The Mountain Bikes

Mountain bike tires for mountain bikes are generally the most appropriate tires to put on a set of mountain-bike wheels. Bicycles fall into a few different categories, for the most part. People are usually most familiar with the two main categories; road bikes and mountain bikes. There is also a category of bike known as a hybrid, which has many characteristics of both road and mountain types.

Road bikes are distinguished by their extreme light weight in many cases and also the super-skinny wheels and tires that the bicycle frame sits on. One would never mistake a road bike for a mountain-bike, and one should never try to ride a road bike off-road, on the dirt or on any sort of mountain-bike trail. Mountain bikes, on the other hand, are specifically engineered for such off-road circumstances.

Mountain bike tires themselves come in a number of different sizes. Usually, they are classified by their inches in diameter such as 20 inch and 24 inch. Technically speaking, there is much more that goes into sizing of a tire for a mountain bike wheel than just calling it a 24 inch or even a 26 inch wheel. For instance, there is the matter of the width of the tire itself.

Mountain bike tires are distinguished by their very wide widths and knobby-looking rubber treads. This is because the tires are made for extreme riding on technical singletrack mountain trails or off-road environments. They are not very efficient and don’t ride easily on pavement or concrete. However, that is not where a tire for a mountain bike will excel.

Rather, mountain bike tires are at their best when they are being ridden over really rough terrain. Like most other bicycle tires that are what are called “clinchers, ” these tires are part of a unit which includes the wheel and a rubber or latex rubber inner tube. The tire itself clinches onto the rim of the bicycle wheel and is held onto the ride by a wire bead running along the rim of the tire.

Many people have memories of repairing a flat on a bicycle tire and can recall having to wrestle the tire off the wheel and fix or replace the inner tube that had been pierced by a thorn or a piece of glass that had made its way through the tire. With mountain bike tires, the likelihood of such a flat when the tire is properly inflated is much less likely because the tire is so sturdy.

Unlike road bike wheels, though, there is a great deal of rotating weight on a mountain-bike wheel. This means that the tire — because it is so big and thick — contributes to even more weight that is added along with the weight of the mountain bike wheel itself, which is also sturdily constructed and able to stand up to a lot of abuse.

This is one reason why a mountain bike can weigh over twice what a really nice road bike might weigh, though the two bicycles should not really be compared with each other, as they are built for different purposes. Mountain bike tires, just like road bike tires, have their place and generally tend to do the job they are called upon to do with a great deal of confidence and durability.

Mountain bike tires for mountain bikes are generally the most appropriate tires to put on a set of mountain bike wheels especially mtb tires. More info on the perfect mountain biking tires now on http://mtb-tires.com/category/mountain-bikes-tips-and-tricks/.

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It’s a perfect day for a ride on your favorite trail. You and your mountain bike are primed and ready. You’ve got plenty of water, a Powerbar or two, your helmet and gloves. Just one element is missing: your special gal.

Usually I am the official female mascot on weekly after-work rides at nearby canyons, and on day-long weekend wilderness excursions, and frankly I LOVE IT. Why wouldn’t more women want to join their men on a mountain-bike adventure to a place far from the maddening crowds, the dangers of traffic and the stench of industry?

On rides where I am the only woman, the guys lament, “I wish my woman would join us,” and glare at my husband, the lucky devil. This sentiment is even echoed on the World Wide Web, where I ran across an ongoing “Whine Chat” about women in mountain biking. An avid rider named Hammer says, “I love Women! They can add a great deal to most anything. I would guess that most Women would like to ride but the men are so rude….Ahhh, what I wouldn’t give for a Woman who could stay up or even close to me on a ride.” And Mudman adds, “Why can’t there be more women who enjoy getting dirty the right way? Is this the last frontier to get a message to the real dirty women in the world!”

Perhaps the woman you love does not realize just what she is missing. Maybe she associates mountain biking with Rambo doing wheelies, ripping, shredding, gnashing and crashing — just like in the “crash ‘n burn” videos you may have inadvertantly played in her presence. She thinks you expect her to perform Observed Trials. She would never be able to keep up with you, and her bike is too big anyway, so why try? More reasons exist for her NOT to ride than to face her fears, climb aboard and take a spin. It’s up to you to help dispell these fears. Tackle them one by one.

First, make sure her bike fits. Is it the one you handed down when you invested in your fully-suspended “unobtainium” model? Hmm. If she is a different size than you, then your old bike probably does not fit her. Buy, borrow or rent her a bike she can comfortably ride on her maiden voyage. A few minor adjustments to the stem, handlebars and seat post may set her up perfectly. Her bike doesn’t have to be top’o the line, but it should arouse her desire to explore nature with her best pal, you.

Equip her with a pair of padded bicycle shorts, a pair of padded gloves and by all means, a helmet. If she says she doesn’t like what it does to her hair, tactfully let her know prevention is smart practice. A woman’s saddle will inevitably make a difference on longer rides, if she becomes an enthusiastic rider. Toe clips and rear shocks are recommended, and preferably front shocks. Be sure to simply explain the functions of the bike. Does she realize that bikes can have up to twenty-seven speeds and hair-trigger brakes these days? Give her the option to wear knee and elbow pads, if she wants. She will need a good pair of eye shields. Present these on a special occasion, maybe even gift-wrapped, emphasizing their importance to her well being on the bike.

Inform her of other members of her gender who have made the world proud. Did she have a chance to watch the flamboyant Italian, Paola Pezzo, snatch the gold at the Olympics’ first-ever mountain-biking event? The mild-mannered Susan DeMattei brought home the bronze. And what about Juli Furtado, who despite numerous knee operations, held the number-one spot as leading American female mountain-bike rider for five years.

Now it’s very important to get this next part right, because your first ride together will be the deciding factor on whether she continues her proverbial climb.

Under no circumstances should you bring her along on a gonzo ride with the regulars. Big mistake. They will not be patient, and you will have to wait as she dismounts to walk over a rock stream that you would long since have flown over. Avoid sabotaging her future mountain-bike career. Take her gently by the hand and make a date with Nature.

What woman does not love a romantic picnic in an idyllic setting, with flitting butterflies and untainted air, where your eyes can meet hers and your spirits carress? With perhaps a skinny-dip opportunity? Well, what about combining a bicycle ride with a picnic destination complete with a lightweight blanket for lounging on, and a picnic lunch. Pack your food and drink carefully.

It’s like Pavlov’s theory. If you can find a way to connect her impressions of mountain biking to a romantic interlude, you can get her to mount that ne’r-been-used bike which came without instructions on how to get her on it.

Let her know the physical, emotional and spiritual benefits derived from riding. Mountain biking builds endurance, feeds the internal organs, dismantles fatty deposits and builds some fine legs and butt. She can get a good upper body workout by rhythmically pulling back on her handlebars while climbing hills. A mountain-bike workout relieves stress and provides the opportunity to “commune” with nature — strong medicine. These life-enhancing benefits will add longevity to your relationship.

You will know your initial journey has been successful if she proposes the next ride. If she still needs more convincing, and is willing, set weekly or monthly dates to get away on destination bike rides. Ride together as often as you can in your neighborhood. As long as she derives pleasure and rewards from riding, she will be more likely to continue. Before you both know it, she will be riding greater distances and noticing some handsome cuts in her thigh muscles. She will be hooked.

The following caveats apply to the afore-mentioned instructions:

* You must crave to enjoy the mountain-bike experience with your woman.
* You must be patient and gentle as you guide her through a potentially fearsome experience.
* You must patiently give simple non-judgmental instructions to improve her riding.
* You must be ready to accept changes in your lives together.

Romantic Destinations

Let’s say you both ride happily ever after. Now you must feed two voracious appetites. Consider a romantic off-road adventure in some real mountain-bike country, Southwestern U.S. style:

* Moab, Utah, where Slickrock is the hub from which dozens of rides emanate. Best time late Fall. World renowned as “Mountain-Bike Mecca”.
* Marin, California, birthplace of Mountain Biking. Best time Spring through Autumn. Right across the Golden Gate Bridge from cosmopolitan San Francisco.
* Big Bear, California, host to numerous NORBA-endorsed races for good reason. Best time Spring through Fall.

Are you feeling frisky enough for the great unknown? Here are a few tried and trues:

* Whistler Mountain, British Columbia, Canada. Summer’s longer days will provide time for biking and summer skiing. Alison Sydor’s stomping ground.
* Costa Rica, Central American jewel featuring expansive national park refuges for exotic animals and habitats, volcanoes, rain forests, and beautiful beaches. Most enjoyable in December and January.
* Zermatt, Switzerland, abode of the notorious Matterhorn, alpine wildflowers and gushing waterfalls. Awesome in the summertime.
* Litochoro, Greece, at the base of Mt. Olympus, playground of Xena and Hercules. The window of adventure is open from Spring through Fall.
* South Australia, home to the world’s oldest mountains, the Flinders Ranges, and a wide variety of native animals including kangaroos and koalas. The kind of place to fall in love. Spring through Fall are October through May.

Don’t forget, some Rules of the Trail:
Take plenty of water and some form of edible energy.
Always wear a helmet.
Ride only on areas designated for mountain bikes.
Revere Mother Nature.

Patty Mooney has been writing since the age of 16. Her favorite topics include women’s issues, homelessness, homeless veterans, the arts, cinema, biographies, nature and video production. Her work has appeared in many publications around the world, including the Los Angeles Times, The San Diego Reader, Create Magazine, Post Magazine, Women’s Sports & Fitness, Yoga Journal and others. You can read her blog, “A Diary Left Open” at http://www.sandiegovideoproduction.blogspot.com Her business site is http://www.crystalpyramid.com

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The sport of mountain biking has over the last 20 years, developed into one that is both competitive and shows endurance of the riders. Mountain biking started in the 1970s when riders started taking their bicycles off road and onto more rugged terrain. During these early years anyone wishing to do mountain biking had to customize their own bikes to make them more sturdy for the rougher ride.

Some of the first men’s mountain bike races involved the riders taking their bikes up hills and mountains and then racing them down the descent. The bicycles at the time were not equipped to deal with the speed that was gained on these descents or the surfaces that the mountain bikers rode on. During these early years breaks would over heat and the frames and suspensions could not stand up to the pressure of the mountain bike ride. Because of this mountain bikers began working on their own mountain bikes to make them capable for the sport and various mountain bike parts became available on the market along with specialized bikes for mountain biking.

So what makes a good mountain bike? Mountain bikes of the present, and in particular men’s mountain bikes, have to be sturdy for this rugged sport. The frames of mountain bikes are heavier than that of a normal street bike and the mountain bike suspension is more durable. The mountain bikes have a double suspension shock absorber that cushions the jolts and vibrations from the rough mountain rides.

Specialized mountain bikes should also have breaks that are good, don’t over heat and give graduated breaking capabilities. Over the years the cycles of mountain biking have had various breaking systems that have evolved as well as other mountain bike parts. The most common of breaks that can be found on specialized mountain bikes is a counter lever breaking system, which allows mountain bikes to gradually break without overheating both the breaks and the tires.

Gears are also another consideration for a good mountain bike. Mountain biking is geared at riders who race over rough terrain, up steep hills and mountains or inclines, in any weather and on any surface. So to be ready to manage these varied elements a mountain bike should have multiple gears. Gears allow the riders to be able to traverse the different gradients easily while ascending and descending hills and mountains. As with a car the more gears the more manageable the vehicle and the more responsive it can be when the right gears are applied. The same is true for the gears of a mountain bike, the more gears the cycles have the better they are to tackle the terrain. The tires are also wider and thicker than those of the street bike to take the beating of the mountain bike trails.

Mountain biking has now evolved into a sport that is not for the faint hearted. It has a large following especially in men’s mountain biking, and there are many trails that are being identified and reviewed worldwide. Mountain biking as a sport shows the endurance, navigation skill and survival skills of riders who need to be able to maintain their mountain bikes in any situation due to the nature of the routes that some of the trails may take. Knowledge of their equipment and good biking skills means the difference between winning a race and finishing uninjured.

However a good mountain bike, and safety equipment also helps the rider.

J.J. Jessup is a recognized expert mountain biker. He’s been riding for over 15 years and is a regular contributor to many mountain bike websites. You can find more articles by J.J. at http://www.schwinnmountainbikes.com.

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Before you start mountain biking you really need to consider the type of riding that you will be enjoying. The are several types of bikes for you to choose from and with these mountain bike tips you will be able to make a knowledgeable decision on which bike is going to be best for you.

As we all know mountain biking is now a very popular sport as it gets you outdoors and is a great way to get and stay fit. It really is very good exercise and helps burn calories very effectively. And of course it is great fun too! Go riding with your friends to have the most fun while enjoying riding out in a natural environment.

There are several different types of mountain bikes currently available and the type you choose will be determined by the type of mountain biking you want to do. So with some research and by making some decisions you will find out what you want and then decide on the perfect mountain bike for your needs.

Firstly you need to learn about which different types of mountain bikes are actually available.

XC Cross Country Mountain Bikes

Probably the most popular mountain bike is the cross country bike. These cross-country mountain bikes are now the favorite bike among many of the newer riders. The reason for this is that XC bikes are built to be extremely light in weight. The advantage of this is that it makes it much easier to ride this type of mountain bike over hills and steeper and rougher terrain, without having to get off and walk.

So it’s not really surprising that cross country mountain bikes are so popular and they have become the best selling mountain bike of choice for many. You may even find some bikers using their XC bikes to travel to and from their place of work. Some of these bikes are full-suspension and others may be hardtails and the one you choose really depends on where you will be doing most of your riding.

A couple of useful tips you should remember are that on rougher terrain a full suspension bike makes a huge difference to your ride quality and that hard tails tend to be lighter and faster, but don’t provide such a comfortable ride.

DH Downhill Mountain Bikes

For the more experienced mountain biker the attraction of a downhill mountain bike is great. These well built bikes will almost always have heavy duty front and rear suspensions and full-on disc brakes. And you will also find that many downhill bikers will custom build their bikes to their own specifications.

On tip to remember here is that you need to be very experienced before you try downhill mountain biking as it is dangerous and you could get hurt! The guys that do this always wear special protective gear and strong full face helmets and if you want to watch some extreme biking action you should go and see some of these guys perform. As well as riding at hide speed on extreme mountain terrain they will often do high jumps too at different locations on their downhill trail.

PRO Professional Mountain Bikes

And of course, there are also the professional grade mountain bikes built specifically for racing and mountain bike competitions. As you might expect, and just like those built for downhill mountain bikers, professional MTB bikes are bought by the most skilled of all bikers, who are really good mountain bikers with a lot of experience in both riding and competing.

These bikes are made of high quality and very light materials which means they are also very expensive to buy and some manufactures will only provide these bikes to their team riders for racing. These bikes also tend to be very strong and you will require a lot of skill to ride these correctly and get the most out of them.

Recreational Mountain Bikes

For those that don’t need the high tech and high spec of a mountain bike from the XC, DH or PRO ranges there are a wide variety of more general use mountain bikes for recreational purposes. These are a good bike to start with and they are especially suitable for families as there will be bikes in these ranges for everyone in the family.

You can get the benefit of full suspension for ride comfort even if you and you kids do most of your riding on the road. With suspension forks at the front and rear of the mountain bike you will be able to go off-road in comfort and try mountain biking in it’s real environment and have a lot of fun while doing so!

Consider these mountain bike tips on where to buy what you need. Apart from the professional bikes, you should be able to find most of the other types of mountain bike for sale at your local biking store or go online to find the best deals. Recreation mountain bikes may even be available from your local department store. But for better advice and technical knowledge you should visit a mountain bike shop and also test your favorite bike before you buy.

Mountain Bike Safety

Always remember though that whatever type of mountain bike you eventually choose to buy, you must make sure that your safety is well protected when you are out riding, even for short rides. So make the effort to always wear the proper safety equipment. A helmet is essential at all times!

So choose the best mountain bike for your ability, riding location and budget. Then go out and enjoy yourself, but ride safely!

For additional advice and more mountain bike tips visit my website, where you will also find many resources and information for new and experienced mountain bikers. And if you are looking for a mountain bike for sale then you can learn exactly what you need to consider before making your purchase. Mountain biking is fun and I really recommend that you try it.

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