| Mountain bikes are designed for off-road riding. | | | | latest mountain bike design. For a long time riders |
| Whether made for racing or the more leisurely rider, | | | | avoided full suspension bikes because they were |
| there are four basic frame designs for mountain | | | | heavy and they tended to sag in the middle like an |
| bikes: rigid, hard-tail, soft-tail, and full suspension.The | | | | old swayback horse. It took years for engineers and |
| rigid (also commonly known as fully rigid) mountain | | | | riders to perfect a viable, functional full suspension |
| bikes resemble a conventional sort of bike as you | | | | mountain bike. It was in the 1990's when these bikes |
| would imagine it. A rigid mountain bike has neither a | | | | finally reached a point where they were |
| rear suspension nor a front suspension. These used | | | | marketable.In addition to the frame and suspension, |
| to be the most common kind of mountain bike but | | | | there are other differences in mountain bike designs. |
| they are rapidly being replaced by the more | | | | One key area where bikes differ is the brakes. |
| comfortable models which feature some sort of | | | | Mountain bikes either have some form of caliper |
| suspension system. Fully rigid bikes tend to be | | | | brakes, which are the kind of brakes typically |
| lower-priced than models with a suspension. Many | | | | associated with bikes. This kind of brake squeezes |
| riders still prefer rigid bikes because it's what they're | | | | the rims to slow and stop the bike. The other type |
| accustomed to, and the feel that the rigid design | | | | of brake is the drum brake. Drum brakes on bikes |
| allows them greater control.Another common | | | | are similar to the braking system on automobiles. |
| mountain bike design is the hard-tail. Hard-tail mountain | | | | Drum brakes are more expensive than caliper brakes |
| bikes are so named because they have a | | | | but they're also easier to maintain. Mountain bike |
| conventional rear end without a suspension. Hard-tails | | | | braking systems have even been made which utilize |
| differ from fully rigid bikes in that they have a front | | | | hydraulic power.Another area where you have some |
| suspension. The hard-tail is perhaps the most popular | | | | choice in mountain bike design is tire size. Mountain |
| mountain bike design. Many professional riders prefer | | | | bike tires typically range in size from 24" to 29". |
| the feel of a hard-tail and the comfort of a front | | | | Smaller tires are used when greater maneuverability is |
| suspension.The next kind of mountain bike design is | | | | required as in stunt-riding and jumping. Larger tires are |
| the soft-tail. As you probably guessed, soft-tails | | | | used when speed is the key.As with any other |
| employ a rear suspension. Rear suspensions are a | | | | important purchase, do your homework before |
| more recent innovation than front suspension due to | | | | buying a new mountain bike. Think about your needs |
| the complexities of the design. Soft-tails are often | | | | and your budget. Mountain biking is a terrific |
| more expensive than hard-tails, but they also tend to | | | | past-time. It's a fun way to get some fresh air, |
| be more forgiving.Finally there's the full suspension | | | | enjoy the outdoors, and improve your health.Gregg |
| mountain bike. Bikes with this design feature both | | | | Hall is an author living in Navarre Beach, Florida. |
| front and rear suspensions. These bikes are the | | | | |