Mountain bike / mountain biking

If you want to explore nature, mountain biking is a good way to do it. It's also very good to do to stay in shape or just to have fun. For adventurous sports fans, skiing down mountains and hills quickly is exciting and a lot of fun. However, it can also be very dangerous. And when it comes to this case, you should ride mountain bike with utmost caution. This means the whole family can enjoy it and enjoy it.

The mountain bike (abbr. MTB, in English for mountain bike) or the all-terrain bike (abbr. ATB) for the off-road bike is a bike that is particularly suitable for use on off-road roads. Generally speaking, the off-road bike is actually just like the racing bike as a piece of sports equipment, as a means of transport, because it does not come with required components, such as:b: Bell, lighting and reflectors are equipped, which actually have to be present according to the German Road Traffic Licensing Regulations (StVZO).

In the earlier years

There have been earlier attempts to make the bikes more robust and suitable for off-road use, but generally 1973 is considered the year of birth and California is considered the birthplace of the mountain bike. The mountain bikes that first appeared were Schwinn Cruiser-type bicycles, which were used by Gary Fisher, Charles Kelly and Joe Breeze, the group of cyclists to race down the slopes of Mount Tamalpais. The cruisers from the manufacturer Schwinn, which date back to the 1930s, were - as can be assumed from the name - not sports bikes, but rather designed for quiet rolling along (“cruising”). For the first time, they were very stable and were equipped with thick balloon tires on 26-inch rims, which made it possible to make fast descents over the gravel roads of Mount Tamalpais. They were much more suitable for this than the light racing bikes, which were previously the only models of bicycles for sporting purposes. The Schwinn Cruisers were far too heavy bikes, which is why Joe Breeze, Gary Fisher and other riders only used them for downhill riding. So the first mountain bikers were real “downhillers”.

From 1976 onwards, regular mountain bike racing events began and were also organized by the above-mentioned bikers on Mount Tamalpais. These events were the beginning of many technical modifications, which then started the development of today's mountain bike technology. The earlier mountain bikers used motorcycle parts for handlebars and brakes, which they used as more resilient parts.

The first real mountain bike

The first “real” mountain bike was made by Joe Breeze in 1977 for Charles Kelly. Breeze was very much based on cruisers in terms of frame geometry, but was still the first mountain bike that was not a converted cruiser, but was built entirely from brand new components.

After this so-called Invention, Tom Ritchey joined the group 2 years later and developed new frames, first on his own and then for Gary Fisher.

The newly developed frames were completely different compared to the previous models, which were also suitable for uphill riding due to their geometry, which was more suitable for touring. This also gave rise to the term “mountain bike”. After a customer at Ritchey pointed to the picture of the bike with the fat tires and said, “Hey, that’s a mountain bike.” Ritchey really liked this name and decided to sell his bikes with the brand name “Ritchey Mountain Bike”.

Charles Kelly and Gary Fisher subsequently took over the production and sales of building complete mountain bikes from the manufactured frames. Gary Fisher also built a modern gear shifter on one of the old bikes for the first time. He installed the thumb shifter and the quick release on the saddle, which was a huge help for the bikers. Because the riders put their saddle all the way down during the first hour as they raced down the downhill routes and stood on the pedals. In addition to Ritchey and SunTour, Shimano as a component manufacturer and Specialized as a complete bike manufacturer were also among the first manufacturers in this very young market. Afterwards, many other small manufacturers emerged that are no longer mentioned on the market today.

After the Japanese manufacturer Tange invented the aluminum frame, it ensured that the weight of the self-developed tube sets of its steel frames was regularly reduced. Charles 'Charlie' Cunningham, the co-founder and owner of “Wilderness Trailbikes (WTB)”, also built the first mountain bike with one of the first aluminum MTB frames.

The development of a global industry

In the mid-80s, mountain biking grew rapidly and spread all over the world. It became so popular in Europe that current sales of mountain bikes far exceeded previous sales of all other types of bicycles. The further development of the frames continues, with thin-walled steel tubes being used as an alternative, aluminum, titanium and later also carbon fiber reinforced plastic (“carbon”). The equipment components were also further developed, especially with the help of the Japanese manufacturers Shimano and SunTour, who invented and brought the grid shifting, the handlebar shifters, the oval Biopace chainrings and the cantilever brakes onto the market.

With the increasing popularity and high demand, almost all established bicycle manufacturers changed their processes and switched to mountain bike production. As a result, some of the previous small series manufacturers expanded into huge mass manufacturers. As a pioneer in the mountain bike industry, “Cannondale” was the first large-scale manufacturer of aluminum bicycles.

Manufacturers began outsourcing their manufacturing to Japan in the early 1990s and shortly thereafter to Taiwan. By the mid-90s, Taiwanese manufacturers had become so established that they were able to enter the market under their own names and offer high-quality frames and components at lower prices.

Despite this huge competition from Asia, there are still some smaller companies on the market today that specialize more in small series and custom-made products. They are also usually much more expensive than the big manufacturers because they work to special orders. In addition to these frame builders, there are also companies in German-speaking countries that specialize in certain components with which they subsequently build or retrofit mountain bikes themselves.

Most of the components of modern bicycles of all types were developed specifically for mountain biking or further developed there. Here you should especially not skip the suspension forks, disc brakes, V-brakes, hub gears and rear suspension. The suspension forks, which are known from motocross, became particularly popular with extreme downhill riders and thus rear suspension became standard equipment in downhill and freeride. Full-suspension bikes are now also available for cross-country. The first mountain bike with an 18-speed Pinion gearbox from Endorfin was presented for the first time at the Eurobike bicycle trade fair in 2010.

The touring bike

The mountain bikes, which were previously designed for stability, also proved to be suitable for cycling trips in the mountains and in the flatlands. These were converted for road use with their modified gears and luggage racks.

After long-distance cycling tours and the development of mountain biking became popular, the touring bike began to develop as a special design alongside the mountain bike in the early 1980s. The stable women's bike variant also belongs to this characteristic. Today, trekking bikes are still understood to mean high-quality everyday and leisure bikes with their 28″ wheels. These bikes also focus on durability and riding comfort on longer tours.

Since then, trekking bikes have been used more and more as everyday utility bikes. Especially since the 90s, trekking bikes have become the reason for young city dwellers to avoid cars in principle. The all-weather suitability is also an advantage, making driving easier even in winter. The luggage suitability has also developed into a major advantage, which can be used both for shopping and as a bike courier service. The low off-road ratios are very helpful in urban stop-and-go traffic. The city bike was developed for this purpose and is now mostly produced unisex with a wave frame. Ultimately, the modern hybrid urban bike developed as a leisure sports device from the mountain bike and the city bike.

How do I choose the right mountain bike?

The bike that suits you is your personal choice and is an important and decisive factor in what types of descents you want to use it on. For all riding styles, there are bikes made in interesting shapes and sold in different price ranges. From these criteria you naturally come to the very difficult point of choosing “the right” bike for you. If you're ever planning on getting a bike, you'll probably gather information online or from a current mountain bike magazine so that you know enough about what's on offer in advance. You should then also visit some bicycle shops, talk to the advisors and also do price comparisons (also surf online before you buy one). Before you buy a bike, test ride it first and ask those around you. You can only become an excellent mountain biker if you have the right bike.

When purchasing, make sure that the assembly of all parts is perfect and check all functions, comfort and adaptation to your body dimensions and also whether it is equipped according to the requirements.

Safety when mountain biking

As previously stated, mountain biking can be very dangerous on unpaved roads. You should wear a very good helmet at all times when riding your bike. Better together with the protectors for the knees and elbows. You should definitely use safety glasses inside or behind a certain group or in the woods! Your top priority should be safety and you should never take that lightly.

Diverse training effects

Once you have completed the climb, you are rewarded with a descent and it is particularly exciting to roll down comfortably on the wide forest paths without being exposed to the particular dangers of falling. Depending on their difficulty, steep and rocky paths require very specific downhill skills.

If you are riding your mountain bike up and down unpaved roads and paths, you should have good basic conditions. Because not only the body weight, but also the bike has to move against gravity. Good leg strength and muscles will help you overcome steep sections more easily. In order to be able to navigate the steep routes, you should take advantage of your good sense of balance and the ability to react. Regular mountain biking has many positive effects on your body.

Attention! If you have not practiced sport for a long time, you should have a medical check-up beforehand because mountain biking puts a lot of strain on your heart and circulatory system.

The technique of even kicking and pulling

By pedaling and pulling the pedals you achieve an even, round pedaling. This means you put more strain on several muscle groups and use your strength more efficiently. Your cadence should be neither too slow nor too fast. Biking doesn't necessarily mean cycling. In the field, the requirements are very diverse depending on the nature of the path. Uphill, downhill, ditches, waves, curves, light obstacles require good conditions, special riding technique and control of the bike. You should get used to the stresses and the bike and test its limits. There are driving technique training courses and courses that build self-confidence and provide a safe introduction to this exciting sport.

Mountain bike disciplines

Mountain biking includes a wide range of sporting activities. Experts decide on the following disciplines, some of which also hold competitions:

Tours and cross-country: You are on easy paths and forest roads. Approx2/3 of mountain bike owners belong to this group. This is primarily about moving in nature and getting physical fitness. Narrow paths are often used, which require skill and offer a special charm.

Freeride/Enduro: This discipline is primarily designed to ride single trails. The bikers are on the move in rough terrain, which in turn poses a challenge for their balance.

Downhill: Specialists are on individually created paths or on downhill trails. On these you often come across artificial ramps, jumping hills and steep curves. Cable cars are often used to climb to the top. To enjoy riding, you must have a bike that is suitable for off-road use and in working order, as well as a good helmet and gloves for your own safety!

Mountain biking is a popular sport

No one suspected that this dangerous riding style would ever develop into a popular sport when, at the beginning of the 1970s, bicycle freaks threw themselves down on heavy bikes from the summit of Mount Tamalpais / California. Today you can see countless cyclists all over the world getting on the saddles of their mountain bikes every now and then. Mountain biking, which is done in rustic nature, is not only a lot of fun, but also trains your endurance, strength and coordination at the same time.

Mountain biking: sport for everyone

Cycle slightly uphill on the gravel road, then take the right-hand bend into a forest, over the bumpy ground, downhill again on narrow forest paths, with your bike on your shoulder and up a steep slope to the asphalt road. Athletes who are infected with the mountain bike virus know the balance between endurance, strength, technique and coordination.

It's hard to imagine a better and more interesting fitness sport. Mountain biking is not only suitable for freaks who want to improve their performance, but also for people who want to prevent health risk factors such as obesity and high blood pressure.

High calorie consumption

Many scientific researches have shown that 60min. Mountain biking averages 700 to 800Kc. consumed. For optimal results it is advisable to wait at least 60 minutes. to bike for a long time over hilly terrain and to do so at a pulse range of 60 to 70 percent of the max. heart rate, the so-called aerobic pulse to stay.

A heart rate monitor can be of good use for monitoring. It is very important, especially for beginners, to challenge your body but not to overwhelm it. When you reach muscular exhaustion, your concentration will weaken, which can quickly lead to a fall.

Tip: It would be worthwhile to practice and train a little in a safe place. Slalom riding in a lonely place, practicing balance on a mountain bike, braking to the finish line or going down a few steps are some examples of this.

If in doubt, go for a health check

If you are not completely sure or do not feel completely healthy, you should speak to your family doctor. Get checked out before you go to the start. If you get the green light, you can start. If you are worried about damaging your knees or hips while mountain biking over hill and dale, you should definitely adjust the saddle height to the correct height.

You should also choose the gear so that your cadence does not fall below 60 revolutions per minute as much as possible. The higher your cadence, the less stress you put on your joints and your muscles won't tire as quickly.

Many skeptical bikers will definitely notice that a bent over position when mountain biking will definitely lead to back pain at some point. The sitting position on the mountain bike is actually not necessarily back-friendly. It is therefore very important that you adjust the bike optimally and adapt it to your physical requirements.

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