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I Love Bicycling is a website that is geared towards cycling for beginners with road cycling tips, training articles, nutrition tips, weight loss, how to’s and bike repair articles.

The 6 Types of Mountain Bikes & How to Choose the Best One for You

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Whether you’re an experienced trail enthusiast or a beginner looking to get started, choosing the right mountain bike is crucial. There are various types of mountain bikes, each designed to excel in specific terrains and riding styles. In this article, we’ll delve into the diverse world of mountain bikes, and help you make an informed decision about which one will best suit your needs.

(Credit: Adobe Stock)

What Makes A Mountain Bike Different?

Mountain bikes stand out in the world of cycling due to their unique design and purpose-built features, which distinguish them from other types of bikes. One key factor that sets mountain bikes apart is their robust and durable construction. These bikes are engineered to withstand the rugged and often unforgiving terrains encountered on off-road trails. 

Unlike road or city bikes, mountain bikes feature reinforced frames, heavy-duty components, and rugged tires that can handle rocky, muddy, or root-laden paths. This durability not only contributes to the bike’s longevity, but also promotes rider safety when navigating more technical and challenging landscapes.

Another defining characteristic of mountain bikes is their specialized suspension systems. Most mountain bikes are equipped with suspension forks in the front and, in some cases, rear suspension as well. These suspension systems absorb shock and impacts from uneven terrain, providing riders with greater control, comfort, and traction. 

Mountain bikes are purpose-built machines designed to conquer the diverse and demanding landscapes of off-road trails. They’re the preferred choice for adventurous cyclists seeking a thrilling and challenging riding experience. With that in mind, there are many types of mountain bikes available on the market today. Let’s take a look at which one might be right for you.

(Credit: Adobe Stock)

Types of Mountain Bikes

Cross-Country (XC) Bikes

Cross-country mountain bikes are designed for efficiency and speed on less technical terrain. They are characterized by their lightweight frames, narrow tires, and minimal suspension. XC bikes are perfect for long-distance rides, endurance races, and climbing steep hills. Riders who enjoy smooth trails and covering long distances at a fast pace often opt for cross-country bikes.

Best Accessory: Maxxis Tubeless Folding MTB Tire

Tubeless tires reduce the risk of flats and allow you to run lower tire pressures for better traction.

Trail Bikes

Trail bikes are one of the most versatile categories of mountain bikes. They strike a balance between climbing efficiency and descent capabilities. These bikes typically feature suspension travel ranging from 120mm to 150mm and are ideal for tackling a wide range of trails, from mild to moderately technical. Trail bikes are excellent if you’re looking for a well-rounded bike.

Best Accessory: Cascade Dropper Post

A dropper seatpost allows you to quickly lower your saddle’s height with the push of a button for smoother descents and improved maneuverability.

All-Mountain/Enduro Bikes

All-mountain (also known as enduro) bikes are designed for aggressive downhill riding while still offering efficient pedaling capabilities for climbing. Heavier suspension allows these bikes to handle rough, technical descents with ease. They often come with features like dropper posts and wider tires to provide stability and control on challenging terrain.

Best Accessory: Demon Podium Full Face Bike Helmet

A full-face helmet provides maximum protection for your head, face, and chin. It’s crucial for safety when riding aggressive trails.

Downhill Bikes

Downhill mountain bikes are built for one purpose: descending steep and technical trails at high speeds. These bikes have long-travel suspension (usually 200mm or more), robust frames, and massive brakes to provide maximum stability and control during descents. Due to their specialized nature, downhill bikes are not as suitable for riders with more versatile needs.

Best Accessory: Gute MTB Racing Full Body Armor

Comprehensive body armor should be combined with a full face helmet, gloves, and pads. It helps provide protection against high speed impacts and crashes.

Fat Bikes

Fat bikes are designed to conquer snow, sand, mud, and other more difficult terrains. They are recognized for their oversized tires (around 4+ inches) which provide exceptional traction and floatation. Fat bikes have minimal suspension and are often used for exploration and adventure riding as opposed to high performance jumping and climbing.

Best Accessory: MOHEGIA Studded Fat Tire Replacement

Studded fat bike tires are indispensable. They enhance grip on slippery surfaces, helping individuals to ride confidently in harsh and challenging conditions.

Electric Mountain Bikes (e-MTBs)

Electric mountain bikes, or e-MTBs, are gaining popularity due to their pedal-assist electric motors. These bikes come in various styles, including cross-country, trail, and enduro. E-MTBs provide an extra boost to the rider’s pedaling efforts, making it easier to conquer steep climbs and explore more terrain without as much physical exertion.

Best Accessory: QWW Electric Bike Lithium Ion Battery

Having a spare battery allows you to extend your ride without worrying about running out of power, and can be the difference when you get stuck in a sticky situation.

Become a Better Mountain Biker With Dynamic Cyclist

Now that you have a better idea of the equipment you need, let’s work on the most important piece of equipment you already have – your body! Dynamic Cyclist is our online training platform designed to help you ride pain-free and to the best of your abilities. Join thousands of cyclists worldwide by clicking here and starting a 7-day free trial!

How To Lubricate Your Mountain Bike (A Step By Step Guide)

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Mountain biking is an exciting and challenging outdoor activity that combines fitness, adventure, and nature in one. It’s a sport that requires a high level of skill, endurance, and physical strength, and is enjoyed by millions of people around the world. Whether you’re riding through challenging terrain, crossing streams, or soaring down steep descents, mountain biking is a sport that offers a unique and exciting experience.

However, with all the demands of the sport, it’s essential to maintain your mountain bike properly to ensure it lasts a long time and performs at its best. One of the most critical aspects of mountain bike maintenance is lubrication. By keeping your bike well-lubricated, you can reduce friction, prevent wear and tear, and ensure that all the components work properly.

Today we’re going to guide you through the steps on how to lubricate your mountain bike, including the benefits of lubrication and the difference between grease and lube. Whether you’re a seasoned mountain biker or just starting out, this article will help you keep your bike in top condition.

how to lubricate your mountain bike

Esther Pueyo/Adobe Stock

Lube Vs. Grease: Which is Better?

When it comes to lubricating your mountain bike, there are two main options: lube and grease. Both have their own benefits and disadvantages, and choosing the right one can be confusing.

Lube is a thin liquid that is applied to the bike’s components to reduce friction and prevent wear. It is specifically designed for bikes and is formulated to withstand the demands of cycling. Lube is easy to apply and spreads evenly over the surface, making it ideal for lubricating chains and other moving parts.

Grease, on the other hand, is a thicker substance that is designed to provide a long-lasting barrier between metal surfaces. It can be used for lubricating pivot points and other high-stress areas where erosion between heavy parts is likely to occur. Grease is also resistant to water, making it a good option for lubricating in wet conditions.

Both lube and grease have their own unique benefits, and are useful in different situations. By understanding the differences between the two, you can choose the best option for your mountain bike to help create an effortless and hassle-free riding experience.

Parts of a mountain bike (how to lubricate your mountain bike)

Parts of a mountain bike. Credit: www.schoolworkerhelper.net

Reference the above diagram as we now delve into the steps required to make sure your mountain bike stays lubricated, increasing the chances that it will perform at a high level for years to come!

1. Preparing the Bike for Lubrication: Cleaning

Before lubricating, it’s essential to clean the bike to remove any dirt, grime, or debris that may have accumulated on its parts. Use a degreaser to clean the chain, derailleurs, and cassette. A simple mixture of warm water and dish soap will do the trick for the rest of the bike. Make sure to dry the components thoroughly before moving on to the next step (water and lubricant don’t mix!).

2. Lubricating the Critical Component: The Chain

The chain is the most integral component to lubricate on your mountain bike. Apply a few drops of bike-specific lubricant to each link and work the chain back and forth to spread it evenly. Wipe off any excess lubricant to prevent attracting dirt and grime.

3. Smooth Shifting and Pedaling: Derailleurs and Cassette

The derailleurs and cassette can also benefit from a drop or two of lubricant. Apply the lubricant to the moving parts and pivot points, being careful not to get any lubricant on the brake rotors or rubber components where traction is necessary.

4. Reducing Friction at Pivot Points

Pivot points, such as the suspension pivots, can benefit from lubricant as well. These points see a lot of movement, so it’s essential to keep them transitioning smoothly to reduce friction and prolong the life of your bike.

5. Ensuring Optimal Operation: Lubricating Dry Spots

Check the rest of your bike for any dry spots that may need lubrication, such as the brake and shifter cables. Adding lubricant to these areas can contribute to the efficient and long-lasting use of your bicycle. 


Tim Foster/Unsplash

It’s recommended to lubricate your mountain bike every few rides, or at least once every three months, depending on the frequency and intensity of your use. In wet and muddy conditions, it’s a good idea to lubricate after each ride to prevent corrosion.

Lubricating your mountain bike is a simple and effective way to prolong its lifespan and get the most out of its performance capabilities. As part of a regular maintenance schedule, you can mitigate costly part repairs and service fees, and focus more on the sport you’ve invested in and grown to love.

What Is a Hybrid Bike? (A Beginners Guide)

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You may be a road cyclist, mountain biker, non-participant or somebody just getting into the sport of cycling. But whoever you are, it’s not at all uncommon to have posed the question upon visiting your local sporting goods store, “What is a hybrid bike?”

You may have had the experience of being one of those poor souls entering into a bike shop for the first time. It is then that you were encountered by an enthusiastic young salesman asking what kind of rig you might be in the market for.

Road? 

Mountain? 

Commuter? 

Touring? 

City? 

Hybrid? 

It can be a bit overwhelming…

Hearing the word hybrid no doubt implies the combination of some such things…all of which you know absolutely nothing about!

Well, we’ve today endeavoured to mitigate this experience to the best of our ability, by teaching you a little bit about what this style of bicycle entails, its uses, and who it might be best suited for out there in the vast landscape of buying possibilities. We hope that by the end you’re able to approach the matter in a way that makes you a little more comfortable, especially for those out there getting into cycling for the first time.

Sales associate helps a woman pick out a bike at a bike shop.

torwaiphoto/Adobe Stock

What Does “Hybrid Bike” Mean?

Hybrids are basically a blend of the two major cycling disciplines, road biking and mountain biking. They are a composite that seeks to address some of the major components of both types of bike in one, so as to create a machine that is versatile enough to accommodate activity performed on the road and on the trails.

Some of these components include the following:

Handlebars –  Hybrids typically have flat handlebars, like those of a mountain bike, as opposed to dropped handlebars like you would see on a road bike. This contributes to a more upright riding position.

Tires – Modern hybrid bikes can be fitted with several sizes and types of tires that you’ll find on both road and mountain bikes. 26” used to be the standard, but it is now common to see 27.5” and 29” as well.

Suspension – Typically hybrid bikes are limited in suspension, and some don’t have any at all. It’s not uncommon though to see front suspension forks that offer some relief if you were to head out on some light-medium duty trails.

Gears – Some hybrid bikes have only one speed (and are aptly named “single speed bikes”). Others can have a wide range of gears, which is something you’ll want to pay attention to. Less gears means less variability in intensity, which for a beginner rider can be overwhelming.

The term hybrid bikes can mean a lot of things. In general, yes, it means the combination of a road and mountain bike in one. But depending on the brand, style, etc. that hybrid bike could lean more towards a road bike or more towards a mountain bike. Let’s look at the pros and cons of this bike category to better determine if it’s going to be the right choice for you.

Hybrid bike on a trail

MarekPhotoDesign/Adobe Stock

Pros of Hybrid Bikes

If you’re someone who is just getting into bike riding (or haven’t done it in a long time), a hybrid bike is a good way to start acclimatizing your body to the sport. The more specialized you get with a bike into a particular discipline, the more aggressive the positions you’re going to be in on the bike. Different parts of your body are going to be subject to more load and intensity, and it’s going to vary depending on the specialty of your machine. 

A hybrid bike keeps you in a more upright position, which lessens the load on your hands, wrists, shoulders and lower back. Your body needs time to adapt to spending time on the bicycle, and if you eventually decide to get into road cycling, for example, your body will appreciate the time it had to strengthen itself on a hybrid before dropping into a more loaded, aerodynamic position.

The cost of a hybrid bike is another excellent benefit, and is reflective of its more generalized nature. If you were looking for the tip of the spear in terms of performance, parts and quality…you wouldn’t be buying a hybrid bike. That’s not to say they aren’t well-built and dependable pieces of technology. But it is to say that they will only take you so far in any such direction…

…which takes us to the cons.

Cons of Hybrid Bikes

By far the biggest con of a hybrid bike is going to be its limited performance. If you start to become more serious about a particular type of biking, a hybrid bike is going to quickly fail you as soon as the demands exceed its capabilities. A hybrid bike rapidly becomes just a bad road or mountain bike as soon as you venture further into one discipline or the other.

If you want to become a competitive triathlete, you better be able to ride a road bike – fast – and maybe for hours on end. If you want to rip down gnarly mountain terrain – tackling tight turns, huge drops and acute changes in speed – you better be able to harness the unique feel and frame of a high-end mountain bike. A hybrid bike just won’t cut it either way.

This can also have a troubling psychological effect, particularly on people who are getting further and further into mountain biking (which is what hybrids are often marketed for). Not knowing the potential performance metrics of your bike can be catastrophic when trying out new terrain that is more difficult than you’re used to. These types of bikes have to be treated with caution, and the trails you’re on have to always be respected for their level of difficulty.

Is a Hybrid Bike Right for You?

Hybrid bikes are perfect for people who want to cycle recreationally and on different types of terrain. They’re great for commuting and weekend rides with the family. They allow you to get into the sport at perhaps a slightly lower price point, and at the same time experience all the diversity of the outdoors, which is a major part of what makes cycling so engaging and attractive to its participants.

They help your body mold to the bike without putting it into positions that can lead to injury. This helps prepare the body for more aggressive postures that might need to be sustained in things like road racing somewhere down the line. But being more upright and taking things slow is always a good approach. The hybrid bike allows for that.

As soon as you start to become more specialized, it’s time to start looking at more specialized bikes. Not only will a more specific rig be more functional, efficient and durable for the tasks it is designed to do – it will be safer and more dependable as well. 


vit/Adobe Stock

Become a Better Cyclist!

Dynamic Cyclist is a training platform for cyclists that offers interactive, follow-along videos and programming that addresses mobility, strength, injury prevention and more! No matter what type of bike you’re riding, it’s always good to make sure your body is in check, healthy and prepared for the demands you’re about to place on it. Sign up for a 7-day free trial HERE!

This Will Make You Faster On The Trails

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Mountain biking is that unique brand of our sport notoriously responsible for its abrasions, broken bones, banged up shoulders and the odd concussion from time to time. Strength training for mountain biking should prepare us for what can sometimes be a winding trail of hostility and potential danger. That doesn’t, however, mean it’s something we should avoid.

The chance to get into nature, explore new technical paths and take in the beautiful scenery are what biking outside is all about. Preparing our bodies to handle the sudden drops, body jolts, jagged turns and unorthodox terrain means we can enjoy ourselves with a built-in insurance policy that protects us from injury and improves our cycling performance as a whole.

Becoming a better, faster mountain biker is always going to be a dynamic, ever changing goal. There are so many areas we can pay attention to for a sport that shifts focus quickly depending on where we are and how we’re riding. We have some universal tips to help and a special routine excerpt from our Dynamic Cyclist training program at the bottom for you to try!

Build Your Confidence

Source: Simona

It’s one thing to preach this idea, it’s a whole other to actually go out and do it. Especially when you’re careening down a mountain at God knows what speed, with every tree and boulder just waiting to stop you dead in your tracks. Exposing yourself to those situations though is precisely the way you get better at mountain biking.

The mitigation of fear is a competitive mountain biker’s innate advantage compared to the amateur rider. They have dealt with almost every situation, and understand how to control the forces that are going to be applied to them. They know their bike and they know their body, so they’re free to let go of the brake and use it all to their advantage.

Riding on different terrain, paths and trails will help educate your mind and body to be more comfortable amidst all the chaos. High confidence has been shown to be one of the few differentiators in downhill mountain biking performance. Other factors included hand grip endurance and aerobic capacity which, if you lack, could be significant performance detractors…

Improve Hand Grip Endurance & Aerobic Capacity

Source: marchsirawit/Adobe Stock

Surprise! In case that last sentence wasn’t a clue. Imagine the feeling of losing your grip on the handlebars or gasping for air with nature’s every creation flying by you at lightning fast speeds. That doesn’t sound to us like optimal conditions for the intense concentration required under such circumstances. 

One of the best ways to get direct functional cross over from your mountain bike training to the trails is with the use of cables. As you can see above, the woman has her arms angled similarly to the position you’ll find yourself in on the bike. Cable machines can challenge the hands, forearms and shoulders to stabilize in a similar way to biking but with progressive loading.

For aerobic capacity, making sure to challenge yourself with lots of uphill riding is a surefire way to get your heart pumping. It’s important to remember too that your aerobic capacity and overall cardiovascular health are the first variables of fitness to decrease upon taking a break from physical activity. Quick to gain, quick to lose, so make sure you train it regularly!

Adjust Your Gaze

Source: yanik88/Adobe Stock

Where you look actually has a significant influence on your overall body position, and this plays an important part in getting the most out of your muscles on the bike. Our eyes have a stimulating effect on the muscles in whatever direction we look, which is built into our nervous systems to help anticipate movement in that direction

The pelvo-ocular response is a reflex that orients our pelvis and lower extremities based on where our eyes are looking. Because of the positions we find ourselves in while mountain biking, there can be a tendency to crane the neck upwards to keep our eyes level with the horizon. This is indeed necessary sometimes, but not all the time.

Tilting the chin too far up will cause our lower backs to arch as a result of this pelvo-ocular response, this in turn will stretch the core muscles and cause them to disengage, which is not something we want. It is instead better, when possible, to keep the spine and neck in a neutral position, retracting the chin and letting your gaze fall naturally in front of you for a tight, stable core.

Deadlift Position & Mountain Biking

An interesting parallel to the fitness world is deadlift positioning in the gym. It has been shown that retraction of the neck and chin into a straight, neutral position helps a person to engage the erector spinae (back) muscles and exterior obliques in their core when lifting. Transferring this activation to the bike would result in far superior force production and absorption.

Ready To Get Stronger On The Bike?

Dynamic Cyclist offers an all around training platform for cyclists of all disciplines worldwide. We have comprehensive strength training workouts, injury prevention sessions, mobility and warm up routines all available with the click of a button! 

Give it a try by following along today with our coach, Alisha. This is just one of the hundreds of videos from our library that is available for a low monthly subscription. Our goal is to make you a better, stronger cyclist who enjoys being on the bike and rides pain free. You can sign up here for a 7-day free trial and see what you think! 

Strength Training Considerations For Different Types Of Biking

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Whether you’re on the road, a velodrome or carving up mountain trails, your bike riding is going to be significantly improved with a proper strength and conditioning routine. Strength training for cycling is often overlooked because it takes you off the bike, but with a small shift in perspective we’d like to suggest it will actually pack more riding into your life over time.

Source: 24K-Production – Adobe Stock

Strength Demands of Different Rider Types

Depending on the type of bike riding you choose to participate in, the demands on your body will also change from style to style. While there’s certainly cross over amongst the three types we have categorized below, they all have distinct differences that are unique to that particular discipline.

 Mountain Biking

Source: yanik88 – Adobe Stock

Diverse terrain, varying depths, hard corners, jumps, rocks, roots and everything the outdoors has to offer are factors that every mountain biker must deal with. The movement is much more dynamic than road or track cycling, and in terms of force absorption this is most definitely the hardest type of biking on your body. 

It is well known that adult road cyclists are typically at a much higher risk for osteoporosis than other athletes. Some studies actually show their bone density to closely resemble (and in one case, even be lower than) sedentary control groups. This is not encouraging news for the cycling community.

Conversely, related research has made note of mountain biking being a possible cycling alternative that doesn’t so negatively affect a person’s bone density. Operation of a heavier bike, turbulent jolts and violent carving all translate to more load being put through your body. Strength training for mountain biking should prepare you to handle these types of forces.

Road Cycling

Source: ibravery – Adobe Stock

As mentioned above, road cyclists tend to have a lower bone mineral density compared to other athletes and even the general population. This is because the bike is supporting you while you’re riding, so even though your legs are pumping hard and your heart is beating fast, your bones are sitting there wondering what all the huff and puff is about.

Another factor to consider with road cycling is the prolonged, folded over postures you’ll often find yourself in. The hips have to work in a less than optimal range, the lower back is in a vulnerable position and the neck gets craned back (only some of the issues unfortunately). Low back problems, faulty breathing patterns and tight hips are often the result.

Strength training for cyclists should focus on correcting these postural and functional shortcomings. Introducing load through the body off the bike will help you become stronger on the bike. Not only that, a properly designed program will actually make riding more comfortable and lower your risk of injury despite the less than optimal positions you might find yourself in.

Track Cycling

Source: AboutLife – Adobe Stock

Track cycling is a unique discipline within the broader realm of our sport. There are many types of events and formats, but for the purpose of this article we want to focus on the particular differences in sprint cycling. These are races performed over short distances where maximum power and force production is required. 

Athletes who are successful in sprint cycling tend to have a higher composition of type II (fast twitch) muscle fibers. Individuals with more fast twitch fibers are capable of producing quicker movements and generating more strength in a shorter period of time (power). There is a direct correlation between muscle fiber composition and sprint cycling performance.

Different muscle fibers react to different training modalities. An explosive athlete like a sprint cyclist will likely be doing a lot of jumping and sprinting exercises. Training with heavy weights for low repetitions will also be common in order to teach their body to produce as much force as possible in as little time as possible. Long, leisurely rides will be for nothing more than recovery.

Lifting Weights For Cycling

Source: Flamingo Images – Adobe Stock

Incorporating weight lifting into your cycling training plan is a great way to make yourself stronger on the bike, balance your pedal stroke and most importantly reduce the risk of injury. The #1 goal of any athlete in the gym (unless you’re a powerlifter, olympic lifter or bodybuilder) is injury prevention, because nothing else matters if you can’t actually do your sport.

Determining how to train, what exercises to do, in what rep range and at what weight can all be tricky variables if you don’t have much experience in the gym. This is where the help of a one-on-one coach becomes valuable, as they’ll be able to provide you with the guidance necessary to ensure you’re not wasting your time doing something counterproductive. 

As we’ve already seen, the type of riding you’re doing is going to determine the bulk of your strength training routine. You might be wondering though, is there anything I can do for strength training outside the gym? Regardless of whether I’m a mountain biker, road or track cyclist? The answer is yes!

At Home Strength Training For Cyclists

Dynamic Cyclist is our fully immersive training platform that combines mobility, stretching, injury prevention and strength workouts all into one, easy to use interface. We’ve taken care of all the programming, technical work and coaching so that all you have to do is follow along!

To give you a taste of the world class instruction and workout quality we provide, we’ve included below one of our FULL BODY routines that is going to work you from head to toe. Everything at Dynamic Cyclist is designed to make you better on the bike, regardless of what discipline you most participate in.

Follow along with Alisha, Dynamic Cyclist’s certified coach!

The Best Gifts for Mountain Bikers

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It’s coming up to that time of year, and last minute gifts can be tough (cut to me wandering around a crowded mall like a lost puppy), so why not go with something that is both fun and useful? If you have a road cyclist on your list, check out our Top 10 Gifts for Cyclists, but for the mountain bikers, it may look a little different. Mountain bikers are hard on their gear, between beating it up on the trail, then scrubbing the dirt out of everything afterwards, which makes upgrades and replacements the perfect gift. Here’s some of the best gifts for mountain bikers.

10 Best Gifts for Mountain Bikers

Dynaplug Racer

Punctures are a part of the sport, so fixing them is a necessary evil. The Dynaplug Racer is the newest repair tool for tubeless bike tires. All you have to do is locate the hole, asses the size, and then use either the Megaplug end, or the standard plug for smaller punctures. It leaves behind a sticky rubber substance to give the sealant something to weld to. It’s quick, easy, and a great gift for any tubeless rider.

Park Tool IB-3 I-Beam Multi-Tool

The best thing short of a mobile mechanic, the Park Tool IB-3 has everything you need for most trailside emergencies. Eight hex wrenches, a T25 Torx driver, flat-blade screwdriver, chain tool compatible up to 12 speed, tire lever, box wrench and spoke wrenches.

Granite Rockband Carrier Strap

A lot of mountain bikers are ditching hydration packs in favor of water bottles and on-bike storage. The Granite Rockband Carrier Strap is pretty self explanatory, as it is a great alternative for those who want to have a multi-tool and spare tubes on hand, but don’t want to ride with a backpack.

Rylo 360 Video Camera

Rylo is a powerful little 360° camera that allows anybody to create stunning videos. This camera captures everything around you in 5.8K resolution with breakthrough stabilization- perfect for capturing some beautiful single track. When they’re done shooting, they can connect to the app and edit the video right there on their smartphone.

Race Face Aeffect Bike Pedal

The Race Face AEffect Pedals are strong, light and offer the best of both looks and performance. The chromyl axle and bottom loading hex traction pins can take a beating, making them perfect for trail and downhill riders alike.

Cycling Socks (Yes, socks)

Socks may seem like a lame gift, but the mountain biker on your list will be stoked! Check out some Swiftwick socks to keep their feet comfortable and dry no matter what the conditions.

Big Blue Book of Bicycle Repair

Save them some money with this great resource. The Big Blue Book of Bicycle Repair addresses the most advanced materials and technologies used in today’s bicycles. Each job is carefully explained in a way that makes sense to a novice mechanic. Each repair or maintenance project has easy to follow steps, complete with photographs, examples and helpful tips.

Custom stem cap

Bring some style to their bike with a custom stem cap. You could get something made just for them, or choose from one of the many fun ones available on Amazon.

100% Brisker Gloves

Perfect for those cooler days, the 100% Brisker Glove has an insulated top layer with a thin synthetic leather palm. This keeps the hands nice and warm, while not compromising grip and hand function while riding.

Osprey Raptor (Men’s) and Raven (Women’s) Hydration Packs

Made for rugged single track, Osprey hydration packs are known for their bio stretch harness and comfortable connection to the body. The design reduces liquid movement so you’re not sloshing your way down the trail. There’s plenty of room for snacks, tools, and a helmet carry system when you’re off your bike.

 

The Best Flat Mountain Bike Pedals

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If you’re a dedicated road cyclist branching out into some mountain biking, you may choose to go directly to clipless mountain bike pedals. Although there are plenty of advantages to riding with the clipless system, starting out on flat mountain bike pedals will help build your technical foundation. Riding on flat pedals keeps you from cheating, and will teach you to move your body and your bike efficiently. It may be frightening to take a break from obsessive wattage and tracking and instead work on some basic skills, but it’s worth it in the long run!

Flat Mountain Bike Pedals
It happens to the best of us.

The Balancing Act

When you’re first starting out, it’s common to balance by shifting your weight too far back. Although this is great to keep you from going over the handlebars, it can make it difficult to maneuver. Riding flat pedals encourages you to shift the weight by dropping your heels, keeping the bike steady and giving you a great platform to stand on.

While being clipped in can be great for forcing you to stay on your bike on technical trails, it can also be intimating when you’re first starting out. Flat pedals give you the peace of mind and confidence to tackle some tough trails knowing that you can easily drop a foot and aren’t at risk of the slow tip-over.

The Best Flat Mountain Bike Pedals

Spank Oozy Trail Platform Pedals

 

 

 

Price: $119

Extremely lightweight, the Spank Oozy Trail Platform Pedals have more than just great looks and a fun name. At just 12mm thin, they offer incredible ground clearance when pedaling in rough terrain. This exceptional thinness also improves stability and pedaling efficiency by bringing your foot almost flush with the pedal axle, drastically reducing dreaded “pedal flip.” Available in four colours, they all have the chamfered edges to keep the pedals from getting that trached look that most colored pedals get after a couple rides.  

 

Crank Brother’s 50/50

Price: $54

The CrankBrother 5050 their classic platform pedal for adventures of any type. Ten adjustable pins per side deliver a degree of grip and customization sure to keep your feet exactly where you want them. The medium-sized platform and thin profile that make them all-around performers, and the huge openings keep the mud-compacting to a minimum.

Race Face Aeffect Bike Pedal

Price: $100

The Race Face AEffect Pedals are strong, light and offer the best of both looks and performance. The chromyl axle and bottom loading hex traction pins can take a beating, making them perfect for trail and downhill riders alike.

Shimano PD-MX80 Saint Pedals

Price: $65

Developed and dedicated to downhill riding, the Shimano Saint MX80 have a unique shape and concave platform for better control and efficiency. The previous MX30s were popular for their durable, smooth rotating axle, and the MX80 carry this over with some added features. They are now slightly wider and lower, allowing for responsive levels of acceleration and deceleration.

Fyxation Gates Slim Platform Pedal

Price: $29

If you’re looking for an entry level flat pedal, then the Fyxation Gates Pedal is a great option. Designed as a BMX pedal, it is made of durable nylon and will work on the trails with ease. Thin bodied with loose ball bearings they can work great for casual mountain bikers and urban riders.

 

Why You Should Have A Single Speed Mountain Bike

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Single speed mountain bikes are everywhere – out on the trail, in single speed specific races and in your favorite bike shop. There is something very appealing about a single speed mountain bike, most likely the idea that it is a machine that can theoretically conquer everything yet is so simple. But just like any bike decision, there are tradeoffs. Those tradeoffs may be worth it to you.

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Simplicity

The drivetrain of a single speed mountain bike consists of a crank, one chainring, the chain and one cog. That is all; there are no derailleurs, multiple cogs or chainrings, cables or shifters. Skipping all of those parts saves weight and maintenance. The bike will be cheaper than a geared alternative, with perhaps a slightly more tricked out cockpit and wheel/tire setup.

While the bike is more simple, it takes a bit more forethought to pedal over obstacles that you could tackle with a geared bike. Gears make bikes faster and more efficient. And sometimes you will come to a section of trail that will be a pure leg-breaker, perhaps bordering on knee-breaker if you get bogged down enough in your single gear (a single gear, which on the same ride could be both radically undergeared and overgeared depending on terrain). The bottom line is that your riding style will change.

A single speed mountain bike should be quieter. As long as you tension the chain properly, there should not be any chain slap as you roll over rough terrain. There is no whirring of the chain through the derailleur pulleys or rubbing on the front derailleur. It could be a nicer nature experience, unless your deep breathing drowns everything else out. That is what you are out there for anyway, right?

When you are after simplicity and the challenge of human versus terrain, a single speed mountain bike can fit the bill. You will end up thinking more about tackling the terrain and less on the equipment.

Weight

By leaving off chainrings, shifters, cables and cogs you will save some weight. It may be easier to move the bike around maneuvering on a trail, but the thousand or so grams you leave behind are not significant in the overall rider/bike package. It would be easier to shave that weight from your body than to build an entirely new bike and you would come out more fit on the other side. Of course this depends on if you have the weight to lose or you are already at the razors edge for fitness and body composition.

Weather Conditions

Have you ever ridden in the snow or mud and had your cassette almost entirely block up? This will not happen on a single speed mountain bike. Because the chain is running on one chainring and one cog, it keeps anything from building up on the drivetrain, keeping you moving forward.

Cleanup after a ride is also easier. There are fewer moving parts to pick grime out of and then lubricate. When the drivetrain does wear out after riding in all of the slop, it is cheaper to replace. If you want to spend more time riding and less time working on your bike, a single speed mountain bike might be the ride for you.

The Terrain You’re Tackling

With only having one gear, most of the time you are going to be either over-geared or under-geared. This means you will spin out easily on fast trail or dirt roads or when the going gets steep, you simply have to get off and walk. Both are part of single speed mountain biking but the trails you choose will be more enjoyable if you have the right gear for it. Trails that are more flat and leave you at roughly the same speed are great for the single speed mountain bike. The flip side of this is trails that are up and down but the climbs aren’t so steep that you have to get off and walk. Your cadence is slower but you can still manage. And then coming down the descent on the other side, you’re not pedaling. Just freewheeling, ripping the descent.

Try a Single Speed Mountain Bike

Give single speed mountain biking a try. Borrow a friend’s bike or see if you local bike shop has one they can lend you. That will be the ultimate way to decide if a single speed mountain bike will be your next bike. If you have fun doing and like all of the aforementioned benefits, you will see one in your future.

Confessions of a MTB Dirtbag: SingleTrack 6 Review: Day 3 Cranbrook

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Part of being a MTB dirtbag is mooching off someone when you see a good thing come your way. I gave Bruno the night off and took a friend up on the offer to stay at their place. Pretty sweet spot if I do say so myself! The problem with Bruno I’ve discovered is that the back is simply 3 inches too short leading to ‘the dripping faucet’ effect. No matter how tired you are, the smallest thing(such as 3 inches short of leg room) can keep you painstakingly awake.

Cranbrook

The carnival that is SingleTrack 6 moved 100km down the road from Fernie to Cranbrook which offered a complete 180 from the previous days. The trail today was very dry(like the Okanagan desert) offering punchy climbs and slightly less elevation gain(thank god). Dry, loose, dusty, and rocky trails were on the menu, and 30 degree heat! (86F)

The race started in waves today and because of my bonkings, and broken chain I was relegated to the second group start(of five). This proved to be a blessing in disguise as the pace was redlined, but not puke in your mouth redlined. After the first fantastic decent I managed to grab the head of the pack and didn’t have to deal with any dust, which was a major factor today.

To be honest I thought today was going to be a weak link of the race. I imagined long hot climbs, with boring at best singletrack. This was not the case whatsoever. As lush and green as Fernie was…Cranbrook provided dry, hot dusty trails with great flow. The climbs were punchy and I was left with a shit-eating smile on my face throughout the race. There was a lot of single track today that made up 44km of riding.

Except for when I bonked the worst I ever have my whole life.

I didn’t know it was possible to ride the last 5km that slow. There were a good 5 punchy climbs within that 5 km and I had to walk most of them. I simply couldn’t pedal on my bike. I was absolutely knackered. Probably 25 people passed me. It was terrible! It was like being in a dream where you cant run away from something, but for me I couldn’t make it to the finish line. Terrible. I immediately drank 13 glasses of coke as soon as I got in the pit and flailed miserably into the shade of a nearby tree like a giant man-baby.

Whats with the timed decent?

doncherry

I need to have a Don Cherry moment here. The timed decent was not a decent at all. There was a lot of climbing within it. If you have a ‘timed decent’ there shouldn’t be any uphill; simple, ripping downhill.

Kimberly, British Columbia

We are now in the fantastic small ski town of Kimberly. I love this place. The main drag is pedestrians only, it has great restaurants…beer..cool shops. Its great! A lot of the architecture is modeled after German styles, so it feels like a small Europe. I am actually excited for tomorrow’s ride as the trails around here are fantastic. My legs are ruined and stiff, so whats another 3 days eh?

My roommate for the next few days.
My roommate for the next few days.

Confessions of a MTB Dirtbag: SingleTrack 6 Review: Fernie Day 2

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Of course the first person I see in Fernie I owe money to. Drew and I use to work together 10 years ago. I was in a pinch in Las Vegas one year and he loaned me $20, I hadnt seen him since!
Of course the first person I see in Fernie I owe money to. Drew and I use to work together 10 years ago. I was in a pinch in Las Vegas one year and he loaned me $20, I hadn’t seen him since!

I awoke this morning in the back of Bruno feeling the effects of yesterdays antics. Stiff shoulders, stiff legs, stiff back. Whether this is from yesterdays stage, or sleeping in the back of my car is debatable. Luckily I knew what the actual time was this morning. Bruno has developed a constant gas smell, which is little disconcerting considering it is my house this week. It can only make me stronger.

The Meal Plan

I opted to buy the meal plan offered with Singletrack 6. For around $300 they provide you with breakfast and dinner at the ungodly hour of 5:30-6:30 am and pm. Anyone who has raced an event with multiple days knows getting quality food consistently and quickly is a nightmare while trying to juggle 5 different things while also racing a bike! The meal plan is a no brainer in my opinion.

Meatloaf!
Meatloaf!

The food has been great, and there is a lot of it!  I eat better at this race than I do at home, that’s for sure. But then again, my cats eat better than I do.

Aint no Pain like Champain – Stage 2 of the SingleTrack 6

Today’s Fernie stage started at the local ski resort. Since my cut-in-line technique worked so well yesterday I opted to do the same today and managed to be in the top 1/3rd again. I find if I am friendly and look like I know what I am doing people don’t ask questions.

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The race exploded off the line leading into a 500m-gained double track climb. The pace wasn’t as spry as yesterday I felt, as I think there were some sore legs and egos from yesterday’s stage. I bled through my eyes trying to get my 30lb beer gut up the climbs today.

Today’s stage was much different from yesterdays. The course profile looked like shark’s teeth, and although most of the climbing was on a gravel road, there were 4-5 major ones followed by various types of descents.

Today’s stage featured the famous ‘Project 9’ decent which is legendary in these parts. There is even a beer named after it from Fernie Brewing Co!

project-9-pils-can-glass

Project 9 is a fantastic long decent with knarly fast sections that you would expect from a BC trail. The only words that come to mind are ‘flow’ and ‘chunky’.

Really the day was made up of going up, and then down many times. Compared to yesterday’s stage it was a little frustrating for this guy. It provided 1500m elevation gain, but other than project 9 I felt like we lost a lot of hard fought elevation without a ton of quality singletrack time. Lets be serious for a minute though, anything compared to yesterdays stage would be like going from a champagne room stripper, to Pornhub.

Around the 2 hour mark, I blew up! There was no gas in the tank and I was left climbing the final climb covered in my own spit and snot just trying to make it through the day. My idea of taking 1 bottle and hoping it would last for 2 hours failed me miserably. You live and you learn. You would think after 18 years of this shit I would have learned by now.

That being said, there are fantastic aid stations with everything from Coke, to Ultima electrolyte drink to watermelon and gels, but I’m too stubborn to stop. Of course it makes more sense to spend 5 minutes on the trail in the middle of no-where bonked out of your mind trying to find out where your hands are, then to take 30 seconds to fill a bottle and grab a free gel 20 minutes earlier…..hindsight is 20/20.

2016 Singletrack 6/Stage 2

As of now, while sitting in a bar with a ‘Project 9’ beer in hand, I feel pretty good. I hope this is a good sign of things to come tomorrow. It’s a good game plan to anticipate adapting into form 3rd day into an epic mountain bike race and pull out some strong legs right?

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