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