Mountain Bike Fun!

Have you been shopping for a mountain bike? If yes, I am sure you’ve seen it’s not an easy task. Maybe you’re looking for one that suits your personality, style or within your budget. However, what many miss out on is that you need a bike that will serve your purpose and most of all comfortable and safe. One of the popular brands that definitely have all this aspects is the barracuda mountain bike. They’re designed for mountain biking and come in various types.

One outstanding type is the K2 Mountain bikes. They are light in weight, have a magnificent climbing and acceleration, they’re stiff, give a ********** ride, absorbs vibrations and they’re built of strong and efficient components. This bikes are also gorgeous and you can always upgrade them as you wish.

The K2 mountain bike is all about the strength and endurance, it climbs amazingly and you can ride it while seated or standing without any problems. In fact, you’ll always feel like accelerating while climbing. This bike always gives an amazing stiffness when you lock the front and set the pro pedals to the maximum. Moreover, when you combine the rear shocks and the front fork, there’s no other perfect than this for climbing.

Basically all around K2 mountain bikes will not let you down. Be it on slippery, dusty or roads with sand stone gravel the grip is better than before and it gives a perfect hold. For most of us, descending can always mean nightmares and we tend to loose control. This is not the case with this bicycles. They give a smooth and enjoyable ride down and up the hill.



By: Peter Gitundu


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If you like riding on dirt paths, unpaved surfaces, trekking or hiking, then a mountain bike is all you need. Unlike the ordinary bicycles, these ones are quite “hard core” in nature. They perform well in rough places and can handle more strain. One of their key characteristics is their tires. They are actually more wider, knobbier and absorbs shock well. Generally, this bikes are classified into four types i.e fully Rigid, hard Tail, Soft Tail and Dual/ full Suspension.

Full suspension have a suspension fork in the rear and the front while fully rigid do not have nay suspension. Hard tail on the other hand has a suspension fork in the front while soft tail, has very less suspension in the rear and its frame has a flex in the rear, rather than the pivot.

Mountain bikes are superbly designed and their features are even better now than before. The modern ones today have 21, 24 or 27 speeds and are normally fitted with 3 gears in the front while the rear has 7, 8, or 9. They also have disc brakes that makes stopping easier.

With the growing of mountain biking as a sport, Mountain bikes are rising in demand together with accessories that accompany them. Nevertheless, we ought to be careful when buying this accessories. In fact, you’ll notice that most of this equipment like helmets, knee and elbow caps etc are meant for our safety and they’re important to acquire before we go out riding. Some of the commonly known manufactures of this bile include; Arrow Racing, Dagger, Dart, Full Dynamix, Airborne cycles and Alpine design MTBs.



By: Peter Gitundu

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Many people these days are pursuing healthier, more active lifestyles. These people are discovering the benefits of having a strong fit body. One of the ways people are choosing to exercise is bike riding. On-road or off, bicycling is a great way to have some fun and get into better shape.

The fastest growing segment of the bicycle market is that of the mountain bike. Mountain bikes are multi-geared bicycles designed specifically for trails and any other non-paved surface. Even if you don’t plan on doing much trail riding, you’ll appreciate the mountain bike’s design next time your speed over a pothole or surmount a curb.

When shopping for a mountain bike you’ll encounter a wealth of options. It can be a little overwhelming but we’ll break it down for you to make your decision easier. First of all, you need to determine your budget. How much are you willing to spend? Everything starts here. You should budget as much as you possibly can because costlier bikes perform better than cheaper ones.

When it comes to mountain bikes, it’s not just a name you’re buying. Higher priced mountain bikes really are worth it in the long run. They’re lighter, stronger, more comfortable, more reliable, and have more features than a cheap bike. Related to cost is where you’re going to buy the bike. We recommend purchasing your bike from a bike store as opposed to one of those “big box” retailers. The employees at your local bike shop will be far more knowledgeable about their products than the people at those sprawling, impersonal cathedrals of capitalism. A bike from a local bike shop might cost more but your overall experience will be significantly better.

After deciding how much you want to spend, you need to figure out what features are important to you. This is where things can get a little confusing and where you’ll find the added value in patronizing a local bike shop where all these details can be explained and elaborated upon.

Many mountain bikes today feature full suspensions. This means that both the front and rear wheels are cushioned with some sort of system which will give you added comfort and control when negotiating tricky terrain. Of course, this adds to the price of the bike. Many bikes are made with just a front suspension. This cuts down on cost and is quite suitable for most riders. You can get a mountain bike without any sort of suspension. The choice is yours.

Try out all different sorts of bikes and see which one you like best. Again, listen to the advice you get from the pros at the shop, and do some research online. There’s a wealth of helpful information on mountain bikes available on the web. Mountain bike magazines are also an excellent resource. Of course, there are many other things to consider when purchasing a mountain bike, but for the beginner, it’s best to just narrow it down to how much you want to spend and what kind of suspension you’re going to want.

Remember to test-ride any bike you’re thinking about buying because the feel of the bike is all-important. Read reviews and heed the advice of experts. In no time you’ll be cruising through the woods and getting into great shape.



By: Gregg Hall

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Your first mountain bike (and every one there after) may be one of the most important purchases you ever make. Finding the right bike is necessary for ensuring the safety and enjoyment of your mountain biking excursions. This however, is sometimes easier said than done.

Most mountain bikes are built for men. It is therefore easier for a man to find one with the perfect fit than for a woman. Women are proportioned differently; they are usually smaller in size and have shorter torsos than men (though often with longer legs). When you ride a mountain bike that is not fit properly to your body, you run the risk of sustaining injuries. Some of these injuries include knee problems and back injuries, not to mention the possibility of having an accident.

As more women join the ranks of mountain bikers, some companies have set out to design bicycles made specifically for women and their proportions. The same problems can occur with children. Since children come in such a wide range of sizes, and are constantly growing, it is important to ensure that you find the right fit for your son or daughter and that you purchase a new bike when they outgrow the old.

Before you purchase a bike, make sure that you test it out. This can be difficult in the age of internet sales. However, make sure that if you are purchasing a bicycle online, you find a nearby store where you can try it out before buying it. While you should always have the option to return a bicycle that you have purchased online, it is more of a hassle than just trying it out beforehand.

There are certain things that you should look for to ensure that the bicycle is a perfect “fit”. One of the things to look for is the distance between you and the top tube of the bicycle. This should be at least 4 to 6 inches in order to prevent injury in case of an accident. You can tell this by standing above the bicycle and seeing how far your crotch is from the top tube. For women, you will also want to make sure that the length of the top tube does not put you too far away from the front of the bike. This would be very uncomfortable. Another thing to look for is the saddle height.

When you sit on the bicycle, your legs should not be fully extended when you push the peddle to the farthest position. If you are riding on uneven terrain, you will be standing a great deal and may want to lower the seat even further. Lastly, make sure that the handlebars are at a comfortable height. This is cheaper and easier to do when you purchase a new bike as opposed to having it changed out after.

By selecting the correct fit when you purchase a mountain bike, you will ensure that you have the best time possible with the least risk of injury or pain.



By: Sydney Garrison

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One of the most important matters that you should consider is the type of suspension the cycle has. The main varieties are Hardtail Suspension and Full Suspension. This is an important option, as it will impact the types of terrain you can cover, as well as the overall handling. What’s the difference? Hardtail Suspension only includes front-wheel suspension. Meanwhile, Full-Suspension includes suspension for both the front and rear tires.

As a general rule of thumb, you should opt for Full Suspension when selecting from various mountain bikes. Generally, you’ll experience superior performance and comfort with this option. The drawbacks are that you’ll lose some effectiveness and the suspension will add some additional weight to your cycle. So remember that Full Suspension usually provides the best option.

Does that mean that Hardtail Suspension is never a practical option? It actually provides some benefits. They need less upkeep, which can save you time, money, and effort. Additionally, Hardtail Suspension cycles cost slightly less than Full Suspension cycles. Furthermore, Hardtail Suspension provides increased efficiency, and particularly when riding on level surfaces. This type of suspension is particularly helpful for dirt-jumping and cross-country cycling.

One of the main issues when selecting mountain bikes with either Hardtail or Full Suspension is that Full Suspension is somewhat more expensive. So if you’re going to invest in Full Suspension, it’s best to secure your cycle from a shop that specializes in bicycles.

Another important matter when selecting all-terrain two-wheelers is whether you should choose Rim Brakes or Disc Brakes. Disc Brakes are typically the best option if you don’t mind the extra cost and weight supplying you with superior overall performance. However, the main drawback is related to the extra weight that they create. Although the amount of additional weight is reliant on various factors, it’s still typically quite substantial.

The popularity of Disc Brakes exploded during the 1990s. The performance of these breaks is drastically superior to that of Rom Brakes, and particularly when the riding surfaces are either wet or muddy. They’re also easier to use and are independent of the rims’ state.

Are there instance when Rim Brakes would be a better option? If you’re looking for a lower price or an overall lighter cycle (while sacrificing minor differences in the efficiency of the brakes), then you should consider Rim Brakes.

The design of Rim Brakes has undergone a relatively drastic evolution throughout the years. However, they also have some major drawbacks that you should consider when purchasing an all-terrain two-wheeler. Rim Brakes require undamaged rims, and their performance along wet or muddy surfaces is far from perfect. Additionally, with time, Rim Brakes can grind through the rim’s side and eventually cause it to pop off! That’s certainly a situation that you should want to avoid like the plague.

A third issue that you should consider when buying mountain bikes, is whether you need a gender-specific cycle. In other words, should a woman purchase a women’s bicycle? Although manufacturers have attempted to design these two-wheelers specifically for women, it’s advisable that females test ride both types of cycles, to determine which variety suits them better. This is the only way to learn for certain whether a women’s or men’s bicycle would be a better option.

It’s important to remember that women’s bicycles are for “average” women’s bodies. However, it’s possible that you may not feel completely comfortable on such cycles. For instance, if your body size is larger than the average female’s, then you may want to consider a men’s bicycle. If your body size is smaller than the average female’s, then you may want to consider two-wheelers that manufacturers designed specifically for petite women.

All of these considerations can be crucial whenever you need to purchase mountain bikes. Ultimately, you need to select one that will provide you with a smooth ride when you’re traveling along smooth or rough terrain. That will make your cycling a better experience, which is a good thing!



By: Kelly Nickless

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expertvillage asked:

When replacing mountain bike hand grips, first use a razor blade to cut off the old ones, spray rubbing alcohol or hairspray inside the new grips and slide them onto the handles. Put new hand grips on a mountain bike, using clamp-on grips to avoid using alcohol, with a demonstration from an experienced cyclist and bike repair specialist in this free video on bicycles. Expert: John Murray Bio: John Murray is a bicycle sales and repair technician at FJ Rogers in Florence, Mass. Filmmaker: David Pakman

Close to the end of summer 2008 I bought a used bicycle. The bike I choose was a 2006 Giant Anthem 2 and I rode it as often as I could before it started to snow. Now that spring is coming I thought it would be a good time to review the Giant Anthem 2 for anyone out there that might be in the market for a really good used mountain bike.

Now for a little background on why I was in the market for a new bike. After riding my cheap, heavy hard tail mountain bike with my friends I realized I had to get a better bike just to keep up with them. I also had plans on going mountain biking but didn’t want to use the old bike because I was concerned about breaking some of the cheap components on the bike.

I had been keeping an eye on Craigslist (check out my post on Buying a used bike on Craigslist) for a better Mountain bike and one day I noticed someone was selling their 2006 Giant Anthem 2. Before I even called the seller I did some research. Both online and at the local bike shops. In 2006 the Anthem 2 Mountain Bike was the second from the top of the line Mountain Bike for Giant and in 2009 the Anthem Frame is still used as Giant’s top of the line Mountain Bike. The bike was in perfect condition and looked like it had barely been used. In 2006 the MSRP was around $2,300 because of the bikes high end components. And that is also why it is so much lighter than my other bike and it weights around 26 pounds (which is pretty light for a Mountain bike). This bike is lighter than many of my friend’s hard tails. I guess it’s true – you get what you pay for.

The only thing I have changed on the bike is the seat. The bike came with a cheap pair of pedals (higher end bicycles typically do not come with pedals) so I added a pair of clipless pedals. I also put on a Specialized Elite Cycling computer on. And when the sun goes down I attach lights so I can see where I’m going and other people can see me.

I have to tell you I absolutely love this bike and I have been very pleased with this bike with the bikes performance. I would also highly recommend this bike to anyone who is serious about mountain biking. The bike is light and performs very well on paved trails and off road mountain bike trails. And the suspension soaks up the bumps extremely well and the suspension is adjustable both front and rear and they even have lockouts.

The frame on this bike is aluminum, not carbon fiber. It doesn’t seem to affect the performance of this bike but I have never ridden a carbon fiber mountain bike. I should also let you know I am not a professional Mountain Biker so I don’t have anything else to compare this bike to other than my cheap hard tail. But I have been biking seriously since 2007 so I’m not a novice. I don’t feel that the aluminum frame is a drawback for this bike but I thought it should be pointed out just in case you have your heart set on a carbon fiber bike.

I plan on using this bike for at least one mountain bike race this summer. Plus there are many mountain bike trails in my area so check back for more updates on this bike and the mountain bike trails in the Twin Cities area.



By: Dennis Gertgen

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imapodaddy asked:

Gerard from Jax Bicycles shows you how to true a wheel while its mounted on your bike.

imapodaddy asked:

Gerard from Jax Bicycles shows you how to true a wheel while its mounted on your bike.

expertvillage asked:

Setting up a mountain bike for cross-country racing requires checking all of the gears and brakes, checking the air pressure in the tires and making sure everything is tight and ready to go. Prepare for cross-country racing by tuning up a mountain bike with a demonstration from an experienced cyclist and bike repair specialist in this free video on bicycles. Expert: John Murray Bio: John Murray is a bicycle sales and repair technician at FJ Rogers in Florence, Mass. Filmmaker: David Pakman