Mountain bike MTB: reviews of athletes and amateurs

A mountain bike, or a MTB bike (from an English mountain bike), is by far the most common form of transport today. It is ergonomic, possesses enormous cross-country ability (will give a head start to modern SUVs of a premium class) and allows to experience unique impressions. And with all this he is very accessible. Mountain biking is a way of life.

History of the appearance of mountain bikes

There are many legends about how the MTB bike appeared. Since this happened in the era of corporations and industrial society, anyone who can pull a blanket on themselves, so the exact "pedigree" of a mountain bike can not be made.

The most common theory is that a mountain bike came about because ski resorts are idle for several months a year. And here's a certain Harry Turner, the founder of the GT brand, created for this purpose a bicycle with thick wheels and a powerful frame, taking as a basis an ordinary roadman. But such a bicycle could only successfully descend from the mountains, but not rise. So, mountain bikes MTB got a kind of gearbox.

There is also another legend of the origin of mountain bikes. It says that the advent of these two-wheeled wonders humanity is obliged to cyclists in California. Lehachi of those regions were very fond of riding mountains on motorcycles and bicycles, but once on the initiative of ecologists riding in natural areas on motorized vehicles was banned, and even more people began to use bicycles. Shosseiniki those times began to gradually mutate into the conquerors of the mountains. At the source of these processes were Joe Breeze, Mark Vendetti and Otis Gai - inveterate cyclists of those times.

Whatever the truth, it led to the fact that around 1979 the term ATB (all-terrain bike - all-terrain bike) appeared, which later turned into MTB (mountain bike - mountain bike).

Structure and classification of mountain bikes

The classic MTB bike features slightly reduced and thicker wheels - 26 inches in diameter and two inches in width. The frame of mountain bikes is designed in such a way that from the pedals to the ground there is as much distance as possible so that it is possible to overcome various irregularities. In an appendage to all this mountain bikes equipped with disc brakes and an extended number of gears (for all occasions). We created a bicycle for the mountains, but a universal turned out, where you can fly along the highway and conquer the mountains. This explains the enormous popularity of this "breed" of bicycles.

Modern mountain bikes are divided into categories according to the type of suspension. The first type, which we will consider, is a rigid - an impassable bicycle. He does not swing the suspension along the way and has an amazingly easy stroke. Professionals appreciate this very much, but newcomers and just amateurs should look at other types of suspension configurations, since they might seem too rigid for the rigidity.

Bicycles MTB, the photos of which are presented below, have different types of suspension. In the first case, this is an indiscriminate rigidity.

For example, hardtail. This is a bicycle with only one front suspension. According to reviews, this is an ideal option for riders of all classes. They are light, cheap and easily manageable. Additional cushioning will increase ride comfort, without compromising the ergonomic characteristics of the bike. Both amateurs and professionals agree that hardtail is the most balanced type of bike.

There is another option with two suspension (and so called - two-suspension), but, frankly, the cyclists disliked them. The testimonies indicate that a strong depreciation creates a strong build-up of the carcass, which makes pedaling very difficult and accelerates the chain. And they are heavy (20-23 kilograms for a two-pendant - this is a classic) and expensive. Yes, there are also cheap ones, but they are made of plasticine metal, which falls apart from one fall. Dear two-podves - an ideal bicycle for all occasions, but it should be really expensive. You will never hear a professional complaining about a bicycle rigidity, but the two-pendants have already overgrown with a lot of negative feedback.

Choice and running-in of a bicycle

MTB mountain bikes are very difficult in their construction. Therefore, before you go directly to the choice of "horse", you should still look at its other aspects.

Brakes

Their only two types - the classic rim V-Brake and, so to speak, neoclassical disc brake. Let's consider each of them separately.

The V-Brake brake is light and cheap. It's just a repair. Users say that the details for it can be found in any city. Disadvantages - fragility and possible deformation of the rim. Also, when installing brakes of this kind, you should consider the size of the wheel (and not all the dimensions you can find a brake). But the classic 26-inch MTB bike is always there. Reviews advise not to use this kind of brakes for extreme, but for peaceful walks along the highway and easy off-road they will fit perfectly.

Disk brakes are the exact opposite of the rims. They are expensive, heavy, difficult to operate (especially hydraulic) and ultra-reliable: the wheel is stopped tight. In addition, disc brakes are very durable and, once properly tuned, you can forget about them. When driving on hills and bumpy forest roads without such brakes can not do, but for the usual road ride it will be an expensive excess. Reviews of cyclists-lovers for this kind of brakes are not too flattering, for, once accidentally damaging them, you will have to prepare for spending money and, as a rule, nerves.

Transmission

Everything is much simpler here. Professionals trust the transmissions of the firms Shimano and Sram. These manufacturers can find "bushings" (the so-called transmission) of all price segments.

Car enthusiasts say that the number of speeds for amateur driving is not important - enough and 12 for all occasions. For a more sophisticated and extreme ride will take 21-27.

Running in

A new bicycle may not behave as you would like. They can refuse brakes, the transmission can tweet like a cricket, and much more. As a rule, the reason for all this is that the details have not yet gotten to each other.

Sophisticated cyclists warn: do not go on a long journey the next day after buying a bicycle! Ride on it for a week to the nearest territories, so that the details are properly attached to each other.

Style of riding

Depending on the purpose of your future car it is necessary to select its complete set.

Off-road bicycles are those bicycles that we see every day on the street. They can do a little bit of everything. On this you can go on a tour of your native country, and to cut through the mountain open spaces. Spare parts for MTB-bikes of this kind to get the easiest.

Cross-country bicycles are more expensive than their "relatives". They have a strong light frame and, as a rule, two pendants. Their main destination is fast cross country skiing. Bicycle Oskar Jetix MTB 26 - a bright representative of the budget class cross-country bicycles.

The next type is downhill and freeride. Such bicycles are very reliable and clumsy. They are ideal for descent from the mountain, but for everything else they are adapted very poorly. Before you go down from the mountain, this bike needs to be dragged onto it.

Summarizing the reviews of experienced cyclists, you can advise the following: the bicycle must be extra-strong, because it will have to experience collisions with numerous bumps at a speed of about 100 km / h!

Bicycles MTB Dirt, despite its "dirty" name, are not adapted for marshes at all. Their purpose is jumping and tricks.

Bicycle frame

Immediately make a reservation that for peaceful and long trips it is worth buying a MTB bicycle with a steel frame. It is cheap, sturdy and never breaks suddenly: the steel frame warns its owner with cracks about the future breakdown.

Aluminum is an excellent alternative to steel. It is lighter and slightly more expensive. Residents of apartments should think about the aluminum frame.

Actually choosing a bicycle

• Below 300 $: for this money it is worth buying either a rigidity or a hardtail-bike MTB. But it is better to have in reserve another $ 50, because, most likely, some parts will have to be replaced. On a bicycle of this category, it's worth a week to ride, and then to replace what has fallen off. So you can save some money at the price of your own time and get a perfectly fit bike.
• 300-900 $: in this range there are all kinds of bicycles, which we considered above. For this money you can buy a good and easy hardtail or rigidity with high-quality components. On such bicycles, you can safely go on long-distance trips. Buy a double-pendant is recommended only with a mark of $ 500, and then you need to carefully look at every detail.
• 600-1000 $: these are bicycles of a semi-premium class. They fully meet the requirements for their class. MTB bike-bike for this money will be easy and reliable. It will require minimal care, and he will always be ready for a wide variety of tours: at least in the rain, though in the heat, even in the slush. This is the limit of the amateur, then go professional bicycles.
• 1000-2500 $: bicycles for competitions and demonstration performances. Such horses are ultra-light, strong and fast. For professional sports, buying something cheaper is simply ridiculous and irrational.

Experienced cyclists teach: the lower limit of the price of a more or less decent mountain bike is at the level of $ 500.

Before buying, make sure to make a test trip, and allocate $ 20 to the repair kit! Running wind to you!