Mountain Bikes are the |
You can go anywhere with these things! That's why mountain bicycles are also known as ATBs, or all-terrain bikes.
ATBs hit the scene in the 1970s in California. (Why do they all come from California?) Back then, they were the black sheep of the bicycle family. Compared to sleek road bikes, mountain bikes looked really strange. But in the 1980s, they caught on in a big way, and revolutionized the bike industry.
There are two characteristics that make people scream:
1. Fat knobby tires: the fatness was taken from roadsters, the knobby (the bumps all over it) was taken from BMX bikes.
2. A straight handlebar: this is so the rider sits in an upright position, which is important for balance while you're off-road.
- Strong handlebar brakes - taken from motorcycles
- Derailleur(it's what shifts gears) - taken from road bikes
- Various lightweight components - from road bikes
So basically, here's this completely different "alien" bike that has capabilities like no other.
A mountain bike frame is extremely sturdy, and seat angles put the rider's weight in the rear for sick balance. The fat tires can take a hell of a lot of punishment, and you will punish them, especially if you're green. Sliding seat posts make for easy adjustment to suit your climb or decent. A triple chain ring gives you a ton of gear options, and powerful brakes give you great stopping power.
like...some people...{ahem}.
Since they're usually more comfortable than road bikes, many actually prefer them for the road. If you live somewhere like me, the roads are ALWAYS under construction, making ATBs the perfect choice.
But the absolute best place to ride a mountain bicycle is on a trail in the middle of the woods. Find one where you can't hear traffic. Go when there aren't many other riders. Breath the crisp forest air. Smile.
A reader recently wrote to Dirt Rag Magazine
, an awesome, down to earth MTB mag, and said
this:Alright, that's probably the only time I'll go Zen on you on this site. Buthe's got it right. If you're stressed out for any reason, grab a mountain bikeand go ride a trail. You'll be so focused on what you're doing, you won't have time to think ofanything else!
Seriously, go ahead....you're a mess. Come back when you feel better and we'lltalk about more ways to ride, like downhill and freeride.
