| By Mr.Andrew Caxton | | | | for better support. Basically four categories |
| | | | of Mountain bikes are available in the |
| Mountain biking has changed drastically since | | | | market. The four categories are A) The fully |
| its origin, so have the bikes. New feature | | | | rigid bike: - these bikes have a fixed rare, |
| have been added to meet the growing | | | | no suspensions and have a frame with a fixed |
| challenges of the sport. Ultra light bikes, | | | | fork. B) the Hard tail bike :- it is similar |
| hi-tech gears and suspension have become the | | | | to the fully rigid bike, the only difference |
| need of the day to increase efficiency of the | | | | is the suspension in the front wheel. C) the |
| bike and the rider. Mountain biking has | | | | Soft tail bike :- it has a frame that offers |
| changed drastically since its origin, so have | | | | rear suspension to a certain extent, which is |
| the bikes. New feature have been added to | | | | activated by flexing the frame. Pivots are |
| meet the growing challenges of the sport. | | | | not used here and D) the full or dual |
| Ultra light bikes, hi-tech gears and | | | | suspension bike: - they have suspension |
| suspension have become the need of the day to | | | | fitted on both the front and the rear wheel |
| increase efficiency of the bike and the | | | | and pivots are used to move the rear wheel. |
| rider. Investing in a good mountain bike | | | | Mountain bikes are available in many designs |
| Selecting a good quality mountain bike is the | | | | for e.g. cross country (XC), endure/all |
| most important step in mountain biking. | | | | mountains (AM), free ride (FR), dirt jumping |
| Although it is comparatively more expensive | | | | - urban and street, trial, downhill (DH) |
| than ordinary bikes, buying a good bike is a | | | | single speed, and 4-cross racing. The design |
| must considering the hardships it will be | | | | basically depends on the type of route it's |
| subjected to while venturing out on the hill | | | | going to be used on. Mountain biking is |
| slopes. These bikes are specially designed to | | | | reaching new heights today with competitions |
| endure a lot of pounding in the process. They | | | | becoming more and more aggressive. The modern |
| are fitted with special tires and suspensions | | | | day bikes have been specially modified to |
| to reduce the stress on the rider and the | | | | suit the rider's requirements. Now a days |
| bike and make the ride comparatively | | | | Mountain bikes have aerodynamic frames - |
| smoother. Todays Standard Equipment includes | | | | these are lighter but yet very strong. They |
| front wheel suspension by default. Now a days | | | | are fitted with three gears on the front |
| more and more bikers are opting for dual | | | | wheel while the next few would be on the back |
| suspension bikes, as they are definitely more | | | | wheel and have speeds varying from 21, 24 |
| comfortable than single suspension bike. | | | | even up to 27. |
| Similarly bikes with large wheels are also | | | | |
| gaining popularity compared to bikes with | | | | Andrew Caxton enjoys writing about sport |
| smaller tires and riser handlebars. Some | | | | supreme for . Find more publications about |
| bikes also have handle bars tha have bar ends | | | | hybrid bike reviews at his website. |