Origins of Mountain Biking
Since the invention of the first bicycles, people had already been riding bikes off-road. However, the history of modern day mountain bikes dates back to more than thirty years ago, in the 1970s. During that time, a group of cycling aficionados from Marin County, California started to try riding bikes on downhill mountain tracks and rough trails using almost any kind of bikes they deemed suitable. This group, hailed as the pioneers of mountain biking, included Joe Breeze, Gary Fisher, Otis Guy, and Keith Bontrager, among others. They staged race events in Mount Tamalpais, also known as Mt. Tam, where using road bikes was definitely inappropriate.
They used bikes called “Clunkers,” which had old fat tires, a single gear, and rear hub brakes or coaster brakes. These coaster brakes weighed as much as 50lbs - double the weight of cross-country race bikes known today. When riders descend from Mt. Tam in high speed, the grease in the hub would immediately heat up. Consequently, smoke emission from the brakes was evident every time the racers finished. Not only that, the brakes needed constant grease repacking before the racers can go for another descent. Unsurprisingly, these races were popularly known ‘Repack Races.’
Of course, it was inevitable that racers start transforming their bikes into much better ones. The rear hub brakes were then replaced with cantilever brakes (which were much stronger and lighter), and more shifting gears were added. At the same time, riders realized the need to bike uphill using these modified bikes, instead of utilizing trucks like they used to. Significant additions to the Clunkers came about, and one of this is the derailleur gears, which Gary Fischer took notice from a group of riders from Cupertino (located at the south of San Francisco, CA).
It was in 1978, when Joe Breeze made the first purpose-built mountain bike, with various tubings and broad frames and forks chiefly from road bikes, to make for a wider tire. Nonetheless, considerably large brake levers were used to complement the cantilever brakes. These were called ‘Breezers,’ and are now considered as collectibles. Since then, companies have developed more innovations for Mountain Bikes and more professional racers geared towards improving performance through advances in Mountain Bike technology.
Indeed, mountain bikes have evolved so much since they first came out in the 1970s. Now, various components are accessible in the market, so that Mountain Biking remains as an enjoyable hobby and sport.