Cross Country Mountain Biking

  
Cross country mountain biking is cross country at
its finest.  Where free riders and downhill bikers
use four wheel bikes and ski lifts to get them to
their destination, cross country bikers get to 
the top of the mountain by the ride.  Though free
riding is very popular, the life vein of the sport
has always been cross country biking.

Just as cross country riders are a different breed,
the bikes they ride are as well.  The cross country
bike is completely different in many ways from other
types of mountain riding bikes.  The premise for 
cross country riders is speed.  Everything about
their bikes revolve with the idea of making the
bikes faster and faster.

Bikes used in cross country mountain biking can
be fully rigid frame, hardtails, or even full
suspension frames.  Through the years, the cross
over to full suspension has become very popular.

The weight difference between free ride bikes and
cross country bikes are considerable.  You'll be
extremely hard pressed to find a bike that weighs 
more than 24 pounds, and even that weight can be
heavy.  Free ride bkes weigh close to 40 pounds,
which makes the difference in weight pretty close.

If you've never tried cross country mountain biking,
you'll probably find it to be a break from the
ordinary.  Even though this type of biking involves
trails, it's normally the type of terrain that 
beginners wouldn't want to ride.  Involving hills
and rough terrain, cross country biking offers 
quite the rush.

For mountain bikers everywhere, cross country is
the way to go.  It offers you a new assortment of
bikes, new areas to bike, and a new twist to 
mountain biking as you know it.  If you've been
looking for a mountain biking rush, cross country 
mountain biking is what you need to be experiencing.

Maryjane Angelo

9 Types Of Mountain Biking

Mountain Biking

As a sport or a hobby, mountain biking can be split

into 9 different categories.  These categories are

very versed in what they offer.  They are:

1. BMX

BMX is a style where the bikes offer 20 inch wheels.

These bikes are commonly used at skate parks or

with dirt jumps.  Because of their smaller wheels

and shorter wheel bases, BMX bikes are much easier

to perform tricks and stunts with.

2. Cross country

This type of mountain biking involves riding your

bike up and down hills.  Although it's the least

extreme form of mountain biking, most cross country

riders are very fit and go on long rides. 

3. Cyclo cross

This is a cross between road and mountain biking.

These riders have to go over obstacles, cross through

rivers, and race on and off the course.

4. Dirt jumping

Dirt jumping involves jumping the bike over large

man made dirt jumps then doing tricks while they

are in the air.These jumps are normally close

together so riders can go over six or more jumps

in one run, gaining a flow to give them more 

speed for bigger jumps.

5. Downhill

Downhill mountain biking involves racing downhill

as fast as possible.This type of riding is very

intense and extreme, offering riders the chance 

for ultimate thrills and excitement.

6. Freeride

Free riding involves finding the perfect line down

the mountain using all of the terrain to express

yourself.These competitions are very popular, 

as riders can express themselves any way they see fit.

7. Single speed

No to be confused with fixed gears, this is a form

of cross country biking that's done using a bike

with only one gear and fewer components.The idea with single speed is simplicity.

The straight chain line will provide efficient pedaling, and the lack of components mean less

mechanical problems and a lighter bike.

8. Street and urban

This type of riding involves riding in urban areas,

ledges, and other types of man made obstacles.  

Riders of street and urban biking will do tricks

as well, such as stalls and grinds.

9. Trails 

Trials are considered an aspect of mountain biking, 

although the bikes used look nothing like mountain bikes. 

They use 20 or 26 inch wheels and sport 

small, low frames.  Trail riders will hop and 

jump their bikes over obstacles, which requires

an extreme amount of balance and concentration.

Maryjane Angelo