Adventure Sports

Archive for the ‘Mountain Biking’ Category

Downhill mountain biking is not for the feint hearted. This adventure sport, practiced both professionally and at an amateur level, is sure to get the heart pumping.

This hair-raising pastime involves riding mountain bikes through rugged downhill slopes and difficult terrain with minimal uphill sections. The steep terrain utilised for mountain bike riding can lead to electrifying speeds, and skilled bike riders will deftly avoid obstacles and achieve significant air-time. Timed competitions and races are held all over the world, from Australia to Austria, Canada to Germany.

The first step when you start downhill mountain biking is selecting a suitable bike.

In the old days, downhill riders employed regular old street bicycles for off-road mountain terrain. These bikes were incredibly rigid and had suspension that was less than appropriate for a rugged environment.

Luckily, purpose made bikes were created for the sport in the 1990s. These included a number of innovations, such as an improved framework, a magnified and reinforced suspension system which could absorb the shock inflicted by mountain terrain, as well as disc brakes that could handle the constant braking required during descent.

When choosing the bike for you, it might be an idea to speak to someone who knows their stuff. Downhill mountain bikes can range from $US150 to $US8,000, depending on brand, quality, add-ons and whether the bike is new or second hand. Some good brands are Trek, Kona, Giant, Specialized, Cannondale, Rocky Mountain and Gary Fisher.

Also, you’ll need a range of body armour and a helmet, because at one stage or another, you are going to fall off! Bike tools will also be necessary, as you might have to fix a punctured tire or repair a broken chain when you are in the middle of a secluded mountain track.

The next step is finding the track for you.

A range of tracks can be used in downhill mountain biking, and it is important to choose a run that suits your skill level and interests. Downhill fire trails and off-road tracks can be used by less experienced riders, as they are usually wide enough, and the slopes gentle enough. More experienced riders might try steeper tracks, tougher terrain, or single tracks, which are narrow trails only wide enough for one bike.

Whether you are just riding for fun or getting involved in competitions, downhill mountain biking is an exhilarating sport that is sure to excite.

Selecting mountain bike tires that are suited to your needs is an important process, because tire manufacturers produce a varying range of tire types, which differ according to the rider’s specific requirements.

For instance, it is important to match the tire to your terrain. Slick tires, which are similar to the tires used on roads, might be employed if you are mountain biking on a solid surface like sandstone. Otherwise, if you are in an area that has mud and loose dirt, then it is important to choose mountain bike tires that are knobby, because the knobs in the tires create extra grip in loose earth, and hence increase traction.

Of course, the range is much more extensive than just slick and knobby tires. A range of brands have been generated to suit different weather and different terrain. To give one example, some tires have a smooth surface in the middle but are knobby on the edges so as to increase traction on corners but reduce friction on straights.

There are other factors to consider, such as tire width and air pressure. The width of mountain bike tires is an important consideration, because a wider tire will allow for increased traction. Also, air pressure is a significant factor, because more pressure will allow for greater speed, but will decrease the tire’s grip and increase the chances of bursting the tire.

When you purchase a pair of mountain bike tires, it is important that you distinguish between the front and the rear tire. Usually the front wheel will have a lighter tire, whereas the rear tire will be wider and heavier. This is because the rear tire takes most of the weight and needs to be sturdier. Be careful that you don’t put the tire on the wrong wheel.

There are a wide range of popular brand names to choose from, each with a variety of tire types to suit the needs of any mountain bike enthusiast. The most popular brand is probably Wilderness Trail Bikes, but other popular brand names include Panaracer, Tioga, Continental, Hutchinson, Kenda, Maxxis, Schwalbe, Nokian and Michelin.

Once you’ve bought your mountain bike tires and taken them for a spin, it’s important to take good care of them by cleaning them and checking for damage. This will ensure a longer life and will make your next ride hassle free.

If you are after quality when it comes to mountain bikes, and if you want to ride with a reputable brand name that is renowned for its safety features and sleek design, then it might be in your interest to look into getting a Trek mountain bike.

There is, of course, a range of brand names to choose from, and you can’t go wrong if you ride anything from Kona, Giant, Specialized, Cannondale, Rocky Mountain, Gary Fisher and any number of other reputable brand names. However, Trek Bikes are amongst the leaders in the field and a Trek mountain bike is sure to service your mountain biking needs, whatever they may be.

When you are buying a mountain bike produced by Trek, you’ll find the range is phenomenal. They make specific models for men and women, young and old, and everything in between. Their vast assortment of models cater to all body shapes and skill levels, and they also meet the needs of a variety of terrains and weather conditions.

The list of Trek mountain bike models includes the Elite Series, the Top Fuel Series, the Fuel EX Series, the Remedy Series, the Scratch Series and the Session Series, which are all full-suspension models. They also have hardtail mountain bike models, including the 9 Series, the 8 Series, the 6 Series, 4 Series, 3 Series and Skye Series. Their prices range from a few hundred US dollars to several thousand.

Each model has its own unique specifications. The hardtail models differ significantly in their design. The Skye models have smaller frames built specifically for women. The 3 Series like the 3900 are built for beginners that are not riding overly rugged tracks. At the other end of the spectrum, the 9 Series have highly engineered frames for the more experienced rider.

Different full-suspension models also vary significantly in their individual specifications. The Top Fuel models are created specifically for cross-country mountain bike racing. The Session models are designed explicitly for downhill mountain bike racing. The Scratch series are designed for freeriding, which means they are suitable for downhill and cross-country.

Also, in 2010, the company has started to manufacture environmentally friendly mountain bikes. They have begun to generate new bikes with steel, because this material is much easier to obtain and can be recycled.

Without a doubt, a Trek mountain bike will suit the needs of any mountain biking enthusiast.

There is a specific mountain bike for every individual, and it is important to consider aspects such as body shape, age, weight and gender when selecting the correct mountain bike to suit your requirements. If you are a female, it might be appropriate to get a womens mountain bike.

Female specific bike designs cater to the average body shape of most women. The average body shape of a woman differs from the average body shape of a man in that most women are shorter in size, lighter in body mass, and have a significantly smaller torso and shorter arms.

Most mountain bikes cater to the average male body shape, and hence female specific designs are necessary. Of course, a womens mountain bike may not be suitable for all women, and each individual person should always test which design suits their specific body shape the best.

For most women, the deciding factor in selecting a womens mountain bike is the size of the bike itself, because the larger male-specific frames can be too heavy and cumbersome, and can be difficult for smaller-sized women to maneuver.

Several reputable companies offer small and extra small frames. Some brand names which cater to the needs of female mountain bike riders are Trek Bikes, Gary Fisher Bikes, Titus Cycles, K2 and Specialized.

The T:Nine, created by K2, is a perfect example of a womens mountain bike. It is smaller and lighter, has shorter handlebars, has a shorter reach to the brake levers and even comes in three different sizes for women, which are medium, small and extra small.

Another significant factor which is incorporated into the T:Nine and other female specific mountain bikes is the seat. These seats are generally wider and have more padding to protect the female pelvic region and accommodate the broader hip structure that is common in most women.

Women’s mountain bikes do not cost any more or less than regular mountain bikes. You can purchase a working second hand mountain bike for $US150 or even less, but if you want top quality and a range of add-ons, you might spend as much as $US8,000 on a new bike. However, it is usually not necessary to spend so much, and a quality mountain bike suitable for women can always be found for under $US1,000.

Mountain biking can be enjoyable for everyone. Just be sure to choose a suitable mountain bike.