A Brief history of mountain biking
Most people are aware of mountain biking’s explosive growth since the pandemic began and caused a wave of interest in outdoor activities. What’s less commonly known is the history of the past 4+ decades since mountain biking’s grassroots beginnings, and the role that bike technology has played. How did this modern era of mountain biking begin, and how did we get to where we are now? Let's take a quick look at the history of mountain biking in the U.S.!
The modern era of mountain biking is thought to have began in the late-1960s to early-70s when a group of cyclists in Marin County, California, started holding unofficial races atop fat-tire beach cruisers, AKA “Klunkers”, down the rugged off-road terrain of Mount Tamalpais. Soon after, another group known as the “Cupertino Riders” (read more here: mmbhof.org) began retrofitting similar bikes with thumb-shift derailleurs and motorcycle drum brakes to allow for faster speeds down the hills of california.
These early retro-fitted "klunkers" paved the way for the modern mountain bike we know and love today. By the end of the 70s, several bike manufacturers including Schwinn and Specialized began producing purpose-built mountain bikes, and trails soon began to pup up all around the country.
The early mountain bikes were simpler designs with no suspension, but the late 80s- early 90s saw the development of the first full-suspension mountain bikes designs, which allowed riders to tackle even more challenging terrain. Designs were still very rudimentary and have seen significant innovation since then, but they planted the technological seed that would grow the sport into where it is today.
As the popularity of mountain biking grew, so too did the need for mountain bike trails. Many mountain bike trails were initially built illegally, but as the sport gained legitimacy, official trails were developed in parks and other public lands. In other locations, such as Marin County itself, land managers and public opinion swung in the other direction - mountain bikes were demonized, their access fully denied. However, the mountain bike movement and passion of two-wheeled trail users was too strong to be culled, and today there are tens of thousands of miles of mountain bike trails across the country, from easy beginner trails to epic backcountry adventures,
Over the last couple decades since those early pioneer days, mountain biking has sprung many different sub-categories, with bike technology further developing in each realm. To name a few, we now have: cross country, enduro, downhill, gravel, cyclocross, bikepacking, and dirt jumping, In each realm there are many bike options to meet the needs of advanced and beginner mountain bikers alike - from lightweight entry-level “hardtails” to premium full-suspension mountain bikes with electronic wireless shifting capabilities that can cost more than a car, and everything in between. This mountain bike technology has come a long way since the early days; advances in suspension, frame materials, and gearing are making the sport more accessible and enjoyable than ever.
The history of mountain bikes is one of innovation, passion, a love for the outdoors, and perseverance to fight for access to public and private lands. With technological advancements of mountain bikes of the past few decades, this sport now has something for everyone. Whether you're a seasoned veteran or a beginner just interested in getting your feet wet, there's never been a better time to hit the trails and experience the joys of mountain biking!
