What is a mountain bike? Mountain biking history

What is a mountain bike? Mountain biking history

The main theme is what is a mountain bike?​ ​(mountain bike) (born mountain bike, abbreviated MTB) is a bike designed for off-road driving (although it does not exclude the opposite), and as a result, it has a special design different from the road, track and road (city) bikes. Also “​mountain bike​” – the cumulative name of sports disciplines associated with the use of a mountain bike.

Mountain bike features Characteristics of a mountain bike: ● Strong frame with large mud openings. ● Wide tires with the off-road or combined tread pattern. ● Strong wheels with rims with a diameter of, as a rule, 559 mm (26 ″), 584 mm (27.5 ″) or 622 mm (29 ″) (from the Inners) ● As a rule, the presence of the front suspension or both wheels, with a stroke of 80 mm. ● A hardtail is a bike with a suspension fork and a stiff suspension rear wheel. ● Dvuhpodvesky – a bike with the soft suspension on both wheels. ● Rigid is a bicycle with stiff suspensions on both wheels.

● As a rule, transmission with external gear shifting. The transmission has a large capacity, in which half is downshifted. ● Mostly disc brakes. Vibration is found on models below-average or in old bicycles. ● Direct steering or steering wheel with a slight lift (Riser).

The mass of a mountain bike ranges from 7 kg (top carbon models) to 18 kg (a bicycle for downhill or free ride), depending on the discipline.

The obsolete rim brakes are now almost completely replaced disc: mechanical (with the transmission of force through the cable) or hydraulic (with the hydraulic line filled with brake fluid).

Mountain bike size guide For a long time for a ​mountain bike​, there were 2 wheel standards: 24 and 26 inches.

Also in the years 2010-2014, another 2 new 650B (27.5 inches) and 29 inches (the so-called “Inners”) standard appeared. 24 inches almost disappeared from use, remained only for freestyle and teenage bicycles.

The price of such a factory bike ranges from $ 100-200 (initial level) to $ 1000-10,000 or more (professional athlete level), which clearly demonstrates how different materials,

quality, and construction of parts and production techniques are used to create another level.

Mountain bike riding Mountain bikes are definitely good for driving on dirt roads, off-road, as well as on snow-covered roads. Also, the high strength of the wheels and frames provides a relatively hassle-free ride on rough roads with a bicycle backpack weighing up to 25 kg.

Often, mountain bikes (as a rule, general-purpose models) are purchased as universal for city driving, highway, and soil. There is some truth in this application, but bicycles of the appropriate types are much better suited for driving on asphalt roads: 1. On a highway, a mountain bike will most likely lose speed to a road bike, but its suspension will require more attention.

2. In the city, a ​mountain bike​ is unlikely to be much faster than a pit bike or a commuter, and maintenance will require more.

3. The use of mountain bikes in cycle tourism is not justified for asphalt trips, especially with a small load (up to 15 kg): in this case, a hybrid or touring would fit more.

However, if any significant part of the trips passes along the ground, a mountain bike is a wise choice.