Remember when you didn't think about the gears on your bike? Your bike had a bike sprocket connected to the pedals and a small sprocket connected to the back wheel an that's all you needed. Then you got a little older and got your first 10-speed. That bike had two sprockets up front and five on the back. In all likelihood, the shifters were a pair of levers connected to your bike frame near the handlebars. As time went on the shifters moved to the handlebars themselves and then became advanced-looking dials right beside the grips. And next thing you knew, instead of a paltry ten speeds on your bike, you were riding a 27-speed mountain climbing machine!
Why all these gears? To make riding faster and easier, of course. Whatever the number of gears your bike has, if it has 2 or more then there's a basic set-up which almost every bike employs.
First of all you have your front and rear sprockets. These, along with the chain, form the most basic components of the gearing system. To determine your gear ratio you compare the number of teeth on the front sprocket to the number of teeth on the rear sprocket.
If your front sprocket has 52 teeth, and your rear sprocket has 20 teeth, then you're looking at a ratio of 2.6. The higher the ratio the faster the gear. Typically the gears on the front, starting from the inside, get larger as you move out. On the back wheel, though, the largest gear is typically the farthest inside and they get smaller as you move out.
The next key component for your mountain bikes gears is the derailleur, or derailer. The derailleur is what moves the bicycle chain from gear to gear. A typical shifting system employs both a front and rear derailleur. Without the derailleur you wouldn't be able to shift gears. The derailleur consists of pulleys and the cage, which is the part which actually comes into contact with the chain. The pulleys are attached to the gear cables. There are separate cables for the front and rear derailleurs. The gear cables connect to the gear shifters.
There are a variety of gear shifters available today and they cover a wide price range. The gear shifter is what allows you to change gears. The first type of shifters were levers known as friction shifters. These worked simply by pulling the cables attached to the derailleurs.
Friction shifters can be troubling because the way they're designed you can easily get caught between gears and accidentally damage your gears or even wreck. The more advanced variety of shifter is known as the index shifter.
Index shifters have specific stopping points and are calibrated to perfectly shift from gear to gear. They remedy the drawbacks of the older friction shifters. Gear shifters may be placed anywhere from the frame to the handlebar base to the grips to models which seem to be part of the brake levers.
Mountain bikes have multiple gears to make it easier for you to negotiate difficult terrain. Higher gears are there to help you speed downhill or across the flats, and lower gears are there to help you surmount those difficult inclines. Remember, it's best to shift gears when you're not putting a lot of stress on your pedals. Shifting when there's heavy pressure on the pedals can damage your shifting system.
Buying a mountain bike online is a big step, but it doesn't have to be a mistake as long as you know what you're getting into. However, it's important not to buy the first thing you see that looks appealing. It can be hard to tell what you're really buying over the Internet. What you're looking for is the fight fit. Learning about bikes before you start shopping, and knowing just what you want are the keys to successfully buying a mountain bike online.
First, get a good professional fitting, to tell you what type and size of bike is best for you. These may be free, or they may cost you up to seventy-five dollars. However, in the end, they're worth it. Any good bike shop that you get a fitting from won't pressure you to buy there.
Once you know what your size and ideal frame type is, start looking at mountain bike brands and features you like. These days there are a great deal of options available, and learning about these is essential. Make a decision about the frame material you want (titanium, carbon fiber, aluminum or steel). The latter are the most prevalent, but steel and aluminum cost less.
Ask yourself about suspension – mountain bikes are available with no suspension, front suspension, and a combination of front and back suspensions. More suspension costs a bit more, but it also gives you a gentler ride. Begin collecting brands that you'd like to buy from. Brand name may not be the only consideration, but those with proven reliability such as Cannondale, Trek and Specialized have stood the test of time.
Online you'll find a number of bike retailers, as well as a wide variety of mountain bikes being offered both by retailers and individuals on eBay. Buying bikes on eBay requires a bit of caution. If you choose to go with eBay, be very careful to make certain that the bike you're buying is the one you want. Return policies can be tricky, and individual sellers can misrepresent their bikes, intentionally or not. All that said, you can really save money buying through eBay, but look for good shipping and handling costs and an excellent record of seller feedback.
On the other hand, buying from an online bike retailer may prove to be a little safer. It's always important to check up on the online store and make sure that they're reliable, too. Know your biker retailer's return policies, too, and see if there's a warranty. A warranty, if available, may be a sensible purchase to give you a little extra safety on your mountain bike purchase.
Before you go mountain biking, be sure to bring along some standard items each time to avoid problems. It is essential that you have tools, supplies, food and water. Since you won't want to carry any extra weight, only take what you need. With careful planning you can be prepared with a minimum of items.
One of the most important things is a spare inner tube, and the tools to change it. Nothing can stop your ride faster than a flat tire, and if you are far out on the trail, it can mean a very long walk home. If it's late in the afternoon, you could also run out of daylight. Getting trapped in the dark is no fun. All you need to prevent this scenario is a spare tube (with the right valve type - there are two: presta and schraeder), 3 tire levers to get your tire off the rim, and of course a pump. Mini-pumps work just fine. Cautious types may also want to carry a tube patch kit in case of another flat. If you have never changed a tube before, it's a good idea to practice at home first.
Mountain bikes are put together with allen bolts so make sure you carry a folding set of allen wrenches. Extended rides over bumpy trails can tend to make bolts loosen up. You also may want to make adjustments while on the trail to your brake or gear levers. Allen keys sets are quite small and inexpensive. If you know how to use a chain tool it wouldn't hurt to bring one along in case your chain let's go or requires adjusting.
Be sure to take adequate food and water for your ride. Powerbars are great bang for the buck. They work very well and prevent you from running out of energy. Riding when you are exhausted is no fun and risk of injury increases because of lack of focus. Water is critical. You can use water bottles if you bike frame has the mounts or a popular alternative is a Camelbak backpack bladder system. It also has ample room for tools and tubes. Or you can use an under-seat pouch.
Always make sure you are dressed appropriately for your mountain bike ride. Keep in mind you will warm up quickly after starting your ride, so don't wear a heavy jacket that you'll end up removing it after 15 minutes. It's best to dress in a series of light layers. Keep in mind that if it's wet or cold, your feet and hands will feel the cold the most. Wear riding gloves and socks suited to cycling. Your local bike store can assist you in selecting the correct gear for the kind of riding you will be doing so try and establish a good relationship with them.
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