A mountain bike, or MTB bike (from the English mountain bike), is by far the most common form of transport today. It is ergonomic, has tremendous cross-country ability (it will give odds to modern premium SUVs) and allows you to experience unique impressions. And with all this, it is very affordable. Mountain biking is a way of life.
Mountain Bike Stories
There are many legends about how the MTB bike came about. Since this happened in the era of corporations and industrial society, anyone who can pull a blanket over himself, so it’s impossible to compile an exact “pedigree” of a mountain bike.
The most common theory is that a mountain bike appeared due to the fact that ski resorts stand idle for several months a year. And then a certain Harry Turner, the founder of the GT brand, created a bicycle with thick wheels and a powerful frame for this purpose, taking as a basis an ordinary road builder. But such a bicycle could only successfully descend from the mountains, but not rise. So, MTB mountain bikes acquired a kind of gearbox.
There is also another legend about the origin of mountain bikes. It says that the advent of these two-wheeled miracles mankind owes to California cyclists. Daredevils from those regions loved to ride motorbikes and bicycles in the mountains, but once, on the initiative of ecologists, riding in natural areas with motorized means was prohibited, and even more people began to use bicycles. Highways of those times began to mutate gradually into mountain climbers. The origins of these processes were Joe Breeze, Mark Vendetti and Otis Guy - the avid cyclists of those times.
Whatever the truth, it all led to the fact that around 1979 the term ATB (all-terain bike - all-terrain bike) appeared, which later turned into MTB (mountain bike - mountain bike).
The structure and classification of mountain bikes
The MTB classic bike features slightly reduced and thicker wheels - 26 inches in diameter and two inches in width. The mountain bike frame is designed so that the distance from the pedals to the ground is as large as possible, so that various bumps can be overcome. In addition to all this, mountain bikes were equipped with disc brakes and an extended number of gears (for all occasions). They created a bicycle for the mountains, but it turned out a station wagon, on which you can fly along the highway and conquer the mountains. This explains the enormous popularity of this "breed" of bicycles.
Modern mountain bikes are divided into categories by type of suspension. The first type that we will consider will be a rigid guide - a weightless bicycle. It does not swing the suspension during the ride and has an amazingly easy ride. Professionals really appreciate this, but beginners and just amateurs should look at other types of suspension configurations, because the rigidity may seem too harsh to them.
MTB bikes, the photos of which are presented below, have different types of suspension. In the first case, it is a rigid rigid.
For example, hardtail. This is a bike with front suspension alone. According to reviews, this is ideal for riders of all classes. They are lightweight, cheap and easy to manage. Additional cushioning will increase ride comfort while not eroding the ergonomic characteristics of the bike. Both amateurs and professionals agree that hardtail is the most balanced type of bike.
There is another option with two suspensions (the so-called two-suspension), but, frankly, cyclists disliked them. Reviews indicate that strong depreciation creates a strong buildup of the frame, which makes pedaling very difficult and accelerates the chain. And they are heavy (20-23 kilograms for a double suspension - this is a classic) and expensive. Yes, there are also cheap ones, but they are made of plasticine metal, which falls apart from one fall. An expensive two-suspension is an ideal bike for all occasions, but it must be really expensive. You will never hear how a professional complains about a rigid bike, but two-suspensions have already gained a lot of negative reviews.
Selection and running a bike
MTB mountain bikes are very difficult in their design. Therefore, before proceeding directly to the choice of a “horse,” one should also look at its other aspects.
The brakes
There are only two types of them - the classic V-Brake rim and, so to speak, the neoclassical disc brake. Let's consider each of them separately.
The V-Brake is lightweight and cheap. It is easy to repair. Users say that details for it can be found in any city. Disadvantages - fragility and possible deformation of the rim. Also, when installing brakes of this kind, the size of the wheel should be considered (and not all sizes can be found brakes). But there is always a 26 inch MTB classic bike. Reviews are advised not to use this type of brakes for extreme sports, but for peaceful walks on the highway and easy off-road, they are ideal.
Disc brakes are the exact opposite of rim brakes. They are expensive, heavy, difficult to operate (especially hydraulic) and ultra reliable: the wheel stops tight. In addition, disc brakes are very durable and, once properly tuned, you can forget about them. When driving along hills and bumpy forest roads, such brakes are indispensable, but for ordinary road driving this will be an expensive excess. Reviews of amateur cyclists on such brakes are not too flattering, because once you accidentally damage them, you will have to prepare for spending money and, as a rule, nerves.
Transmission
Everything is much simpler here. Professionals trust Shimano and Sram transmissions. At these manufacturers you can find the "bushings" (as they call the transmission) of all price segments.
Cyclists note that the number of speeds for amateur riding is not important - 12 is enough for all occasions. For a more sophisticated and extreme ride you will need 21-27.
Running in
A new bike may not behave as we would like. Brakes may fail, the transmission may tweet like a cricket, and more. As a rule, the reason for all this is that the details have not yet been rubbed together.
Sophisticated cyclists warn: do not go on a long journey the day after buying a bike! Ride it for a week in the nearest territories so that the parts are properly rubbed together.
Riding style
Depending on the purpose of your future car, it is worth picking its equipment.
Off-road bikes are those bikes that we see every day on the street. They can do a little bit of everything. On this one can go on a tour of his native country, and cut open mountain expanses. Spare parts for MTB bikes of this kind are the easiest to get.
Cross-country bikes are more expensive than their "relatives". They have a strong light frame and, as a rule, two pendants. Their main purpose is fast cross-country driving. Bicycle Oskar Jetix MTB 26 - a striking representative of the budget class of cross-country bikes.
The next type is downhill and freeride. These bikes are very reliable and slow. They are ideal for descending from the mountain, but for everything else they are very poorly adapted. Before you go down the mountain, you need to drag this bike onto it.
Summarizing the feedback from experienced cyclists, you can advise the following: the bicycle should be extra strong, because it will have to survive collisions with numerous bumps at a speed of about 100 km / h!
MTB Dirt bicycles, despite their “dirty” name, are not suitable for swamps at all. Their purpose is jumping and tricks.
Bicycle frame
Immediately make a reservation that for peaceful and long trips it is worth buying an MTB bike with a steel frame. It is cheap, durable and never breaks suddenly: a steel frame warns its owner with cracks about an impending breakdown.
Aluminum is a great alternative to steel. It is lighter and slightly more expensive. Residents of apartments should think about the aluminum frame.
Actually the choice of a bicycle
- Below $ 300: for the money you should buy either a rigid guide or a MTB hardtail bike. But it is better to have another 50 dollars in reserve, because, most likely, some details will have to be replaced. A bicycle of this category is worth a week to ride, and then replace what has fallen off. This way you can save some money at the cost of your own time and get a perfectly fit bike.
- $ 300-900: all types of bicycles that we examined above live in this range. For this money, you can buy a good and lightweight hardtail or rigid with high-quality components. On such bicycles you can safely go traveling long distances. It is recommended to buy two-suspensions only from the mark of $ 500, and then you need to carefully look at every little thing.
- $ 600-1000: these are semi-premium class bicycles. They fully comply with the requirements for their class. MTB bike-bike for this money will be easy and reliable. He will need minimal care, and he will always be ready for a variety of tours: even in the rain, even in the heat, even in slush. This is the limit of the amateur, professional bikes go further.
- $ 1000-2500: bikes for competitions and shows. These horses are ultra-light, durable and fast. For professional sports, buying something cheaper is simply ridiculous and irrational.
Experienced cyclists will teach: the lower limit of the price of a more or less decent mountain bike is at $ 500.
Before buying, be sure to take a test trip, and also allocate $ 20 for a repair kit! Fair wind to you!