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.

Equiptment For Mountain Biking

The categories of equipment for mountain bikes include a great number of subcategories. These subcategories include the bikes, frames, accessories, biking apparel, and even the separate components that make up the bikes. There are a number of items that you can get for mountain biking, so it is imperative that you know what you want. You first need to determine what kind of biking that you do. Do you mountain bike for fun or are you into it for racing? If you have just started your mountain biking adventure, then your first purchase will need to be a bike that will meet your needs and wants.

Clothing that is specially made for mountain biking is much looser than the other clothing made for cycling. The difference between mountain biking apparel and other biking apparel is very noticeable and easy to see. All kinds of cycling have one thing in common, however, and that is helmets. Helmets should be worn anytime you are on your bike. This will help to protect your head from the many hazards that may be on the trail.

There are accessories that can help make your biking safer for you, too. One of these accessories is mountain bike lights. If you are going to be riding at night, then you will need some kind of lighting on your bike, whether it is LED lights or other lights. Lights enable mountain bikers to enjoy the trail at any time of the day or night.

You can find your mountain bike supplies at your local bike shop or online at many different bicycling retailers. You can find everything that you need-from knee guards to full body guards to helmets to other apparel and accessories. The shops will be able to assist you to find mountain biking gear for any level of rider, from the casual to the more extreme enthusiast.

Protective gear is essential in mountain biking, especially. It will help you to withstand the rigors of mountain and downhill racing. Many different body armor pieces help to protect different parts of the body to make sure that you will be protected if you have an accident. This gear is specially made to protect you without taking away from the experience and fun of mountain biking.

The most important thing that you need to purchase to help keep yourself safe is a biking helmet. A helmet can keep you alive in this sometimes dangerous sport. No matter how small the race, biking helmets are required to help keep you safe. To keep your hands free from burns or blisters, you may want to choose some gloves. They serve a functional use as well, because they help to give you a much stronger grip on the handlebars for maximum control.

Mountain biking demands comfortable clothing. Most races occur during the summer, so shorts and t-shirts are the most commonly seen clothing, but during the winter months, you may see pants and sweatshirts. You are sure to find the perfect clothing to ride in no matter what time of the year to help you be comfortable and to look cool.

Choosing The Right Tire For Your MTB

One of the most important components on your mountain bike is your tires. They grip the ground and provide the traction you need on different surfaces. Most mountain bike riders look for light weight, strength and traction in a tire and many advanced riders even have multiple sets of tires for different riding conditions.

So what tire is right for your mountain bike and riding style? With so many different manufactures and models to choose from which one is right for you? These are not easy questions to answer so hopefully we can provide some insight to get you moving in the right direction. Mountain bike parts are not cheap and you want to make the right decision.

Tire Construction:

Consider a Kevlar bead or folding tire - A Kevlar tire weighs an estimated 60-80 grams less then a conventional none folding tire. It does not sound like much of a weight savings but multiple that number by two and then consider the rotating weight. For an extra couple of dollar, in my opinion, it is worth spending the extra money.



Terrain and Tread patterns:

Determine where you are going to ride and how you are going to use the bike. As an example will you be riding on the local trails that are hard packed dirt or on slick rock?


* For hard packed terrain consider a narrower and smooth tire. As an example a tire that is 1.8 to 2.0 wide.

* For hard packed terrain with a good mix of rocks you might want to consider a wider and smooth tire. As an example a tire that is wider then 2.0.

* For loosely packed terrain consider a knobby tire. Choose a tire with a really aggressive pattern as this will help you gain maximum traction in the dirt. You might also want to consider tires that are designed for the front and rear of the bike.

* For muddy terrain consider a narrow tire. Narrow tires will reach the bottom of the mud and create less resistance when turning making it easier for you to move forward.

* For all terrain tires there are so many choices to consider. Many of the major tire manufacturers make very good tires that are great for all conditions.


Riders Body Size:

Consider your body size. If you are heavier you might want to consider a wider tire.

Where to buy:

You can buy your tires at a bike store, order them from an online website or from an individual sell tires posted on a mountain bike classifieds website.

The information above is a rough guide on what to consider when buying new mountain bike tires. Many bikes stores that have bikes for sale and bike parts can also give you their opinion. Talk to your friends and read online forums to see what other riders like and don’t like. The more information you have the better.

See you on the trail.

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.