Mountain bike (MTB) can mean almost any kind of off-road bicycle. Wide knobby tires, flat handlebars, maybe shocks, probably a sturdy frame...
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3answers
881 views
Single speed conversion chain keeps derailing rear cog under load?
The chain on my SS mt bike keeps coming off the rear cog under load (like when I hit a steep hill) it will hold right after it's tightened but after a few hills it starts coming off non-stop. Talked ...
6
votes
3answers
163 views
How to cut carbon handlebars
Last year, I installed carbon bars on one of my mountain bikes and I'm finding them too wide. I've been told that taping over the points you're going to cut at will prevent fraying/roughness, but what ...
6
votes
3answers
812 views
Which country has the cheapest top-end mountain bikes?
I'm living in Brazil where top-end mountain bikes are very expensive, due to high import tariffs. I'd like to know which country has the cheapest top-end mountain bikes? top-end would mean a bike ...
6
votes
4answers
8k views
How to tell when to replace cassette?
How do you tell when it's time to replace a cassette?
Are there any specific wear patterns on the teeth to watch for or symptoms specific to a worn-out cassette?
6
votes
3answers
474 views
mountain biking - post ride tasks
After completing a long mountain biking trail (complete with lots mud and water etc) - what post ride checks / tasks should I be doing?
I ask this because I don't want to be taking my bike into a ...
6
votes
3answers
1k views
Mountain bike — exciting after-market parts, modifications or paint jobs
I have a Specialized Stumpjumper Comp FSR from 2009. My previous bike was a mean-looking matte black Cannondale Jekyll 1000 with a Lefty fork. Now I've got this vanilla, grey boring looking bike that ...
6
votes
2answers
262 views
How do I determine current value of a used bicycle?
I'm looking at purchasing a 2012 Trek Cobia from a private seller. The bike was about $1,200 new. The bike appears to be in almost new condition and contains all original equipment. The seller wants ...
6
votes
1answer
883 views
Hard fork and low tire pressure or viceversa?
With mountain bikes, what do you think is more efficient: highly preloading the fork and using low tire pressure or having a "bouncy" fork and hard tire pressure?
I like to have the fork with quite a ...
6
votes
2answers
310 views
Which mountain bike pedal is most suitable for racing?
Which kind of mountain bike pedal is most suitable for racing? It needs to be pretty light, but also durable to be able to resist a tough race.
5
votes
4answers
403 views
Are there any things to avoid when being given a free bike?
Someone has just given me a free mountain bike (No obvious branding on it, but its got a 21-speed Shimano gear system and a shock absorber between the front and back of the bike in the middle of the ...
5
votes
4answers
1k views
Whats the easiest way to clean my bike?
Simple question, however, I am used to cleaning my bike at my parents house, I use some eco bike spray stuff leave it for a little then rub and hose down (I normally get it quite dirty riding down ...
5
votes
4answers
800 views
Would hydraulic disc brakes be easier on my hands than mechanical disc brakes?
I ride MTB in a coastal town where all roads are dirt roads with lots of uphill/downhill. Nothing extreme, I just ride to relax and enjoy the landscape. I have mechanical disc brakes and after a 2-4 ...
5
votes
2answers
226 views
Is the Power-Link designed for routine usage?
I have a Power-Link which i intended to use in emergencies (when the chain breaks and i'm far from home). Used it once, worked pretty well.
Now i wonder, what if i use it permanently with my chain? ...
5
votes
5answers
557 views
Is there anything special to pay attention to when preparing a bicycle for powdercoating?
I am thinking of having an old bike powdercoated to spruce it up a bit.
What do I need to do to prepare the frame? Remove all components? What about stickers and decals? Some kind of chemical etching ...
5
votes
2answers
868 views
Can I run a dual crankset with a chain guide tensioner?
We recently got a new mountain bike for my son via craigslist, it is a couple year old Transition Bottle Rocket and came with a E-Thirteen SS+ chain guide/tensioner.
He would like a lower gear for ...
5
votes
6answers
6k views
Choosing good slick tires for a MTB
I have an MTB with tires that roll very badly on pavement because of plastic spikes. I'm looking to get a pair of slicks and I'm hoping to get some advice here. My bike is a 29", I think they current ...
5
votes
4answers
285 views
How to care for a steel frame?
I'm considering getting a steel frame to upgrade from my aluminum xc bike. As it will be my first steel frame I'd like to understand if there is more after ride care required than my current bike. ...
5
votes
2answers
139 views
converting from MTB to hybrid, what should I consider
I regularly ride MTB off road and used to use the bike for commuting too.
I recently bought a hybrid for my commuting in addition to my MTB.
What should I consider in terms of maintenance and riding ...
5
votes
4answers
926 views
New, cheap mountain bike: What's most likely to break?
I have a very cheap (less than USD $100), new mountain bike I'm about to break in on a 2-4 hour ride on a mountain trail. I'd like to be prepared for equipment failures or problems - can anyone ...
5
votes
2answers
3k views
Can I convert hybrid to mountain bike. Tyres and tubes?
I have a mountain bike looking frame with wheels that currently have road tyres. The bike is classified as a hybrid.
My tyres state: 28" x 1.6 (42-622)
The rim: ETRTO 622 x 18
I am having ...
5
votes
2answers
247 views
Suggestions of a good video on intermediate Mountain Biking skills: getting up (and down) 1' obstacles
I'm looking for a good training video on intermediate mountain biking skills.
(I've been mt biking for about 12 years and I'd like to improve my skills.)
I'm looking for a video that really breaks ...
5
votes
2answers
693 views
Tyre choice for loose gravel
I have a mountain bike that I take out to a local bike trail. Currently I have some thin XC tyres and they don't seem to offer much grip when going at speed. The trail is 80% downhill and mostly loose ...
5
votes
1answer
259 views
conversion to rigid fork
Is it possible to put a rigid fork onto a 120mm travel hardtail without upsetting the handling?
I used to ride a Kona P2 fork on a 96 AA frame, which I suppose was designed for a max. of 100 mm ...
5
votes
2answers
2k views
Can my bike be recovered from the rust monster?
First question here, and please note that I am a total bike virgin, other than the fact I can (just about) ride one.
Last year I bought a Felt Q520 (I think) the 2009 model, secondhand that had been ...
5
votes
2answers
320 views
Can anyone recommend a good maintenance-free rear shock?
The old shock just gave up its life in my old single-pivot all-mountain frame. I'd like to replace it with something tough and maintenance-free, so that I don't have to worry about air pressure, oil ...
5
votes
3answers
786 views
Bottom Bracket Creaking
I have a 1993 Rockhopper frame that I'm riding as a singlespeed. I have some creaking around my bottom bracket. I've just recently stripped and painted the frame, and there wasn't anything ...
5
votes
2answers
245 views
Creaking bottom bracket
I have a Trek 3900 Mountain bike that had a serious creaking problem whenever I would pedal. I found that the ring that holds the Shimano sealed bearing was really loose. I tightened it up and it ...
5
votes
1answer
6k views
How do I bleed Avid Elixir brakes
My bike has a set of Avid Elixir R hydraulic brakes. The front brake barely goes on when I pull the lever and the back brake feels pretty soft. I think I need to bleed them. How do I go about doing ...
5
votes
1answer
282 views
Picking spare inner tube size
My daily rider is a Schwinn MTB with 26" wheels/tires. Specifically the tire size is 26x47/52. On the inner tube there's a label that reads 26 x 1.90-2.125.
I'd like to purchase a few spare tubes in ...
5
votes
2answers
2k views
Fork lube. Should I use it? If so how often?
I ride a mountain bike with front suspension. I've recently seen fork lube for sale on an online retailer. This got me thinking. Do I need to be using fork lube? How does it help? If I bought some how ...
4
votes
5answers
7k views
How to find a mountain bike that can handle a heavier (250-260lbs) rider?
I am a 44 year old man that is very heavy (250–260lbs(113-118kg)) and I am looking to buy my first mountain bike to do some riding on the weekend to burn off some of this fat I have.
4
votes
7answers
4k views
Riding a Mountain Bike in the city
I just moved from where there wasn't much of a biking system infrastructure. There were lots of trails though, so I bought an OK mountain bike ($350).
Now, I've moved to downtown Seattle and ...
4
votes
4answers
329 views
Is 650b a better platform than 26“ or 29”?
I have seen more and more reference to the 650b (27.5") mtb wheel size. Whilst I don't see any need for a new standard, does anyone know of any benefit to have a 27.5" wheel over a 26" or 29"?
While ...
4
votes
1answer
116 views
What to do about a stuck chain link on 10 speed chain
I put a new chain on my bike and after 3 rides or so, I developed a stiff link. I'm not sure what caused the issue, but now it barely bends at the pin at all, unless forced. It causes skipping ...
4
votes
3answers
8k views
What are the advantages and disadvantages of riding a smaller Mountain Bike frame?
I am 182cm (5' 11'') tall and am looking into buying a new frame for my mountain bike.
Right now i have a 19'' frame and i found a good deal on a 17'' frame.
The guy from the shop told me that it ...
4
votes
3answers
292 views
What should my first adult bike have?
I bike a lot and I'm looking to spend £400-800 on a full size bike. It must have full suspension, detachable front wheel, preferably room for a minipump and a large water bottle (without using the far ...
4
votes
7answers
6k views
How can I tell what brand/make of bike I have?
I'm trying to find what kind of brand/make my bike is so I can find more information about it. It might help me determine if I should buy a new bike.
All I can tell from looking around my bike are ...
4
votes
2answers
2k views
Is a 16 grams CO2 cartridge enough to inflate a 29" mountainbike
I used to ride a 26" mtb, but now I'm switching to a 29er. Since the volume of the tire increases, I was wondering is one 16 gram CO2 cartridge enough to inflate the tire?
Notes: The tire will be ...
4
votes
4answers
186 views
4
votes
3answers
120 views
How to chose a right sized mountain (or all-terrain) bike for a kid?
Will a bike with 11" frame and 20" wheels be suitable for 120 cm high child?
Is there general recommendation about what should I pay attention to, when choosing a bike for a kid?
Will Kona Shred 2-0 ...
4
votes
4answers
974 views
Eliminating chainslap on a 90's Stumpjumper
I have a mountain bike - a Stumpjumper hardtail frame with a Shimano drivetrain - where I'm getting a good amount of chainslap. Before I start fiddling with stuff, I'd like to understand the problem ...
4
votes
2answers
264 views
What to look for in quality mountain bike pedals?
After a few rides in mucky trails, I am finding my Norco Bush Pilot pedals are getting rough and do not spin very well. Additionally, the plastic of the pedals are getting pretty beat up.
I realize ...
4
votes
3answers
277 views
Hill climb riding position
With the current stem and bars I have on my bike I have quite an upright position and get a falling back feeling while climbing. When I stand in the pedals to gain an extra bit of power in a climb I ...
4
votes
1answer
243 views
Mountain bike axle diameters
Out of interest I would like to understand the benefits of having a 15mm or 20mm through axle over a 9mm QR (and a 10mm vs. a 12mm TA on the rear).
What difference does it make to the ride?
4
votes
2answers
172 views
Protecting yourself from briars / brambles / jaggers while mountain biking
Riding in the northeast US, I find myself encountering a lot of overgrown mountain bike trails in the spring. Many of these trails are bordered by briars / brambles / jaggers. I can't totally avoid ...
4
votes
2answers
2k views
Adjusting disk brake pad positions
I have had experience on a couple of mountain bikes when I could not adjust the disk brake caliper positions far enough left or right to keep the pads from rubbing the rotor a little. Is this common ...
4
votes
2answers
191 views
How to setup my 26er MTB for indoor MTB park
There is an indoor mountain bike park along the lines of Ray's MTB park being built near me (though I also road trip to rays and rent a bike). Most of the riding here seems suited for a dirt jumper. ...
4
votes
1answer
451 views
What brand / model of brake is this modified U-brake?
I have been searching for a while, and I cannot find any information on my rear u-brake. It has served me well for many years (10+), and has a surprising amount of force. It's stronger than any ...
4
votes
2answers
865 views
Can a carbon fiber mountain bike handle cool/cold weather?
It is late summer in the US and I am starting to look forward to autumn and winter mountain biking. I have a carbon fiber frame though. Didn't get to ride it last winter due to a broken collar bone ...
4
votes
4answers
999 views
Mountain bike tires for rocky, steep, dirt trails?
I live in central Iowa and travel once a year to the Breck area (Breckenridge, CO) to do mountain biking. Since that is the Rocky Mountains, well they are rocky and steep. Very different terrain from ...
