Mountain biking is a fantastic mix of fun and outdoor exercise. It's suitable for everyone, regardless of age, gender, size, ability, experience or previous exercising history. What you need is a bike, helmet, and a bit of willingness.
Mountain bikes are designed for different styles and terrain. Before you buy one, you should know what kind of riding you will do. Will that be cross country, downhill/freeride, all-mountain, or trials? Different styles, different bikes.
There are actually more categories than four, but those are the main ones. Each offers a different experience. The style you choose will determine the type of your bike. So you should know where you're going to ride it and what kind of obstacles are you going to face.
Downhill/Freeride bikes are designed to take huge drops and hits while speeding down hills on rough terrain. They are very durable and heavy, they have full suspension and a limited selection of gears, sometimes only 7-9. They don't perform very well uphill, but have no competition down.
All-mountain bikes are a blend between cross country and freeride/downhill bikes. They have full-suspension with medium travel, a full gear set and somewhat heavier frame than cross country bikes. They're suitable for climbing and descending on a variety of terrains.
Cross country bikes are not suited to riders who enjoy big drops and other extremes, but for the average mountain biker, they are a great choice. They are all-round good performers, lighter that other bikes. They come with full gear set (generally 27) and usually just front suspension.
Trial mountain bikes are no standard mountain bikes. They're not designed for comfortable touring, but rather for jumping over obstacles. Some don't even have a seat. Not for average riders.
To wrap it up, before you go and buy a mountain bike, you must decide what type is best suitable for your riding style. OK, but which brand should I choose? I personally like Iron Horse bikes, been with them for over a decade, but that's just me. You don't have to worry about brand names, instead focus on the quality of the components.
Just remember, a bike is a sum of its parts. Now go out there and enjoy the ride.
Mountain bikes are designed for different styles and terrain. Before you buy one, you should know what kind of riding you will do. Will that be cross country, downhill/freeride, all-mountain, or trials? Different styles, different bikes.
There are actually more categories than four, but those are the main ones. Each offers a different experience. The style you choose will determine the type of your bike. So you should know where you're going to ride it and what kind of obstacles are you going to face.
Downhill/Freeride bikes are designed to take huge drops and hits while speeding down hills on rough terrain. They are very durable and heavy, they have full suspension and a limited selection of gears, sometimes only 7-9. They don't perform very well uphill, but have no competition down.
All-mountain bikes are a blend between cross country and freeride/downhill bikes. They have full-suspension with medium travel, a full gear set and somewhat heavier frame than cross country bikes. They're suitable for climbing and descending on a variety of terrains.
Cross country bikes are not suited to riders who enjoy big drops and other extremes, but for the average mountain biker, they are a great choice. They are all-round good performers, lighter that other bikes. They come with full gear set (generally 27) and usually just front suspension.
Trial mountain bikes are no standard mountain bikes. They're not designed for comfortable touring, but rather for jumping over obstacles. Some don't even have a seat. Not for average riders.
To wrap it up, before you go and buy a mountain bike, you must decide what type is best suitable for your riding style. OK, but which brand should I choose? I personally like Iron Horse bikes, been with them for over a decade, but that's just me. You don't have to worry about brand names, instead focus on the quality of the components.
Just remember, a bike is a sum of its parts. Now go out there and enjoy the ride.
About the Author:
Alex Preston is a photographer, hiker and, sure enough, a mountain biker. He is very fond of his Iron Horse Mountain Bike and loves to go exploring with it. He presently owns Iron Horse MKIII.
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