Sizing Mountain Bikes

Along with giving you a better selection and expert advice, bike shop personnel can you help you get fitted to the right size bike. You can get the bike either too big or too small, which will cause your enjoyment to suffer. Follow the tips below, and you’ll have the perfect fit for your mountain bike.

Standover height
When you check the fitting yourself, the first thing you want to check is the inseam clearance, or the standover height. You want to have plenty of room between yourself and the top tube when you come to a stop. There should be around four to six inches of clearance from the top of your inseam to the top of the top tube.

Leg and feet position
There’s a nifty formula for determining the leg position for riding a mountain bike. When riding a mountain bike, the terrain constantly changes, raising you off the seat constantly, sometimes just slightly, other times completely off.

Therefore, you’ll need to sit your saddle slightly lower than you would on any other type of bike. Be sure you take this slightly lower seat height position into effect when you factor the size of the frame.

Riding compartment
The next thing you’ll want to check is the rider compartment layout (the distance between the saddle and the handlebars). Once the proper leg extension has been determined, be sure the handlebar is one to two inches below the height of the saddle. You should never have the handlebars higher than the seat, unless there is some type of upper body problem.

Dual suspension bikes
With suspension being at both ends, you’ll want your weight more in the middle of the bike so that your weight is distributed evenly between the front and rear suspension units, thus allowing the front and rear suspension to work as a unit.

This can be done quite easily by using either a higher or shorter stem to raise the hand height, which will in turn move the upper body up and the weight towards the rear. The increase in rise shouldn’t be no more than two inches, then the decrease in reach shouldn’t be any more than two inches.

Test ride
Once you have taken all of these steps into account, go out and test drive the bike. Make sure you wear a helmet, even if you are going to be testing for a brief period of time. Be sure that the tires are set to the right pressure, and the shop has adjusted the bike for you properly.

You should have a shop employee observe your body position and ride height while riding, to determine is any further adjustments need to be made. Ride the bike around for a bit to get used to its handling and new equipment. Start off slowly, then give the bike a bit of time to present its personality.

After a few minutes, you might notice that something isn’t working correctly or just doesn’t feel right in general. If this happens, go back to the shop and have the problem corrected before you rule out the bike.

The more you ride bikes, the easier it will be to tell the difference in the ride types. Keep in mind, it may take months and even years to appreciate the way a bike handles. Talk to those who ride, and ask them if they ride the bikes they sell. This way, you’ll learn more about the mountain bikes you love so much!

February 27, 2009 · Filed Under Mountain Biking

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Shopping for Mountain Bike for the First Time

When buying a mountain bike, decide first the riding style that you really want to do most. Buying a mountain bike after only looking at the first few ones you inspected is very tempting. This often happens because mountain bikes, at a glance look basically the same. It is usually loaded with features and stuff, ruggedly built that can stand punishment than most bikes. Too many times, a mountain bike is bought designed to climb steep inclines and loaded with impressive upgrades that never gets off the pavement. This is like buying an impressive four by four SUV that was never used off road. There goes the fun.

But if you really enjoy riding off road, zip through the woods, sand or rocky trails, you deserve a good mountain bike.

Before buying a mountain bike determine your riding style and the terrain that you will be using it for.

Wheels – mountain bikes are mounted on knobby tires. The wider threads are designed to give the rider better grip on the road when traveling over rocks, dirt, sand or gravel. The tire pressure is also less so that more rubber is in contact with the road thereby getting more traction. The spokes and rims are designed to be sturdy to handle the riding that mountain biking requires.

Whatever the tire you use, mountain bikes do not go as fast as road bikes. They are designed to be sturdy with a higher riding position, wider threads, stouter frames, higher ground clearance (so the rider can better negotiate a rugged terrain); features straight handlebars and can generally take the punishment. Speed with a mountain bike takes a back seat.

Frame – if you have money to spend on a mountain bike, spend it well on frames. Beware of mountain bike set ups with very appealing add-ons like front and rear shocks, multiple gears etc. If the mountain bike is built from heavy frames, it probably will not last long in rugged off road conditions. You will also be encumbered with the added weight that should be the last thing a mountain biker needs.

Choose your frames well. If you have to buy a good mountain bike, choose a good dealer. Your mountain bike is often just as good as the dealer that sold it to you. Mass retailed mountain bikes that are sold in department stores serves a purpose but if you want something really good, find a good seller.

Handlebars – choose handlebars that offer the best position for vision and control. All mountain bike handle bars are flat and straight but this should also allow the rider to sit comfortably straight.

Riding position – Mountain bikes are designed so that the rider is in an upright position. This position may not be as comfortable as the riders’ position in a street bike but this position allows the biker to get a better grip and very effective control on the mountain bike.

Suspension – the choice is between full suspension and a hard tail. Whenever you can, go for full suspension. It does not only allow you to control your down slopes well it is also easy on the back.

If the budget allows it, resist the temptation of buying cheap. The old adage that tells us that we only get what we pay for will always be true. Mountain bikes are meant to be fun and safe. Much of these are lost when buying cheap. If more expensive choices are not an option for the moment, choose bikes that you can continually upgrade later.

If you must skimp, skimp last on the frame.

February 26, 2009 · Filed Under Mountain Biking

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Getting Ready for Mountain Biking Race!

If you have gone bored with casual biking and have decided to enter a race for the first time, then you have some preparations to do. Below are the ways to get ready for your very first mountain biking race:

Pre-race Preparation

Upcoming races should be known as early as possible. This will help you ready the necessary papers (if any) or simply give you more time to prepare physically and mentally. Most biking websites as well as local bike shops have list of race events open for beginners and experts. Get a hold of entry or registration forms early. Pre-register to avoid long lines on race day.

Know the location, length of the course, date and time, categories, and direction of the race. It is better if you can ride on the actual trail before the race day to familiarize the track and learn the terrain.

If you are riding alone, make sure that you pack everything you need including a tool kit, tire repair kit, clothes suited for the weather, helmet, gloves, shoes, food and liquid. If you are riding in a team, check with the race organizers the rules. Can you munch powerbars during the race? Can you borrow tools or extra inner tube from your teammates? Can you get water-bottle from your pit crew as you turn a lap? These things are important to know beforehand to properly prepare and strategize how to race.

Personal Preparation

While you may not aim to finish first in the race, physical preparation is still a must. Make sure that you have been doing some personal time trial on your chosen course weeks before the actual race instead of the usual casual riding. Try to improve your time on every ride. Strengthen your legs more by doing leg exercises like squat. Eat properly and get enough rest and sleep.

Note: Any type of mountain bike race can be very competitive. If this is your first time to race, try not to push yourself too hard. You may need not aim to finish the race first. There is more to racing than winning, so enjoy the view and at the same time, improve your personal best.

Bike Preparation

Check your bike at least 2 days before the race day. This will give you time to go to shops and buy replacement parts if necessary. The last thing you want is to find an open shop at 11pm or change inner tube minutes before the race starts.

On Site Preparation

Arrive early; at least one hour before the start of the race. This will allow you to get a good parking spot, time to rest, relax and loosen up, and handle any registration complications. Practice a pre-race ritual by polishing your bike with a rug. This will give you time to mentally prepare and do a final check on your bike.

Warm up (but not get tired) by taking a lap around the course. If the weather is bad, consider bringing a roller or a trainer. Stretch your muscles.

Eat foods rich in carbohydrates, protein and fats before the race. Drink plenty of water. Go if you need to. Nothing could be worse than having to go in the middle of the race.

When the gun goes off or when the gate drops, pedal fast!

February 25, 2009 · Filed Under Mountain Biking