Bicyclemania Grass root trail & mountain bike riding <> Buy a cycling trail ..... You'll not get lost again <>

1 The Saddle:

The saddle is the most important contact point of the bike, get that wrong and you will know about it. If you are going to do a lot of miles then a good quality gel saddle is best for the job. However if you are only going short distances than a race saddle should do.

2 The V Brakes:

They are now standard on all non - disc mountain bikes. V-brakes are a massive improvement over the old style cantilevers. And some, even rival weaker disc brakes for stopping power. Hardtail mountain bike

3 The Rear Mech:

Or you can call it the rear derailleur, as it derails the chain from one sprocket to another. Available mostly in 8 & 9 speeds.

4 The Front Mech:

As with the rear derailleur, the front Mech can also shift the chain from one ring to another on the chain-set or commonly called the crank.

5 The Chain-set:

The chain-set / crank acts as a lever to transfer pedalling motion into forward motion. The standard length on mountain bikes is 175mm.

6 The Chain:

The power generated in the crank is transferred to the back wheel via the chain. Mountain bike chains come in two versions 8 & 9 speed, the latter being slightly narrower.

7 The Pedals:

Whether resin or alloy bodied, flat pedals make a good starting point for the novice mountain biker. Toe clips can be added to increase pedalling efficiency, but most riders searching for performance go for Spd's and they are also becoming increasingly popular.

8 Suspension Fork:

Most hard-tails around the £400 mark come with suspension forks, and if you plan to do some proper off-road riding you will need them. Heavier than rigid forks, but for the extra control and comfort they offer. The additional weight is not a problem for most bikers.

Hardtail mountain bike

9 The Tyres:

Most bikes come fitted with general use tyres as standard. Fat tyres with big knobbles give increased grip but generate more resistance, while thinner tyres offer less traction but roll better.

10 The Wheels:

Wheels comprise of three components; rims, spokes, and hubs. A quality hand-built set of wheels can really transform a bike.

11 The Headset:

This is the bearing system that the steering assembly rotates on. Most bikes now come with thread-less systems know as Ahead sets.

12 The Stem:

The handlebar stem determines the reach and the rise of the handlebars. There are two types available; Ahead set and quill, with quill stems only being found on bikes sub-£200.

13 The Bars:

Handlebars are either flat (Straight bar) or come with a slight rise (Riser bar). Aluminium is preferred as the material because it is light and strong. Cheaper bikes come with steel bars, while the top end bikes usually have carbon-fibre bars.

14 The Shifters:

Twist shift or thumb shifters, it's very much a personal thing. Grip shifters are ideal for beginners because they are easy to use and you don't take your hands off the handlebar. While thumb shifters isolate the shifter from the grip, reducing the chances of accidental shifting.

What basic things do I need from a fork?. Regardless of the spring medium Usually air or steel coil spring any suspension fork worthy of off - road abuse should have oil damping with rebound adjustment. External rebound is preferable, but as long as it's adjustable, the fork can be tuned to the rider's weight and riding style. Other adjustments are just a bonus.	Do I need a travel adjuster?. Travel adjusters are not essential but they are the future. Basically, they allow you to customize the geometry of the bike: less travel / steeper head angle for climbing, longer travel / slacker head angel for down-hills. A fork with a travel adjuster will also enable riders with full suspension bikes to accurately dial in the match to the front and rear of the bike.

Mid priced Hardtail or cheap full suspension?. If you are on a tight budget the chance's are you will probably get a much better hard-tail for your money. A cheap full suspension bike is a world away from a top dollar one. The cheaper ones are a lot more heavy and no doubt unreliable too.	Which makes a better frame, Aluminium or Steel?. The majority of modern mountain bikes are made from various grades of aluminium, it's light, non corrosive and cheap to work with. Steel frames are still available, but have been knocked down to cheaper bikes or high end custom built hard-tails Carbon fibre and thermoplastic bikes are becoming more popular now too.

What about a lockout?. O.K. but again not essential. If you do a lot of road riding, then a lockout is the best thing to have on your bike, especially if there are hills involved. Other than that, you are better off with a well adjusted active suspension fork.	How much travel do I need?. About 2" to 4" for a X/C bike riding and 4" to 6" for a free-ride biking and 6" to 8" for downhill riding, If it has lockout all the better.