Mountain biking is an outdoor adventure sport, enjoyed widely across the world. Generally, mountain biking is done on dirt trails and rugged terrain with bikes that are specially designed for off-road environments. These mountain bikes are different from regular road bikes and are known as all-terrain bicycles (ATBs) or mountain terrain bikes (MTBs).
Mountain bikes are generally smaller than regular road bikes and are equipped with wide handlebars that provide better control to the rider. Generally, these mountain bikes are heavier and have a sturdy frame, which makes it easier to go downhill. The bicycle frames are usually made from steel, titanium, carbon fibre or aluminium. One of the key features of mountain bikes is suspension. The suspension provides a comfortable ride over rough terrain. The bikes may have full front and rear suspension. Tyres of mountain bikes are thick and wide. These tyres are usually covered with nubby rubber to provide better traction. The tyres also help to provide more friction, which in turn provides better control for the rider. Mountain bikes usually have 26-inch wheels or 29-inch wheels. Different types of pedal choices such as platform pedals and clipless pedals are available. Mountain bikes are also equipped with gears to help you tackle hills effectively.
Mountain bikes are designed to perform in different terrain and there are different bikes available to cope with specific variations in terrain. Cross country mountain bikes are designed for uphill or flat terrain and are generally lightweight with little suspension. Trial mountain bikes are specifically designed for bicycle trials – they have no suspension and are lightweight. Dirt jumping bikes are sturdy, have front suspension and oversized handlebars. Mountain cross bikes have full suspension and a sturdy frame. Downhill bikes are designed specifically for downhill terrain and have good suspension and a sturdy frame. Free-ride mountain bikes are heavy and provide excellent suspension. With so much variety available, you should find the perfect bike for the specific terrain you want to ride on.
Professional riders can also custom design their own mountain bikes. The cyclist can choose the brakes, pedals, gears, seat, handlebars and other components. He/she can then get these components attached to the basic frame of the mountain bike. The choice of mountain bike depends on budget, style and terrain.
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