Shopping For a New MTB

Off-road cycling is as old as cycling itself, but it’s not until the 1970s that specialist mountain bike manufacture really took off. Originally based on road bikes, the technology has changed enormously to cater for the rigours and strains of cycling on difficult off road conditions.

Nowadays mountain bikes are bristling with technological bits and bobs, all designed to make riding easier and more accessible. So you can take on more demanding terrain, harder rides and thanks to the advancement in safety equipment take on much more dangerous descents.

Gears
With up to 27 gears available even the steepest of hills can be taken on.

Suspension
One of the greatest leaps forwards has been the development of your bike’s suspension which makes the roughest of rides much more comfortable. Front suspension is a must and comes as standard on most decent mountain bikes. For the seriously rough stuff you will need a full suspension bike as this will be much easier to ride.

Frames
Improved suspension makes harder rides more fun, so your bike gets puts through its paces and this increases the strain on you bike’s frame. Your frame has to be tough enough to take the hammer it will get on route, so needs to be made from the strongest possible alloys. But it’s no good having an indestructible frame if it’s too heavy to use; it needs to be light enough for you to be able to respond quickly to those last minute detours.

Brakes
Disc brakes are found on even budget mountain bikes these days. Positioned near the wheels rim they are well away from the tyre and the mud, so are less likely to become clogged up making them more responsive even in the muddiest conditions.

Tyres
Chunky tyres with thick treads make mountain bikes tyres very different to road bikes. These bigger tyres provide better grip and greater stability particularly when travelling at high speed. Many serious mountain bikers will use different tyres for different conditions.

Women-Specific
Women’s bikes are tailored to a woman’s size and shape. That means smaller reach from seat to handlebars, smaller reach on brake handles and seats shaped for greater comfort. Many brands now offer both men and women’s bikes enabling ladies to try both to see which is most comfortable and best suited to their needs.