Archive for September, 2009

Watch as Kent Eriksen finishes the build up of a custom single speed 29er by lacing Salsa wheels and a Maverick DUC32 fork – 2 of 2

Filming the Rockies with Jacob Bell – Cycling Steamboat segment

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What Is A Good Mountain Bike Fork?

I’m looking for a new fork to replace my Marzocchi Dirt Jumper 3 which I bought in 2004. It was a good fork and has served me well but its time to move on to something different. I’ve transitioned to more of a trail rider than freeride or dirt jumping. I’m looking for a good fork, preferably under $400-600 with 4-5 inches of travel. Most importantly though, I would like it to accept at least a 2.4 inch tire up front. I like big fronts and fast backs so I’d like to keep my 2.4/2.5 inch tires up front. Any suggestions are much appreciated… FOX, Manitou, Marzocchi, RockShox, etc.

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Product Description
The Surly Instigator Mountain fork is constructed of straight bladed CroMoly TIG-welded tubing and features an ISO disc tab and removable canti pivots. ,
Surly Instigator fork 26″ I.S. DISC tab & removable canti pivots
$100.00

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4 Different Types of Mountain Bikes Explained

With mountain biking being a very popular sport, there are many bikes to choose from. Depending on what type of riding you like, the style of bikes you can choose from will vary. Below, you’ll find tips on the different types of bikes available.


1. Cross country Almost all mountain bikes will fit into this category. Cross country mountain bikes are light weight, making them easy to ride over most terrains, even up and down hills. This is the most common mountain bike and it can be used with ease for riding on the path or even commuting.


2. Downhill These types of bikes are for serious bikers who crave the ultimate adventure. Downhill bikes have front and rear suspension, strong parts, and disc brakes. Rarely available off the shelf, most riders like to custom build their own.


3. Trials Trail mountain biking involves a great degree of skill and is classified as the precision riding of the sport. Similiar to downhill bikes, trial riders will often build their own bikes rather than purchase one off a shelf. Generally very light and very strong, these bikes require a lot of discipline.


4. Jump and slalom Slalom and jump bikes are very strong and designed for jumping, street racing, and slalom. They offer a front suspension and use very strong components dedicated to what they do. These bikes are very popular with the sport of mountain biking.


Even if you are new to mountain biking, the sport can be a lot of fun. There are several bikes to choose from, all of which depend on your style. If you are still looking for the best style for you, all you have to do is try out several bikes and see which one suites you the best.


Buying A Mountain Bike:

It can be a bit frustrating as well as time consuming when you buy a mountain bike. Below, you’ll find some tips and things to be aware of before you lay down the cash and buy a mountain bike.


Determining your price: There is really no limit as to how much money you can spend on a new mountain bike. To help you keep your spending under control, you should figure out what your price range is and how much your willing to pay for a new bike.


When you buy, you shouldn’t buy from mass merchant stores such as Wal-Mart. You should instead support your local bike shop and get a much better bike and much better service.


Finding your style:

All mountain bikes are designed with several different riding styles and terrain types in mind. You’ll need to figure out what type of riding you will be doing the most.


Smooth riding, cross country racing, mountain cruising, or lift accessed downhill is something you need to figure out. Make sure that the bike you select fits your personal style and not that of the sale’s staff.


Full suspension or hard tail:

If you can afford it, a full suspension mountain bike is always worth the purchase. A hard tail, without rear suspension, is much lighter weight and pedal more efficiently, although full suspensions offer more comfort and overall better control.


You’ll want to make that decision based on your price range, riding style, and the type of terrain you’ll be riding on the most. Finding your favorites: Comparing mountain bikes component to component is nearly impossible, as there are far too many combinations available.


The best way to go about doing this is finding a few components that are the most important to you and making sure the rest or the minimums fall within your price range. You can start with the fork then look at the wheels and rear derailleur.


Sales and seasons:

During the year, the prices of mountain bikes can fluctuate quite a bit. Spring through summer is the main buying season. If you can wait until the right price pops up, normally in the fall and winter, you can save a couple hundred dollars.


Many bike shops will also offer discounts or other accessories if you buy from them. Finding a good dealer: Finding a good bike dealer is more important than finding the best price. You should always find a dealer that cares more about selling you a great bike than selling you a high priced one. A great dealer will have a clean repair shop and give you the impression that you can really trust them.


Test ride:

You should test ride as many bikes as you can within your price range and riding style. You’ll find that some bikes will feel right, while others won’t. The more bikes you can test drive, you better you’ll understand what works and what doesn’t.


Doing the research: Product reviews and bike reviews are some of the best ways to find out about a mountain bikes reliability and overall performance. You should always look at what other owners and reviews think about a bike before you make that final purchase.

Visit the authors site at: http://www.hobspo.com to discover lots of hobby and sporting information. Take a look at the articles and feeds currently available from: http://www.hobspo.com/sitemaps.xml

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What Kind Of Fork Should I Buy For My Mountain Bike?

I have a 2004 stumpjumper and the rear suspension is 4 in. or 100 mm I need to get a new fork and a lot are either 120 mm or 140 mm or adjustable length. Would it be weird to have more suspension up front then in the rear.
What fork would you recommend if price wasn’t an issue.

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FORK 26 MTB UNI HITEN 250xTDLSx28.6×30.0BK


Product Description
FORK 26 MTB UNI HITEN 250xTDLSx28.6×30.0BK
FORK 26 MTB UNI HITEN 250xTDLSx28.6×30.0BK
$36.99

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Mountain bike BMX stem for 1 1/8 fork 31.8 bar 360-003
US $20.99
End Date: Tuesday Sep-29-2009 1:14:09 PDT
Buy It Now for only: US $20.99
Buy it now | Add to watch list

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I have a Cannondale Jekyll 800. I currently have a Headshox Lefty DLR Ti fork. Unfortunately it needs servicing. I have been wanting to get a new fork for a while as I have moved away from XC a bit, and more towards free-ride. I thought that if I have to pay for a service, I may as well buy a new set.
They need to be reasonably cheap as I am also trying to raise £4000 for a trip (I’m only 15) and I would prefer if they had a steerer tube diameter of 1.5 inches, as buying a headtube shrinker would be a hassle. However I’m not THAT fussy. I would like them to have about 150-160mm of plush travel, more isn’t a problem but less may be a bit hazy.
Any eBay links would also be very welcome.
Many Thanks.

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Product Description
Rigid MTB front-fork with carbon legs and alloy crown & steerer. Colour: carbon.
PRO Rigid Carbon Mountain Bicycle Fork For Post Mount Disc Brake – PR101063
$299.99

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Mountain Biking in Kerala

Mountain Biking is a sport of endurance, skills and self-reliance. From a back yard to a gravel road, from country sides to mountain slopes, fire roads to the thrills of biking down narrow tracks through forests, mountains, deserts ? mountain biking offers incomparable thrills and fun.

There are aspects of mountain biking that are more similar to trail running than regular bicycling. Because riders are often far from civilization, there is a strong ethic of self-reliance in the sport. Riders learn to repair their broken bikes or flat tires to avoid being stranded miles from help. This reliance on survival skills accounts for the group dynamics of the sport. Club rides and other forms of group rides are common, especially on longer treks.

Mountain Biking entails the sport of riding bicycles off-road, often over rough terrain, whether riding specially equipped mountain bikes or hybrid road bikes. Most mountain bikes share similar characteristics that underscore durability and performance in rough terrain: wide, knobby tires, large, round frame tubing, front fork or dual suspension .The durability factor means a far heavier bicycle weight to rider ratio than their road touring cousins.

Mountain Biking in Kerala

Mountain Biking in Kerala works as a pretty good adventure experience for those who love to explore the unbeaten tracks and not so frequently visited paths. Mountain biking amongst the majestic backdrop of the great mountains of Kerala is an unforgettable and thrilling experience. The opportunity of mountain biking in Kerala is from the Munnar, Thenmala and many other places. The training of mountain biking adventurous sport is available.

Those travellers who want to travel differently for them the mountain biking at Kerala is undoubtedly one of the safest and the most enchanting ways to tour Kerala. It has its own advantages; you don’t have to be an avid mountain biker to go for biking in different places of Kerala. More than just the excitement of biking you can be delighted by the beautiful whistle of a hill myna or by the amicable smile of a villager.

Each ride is a display of personal expression. There is the gonzo daredevil who rides for the adrenaline rush of speed and danger. Then there is the more careful rider who takes time to enjoy the scenery. Mountain biking in India is famous at Kerala.

Mountain biking in Kerala is a sensory experience like none other. You must concentrate on the intricacies of the terrain. Your hearing becomes fine-tuned to approaching streams, animals or rock slides. As you adjust your speed, you pick up the scent of a cluster of pine trees or a field of grass. In fact, you may even taste honeysuckle carried by the wind. Kerala adventure mountain biking is popular.

Every bike riders riding kit will have all equipment, to enjoy a safe and fun ride. Only keep those things that you are going to use in your riding expedition. Among the essentials that you will require in your mountain bike trip is a first aid box and a basic bike repairs.

Must have items for short riding trips include wrenches for all the nuts and bolts on the bike, tire levers, pump, patch kit/tubes, chain tool, crescent wrench, zip ties, duct tape and a small first aid kit. For long rides also add up things such as cables, brake pads, food, water, a bigger first aid kit, crank remover, spare spokes, casette remover, and extra clothing. To carry these items, you can use a jersey pockets or bike bags.

Dev Sri invites you to try adventure tours of Kerala. With Adventure Kerala, you will enjoy adventure sports like mountaineering, rapelling, rock climbing, river crossing, and a whole lot of adventure activities.

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