Mountain Biking Tips/Advise

i did not see a specific thread on this, so i thought i would start one.



here is a tip that i had published in an issue of mountain bike action a couple years ago. (bragging )

"I have a way to keep your hydration pack bladder clean for years (mine is EDIT: 7 years old now).

I ride, sometimes with sports drinks, sometimes with water, but after each ride I rinse the bladder then roll it up and put it in the freezer. just make sure you get most of the water out of the valve.

A quick thaw for 5 minutes or so, then fill'er up and it's ready to go.

Never had any funky smell, taste, or growth in my pack...ever.

I still have the unopened cleaning kit I bought with the pack."

 

Thanks! Great Tip!

 

Avoid a down hill desent if there is sand at the bottom. Even if you turn left or right your gonna go straight.

 

Ain't that the damn truth.

Tip- For new mountain bikers if you buy a bike that has presta valves you need to screw loose the top tips before you add air.
(Felt like an idiot when I finally realized my tires had only 20 psi and not 50-60. Was riding on the road before I got a road bike and it felt like my expensive Gary Fisher weighed more than my step dads lead sled walmart bike)

 

I use a camelback for dirt biking and I always rinse it out, then dry the inside with paper towels. Then store it with a paper towel holding it open so it will dry. I like the freezer idea better though.

 

Thanks for the tip

 

Always try to cross wet roots at as close to a 90 degree angle as possible or your rear tire will make a quick slide off to the side, possibly dumping the poor unsuspecting rider unceremoniously onto the forest floor.

 

^been there done that

 

tire pressure makes a bigger difference than you may think.

find one that works best for a particular trail and note it for next time

 

40-45 psi for trails for me. I usually end the ride with 36 psi left if I am doing fire roads then I will do 50 psi or so.

Always check your brakes and oil the chain.

Finally, always wear a helmet!

 

if you can go tubeless, do it. its worth it (check to see if you wheels are tubeless compatible)

tubeless = lower pressure = better grip

 

Prepare for the conditions you're riding in: proper lens color if you've got interchangeable ones

bring a patch kit and multi tool

Take one of those powerbar (or other brand) gel shot things and bring one with you. They have the right amount of energy and other stuff to keep you going and won't fill you up (and they don't taste bad either

 

^^^^ x a million tubeless tires are the best things since sliced bread!

 

I remember reading that.
Dirt Rag?

 

Nice!!! I have given up on multiple Reservoirs because of the funk. I will have to try the freezer method. It makes sense..=]

 

Here a should be obvious one but seen it done incorrectly anyway.

Clean your chain with the proper cleaner and lube it properly with the proper lube. Somebody I know didn't do that correctly and did some major expensive damage in a very short period.

 

Mountain Bike Action

it was longer ago than i thought.
the email i sent was in '07

 

definitely,

for dry conditions, just use the "wax" types of lube (like white lightning)

for wet, you need to use one that "clings" to the gaps to keep the water out

 

a bad ass all around lube i found 10 yrs ago that they still make is Boeshield

http://www.boeshield.com/

i was using it before they had little more than a Boeing logo on the bottle

 

This may be common knowledge, but when I clean my chain I put it in an empty 2 liter bottle with degreaser. Reinstall the cap and shake. Rinse and repeat if necessary. Either fish out the chain or cut the bottle in half when done.