Mountain Bike Fun!

I have started to loose count of the number of times I’ve heard questions such as, “What type of mountain bike should I buy?” and “What is the difference between a full suspension mountain bike and a hardtail mountain bike?” One type of bike is not better than the other. The choice between the two should be made based on the riders’ personal riding preferences, budget and physical capabilities. The FAQ below was compiled in order to help you with this all-important choice.

Question: What are full suspension bikes?
Answer: Also known as dual-suspension mountain bikes, these bikes have shock absorbers installed in both the front and rear tires.

Question: What are hardtail bikes?
Answer: Also known as front or single suspension mountain bikes, these bikes have shock absorbers installed in the front tire only.

Question: Which type of mountain bike tends to be faster?
Answer: Hardtail bikes tend to be faster and pedal easier in smooth terrain than full suspension mountain bikes because of the former’s light weight and stiff rear end.

Question: Which bike is better at handling obstacles and rough terrain?
Answer: Because of the shock absorbers in both the front and the rear, full suspension bikes outperform hardtails in rough terrain. The suspension absorbs the impact of obstacles and allows for more traction to be transferred to the ground.

Question: Which bike is better at climbing hills?
Answer: Because of their light weight and easier handling, hardtail mountain bikes are better at climbing hills. However, full suspension mountain bikes do outperform hardtails on hills that are made up of rough terrain.

Question: Which bike is easier on the body?
Answer: F.S. bikes are more comfortable than their counterparts. It minimizes the stress on riders’ arms and backs caused by vibrations and jolts during long rides.

Question: Which is more affordable?
Answer: Hardtail bikes are usally more affordable than full suspension bikes of similar quality.

Now you are equipped with the information you need to make the right choice. Happy Trailing!



By: Nicole H.


About the Author:

The popularity of mountain bikes certainly has taken off over the last few decades. They are built to endure punishment while out on the rugged trails due to their tough frame and wide tires. While they are slower than road bikes, they are typically more comfortable and durable.

Buying a mountain bike isn’t all that easy even for those who are more experienced. One of the reasons for this is the wide selection of bikes that are available. Asking others for advice can certainly be helpful, but may only cause more confusion. If you asked 10 people what mountain bike you should buy, you might get at least 3-4 different answers. The key is to know what you’re looking for.

What first has to be decided is your budget. What is your limit? When it comes down to it, you can spend as much as you really want to. Some bikes cost upwards of $5000, while the entry level models are in the $300 range. It’s easy to go to a bike store or shop online and get enamored with the most expensive bikes. If you know your limit, then it will narrow down you selection right away.

Also, shop from stores that specialize in bicycles, whether it be online or offline. The reason is because the quality of bike and service is superior at these stores.

Suspension is an important consideration. Some bikes only have front suspension, while others have full suspension. The amount of suspension could be anywhere from 1-4 inches, and some are even adjustable. Full suspension is ideal if you do plan on riding in rough terrain. It won’t pedal as efficiently and will be heavier than a hardtail, but you will gain comfort and control.

The size of the mountain bike must be a good fit. A typical road bike is much bigger. If you already own a road bike that fits you well, then look for a mountain bike with a frame about 3-inches smaller. Size impacts comfort and your performance. Be sure you know what size is best before buying, particularly online. Also consider what components matter to you the most. Then, look for the bikes that have what you want.

The prices of mountain bikes varies throughout the course of a year. The best deals usually come in the fall and winter, since the spring and summer is when most choose to buy. Some stores may even throw in a few accessories for free as well.



By: Jake Austin

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Mountain bikes have specific types of wheels, which are built (and used) differently than say, road bikes. They generally come in three sizes, 24 inch, 26 inch, and 29 inch. 26 inch wheels are by far the most common, though in recent years 29 inchers have been gaining popularity.

The majority of mountain bike wheels use inner tubes, however tubeless wheels are gaining both popularity and respectability. The advantages of tubeless wheels are that they are far more adjustable, allowing for better traction, and they are less likely to puncture (though certainly not immune to it). They also provide improved shock absorption.

You’ll want wide tires for serious mountain biking, because the wider the wheel is, the more contact it has with the terrain, and thus the more control.

Another thing to keep in mind is the kind of tubes it has. Mountain bikes can have either standard tubed tires, or the newer tubeless tires. Tubes have been around for a long time, and are the old stand-by. They’re cheaper and fairly easy to replace.

Tubeless tires, however, offer certain advantages. They are much less likely to rupture, which is important when riding on rough terrain. They also can be more easily adjusted, meaning you can set the tire pressure as low or high as you like. Lower pressure is generally recommended, as it means more of your tire is on the ground at one time, which means increased control.

When buying a mountain bike, you should take note of the type of wheels it has, because it is very difficult (and expensive) to switch between tube and tubeless wheels. Do some research and decide which you prefer, and buy accordingly.



By: David A Carter

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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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Mountain bikes are in much demand today as mountain biking is getting more and more popular these days. These are bicycles that are just perfect for riding on mountains or paved roads. This sport is not just popular within a country but is famous all over the world. The best thing about this sport is that it does not require any special skill or talent. One should know how to ride a bicycle and should be able to ride it comfortably on any road or area.

Mountain bikes are strong and rigid that can move smoothly on any surface without any problem. The tires of the bicycle are wide and tough. They are also fat, knobby and are just perfect for riding on dirt trails. Bikes are mostly used for off-road riding. You can also use bikes to ride cross country.
Down-hilling, free riding and cross country are the main activities for which bikes are used.

You can also use mountain bikes for trailing, street-urban riding and even for dirt jumping. It is often seen that most of the features are common in every bike. Yet, there are some specifications and few additional attractive features that are there in some bikes. These features may differ as per the use of the bike for which it is designed.

Mountain bikes used for cross country are usually lighter than the bikes used for free riding or down hilling. If you are planning to buy a bike for yourself then you can book it online too. This is one of the best methods of shopping for bikes as it provides you an opportunity to look for various bikes, compare their prices and then select the perfect bike for yourself as per your choice and pocket.

Biking is a great sport which is mostly enjoyed by young generation. Most of the countries are giving importance to this sport today and are making some spaces available so that people can enjoy it. The most important thing while choosing a mountain bike is to look for the comfort.

If the bike fits the rider properly then there will be fewer chances of accidents. Using a helmet is very important while riding your bike. This will ensure safety of the rider. While buying a bike, make sure that you look for the comfort, durability and price of the bike apart from going for its look and design.



By: Neha Rani Gupta

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If you have just purchased a mountain bike then you may be desperate to get out and take it on a long, scenic trail. However, if you have not taken the time to research about your mountain bike and the parts that it uses, then you could end up in trouble if something were to go wrong. Understanding how your bike works and what each part does can help you to stay out of trouble and to know what to do if something were to go wrong.

Usually people who go mountain biking tend to go to places in the middle of nowhere. This means if your bike were to break down, you would be pretty stuck if you didn’t know how to repair it!

What you should know about Mountain Bike Shocks

Mountain bike shocks are designed to help you to control the bike. They are part of the suspension and they work by dampening the spring oscillation. When you are out and about riding casually along, the shocks are what help you to keep the bike controlled. Keeping the tires on the ground and stopping them from bouncing when you go over a bumpy service, shocks are especially important for mountain bikes which will be travelling over uneven surfaces.

Due to the fact that they are so important, mountain bike shocks should be looked after and monitored. When they look like they may need replacing then get onto it straight away. By replacing the shocks when they are worn down you will also be helping out other parts of your bike. This is because when the shocks aren’t working properly, the friction caused can damage other parts of the bike. The tires could become worn down quicker than usual and wheel alignment could also be affected.

Generally the best thing that you can do is research more about your mountain bike and gain the right knowledge in case anything were to happen to the bike. Find out everything about replacing the shocks and what to look for as that way you will be able to prevent any damage from occurring. Of course you could always hire a professional to replace the socks for you, but it is always a better idea to learn how to do it yourself just in case you are in the middle of nowhere when a problem occurs.

Overall you really do not want to ruin a potentially relaxing and fun mountain bike ride because you have not done the proper research. Look after the shocks on your bike and they will look after you.



By: Alison Addy

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SFMTNS asked:

This tech tip demonstrates on-the-trail repair procedures for typical flat tires scenarios.

12345teena asked:

reviews: bike-reviews.info Hardtail mountain bike with butted aluminum trail frame SR Suntour XCT suspension fork with 100mm of travel Shimano Altus 7-speed rear derailleur with EZ-Fire shifters 26-inch Kenda Klaw tires with double-wall rims MORE : www.amazon.com

SFMTNS asked:

This tech tip demonstrates on-the-trail repair procedures for typical flat tires scenarios.

SFMTNS asked:

This tech tip demonstrates on-the-trail repair procedures for typical flat tires scenarios.