Mountain Biking ; The Basics

Learning more about mountain biking will help you enjoy the sport more. Knowledge is key to having the right bike and equipment for your ride.

If you want a good way to spend time outside having fun, then you may want to try mountain biking. If you are looking for a fun adrenaline rush, then going very fast down the side of a mountain can be great fun, but it is also dangerous. If you are careful and take precautions, though, it is a sport that the whole family can enjoy.

Mountain Biking Styles
There are three styles of mountain biking. The three different styles include cross-country, free riding, and downhill biking. The styles are somewhat similar to each other, but they each have different skills that are needed. The mountain biking style that you want to do will determine what kind of bike that you need to purchase.

Where to Mountain Bike
Mountain biking is usually done on an unpaved surface. You can find many different areas throughout North America that have specially designed biking trails for you. It is important to check with your local park before you just take off down a trail to make sure that you know the rules and regulations that they have.

There are also groups that you can join to compete against and ride with. It is easy to find a group via the web or in your local paper. You can even ask at your local bike shop if they know of any groups. You can find groups for any experience level - from beginner to more advanced.



Basic Mountain Bike Component Identification Guide

1. Bar-ends 2. Brake levers 3. Cassette 4. Chain 5. Chain stays 6. Chainrings 7. Crank arm 8. Down tube 9. Front brake calipers 10. Front derailleur 11. Front hub 12. Front quick-release skewer 13. Front tire 14. Front wheel 15. Handlebars 16. Head tube 17. Headset 18. Headset top cap & bolt 19. Headset spacers 20. Inner tube valve 21. Integrated shifters 22. Pedals 23. Rear brake calipers 24. Rear derailleur 25. Rear hub 26. Rear quick-release skewer 27. Rear tire 28. Rear wheel 29. Removable face plate 30. Saddle 31. Seat collar 32. Seat post 33. Seat stays 34. Seat tube 35. Spokes 36. Stem 37. Suspension fork 38. Top tube 39. Water bottle bosses

Great Biker
To be an accomplished mountain biker, you must first build up your stamina and endurance. If you are racing, then you will want to add a lot of practice and ambition to the mix. Just as with any other sport, mountain biking takes practice to get good at. If you are just beginning, you will have to practice and take those bruises and spills until you get better. There is no way around it.

Mountain Bike Selection
Depending upon what kind of bike riding you will be doing, your bike choice revolves around that fact and your personal desires. You can find bikes in many different price ranges, shapes, and styles, which makes it somewhat overwhelming to find the right one for you.

The internet is a great place to start your bike search. It is easy to compare prices and look at different features of bikes on the internet because there is not stress. You will want to try out the bike before you purchase it, though, so you may have to go to the local bike shop for that. When trying out a bike, you will want to consider the comfort, fit, and how it is made and geared to help you make the best decision for you.

Safety First
Riding a mountain bike can be very dangerous because you are riding on uneven terrain. It is important that you wear a helmet no matter where your riding and elbow and knee pads to help keep yourself safe. If you choose to ride in a wooded area or are going to be following other riders, then you may want to consider adding some goggles to your equipment to help keep your eyes safe. Safety should be your top priority in preparing and riding.

Trailside Bike Repair Guidelines

Bike Repair

A rider has "a mechanical" just a couple miles from the nearest trailhead. If warmth and daylight aren't waning, the mechanical is only an inconvenience. But add falling temperature, darkness, and less than intimate knowledge of the surrounding area and suddenly a minor inconvenience becomes a very unpleasant experience - or even a life-threatening situation.

It is important to educate the mountain biking public on the importance of being prepared for mechanical problems on the trail. Patrollers must be able to perform basic trailside bike repairs, for their own sake and for that of other riders who may need mechanical assistance.

National Mountain Bike Patrol Bike Repair Guidelines: Patrollers should be comfortable with basic bike repair tools and able to perform the following standard field repairs:
1. Flat repair
2. Chain repair
3. Derailleur adjustment
4. Saddle adjustment
5. Brake adjustment
6. Head set adjustment
7. Basic spoke and wheel repair

Training: One way patrols can learn or brush up on their bike repair skills is through a local bike shop. The local shop might be willing to donate a mechanic's expertise for a training clinic. Explaining your patrol's involvement in the cycling community will increase the likelihood of them offering training assistance. This is a great way to build a relationship with a local bicycle dealer.

An alternative is to have a knowledgeable patrol member or friend teach the group. There are a number of excellent books about bike repair available.

Legal Issues: Performing mechanical repair on another person's bike could lead to legal action if that person were to injure themselves as a result of a patrol member's actions. It is preferable to supply the rider with tools and advice to fix his/her own bike. This way the patrol member is not liable for injury as a result of the repair. In addition, the rider will learn how to do the repair himself/herself. Use common sense. If you're deep in the backcountry, or if it's getting cold/dark, or if the other rider has no mechanical ability, it's better to fix the problem yourself so that the rider can safely return to civilization. Land managers will often have a policy regarding mechanical aid.

Tool/Spare Parts Kit Contents: It is suggested that patrollers carry and be familiar with the following tools:

• multi tool
• chain tool (chain breaker)
• hex key set (Allen wrenches)
• Phillip's head & flat head screwdriver
• adjustable wrench (small)
• spoke wrench
• tire levers (2-3)
• pump (presta/schrader)
• patch kites
• tubes (presta/schrader)
• duct tape (small roll)
• zip ties
• cables (shifter/brake)
• tire boot for ripped tires

Bike Repair Publications: The following are two good books on bike repair. It is suggested that the patrol have make one or more of these books available to patrol members and trainees.

reference from:
• "Bicycling Magazine's Complete Guide to Bicycle Repair"
• "Essential and Practical Trailside Repair Made Simple" Little Rose Publishing. Telluride, Colorado.