and the frames and | | | | more manageable the vehicle and the more |
| suspensions could not stand up to the pressure of | | | | responsive it can be when the right gears are applied. |
| the mountain bike ride. Because of this mountain | | | | The same is true for the gears of a mountain bike, |
| bikers began working on their own mountain bikes to | | | | the more gears the cycles have the better they are |
| make them capable for the sport and various | | | | to tackle the terrain. The tires are also wider and |
| mountain bike parts became available on the market | | | | thicker than those of the street bike to take the |
| along with specialized bikes for mountain biking. | | | | beating of the mountain bike trails. |
| So what makes a good mountain bike? Mountain | | | | Mountain biking has now evolved into a sport that is |
| bikes of the present, and in particular men's mountain | | | | not for the faint hearted. It has a large following |
| bikes, have to be sturdy for this rugged sport. The | | | | especially in men's mountain biking, and there are |
| frames of mountain bikes are heavier than that of a | | | | many trails that are being identified and reviewed |
| normal street bike and the mountain bike suspension | | | | worldwide. Mountain biking as a sport shows the |
| is more durable. The mountain bikes have a double | | | | endurance, navigation skill and survival skills of riders |
| suspension shock absorber that cushions the jolts | | | | who need to be able to maintain their mountain bikes |
| and vibrations from the rough mountain rides. | | | | in any situation due to the nature of the routes that |
| Specialized mountain bikes should also have breaks | | | | some of the trails may take. Knowledge of their |
| that are good, don't over heat and give graduated | | | | equipment and good biking skills means the difference |
| breaking capabilities. Over the years the cycles of | | | | between winning a race and finishing uninjured. |
| mountain biking have had various breaking systems | | | | However a good mountain bike, and safety |
| that have evolved as well as other mountain bike | | | | equipment also helps the rider. |