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mountain bike
Sign in to saveAlso known as ATB, MTB, all-terrain bike, all terrain bike
bicycle designed for off-road cycling
~18 min read
Encyclopedic overview
2020 full suspension mountain bike
A mountain bike (MTB) or mountain bicycle is a bicycle designed for off-road cycling (mountain biking). Mountain bikes share some similarities with other bicycles, but incorporate features designed to enhance durability and performance in rough terrain, which often makes them heavier, more complex and less efficient on smooth surfaces. These typically include a suspension fork, large knobby tires, more durable wheels, more powerful brakes, straight, wide handlebars to improve balance and comfort over rough terrain, and wide-ratio gearing optimized for topography, application (e.g., steep climbing or fast descending) and a frame with a suspension mechanism for the rear wheel. Rear suspension is ubiquitous in heavier-duty bikes and now common even in lighter bikes. Dropper seat posts can be installed to allow the rider to quickly adjust the seat height (an elevated seat position is more effective for pedaling, but poses a hazard in aggressive maneuvers).
Excerpted from Wikipedia’s “mountain bike” article, available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence.