| Regular bikes compared to mountain bikes may have | | | | but they are rapidly being replaced by the more |
| a smoother ride and are slower and heavier but are | | | | comfortable models which feature some sort of |
| great for riding on the street. You can find information | | | | suspension system. They have had front suspension |
| about mountain biking online or in magazines; they are | | | | on bikes for a while now; the rear suspensions have |
| geared toward beginners or professionals. Mountain | | | | just come into the market place, it took longer because |
| biking is not really thought of as exercising but it is a | | | | of all of the design complexities. |
| great way to burn many calories. | | | | Of course, there are many other things to consider |
| If your interested are off-road you will need bike that | | | | when purchasing a mountain bike, but for the beginner, |
| can handle the terrain so you will need some big | | | | it's best to just narrow it down to how much you want |
| treads and a good suspension to handle the bumps | | | | to spend and what kind of suspension you're going to |
| and holes so get a good mountain bike, if you are just | | | | want. |
| riding for fun then a regular bike will do. There are so | | | | If you want to ride your mountain bikes look for trails |
| many different styles of mountain bikes so when you | | | | that are suited for mountain bikes. If you don't have |
| are looking to purchase one make sure it fits the | | | | any trails or jumps, you can build them. |
| terrain you will be taking it on and make sure it fits your | | | | When you first try the toe clip style of pedal you might |
| riding style. If you are going to be rough on your bike | | | | want to spend some time getting use to it, it will take |
| and plan on going through gravel, dirt and jumping off | | | | some practice. Getting a feel for your pedals while first |
| hills you definitely need a mountain bike. | | | | sitting on your bike, keep one foot on the ground and |
| The chassis on a mountain bike is sometimes referred | | | | practice moving your foot away from the pedal. |
| to as the skeleton, this is a term that refers to the fork, | | | | If you have clip less foot pedals or toe clips, you will |
| frame and suspension and is looked at as one unit. | | | | want to practice this quite a bit. Turn your bike upside |
| Mountain bikes are equipped with knobby tires, large | | | | down, move the pedals and shift gears. The pedals |
| number of gears and handle bars that are wider; they | | | | can also use a regular application of lubricant. |
| also include shocks and a much stronger suspension. | | | | The purchase of your helmet should be at least as |
| You can choose from many different suspensions on | | | | important as buying your bike. About 90 percent of the |
| your bike, make sure the suspension you choose is | | | | people riding can reduce head trauma just by wearing |
| going to fit the type of cycling you intend for it. These | | | | a helmet. Cost shouldn't be a factor as a good helmet |
| used to be the most common kind of mountain bike | | | | can be acquired for around $25-$45. |