Mountain Bicycle Introduction

If you like mountain climbing tourism, in particular, like to go out mountain bicycle tour, then mountain bicycle will be your best choice.

In thinking about the type of cycling that you want to do, if you plan to ride “off road” a lot, like using your bicycle to traverse the woods or zip through the desert on sandy or rocky trails, a mountain bicycle is probably what you want. Mountain bicycles are designed for riding under more rugged conditions, and typically:

Wheels: A mountain bicycle usually has wide knobby tires that offer more substantial grip and traction on a variety of surfaces, including gravel, dirt, rock and sand. Tire pressure on mountain bicycles is less than on road bicycles, due to their greater volume and the better traction offered by a softer tire. The rims and spokes on mountain bicycle wheels are stronger and more durable, again to handle the rougher riding that true mountain biking entails.

Accessories: for a mountain bicycle include a cyclocomputer, frame pump, tool bag, water bottle and cage. Also, given the rugged nature of the riding and the frequent distance from “civilization” that mountain biking trails go, many mountain bicyclers carry tools kits outfitted with a good many more tools and replacement parts than their roadie counterparts need to bring along.

Frame: Most entry-level mountain bicycle frames are steel (also called “cro-moly”), due to the strength and durability the material offers and the (relatively) low price of steel. Disadvantages of steel are its weight and that it can be prone to rusting.

As the materials get more advanced, the price increases. Next on the ladder is aluminum, which is light and rust-proof and relatively strong, but not immune to breakage over time when subjected to repeated stress. I’m not a fan of aluminum in mountain bicycle frames, simply due to the rough nature of riding, which constantly subjects a mountain bicycle frame to significant stress, particularly when a heavier rider is involved. In addition, there are Carbon fiber frames and Top-of-the-line mountain bicycle frames.

Handlebars: Mountain bicycle handlebars are typically flat, and go straight out from the stem. With a wider grip, usually about shoulder width, these handlebars allow riders to sit upright and offer a better position for vision and control of the bicycle on up and down terrain.

Riding position: The way that a mountain bicycle is designed allows riders sit upright in a position that gives them best control of the bicycle, with well-placed center of gravity and the ability to shift weight forward or back to provide balance and adjust to varying terrain.

Gears: Mountain bicycles have a wide range of gearing to allow them to handle a broad range of terrain. With low gears that go well below that of most road bicycles, riders are more easily able to conquer some wicked steep hills. On the high end of the gear range, mountain bicycles typically are typically not so tall in the gearing as what you’d find on a road bicycle. Rarely is there the need for wide-open, blazing speed such as you’d have on a road bicycle, and the bicycle’s over-sized, knobby tires are not really conducive for going lightning fast anyway.

Pedals: Basic mountain bicycles come equipped with platform pedals. This is useful if you’re the type of rider who frequently puts your feet down. Other more advanced riders may prefer to use toe clips or even clipless pedals that allow the rider to secure his or her cleated shoes to the pedals, but people have different levels of comfort when it comes to being fully attached to a mountain bicycle given the varieties of terrain encountered and the frequent need to drop ones feet to the ground.

All right, this is a mountain bicycle’s structures, what you feel it?

Major Brands: Giant, Specialized, Gary Fisher, Trek.

Buying Advice: Be sure you will be doing plenty of off-roading before you buy a mountain bike. If you are just going to be riding in town or on paved or hard-packed smooth, flat trails, there are better choices of bikes that will be more comfortable and serve you better, such as hybrids or cruisers.

Related Articles

Road Bicycles Introduction