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What is exactly is a Mountain Bike?
In his book "The Birth of Dirt" Frank J. Berto, the American writer states that a Mountain Bike should include six essential features below:
1. 26″ Tyres, at least 2″ wide.
2. Flat, roadster style bars.
3. Derailleur gearing.
4. Good brakes, using either drums or the cantilever system.
5. Off road use – and
6. Be of Marin County USA, origin.
However using these definitions is problematic.
For instance using them a 24" 27.5" or 29" wheeled bicycle cannot be a mountain bike. Also a mountain bike fitted with 2" wide tyres ceases to be a mountain bike when you fit 1.9" tyres.
And what about using disk brakes, drop bars, single-speed gearing or hub gears?
Were the old Klunkers mountain bikes? Or are they just modified post boy bikes? And because they weighed 50lbs plus, were they too simply heavy to be ridden up mountains?
In his book "The Birth of Dirt" Frank J. Berto, the American writer states that a Mountain Bike should include six essential features below:
1. 26″ Tyres, at least 2″ wide.
2. Flat, roadster style bars.
3. Derailleur gearing.
4. Good brakes, using either drums or the cantilever system.
5. Off road use – and
6. Be of Marin County USA, origin.
However using these definitions is problematic.
For instance using them a 24" 27.5" or 29" wheeled bicycle cannot be a mountain bike. Also a mountain bike fitted with 2" wide tyres ceases to be a mountain bike when you fit 1.9" tyres.
And what about using disk brakes, drop bars, single-speed gearing or hub gears?
Were the old Klunkers mountain bikes? Or are they just modified post boy bikes? And because they weighed 50lbs plus, were they too simply heavy to be ridden up mountains?
