Mountain BikingTips from a few of our experts
Get In Line By: Cory Davies Try this tip next time you’re riding on the road Line yourself up with the white line - not to be confused with the yellow line, which would make this exercise a little dangerous! The goal is to stay on the white line as you ride. Try watching your front tire for 100 feet and then try looking ahead 30-50 feet down the line for 100 feet. Which keeps you on the line better?
Answer: Looking ahead makes it easier to keep your balance. Just like on the white line, focusing too close makes it harder to balance on the bike and causes you to weave side-to-side on a narrow track. When on single track trail, people tend to focus ahead 5 feet or less, while watching for rocks and roots. By simply looking further down the trail, you’ll have better balance and will keep a straighter line. You’ll still be able to see rocks and roots through your peripheral vision, so avoiding them will be easier because you’re balanced. This tip be applied to many things, including skiing/snowboarding, driving a car, walking and of course biking.
 A Clean Bike is a Happy Bike By: Mike Towers - Head Bike Mechanic, Blue Mountain Just like a car, bikes need general maintenance too. Components wear out, screws loosen and the drive train dries out. But you don't have to be a mechanic to learn the basics of bike maintenance. It just takes a few basic tools and some patience. Get rid of the grit Mountain bikes are designed to get wet and muddy, but aren't meant to stay that way. Dirt and grime creeps into bushings and bearings, causing them to wear out faster and not work as efficiently. New components are anything but cheap, but all you really need is a small brush. Many bike companied make brushes for getting in the nooks and crannies, but for half the price, a good hardware store sells similar brushes. Once the mud dries, attack all the points, applying extra elbow grease to places like the headset, fork, cassette, derailleurs and bottom bracket. First start with a light spray with the hose, to get rid of the large chucks of mud that have built up. Be careful not to use too much pressure and if aimed directly into seals and bearings, water from a hose can dry them out, removing the grease they need to function correctly. Second use you trusty brush to get into all the small areas on the bike. Then wipe the fork and all seals clean with a rag (even an old t-shirt or towel will do the trick) and make sure the entire bike is completely dry. Once in awhile, some Simple Green product is also a good way to keep things clean. Re-lube
Once the bike is clean it is now time to re-lube. The only part of the bicycle that requires lubrication after a cleaning is the chain. Go to you local bike shop and pick up a bottle of chain lube, but make sure you get the right one for the condition you ride in. Talk to an employee and ask if they can help you find the right kind for your bike. Many companies have lube designed for road riding, dry dusty condition, wet muddy condition and a self-cleaning, wax based product. Though you can technically use any lube, it is better to get the right one for your riding condition. For example, if you use a wet, thicker oil-based lube in dry and dusty condition, your chain will attract the dust and turn all black in a matter of minutes of riding. The dry lube is a thinner oil based lube that will not attract the dust and therefore keeping your chain clean. Stay away from WD40 - it is not a lubricant. When you are lubing the chain, place your bike upside down or lean it against a wall and spray the lube inside the chain while pedaling backwards. Using just enough for a light coating and wipe any excess off. Take these steps and your bike will be happy and ready to get muddy – ready to go through these steps all over again! |
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