| Mountain bikes are designed for off-road | | | | mountain bike design. For a long time riders |
| riding. Whether made for racing or the more | | | | avoided full suspension bikes because they |
| leisurely rider, there are four basic frame | | | | were heavy and they tended to sag in the |
| designs for mountain bikes: rigid, | | | | middle like an old swayback horse. It took |
| hard-tail, soft-tail, and full suspension.The | | | | years for engineers and riders to perfect a |
| rigid (also commonly known as fully rigid) | | | | viable, functional full suspension mountain |
| mountain bikes resemble a conventional sort | | | | bike. It was in the 1990's when these bikes |
| of bike as you would imagine it. A rigid | | | | finally reached a point where they were |
| mountain bike has neither a rear suspension | | | | marketable.In addition to the frame and |
| nor a front suspension. These used to be the | | | | suspension, there are other differences in |
| most common kind of mountain bike but they | | | | mountain bike designs. One key area where |
| are rapidly being replaced by the more | | | | bikes differ is the brakes. Mountain bikes |
| comfortable models which feature some sort of | | | | either have some form of caliper brakes, |
| suspension system. Fully rigid bikes tend to | | | | which are the kind of brakes typically |
| be lower-priced than models with a | | | | associated with bikes. This kind of brake |
| suspension. Many riders still prefer rigid | | | | squeezes the rims to slow and stop the bike. |
| bikes because it's what they're accustomed | | | | The other type of brake is the drum brake. |
| to, and the feel that the rigid design allows | | | | Drum brakes on bikes are similar to the |
| them greater control.Another common mountain | | | | braking system on automobiles. Drum brakes |
| bike design is the hard-tail. Hard-tail | | | | are more expensive than caliper brakes but |
| mountain bikes are so named because they have | | | | they're also easier to maintain. Mountain |
| a conventional rear end without a suspension. | | | | bike braking systems have even been made |
| Hard-tails differ from fully rigid bikes in | | | | which utilize hydraulic power.Another area |
| that they have a front suspension. The | | | | where you have some choice in mountain bike |
| hard-tail is perhaps the most popular | | | | design is tire size. Mountain bike tires |
| mountain bike design. Many professional | | | | typically range in size from 24" to 29". |
| riders prefer the feel of a hard-tail and the | | | | Smaller tires are used when greater |
| comfort of a front suspension.The next kind | | | | maneuverability is required as in |
| of mountain bike design is the soft-tail. As | | | | stunt-riding and jumping. Larger tires are |
| you probably guessed, soft-tails employ a | | | | used when speed is the key.As with any other |
| rear suspension. Rear suspensions are a more | | | | important purchase, do your homework before |
| recent innovation than front suspension due | | | | buying a new mountain bike. Think about your |
| to the complexities of the design. Soft-tails | | | | needs and your budget. Mountain biking is a |
| are often more expensive than hard-tails, but | | | | terrific past-time. It's a fun way to get |
| they also tend to be more forgiving.Finally | | | | some fresh air, enjoy the outdoors, and |
| there's the full suspension mountain bike. | | | | improve your health.Gregg Hall is an author |
| Bikes with this design feature both front and | | | | living in Navarre Beach, Florida. |
| rear suspensions. These bikes are the latest | | | | |