BMX vs. Mountain Bikes

Biking is one of the healthiest activities you can do- not to mention, it is a great time! Riding down the street with the wind in your hair is an invigorating feeling. Biking is also great for transportation, especially in a big city environment. Why worry about taxis and subways when you can bike everywhere you want to go and have a great time? You can save money and get good exercise. Maybe you are an adventurer and you don't care about biking down the street. You have mountains to tackle. Biking is still a good option and certainly a ton of fun! This article will focus on explaining the difference between BMX and mountain bikes.

BMX and mountain bikes are designed differently to satisfy two different riding styles and terrains. They may appear similar, but in the world of biking they are on opposite sides of the spectrum. Mountain bikes are built for rough terrain like rocks, hills, and dirt. Mountain bikes can survive the tough elements and climb the mountains with you. They contain wide tires and handlebars along with a shock absorption system so you can have a comfortable ride even on the roughest terrain. On the other hand, a BMX bike is built more for agility and performance. BMX bikes are designed or racing and performing tricks. A BMX bike is certainly not optimal for climbing mountains, but it can be great in a skate park or on the street.

BMX bikes are usually smaller then mountain bikes. The smaller frame of a BMX bike is designed for racing and allows for quick maneuvers. Because mountain bikes are bigger, they are usually heavier than BMX bikes as well. Mountain bike tires are also larger and more heavy duty. This allows the bike to better handle rough terrain. However, both bikes are light for their respective sizes.

Perhaps the biggest difference is that mountain bikes have gears. Different gears allow the bike to move at different speeds. Lower gears are optimal for climbing hills when pedaling is difficult. By shifting to a lower gear, pedaling becomes easier. You won't lose steam half way up the hill and roll back down! You will cover a shorter distance each time you pedal, but the pedaling will be easier. If you are on flatter terrain or your legs are simply spinning the pedals much too fast, you can shift the gears up and cover more distance while increasing peddling difficulty. Most mountain bikes have between 10 and 21 speeds. BMX bikes almost never have gears, with the exception of very special models. Even then, they usually only have two gears.

Whether you like tricks, easy riding, or taking adventures, there is a bike to fit your needs. BMX bicycles are optimal for tricks and racing, while mountain bikes are designed to handle rough terrain. Whatever you choose, biking is a great time. Beat traffic, climb mountains, and tear up the skate park- find your perfect bike today and get ready for the adventure!