| An average mountain bike has several | | | | suspension, often has a front suspension |
| additional features compared to a regular | | | | fork), Fully Rigid (sub-type of hardtail, |
| bicycle. These include larger number of | | | | with a rigid fork) and Dual or Full |
| gears, knobby tires, a wider handle bar and | | | | suspension (front suspension fork and rear |
| often some form of suspension for the tires. | | | | suspension integrated into the frame).Some |
| A mountain bike skeleton is called a chassis, | | | | mountain bikes may also be fitted with bar |
| a term that refers to the frame, fork and | | | | ends on the handlebars, especially in the |
| suspension as one unit. A chassis is | | | | case of flat straight handles bars. However, |
| generally constructed using lightweight | | | | with an increasing preference for riser |
| materials such as carbon fiber.These bikes | | | | handlebars, bar end extensions are being used |
| are often equipped with a large number of | | | | in smaller numbers. These bikes are commonly |
| gears, with some models being equipped with | | | | available with a wheel size of 26 inches (660 |
| as many as 27 gears. The lower range of gears | | | | mm). Recently, larger wheel sizes of 29 |
| helps mountain bikers climb steep hills or | | | | inches (737 mm) have also been introduced. |
| obstacles. Mountain bikes use sprocket | | | | The larger wheels usually roll better over |
| technology that makes changing gears easier, | | | | obstacles, but they reduce the |
| and shift levers that automatically move up | | | | maneuverability of the bike.While a variation |
| or down, one gear at a time.A mountain bike | | | | of the cantilever brakes is found on most |
| usually has both a front and a rear | | | | mountain bikes, some of these, especially |
| suspension. The suspension acts as a shock | | | | those with suspension systems, have disc |
| absorber for both the rider and the bike. | | | | brakes. With a large choice in parts |
| Based on the type of suspension, mountain | | | | available for mountain bikes, it is important |
| bikes can be classified into three main | | | | to research your requirements, before |
| categories: Hardtail (frame with no rear | | | | shopping around to get the best prices. |