Trail Bikers Blog

Gregg Hall asked:


Mountain bikes are designed for off-road riding. Whether made for racing or the more leisurely rider, there are four basic frame designs for mountain bikes: rigid, hard-tail, soft-tail, and full suspension.

The rigid (also commonly known as fully rigid) mountain bikes resemble a conventional sort of bike as you would imagine it. A rigid mountain bike has neither a rear suspension nor a front suspension. These used to be the most common kind of mountain bike but they are rapidly being replaced by the more comfortable models which feature some sort of suspension system. Fully rigid bikes tend to be lower-priced than models with a suspension. Many riders still prefer rigid bikes because it’s what they’re accustomed to, and the feel that the rigid design allows them greater control.

Another common mountain bike design is the hard-tail. Hard-tail mountain bikes are so named because they have a conventional rear end without a suspension. Hard-tails differ from fully rigid bikes in that they have a front suspension. The hard-tail is perhaps the most popular mountain bike design. Many professional riders prefer the feel of a hard-tail and the comfort of a front suspension.

The next kind of mountain bike design is the soft-tail. As you probably guessed, soft-tails employ a rear suspension. Rear suspensions are a more recent innovation than front suspension due to the complexities of the design. Soft-tails are often more expensive than hard-tails, but they also tend to be more forgiving.

Finally there’s the full suspension mountain bike. Bikes with this design feature both front and rear suspensions. These bikes are the latest mountain bike design. For a long time riders avoided full suspension bikes because they were heavy and they tended to sag in the middle like an old swayback horse. It took years for engineers and riders to perfect a viable, functional full suspension mountain bike. It was in the 1990’s when these bikes finally reached a point where they were marketable.

In addition to the frame and suspension, there are other differences in mountain bike designs. One key area where bikes differ is the brakes. Mountain bikes either have some form of caliper brakes, which are the kind of brakes typically associated with bikes. This kind of brake squeezes the rims to slow and stop the bike. The other type of brake is the drum brake. Drum brakes on bikes are similar to the braking system on automobiles. Drum brakes are more expensive than caliper brakes but they’re also easier to maintain. Mountain bike braking systems have even been made which utilize hydraulic power.

Another area where you have some choice in mountain bike design is tire size. Mountain bike tires typically range in size from 24″ to 29″. Smaller tires are used when greater maneuverability is required as in stunt-riding and jumping. Larger tires are used when speed is the key.

As with any other important purchase, do your homework before buying a new mountain bike. Think about your needs and your budget. Mountain biking is a terrific past-time. It’s a fun way to get some fresh air, enjoy the outdoors, and improve your health.

summitdaily asked:

Helmet cam perspective of the Mountain Biking trails of Breckenridge Ski Resort.

Alastair Hamilton asked:


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.

Justin asked:


I am an intermediate mountain biker; the trails I ride are mainly cross country and small downhill runs. I am looking into buying a new bike (my gt argressor 3.0 just broke) and the shop near me sells trek and specialized bikes. I was wondering if I should buy a specialized hardrock, a specialized rock hopper, or a trek bike. I am looking into spending $500 to $700. Are there any that are better? Thanks.

chuckit104 asked:


I would like to put an ‘06 Marzocchi Drop Off fork wich has 150 mm travel into my ‘06 Kona Kikapu. I know this supposed to be a cross country bike, but with the coil suspension (fox vanilla) its more like an all mountain anyway. I just want to add a little freeride aspect to it…I just want to make sure the fork will fit.

Pat Carpenter asked:


Any place where the terrain is rough and the sky is blue in Dallas, Houston or elsewhere in Texas is a place you’ll probably find mountain bikers. The sport of mountain biking usually refers to riding bicycles, which possess particular design characteristics, off-road, although sometimes the term simply refers to riding a mountain bike.

It’s a tough, demanding sport that requires endurance, good bike handling skills and a lot of self-reliance. It’s an individual sport that can be performed almost anywhere. There are certain aspects of mountain biking that are similar to trail running, more so than regular bicycling. And, because riders are often far from civilization, there is a strong ethic of self-reliance. Seasoned riders have learned to repair their broken bikes or flat tires to avoid being stranded in the middle of nowhere. This reliance on survival skills accounts for the group dynamics of the sport. Club rides and other forms of group rides are common, especially on longer treks.

Mountain biking can be roughly broken down into five categories: cross country, downhill, freeride, dirt jump and trials/street riding. And, even though there are five very different terrains to ride upon, most mountain bikes have a similar look: knobby tires, large round- frame tubing, and some sort of suspension or shock absorbers. Mountain biking can be done anywhere from a backyard to a gravel road, but the majority of mountain bikers prefer to ride trails which they call singletrack — narrow trails that wind through forests, fields, deserts or mountainsides.

The bicycle has really been no stranger to off-roading since its invention toward the end of 1800’s. The modern sport of mountain biking originated in the 1970’s with several groups of riders in Texas and other areas of the U.S. making valid claims to playing a part in the sport’s birth.

Riders in Crested Butte, Colorado, and Cupertino, California, tinkered with their bikes and adapted them to the rigors of off-road riding. Other riders around the country copied their friends who rode motorcycles off-road, and then began riding their bikes in a similar fashion.

However, a group in Marin County, California — recognized by the Mountain Bike Hall of Fame — played a central role in the birth of the sport. They began racing down Mount Tamalpais on old 1930’s and ’40s Schwinn bicycles, retrofitted with better brakes and fatter tires. This group included Joe Breeze, Otis Guy, Gary Fisher and Keith Bontrager among others. It was Joe Breeze who built the first new, purpose-made mountain bike in 1977.

Tom Ritchey built the first regularly-available mountain bike frame, which was accessorized by Gary Fisher and Charlie Kelly and sold by their company called MountainBikes. The first two mass produced mountain bikes, the Specialized Stumpjumper and Univega Alpina Pro, were sold in 1982.

Mountain bikes differ from road racing bicycles in several ways. They have a smaller and stronger frame, knobby, as well as wider and higher-profile tires, which are mounted on a rim that is stronger and more durable than a standard bicycle rim. They also include a larger range of gears, to facilitate climbing up steep hills and over obstacles; a wider flat or upwardly rising handlebar that allows a more upright riding position; and, often, some form of suspension system for either the front wheel or both wheels.

The inherent comfort and flexibility of the modern mountain bike has led to an estimated 80% market share of bike sales in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and other countries. While it is estimated that only between 10 and 20% of mountain bikes are actually ridden off-road, the sport of mountain biking has seen an explosion in popularity and diversification.

There are environmental concerns regarding a number of outdoor extreme sports, but properly-built mountain bike trails have little negative environmental impact. Studies reported in the IMBA (International Mountain Bike Association) Trail Solutions manual have shown that a mountain bike’s impact is comparable to that of a hiker, and substantially less than that of an equestrian.

But irresponsible use, such as using a trail when it is too wet, can be damaging, whether the individual is on foot, bike, or horseback. It’s clear that other activities, such as horseback riding and ATV or motorcycle use, are far more damaging. Improper routing or trail construction techniques may result in a trail that does not hold up well to any kind of use. Riding in rainy conditions can create ruts and holes in the trail, making it less usable.

Physically demanding sports such as mountain biking can be a great way to exercise to maintain good health.

Gregg Hall asked:


Anyone who knows how to ride a bicycle can enjoy mountain biking. There are some dangers to mountain biking, when it is compared to the standard bike ride. It is for this reason that mastering the following beginner mountain bike skills is a necessity prior to taking off for your mountain bike excursion.

These skills can all be practiced by heading to any school, local park, around your house, or on a bike path. The key to the right location is if it has a steep hill for you to practice on.

The pedals are an important part of a mountain bike. You can practice getting a feel for the pedals by doing the following:

Sit on your bike

Place one foot on the ground

Release and Replace your foot while pedaling around

Note: If you have clipless foot pedals or toe clips, you will want to practice this quite a bit.

Sit and Spin for position with the following:

Adjust the seat height so that the leg is a minimum of 70% extended at the bottom of each pedal cycle

Bend arms slightly

Keep the body as relaxed as possible; a position should never occur that requires you to lock your elbows or knees.

Sit on the Mountain bike and pedal

Practice shifting gears with the following:

Make sure you know the differences in gears on your bike

Try a high gear-It is hard to pedal, but rides at a faster speed

Try a low gear-Easier to pedal, particularly useful while on hills

Try shifting prior to reaching the hill-This is important because it is easy to overcome a shift before the hill than it is while on the hill.

Practice coasting with the following:

Practice this while standing on the pedals, not sitting on the bike seat

Do not lock your knees

Keep arms slightly bent

Attempt coasting while shifting the body towards the rear of the mountain bike

Practice pedaling while standing with the following:

This is important in mountain biking

Try pedaling standing up in two different ways, once you have become comfortable with standing on the pedals.

First, pedal while standing in a high gear on flatter grounds.

Then, pedal while standing in a low gear on hills.

Practice dropping down a curb with the following:

Locate a curb in the area; it should be easily accessible in regards to the upper portion

Using a moderate speed, practice coasting and standing off the curb to the lower level from the upper level.

Continue this at different speeds until you are comfortable with it and it is like second nature

The above practicing techniques are important because they will give you the feel of the mountain bike trail, without having to be on one while you are training.

Dev Sri asked:


Mountain Biking is a sport of endurance, skills and self-reliance. From a back yard to a gravel road, from country sides to mountain slopes, fire roads to the thrills of biking down narrow tracks through forests, mountains, deserts – mountain biking offers incomparable thrills and fun.

There are aspects of mountain biking that are more similar to trail running than regular bicycling. Because riders are often far from civilization, there is a strong ethic of self-reliance in the sport. Riders learn to repair their broken bikes or flat tires to avoid being stranded miles from help. This reliance on survival skills accounts for the group dynamics of the sport. Club rides and other forms of group rides are common, especially on longer treks.

Mountain Biking entails the sport of riding bicycles off-road, often over rough terrain, whether riding specially equipped mountain bikes or hybrid road bikes. Most mountain bikes share similar characteristics that underscore durability and performance in rough terrain: wide, knobby tires, large, round frame tubing, front fork or dual suspension .The durability factor means a far heavier bicycle weight to rider ratio than their road touring cousins.

Mountain Biking in Kerala

Mountain Biking in Kerala works as a pretty good adventure experience for those who love to explore the unbeaten tracks and not so frequently visited paths. Mountain biking amongst the majestic backdrop of the great mountains of Kerala is an unforgettable and thrilling experience. The opportunity of mountain biking in Kerala is from the Munnar, Thenmala and many other places. The training of mountain biking adventurous sport is available.

Those travellers who want to travel differently for them the mountain biking at Kerala is undoubtedly one of the safest and the most enchanting ways to tour Kerala. It has its own advantages; you don’t have to be an avid mountain biker to go for biking in different places of Kerala. More than just the excitement of biking you can be delighted by the beautiful whistle of a hill myna or by the amicable smile of a villager.

Each ride is a display of personal expression. There is the gonzo daredevil who rides for the adrenaline rush of speed and danger. Then there is the more careful rider who takes time to enjoy the scenery. Mountain biking in India is famous at Kerala.

Mountain biking in Kerala is a sensory experience like none other. You must concentrate on the intricacies of the terrain. Your hearing becomes fine-tuned to approaching streams, animals or rock slides. As you adjust your speed, you pick up the scent of a cluster of pine trees or a field of grass. In fact, you may even taste honeysuckle carried by the wind. Kerala adventure mountain biking is popular.

Every bike riders riding kit will have all equipment, to enjoy a safe and fun ride. Only keep those things that you are going to use in your riding expedition. Among the essentials that you will require in your mountain bike trip is a first aid box and a basic bike repairs.

Must have items for short riding trips include wrenches for all the nuts and bolts on the bike, tire levers, pump, patch kit/tubes, chain tool, crescent wrench, zip ties, duct tape and a small first aid kit. For long rides also add up things such as cables, brake pads, food, water, a bigger first aid kit, crank remover, spare spokes, casette remover, and extra clothing. To carry these items, you can use a jersey pockets or bike bags.

brigelli asked:

Cross country mountain biking at cannock chase on the follow the dog trail.

Muna wa Wanjiru asked:


If you are searching for heavy duty mountain bikes, you will find that there are many available in the market. The mountain biking has emerged as a sport that has an emerging market, and a lot of companies have now entered the arenas involving mountain bike production. One of the most esteemed and well known names in the bike manufacturing business is Mongoose. Mongoose mountain bikes have a reputed status of being well made bike that can handle extreme terrain and conditions.

The basic Mongoose mountain bike Company really began when in year 1974; Skip Hess laid a foundation for his own business in his garage in Southern California. This home based business has grown to be one of the acme manufacturers of bikes in the world. The imaginative idea was to race in market of BMX bikes. The corporation was bought by its investors and has since been operating under the brand name of Pacific Cycle.

One of the common names associated with the BMX sport was the Mongoose. Mongoose has supported a lot of top racers in this field. The company has now cleft off, and does manufacture bikes of all calibers and for all types of riders. Bikes can even be found on-line now and some of the stores even carry the lines. The Mongoose mountain bike is quite well known and can be bought at different sports stores.

With the development of the Mongoose name, more and more consumers were exposed to the quality of this brand of bikes. Mongoose mountain bike offers the rider a wide range of choice. It will probably take a certain amount of research to determine which bike fits the standards of an individual.

This Mongoose mountain bike can also be bought for a beginner and also skilled rider. A Mongoose mountain bike is an excellent item for consumption that can last during the rough sport of mountain biking. To construct these riding bikes, soft metal alloy is used.

Mongoose mountain bikes are available in a diverse price range. The well experienced riders will probably be looking at the superior end bikes that have been planned with all the upgrades to create an off road pleasing experience.

The Mongoose mountain bike for the novice is available in an affordable price range that can be availed easily at bike stores that are close to your vicinity. Mongoose mountain bike is a good buy for a rider due to the high quality of parts used in its construction. The Mongoose mountain bike brand provides complete assurance of quality for the rider purchasing this product.