| People have been enjoying off-road cycling for many | | | | Repack Downhill, so called because the bikers had to |
| years and it remains one of the most popular forms of | | | | repack their back brakes and hubs after a downhill run. |
| cycling. Some of the earliest written records of | | | | The Californians were instrumental in the |
| off-road biking involve the Buffalo Soldiers, which date | | | | commercialisation of off-road bikes. They went on to |
| back to the 1890s when an infantry rode their | | | | develop the technology needed for mass producing |
| single-speed bicycles over harsh terrain. Not only were | | | | mountain bikes and then marketed those inventions. |
| they required to cover rough terrain, but they biked | | | | Since the 1970s, there have been some key |
| lengthy distances while toting supplies. Amazingly, the | | | | developments that have helped bring mountain biking |
| bikes weighed up to 120 pounds when fully loaded and | | | | to the masses. |
| the longest recorded trip of the Buffalo Soldiers was | | | | One of the key innovations has been the introduction |
| an incredible 1,900 mile trek. | | | | of disc brakes, which happened in the early 1990s. This |
| The Velo Cross Club Parisian of the early 1950s was | | | | type of braking system provides more power than |
| another group who served as one of the first | | | | previous braking systems and is also more |
| trailblazers of mountain biking. They adjusted their | | | | trustworthy. |
| basic road bikes by adding modifications such as wider | | | | Another important development has been the use of |
| tyres, suspension and handlebar shifters. | | | | suspension. Almost all mountain bicycles on the market |
| John Finley Scott is another whose name is | | | | today include front suspension. This makes them more |
| noteworthy in the evolution of mountain bikes. In 1953 | | | | comfortable to ride and easier to control. Rear |
| he made several modifications to The Woodsie, his | | | | suspension essentially provides the same benefits as |
| customised bike. These bikes had several of the | | | | front suspension. |
| features found on today's mountain bicycles such as | | | | The materials used to making mountain bikes has also |
| flat handlebars. | | | | evolved with aluminium now a popular choice as it is |
| However, as crucial as these developments were to | | | | sturdy, lightweight and not too expensive. |
| the rise of the mountain bike, the majority of the credit | | | | If you're in the market for a mountain bike then |
| should be given to a group of bikers who originated | | | | knowing the history of the sport can help make your |
| from Marin County, California. This group created their | | | | off-road riding more enjoyable than ever. |
| own bikes and then raced them in an event called the | | | | |