Mountain Biking for Dummies

Mountain Biking for Dummies 

Mountain biking is one of the most fascinating  yet challenging sports that can be. In contrast to any other cyclist a mountain biker gets to explore the unexplored while doing an intense cardio workout. Mountain biking is a sport people can do for fun as well as for competition; alone or with company; and even when the weather is not the best you can't stop having fun. Furthermore, there are several things that have to be consider before entering this amazing sport, such as choosing an appropiate bike and learning how to master it.

• Choosing the right bike 

1. Budget: The price of a decent mountain bike can vary from $600 to $10,000, so if money is not an issue there is a wide variety of bikes to choose from. However, if you really don't want to spend a ton of money on a bike I would recommend getting an used one from places like craigslist, offer up, etc. Here you can find a decent bike for about $600 to $1,500. On the other hand, if you want to go for a new one there can also be various specials for bikes going around $1,200 to $2,000. In addition, when shopping for a bike is important that you know the right frame size that you need, so I will leave this link with a helpful chart.        
2. Anatomy of a MTB: Most affordable bikes are built out of aluminum, while  more expensive ones are build using carbon fiber. Aluminum is a strong yet light and inexpensive material, while carbon fiber is stronger and much lighter but more expensive. For a beginner in mountain biking I recommend aluminum bikes, or if you are trying to keep the bike for professional competitions then carbon fiber is the ideal choice . Some other elements that rise the price, quality and performance of a bike are its components; such as brakes, handlebar,
   
   
   
   seat, rear and front derailleurs, etc.  Some of the most recognized brands of bikes components are Shimano and Sram. You can click the link to get more details about these components.                              
3. Type of Mountain bikes: Mountain biking is divided into various categories such as cross-country, trail, downhill, etc. The main difference between them is the condition of the terrain where the bike is going to be ridden. For example, a cross-country and a trail bike can be used for almost any type of terrain including large plane trails, hill climbing or even downhill up to some degree. Downhill bikes are more robust bikes made for rougher terrains, these bikes have longer suspension travel so they can maneuver better while going fast and absorbing big bumps. Characteristics of the different types of mountain bikes are very broad for a simple explanation,  you can click the following link for a more detailed explanation of each type.
   
4. Google it!!!

Always google any questions you have about a bike!!! When looking at either new or used bikes its always a good idea to research people's experiences with that specific model, as well as the current market value of the bike. Mountain bike's forums are also a very helpful tool where you can chat with people and ask for advice or share any experiences.

• Mastering the bike and yourself

1. Training: No matter what sport you choose to practice, the trick for excellence is always practice and perseverance. My advise for every beginner, knowing that training time can be limited, is; go out on a ride by yourself or with a friend at least once a week and find the motivation needed to ride a few more miles each time. In addition, find a group of people who goes out on fun rides every Saturday or Sunday; these people are always very friendly and will be happy to accept a new enthusiast into their group. Fun rides sometimes turn into competitions, which will help you find motivation to better yourself. If its not possible to go out on a ride for training you can train 30 to 60 minutes on a stationary bike at home or at the gym, it will help a lot!!!
   
2. Safety and comfort: Always wear a helmet, every now and then you will get carried away by adrenaline while going fast on a trail, so don't let a rock in the middle of the way hurt you bad enough to quit the sport. One of the most important things of a mountain bike that most people take for granted is the seat, after a few hours of riding through rocky trails the ride itself can get pretty rough in you legs and glutes, so make sure you invest in a good seat. A good seat marks the difference between a poor ride and an extraordinary ride.
   
3. Tips: A well maintained mountain bike will always give you the most fun while riding, so make sure to lube the chain before and during every ride, make sure the tires and the suspension are at their specified air pressure, clean the components after each ride, etc. This video explains some essential maintenance tips. In addition, experience is something that can only be obtained by practice, so once you have gained enough experience and knowledge about bikes you will be able to upgrade your gear and bike. Lastly but not less important, many people wear clips that attach to the bike pedals; I would recommend not wearing them until you are confident enough about yourself an about your bike, unless you want fall off your bike when you are not even on it yet.
   

Sources:

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xglmDRfXDSk
• https://www.freethepowder.com/pages/mountain-bikes-what-are-the-different-types
• http://www.mtbtreks.com/beginners-guide-to-mountain-bike-groupsets/
• http://www.radians.com.ar/blog/?p=375
• http://www.rbinc-sports.com/bike-sizing