| I guess that, with the development of the | | | | array of topics are being discussed and presented |
| Internet from a middling bunch of computers on a | | | | at length in these communities, from bearings to |
| network to a worldwide network of millions and | | | | bike meccas. Of course, specialized bike shops |
| millions of PCs and Macs, people can just about | | | | catering to the needs of mountain bikers have |
| find anything online with just a few keywords and | | | | sprung up as well. |
| Google (or Yahoo!, or MSN, or AOL, whichever | | | | But is this a bad thing we're talking about? |
| you prefer). I have been a Netizen for almost 6 | | | | Personally, I think not. The emergence of |
| years now; certainly not as old and experienced | | | | e-commerce has brought along with it an |
| as the other veterans of the World Wide Web, | | | | unsurpassed convenience and availability of |
| maybe, but enough to have observed and | | | | products and services that your local bike shop |
| experienced several of the significant | | | | cannot hope to match. Unless, of course, your |
| developments and changes that the cyberspace | | | | local bike shop has established an online presence |
| has gone through. | | | | as well. Mountain bikers are benefiting from the |
| So why was I surprised when I found out that | | | | wide selection of products that are readily |
| the sport of mountain biking has found a new | | | | available from the Internet. Whether you just |
| home on the Internet? And not just a sport, but | | | | want to find the best price for that wheel bag |
| a burgeoning community of pedaling enthusiasts | | | | you need, or you're looking for free ride fork set |
| that spans the globe. Going back to my | | | | for your ultimate mountain bike, shopping online |
| self-imposed question, why was I surprised to see | | | | can be the best way to go. |
| this? Probably because in my privately-held and | | | | You don't have to be a technical wizard to enjoy |
| biased opinion, I've always thought that | | | | online shopping for your bike gear. Most mountain |
| freewheeling mountain bikers who spend their | | | | bike websites usually feature helpful hints and tips |
| time going up and down hills riding their | | | | to guide even greenhorns make the most out of |
| two-wheeled pedal machines wouldn't have the | | | | their website. Do you need some equipment for |
| time nor the inclination to build a place on the | | | | your specialized mountain bike? Or perhaps you |
| Web. | | | | just want to see all available products from your |
| I was certainly proven wrong, and how. Mountain | | | | favorite manufacturer? Online stores like LA |
| biking is definitely getting more and more | | | | Mountain Bikes help you to search for any item |
| exposure on the Internet, and well-deserved | | | | you want using keywords. You can also find what |
| exposure, I might add. I've discovered that as the | | | | you need by browsing the organized categories of |
| popularity of mountain biking grows, so does the | | | | items. Everything is arranged and laid out to |
| range and scope of its presence on the Internet. | | | | enable shoppers to find and buy products faster |
| You can practically find hundreds of websites, | | | | and easier. |
| blogs, and forums dedicated to the sport. A wide | | | | |