| An average mountain bike has several additional | | | | suspension, often has a front suspension fork), Fully |
| features compared to a regular bicycle. These include | | | | Rigid (sub-type of hardtail, with a rigid fork) and Dual |
| larger number of gears, knobby tires, a wider handle | | | | or Full suspension (front suspension fork and rear |
| bar and often some form of suspension for the tires. | | | | suspension integrated into the frame). |
| A mountain bike skeleton is called a chassis, a term | | | | Some mountain bikes may also be fitted with bar |
| that refers to the frame, fork and suspension as one | | | | ends on the handlebars, especially in the case of flat |
| unit. A chassis is generally constructed using | | | | straight handles bars. However, with an increasing |
| lightweight materials such as carbon fiber. | | | | preference for riser handlebars, bar end extensions |
| These bikes are often equipped with a large number | | | | are being used in smaller numbers. These bikes are |
| of gears, with some models being equipped with as | | | | commonly available with a wheel size of 26 inches |
| many as 27 gears. The lower range of gears helps | | | | (660 mm). Recently, larger wheel sizes of 29 inches |
| mountain bikers climb steep hills or obstacles. | | | | (737 mm) have also been introduced. The larger |
| Mountain bikes use sprocket technology that makes | | | | wheels usually roll better over obstacles, but they |
| changing gears easier, and shift levers that | | | | reduce the maneuverability of the bike. |
| automatically move up or down, one gear at a time. | | | | While a variation of the cantilever brakes is found on |
| A mountain bike usually has both a front and a rear | | | | most mountain bikes, some of these, especially those |
| suspension. The suspension acts as a shock absorber | | | | with suspension systems, have disc brakes. With a |
| for both the rider and the bike. Based on the type of | | | | large choice in parts available for mountain bikes, it is |
| suspension, mountain bikes can be classified into | | | | important to research your requirements, before |
| three main categories: Hardtail (frame with no rear | | | | shopping around to get the best prices. |