Downhill mountain bikes are the specially designed bikes for this extreme sport. Just about everyone loves to ride their bicycles. But not every bicycle is designed to be ridden the same way. You have bicycles that are for joy riding, then you have sports bikes that are made for competition. These competition Mountain bikes can be for dirt racing and cross country racing. One category for competition bikes is that of downhill racing. Due to the immense danger and rough terrain, these downhill mountain bikes need to be designed to handle the very harsh elements that they are going to be subject to.
Different from regular mountain bikes, these downhill mountain bikes need to have special specifications to their design and engineering. These bicycles have been around since the 1970's. They were first created by Charlie Kelly, Gary Fisher and Tom Ritchie. These bikes were originally called "repacks" due to the fact that after every race, the rider immediately had to disassemble and repack all of the grease in the bearings.
If this was not done, then the rider stood a good chance of the hub seizing up and hurting his performance, his bike and possibly himself. Throughout the decades there have been many innovations to the downhill mountain bikes that helps to perform the difficult task that is set before them. The main feature for these bikes is that the front and back suspensions are designed to take the punishment that they are made to endure.
These bikes also require a heavier frame than those of the regular type of mountain bike. The frames themselves can weigh as much as forty to fifty pounds. Being designed for downhill competition these bikes would prove useless when trying to pedal uphill. In fact the riders and their bikes have to be escorted to the top of the hill via ski lift.
It is important that if you are going to purchase one of these downhill mountain bikes that you also purchase the proper protective equipment to go with it. This equipment will protect your body from injuries that could be fatal. This protective equipment consist of helmet, shoulder pads, knee and sheen guards, and body suit. The skills needed to do this type of sport just doesn't come over night.
This is something that takes years of practice to be good at. If you are looking for information on this type of sport or the bikes that are needed, then try doing a research over the Internet. You will find an abundance of information available for you.
For more information on mountain bikes check out: www.trailridermountainbikes.com
Published by Darlene loeffel on July 1, 2008 06:40 AM
