Posts Tagged ‘Soft Tails’

Bicycle Saddles Are An Important Mountain Biking Accessory Friday, October 23rd, 2009

A brief look at the different types of mountain bikes available. Read on to discover the different features available depending on what type of bike you buy.
Mountain bikes are the most rugged type of bicycle. They were made to be cycled on mountains, steep inclines and the roughest of terrains. Very rarely will a mountain bike rider cycle on a paved road. The majority of mountain bike riders love cycling on narrow and unpaved trails resulting in greater wear and tear and forcing the manufacturers to have to design sturdier bicycles.
Mountain bike tyres are therefore fatter, bigger and made of a stronger type of rubber. This is great as it gives the cyclist better traction and allows the bicycle to run freely in both rough and smooth terrains.
Another significant feature that all mountain bikes have is a strong suspension system. It is now common for manufacturers to make bikes with both front and rear suspensions to help the cyclist withstand heavier bumps and thuds.
Depending on what type of suspension the bikes have, they are classified as soft tails, hard tails, fully rigid and dual suspension bicycles. The hard tail types have a front suspension fork while the rigid types have a rigid fork. The soft tail’s rear suspension rests on the frame rather than pivots, and dual and full types have a front suspension fork and rear suspension. As well as this they have a rear shock absorber and linkage.
Mountain bikes made for cross country cycling are generally made of more lightweight and resilient components. They can weigh as less as 20 pounds with the heaviest you can buy weighing around 40 pounds. Enduro mountain bikes tend to be heavier than their cross country counterparts weighing on average between 30 and 35 pounds. They have better suspensions that are great for steep inclines or steering over hairpin bends.
Free ride mountain bikes are built of heavier materials. Unlike most other downhill bikes they are designed for easy pedaling. You will find them easy to maneuver around dangerous obstacles and steep turns. The flip side being they are not as efficient as cross country bikes due to them being heavier, weighing between 40 and 50 pounds.
Downhill Mountain bikes, while not as strong as free ride bicycles are most suitable for riding on downhill tracks and for racing. A downhill mountain bike’s traction is better than most other types of mountain bike.
Trial bikes are meant for short distances and come without suspension. They do not have proper seat or vestigial pad and weigh less than most other bikes at around 15-20 pounds.
Urban and Street Mountain Bike’s features vary in between the mountain bikes and trial bikes. They are very strong and come with between one and nine gears and a chain guide for the front and rear gears.
Get information relating to Shimano XTR here at this website.

Article Source: http://www.articlerampage.com}

Interested on bicycles??, Alison Addy is the author of many articles published at www.bikecyclingreviews.com . A website with tips on Shimano XTR and mountain bikes.

Bicycle Saddles Are An Important Mountain Biking Accessory Tuesday, October 6th, 2009

A brief look at the different types of mountain bikes available. Read on to discover the different features available depending on what type of bike you buy.
Mountain bikes are the most rugged type of bicycle. They were made to be cycled on mountains, steep inclines and the roughest of terrains. Very rarely will a mountain bike rider cycle on a paved road. The majority of mountain bike riders love cycling on narrow and unpaved trails resulting in greater wear and tear and forcing the manufacturers to have to design sturdier bicycles.
Mountain bike tyres are therefore fatter, bigger and made of a stronger type of rubber. This is great as it gives the cyclist better traction and allows the bicycle to run freely in both rough and smooth terrains.
Another significant feature that all mountain bikes have is a strong suspension system. It is now common for manufacturers to make bikes with both front and rear suspensions to help the cyclist withstand heavier bumps and thuds.
Depending on what type of suspension the bikes have, they are classified as soft tails, hard tails, fully rigid and dual suspension bicycles. The hard tail types have a front suspension fork while the rigid types have a rigid fork. The soft tail’s rear suspension rests on the frame rather than pivots, and dual and full types have a front suspension fork and rear suspension. As well as this they have a rear shock absorber and linkage.
Mountain bikes made for cross country cycling are generally made of more lightweight and resilient components. They can weigh as less as 20 pounds with the heaviest you can buy weighing around 40 pounds. Enduro mountain bikes tend to be heavier than their cross country counterparts weighing on average between 30 and 35 pounds. They have better suspensions that are great for steep inclines or steering over hairpin bends.
Free ride mountain bikes are built of heavier materials. Unlike most other downhill bikes they are designed for easy pedaling. You will find them easy to maneuver around dangerous obstacles and steep turns. The flip side being they are not as efficient as cross country bikes due to them being heavier, weighing between 40 and 50 pounds.
Downhill Mountain bikes, while not as strong as free ride bicycles are most suitable for riding on downhill tracks and for racing. A downhill mountain bike’s traction is better than most other types of mountain bike.
Trial bikes are meant for short distances and come without suspension. They do not have proper seat or vestigial pad and weigh less than most other bikes at around 15-20 pounds.
Urban and Street Mountain Bike’s features vary in between the mountain bikes and trial bikes. They are very strong and come with between one and nine gears and a chain guide for the front and rear gears.
Get information relating to Shimano XTR here at this website.

Article Source: http://www.articlerampage.com}

Interested on bicycles??, Alison Addy is the author of many articles published at www.bikecyclingreviews.com . A website with tips on Shimano XTR and mountain bikes.

A Look At Some Of The More Common Mountain Bike Designs Monday, October 5th, 2009

Mountain bikes are designed for off-road riding. Whether made for racing or the more leisurely rider, there are four basic frame designs for mountain bikes: rigid, hard-tail, soft-tail, and full suspension.

The rigid (also commonly known as fully rigid) mountain bikes resemble a conventional sort of bike as you would imagine it. A rigid mountain bike has neither a rear suspension nor a front suspension. These used to be the most common kind of mountain bike but they are rapidly being replaced by the more comfortable models which feature some sort of suspension system. Fully rigid bikes tend to be lower-priced than models with a suspension. Many riders still prefer rigid bikes because it’s what they’re accustomed to, and the feel that the rigid design allows them greater control.

Another common mountain bike design is the hard-tail. Hard-tail mountain bikes are so named because they have a conventional rear end without a suspension. Hard-tails differ from fully rigid bikes in that they have a front suspension. The hard-tail is perhaps the most popular mountain bike design. Many professional riders prefer the feel of a hard-tail and the comfort of a front suspension.

The next kind of mountain bike design is the soft-tail. As you probably guessed, soft-tails employ a rear suspension. Rear suspensions are a more recent innovation than front suspension due to the complexities of the design. Soft-tails are often more expensive than hard-tails, but they also tend to be more forgiving.

Finally there’s the full suspension mountain bike. Bikes with this design feature both front and rear suspensions. These bikes are the latest mountain bike design. For a long time riders avoided full suspension bikes because they were heavy and they tended to sag in the middle like an old swayback horse. It took years for engineers and riders to perfect a viable, functional full suspension mountain bike. It was in the 1990′s when these bikes finally reached a point where they were marketable.

In addition to the frame and suspension, there are other differences in mountain bike designs. One key area where bikes differ is the brakes. Mountain bikes either have some form of caliper brakes, which are the kind of brakes typically associated with bikes. This kind of brake squeezes the rims to slow and stop the bike. The other type of brake is the drum brake. Drum brakes on bikes are similar to the braking system on automobiles. Drum brakes are more expensive than caliper brakes but they’re also easier to maintain. Mountain bike braking systems have even been made which utilize hydraulic power.

Another area where you have some choice in mountain bike design is tire size. Mountain bike tires typically range in size from 24″ to 29″. Smaller tires are used when greater maneuverability is required as in stunt-riding and jumping. Larger tires are used when speed is the key.

As with any other important purchase, do your homework before buying a new mountain bike. Think about your needs and your budget. Mountain biking is a terrific past-time. It’s a fun way to get some fresh air, enjoy the outdoors, and improve your health.

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Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Beach, Florida. Find more about this as well as cycling fitness at www.cyclinggearplus.com

A Look At Some Of The More Common Mountain Bike Designs Wednesday, September 9th, 2009

Mountain bikes are designed for off-road riding. Whether made for racing or the more leisurely rider, there are four basic frame designs for mountain bikes: rigid, hard-tail, soft-tail, and full suspension.

The rigid (also commonly known as fully rigid) mountain bikes resemble a conventional sort of bike as you would imagine it. A rigid mountain bike has neither a rear suspension nor a front suspension. These used to be the most common kind of mountain bike but they are rapidly being replaced by the more comfortable models which feature some sort of suspension system. Fully rigid bikes tend to be lower-priced than models with a suspension. Many riders still prefer rigid bikes because it’s what they’re accustomed to, and the feel that the rigid design allows them greater control.

Another common mountain bike design is the hard-tail. Hard-tail mountain bikes are so named because they have a conventional rear end without a suspension. Hard-tails differ from fully rigid bikes in that they have a front suspension. The hard-tail is perhaps the most popular mountain bike design. Many professional riders prefer the feel of a hard-tail and the comfort of a front suspension.

The next kind of mountain bike design is the soft-tail. As you probably guessed, soft-tails employ a rear suspension. Rear suspensions are a more recent innovation than front suspension due to the complexities of the design. Soft-tails are often more expensive than hard-tails, but they also tend to be more forgiving.

Finally there’s the full suspension mountain bike. Bikes with this design feature both front and rear suspensions. These bikes are the latest mountain bike design. For a long time riders avoided full suspension bikes because they were heavy and they tended to sag in the middle like an old swayback horse. It took years for engineers and riders to perfect a viable, functional full suspension mountain bike. It was in the 1990′s when these bikes finally reached a point where they were marketable.

In addition to the frame and suspension, there are other differences in mountain bike designs. One key area where bikes differ is the brakes. Mountain bikes either have some form of caliper brakes, which are the kind of brakes typically associated with bikes. This kind of brake squeezes the rims to slow and stop the bike. The other type of brake is the drum brake. Drum brakes on bikes are similar to the braking system on automobiles. Drum brakes are more expensive than caliper brakes but they’re also easier to maintain. Mountain bike braking systems have even been made which utilize hydraulic power.

Another area where you have some choice in mountain bike design is tire size. Mountain bike tires typically range in size from 24″ to 29″. Smaller tires are used when greater maneuverability is required as in stunt-riding and jumping. Larger tires are used when speed is the key.

As with any other important purchase, do your homework before buying a new mountain bike. Think about your needs and your budget. Mountain biking is a terrific past-time. It’s a fun way to get some fresh air, enjoy the outdoors, and improve your health.

Article Source: ABC Article Directory

Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Beach, Florida. Find more about this as well as cycling fitness at www.cyclinggearplus.com

A Look At Some Of The More Common Mountain Bike Designs Tuesday, August 11th, 2009

Mountain bikes are designed for off-road riding. Whether made for racing or the more leisurely rider, there are four basic frame designs for mountain bikes: rigid, hard-tail, soft-tail, and full suspension.

The rigid (also commonly known as fully rigid) mountain bikes resemble a conventional sort of bike as you would imagine it. A rigid mountain bike has neither a rear suspension nor a front suspension. These used to be the most common kind of mountain bike but they are rapidly being replaced by the more comfortable models which feature some sort of suspension system. Fully rigid bikes tend to be lower-priced than models with a suspension. Many riders still prefer rigid bikes because it’s what they’re accustomed to, and the feel that the rigid design allows them greater control.

Another common mountain bike design is the hard-tail. Hard-tail mountain bikes are so named because they have a conventional rear end without a suspension. Hard-tails differ from fully rigid bikes in that they have a front suspension. The hard-tail is perhaps the most popular mountain bike design. Many professional riders prefer the feel of a hard-tail and the comfort of a front suspension.

The next kind of mountain bike design is the soft-tail. As you probably guessed, soft-tails employ a rear suspension. Rear suspensions are a more recent innovation than front suspension due to the complexities of the design. Soft-tails are often more expensive than hard-tails, but they also tend to be more forgiving.

Finally there’s the full suspension mountain bike. Bikes with this design feature both front and rear suspensions. These bikes are the latest mountain bike design. For a long time riders avoided full suspension bikes because they were heavy and they tended to sag in the middle like an old swayback horse. It took years for engineers and riders to perfect a viable, functional full suspension mountain bike. It was in the 1990′s when these bikes finally reached a point where they were marketable.

In addition to the frame and suspension, there are other differences in mountain bike designs. One key area where bikes differ is the brakes. Mountain bikes either have some form of caliper brakes, which are the kind of brakes typically associated with bikes. This kind of brake squeezes the rims to slow and stop the bike. The other type of brake is the drum brake. Drum brakes on bikes are similar to the braking system on automobiles. Drum brakes are more expensive than caliper brakes but they’re also easier to maintain. Mountain bike braking systems have even been made which utilize hydraulic power.

Another area where you have some choice in mountain bike design is tire size. Mountain bike tires typically range in size from 24″ to 29″. Smaller tires are used when greater maneuverability is required as in stunt-riding and jumping. Larger tires are used when speed is the key.

As with any other important purchase, do your homework before buying a new mountain bike. Think about your needs and your budget. Mountain biking is a terrific past-time. It’s a fun way to get some fresh air, enjoy the outdoors, and improve your health.

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