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Mountain Bike




A mountain bike or '''mountain bicycle''' (abbreviated '''MTB''' or '''ATB (All Terrain Bicycle)''') is a Bicycle designed for Mountain Biking , either on dirt Trail s or other Unpaved environments. In contrast, Road Bicycle s are not rugged enough for such terrain.

Mountain bikes have wide, knobby tires for extra traction and shock absorption. In recent years, front wheel Suspension has become the norm and full front and rear suspension is becoming increasingly common. Some mountain bikes are also fitted with Bar End s on the handlebars, but with the increase in popularity of riser handlebars (as opposed to a flat straight handlebar) fewer riders use bar end extensions. The bikes normally have 26 in (559 mm) wheels, but since 2002 some models have been available with 29 in (622 mm) wheels, which is the same diameter most commonly used for road bikes. (The name given to a rim diameter in inches is different from the rim's actual size.)


DESIGNS


Mountain bikes can be classified into four categories based on suspension:
  • Fully Rigid (unsuspended): A frame with a rigid fork and fixed rear, no suspension.

  • Hardtail : A frame with no rear suspension. These bikes are most often used with front suspension.

  • Soft Tail : A frame with small amount of rear suspension, but activated by flex of the frame instead of pivots.

  • Dual or ''' Full Suspension ''': A front suspension fork and rear suspension with a rear shock and linkage that makes the rear wheel move on pivots.



Discipline oriented designs

There are several different styles of mountain biking, usually defined by the terrain, and therefore bikes employed. All of the bikes in this category fall into one of the above four categories and bikes of each of the above style can be found almost any of the following categories.