Pure Mountain BikingGet the latest mountain biking tips, tricks, news and equipment.

by TRAILSOURCE.COM

Mountain biking is a great sport that helps many people all over the world achieve their daily recommended amount of exercise.  With mountain biking, the world is your backyard as you can practically ride anywhere depending on your experience level.

There are many different types of mountain bikes which should be examined before choosing which bike you are going to ride.  Cross Country mountain bikes are the most common and an overall favorite choice of mountain bikers all over the world.  Cross country bikes are made to be very lightweight and easier to ride up steep hills.  These bikes are also common for in town riders commuting to and from work.

Downhill Mountain Bikes are made to take the rough impact that downhill riding offers.  This means they have a very strong front end suspension which can absorb rough hits.  They also will most likely have disc brakes on the rear which are mainly used over the front brakes to avoid crashing.  These bikes can be ridden by people of all skill levels but downhill mountain bike riding is something that should only be done by those who know what they are doing.  It is a very rough fast paced sport that can cause major injury if not done right.

Recreational Mountain bikes are great for beginners as they have an overall mountain bike layout and do not focus on one type of bike riding.  These are great for family biking trips, commuting or even light trail riding.  These bikes are a great choice for anyone who is just starting to get into mountain biking and wants to get a feel for mountain bike riding.

For those who are very avid mountain bike riders, there are companies which give you the option of custom making your bike to fit your exact specs.  Trek Bike Corporation offers you the ability to make your own bike choosing every piece that is used which guarantees you a great custom bike perfect for your riding level.

When you buy your mountain bike, it is a good idea to see if the store offers some type of repair service.  This will help to guarantee your bike remains in good working order encouraging a safer overall riding experience.

Before making your first mountain biking trip, you want to make sure that you are properly prepared the best you can be.  Wearing a helmet is one of the best ways to protect you and is also something many bike riders do not choose to do.  It is a good idea to purchase a helmet that fits right before mountain biking for your first time to avoid injury to the head.

Biking gloves are great for mountain biking because they offer you a much better grip to the handlebars as one slip could mean a wreck.  Gloves help you to hold onto the handlebars and also help to reduce the ability of getting blisters on your hands.

Mountain biking shoes are made especially for the pedals on a mountain bike so that they do not slip off and cause injury.  It is a good idea to have shoes that grip your bike pedals well as this will help you to be able to ride easier and safer.

Mountain biking is a great way to get exercise and also see a lot of scenery you would not normally see.  Many people all over the world are taking up this fast action sport every day.  It is a good idea to always be properly prepared before engaging in your first bike riding experience.

by osaka.synaesthesia

Mountain bike is a very wide umbrella term that applies to a wide variety of bikes.  By far one of the most popular styles of bikes, mountain bikes are built to be durable and take the abuse of off road riding without leaving the rider battered and bruised.  These bikes have to be able to handle large obstacles like logs, rocks and debris, while also being fast and easy to control while going down fast mountain trails.

History

References to mountain biking go all the way back to 1966 but new styles of bicycles didn’t gain any noticeable popularity until the 1970′s.  In Northern California’s Marin county, riders started taking advantage of the mountainous surroundings by taking classic cruiser style bikes and modifying their heavy and sturdy frames with better brakes, home made suspension systems and other innovations.  The sport caught on, especially on the west coast of North America and large groups of riders started popping up from California’s Sierra Mountains to Canada’s now famous North Shore Mountains.  It wasn’t until the late 70′s and early 80′s that new and previously established companies started seriously making mountain bikes.  They used technology, design techniques and materials from their road bikes and adapted them to mountain biking uses and developed new innovations to meet the needs of this growing set of riders.  In 1982, Specialized brought out the first mass produced mountain bike, the Stempjumper.

Features

Mountain bikes cover a wide spectrum of bikes, but on the most basic level, they usually share similar features.  These include:

Frames:  Mountain bikes are built with strong and stiff frames for durability and stability while dealing with unpredictable and rough terrain.  Depending on the specific style and needs of the bike the frame can be made from a variety of materials.  The most common are variations of steel, aluminum, titanium and carbon fiber composites.

Tyres:  Mountain bike tyres need to be wider, stronger and more knobby than road bikes.  Rims usually are 559mm but are commonly called 26″ inch tyres, even though that isn’t quite accurate given the variations of the bike.  These tyres give the bikes the traction they need in rough and ever changing terrain.

Gearing:  Mountain bike gearing can range from single geared bikes all the way up to 30 speeds.  The amount and kind of gearing you need will depend on the style of riding you’re up to.

Brakes:  Higher end mountain bikes come with disk brakes, while lower end versions are outfitted with V-brakes.  Disk brakes work a lot better when you’re traveling at high speeds but are substantially heavier and more expensive than V-brakes.

Suspension:  Mountain bike suspensions are usually judged by the amount of travel they allow.  The more travel, the more the bike absorbs impacts instead of your body.  The different suspension variations can be broken down into three main categories:  hard tail, front suspension and dual suspension.

Hard Tail:  Hard tail versions feature stiff frames but no suspension.  If you’re doing any sort of serious off road riding, you’re going to feel every bump.  These bikes are designed for the average rider who enjoys off road riding but also plans on doing some city or path riding too.

Front Suspension:  Since mountain bikes land on the front wheel first, generally, these suspensions are great.  The suspension system is loaded in the front and provides good but not great protection from serious off road impacts.

Dual Suspension:  The newest innovation in mountain bike technology is dual suspension.  Often referred to as full suspension or full-susser bikes, this system is in both front and back wheels.  While heavier and more expensive, if you’re doing big jumps and tackling the roughest courses, this is the suspension you want.

Mountain Bike Styles

What was once a niche market made up of tinkerers making their own mountain bikes in garages out of spare cruiser frames and their own custom components, mountain biking has blow up into a full scale industry.  Today mountain biking is just an umbrella term that encompasses a large variety of bikes and riding styles.

As the sport exploded in popularity many riders found their own personal styles and bikes started getting made to meet the needs of those unique markets.  Many bikes fit several categories and can be used effectively across a variety of styles, while others are specifically designed for just one.

Here is a sample of the most popular mountain biking styles today:

Cross Country:  Abbreviated XC, cross country bikes place a high degree of importance on speed and endurance.  The bikes are lightweight and not meant for the roughest off road environments.

Trail Bikes:  These evolved from XC bikes and are commonly used for recreational trial riding and can handle rougher terrain than the bikes that spawned them.

All Mountain:  This style of mountain bike is designed to climb and descend well and are perfect for all day rides up and down mountains.

Free-ride:  Bikes in this discipline are built to be heavier and more durable.  They can be ridden uphill but handle much better going downhill.

Downhill:  DH bikes have large gears, plush travel and are specifically designed to handle the stresses of downhill racing.  Their frames need to be strong but light, which leads to the use of high quality but expensive materials

Dirt Jumping:  DJ bikes are a mix between BMX bikes and free-ride mountain bikes.  They are made to be sturdy and strong enough to withstand the high impacts they are frequently subjected to.  They usually only have front suspension systems.

More Mountain Biking Gear Articles

A mountain bike is a lot of fun although it does require some maintenance. You should always lube your bike 15 hours or so before riding, as quick jobs right before you take off normally doesn’t get everything lubed. Some lube jobs will last for more rides, although if things get loud or shifting gets sticky, it’s time to lube.

Here is how to lube your bike:

1.  The chain
Apply a generous amount of mountain bike lube to your chain as you move the pedals around backwards. It also helps to find a spot to steady your hand such as the frame while you move the pedals around and around. Make sure you watch out for the cranks and chain rings as they move around.

2.  Front Deraileur
On the front defaileur, lube the pivots. Use a spot of lube everywhere you can see movement when you move the shift lever.

3.  Rear deraileur
Just like the front deraileur, lube the pivots. 

4.  Pedals
There are some types of clipless pedals that will need to have the release mechanism lubed. You should only lube this mechanism if you have this type of pedal.

5.  Everything into motion
Pedal around, shift your gears, and bounce your bike around. If you hear anything squeak, there’s a moving part there are it should be lubed immediately.

6.  Wipe it all clean
Once you’ve lubed everything and wiped it all around, simply wipe it all back off. Use a rag to wipe away all the lube you used, including all the lube off the chain. Wiping it away will leave the lube in between the parts but clean it away from everywhere it isn’t needed. This will keep your bike from collecting dirt while you ride.

MTB Shop

by joneboi

In the wide world of outdoor sports and hobbies, there is something out there for everyone of any background to enjoy. This does not mean, however, that they are not without their own problems. Take mountain biking, for instance.

The beginner can quickly become caught up in debates on what is the best brand or model of the mountain bike, from the wheels to the color to whatever else people can come up with. But beyond all of that flash, just what exactly makes a good bike? Should the buyer focus solely on comfort, or what makes it the most convenient and functional model?

You must choose a bike that is functional to your needs. Sure, it may look pretty, and the seat is nice, but how well will the bike be able to handle what you want to do? Can it stand up to mud, slush, rain, and other problems that come with interacting with the landscape? The frame must be sturdy no matter what happens and no matter what others might try to talk you into.

A good mountain bike will suit your needs without breaking the bank. If you feel that you must take out a loan just to be able to afford it, let the bike go. There is no use in bringing any problems to a hobby that is supposed to be fun. If you feel that it is worth it, take a little more time to save up the extra money to get that more expensive and the best mountain bike in the market.

The best mountain bike must be able to evolve with upgrades. If you find that you can’t change the wheels to something better on the bike later on, or add some kind of accessory, don’t bother getting it. Spend your energy finding something that you know will be able to change as you do.

Mountain biking is a fun, rewarding and good for you exercise that many choose to make a part of their life. Before you take the plunge and invest, be sure that you have found the right bike. In doing this, you can only benefit and save yourself from any headaches or regrets later down the line.

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by eric.r

Mountain biking can be both a sport and a hobby. It brings us closer to Mother Nature as well as can serve an exercise of the lungs. This is because it requires how well you breathe under those circumstances. It is not only swimming of singing that will require breathing techniques also in mountain biking. Having the right breathing technique will result into good performance.

Of course the breathing is only a minor attribute of every biker for that matter. Along with this one must have endurance to cope with difficulty. It is never easy doing mountain biking. During first stages, your muscles will be sore and your body may ache all over enough for you to say “I’d quit.’ That is the reason why you need endurance.

Since it is an individual sport and hobby, you will also need self reliance and control. You need to rely on yourself to succeed and you need a lot of control not only to your bike but also of every situation that comes your way. It is because mountain biking is all about overcoming all obstacles.

Given the subject, mountain biking has four major categories and it should be noteworthy to mention them here. The four categories would be downhill, cross country, free ride (joyride) and street biking. Whatever category you fall under, you will need specific gears and particular mountain bikes suited for each category.

Advantages of mountain biking would include that it can be done anywhere whether it is your own lawn and to most rough terrain, although we can always assume when we say mountain biking that it would mean almost always off-road terrain.

As part of this individual sport and like every sport there is, you will need equipments ready. It is part and parcel of the whole thing. To list down a few you will need of course first your bike. Depending to your taste and build you should be able to choose the most suitable bike for you. You will just have to make sure that mountain bikes should have shock absorbers since they are off road.

Having helmet is a must because like any other sport, mountain biking is prone to injuries like falls. You will also need gloves to protect your hands. You will also need glasses to prevent debris in the air to enter the eyes. Your shoes should be comfortable enough and durable enough to withstand long hours of pedaling. With regards to clothing, it is necessary to add appropriateness along with comfort. Usually clothes that are stretchable are used. It is also important that you should have bottled water with you to relieve your thirst. It can be put into tote bag or light weight back packs. To be ready, you should add pumps to the list just in case you go on flat tires along with other bike tools that will come in handy during emergency.

Mountain biking is a great sport. It can be done almost by everyone as long as physical fitness is assured. Consider it leisure, exercise and hobby all at the same time.

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by SoulRider.222

When you take that first ride down that new found mountain that challenges you, makes your blood flow and gets your adrenaline pumping is one of the best feelings in the world, for sure… But it is important that your mountain bike frame is stirdy and can withhold the immense energy and power placed upon your bike frame during that ride. Your body along with the bike will absorb a lot of shocks when you purchase the right kind of mountain bike frame.

Instead of you feeling all the bumps and humps, most of the shocks will get pushed into your bike components making the ride more comfortable for you and your bike (if it had feelings). Luckily the design and construction of mountain bike frams have gotten way more superior over the years. The things you can buy today are so much more sophisticated than the old frames from back in the days.

When you buy a frame in todays day and age it is hundreds times better. The design will be more shock absorbing… The materials are lighter and absorb shocks better etc.

It can still, however be hard to determine what frame is right for you. You will require a different frame for different types of riding. Adrenaline filled downhill riding with lots of roots and danger will require a different bike frame than level trails in alongside mountains for example. It is important to know the difference and not buy a mountain bike that will be useless or worse off in the situation you want to ride it.

You might also see mountain bikes in the city, because more and more people are getting them. They are more comfortable than most “city bikes” and can also appear cooler for some people.

Buying a mountain bike is simple. You should do some research online or go to stores in order to learn about what bike suits your body type, size and interests. This might take a while, especially if you are price hunting too. If not, simply search offline and have it delivered online! It is usually a lot cheaper to order a mountain bike from the internet as most of those vendors do not need to have an inventory, but can send it straight from the factory or cut down on middle men.

I highly recommend going to a mountain bike store first as the professionals in the store will be able to measure you in order to make sure you get the right kind of triangle based on weight, length, interest of riding etc.

by KirkOls

Tire pressure is a very important facet of riding any kind of bike, including mountain bikes. By learning how to set the tire pressure, you can give yourself more control and help to make the ride down the mountain smoother. If the tire pressure is too low, then you will find that it is much harder to cycle and it can increase the chance of a flat, too. Tire pressure that is too high can make your ride very bumpy and out of control, as well.

Tire pressure can vary from person to person, because it is dependent upon the personal preference of the bicycler, the tire’s condition, and the terrain that you will be riding on. The tire pressure can be easily modified simply by using a high quality pump on the tires. A tire pressure gauge is also an essential part of keeping your tires at the optimum pressure.

The manufacturer of the tire will have a recommended tire pressure for your particular tires and this is where you can start. You can then adjust the tire pressure as needed from there. It is best to use the same tire pressure gauge and pump when you check your tires, because you may get different readings depending upon the tire pressure gauge that you choose.

A good rule of thumb is to start with a higher tire pressure for your bike. This means that you want to be around 40-50 psi (3-3.5 bar), and then lower the tire pressure a little at a time to find which tire pressure is best for your particular bike, terrain, and yourself. If you are a little heavier, then you will want to use a higher tire pressure for sure.

Taking a test bike ride is the best way to check the tire pressure. You will want to notice how the tire behaves, how it rides on the terrain, how it slides down the mountain, and how it hooks in the corners. If you have too much tire pressure, then drop it in increments of 5 psi in both tires. If the bike gains grip and is more stable at this tire pressure, then you will want to keep it at this standard pressure. If not, then you will continue dropping the tire pressure in small increments and redoing the test until your bike rides the way you want and need it to.

If you want to determine the lowest possible tire pressure, then gradually decrease the tire pressure until you see how it feels when you ride on almost flat tires. This will help you to learn how it feels so that you can keep your tubes from getting damaged.

If your mountain bike tires are tubeless, then you will want to stay with a lower tire pressure. The advised tire pressure for tubeless tires is between 30 and 40 psi. This is because tubeless tires experience fewer pinch flats and even rim contact occasionally is okay. This is why you can ride on tires with a much lower tire pressure than normal. If the tire pressure is too low, you will find that if you are cornering hard that the tire will roll under the rim.

Another thing that you need to be on the lookout for is rolling resistance. The increased rolling resistance will take more effort, but it will offer you greater control and better traction to allow you to climb easier. For racers who race cross-country, they would rather have a more efficient bike versus greater control, so you have to take into consideration what kind of biking that you will be doing.

Using your hand to squeeze the tire will help you determine what the right tire pressure feels like so that you do not have to rely so much on the tire pressure gauge.

Related Mountain Bike Tires Articles

by MoHotta18

One of the most important components on your mountain bike is your tires. They grip the ground and provide the traction you need on different surfaces. Most mountain bike riders look for light weight, strength and traction in a tire and many advanced riders even have multiple sets of tires for different riding conditions.

So what tire is right for your mountain bike and riding style? With so many different manufactures and models to choose from which one is right for you? These are not easy questions to answer so hopefully we can provide some insight to get you moving in the right direction. Mountain bike parts are not cheap and you want to make the right decision.

Tire Construction:

Consider a Kevlar bead or folding tire – A Kevlar tire weighs an estimated 60-80 grams less then a conventional none folding tire. It does not sound like much of a weight savings but multiple that number by two and then consider the rotating weight. For an extra couple of dollar, in my opinion, it is worth spending the extra money.

Terrain and Tread patterns:

Determine where you are going to ride and how you are going to use the bike. As an example will you be riding on the local trails that are hard packed dirt or on slick rock?

For hard packed terrain consider a narrower and smooth tire. As an example a tire that is 1.8 to 2.0 wide.

For hard packed terrain with a good mix of rocks you might want to consider a wider and smooth tire. As an example a tire that is wider then 2.0.

For loosely packed terrain consider a knobby tire. Choose a tire with a really aggressive pattern as this will help you gain maximum traction in the dirt. You might also want to consider tires that are designed for the front and rear of the bike.

For muddy terrain consider a narrow tire. Narrow tires will reach the bottom of the mud and create less resistance when turning making it easier for you to move forward.

For all terrain tires there are so many choices to consider. Many of the major tire manufacturers make very good tires that are great for all conditions.

Riders Body Size:

Consider your body size. If you are heavier you might want to consider a wider tire.

Where to buy:

You can buy your tires at a bike store, order them from an online website or from an individual sell tires posted on a mountain bike classifieds website.

The information above is a rough guide on what to consider when buying new mountain bike tires. Many bikes stores that have bikes for sale and bike parts can also give you their opinion. Talk to your friends and read online forums to see what other riders like and don’t like. The more information you have the better.

See you on the trail.

by osaka.synaesthesia

When you very initial begin out making use of mountain biking, it may be a bit overpowering should you walk into a bike keep to buy a person’s initial mountain bike in addition to in addition see numerous on the offered accessories you’ll want whenever you initially start off operating.

It is possible to uncover a lot of mountain biking add-ons in addition to associated collections which you may obtain. Despite the fact that the gross sales workers will aim to promote you some thing they could, the genuine query for those on a shelling out budget isn’t what’s cool, but what add-ons you should make up ones rides further secure additionally to pleasurable. By beginning with each other with the majority of most of these add-ons, you can be just very good when you hit the trails.

Bike helmet.

The bike helmet will be the the majority of considerable mountain biking accessory that you simply will get. Nobody have to actually be on the bike with out a helmet. There are actually many people who have skilled really serious head damage, when it could have prevented by utilizing a helmet. Quite a few mountain bike helmets are snug mixed along with stylish combined along with everyone who rides on the trails wears one.

Mountain bike gloves.

Regardless of what season you journey in, your main palms may perhaps get a beating. Newbies will typically retain a demise grip around the offer along with bars, which may be extremely brutal for their fingers. The moment you crash, your own palms will probably be the 1st concern to hit the ground – in addition to everyone crashes at many facet. Mountain bike gloves really are a really should have accessory, as they’re going to take the beating to suit your needs.

Mountain bike shorts.

Immediately after the 1st few of mountain bike rides you take, you will discover that ones rear conclude is going to be really uncomfortable. Despite the fact that an individual’s physique will alter, bike shorts are great to get as they may be going to help protect it at a bare minimal. You might be able to purchase shorts which are rather comfy, producing them an incredible addition to your mountain bike trip.

Mountain bike footwear.

Relying on the kind of pedals chances are you’ll have along with the kind of using you do, you can wish to choose your own mountain bike footwear accordingly. If ever a person’s bike has clipless form pedals, you can would love to choose up footwear to accept the distinctive cleat for that pedals. Superior mountain bike shoes are long lasting, comfy, and additionally furthermore as well a stiff sole for improved effectiveness when pedaling. Moreover, you must be specific to have the right shoe for the terrain you may be driving in as well.

Eye protection.

In circumstance you’ve a single thing in your own eye, you may run off the trail within a matter of seconds. Sunglasses or distinct lensed glasses will certainly assist protect a person’s eyes secure from debris, as well as guard them from your wind. Once you get hold of your main glasses, make certain they are non-breakable.

Hydration technique.

Bringing a h2o bottle or hydration backpack with each other together with you is usually an awesome considered. It’s very quick to obtain dehydrated so make sure you generally provide water as well as you combined with furthermore drink it around the trail to generate certain that your physique stays the right way hydrated at several instances.

Trail repair kit.

It is uncomplicated to have stuck within the woods or on the trail if you will not carry the suitable restore kit for your bike. To be to the secure facet, convey a multi-tool made for bike restore, tire levers, as well as a patch kit for repairing flat vehicle tires.

Looking other sport preparation blog’s motorbike helmets info. Give the best information about safety gear when you racing such as : bell bike helmet and kbc helmet for safety activities.

Learn about different styles of mountain bike riding in this free video series that covers the basics of how to become a knowledgeable mountain biker. Expert: Rick Van Hoorn Bio: Rick Van Hoorn has been riding mountain bikes since 1987. He has professionally taught mountain biking and has created and led bike camping trips and wine tours. Filmmaker: Diana Bacon

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by osaka.synaesthesia

The gears in mountain bicycles just keep getting more and more complex. The bikes of today have as many as twenty-seven gear proportions. An off-road bike will utilise a
Aggregate of three different sized sprockets in front and nine in the back to produce gear proportions.  

The concept behind all of these gears is to permit the rider to crank the pedals at a continuous pace no matter what sort of slope the bike is on. You can understand this better by picturing a bike with simply a single gear. Every time you rotate the pedals one turn, the rear wheel would rotate one turn as well ( eleven gear proportion ).

If the rear wheel is twenty-six inches in diameter, then with 11 gearing, one full twist on the pedals would lead to the wheel covering 81.6 inches of ground. If you’re pedaling at a speed of 50 R.p.m, this suggests that the bike can cover over 340 feet of ground per minute. This is only 3.8 Miles per hour, which is the equivalence of walking speed. This is excellent for climbing a steep hill, although bad for ground or going downhill.

To go quicker you will need a different proportion. To ride downhill at 25 Miles per hour with a fifty Revs per minute cadence at the pedals, you’ll require a 5.6:1 gear proportion. A bike with plenty of gears will give you a large number of increments between an eleven gear proportion and a 6.5:1 gear proportion so that you can always pedal at fifty R.p.m, no matter how fast you’re really going.

On an ordinary twenty-seven speed mountain bike, 6 of the gear proportions are so close to each other that you can not notice any difference between them.

With actual use, bike riders have a tendency to choose a front sprocket acceptable for the slope they’re riding on and keep it going, although the front sprocket can be difficult to shift under heavy load. It’s way easier to shit between the gears on the rear.

If you’re cranking up a hill, it’s best to choose the tiniest sprocket on the front then shift between the 9 gears available on the rear. The more speeds you have on the back sprocket, the larger advantage you will have.

All in all, gears are critical to mountain bikes as they dictate your total speed. Without gears you would not be well placed to build speed nor would you be in a position to pound pedals. The gears will move the pedals and help you build up speed.

There are all sorts of gears available in mountain bikes, all of which will help you build up a lot of momentum if you use them the right way.

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