Mountain Bikes: What's Right for you?

Mountain bikes are just ordinary bikes but with extraordinary goals.

Any mechanically sound bike, honestly, will do. A century ago, cyclists crossed continents on one-speed bikes, some of them are even having no breaks. You might have seen a bike in the earlier times where people ride it without pedals. Great wonders isn’t it? And here is another surprise for you, my bike is not even manufactured by a well-known company when it comes to quality, but I was with it in good and bad times. I have known people who have unsophisticated mountain bikes but have awesome track records. Others on costly branded bikes with also their bright pictures on trails and peaks. My say is, until you are compelled to go, the style and brand of your vehicle are just secondary.

Branded Mountain Bikes

Lots of Mountain Bike companies today are pretty conscious to its quality standards, that makes them trusted producers of safe and long-lasting off-the-road bikes. However, unlike other bikes, branded mountain bikes may cost from $200-$800. But you can always look for used ones in a good repair or look for older models to save money. Famous manufacturers have always their place on any of the different bike stores in your area. You can obtain detailed information about specific models which are hot today in stores in my posts. I will be posting from time to time about Branded Mountain Bikes.

If Trek or Jamis mountain bikes are offered in your local bike shop, both manufacturers offer several styles of reasonably priced, quality mountain bikes. I have known friends who have these brands of bikes that are adventuring frequently with satisfaction.
The main advantages of branded mountain bikes include durability, riding comfort, suitable gear ratios, and relatively low weight (typically between 25 and 30 pounds). These advantages are standard on branded mountain bikes.

A mountain bike’s frame is strong, durable, relatively light, and designed for conquering heights. For lightweight strength and durability, the frame tubing is brazed, not welded, at the joints, and the double-butted (twice as thick at the joints) frame material is usually high-tensile alloy. Aluminum poses a breakage risk on a mountain bike. Titanium is sufficiently strong and exceptionally light, but very expensive.

Branded mountain bikes also feature low gearing. This is an extremely important feature for mountain biking, especially up hills. The low gearing is typically made possible with a very small front chain-ring called either a “granny gear” or an “alpine gear.” Depending on whether the rear gear-cluster has 5, 6, or 7 cogs, this results in a 15, 18, or 21 speed. Fifteen speeds, the norm on touring bikes, is sufficient. With a 15 speed mountain bike, you can conquer mountains.



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Figure 1 Mountain Bike Parts


Your branded mountain bike has handlebars that allow only one hand position which is an advantage in touring. However, you can buy handlebar extensions that partially remedy this. The smaller wheel diameter means slower forward progress per pedal revolution but better for vertical rides. The best advantage is the TIRES. They are really built to extend limits.

Branded Mountain Bikes for Women

Standard mountain bikes are not unisex in design. Generally, women have shorter arms and torsos, smaller hands and feet, and a different pelvic structure than men. To remove the discomfort, bikes specifically designed for women feature shorter cross-tubes, smaller handlebars and brake levers and toe clips, and anatomically shaped saddles. The Terry Precision Bicycles manufactures a variety of gender-specific bikes and components and will mail you an informative catalog upon request.

However, you can always have your mountain trips using any kind of bike. But always remember to consider safety, comfort, and satisfaction. Come and ride now!