What Type of Mountain Bike Rims To Use?

Depending on the discipline of mountain biking undertaken, the type of mountain bike rims on the bike will either help or harm the rider. For cross-country, freerider and jumping, sturdier, heavier mountain bike rims will help keep the bike in service. However, for some forms of trail riding where less weight and better maneuverability is desired, lighter rims may be a better choice.

In most cases the front and back mountain bike rims are matched, not only for appearance but also for stability. A heavier wheel on one end or the other can throw off the balance of the entire bike and cause major problems when performing jumps or tricks on the bike. Choosing mountain bike rims based on the type of riding to be done, is more than a personal choice. It is also necessary to accomplish the ride.

Some mountain cross riders, as well as dirt jumpers may use different types of tires. If they are going to go from one type of riding to another frequently, they will usually have the different tires mounted on different mountain bike rims for quick changes to the second style.

Downhill Riders Need Beefy Rims

One of the aspects of mountain biking is the riders being hard on their bikes. Especially downhill runners who frequently confront jumps and falls, the mountain bike rims are going to take a beating more severe than simply casual riding down the city sidewalks. If the rim cannot withstand the abuse, it will bend in one or more spots making the bike impossible to ride. It can also cause adverse effects to the tire, brake pads and the chain.

Keeping the spokes at the proper tension on mountain bike rims is also important and some riders do this by simply listening. A dull thud when tapped with a screwdriver is an indication the spoke may need tightened. By appropriately adjusting the spokes according to manufacturer specifications, damage to the mountain bike rims can be diminished.

Even a slight bend on the edge of the mountain bike rims can create problems if it interferes with the brake pads. Having to jump over a small dimple or protrusion can quickly ruin the pads, making the bike more difficult to stop.

Since the mountain bike rims are the one item on the bike that is going faster than everything else, anything that could cause them to come to a sudden, unexpected stop should be repaired or replaced immediately to protect the rest of the bike, including the rider.

Mountain Biking Moab, 2nd Edition: A Guide to Moab, Utah's Greatest Off-Road Bicycle Rides

We flock to it in droves to pay homage to what many consider the North Shore, the Mount Everest, the Vatican, the Taj Mahal, the Empire State Building, the Marilyn Monroe of mountain biking -- Moab, Utah. But mind you, Moab is not for everyone. Nowhere is the terrain more challenging or more dangerous. Nowhere is the penalty stiffer for screwing up. But if mountain bikers don't ride Moab, they will forever dream of what could have been. Moab is simply the best mountain bike destination on earth. No question. No controversy. No ifs, ands, or buts. It gets under your skin. Come here once, and you will come again and again.

From this book mountain bikers can expect exhaustive and comprehensive trail descriptions, from beginner to advanced, GPS-quality, digitally designed relief maps detailing each ride, and accurate profiles maps showing the ups and downs of each route. In addition, detailed directions get cyclists to the ride without getting them lost. Detailed mile-by-mile directional cues are also provided with difficulty ratings, elevation gain, trail contacts, and much more.

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