Mountain Bike Riding Info | Mountain Biking Tips

Mountain Biking Injuries are More Common Than You Might Imagine

2008-12-10T13:08:00.002-06:00

Mountain biking is an ever increasing popular sport that can be found around the world. As with any sport, mountain biking can cause injuries, these can range from minor to severe. Learning what causes mountain biking injuries and how to prevent them can help participants safely maneuver through this highly energetic sport.Image via Wikipedia

Like other sports, it is important to have the correct equipment when mountain biking. If you are a novice, learning about what equipment can be used is an important first step in getting involved in the sport of mountain biking.

The most important piece of equipment needed to prevent mountain biking injuries is a helmet. Selecting the perfect head gear is not always about finding the coolest looking helmet. Visit biking shops to discover what type of helmet will work best for you. Head injuries can be prevented when wearing the proper helmet.

Mountain biking injuries also occur when bikers become out of control on trails. Maintaining a controllable speed will prevent mountain biking injuries from occurring because of loosing control of a bike. This is probably one of the most common accidents that occurs during mountain biking. Mountain biking injuries can be prevented by being cautious on trails, keep you bike in control.

Mountain biking injuries can also occur due to accidents on the trail. It is not uncommon to fall while riding on trails. When on trails, stop and check out the terrain. Often, unexpected drops can occur and bikers learn ways to move through these bumps and changes in land. Experience is the best teacher in learning how to avoid mountain biking injuries.

Start out with beginner trails and paths and work your way up to the more difficult trails. Mountain biking is a learning processes, take the time to learn how to use the bike and avoid injuries.

Mountain biking injuries can be as simple as cuts and bruises to the more severe broken bones. Shoulder injuries seem to be a common problem among mountain bikers. Landing on the shoulder after a spill can result in damage to the shoulder. A physician should always be consulted if an accident does take place. Mountain biking injuries can take several weeks to recover from, and pushing yourself to recover is one of the worst things a cyclist can do. Take the time to fully recover from any mountain biking injuries and make sure your body is ready for the next adventure.

Mountain biking injuries do happen, make sure to have a good helmet and carry a first aid kit in case of emergencies.

Preparing for Mountain Biking Tours

2008-10-22T09:06:00.001-05:00

If you're looking for an adventure vacation, why not spend it with your friends on a fantastic mountain biking tour? Nothing compares to the excitement and adventure that mountain biking tours can bring.

There are biking tours available all over the world, your choices are endless? One of the most popular options for mountain biking tours these days is to go on special tours that include accommodations, meals, and a prepared itinerary that will take you to the more interesting spots in your chosen location.

The biking tour you choose will depend on your skills, the terrain and the number of people on the trip. For instance, if most of the people you are vacationing with are beginners to the sport of mountain biking, you would want to stick to the safer terrains that are easier to navigate and farther away from the cliffs. Regardless of the difficulty of the ride, it is safer to stay with the other riders than heading off on your own.

A lot of preparation is required when going on a mountain bike tour. Naturally the first thing you need is the right bike for the ride. If you don’t have a bike yet, you can either take out a rental or purchase your own. The latter option is recommended if you are planning to do a lot of bicycle tour vacations in the future. Trusted brands like Norco and Trek are the most reliable and are known for their excellence and durability.

As with any sporting equipment, the prices vary to the quality of the bikes, and the more expensive are usually better. If you are thinking of taking a more challenging route though, you should be prepared to shell out the additional cash for a better model that can withstand the shock of going over rough terrains.

Once you have purchased a reliable bike, you can then add the accessories of your choosing. You may want to carry some bottles of water or a radio for entertainment as you ride along. There are dozens of items you can take with you when preparing for a cycling holiday but the most important would probably be a cellphone or anything you can use to communicate with your companions in case of an emergency.

Find Out How To Determine Mountain Bike Size

2008-10-17T01:31:00.002-05:00

When wanting to ascertain how to determine mountain bike size which is right for you, there are several factors to consider. First, only some mountain bikes are built to scale. Mountain bikes can be different in size from producer to company, even if they are marketed as having similar dimension. You can notice this if you ever go into a bike store and gaze at all the different bikes that are of similar size; you will rapidly perceive that they aren’t. So when figuring out how to determine mountain bike size it is much better if you have an real bike present. Purchasing over the internet can quickly become aggravation unless it’s from a professional mountain bike seller.Image by ericfoltz via Flickr

Just like every mountain bike is not a comparable dimension, neither is every individual. You must measure your inseam. To measure your inseam you have to measure from just below the crotch section to the underside of your ankle, that’s your inseam measurement. You must utilize this to comprehend how far above the top tube you will be when you attempt to understand the adequate mountain bike size.

Turn your inseam measurement into inches and times it by .65, then round this number out. For instance: if my inseam equals to thirty inches, I would multiply that by .65 and get 19.5 – That’s a 19 and a half inches, and that is the mountain bike dimension you should be looking into. Now this system is not precise. It is only a general rule of thumb. Once again, when trying to learn how to determine mountain bike sizes you should actually be there with the mountain bike and try it for yourself if possible. How to determine mountain bike size is quite simple.

There are other things that can go into choosing the correct mountain bike size. Finding the correct seat size or getting the correct top tube length so that you won’t be too stretched out or too shrunk in. Use the general inseam method and go from there, but don’t let that method be your sole deciding factor when trying to comprehend how to determine mountain bike size.

Used Mountain Bikes: How to Buy

2008-10-13T21:08:00.002-05:00

If you're looking to get a mountain bike, you've possibly considered buying used. Since used mountain bikes, much like used cars, are much cheaper than their brand new counterparts, you can save a lot of money by going used. However, you might be wondering how one goes about finding a used bike, and how you can make sure you get a great deal. This article is here to help.

If you are looking for a used mountain bike, there are several excellent places to try. Online classified sites such as Craigslist offer a plethora of bikes for sale, especially in region where mountain biking is very popular. If you're looking for a very specific bike, say, a used Cannondale, you might be better off using an online auction site to get the widest selection possible.

Onnce you have found a source of bikes, its time to dig into some research. With this research, you need to determine whether the bike is right for you, whether it is priced fairly, and whether it is in good condition. To determine if a bike is right for you, you need to understand your own unique riding needs. Be sure to get the right suspension, the right size, and the right components. Covering all these things is beyond the scope of this article, but you need to get them right.

To see if you're getting the right price, you need to see what the same bike has sold for in the past. Auction sites are great for this, since you can see exactly what other have been paying for the same type of mountain bike. Be sure to carefully inspect the condition of the bike as much as possible, in order to ensure that you're getting a solid ride. Be on the lookout for damage to the frame, as this is the most permanent and difficult to replace.

Hopefully, this helps you understand how you can go about buying a great used mountain bikes. Have fun shopping, and be sure to ride safe!

Mountain Biking for Fun and Fitness

2008-07-18T11:47:00.002-05:00

Mountain biking is a very enjoyable sport. You get to exercise and see the world from the multitude of trails across the world at the same time. If you enjoy going outdoors and wish to get a form of exercise, too, you should get yourself a quality mountain bike and hit the trail

What Makes a Mountain Bike Different From Other Bikes

A mountain bike is technically different from a road bike and a BMX. Mountain biking tires are usually fat tires with knobbies which makes it easier for them to go up mountains and traverse rough roads. The knobbies virtually grip the loose rock and rough roads to go faster compared to a road bike�s smooth tires. A road bike�s tires are specifically designed to run faster on a smooth road.

The frame or body of the mountain bike is also larger and sometimes heavier than a road bike. This is due mainly to all the pressure it gets from the rider who exerts effort to go faster on a rough road. Mountain biking parts are not as light weight as the road bike parts although some frames and components have gotten lighter over the years.

There are many varieties of mountain bikes available. Some are astoundingly expensive while others are purely functional. The average price of a professional mountain biker�s bike could be approximately $2,000 - $3,000. This is a very modest estimate of the price. Some after market parts cost around that range too.

Mountain bikes usually have shock absorbers or suspension for the rough terrain. The shocks are usually found in the front end of the bike while there are other shocks which are located near or just below base of the seat post. The preference of the rider dictates whether there will be rear or front suspension on his bike.

Mountain biking also helps to form your legs, upper body and buttocks. The upper body usually exerts control over the rough terrain thus making the arms and biceps well exercised as well. The amount of calories and energy that you burn when you are out mountain biking is great. Although, the way you ride is also a factor to how much weight you lose and how trim you are. Some bikers just pedal around rough terrain without improving their speed and endurance.

Mountain biking is an ideal sport for both men and women. It promotes cardiovascular exercise which is great for our hearts and it maintain sour body as long as you bike at least 2 to 3 times a week.

Mountain Biking Utah (rev)
In this new edition, you can enjoy 100 rides that cover the entire state of Utah.

Click here to purchase

You Need Proper Equipment to Attempt Mountain Bike Tricks

2008-06-24T10:45:00.003-05:00

There is no shortage of mountain bike tricks that can be performed with each having its own level of difficulty and among the more well known ones is dirt jumping, cross country and a lot more. For example, when a mountain biker tries out cyclo cross, which is something between mountain riding and road biking, riders race on as well as off the course, goes over obstacles and even need to traverse rivers. The most popular mountain bike trick would be downhill biking which is very fast and is something that most downhill mountain bikers love to do, and this is all about extremes as well as intense riding that is loaded with thrills and spills.

Hill Jumping on a Mountain Bike

And, when bikers take to dirt jumping they will be performing mountain bike tricks that involve jumping high above dirt hills that have been especially created for them and whilst the biker is airborne there is scope for performing amazing tricks with his or her bike.

Essentially, mountain bike tricks involves performing loops and jumps as also twirls in the air and when these are done to perfection, there is a great deal of artistic content which makes each mountain bike trick very beautiful to view. Learning mountain bike tricks is not all that easy and it can take bikers years to perfect them, especially if they wish to perform at competition levels. The backbone of mountain bike tricks is sure to be bike jumps even though they may not be exactly the ones that mountain biking is most well known for.

It is usual for the majority of mountain bike tricks to be performed whilst the rider is in mid-air, and so knowing the right moment to make the jump is crucial to performing the trick properly. And, the number of different jumps can boggle the mind with the one most often used is the double which in the main means doing the jump in two segments with the first obviously being the take-off and the second is the landing. In between, the biker can perform whatever new trick he or she has learnt up and this trick is known as the gap jump.

Yet another type of mountain bike trick is the one known as tabletop which is a jump recognized as being a trick that consists of the take-off, table and then the landing and this is the jump from which the roller jump derives its inspiration. When a mountain biker performs such tricks it will be sure to leave the spectators gasping, and when a biker is particularly adept at his or her trick, it will all seem too easy to perform. However, one should not attempt to do any of these tricks without proper guidance and with someone around to show you the ropes. Some of the amazing mountain bike tricks involve turning the bike at right angles to one side and the whip is another famous trick that involves making the back of the bike flips to the side.

All that is required is proper equipment which will ensure that the biker can perform even the most dangerous tricks with ease and this equipment is more than the bike, and includes protective gear also. So, before taking to doing mountain bike tricks, makes sure that you have the necessary equipment to protect you in case of a mishap.

Mountain Bike Magazine's Complete Guide To Mountain Biking Skills: Expert Tips On Conquering Curves, Corners, Dips, Descents, Hills, Water Hazards, And Other All-Terrain Challenges
Expert tips on conquering curves, corners, dips, descents, hills, water hazards and other all-terrain challenges.

Hit the dirt!

From breaking to bunny hopping, speed jumping to switchbacks-- here are the skills you need to catch big air and experience the best of off-road riding.

* Selecting the right rig for you and your budget.
* Step-by-step drills for clearing obstacles, popping wheelies and more.
* How to hammer it and ride faster than you ever thought possible.
* Seven ways to stay alive by avoiding face plants, biffs and other crash landings.
* All-weather strategies for plowing through mud, rain and snow.
* Pro advice on entering your first off-road race.
* Riding responsibly to save the trails.
* Planning the perfect tour and enjoying a fat-tire vacation.
* Tons more practical info for aspiring and die-hard dirtheads.

You also get skill-building techniques and strategies from world-class mountain bikers, including

* Ned Overend, six-time NORBA national champion
* John Tomac, 1994 NORBA downhill champion
* Juli Furtado, 1995 World Cup champion
* Missy Giove, 1994 world downhill champion
* Tinker Juarez, 1994 NORBA national champion
* Mike King, 1993 world downhill champion

Click here to purchase

Changing Mountain Bike Tires is Not as Hard as You Think

2008-06-11T15:07:00.003-05:00

If you are one of those people who are fond of mountain biking, it would be best for you to learn how to change your mountain bike tires. Changing mountain bike tires is not really that difficult as long as you have the right tools and knowledge of the different parts of your bike. To help you change your mountain bike tires, here are some tips for you.

Removing The Mountain Bike Tires From the Wheel

Before you can change your mountain bike tires, you need to you need to remove the old tires first. If you are using a newer model of mountain bike, find the quick-release lever on each axle of the bike. Loosen the mountain bike tire by flipping open the release lever. Once the mountain bike tire is loose, you can already pull it free from the bike. On the other hand, if you are using an older model of mountain bikes, changing its wheels may take more than just loosing the release lever. Older models of mountain bikes use axle nuts to hold the wheel in place. To loosen the axle nut, you need to use an adjustable wrench. Work your way through the nut carefully. Once the nuts are loose, you can now pull the mountain bike tire free.

After freeing the tire from the bike, completely deflate the tire so that you can easily remove the tube inside the tire. To remove the tube from the tire, you will need to use some mountain bike tire tools. Pry the tire away from the rim to remove it from the rim. Take care not to damage the inner tube when you prey the tire out from the rim.

Installing The New Mountain Bike Tires

After removing the old tire from the bike, you may now install new ones. Take a new mountain bike tire and carefully slip it on the rim. This process can be a bit tricky so pay close attention to what you are doing. If you cannot slip the tire into the rim using your bare hands, try using mountain bike tire tools. Work carefully to prevent snapping the inner tube and tire in place. Snapping the inner tube and tire tube into place may cause breaks in the inner tire tube. Once the inner tire tube is damaged, you will need to remove the wheel again and install another inner tire tube so be very careful. You don't really want to do things all over again. Now, when everything is already in its proper places, you may not install the tire on the mountain bike.

Mountain Biking Utah (rev)
In this new edition, you can enjoy 100 rides that cover the entire state of Utah.

Click here to purchase

Repair Work Made Easier With a Mountain Bike Stand

2008-05-28T13:47:00.002-05:00

One of the toughest parts of mountain biking is not necessarily the trail on which it is ridden or the style the rider chooses. Keeping the bike in superior condition and repair is essential to the success of any style of mountain biking. Kick-stands are out of the question for repair work and finding the right mountain bike stand with which to hold the bike for work, should be something every cyclist needs to do.

Finding the right mountain bike stand may take some time, but there a few things to look for when considering a purchase. Obviously, price will be a major concern, but spending hundreds, and possibly thousands of dollars on a quality mountain bike, anything left over in the budget should be applied to a quality stand. A mountain bike stand should be freestanding, meaning it can stand on its own, under the weight of the bike when attached, without fear it will fall over, regardless of the terrain on which it is used.

Many riders carry a foldable mountain bike stand with them for competition and when needed it can be quickly set up beside the car and used to effect repairs. The stands with a tripod stand are the most useful at remaining upright on tough ground.

Make Sure the Stand Has a Quick Release

Look for a mountain bike stand that has a single lever quick release mechanism to hold the bike upright. Gone are the days when a bike was turned upside down to make repairs. With the grip working similar to vice grip pliers they should be easily adjustable to the size of the crossbar and be able to support the weight of the bike. The grip should also have a single, quick release mechanism to make removing the bike easy, no matter how much it weighs.

Ideally, the mountain bike stand will be adjustable up and down to make working on the bike more convenient and comfortable. The adjustment should be easy with a single release on a telescoping pole to make moving the bike up and down easy for one person to accomplish. The rider should not have to struggle or ask for help to get the bike to a level at which work can be performed.

While many mountain bike stand prices are under $100, a quality stand can cost over $300 and depending on the amount of work a person will do on their bike, the higher priced, better quality mountain bike stand may be a better bargain in the long run.

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.

Mountain Bike Riding Info | Mountain Biking Tips

Mountain Biking Injuries are More Common Than You Might Imagine

Preparing for Mountain Biking Tours

Find Out How To Determine Mountain Bike Size

Used Mountain Bikes: How to Buy

Mountain Biking for Fun and Fitness

You Need Proper Equipment to Attempt Mountain Bike Tricks

Changing Mountain Bike Tires is Not as Hard as You Think

Repair Work Made Easier With a Mountain Bike Stand

Mountain Bike Shocks Make Riding More Comfortable and Enjoyable

The Mountain Bike Shifter: Gripshift or Thumb Shift?

What Type of Mountain Bike Rims To Use?

What Goes Into Mountain Bike Reviews

Know Simple Mountain Bike Repair Before Riding

Mountain Bike Racks For Transporting Your Bike

Mountain Bike Racing for Fun and Fitness

An Overview of the Basic Mountain Bike Parts

What is the Role of Mountain Bike Manufacturers

Mountain Bike Maintenance Keeps the Bike on the Trail

Mountain Bike Helmets is a Riding Necessity

Mountain Bike Disk Brakes is the Future of Trail Riding

The Best Mountain Bike Brands For Purchase

Mongoose Mountain Bike is a Fine Name Brand

The History Of Mountain Biking

The Excitement of Downhill Mountain Biking

Mountain Biking Tips for Learning to Ride