Mountain Bike Fun!

If you are in the market for a bicycle, this thought must have crossed your mind. To go for the speedy road bike, or to settle for the more comfortable mountain bike? How do you make that buying decision? Here are 4 issues to consider before dishing out your wallet.

Consideration 1: Where you will be riding.
Consideration 2: Comfort vs speed.
Consideration 3: Make and model.
Consideration 4: Your budget.

Consideration 1: Where you will be riding.

This is the most important consideration. A road bike is mostly meant for road riding. So if that’s where you intend to ride your bicycle, investing in a good road bike may be a wise choice. But note that road bikes don’t perform very well if the road is uneven (like on cobbled streets or dirt tracks). Comfort is sacrificed for speed. If you are not very athletic, getting a mountain bike will give you a more comfortable and enjoyable ride.

Consideration 2: Comfort vs speed.

The reason why athletic abilities come into the picture is because the riding posture on these bikes can be very different. On a road bike, speed is the key concern. So everything is about being aerodynamic. Hence, there are drop handlebars. The handlebars require the rider to arch the back forward to achieve a more aero position. If you’ve never ridden a road bike before, this position can be quite uncomfortable. But most people get used to it after a while. Initially, you may experience some pains in the neck and back. Once you get used to riding a roadie, you will start to enjoy your rides more.

But if speed is not your number 1 priority, then a mountain bike would be a better choice. The handlebars are flat, which enables the rider to ride in an upright posture. You wouldn’t be able to catch a road bike on that posture. But that’s not important. It’s more important that you are comfortable on the bike.

Consideration 3: Make and model.

Once you have decided on whether to go for speed or comfort, it’s now time to zoom in on the different makes and models. For instance, mountain bikes may be made from different materials such as aluminum (cheap) or carbon fibre (a lot more expensive). Carbon bikes are extremely light, and they handle better and also go a lot faster. However, they come with a hefty price tag. Then you have to consider other features such as the type of wheels, the suspension, and the type of brakes.

Consideration 4: Your budget.

It all comes down to budget. Everyone wants a carbon bike with all the bells and whistles. But if budget is a concern, you want to do away with all the fancy features. Just stick with what’s useful and functional. You can always upgrade when you have more cash.



By: Darren W Chow

About the Author:

expertvillage asked:

Learn how to check your mountain bike wheels to stay safe and ensure they’re properly pumped up in thisfree video series that covers the basics of how to become a knowledgeable off-road bike racer. Expert: Mickey Denoncourt Contact: www.spookybikes.com Bio: Mickey Denoncourt owns Spooky Bikes, at www.spookybikes.com. Filmmaker: Christian Munoz-Donoso

It is exciting to shop for a new bike especially one that will meet your expectations. When looking for an affordable and durable mountain bike, the Mongoose XR250 mountain bike is one to consider purchasing with several positive reviews from satisfied customers. The Mongoose xr250 26″ frame comes with dual-suspension to handle the smooth, hilly or rough trails. This particular bike was designed for men. Mongoose is a well-known and trusted name that consumers choose to buy.

The Mongoose 26″ bike has all the qualities to make it a great bike for smooth, long rides. This bicycle was made to be durable and last longer. The frame is rust resistant keeping it always looking good.

When shopping for a bike, it can be an overwhelming experience. Especially for a newbie who really doesn’t know much about bikes. Mountain bikes are one of the most popular bikes purchased because they can handle more than a road bike.

The Mongoose XR250 Features Include:

• Full-suspension

• Alloy 3-piece crank

• Lightweight aluminum frame

• Alloy wheels

• 21-speed Shimano drivetrain for smooth shifting

• Powerful ProMax front disc brake for stopping in any weather condition

• All Terrain/Mountain bike

• Grey colored

The Mongoose XR250 price is affordable and worth the money for a mountain bike. The price ranges from $200-$260 on the average. You can purchase the bike from a local store that carries the XR250 model. Otherwise, you can find some online stores that carry the bike. It would be shipped to your home needing to be assembled.

Suspension, comfort, durability and smooth shifting are what people look for when shopping around for a mountain bike and the Mongoose XR250 has them all. Consumers want the best bike for the money and one that will be able to handle what the user will put it through.

It is expected with any bike purchased there will be pros and cons based on different people’s opinions, experience and wants for a bike. The following are some of the consumer positive reviews of the bike.

• Sturdy, heavy-duty bike

• Great gear shift and brake combo

• Good suspension

• Rides well in heavy snow

• Climbs hills easily

• Would recommend it to friends

When considering purchasing a mountain bike, you certainly can compare prices or compare different bike features online. This bike can be found at some of your local stores if it is in stock. With the internet it makes it easier to compare the different benefits of the bike versus other bicycles. Plus, visiting different message forums, you can get real opinions of consumers who own the bike themselves.

There are plenty of positive reviews about the Mongoose XR250 mountain bike. The positive reviews outweigh the negative reviews, which is a good thing. Whether a beginner rider or an experienced one, the Mongoose may be the perfect bike to choose. The Mongoose name has been around for many years so certainly giving it more recognition than their competitors.



By: Charles D Smith

About the Author:

When looking to buy new road bike wheels, the choice on offer can be utterly overwhelming. As a serious road rider, you want the best performance and reliability that your budget can afford. Not only do you need to consider aerodynamics, but you also need to consider the weight of the wheels, as heavy wheels will dramatically slow you down.

Easton EA90 Aero Wheels

The Easton EA90 is the latest update for the Tempest II aluminium set of wheels. Just like the previous version, this wheel is light, fast and stiff. Feature of the Easton AE90 Aero Wheels include:

• Weight – Pair: 1545 g, Rear 890 g, Front: 655 g
• 700C wheel size
• Front and rear tool-free adjustment
• Cassette Body – totally alloy, oversized inboard ratchet system along with 3 pawls. Precision sealed cartridge bearings together with low drag asymmetrical seals.
• Gen4 black anodized shot-peen finish rims with a welded machined brake surface, 32mm rear, 28mm front.
• Sapim Bladed Custom silver stainless steel spokes. 20 back spokes, 18 front spokes.
• External nickel plated brass rear-drive *******.

DT Swiss RRC

DT Swiss have created a series of carbon road wheels in tubular and clincher versions. The wheels use revolutionary carbon rim technology to create a range of wheels that are both some of the stiffest and also the lightest wheels around.

They are hand made to the highest tolerances by leading wheel experts. The hubs are stainless steel, the spokes are Aerolite, and the ******* are Prolock hexagonal head alloy and set inside the rim to provide superior aerodynamic efficiency.

The great thing about the DT Swiss wheels is that they are sold separately; this means that you can pair different wheel sizes together to create the perfect set of wheels suitable to you. Perfect for professional racers who want that high end performance available only form a quality range of products such as this.



By: Ron Aldo

About the Author:

HighAltitude2U asked:

Instruction on how to fix a flat tire on a mountain bike or a road bike using a patch. Check out www.HighAltitude2u.com for more cycling and other outdoor info.

Bikewagon asked:

Adjusting Side Pull Brakes on a road bike. Learn the tips and tricks to tune up your brakes on your road bike. Brought to you by www.Bikewagon.com

Bikewagon asked:

Adjusting Side Pull Brakes on a road bike. Learn the tips and tricks to tune up your brakes on your road bike. Brought to you by www.Bikewagon.com

George Salusbury asked:


A road bike is more fun and fast on the street, but you do get a better workout with a mountain bike.

Agree?

A road bike can feel like a leisure stroll while on a mountain, you use more muscle.

noPain asked:


It seems like there’s a lot of disparity from one brand’s shoe to the next, whether the shoes are made for road biking or mountain biking. Some mountain biking shoes seem more comfortable for everyday use or for walking. What’s the downside in getting mountain biking shoes for a road bike?

Star asked:


I’d like to get a new bike, soon. I live in a very urban area, so initially I thought a road bike would suit me best, but I will need to use it when I go camping and stuff. If I am going to need a bike for both pavement and rugged terrain, would a mountain bike be my best choice?

I know about hybrids, but I have been told by many people that they are pointless and are not really great for anything, just ok for both roads and off-road.