Yes, these bikes are different, both in purpose and performance. Only because of the terrain that they must efficiently negotiate, they are geared up to take these additional challenges.

Gears had to be taken from the road bike technology until Shimano started to make equipment especially for mountain biking. This has now become a serious sport and is also a part of Olympics as an event.

Mountain bikes are so popular these days that over the years they have developed and evolved into a totally different class.

Mountain Bike Ratings

Moving from some simple beginnings, mountain bikes have made some tremendous changes, since they had to be made especially for climbing and moving around mountainous terrain. Special gears, tires, wheel rims, handle bars, stems and the biggest development was the suspension.

The first gear levers were made to go on straight handle bars and then the indexed lever was made for accurate shifting. Different types of tires with treads for all conditions are now available to fit the standard wheel size that now many companies are making.

Handle bars and stems were first made in steel, then alloys, and now carbon and titanium have replaced, thus gaining on weight saving and enhancing strength.

Mountain Bike Parts

Most of the bike parts were follow up coming from the road bike, and modified according to the mountain biking requirements. However the present version that is available in the market is a specialty designed for this very purpose of mountain biking. With specific modifications derived to serve specific purposes, the mountain bike has come a long way.

Frames: Originally these were made from steel, usually in nice shiny chrome, but as technology changed frames with the road bikes, so it did with the mountain bikes too.

Sleek and compact frame designs, lightweight alloy and now carbon fiber are the most popular materials these days. The specialized Stump-Jumper is a classic, and we can buy this in so many styles. Hardtail, Full Suspension, and for full Retro style this Stump-Jumper is classic.

Suspensions: Front suspensions were taken from the off-road motor-bike world, however they had to be lighter but was effectively made possible with the help of alloy steel. Springs were initially used, and later oil, then air for suspension, and which was adjustable for spring and the amount of rebound we got.

Go Where You Like

Cross-country definitely is a hard sport and is a mixture of strength and agility. While coming downhill is completely all technique and agility, with very little strength. These bikes are like motocross bikes minus the engine, suspension in the front and back with a lot of movement, and long wheel bases for comfort, with bigger tires and disc brakes.

All these features are now found on cross-country bikes, with the disc brakes being very popular. However many people still stick to v-brakes for controllability and also full suspension for both front and back.

There are many set ups that we can go for, but would be much better if we make sure what we need, so as to understand exactly what we want.

By Phil Carter

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There are a lot of things to consider before you set off on a bicycle tour. The biggest issue to resolve: which bike will best suit you. Many people will recommend you get a traditional steel framed touring bike. However, I’ve discovered that this isn’t always the best option. In this article I’ll tell you why the best touring bike for your situation might not be the standard option.

The two most common types of bikes designed for touring are the traditional and sport. Traditional touring bikes have dropped handle bars and a longer wheel base. They’re made specifically for carrying a heavy load.

Sport touring bikes are a lot like road bikes – built less for comfort and more for speed. Recently, I’ve even been experimenting with using a regular road bike (not a touring bike at all) because I try to go as light as possible. Road bikes make this option very viable.

During tours, I consistently notice people dragging along way too much stuff. They have 4 panniers loaded and strap other stuff to the rear rack using bungee cords. This type of travel, in my opinion, is very restrictive. I am a big fan of ultralight bicycle touring because of the freedoms it provides.

Before you begin searching for the perfect bike, I suggest you first round up all the things you’re going to take with you. If you notice your load is getting pretty heavy, you should realize that there are other lightweight options.

A lot of bicycle enthusiasts are taking a cue from the lightweight backpacking community and making the switch to more of a minimalist approach. One that is certain to take the focus of stuff, and put it on enjoying your tour and the scenery.

By Derek S. Strong

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