Mountain bikes are designed specifically for mountain biking. There are many different types of mountain biking so mountain bikes come in a variety of styles, such as downhill and XC (cross-country). Although competition bikes are used either for downhill or cross-country trails, most mountain bikes hardly ever go off road, and the genus 'mountain bike' has become a generic term for a bike with 26" wheels, wide-range gears and a sloping downtube.

Downhill

In downhill biking you go down hill rather than up, so the bikes don't have to be very light. You'll be going very fast and bumps can hit the frame of your bike hard, so it needs to be tough. With all that speed you also need some heavy duty brakes, such as disc or hydraulic brakes. Most downhill bikes have full suspension because the trails they ride on are very rough.

XC (Cross-country)

XC biking involves both climbing hills and going down them, so the frame must be both light and reasonably tough. A number of different brakes are suitable for XC bikes: V- brakes or light disc brakes are the norm. Most good XC bikes have suspension, but this feature is not as essential as on downhill bikes.

Buying Mountain Bikes

Where to Buy Mountain Bikes

You can buy both XC and downhill mountain bikes at most cycling shops; although for a really good deal it is advisable to shop around, and look for the best prices.

Cost

Mountain bikes can cost anywhere between about £200 and £5,000. You should get a bike that suits your ability; there is no point in getting a bike with amazing brakes if you'll never go fast enough to need them. If you require something cheaper, second hand bikes available on the open market. However, you should always inspect the condition of them, because it could be more expensive overall if you have to pay for major repairs a few months after buying it.

Parts

Suspension

There are two main types of suspension: front suspension and full (front and back) suspension. Front suspension comprises suspended forks in place of the rigid forks of conventional bicycles between the frame and the front wheel. It improves comfort and handling on rough surfaces and absorbs some of the bumps of tree roots or rocks. Bikes with only front suspension are sometimes called hardtails.

Full suspension (sometimes referred to as duel suspension) has front suspended forks plus suspension on the frame allowing for extremely rough terrain to be crossed.

Brakes

There are many different kinds of brakes, each with advantages and disadvantages.

• Rim Breaks - V- and cantilever brakes work when a cable is pulled which forces two brake pads to press against the rim of a wheel, thus slowing a bike down. They are both light and powerful, but in very muddy terrain the rim can become slippery, decreasing the power of the brakes.

• Disc Brakes - These comprise an exposed disc at the hub of the wheel which is clamped to slow the bike down. They are powerful and quite light and are not affected by the weather as much as rim brakes.

• Hydraulic Brakes - These are similar to car breaks in that instead of being operated by the pulling of a cable like most brakes, they are operated by pistons compressing oil which increases the force of your hand. They are very powerful and do not need much maintenance, but are much more expensive than other brakes.

Frame Materials

The material your bike is made from affects the weight, strength, responsiveness and the lifetime of the bike, and so is a very important element in a bike.

• Aluminium - Aluminium is the most common material used to make mountain bikes, because it is light and does not rust. It is also easy for robots to weld so that lowers production costs, making bikes slightly cheaper, too. The disadvantage of aluminium is that it is 'unyielding' and so it can feel stiff, almost harsh to ride. It also has a limited life: aluminium bikes normally have a guarantee of five years.

• Steel - Steel bikes range in quality from cheap and heavy bikes, to those made from hi-tech strong and light alloys. It has more of a spring to it than aluminium so the ride will be less harsh. Steel does not fatigue like aluminium so a steel frame can last a lifetime.

• Titanium - Titanium is very light, very strong, does not rust, does not fatigue, and produces a very responsive ride making it the best material for frames. Only very good bikes have titanium frames, but they are also very expensive.

Sizes

Like conventional bicycles, you can buy mountain bikes in small, medium, and large sizes. However, different manufacturers use different reference points for measurement, so sizing is not always consistent. Sales staff at a good bike shop will help you choose which is one is right for you. Kids bikes are available with 24" or 26" wheels. The 24" being for under 10 years of age and the 26" for over 10.

Consider Use

If you ride both downhill and XC trails then you can get bikes designed to be good at both activities, if you aren't a professional then you don't really need a specific downhill or XC bike. True mountain bikes are built for off-road use; therefore, they aren't very good for going round town on or racing on the road. If you do both mountain and road biking you can get a hybrid bike. These aren't as good as true mountain bikes or road bikes but offer a good mix if you cannot afford both, or you don't do enough riding to warrant buying both. If you are going to ride on road, you might want to get some higher pressure tires with a central bead to avoid wasting energy. You might also consider getting suspension that has an option to lock it rigid as this improves road handling and reduces the effort you have to put into pedalling.

Upgrading and Repair

Like conventional bikes you can upgrade or replace broken parts on mountain bikes. Not all bike parts are compatible though, for example some suspension forks do not work on some frames. Unless you are experienced in bike mechanics, it is recommended that you get a bike repair shop to do the modifications for you.

Maintenance

Your safety is at risk if your bike is not in good working order. You should do the following, regularly:

• Clean the chain
• Lubricate the chain and wipe off excess lubricant
• Check and adjust tire pressure
• Adjust your brakes
• Tighten all the bolts
• Check your wheels for alignment
• Clean your bike
• Lubricate cables and derailleur