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The phrase "mountain bike" was originally coined in 1979 by Gary Fisher, who started his own company to build bikes meant for off-road use. Today, nearly every major bicycle company manufactures mountain bikes. The suspension of a mountain bike ranges from a completely rigid frame and fork to both front and rear shock suspension systems to optimize performance in any terrain. Most have traditional brakes, where the pads contact the wheel directly, but some have disc brake systems, similar to those on a motorcycle. Wheels on a mountain bike are usually wide and have a lot of tread to increase traction on dirt. Versus a road or cruiser bike, the frame of a mountain bike is built with strength in mind, with concern for weight varying depending on the style of riding the bike is intended for. For example, 'Downhill' mountain bikes are designed essentially without regard to lightness and feature sophisticated suspension systems, whereas 'cross country' mountain bikes attempt to conserve weight and have limited if any suspension.
