| You are a biking champ - ruler of the vast | | | | gear you have to turn the grip shift for the |
| mountain trails. But your fame will become | | | | rear derailleur inwards. And to shift down to |
| dull if you do not understand the various | | | | a heavier gear turn the grip shift outward. |
| parts of your mean machine. So to become a | | | | |
| complete champ it is necessary to enhance | | | | Gear |
| your knowledge about different mountain bike | | | | |
| parts. | | | | Mountain bikes are meant to stomp on Steep |
| | | | Mountain trails and are usually equipped with |
| The Basic Parts Of A Mountain Bike | | | | outstanding gear ratios. The most popular one |
| | | | is the 36x34, which the mountain biker |
| The Frame | | | | christens as granny gear. With this gear, you |
| | | | can trudge steep hills at a high tempo. |
| The frame of a mountain bike is smaller than | | | | |
| that of a road bike. But the angle is very | | | | Brakes |
| relaxing for the rider so that he can | | | | |
| maneuver the bike with skillful agility over | | | | Todays mountain bikes have passed the stage |
| different grounds. Mountain bike | | | | of coaster brakes. Today the V brakes or the |
| manufacturers build bikes, which are gender | | | | linear pull type brakes are regular in |
| specific. So while you buy a bike be sure to | | | | mountain bikes. You can have Disk Brakes for |
| get the right sizing. | | | | high-end mountain bikes. Disk Brakes are |
| | | | highly proficient, as its feat does not get |
| The Handlebars | | | | clogged by water or mud. You must keep your |
| | | | timing intact for a good braking performance. |
| The handlebars of a mountain bike are flat, | | | | |
| usually as wide as the riders shoulders. | | | | Pedals |
| However, depending on the riders preference | | | | |
| it could be narrower or wider. Riser bars are | | | | The mountain bike riders use two types of |
| fast becoming popular as it looks attractive | | | | pedals. One is the toe clip, which can be |
| and gives the riders a more upright position. | | | | made up of metal or plastic and is compatible |
| You can add bar ends to the handlebars, which | | | | with any kind of rubber shoe. The second type |
| will allow more hand positions and give more | | | | is the clipless pedal for which the biker has |
| comfort to the rider. | | | | to wear a special kind of shoe. Clipless |
| | | | pedals raise the transfer of power from the |
| Bike Crank And Derailleur | | | | rider to the bike. |
| | | | |
| A crank is connected to the bottom bracket of | | | | Saddle |
| the frame with pedals attached to the tip of | | | | |
| each crank. Crank has chainrings attached to | | | | A saddle is necessary for your comfort while |
| it. The gear and chainrings are outfitted | | | | you chomp your way through a rugged ride. |
| with derailleurs. The derailleurs, using the | | | | Make your seat comfortable with a perfect |
| shifters that are placed at the handlebars, | | | | saddle for you. |
| derail one gear to the other and the chain | | | | |
| from one chainring to the other. The finer | | | | Wheels and Tires |
| the quality of the derailleur the more exact | | | | |
| the shifting will be. | | | | There are plenty of wheel sets in the market, |
| | | | which will ensure high performance. Mostly |
| Shifters | | | | these wheels are durable and light but before |
| | | | buying a wheel keep in mind the safety |
| Shifters activate the front and rear | | | | factor. |
| derailleurs setting off the motion of the | | | | |
| chain from one gear to the other. | | | | Tires are the most important parts of the |
| | | | mountain bike. They should have a good grip |
| Three basic types of shifters are: | | | | for a smooth experience. A bad tire can sour |
| | | | up your whole journey ending it up in some |
| 1. Thumb Shifter: These are the most basic | | | | gutter. |
| shifters that are fastened on top of | | | | |
| handlebars and are operated by a push and | | | | Suspension System |
| pull of the thumb and the index finger | | | | |
| respectively. | | | | Today the suspension system has become |
| | | | essential for a mountain bike and with |
| 2. Rapid Fire Shifters: Rapid-fire shifters | | | | improved technology, suspensions are now |
| are generally fixed at the bottom of the | | | | cheaper and simpler to handle. This is |
| handlebar and are activated by a two push | | | | evident in fork suspension system of hardtail |
| buttons. For newer models a push and pull | | | | mountain bikes. |
| lever is used. | | | | |
| | | | Knowing about the components of a mountain |
| 3. Grip Shifters: A grip shifter acts like a | | | | bike will make your bike live long and |
| motorcycle throttle. To shift up to a lighter | | | | healthy always ready for a rousing journey. |