| Mountain bikes are designed for off-road | | | | bike. Bikes with this design feature both |
| riding. Whether made for racing or the more | | | | front and rear suspensions. These bikes are |
| leisurely rider, there are four basic frame | | | | the latest mountain bike design. For a long |
| designs for mountain bikes: rigid, | | | | time riders avoided full suspension bikes |
| hard-tail, soft-tail, and full suspension. | | | | because they were heavy and they tended to |
| | | | sag in the middle like an old swayback horse. |
| The rigid (also commonly known as fully | | | | It took years for engineers and riders to |
| rigid) mountain bikes resemble a conventional | | | | perfect a viable, functional full suspension |
| sort of bike as you would imagine it. A rigid | | | | mountain bike. It was in the 1990's when |
| mountain bike has neither a rear suspension | | | | these bikes finally reached a point where |
| nor a front suspension. These used to be the | | | | they were marketable. |
| most common kind of mountain bike but they | | | | |
| are rapidly being replaced by the more | | | | In addition to the frame and suspension, |
| comfortable models which feature some sort of | | | | there are other differences in mountain bike |
| suspension system. Fully rigid bikes tend to | | | | designs. One key area where bikes differ is |
| be lower-priced than models with a | | | | the brakes. Mountain bikes either have some |
| suspension. Many riders still prefer rigid | | | | form of caliper brakes, which are the kind of |
| bikes because it's what they're accustomed | | | | brakes typically associated with bikes. This |
| to, and the feel that the rigid design allows | | | | kind of brake squeezes the rims to slow and |
| them greater control. | | | | stop the bike. The other type of brake is the |
| | | | drum brake. Drum brakes on bikes are similar |
| Another common mountain bike design is the | | | | to the braking system on automobiles. Drum |
| hard-tail. Hard-tail mountain bikes are so | | | | brakes are more expensive than caliper brakes |
| named because they have a conventional rear | | | | but they're also easier to maintain. Mountain |
| end without a suspension. Hard-tails differ | | | | bike braking systems have even been made |
| from fully rigid bikes in that they have a | | | | which utilize hydraulic power. |
| front suspension. The hard-tail is perhaps | | | | |
| the most popular mountain bike design. Many | | | | Another area where you have some choice in |
| professional riders prefer the feel of a | | | | mountain bike design is tire size. Mountain |
| hard-tail and the comfort of a front | | | | bike tires typically range in size from 24" |
| suspension. | | | | to 29". Smaller tires are used when greater |
| | | | maneuverability is required as in |
| The next kind of mountain bike design is the | | | | stunt-riding and jumping. Larger tires are |
| soft-tail. As you probably guessed, | | | | used when speed is the key. |
| soft-tails employ a rear suspension. Rear | | | | |
| suspensions are a more recent innovation than | | | | As with any other important purchase, do your |
| front suspension due to the complexities of | | | | homework before buying a new mountain bike. |
| the design. Soft-tails are often more | | | | Think about your needs and your budget. |
| expensive than hard-tails, but they also tend | | | | Mountain biking is a terrific past-time. It's |
| to be more forgiving. | | | | a fun way to get some fresh air, enjoy the |
| | | | outdoors, and improve your health. |
| Finally there's the full suspension mountain | | | | |