Mountain Bikes – Frame Designs

The frame of the mountain bike is without question the most important factor to determine whether the bike could make the grade or not.

Like most goods that are for sale, the better the quality is, the more expensive the goods become and so the materials used in mountain bikes determine in large part the price tag that it will have. Generally, the lighter the frame of the bike, the more expensive it becomes. Special alloys have been developed to make the mountain bike so. This is done because the last thing that a mountain biker would want when riding is the added weight. Frames being the heaviest part of the bike have to be made lighter. This is the ideal especially for competitive biking; however market forces will always dictate that options are made varied.

Mountain bike frame materials

Cro-moly – bike frames that are made from cro-moly are often the choice for starter mountain bikes. Cro-moly though being made from steel is heavy. On the other hand, cro-moly has the ability to flex over bumps that the ride of the bike could be slightly smoother. There is nothing wrong with a cro-moly frame provided the rider is not bothered by the added weight. As cro-moly is used for basic bike road bike frames, the rider has to test it out and compare it with other bike frame materials. The added weight of the steel will hinder competitive riding although this may not matter much when mountain biking is done purely for the fun of it.

Aluminum – Aluminum bike frames are lighter bike frame materials and are a more popular choice than cro-moly. Aluminum however is not as strong as steel. To make it more durable, the frame has to be made stiff that translate into bulkier frames. Stiffening the aluminum also result into a stiffer ride.

Carbon fiber – is an ideal material although its main use is for the front fork of the bike. For carbon fiber to be used for the whole frame will mean more expense on the buyer, but carbon fiber being a lightweight and yet very strong material will provide a truly high performance ride.

Titanium – titanium is amazingly light and strong at the same time. This should be the best material for high performance very sophisticated bikes. The price though could be well beyond the reach of most mountain biking enthusiast and competitive bikers.

Mountain bike frame sizing

Another important factor in considering a bike frame is its size. The correct size of a mountain bike is of vital importance since the bikers comfort and agility will depend much on this. Mountain bikes are made smaller than the ordinary road bikes. To get the ideal size, the mountain bike should be at least three inches smaller than your ordinary road bike. Another way to do it is to put the bike between the legs with the tip of the saddle touching your back. Lift the front wheels until it touches your crotch. The front wheels should be about 10 centimeters off the ground.

Angles

The angle of the bike’s frame translates drastically on how the mountain bike will perform. Critical angles are the head tube and the seat tube. Angles that are steeper are ideal for uphill pedaling while slacker angles are good for stability and high speed pedaling.

March 5, 2009 · Filed Under Mountain Biking

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Mountain Biking Accessories Must Haves

Entering a bike shop, it is very overwhelming for beginners to see a wide array of mountain biking products, each shouting, “buy me!” The question now is, “should you give in?” While many biking product are indeed necessary, there are some you can ride without or nice to have. Here is a list of necessary mountain biking accessories that you must have. Unmentioned ones are optional.

Helmet
Not only it is stupid not to wear one, most public parks and trails prohibit riding without a helmet. Buy it the moment you buy your bike. Many serious head injuries can be prevented by just wearing a helmet. Look for a helmet that provides better insulation; fits properly to your head; and with chin strap to secure it to your head.

Gloves
Gloves serve double purpose: to improve your grip on the handlebar and to protect your hand from cuts and bruises in case you crash. Since the natural tendency during crash is to stretch the arms to cushion the fall, the palms take the most beating. While I do not advice you to use your hands to protect your body from the fall, I will not recommend riding without it. You can choose between cutoff and full-fingered gloves, but I suggest full-fingered. Gloves are the second most important accessory you should have next to helmet.

Repair kit
There is nothing worse than having a breakdown in the middle of nowhere and you cannot do anything about it. Make sure that you put equal importance to repair kit as you can never tell when you will hit a major bump and blow your tire out or when will your chain break due to excessive metal stress. That said, your repair kit should include chain repair tool and tire repair tools such as patches, glue, portable pump with gauge and a spare inner tube. Also include multi-tool set with wrenches to repair mechanical damages.

Hydration system
Just like any other physical activity, mountain biking causes your body to heat up and sweat to keep your core temperature normal. As you sweat, you lose substantial amount of water, and even more if biking is extended for a longer period of time. To replace the water lost and avoid dehydration, you must drink fluid regularly. Water bottle is enough but if you can afford a hydration pack with bladder, it is much better.

Eye protection
Sunglasses are more than just a fashion statement. Glasses offer protection from dust, insects, wind and other foreign objects that can enter your eyes while mountain biking. Glasses also protect you from infrared radiation and ultra-violet rays and it can be used to filter or enhance lighting.

Clothes
The point of buying clothes especially made for biking is to provide enough protection and comfort while riding. But regular shirt and sweatpants are good enough.

Choosing among different brands of bike clothing can be difficult and expensive. Your task is to prioritize what to buy. I suggest that you invest on padded biking shorts first since you have shirts and jackets you can readily pull out from your closet.

Shoes
To add comfort while pedaling, specially-made bike shoes are available. Pick the right shoe that will fit to the terrain you will be riding in and will fit to the type of pedal your bike has.

The accessories are listed according to importance. If the combined cost of all these products goes beyond the budget you set, prioritize on buying the things from the top of the list down.

March 4, 2009 · Filed Under Mountain Biking

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Safety Tips when Mountain Biking in Cold Weather

Mountain biking in cold weather brings a whole new challenge and lots of fun. But just like any other outdoor activities, extra safety precautions are important:

Clothing
Weather can be very unpredictable on high altitude especially during cold season. Be sure that you wear the right types of clothes. Wear extra layers of clothing to keep you warm. Wear waterproof outer shell to keep you dry. In case of rescue, a brightly-colored jacket can be a lifesaver.

Gears
Never ride without a helmet.

Wear thick gloves to protects your finger from possible frostbite but make sure that the gloves you wear do not reduce handling and control of the bike.

Wear extra pair of socks to keep your feet warm. Take note that if the body experiences extreme cold, blood circulation on lower and upper extremities is reduced, which results to frostbite. Wear cycling shoes or boots a couple of size larger to accommodate the extra pair of socks you need to wear.

Freezing winds can cause your eyes to dry making it harder to see and navigate through the road. Wearing sunglasses is a must.

Tools
Never leave without your tool kits and tire repair kit. Breakdowns can happen at anytime, and more likely during extreme weather conditions. Pack a spare inner tube, portable pump, patches, glue, chain kit, and wrenches for nuts and bolts.

Lubrication
Riding in cold weather can cause the suspension to freeze, make it brittle and not work properly. Before setting out for a ride, check if the parts are properly lubricated. Check the overall condition of your bike as well. Do not leave if you see any irregularities on your bike (be it small). It may become a major problem while on the trail. Never attempt to go out if your bike is not designed for cold weather.

Hydration and Food
Cold weather consumes a lot of energy from the body as the body tries to keep up and regulate its temperature. Cold weather also suppresses thirst even if your body requires replenishment. Make sure that you keep hydrated by sipping small amounts of liquid regularly. If you are worried that your water will freeze, use insulation cover for water bottle or just use water hydration pack with bladder. Do not bring cold water. Instead, bring hot drink. It will keep you hydrated and warm. Eat before and while on the trail. Bring extra food in case of emergency.

Ride safely
Trails during winter season can be trickier than ever. There may be some unexpected bends, curves, mud, and dips that can throw you off the bike. Keep your speed in check. Stay on the trail at all times. If you are going to ride alone, make sure that you bring a map, a cellular phone or a satellite phone, a compass, an altimeter or a GPS, and let your friend or a relative know where you are going, although I strongly advice that you should not go out there by yourself.

These are just some advices that may save your life. The amount of preparation depends on how far is the trail from your base, how long will you stay on the trail, and how well do you know the trail. Always use your common sense.

March 3, 2009 · Filed Under Mountain Biking