Mountain biking has taken the cycling world by storm. It wasn’t all that long ago when the phrase “mountain bike” would’ve elicited blank stares. Now you see them everywhere. Mountain bikes are made to handle almost every terrain imaginable, and that’s why they’ve become so popular. Just like SUV’s, most people who use them don’t have a need for their full range of functions, but it’s good to no the capability is there “just in case”.
Mountain bikes are nice even for the urban rider because they eliminate the worries one might have when encountering potholes, gravel, and bad road conditions. Mountain bike riders utilize their bikes for a wide range of activities and competitions. A number of races and competitions have sprung up to make use of the mountain bike’s many capabilities.
One such extreme mountain bike competition is known as cross-country (or XC) races. Cross-country mountain bike races usually cover about 30 miles and cover a variety of terrains. These races feature a mass start with all the riders taking off at the same time much like a marathon.
If cross-country races are too short for you, there’s always endurance (or enduro) racing. These races cover in excess of 70 miles and climb to elevations of 8000 feet and more.
For the real maniacs out there, the only way to go is downhill racing. Downhill races typically have staggered starts to try to minimize crashing, but as you can imagine, crashes are a regular part of such events. The racers fly down the hill at breakneck speeds, the key being to have the fastest time down the slope. Many of these races are held on ski slopes during the warmer months. Such competitions demand that the riders have the utmost skill and experience as it can be an extremely dangerous endeavor. These races aren’t for novices.
A competition rapidly growing in popularity is dirt jumping. This will be familiar to BMX enthusiasts as it’s essentially the same sort of competition. Such events aren’t races, of course. They’re judged events wherein riders compete to accomplish the biggest, most amazing jumps involving spinning the bike in the air, doing flips, and even completely letting go of the bike and getting back on before it lands.
Another form of extreme mountain bike competition is bike trials. These events involve navigating unbelievable difficult terrain without touching your feet to the ground. Bike trials require riders to balance their mountain bikes on rails, boulders, posts, tree stumps, and any number of seemingly impossible obstacles. The goal is to finish the course quickly and without having to put your feet down.
If any of these extreme mountain biking competitions appeal to you, start practicing and getting into shape. These events are for skilled and experienced riders only. They’re physically demanding and fairly dangerous. They are not for novices. Remember to wear a helmet and pads when attempting crazy stunts on your bike, and take care of yourself if you’re going to attempt extremely arduous long-distance rides.
By: Gregg Hall
Archive for September, 2009
Why The Mountain Biking Phenomenon Is Growing In Popularity
September 30th, 2009Help Buying A Hardtail Mountain Bike
September 30th, 2009
There are different types of mountain bikes on the market that suit various types of riding styles. Full suspension bikes are equipped with a front shock and rear shock integrated into the frame. Hardtail bikes do not have a rear shock however the majority of bikes nowadays come with a front shock in the fork. The decision to buy a full suspension or hardtail bikes depends on your type of riding terrain. Some riders suggest that the more technical the trail the more a hardtail mountain bike is desired.
Trail riding and racing is the perfect match for a hardtail mountain bike. Hardtail mountain bikes are lighter, cheaper and require less maintenance because there are no pivots when compared to a full suspension bike.
Researching which hardtail bike to purchase can be daunting for a first time buyer. Not knowing each brands product line and not knowing the difference in quality of components can be frustrating. To help with this process keep the following suggestions and questions in mind when deciding which hardtail mountain bike to purchase.
Shop for your hardtail mountain bike at a reputable bike store. Do not buy your bike at Walmart or Target because odds are you will not find the service and quality that you desire. Bike shops have good selections of mountain bikes for sale and bike parts. At a bike shop one will be able to find quality products and expertise that one can count on.
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 in the woods as a recreational rider or are you going to be traveling and racing? Be honest with yourself.
Determine your budget and stick to it. Mountain bikes can be very expensive and you want to make sure that you buy the best bike within your budget. You might feel very excited when you see all of the bikes for sale at the store so keep your goals in perspective.
Purchase a bike that has a quality frame made out of steel, aluminum, carbon fiber or titanium.
Determine if you want a drive train that has 21 or 27 speeds. Many riders prefer a 27 speed for the extra gears. Upgrading from a 21 speed to a 27 speed in the future could be a hassle and more costly then paying for it up front.
Learn some of the basics about front suspension forks. A suspension fork will help improve the comfort and control of your mountain bike on the trail. There are several manufactures that have proven quality products so research them before you buy your bike.
Try to buy a bike with brand name components. These components do not have to be top of the line however just make sure they are a familiar brand. Some brands are not interchangeable; meaning brand Y derailleur does not work with brand X shifters. If you buy a bike with a no name component and it breaks it could be hard to find the needed replacement part.
Make sure the tires are appropriate for the terrain that you want to ride on. As an example if you are buying a cross country bike then make sure that it has a good cross country tire.
Talk to your friends and read online forums. Also make sure you test ride as many bikes as you can. Shop around and have fun.
See you on the trail.
By: Jj Servant
Framing Materials Of Your Mountain Bike
September 29th, 2009The cost of a mountain bike frame is proportionate to its material, as well as the treatment that material has received. Currently, there are five types of material used in mountain bikes – high tensile steel, chromoly steel, aluminum, titanium, and carbon fiber. Oversized diameters, heat treating, and butting are tubing material treatments that will increase the cost of a frame as well.
High tensile steel This is a very durable alloy that’s found in lower priced mountain bikes. It offers a high carbon content which makes it less stiff than chromoly steel, so more materials are needed to make it stiff enough for bicycle frames, which will in turn make it that much heavier.
Relatively inexpensive to produce, you’ll find this material in trail bikes, city bikes, and even entry level mountain bikes. There are some bikes that come with a chromoly seat tube, while the rest is high tensile steel.
Chromoly steel Short for steel alloy, chromoly is best described by its major additives – chromium and molybdenum. This is probably the most refined framing material, giving over 100 years of dependable service.
Depending on the type of heat treating and butting, you can find this material in bikes as low as 400 dollars all the way up to 1,500 and beyond. The chromoly steel material offers very good durability and a compliant ride characteristic.
Aluminum For the past 15 years, aluminum has been refined in pretty much the same way as chromoly. There have been various alloys developed, as well as heat treatment, oversizing, and butting. With dual suspension bikes, aluminum is the preferred material as it’s the stiffest and most cost effective.
Aluminum is stiffer than chromoly, and therefore it will crack before chromoly. Of course, this depends on how you ride and how much abuse you give the frame. The advantages of aluminum is that the frame is very light and very stiff through oversizing or butting.
Titanium Even thought it’s somewhat exotic, the prices for this material have come down over the last few years. Frames made of titanium remain expensive because it takes longer to weld the tubes to the frame.
Titanium is considered an alloy, normally mixed with small amounts of vanadium and aluminum to give it better weldability and ride characteristics. More compliant than chromoly, it offers better fatigue and corrosion properties.
The material you choose for your bike, all depends on where you ride and what style you use. Almost all materials will last you for years, as long as you take care of your bike and treat the frame with some respect.
By: Andrew Manifield
