Mountain Bike Fun!

expertvillage asked:

In a full-suspension mountain bike, look for an aggressive shock in the front, large tires, hydraulic disc brakes and a reinforced frame for heavy or downhill riding. Choose a full-suspension mountain bike that fits a desired style of riding, whether it be cross-country, free riding or downhill biking, with advice from anexperienced 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

competitivecyclist asked:

Competitive Cyclist’s review of the 2009 Intense Tracer VP. Intense issues the new Tracer VP to cover cross country to all mountain riding styles with a versatile 5.5 to 6 adjustable travel chassis. For more information, please visit www.competitivecyclist.com

Are you an avid mountain biker? If so, you likely already own a good mountain bike. But if you are looking to upgrade or are just getting into the sport, you may want to do some research on the different models before making a purchase. Below you’ll find a few tips on the different models. Be sure to consider what you will be using your mountain bike for and your own personal style as well.

1. Cross country. This is the most common bike and any good bike is likely to fit into the cross country category. These bikes are good for almost any terrain due to their light weight. Think you need a separate bike for general commuting purposes? Think again! A light weight cross country bike can be used for almost anything, including less challenging rides. From an aggressive workout to a short gas-saving commute, you’ll get a lot of miles out of your mountain bike.

2. Downhill. A good downhill bike with the strongest parts, disc brakes, and both front and rear suspension is a must have for a serious biker. These may be difficult to find off the shelf but can be custom built.

3. Trails. Another mountain bike that is most often custom build by or for adventurous bikers is the Trail bike. Biking on trails involves a high level of skill. Bikers must have a strong and lightweight bike to safely engage in this precision riding.

4. Jump and slalom. If you want to street race, slalom, or jump on your bike, you will need one that is very strong and designed specifically for this purpose. Jump and slalom bikes use the strongest components available and offer great front suspension. Adrenaline junkies who mountain bike will love this one!

Mountain biking is a rewarding activity for new bikers and long-time enthusiasts as well. Just be sure to test out some different models before buying a mountain bike so that you can find the one best for you.



By: Rachel Morgans

About the Author:

If you are serious about mountain biking, Morzine has some fantastic opportunities on offer. Then again, so do a number of other locations in France – so what makes Morzine different?

Well to start with, the key word is the “mountain” in mountain biking – Morzine is not simply a pretty village surrounded by a few tame hills with some bike tracks on them. This is a traditional village (not a recent tourist creation) set amidst the splendour and grandeur of the Alps. These are real mountains and, in fact, Morzine sits close by Mont Blanc – Europe’s highest peak.

Mountain biking here also isn’t an activity that has been cobbled together to be used over the occasional weekend. The local community has invested serious money in creating a range of breathtaking trails and tracks. There are demanding tracks and trails here that will put even the toughest, most experienced and fittest bikers to the test. Whether you are in that category or in a rather more sedate ‘take things as they come’ group, you can be sure that the scenery in and around this village will quite literally take your breath away.

Of course, for serious mountain biking, Morzine needs to provide more than just some great scenery and fresh air (important as both of those two things are to your average biker). In that respect, as in others, Morzine won’t disappoint. There are over 1000km of tracks and trails to choose from, many of them custom designed and constructed. You’ll be able to choose from exemplary opportunities in downhill, cross-country and BMX – or even fairly sedate cycling expeditions if that happens to take your fancy.

Some of the biking opportunities in and around Morzine are close to legendary. For downhillers, the Les Gets challenge will get the adrenalin pumping for just about all bikers, irrespective of their experience. There are also some great freestyle BMX tracks and a number of very testing cross-country paths and trails. All of this is provided in superbly maintained surroundings and with the opportunity to buy equipment, if needed, in the local area.

Inevitably, the sun will set and you will need to think about something apart from your bike. That’s also when, for mountain biking, Morzine comes into its own by offering a fantastic choice of quality chalet-based accommodation – much of it at surprisingly modest prices. The fact is that many alpine resorts are very keen to further develop their spring and summer holiday business and this may allow you to pick up some very attractive deals.

So if you fancy a break involving mountain biking, Morzine can offer you some unparalleled opportunities.



By: Liz Olkowicz

About the Author:

When my daughter was little, we’d hop on our bikes and go ride along the dikes where we lived in Port Coquitlam. We all had mountain bikes that we’d bought inexpensively at a well-known sporting goods chain. At one point we were actually riding the whole Poco trail – even the parts of the trails that were criss-crossed with thick roots and rocks that made us feel like real ******** mountain bikers. I remember the delight of first climbing a curb.

My daughter is grown up now, and now I’ve bought a new mountain bike – a real mountain bike. I live on the North Shore – apparently this is a mountain biking Mecca – so I want to play too. At 43 I much prefer to keep my bones in tact, so I opted for a cross-country bike instead of a hard-core downhill bike.

This weekend, I couldn’t wait a moment longer and dragged my husband out, along with my grown-up daughter and her boyfriend who’s actually a real mountain biker. This wasn’t going to be a real taste of what North Shore mountain biking is all about, more like just getting a sniff of it. We headed up the Richard Juryn Trail at the Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve. Heading up the “road” was super fun. The road is a gravel trail which climbs slowly, has one nice dip and some super muddy sections that just hold on to your wheels.

Then we got to the actual trail. Goodness gracious me!! This is cross-country riding??
The trail was far too technical for a newbie like me. I walked about 70% of the trail – very, very gingerly I might add. I’d ride brief stretches and then it would be too steep or too scary or too fast for me, and I’d get off and walk. I know this is North Shore mountain biking, but surely there are some easy trails???

To get my confidence back, we did a bunch of laps on a short little single track trail that I actually COULD ride. It was so fun to climb up and then go zipping down, more confidently each time. There’s one step to drop off at the top and then it’s just rocky and narrow. The trail quickly got boring as I got more comfortable on it. I practised keeping my body relaxed, leaning forward and keeping my arms bent. Really? I need to lean forward going downhill??

Then we skipped across the road into the forest and did a short circuit with lots of fun roots and dips, loads of muddy bits and even a few tiny little drops. This part was fun!! I loved it and squealed with delight as I practised getting off the seat and trusting my bike. This was more like it!!

Next week I’m hoping to head out to the trails at SFU to give them a whirl! I’m keeping my fingers crossed to find some material that I actually can ride. North Shore mountain biking will have to wait for another day for me. If I can ride at least half of that trail by the end of the season I’ll be overjoyed.



By: Moniera Khan

About the Author:

Your first time buying a mountain bike can be frustrating, especially since you are new to the sport. How will you know what to look for if you never have done it before? Here you will learn how to select the right mountain bike for you.

Mountain bikes are available in a wide array of styles, quality, and prices. To stay within your budget, keep the price you can afford in mind while you are out shopping. To get the most bang for your buck, avoid chain stores when looking for a bike. While the prices may be enticing, they will not deliver on quality the way that a local bike shop will. Small shops also may offer discounts on follow-up service should your bike need it and can make custom adjustments.

Different mountain bikes styles are designed for different terrain and riding styles. Some are designed for trail riding, while others are made for downhill, cross country and pleasure trail riding. Before buying a mountain bike, decide which type of terrain and which style of riding you prefer the most, then let the salesman know what type you are interested in.

If you are at all able to incorporate a full suspension into your budget, it will be well worth it. Otherwise a hard tail (no rear suspension) is often less expensive than a full suspension bike. A full suspension will be heavier, but it will offer more shock absorption. A hard tail will be lighter and it is more efficient for travel. The choice between the two depends on what kind of terrain you are planning on riding most.

There are many components that are available. Find a few that you definitely want to have, and look for a bike that is equipped with what you are looking for.

During the spring and summer bikes prices raise because of the high demand for bikes in the nice weather. Resisting the temptation until the rainy season can save you several hundred dollars. You may even find shop owners want to sweeten the deal by throwing in some gadgets or discounts to make the sale.

Not all dealers are equal. Some charge higher prices, while others are out to give customers a good deal. Find a dealer that is reputable, has good reviews, and has a tidy repair shop.

Always should you test the bike out before you buy it. It should feel comfortable to ride and feel like a good fit. By test riding it, you ensure you are getting a bike that works for you, and your wallet.

It is always a good idea to do research before you buy. Look for reviews online to see how others liked it.



By: Marcus Liberty

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Marc C asked:


Last year i had panaracer fire xc 2.1 but i didnt like them.
The best tyres i had where Continental Vertical 2.3 but for some reason i had at least 6 punctures with them but they are highly recommend in bike reviews.

Which tyres do you recommend 2.1 to 2.3 for summer cross country and downhill riding?
3 pages of people talking about mountain bike tyres.

http://pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?h=1f=174t=911873nmt=MTB+Top+Tyres+-+Wadda+You+Guys+Rate+???

Last year i had panaracer fire xc 2.1 but i didnt like them.
The best tyres i had where Continental Vertical 2.3 but for some reason i had at least 6 punctures with them but they are highly recommend in bike reviews.

Which tyres do you recommend 2.1 to 2.3 for summer cross country and downhill riding?
3 pages of people talking about mountain bike tyres.
http://pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?h=1f=174t=911873nmt=MTB+Top+Tyres+-+Wadda+You+Guys+Rate+???

By: Marc C

About the Author:

expertvillage asked:

Learn how to pick out the right trail-riding mountain bike and learn about the different components on a mountain bike, in this free video clip on mountain biking and maintenance. Expert: Aaron Phillips Bio: Aaron Phillips teaches at the University of Utah and has lead several bike tours. He’s also logged multiple wins as a cross-country racer. Filmmaker: Mike Phillips

expertvillage asked:

Learn how to pick out the right trail-riding mountain bike and learn about the different components on a mountain bike, in this free video clip on mountain biking and maintenance. Expert: Aaron Phillips Bio: Aaron Phillips teaches at the University of Utah and has lead several bike tours. He’s also logged multiple wins as a cross-country racer. Filmmaker: Mike Phillips