All You Should Know Concerning Mountain Bikes

Mountain bikes are created for off-road bicycling. This includes going on dirt trails, riding over rocks and through water, and going down steep declines. These bicycles need to be strong enough to enable the rider to traverse rough terrains.

They are normally classed into four categories and this categorization is based on the suspension used. Fully rigid is a frame that has a rigid fork and a fixed rear, but no suspension. A hard-tail is a frame that has a front suspension fork with no rear suspension. A soft tail is a frame that has a small amount of rear suspension which is activated by the flex of the frame rather than pivots. Dual or full suspension is a front suspension fork and rear suspension that has a rear shock. It also has linkage that will allow the back wheel to move on pivots.

Many different styles of this type of biking exist. The types are defined by the type of terrain that is covered. Cross country models are used for cross-country racing. It is crucial that the equipment is light-weight and efficient as the emphasis of cross country is on climbing as well as speed and endurance. Although these models are generally intended for off road purposes, its light-weight construction is not suitable for use on steep inclines or declines or on excessively rugged terrain.

Trail styles are normally used by people who go mountain riding for recreational purposes. These are also used by people who go on natural off road trails. Since there is less of an emphasis on the weight of these bicycles, they can handle rough terrain and the slacker head angles allow for greater stability when going on a descent.

All mountain models fall between the cross-country and the free-ride models. They feature greater suspension travel which is adjustable if you have the new mid or high end style. Their design enables them to climb as well as descend very well. They can be used for all-day rides which include steep climbs as well as steep descents.

The downhill styles are built with light, strong frames. These models are only suited for downhill trails or racecourses. This is due to the fact that they have high gears and slack geometry angles. In order for the rider to be able to go over bumpy trails fast, these bikes come with more sag than others as this will enable them to get enough traction.

Free-ride models are very similar to the downhill models, but there is less emphasis on the weight and more on the strength of it. The components that are used are normally stronger and made from heavier materials. They can go uphill, but they are inefficient. Their slack head tube angles create difficulty in maneuvering while angled when going uphill or when traveling at low speeds.

Their effectiveness is at its best when facing technical down-hill trails. Their frame angles are usually steeper than the ones found on downhill bikes, so this makes movement around and over smaller objects easier. The weight of these models and the amount of suspension makes uphill riding on them quite uncomfortable as compared to other lighter models.