Zarnoff Bike Blog
23Oct/090

How the Selection of Your Mountain Bike Tires Can Influence Your Riding

As a beginner, it could be very confusing for one to just stroll into a bike shop to buy their very first mountain bike. And what is more confusing is what all accessories one would need to start biking.

Mountain bike accessories and other mountain bike products one would want are available in plenty. A shopkeeper will be looking for a profit and would sell everything he can, but what beginners and customers with a budget need is a bike that has the proper accessories to make the ride safe and pleasant. These accessories given below will give one a good idea of what to buy and what not to buy.

Mountain bike tires are broader and knobbier for more grip and absorption of shock. In modern bikes, suspension for front wheel has become the custom while suspension for the full front and rear is becoming more and more general.

In few mountain bikes, the handlebars are fixed with bar ends, but riser handlebars which are made such that they oppose to a flat straight handlebar are becoming increasingly popular because a very few riders use bars with their ends extended.

These bikes usually have 26 inches or 559 mm wheels, but after year 2002 many bikes are available in the markets, which have 29 inches or 622 mm wheels. This is the diameter universally used for other normal road bikes which is also known as a 700c.

One may have never thought about the parts that are required to make a mountain bike while riding it. But sometimes it becomes important to know the parts. You never know where they will help you.

Tire: they are on the outer part of the rim. They make contact with the road while riding and also provide a grip. The tires have to be selected carefully with care.

A huge variety of tread patterns are being manufactured to suit different needs and for different conditions in the mountain bike tires. The different types of tire patterns available in the market are: slick street tires, snow studded, street tires with a center ridge and an outer tread, fully knobbly, rear-specific, and snow studded, front-specific.

These mountain bike tires can be specially designed to suit the bike in dry weather or wet weather and also according to the terrain whether it is hard, soft or muddy conditions. There are many other designs that are applicable in all kinds of weather and roads. For the same application, there are also light tires that are more expensive and have less or no rolling resistance.

For free rides and downhill descents a new kind of sticky rubber mountain bike tires are available. These tires may wear out very fast but they are extremely useful during cornering. There are tubeless that run at lower air pressure which improves traction and also rolling resistance. Tire manufacturers for mountain bikes are in plenty. A brand may be selected to suit the users' needs.

Muna wa Wanjiru Has Been Researching and Reporting on Mountain Bikes for Years. For More Information on mountain bike tires, Visit His Site at MOUNTAIN BIKE TIRESI Will Also Highly Appreciate Your Views On mountain bike tires At My Blog here
wooden book
31May/09Off

Schwinn Rocket Dual-Suspension Mountain Bike

Hit the trail with confidence without breaking the bank with the dirt-worthy Schwinn Rocket dual-suspension mountain bike. The Rocket is outfitted with such features as an Iso-Drive 3.5-inch travel suspension frame with an RST-22 rear shock, an SR/Suntour XMC 100mm travel fork with hydraulic damping and pre-load adjustment, a 24-speed Shimano Deore rear derailleur, EZ-Fire trigger shifters, a WTB saddle, and Kenda Klaw XT front- and rear-specific tread patterns. pbSpecifications:/bbrulliFrame: Schwinn Iso-Drive suspended BB 4-bar proprietary design, 3.5 inches of rear travel, custom-drawn 7005 aluminum, fully sealed cartridge bearing pivots, forged dropouts with replaceable hanger liFork: SR Suntour XCM aluminum lowers, coil spring with hydraulic damping, pre-load adjustment, bootless, 100mm travel liRear shock: RST-22 coil spring, hydraulic damping, floating piston, spring size: S = 500 pounds, M = 600 pounds, L = 700 pounds, and XL = 800 pounds liCrankset: SR Suntour SCC-T302, 42/34/24 hardened steel chain rings with chain guard liBottom bracket: TruVativ sealed cartridge with chainline stabilizer, 68 x 113 square taper liPedals: ATB resin body, boron steel axle, steel cage, with toe clips and straps liFront derailleur: Shimano M330 liRear derailleur: Shimano Deore liShifters: Shimano EF-50 Easy-Fire integrated shifters/brake levers liFreewheel: Shimano HG-30, 8 speed, 11/32 liChain: KMC Z-72 liRims: Jalco double-wall alloy with finished sidewalls to improve wet braking, 32H liTires: Kenda Klaw XT, 26 x 2.1 inches, front- and rear-specific tread pattern liFront hub: Formula alloy weather sealed with alloy QR liRear hub: Formula alloy weather sealed, 8-speed QR, 32H liSpokes: Stainless-steel 14G liNipples: Brass CP liBrakes: Pro Max linear pull with 64mm pads and linear springs liBrake levers: Shimano EF-50 Easy-Fire integrated shifters/brake levers liHandlebar: Schwinn 6061 T6, 32mm rise, 5-degree bend, 620mm wide liStem: Schwinn trail-tuned alloy threadless, 10-degree rise with forged 4-bolt front load cap liGrips: Lock-on double-density Kraton liHeadset: FPD threadless, 1-1/8 inches liSaddle: WTB Speed V Sport with Comfort Zone liSeat post: Schwinn trail-tuned alloy with cold-forged alloy head, 27.2 x 350mm liSeat clamp: Alloy low-profile QR with forged clamp liExtras: Seat post water bottle mounting clamps liSize: 16, 17, 19, and 21.5 inches liColor: Matte sand blue /ulpstrongAbout Schwinn/strongbr Founded in 1895, Schwinn is an American icon that has been synonymous with quality and innovation. They have built some of the best-known and best loved bikes of numerous generations--Aerocycle, Paramount, Phantom, Varsity, Sting-Ray, Krate and Homegrown. Today, Schwinn continues to be a leader in the industry with innovative bikes such as the new Sting-Ray, Rocket mountain bikes, and Fastback road bikes. With a continued dedication to quality, forever synonymous with the Schwinn name, America's most famous bicycle brand looks forward to providing another century of innovation, freedom and performance to people of all ages.pstrongfont color=CC6600BIGAmazon.com Bicycle Buying Guide/BIG/font/strongbrbrstrongFinding the Right Bike/strongbr To really enjoy cycling, it's important to find a bicycle that works for you. Here are some things to keep in mind when you're in the market for a new bike:pstrongThe Right Ride/strongbr In general, bikes are broken down into three major categories:ullistrongRoad and Racing Bikes/strong--As a general rule, road and racing are built for speed and longer distances on paved surfaces. Thinner tires, lightweight 29-inch (700c) wheels, and drop bars that allow for a more aerodynamic position are the norm. Most road bikes, regardless of price, offer many gears for tackling both hilly and flat terrain. listrongMountain Bikes/strong--With their larger tires, hill-friendly gearing, and upright position, mountain bikes are very popular for all types of riding, both on pavement and off. Mountain bikes that are designed specifically for rugged trail use typically feature a suspension fork. Some may have rear suspension, as well. A quick change of the tires on any mountain bike--even one that you use regularly on trails--adds to its versatility and makes it a worthy street machine. listrongComfort/Cruiser Bikes/strong--For tooling around on bike paths, light trails, or for cruising a quiet beach-side lane, comfort/cruiser bikes are the ticket. With a super-relaxed riding position, padded seats, and limited or no gearing, these bikes are made for enjoying the scenery and having fun with the family. /ulpstrongThe Right Price/strongbr A bike's price boils down to three essentials: frame materials, bike weight, and component quality and durability.ullistrongEntry-level/strong--You'll find a wide range of comfort and cruiser bikes in this category, as well as some lower-end mountain bikes and road bikes. Most will have steel frames and components that are designed to last for several years with frequent use. listrongMid-range/strong--Bikes in this range may feature a lighter aluminum frame with mid-range components that keep performing after miles of use. If you're looking for a quality bike that is relatively lightweight and will stand up to abuse, this is the "sweet spot." Most serious commuter and touring bikes fall into this category, as do mid-range mountain bikes with a decent front suspension. listrongHigh-end/strong--Racers and serious enthusiasts who expect lightweight, high-performance components will want to stick to this category. For road bikes, exotic frame materials (carbon fiber, titanium) and ultralightweight components can add thousands to the price tag. Mountain bikes in this class often feature advanced front and rear suspension technology, as well as components designed to handle lots of rugged trail action./ulpstrongThe Right Size/strongbr Fit is crucial for comfort, control, and proper power and endurance on a bike. Here are some basic bike fit tips:ullistrongStand-over Height/strong--To find out if a bike's overall height fits your body, measure your inseam. Next, determine how much clearance you'll need between your crotch and the top tube of the bike. For a mountain bike, you'll want three to five inches of clearance. A road bike should offer between one and two inches of clearance, while a commuter bike should have two to four inches. Compare the stand-over height for a given bike to your measurements (inseam + clearance) to determine the right bike height. listrongTop Tube Length/strong--You can measure your torso to get a good estimate of proper top tube length. First, make a fist and extend your arm. Measure from the center of your fist to the end of your collarbone (the part that intersects your shoulder). Next, measure your torso by placing a book against your crotch with the spine facing up. Measure from the spine to the bottom of your throat (the spot between your collarbones). Finally, add the two measurements (arm length + torso length), divide the number in half, and subtract six inches. This is your approximate top tube length. Compare this number to a bike's posted top tube length. You can allow for about two inches longer or shorter, as most bikes can be adjusted via stem length/height and saddle fore/aft position to make fine adjustments to the fit. listrongBikes for Women/strong--Proportionally, women tend to have a shorter torso and longer legs than men. Bike makers design women's bikes that offer a shorter top tube and many comfort/cruiser bikes built for women may also provide more stand-over clearance. /ulpstrongThe Right Accessories/strongbr When you make a bike purchase, don't forget these crucial add-ons:ulliHelmet (this is a must!) liSeat pack liLock liHydration pack, or water bottle and bottle cage liSpare tubes liPortable bike pump liGloves /ulp

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