| Mountain biking is a sport that involves riding bicycles | | | | that the bike is primarily designed for. For example, a |
| off paved roads. It is an activity that is gaining | | | | cross-country mountain bike normally weighs |
| popularity all over the world since it is does not | | | | between 20 to 30 pounds and is lighter than bikes |
| require any special skills other than being able to ride | | | | designed for down-hilling and free riding. Mountain |
| a bicycle and can be done anywhere.A mountain bike | | | | bikes can also be ordered online.Although bicycles |
| is a sturdy bicycle with a strong frame, wide tires, | | | | have been used since the time they were invented, |
| gears and horizontal handlebars. This bike has special | | | | the first specialized mountain bike was built by Joe |
| tires that are fat and knobby, providing the extra | | | | Breeze in 1977. The first regularly available mountain |
| traction that is required for dirt trails and unpaved | | | | bike frame was built by Tom Ritchey, with |
| terrain. Though called mountain bikes, these bicycles | | | | accessories being built by Gary Fisher and Charlie |
| are often used for off-road cycling and can be ridden | | | | Kelly. These bikes were sold by their company called |
| cross country, on gravel roads and even on dirt | | | | MountainBikes, later renamed Gary Fisher Bicycle |
| trails.People use mountain bikes for several purposes | | | | Company. It wasn't until 1982 that the first mass |
| including trailing, dirt jumping and street-urban riding, | | | | produced mountain bikes were sold. These were |
| but the most popular versions of mountain biking are | | | | called the Specialized Stumpjumper and Univega |
| down-hilling, cross-country and free riding. Apart from | | | | Alpina Pro. A huge range of mountain bikes with |
| a few common features, the specifications for | | | | specialized features are now available to cater to the |
| mountain bikes differ, depending upon the activities | | | | ever growing population of mountain bikers. |