Although it's not a popular sport everywhere, bobsledding has been popular in Europe since the 19th Century. The most important piece of equipment for this sport is of course, the bobsled. There are two types of racing sleds; two-man and four- man models. The two-man sleds weigh about 440 lbs., while the four-man sleds weigh in at about 600 lbs. Junior sleds are also available for beginners and these weigh about 150 lbs. The dimensions and weight of the sleds have to conform to specific standards for competition, but the steering reins, seats and push bars are usually customized to suit individual pilots and crew. Bobsleds are aerodynamically designed for maximum speed and are generally made of aluminum and steel, but composite materials are now becoming common.
