What are mountain bikes?

Mountain bikes, generally termed MTBs, are best suited for rough terrains. These bikes are ideal for off-road cycling, as they are equipped with specific features that guarantee a power-packed performance and durability on rough terrains. Mountain bikes can be your fitness partners, helping you commute on roads and other off-roading voyages.

The features that impart the characteristic performance to the mountain bikes include their sturdy suspensions, flat handlebars and powerful gears to help you climb the steep slopes, along with the added advantages of motorcycle-type disc brakes.

Types of mountain bikes

  •     Trail bikes

The type of mountain bike which helps you sail through steep terrains is the trail bike, curated for beginner-level mountain bikes. These trail bikes give you the best adjustment between speed and comfort while balancing your weight. The front and rear suspension of these MTBs allow a suspension level of 12 – 14 cm which enhances the rider’s comfort on the steepest of slopes.

  •     Fat bikes

Fat bikes got their name as they sport larger-width tyres. These fat tyres impart greater traction to mountain bikes and enhance the riding experience on sandy or snowy topographies. Thus, cycling enthusiasts living in cooler regions who plan to navigate rocky terrains generally use these types of mountain bikes. The width of the fat bike tyres ranges between 9.3 – 12.7 cm, providing much-needed support to beginners by preventing accidental slips.

  •     Multipurpose mountain bikes

Multipurpose mountain bikes have the features of both trail bikes and fat bikes. Using these MTBs, you can steer uphill and enjoy the downward trails. The provided features help these bikes to climb uphill, balancing them throughout the ride, and the wide tyres help descent down the steep slopes. The suspension of the multipurpose mountain bike ranges between 1.4 – 17cm, making it the best choice for adventurous mountain biking fanatics.

What factors do you need to consider while choosing the perfect mountain bike?

  •     Suspension type and quality: Mountain bikes are fitted with suspensions to enhance comfort while riding on slopes. You need to ensure the quality of forks and shocks. Without the right type of suspensions, your mountain riding experience would lack the required comfort. MTBs generally feature a hardtail or full suspension. The hardtail bikes feature a front suspension fork but don’t have a rear suspension. Full-suspension mountain bikes are provided with suspension in both wheels, and a shock absorber controls the rate of movement. The maintenance costs of hardtail bikes are less, and these are cheaper than the full-suspension bikes.

 

  •     Frame Size: The size of the frame is one of the essential features to consider in an MTB. The frame size should be suitable according to your body build; a large frame size increases the chances of back pain and lack of control. If you choose a smaller frame size, a cramped riding position could cause discomfort while riding.

 

  •     Wheel Size: The size of the wheel is the next important feature to ensure a smooth ride. When your MTB has the right wheel, the safety and comfort of the ride get enhanced; but the wrong size hinders your journey. The best suggestion will be to go with the bigger wheel sizes if you plan to go on longer trails. Smaller wheel size is excellent for shorter routes.

 

  •     Braking features: Brakes are the essential safety features in your mountain bikes; you should check both the front and the rear brakes for efficiency. Hydraulic disc brakes provide a more robust braking response with the least effort, while rim brakes, which are cost-effective, require greater force for stopping your bikes. Also, if your MTB has cable-operated brakes, then manual adjustments are needed from time to time.

 

  •     Bike Gears: Additional bike gears are required to ensure complete safety through the rides on rough topographies. Based on your physical fitness and the terrain type, you need to choose your bike gear. If you have optimal physical fitness and plan to ride on flat roads, you can manage well with fewer gears, but riding on mountains requires you to have all the mountain bike gears.

 

  •     Select top suspension quality: Check the feedback on the new-bike forums about the suspension of the bike you’re looking at and use the manufacturer’s website to see whether you can get secondhand springs and shocks from them. Note that original equipment (OE) components often have different specifications from aftermarket ones. Quality damping in the shock is more important than having lots of extra travel.

 

  •     Look for futureproof design: You will want to check out popular axle diameters and spacing, plus headset, bottom bracket and seatpost diameters. You may find that you have a hard time getting certain types of posts with smaller diameters. Internal cabling can be a good look and give you a quieter ride, but it may also make it harder for you to maintain your bike.

 

If you plan to purchase a mountain bike, you need to consider all the details this article provides to make the best choice for your health companion. Based on the features, the price of your bike can vary. You should always emphasise the comfort factors while making your choice, as mountain bikes are not just a means of transportation, but they steer you through the roughest terrains of your life journey.

On the Bajaj Finserv EMI Store, you will find the best-rated mountain bikes and other latest cycles under 10,000 INR or more. To save on your upfront expenditure, you can choose to pay through your Bajaj Finserv EMI Network Card and avail No Cost EMI option and zero down payment facility (only on select models).