27
votes
Accepted
How can I make road-bike rims survive tree roots on trails?
Simply unweighting the saddle is enough to roll over most tree roots even on skinny tyres. On my 28mm tyres I don't even need to bother doing that very often. You may want to lift the front wheel in ...
- 62.6k
25
votes
Accepted
Should I avoid hard-packed crusher dust trails with my hybrid?
You are absolutely fine riding the Trek FX 7.2 with the Bontrager tires on that trail. That gravel surface is not any worse than rough, worn tarmac so go ahead and enjoy those trails.
You don't ...
- 75.9k
22
votes
Accepted
Why might I want to buy MTB clothing, rather than use road cycling kit that anyway seems exactly suitable for both sports?
As someone who has been around long enough to have seen at least some of the early days of the MTB, I would have to surmise that the reasons for the baggy MTB attire can be one or more of the ...
- 6,757
19
votes
Why might I want to buy MTB clothing, rather than use road cycling kit that anyway seems exactly suitable for both sports?
One advantage is in the robustness of materials used.
For example on a wet muddy/gritty ride the spray coats the saddle with dirt which acts as a grinding paste. Given the nature of MTB riding, there ...
- 18.5k
16
votes
How can I make road-bike rims survive tree roots on trails?
The bike can handle those bumps just fine. As noted in other answers, just use the usual techniques for dealing with uneven terrain: get your weight off the saddle, keep your arms and legs loose, and ...
- 820
16
votes
Trail shared by bicyclists and hikers
In my experience, there's no rule saying everyone has to go the same direction. Some of my local trails allow cycling in only one direction, and hiking in both. Keep in mind I can't speak for the ...
- 17.4k
13
votes
Accepted
Trail shared by bicyclists and hikers
TLDNR: The MTB was ( I will be polite ) outright rude, ignorant and out of line.
Virtually every country has a code of conduct for Mountain bikers, most of these are based on the one the IMBA (...
- 53.1k
11
votes
Should I avoid hard-packed crusher dust trails with my hybrid?
For that trail you've got a very suitable combination of bike and tyres.
I'd happily ride all day that on my 32mm marathon supremes, which are more of a road tyre than you've got. We have a similar ...
- 62.6k
11
votes
Why might I want to buy MTB clothing, rather than use road cycling kit that anyway seems exactly suitable for both sports?
One fairly important aspect of MTB clothing is indeed the visuals. I think the other answers have elaborated on the psychological and social explanations of this very well already. I just wanted to ...
- 17.4k
10
votes
Should one's bum be behind, or merely over, the lowered saddle on steeper descents?
Depends entirely how steep the hill is.
The aim is to keep the bike balanced maintaining reasonable (50%) of weight on the rear wheel, and when that can no longer be achieved, keep the center of ...
- 53.1k
9
votes
Accepted
How could hydraulic disc brakes make sense on MTBs and gravel bikes?
Maybe this operation is complicated, but the first question to ask yourself when seeing this kind of video is "how often do you need to carry out this operation?" instead of thinking to &...
- 24.7k
9
votes
Why might I want to buy MTB clothing, rather than use road cycling kit that anyway seems exactly suitable for both sports?
I mix and match road and mtb stuff, often wearing road jerseys on trails, but sometimes mtb-specific or even hiking kit to ride.
In terms of sweat running down, it doesn't make much difference. MTB ...
- 62.6k
9
votes
Why might I want to buy MTB clothing, rather than use road cycling kit that anyway seems exactly suitable for both sports?
As far as I'm concerned, there's one practical reason: on some trails you get flogged with brambles, thistles, nettles, etc. The spines absolutely poke through tight cycling shorts.
Baggy shorts offer ...
- 1,784
9
votes
Accepted
Should one's bum be behind, or merely over, the lowered saddle on steeper descents?
As I elaborated upon in considerable detail in this answer, it's mandatory that you treat body position while MTBing as a continuously variable thing, not a binary switch. You position your hips where ...
- 17.4k
9
votes
Accepted
Etiquette (and common sense) rules for MTB cyclists
This depends heavily on geography and individual trail systems. For example, in US National Forests, cyclists yield to hikers and equestrians, hikers only yield to equestrians, and uphill traffic has ...
- 4,670
8
votes
Accepted
How much front travel is efficient?
Generally speaking, pedal efficiency of trail bike depends on the tires,
suspension layout, and shock tune.
You’re asking about hardtails, though. Forks don’t really bob under pedaling unless you’re ...
- 4,670
7
votes
Are old bikes good bikes?
The only thing we can say for sure is that a bike from 2005 is not necessarily bad just because of its age. Good and advanced bicycle technology was already available back then. Unlike 1905 or 1955.
...
- 29.4k
7
votes
Why might I want to buy MTB clothing, rather than use road cycling kit that anyway seems exactly suitable for both sports?
I wear baggy mountain bike shorts to protect against branches, bushes, crashes, etc. The thicker material is more durable, and because it is less stretchy it tends not to snag as much. It can't be ...
- 71
6
votes
Accepted
How much mountain biking experience is needed for Goat Canyon Trestle Bridge via Carrizo Gorge Road?
I am unfamiliar with that route. However you say its an "out and back trail" so you'll be coming back the same way you went in.
Simply evaluate the terrain on the way in, and if you think ...
- 131k
6
votes
Trail shared by bicyclists and hikers
A lot comes down to etiquette, I feel. It's hardly something that can really be enforced if you think about it; other than some users potentially getting irritated at you. But that's often modern life ...
- 318
6
votes
Trail shared by bicyclists and hikers
If the arrows are expressly labeled as being for cyclists, I'd say that it implies that hikers can go whichever way they prefer. Venturing a guess, the direction is probably mandated for cyclists to ...
- 12k
6
votes
Why might I want to buy MTB clothing, rather than use road cycling kit that anyway seems exactly suitable for both sports?
Cross country riders have clothes that are very close to the ones of roadies. Maybe a bit reinforced, but 'tight with some sponsors written of them' is common.
Baggy clothes have an advantage when one ...
- 24.7k
5
votes
Should I avoid hard-packed crusher dust trails with my hybrid?
Just posting an answer to confirm that I've now gone on this trail multiple times, and my bike has handled it perfectly fine. It's not quite as good as pavement, but the difference is small.
I also ...
- 273
5
votes
Should I avoid hard-packed crusher dust trails with my hybrid?
There are three factors to consider with gravel roads:
Smoothness of surface
A gravel road that's been abused by cars for a while develops first small, regular ripples. These are a PITA to ride on ...
5
votes
What happened to hardtails in the past 15 years?
To paraphrase the question: Why aren't there any quality hard tail mountain bikes for $300?
Wouldn't it be reasonable to expect prices to go up since 2009?
None of the following examples are an ...
- 24.3k
4
votes
Which type of frame for slopestyle?
There is no perfect all-rounder. Slopestyle bikes are basically dirt jump bikes with the suspension designed to soak the harshest of impacts. This suspension design was never thought to behave like a ...
- 1,793
4
votes
Should I fear cows? How can I encourage them to let me pass?
In Switzerland, "normal cows" (milking cows with no calfs and no bulls) are generally not seen as dangerous. I passed them many times from very close distance. Of course, you should not ...
- 8,134
4
votes
What happened to hardtails in the past 15 years?
I'm happy with the workout I'm getting and I'm happy with 26" wheels
with semi-slick tires (slick center, grippy edges) which allow me to
enjoy riding fast on paved roads and get a decent grip on ...
4
votes
Are old bikes good bikes?
Far more important than age is the quality of the bike and how well it has been maintained. The Trek 4300 is an entry level bike with a good reputation. The fork is its limiting future for rough ...
- 53.1k
4
votes
Trail shared by bicyclists and hikers
Sometimes bikers are so fast and quiet that it's hard to hear them until they're almost upon you. Safety first: walk in the opposite direction. In that way, you can see fast-moving bikers coming ...
- 141
Only top scored, non community-wiki answers of a minimum length are eligible