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Mountain bikes can easily be easily talked about in just a few categories while some say primarily two: cross-country and downhill. There is a huge difference between these two categories and understanding the differences is important before you run out to purchase a bike. Downhill mountain bikes are typically heavier and made to go down hills fast, while cross country are light and made for speed. Downhill bikes are typically always full-suspension with 7 to 10-inches of travel in the rear and 6 to 8-inches in the front to absorb the impacts from landing big drops or traveling through and around rocks. It is also rare for a downhill bike not to have a chain guide. It is important to prevent the chain from coming off the front chainring during a ride. Today they also come with large diameter disc brakes to ensure riders have the stopping power they need when they need it. They usually have wide deep tread tires to give them the grip they need on all different surfaces. Because these downhill bikes and their components are built for durability, these bikes are typically not light and can weigh up to 40 pounds or more. Another thing that is different is the tire pressure. Downhillers keep their tires soft unlike a cross country bike, where you want your tires fairly hard for speed here you want your tires to be soft. This results in better traction and a smoother ride. I recommend aiming at about 30psi. You should be able to easily push your thumb into the tire. One of the secrets to riding downhill is to stay out of the saddle. While riding downhill you should stand on your pedals and keeps your weight positioned towards the back of the bike. You should move your weight even farther back when the trail gets steeper and ride with your knees and arms bent slightly ready to flex as you go over bumps. You should also keep your pedals horizontal while you're freewheeling. When taking a corner it’s even better to bring the inside pedal up to the top. This helps prevent them catching on the ground. If you’re just trying to get started my recommendation is to go with what you have even if it’s a basic XC bike with little suspension. What I’m recommending is try and see if you like it first. You don’t want to spend a lot of money on a new bike and then find out you don’t really enjoy it. Or borrow or rent a DH bike first to try it out. In my opinion though riding downhill is great fun, though it also has some dangerous aspects. To ride downhill on a regular basis you need to have a good mountain bike. All quality downhill mountain bikes are designed and built for the severe terrains they will face. These days, mountain bikes are in all shapes and sizes and with so many options it’s difficult to decide exactly which bike is right for you and it is no different with downhill mountain bikes. You decision should depend on several factors. Maybe the most important is your personal preference. Which bike feels right under you. The second is probably which one you can afford. Dave McIntosh has enjoyed cycling for years. If you are looking for more great information on Downhill Mountain Bikes, visit My Next Mountain Bike.
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