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!

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Riding your mountain bike with the appropriate
amount of tire pressure can make a huge difference
in how much control you have over your bike.

Setting your tire pressure too high will make for
poor contact with the ground and also make your
bike less controllable. Setting your tire pressure
too low will make your tires unpredictable and also
make them susceptible to pinch flats.

The appropriate amount of tire pressure in a
mountain bike will vary between rider to rider and
tire setup to tire setup. The conditions of your
trail and the type of terrain your riding will also
greatly impact what tire pressure you should be using
in your tires.

The trick here is to find out exactly what mountain
bike tire pressure works for you and your setup during
normal conditions. After doing this, you can learn
to adjust your pressure for different trails and types
of terrain as needed.

You should start by finding a reliable pressure gauge
or a pump with a pressure gauge. Then, use this same
gauge or pump anytime you are making adjustments. A
gauge can be very inaccurate, so if you switch around
it you can make things much more difficult.

You should start with a higher pressure of around 40 -
50 psi. If you have a tubeless system, you should
start lower, 30 – 40 psi. The more you weigh, the
higher pressure you should start with. Try this
pressure for a while and get a feel for how the tires
take corners and loose dirt.

Drop the pressure by 5 psi in each tire and get a feel
for how this new setup rides and how it compares to your
previous setting. You should notice some improvement
in stability, and if you don’t, drop the pressure by
another 5 psi.

You want to find the lowest pressure you can ride with
without sacrificing pinch flat resistance. A pinch flat
occurs when your tire rolls over an object then compresses
to the point where the tire and the tube get pinched
between the object and the rim on the wheel.

With tubeless tire systems, you can run much lower air
pressure, as you don’t have to worry about getting pinch
flats. If you start to dent your rims, burp air out
along the bead, or feel the tire roll under the rim
during hard cornering, you’ve taken the pressure much
too low.

Once you’ve found a comfortable setting for your tire
pressure, learn what your tire feels like when you
squeeze it with your hands. Once you know what your
tires feel like you can always get the right air
pressure – with any pump.

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There is a lot of history and information out there
in regards to the history and origins of mountain
biking, with some being recognized and some that
depends on who has the best firm of public relations.

Some say that mountain biking began with the Buffalo
Soldiers, which was a turn of the century infantry
who customized bikes to carry gear over the rough and
tough terrain. They began in August of 1896, over
the course of 800 miles. Their mission was simple -
to test bikes for military use in the toughest of
terrain.

Others say it was the Velo Cross Club of France
that started mountain biking. The club was comprised
of 20 young bikers from Paris, who between 1951 and
1956 developed a sport that resembles present day
mountain biking.

It could have also been John Finley Scott, who was
the first mountain biker in the U.S. In 1953 he
constructed what he called a “Woodsie Bike”, using
a diamond frame, balloon tires, flat handle bars,
and cantilever brakes. He was more than 20 years
ahead of his time. Even though he remained an off
road enthusiast, there were many at that time who
didn’t share that same passion.

Today, we believe that the history of the mountain
bike is most apparent in Northern California. There
are a few areas that claim to be the first community
for mountain biking, although each and every history
book will tell you Marin County.

The sport of mountain biking has taken many twists
and turns over the last several hundred years. Even
though there are many that say different things about
the history and the beginning, we know one thing
for sure – one thing has led to another and the
sport of mountain biking was born.

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Wheel truing is actually something that is very easy
to do. Even if you have no experience with mountain
biking or truing a wheel, it doesn’t take a rocket
scientist to accomplish it.

The first thing to do is make sure that none of your
spokes are loose. To check, grab each spoke in turn
and try to shake it back and forth. If the spoke
wobbles, or makes pinging and grating noises, it’s
loose. If it’s loose, add tension to the spoke by
turning the spokey anti-clockwise with your finger
and thumb pressure.

Keep turning and shaking until the noise is gone
and the spoke doesn’t wobble or move. Move on to
the next spoke until you’ve gone all the way around
the wheel and checked them all.

Now, it’s time to see just how true the wheel actually
is. Turn your bike upside down then spin the wheel
to see where it comes closest to rubbing on the
brake.

You may need to rotate the wheel backwards then
forwards to locate the middle of the bulge on the
wheel. Tighten the spokes which run on to the
other side of the rim. If those spokes are already
tight, you’ll need to loosen a few of the spokes
which run to the bulge side of the hub.

Truing a wheel is easier than you may think, although
it can be a little tough with some wheels. If
you need to loosen spokes, be very careful that
you don’t break them. They can be very tough
to loosen on older mountain bikes.

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When you first start out with mountain biking, it
can be a bit overwhelming when you walk into a bike
store to buy your first mountain bike and see all
of the available accessories you’ll need when you
first start riding.

There are several mountain biking accessories and
related products that you can purchase. Although
the sales staff will try to sell you anything they
can, the real question for those on a budget isn’t
what’s cool, but what accessories you need to make
your rides more safe and enjoyable. By starting
with these accessories, you’ll be just fine when you
hit the trails.

Bike helmet
The bike helmet is the most important mountain biking
accessory that you can buy. No one should ever be
on a bike without a helmet. There have been many
people who have experienced serious head injury, when
it could have prevented by wearing a helmet. All
mountain bike helmets are comfortable and stylish and
everyone who rides on the trails wears one.

Mountain bike gloves
No matter what season you ride in, your hands can
take a beating. Beginners will normally keep a death
grip on the handle bars, which can be very brutal for
their hands. When you crash, your hands will be the
first thing to hit the ground – and everyone crashes
at some point. Mountain bike gloves are a must have
accessory, as they will take the beating for you.

Mountain bike shorts
After the first few mountain bike rides you take, you’ll
notice that your rear end will be quite uncomfortable.
Even though your body will adjust, bike shorts are
great to have as they will help keep it at a bare
minimum. You can get shorts that are very comfortable,
making them a great addition to your mountain bike
ride.

Mountain bike shoes
Depending on the type of pedals you have and the type
of riding you do, you’ll want to pick your mountain bike
shoes accordingly. If your bike has clipless type
pedals, you’ll want to get shoes to accept the special
cleat for your pedals. Good mountain bike shoes are
durable, comfortable, and also a stiff sole for better
efficiency when pedaling. Also, you should make sure
to get the right shoe for the terrain you’ll be riding
in as well.

Eye protection
If you get something in your eye, you can run off the
trail in a matter of seconds. Sunglasses or clear lensed
glasses can help keep your eyes safe from debris, as well
as protect them from the wind. When you buy your glasses,
make sure they are non-breakable.

Hydration system
Bringing a water bottle or hydration backpack with you is
always a great idea. It’s very easy to get dehydrated so
you should always bring water with you and drink it on
the trail to ensure that your body stays properly hydrated
at all times.

Trail repair kit
It’s easy to get stuck in the woods or on the trail if you
don’t bring the proper repair kit for your bike. To be
on the safe side, bring a multi-tool designed for bike
repair, tire levers, and a patch kit for fixing flat
tires.

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Taking a mountain biking vacation is an excellent
way to unwind and explore America. There are several
companies that offer mountain biking tours that go
through scenic routes, and they often arrange any
accomodations for travelers as well. For athletic
couples, these types of vacations offer the perfect
way to relax and enjoy some exercise together.

Each and every region in the United States has some
truly awesome mountain biking trails. It’s not just
the major mountain ranges that offer these trails, as
any hilly, scenic, rough trail can provide riders with
the adventure they seek. Some of the best areas to
mountain bike ride in the United States are the Pacific
Northwest, Southwest, and Southeast states such as
North Carolina.

Even though the entire American West area is great for a
mountain biking vacation, the Southwest area is rapidly
becoming a popular area for the sport as well. In the
Southwest, some of the best trails include Pinery
Canyon Road in Arizona, South Boundary Trail in New
Mexico, and Flume Trail in Nevada.

Each and every trail deserves it’s reputation as a
tough ride. Each one of these trails is over 20 miles
in length, with Pinery Canyon being the longest, at
over 50 miles! Keep in mind though, just because you
go to a trail it doesn’t mean you have to ride the entire
length.

The Pacific Northwest is also a great place for a
mountain biking vacation. The three best trails in
the entire region are Surveyor’s Ridge in Oregon, Mount
Tamalpais in California, and the Methow Trial System in
Washington.

A mountain biking vacation is perfect for athletic people
who have the desire to explore regions at their own
pace. These trips are much less expensive than other
trips, yet they can easily be the adventure of a
lifetime.

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A mountain bike is the one thing you need before you
go mountain biking. A mountain bike contains many
parts, which will be covered below:

1. Bottom bracket – This attaches the crankset to
the body of a bike.

2. Brake cable – This is the cable that connects the
brake lever to the brake mechanism.

3. Brake lever – The lever on the handlebar to
activate the brakes. The left side is the front brake
and the right side is the rear brake.

4. Chain – The circular set of links that transfer
power from the chain ring to the cogs.

5. Chain ring – The toothed rings that attach to
the crank to hold the chain.

6. Crank – The lever that extends from the bottom
bracket to the pedal, transferring the power to the
chain rings.

7. Derailleur – The mechanism for moving the chain
from one cog to another.

8. Down tube – The section of frame that extends
downward from the stem to the bottom bracket.

9. Front shock – The shock absorber on the front
fork.

10. Handlebar – The horizontal bar attached to the
stem with handgrips on the end.

11. Headset – The mechanism in front of the frame
that connects the front fork to the stem and
handlebars.

12. Hub – The center part of the wheel that the
spokes are attached to.

13. Idler pulley – The bottom pulley of the rear
derailleur that provides spring tension to keep
the chain tight.

14. Nipple – A threaded receptacle that holds
the end of the spoke to the rim.

15. Pedal – The platform to pedal on; attaches to
the crank.

16. Rear shock – The shock absorber for the rear
tire on dual suspension type bikes.

17. Rim – The metal ring that holds the spokes
on the inside and the tire to the outside.

18. Saddle – The seat.

19. Seat post – Offers support for the seat.

20. Skewer – The metal rod that goes through the
hub, attaching the wheel to the dropouts of the
frame.

21. Spindle – The free rotating axle that the
crank arms attach to; also a part of the bottom
bracket.

22. Spokes – The thick wires that join the hub to
the rim.

23. Stem – A piece that attaches the handlebar
to the steering tube.

24. Wheel hub – The center of the wheel that the
spokes are attached to.

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As a sport or a hobby, mountain biking can be split
into 9 different categories. These categories are
very versed in what they offer. They are:

1. BMX
BMX is a style where the bikes offer 20 inch wheels.
These bikes are commonly used at skate parks or
with dirt jumps. Because of their smaller wheels
and shorter wheel bases, BMX bikes are much easier
to perform tricks and stunts with.

2. Cross country
This type of mountain biking involves riding your
bike up and down hills. Although it’s the least
extreme form of mountain biking, most cross country
riders are very fit and go on long rides.

3. Cyclo cross
This is a cross between road and mountain biking.
These riders have to go over obstacles, cross through
rivers, and race on and off the course.

4. Dirt jumping
Dirt jumping involves jumping the bike over large
man made dirt jumps then doing tricks while they
are in the air. These jumps are normally close
together so riders can go over six or more jumps
in one run, gaining a flow to give them more
speed for bigger jumps.

5. Downhill
Downhill mountain biking involves racing downhill
as fast as possible. This type of riding is very
intense and extreme, offering riders the chance
for ultimate thrills and excitement.

6. Freeride
Free riding involves finding the perfect line down
the mountain using all of the terrain to express
yourself. These competitions are very popular,
as riders can express themselves any way they see
fit.

7. Single speed
No to be confused with fixed gears, this is a form
of cross country biking that’s done using a bike
with only one gear and fewer components. The idea
with single speed is simplicity. The straight
chain line will provide efficient pedaling, and
the lack of components mean less mechanical
problems and a lighter bike.

8. Street and urban
This type of riding involves riding in urban areas,
ledges, and other types of man made obstacles.
Riders of street and urban biking will do tricks
as well, such as stalls and grinds.

9. Trails
Trials are considered an aspect of mountain biking,
although the bikes used look nothing like mountain
bikes. They use 20 or 26 inch wheels and sport
small, low frames. Trail riders will hop and
jump their bikes over obstacles, which requires
an extreme amount of balance and concentration.

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A mountain bike is a lot of fun although it does
require some maintenance. You should always lube
your bike 15 hours or so before riding, as quick
jobs right before you take off normally doesn’t
get everything lubed. Some lube jobs will last
for more rides, although if things get loud or
shifting gets sticky, it’s time to lube.

Here is how to lube your bike:

1. The chain
Apply a generous amount of mountain bike lube to
your chain as you move the pedals around backwards.
It also helps to find a spot to steady your hand
such as the frame while you move the pedals around
and around. Make sure you watch out for the cranks
and chain rings as they move around.

2. Front Deraileur
On the front defaileur, lube the pivots. Use a
spot of lube everywhere you can see movement when
you move the shift lever.

3. Rear deraileur
Just like the front deraileur, lube the pivots.

4. Pedals
There are some types of clipless pedals that will
need to have the release mechanism lubed. You
should only lube this mechanism if you have this
type of pedal.

5. Everything into motion
Pedal around, shift your gears, and bounce your
bike around. If you hear anything squeak, there’s
a moving part there are it should be lubed
immediately.

6. Wipe it all clean
Once you’ve lubed everything and wiped it all
around, simply wipe it all back off. Use a rag
to wipe away all the lube you used, including all
the lube off the chain. Wiping it away will leave
the lube in between the parts but clean it away
from everywhere it isn’t needed. This will keep
your bike from collecting dirt while you ride.

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In mountain biking and even BMX riding, the bunny hop
is a bike trick that involved the rider lifting the
bike up and over an obstacle while remaining in
motion on the bike. Experienced bikers can lift
their bikes in excess of a meter or one and a half
feet. The world record for the bunny hop stands at
4 feet.

The bunny hop is executed by approaching an obstacle
with speed, lifting the front of the bike then
leveling the pedals. If the bike has full or front
suspension, pre-load the shocks by pressing down
on the bike just before you reach the obstacle.

Once the shocks have been pre-loaded, the rider
will spring upwards, pulling up with the hands and
feet at the same time. Toe straps or clipless
pedals help with this, although if plain platform
pedals are used, it’s still possible. As the biker
lifts, the hands will roll through twisting the
throttle. After the object is cleared, push down
on the bike then absorb the impact with the arms
and the legs.

It’s often times a misconception that a bunny hop
without toe clips is achieved by rotating forward
on the handlebars. Lifting up on a mountain bike
while standing next to it is quite difficult to
hold on to the handle bars.

The bunny hop is very popular with mountain biking,
as experienced riders can make it look a lot easier
than it actually is. New mountain bikers should
practice a lot before they actually attempt the
hop, as doing it on a bigger obstacle can easily
be quite dangerous.

With proper practice, the bunny hop can be achieved,
even for beginners. All you have to do is give it
some time and effort, and you’ll be pulling off the
bunny hop just like the pro’s do it.

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