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