| An average mountain bike has several additional | | | | Rigid (sub-type of hardtail, with a rigid fork) and Dual or |
| features compared to a regular bicycle. These include | | | | Full suspension (front suspension fork and rear |
| larger number of gears, knobby tires, a wider handle | | | | suspension integrated into the frame).Some mountain |
| bar and often some form of suspension for the tires. | | | | bikes may also be fitted with bar ends on the |
| A mountain bike skeleton is called a chassis, a term | | | | handlebars, especially in the case of flat straight |
| that refers to the frame, fork and suspension as one | | | | handles bars. However, with an increasing preference |
| unit. A chassis is generally constructed using lightweight | | | | for riser handlebars, bar end extensions are being used |
| materials such as carbon fiber.These bikes are often | | | | in smaller numbers. These bikes are commonly |
| equipped with a large number of gears, with some | | | | available with a wheel size of 26 inches (660 mm). |
| models being equipped with as many as 27 gears. The | | | | Recently, larger wheel sizes of 29 inches (737 mm) |
| lower range of gears helps mountain bikers climb | | | | have also been introduced. The larger wheels usually |
| steep hills or obstacles. Mountain bikes use sprocket | | | | roll better over obstacles, but they reduce the |
| technology that makes changing gears easier, and shift | | | | maneuverability of the bike.While a variation of the |
| levers that automatically move up or down, one gear | | | | cantilever brakes is found on most mountain bikes, |
| at a time.A mountain bike usually has both a front and | | | | some of these, especially those with suspension |
| a rear suspension. The suspension acts as a shock | | | | systems, have disc brakes. With a large choice in |
| absorber for both the rider and the bike. Based on the | | | | parts available for mountain bikes, it is important to |
| type of suspension, mountain bikes can be classified | | | | research your requirements, before shopping around |
| into three main categories: Hardtail (frame with no rear | | | | to get the best prices. |
| suspension, often has a front suspension fork), Fully | | | | |