| There are nine different kinds of mountain biking, | | | | Downhill mountain biking is just that: a race to bike |
| each offering its own unique type of thrill or | | | | down a hill as fast as possible. This is a a very |
| enjoyment. BMX biking is on small, nimble bikes with | | | | strenuous but thrilling sport, since travelling downhill on |
| 20 inch wheels. These bikes are used for jumping and | | | | mountain bikes at high speeds over uneven terrain is |
| are usually used at a skate park, or in an area that | | | | very difficult and dangerous. |
| has dirt mounds to jump off. Their small size and and | | | | Free mountain biking means the biker hugs the |
| short wheel base makes them perfect for | | | | contours of the mountain to find the best route to |
| performing biking stunts and tricks. | | | | the bottom. This is a very popular sport since each |
| A cross country mountain bike is perfect for riding on | | | | biker has his own style to express and it is fun to |
| hills and through uneven terrain. It's an easier sport | | | | watch the various ways they do so. |
| than BMX biking, but most cross country bikers like | | | | Single speed mountain biking uses the simplistic |
| to travel long distances, as a cross country runner | | | | approach to mountain biking. The bikes are designed |
| would do. This keeps these bikers as fit as cross | | | | with only one speed and very few moving parts, |
| country runners as well. | | | | yielding an ultra light bike that relies solely on the |
| Cyclo cross biking is a combination of road biking and | | | | strength of the biker, rather than a mechanical |
| mountain biking. The sport involves a course that | | | | advantage. |
| covers both on and off road sections. The course | | | | Street or urban mountain bikes are used in the city, |
| may contain water crossings and other obstacles as | | | | almost like a skateboard. Urban mountain bikers use |
| well. | | | | railings, ledges and other features of the urban |
| Dirt jumping is a kind of mountain biking that is done | | | | landscape to perform their tricks such as "stalls" and |
| on large man made mounds of dirt. While they are | | | | "grinds". |
| aerial in the middle of the jump, the biker will attempt | | | | Trail mountain biking uses a very low framed bike |
| to perform tricks and spins in the air. The mounds | | | | with small wheels. This allows the biker to jump the |
| are placed relatively close together, so the biker | | | | bike over obstacles. This is a difficult sport, requiring a |
| builds up more speed and height on each subsequent | | | | good sense of balance and a high degree of |
| jump. | | | | concentration. |