| Regular bikes compared to mountain bikes may | | | | more comfortable models which feature some |
| have a smoother ride and are slower and | | | | sort of suspension system. They have had |
| heavier but are great for riding on the | | | | front suspension on bikes for a while now; |
| street. You can find information about | | | | the rear suspensions have just come into the |
| mountain biking online or in magazines; they | | | | market place, it took longer because of all |
| are geared toward beginners or professionals. | | | | of the design complexities. |
| Mountain biking is not really thought of as | | | | |
| exercising but it is a great way to burn many | | | | Of course, there are many other things to |
| calories. | | | | consider when purchasing a mountain bike, but |
| | | | for the beginner, it's best to just narrow it |
| If your interested are off-road you will need | | | | down to how much you want to spend and what |
| bike that can handle the terrain so you will | | | | kind of suspension you're going to want. |
| need some big treads and a good suspension to | | | | |
| handle the bumps and holes so get a good | | | | If you want to ride your mountain bikes look |
| mountain bike, if you are just riding for fun | | | | for trails that are suited for mountain |
| then a regular bike will do. There are so | | | | bikes. If you don't have any trails or jumps, |
| many different styles of mountain bikes so | | | | you can build them. |
| when you are looking to purchase one make | | | | |
| sure it fits the terrain you will be taking | | | | When you first try the toe clip style of |
| it on and make sure it fits your riding | | | | pedal you might want to spend some time |
| style. If you are going to be rough on your | | | | getting use to it, it will take some |
| bike and plan on going through gravel, dirt | | | | practice. Getting a feel for your pedals |
| and jumping off hills you definitely need a | | | | while first sitting on your bike, keep one |
| mountain bike. | | | | foot on the ground and practice moving your |
| | | | foot away from the pedal. |
| The chassis on a mountain bike is sometimes | | | | |
| referred to as the skeleton, this is a term | | | | If you have clip less foot pedals or toe |
| that refers to the fork, frame and suspension | | | | clips, you will want to practice this quite a |
| and is looked at as one unit. Mountain bikes | | | | bit. Turn your bike upside down, move the |
| are equipped with knobby tires, large number | | | | pedals and shift gears. The pedals can also |
| of gears and handle bars that are wider; they | | | | use a regular application of lubricant. |
| also include shocks and a much stronger | | | | |
| suspension. You can choose from many | | | | The purchase of your helmet should be at |
| different suspensions on your bike, make sure | | | | least as important as buying your bike. About |
| the suspension you choose is going to fit the | | | | 90 percent of the people riding can reduce |
| type of cycling you intend for it. These used | | | | head trauma just by wearing a helmet. Cost |
| to be the most common kind of mountain bike | | | | shouldn't be a factor as a good helmet can be |
| but they are rapidly being replaced by the | | | | acquired for around $25-$45. |