Mountain Bike Fun!

Mountain biking is one of the most popular sports across the world and its popularity continues to grow. There are an ever increasing number of consumers investing in a mountain bike as a way of staying fit and experiencing the adrenaline rush that comes with extreme sports. As a result the demand for bikes has greatly increased over the last three decades. This in turn has led to a large number of mountain bike manufacturers, which can sometimes cause confusion for people looking to buy their first bike as they become interested in the sport. Here we put forwards four reliable mountain bike manufacturers that have a proven track record in the business.

Specialized

This article wouldn’t be complete without paying homage to the company that released what is regarded as the first ever mass produced mountain bike. In 1982 Specialized released their legendary Stumpjumper model, which still remains in production to this day. Having been around since the beginning of the sport, Specialized are well respected and seen as one of the leading manufacturers in the business. In recent years their bikes have been used by many professional riders on the European and North American cycling circuits.

Giant

Founded in 1972, this Taiwanese company initially began manufacturing bikes that were exclusively sold under different brand names. In 1986 their business approach altered as they established their own brand of bikes under the Giant name. This proved to be a wise move and the company now generates sales in over 50 countries and has upwards of 10,000 retail stores.

Orange

Representing the UK we have Orange, based in Halifax, West Yorkshire. The company name originates from the term all-round range; with the manufacturer providing bikes suitable for all mountain bike classifications. The production of Orange’s entry level and mid-range mountain bike is now undertaken in Taiwan, with the high end models hand built in their Halifax factory. UK riders tend to stay loyal to Orange with their Patriot model being the best selling performance bike in Britain for several years.

Cannondale

This American based company was founded in 1971 and initially produced items such as backpacks and bicycle trailers for those touring. Today they produce a wide range of high end bikes, particularly specialising in frames made from aluminium and carbon fibre – a technology which they pioneered. Cannondale are big in the sponsorship area and have backed many notable riders, including world champions Anne-Caroline Chausson and Missy Giove.



By: Richard Van-Rooyen

About the Author:

expertvillage asked:

Learn how to apply the chain guide on amountain bike in this free online video on cycling maintenance and repair. Expert: Mickey Denoncourt Contact: www.spookybikes.com Bio: Mickey Denoncourt owns Spooky Bikes, at www.spookybikes.com. Filmmaker: Christian Munoz-Donoso

A mountain bike buying trip can be more taxing than the toughest trail. However, it becomes quite simple if you put a bit of time and thought into the purchase!

Planning carefully around your unique mountain bike buying requirements, may be what prevents your bike from becoming just another silver elephant.

You will have one set of needs if you plan to ride frequently, be a serious racer, and take part in events. In this case, you will have to do some serious mountain bike buying, looking for durability and ruggedness in all the components. You will also have to look for a bike that is brash enough to handle any weather, and conditions that are not ideal.

If, on the other hand, you are simply going to enjoy a leisurely weekend ride, your task will be much easier. Here, comfort may be your main consideration.

If you are planning to do a bit of mountain bike buying, you also have to ask yourself if you will have time to spend on maintaining the bike, or if you will need one that doesn’t require too much of you in the form of pampering and TLC!

Decide what your upper price limit is, and examine your options within that range. Look at slightly more expensive models to get an idea of what you get for that price. In the long run it may well be worth spending a little more when mountain bike buying, as a better quality bike may offer better stability, control, and a safer ride.

When mountain bike buying, you will have to decide between full suspension and hardtail. The more expensive bikes have full suspension, which adds to riding comfort on rough terrain. This just means that, similar to a car, both wheels are suspended by springs and shock absorbers.

These bikes may be heavier and slower, but for serious mountain biking they offer better control and a less bumpy ride. If you can afford it, this is the way to go .

You will ease your task immeasurably, if you ask other bikers for the best specialized store for mountain bike buying. You need a store where you will feel comfortable enough to ask questions. The salespeople must be knowledgeable, and trustworthy. You must be invited to take your bike back for any repairs or maintenance.

Look for a bike store that has a good reputation and check the qualifications of the mechanics working there. A specialist bike store often adds value in terms of support and after sales service, and will contribute to making mountain bike buying a pleasant experience.

The salesperson should be able to help you to find the best fit in terms of adjusting the handlebar stem, saddle, seat post, or cranks. Make sure that the frame suits you by sitting astride the bike. You should be able to reach the handlebars easily and not have to balance on tip-toe.

Your last task when mountain bike buying, is to scrutinize the warranty, and make sure that you are sufficiently covered. Also make sure what you may and may not do in terms of modifications. You don’t want to void your warranty through ignorance.

Mountain bike buying may be less expensive in July and August when bike shops are getting rid of older models to make way for new stock.

If you are a novice on a mountain bike buying trip, it is often safer to buy established brand names like Gary Fisher, Trek, Giant, Klein, Shwinn, Haro, Jeep, or Specialized. Because of the volume these companies produce, their prices can come down without affecting quality. The value in their brand name, also prevents them from using inferior components, that will affect the durability of the bike.

Mountain bike buying is a long-term investment. Take the time to make the right choice!

For more information visit Best-Mountain-Biking.com



By: Rika Susan

About the Author:

In the last 2 years I have been fortunate to have spent a good amount of time mountain biking on Fox suspension set ups. I have driven the Fox 40, the TALAS and FLOAT series forks. What I have learnt over the years is simply put; Fox knows mountain bike suspension. In this review we will cover the air sprung 08 Fox 32 FLOAT RLC.

This fork sits comfortably between the XC and all-mountain class of suspension. Of course we all live in different neighborhoods of the world, so definitions may vary depending on where you ride. The FLOAT offers 5.5 inches of air sprung travel, and in my part of the world (Pacific North West) that sits as an aggressive XC fork, and that is how we rode it.

The RLC version is loaded with all the goodies one could ask for in a performance fork. The fork’s interface is convenient and easily adjusted. Redesigned levers with smooth edges compliment the forks ease of use, but also compliment its subtle looks. Rebound is located at arms-reach on the top of the right leg; low speed compression is on the outer ring of the rebound and below the lockout lever, providing easy adjustments for action on the go.

It is really hard to find any fault with the plush qualities of this high-end offering. Adding improved dampening to an already proven system furthered the Float’s luxurious performance. I honestly did not feel a huge difference between the 07 and 08, but that is nothing to complain about.

The compression lockout is the only area in which I found any weakness to the FLOAT. Not to be misunderstood, the compression lockout functions flawlessly but being locked out at 5 inches of travel will set the bike up with a higher front-end. Which is where the problem lies, the higher front-end pushes the rider back on the saddle and on up hills is where the lockout is not a perfect system. We found on certain bikes it was a chore to keep the front wheel on the ground during moderate to steep climbs.

This is not really a weakness, because you should know this before you buy. It is not something that any manufacturer is hiding but comes with any fork without adjustable travel lockout. The way around it is to spend a few more bucks and get a model (TALUS, Rock Shox U-Turn, etc…) that is capable of locking out at adjustable intervals. This will add a small amount of weight, but well worth the trade off in uphill efficiency but I think it is one of situations where, if you have never experience the better version then you might not even care.

While in lockout mode, you still have the comfort of not being completely rigid. The ‘blowoff’ sits waiting for any unexpected impact and will give you relief in the form of suspension to help keep you on your bike. The blowoff is adjustable to suit your needs and is located at the bottom of the leg, out of the way.

All who spent time on the FLOAT raved about its steering, stiffness and abilities to keep the tire tracking the ground, and not bouncing us off of lines or the trail. The plush suspension certainly carried us through a few rough and rocky moments. Which is why I call this an aggressive XC to all-mountain fork. The performance allows you to be confident and predict the ride, which is crucial if you like to come in hot.

After a long summer of abuse, in the form XC racing, epics, all-mountain climbs and descents our test pilots, and myself all agreed that the FLOAT RLC is an extremely smooth riding high performance mountain bike fork. None of us had any complaints except that we all at one point or another wished for the adjustable lockout; other than that the fork is tops and ideal for your all mountain – mountain biking adventures.



By: Ian Milar

About the Author:

expertvillage asked:

Watch a cycling expert give tips on mountain bike front suspension systems in this free online bicycle parts and maintenance video. Expert: Mickey Denoncourt Contact: www.spookybikes.com Bio: Mickey Denoncourt owns Spooky Bikes, at www.spookybikes.com. Filmmaker: Christian Munoz-Donoso

One of the most fun and challenging biking experiences that you can do is Moab Mountain biking. In Moab, there is a great variety of mountain biking trails that will allow any level of biker to have fun. You can find challenging rides or scenic rides, depending upon what you want to do. Moab mountain bike riding will give a ride of any experience level a way to enjoy the beautiful scenery and fun trails.

What is Moab mountain bike riding?

This kind of mountain biking is one that is very challenging and technical, which is why it is so popular. There are many trails that you can choose from that offer you a great ride and a great view. You will not be able to find another place like Moab to ride your bikes. If you are offered the chance to do some biking in Moab, then you need to try it, because it will offer you a great challenge and a lot of fun.

Preparation

You need to do a few things to prepare to make sure that your Moab mountain biking trip is as fun as possible. The first thing that you want to do is to make sure your bike is in tip-top condition. You also want to check out the trails to see which ones that you are interested in. Make sure that the trail that you choose is not too difficult for your experience level and that it offers what you want in your ride.

Essential Equipment and Accessories

You need to ensure that you have the right equipment before you go on your ride. A helmet is an essential piece of equipment because it keeps you safe. You may also want to consider getting some elbow or knee pads to protect those areas. Water and high-energy snacks can help to give your energy a boost. A map can be a lifesaver if you are driving on a new trail to help you to keep from getting lost.

Variety of Trails

You can choose from a big variety of trails in Moab. There are trails for every level of experience and each trail will offer you a different view and ride. You will want to look at the different trails so that you can determine the right one for you and your desires. You can start on the trails for beginner riders and then move up to more challenging trails if you want to make sure that the trail is not too difficult for you.

Group Riding

Riding with a group is one of the best ways to enjoy Moab. It can be a lot of fun to ride with your friends on the trails at Moab. You can laugh, ride, and take pictures together while enjoying the scenery and sights. You can even race is you so choose. Group riding is a fun way to go in Moab.

Fun Riding

Mountain bike riding offers the rider a great deal of fun and excitement. There is nothing else like enjoying being outside and having fun exercising. It will help you to enjoy the wilderness when you are taking a ride through the trails in Moab. You can also enjoy it with the entire family. What fun!



By: Alastair Hamilton

About the Author:

hipowercycles asked:

www.hi-powercycles.com Dual Suspension Hi-Power Cycles Electric Mountain Bike with the 2500W 8.9 lb Black Lightning Motor Package. This bike for is fitted with a 51V 10Ah LiFePo4 battery good for up to 25 Miles per charge. Battery weighs 10 lbs. Optional LiPo batteries weigh 6.7 lbs and have higher power output. Top Speed is approximately 40 MPH. Torque as you can see from the video is also very commendable. These bikes are SO MUCH FUN! Offroad use only! Available as a standalone kit to convert your own bikes as well. Visit us online at www.hi-powercycles.com

expertvillage asked:

Balancing a mountain bike in place is commonly referred to as the track stand. Learn how to balance in place when mountain biking in this free trail riding training video for the beginner. Expert: Mickey Denoncourt Contact: www.spookybikes.com Bio: Mickey Denoncourt owns Spooky Bikes, at www.spookybikes.com. Filmmaker: Christian Munoz-Donoso

Duncan L asked:


thinking of buying one of these bikes, i have had a gt aggressor, but have read some good reviews on the specilised bikes, i have a budget of £400- £ 450, thanks in advance.

Owen asked:


Im looking at getting a brand new mountain bike. I ammostly just going to be doing some light trails, but I want something that can still take a bit of a beating. Im hung up on these 3 bikes. Can someone give me some advice as to which would be a better option? thanks.

This one is on sale. Carrera Vengeance Ltd. 2009

http://www.halfords.ie/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_11101_catalogId_15551_productId_759111_categoryId_212589_langId_-1?cm_vc=IOV4PDPZ1iozone=PDPz1#dtab

Specialized Hardrock 2010

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/specialized/hardrock-disc-2010-mountain-bike-ec019400

Scott Aspect 55 2010 (is the extra money worth it? Or am I better off with one of the others?)

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/scott/aspect-55-2010-mountain-bike-ec020611#reviews

Thanks for the help!!
Also I was looking at this bike.

Felt Q520 2009

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/felt/q520-2009-mountain-bike-ec017061