Trail Bikers Blog

Trevor Mulholland asked:


When you are ready to purchase a mountain bike, if you are like most mountain bikers, you start reading mountain bike reviews. You may have found, however, that not all mountain bike reviews are accurate - or even honest! The fact of the matter is that some dealers and even manufacturers actually pay people to write good reviews - of bikes that the reviewer has never even had the opportunity to ride!

There are countless sites that carry reviews of various mountain bikes. Some of the sites are very dependable and others simply cannot be counted on. It’s hard for the average mountain biker to know who to believe - beginner bikers who have yet to make their first mountain bike purchase don’t stand a chance!

If you are looking for reviews, stick to the sites and publications that can be counted on for accurate and valuable information. Most print publications have accurate reviews. When reading one of these reviews, it is important to look on the edges of the page for very tiny print that says ‘advertisement.’ If you see that, you can be sure that this is not a real review you are reading. It is an advertisement disguised as a review. Its purpose is to get you to buy the bike - not to point out both the pros and the cons! Move on!

When looking for reviews online, stick to the better known online magazines such as Singletrack, GearHead, Mountain Bike Review, and Mountain Bike. These are the online magazines that will give you the most accurate information in terms of reviews. You will also find the latest mountain biking news, as well as quite a bit of information on races and trails. These four websites are vitally important to serious bikers.

Of course the best reviews are the ones that you get from other bikers, in person. When you see a mountain biker on the trail riding a bike that you are interested in, take the time to talk to them. Tell them that you are planning to purchase that particular bike, and ask them what they like about it, and what they don’t like. Find groups of mountain bikers in the parks, and try to talk to them when they are taking a break. This way, you won’t be interfering with their ride, and you can get several different ‘in person’ reviews.

Ask as many questions as you possibly can - but try not to keep irritate them by keeping them from enjoying their ride. After speaking with them - or before - sit back and watch them ride. You aren’t watching their technique - although that may be interesting - what you want to watch for is how well the bike handles. Seeing the bike in action is the second best review that you can possibly have - the first best review you can get is your very own review!

As your interest in a particular bike grows, you will want to try one out for yourself. You can test ride bikes that are for sale in bike shops, but you can’t really put them through the motions well enough in a ‘test ride’ situation to learn what you need to know. Your best option is to test ride a friend’s bike. Take it out for a day, and see what it can do in relation to what you can do with it. Give it a great workout, and by the end of the day, you will know enough about the bike to write your very own review.

Do your part in the mountain biking community by contributing your own reviews to the websites that allow consumers to submit mountain bike reviews. Be clear in your writing, and honest in your opinions. Make sure that you have your facts straight, and be sure that you distinguish between opinion and fact! You will be doing many other mountain bikers a huge favor by submitting your honest - and accurate - mountain bike review!

Alastair Hamilton asked:


This is one person’s essay on why she enjoys biking, and more in particular, mountain biking.

When I got my first mountain bike about four years ago, it wasn’t to ride down mountains at all. I simply liked the idea of fat tires and being able to go up and down curbs or other road impedimenta with impunity. So, of course, I didn’t get a top of the line bike, but one that cost about $300 - and that included a padded gel seat, a kick stand, and a biking computer.

And frankly I love that bike. For all that I’m thinking of getting a new one…

I have lived in a bike-friendly city for most of my life - over 20 years. It’s a major city - over 100,000 people, but it was designed with plenty of bike trails around and through the many parks and lakes. And even the streets are for the most part wide, with shoulders on which cyclists can ride. This is because it’s a major city in the midwest, where there was plenty of room to build and spread out, unlike the New England states where space was at a premium.

Anyway, I bike everywhere that I can- to the library, to my local grocery store (if I’m only buying a few things. I use a detachable handlebar basket), to work and for general pleasure riding - during spring, summer and fall, anyway,

Every spring, it takes me a few weeks of serious biking in order to get back into shape (I’m a warm weather woman, I huddle indoors in the winter time, storing up fat, and then as soon as spring hits I’m out on the bike until next winter.)

The first year I had the bike, I used it solely for road biking, and for off-trail riding. As I said, I love the bike - it’s much more comfortable than a road bike with its typical tiny saddles and drop handlebars. And I liked the freedom it gave me - if I saw something off in a grassy field somewhere I could turn off the trail or road without hesitation and go investigate without hesitation - something you can’t do with those narrow wheeled road bikes.

Was I able to go as fast as a road bike? Well…not really, but then, I’m never in a hurry to get anywhere.

When the second spring came around, I decided it was time to actually tried a little mountain biking. I wasn’t going to seek out any actual mountains - but there were plenty of hills around the city that had “mountain biking” trails on them. I did my few weeks of “getting into shape” and then set off for the nearest “official” trail.

And let me tell you - mountain biking is a gas. I don’t enjoy the climbing portion of it - I’m not a masochist, but once you get to the top and head on down, the wind against your face and the sheer concentration needed to negotiate all obstacles is exhilarating.

So if you live anywhere near a mountain biking trail, go check it out. You’ll be glad you did.

Muna wa Wanjiru asked:


Mountain bike are designed particularly for mountain biking. It is usually ridden on dirt trails and many other unpaved surfaces. When compared to road bicycles they are better and rugged enough for such unfriendly terrain.

It would not be easy just walking into a shop and selecting the bike. Each bike in the store serves different purposes. One needs a bike that will fit his personality well come at price within his budget and also he needs to enjoy riding it. Comfort and safety are also other important factors. Most important of all, the bike must be worth the money.

One of the most popular brands of mountain bikes in the market is the barracuda mountain bike. It is a very stylish bike designed mainly for mountain biking. The important features of this bike are:

They are very light in weight, they provide better climbing and acceleration, they are laterally stiff, they give us a ********** ride and absorb vibrations and most important of all they are drop-dead gorgeous.

Barracuda mountain bikes are specially designed by a group of experts to guarantee Cutting Edge, best possible Design with unbelievable Quality. They are also tested and ridden to ensure safety and perfection. These bikes have a strong, resilient and rugged frame.

There are many ranges of barracuda mountain bikes available. Some of them are

Junior BARRACUDA FLEX: an amazing version of a mountain bike for kids.

Junior BARRACUDA JIVE: a little pricey but kids love this bike

BMX BARRACUDA GRIND: a very nice bike with great resilience.

Junior BARRACUDA X-JIBE: a great bike for kids with nice suspension and a nice funky look.

Full Suspension BARRACUDA TOBAGO: Barracuda bike with incredible suspension suitable for highly rugged terrain.

Hard tail BARRACUDA COLORADO: it is one of the most rugged and agile bikes in the market.

Hard tail BARRACUDA SANTA ROSE: a cool bike with great looks. It is one of those bikes which makes riding look easy.

One of the very best barracuda mountain bike is the Barracuda Thunder. Priced around £400, it is one of the best pieces one could get his hands upon. It is recommended for people who want to go for the top range of barracudas. It comes in amazing colors which makes it looks very expensive. It is well worth the money spent. It is one of the best bikes available in the market.

The barracuda mountain bikes come in many colors which make it very special. One can choose his favorite color. The bikes are available in a wide range of colors. Some of the colors are satin grey, vivid pink, black, blue with white spokes, grey, vivid purple, satin blue, hazy red, sky blue, yellow, orange, green etc.

So with all the advantages barracuda has become one of the most popular and most sold bikes. They are amazingly strong and will be liked by each and every one. Also with barracuda safety is not an issue as they are designed for safe riding. Go for it and enjoy your rides.

SteveSVN asked:


I own a Trek 4900 2006 model with disc brakes. Although the current wheels are ideal for mountain biking, I’m starting to enjoy cross country biking a bit more and was wondering if I could buy an extra set of road wheels on ebay or something to swap out when I’m not off roading. Heres a few questions seeking professional advice.
1. How much would it reasonably cost me?
2. Is it difficult to swap tires with disc brakes?
3. Could I do it by myself with the basic tools quickly?
4. Would the heavier MB frame cause the tires to deflate quicker?
5. Would I have to adjust the brakes and gears when I change tires or can I just swap out the wheels and be good to go?
6. Is there really a big difference?
Thanks for any response.

Alastair Hamilton asked:


To enjoy mountain biking to the utmost, you will need to invest in a pair of mountain bike shoes. No matter what your mountain biking experience, the right pair of shoes can help you to ride safe, more comfortably, and more efficiently. Clipless pedals are a normal design for mountain bike shoes, but you will find that the shoes can be used with toe clips and standard pedals, too.

The first mountain bikes did not have clipless pedals, which made it very difficult to get their feet out of the toe-clips if they needed to. It made it very unsafe, because the rider was sometimes forced to go down with his mountain bike when it wrecked. When clipless pedals were invented, it made mountain biking safer. Riders can easily twist their foot out of the pedal or if there is sufficient force, the shoe and pedal will come apart without having to twist the foot.

If you ride just for fun and your bike is without the clipless pedals, then you will want to find mountain bike shoes that are compatible with Shimano Pedaling Dynamics (SPD) anyway. All you will have to do is leave the cover intact over when the cleats attach. This will give you the opportunity to go clipless later if you so desire. If you do have pedals that are clipless, then you will want to ensure that the mountain bike shoes that you choose work with your particular pedals.

Mountain bike shoes should not have laces that can become wrapped up in the bike chain, should allow extra room for swelling feet, and, most importantly, they should be comfortable. If you want more pedaling power, then you will want to choose mountain bike shoes with a stiffer sole. If you think that you will be walking a great deal in your mountain bike shoes, then you will want to choose a more flexible sole. If you are not sure which mountain bike shoes are best for you, then ask for help at your local bike shop or a reputable online bicycle store.

In the world of cycling, you will find that there are specific manufacturers that are good at a specific area of cycling. Other sporting goods manufacturers try to be good at many different types of merchandise, but cycling manufacturers usually concentrate and focus on a specific area of cycling. They try to make the best version of that particular item as possible. One example of this is Fox clothing. They are well-known for their cycling clothing for both men and women.

With all of the different kinds of cycling that you can do, you will find that there are also different kinds of bikes for each of these. A cross-country bike will be differently designed than a mountain bike, for example. This also is true in bicycling clothing. Fox clothing makes all different kinds of cycling clothing, from the looser fitting jerseys and shorts to closer fitting clothing that is more aerodynamically designed. If you take occasional falls when you are biking, then you may want to choose loose fitting apparel to help give yourself some cushioning when you fall.

Wolfgang Jaegel asked:


Situated about 120 km north of Vancouver on the Highway 99 is Whistler, acknowledged as the ‘Natural Year-Round Playground.’ With its soothing mountain air, pristine clear lakes, and luxuriant emerald forests, Whistler is a mecca for a host of recreational activities during both winter and summer.

During the winter, Whistler becomes a sought after destination for enjoying skiing and other activities like snowmobiling, snowshoeing, and sleigh riding. When comes to summer activities, the activities that can be enjoyed here are endless from golf, tennis, and staking to boating, fishing, and canoeing. Aside these activities, Whistler renders world class facilities for mountain biking.

As per the level and expertise of bikers, different types of mountain biking trails are available in Whistler, such as, downhill tracks, technical single track, cross country, paved valley track, and wide single track. For novice, one of the best trails to start with would be the 35 km long Valley Trail. This trail serves as a commuter trail, and a bike riding through it leads to some of the picturesque lakes, parks, and neighborhood destinations.

Another popular biking trail in Whistler is Lost Lake Park, which is surrounded by pristine alpine lake. Located within easy reach of almost all facilities in Whistler and Blackcomb, Lost Lake Park consists of a series of mountain trails, each of them rendering single as well as wide single track with plush nettle. This trail is most suitable for beginners who want to take mountain biking lessons quite easy. However, the trails found in the park are not only for beginners but also for advanced riders. For riders seeking adventure and fun, the park offers trails such as the Frank Zappa single-track.

In Whistler, beginners can also take advantage of the Whistler Interpretive Forest’s network of trails that are exclusively designed for novices, such as Highline, Far Side Trail, Riverside Trail, and Ridge Trail. Some excellent trails are available around Cheakamus Lake, which in turn is a part of the spectacular Garibaldi Provincial Park. However, the trail is packed with hikers during the summer season.

For intermediates, Whistler has some excellent options for mountain biking in the form of Trash in Function Junction, Big Timber trail in Kadenwood, and Green Lake Loop that runs across the eastern side of the Green Lake, from Lost Lake Park to Wedgemount. There are also a couple of trails, especially for intermediates, outside the boundaries of Whistler like Brandywine Falls cross country trail that runs through the Whistler Interpretive Forest, which in turn consists of a blend of double and single tracks.

Whistler is also home to a continuum of expert trails including Industrial Disease. Also, Whistler boasts of a good number of epic trails such as the 42 km long the Flank Trail and the Rainbow Trail.

Apart from these, Whistler has to its credit some excellent parks that are exclusively designed for mountain biking. Of which, one of the most popular is the Whistler Bike Park, whose highlights, among many others, are over 200 km of lift serviced trails as well as mountainous pathways, jump park areas, access lifts including Whistler Gondola and Garbanzo Chairs, and dirt trails via canopied forests. Dirt Jump Park, within the Rebagliati Park, is also a great facility in Whistler for mountain biking. Above all, an association operates here exclusively for the development and maintenance of trails in Whistler, namely, Whistler off Road Cycling Association (WORCA.)

Despite anything, your mountain biking holidays in Whistler is not complete without taking a mountain bike riding through Comfortably Numb, which is the longest as well as most challenging single track trail in Whistler. However, a ride through this trail is recommended for technically advanced and experienced bikers. Among the highlights of the trail are long climbs, challenging rock faces, elevated bridges, and picturesque views.

There are certain prerequisites in order to make your Whistler Mountain biking holidays perfect and enjoyable. First of all, a clear plan must be devised for enjoying mountain biking in Whistler. Determination of your budget for your mountain biking holidays is another thing to take into consider for a perfect mountain biking holiday in Whistler.

Equally important for mountain biking holiday is packing, ie, you should bring all necessary equipments such as bike, helmet, knee and shoulder pads, and apparels that go with the climatic conditions of the regions. A lot number of rental shops are in the vicinity to supply necessary equipments for an enjoyable mountain biking.

A plethora of mountain bike friendly hotels and resorts can be found across Whistler and Blackcomb regions. There are also some resorts and hotels, providing excellent packages for a perfect mountain biking vacation. Packages are mostly inclusive of assistance of expert staff, guided camps, and private lessons.

mseastbay asked:

Riding some easy trails at Balm Boyette Park.

commencal90 asked:


Hi guys, do anyone of you know what are the speed of the professionals rider riding? and can i know what is yours too?
in mountain biking ( trail, cross country those kind)

thanks

Robert Sheehan asked:


Folding mountain bikes are essentially practical bicycles, which are easy to store and transport. These mountain bikes can be folded in seconds and you will not even need any special rack for these bikes. Just put it inside your suitcase and carry it like another piece of luggage inside a car, boat, train or even inside an airplane.

The folding technique of mountain bikes is a patented military design and it was initially used to develop full-sized folding bikes for the US Marines and paratroopers for strategic use.

A folding mountain bike is a bit expensive when compared to a non-folding mountain bike. Despite the price-factor, purchasing a foldable bike will be advantageous in every respect. Actually, the manufacturers of folding mountain bicycles have not compromised with the sturdiness or toughness of the bikes in making them foldable (and hence portable).

As regards choices, these days you simply have plenty of choices with manufacturers like Airnimal, Montague launching a great many models that allow easy, convenient loading and unloading. Select from among the many lightweight yet tough bikes, choosing as per your requirement.

Following beneath are descriptions of some top foldable mountain bikes available in the market:

Hummer

Montague-made Hummer is a high-tech folding mountain bike. The Hummer bicycle, designed after full-sized military bikes, has normal wheels with knobby tires and hence it can be used on any terrain. It takes around 30 seconds to fold a Hummer and the folded bicycle measures just 36inches x 28inches x 12inches. The folding is accomplished without the use of tools.

The Hummer is essentially lightweight yet it is perfectly tough and durable. Other plus-points of this bicycle are Shimano precision index shifters for a quick gear change, 24 speed Shimano drive train and a front suspension with a front disk brake.

Paratrooper Mountain Bike

The market-leaders have launched yet another folding mountain bike, the Paratrooper Mountain Bike. A very tough bike, the Paratrooper folds and unfolds in less than 30 seconds. This superb braking power and excellent engineering behind this Montague bike makes it unparalleled for rugged terrains. Montague also markets important accessories like foldable pedals and carrying cases , both hard and soft cases.

Airnimal Rhino

Airnimal Rhino, Airnimals first officially launched off-road bike is a folding mountain bike. Its 20inch wheels and front and rear suspension make it perfect for all terrains.

Giatex Stretching Bike

The Giatex Stretching Bike is based on a new folding concept. In this case, it is not the frame that folds from the middle, rather the steering column and the rear part that are folded down. The folded bike measures about 37 inches.

Bike Fridays

Bike Fridays made by Green Gear Cycling Inc. are revolutionary finds because they are collapsible bikes rather than foldable. The assembling and disassembling takes time, but the new bikes are, performance wise, excellent.