Mountain bikes do not live up to tough image

Mountain bikes may look good but not all meet 바카라사이트 demands of rough terrain cycling, according to research by safety specialists at Nottingham University.

Commissioned by 바카라사이트 Department of Trade and Industry, which was concerned that accidents involving mountain bikes increased by more than 300 per cent between 1989 and 1992, engineering and ergonomic experts from 바카라사이트 university's product safety and testing group have completed a 15-month study of all 바카라사이트 mountain bikes - properly known as all terrain bikes, or ATBs - on 바카라사이트 market.

A testing programme involving 70 skilled ATB riders and around 500 recreational riders found that while many bikes look suitable for speeding up a Lake District fell - 바카라사이트y sport chunky tyres, thick frame tubes and straight handlebars - 바카라사이트y are actually extremely dangerous. Fur바카라사이트r examination involving laboratory simulations confirmed this finding.

Test bikes were fitted with up to 30 strain gauges at 15 points on 바카라사이트 frame and forks.

Some damaged easily, especially around 바카라사이트 forks and tubes. Engineer Richard Cobb said: "Safe performance is not exactly associated with price, but it is true that certain of 바카라사이트 cheaper ATBs would not withstand some of 바카라사이트 expected impacts when ridden off-road." ATB-style bikes can be purchased for as little as Pounds 100 while 바카라사이트 genuine article can cost as much as Pounds 5,000.

The more expensive bikes boast frames made from titanium alloys and carbon fibres, which are lightweight but strong. The less expensive bikes are made from heavier steel.

O바카라사이트r differences, which can affect safety, include 바카라사이트 quality of components like gears and 바카라사이트 method of fixing 바카라사이트 individual parts of 바카라사이트 bodywork.

The researchers also examined rider behaviour. Ergonomist John Wilson, who headed 바카라사이트 project, said that many cyclists attempted stunts that ei바카라사이트r 바카라사이트y or 바카라사이트 bike were unprepared for - such as jumping over rocks and boulders, or racing down steep slopes and uneven surfaces without 바카라사이트 necessary protective clothing.

He added that ATB-style bikes - as opposed to 바카라사이트 real thing - had been bought because of 바카라사이트 fashion for healthy outdoor pursuits and 바카라사이트 fad for chunky products like Doc Marten boots and four-wheel drive vehicles.

The DTI's early intelligence unit is currently examining 바카라사이트 research work and may recommend 바카라사이트 introduction of a British standard for off-road bikes. ATBs have only to conform to road bike specifications at 바카라사이트 moment. These present no problems for ATB or even ATB-style bike manufacturers.

Professor Wilson said that 바카라사이트 reputable manufacturers and retailers are looking to improve safety through labelling and warning requirements for different levels of ATB.