Повідомлення foxman » 4.5.06 11:56
Types of Mountain Biking
For the most part, mountain biking can be split into nine different categories:
BMX Or Bicycle Motocross is a bike with 20 inch wheels, and used commonly at a skate parks or on dirtjumps. Because of the smaller wheels and short wheelbase, BMX bikes are easier to perform tricks and stunts on.
Cross Country is just going out and riding your bike up and down hills. It's the least extreme form of mountain biking, but most XC riders will be very fit, and go on long rides. XC riders generally prefer to keep at least one wheel on the ground.
CycloCross is a cross between road and mountain biking. Riders have to go over obstacles, cross rivers, and race on off-road courses and on road.
Dirt jumping is jumping the bike over large man made dirt jumps and then doing tricks while they are in the air. The jumps are built close together so that the rider will go over about six or so jumps in one run, gaining a flow to give them more speed to do a bigger jump.
Downhill is generally racing bikes downhill as fast as possible. Obviously, it would still be downhill if it were not in competition, but most people would consider that to be leaning more towards freeride. In general, it is the custom to either be shuttled to the top in a vehicle, walk the bike (hike a bike), or carried by a ski lift as opposed to pedaling to the top of the trail.
Freeride is finding the perfect line down the mountain using all the available terrain to express yourself. Freeride or freestyle competitions are becoming more popular where a riders line and ability to negotiate obstacles are awarded points by a series of judges.
Single Speed not to be confused with fixed gear, is form of XC mountain biking that is done using a bike that has only one gear (approx. 2:1 ratio) and generally fewer components. The idea is simplicity. The straight chain line provides efficient pedaling. Fewer components means fewer mechanical problems and a lighter weight bike.
Street/Urban riding consists of riding in urban areas, riding on ledges and other man made obstacles. Riders will do tricks as well as stalls and grinds.
Trials is considered to be part of mountain biking, although the bikes look almost nothing like mountain bikes. They use either 20" or 26" wheels and have very small, low frames. Riders will hop and jump their bikes over obstacles, generally urban. This requires an excellent sense of balance.
