As technology advances mountain bike gears have become much more intricate and complex. There can be up to 27 gear ratios in an average mountain bike today, it is not uncommon to see a bike with 9 gears in the back and 3 sprockets of varying size up front as part of the gear ration production.

Why are all of these gears necessary? Generally it’s because these gears all work together to allow the ride to keep their pace no matter what the terrain they are riding over. To simplify his explanation think of the bike as having only one gear. Every time you rotate the pedals the rear wheel will also rotate one full turn, this is a 1:1 gear ratio.

If your back wheel is, say, 26 inches then pedaling one full turn means the wheel has rotated 81.6 inches. If you are doing about 50 RPM that means you’ll be moving 340 feet per minute, which amounts to 3.8 MPH which is, incidentally, about walking speed. This speed may be ideal for going up a steep hill but it’s definitely not what you want on flat ground or traveling downhill.

In order to make a bike move faster you need different ratios, so say that you want to go up to 25 MPH downhill with 50 RPMs, you’d need a gear ration of 5.6:1. With ample gears built into the bike you’d be able to achieve this ratio and continue pedaling at a consistent rate no matter what terrain you’re traveling on your what speed you’re traveling at.

When a mountain bike has 27 gears in its design it typically has 6 gears placed so close to one another that you can’t tell the difference between them when you go to change gears.

Most mountain bikers usually prefer a gear system containing a front socket that works for the terrain or slope they intend to ride on and then stick with this choice for everything else as well, even though it may be difficult to shift gears in this situation. It is their personal decision, of course, but it can be easier to shift between gears when the socket is in the rear, as opposed to the front.

While pedaling a bike uphill you’ll find it much easier to choose a small sprocket on the front and then shift gears using the 9 gears in the rear. With more speeds set into the rear sprocket you’ll be able to ride more efficiently.

Gears are necessary for mountain biking so that you can maintain your speed. Without the gears you’d have a hard time not only building your speed but even rotating your pedals as fast as you can wouldn’t net you any extra control. Gears help you build speed when you move the pedals and then maintain that speed as you ride.

photo credit: richardmasoner

Road Bike Safety Tips

When you are out on a bike, or your children are riding their bikes, it is important to follow these tips for safety. Every year people are involved in automobile accidents, and there are almost as many people who are involved in bike accidents. Bike accidents are particularly dangerous because the cyclist does not have the protection of a car’s frame, he or she is completely exposed to danger. Protective gear such as helmets serve to protect the head, but it is still best to prevent an accident from happening in the first place.

Every person who enjoys riding a bike should know how to prevent accidents as they are riding. The top cause of accidents is simple negligence and not paying attention to a person’s surroundings.  However, even the most careful rider may occasionally find themselves in an accident, but that would be a rare occasion. There are general safety rules for cycling that can help to keep you safe.

Safety Tips

Bikes should always follow the flow of traffic and ride on the right side of the road. Sunglasses can prevent sun glare from temporarily blinding you. It is also important to take the time to learn the traffic laws for your area so that you can follow them, also helping to prevent accidents.

Anytime you will be on a busy street, it is important to know the local laws and to follow them diligently. Riding with the flow of traffic will ease your navigation through traffic and keep you safer as you enjoy your bike ride.

It is also a good idea to maintain a three foot gap between the curb and your bicycle when riding on roadways. You need to also keep that same gap between yourself and any cars on the road so that you will not have to swerve at the last minute, or be at risk from being hit by a car door opening in your path.

When riding at night it is imperative to equip both ends of your bike with lighting, be sure that you have a head light and a tail light. It is also necessary to wear brightly colored, reflective clothing when riding at night along with a back light, and it’s also important to know that some states require this by law.

Night cycling can be fun and very interesting, but it is important to follow all necessary precautions to prevent accidents. If you still find yourself the victim it is a good idea to consult with an attorney.

photo credit: Let Ideas Compete

Mountain Bike Frames – Some Information

Are  you are looking for the optimum equipment to maximize the thrill and enjoyment of your off-road cycling experience? A bicycle’s frame is its most critical part, so, as even newcomers to the sport know, you want the best quality frame you can afford. The best mountain bike frames offer both back and front suspension.

These full suspension frames have dependable suspension at the rear of the bike that is structurally integrated, and it also has suspension in the front fork that most mountain bikes offer as a standard feature. You can take your off-road cycling to new limits if you have a frame with full suspension. You can take your downhill descents at greater speeds, because the suspension absorbs the jolts from bumps and ruts, giving you more control and bike handling capability.

There are, however, some higher costs associated with purchasing a bike that has a full suspension frame. You can address this problem in one of several ways. One way is to pass on the full suspension, as people new to the sport will be too inexperienced to ride very fast and come out of it unscathed. Experienced mountain bike enthusiasts who love the sport and the adrenaline high that goes with it can purchase full suspension bikes that are constructed from more affordable materials. Mountain bike frames that are composed of aluminum and steel are more reasonably priced, but steel frames are very heavy. Durability and the tendency to rust are a couple of the disadvantages encountered with these frames, but with the appropriate care and a little maintenance, rusting can be avoided.

If you want one of the full suspension mountain bikes that are at the top of the line, you can save money by looking for them during the fall and winter months, which are during cycling’s off season. You can obtain bike frames that are constructed from titanium or carbon fiber at bargain prices. Before you purchase a bike, be certain that the frame fits your personal requirements and preferences.

photo credit: richardmasoner

Understanding Mountain Bike Brakes

Understanding the particulars of mountain bike parts is part of being a responsible owner. Nevertheless, many recreational bikers know very little about maintaining their bikes. Knowledge of brakes is fundamental to the most common repair you will make when you own a mountain bike; replacing a blown tire.

Any biker who knows anything understands the need to pack a couple spare tubes when they are on the road. This is because blowing a tire does not indicate failure on the part of the rider, or the equipment. Those who mountain bike will eventually experience a flat tire. That’s the reason that spare tubes are commonly included in a biker’s pack. Unfortunately, in order to change a flat tire, you must be able to remove it which will require tampering with your bike’s brakes. Caliper brakes are more common, but the use of disc brakes has gained some popularity recently for their ease of use, durability and superior stopping power. Many features come down to personal choice, but bike enthusiasts tend to appreciate the added control that disc brakes give a high end mountain bike.

Caliper brakes function by clamping down on the outer rim of the wheel from just under the tread bead where the tread meets the rim. They are attached an eight of an inch or less from the surface of the rim which, being narrower than the tire tread; means that in if you want to remove the tire you must first unlatch the brakes. Generally, caliper brakes sport a simple cord attachment between the bottom of the front shock and the top of the tire tread. This allows you to release the brakes without having to adjust the post in back of the calipers.

Making adjustments to the calipers require other mountain bike parts and tools like a wrench. The posts are usually held securely by a simple clamp which is tightened or loosened with a nut. Disc brakes are located at the center of the bicycle wheel and have better stopping power. They are situated away from the edge of the wheel that is in contact with the ground, and perform better when conditions are wet. Generally, they will last longer than caliper brakes, but they can take more effort to disengage.
photo credit: richardmasoner

Mountain Bike Maintenance – Some Tips