| Mountain biking has introduced a new language to | | | | ground is to stand over height and is the central |
| cycling, one that takes a little practice to understand. | | | | measurement in sizing. |
| When you become fluent in the mountain bike | | | | The fork - this is the part of the bike that connects |
| language you will be able to read and assess reviews | | | | the front wheel to the handlebars. Mounting like forks |
| and pieces of equipment independently. You will also | | | | both in suspension and rigid models are incredibly |
| have the confidence to keep your bike and yourself | | | | strong. They are easily replaced if they become |
| going, and to realise the right time to upgrade. Below | | | | damaged or you choose to upgrade them. |
| I have listed some of the more common terms used | | | | Head angle and seat angle - these are both measured |
| by mountain bikers and their meaning. | | | | against the horizontal, these angles to side to handle |
| Front end - this is the place on a mountain bike frame | | | | and feel of the frame as the influence the relative |
| that takes the most stress and is the area where | | | | length of the tube is. This degree angle the stiffer |
| the down tube and the top tube join the head tube. | | | | and racier the handling. The steering is correct when |
| Down tube - this is the backbone of a bicycle, it is | | | | will ride easily without hands, and will not flop to |
| the longest tube on the frame and carries the most | | | | either side. |
| stress. It stretches from just below the handlebars | | | | Wheelbase - this is the distance between the centre |
| to where the pedals join the frame. | | | | of the two wheels, the shorter this is the racier the |
| Top tube - good mountain bikes have long top tube | | | | bike. |
| is, the distance between the top tube and the | | | | |