Off-road cycling is as old as cycling itself, but it’s not until the 1970s that specialist mountain bike manufacture really took off. The core of any bike is the frame and this is an area that has been subjected to some of the biggest changes to ensure it is fit for purpose.

Major changes in bikes component production make riding more pleasurable than ever. So you can take on more demanding terrain, harder rides and thanks to the advancement in safety equipment take on much more dangerous descents.

Gears
Take as much of the strain away from your legs with up to 27 gears on many mountain bikes.

Suspension
Your bike’s suspension lets you tackle those tricky obstacles with less effort and more control. As a minimum your bike will come fitted with front suspension which is great for bumpy downhill tracks. A full suspension bike provides greater control, comfort and agility when the ground is bumpy and rocky – but probably isn’t needed if you only plan to cycle on light tracks.

Frames
Your bike is literally built around the frame and as your bikes gets put through its paces, so does your frame. This is why super-strong materials and specialised shapes are de rigueur. Your bikes frame has of course got to be strong but at the same time must be light weight for maximum performance.

Brakes
All good mountain bikes are fitted with disc brakes to the front and rear wheels. Positioned near the wheels rim they are well away from the tyre and the mud, so are less likely to become clogged up making them more responsive even in the muddiest conditions.

Tyres
Chunky tyres with thick treads make mountain bikes tyres very different to road bikes. Better absorption of shocks and greater grip on slippery tracks makes these tyres idea for off-road terrain. Different tyre profiles are available depending on the conditions you are likely to encounter.

Women-Specific
Specially designed ladies bikes are available. That means smaller reach from seat to handlebars, smaller reach on brake handles and seats shaped for greater comfort. There’s a fantastic range of women’s mountain bikes from many manufacturers – our advice is to try out both women’s and non-specific bikes and see which fits best.