What is the Best Cycling Clothing?

The gear you wear for biking can be divided into two – that which is required by law or is recommended for safety and cycling clothing which will enhance your comfort while riding. Let’s look at these separately.

Gear required by law or for safety reasons

Almost all governments regulate the use of helmets while biking and some states in the US have requirements based on age. A helmet that is well fitting and up to international standards is essential and may save your life if you have an accident. Never ride your bike, whether on the highways or mountain biking, without a helmet.

For safety reasons wearing reflective clothing or attachments when biking at night is extremely important. You need to make sure you are highly visible to cars and pedestrians.

Wearing comfortable clothing while biking

We recommend that you have a variety of different clothes for biking depending on both time of year and the length and type of biking you will be doing. For longer rides in reasonably warm weather, cycling shorts are ideal as they help to keep you cool and are designed for good moisture control especially if they are good quality. Padded seats are also a good idea for comfort. To go with your cyling shorts a jersey with short sleeves will also help to keep ypou cool on long, intense rides.

If you are mountain biking you’ll need to take extra care to protect yourself from abrasions and cuts as you cycle cklose to bushes and undergrowth. In this case a long sleeved, good quality cycling jersey and long cycling pants are recommended. Good quality cycling clothes will be able to ensure you do not get overheated and uncomfortable from moisture build up and they are comfortable and lightweight.

In the colder months you will need to wear warmer clothing an a cycling jacket made from wool will provide warmth while still regulating moisture build up from sweating as you exert yourself. You can buy windproof and waterproof cycling jackets for extra protection which, with cycling pants  will ensure you stay warm and comfortable. Knee warmers are also a good idea as they will keep your joints warm and flexible. It is important that you stay warm and comfortable when biking in the winter or you will be less inclined to ride.

In the warmer weather, even though you are comfortable clothes you may want to carry  a cycling jacket with you in case the weather changes and it starts to rain or your ride lasts into the evening. These jackets are light and compact and easy to stow away. These jackets are made of material designed to breathe with incorporated ventilation to keep you comfortable.

As you can see we recommend clothing specifically designed for cycling as this is ideal to keep you cool in the summer, warm in the winter with adequate ventilation so that sweat does not build up close to your skin. If you are a serious biker who spends a lot of time in the saddle it will definitely be worth paying out a little extra to buy good quality cycling clothing. With the right type of clothing you will be more inclined to get on your bike than if you know you will be cold or uncomfortable.

photo credit: jbelluch

Purchasing the Correct Mountain Bike for Your Height and Size

If you are in the market for a mountain bike, consider starting with a professional shop that specializes in mountain bikes to help give you selection, professional advice, and a correctly sized bike for your height. If you purchase a bike that is either too big or small, it will inevitably cause discomfort and little enjoyment. If you follow the below mentioned guidelines, you should have no problem finding that perfect mountain bike.

photo credit: mariachisamurai

Appropriate Standover Height:

If you are checking the clearance and fitting by yourself, you will first need to examine your inseam clearance, or the standover height. This is extremely important as you need to have enough clearance between the bike and yourself. For an appropriate fit, you need to have approximately four to six inches of room between your inseam to the bike.

Leg and Feet Positioning:

There is actually a formula that is used to determine the correct leg positioning for any mountain bike. Mountain biking is usually over terrain that will shift quickly, often causing you to lift off the seat either a little or completely at times.

Considering this, you will required a seat that is slightly lower to the ground than other bikes; this should be factored into the formula in order to determine the correct frame size.

Riding Compartment Area:

You will want to verify there is an appropriate distance between the seat and the handlebars, or rider compartment. After determining the correct leg extension length, the handlebars should be leveled at one to two inches below the seat height. Under no circumstance should the handlebars be higher than you seat, unless it is medically necessary.

Dual Suspension Mountain Bikes:

Due to the nature of a mountain bike, you will have a bike with suspension at both the front and rear ends. As such, you will need to move your weight toward the middle, so neither unit is holding more weight.

Distributing your weight is actually very simple and can be done by lengthening or shortening the stem for your hand’s height, effectively moving the upper body and distributing more weight toward the rear. However, the increase or decrease should not be more than two inches, and if it is, you may need to go back to finding the correct frame size.

Test Riding:

After your bike has been properly configured to your requirements, take a quick test ride to verify everything feels correct and the bike performs as it should – but remember to wear a helmet. Check that the tire pressure is correct for the bike model, and all adjustments are correct.

Be sure to have an employee verify your body’s positioning during your ride, making any adjustments if needed to correct a problem. Ride:

Take some needed time with the bike to begin becoming accustomed to the bike’s performance and associated equipment, and start slowly. After you have become more comfortable and familiar with the bike, go ahead and begin to use it more normally.

However, if after riding for a little something is either incorrect or does not feel right to you, be sure to take your bike back to the shop and see if anything needs to be corrected, before deciding to exchange it for another bike instead.

After time, the more bikes you begin to ride, it will become easier to discern differences in each bike, and what is most appropriate and comfortable to you. Remember that it could take months or even years to begin appreciating each different bike style and riding types. Take some time to talk and connect with others who ride mountain bikes. Ask them if they ride the same bikes they sell, and you will begin to learn from their knowledge and expertise, adding it to your own.

Cross Country Mountain Biking

In cross country mountain biking, people get to the mountain summit by their bike, instead of through ski lifts and four wheel bikes, that downhill bikers and free riders always use. They have the ability to really get out there and experience the best in cross country. Even though free riding is extremely popular, the main thrill of the sport has forever been cross country biking.

photo credit: DB1911

Just like the fact that people who ride cross county are different, their bikes they ride are much different as well. The differences in the cross country bike are in lots of  ways varied from other types of mountain riding bikes. Speed is what cross country riders are all about. The bikes they ride are designed to enhance speed in every way possible.

Some of the bikes that are often used in cross country mountain biking are: full suspension frames, totally rigid frames, or hardtails as well. Over the years, people have gone with full suspension more and more. There is a large difference between the weights of free ride bikes, and cross country bikes, and it would be very difficult for you to discover a bike that had a total weight of more than 24 pounds, and that is heavy anyway. Most free ride bikes generally weigh around 40 pounds, and this is a considerable difference.

Cross country mountain biking is a totally novel experience, and since there is often extremely rugged terrain, most new riders would do best to stay away until they have more experience. People that ride cross country can’t get enough of the thrill however. When hills are involved, and rugged terrain, you can get a major rush from cross country biking.

No matter where you mountain bike, when you choose to go cross country, you can experience a whole new level of excitement, with new bikes, more places to bike, and an overall difference in ordinary mountain biking. For those of you that have been seeking a mountain biking rush, then you should certainly try out cross country mountain biking.

Mountain Biking Vacations

A mountain biking vacation is a wonderful outdoor activity that helps one unwind and enjoy America’s nature. Actually, there are many available businesses that offer mountain biking tours through carefully planned scenic routes, usually arranging any needed hotel accommodations for participants. For the athletic and active couples, mountain biking vacations are an excellent way to engage in exercise, while enjoying each others company.

photo credit: dandelion_8

Mountain biking trails are available all over the continental United States, no matter where you live. Great mountain biking trails are not just available on mountain ranges. Actually, just about any scenic or rough trail can offer adventure and serious exercise for even the most experienced biker. Realistically, the best areas for mountain biking in the continental United States are located in the Pacific Northwest – Southwest – Southeast, in states like North Carolina.

Although the entire western half of the country has superior mountain biking trails, the Southwest region is actually growing and establishing a reputation for hosting excellent areas. Additionally, the Southwest host trails such as South Boundary Trail in New Mexico, Pinery Canyon Road for Arizona, and finally, Flume Trail in Nevada. Each of these trails have earned their reputations for providing tough rides, considering they are well over 20 miles long, with Pinery Canyon standing with an incredible 50 miles in length! Remember, under no circumstance are you required to complete a trail in its entirety simply because you picked it.

Furthermore, the Pacific Northwest hosts some of the best mountain biking vacation spots with the best trails located in Oregon with Surveyor’s Ridge, California’s Mount Tamalpais, and the Methow Trail System in Washington state.

Consider an incredible mountain biking vacation if you are athletic, and want a change in scenery to explore. Best of all, these vacations are often less costly as compared to other vacations, but can really create that sense of adventure that is typically hard to achieve.

Mountain Bikes – Disc or Rim Brakes?

One of the important decisions you will have to make when you buy a new mountain bike is the type of brakes. Should you choose rim brakes or disc brake? This will depend on a number of factors including price and performance. The cheapest type, and the lightest are rim brakes although you will have to accept some variation on performance. For better consistency and good all round performance in a wide range of conditions you will need the more expensive disc brakes.

Designs of brakes have evolved over the years from cantilever brakes in the original mountain bikes through U brakes to the type of brakes used today, known as V brakes. Rim brakes were originally used on bikes but are not ideal especially in muddy or wet riding conditions. They can also wear away at the rim which can cause catastrophic damage to the rim. Disc brakes have been used on cars for a long time but were only introduced to mountain bikes towards the end of the 1990′s. Hydraulic or cable manipulated disc brakes work well and are the preferred option for today’s mountain bikes. They work much better than rim brakes in muddy or wet conditions and need less force applied. They are unaffected by the condition of the rim or wheel.

Cost Considerations

Disc brakes, although the preferred system, are more expensive than rim brakes. The cost of disc brakes varies, with the type with cable manipulated disc brakes being cheaper than the hydraulic type. So choice may come down to what you are prepared to pay for the performance you need. For competition biking, of course, you will need the best performance possible so there is really no option except for the better performing hydraulic disc brakes but if you are using your bike for recreational purposes, in mild conditions, rim brakes may be adequate.

Conclusion

Be aware of the advantages and disadvantages of both rim and disc brakes and purchase a bike with a braking system suitable for your purpose. It is well worth paying more for a better braking system if you will be using your bike for competitions or in adverse weather conditions.

Image by bitninja

Tips on Keeping Your Mountain or Road Bike in Good Condition

Routine maintenance on your road or mountain bike is fairly easy but it is important that you have the right tools for the job. You will need to carry them with you so that you can easily change a flat tyre or do other repair jobs on the road. You do not want to have to cut short your ride and go home because you forgot to take a few simple tools with you! So what should be included in your everyday bike repair kit?  Below is a list of the essentials.

• Patch kit for tires
• spare inner tube
• bike pump
• assorted wrenches
• tool for the chain
• screwdriver

For more extensive repairs and routine maintenance you should also include cleaners for the chain, lubricants and chain solvents.

Routine Maintenance

• Before you go on a long trip make sure you do all of the following to ensure your bike is in the best condition and won’t let you down on the road.
• Degrease the chain with the cleaning solvent and then re-oil it. The sprockets should be cleaned with a brush.
• Check the cables and the derailleur gear
• Check the brake pads and replace if they are worn. Not only will this prevent you from stopping properly but worn pads will also result in damage to your rims.
• Check the handlebar and stem and tighten if neccessary.
• Check the pedals and tighten the bottom bracket iof it is loose.
• Adjust the seat and check that there is no damage to the frame.
• Check the tire pressure and inflate if neccessary. For quick release forks tighten if required.
• Make sure wheel spokes haven’t come loose and that the wheels align properly.

How To Choose a New Bike

If you are choosing a new bike there are some questions you need to ask yourself before you go to the shops. Sit down and think about what type of bike will be the best for you, sort out your priorities and find out what will be best for your lifestyle and biking needs. We’ve put together a guide as a place to start when deciding on which bike to buy.

Your Bike Riding Style

Where will you be riding your new bike? On urban street or on a mountain trail? On flat, smooth paths or bumpy dirt tracks? Are you buying a bike for exercise or for everyday commuting? Will you be taking part in competitions or just leisurely rides. All of these factors will influence the type of bike that will be most suitable for you.

What Types of Bikes are Available?

Mountain bikes are tough and durable with low gears for use on hills, wide handlebars and fat tires.

Road bikes are built for using on smooth roads and pavements and are built for speed rather than endurance. They are generally lighter in weight than mountain bikes and have thinner handlebars and tires.

Hybrid bikes are a combination of road and mountain bikes and may be suitable if you will be riding in a variety of terrains. They are ideal if you will be commuting or riding on light trails.

Comfort bikes are, as the name implies, built for comfort with softer seats and usually an upright riding position.

Cruisers are built to be low maintenance, one speed bikes and are good for running around the local neighborhood as long as there aren’t too many hills?

What Size Bike do You Need?

Bikes can be bought in a variety of sizes and it’s important that you buy one that is the right size for you. For a rough guide measure your inside leg length, subtract 10″ (or 26cms) and this will give you the frame size you need. If you have very long legs this method is not so good and you may need to subtract 12″ to determine the correct frame size.

see also Mountain Bike Guide