| If you're planning to give your bike a hard time, by | | | | bike is more suitable. These are usually made of |
| riding on dirt tracks, across hairpin bends and on | | | | lightweight, resilient materials, and can weigh as little |
| steep, gravel inclines, then you're going to need a | | | | as 20 pounds, although some can weight up to 40 |
| mountain bike. This type of bike is designed for rough | | | | pounds. This is in comparison to all-mountain or |
| riding conditions, and they're very rarely ridden on | | | | enduro bikes, which usually range from 30-35 pounds. |
| paved roads. Mountain bike enthusiasts love to cycle | | | | Cross-country mountain bikes have better |
| along narrow, unpaved trails. Their bike however, | | | | suspension, specifically for uphill climbs or steering |
| suffers high levels of wear and tear in those | | | | over hairpin bends.You can also buy free ride |
| conditions, which is why cycle manufacturers | | | | mountain bikes, which are built of stronger, heavier |
| developed mountain bikes.For starters, mountain | | | | materials. These are mainly designed for easier |
| bikes have tires that are much bigger and fatter than | | | | pedaling, but can still be maneuvered around |
| standard bicycles, and they're made of stronger | | | | dangerous obstacles and steep turns. They're not as |
| rubber. This makes it easier for the bicycle roll | | | | efficient as a cross-country bike because of their |
| smoothly over obstacles and run freely on pebbled | | | | weight, which is generally between 40-50 pounds.If |
| tracks. They also provide better traction.Good | | | | you expect to be doing lots of riding on downhill |
| suspension is another critical part of mountain bike | | | | tracks and racecourses, then a downhill mountain bike |
| design. Strong suspension is essential, and more | | | | might be for you. They're not as strong as free ride |
| recent designs can have both front and rear | | | | bikes, but have better traction than most of the |
| suspension, to help deal with heavier thuds. There are | | | | other types of mountain bike.For short distances, you |
| a number of different suspension styles available, and | | | | are probably best with a trial bike, which doesn't |
| depending on the type of trails you plan to ride along, | | | | have any suspension. They don't have a proper seat |
| different ones might be suitable. They are: Hard tails - | | | | or a vestigial pad, and generally only weight around |
| front suspension fork, some have a rigid fork | | | | 15-20 pounds.There are also dirt jumping, urban and |
| Soft tails - the rear suspension rests on the frame | | | | street mountain bikes, which are all hybrids of trial |
| rather than pivots | | | | and mountain bikes. They're very strong, and usually |
| Dual Suspension - front suspension fork, rear | | | | have a chain guide for front and rear gears, and have |
| suspension, rear shock absorbers and linkage | | | | anywhere from one to nine gears.For more |
| Fully Rigid - rigid front and rear suspensionIf you're | | | | information on mountain bikes to include mountain |
| more interested in traveling cross-country, rather | | | | bike reviews try visiting loacted at where you will |
| than necessarily sticking to heavy-duty mountain | | | | also find information on pocket bikes, folding bikes, |
| trials, then you might find a cross-country mountain | | | | dirt bikes and BMX bikes. |