Archive for November, 2009

How the Selection of Your Mountain Bike Tires Can Influence Your Riding

November 30th, 2009

As a beginner, it could be very confusing for one to just stroll into a bike shop to buy their very first mountain bike. And what is more confusing is what all accessories one would need to start biking.

Mountain bike accessories and other mountain bike products one would want are available in plenty. A shopkeeper will be looking for a profit and would sell everything he can, but what beginners and customers with a budget need is a bike that has the proper accessories to make the ride safe and pleasant. These accessories given below will give one a good idea of what to buy and what not to buy.

Mountain bike tires are broader and knobbier for more grip and absorption of shock. In modern bikes, suspension for front wheel has become the custom while suspension for the full front and rear is becoming more and more general.

In few mountain bikes, the handlebars are fixed with bar ends, but riser handlebars which are made such that they oppose to a flat straight handlebar are becoming increasingly popular because a very few riders use bars with their ends extended.

These bikes usually have 26 inches or 559 mm wheels, but after year 2002 many bikes are available in the markets, which have 29 inches or 622 mm wheels. This is the diameter universally used for other normal road bikes which is also known as a 700c.

One may have never thought about the parts that are required to make a mountain bike while riding it. But sometimes it becomes important to know the parts. You never know where they will help you.

Tire: they are on the outer part of the rim. They make contact with the road while riding and also provide a grip. The tires have to be selected carefully with care.

A huge variety of tread patterns are being manufactured to suit different needs and for different conditions in the mountain bike tires. The different types of tire patterns available in the market are: slick street tires, snow studded, street tires with a center ridge and an outer tread, fully knobbly, rear-specific, and snow studded, front-specific.

These mountain bike tires can be specially designed to suit the bike in dry weather or wet weather and also according to the terrain whether it is hard, soft or muddy conditions. There are many other designs that are applicable in all kinds of weather and roads. For the same application, there are also light tires that are more expensive and have less or no rolling resistance.

For free rides and downhill descents a new kind of sticky rubber mountain bike tires are available. These tires may wear out very fast but they are extremely useful during cornering. There are tubeless that run at lower air pressure which improves traction and also rolling resistance. Tire manufacturers for mountain bikes are in plenty. A brand may be selected to suit the users’ needs.




By: Muna wa Wanjiru

Accessorize Your Mountain Bike

November 29th, 2009

You’ve decided to take up the exciting and challenging sport of mountain biking. Unlike casual biking, you need much more than just a helmet to ensure that you have a safe ride as you hit the trails.

Mountain biking is such a popular sport that there is now a vast range of accessories for both men and women. Make sure you do a bit of research on each item you want to purchase to make sure you buy the best quality for the amount of money you want to spend.

Bike helmet

We may be listing the bike helmet as an ‘accessory’ but it really isn’t. It is a necessary piece of equipment. In mountain biking, it is not a question of if you’re going to fall, it’s a question of when. And when you take a header over your handlebars, having a secure helmet on your head could well save your life. Although you can buy most accessories second hand if you so desire, the bike helmet is something that you want to buy brand-new, and make sure that it fits your head properly. And if you do have an accident in which any damage occurs to the helmet, the wisdom is that you should purchase another one. One accident per helmet – that’s the rule.

Eye protection

Have you ever been riding on the road and been passed by a car that sends up a spurt of gravel at you? If any of that gets into your eyes, you have to stop immediately to clear your vision. If you’re on a trail heading downhill at a breakneck pace, and a baleful bee takes that opportunity to hit you in the eye, the following seconds could end up being very uncomfortable. Glasses or sunglasses are one solution, but the best method is to wear goggles. Whatever you get, make sure that lenses are non-breakable.

Hydration system

It’s common sense to bring a water bottle with you when you go out on a trail ride. It’s very easy to get dehydrated which brings your energy right down. However, in order to drink from your water bottle you have to take your hand off one of the handles, and there are sometimes when you don’t want to do that. A hydration backpack is a good solution. As a backpack you can put all kinds of necessary inside it, and when you need a drink you just reach over with your mouth to the bite valve and take a sip.

Mountain bike shorts

These days bike saddles are a lot more comfortable than they used to be. There are saddles made especially for women as well as men, and you can purchase gel-filled saddles that make the hours you spend on your bike a bit more comfortable. But you’ll also want padded bike underwear and padded bike shorts, just for extra comfort.

Mountain bike gloves

If you fall off your bike (or should that be, when), your hands will probably be the first thing to hit the ground – either a paved road, a graveled road, dirt, mud, bushes…all sorts of hazards that can rip up your hands unless they’re properly protected. Gloves serve another purpose as well, of course. If you’re heading down the trail your hands will get sweaty which could cause problems keeping your hands on your bike grips. Wearing gloves eliminates that problem.

Mountain biking shoes

These days there’s a shoe made for every sport under the sun, including that of mountain biking. The main difference in mountain bike shoes is the type of sole – designed for the different types of pedals out there: with clips or clipless. The clipless type of pedal requires that your shoes be fitted with special cleats. The shoes need to be durable and comfortable.

Trail repair kit

Regardless of what type of biking you do, it always makes sense to carry a bicycle repair kit with you. However, you can ‘get away’ with not carrying one if you ride on the streets of your city. You’ll just be a phone call away from someone who can come and help you if you have a flat, after all. It’s not that easy if you’re out in the woods and your cell phone doesn’t work. Always have a a multi-tool designed for bike repair, tire levers, and a patch kit for fixing flat tires. However, having a repair kit will do you little good if you don’t know how to use the tools! So make sure that after you purchase your kit you familiarize with each of the tools and how to use them! It’s easy once you know how.




By: Alastair Hamilton

Preparing For A Mountain Biking Adventure

November 29th, 2009

For outdoor recreation, mountain biking or simply bicycling is one exciting and thrilling activity that is making lots of fun to many people. And, more than fun, many join group of mountain bikers for health reason. Many have proven that cycling is very effective way to achieve a healthy and fit body.

Mountain biking is popular in and out of Bryce Canyon; however it is dangerous due to the fact that the bikes move both fast and quiet. Also, the nature of the activity requires that most of the cyclists attention is on balance, concentration, and control, and less is available for watching for bears.

Cycling is something that you can do for your whole life as long as you keep it fun. It is an individual challenge, obliging you to depend on your own skills when out alone. Knowing how to repair your bike or care for a wound are necessary to avoid becoming stranded or worsening an injury– these are just some you need undergo in cycling.

Mountain biking is roughly broken; it is a lot like tennis or skiing. Just a few minor adjustments in techniques can make a huge difference in your control and proficiency.

It needs a lot of dedication and passion to really become a successful cyclist.

Mountain biking is mostly riding off road, but much of the time you are riding on backcountry dirt roads. A mountain biking experience is commonly slower than road biking, dustier, and with shorter climbs.

There are some important things you should remember when you want to experience this extreme sports. First, you have to visit your doctor first to make it sure that you are best-fitted for mountain biking. Then, having checked and told you are capable, you need to undergo some sort of physical fitness activity to prepare your body system. Stretching/Exercising in the morning is one way of doing that. You also need to consider eating right amount of foods, with the right nutrients. Taking vitamins can also help.

When your are already prepared physically, emotionally, mentally, it is time to prepare the necessary mountain biking accessories– ask about biking accessories you may need at the stores near you. You wil also need first aid stuffs.

More tips:

Joining in mountain biking clubs allows you to be more aware of the do’s and don’ts of this sport. That includes of course, knowing several prohibition for the sake of environmental protection. By joining clubs, you have the opportunity to be exposed in several orientations or seminars.




By: Bercle George

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