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Mountain Bikes

Mountain bikes are designed for riding on some of the most rugged terrain. They have thicker tubes than a road bike, but the frame is also smaller in comparison to allow for more maneuverability. The thick tubes provide the extra strength that a mountain bicycle needs. The wheels are also made to be more durable and have a wider braking surface as well as being able to accept larger, knobby tires.

Mountain bikes typically have suspension, either only on the front wheel or fully suspended. This allows the wheel to travel independently from the frame up to twelve inches providing a smoother ride which protects both the rider and the bicycle. While suspension adds a great deal of weight there are many designs that have tried to address this effectively.

Mountain bikes are geared differently than road bikes as well. The high speeds associated with roads are difficult to achieve on winding bumpy trails so the gears in the front can be smaller which also increases the amount of clearance which is essential to avoiding rocks, stumps and other obstacles. Also the trails can be much steeper than roads which further increase their need for smaller gears in the front and larger ones on the back wheel.

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