Mountain Bike Fun!

sunshine in a jar asked:


I’m looking for a new bike because my old one was stolen from my shed. But all the mountain bikes for women i’ve seen that are of decent quality are ugly too. It needs to have suspension and withstand ALOT of wear and tear. Any suggestions?

A standard mountain bike is inherently sophisticated, however you do have the option to replace individual parts of the bike with better ones. Upgrading can be carried out as parts wear out, or beforehand if you find a replacement that is more efficient, comfortable, or easier to use. With a few tools and a little experience, a bike can be stripped to the frame and rebuilt with different parts in a matter of hours.

One reason to upgrade certain parts is to reduce the weight of your bike. Weighing just a few grams less, you achieved a higher speed for the same energy input, which is particularly helpful when climbing. This is particularly important for mountain bikes as the lighter weight counts at all times off road. You must never sacrifice strength just to reduce weight however, as this will increase the risk of your bike failing.

The lower the quality of the bike you start with, the greater the improvement if you upgrade it. The reverse is also true, the higher the quality of the bike you start with, the smaller the improvement will be if you upgrade it.

Upgrading can often mean customising, so what starts out as a model number on an assembly line becomes unique to you. Much upgrading has to do with experimentation. For every lasting mechanical improvement that comes out mountain bike development there are dozens of dead ends. So if you do choose to upgrade to a particular part do your homework on that part before you purchase it.

Often times if you are deciding to upgrade a number of parts at the same time it may be more cost-effective to buy entirely new bike. It is generally advisable not to spend more than a half or two thirds of the original price of your bike on improving it. If the parts become too good for the frame, it is time for a new bike.

By: Anthony Bradshaw

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If you’re shopping for a new bike, it is likely that you have heard or read about hybrid bikes. Hybrid bikes are designed to incorporate the best features from road bikes and mountain bikes, thus resulting in a bike that is capable of achieving high speeds on asphalt and handling packed dirt paths.

Hybrid bikes tend to have an upright frame allowing the rider to achieve a more comfortable riding position. A short, low frame can handle more weight and absorb the average amount punishment from, potholes, curbs, etc., that you might encounter during a ride to work or the grocery store. Hybrid bikes also have slightly wider tires that road bikes for better traction and stability on dirt bike paths or grass. However, like a road bike, hybrids tend to have lighter rims and taller gearing for faster riding on pavement.

Most reviews of hybrid bikes reveal that the wheels on a hybrid are a marriage of the heavy duty mountain bike wheel and the lightweight high-speed road bike wheel. Wider tires are good for stability and durability during a ride on a slightly rocky packed dirt bike path, but a higher recommended air pressure, similar to a road bike wheel, allows for speed on roads and asphalt paths by reducing rolling resistance. The rims and spokes on hybrids are lighter, also like a road bike. Because of this feature it is important that you not purchase a hybrid if you plan on doing a lot of rough off-road riding. Reviews of hybrid bikes have shown that the lightweight rims and spokes cannot handle large rocks and big drops like a true mountain bike.

Frames on most hybrid bike frames are made of lightweight aluminum or steel (also called “cro-moly”). These materials allow for both speed and durability while still be very affordable. The handlebars on a hybrid are typically flat like a mountain bike, and go straight out from the stem. They also have a wider grip, allowing riders to sit upright and offer a better position for vision and control, and perhaps most importantly, comfort. In this position the rider has an ideal center of gravity and the least amount of neck and back strain possible.

Hybrids take gearing design cues from both mountain and road bikes. Most reviews of hybrid bikes claim that they not only allow the rider to both climb hills easily, but also go fast on flat or downhill sections. However, a lack of very low gears does not allow for the power that many mountain bikes offer for powering through loose or rocky terrain. Typically a hybrid bike will have either two or three chain rings in the front, much like the crank assembly on a road bike. In the back there are eight or nine gears in the cassette. The combination of the two sets of gears allows for 16 all the way up to 27 possible gear combinations. You will find that these gears are more than sufficient for conquering almost any challenge you will find commuting to work or enjoying a weekend ride on a countryside bike path.

By: Candis Reade

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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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It can be a bit intimidating as well as time consuming when you buy your first mountain bike. Following, you’ll find some tips and things to be aware of before you start your search for your first mountain bike.

Determining your price is really a personal thing. There is hardly a limit as to how much money you can spend on a new mountain bike. More is not necessarily better, you should decide on your price range and how much you can afford to pay for a new bike. When you do buy, you shouldn’t buy from a department store such as Wal-Mart. The bikes sold at department stores are not really bikes designed for the rigors of mountain biking. Also they are not put together by trained bike mechanics. You should instead support your local bike shop and get a much better bike and much better service.

There are different styles of mountain bikes. There are mountain bikes designed with many different riding styles and terrain types in mind. You’ll want to figure out what type of riding you will be doing the most. Recreational cross country, cross country racing, all mountain riding, or lift accessed downhill riding or racing. Make sure that the bike you select fits the style of riding you plan on doing.

Deciding on a full suspension or hard tail is also an important decision.

If you can afford it, a full suspension mountain bike is always worth the extra money. A hard tail, bike without rear suspension, is lighter weight and pedals more efficiently than full suspension bikes. Full suspension bikes offer more comfort and overall better control on rough terrain. You’ll want to make that decision based on your price range, riding style, and the type of terrain you’ll be riding on the most.

Comparing mountain bikes component by component would be an impossible task, there are just far too many combinations. The best way to go about doing this is deciding on the components that are the most important to you and making sure the rest fall within your price range. You should start with the fork, which is the most important component after the frame. Then look at the wheelsets and brakes.

The best time to buy a mountain bike may vary a little depending on where you live. During the year, the prices of mountain bikes can change quite a bit. Spring through summer is the primary buying season. If you can wait until the end of the season, fall and winter, you can save a couple hundred dollars. Many bike shops will also offer discounts on other accessories if you buy a new mountain bike from them.

Finding a good bike shop to buy from is more important than finding the best price. You should always find a shop that cares more about selling you the best bike for you than selling you a high priced one. A great bike shop will have a clean repair area and a knowledgeable staff.

Never buy a mountain bike without taking a test ride, preferably on some trails and not just around the parking lot. You should test ride as many bikes as possible. Which bike fits you and feels ‘right’ will be different for everybody. The more bikes you can test ride, the better you’ll understand what works and what doesn’t work for you.

Mountain bike reviews are available on many biking websites on the internet or in mountain bike magazines. And are some of the best ways to find out about a mountain bikes reliability and overall performance. You also should talk to other mountain bikers and get their opinions about a bike before you
make your final purchase.

By: Scott Merloni

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You think you need a new bike? But you don’t want to kick your old one because you like to ride it? It is quite comfortable, the shifting system is super and the tires aren’t that bad at all? You know what? There is a very cheap but useful upgrade for your bike. No matter what type of bike, no matter how old it is, no matter how much money you’d like to spend. Just get a new fork. It will give your bike a new look and a better suspension.

There are some different types of forks. Rigid forks, light suspension forks, some for downhill or cross country, and so on… But which fork will be the one you need? This depends on your riding style.
Here are some useful information about your possibly new fork.

For a normal street bike just to ride sometimes the best solution will be a light suspension mountain bike fork. These MTB forks have low travel because they should only absorb the small damage to the road surface. You can choose the look of the suspension you’d like without spending too much money on it.

You can also go for a rigid fork but they won’t be too good for a normal bike. You should have a special racing cycle to go for a rigid one.

If you would like to ride off the road you should think about a special suspension fork. Here you can choose again between some different types of MTB forks.

First one will be the Downhill fork. They have a very long travel up to 300mm and are double or triple crown. These suspension forks will weigh very much.

The second special fork is the Cross Country fork. These forks are kind of the “light suspension fork” 2.0 because they look quite the same but there is a big difference. The price. There MTB forks are the most expensive forks because they are very very low in weight.

By: David Bleidt

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Even though it is starting to get chilly in many places now, very soon spring will be here and it will be time to bring the bicycles out again for another exciting season of riding trails through the woods. If it has been awhile since you have been riding and it is time to invest in a new bike it is important to know what to look for in a mountain bike. Those who are new to mountain biking especially want to make sure that they purchase a bike with the correct features so that they can ride safely and comfortably on the chosen terrain.

The frame is one of its most important features since it is designed for off-road use. Cross-country models have lightweight frames and since they are designed to be used on terrain that is relatively flat they usually do not have very elaborate suspension systems.

If you are looking for a model that will perform better on rocky terrain you may want to look into one with a full suspension system, meaning that both the front and rear tires have suspension systems. Those with full suspension systems are heavier than those with partial system, but the payoff comes on rough terrain when you still have a comfortable ride.

Trail bikes are growing in popularity because they provide a comfortable ride and are a nice way to get adjusted to riding on mountainous trails. Most trail bicycles have full suspension systems and heavier and sturdier frames then those found on cross-country bikes.

If you are new to riding it is recommended that you invest in a trail model for your first purchase. For the professional cyclist all terrain models provide the highest amount of suspension possible. Some all-mountain models even feature 29-inch tires which allow riders to power over any obstacle, even though they are not recommended for shorter riders.

If you want to get a good one, you need to be able to ask for assistance from those who know mountain trails well, and there is no better place to find a well-informed biker than in a cycle shop. They often cost a bit more at a bicycle shop, but these retailers have a tendency to stand by their products and a pro can help you make sure that you are making the best investment of your money.

Once you know what to look for, then it is simply a matter of picking out the one that meets your needs. The salesperson at the store will be glad to help you in this regard. They know everything that you need to get started in your particular interest in regards to riding.

When you find the one that has the feature list that you want along with a price that is in your budget then you can start making plans for how you are going to spend the next biking season. Here’s hoping you find exactly what you need this year and happy trails to you.

By: Ken Zalot

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It can be a bit overwhelming when trying to purchase your first mountain bike. It can also be time-consuming if you don’t know what you’re looking for. This simple guide will make your first mountain bike purchase a lot easier once you know what to look for. So, before you spend your hard-earned cash on a mountain bike, be sure to follow this simple guide which will determine which mountain bike is best fitted to your body and personality.

1. Finding your style — you’ll first need to figure out what type of riding you’re going to be doing. All bikes are not created equal any need to pick a bike that fits your writing style. Are you going to be doing smooth writing, cross-country racing, mountain cruising, or lift accessed downhill? Once you’ve determined what style of riding, you are doing you can then look for a bike that fits your needs. Make sure the bike you pick fits your needs and not that of the salesman.

2. Determining your price — first you should determine how much you’re willing to spend on your new bike. Once you have determined a price. Then you should look at the most important features you want in your bike. It is suggested that you locate a local bike shop for your purchase. Local bike shops tend to have better quality bikes then mass merchant stores.

3. Full suspension or hard tail — a full suspension Mountain bike is always worth the purchase price. Full suspension offers more comfort and overall better control. A hard tail without rear suspension is much lighter weight and pedals more efficiently. You’ll have to determine which of these two offers you the best fit based on a price range, riding style and the type of terrain you be writing on most.

4. Finding your favorites — comparing mountain bikes components is nearly impossible, deserve far too many combination’s available. The best way to determine what components you want in your bike is by looking at each component separately. What are the most important components that you want in your bike. Make sure that these components fit within your budget and price range. Some of the most important components are the forks, wheels and rear derailleur.

5. Seasonal purchases — mountain bikes prices can fluctuate throughout the year. Spring through summer is the main buying season. If you can wait until the fall and winter season when the bikes are priced at their lowest. You could possibly save hundreds of dollars on your purchase.

6. Finding a reputable dealer — finding a reputable bike dealer is one of the most important steps. It is more important than finding the lowest priced bike. You want to find a reputable dealer that cares more about selling you a great bike than just selling you a high-priced bike. Great dealers will have a clean repair shop. If you have any problems with your bike you want a reputable bike dealer to fix it properly. Once you locate a reputable dealer and purchase your bike from them you can rest assured if you ever need a repair that can handle your bikes needs.

7. Test drive — it will be in your best interest to test drive as many bikes that are in your price range and riding style. The more bikes, you test drive, the easier it will be to find the right bike that fits your personality and budget.

8. Researching your purchase — doing some research before hand can give you some ideas of the bikes you’d like to look at. Go online and conduct a search for bike reviews and product reviews for mountain bikes. These reviews should help you to determine a specific bikes reliability and overall performance. It will also be able to view other owners reviews of their specific bikes to help guide you in your purchase.

If you follow this easy guide you should be able to find a bike that fits your needs at a price you’re willing to pay. Following this guide will also help you save money by not spending more money on features you don’t really need or desire. Finding a qualified reputable bike dealer is one of the most important steps you need to follow. Finding a reputable dealer will not only help you find the best bike for your needs you will have a reputable shop to bring your bike for repairs.

Following this simple guide will help you make the best quality purchase possible for your new mountain bike. Finding the right Mountain bike is quite easy once you know the proper steps to take to find the right bike, saving you time and money.

By: Jim Conyers

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Even if you have the best friendship in the world with the mechanics down at the local bike shop, you should be prepared to do the most basic repairs yourself. To do that you will need a good basic toolkit. What should go into this toolkit though?

The first thing you should put in is a full Allen key wrench. You will need one with a ton of different sizes and all in one easily accessible central place so you can quickly test through them to find the right size for the job. The reason for this is that just about everything on a new bike or even a bike from the past ten or 15 years is adjusted by Allen wrenches.

The next thing you will absolutely need is to have the tools to easily change a tire. This is the single most common bike repair procedure you will be doing and you will want to have everything on hand so that when it happens you can quickly and easily repair it. The tools you will need are a patch kit, a spare inner tube for when its really bad, and the tools to remove the tire from the wheel. If you are really good you will also have backup rim tape you can use.

Next up is to have all the cleaning and lubrication things you will need to keep the bike running smoothly. Grit and grime work their way into a bike with ease all the time so it is important to clean and maintain your bike regularly. The easiest way to do this is to keep a chain cleaning kit, degreaser and some form of chain lubricant. Using these regularly(some people do it every ride, some people every couple) on a set schedule is very very important. Also for the best effect with the chain lubricant make sure to use the same type every time.

By: Jeff Hendrix

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juniorbear9 asked:

Mountain bike video with trails and jumps filmed in Cannock Chase