A mountain bike (often abbreviated MTB or ATB (All Terrain Bicycle)) is a bicycle designed primarily for off road use. Mountain bikes have wide, knobbly tyres for extra traction and shock absorption. Like road bikes mountain bikes were originally constructed from steel but now are made from a range of materials including aluminium, carbon fibre or titanium which results in a strong yet lightweight frame. Unlike road bikes the rider sits in an upright position as comfort rather than aerodynamics is priority when riding off road.
Many mountain bikes now come fitted with suspension, this can either be fitted at the front only and is known as a hard tail or with suspension at the front and back and is known as a full suspension bike Hard tails are designed for general off road/cross country use whereas full suspension bikes are built primarily for fast, downhill mountain biking.
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