You are here: Home / Archives for Mountain bike

So Many Bikes, So Little Time

A hardtail mountain bike.

Image via Wikipedia

Mountain biking has become a favorite way to stay active and fit, so much so that today there hundreds of different bikes to choose from. Trying to decide what is the best bike for your needs doesn’t have to be a difficult task. Consider a few key points and you will soon find yourself hitting the trails on your brand new bike.

First, consider what you will be doing with your bike. If you are in for the full on adventure, you will need a full-suspension bike and all the latest technology. If you are not interested in that much adventure, a hybrid bike is more in keeping with your needs. Hybrid bikes are great bikes because they work just as well on streets as they do trails.

Finally, you must consider what your budget is. Like anything, a mountain bike can cost you a lot of money. Typical bikes will run between $600 and $5,000. You can find a bike to fit your budget.

When you think about it, a mountain bike is not unlike a pair of running shoes. Just as a runner must decide what they need by speaking with an expert, sometimes your best bet is to go into the bike shop and talk to them. They will help find a bike that is the best fit for your needs and your budget.

Remember, if you are new to the sport, it is a good idea to start with a less expensive model. You can always upgrade later.

Filed Under: Biking, Equipment Tagged With: , ,

Basic Mountain Bike Maintenance

Mountain Bike Wilder Ranch

Image by richardmasoner via Flickr

Mountain biking is all about getting out in the wilderness and having fun. However, there is a boring and tedious part to mountain biking; having to care and maintain your bike.

Bike maintenance is critical to ensure the safety of yourself and others who are riding the bike. A well maintained bike will also run smoother which allows you to focus on the thrills and excitement that comes with mountain biking and not worry about getting injured.

Here’s a look at some of the basic mountain bike maintenance you need to do to your bike on a regular basis.

A Complete Wash

Mountain biking can be a very dirty sport. The dirt and debris that you ride through while biking can collect in the wheels, chains and other parts of the bike which puts your safety at risk. Every once in a while a complete wash of the mountain bike is needed. Everything from the seat, handlebars and wheels needs to washed with soap and water and hosed down.

The Wheel Test

A complete wheel test needs to be performed to make sure your bike is operating properly. Place the bike with the wheels up to perform this test. Take each wheel and make sure it turns properly in the bike and there is no interruption. You will also want to check the air pressure of each wheel and fill any that have low air pressure.

Running through the basic mountain bike maintenance steps once a month will ensure that you are safe and secure while enjoying your favorite extreme sport.

Filed Under: Biking, Equipment Tagged With: , ,

Difference Between Mountain Bikes And Road Bikes

Many people get confused between mountain bikes and sports bike; however a trained sports person can easily tell you the difference by just looking at both the bikes. Mountain bikes are designed to be short and sturdy whereas road bikes are tall and lightweight. The basic structure of these bikes differs a lot because they are designed for two different terrains. The road bikes are meant to traverse through smooth asphalt roads, whereas the mountain bikes are meant for more dusty and uneven terrain.

The tires of mountain bikes are thicker and they have more treading to avoid skidding against the pebbles and stones. The tires of road bikes are larger in circumference and are thinner as compared to the mountain bikes. Road bikes do not have excessive treading on their tires. The road bikes have shorter inward curved handles whereas the mountain bikes have straighter and shorter handles. Mountain bikes are not meant to travel at high speeds. These bikes are designed for uneven terrains and the emphasis is more on control and technique of riding. On the contrary, the road bikes are designed to slice through the air so that the rider can achieve optimum speed. Mountain bikes are heavy and sturdy whereas road bikes are feather light and easy to break down. The maintenance costs of a mountain bike are higher as compared to a road bike due to the rough usage of the bike.

One can see different types of mountain bikes and road bikes in different sport shows. One can compare the prices and models of various bikes before you buy the right bike for your cycling needs.

Filed Under: Biking Tagged With: , ,

Mountain Bikes- An Overview

EDINBURGH, UNITED KINGDOM - MARCH 23: Ben Cat...

Image by Getty Images via @daylife

People, who are avid cyclists, aren’t new to the world of mountain bikes or dirt bikes. Mountain bikes are referred as dirt bikes because of the amount of dirt that they accumulate thanks to traveling through mountain trails. Mountain bikes are available in different categories and different prize ranges. A basic mountain bike will have three to four gears and will have decent seat and reasonable shock absorbers. As the bikes go to a more advanced level they have more features ad of course they are priced in the higher bracket.

One cannot use ordinary bicycles in mountainous terrains because ordinary bicycles do not have the sturdy grip in their tires, they will be unable to hold against the stones and pebbles in the mountains. Similarly the street cycles have long handles which will make it difficult for the cyclist to traverse through sharp turns. Mountain bikes are specially designed keeping the hilly terrains in mind. The shock absorbers are short and have sturdy fork springs so that the cyclist does not feel the bumps on the road. In the same way the tires are wider and have more coarse texture to avoid skidding and friction against the stones. The handle is kept short, to facilitate the navigation through quick sharp turns. The gear system in the mountainous bikes allows the cyclist to vary their speed based on the pattern of the road. Higher gears have more power compared to the lower gears.

One can buy mountainous bikes from sports showrooms or they can browse through various online sports stores to choose the best model as per their needs. One can also look at eBay for discounts on sports bikes.

Filed Under: Biking, Sports Tagged With: , ,

Have A Heard About Mountain Bikes Or Mountain Bicycle?

A cross country mountain bike race.

Image via Wikipedia

You have surely heard about bikes but have you ever heard about mountain bikes? Bike is a two-wheeler vehicle which people ride on the road. On the other hand, mountain bike or mountain bike are those bikes which are suitable to be ridden in the areas such as mountains, rocky areas, steep areas and the likes. It is difficult or nearly impossible to ride road bikes in such areas since road bicycle/bikes will not be able to endure the obstacles that are there in such areas in the forms of rocks or uneven surface.
If people attempt to ride road bikes in these areas, they would not succeed and their bike/ bicycle may also get out of order. Thus, mountain bikes are designed especially in such a manner so that they can withstand the conditions of such areas easily. Normal wheels are not used in mountain bikes but the wheels with the facility of rims are used in the manufacturing of such bikes. In addition to this, the tires of these wheels are wider than the wheels used in road bikes. It is the width of the tires along with the rims which make it suitable to be ridden on uneven surface.
Earlier, mountain bikes were manufactured so that people could reach their desired destination which is in hilly areas easily using these bikes. However, its popularity has changed the scenario, mountain biking is now taken as a sport as well by a number of people. Now, people ride these bikes in mountain in order to practice for their competition. This competitive spirit in people helps them in taking it up seriously as they do so with an aim to win the game.
The competitions of mountain biking are held in different ways such as cross country biking, free ride biking, endurance biking for a day and so on. Cross country is a well known form of competition and mountain bikers wait for this competition and work really hard to win these games. So, are you planning to buy mountain bike soon?

Filed Under: Biking, Sports Tagged With: , , ,

Mountain Bike Training Myths

For many, mountain biking is a true passion and they want to do all they can to improve their skill on the trails. There are, however, several myths surrounding how one should go about getting better. There’s more to mountain biking than just practice. The following will debunk some of the more common myths around mountain bike training.

Improving your cardio is one of the primary myths surrounding getting better on the trails. It is certainly important, but being more efficient on the trail is going to help you more. Building up your strength and mobility in the gym will help you be more efficient on the trails, and work on your biking skills while off the trails. You’ll have less wasted energy as your body learns to move and respond better. Perfecting your technical skills should result in better speed and momentum on the trail. In the end you’ll be able to go faster while pedaling less often.

Riding your bike more often in order to improve is another common myth. Certainly you need to ride the trails in order to practice, but at some point you’re going to master the technical skills and max out your fitness level. Strength and conditioning in the gym is going to help you more at this point, than any extra time you spend on your bike. Working in the gym will not only improve your fitness level but will give you the extra strength and endurance needed to push yourself on the trails.

Getting a bike fit is another common myth to help your trail performance. Bike fits are essential for road cycling but less so for trails. The high level of skill required by mountain biking requires that your bike fit the demands of the trails, not your mobility or lack thereof. Again, strength and mobility training are going to do more for your trail work than any bike fit, especially if you want to progress.

Filed Under: Biking, Training Tagged With: , , , ,

Custom Made Mountain Bikes

Andrew

Image by richardmasoner via Flickr

There are so many different makes and models of mountain bikes on the market, and the dizzying array of colors and styles and accessories can make choosing between them difficult. Traditionally, buying a mountain bike meant going to a bike shop and selecting from the myriad mass produced bikes. Enter the custom made mountain bike: for true mountain bike enthusiasts, a custom made bike is the only bike worth owning.

Mountain bikes that come off the production line are similar to one another, and the only real options for customization are few. A custom bike, however, can be made to exactly suit the demands of the owner as well as their body type. Custom bikes offer the ability for the buyer to select the components they want as well as fulfilling any specific tubing requirements they may have.

There are two different approaches to ordering a custom made mountain bike. Some builders will make a bike to the customer’s exact specifications while others will take measurements and ask a series of questions and then build a bike that the customer will hopefully like.

The downside to custom ordering a mountain bike is the time it takes for them to be built, and the price. It can take months from initial measurements until completion for a custom made mountain bike. And they are expensive; cheaper models might be around $4,500.00 but usually they are many hundreds more dollars based on specific customer requirements and specialized components.

Despite the price and lengthy wait, custom made mountain bikes are becoming increasingly popular. There is an entire trade show devoted to the art of custom made bikes. True mountain bike aficionados know that the only real mountain bike is one that has been tailor made to your specifications, and most of them are willing to pay for one.

Filed Under: Biking Tagged With:

Winter Mountain Biking

The arrival of fall traditionally signals nearly the end of mountain bike season in many parts of the world. The onset of winter, however, doesn’t mean that you need to put your mountain bike away for the next several months. Mountain biking can be enjoyed during the winter as long as a few sensible precautions are taken. The following are some suggestions to help you enjoy mountain biking even during the winter.

Personal protection while mountain biking is paramount, no less so in the winter. Icy trail conditions can be hazardous and mishaps can be dangerous if you’re not adequately protected. Arm, leg and feet protection is necessary but so is head and face protection. Padding, helmets and guards are all mandatory for the winter mountain biker.

Protection against the cold is also a concern. Perspiration and loss of heat during winter biking can lead to serious issues. Bulky clothing will only hinder your movement so clothing that is breathable to allow perspiration and moisture to dry while still being warm is essential. Gloves should always be worn, not only to protect from the cold but also to ensure a firm grip on the handles. Choose gloves that are thin enough to maintain good control of the bike but that are also warm enough to protect your hands.

Inspecting the bike’s tires is important during regular biking season, but more so during the winter. Tire pressure must be at the appropriate level for your bike, and the treads should be inspected. Replacing tires that are cracked or if the tread is reduced below suggested levels will help ensure your bike is easily controlled.

Winter mountain biking can be a fun and exhilarating way to enjoy the outdoors. Choose trails where the snow is compacted and that aren’t too icy. Then just bundle up and out you go.

Filed Under: Biking Tagged With: ,

Choosing a Road Bike

Road biking is an exciting sport that allows you the thrill of speed and adventure while enjoying the outdoors. Deciding to take up this sport, either as a hobby or in order to race, begins with purchasing a road bike. The following are some guidelines to help you become familiar with road bikes and to help you find the best bike for your needs.

Advances in technology have helped to modify these bikes into more sturdy and durable machines. Frames have become lighter, gear systems have been tweaked to allow for easier transition through various speeds, and modified seats allow for better seating and comfort.

The wheels on a road bike are narrow but high pressured. They are designed for road use and are engineered to offer the least possible resistance on pavement. The shocks are also designed for smooth riding, so if you choose to take your bike cross country you’re going to feel every bump and stone your roll over.

Frames on road bikes are lightweight; the lighter the frame the more expensive the bike. Unless you plan on racing, there is little need to invest in the lightest frame available. Aluminum is a popular frame material and the most expensive bikes have titanium in the frames.

Handlebars on road bikes are typically aligned to allow riders to sit in an upright position or to allow riders to reduce wind resistance by hunching over. Both the brakes and gear operations are located on the handlebars. 10 speed gear mechanics used to be the norm where road bikes were concerned, but today’s bikes can have up to 27 different gear combinations.

The sky is the limit when it comes to prices for road bikes. When choosing one for your needs, always ask lots of questions of the sales clerk and make sure that the bike is properly fitted to you. Then just hop on and ride off into the sunset.

Filed Under: Biking, Safety Tagged With: , , , ,