Mountain Biking For Beginners Tips

Blog Images Of My 2008 Specialized XC Mountian Bike

2010-02-15T12:06:00.000-08:00

I thought I would share with you some images of my 2008 Specialized XC Mountian Bike.
These images were taken just after I had purchaced the bike.
After getting it home and after putting my cycling attire on, I was keen to get out on the trails!!
Mind you after spending the amount of money on the bike I did I didn't want to go to extreme off road straight away.
It was decided that I would just go for a little ride from Horsham to Southwater on the Downslink, which did encompass some off road riding all be it anlong a disused railway line.
This would give me a good chance to get use to the bike.
When I purchased the bike I had SPD's fitted! At the time it seemed like a great idea, but the thing was that I had never ever used a road or mountain bike with these types of pedals fitted, a new experince awaited! Plus the occasional cuts and briuses along the way!

Enough of me waffling on here are the images to update my blog.

My 2008 Specialized XC Mountain Bike

2010-01-13T13:50:00.000-08:00

My 2008 Specialized XC Mountian Bike
(Purchaced from Freeborn in Horsham)

This picture was taken after I first rode the bike off road, mind you it was only on the Downs Link which is an old railway line between Guildford and Shoreham 30 miles long ( I only used about 5miles of it that day).

Also this is the bike that I trained and completed the London on.to Brighton Bike ride

When all this snow goes, it will be time to bring the bike out of the garage and give it a service.
Then the hard work begins, as I will be in training again for the London to Brighton Bike Ride for the second year running!! (must be mad but for a good cause).

For this years bike ride I must purchase some slick or road tyres for my bike, it certainly will make a difference! Won't have to pedal so hard!

Looks a bit daunting on the map that 54 miles!

Mountain Bikes - High Quality Tools and Replacement Parts Will Keep You on the Trails

2009-11-17T07:53:00.000-08:00

Though carefully crafted and balanced, a high quality mountain bike is not a complex machine. Basic maintenance provided when needed will extend the life of your bike and provide many more adventures. Expensive repairs are usually the result of failure to replacement parts as they become worn and to provide adequate and timely maintenance.

The first step in maintaining your mountain bike is to keep it clean. Dirt and road grime can cause erosion of expensive parts and reduce the useful life of the bike. Clean your bike after each ride paying careful attention to cleaning wheels and tires. This will help you identify any problems that need addressed before a crisis occurs on the trail.

Check your chains and cables on a regular basis. If you find a worn or weak link in a chain it can be a simple matter to replace the link and avoid breakage at a critical time during a ride. Wipe off or lubricate cables as needed and check for fraying or wear. Keeping your bike clean is the best preventive action you can take in maintaining this expensive equipment.

Your mountain bike will have maintenance instructions included when you purchase it. Though it's normal to want to mount up and ride off, find time to read the manual and to stock your bike with tools needed to make repairs on the trail.

A multi-function bike tool will be invaluable in your kit. This one tool will have allen keys of various sizes and usually include an 8mm socket as well. There will be a chain breaker, tire levers, Phillips head and slot head screwdrivers, spoke keys and a head socket. Some of the better multi-function tools even have a bottle opener. This tools is easy to pack in your kit as it is designed to provide maximum use and organized in a way that folds the entire tool set into one small handle.

A chain scrubber is not expensive to purchase and will save frustrations of cleaning bike chains. X-tools makes a chain scrubber that clips on over your chain and is filled with chain degreaser. Then you back pedal until the chain is clean. This can add new life to your gear changes and sort out bad links or rusty chains.

Another must have tool is the chain torsioner. The best is a two piece system which features a hinged clamp and durable roller. Lightweight to carry in your kit, this will help adjust chain tension for trails or street use.

Sooner or later you will need to repair a tire when you are on the trail. For a rear wheel it is common to need changes to the chain after replacing the wheel. If you hear an unusual sound when riding stop and check it out. A clicking sound or rubbing noise may be an alert that a cable is frayed or may indicate an adjustment is needed to the brake system.

Being alert to sounds or to vibration when riding will allow you to make corrections or replace worn parts before they break and cause damage to other systems of your mountain bike. Maintaining your mountain bike requires only a few simple tasks that require no great skill. Making adjustments as needed and replacing worn parts quickly will save high cost trips to bike repair shops.

Visit http://Sports1912.com for the accessories, tools and supplies that will keep your mountain bike running smoothly. Load up your tool kit with the necessities from top manufacturers at Sports1912.com.

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Beginner Mountain Biking - Dishing Up The Dirt About Basic Biking

2009-10-30T05:33:00.000-07:00

A mountain biking beginner may feel totally overwhelmed when introduced to bikes, maintenance basics, and all the trails and tribulations of riding!

However, introducing some basic skills will quickly give a mountain biking beginner the ability to start enjoying the sport, and to tackle obstacles with confidence. It doesn't have to take years to reach this point!

The first and most important step in beginner mountain biking is to make sure that you have a well-fitted helmet. No biker, beginner or otherwise, should ever be on the road without this vital piece of equipment. Buy the best you can afford - your life may depend on it!

When you are learning the ropes as a mountain biking beginner, you are less confident, and more likely to make contact with the road at some point! Protect your hands with a good pair of gloves. This will also be more comfortable than gripping the handlebars with bare hands.

For a mountain biking beginner, Lycra cycling shorts is still a good choice, especially if you are planning a long ride. Padded mountain biking shorts is another good option, gaining in popularity. It is a matter of personal choice. Try both, and decide which one you prefer.

Clipless pedals necessitates special mountain biking shoes, designed to clip into the cleat. A good pair of sunglasses will help to protect beginner mountain biking eyes from flying insects and other strange objects! Also make sure that you have a full water bottle, and something to eat.

Beginner mountain biking can be daunting, but if you make contact with knowledgeable personnel in a specialized shop, talk with experienced bikers, and do some reading, you will soon get the hang of it.

To buy a bike suitable for a mountain biking beginner, find someone you can trust to give you the best advice. Your budget, and the terrain on which you will use the bike, will determine your choice. Go for full suspension if at all possible. Make sure that the saddle is adjusted according to your height.

A long list of accessories are available. Not all of these are necessary for mountain biking beginners! Use your common sense, and buy according to your needs. One must-have is a repair kit for use on the trail. This will contain the basics for fixing a flat, and a multi-tool for bike repairs.

As a mountain biking beginner you have to be ear-to-the-ground for valuable tips from experienced riders, who know how to take care of small mishaps.

Make sure that the store where you buy your bike, offer a repair service. Make a note of maintenance advice, such as cables needing to be wiped and relubed. As a mountain biking beginner, a good habit to get into, is washing your bike immediately after any ride. Some sticky stuff becomes a permanent part of your riding kit if you don't do this!

Beginner mountain biking skills will quickly progress from the basics, such as getting to know your pedals. Practice will soon give you the confidence to start taking your foot on and off the pedals while pedaling. Remember that your body weight needs to be to the rear of the bike on a steep descent.

Shifting gears is an important skill to master as a mountain biking beginner. Lower gears will help you up a hill, but you need to shift gear before you actually get to the hill. It is a question of timing, which will become second nature with experience.

To stop your bike, use the front brake more than the back. Use a series of quick, tiny micro-braking actions called "feathering". If you feel your brakes are getting less effective, one common problem is pad residue on your rims. It is easy to fix this, by cleaning the rims with steel wool.

As a mountain biking beginner, you will find that learning specialized techniques is a confidence-builder. Perfecting your bunny hopping will help you to get over all those obstacles, and will impress your riding companions no end!

Keep in mind that a common mistake mountain biking beginners make, is trying to avoid an obstacle. This is the surest way to crash! Always focus on where you want to go, not on the obstacle itself.

Most importantly, learn to relax and enjoy yourself. When you finish that first trail ride, you will forget all about the hard work that preceded it.

Riding like a pro, is just around the corner! Soon you will no longer be a mountain biking beginner, but the one other novices approach for advice...

For more information read Mountain Biking Apparel - Getting Into Gear! at http://www.best-mountain-biking.com/mountain-biking-apparel.php

Rika Susan of http://www.Article-Alert.com researches, writes, and publishes full-time on the Web. Copyright of this article: 2006 Rika Susan. This article may be reprinted if the resource box - including the link - is left intact.

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