| mountain bikes have not been spared from the many | | | | friction shifter was a bit troublesome since its design |
| new changes that have taken place in their | | | | made it possible for the rider to get stuck between |
| construction, and the times when one did not need | | | | gears which could cause damage to the gears, which |
| to worry about changing gears when using mountain | | | | meant that a new type of shifter became necessary, |
| bikes have long since gone, and today one is used to | | | | and the one that was then found to be more |
| the many different speed bikes that also have a | | | | effective was the index shifter. |
| mountain bike shifter. From the earlier versions when | | | | The advantage to using the index shifter was that it |
| the mountain bike shifter could have been nothing | | | | could be calibrated as well as had fixed stopping |
| more than a couple of levers that were a part of the | | | | points so that riders could change gears perfectly, |
| bike’s frame close to the handlebars, things | | | | and this type of mountain bike shifter remedied the |
| have changed and today the mountain bike shifter | | | | faults with the friction shifter. And, the shifter can be |
| have since undergone many a change. Today, the | | | | placed at any part of the bike, so that it makes the |
| mountain bike shifter has been moved to the | | | | ride smoother as well as trouble free. The need for |
| handlebar and newer version even has dials that are | | | | good mountain bike shifters is underlined when one |
| very nifty to look at, and which are placed close to | | | | realizes that mountain bikes need to go through |
| the grip. So, even the ten speed mountain bikes are | | | | several gear changes which is essential to traverse |
| now dated as the newer bikes have as many as | | | | difficult mountain terrains. So, there is need for higher |
| twenty-seven speeds, which makes one wonder | | | | gears for coming downhill and riding the flats, while |
| what the need for so many gears really is. | | | | lower gears will help when climbing difficult inclines. |
| The main aim in having so many gears is that the ride | | | | The ideal time to use the mountain bike shifter is |
| is not only faster but also quite simpler as well. So, | | | | when there is not much stress on the pedal, because |
| today there are many different mountain bike | | | | if there is a lot of pressure on the pedal and you |
| shifters available that are also priced differently, and | | | | choose to shift gears, it could end up damaging the |
| this essential piece of equipment is what helps riders | | | | whole gear shifting contraptions. |
| shift gears. In the beginning, the mountain bike shifter | | | | So, before you buy a mountain bike makes sure that |
| was no more than what was then known as friction | | | | you check that it has the right type of mountain bike |
| shifters and were levers which were worked by | | | | shifter which will ensure that your mountain biking |
| pulling cables that were connected to derailleur. The | | | | experience is fun and easy as well. |