Mountain biking is a fantastic way to explore the outdoors, stay in shape, get the adrenalin moving, or just have fun. There is an element of danger involved, but if you ride within the your skill limits and stay in control, it can be enjoyed by the entire family.

Mountain Bike Styles

There are three main styles of mountain biking - cross country, downhill, and free riding. The styles have many similarities, but they do require different skills and different types of bikes. The style you choose will determine the type of bike you will buy.

The image on the right shows a hard tail cross country bike. It has about 4 inches of travel and weighs less than 25 pounds.

Locations for mountain biking

Mountain biking is the best on unpaved trails and even better where there are differences in elevation. Gravity matters! The best locations for the sport include single track. Many areas throughout North America have specific locations designed for mountain biking.  Many places, like trails in Marin County have limitations on where mountain bikers can ride. Always check with the local park, county or open space district on what rules, restrictions, routes and regulations apply to mountain biking.

There are a large number of groups that have mountain bike rides and competitions. Our teams are involved in the in the Norcal High School Mountain bike league.

The picture on the left shows a dual suspension Stumpjumper FSR Pro cross country bike. It has an adjustible Fox Talas fork with 5 inches of travel and 4 inches at the back. It weighs around 25 pounds.

Becoming a great biker

Endurance and stamina are a must for a great mountain biker. Ambition and practice are crucial requirements to succeed as well as conquer the course.   Like all other sports, it takes time and practice to improve stamina and ability to handle different types of terrain.  Those just beginning will have to get past the bumps and bruises from falling off the bike.

Selecting your mountain bike

The bike you select is more of a personal choice, available budget and the type of riding you will be doing.  Bikes come in all styles, shapes, and prices, which will make selecting one for yourself very difficult
indeed. 

You should use the internet to help you shop for a bike, even do some price comparisons online as well before you make a purchase. Price is not everything. You can go to one of the retail stores and see some bikes that resemble a mountain bike. I bought four for my family. It was a mistake. Our new bikes were bought from bike local bike stores. They helped us select the correct bikes, assisted us with fitting them and made becoming one with our bikes much easier. You are going to spend a lot of time on the bike, so make sure you check for comfort, how it fits, even how it is geared.

The image on the left shows a typical downhill setup. The fork has longer travel, 8 inches in the front and rear, and is much beefier than cross country bikes. The rider wears a full face helmet, goggles and a Leat Brace to protect his neck. He is also wearing elbow and knee pads for protection.

Staying safe when riding

Mountain bike riding on unpaved roads can be very dangerous, as mentioned earlier.

• Anytime you are riding, you should wear a helmet.
• For downhill riding add knee and elbow pads and consider getting a full face helmet and a neck brace.
• Always ride with a buddy.
• Safety should be your top priority and never taken lightly anytime you are mountain biking.