Information on the Parts of a Mountain Bike

1. Cogset – This is a very important part of your bike. This, along with the three rings attached to your cranks comprise the gears Gearing usually includes 21 speed and 24 speed.

2. Rear Derailleur – This gizmo moves the chain up and down the cogset according to how you shift the gears on the handlebar.

3. Brakes – Mid-range mountain bikes come equipped with cantilever brakes. These are very powerful and are even better when M-system pads are added (such at the Shimano V-Brake).

4. Tires – Make sure that the tires are suitable for off-road use. If they are not knobby and don’t have a lot of traction, you should look into a new set.

5. Chain – This is what allows your bike to move. It is comprised of a hundred or so links that are connected by small pins.

6. Pedals – There are many different types of pedals; bear claw, bear claw with toe-clips attached and clipless pedals. Clipless pedals can be costly but they greatly improve your riding.

7. Crankset – All mountain bikes should come with a triple crankset which will allow you to ride efficiently on flats and fairly easily up hills. These are made from materials such as titanium, aluminum and most often, cro-moly.

8. Chainrings – There are usually three of these ranging in size. The small one allows you to climb steep hills, the big one allows you to go faster and the middle one is for normal riding.

9. Hubset – There is one of these in the middle of your front wheel as well as the back. They allow the wheel to attach to the bike and allow the wheel to spin.

10. Front Derailleur – This allows you to shift the chain from one ring to the next.

11. Forks – These hole your front wheel on, the front brakes are attached to them and they allow you to steer.

12. Brake Levers – These allow you to manipulate the brakes.

13. Handle Bar – This is the “control center” of your bike.

14. Stem – This attaches your handlebar to your forks via a long metal tube called a “steerer tube”.

15. Saddle – You sit on this.

16. Seatpost – This connects your saddle to the frame of your bike.