Downhill biking is a sport in which one rides his bike in steep down hill terrain with no long climbing section in order to get as fast as he can. The downhill biking became a professional sport around the 70’s and so it became widespread, and today you can find downhill sites around the globe like morzine.

The winning standard on downhill tournaments is time. The fastest the rider is , his chances of winning are higher, similar to downhill skiing competitions, but some competitions also adds the stunts on their winning criterions.

In order to gain more speed downhill riders developed special techniques, but not only their technical skills make them to get faster on the track.

In order to move quickly and improve their maneuvers, downhill athletes need bicycles which adjust to their special qualities. And so bike manufactures and athletes designed what we know today as the downhill bicycles.

These days the downhill bikes weigh range is between 30 to 50 pound, have full suspension design, and frame geometry that leans back. Hydraulic disc brakes are used to moderate the riders speed similar to motorcycles. Downhill bike also have slacked head angels to keep the bike stable in speed and corners.

Different riders have special needs and so professional teams spend time and thousands of dollars to adjust their bike according to the rider’s characteristics.

The main idea is to save weight, increase suspension efficiency and helping develop new materials and geometries to make their bike stronger and faster.

Not only has the bike had to fit the rider also his gear have to be protective and comfortable. And as technology improves who knows maybe in a few years the downhill bike will be twice as fast and still steady on the race track.

To get more info about bike vacations in Morzine

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