Bicycles for street and dirt: description, brands, selection, use

Street and dirt bikes are radically different from the classic mountain or city bikes. These types are associated with a high intensity of loads placed on the structural elements of the bike. As a result, instead of increasing the number of speeds or the diameter of the wheels, the focus is on the reliability and strength of the frame, forks, and shock absorption. In addition, the choice of a model for jumping or tricks is unthinkable without the correct definition of the disciplines for which the bike is purchased. The requirements for models for street and turf will differ - universal solutions are designed only for beginners, and are not very applicable in real life.

What you need to consider when choosing equipment, which brands of dirt and street bikes are considered relevant, whether extreme bikes have their own operating rules, how important is high-quality protection in this case - all these points should be clarified in advance, so as not to be disappointed in the purchase in the future.

Dirt and street bikes, although they belong to the general group of modified mountain bikes, still have clear differences between themselves. And this is due to the very use of two-wheeled vehicles. Here you should pay attention to the name: dirt originally comes from dirty - dirty. This term denotes the discipline for jumping on earthen jumps - dirt jumping.

Street is an equally popular type of active skiing. But it is associated with performing tricks mainly with the transfer of the center of gravity to the rear wheel. This is a kind of trial, carried over from rough terrain to city streets. The variety of tricks performed by street masters is really great.But it is directly related to the technical parameters of the bike and its handling.

Absolutely all types of two-wheeled vehicles, positioned as special models for dirt and street, in fact, are modifications of mountain or BMX bikes. They are quite heavy, have a wheel diameter of no more than 26 inches, and are equipped with a brake on the rear wheel. It is important to take into account that the speed in such a bike is often the same, multi-speed models do not provide any advantage, except for an increase in weight.

It is worth considering the technical features of street and dirt bikes.

• Frame characteristics. She must withstand extreme loads, not bend during jumps and tricks. The best option for such a design would be chromol - a steel-based alloy alloyed with chromium and molybdenum. It provides shock absorption and is often the choice for professionals with varying wall thicknesses. Less durable options are aluminum, and they have a lot of fans among experienced riders, complements are equipped with steel Hi-Ten options.

• Geometric parameters of the frame. They differ for dirt and street, and the main difference is in the length of the upper pipe - in the first case it will be 570-590 mm, and it will be quite long, the rear triangle is limited to a limit of 410 mm. The tilt angle set for the steering column in such models is 68-70 degrees versus 71-74 in the street versions. The frame length in street-trial bikes is no more than 545 mm, at the back this figure does not exceed 350 mm.

• Carriage location. In darts, it is at the same height as the hub or even below it - this lowers the center of gravity, provides better acceleration and predictable flight behavior. On street models, the carriage is taller and makes it easier to lift the frame vertically. In addition, with a moderately high carriage, it is easier to mount the peg pipes needed to overcome railings and other obstacles.

• Wheel size... The 24 ″ diameter is considered versatile and is suitable for both disciplines. In the dart, a scheme is often used in which the wheel is placed forward 26 ", and backward - 24". On the street, the most popular is the 24 "diameter, which provides extra durability to the bike. These wheels provide maximum lightness and maneuverability, make it easier to pull out, and allow for better steering control.

• Plug type... There are two types of street and dirt bikes - rigid (or rigid) and shock-absorbed with a short travel of no more than 130 mm. For urban stunt riding, the first option will be the best choice, which allows you to provide full control over the bike's control and gives the maximum range of departure. Damped forks are used in the dirt, but on completes they are used in the cheapest version, which leads to rapid deformation.

• Steering wheel. Its width usually depends on the size of the athlete - for men, the option is 700 mm wide, for women and adolescents, 680 mm. The height of the handlebars for a rigid fork should be from 3 ", for a shock-absorbed from 2". For the street, handlebars are produced with a short offset - 36-50 mm.

• Brake. On complements for beginners, it is absolutely a must. On improved models of individual assembly, it is permissible to refuse the braking system, but only with sufficient experience of the rider. Disc brakes provide good safety - mechanics are cheaper and easier to maintain, hydraulics are more convenient to use.

Among the brands that produce popular street and dirt bicycles, you can find many names that are known only to a narrow circle of bike extremes. But this does not at all prevent them from creating reliable and high-quality bike models suitable for the most intensive use.

A well-known brand from the USA that produces bicycles for various types of freestyle, accessories and components for them. Since 1978, the company has specialized in the production and promotion of two-wheeled vehicles designed for the most extreme loads. Today, the company's bicycles are chosen by the most famous riders. The company has its own line of BMX and MTB bikes, it was the first in the world to produce frames and forks for freestyle riding, and its street models are considered among the best.

American brand, one of the leading manufacturers of street and dirt bikes. The company has earned the reputation of the main innovator and regularly introduces fundamentally different solutions to the market than those of competitors. The company has existed since 1974, during this time it has gone from creating custom vehicles on demand to producing mass production bikes of various types and classes. The brand's products are not cheap, but for their money, buyers receive, indeed, a high-quality product.

Polish brand specializing in the production of bicycles for various freestyle disciplines. The company successfully competes with American companies and is considered one of the leaders in the European market. NS Bikes has been designing street frames since 2000 and also making a full range of custom bike parts. Among the most popular models in the street and dirt class are the budget line Slash Junior, the popular Metropolis, Clash 2, Movement. Among the versions of recent years, Snabb and Fuzz are especially popular.

When choosing a dirt or street bike, it is worth considering a number of important parameters, able to significantly affect the rider's comfort.

1. Rider growth. It is mainly important for the selection of a comfortable wheel diameter. People taller than 180 cm should immediately take the 26 ″ version, everyone else will fit the 24 ″ version. Otherwise, the size is not so important.
2. Rubber type. It is also different: rubber with a pronounced tread or semi-slick is used in the dirt. In the straight, you can often see the use of slicks. And in any case, the obligatory double rims.
3. Number of speeds. While dirt and street bikes are often offered as multi-speed as standard, this option is overkill - it only adds weight to an already massive bike. The savings in this case will be on the strength of the frame and other components. It certainly doesn't make sense to overpay for the option.
4. Fork material. If this is a tough street option, make sure it is made of chromoly, the strongest material possible, then the savings will be justified. It is definitely not worth choosing Hi-Ten - steel without alloying will not withstand intense loads. Soft forks with shock absorption and short travel up to 130mm are designed for aggressive riding, ski jumping and soft landings on any type of ground.

Street and dirt are some of the most dangerous extreme disciplines, and they require maximum control of the situation from the rider. Even experienced extreme bike riders are not immune to injuries and falls. Before leaving on the track with trampolines or in the city, you should definitely take care of full protection of the lower leg, elbows and knees with shields, hands - gloves, head - with a helmet.

You should not arbitrarily replace branded parts with cheaper ones, take the most budgetary complete sets of bikes. Jumping loads involve intense impact. Here it will not be possible to soften them even with the help of shock absorbers, therefore the frame itself, the fork must be very reliable.

Before riding, check all fasteners, if necessary, lubricate the rubbing parts with the compounds recommended by the manufacturer.

How to choose a bike for your street, see below.