Types of Mountain Bikes for Riding on Dirt Paths
Mountain Bike, abbreviated as MTBs or ATBs (All Terrain Bikes) is a bike that are meant for riding on dirt paths or unpaved environments. They are more rugged than road bicycles, and can handle more strain.
The tires of the mountain bike are wider and knobbier than road bikes, for more grip and shock absorption. Front suspension for the MTBs is becoming the norm, and in today's mountain bikes, you can find front and rear suspension. The wheels are usually 26" in diameter, but this is slowly changing to 29" in the newer mountain bikes.
Mountain Bikes can be widely classified into four types.
* Fully Rigid
* Hard Tail
* Soft Tail
* Dual/ Full Suspension
Fully Rigid Mountain Bikes don't have any suspension, and their frames have fixed rears and a rigid fork.
Hard Tail Mountain Bikes have a suspension fork in the front, and no suspension in the rear. A soft tail Mountain bike has very less suspension in the rear, and its frame has a flex in the rear, rather than the pivot. A Full Suspension MTB has a suspension fork in the front, and a rear suspension as well, with a link that lets the rear wheel move on a pivot.
Until recently, MTBs had the same design and geometry of Road Bikes. When mountain biking became more popular, riding became more aggressive, and new mountain bikes with lighter and stronger frames were created to cater to the rider's needs and aggressive riding style.
The New-age mountain bikes have 21, 24 or 27 speeds. They usually have 3 gears in the front. The rear has 7, 8 or 9 gears. They also feature disc brakes. This gives the rider better stopping power than normal rim brakes. They can also take heavy breaking without wearing out soon, and causing lesser problems.
There are a wide range of tire types for mountain bikes. Some styles include slick street tires, sticky rubber tires, etc. Tubeless tires are also gaining popularity in the MTB world for their pinch flat resistance. Some good MTB tire manufacturers are Wilderness Trail Bikes, Schwalbe, Kenda, Maxxis, Nokian, etc.
Mountain biking has become more of an adventure sport by itself, and lot of equipment can be found just for mountain bikers, most of it safety related. Protective gear that is worn by the rider is often referred to as 'Armor', and is work to protect against injuries. 'Armors' may range from just knee and elbow caps, to full body padding. Usually, Downhill and freestyle bikers wear more armor, as their riding styles are more dangerous and prone to injuries. Most of these bodysuits also have special protection for the spine, comprising of a set of plastic plates, covered with foam.
Most bike parks require bikers to wear full face helmets, to protect against injury. These helmets a just like their counterparts used in motocross, but are considerably more ventilated and lighter. Most professional riders wear these by choice, to avoid head injuries.
Some of the Mountain Bike manufacturers are Airborne cycles, Alpine design MTBs, Arrow Racing, Dagger, Dart, Full Dynamix, etc.
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Mountain Bike Performance Handbook (Bicycle Books) (Paperback)
A mountain biking expert discusses strategies for extracting the most performance from every component used on toady's mountain bikes. 200 illustrations.
Women Mountain Biking: Looking Beyond The Risks
The old saw about women being the weaker sex has, in recent decade, come up for debate as increasing numbers of women have begun to excel at many of the sports which were once considered the exclusive provinces of men. Women have even begun to compete in extreme sports, including mountain biking.
There is no anatomical reason why women mountain biking cannot manage the strong pedaling required, and enough of them have now taken up the sport that they are no longer a rarity on the mountain biking trails. But mountain biking, like any sport, can cause long-term health consequences in its participants.
There us a question of whether or not women mountain biking are endangering their reproductive systems. Research has indicated that male mountain bikers significantly increase their risk of scrotal damage overtime; there is good reason to think the women might also be at reproductive risk.The Risks Of Women Mountain Biking
The studies done on men show that they may experience the growth of either benign or malignant scrotal masses as a result of mountain biking, and those results may imply that women mountain biking can develop assorted reproductive illness. One proven effect of women mountain biking is, in a few instances, hymenal rupture.
Even though there many be negative consequences for their reproductive systems, enormous and increasing number of women mountain biking today is a sign that most women think the benefits of mountain biking outweigh its risks. The strength-building, cardiovascular benefits, heightened reflexes, improved coordination, and tremendous self-confidence which women who mountain bike experience are certainly desirable effects.
And the large number of women mountain biking has had another effect; there are now several women's groups organized to educate women about the health and safety issues surrounding women's mountain biking.
One of the organizations in the forefront of promoting healthy women mountain biking is the WOMBATS, or as they are officially named, the Women's Mountain Biking and Tea Society. The members of WOMBATS all have one thing in common--their love for the adventure of mountain biking. The group accepts women regardless of their age, ethnicity, or culture; the only requirement for admission is that an applicant be an avid mountain biker. For more info see http://www.mountainbikingreviews.com on Mountain Biking.
The myth that women are a weak sex is dead, and the reality that women mountain biking is taking the mountain biking world by storm is becoming clearer each day. If you don't believe it, head for the nearest mountain biking trail, watch the women of all ages and physical stature taking the terrain in their biking stride, and then tell yourself they are the weaker sex.
Many brands of mountain biking shorts, shoes, and suits are also available; the brand name is not as important the degree of comfort and protection they provide. Most riders will be able to find adequate mountain biking apparel to meet their budgets; for suggestions they can always turn to one of the many sources eager to help them.
Learning all about mountain biking will take a very long time, but the first lessons should always be on safe riding techniques, and safety equipment.
Schwinn Men’s Solution GSD All-Terrain Bike (26 -Inch Wheels)
Answer the call of the singletrack with the Schwinn® Solution GSD 26-in men's mountain bike. This all-mountain machine features an N'Litened aluminum frame with trail-tuned geometry, a replaceable derailleur hanger, and a front shock by CS Forks®. Shimano® shifters, derailleurs, and brake levers provide excellent control, while the Suntour® crank and Bengal® mechanical disc brakes power through obstacles and down hills.
Mongoose Montana Men’s Mountain Bike (26-Inch Wheels)
Equipped with a smooth-riding front-suspension fork, the Mongoose Montana men's mountain bike is a great choice for both trail and street riding. The bike includes such features as a full alloy MTB frame that holds up durably to rough handling, along with MTB riser bars and a quill stem. The 21-speed SRAM MRX shifters and Shimano rear derailleur, meanwhile, provide plenty of control whether you're on flat or hilly terrain. Finally, the bike's alloy black rims and extra-wide 1.95-inch tires roll smoothly over pavement, grass, or dirt. Other features include alloy linear pull brakes and levers, an adjustable quick-release seat, a three-piece ATB crank, 26-inch wheels, and a rust-resistant powder coating. The Montana carries a one-year warranty.
Mongoose Montana Women’s Mountain Bike (26-Inch Wheels)
Mongoose Montana Women's Mountain Bike
Schwinn Ridge AL Men’s Mountain Bike (26-Inch Wheels)
Schwinn Ridge AL Men's Mountain Bike