A Window on ... Mountain Biking About Mountain Bikes

	The Mountain Bike In any shop you will see a range of bikes at various prices. Some are designed for a lot of road use, others are better suited for rough ground. Your choice of bike will depend on many things - the type of riding you want to do, the features you want on your bike and probably the cost. All good mountain bikes are stable, safe and strong. Frames Frames are strong but light - remember if you are off the road, there may be times when you have to carry your bike for a short distance!. Frame sizes vary so make sure you get a bike that is the right size for you. (See Buying a bike below) Many frames are made of steel or steel alloys (look for the labelling on the tubes). The most common steel alloy is cro-mo. Lighter steel alloys such as manganese molybdenum are used on more expensive bikes and the top-of-the range bikes use aerodynamic tubing with carbon fibre. Aluminium tubing for frames is becoming more popular but as aluminium is not as strong as steel, the tubes are made fatter to increase their strength. Handlebars are usually made of steel or aluminium. They are wider than those on a normal bike to give good control when steering. Most bikes have 26 in-diameter wheels although small models may have 24 in-wheels. These wheels are very strong and should be made of aluminium alloy rather than steel to help the brake pads grip better. Toe clips on the pedals are useful, especially for off-road riding. Gears Bikes are fitted with indexed or friction derailleur gears - 10, 15, 18 or 21. They are operated by gear levers on the handle bars that are sometimes called gear shifters. With indexed gears, one click lets you change gear easily. Friction gears are slightly more difficult to get used to. Derailleur gears use cables that stretch with use. These can be tightened when necessary by turning the cable adjusting barrel (most systems have one). The gears on a mountain bike help you to ride up steep hills and over rough ground reasonably easily - providing you are fit! Brakes Good brakes are vital wherever you intend to ride. On mountain bikes it is important that they work well both on and off the road in all types of weather conditions. Pressed steel caliper brakes are not recommended by experts for off the road use as they do not grip very well in wet conditions. However, in general, the brakes on a mountain bike are more powerful than those found on ordinary bikes. Nearly all mountain bikes have cantilever front brakes that are excellent for stopping the bike. More powerful braking systems are often fitted as rear brakes. The brakes are controlled by levers on the handlebars. Tyres Tyres come in various widths but are generally fatter than those found on other bikes. Your choice of tyre will depend on the type of riding you want to do. A narrower ribbed mountain bike tyre may be more suitable for road riding but a fatter, knobbly tyre would help the bike to grip better during rough riding. Many bikes are fitted with tyres that can be used on and off the road. A good cycling shop will be able to advise you about the correct choice. (See Sources of Information) Saddle A good saddle is important for comfort, especially if you are riding over rough ground. If it feels uncomfortable after you have tried it for a couple of weeks, you should think about changing it. The saddle should be firm and give you plenty of support without being too wide or too narrow.
	Cost The cost of a bike can vary from around £150 up to £5,000 for a top of the range, custom-built model. You may see special offers and reductions advertised in some shops but you should check these out carefully. (See Buying a bike below).
	Buying a bike Although your choice may be limited to how much you can afford, what you really should be looking for is a bike that suits you. Look for the basics when buying a bike - the right size, good quality, the materials used for the frame, brakes and wheels, safety features and ease of handling. Don't be attracted just by the extra gadgets on offer - these may only add superficial glamour. Size First of all, it is important to get the right sized bike for your safety and comfort. As a rough guide to find the size of frame you are looking for, measure your inside leg, divide it by three, double that and take away 2in. (eg 27/3=9, 9x2=18, 18-2=16in frame). Test the bike for size in the shop. You should be able to stand astride the bike frame with your feet flat. Your body should be a few centimetres clear of the top tube. Try sitting in the saddle. You should still be able to touch the ground with your toes and be able to reach the handlebars comfortably. You should not need to lean too far forward. In mountain biking you will need to keep your body more upright for some manoeuvres so that your weight is over the back of the bike. Cost Prices do vary but you should be careful when buying a bike that appears very cheap. A cheap bike may not be strong enough for the type of riding you want to do and it may not be comfortable for riding! Check out local stockists and suppliers. They are listed in yellow pages. Some specialise in mountain bikes. Although it pays to shop around, good bikes don't come cheap and you should expect to pay around £150 at least. You should also be wary of buying a second hand mountain bike as a cheap option unless you are sure you know what to look for in terms of safety and reliability. Check out the tyres, brakes and gears, and look for wear and tear on the frame. Always ask for a test ride to make sure everything works and the bike is comfortable. Other features Gears are important. Indexed gears make gear changing simple but they do add to the expense of a bike. Friction derailleur gears are just as good as indexed derailleur gears but they are not so easy to use for a beginner. Check out the position of the gear and break levers on the handlebars to make sure you can operate them easily.
Index Getting Started Learning Basics Sources of Information FAQs
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Last modified on: Tuesday, July 1, 1997.