Mountain Bikes - A Description

It can be hard for non-mountain bike riders to understand the difference between mountain bikes and road bikes

To begin with, it makes sense to look at the key differences between road bikes and mountain bikes. The main differences will of course be perfectly obvious, but worth mentioning because they are integral to the performance of the mountain bike - this is of course in reference to the mountain bike frame which is one of the most noticeable differences between mountain bikes and the need to ensure their stability, rigidity and strength.

To do this the frame must be made out of super strong and firm materials, the most common being steel based frames (the cheapest), aluminium based frames (one of the lightest) and carbon fibre frames (light strong and expensive). On top of this is the extremely expensive and yet corrosive resistant titanium frames.

Next, are mountain bikes' suspension. Road bikes don't really need much in the way of suspension because they are designed for use on good quality tarmac, even if sometimes there will be a requirement during a race to take slightly less desirable routes. Mountain bikes on the other hand are designed to be ridden across trails, tough terrain and muddy land, which of course can make for a less than comfortable ride. In order to give the mountain bike rider a more comfortable ride, and in turn allow him or her to control the mountain bike more easily, full-suspension mountain bikes and hard-tail suspension mountain bikes (front suspension only) have been designed to allow for this.

Finally, the tyres are the final cog in the machine. great big wide deep treaded tyres allow for better grip and greater control - especially on ice or mud ridden ground. Without these kinds of tyres, then mountain biking would be much more difficult and less enjoyable as a result. Mountain bikes with road bike tyres just wouldn't be able to take the rider into the exciting places that they want to go. Road bikes need thin tyres because they are primarily concerned with speed, and the less friction with the ground helps them to achieve this.

For expert advice about mountain bikes, contact All Terrain Cycles, who will be able to provide experience and knowledge for your mountain biking activity.