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If you're new to biking and want to learn more about the different disciplines of mountain biking, you're in the right place. Today, we're offering you a look at street mountain biking.
What is street mountain biking?
The street VTT is practiced in urban environment, without rules or constraints. Natural obstacles (bumps, etc.) give way to urban furniture (stairs, sidewalks, low walls, stair railings, etc.) to perform acrobatic figures.
The practice of street MTB is derived from the practice of dirt MTB. Indeed, the bikes used are often the same. Only the playing field changes.
It is also a declination of the street practice of rollerblading, skateboarding, scootering or BMX. Formerly practiced wildly in cities, many municipalities are creating dedicated spaces like skate parks where elements such as low walls, sidewalks, stair descents, ramps, etc. are reproduced to accommodate practitioners of these disciplines so that they can perform jumps and slider safely.
The main tricks of street mountain biking
Street mountain biking is all about stringing together tricks in an urban environment. Here's a look at the main tricks - often taken from BMX - that can be performed in street mountain biking:
- Bunny up (one performs a jump without a springboard);
- X-up (we turn the handlebars to 180 °) ;
- Busdriver (one turns the handlebar to 360° and one guides it with the hand) ;
- Barspin (we turn the handlebar 360° without guiding it);
- No-foot (we lift both feet from the pedals);
- Can-can (we place one foot on the opposite side);
- Superman (one holds the handlebars and stretches the body to fly like Superman);
- Nothing (one drops the bike in flight by raising the feet and hands before catching it before landing) ;
- 180° (we make a half turn with the bike) and 380° (we make a full turn with the bike) ;
- Backflip (we do a back somersault with the bike) and frontflip (same thing in front somersault) ;
- Tailwhip (we make the frame do a 360° around the stem) ;
- Decade (we do a 360° around the bike) ;
- Toboggan (we hold the saddle with one hand; the other hand stays on the handlebars at 90°) ;
- Tailtap (one lands at the top of the ramp on the rear wheel and does a bunny-up to re-land in the curve) ;
- Wheelie (we ride on the back wheel);
- Stoppie (we stop by braking and we take off the rear wheel from the ground).
What equipment to practice street mountain biking?
In street mountain biking, even more than in dirt because of the ground surface which is hard (tar, concrete, etc.), the protection of the rider is paramount.
Just like BMX or skateboarders, it will be imperative to protect your head with a helmet often in the shape of a bowl (as in the two previously mentioned disciplines) or with a full-face helmet (heavier but which offers better protection in case of a fall).
You will also need to protect your hands with gloves to avoid gravel embedded in the palm of the hands in case of a fall.
The body protection is also essential: you will have the choice between a vest or a protective jacket (which will protect your shoulders, stomach and back as well) or back protection. This set will be completed with knee and elbow pads to protect your joints as well as shin guards (especially to protect yourself from pedal feedback).
The bike used in street mountain biking is in every way similar to the dirt bike. Indeed, it is a mix between a mountain bike and a BMX with a smaller frame (usually a 26-inch). Semi-rigid, the frame is designed in aluminum (for strength), without derailleur (with a fixed sprocket) and with only one brake. The sloping is naturally low so that the saddle is not a hindrance when performing tricks. The handlebars are generally small to allow easier movements when performing tricks.
Although it is possible to practice street mountain biking with a rigid frame, it is advisable to use a bike equipped with a fork with low travel (between 80 and 100mm) to absorb the shocks when landing jumps.
It is generally necessary to count between 500 and 1000€ to buy a bike to practice street mountain biking.
Now that you know all about street mountain biking, how about doing the same with other mountain biking disciplines such as downhill, marathon downhill, enduro mountain biking, all-mountain mountain biking, cross-country, cross-country marathon, freeride, mountain biking, four cross, dual slalom, dirt, mountain biking trial, or slopestyle?
