The Intricacies Of Mountain Bike Gears
When you choose mountain bike, it is a good idea to learn more about the gearing systems. This article will explain more about how those systems work.
Mountain bike gears are continually becoming more and more complicated and intricate. Today's bikes can come with up to 27 gear ratios. It is common for a mountain bike today to use nine gears in the back and three sprockets of different sizes in the front for gear ration production.
Why so many gears? The most common reason is that a large number of gears allow a rider to pedal at the same pace no matter what terrain that he/she is on. This can be understood better if you think about a bike that just has one gear. Every time you turn the pedals one full turn, then the rear wheel also turns one full turn, too (1:1 gear ratio).
For example, your back wheel is measured at 26 inches. If you pedal one full turn, then this would mean that your wheel moved 81.6 inches. If you are riding at 50 RPM, then you will be able to go 340 feet per minute. This means that you were going 3.8MPH, which is equivalent to walking speed. This speed is great for going up a hill that is steep, but it is not a good speed for flat ground or racing downhill.
If you want your bike to go quicker, then you will need a different ratio. If you want to reach a speed of 25 MPH downhill using a 50-RPM cadence, then you will need to have a 5.6:1 gear ration. If you have lots of gears on your bike, then you will be able to get that ratio so that you can continue your pedaling at a consistent pace, no matter what terrain you are on or what your speed is.
A typical mountain bike that has 27 gears will have six gears so incrementally close to the other that you will not be able to determine that there is any difference between the gears when you change them.
Most mountain bike riders decide to choose a gear system with a front socket that is suitable for the slope or terrain that they usually ride on and they stay with this choice, even though it may be more difficult under a heavy load to shift the gears. This is purely a personal decision, but it is simpler to shift between gears when the rear socket, rather than the front one.
When you are pedaling uphill, then you will find that it is much better to choose a sprocket that is smaller on the front and then shift gears with the nine gears that are available on the rear. If you are more speeds on the rear sprocket, then you will find that it is much more efficient to ride.
Mountain biking needs gears so that you can keep an overall speed going. If you didn't have gears, then you would find it difficult to build up any speed and you would find it nearly impossible to pound your pedals for extra control. Gears help to move the pedals and enable you to gain that speed.
Why Proper Lubrication Is Crucial In Mountain Bike Maintenance
More and more people are getting into mountain biking. Very few people, though, properly maintain their bikes. One of the most important aspects of mountain bike maintenance is lubrication. Keeping your bike's moving parts well-lubricated will help keep your bike in top shape for a long time. Failing to keep your bike properly lubed will lead to a shortened lifespan for your bike and its parts.
The most basic advice to heed when it comes to keeping your bike lubed, is that if there's a moving part, it needs to be lubricated. There are some parts which are best left to the experts. It's unlikely that you'll want to pull the bearings out of your headset or from inside the front crankshaft or hubs, but there are plenty of parts which are easy to access and which appreciate a regular and thorough lubing.
When purchasing lube for your bike, it's advised to buy a product specifically designed for bikes. They're perfectly formulated for the specific needs of bicycles. These lubricants typically come in drip or spray dispensers.
Now take a look at your mountain bike's derailleurs. If you're having trouble with shifting gears, then there's a good chance your derailleurs need some lubrication. In case you don't know, the derailleur is the part that moves the chain from gear to gear. Wherever there's a movable point on the derailleur, apply lubricant. This includes the little adjustment barrel. Some lube there will keep it from rusting and making it impossible to adjust.
Turn your bike upside down, move the pedals and shift gears. Wherever you see the derailleur moving and exposing sections, add some lubricant. Don't overdo it, though. Wipe up any excess drips.
Another important place to apply lube is the chain. A well-lubricated chain will last a long time and it will shift from gear to gear easier. Either turn the bike upside down or mount it on a rack if you have one, and slowly crank the pedals. As the chain cycles around, apply lubricant by either spraying it or dripping it on. Wipe off any lubricant which accidentally lands on the frame or anywhere else.
The pedals can also use a regular application of lubricant. Of course you don't want to put any on the pedal grips unless you have cartoon capers in mind, but you do want to apply some to where they attach to the cranks.
It may surprise you to hear that the brakes require lubrication. You don't want to get any grease on the brake shoes, though! Keep the lube away from the rims, too. Where you do want to apply lubricant is on the pivot points where the brakes move. Wherever there's a moving joint or metal on metal, you want to apply lubricant. The brake levers themselves can use some lube, too. Again, you'll want to apply it on the pivot points on the levers and not the lever itself.
A well-lubricated mountain bike will last longer than one that's neglected. It'll ride nicer, too. Remember to regularly lubricate the parts you can easily access and talk to your local bike shop about further mountain bike maintenance.
How Mountain Bike Gears Work
The gears in mountain bikes just keep getting more and more intricate. The bikes of today have as many as 27 gear ratios. A mountain bike will use a combination of three different sized sprockets in front and nine in the back to produce gear ratios.
The idea behind all these gears is to allow the rider to crank the pedals at a constant pace no matter what kind of slope the bike is on. You can understand this better by picturing a bike with just a single gear. Each time you rotate the pedals one turn, the rear wheel would rotate one turn as well (1:1 gear ratio).
If the rear wheel is 26 inches in diameter, then with 1:1 gearing, one full twist on the pedals would result in the wheel covering 81.6 inches of ground. If you are pedaling at a speed of 50 RPM, this means that the bike can cover over 340 feet of ground per minute. This is only 3.8 MPH, which is the equivalence of walking speed. This is ideal for climbing a steep hill, although bad for ground or going downhill.
To go faster you'll need a different ratio. To ride downhill at 25 MPH with a 50 RPM cadence at the pedals, you'll need a 5.6:1 gear ratio. A bike with a lot of gears will give you a large number of increments between a 1:1 gear ratio and a 6.5:1 gear ratio so that you can always pedal at 50 RPM, no matter how fast you are actually going.
On a normal 27 speed mountain bike, six of the gear ratios are so close to each other that you can't notice any difference between them.
With actual use, bike riders tend to choose a front sprocket suitable for the slope they are riding on and stick with it, although the front sprocket can be difficult to shift under heavy load. It's much easier to shit between the gears on the rear.
If you are cranking up a hill, it's best to choose the smallest sprocket on the front then shift between the nine gears available on the rear. The more speeds you have on the back sprocket, the bigger advantage you'll have.
All in all, gears are very important to mountain bikes as they dictate your overall speed. Without gears you wouldn't be able to build speed nor would you be able to pound pedals. The gears will move the pedals and help you build up speed.
There are all types of gears available in mountain bikes, all of which will help you build up a lot of momentum if you use them the right way.
Essential Skills For Mountain Biking
With some practice, you can become a wonderful mountain biker. Practice the techniques described in this article and you will be on your way to becoming a better biker.
Anyone who enjoys riding a bike will also enjoy the sport of mountain biking. It is a little more dangerous and adrenaline inducing, but it is quite a bit of fun and a challenge to ride the dirt trails.
If you want to practice mountain biking, then you can hone your skills around your home, school, bike paths, or even park. You may want to find a place with a steep hill so that you can practice on an incline.
Feeling Your Pedals
You want to get a feel for your pedals before you take off down a mountain. You first want to be able to move your foot away from the pedal and then replace it back on the pedal. This will take some practice to get good at, but once you master this, then you will be on your way to feeling your pedals and having more control.
Position Yourself By Learning To Sit and Spin
Sit on your bike and simply pedal around. Keep your arms a little bent and adjust the height of your seat to make sure that your legs are at least 70% extended when you pedal at the bottom stroke. Relax your body, so that your knees and elbows are never locked. This will enable to you feel the right position so that you will know if you are not riding correctly.
Gear Shifting
You need to learn how to shift the gears on your bike. By learning what each gear feels like, then you will learn how you should shift them to make your riding more competitive and fun. A higher gear will make it more difficult to pedal, but will allow you to go quicker, while a lower gear makes it easy to pedal and is helpful when you are climbing hills. Practicing shifting your gears will help you to learn when to shift to get maximum efficiency.
Coasting
Coasting is great fun. You need to practice coasting while standing up on your pedals. Keep your knees unlocked and your arms bent. Learn how to move your weight toward to back of your bike and get a feel for it.
Standing and Pedaling
It is important that you get comfortable with standing and pedaling on your bicycle. If you can lift yourself from the seat, then you should try cranking the pedals around a few times. Do this in both high and low gear until you become comfortable.
Dropping Down
Locate a curb that you can easily get to the top of. At a moderate speed, stand and coast from the top to the bottom of the curb. Do this using several different curb levels until you are comfortable doing this.
After you get these things where they are second nature, then you will be able to ride the mountain trails with almost no problem. With dedicated practice, you will get to where you love mountain biking and it is comfortable to you.
Mountain Bike Cable Maintenance
Making sure that you check your brake and gear cables on your mountain bike on a regular basis is very important. Worn out or dirty cables can seriously affect braking and also shifting. If they are only dirty you can clean them, but if they are worn or starting to fray then they should be replaced!Inspecting Mountain Bike CablesThe first thing to do is take a look at the housing. Look for any kind of kinks or damage. Next take a look at the cable you can see and check for signs of fraying or damage. If you can see that either the cable or housing is damaged it really needs to be replaced.Cleaning CablesIf grinding can be felt or heard when applying the brakes, or you are experiencing trouble shifting, it's probably time to clean the cables on your bike. First remove the housing and cable from the bike. Undo the cable clamp with an allen key and remove the cable end cap with pliers. Be careful! If the end of the cable gets frayed or misshapen it will be hard to put the cable back in. You may need a new one in that case.Keep track of all the bits so you remember how to put it back together. Using an old rag give the cable a good wipe down. If there is a lot of dirt and grime you can use a bit of de-greaser. Once that's done, check the cable stops because they can really hold in the dirt. Squirt some light lubricant in the housing to clean out the grime.Lubricating CablesAfter you have completely cleaned the cable you should re-lubricate it. Make sure to avoid using heavy-duty chain lubricants as these can clog things up quickly. Use a dry, wax based lubricant and an old rag to rub it into the cable until it's smooth.After putting everything back together be sure to apply the brakes and shift up and down through the gears to make sure everything is working well.For more information on Mountain Bikes and all the Mountain Biking Accessories you need, visit http://www.singletrackbikes.co.uk.
Mountain Bike Skills You Need Before You Attempt Mountain Biking
Anyone who knows how to ride a bicycle can enjoy mountain biking. There are some dangers to mountain biking, when it is compared to the standard bike ride. It is for this reason that mastering the following beginner mountain bike skills is a necessity prior to taking off for your mountain bike excursion.
These skills can all be practiced by heading to any school, local park, around your house, or on a bike path. The key to the right location is if it has a steep hill for you to practice on.
The pedals are an important part of a mountain bike. You can practice getting a feel for the pedals by doing the following:
Sit on your bike
Place one foot on the ground
Release and Replace your foot while pedaling around
Note: If you have clipless foot pedals or toe clips, you will want to practice this quite a bit.
Sit and Spin for position with the following:
Adjust the seat height so that the leg is a minimum of 70% extended at the bottom of each pedal cycle
Bend arms slightly
Keep the body as relaxed as possible; a position should never occur that requires you to lock your elbows or knees.
Sit on the Mountain bike and pedal
Practice shifting gears with the following:
Make sure you know the differences in gears on your bike
Try a high gear-It is hard to pedal, but rides at a faster speed
Try a low gear-Easier to pedal, particularly useful while on hills
Try shifting prior to reaching the hill-This is important because it is easy to overcome a shift before the hill than it is while on the hill.
Practice coasting with the following:
Practice this while standing on the pedals, not sitting on the bike seat
Do not lock your knees
Keep arms slightly bent
Attempt coasting while shifting the body towards the rear of the mountain bike
Practice pedaling while standing with the following:
This is important in mountain biking
Try pedaling standing up in two different ways, once you have become comfortable with standing on the pedals.
First, pedal while standing in a high gear on flatter grounds.
Then, pedal while standing in a low gear on hills.
Practice dropping down a curb with the following:
Locate a curb in the area; it should be easily accessible in regards to the upper portion
Using a moderate speed, practice coasting and standing off the curb to the lower level from the upper level.
Continue this at different speeds until you are comfortable with it and it is like second nature
The above practicing techniques are important because they will give you the feel of the mountain bike trail, without having to be on one while you are training.
Mountain Bike Racing
Who can race?Everyone! Most mountain bike race events are divided into different categories: gender, age and ability. So even if you are just beginning to love the sport or if you have been riding for several years, there is a race for you.
Mountain Biking - First Race Click hereWho organizes the race?Many of the best mountain biking races for beginners are organized by local communities. And most participants can be your friends and neighbors. How many joins this race? Depending on its popularity – maybe 30 or 100. The good thing about community-organized races is that they are less competitive as they are often participated by average riders like you. So if it is your first time to join a race, this is a good starting point.Check with your local bike shop and bike websites to find if there are race events nearby.Why race?Racing improves your riding skill and makes you a better rider. Racing gives you a goal, which drives you to perform better than in casual biking. It improves your focus on the road. Since you dare to ride as fast as you can, it increases your reaction time to every bend, corners, rocks and dips. Also, knowing that the race is coming up, you eat and prepare better.How much does it cost?Entry or registration fee for community mountain bike race usually costs between $10 and $35. This usually includes t-shirt. Regional races are a bit higher. Often, gift certificates and bike gears are given and prizes.Speaking of prizes, awards are given in all categories like Women 30-39 Beginner, Men 30-39 Beginner, Men 30-39 Expert, Men 40-49 Beginner etc. So there are several chances of winning. When they speak of the "depth", it means the number of places that is awarded for a particular category. If the awards are "five deep", that means prizes are given from first up to fifth place.Either way, it is not about the prize but for the fun of biking.What are the rules?Know if you should be "self-supporting", meaning you have to provide everything you need during the race from water supply to repair tools. If not, ask if you can share tools and inner tubes with your teammates or other rides. Also, check if you can munch powerbars while riding or get water-bottle from your pit-crew as turn a lap. These are important details to know.There are unwritten, non-technical rules in mountain biking race. First, do not mess with other riders. Do not block. Do not draft (riding directly behind another rider and use him as shield block the air). Do not endanger another rider. The aim of the race is fun and camaraderie so do not spoil it by kicking someone else's bike or throwing an empty water-bottle to other competitors.What to prepare?Be physically fit. Get stronger. Ride more often. Run the course at least once before the race to familiarize the terrain. Register in advance. Pack everything you need a night before.On race day, arrive an hour early. This gives you time to rest, mingle with other racers and do some final check with your bike (do not change major parts on race day unless it is completely necessary). After the race, hang out with other racers, cheer for the late finishers, wait for the awarding and recall the day's event.
Mountain Biking Resources
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