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Archive for August, 2008

Sizing Mountain bikes

August 25th, 2008 Admin No comments

“Sizing Mountain bikes

Along with giving you a better selection and expert advice, bike shop personnel can you help you get fitted to the right size bike.  You can get the bike either too big or too small, which will cause your enjoyment to suffer.  Follow the tips below, and  you’ll have the perfect fit for your mountain bike.

Standover height
When you check the fitting yourself, the first thing you want to check is the inseam clearance, or the standover height.  You want to have plenty of room between yourself and the top tube when you come to a stop.  There should be around four to six inches of clearance from the top of your inseam to the top of the top tube. Read more…

Setting Your Tire Pressure

August 25th, 2008 Admin No comments

“Tire Pressure”

Riding your mountain bike with the appropriate amount of tire pressure can make a huge difference in how much control you have over your bike.

Setting your tire pressure too high will make for poor contact with the ground and also make your bike less controllable.  Setting your tire pressure too low will make your tires unpredictable and also make them susceptible to pinch flats.

The appropriate amount of tire pressure in a mountain bike will vary between rider to rider and tire setup to tire setup.  The conditions of your trail and the type of terrain your riding will also greatly impact what tire pressure you should be using in your tires. Read more…

Mountain Biking Accessories

August 21st, 2008 Admin No comments

“Mountain Biking Accessories”

When you first start out with mountain biking, it can be a bit overwhelming when you walk into a bike store to buy your first mountain bike and see all of the available accessories you’ll need when you first start riding.

There are several mountain biking accessories and related products that you can purchase.  Although the sales staff will try to sell you anything they can, the real question for those on a budget isn’t what’s cool, but what accessories you need to make your rides more safe and enjoyable.  By starting with these accessories, you’ll be just fine when you hit the trails.

Bike helmet
The bike helmet is the most important mountain biking accessory that you can buy.  No one should ever be on a bike without a helmet.  There have been many people who have experienced serious head injury, when it could have prevented by wearing a helmet. All mountain bike helmets are comfortable and stylish and everyone who rides on the trails wears one.

Mountain bike gloves
No matter what season you ride in, your hands can take a beating.  Beginners will normally keep a death grip on the handle bars, which can be very brutal for their hands.  When you crash, your hands will be the first thing to hit the ground – and everyone crashes at some point.  Mountain bike gloves are a must have accessory, as they will take the beating for you.

Mountain bike shorts
After the first few mountain bike rides you take, you’ll notice that your rear end will be quite uncomfortable. Even though your body will adjust, bike shorts are great to have as they will help keep it at a bare minimum.  You can get shorts that are very comfortable, making them a great addition to your mountain bike ride.

Mountain bike shoes

Depending on the type of pedals you have and the type of riding you do, you’ll want to pick your mountain bike shoes accordingly.  If your bike has clipless type pedals, you’ll want to get shoes to accept the special cleat for your pedals.  Good mountain bike shoes are durable, comfortable, and also a stiff sole for better efficiency when pedaling.  Also, you should make sure to get the right shoe for the terrain you’ll be riding in as well.

Eye protection

If you get something in your eye, you can run off the trail in a matter of seconds.  Sunglasses or clear lensed glasses can help keep your eyes safe from debris, as well as protect them from the wind.  When you buy your glasses, make sure they are non-breakable.

Hydration system

Bringing a water bottle or hydration backpack with you is always a great idea.  It’s very easy to get dehydrated so you should always bring water with you and drink it on the trail to ensure that your body stays properly hydrated at all times.

Trail repair kit
It’s easy to get stuck in the woods or on the trail if you don’t bring the proper repair kit for your bike.  To be on the safe side, bring a multi-tool designed for bike repair, tire levers, and a patch kit for fixing flat tires.