Mountain bike
A bicycle designed for off-road riding, with sturdy construction and wide tires, often equipped with suspension to absorb impacts on rough terrain.
Mountain bike suspension: A system of springs and dampers that reduces the impact of rough terrain on a bicycle and its rider. Front or front-and-rear suspension helps maintain control over bumps and drops.
Cross-country mountain biking: A mountain biking discipline emphasizing efficient climbing, speed, and endurance over varied off-road courses. Cross-country bikes prioritize low weight and pedaling efficiency.
Klunker: A modified heavy bicycle used by early mountain bikers to descend rough California trails. Klunkers were predecessors of purpose-built mountain bikes and helped establish the riding style.
Road bicycle: A bicycle designed primarily for paved roads, typically with narrow tires and a lightweight frame. Road bikes trade rough-terrain grip and impact absorption for speed on pavement.
Mountain bike geometry: The angles and dimensions of a mountain bike frame that shape its handling, stability, and fit. Head angle, reach, and wheelbase influence control on steep or technical trails.
Trail mountain biking: A versatile mountain biking discipline involving climbs and descents on natural, often technical trails. Trail bikes balance climbing ability with control on varied descents.
Repack race: An early mountain bike race held on a steep descent in Marin County, California, from 1976 to 1984. Its demanding course exposed the limits of modified bicycles and encouraged design changes.
Gravel bicycle: A drop-handlebar bicycle designed for paved roads and unpaved gravel routes. Gravel bikes handle smoother dirt roads efficiently but are generally less suited to technical trails.
Mountain bike tire: A wide bicycle tire with a tread pattern designed to grip loose or uneven off-road surfaces. Tread, casing, and tire pressure affect traction and puncture resistance.
Enduro mountain biking: A mountain biking discipline in which timed downhill stages are linked by mostly untimed climbs. Enduro bikes are built to descend aggressively while remaining pedalable uphill.