Mountain Bike Suspension Systems
Written by: dreamerneon
Ever wonder what helps minimize the shock and jolts that you go through every time you put yourself under the torture and thrills of Mountain Biking? It's called the Suspension System, and it's a load of help in ensuring that you and your bike are still in decent shape after battling it out with the elements.
What exactly is a Mountain Bike's Suspension System? In simple terms, it is a system which suspends the rider and parts or the entire bike for the purpose of minimizing the effects of riding on rough terrain. A Suspension System is most commonly employed on Mountain Bikes as they are exposed to some of the world's roughest biking locations; sometimes though, both hybrid and road bicycles utilize it, too.
Suspension Systems are commonly chosen based on the type of rider you are and the kind of mountainous terrain in which you're planning to use the bicycle. The best ones combine two main components: the suspension part and the damping part. The suspension keeps the rider suspended, while the damping functions as a shock absorber. The general classifications of Suspension Systems are as follows:
- Front suspension - Bicycles with this type of suspension usually have a set of shock absorbers at the front fork, which in turn is attached to the front wheel.
- Dual suspension - This type provides the bike with suspension at both its front and rear sections, giving the rider maximum control over very advanced terrains.
Although rigid bikes or those bikes with no form of suspension whatsoever are still available for riders who prefer to ride old school style, it is highly advisable to buy a bike which has a form of suspension in it. Suspension Systems give the rider more control over the movements of the bicycle even when in extremely rough areas, because they allow the wheels to be on the ground while absorbing the impact of the terrain. Another advantage of having a Suspension System is that the impact your body has to endure while riding is lessened dramatically, because instead of your body wholly getting the brunt of the terrain's beatings, the Suspension System actually takes the impact away from you. This would result to the rider being able to ride longer and faster because the body does not have to contend with the extra physical stress of battling with the challenges of the landscape.
Proper maintenance of your Mountain Bike's Suspension System is a must for it to function at full potential. The rule is simple - just make sure that your bike’s Suspension System is always clean, and you’re good to go.
|
|
|
|
|
Basics & Backgrounds
in Dutch
Home
Print Article
Email Article
Comment on Article
Write New Article
Search Articles
