Mountain bike components are designed to withstand more abuse and extreme riding conditions. These components are heavier, sometime larger and more durable then road bike components. Sometime you are riding on dirt, rock, or in water, etc and the components need to be durable enough so they can withstand abusive treatment.

It just so happened that my rear derailleur broke on my full suspension mountain bike. I was riding a down hill trail and lost control of my bike. The rear of the bike ended up hitting the face of a rock and I was left with a mangled rear derailleur. So I looked at the positive side of the accident and said to myself now is the time to upgrade.

I could find new or near new parts on Bike Servant which is a mountain bike classifieds website and lists mountain bikes for sale, bike parts and race events but I was in the car with my bike so I decided to go to the store.

On the way home from the trail I stopped at my local bike store to buy a new derailleur so I can resume riding as quickly as possible. I told the bike shop guy my situation and she asked me which aftermarket Shimano derailleur I wanted to buy. Not knowing anything about the different categories in the Shimano product line I asked for help and this is what she relayed to me.

Shimano Deore is their entry level category. These products are inexpensive and meant for the occasional or enthusiast rider. These components are stocked on entry level mountain bikes.

Shimano Deore LX is their next level in higher quality. This category level consists of a more durable product. The main difference that I noticed is that Deore LX is lighter then Deore. My derailleur was a Deore LX and it has shown me proven quality and reliability for many years.

Shimano Deore XT was referred to as their heavy duty category. This product category is not considered race quality performance but they are light weight and more durable then the LX category. The price difference between the LX category and the XT category was noticeable.

Shimano XTR is considered their high performance category. Again these parts are lighter then the XT category. As a consumer I took notice to the price increase from XT to XTR. It appeared to me that this category appeals to the racers that demand light weight and high performance.

Keep in mind that this is not a complete list of Shimano’s product line. It is the list that my bike store carried.

So in my quest to buy a new derailleur I decided to purchase the Shimano Deore XT because of its light weight, durability and price. I had the bike shop install it for me and I was back on the trail in no time.



By: Bike Servant

About the Author:

Mountain Bike Reviews

Mountain Biking is a sport of endurance, skills and self-reliance. From a back yard to a gravel road, from country sides to mountain slopes, fire roads to the thrills of biking down narrow tracks through forests, mountains, deserts – mountain biking offers incomparable thrills and fun.

There are aspects of mountain biking that are more similar to trail running than regular bicycling. Because riders are often far from civilization, there is a strong ethic of self-reliance in the sport. Riders learn to repair their broken bikes or flat tires to avoid being stranded miles from help. This reliance on survival skills accounts for the group dynamics of the sport. Club rides and other forms of group rides are common, especially on longer treks.

Mountain Biking entails the sport of riding bicycles off-road, often over rough terrain, whether riding specially equipped mountain bikes or hybrid road bikes. Most mountain bikes share similar characteristics that underscore durability and performance in rough terrain: wide, knobby tires, large, round frame tubing, front fork or dual suspension .The durability factor means a far heavier bicycle weight to rider ratio than their road touring cousins.

Mountain Biking in Kerala

Mountain Biking in Kerala works as a pretty good adventure experience for those who love to explore the unbeaten tracks and not so frequently visited paths. Mountain biking amongst the majestic backdrop of the great mountains of Kerala is an unforgettable and thrilling experience. The opportunity of mountain biking in Kerala is from the Munnar, Thenmala and many other places. The training of mountain biking adventurous sport is available.

Those travellers who want to travel differently for them the mountain biking at Kerala is undoubtedly one of the safest and the most enchanting ways to tour Kerala. It has its own advantages; you don’t have to be an avid mountain biker to go for biking in different places of Kerala. More than just the excitement of biking you can be delighted by the beautiful whistle of a hill myna or by the amicable smile of a villager.

Each ride is a display of personal expression. There is the gonzo daredevil who rides for the adrenaline rush of speed and danger. Then there is the more careful rider who takes time to enjoy the scenery. Mountain biking in India is famous at Kerala.

Mountain biking in Kerala is a sensory experience like none other. You must concentrate on the intricacies of the terrain. Your hearing becomes fine-tuned to approaching streams, animals or rock slides. As you adjust your speed, you pick up the scent of a cluster of pine trees or a field of grass. In fact, you may even taste honeysuckle carried by the wind. Kerala adventure mountain biking is popular.

Every bike riders riding kit will have all equipment, to enjoy a safe and fun ride. Only keep those things that you are going to use in your riding expedition. Among the essentials that you will require in your mountain bike trip is a first aid box and a basic bike repairs.

Must have items for short riding trips include wrenches for all the nuts and bolts on the bike, tire levers, pump, patch kit/tubes, chain tool, crescent wrench, zip ties, duct tape and a small first aid kit. For long rides also add up things such as cables, brake pads, food, water, a bigger first aid kit, crank remover, spare spokes, casette remover, and extra clothing. To carry these items, you can use a jersey pockets or bike bags.



By: Dev Sri

About the Author:

Best Mountain Bike Reviews

A few months ago one of my friends called to tell me he was going to be late to the trail because he had a part on his bike that was being recalled. He wanted to stop at the bike shop and have his part replaced before our regularly scheduled ride. I too thought it was a good idea to get the part replaced before our ride so I told him that I will see him when he is finished at the store.

When I met up with my friend later in the day I asked him how he found out about his recalled part. He told me that his wife signed up for email alerts on product recalls. She subscribes to these email notification to be aware of toy issue for their children and it just so happened that a mountain bike part was on the email.

Just like other consumer products, mountain bike products occasionally get recalled for various reasons. I do not want to speculate so I am not going to give examples. It is important to be aware and not to ignore these recalls because your safety could be in jeopardy.

So in an effort to keep riders aware of product recalls the links below will direct you to the Consumer Affairs and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission websites. These sites will allow you to search their database for product recalls that might pertain to your bike, gear or both.

The two sites listed below are not meant to be the all encompassing sources of information. It is to help you get started in you product recall search. If you come across more sites with mountain bike recall information let us know and we will add it to the list.

Check out the websites below.

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

- http://www.cpsc.gov/

Consumer Affairs

- http://www.consumeraffairs.com/recalls/recalls.htm

You can find new or near new parts on Bike Servant is a mountain bike classifieds website which lists mountain bikes for sale, bike parts and race events.



By: Bike Servant

About the Author:

Best Mountain Bike Reviews

Are you looking to purchase a new bicycle? In that case you must have a look at the Trek Mountain Bikes. Trek Mountain Bikes is a very ancient brand. This is in existence for a very long time and has come to stay - except maybe to the next exigent trail!

First you should note that Trek designs and produces Trek Mountain Bikes, as well as road bikes, but the corporation does much more than that. The bikes manufactured by them are of very good quality. The fact that Lance Armstrong rides a Trek goes to prove this point. This is proof enough of the quality and performance of this bike.

Trek has a row of accessories that are highly suited to mount bikers of all ages and expertise levels. Outfits and shoes, under the Trek brand are available through their official website. You can also buy the helmets and other safety equipment, locks, lights, racks, saddles, trainers, packs, bike maintenance gear, trailers, Trek souvenirs, team wear, and even computers for your Trek Mountain Bikes! Trek even has their own specifically designed water bottles, and they sell nourishment bars and packs as well!

Now that you make out that Trek is all about bikes and mountain bikes - and satisfying the needs and whims of bikers and mountain bikers, stopover at their site, and start building your Trek mountain bike. That’s right! You can even construct the Trek Bike according to the features you have in mind virtually. You can set up with just the frame, or select a whole bike. You can choose the color format, and many other skin texture as well - when you have virtually designed the bike of your dreams, you can even order it if you want to! If you can’t find the money for it immediately, however, you can save it, and go back and look at it over and over again.

Once you’ve bought your Trek mountain bike, you can use it to tour interesting locations. Trek also offers the Trek travel feature to bikers. Planning your trekking trip is very easy with the use of this feature which enables you to plan your trips according to your level of skill and expertise, your travel date plans, etc. These tours which are accompanied by guides gives you a lot of confidence. The guides are qualified to take care of your needs and the safety measures ensuring you have a relaxing and enjoyable tour.

You can still have fun and enjoy the exciting Trek mountain bikes tours even if you are not in the best of shape. Simple tours take you through with an average speed of thirty miles per day. Since the routes are usually flat, it is very easy and relaxing to ride at your speed. It is not even compulsory that you should ride every day. If you prefer something a bit more audacious, there are moderate trips on hand as well.



By: Muna wa Wanjiru

About the Author:

Best Mountain Bike Reviews

About a year ago I purchased an entry level hardtail mountain bike. At the time I did not want to spend a lot of money and I did not want poor quality. So I purchase a bike that had a good frame and basic components.

 

After riding for a year I have decided that I want to improve the comfort and control of my bike on the trail. Therefore I made the decision to upgrade my front suspension fork on my hardtail mountain bike.

 

My initial research concluded that there are a lot of different brands, types and sizes forks on the market so I conceded knew I needed help. After all, suspension forks are expensive and I didn’t want to waste my money.

 

After talking to different rides, employees at a few bike shops, reading article and posting questions online I put together a couple of bullet points to consider when buying a front suspension fork.

 





Determine if your bike has the geometry to support a suspension fork. If it does have the correct geometry try to determine the maximum height fork it can accommodate. I almost bought a fork with 160mm of travel but the seller convinced me not to buy it because he believed my bike did not have the correct geometry. After checking with the factory I determined that he was correct.





Consider your riding style. Are you a cross country, down hill or a dirt jump rider. Make sure you buy a fork that suites your style of ride. This will help prevent you from buying more fork then you need.





Determine your budget and stick to it. Suspension forks can vary in price and can be very expensive. However if you ride often spending a little more on a fork might be warranted.





Determine the size of the bikes head tube. The size of the tube could limit your selections. Is your head tube 1 inch or 1 1/8 inches, etc?





Consider buying a suspension fork that is adjustable. Some forks are adjustable at the head and some have a pop lock adjuster that mounts on the handlebars. The adjustable function will accommodate different riding terrains.





Determine if you need to buy new parts to install your new fork. Do you need a new headset, stem or brakes?





Consider the installation charges of a new fork. If you plan on installing the fork yourself you will need to press on a bearing and potentially cut the fork tub. This could result in additional tools and time so you want to weigh your options.





Find out what your friends are riding and ask them their opinion on brand and options. Ask them if you can ride their bike to test out their fork.





Do you want to buy new or used? Some riders buy great bikes, immediately upgrade them and never use the original parts. You can find new or near new parts on Bike Servant which lists mountain bike classifieds containing bikes for sale, bike parts and race events.



 

Keep in mind list above will help you get started in your decision making process and there are more items to consider as you explore your options.

 

The tips listed above will hopefully help you narrow down your choices before you purchase a new fork. Good luck and see you on the trail.



By: Bike Servant

About the Author:

Best Mountain Bike Reviews

The town of Breckenridge is named by USA Today as one of the top ten places to take kids on a bike. Cruising on Colorado’s mountain trails on a seat of a bike gives you first class tickets to glorious mountain views of the aspen trees, wildflowers and occasional mountain wildlife. Mountain biking is one of the best ways for you to enjoy the outdoors but also take off a few pounds. Breckenridge is continuously working on improving its already word-class recreational environment. So it’s not just the best place to take your kids, it is also the best place for you and your friends to explore on the seat of a bike.

Biking involves little planning and preparation as compared to other sports, but before you take your bike out there are a few tips you need to consider before going biking for the day.

Trails that are short don’t necessarily mean they’re easy. Factors such as length and elevation gain should always be considered as well as technical difficulty. Before choosing a trail, ask mountain bikers who are very familiar with the area to recommend trails that would be perfect for your skill level and also consider trails that you would like to be a little challenging, a little challenge never hurts anybody in fact in this sport it is highly recommended. Remember that taking new and unfamiliar trails should be taken with care and caution. Trails in the Summit Country are interconnected and requires range in skill level. But pushing yourself too much can never be good at the end, so don’t be embarrassed if once in a while you get off your bike and walk the rest of the route, you might be sparring yourself from scary situations up ahead.

Make you have protective gear on all the time, precautionary steps are a must do in ensuring you stay protected and safe all the time. The risk of injury is inherent in the sport of mountain biking, especially in the more extreme disciplines such as downhill biking. Therefore protective equipment is a must for every mountain biker. It can protect the rider against minor injuries, and reduce the extent or seriousness of major impacts. Helmets are not only considered as protective gear but is also a life saving device if you get into an accident. They’re usually well ventilated and lightweight so you wont even know that its there, make sure it is strapped snuggly. Biking could get more difficult when you have to reach and stretch farther for the pedals or handles, so you should consider that when you’re renting or borrowing from a friend. Make sure the parts can be adjusted to your specific needs.

Mountain trails can get very busy just like traffic on the roads. Mountain trails are open to other nature enthusiasts like hikers, nature photographers, and people going to their picnic destination or even horseback riders. A good courtesy to avoid collision and accidents is to call out your presence. Always remember to slow down when you’re turning on a blind corner. Make sure you’re not scaring the horses though, show consideration by dismounting your bike and taking a few steps downhill before getting on it again.

Colorado is home to many outdoor sports, but biking particularly have a special place. They’re host to state-wide races, bike festivals and longer and more interesting bike trails. Breckenridge in particular has one of the more exciting trails, so whether you’re a beginner or a professional, or even just a passing fancy at the moment you will never be disappointed in Breckenridge.

 

 

 

 



By: Sarah Fox

About the Author:

Best Mountain Bike Reviews

Mountain biking has taken the cycling world by storm. It wasn’t all that long ago when the phrase “mountain bike” would’ve elicited blank stares. Now you see them everywhere. Mountain bikes are made to handle almost every terrain imaginable, and that’s why they’ve become so popular. Just like SUV’s, most people who use them don’t have a need for their full range of functions, but it’s good to no the capability is there “just in case”.

Mountain bikes are nice even for the urban rider because they eliminate the worries one might have when encountering potholes, gravel, and bad road conditions. Mountain bike riders utilize their bikes for a wide range of activities and competitions. A number of races and competitions have sprung up to make use of the mountain bike’s many capabilities.

One such extreme mountain bike competition is known as cross-country (or XC) races. Cross-country mountain bike races usually cover about 30 miles and cover a variety of terrains. These races feature a mass start with all the riders taking off at the same time much like a marathon.

If cross-country races are too short for you, there’s always endurance (or enduro) racing. These races cover in excess of 70 miles and climb to elevations of 8000 feet and more.

For the real maniacs out there, the only way to go is downhill racing. Downhill races typically have staggered starts to try to minimize crashing, but as you can imagine, crashes are a regular part of such events. The racers fly down the hill at breakneck speeds, the key being to have the fastest time down the slope. Many of these races are held on ski slopes during the warmer months. Such competitions demand that the riders have the utmost skill and experience as it can be an extremely dangerous endeavor. These races aren’t for novices.

A competition rapidly growing in popularity is dirt jumping. This will be familiar to BMX enthusiasts as it’s essentially the same sort of competition. Such events aren’t races, of course. They’re judged events wherein riders compete to accomplish the biggest, most amazing jumps involving spinning the bike in the air, doing flips, and even completely letting go of the bike and getting back on before it lands.

Another form of extreme mountain bike competition is bike trials. These events involve navigating unbelievable difficult terrain without touching your feet to the ground. Bike trials require riders to balance their mountain bikes on rails, boulders, posts, tree stumps, and any number of seemingly impossible obstacles. The goal is to finish the course quickly and without having to put your feet down.

If any of these extreme mountain biking competitions appeal to you, start practicing and getting into shape. These events are for skilled and experienced riders only. They’re physically demanding and fairly dangerous. They are not for novices. Remember to wear a helmet and pads when attempting crazy stunts on your bike, and take care of yourself if you’re going to attempt extremely arduous long-distance rides.



By: Gregg Hall

About the Author:

Best Mountain Bike Reviews

Taking care of your full suspension or hardtail mountain bike can be very simple and it will also help increase its mechanical life. Below is a maintenance guide that should be considered after every ride in order to help you keep your mountain bike mechanically sound. Once you perform this maintenance plan and become familiar with the process it should take you no more then 20 minutes to complete. Let’s get started:

Steps:





Remove all of the accessories (lights, bells, etc) on the top of the handlebars.





Turn the bike upside down so you can remove the wheels and inspect the drive train.





Carefully remove the front and rear wheels to give you more room to work on the bike.





Clean the drive train (derailleurs, chain, and crank) with a brush and soapy water. Also use a wet soapy rag on the chain and rear derailleur. Try to do your best to clean all moving parts.





After you clean your bike parts make sure you dry them thoroughly with a towel so they do not rust.





Wash the underside, frame and front fork, of the bike and make sure all moving parts are free of debris.





Wash your front and rear wheels by cleaning the rim, spokes and cassette. Then put the wheels back on the bike.





After you put each wheel back on the bike spin them to make sure the wheels are true and also that they do not rub on the brake components. If the wheels are not true and or rubbing on the brake components make the necessary adjustments.





After your chain is back in place turn the pedals to check the drive train. Make sure the bike pedals smooth. If you hear any strange noises coming from your wheel bearings investigate further.





Turn your bike over so it is right side up and wash the top. Do not forget to dry the bike thoroughly.





Test your front and rear brakes and make any necessary adjustments.





If applicable inspect your front and rear shocks. Make sure they are in good working order.





Thoroughly lubricate you drive train (chain, cassettes, crank and derailleur) with the recommended oil. Apply oil while moving the pedals in both directions to make sure the components are appropriately lubed.





Finally reattach any of the accessories that you removed in step one.





The steps listed above will help you keep your bike in good working order and also help you prepare for your next ride. If any mechanical malfunction is noticed during the process make sure it is addressed. Your local bike shop, which sells mountain bikes for sale and bike parts, will be able to help replace a component if additional help is needed.

See you on the trail



By: Bike Servant

About the Author:

Mountain Bike Reviews

Want to jive with a bike through the treacherous trails of the mountains? Get on Rocky Mountain bikes and be ready for an electrifying ride! Rocky bikes are exceptional with a zing of difference. But the offerings of Rocky encompass the desires and needs of myriad off road cyclists

The World Of Rocky Mountain Bike

Rocky bikes are embossed with innovation, quality and value with exceptional design, fabrication, CNC-machining, paint and pre-assembly done in-house in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Rocky mountain bike is one of the leaders who realized that future biking is going to rely heavily on full suspension. They are the one who bought out the 3D Link multi-pivot linkage design years ago. There were bikes for huge downhill travel and free ride bikes. The want was of middle one, a lightweight design for more travel.

ETSX Or Energy Transfer System

The quest ended with ETSX. This is a featherweight package weighing 12.9 kilograms for the 19 inch size and literally you can do ANYTHING with this bike.

This is geared with a double A-arm design, which as per the claim of Rocky Mountain is derived from Formula 1 racecar suspension. The design is beautiful with light and small suspension components. The main pivot point lies above the crank and just in front of the seat tube.

Moreover, there is really no chain stay, which can get in the way of the drive train. Sealed bearings at all of the pivots make the construction superb. By and large the rear wheel stays firmly planted onto the ground and the extra special traction is smooth under all conditions. Now great news! You can flip a quick release and alter the travel from 3.5 to 4.5 inches for a good ride in rough terrains for long travels and for an easy climb to the top of the mountain.

Some Other Specialties Of ETSX

1. The frame is prepared with Easton Bi-Oval RAD tubing

2. The welding is rock solid and big

3. The Fox Float RLC front fork has a very efficient lever on top of the right fork leg to control the spring tension

4. Two bottle mounts, one above and one below the down tube are there

The Part Mix Is Scrumptious. The List Goes Like This

1. Shimano 515 clipless pedals

2. The hubs, cranks, disc brakes, shifters and front derailleur are from Shimano XT

3. Thermo SP headset and Deus stem

4. Handlebar from favorite Easton Carbon Monkey Lite

5. Tires are from marvelous Hutchinson Mosquito

6. Wheelset is Rockies in house built Wheeltech, which includes Mavic X223 Disc rims, and DT spokes

At present, ETSX has three models.

Finding The Right Bike

Size does matter! And the best way to get the perfect size is testing several sizes in person at a Rocky Mountain bike dealer.

Warranty Coverage On Rocky Mountain Bike

Read the owners manual carefully. The shop from where you bought the bike will provide with initial information. You can also check out the Warranty Inquiries section in the website of Rocky Mountain Bicycles to get detailed info on warranties and guarantees.

Say goodbye to a bland life. Say hello to a daring journey on a sturdy beast, the Rocky mountain bike.



By: Robert Sheehan

About the Author:

Mountain Bike Reviews