Mountain bike (MTB) can mean almost any kind of off-road bicycle. Wide knobby tires, flat handlebars, maybe shocks, probably a sturdy frame...
4
votes
2answers
867 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 ...
6
votes
3answers
816 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 ...
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 ...
3
votes
3answers
318 views
How is this kind of cycling correctly called?
Sometimes I like to make rather high-speed descents (during which I also make jumps) in the forest near to my house. I want to know how this kind of activity is correctly called. Is it downhill, ...
9
votes
3answers
671 views
Do mountain bikers yield to hikers?
I've seen rules and graphics online that basically say that bikers are to yield to hikers. Is this the generally accepted rule, and if so, how do you define "yield"?
Background
The areas I normally ...
2
votes
3answers
2k views
Chain skipping on MTB
I've had my Trek 3900 for about a year now, and I replaced the chain about 3 months ago, but otherwise it's running with the same parts it came with (not counting tubes and tires).
I had to replace ...
4
votes
4answers
1k 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 ...
1
vote
1answer
322 views
Mountain bike in USD 1,000-1200 range
I am looking bikes like the Specialized Rock Hopper 29er equipped with lots of gears for versatility and the ability to stand up to trail riding in places where tree roots loom large. What sort of ...
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 ...
6
votes
2answers
311 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.
3
votes
2answers
2k views
Replacing grip shift shifters on department store bike with thumb friction shifters?
I have a department store bike with a twist grip shifter (3 chain rings, friction shift and 6 sprockets, index shift - Torque Drive One derailleur) and I want to replace it. I am not able to get ...
1
vote
2answers
2k views
How should I set up my rear shock (with ProPedal) to minimise bob when climbing?
I've got a Fox RP23 rear shock which I'm very happy with, apart from the apparent ineffectiveness of the ProPedal setting. Bob is very noticeable on climbs in both positions. It's hard to say which ...
7
votes
2answers
492 views
What does WSD mean relating to mountain bikes?
I keep finding a WSD version of bikes I'm interested in buying. What does WSD mean?
1
vote
2answers
2k views
Will changing suspension fork travel change geometry of bike?
Assuming that the sag of the new 120mm fork will be set to the same as the old 100mm fork and headset spacers will remain constant, will the geometry of my bike change moving from a 100mm travel fork ...
-2
votes
1answer
205 views
Which of these bikes is best for trails and bike paths?
I have a few options, please explain which one is better and why?
SCHWINN Searcher Comp http://www.mojekolo.cz/8413-schwinn-searcher-comp
GT Transeo 2.0 (2009) ...
0
votes
2answers
745 views
Are the rear brake mounts on my Boardman Team HT post-mount or IS?
Boardman Team HT
Last weekend I broke the rear brake lever in a crash. I'm looking for a replacement brake disc kit for the rear brake, but I don't know what kind of mounting I've got. There seem to ...
8
votes
3answers
1k views
What causes my front wheel to twist when I apply the brake?
I have a 2005 Specialized HardRock Sport with disc brakes.
When I'm slowing down from a reasonable speed with the front brake, I noticed that the top of the front wheel appears to deflect sideways ...
0
votes
2answers
491 views
Trek 6000 for a beginner
I own a local brand and am hoping to shift to a new bike. I have an option to buy a Trek 6000 D. I know it is an expensive bike. I am looking to use the bike every day for about 5-30 kms. A few ...
3
votes
3answers
551 views
Which type of handle bars are best for off-road & road use?
There are quite a lot of types of bars. Some best bit for aerodynamics, some best fit for control, some offer significant amount of positions.
I am looking to change my handlebars to the best fit ...
1
vote
2answers
300 views
mountain bike chainsuck, replacing parts while thinking of future upgrades
I have been having what I believe is called chainsuck for a while now. Chain will get stuck between first and second ring and have to stop and pull like "%&$* to get it out. It is always the ...
3
votes
1answer
233 views
Proper fork length for a bike with 5.5 inches of rear shock
I purchased an older Santa Cruz Blur frame today. From what I can gather the shock mounted on the frame gives 5.5" of travel. I'm looking to buy a fork to match. Do I need to go with a 140mm fork, ...
2
votes
1answer
87 views
On what basis are bikes categorised?
I am sick of hearing guys, categorising their MTB as per the money they put on to it. Is it really that much, or their is something more like stronger, more aerodynamically built. So far, I have found ...
3
votes
5answers
484 views
Which footwear is the safest for summer cycling?
This morning I could not find my training shoes. So, I used my sandals. I found that the sandals not only kept my feet cool but there was no pedal slippage as I had expected. The more I think about ...
0
votes
1answer
507 views
Mountain biking: How to ride in mud?
Any one have any tips for riding in mud, and lots of it? I am talking about mountain biking.
Update
I am doing a race on Sunday, and it rained all week, and there's a chance of rain during the ...
0
votes
3answers
198 views
BMX racing with a full size MTB?
There is a local BMX track in a suburb of the town I live in. I had called there before asking about scheduling and rules and whatnot. I found out, that (at least on that track), they had a special ...
1
vote
1answer
526 views
Software to evaluate *.gpx files
I record my mountain bike tours using my Android mobile. Now I want to evaluate the tours. Currently I'm using MyTourbook. This would be a great software, but it has two major drawbacks: The height is ...
2
votes
3answers
291 views
What should I expect from a GPS logging device?
During the last years I do a lot of mountain biking tours. To record this tours I currently use my Android phone and a GPS tracker application. I'm happy with it, but the problem is, the battery life ...
2
votes
3answers
1k views
What types of mountain bike handle bar grips are available and how to they affect comfort and handling?
This question has been floating around in my head for a while, mainly because I don't know anything about grips (edit to resolve confusion:covers for the part of the handlebar you hold on to).
Are ...
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 ...
3
votes
2answers
530 views
How do I know if mudguards will fit my 2009 Carrera Kraken?
With the nice (and muddy!) weather coming up, I'd like to get some mudguards, but I'm really unsure of what will fit my bike
I have a 2009 Carrera Kraken, no modifications.
I will probably buy them ...
0
votes
1answer
343 views
What Schwalbe Nobby Nic should I buy?
I recently bought a Swissbike X5 (same as the Montague Paratrooper, but labeled Swissbike and matte black).
It came with Kenda Kinetics 26" x 1.95" (front and rear) that I'd like to replace.
Due to ...
11
votes
3answers
2k views
How bad is road salt for my bike?
I took my mountain bike out yesterday in the snow. Did some hills around town, riding through slush and puddles, and all sort of dirt/mush/ice/snow.
I gave the bike a pretty good wipe-down after the ...
4
votes
3answers
293 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 ...
7
votes
1answer
366 views
Tips for Bleeding Hayes Brakes
Does anyone have any tips for bleeding Hayes brakes? I have some Hayes Stroker Ryders and bleeding them is less than fun compared to bleeding my Avids. Do they make any syringes for bleeding the ...
7
votes
3answers
6k views
Replacing suspension with a solid fork
I have an older version of this bike:
They have made some changes to the components since I bought my bike but it is more or less the same. Here are the specs on the newer bike.
I was hoping to ...
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 ...
9
votes
2answers
2k views
Can I convert a road frame to a mountain bike?
Some years ago, I picked up a Cannondale R3000 and moved all the components to my current bike as an exercise in bike building, never repeated (in fairness, the Cannondale fit me a little better but ...
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 ...
12
votes
5answers
468 views
How deep does snow have to be before it becomes unrideable?
I was going to go for an off road ride in the snow this weekend but I chickened out. Partly because it was cold but mainly because I have no experience riding in snow and wasn't sure whether I would ...
6
votes
3answers
887 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
1answer
888 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 ...
16
votes
7answers
6k views
What pressure should I run my Mountain Bike tires at?
Should I run my mountain bike at the suggested PSI/Bar on the tire/rim? Or should I run it a bit lower? Or is it more about conditions? Should I run lower if I am running on softer terrain?
6
votes
3answers
476 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 ...
14
votes
4answers
220 views
Pre ride checks
What checks should you perform before setting off to ensure that your bike is safe to ride?
I'm more interesting in mountain bikes rather ride road bikes but I guess that most checks are applicable ...
5
votes
2answers
695 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 ...
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 ...
4
votes
4answers
187 views
11
votes
6answers
1k views
Mountain Bike on Paved Roads
I'm an occasional biker. I bought a mountain bike (nothing fancy) with the idea that I might use it off-road or on mountain trails (of which there are many here in Calgary). However, since I've bought ...
13
votes
5answers
1k views
How do I cycle up steep rocky ground?
When mountain biking with my friends, we sometimes end up tackling a severe up hill over rocky ground.
I usually find I end up putting a foot down first. I'm not sure what's going wrong. Sometimes my ...
3
votes
2answers
881 views
Carbon Fibre Mountain Bikes
Has anyone had experience with carbon fiber mountain bikes? I'm still skeptical as to how robust they are. Is it true that a scratch will make the frame useless? And Trek has this process called OCLV ...
