Mountain Bike Clubs
Mountain Bikes have become more and more popular in recent times as people look for that added thrill when keeping fit riding a bike. Mountain bike clubs are available Australia wide with increasing numbers to cater for the mountain bike riders who crave the challenge that is mountain biking.
Mountain bike clubs have been around for years since road-racing cyclists began cross training during the winter months. So quickly did Mountain biking gain popularity that the first world championships were held in 1950.
A top of the range mountain bike can cost you several thousand dollars today. Bikes come with suspension and disc brakes while the materials range from high-tensile steel, chromoly steel, aluminum and titanium.
Since then mountain bike clubs have steadily grown in numbers and there is now over 100 Mountain Bike Clubs throughout Australia. Each of the mountain bike clubs have been formed to promote mountain biking as a sport giving members the opportunity to compete in mountain bike races and recreational rides.
Choosing the right mountain bike depends on a couple of factors. Firstly, how much you are willing to spend and what type of mountain bike riding will you be doing? Will you be racing or are you buying a mountain bike for recreational purposes?
If you intend to ride for recreational purposes, as a fun way of keeping fit, then you are probably better off buying a second hand mountain bike or a used mountain bike. One of the most important things about buying a mountain bike is that you are comfortable on it when you ride.
Mountain bikes feel a bit different when you are riding them so make sure you try a few bikes to see if there is any difference in feel. You need to be comfortable.
Mountain bike clubs are a great place to find a cheap mountain bike. Members upgrade and will generally let other members know that they have a bike for sale whether by word or mouth or in the mountain bike clubs newsletter.
As with most bike clubs, Mountain bike clubs usually have a deal in place where members can buy mountain bike accessories and bikes at discounted rates through their local bike shop.
Mountain bikes have changed since the early days when they were basically road bicycles before bike companies started making mountain bikes in the mid 1980s.
A top of the range mountain bike can cost you several thousand dollars today. Bikes come with suspension and disc brakes while the materials range from high-tensile steel, chromoly steel, aluminum and titanium. The high-tensile steel bikes are the cheapest mountain bikes on the market. The high-tensile steel bikes are heavier than the bikes made from other materials but they are a good starting point if you are new to the sport.
When buying a mountain bike there are also accessories that you need to not consider but purchase. Mountain biking involves the risk of injury so you need to buy protective gear. Mountain bikers call this armor to help minimise the pain and injury from crashes.
Mountain bike safety equipment ranges from simple knee and elbow pads to full body padding.
It's not just a matter of buying a helmet and thinking everything will be sweet. Mountain bike riding can be a dangerous sport with upper body protectors also including a spine protector that is made of plastic plates.