All About Mountain Bikes
For a long time, racing bikes dominated the scene. These bikes have narrow seats, downward curving handles, and a slender, sleek design. In the past, they were all the rage, and everyone rode them. Nowadays, mountain bikes are becoming more and more popular.
There are a number of good reasons for this; perhaps the most important of which is that they increase the options for the terrain a rider can cover. To learn how they accomplish this, let's take a peek at some of the unique design features of mountain bikes.
The term ATBs or "All Terrain Bikes" should provide a clue. In short, the mountain bike can go anywhere. The can navigate dirt trails, unpaved mountain paths, and more. A mountain bike's wide, knobby tires are one component that makes this possible. In recent years, advances in front and rear suspension have made the mountain bike even better for easily covering a variety of terrain.
This suspension is available today in four basic kinds. Completely rigid models are simply straight forks with no cushions or shock absorbers. A "hard tail" has no rear suspension, whereas a "soft tail" has basic rear suspension that allows the frame to flex. Dual suspension provides both front and rear cushioning, and rear shocks that allows the wheel to pivot.
All options except the first make for a smoother, easier ride on uneven terrain. Even experienced cyclists deal with less fatigue and can increase their riding time in large part due to these innovations. Suspension that moves from 2-8 inches is one of the advances that make this possible, since it reduces stress on the joints.
A mountain bike's wide, knobby tires are another important element. The inner dimension of racing bike tires is often as small as 18mm (0.8 inches), whereas mountain bike wheels usually have an inner dimension of 35-50mm (1.5 to 2.2 inches) or more. This extra width assists in controlling and reducing the force on the frame, making for a smoother ride in difficult terrain.
The mountain bike also features a handlebar design that is radically different from the racing bike. Its wide, flat, straight dimensions make it much easier to control a bike on bumpy and curvy paths. Riser handlebars are an alternative design that allows for even greater control.
Another important difference is the mountain bike's higher ground clearance. Sprockets and other components of racing bikes are often so low to the ground that the pedals only have an inch or two of clearance. Mountain bikes, on the other hand, have much higher ground clearance for important components and the frame overall. Exposure to rocks, uneven ground, shrubs and plants, and other road hazards make this a necessity for mountain bikes. A 13 inch clearance is fairly typical.
Some modern designs have even done away with the chain, which presents more of a problem for mountain bikes when compared with racing models. In both types, getting pants greasy is often a problem. But with mountain bikes, dirt, particles, rocks, and plants can more easily get stuck in chains and sprockets while riding in the wilderness. Chainless models are one way to address this problem.
Mountain bikes have made great advances since they first become popular in the 1980s. They still provide the most important thing in a bike: a fun way to enjoy a variety of outdoor terrain in solitude.
Oleg Kozlov - Fotolia.com
wiktor bubniak - Fotolia.com
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