| Mountain biking is a broad term which covers a | | | | biking and is definitely not for the faint of heart. Many |
| number of different types of activity and different | | | | of these bikes are built using exotic materials for |
| types of bikes that are specialized for these activities. | | | | added strength. |
| While it would be possible to do almost any type of | | | | Trail bikes have to be a cross breed. They must be |
| mountain bike riding with a basic mountain bike, usually | | | | very strongly built but at the same time as light as |
| a cross country style, this sport is very hard on both | | | | possible. Trail bikes are actually available in several |
| rider and bike and a good amount of research is | | | | different models to match the various competitions or |
| needed to find just the right bike. For some of the | | | | events in which they participate. These include Long |
| activities a bike with suspension should be considered | | | | technical climbs, technical descents, and trail rides |
| because a hard or unsuspended bike will be very | | | | covering a wide variety of terrain. The dedicated purist |
| uncomfortable if not dangerous and the bike could be | | | | might own a separate bike for each of these types of |
| easily damaged. | | | | events. This is a precision sport that is usually practiced |
| The standard mountain bike, normally referred to as a | | | | only by the most dedicated riders. However there are |
| cross country bike, will have at least the basic features | | | | models designed to cover all of these events in one |
| of these styles of bikes such as a suspended front | | | | bike. |
| fork, multiple gears, front and rear brakes and would | | | | Another specialized class is one that is designed for |
| be built in steel, or aluminum. Mountain bikes are usually | | | | jump and slalom activities. Again this requires a strong |
| much sturdier than the more common trail or street | | | | frame, solid components and usually a front suspension |
| bike. They are built to take the rigors of the rough | | | | is necessary. As with the trail bikes mentioned above |
| terrain they will encounter. | | | | there are specialized models for different events and |
| Downhill bikes are a special breed many of which are | | | | a general purpose bike to handle all events such as |
| custom built. They will feature front and rear | | | | free ride trails, jump lines, and slope style parks. |
| suspension and disc brakes. The frames are | | | | With the proper bike, strong legs and back and nerves |
| extremely sturdy as might be imagined when you | | | | of steel this sport will satisfy even the most dedicated |
| consider what they will encounter in a downhill run off | | | | athlete. |
| of a mountain. This is a specialized part of mountain | | | | |