Mountain bike or mountain bicycle is a bicycle designed for off-road cycling. The main function of mountain bikes are designed for mountain biking. It has to withstand off-road condition and surmounting obstacles such as logs and rocks.
Mountain bikes are likewise designed to withstand abuse such as jumping, traversing on rocks and washouts and steep decline. It may also be used in dirt trails, logging road and other unpaved environment.
The bicycle wheel in a mountain bike is usually wide and knobby. This adds extra traction and shock absorption. There are likewise suspensions used in a mountain bike to help it perform as expected.
There are different designs for mountain bike and there are likewise discipline oriented designs. Below we will discuss a bit about these designs of a mountain bikes to know which ones fit your needs.
Design classification of mountain bike relative to suspensions
· Fully rigid: The frame, which is known to be fully rigid, has rigid fork and fixed rear. There is no suspension in this mountain bike.
· Hard tail: The frame of this mountain bike has a front suspension fork and no rear suspension.
· Soft tail: A frame with small amount of rear suspension, activated by flex or the frame instead of pivots is a mountain bike classified as soft tail.
· Dual or full suspension: This bike has front suspension fork and rear suspension with rear shock and linkage that allow the rear wheel to move on pivots.
Now, let us discuss a bit about discipline-oriented designs for mountain bikes.
Cross-country mountain bike
Cross-country mountain bikes are used mostly on competitions. Some cross-country bikes are made with small amount of front suspension and/or rear suspension. They are relatively light and the design is focused on climbing and quick turning abilities. These bikes are however, poor choice for jumps and high-speed traverse on rocks and deep washouts.
Free ride mountain bikes
Free ride mountain bikes are designed more like downhill bikes but focus is less on weight but rather on strength.
These bikes are effective in riding uphill and downhill bikes. There is more focus on maneuverability over and around small objects.
Dirt jumping mountain bikes
Dirt jumping mountain bike also known as urban and street mountain bikes are strong bikes. They usually have front suspension and in some rare cases rear suspension. There may be up to nine gears, the tires are fast rolling and slick.
This mountain bike may be used for stunt like dirt jumping. Dirt jumpers usually have low seat posts and oversized handlebars. There are usually no front breaks because dirt jumpers usually want the option to spin the handlebars and the brakes may compromise this. Thus, only rear brakes are used in dirt jumping mountain bikes.
There are other discipline-oriented designed for mountain bikes. Thus, when you want mountain bikes, be sure to find the mountain bike that fits your needs.
If you however do not require a mountain bike and needs
road bikes for recreation and utility, you do not need to buy a more expensive mountain bike. Settle for road bikes and enjoy riding on paved road.
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