Try Mountain Biking For Total Fitness

June 23rd, 2010 by author

Mountain bikes have taken the world by storm and are now the most common bicycles that you see on the road or off. Even people who just want a bike for casual use have found that the most comfortable and versatile bikes are mountain bikes.

There is an enormous range of mountain bikes to choose from. In fact, it can get very confusing. Aside from the major brands, there are many smaller labels that have set themselves apart as manufacturers of high quality, race worthy bikes. Diamondback bikes, for example, built their reputation on bikes built for hardcore BMX and mountain bike riders.

These specialty bikes are made for pros and you can tell by their high price tags. Some have special aluminum or carbon fiber frames, for light weight. They also have top of the line gears and brakes, for flawless shifting and stopping. You may not need one of these high end machines, but if you can afford one, they ride like a dream.

You can also choose between a number of suspension options. Some come with no suspension at all. Others, called ‘hardtails, ‘ have only front suspension. Still others come with front and rear suspension. While full-suspension bikes used to be expensive, they are now common and can be very inexpensive.

When it comes to buying mountain bike accessories, one thing you can’t go without is a flashing rear warning light. The good ones are highly visible. It’s no exaggeration to say that they could save your life. Other popular accessories include odometers and speedometers and handy toolkits for on the road repairs.

If muscle growth is one of your fitness goals, mountain biking is good for more than making your legs bigger and stronger. When you’re pulling hard, you are using your whole body and strengthening and toning virtually every muscle in your body. It’s actually amazing how much of an all over workout a hard ride can give you.

If you are seriously considering riding a mountain bike for fitness, you’re better off buying at least a middle priced bike. The cheaper ones are best for cruising, but you can really put the more expensive bikes to the test.

When you add it all up, a mountain bike is probably the most economical piece of fitness equipment you can buy. While the bike may cost more than other specialty fitness equipment, it is also far more useful. You will find you will want to ride your bike all the time, not just for training. You will also be motivated more, because mountain bike riding is just plain fun!