Mountain biking is a great outdoor sport. Mountain bikes are specialised bikes often sporting many gears, full suspension (shocks), and a toughened frame. These features make it easy for the mountain bike to traverse through rough terrain and bumpy off-road trails. Due to their ruggedness mountain bikes are typically much heavier than other types of bicycle.
There are 3 definable styles of mountain biking: cross country, downhill and urban. Each style is quite different and therefore requires a different riding technique and type of mountain bike.
Cross Country Mountain Biking
Cross Country Mountain biking is basically trail riding. There are many types of trails to ride. Some bikers like them fast and relatively smooth, while others prefer the more extreme trails with harsher terrain. Different types of trail require different mountain bike configurations. A Hardtail (front shocks only) is suited to the faster, smoother trails and full suspension is a necessity for bumpier terrain. Cross Country bikes are also known as XC bikes. Rigid XC bikes have no suspension at all.
Downhill Mountain Biking
Downhill is a generally performed on full suspension mountain bikes because most downhill trails are extreme trails, often requiring the rider to navigate over cliff crops, jumps and boulders. Most downhill bikes are heavy in their build, typically weighing between 18-22 kilos. This is because much of the components are reinforced, which enables them to cope with the intense stress that is placed on them.
Urban Mountain Biking
Urban mountain bikers ride their bikes in built-up city areas, performing tricky maneuvers over every day manmade obstacles such as curbs, low level walls and steps. It is a type of mountain biking that is quite similar in style to BMXing and requires significant skill and agility. Urban mountain bikes are normally light-weight, hard tails, and have low gearing to ensure maximum torque. Most urban frames are made of aluminum or carbon fiber composites although some bikers prefer a steel frame for increased strength.
There are 3 definable styles of mountain biking: cross country, downhill and urban. Each style is quite different and therefore requires a different riding technique and type of mountain bike.
Cross Country Mountain Biking
Cross Country Mountain biking is basically trail riding. There are many types of trails to ride. Some bikers like them fast and relatively smooth, while others prefer the more extreme trails with harsher terrain. Different types of trail require different mountain bike configurations. A Hardtail (front shocks only) is suited to the faster, smoother trails and full suspension is a necessity for bumpier terrain. Cross Country bikes are also known as XC bikes. Rigid XC bikes have no suspension at all.
Downhill Mountain Biking
Downhill is a generally performed on full suspension mountain bikes because most downhill trails are extreme trails, often requiring the rider to navigate over cliff crops, jumps and boulders. Most downhill bikes are heavy in their build, typically weighing between 18-22 kilos. This is because much of the components are reinforced, which enables them to cope with the intense stress that is placed on them.
Urban Mountain Biking
Urban mountain bikers ride their bikes in built-up city areas, performing tricky maneuvers over every day manmade obstacles such as curbs, low level walls and steps. It is a type of mountain biking that is quite similar in style to BMXing and requires significant skill and agility. Urban mountain bikes are normally light-weight, hard tails, and have low gearing to ensure maximum torque. Most urban frames are made of aluminum or carbon fiber composites although some bikers prefer a steel frame for increased strength.