Ten Ways to Get the Most out of Mountain Bikes
By Travel Guy
With mountain bikes currently enjoying a huge surge in popularity, many people are approaching the sport for the first time - but even if you're used to riding road bikes, it can be difficult to know what to look for and what to do when you're planning to ride in a new environment. Here are ten ways to get the most out of your mountain bike:
1. Choose the right for you. Don't go straight for the most impressive looking mountain you see - choose a which fits you properly. Take it for a test ride to make sure it's comfortable.
2. Spend now, save later. You may not want to invest much money in a mountain before you're sure how much you'll enjoy riding it, and it's true that the most expensive bikes really only offer an advantage to experienced riders, but it's worth investing in a good, durable to avoid having to fork out on repairs later. Most good beginners bikes cost between six hundred and eight hundred dollars.
3. Get the right wheels. Obviously, the wheels will take more wear than anything else. Choose the tires for your mountain based on how much off-road riding you expect to do and the type of terrain you'll encounter on the trails which appeal to you.
4. Easy on the brakes. You need to learn how to cruise to ride a mountain effectively. Although it may not feel like it, you are more stable the faster you are going. When you're riding on long downhill slopes let your mountain take the strain, using that momentum for the next rise.
5. Learn about local trails. It's no good getting a mountain for vacations and then not really knowing how to use it. There are mountain clubs all over the world which can direct you to the best trails near your home.
6. Play safe. If you're riding your mountain hard, it's inevitable that you'll fall sooner or later. Investing in a
good helmet can make all the difference. Some mountain riders also like to wear protective pads - and don't forget to wear sunscreen when biking in hot weather.
7. Look after your mountain bike. Proper storage and regular cleaning can make your last a lot longer and give you better performance. Investing a little effort will save you money on repairs.
8. Build up gradually. You may feel tempted to spend all day riding when you first get a mountain bike. Your muscles can become strained in unexpected ways when riding on the trail. It's important that you get used to the new experience and pace yourself as such. If you strain a muscle it could sideline you for weeks.
9. Develop a taste for adventure. You can go to places you may never have thought of going before on your mountain bike. You can find advice on the wide range of new riding experiences now open to you from shops, clubs and magazines.
10. Have fun! A regular may simply be a tool for keeping fit or getting to work, but mountain bikes are all about having a good time!
Sources:-
http://www.dirtworld.com/
Visit our website for more informative
mountain biking articles at
www.mountain-bikes-biking.com/
Here are some more bike articles...
