How To Pick The Best Mountain Bike

Pick the Best Mountain Bike

Finding the best mountain bike isn’t as hard as you may think, but there are some things to look at that will help you to make a better educated decision. While not  comprehensive, the following six points should be considered when looking for the best mountain bike.

6 Points:
1.  Price
2.  Frame
3.  Brakes
4.  Shifters
5.  Tires
6.  Size/Fit

Price:
To get the best mountain bike you can expect to pay several thousand dollars. The first place to start your search is to determine the price you are willing to pay. Depending on where you purchase your mountain bike the less expensive models will run you anywhere between 400 dollars and 800 dollars. You can find a cheaper bike at one of the local retail stores but chances are the bike will not hold up and you will be finding yourself replacing parts or even a new bike in a relatively short amount of time. Many people make this very mistake when start out to buy a mountain bike. Rather than getting the inexpensive mountain bike in the beginning and replacing it within a year, you would have been better off with the higher priced mountain from the start. The Iron Horse Mountain Bike is a good example of a quality mountain bike at an affordable price.

Brakes:
The best brakes can be found on the best mountain bikes. It’s up to you whether to get rim or disk brakes. The cost of disk brakes are higher but the braking power is superior. Rim brakes are generally lighter and cost less but there is a performance consideration to take into effect in wet weather. The Overdrive Mountain Bike is a great example of a top notch mountain bike that has dual disk brakes.

Shifters:
Mountain bikes use two different types of shifters, the Gripfit and the Rapidfire shifters. The difference between the Rapidfire shifters and the Gripfit shifters is in their location on the bike, the Rapidfires shifters are under the brake lever and the Gripfit shifters are designed in conjunction with the handle bar grips. It does come down to a matter of preference but the better riders seem to refer the Rapidfire shifters over the Gripfit shifters.

Tires:
If you will be riding primarily off road then you will want to make sure that you get the more aggressive off road tire with the large knobs. You will get better traction and more control on the uneven terrain. If you are using the mountain bike for mainly street use then you can get away with the smaller knobs for less resistance on the flatter paved surfaces. There are mountain bikes that are designed for off road and on road riding and have specific tires that compliment this style.

Size/Fit:
The best mountain bike for you will not only depend on price but on size also. A good rule of thumb is to have at least two to three inches of clearance above the top tube while you are standing, straddling the bike. The terrain you are traveling will be a determining factor. The more aggressive riders may want to allow for four to six inches of clearance to the top tube to allow for the more aggressive terrain you will be riding on. As you are sitting on the bike and your feet on the pedals try and maintain a 30 degree angle with the leg at the bottom of the apex. Generally speaking 30 degrees of knee bend is a good place to start.

These are several considerations to think about before you purchase your next mountain bike. If you choose wisely you will enjoy many miles of riding. If you are looking to purchase a durable mountain bike that exceeds the strictest standards of many advanced riders than you gotta checkout the Smith & Wesson Custom Police Mountain Bike

Tags: diamondback mountain bike, iron horse mountain bike, Mountain Bikes, smith & wesson mountain bike, The best mountain bike

New 2010 Bike Lineup Revealed By Genesis

Details and images have finally emerged regarding the new 2010 bike lineup from Genesis. Despite the bikes being the 2010 range for Genesis, they are actually released this coming September so you don’t have to wait as long as initially thought.

Genesis have decided to return to the road bike market this year with their 2010 lineup. The first bikes up on the list are the Aether 10 and Aether 20 racing bikes.

The well designed Aether is mainly suitted for cycle training or daily commuting. Both of these models will feature carbon-legged forks, as well as an ALX-9 aluminium frame. However, this comes at a price. The cheaper of the two bikes, the Aether 10, will set you back £599.99 and features a mix of new Shimano 2300 and Sora parts. If you would prefer to go for the other model, the Aether 20, it will cost you another £200 extra. For your £799.99, you will get a mix of Sora and Shimano Tiagra parts.

The next bike in their lineup is called Vapour. This bike will cost you around £850, which is justified as it features an ALX-9 6069 aluminium frame. To go with the lightweight frame, you will also get a mix of 105, Tiagra and Sora parts, not to mention a new designed front hanger mount to make braking more ‘positive’.

The third bike up is the Flyer. This is a singlespeed bike and features a bunch of stylish looking features. This bike is made from a Reynolds 520 steel frame, with features such as chrome cable clips and a white chain. This bike will cost you £599.99, not a bad price for such a good looking city bike. However, this bike is missing bottle bosses, allowing you to attach bike accessories, it seems that Genesis assumes that people riding this bike don’t get thirsy or sweat through their cycle clothing.

The road bikes that Genesis announced were just a taster for the massive number of mountain bike models also detailed. The first mountain bike is the Core which has 2 different models. There is the Core 40 which will cost £999.99 and then there’s the more expensive Core 50 which costs £1,199.99.

The next one up is the Alpitude costing £1,699.99, not to be mistaken with the Altitude, features a Reynolds 853 steel frame, perfect for long trails.

The iO is the cheapest mountain bike on the 2010 lineup. There are two different versions, the singlespeed for £599.99, or the more expensive eight-speed version which costs £1,099.99. Both versions feature a high quality Reynolds 520 steel frame.

The final bike is the Altitude, however, it comes in 5 different models. The two cheapest models, the Altitude 00 (£799.99) and the Altitude 10 (£999.99) both come with a Reynolds 520 steel frame. As the altitude number goes higher, so does the price, the next up is the Altitude 20. This model features a high quality Reynolds 853 steel frame and will set you back a whopping £1,449.99. Skipping the fourth model, the final and most expensive model is the Altitude Ti. This final model is the most expensive at £2,799.99 and it comes with a titanium frame.

Tags: Cycling, Genesis, Mountain Bikes, racing bikes, Road Bikes

Find Useful Information About Beginning Mountain Biking

Getting started in mountain biking is a great way to stay in shape and do it outside at the same time. Think about the time you can have riding a bike down a mountain!.  Considering the danger, this sport can be embraced by everyone in the family.

Mountain Biking Styles
There are three unique types of mountain biking to be considered: free riding, cross country and downhill.  Even though the unique styles are similar in some ways, they still require different skills.  The choice of mountain bike you get should be determined by the type of riding you choose. For more mountain bike information goto Biking with Mongooses Cycle

Mountain Biking Areas
The activity can best be thought of as cycling on a surface that is unpaved.  There are a lot of areas in this country set aside specifically for mountain biking. Always make sure you are able to cooperate with the regulations, rules and routes of the specific trail you choose to go biking on.

There are also clubs and groups that hold contests and mountain bike rides.  The local paper and the Internet should have up to date info on the activities in your area.  You may be able to find groups for the more advanced riders as well as beginners. Check here for more Origin Of Mountain’s Cycling information.

Becoming A Great Biker
Endurance and stamina are a must for a great mountain biker.  This activity will also call for dedication and practice to be consistently good at.  Like all other sports, it takes time and practice.  Those just starting will have to get past the bumps and bruises from falling off the bike.

Choosing Your Mountain Bike
The bike you select is more of a personal choice, and a big determining factor on the type of riding you will be doing.  Bikes come in all styles, shapes, and prices, which will make selecting one for yourself very difficult indeed. 

You should use the Internet to help you shop for a bike, even do some price comparisons online as well before you make a purchase.  Before you buy a bike, always ask to try it out first.  A great mountain biker will become one with his or her own bike.  When buying, make sure you check for comfort, how it fits, even how it is geared.

Riding Safe
Mountain bike riding on unpaved roads can be very dangerous, as mentioned earlier.  Anytime you are riding, you should wear a helmet, along with knee and elbow pads.  If you are following a group or riding in the woods you should strongly consider a pair of goggles as well.  Safety should be your top priority and never taken lightly anytime you are mountain biking. For more Vacations With Mountain Cycles ideas.

Tags: Cycling, Mountain Bike, Mountain Bikes, Mountain Biking

What Bike is Most Efficient for Getting to Work?

We’ve all seen them, the huge number of different bike riders on the morning commute. All wearing different cycle clothing, from suits to lycra. All riding different types of bikes ranging from streamlined road bikes to slow and steady granny bikes.

Obviously the choice that people make as to which type of bike to ride is based upon what they are going to use it for. A range of things have an affect on which bike you use, how far you have to travel, what you require to take with you, finally, whether or not they have showers.

Most people believe they have the most efficient way for commuting to work. But have they really? Would it work out faster for a granny bike to get to work over a fixed gear bike? You wouldn’t think so at first, however, I believe i can prove you wrong.

If you choose 4 different cyclists and time how long it takes them to get to work, we’ll then see who’s fastest. If we take 2 lycra wearing cyclists, one of a fixed gear one, the other on a road bike. Then take another two cyclists, one in a dress on a granny bike and the other in casual clothing on a mountain bike.

Of course the majority of people will assume that the fixed gear and the road bike will take easy victory over the other 2. This is true, however, they haven’t won the race yet. Once these 2 arrive at their place of work, they are sweating uncontroably. So for them, as well as your travel time, you have to factor in your time for a shower at work.

For the other 2, the mountain biker did get there quite quickly, however, still a little sticky, a shower might be required. Finally, the easy going granny bike, it may come in last, however, the rider is sweat free. With no need to have a shower, the rider can simply walk straight into work.

So once you add up all the time taken to get to work, plus then add on shower time. The granny bike takes the victory at a steady speed. It really does go to show that slow and steady wins the race.

Next time you go on the commute, take time to think if you’re getting there fast enough.

Tags: cycle clothing, cycles, Cycling, Mountain Bikes, Road Bikes

Your Bike Chain Needs Care

Bikes are made up of hundreds of components, everyone being important in its own right. You wouldn’t be able to ride without pedals, handlebars, a stem or most other bike accessories for that matter. One element that is integral to the movement of the bike and the transition of power from the rider to the wheels is the chain. The amazing piece of metal design work is now used in countries all over the globe and has myriad applications in each. However, chains do break down and malfunction if not looked after properly. Here are the 3 main reasons why you need to give your chain some regular TLC.

Life extension.  Because chains are made from metal they are subject to rusting and corrosion. This is especially the case on bikes because they are frequently getting wet and dirty. After every time a bike is ridden the chain should be washed down well and then oil or a suitable lubricate should be applied to it. This will prevent any corrosion taking place and should also prevent the chain from ceasing up. I you get to point that more than a few links are not moving properly, you will be seriously detrimental to the chains potential.

Damage to bike. If you do not look after the chain on your bike it will start to damage other component that are connected to it. Cranksets work in close connection with the chain and if the links are not moving freely or are damaged, this will cause the crankset to be bent out of shape. Another part that can easily suffer harm is the derailleur, which is also in constant contact with the chain. Racing bikes are even more prone to this their mechanisms are very finely tuned.

Harm to you. A chain that is not in a good way will also pose a risk to whomever is riding the bike. If enough links cease up then the chain can jam and sometimes bring the wheels to an abrupt stop. If you are riding at any sort of speed this can cause the rider to be thrown from the bike and receive untold injuries, especially if you are wearing fragile cycle clothing

Tags: Bicycles, Bikes, care, chain, Cycling, Mountain Bikes, oil, racing bikes

Your High Street Bike Shop – Where Has It Gone

Going back 15 years you would have found 2-3 bike shops within a 5 mile radius. Nowadays however a great many have shut their doors and ceased trading, leaving only the bigger companies and shops that sell a range of products such as snowboards and climbing gear as well as bikes. So what is it that has been the downfall of the small biking shop, and will the trend continue? Lets take a look at a few factors.

More Cars. Compared to a century ago, the number of cars around has obviously increased dramatically. More people are not only buying cars but also using their cars a lot more. However, does this necessarily mean that bikes are being used less as a result. Halfords, a large chain of shops in the UK that serves both car and bike owners have stated that over the past 10 years there has been a decrease of 10% in the number of commuter, second hand bikes and new mountain bikes sold. This year just gone however has actually seen the first rise in bike purchases, which maybe a result of financial strain on car owners right now.

Internet Shopping. Every day sees an a rise in the amount of purchases happening over the Internet. Even though bikes are classic items that people like to try out first, the amount that are being sold online continues to increase every year. According to the top bike retailer in the UK, sales on the internet account for 10% more of the total sales each year since 2000.

Online Trading sites. The last factor to consider is the increase in online classified sites such as Ebay. Once upon a time people would take their unwanted bikes to the local bike shop and either sell it or trade it in for a new one. Now you get on your computer and advertise your bike in minutes to thousands of people all over the country. There are now even sites set up specifically for trading used surfboard, snowboards and mountain bikes etc, such as Extreme Sports Trader and Bike Magic

Tags: Bicycle, Bikes, Mountain Bikes, riding, shops, Sports

Whether Your A Risk Taker Or Not – A Mountain Bike Helmet Is A Must

One of the most crucial parts of bike gear is a mountain bike helmet. You should always have one when you ride. The law demands that any child riding a bike must wear a helmet.

Choosing a mountain bike helmet is as important as choosing a motorcycle helmet. In fact the criteria is quite similar. Here’s an interesting fact: often, mountain bike helmets are made by a company that also makes motorcycle helmets.

The helmet size is the starting point in picking the right one. Before you choose a helmet you should measure your head, then use this size to get the correct helmet. A helmet that is too large will slip around on the head and may even fall off in the event of a wreck. A helmet that is too small will not cover the head properly and will leave some areas vulnerable. It will also be quite uncomfortable.

You should choose your mountain bike helmet according to your own style and level of riding. For dangerous riding, such as downhill or high speed, you will most definitely want a mountain bike “full face” helmet. Believe me, if you have a crash, you will be glad that your face is protected.

A light weight helmet is suitable for longer rides or leisure riding. Particularly if it is blazing hot outside. Sometimes you need to wear a full face helmet, but they can get uncomfortably hot.

And now we come to the topic of ventilation. In your choice of mountain bike helmet, you definitely want to make sure excellent ventilation is available.

Mountain bike helmets are available in many different styles and designs. Be sure that it says “CPSC”. This stands for “consumer product safety commission”, and ensures that the appropriate people have deemed the helmet to be safe. Without this stamp it is not legally considered a bike helmet. Prices vary greatly, although many are very affordable for the casual rider. When considering how much money to spend on a mountain bike helmet, ask yourself the same question motorcycle riders are faced with: ‘How much is my head worth’? Mountain biking is great for exercise and relaxation, and a good way to spend time with your family and friends. How tragic would it be to end such a wonderful day with an injury or worse.

Using the correct protective gear can help save many individual lives. Please remember this when choosing your mountain bike helmets.

Tags: mountain bike gear, mountain bike helmets, Mountain Bikes, Mountain Biking

I want to buy an in expensive mountain bike. Any ideas for make and model?

Tags: Mountain Bike, Mountain Bikes

Cycling: Different Types of Bikes

If you want to start exercising, or saving gas, cycling is the sport for you. Cycling helps you get around, stay healthy, and avoid dumping gas into your car! As you might expect, there are many different disciplines within cycling. In the following paragraphs, you will learn out the different types of bikes out there, and what they can do for you.

Let’s look at commuter bicycles to start. Commuter bikes are purpose built for getting around town, and do the job quite well. These can be anything from old mountain bikes, road bikes, single speed bikes, or any other comfortable inexpensive bicycle. Because of the high gas prices today, commuter bikes are getting more and more popular. If your aim is to put to get around, a commuter bike is the way to go.

If you’re for little more adventure, a mountain bike might be for you. Mountain bikes are rugged bikes intended for off-road use. These bikes have large, knobby tires that make them ideally suited for off-road use. Mountain bikes come in hardtail and full suspension deseigns. Today, full suspension bikes are by far the most popular. However they’re also the most expensive. If you’re looking to save money, hard tails might be the way to go. You can also save money by going for a used mountain bike.

If you are feeling the need for speed, road biking might be for you. These fast, sleek bikes are very fun to ride for long distances. Road cycling is also a great aerobic exercise, and a means of transportation. Today’s road bikes are made of many high-tech materials, such as carbon fiber. Buying a carbon fiber road bike can set you back a bit, but the result is worth it for many. Buying a road bike can be a little tricky for new riders, but if you get somebody at the shop to help you, it shouldn’t be too bad.

If you’re feeling a little unconventional, cyclocross bike might be for you. A cyclocross bike is a combination of a road bike and a mountain bike. These bikes closely resemble road bikes, but have knobby mountain bike like tires that allow them to handle basic off-road. Cyclocross bikes are great for competing in cyclocross events, as well as getting around town. Their fast yet rugged design makes them ideal each suited for a broad range of purposes.

Tags: bike, Bikes, Biking, Cycling, cyclocross, fixed gear, fixie, Mountain Bikes, Road Bikes

Is it okay to ride a mountain bike to school?

Tags: Boston Ma, Mountain Bike, Mountain Bikes