Features include wide, knobby tires for grip and a wide range of gearing to help you on uphills and over various obstacles. Depending on the type of MTB bike, they may have front suspension with a rigid rear (“hardtail”), or both front and rear suspension to cushion jumps and landings, but there are also models that have no suspension at all.

Buy a mountain bike if: you want to ride your bike in the mountains or mostly off-road.

Do not buy a mountain bike if: you want to ride fast on paved roads, ride long distances, or mainly ride around town.

Keith Bontrager is a motorcyclist who pioneered the development of the modern mountain bike. From 1980 to 1995 he was president of his own company, Bontrager, which continues to develop components for Trek Bicycle Corporation after Trek bought out Bontrager.