— Downhill: first steps. What is downhill and what are its features? Full control over the brakes

Downhill is like manna from heaven for extreme sports enthusiasts. This type of cycling allows you to splash out adrenaline and get a lot of emotions, as well as test yourself and your nerves for strength. After all, to go down safe and sound from the mountainside to maximum speed and at the same time, only a tough nut can not lose control of the iron horse.

Downhill: what is it?

“Downhill” refers to bicycle racing along hilly and mountain slopes with obstacles against the clock. However, at first glance, going down the mountain is not a bad thing. In reality, downhill tracks are replete with steep descents and turns, a large number of jumps, stones and snags.

It may be impossible even to pass such tests experienced athletes, what can we say about beginners. Bruises, abrasions and even fractures are constant companions for those who choose downhill racing as their calling.

What should a person who does downhill be like? Firstly, physically strong. After all, during such an extreme “walk” on a bicycle, the body experiences enormous stress. Plus weight vehicle not the smallest - 20 kg.

Secondly, the future downhiller must be on friendly terms with his bike. The daredevil must master the technique of driving a two-wheeled vehicle at “5+”. Because the descent speed is not childish - from 40 km/h, maximum - 60 km/h. At the same time, the elevation differences on the route vary and on average are about 80 m.

A downhill bike is an athlete’s friend and brother

A downhill bike is a familiar double-suspension bike. Mountain bike. Despite the external similarity of this bike with its freeride counterparts (due to the wide frame), the downhill bike has a number of features:

• Reinforced frame. It is reinforced in all important nodes, since the cyclist needs to jump a lot and overcome difficult areas. The frame also has a certain geometric shape. The materials from which the frame is made are varied: aluminum, stainless steel, titanium.
• The range of the front suspension is large up to 200 mm. Thanks to this, shocks when driving are softened. The fork can be either single-crown (up to 180 mm) or double-crown.
• Rear suspension travel 180-250 mm. Such indicators help absorb and soften shocks, providing a comfortable ride.
• Wide rims, which are also reinforced. Their diameter is 26 inches. They are strong and heavy, resistant to strong blows. For greater safety, the rims are “stuffed” with a large number of spokes.

Some athletes at competitions take bikes with 29-inch wheels - 29ers.

• Wide tires. The tread of such tires has an aggressive pattern. Wide tires are needed to achieve maximum contact between the wheels and the ground.
• A wide handlebar allows you to better control the movement of the bike.
• Hydraulic disc brakes. They provide effective braking. A rotor with a size of 200-220 mm is used.

Basic skills of a downhiller

The skill of descending a bicycle takes years to develop. How to breathe properly, pedal and distribute your weight during a race are skills that don’t come right away.

What technical secrets can professionals recommend to beginners?

1. Learn to move out quickly. The ability to drive and not engage the brakes every minute, without jerking and slowly sliding down is something that a downhiller should learn right away. You should also make sure you are relaxed shoulder girdle and hands in front of upcoming obstacles on the road. Daily training will teach you how to regulate speed, increase speed on turns and place your feet on the pedals correctly (the lowered foot is located at outside from the turn).
2. Shifting down to a lower speed should be slow. At the same time, you cannot stop; on the contrary, you need to continue pedaling. It is necessary to change to a higher gear quickly. This will allow you to avoid idling and slowing down. The ability to switch speed modes needs to be brought to automaticity.
3. Braking. Applying the rear brake lightly can increase speed when turning. Always keep both fingers on the brakes to reduce the risk of losing control of the bike.

All these tips are tested in practice and only in practice. So take a bike and ride, improving your skills.

Safety comes first!

Proper equipment can reduce the risk of serious injury:

• Downhill helmet. Pay attention to the full-face helmet. It protects the face, jaw, and skull from injury.
• Glasses. They must be wide. Glasses protect your eyes from dust, dirt and insects.
• Special gloves. They protect hands from injury and also eliminate sweating of the skin of the hands.
• Body suit with knee and elbow pads. Protects the athlete's body (chest, back) in case of a fall.
• Shields for lower limbs. They prevent small stones from getting into the cyclist's clothing.
• Special sneakers with hard soles.
• Professional cycling shorts with padding for a comfortable ride.

Downhill competition

Seasoned racers have been taking part in world downhill competitions for a long time. The Downhill World Cup is held annually and attracts many people who want to participate, as well as just fans of this sport. Professionals who take part in cups of this format more than once have a team of trainers, mechanics, and massage therapists. The results of the races are influenced by the speed of descent, as well as the number of falls during the ride. During such competitions, riders exchange experiences, improve their professionalism, set records and simply enjoy the process. Mini downhill, that is, downhill only on a shorter and less aggressive route, also attracts extreme sports enthusiasts to competitions in various European and Russian cities.

New sensations rule the world. Don’t be afraid to let positive emotions and drive into your life along with downhill! Conquer your own sports peaks!

Every cyclist who lives in a city in the hills knows the area well and has already explored all the routes in search of the path with the least climb. But there are people who get bored when driving on smooth, flat and well-maintained roads. These active people love downhill cycling and sometimes go off the straight path in search of the steepest and longest hill descent. And a difficult climb up a hill will be a serious test for them and a way to avoid problems Everyday life.

When it's a tough day and everything seems depressing, cycling downhill fans don't give up. When it's raining outside and a cold, gusty wind is blowing so strong that even the prospect of leaving the house seems unreasonable, they go all in and have a blast on the hill. The steepest hill becomes best place for the desired workout. And the resulting adrenaline and sense of accomplishment never hurt.

Of course, it is dangerous to go down the slope at a speed of about 60 or even 70 km per hour, but in racing on well-maintained mountain roads, even this is not the limit. If they want to set a record in downhill, athletes sometimes accelerate to speeds of 80 km per hour. What will happen at this speed when falling? Experienced riders can avoid injury with experience and a protective helmet. And on a bicycle, when it hits a sharp stone and then the rider falls, it most often breaks.

Celebrate your victories!

It is clear that the best reward after a long climb is a rapid descent down the mountainside. But you will remember your victory for a very long time and dream of the next race if you stop for a second and enjoy every moment. A short stop at the top is worth a lot, allowing you to calm your breathing in a minute, stretch your shoulders, feel the flow of blood and smile naively, but from the heart. When you fly down, you will remember this moment with peace.

Getting to Know Your Downhill Bike

A downhill bike (also known as a dual suspension mountain bike) has shock absorption on the front wheel and necessarily on the rear wheel. It is designed for descending particularly steep, rocky trails. Unlike a regular mountain bike, the frame of a downhill bike is thick-walled and has large stock strength.

Downhill bikes are very similar due to the wide and durable frame. The frames of these bikes are designed to absorb shock from rocky roads, logs, and jumps. The riding style on these bikes is also very similar.

Compared to lighter, more versatile XC bikes, downhill bikes are heavier and more specialized. A downhill bike is primarily designed for downhill racing. A mountain racer generally does not need to push it up themselves. Sometimes you can use your car or a minibus to transport your bike up the mountain. There are ski lifts on the equipped slopes.

Downhill typically exceeds 34 lb (14 kg), but some modern downhill bikes ski slopes have broken the 30-pound barrier, with the engineering marvel Specialized Demo 8 S-Works, for example, weighing just over 23 pounds or 10 kg. Some of the newest, May 2014, mountain bikes can also be made from carbon to reduce weight by up to 30 pounds, such as the Trek Session 9.9 or Kona Supreme Operator.

Specialized Demo 8 S-Works downhill bike with lightest carbon frame

Design features of downhill bikes

Downhill bikes are usually made of aluminum, but there are also carbon fiber models. They are designed so that their rear suspension travel is within an unrealistically wide range - 7–10 inches (178–254 mm). Front fork compression is also significant at 7–8 inches (178–203 mm). Suspension sag under the rider's weight is much greater than on cross-country bikes (25–50% on a downhill bike versus 10–20% on a full-suspension touring bike). Such a soft suspension is needed to travel over logs and rocks at the highest possible speed.

Basic measurements on a downhill bike frame

Downhill bikes are also distinguished by a very low head tube angle (head tube angle of 66 degrees or less), a long wheelbase (wheel base is more than 45 inches or 1143 mm) and the ability to use very wide tires– up to 3 inches (76.2 mm) with large lugs. Very wide and thick-walled tires are important in order not to lose grip on the road where it is difficult to even stand on your feet.

Chain guide on a downhill bike

Other cool options include 8-inch (203mm) disc brakes and a chain guide to prevent chain flyaways during downhill descents. Another innovation is the use of a OnePointFive stem (one mounting point with five grips), which fits onto a thick 1.5-inch (38mm) diameter head tube rather than the more traditional 1.125-inch (29mm) tube.

Thus, an additional margin of safety and inflexibility of the steering wheel is achieved. The tilt-adjustable handlebar stem allows you to adapt the bike to the preferred riding style of its owner.

Adjustable handlebar angle with five grips

Most downhill bikes have dual-crown front forks, which provide very long travel (typically up to 8 inches or 203 mm). These forks have increased strength that a single crown front strut cannot. The disadvantage of the double crown design is that it has increased weight and a limited turning radius.

How to master downhill?

It's going to be a long struggle to learn how to shift your weight, pedal, and breathe properly on your epic but manageable uphill climb. The subsequent descent is just as difficult, although completely different from the ascent. In general, downhill skills will have to be learned.

In the first rides on a steep descent, every novice cyclist engages the brakes and slowly, jerkily slides down, while their hands sweat and quickly go numb. The ability to move quickly is an important skill that can only be acquired through long practice. Gradually, you will turn faster and faster, modulating your speed, and learn to put the pedals in advance in a position in which your lowered foot will always be on the outside of the turn. It won’t hurt to learn to relax your shoulders and arms before every impact on the road, so as not to damage your spine.

Downhill shifts

Eat good advice, which will help everyone get along with the gearshift on their bike. You need to know that even when going down a hill, you need to downshift slowly but surely, while still pedaling non-stop. On the contrary, you need to switch to a higher speed gear as quickly as possible so as not to pedal in vain and lose precious speed.

Select the optimal gear too slowly, and you will need to change through many sprockets at some point in suddenly changing road conditions. Since the skill of shifting remains in muscle memory, you will be able to fall into a rhythm with the speed of the rear wheel over time. The only way to learn this is to conquer as many hills as possible.

Full control over the brakes

There is a myth that braking on a downhill turn will inevitably lead to a fall. In fact, by lightly braking the rear wheel, you can make a sharp turn on a steep downhill much faster than without using the brakes. This is equivalent to skidding in a car, only more sensitive and controlled. But don't take our word for it, go out and experience it for yourself.

Not using the brakes on a straight line when going downhill is also dangerous because it increases the risk of losing control of the situation. When you urgently need to reduce speed, you will suddenly throw your fingers on the brake levers, and if pressed uncontrollably, they will very quickly jam. In this case, a fall on a steep descent is quite likely. Therefore, always keep control of the brake levers with two fingers.

Don't stop halfway! You need to continue to master cycling downhill: press the pedals, breathe deeply, keep your eyes on the finish line. And go ahead! You can do the same tricks as in this video.

How easy it was to choose a bike thirty years ago! For ordinary consumers, they were simply divided according to age categories– children were bought for children with inflated tires, then the children mastered “Schoolboy”, a little later - “Eaglet” and, finally, everyone switched to “adults”, in the usual or “ladies’” version. Some variety was introduced by folding models or touring bicycles, which, however, were not much different from ordinary ones - “hand” brakes and a small speed shift range.

Nowadays the variety of assortment in bike shops is simply amazing! A huge number of models of a wide variety of categories are presented, differing in their purpose and operating conditions. Mountain bikes, mountain bikes, or MTB for short, are especially popular.

What is a downhill bike? Its varieties

Downhill is a sport that involves more than just extreme sports that anyone can experience. It is a very traumatic and dangerous activity, which a person can do in excellent condition. physical fitness with excellent reaction in critical situations.

A downhill bicycle is not just a means of transportation, it is a faithful assistant and friend, which you need to choose carefully, paying attention to the little things. Downhill bicycles have been around for quite some time, but since the 2000s, sports companies have been closely developing modern models.

It is worth noting that downhill bikes are a type of mountain bike designed for off-road use. Today, the type of mountain bikes can be divided into categories, each of which corresponds to different types of riding and characteristics of the bikes:

1. Bike cross country. This model involves driving not only off-road, but also on completely flat and smooth surfaces. Such bicycles are not equipped with soft seats and baskets for food, but they have several high-speed gears, shock absorbers, and a low seating position to relieve the load on the spine and arms.
2. Downhill bikes differ from classic mountain bikes and cross-country bikes in their massiveness, which is expressed both in the significant weight of the bike and in a powerful frame that can withstand heavy loads. Models of this type of bike are equipped with hard disc brakes, mainly with a hydraulic drive type, which allows increasing the accuracy, strength and speed of braking.

Mountain bikes in their variety are not very different from each other. The type of model is usually influenced by its design. Based on this, mountain bikes are divided into:

• Double-suspension bikes are bikes equipped with two shock absorbers, which seriously complicates the design of the bike, which is reflected in the weight. Front and rear shock absorbers allow you to overcome any obstacles in comfort. A distinctive feature of this type of bike is its price - it is quite high and can reach 100,000 rubles, if you take high-quality models from well-known companies (Ghos, Merida, Scott). There is an analogue of double suspension, the so-called softtail, which implies a lightweight frame, cheap parts that very quickly become unusable due to active use and load. Their price is more acceptable for amateur athletes, which is why these models are most often presented in Russia.
• Hardtails are bikes equipped only with a front shock absorber and a lightweight frame, mostly made of aluminum. Due to this they have less weight and massiveness. This bike is more suitable for well-worn trails rather than rocky, mountainous surfaces, as the rigid frame does not provide the ability to smooth out uneven surfaces. It is not as stable on the road and does not have the same grip as a dual-suspension vehicle.
• Rigids are bikes without a shock-absorbing system, intended for recreational riding. Due to the lack of shock absorbers, riding on mountain slopes on such a bike becomes almost impossible.

There is another type of mountain bike - pedalless bikes. They are chosen only by aerobatics professionals who can handle any steep descents and turns.

Bicycle device

The backbone of any bicycle is its frame. In bicycles of this type it is especially thick and massive. Velorama is often made of aluminum, steel or carbon, which affects the weight of the bike as a whole and its durability.

Frame

Carbon is considered to be the most practical material for a frame; it is not inferior to steel in strength and weight to aluminum. Although its price is significantly higher than its analogues, the buyer will appreciate the benefits received.

The bicycle frame for DH bikes is modified: the head tube has a slight slope, so that the rider can comfortably overcome obstacles on steep descents. This tilt of the steering tube allows you to increase the wheelbase to 114 cm, which makes it possible to install wheels of the largest diameter for comfortable driving.

As for the wheels, a downhill bike should be equipped with wheels with the largest lugs and a large thickness. They allow you to drive along the steepest off-road terrain, where it is impossible to walk even with your feet.

Suspension

The next important component of the bike is the suspension. It happens different types– the most common are four-lever and single-lever. Four-link suspension or FSR (Special lized) means that the rear wheel does not have a constant center of rotation, the rotation path is constantly changing, but in most cases it tends upward. This allows you to reduce the force of impact on hard ground and stones, as well as reduce the load on the joints of your hands. This design allows you to smoothly pass the most difficult sections of the path.

The single-lever suspension is simpler in structure than its previous analogue, but it is less mobile, which is noticeable on steep mountain slopes. In a single-link suspension, the center of rotation of the rear wheel is constant, and the trajectory of the wheel is predictable. This suspension requires the presence of a shock absorber, which prevents the suspension from swaying while driving and pedaling.

When choosing a downhill bike, you need to pay attention not only to the suspension, but also to the number of levers for adjusting the fork and transmission. The more there are, the better, which means that the biker will be able to adjust the bike to suit himself, and not vice versa. In this case, the fork travel should not be less than 20 cm, and the suspension travel should not be more than 20 cm when driving.

Brakes

When choosing a downhill bike, special attention should be paid to the brakes. They must be reliable and provide effective braking without special effort. You will have to choose between two types of drive disc brakes: mechanical and hydraulic. The best solution hydraulics will become: it is more durable, wear-resistant, it has a smoother running of the pad and no backlash.

Hydraulic brakes are also divided into several types: with a four-piston mechanism and with a two-piston mechanism. The best solution, of course, is a four-piston mechanism; it allows you to brake quickly without skidding or swaying.

The cyclist can install all the other bells and whistles on the downhill bike himself and buy them separately from the bike. This will be justified if you practice this sport professionally or amateurly, but very often. The price of a complete mountain bike ranges from 45,000 rubles to 100,000 rubles.

Features of application

Experienced bikers develop their own personal tactics and behavior strategies on different routes. It’s much more difficult for beginners in this business; the first thing you need to start with is customizing the bike for yourself. Handlebar height, seat height, fork travel, tires appropriate for terrain and weather.

When going down steep slopes, do not hold the steering wheel with outstretched arms, they should be bent at the elbows to absorb shock when hitting the ground. On climbs you will have to pedal, mostly while standing; this will be difficult to do while sitting.

When going down rocky terrain, a cyclist should not lean his body against the bicycle; on the contrary, he should try to maintain balance and pull the handlebars slightly towards himself. This is necessary so as not to roll over when hitting rocks or a hard surface.

A fast descent is a “trick” of downhill; if you go down the slopes with the brakes on, you’ll hardly be able to feel the drive. To enjoy this sport, you need to learn to feel the high-speed gears, of which there are at least 10.

Bikers have a little secret: they need to switch to lower speeds hard, smoothly, but confidently, while not stopping pedaling. But you should switch to higher speeds quickly so as not to lose speed and the benefits of continuous pedaling.

Features of choosing a downhill bike

We can summarize all of the above in the form of recommendations for choosing a downhill bike:

1. The bike must be of optimal weight corresponding to the weight of the cyclist (10-12 kg).
2. The best material for the frame is carbon for professional skating, to set a record, shoot video footage (advertising, film) or do a trick. For pleasure riding or training – aluminum.
3. The wheels should not only be thick, they should provide reliable grip on the surface. But tires are not the most important thing; you should also pay attention to the number of spokes in the rim and their strength.
4. The best braking system turns out to be a four-piston one (HopeTech or AvidtCode), but if you don't have enough money, you can get a two-piston one. In this case, choose a model with the largest piston diameter.
5. A four-link suspension will be an excellent solution, but its cost will hit your pocket and the massiveness of the vehicle. As an option, you can consider a two-lever system.

The main thing when choosing a bike is to remember that a bicycle is, of course, a faithful friend and helper, but you only need to rely on yourself and your own strengths.

Mountain biking disciplines

Mountain biking has 10 disciplines, which in turn are divided into subspecies. Let's take a closer look at each of the mountain biking disciplines, its features and equipment.

Bike trial

Bike trials are one of the mountain biking disciplines, the essence of which is to overcome a series of obstacles on a mountain bike. Obstacles in a bicycle trial can be natural or artificial: parapets, stones, logs, boards and others. When overcoming obstacles, you should not rely on your feet, hands or other parts of the body.

Dirt jumping

Dirt jumping is a mountain biking discipline that involves athletes jumping (with performing tricks) on a series of jumps. A bike for dirt jumping is very similar to a BMX: a hardtail with one gear, no suspension fork, no front brake (a necessary condition for performing some tricks), wide pedals, wide tires. This species is very spectacular, so it is very popular.

Straight

Street - extreme skating on city streets and other artificial objects, is currently not a discipline, rather it is a style of skating that is gaining popularity. Street bicycles are distinguished by the fact that the frames and connecting rods of such bicycles are made of steel, for greater strength and “indestructibility” when sliding along railings or in case of accidental falls. For better handling, the wheels are reduced from 26 to 24 inches, and the weight of this bike reaches 14 kg.

Slopestyle

Slopestyle is the performance of a series of acrobatic jumps on springboards, pyramids, counter-slopes, drops, railings and other objects located sequentially along the entire length of the route. Each trick must be performed carefully, accurately and technically correctly, since if you fall, there is a high probability of getting injured and not completing the route. If the reach is large enough, then small freeride bikes are suitable for slopestyle, but if everything is not so scary, then a street bike is suitable.

Cross Country

Cross-country is a men's or women's discipline that is a mountain bike race over rough terrain. The cross-country track contains a large number of descents, long climbs, as well as high-speed and technical sections. Cross country can use both natural and artificial obstacles. In this discipline, a mandatory piece of equipment is a helmet.

Parallel slalom or biker cross

Parallel slalom is a discipline in which 4 racers compete against each other at the same time. Discipline presupposes some contact between athletes, but this contact should not contradict the spirit of fair competition. The race takes place on a specially prepared and expanded downhill track. A slalom bike has an increased distance between the wheels and a lower center of gravity. Attachments are installed with the least weight for better acceleration.

Downhill (downhill)

Downhill is a mountain biking discipline that involves descending a mountain as quickly as possible on a mountain bike. For downhill riding, a bicycle with two shock absorbers and a strong suspension is suitable; the weight of such a bicycle should not exceed 20 kg.

Freeride

Freeride is a mountain biking discipline that involves freely descending a mountain without any tracks or paths at the highest possible speed. This discipline usually uses dual-suspension bicycles, similar in design to downhill bicycles, but varying depending on their purpose. A mandatory piece of equipment is a closed helmet.

Uphill

Uphill is a mountain biking discipline that involves speeding up a slope. A bicycle in this discipline should be as light as possible; a weight of less than 10 kg can be considered ideal.

North Shore

North Shore is a mountain biking discipline, the essence of which is to overcome a certain route with natural and artificially constructed obstacles (narrow winding log bridges and spiral “stairs”, “swings” and even “dead loops”).

We tried to cover the topic as completely as possible, so this information can be safely used when preparing reports on physical education and essays on the topic “Mountain biking”.

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extreme sports

Other sports

For driving around the city...

... designed for city or road bikes:

road bikes (read about them below);

cruiser bikes;

folding city bikes.

The cruiser is unmistakably recognizable: with its entire appearance, this bike hints that you will not be able to ride downhill on it. Its direct purpose: leisurely driving around the city. And the direct task is to pay maximum attention to yourself. You won’t be able to develop high speed on this one - cruisers often weigh a lot (up to 20 kg), and they are hung with everything possible:

mudguards on the front and rear wheels;

trunk;

circuit protection;

wide seat;

heavy wide tires with a beautiful tread pattern;

and even a basket.

Another feature of the cruiser is the royally wide steering wheel (the Schwinn Corvette (2014), for example, is as much as 70 cm!). With such a steering wheel you won’t get stuck in traffic jams (if you’re going to get stuck between cars, then only on a beautiful bicycle?). And, yes, like a road bike, a cruiser bike often has no shock absorption. Pits, bumps - it's all entirely yours!

But some cruisers have a speed switch (7 speeds will be enough to drive up a small hump).

We warn you right away: a heavy bicycle, no matter how beautiful and attractive it is, can be terribly uncomfortable. Not only in terms of getting up to a floor without an elevator, but also in terms of control - more weight means that you will have to apply more effort, in order to direct him somewhere or simply force him to go.

You don't have to be a prodigy to recognize a folding bike either. Such bicycles are useful for those who travel a lot and often with transfers: from a bicycle you jump on an electric train to the city, or often combine another public transport with travel by bicycle.

The frame of a folding bicycle does not have a lower tube, but the upper one is massive and stable. On such a bike you can even roll off the curb - it won’t break, don’t be afraid. Some models are equipped with front and even rear shock absorbers, although more often folding bikes come with a rigid frame.

A folding dual suspension will cost a lot of money, although it promises you a ride without feeling any bumps in the road. Any aggressive driving, other than city riding, is prohibited. So there is no particular point in buying a dual suspension for the city at all - the rear shock absorber significantly adds to the weight of the bike, not to mention 35-40% to the cost of a folding hardtail/rigid. Plus, when riding on a dual-suspension bike around the city, you will not be left with the feeling of “rubbery” when pedaling. Some of the cranking effort will be wasted compressing the rear shock rather than moving it forward. In a word, double suspension in the city - bad idea, and the folding double suspension is twice bad.

The wheel size of folding bicycles varies from 20 to 26 inches, but there are also very tiny ones with 12.5-inch wheels, like the BRIZON Galaxy G1 (all for the sake of compactness; you need to think about ride comfort for each specific model).

For drive fast not only within the city...

...designed for road bikes:

the lightest bicycles (weight up to 10 kg);

the frame is thin and high (the frames of Pro models are ultra-light, carbon);

the steering wheel is lowered and curved, and the seat is decently raised above its level - in this position the cyclist has less resistance to air flows, and therefore rides faster;

Thin, wide wheels have virtually no tread pattern, so you can reach the highest speed on the road with less effort.

Road bikers ride fast - on such a bike you can accelerate to 90 km/h. True, it will cost you long workouts and cycling sessions. So don’t dream about car speeds in the city or in the nearby garden, where there are unused highways. But know this: your bike has great potential!

To please the buyer, who looked askance at the shape and position of the steering wheel, manufacturers made concessions and released the same road bike, but with a straight steering wheel (they called it a hybrid road bike, get used to the word “hybrid” - there are a lot of them).

A road bike hybrid, in short:

straight steering wheel;

The seat is lowered a little lower;

rubber 28 mm (standard 23 mm).

Is this bike comfortable? For some, naturally, yes. But only a hater of the curved steering wheel will take the hybrid instead of the original model.

On a road bike you cannot:

Riding over potholes, dirt and other less than perfectly flat surfaces will damage your butt and the bike itself. Highways have no shock absorption. None at all, because you will feel every hump and pothole on your way.

It is also forbidden to fall recklessly or drop a bicycle - even a fall from a high parapet can be fatal for a thin, light frame, which is simply not designed for such tests.

For driving without smooth roads

Smooth asphalt without potholes is, of course, cool, but... where have you seen this? If a parquet cruiser is not about your city at all, then it’s better to look at hybrid bicycles with MTB bikes, or at pure MTBs, of which there have been a proliferation of such bikes in Russia lately.

The logic is simple: since such a bicycle rides through the forest, where there are basically no roads, it means it can travel through the city without roads!

MTBs come in two types:

hardtail;

double suspension

The difference between them is that a hardtail only has front shock absorber(on the fork), the heel is hard. Hence the name: hard - hard, tail - tail. But a dual-suspension system has two shock absorbers - front and rear, and this adds incredible amounts of money to the cost of the bike.

A hardtail is a universal bike; you can ride it both through the forest and around the city. Dual suspension is designed for more aggressive riding - for rapid descents or riding over rough terrain.

If you have never ridden anything before, there is no point in buying a double-suspension bike right away - they are very expensive, and are not suitable for “just try to ride” bicycles. These are purchased by cyclists who know exactly what they want and what components it should be made of, so they are willing to pay $1000+ for the purchase. Do you see a dual suspension cheaper than this mark? Here is a dummy that is unable to provide a comfortable ride. Sit down, try to ride such a bike - and you will understand everything yourself.

The design of a mountain bike is designed to overcome obstacles and “swallow” holes/potholes on the road (including through shock absorption). Due to the rough rubber with an expressive tread, the MTB can be ridden on both dirt and asphalt. Are both available in your city? Wonderful! Here it is - your purchase!

Cruiser

Let's start with the most popular segment - city, or road, bikes. Specifically, a cruiser is a bike in the classical sense of the word, designed for leisurely riding around the city. If there is something more sedate and suitable for the city, it is a subcompact hatchback. You won’t be able to develop great speed on this one due to its luxurious weight (up to 20 kg), but this beauty will always be able to attract attention.

It is literally covered with various bells and whistles, which, on the one hand, serve a good purpose in the urban space, and on the other hand, they just make the already massive frame heavier. There are mudguards on the front and rear wheels, and a trunk, which was so fun to ride on as a child, and seven speeds, and chain protection, and a wide, comfortable seat, as well as wide, healthy tires with an aggressive tread pattern.

But the main distinguishing feature is the wide and spreading steering wheel, like bull horns.

On the one hand, it’s a comfortable fit, but on the other hand, it’s a strong disadvantage to the bike’s cross-country ability. With such a steering wheel, it is difficult to pass by cars without hitting the side window. But if you can get used to the cross-country ability and eventually get the hang of handling, then nothing can be done about the disgusting shock absorption, and considering bumps and holes as your soft spot is not a pleasant experience.

Still, the cruiser is far from being a comfortable bike. It is difficult to carry it up the stairs in a house without an elevator, it takes up a lot of storage space and, to be honest, is very inconvenient to manage. Of course, you can get used to it, twist everything unnecessary in order to somehow alleviate your fate and its weight, but this will only add new problems. But if your credo is a leisurely ride, and your home has a lot of storage space, then choose without hesitation.

Folding bicycle

A real salvation for those whose journey somewhere requires transfers. As a rule, the more transfers, the lighter and more compact the folding bike. The principle of operation is as simple as a bicycle spoke: a latch on the frame is pushed back, and the bicycle is folded in half, wheel to wheel. The frame of a folding bicycle does not have a lower tube, but the upper one is massive and stable. Many people think that this very foldability makes it fragile and short-lived. But in fact, they are just as durable as their other counterparts. The frame is strong enough not to fall apart when falling from a high hill or onto a barrier.

Another advantage of such vehicles is depreciation, although it is not found on all models. However, the rear shock absorber significantly adds to the weight of the bike, not to mention 35-40% to the cost. Plus, when riding on a dual-suspension vehicle around the city, you will not leave the feeling of “rubbery” when pedaling. Some of the cranking effort will be wasted compressing the rear shock rather than moving it forward. Increasingly, manufacturers of such bikes think about compactness, and only then remember such a thing as comfort. So its huge cost does not pay off at all.

Road bike

Lightweight and durable, with a thin, tall frame that some even make from carbon. An elegant model whose lowered and curved handlebars captivates everyone who is planning to buy a bicycle to start driving healthy image life.

This is a bike for speed and speed only. Even the famous handle is curved for a reason: in this position, the cyclist has less resistance to air flow, and therefore rides faster.

Professionals accelerate it to 90 km/h. The average amateur is far from reaching such figures, but in any case it is more convenient and faster than a cruiser.

True, a curved steering wheel is not convenient for everyone, which is why manufacturers have released a hybrid with a straight handle.

But with all the charms and ease of a road bike

Uneven surfaces are completely contraindicated for it. It has no shock absorption, and the sensations are so unpleasant that you don’t even want to remember them.

In addition, it is very fragile. If a folding rider falls from a high curb like water off a duck's back, for a road biker this fall can be fatal.

For off-road driving

A completely logical question arises: what to do if there are no smooth roads in the city? For this purpose, MTB bikes were created, which are gaining more and more popularity every year. They come in two types: – hardtail; – double suspension.

A hardtail has only a front shock absorber (on the fork), the back is rigid; The dual-suspension system has two shock absorbers - front and rear. That, in fact, is the whole difference, you just need to clarify once again that each pendant costs a lot of money.

Both hardtail and dual suspension are designed for aggressive riding and rapid descents over rough terrain. These are the designs found in mountain bikes. There is a significant difference between them. The more daring and unbridled dual suspension is most often chosen by professionals. It can’t be cheap, and taking it just to ride is, at the very least, disrespectful to professionals. It's better to take a cheaper hardtail.

Hybrid bikes

For those who can’t make a choice, engineers helped a lot by one day creating hybrid models. The dream of those who wanted to combine the cross-country ability of a mountain bike and the speed of a road bike has come true. This is how comfortable lightweight cruisers and rugged road bikes emerged. Some went further and attached an electric motor to a simple bike. This, by the way, is also a kind of hybrid, similar to cars that have a hybrid engine hidden under their hoods.

It is simply impossible to separate it into a separate group and give some more accurate description; everything depends solely on the imagination of the designer. Let's just say one thing: don't be scared by this strange name, just find out about its characteristics and relate it to your needs.

Stunt bikes

A huge layer of bicycles, the demand for which has been steadily growing upward for 20 years, are stunt bicycles. Perhaps the most famous representative is BMX, the choice of aggressive and reckless stuntmen. Even more desperate guys choose trial bikes that don't even have a seat. But you can waddle to your destination with their help. A dirt bike is not at all for riding, but rather for soaring high in the air, for downhill - for descending along harsh off-road terrain straight to the foot of the mountain in a minute.

Of course, you should only take them if you diligently and painstakingly learn the basics of extreme cycling. Buying them for your son as a first bicycle is simply a challenge to common sense, because for their price you can buy a lot of useful things. This is due to two long-stroke shock absorbers, a heavy frame, wide tires and reliable disc brakes.

Spare parts

Now let’s take a look at some of the specific bike parts that you need to pay attention to before purchasing. Of course, if you buy an expensive bike for 70,000, or even 25,000, then you don’t need to worry about choosing brakes. But this knowledge certainly cannot be called superfluous.

Frame

Frames are made from aluminum, steel and carbon. In terms of the ratio of frame strength and weight, it is better to take aluminum, which, thanks to modern technological processes, can take absolutely any shape. Alas, it is not as strong as steel, which is not subject to deformation and is ready to last forever. The disadvantages of steel are, firstly, that it is heavy, and secondly, that it absorbs speed. As for carbon fiber, it is used to make the lightest bicycles.

Fork

There are several types of forks: – spring; – spring-elastomer; – air; – oil-air (low pressure/high pressure); – oil-spring.

However, most often you have to choose between a spring and an air fork. Here you can focus, for example, on your weight: for a heavy cyclist, air forks are more suitable, for a light rider, spring forks are also suitable.

The fork has another criterion called “Stroke Length”. Each bike has its own length. – short-travel (25 mm) forks: city, recreational bicycles; – regular (50-75 mm): MTB bikes, city bikes and bicycles for tourism; – medium (75-125 mm): MTB bikes, bikes for aggressive riding style, tourism and sometimes for racing; – long-travel (125-300 mm): dual-suspension bikes and downhill bikes.

Wheels

In general, everything is very clear with wheels. If you are not assembling a bike from parts, then there is nothing to worry about. In good expensive bicycles install wheels that suit your driving style. Large wheels will help you quickly develop speed, while a smaller wheel diameter will give the bike maneuverability and reduce its size. So, on road bikes they are 28 inches, and on city bikes they are from 20 to 26. Tires need to be selected according to the design. The more aggressive and deeper it is, the easier the tires will move the dirt. But driving them on smooth asphalt is a real pain. For the city, as well as for the highway, they take slicks - tires without a pattern.

Shifters, cassettes, sprockets

Gear shift mechanisms, known as shifters, are divided into two categories: Rapid Fire - one lever increases the speed, the other decreases it, while the hand on the steering wheel does not change its position, the switches are always under your fingers. Rapid fires are more convenient, but fragile.

Sprockets come in different diameters and in different quantities, which characterizes the bike. But an unpleasant principle works with cassettes: the more expensive, the better. The most durable and expensive ones - titanium - may not be affordable for everyone, so it’s better to fork out for steel ones, much better than aluminum ones.

What are mountain bikes for?

Although all mountain bike models are united by the word “mountain,” their scope of application is very diverse. Before choosing a specific bike, you need to clearly decide: “Why do I need an MTB?”

If everything is limited to the desire to show your friends how “cool” you are, and you plan to ride on city roads, then you shouldn’t spend money, because a good mountain bike is not a cheap thing.

So, the areas of application of a mountain bike:

• Extreme descent from mountain slopes: downhill - on a prepared track, or freeride - descent on the off-road.
• Cross-country is high-speed cycling over rough terrain.
• Street – extreme cycling and overcoming artificial obstacles in urban conditions.
• All mountain is something between cross-country and downhill, flat and mountain off-road.
• Cycling tourism, combining on-road and off-road riding. For this purpose, so-called hybrid models are used, which combine the structural strength and cross-country ability of MTB with the good performance of road bikes.
• Dirt - aerial bicycle acrobatics, performing tricks while jumping from one or more springboards.
• Trial - overcoming a wide variety of difficult obstacles to ensure the “purity” of performance.

The last two of the listed areas of application of bicycles require, rather, not mountain bikes, but BMX models that have a number of specific design features.

So, having decided on the purpose of purchasing a mountain bike, you can move on to choosing a model based on specific parameters.

You can also read about how and where to store your bike in winter on our website.

About unusual species winter extreme sports read on this page. Drytooling, snowskut, snowkayaking and others...

Wheels, brakes

A mountain bike requires increased loads, so the strength of the wheels and the reliability of the brakes are prerequisites.

As a rule, most mountain bikes are equipped with 26-inch wheels (the exception is hybrid models, where the wheel diameter can be 28 inches). The rubber is “aggressive” or moderately aggressive, with pronounced tread grips.

If it is expected that a significant part of the use will still take place on highways, it is better to purchase semi-slick tires, otherwise the “evil” tires on the track will drain the cyclist’s strength without any visible benefit. Maybe, if finances allow, it makes sense to purchase replacement kits and make your MTB all-terrain.

You definitely need to pay attention to the rims. If they are made of steel, it is better to politely refuse immediately - they are heavy, short-lived, and susceptible to corrosion. The main material for this part of the wheels is aluminum alloys. You can find anodized rims - they are somewhat more expensive than usual, they are easily recognized by their black color.

You shouldn’t skimp - it’s better to immediately buy a double rim - it’s much stronger, can withstand heavy loads, and it’s much more difficult to earn a “8” on it.

There is controversy regarding the choice of brakes. Some strongly recommend using rim ones, the old fashioned way, while there are ardent supporters of disc ones. Both have their advantages and disadvantages.

• Rim brakes are easier to repair and operate, but are much more susceptible to the influence of dirt and water, which is not uncommon when driving on rough terrain. They sharply lose their effectiveness if the wheel “caught a figure eight”. In addition, with them the rim wears out faster, and during intense frequent braking it can become very hot. If the choice is made in their favor, then these should be v-brake - brakes with parallel pad travel (not pliers or cantilever).
• Disc brakes are increasingly replacing rim brakes, having a number of advantages. They have good braking efficiency, better sensitivity to the amount of force applied to the brake lever, they are not afraid of weather, have a long service life, do not wear out the rim and are not sensitive to its deformation. Disadvantages: slightly greater weight, price, risk of damage to the brake disc, or the wheel falling off an obstacle.

The brake drive can be mechanical, via a cable, or hydraulic. As a rule, only hydraulic discs are installed on downhill, freeride and trials bikes.

When regular cycling is no longer impressive and you want to try something new, you can join one of the extreme directions. Among the most popular are street, trial, downhill and freeride. Depending on the chosen riding category, you will need an extreme bike that matches it. It is the correctly selected vehicle model that will help achieve stunning results.

Bikers: who they are and where they ride

Cyclists riding in one of the most extreme species cycling, call themselves bikers or riders, and their transport - a bike. Riding extreme mountain bikes, they perform the most difficult tricks or conquer almost impassable trails, arousing the admiration and respect of like-minded people.

To achieve victory, you need to train a lot, practicing tricks, increasing your level physical training and endurance, load muscles that are practically not used in everyday life. Success in your style increases self-esteem, increases your adrenaline levels and is simply fun.

To successfully demonstrate your abilities in the chosen direction, you will need an extreme bicycle. This is not a simple and familiar two-wheeled friend, but a radically new means of transportation and self-expression.

• dual suspension mountain bikes;
• hardtail - a type of mountain bike;
• BMX models.

Double suspensions are usually used to overcome steep descents, potholes, and difficult trails outside the city in the Down Hill and Freeride categories.

Hardtails are well suited for performing tricks in the disciplines of street and dirt jumping - within the city or on specially equipped areas.

BMX bicycles are used for trial and street riding, using natural or artificial obstacles in the form of parapets, stairs, railings, roofs and other things.

There are other extreme categories that require special bicycles - extreme mountain bikes. These are flatland, north shore, slopestyle, slow slalom, dual slalom, drop ping and other varieties that are distinguished by a high level of skill in performing tricks and overcoming obstacles.

What kind of extreme bike do you need outside the city?

Dangerous turns, hills, rocks, tree roots and many other obstacles are overcome by downhill and freeride riders. Moreover, the latter ride in even more difficult conditions, conquering new, unexplored routes.

Racing bikes used in such rides must have:

• shock absorber rear and front,
• powerful tires with large treads,
• suspension travel from 150 mm and above,
• large diameter rotors,
• powerful double-crown fork,
• reinforced steering glasses,
• small paws for changing speeds;
• special frame geometry.

Whether you're going over potholes or racing downhill at full speed, you need to be confident in the reliability of your bike's frame. Therefore, the material used for its manufacture must be of high quality, regardless of weight.

Racing bikes for the city street

Certain elements of the urban landscape that are of interest to streeters and trialists, as well as special areas created for dirt jumpers and BMX riders to practice mind-blowing tricks, will help you conquer special racing bikes. After all, riders will have to perform a variety of acrobatic stunts, using all their dexterity.

For a biker practicing jumping on roofs, canopies, benches, and jumping to meter heights in Trial style, you need an extreme mountain bike that has:

• small frame
• hard fork
• good brakes
• long stem.

Streeters who perform small jumps, somersaults and other acrobatic tricks choose an extreme bike with a low frame, spring or rigid fork. The saddle should be low or absent altogether.

BMX bikes are large, used for complex tricks, and have small wheels - from 20 inches. They also bounce very well and have no brakes. These features help to perform complex acrobatic figures as successfully as possible.

What is better for a beginner to choose?

To choose a suitable extreme mountain bike, you need to decide which specific style you are most passionate about. After all, each direction has its own characteristics, which are taken into account by bicycle manufacturers.

If it’s still difficult to choose a specific style, then you can opt for a middle-class hardtail. In addition to buying a good bike, you can consider the option of purchasing second-hand - more experienced riders who have outgrown the old model often sell it.

Having bought an extreme bike, you can start mastering simple tricks, gradually improving their skills. When training starts, it will immediately become clear in which direction you want to develop. In addition, the bike can be upgraded in the future by selecting more components high level and, accordingly, better quality.

For a pro, a steep slide is practically vertical wall. For an ordinary mountain biker with an average level of skill, this is a slope from which it seems unrealistic to ride down, especially when you stand and look at it from above. Regardless of these two points of view, the descent technique is the same in both cases. Our tips will help you, even beginners, master the basic techniques of downhill. But first we need to destroy some famous myth...

Learn to use the front brake
A little physics. Every time you use the brakes (whether rear or front), due to inertia, weight shifts from the rear wheel to the front. This means that the harder you brake, the less effective the rear brake is. When you brake while riding your bike down a mountain, the weight transfer from the rear wheel is enhanced by the angle of each particular descent. In this case, the rear wheel is almost unloaded and has minimal contact with the surface, unlike the front wheel, which receives almost the entire load. In this position, even a very small force from pressing one finger on the brake lever can completely lock the rear wheel. This is where the myth is born.

Contrary to what most of us learned from childhood “don’t use the front brake, otherwise you’ll fly over the steering wheel,” practice says the opposite. Have you noticed that on some bikes the front brake disc is larger than the rear? This is explained by the fact that when braking, 70-80% of the load falls on the front wheel. The front brake is designed to slow down the downward movement of the bicycle, i.e. to brake. The rear one serves mainly to restrain the rear wheel during hard braking and improve handling when cornering. Anyone who tells you otherwise - your dad, the store clerk, or even some top rider - is sadly mistaken.

It is impossible to master downhill techniques without learning how to properly use the front brake. Motorcycle trialists who, without a doubt, have the best technology descent on two wheels, have mastered this technique to such an extent that they can stop and balance on one front wheel on the edge of an abyss. They will tell you that trying to control your descent speed with just the rear brake is no smarter than dragging a piece of concrete behind your bike on a rope. Front brake for stopping, rear brake for control. Do you remember?
Dragging a locked rear wheel down a hill or singletrack is stupid. When can you drive on locked wheels? This technique is designed for descending sand dunes or deep snow.

Short creepers
Naturally, it’s best to start practicing downhill racing small. Find a suitable steep slope of about 4-10 meters - not washed out or broken, with an even slope. It is important that there is enough braking space at the end (about 12-15 meters of level ground) so that you can stop after you have run out of steam.
We assume that you have already mastered using the front brake. Now your task will be to press the brakes so as to drive down the descent at walking speed (4-5 km/h).

You should try to move the center of gravity back, but not too far, so as not to unnecessarily unload the front wheel. As you approach the edge, try to lower your body in relation to the bike - bend your legs and move back. This position will allow you to control the speed, and it is also the most favorable for rolling out.

If the descent is large enough, you will only be able to control your speed for the first couple of meters. Focus your gaze about three meters in front of you. As the grade gets steeper and the speed increases, you need to ease up on the brakes to allow the wheels to spin, and naturally, the more you ease up on the brakes, the faster you'll go downhill. About halfway through your descent, move your gaze to a flat section of the rollout and release the brakes completely. The ability to “let go” in time is the key to success during such extreme exercises.

Move to the middle of the bike before you roll out. At this point you should straighten up, but under no circumstances apply the brakes until you are completely down the hill on a flat surface.

Turn around, look at the slide and repeat what you just did. It is important to drive over the top edge as slowly as possible, using the brakes to keep the speed away without locking up the wheels. Then release the brakes to ride the last part of the journey without losing control of the bike. Practice your braking skills, each time trying to increase the distance you can travel on the brakes before releasing them. When you have the courage, try the opposite: release the brakes earlier, until you can drive the entire descent without them. Wow!

"Banana descent" - vertical
The vertical slope is perhaps the scariest and at the same time the easiest descent. Before you try to slide down, you need to examine his feet. Look for a drop of 2.5 to 3 meters (about twice the length of your bike). Make sure there is a smooth rollout ( safe passage from vertical to horizontal should be three times the radius of your wheel). Check that the drop at the top is not too sharp, and that there is no bump in the middle of the slope. Both can throw your bike over your head - which, as you know, is not good. If the “topic” suits you, climb up - and forward... or rather, down...

Slowly drive over the edge. When the front wheel is already at the bottom and the rear one is just starting to roll over the edge, completely release the brakes! It would be useful to remind you: you cannot touch the brakes until you are on level ground! When you go completely over the edge, your wheels may still be touching the ground, but you will actually fall to the rollout point.

Key moment. Since there is no time to change your body position and prepare for the rollout-landing, you must stay low in the middle of the bike. If you feel like you're diving over the edge with your bike in slow motion, you've found the right position. If you lean too far back, the bike may shoot out from under you on landing. You might break your tailbone.

For a split second you will feel weightless, and then you will meet the rollout. Keep your arms and legs strong and only brake when both wheels are on level ground.

This warning will help prevent injury. If you panic as you go over the edge, be prepared to go all the way. Rear wheel may jump, and you will think that you are about to collapse, but hold the steering wheel tightly and, we repeat once again, see the job through to the end. The rollout will automatically straighten your bike.

If you loosen your grip on the handlebars or try to jump off the bike, you'll hit the ground first with your head, risking injury to your spine, and to top it all off, your faithful bike will hit you in the skull. Here it would be useful to remind you of the benefits of a helmet.

Long, technical downhill
No biker should attempt a long, technical downhill ride until he has honed his skills on short descents. And even then you should do it with extreme caution.

Beginner downhillers slam on the brakes and slide helplessly through technical sections, and then spin on easier sections of the route (here we do not mean high-speed sections). Experienced riders do exactly the opposite. The key to successfully navigating a long technical section of a downhill course is to hold your speed as much as possible so that when the situation calls for you to let off the brakes, you're not running at the speed of light, out of control of the bike and your movement. So, listen to our advice:

Stop at the edge of the slope and look at it. Divide the first 45-50 meters into two groups: steep, technical sections (here you may need to release the brakes to get over rocks/boulders or vertical drops); sections are less challenging and relatively flat where you have enough grip to brake effectively.

Move back slightly and lean over the bike to lower your center of gravity and ensure consistent pressure on the front tire (ground contact area). You will need maximum stopping power from the front brake. Make sure that the wheels rotate, otherwise you will not be able to control the bike in unexpected situations.

The scheme for continuing the technical section is as follows: choose the exit point before you drive up; as soon as you see what is there, beyond the edge, determine the safe rollout below. Use the brakes as long as they are effective, then gradually release them until you reach rollout.

You'll quickly discover that the best route down a steep mountain is the straightest line possible, even if it's over a couple of boulders or holes. The more turns you make on a slope, the more likely you are to fall off your bike. Adapt to the situation. If you go off course, it is better to direct the bike towards the intended rollout than to change the trajectory of movement already in the process of descent. A steep slide is nothing more than a controlled fall. Entry and exit points are very important here.

Remember the Scottish proverb: "He who fled the battlefield lived to fight the next battle."

There is no dishonor in walking an area that you are not yet ready for today - even pro freeriders skip tricks for the same reason. Remember: the bike can still be replaced, but you cannot!