Mountain Bikes - Off-road and On
Mountain biking is a recreational sport that allows people to explore large expanses of open land, be it on the beaten path or off.
Mountain bikes tend to have a number of advantages when it comes to
rougher terrain, and are designed to be taken into areas that many bikes do not perform well in. In this article, we’ll take a brief look at how mountain
bikes are used in many outdoor situations, and how finding the right type of mountain bike for your personal taste can allow you to experience the
great outdoors in a way you never have before.
Mountain bikes are built with sturdier, heavier frames than most bikes, and are designed to be able to withstand greater amounts of shock and general punishment.
They are equipped with thicker tires with deeper treads to provide better grip on loose or unstable surfaces, and are generally more waterproof than street bikes
(although certain parts like the chain should be kept dry as much as possible). Mountain bikes also tend to come with shock absorbers designed to take impacts
from drops onto solid surfaces, allowing mountain bikers to ride up and down slippery, uneven, and rocky terrain without too much difficulty.
With all of these advantages for offroading, keep in mind that mountain bikes suffer from a lower level of effectiveness when it comes to street riding. Their
heavier frames and thicker tires might be well suited to riding on dirt and rock, but the thinner tires and lightweight design of street bikes make them faster
and more maneuverable on pavement than any mountain bike. If you are looking for a bike to take into rough terrain, ride cross country,
mountain bike routes or even take on a camping
trip for a real ride through the wilderness, then a mountain bike is likely a great choice.
Riding in these kind of situations is great exercise as many fitness experts will tell you. However,
if you want a bike to ride around in town or get around on a college campus, you may be better off with a different model.
In the end, mountain bikes are great if you use them for their intended purpose, and they can provide a great recreational activity for both exercise and fun.
However, if they are not used in an environment for which they are designed, they will offer a lower level of performance than the appropriate type of bike.
Make sure that you are going to use the bike for its right environment.
[image source: Bikes.org.uk]