A Buyer’s Guide to Mountain Bikes
The wife and I recently invested in a couple of mountain bikes in an effort to get fit, save money, and perhaps be a little kinder to the environment. I’m pleased to say, several months on, that we’re certainly fitter, have saved some money being more active and not driving everywhere, and as for the environment I suppose you could say we’re doing our little bit.
I was amazed at the start of our little life change at the myriad of mountain bikes out there to tempt all levels of ability and certainly all sizes of wallet. I admit to being confused at that time as to where to start and I expect I was not, then or now, the only one. The categories detailed below may help you as they helped me to cut through the jargon and the sales pitch so that you buy the right bike for you.
Price Range. You can spend a whole lot of money on a decent mountain bike but my advice is to stick to a price range and only road test those bikes that fall in that price range, period. I do the same when I’m buying a new car, that’s why I’m still married. Terrain. What type of mountain biking you will do can impact the type of bike you buy. Will it be thrill seeking downhill, trail racing, cross county racing, or like me, mountain cruising. Comfort. My advice here is to go for a full suspension mountain bike, the alternative hardtails may be cheaper, but in the long term the full suspension bikes are more comfortable. Your derri
Mountain Bikes and Tire Pressure
Tire pressure is a very important facet of riding any kind of bike, including mountain bikes. By learning how to set the tire pressure, you can give yourself more control and help to make the ride down the mountain smoother. If the tire pressure is too low, then you will find that it is much harder to cycle and it can increase the chance of a flat, too. Tire pressure that is too high can make your ride very bumpy and out of control, as well.
Tire pressure can vary from person to person, because it is dependent upon the personal preference of the bicycler, the tire’s condition, and the terrain that you will be riding on. The tire pressure can be easily modified simply by using a high quality pump on the tires. A tire pressure gauge is also an essential part of keeping your tires at the optimum pressure.
The manufacturer of the tire will have a recommended tire pressure for your particular tires and this is where you can start. You can then adjust the tire pressure as needed from there. It is best to use the same tire pressure gauge and pump when you check your tires, because you may get different readings depending upon the tire pressure gauge that you choose.
A good rule of thumb is to start with a higher tire pressure for your bike. This means that you want to be around 40-50 psi (3-3.5 bar), and then lower the tire pressure a little at a time to find which tire pressure is best for your particular bike, terrain, and yourself. If you are a little heavier, then you will want to use a higher tire pressure for sure.
Taking a test bike ride is the best way to check the tire pressure. You will want to notice how the tire behaves, how it rides on the terrain, how it slides down the mountain, and how it hooks in the corners. If you have too much tire pressure, then drop it in increments of 5 psi in both tires. If the bike gains grip and is more stable at this tire pressure, then you will want to keep it at this standard pressure. If not, then you will continue dropping the tire pressure in small increments and redoing the test until your bike rides the way you want and need it to.
If you want to determine the lowest possible tire pressure, then gradually decrease the tire pressure until you see how it feels when you ride on almost flat tires. This will help you to learn how it feels so that you can keep your tubes from getting damaged.
If your mountain bike tires are tubeless, then you will want to stay with a lower tire pressure. The advised tire pressure for tubeless tires is between 30 and 40 psi. This is because tubeless tires experience fewer pinch flats and even rim contact occasionally is okay. This is why you can ride on tires with a much lower tire pressure than normal. If the tire pressure is too low, you will find that if you are cornering hard that the tire will roll under the rim.
Another thing that you need to be on the lookout for is rolling resistance. The increased rolling resistance will take more effort, but it will offer you greater control and better traction to allow you to climb easier. For racers who race cross-country, they would rather have a more efficient bike versus greater control, so you have to take into consideration what kind of biking that you will be doing.
Using your hand to squeeze the tire will help you determine what the right tire pressure feels like so that you do not have to rely so much on the tire pressure gauge.
By: Andrew Caxton
About the Author:
Andrew Caxton is a consultant who writes on many consumer topics like cycling shoes and bicycle accessories for http://www.bikecyclingreviews.com A website with tips on mountain bikes, amongst many related topics.
Kona Mountain Bikes – Biking At Its Best
Kona mountain bikes are the specially designed mountain bikes manufactured by a bicycle company in the name of Kona Bikes. The company also has other product lines, which includes racing bicycles, frames, parts and accessories
The company has been dubbed as the “fun” bike company for its unconventional yet crazy bike names.
What’s more, it is believed that this company is the first principal company to be “on board” as far as Freeride, or “North Shore” riding was concerned. Moreover, they are also known to produce some odd bikes that became instant hits in the market.
You must know that these bikes are more than suitable for UK weather conditions. No wonder, their mountain bikes have a huge market in U.K alone. Speaking of Kona bike range, you will find the Kona Stinky and not to mention the Smoke are some of the best choices for the fanatic bike riders and novice cyclists.
Achievements
Believe it or not, Kona has manufactured a downhill bike that took the title of a Downhill World Champion twice. When it comes to cross country riding and cross-country racing you cannot do without Kona Bicycles. From designing to innovation, you will get it all with these bicycles. Although those kinds of races are really tough, Kona bicycles are equal to the task.
Durability and performance are the things that go hand in hand with bikes built by this company and for this reason these bikes score high in dirt jumping. If you are seeking a bike for urban riding, then hit the road with Kona Asphalt and make riding the city streets child’s play.
Free riding bikes were always on demand and now with things going global, the demand has radically increased and Kona bikes have set the example worldwide especially as far as design is concerned.
The variety
The varied collection of mountain bikes from Kona has taken a considerable share of the market. For example the Lana I 2005 Mountain Bike,the Fire Mountain 2006 Mountain Bike, the Shred 2006 Mountain Bike, the Cinder Cone Sole 2007 Mountain Bike, the Unit 2007 Mountain Bike, the Kikapu-8 2007 Mountain Bike and have all been instant hits.
If you have any queries about this company and it’s products, go through it’s shopping help web page to find answers. Another thing you should know is that they accept sponsorship requests and resumes by email. You may also avail yourself to discounted bikes, so check it out with your local Kona dealers.
If you have already bought a Kona mountain bike then you can seek the customer service department for any queries and enhancements. Maybe, you want to install a DH fork, or a specific tire or may even want to include more suspension to your bike, their people are always ready with their suggestions. All you need to mention is the type of bike, the date of manufacture and its serial number.
By: Robert Sheehan
About the Author:
Robert Sheehan is a freelance writer and co-owner of
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Top Mountain Bikes
Mountain Bikes undoubtedly, are joyous refreshment to urban lifestyle. Demand of comfort ride is common among riders. But human beings are different and so their choices. A wide array of variety is available in the market to satisfy different preferences. Options in price are also offered due to different budgets. It’s great news for biking enthusiasts that the top three companies producing quality mountain bikes present difference in performance as well as price ranges without compromising excellence.
Santa Cruz is one of the top mountain bike manufacturers in the world. According to the experts their Santa Cruz Nomad model is almost perfect. These bikes are available at around $4,100, which may seem expensive for some, but something all the biking enthusiasts are crazy about. The Santa Cruz Nomad is chosen for it’s outstanding performance and excellent handling. It is also famous for its ease; the bikes are fully equipped weighing merely at around 31 pounds.
Trek is another candidate as the best choice for a top mountain bike. Trek is not only favored for its quality production but also for its wide price range. Trek 3700 is available at around $380. Trek is perfect for the beginners as it provides simple design and high quality components in an affordable price.
The third best company producing top mountain bikes is the Iron Horse Warrior that offers bikes at around $700. For experts, it is a good bike for starters as it bears a price tag that is counted among the “moderate” category. It is preferred by the seasoned riders too for its quality build. Iron Horse Warrior bikes perform best on trails and hills and on the climbs that are not very brutal as it is not built for stunts.
Your prime concern should be satisfaction. Whether it is comfortable and enjoyable enough for you to take a ride should be something you should check first as you plan to buy a bike for yourself. Moreover, you must choose a manufacturer that suits your budget as top mountain bikes are available in different price ranges.
By: Darren Davis
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Used mountain bikes for sale at BuyMountainBikes.net. Take a look at our range of cheap mountain bikes
Haro Mountain Bikes
Do you know why many professionals prefer Haro mountain bikes than any other? I Am sure you’ll tell me it’s because of their stylish look. Well, I won’t say that it’s not a reason but there are also many other features such as light in weight, superb climbing and acceleration, submissive ride and absorption of vibrations, stiffness and gorgeousness that make this bike unique and one of a kind. In fact, it’s designed to do well in dirt trails, unpaved surfaces and mountain terrain.
Generally, Haro mountain bikes come with 26 inches or 559 mm wheels which have broad and knobbier tires for more grip and absorption of shock. Nevertheless, you can still find some with suspension for front wheels or both. Some of the varieties and colors of this bike include; BMX FIC found in blue and yellow, BMX F1 in black and orange, BMX Back trail Haro X1 available in blue, black and orange, BMX F2 in green, double plat, black or red and also BMX Partial 16 available in color black.
They say that simple things can make a difference and are the ones that matters sometimes. When it comes to Haro mountain bikes, their simplicity in design is the secret to performance. It gives the bike enough strength to go on epic rides without any hick ups. Moreover, it’s their simplicity that makes them easy to repair.
Did you know that you can actually upgrade a few areas on this bike? Well, it’s very much possible and in fact you can improve on its performance, efficiency and the stylish look. In addition to all this, the prices are very reasonable.
By: Peter Gitundu
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Peter Gitundu Creates Interesting And Thought Provoking Content on Mountain Bikes. For More Information, Read More Of His Articles Here MOUNTAIN BIKES If You Enjoyed This Article, Make Sure You SUBSCRIBE TO MY RSS FEED!
Acquiring Beginner Mountain Bikes Skills
Compared to usual biking, mountain biking is far more exciting. It has more dangerous though, that is why you should master some of the basic skills before you maneuver your bike on the trail or dirt.
Anyone who knows how to ride a bike can ride a mountain bike. The main difference with mountain biking is that you are biking uphill or downhill and other difficult types of terrains. This article will enumerate some basic skills you need to acquire to have an enjoyable and safe mountain bike ride.
Being Comfortable With the Pedal
Sit on your bike with one foot on the ground, practice moving your foot far from the pedal. Then, move to release and replace your foot while pedaling slightly. Those bikes with toe clip and clipless type foot pedals are a little harder to get familiar with.
Finding the Right Position
Bend your arms slightly. Adjust your seat in such a way that your leg is 70 to 90 percent extended at the bottom for every corresponding stroke on the pedal. Make sure your entire body is relaxed. There will be no position that your elbows or knees will be locked as you ride the bike.
Shifting Gears
Familiarize yourself with the gears of your mountain bike. Higher gears will make you go faster but it makes pedaling more difficult. On the other hand, lower gears however are easier to pedal, perfect for uphill biking. Remember that it is better to change gears as you approach steeper hills, than shifting gears while already on it.
Coasting Your Bike
Coast while you stand on your pedals – avoid sitting as you do this. Bend your arms slightly but never lock your knees as you do this. You can experiment with this by shifting your body towards the bike’s rear end.
Stand While Pedaling
Get comfortable with pedaling on your bike. While riding, lift your body from the seat and stand on the pedals, then start pedaling. Do this in high gears if you’re in flat land, and lower gears whole on a hill.
Working Your Way on a Curb
Begin by practicing at normal speed. Then, stand and coast right off the curb, starting from the upper level to the lower level. Try this at different speed rates until you are able to master your controls of the mountain bike.
Once you practice and master these techniques, you can easily maneuver your mountain bike on trails and feel comfortable with riding in it.
Once you practice these techniques and be able to master them, you’ll be able to hit the trails feeling comfortable on your mountain bike. Even though it may take some before you can get used to it, it’ll become second nature to you somehow with consistent practice. Though some may be hard to perform, once you become familiar with it, it will be almost natural for your body to perform various shifts while on trail.
Try practicing these basic skills at a local park, school, bike path or simply around you lawn. If you can find steep hills, it would be better to practice there.
By: Robert A Hull
About the Author:
For more information on Mens Mountain Bikes, please visit http://www.MensMountainBikesReview.com/ which is an educational website devoted to helping people understand how to make a good selection on mountain bike equipment.
Getting Discount Mountain Bikes
The rule which applies to all purchases, that the price of a thing is related to its quality, that is, higher the price will mean higher quality does not hold good anymore. The new rule is, if you are paying a higher price, it means that you are being ripped off.
The world is facing recession currently and the producers are striving to stay afloat. There is lesser buyer in the world market than the producer, so naturally the competition is getting tougher for the seller and the advantage goes to the buyer.
At this point in time, the world’s biggest producer and consumer market is the internet and that is where the sellers are focusing to sell their products. Mountain bikes are by any means not an exception, therefore the producers are giving out the best deals and maximum discount on mountain bikes right on the internet.
The reason is that over here the overheads on marketing are far less than you can imagine. In some of the cases, public markets the product themselves if it is good and the company gets the benefit.
You can get a discount mountain bike for even less than half of the market price. Some people think that these bikes are poor in quality and that is why they are so cheap.
But the fact is that there are no overheads over here, no display center to manage, no bills to pay and no staff and on top of that the companies do not have to pay high commissions to the retailers and that is why the price drops actually below the half of what that bike would sell in the market.
No dealer will ever afford to sell a bike at the price at which you can conveniently get it shipped to your home when you place an order via the internet.
By: Paul Kramer
About the Author:
Want More Information On Mountain Bikes? All You Have To Do Is Click http://www.LaMountainBikes.com/ Now!
Should You Buy Giant Mountain Bikes?
Giant mountain bikes are the chosen bikes for a majority of professional bikers all over the world. This would generally be connected to the extremely durable material composition of these bikes. In the whole world bikers seem to agree with these bikes.
Riders form all the continents and countries of this world seem to share a preference for Giant mountain bikes. Quality bike manufacture is the promise of the company and it does not fail it usually. For the last thirty years the company has been looking into choices of both professionals and amateurs to take out models which are the most suitable.
They do work very hard for each individual bike trying to ensure a certain certainty of quality. They take into considerations both better technological configurations along with the facts of mountain biking in general. Not only do they take to new heights the concept of quality control, the rest of the bike industry could learn a few things about customer care from this company.
In 1972 was born Giant mountain bikes. The first factory was called Giant Manufacturing Co. Ltd. By 1998, the company had taken to spiraling growth. Their divisions and operations spread over countries like Netherlands, the United States, Japan, Canada, and China.
Giant mountain bikes also are the sponsors of a major range of amateur and professional biking groups. The Global Giant Mountain Bike Team and the ONCE Level 1 Road Team. National teams in Taiwan, Japan, and China are two teams sponsored by Giant. The countries like US, Australia, Canada, Belgium, New Zealand, and South East Asia have several professional and amateur teams sponsored by Giant. Often individual racers can find favor with them and can be sponsored by Giant.
The bikers need other equipment too. Giant in understanding these needs also has an apparel line to cater to their choices. This would include among other things various types of bike care products, accessories and a line of bags and racks. Giant caters to every and any need of a biker. The best of inputs and raw material and components go into Giant bike manufacturing, and the manufacturing technique per say is world renowned. This is why Giant mountain bikes are still the revered and the popular bike producers.
By: Darren Davis
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Find out more on Giant Mountain Bikes and discover where to buy them at discounted prices from http://www.BuyMountainBikes.net
Mountain Bikes – An Overview of Top Selling Mountain Bikes
There are many makes and models of mountain bikes on the market today. If you are in the market for a new bike or even for your first bike, you definitely need to check out Trek Mountain Bikes. A specialized mountain bike is one that has especially been customized to meet the requirements of the rider.
Now that you know that Trek is all about bikes and mountain bikes and fulfilling the needs and whims of bikers and mountain bikers, visit the site, and start building your Trek mountain bike. People use mountain bikes for several purposes including trailing, dirt jumping and street-urban riding, but the most popular versions of mountain biking are down-hilling, cross-country and free riding. Specialized mountain bikes of the Rockhopper line, for example, have remained at the top of consumer rankings for a long time, contending with equally popular classics like the Trek 4500 and the Gary Fisher Marin.
Examples of the precision youth Gary Fisher mountain bikes, are the Tyro Girls or Boys 24″ Wheel line, with a Fisher Great Fit Aluminum frame. As can be expected Gary Fisher mountain bikes is synonymous with the development of many bikes through the years, from the Mt. No matter what the price, all mountain bikes have the following basic features.
All Mountain Bikes are characterized by 5-6 inch (125-150 mm) rims to take on very rough conditions. Size: Like conventional bikes, mountain bikes come in small, medium and large sizes. They have 16 gears in these bikes which allows the rider to build up the speed they need while making jumps.
Over the years, they have worked to ensure that the latest technology is used in their bikes. Testing has proven that the welds have to endure most of the stress on a mountain bike frame. As a beginner, you really won’t have any idea what you need in the way of a mountain bike.
If the sport of mountain biking isn’t something that you know a lot about, you may have the wrong idea about the sport. Specialized parts and components cost a lot of money in most cases, but some specialization and customization can be done affordably, if you are willing to do the work yourself and only pay for the needed parts. Mountain bike specialization could include improving the bike’s performance by adding more and better parts, or improving its looks.
Although bicycles have been used since the time they were invented, the first specialized mountain bike was built by Joe Breeze in 1977. Specialized is also known for producing quality “budget” bikes – and by this, we mean trail bicycles that are slightly cheaper than industry standard, for their caliber.
By: Alice Sy
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About the author :
Planning to purchase a mountain bike ? Make sure you visit the website that specializes in top selling mountain bikes.
Planning to purchase a mountain bike ? Make sure you visit the website that specializes in top selling mountain bikes.
Types of Mountain Bikes Available
You will find five different types of mountain bikes including hard tail, downhill, free ride, trail, cross country and dirt jump. These all types are specially designed for handling different difficult tasks and hindrances. These all types have their own benefits and disadvantages. When you go to choose a bike for you, you should keep all these things in mind and it is good for you to know the way where you will ride your bike. Hardtail bikes do not have rear suspension but now a days most of the bikes come with bike suspension forks.
These bikes are less in weighs than the full-suspension standard mountain bikes as they weigh 2-3 pounds usually. If you are thinking to start your biking career with Hardtail bike, then it is not a bad start. You can think of it for sure. They are also much durable as compared to full-suspension bikes.
XC bikes are always used and made for off-road trails. You can ride these bikes on the way where there would be fewer obstacles. You can also use them on climbs and obstacles. There is another type of bike, which is known as full-suspension bike as they come with rear and fork suspension. When you will see these bikes, your first impression will be that these bikes look like motorbikes too much. There is a modification to the XC bikes and named it a trail bikes.
They are softer in suspension and you can ride many difficult obstacles while riding on this mountain bike. There is another type, which is known as downhill bikes as the name suggests that these are specially designed to ascend the mountains and these bikes have more suspension as compared to other types of bikes. There are free ride bikes, which are made to function as cross-country and downhill bikes. You should also know that dirt jump bikes are specially designed to hit the jumps.
By: Sarah Nabila
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The Author is an expert in article writing and has done a lot of research online and offline. Come visit his latest websites on Mens Mountain Bikes and Cheap Mountain Bikes