Mountain Biking Accessories
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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Mountain Biking Vacation
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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Mountain Bike Anatomy
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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Types Of Mountain Biking
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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