Mountain Bike Fun!

The avid biker should always know and understand his or her mountain bike parts. This is an important base to comprehend the working of a mountain bike. Bikers usually blaze trails through lonely paths and knowing how the bike works helps one repair it immediately should anything go wrong. This article will take you through the basic parts of a mountain bike.

The frame of the bike represents its overall size. It is usually smaller in comparison to other road bikes. Most manufacturers customize bikes according to age and gender and you should always buy a bike that is comfortable to maneuver. The handlebars of a mountain bike are also different from the road bikes. They tend to be flat and are almost the span of the rider’s shoulders. The important thing here is to ensure that the bars are at the right level. Most bikers prefer an upright position and you should ensure comfortable hand positions on the handlebars.

Another pair of important parts are the crank and the derailleur. The crank is at the bottom of the frame and has pedals on its tips on either side. The derailleur is used to shift gears on the mountain bike and is operated using the shifters at the handlebars. High quality derailleur increases the precision of shifting gears. The shifters are usually thumb shifters and are located on the top of the handlebars. Higher quality shifters include rapid fire and grip shifters.

The gear on most mountain bikes comes with specifications of 36 x 34. The gear helps bikers go uphill with good speed. Along with the gear, the brakes form an important part of the bike. You can choose from V-brakes or the newer disc brakes. You must also check the tires on your mountain bike. A good grip is essential on the tire if you want to navigate difficult terrain. Other than these the pedals should be sturdy and you can add a toe saddle if you like. This ensures that your feet won’t slip out of the pedal while going on steep surfaces.

By: Paul Kramer

About the Author:

expertvillage asked:

Learn all about the crank and bottom brackets on amountain bike in this free online video on cycling maintenance. Expert: Mickey Denoncourt Contact: www.spookybikes.com Bio: Mickey Denoncourt owns Spooky Bikes, at www.spookybikes.com. Filmmaker: Christian Munoz-Donoso

John Narvith Barcarse asked:


Many of us don’t understand that there are numerous crank sets for all sorts of different bikes. Should you buy the incorrect one for the kind of bike that you use, or for the planned methods of using the bike, you can end up damaging or breaking the components or reducing your performance. Always match up your wishes with a specific choice from the available crank sets.

Everything on bikes today are customised for different styles. While there are basic, common bikes that are produced, for the most part folks use their bikes in express methods. They take them down a mountain or they ride them down the road. The point is, crank sets are made to match these different wants and uses.

Normal cranks sets won’t have any major differentiations from the standard construction. These are probably going to be the least expensive available products, since they aren’t customised in any particular way and are likely to be used on cheaper bikes for general activities like short, relaxed rides.

In fact, the first bike crank sets were nothing more than one solid piece. The one piece featured 2 fused cranks attached to the spindle. The result was something that was effective and sturdy, but was also heavy and inconvenient.

That’s the reason why the bike crank sets come in so many different styles and pieces today. Evolving from these simple origins, bikers and cyclists wanted the power to customize, as well as to make repairs.

When it comes to road cycling and racing, bike crank sets are sometimes made to be as light as possible. Each ounce you can trim off of your bike is worthwhile, and the conditions you are riding your bicycle in shouldn’t warrant any kind of heavy duty construction.

conversely, folks who go mountain biking will be attempting to find something that is’s much more solid. Mountain bike crank sets might also be designed in marginally different methods to help to give you more clearance from difficulties like rocks and tree limbs.

There also are BMX crank sets made particularly for people who like to perform tricks on their bike. These are designed less for speed and weight and more for range of motion and suppleness, allowing folks to control and turn their bike in many new, unique ways.

As you can see there are numerous different types of crank sets. The one thing you actually have to recollect is that you should fit your needs with crank sets that specifically go with that. You wouldn’t need to be mountain biking with machinery produced for road cycling, so select wisely.

Before you

buy crank sets,

make sure to check Stephen Nepstein´s excellent articles at his



compact crankset blog

John Narvith Barcarse asked:


Many people do not understand that there are various crank sets for all sorts of different bikes. Should you buy the wrong one for the sort of bike that you use, or for the proposed ways of using the bike, you can end up damaging or breaking the parts or reducing your performance. Always match up your requirements with a particular choice from the available crank sets.

Everything on bikes today are customized for different styles. While there are basic, universal bikes that are produced, for the main part folks use their bikes in specific strategies. They take them down a mountain or they ride them down the road. The point is, crank sets are made to match these different wants and uses.

Standard cranks sets won’t have any major variations from the standard construction. These are likely to be the cheapest available products, since they are not customized in any particular way and are certain to be used on cheaper bikes for general activities like short, leisurely rides.

actually, the first bike crank sets were nothing more than one solid piece. The one piece featured 2 fused cranks attached to the shaft. The result was something that was effective and durable, but was also heavy and inconvenient.

That is the reason why the bike crank sets come in such a large amount of different styles and pieces today. Evolving from these humble beginnings, bikers and cyclists wanted the power to customize, as well as to make repairs.

When it comes to road cycling and racing, bike crank sets are generally made to be as light as possible. Each oz. you can trim off of your bicycle is worthwhile, and the conditions you are riding your cycle in shouldn’t warrant any sort of heavy duty construction.

conversely, folk who go mountain biking will be attempting to find something that is’s much more solid. Mountain bike crank sets might also be designed in subtley different ways to help to give you more clearance from difficulties like rocks and tree limbs.

There also are BMX crank sets made particularly for people who like to perform tricks on their bike. These are designed less for speed and weight and more for range of motion and suppleness, allowing folks to manage and turn their bike in numerous new, unique ways.

As you can see there are lots of different sorts of crank sets. The single thing you actually have to remember is that you must fit your requirements with crank sets that particularly go along with that. You would not need to be mountain biking with machinery produced for road cycling, so choose wisely.

Before you

buy crank sets,

make sure to check Stephen Nepstein´s excellent articles at his



crank sets blog

Bike Servant asked:


Taking care of your full suspension or hardtail mountain bike can be very simple and it will also help increase its mechanical life. Below is a maintenance guide that should be considered after every ride in order to help you keep your mountain bike mechanically sound. Once you perform this maintenance plan and become familiar with the process it should take you no more then 20 minutes to complete. Let’s get started:

Steps:





Remove all of the accessories (lights, bells, etc) on the top of the handlebars.





Turn the bike upside down so you can remove the wheels and inspect the drive train.





Carefully remove the front and rear wheels to give you more room to work on the bike.





Clean the drive train (derailleurs, chain, and crank) with a brush and soapy water. Also use a wet soapy rag on the chain and rear derailleur. Try to do your best to clean all moving parts.





After you clean your bike parts make sure you dry them thoroughly with a towel so they do not rust.





Wash the underside, frame and front fork, of the bike and make sure all moving parts are free of debris.





Wash your front and rear wheels by cleaning the rim, spokes and cassette. Then put the wheels back on the bike.





After you put each wheel back on the bike spin them to make sure the wheels are true and also that they do not rub on the brake components. If the wheels are not true and or rubbing on the brake components make the necessary adjustments.





After your chain is back in place turn the pedals to check the drive train. Make sure the bike pedals smooth. If you hear any strange noises coming from your wheel bearings investigate further.





Turn your bike over so it is right side up and wash the top. Do not forget to dry the bike thoroughly.





Test your front and rear brakes and make any necessary adjustments.





If applicable inspect your front and rear shocks. Make sure they are in good working order.





Thoroughly lubricate you drive train (chain, cassettes, crank and derailleur) with the recommended oil. Apply oil while moving the pedals in both directions to make sure the components are appropriately lubed.





Finally reattach any of the accessories that you removed in step one.





The steps listed above will help you keep your bike in good working order and also help you prepare for your next ride. If any mechanical malfunction is noticed during the process make sure it is addressed. Your local bike shop, which sells mountain bikes for sale and bike parts, will be able to help replace a component if additional help is needed.

See you on the trail