Mountain biking is much more than just physical activity. It's challenging yourself on off-road trails in touch with nature. From the pure adrenaline of downhill to the endurance of all-mountain, from marathon to cross-country and enduro, this cycling discipline has always been a favorite among the most adventurous athletes, ready to ride on any type of terrain.

• THE MAIN FEATURES
• THE RUNNING-IN
• URSUS MTB WHEELS
• MOUNTAIN BIKE WHEELS AND HANDLEBARS FOR AMATEURS AND TRAINING
• COMPETITION WHEELS AND HANDLEBARS
• URSUS KODIAK WHEELS: WHY THEY'RE PERFECT FOR XC AND MARATHON
• LE DIABLO: THE URSUS WHEELS OF LEO PAEZ AND TEAM SOUDAL LEE COUGAN

The Buffalo Soldiers of the US Cavalry were the first to pedal on unpaved roads, thus starting a true revolution in the world of cycling. It was the first time bicycles had officially traveled off-road. It was 1896: some 70 years earlier, mobility had been turned upside down by the invention of the Drais machine in 1917 , considered the prototype of the modern bicycle.

The birth of the mountain bike can be traced back to 1966 , when American cyclist D. Gwynn built his mountain bicycle. Gwinn started a trend, and new models of bikes suitable for rough trails, called klunker bikes, began to be developed.

Then, finally, in 1979, Geoff Apps released the first bicycle model with tires suitable for mud and snow: it was a success. The bike remained on sale until 1984, when it was supplanted by modern mountain bikes.

If the history of MTB fascinates you, you can learn more in the article “ Mountain Bike: do you know the history of this discipline? ” .

Today, mountain bikes are increasingly high-performance bikes, with features and accessories optimized for off-road terrain, climbs and descents, and designed to best suit the various disciplines that currently make up the MTB family.

As we have said, today the MTB world is a multifaceted world, made up ofdifferent disciplines with their own characteristics .

Among the most widespread, it is absolutely necessary to mention:

• Cross-Country or XC , characterized by trails where both technique and muscular power must be well trained;
• Marathon , which is a discipline that involves long routes and is based on the athletes' endurance;
• All Mountain and Trail include very long routes, on climbs and descents in the mountains, and are therefore the heirs of the traditional concept of experiencing MTB;
• Enduro , which is a competitive discipline between XC and Downhill, with technical segments alternating with flat sections and descents travelled at high speed;
• The gravity disciplines , so called because the tracks are almost all downhill: at high speed Downhill, Freeride, FourCross .

Today, each of these disciplines uses specific bikes, MTB wheels, and handlebars. Competitions are also highly differentiated, and athletes specialize in one or two disciplines.
Enduro MTB is one of the most popular sports: the many races around the world welcome thousands of enthusiasts, amateurs and professionals of this adrenaline-filled sport.
In “ Enduro MTB: what it is and the most important races ” you will find an overview of the most significant competitions.

Like all sports, MTB also has its list of champions who have written history. Mountain biking is a complex sport , requiring technique, power, and endurance: winning races requires more than just talent, but targeted training.
For this reason, the great mountain bike champions can be considered examples of consistency.

Among the most famous and successful athletes at global level, we can mention John Tomac (XC and Downhill), Anne-Caroline Chausson (Downhill), Nino Schurter (XC).
Italy also has some great, winning mountain bikers who have helped popularize the sport in the country: Paola Pezzo, Marco Aurelio Fontana, and Gerhard Kerschbaumer . Today, younger athletes are taking over the world stage. Among them is Gaia Tormena , winner of the Italian, world, and European titles in the Eliminator XCE and an Ursus Ambassador .

Read “ Mountain biking: here are the athletes who made history ” to learn more about these great champions.

As we've said, mountain biking requires training and consistency, but anyone can ride a mountain bike and embrace this thrilling sport. You can start at any age, as long as the rides and competitions are always tailored to your physical condition and technical skills.

Compared to the past, cyclists (both beginners and experienced) are now aided by technology. In fact, apps like Garmin and Strava have become increasingly important for evaluating performance and progress during training, including benchmarking against other athletes of the same or higher level.

However, apps do not replace the advice of a good coach nor the athlete's consistency in improving .
To start mountain biking, it's essential to proceed gradually, following a training plan that allows you to grow over time.
This also applies to those who approach this sport as adults. Cycling is an easy movement, but to sustain increasingly fun and challenging outings, or to begin participating in your first races, you need to focus on your physical and technical preparation. The situation is different for professional athletes who undertake a very long training schedule and are supported by a coach who focuses on various aspects: physical, technical, nutritional, and motivation.
We explored all these aspects in depth with Tony Longo , former Marathon and XC champion and now Leo Paez 's coach: in the interview you will find all the coach's advice for starting to ride MTB .

Regular cleaning of your mountain bike is essential . Mud, debris, and dirt can damage your bike and wheels, especially the hubs. The presence of debris can shorten the lifespan of your mountain bike or wheels, also requiring more frequent maintenance. Therefore, not cleaning your bike properly is especially costly for amateur cyclists.

Even for top-level professionals, however, it is harmful, since dirt affects the rotation of the wheels and the smoothness of the ball bearings, the performance of the disc brakes and many other fundamental mechanisms in the race.

To clean your MTB, you should never use a high-pressure jet of water, preferring instead a low-pressure spray to remove the bulk of the dirt at the beginning of the cleaning.
The procedure continues using a soft-bristled brush and a product specifically designed for bikes, carefully brushing even the hidden parts.

Then continue degreasing the chain and sprockets, being careful not to use the product on the disc brakes. You can also use a simple toothbrush to clean the chain thoroughly. Finally, remember to rinse your mountain bike and dry it carefully with a dry cloth.

When necessary, also remove the disc brakes and clean the pads with a specific product and a clean sheet of paper. For details on the entire MTB and disc brake cleaning procedure, we suggest you read the dedicated article on the Ursus blog .

Mountain biking knows no seasons: true enthusiasts continue to ride even in winter, or in rain or bad weather (with caution, carefully evaluating the weather and your technical ability on the MTB!).

However, to go out cycling in winter, even on muddy terrain, you need to be adequately equipped with:

• thermal clothing;
• waterproof and windproof jacket;
• tubeless wheels, with disc brakes.

It is also very important to always carry your cell phone and some cash with you in case of emergencies.

Discover all the tips for mountain biking in winter .

While many people prefer to travel on gravel or trekking bikes, mountain biking is a fun alternative if you're looking for adventure . It allows you to ride on all types of terrain and off-road trails. When you're planning a trip off the beaten path, mountain biking is the perfect option.

A mountain bike is more robust and durable, and has suspension, making it comfortable even when traveling. There are also some additional optimizations you can make to improve your travel experience:

• use dedicated bikepacking to carry clothing, repair kits and anything else you need;
• choose tubeless wheels and disc brakes to increase riding comfort;
• improve your posture on the saddle by applying handlebar attachments that allow you to assume the position that best suits you (possibly choosing handlebars with an adjustable alpha angle ).

We've already compiled all the tips for mountain biking in one article: we recommend reading it if you want to delve deeper into this topic .

What features should you look for in mountain bike wheels? Lightness, responsiveness, and stiffness .
To achieve this, wheels must be made of specific materials, such as carbon or aluminum. Carbon is the highest-performance alloy, as it is ultralight and gives the wheels a strong reactive ability. Aluminum is a valid alternative for amateur cyclists or for training wheels.

MTB wheels, as we said, are carbon or aluminum wheels .
As for diameter, the most popular sizes are 29" and 27.5"; the channel instead ranges from 25 to 30 millimeters.
Tubeless tires are now preferred because they can be used at lower pressures and are more resistant to cuts and punctures—a very important feature on off-road terrain. However, there are some athletes who don't want to give up an inner tube.
Disc brakes are also becoming the preferred braking system for many, as they provide smooth, adjustable braking that positively impacts mountain bike riding.