How to choose a bike for freeriding?

Extreme sports, such as freeriding, have long been firmly established in the lives of people who are fond of a healthy lifestyle. Translated from English, freeride means descent from high-mountainous, as a rule, unprepared hills for this. And if earlier this term was actively used among snowboarders and skiers, today freeride is one of the directions in the world of cycling. It happened around the 80s of the XX century.

The classic understanding of freeriding in cycling is the ability of a cyclist to ride along mountain paths, copses and various "wild" trails, which makes this sport spectacular and unforgettable. And also dangerous, since the unknown path conceals many unpredictable situations: vertical cliffs, a road "to nowhere", departures from trampolines.

Descent or skiing can take place at any time of the year and in any conditions: mud, rain, sand, ravines, cliffs, mountain rivers. At the same time, the skill of an athlete lies not only in the ability to pedal, but also to perform dizzying stunts, and "fly" an impressive distance on the bike.

To overcome difficult tracks you need special "iron horses". In addition to the daily long training of an athlete honing his skills and agility, there are also special requirements for a freeride bike. And it depends on the options for the movement of the "rider".

First of all, the athlete must:

• master the technique of correct landing and control of the bike;
• navigate stressful and unpredictable situations;
• to be stress-resistant and be able not to lose your presence of mind.

The design of the bike should be different from a standard two-wheeled vehicle, since it is almost impossible to perform a trick on a regular one without damaging the bike. Therefore, experts develop models for an extreme sport, relying on the nuances of a complete set of mountain bikes. Pros of today's bike-freeride models:

• one hundred percent strength;
• light weight;
• stable depreciation system;
• high-quality braking system;
• durable wheels.

Therefore, manufacturers manufacture vehicle structural elements from light alloys, mainly from aluminum. This metal is quite resistant to shocks and is lightweight, which is necessary for a cyclist when climbing uphill, jumping and overcoming steep cliffs. If the bike is heavy, then the athlete is unlikely to cope with the tasks set, therefore, usually the weight of a freeride vehicle does not exceed 18 kilograms.

Typically, a model for extreme sports has two suspensions with a shock absorber (they have a large travel - about 7 inches) and a suspension travel of up to 25 cm.Therefore, experts often call these models two-suspension. This system guarantees a near-perfect ride on uneven ground. However, these models have their drawbacks:

• increased weight compared to analogues;
• considerable cost.

Suspensions also have their own characteristics:

• for a "serious" unit, manufacturers install oil-spring suspensions;
• for bicycles with light weight, spring-elastomeric counterparts are suitable.

With this design, the athlete and his bike can withstand shock vibrations more easily and brake better in extreme situations. Coiled steel or titanium spring ideally "responds" to road bumps. The shock absorber travel is also important for such sports models - usually bicycles with a travel from 110 to 160 mm are chosen, and for downhill, descending from a height with avoiding obstacles, a travel of 180 mm is preferable.

By the way, the brakes of such models are hydraulic, reliable, guaranteeing the fulfillment of any wishes of the athlete. The disc hydraulic braking system of bikes is a special pride of the manufacturers of such high-speed models. Such a system works by using brake fluid, which provides powerful braking, and its operation is not affected by weather conditions. It is the hydraulics that ensures the smooth pressing of the brake lever.

Manufacturers install special discs on both wheels, brake pads are made of metal, which further enhances the reliability of the brake system. For high cross-country ability of the bike, wide-profile "toothy" tires are used, which have a significantly deep tread pattern.

Despite the fact that freeriding is not a completely safe sport, it is an exciting and unforgettable experience. If you choose your riding style correctly and take care of well-chosen equipment, you can achieve the highest results in achieving your goals.

That's why it is very important to choose a reliable helmet, body and neck protection for training and competition... Experienced athletes wear durable full-face helmets. Unlike conventional sports helmets, this model covers the driver's head completely, both above and below.

For the neck, special devices are made that take the blow in case of a fall, protecting the cervical vertebrae from deformation.

Body-worn protective clothing for freeriders is worn under a cycling suit, which is attached to the body with special devices.

To protect their knees and elbows, all athletes use knee and elbow pads made of lightweight yet highly durable plastic. They are attached to the body using special clips.

And that's not all: the outfit for athletes also includes gloves with cut fingers and special glasses.

Today, freeride fans have a huge selection of bike models that meet all the requirements of professional athletes. The German models of the GHOST company, in particular, the MTB Fully and the 4-Cross, are especially popular among professionals. Despite their high cost, they have a high-quality assembly, simplicity and functionality of the design, as well as an attractive design. These models are made using innovative technologies: needle bearings add special rigidity to the structure without increasing its weight.

To the best bike bikes today include the models of the American manufacturer TREK, which has been producing sports bicycles since 1993, as well as designs from the Taiwanese manufacturer GIANT, which has introduced a model without welded seams on sale, which provides the bike with rigidity.

For the rules for choosing a bike for freeriding, see below.