Okay, so you want a bike that will handle some rough stuff when the going gets tough. You don?t want to be confined to the hard, smooth surfaces of the pavement and bitumen. You want a mountain bike, right? Maybe not. You may want to consider an all terrain bike instead.
Mountain bikes are great for hitting the trails, barreling downhills and jumping off cliffs, but is this what you really want to do when you head off road? If your thirst for adventure is limited mostly to leisurely cruises around the lake, enjoying the less arduous trails or checking out the scenery along quiet country roads then perhaps a mountain bike is not what you?re after. Mountain bikes are built for the rough stuff. From their beefed up suspension, riding position and knobby tires to their heavy duty brakes and precision gear shifters, most mountain bikes are at their best when they?re in the rough stuff. On the roads and pavement, forget about it.
All terrain bikes on the other hand offer a great compromise between the smooth and the rough. While quite capable of getting you safely through a rough patch when you want to leave the road behind, all terrain bikes are also built for a far more comfortable ride on the roads. For starters, you?ll find yourself in a far more relaxed and comfortable riding position. In fact, the handlebars can usually be adjusted so that you can sit far more upright than you can on your average mountain bike, just perfect for those leisurely rides on smooth surfaces. Also, you?ll be sitting on a seat built for comfort with lots more padding and sometimes even a suspension seat post. Another feature of the all terrain bike is the tire tread. While the knobby tires of a mountain bike are designed for maximum grip on slippery surfaces, all terrain tires offer a happy compromise between grip and smooth road riding.
Gear changes and braking are also a much easier experience on your all terrain bike. The precision gear changes of higher-end mountain bikes can sometimes prove a little difficult for less experienced riders, all terrain bikes on the other hand offer twist grip shifters that are simple to use.
If you?re looking for a new bike to enjoy the great outdoors on, then you?ll need to consider exactly how and where you want to ride. If you?ll be doing a lot of road riding with the occasional adventure off road, then you may want to consider an all terrain bike over a mountain bike. If, on the other hand, you plan on getting down and dirty in the thick of it on the trails, and you?re not too concerned about your comfort, then you?ll want to get yourself a mountain bike for sure.
|
For more information, reviews and tips on BMX bikes, mountain bikes, road bikes, other bicycles, parts and accessories and cycling apparel, visit James Sanford’s website at BikingHeadz.com, the complete online buyers guide for bikes and bicycles. |
–
The categories of equipment for mountain bikes include a great number of subcategories. These subcategories include the bikes, frames, accessories, biking apparel, and even the separate components that make up the bikes. There are a number of items that you can get for mountain biking, so it is imperative that you know what you want. You first need to determine what kind of biking that you do. Do you mountain bike for fun or are you into it for racing? If you have just started your mountain biking adventure, then your first purchase will need to be a bike that will meet your needs and wants.
Clothing that is specially made for mountain biking is much looser than the other clothing made for cycling. The difference between mountain biking apparel and other biking apparel is very noticeable and easy to see. All kinds of cycling have one thing in common, however, and that is helmets. Helmets should be worn anytime you are on your bike. This will help to protect your head from the many hazards that may be on the trail.
There are accessories that can help make your biking safer for you, too. One of these accessories is mountain bike lights. If you are going to be riding at night, then you will need some kind of lighting on your bike, whether it is LED lights or other lights. Lights enable mountain bikers to enjoy the trail at any time of the day or night.
You can find your mountain bike supplies at your local bike shop or online at many different bicycling retailers. You can find everything that you need-from knee guards to full body guards to helmets to other apparel and accessories. The shops will be able to assist you to find mountain biking gear for any level of rider, from the casual to the more extreme enthusiast.
Protective gear is essential in mountain biking, especially. It will help you to withstand the rigors of mountain and downhill racing. Many different body armor pieces help to protect different parts of the body to make sure that you will be protected if you have an accident. This gear is specially made to protect you without taking away from the experience and fun of mountain biking.
The most important thing that you need to purchase to help keep yourself safe is a biking helmet. A helmet can keep you alive in this sometimes dangerous sport. No matter how small the race, biking helmets are required to help keep you safe. To keep your hands free from burns or blisters, you may want to choose some gloves. They serve a functional use as well, because they help to give you a much stronger grip on the handlebars for maximum control.
Mountain biking demands comfortable clothing. Most races occur during the summer, so shorts and t-shirts are the most commonly seen clothing, but during the winter months, you may see pants and sweatshirts. You are sure to find the perfect clothing to ride in no matter what time of the year to help you be comfortable and to look cool.
About the Author:
Alastair Hamilton loves writing for http://www.bikecyclingreviews.com . For additional information on cycling equipment or mountain bike reviews subjects have a look at his web.
–
