Examination of Mountain Bike Technology

Mountain Bikes are unrecognisable from their early ancestors of the 1970s thanks to the advancement of new technologies. The core of any bike is the frame and this is an area that has been subjected to some of the biggest changes to ensure it is fit for purpose.

Off road riding is made much easier thanks to the innovations in the bikes design and build. So you can take on more demanding terrain, harder rides and thanks to the advancement in safety equipment take on much more dangerous descents.

Gears
With up to 27 gears available even the steepest of hills can be taken on.

Suspension
One of the greatest leaps forwards has been the development of your bike’s suspension which makes the roughest of rides much more comfortable. Most mountain bikes have at least front suspension – great for uneven descents. A full suspension bike provides greater control, comfort and agility when the ground is bumpy and rocky – but probably isn’t needed if you only plan to cycle on light tracks.

Frames
Improved suspension makes harder rides more fun, so your bike gets puts through its paces and this increases the strain on you bike’s frame. This is why super-strong materials and specialised shapes are de rigueur. Your bikes frame has of course got to be strong but at the same time must be light weight for maximum performance.

Brakes
Disc brakes are found on even budget mountain bikes these days. By moving the braking system to the middle of the wheel they are much easier to keep clean as do not come into contact with the ground which will often be wet and muddy.

Tyres
Mountain bike tyres are thicker and more ‘knobbly’ than on road bikes. Better absorption of shocks and greater grip on slippery tracks makes these tyres idea for off-road terrain. You can change your tyres to deal with different conditions.

Women-Specific
Women’s bikes are tailored to a woman’s size and shape. That means smaller reach from seat to handlebars, smaller reach on brake handles and seats shaped for greater comfort. Many brands now offer both men and women’s bikes enabling ladies to try both to see which is most comfortable and best suited to their needs.