| An average mountain bike has several additional | | | | rear suspension, often has a front suspension |
| features compared to a regular bicycle. These | | | | fork), Fully Rigid (sub-type of hardtail, with a rigid |
| include larger number of gears, knobby tires, a | | | | fork) and Dual or Full suspension (front suspension |
| wider handle bar and often some form of | | | | fork and rear suspension integrated into the |
| suspension for the tires. A mountain bike skeleton | | | | frame).Some mountain bikes may also be fitted |
| is called a chassis, a term that refers to the | | | | with bar ends on the handlebars, especially in the |
| frame, fork and suspension as one unit. A chassis | | | | case of flat straight handles bars. However, with |
| is generally constructed using lightweight materials | | | | an increasing preference for riser handlebars, bar |
| such as carbon fiber.These bikes are often | | | | end extensions are being used in smaller numbers. |
| equipped with a large number of gears, with some | | | | These bikes are commonly available with a wheel |
| models being equipped with as many as 27 gears. | | | | size of 26 inches (660 mm). Recently, larger |
| The lower range of gears helps mountain bikers | | | | wheel sizes of 29 inches (737 mm) have also |
| climb steep hills or obstacles. Mountain bikes use | | | | been introduced. The larger wheels usually roll |
| sprocket technology that makes changing gears | | | | better over obstacles, but they reduce the |
| easier, and shift levers that automatically move | | | | maneuverability of the bike.While a variation of |
| up or down, one gear at a time.A mountain bike | | | | the cantilever brakes is found on most mountain |
| usually has both a front and a rear suspension. | | | | bikes, some of these, especially those with |
| The suspension acts as a shock absorber for | | | | suspension systems, have disc brakes. With a |
| both the rider and the bike. Based on the type of | | | | large choice in parts available for mountain bikes, it |
| suspension, mountain bikes can be classified into | | | | is important to research your requirements, |
| three main categories: Hardtail (frame with no | | | | before shopping around to get the best prices. |