Can you name all the parts on a mountain bike?
Showing posts with label cycling. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cycling. Show all posts
Wednesday, April 27, 2016
Friday, March 18, 2016
Benefits of using Flat Pedals on Mountain Bikes
The Benefits of using flat pedals when riding your Mountain Bike By Ed Aguilar of Blue Sky Cycling
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| Wellgo B118 Pedals |
As a cyclist, you may have come across and even
cycled on different types of mountain bike pedals including the flat platform pedals,
quill pedals, clip less pedals and magnetic pedals. Flat pedals which are also known as platform pedals
are more traditional/old-fashioned pedals. They are usually made of rubber,
metal or plastic. Flat pedals are still in use on many mountain bikes today.
Although they are the older type, they still overshadow the other types of
pedals in that they are universal and can be used effectively and efficiently
on any bicycle, and for any kind of riding style and terrain. Flat pedals
enable you to have a lot of confidence when training hence you can dare a lot
of high-risk maneuvers. They provide you with feedback from the bike and allow
you to adjust accordingly. They allow a lot of control in emergencies hence
avoiding severe crashing. Flat pedals do not allow you to cheat when doing
jumps hence you can train in the correct manner.
More Confidence and Less Fear (just a little less)
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| Wellgo C091 Pedals by www.blueskycycling.com |
When riding on flat pedals, you can easily take your
feet off the pedals quickly. Therefore, riding on technical sections and
learning important skills such as track standing is much easier. It is very
common for cross-country cyclists to ride clipped in. However, the ability to
put your foot down at will gives you the confidence to try more technical
sections and new skills that you wouldn't have tried if you were clipped in.
The ease to go on and off your pedals enables you to make hill starts very
quickly and confidently. With flat pedals, you will experience less fear which
will allow you to stay in your comfort zone and relax. We ride much better when
fearless and relaxed since our muscles are less tensed.
More
Feedback
Flat pedals provide a lot of feedback from your
riding which translates into an easy way of checking your riding style and
technique. For example, when you are not attached to the pedals and you realize
that your feet are bouncing all over the pedals, you will definitely know that
you are riding stiff and relying too much on your suspension rather than using
your body. Therefore, you can take action and be more relaxed and correct your
technique and posture. This is very helpful especially when you are learning
new skills and techniques.
Crashing... OUCH...
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| Crank Brothers 5050 3 Pedals at Blue Sky Cycling |
There are situations when you can save yourself from
crashing when you are riding on flat pedals. For example, when you are riding
on flat pedals and you get out of control, you can quickly step out and bring
your bike back into control. Similarly,
crashes that happen when you are on flats are less severe compared to the ones
that happen when you are clipped in to your pedals. Yes, some quick release pedals allow you to escape quickly but even I have come close to falling by not being able to remove my feet from the pedals.
No Cheating
Flat pedals will not allow you to cheat when doing
tricks; especially those moves that involve lifting maneuvers such as the rear
wheel lift, bunny hops, and dirt jumps. This is most important when you want to
learn the skills with the correct techniques and posture. If you get used to
riding on clip-less, magnetic or the quill pedals, you may not realize how much
you cheat when doing even the simplest of jumps and maneuvers until you switch
back to flat pedals. In addition, pulling up when clipped in requires more
energy and can stiffen you up and throw you off balance.
Wellgo Pedal Review Video...
Riding on flat pedals is all about safety,
convenience, confidence, and less fear, getting more feedback from your riding,
avoiding crash accidents, and zero tolerance to cheating. If you use your
mountain bike for commuting or doing short rides around town and you get on and
off your bike very often, you will find flat pedals to be the most convenient.
With flat pedals, you can put on any type of shoes you want. Apart from just
convenience, you will gain a lot when you ride on flat pedals. You will have
more confidence and less fear which will allow you to push you practice to the
very extreme. You will get more feedback from the bike and be able to adjust
you riding posture, style and technique instantly. You will easily avoid
crashing accidents and if you do crash, you will have a lot of control on how
you land. And since flats will not allow you to cheat, you will be able to
learn new techniques in the correct way. It is important to keep in mind that
the attributes of flat pedals we have discussed above apply only to the
mountain bike and not the road bike or any other type of bicycle. You can get more information on the history and progression of the bike pedals which is pretty cool. Here's the link.. bike pedals wiki. Thank you for reading, hope you enjoyed our quick article on flat mountain bike pedals. If you have any questions or comments please feel free to contact us at the phone number below or leave us a comment. Thank you!
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| Wellgo B088 Bike Pedals |
Blue Sky Cycling |
| 2530 Randolph St. |
| Huntington Park, Ca 90255 |
| (323) 585-3934 |
| https://www.blueskycycling.com |
| info@blueskycycling.com |
Tuesday, January 26, 2016
Proper Mountain Bike Gear Shifting
Proper Mountain Bike Gear Shifting
How to properly shift gears when riding your mountain bike by Eddie Aguilar
On a recent mountain bike ride with the Blue Sky Cycling team I noticed several riders not shifting gears when needed. This led me to write a quick blog about the proper way to shift your gears when riding a mountain bike. The mechanism of a bicycle’s drive train that controls a
cyclist's cadence; that rate at which a cyclist turns the pedals, and that rate
at which the rear wheel turns is called bicycle gearing. A bicycle gearing system includes the whole
set of components involved in the gearing mechanism: The shifters, shifter
cables, the derailleur, the gears and the pedals. Most conventional bicycles
have only one gear, meaning that the gear is fixed. In this case, the cyclist
has no choice but to vary his/her cadence to match what the terrain offers or
the speed he or she wants to ride at. On the other hand, most contemporary
bicycles such as mountain bikes and speed road bikes have multiple gears hens a
variety of gear rations.
These gears are meant
to solve the problems of efficiency and comfort. The rider uses the shifting
system to select a desirable gear for most comfort and efficiency. For
instance, it is most comfortable and very efficient to ride on a low gear when
climbing and a middle gear when riding fairly flat and smooth trails. A
cyclist's pedaling speed and strength is limited to the power of their muscles.
Different cyclists of different stamina have different exhibit cadences.
Therefore the gearing mechanism is used to ride a bicycle beyond the limits of the
cyclist. A bicycle’s gearing mechanism uses the limited range in cadence of a
cyclist and gives it the highest efficiency if used properly.
Taking advantage of your mountain bike gears
Preparing Your Gear Shifting
You may be tempted to shift gears when riding on large
corrugation or rock gardens. These features are normally very rough and very
fast. You should prepare in advance and decide to shift to an appropriate gear just
before or after such features. If you dare shift while riding on these terrains,
your chain risks falling off as your bike roughly jumps and bounces. Eventually
you will lose momentum, concentration and in some cases you might be forced to
stop and correct the chain before you continue. If you intend to stop, it is not advisable to shift the gear
immediately before you stop. It is recommended that you pedal at least two
revolutions after you shift the gear before you stop. This will allow time for
the chain to transition completely. This also ensures that you get a smoother
quicker and more focused start after this.
If your intention is to stop, it is critical that you
quickly assess your terrain and shift to an appropriate gear in readiness for
the next takeoff. For example, if you are on an uphill terrain, it would not be
efficient at all to start on the highest gears. If you stop on a sandy flat
terrain, the best gear to make the next start is the low gears. Low gears will help you get out of sand quickly by adjusting your gear ratios.
Up Hill Gear Shifting
When you are about to begin an uphill ride, it is more
reasonable and efficient to begin shifting the front derailleur first. Then you
will have the advantage of slowly shifting lower and lower using the rear
gears. This will ensure that you keep your cadence steady through the whole
shifting process. When riding uphill you need to get focused on the track and
keep a steady cadence and shifting the rear gears first and the front last creates
a great uneven change hence confusing your cadence and focus. Pedaling hard during a gear shift only puts a lot of stress
on the chain and gears and makes it more difficult to shift. It is advisable to
keep the pedaling at a lesser force making it easy for the gears to engage
smoothly. If you are riding and
the chain keeps brushing against the front derailleur cage, it means that most
probably you are riding on a bad chain line.
Great Video on Gear Shifting...
An example of a bad chain line is
when you ride on the smallest gear in the front and the smallest gear at the
rear, or the largest gear in the front and the largest gear at the rear. This
forces the chain to run diagonally between the front and the rear gears. Apart
from inefficiency, a bad chain line can damage your bike by sagging or even
snapping your chain. To ride on a good chain line, make sure that the chain
does not cross excessively across the front and the rear gears. For example, if you have three gears at the
front and nine gears at the rear, make a habit of combining the three largest
gears in the rear with the smallest gear in the front, the three middle gears
at the rear with the middle gear in the front, and the three smallest gear at
the rear with the largest gear in the front. Thank you for reading and I hope this is helpful. As always please feel free to leave a comment with any questions.
Check out our website for all your mountain bike parts and accessories. We also carry road bike parts!
Blue Sky Cycling |
| 2530 Randolph St. |
| Huntington Park, Ca 90255 |
| (323) 585-3934 |
| https://www.blueskycycling.com |
| info@blueskycycling.com |
Friday, January 22, 2016
5 Advantages of Hydraulic Disk Brakes on Mountain Bikes
5 Advantages of Hydraulic Disk Brakes on Mountain
Hydraulic Disk Braking System Advantages for Mountain Bike Riders by Eddie Aguilar
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| Hydraulic Braking System for Mountain Bikes |
Disc brakes for mountain bikes have been used for years and have proven to have the upper hand over conventional pad braking systems. Today, disc brakes are used on mountain bikes, road
bikes, and hybrid bikes. They consist of
a metal disc which is attached to the wheel hub at the center of the wheel in
such a way that they become part of the wheel and rotates with the wheel. Disc
brakes function by squeezing the pads together causing the wheel to slow down
and eventually stop. Compared to the more traditional rim brakes, disc brakes
are quite superior. They produce a greater braking power while being rim
friendly and they are consistent in their power regardless of the weather
conditions. Not to mention, they can quickly and easily be
configured for different wheel types and sizes, and have an improved mechanical
functionality. Although they may be quite expensive, disc brakes are highly
effective, reliable, and durable. They are worth using especially in serious
mountain biking events like racing where you might need brakes to avoid a crash.
Strength,
Braking Power and Improved Modulation of Braking Power - Disk
brakes are made of metal rather than rubber making them stronger and more
durable than rim brakes. They are attached to the wheels, rather than being in
tandem with the wheels making them even stronger. The disc braking system
features an extended travel in the braking leverage system. This presents the
rider with a wide range modulation of braking power. It also uses less finger
pressure on the levers to produce powerful braking.
All
Weather and Multi Terrain Capabilities - Mountain bikes are
made to be used on all kinds of terrains and in all kinds of climatic
conditions. Disc brakes are fixed at the center of the wheel; closer to the hub
than the ground, therefore they are less affected by mud, water snow or ice.
You can ride them on slippery wet trails, muddy roads, snow and all kinds of
terrains. Water does not act as a lubricant to metal as much as it does do
rubber. Therefore, disc brakes; which are made of metal, are seldom affected
when it comes to contact with water hence, they maintain their excellent
efficiency and braking power regardless of the terrain and the weather
conditions.
Disc
Brakes are Rim Friendly - Since disc brakes are fixed at the
center of the wheels; as part of the wheels, they do not come into contact with
the rim at any moment or in any way. Therefore, the friction produced while
braking does not affect the rim in any way. Moreover, they do not pile up
particles and debris such as sand, sticks and twigs on the rim; which usually
scrape the rim, wearing it out and weakening it in the braking process.
No
tire overheating – When riding in an extremely hot weather, a
prolonged use of brakes in the traditional rim braking system overheats the
rim, weakening the rubber on the tires. This can cause the tires to burst or
wear out quickly. This is not the case with disc brakes. Disk brakes aren't
connected with the rim or the tires. So when excessive braking is done in hot
weather, it is the disc itself that gets heated. Since these discs have holes
drilled on them, they dissipate heat faster than a rim would do. The heat
dissipation mechanism of the disc brake also allows it to maintain its
efficiency and braking power.
Multiple
Wheel Configurations - off-road riding in different types of
climatic conditions and different types of terrains require different sets of
wheels. For example, icy roads require a totally different set of wheels from
muddy and sandy terrains in terms of the wheel size in thickness and grip patterns.
This will prompt you to keep changing or switching between wheels to suit the
terrains. With disc brakes, you do not
have to reconfigure your braking system to suit the new set of tires. Moreover,
changing between wheels is very quick and easy. All you need to do is to change
the wheels then reattach the disc brake back to its position and you are good
to go.
Shimano Ice Technology for Hydraulic Braking Systems
The disc brakes catapult the mountain bike riding into a
higher degree of mountain biking experience. With its strength, power, improved
modulation of braking power, and its ability to resist overheating, preserve
the rim, and be used in all weather and terrains, the disc brakes make the
mountain bike a more capable off-road bike. They are strong and durable since
they are made of metal. They get their extra power by taking advantage of their
position on the wheels. At the center of
the wheel, they are far away from impurities such as water, mud, snow and sand.
This makes them retain their braking power regardless of weather and terrain.
They do not come into contact with the rim, hence preserving the rim and
avoiding overheating. And when you need to change your tires to suit a new
terrain and weather condition, you simply mount your disc brake back on the
wheel and off you go. You can find more reading on disk brakes on www.bicycling.com If you have any questions on hydraulic braking systems for mountain bikes please leave a comment below or give us a call. Happy Trails!
Blue Sky Cycling |
| 2530 Randolph St. |
| Huntington Park, Ca 90255 |
| (323) 585-3934 |
| www.blueskycycling.com |
| info@blueskycycling.com |
Sunday, December 27, 2015
Hard Tail Mountain Bikes
Hard Tail Mountain Bikes
Scouting for a great hard tail mountain bike
Last week we had someone shopping for a hard tail mountain bike at our Huntington Park location. He had heard that they are for beginners so that's what he had in mind. Hard tails are not only for beginners which is why I decided to write this article. Many mountain bikers prefer the hard tailed mountain
bikes because of their simplicity. They are the perfect choice for beginner
mountain bikers. They are easy to handle on technical trails. They are also
easily maintained making them the best mountain bikes for learning. Some mountain bikers may despise the hard tail mountain bike for its simplicity. They go to more high
tech bikes with suspensions. Surprisingly, if the hard tail mountain bike falls into
the hands of an experienced mountain biker, you will realize its unmatched
qualities; its toughness, its agility, its pedaling efficiency, just mentioning
a few. No wonder most experienced mountain bike racers prefer the hard tail
mountain bike to other types of mountain bikes. The hard tail is the most versatile type of mountain
bike today. It serves even cyclists who have no interest in single-tracking and
off-roading such as urban cyclists. Whether you are an urban cyclist, a beginning
mountain biker or an expert mountain biker, the hard tail will suit your need
and style. So how do you choose a perfect hard tail for yourself?
When you are up to buying a hard tail mountain bike, it is worth
scouting around and make sure you get the right bike that suits your needs.
Your budget, your riding style, your physical features and your passion. Buying
the perfect bike for you is worth the time and hassle. It is also worth the
money spent because you do not want to worry about upgrading or reselling your
bike too soon.
The Shop Attendant
To begin with, it is a good idea to have an
extensive chat with your nearest bike shop attendant. They always know a lot
about what they are selling and can point you to the right direction. Sometimes
it may look like they are trying to fleece you; but in most cases, they are
guiding you away from a bad decision. It is also helpful to engage in an
extensive chat with an experienced mountain bike cyclist. The shop attendant
can get you in touch with one or two who can share their experiences in
mountain biking.
The Wheels on your mountain bike
Hardtails come with three different sizes of wheels
to choose from. The 26”, the 27.5”, and the 29”. The 26" hard tail has
enjoyed popularity for a very long time. However it is slowly being overtaken
by the new 29” hard tail which is more stable in maintaining momentum and rolls
over obstacles more easily. On the other hand, the 27.5” hard tail is a nimble
and fast accelerating bike. Your ultimate choice should be dependent on the
type and condition of your local trail, and the purpose of the bike.
The Mountain Bike Frame
When choosing the kind of frame on your hard tail,
your budget will play a huge role in determining the frame that you will
finally settle for. An alloy frame with good specs such as the drivetrain, forks
and wheels can be a good choice as opposed to carbon frames with cheap
components that will force you to upgrade or resell your bike.
A high quality hard tail frame directly translates
to a better ride. Considering that a hard tail frame is what receives all the
shakes and bumps at the rear end, a quality alloy frame will offer a much more
comfortable ride than a cheap carbon frame.
The Front Suspension on your mountain bike
The ability of a mountain bike to cope with trail
riding is heavily dependent on the front forks. A good hard tail’s front
suspension will feature external adjustments like an air spring and a tapered
steerer. Hardtails with thin stanchions and little or no adjustments are of low
quality and may flex on rough riding.
The Purpose; Racing or Trailing on a mountain bike
If you are out for racing, then a light-weight
carbon hard tail will suit you best. However, for the sake of comfort, a bike
with a relaxed geometry would be appropriate for both racing and trailing
cyclists. Since a hard tail is a versatile bike that suits any type of biking,
you can simply opt for a decent trail hard tail.
The Drivetrain and Brakes on a mountain bike
The drivetrain and the brakes are very important
components of a mountain bike. They should never be overlooked. However, making
a good choice of these components depends on the choice you have made for the
frame and your overall budget. The drivetrain and the brakes mostly mirrors the
choice of your frame which we have already talked about. If your budget is very
tight, you might end up with components that are designed for recreational
riding. More expensive hard tail frames comes with durable and reliable
components that can be used for single track trails and even racing. Therefore,
to get the right drivetrain and brakes, it is imperative that you match your
budget with the purpose and style of your riding. If you are looking for reviews on hard tail mountain bikes check out this review on hard tail mountain bikes vs. full suspension mountain bikes.
Your Local Trails and Your Abilities
In conclusion, the hard tail mountain bike performs
differently in the hands of an expert and the hands of a beginner. Therefore,
before buying a hard tail, you must know your mountain biking skills and
abilities compared to your local trails. You should consider charting with your
local mountain bike dealer about the local trails you intend to ride on and you
mountain biking skills and abilities. You can find a lot more information on hard tail mountain bikes on the about website. This way you will be able to make a
better choice of the bike that will serve you best. If you have any questions on hard tail mountain bikes give Blue Sky Cycling a call. The mountain bike professionals will answer all your tough questions.
Blue Sky Cycling - Mountain Bike Parts Specialist2530 Randolph St. |
||
| Huntington Park, CA 90255 | ||
| ||
Monday, November 30, 2015
Mountain Bike Parts Information For First Time Buyers
Mountain Bike Parts Information For First Time Buyers
Information On Mountain Bike Parts For First Time Buyers
Bicycles were invented in the 19th century. Since then, bicycles have become popular and have been adopted for various purposes in our lifestyles. The invention of bicycles has made an enormous impact in our society today. Bicycles have played a role in shaping our culture, our economic state and our industrial methods. In many urban, sub urban and rural areas today, the bicycle is being used as the principal means of transport. We have adopted bicycles into our recreational activities, fitness programs, courier services, and many more activities. The bicycle is useful in a wide variety of activities. Each activity demands special shapes, sizes and functionality of the bicycle. With the advent of computer aided design and manufacture, different types, shapes, sizes and functionality of bicycles have been developed to suit specific needs. You can also find information on mountain bikes on Wikipedia.
A good example is the mountain bicycle, famously known as the mountain bike (MTB). This is a bicycle designed specifically for off-roading. You can think of it as a 4 wheel drive (4X4) SUV version of the bicycle. They are specifically designed to be literally ridden on unpaved terrains such as single tracks, mountain trails, logging roads and fire roads. These kinds of unpaved terrains feature steep inclining and declining grades, roots, loose sand and gravel, ruts and rocks. The special design of mountain bikes equips them with the ability to handle theses terrains with common obstacles like drop offs and logs.
The major noticeable differences between a mountain bike and a regular bicycle include the Mountain Bike Parts such as:
• The Suspension – Most mountain bikes are fitted with suspension. Depending on the terrain and activity the bike is made for, some mountain bikes may not have any suspension, some may have only the front suspension, while others have both the front and rear suspension.
• The tires – The tires on a mountain bike are very large and thick. They are made of more durable materials than a regular bike’s tires. The heavy duty tires are the appropriate tires for off road biking.
• Brakes – The braking system on a mountain bike is made in such a way that the cyclist can make a powerful sharp brake using very small amount of pressure on the brake levers.
• The gears – To cater for climbing steep grades, riding on poor traction terrains like mud and sand, getting high speeds in favorable conditions, mountain bikes are fitted with a combination of high gears and very low gears.
Mountain bikes are specially designed and manufactured to suit off road cycling activities. They can be used for fitness programs, fun and recreational activities, racing and many more. All these done in unpaved or off road terrains. There are a wide range of activities and terrains out there. Therefore, mountain bikes have been refined and redesigned into different types to suit more specific activities and terrains. Let us have a deeper insight on the types of mountain bikes available today.
Based on the suspension, we can classify mountain bikes into four types.
1. The Rigid Mountain Bike: This is a mountain bike with no suspension. It has a rigid fork and a rear that is fixed on the frame. If you need an MTB and you are in a really tight budget, this one is perfect for you. It is cheap and easy to maintain.
2. The Hard Tail Mountain Bike: This one has got only the front suspension. It is called a hard tail because its rear is stiff compared to its front, due to lack of suspension.
3. A Soft Tail Mountain Bike: Like the hard tail, the soft tail has got a front suspension. It also has a small feel of suspension in the rear. Its rear suspension is made possible by a flex of the frame rather than pivots.
4. The full Suspension Mountain Bike: This one has both the front and the rear suspensions. It also features a rear shock absorber that allows the rear wheel to move on pivots.
Apart from classification based on the suspension, MTBs can also be classified according to the type of ride they are made for.
Cross-Country Mountain Bikes
These bikes are designed for long distant cycling on walking trails with minimum or no obstacles. They are also good for climbing and riding small down hills. Of all the types of MTBs they have the most efficient pedaling systems. They are able to handle small jumps and light drops though not very comfortably. Most cross country mountain bikes are hard tails or soft tails. All-Mountain BikesAn All-Mountain bike is made to suit custom built trails and trail centers. They are designed for cyclists who need to climb uphill easily and then come down hard on the downhill. Most of these bikes fall in the category of full suspension mountain bikes. The rare suspension enables the cyclist to take hard jumps and drops without compromising on the speed.
Downhill Mountain Bikes
Downhill bikes are designed for the roughest downhill terrains. It is all about staying in one piece while riding hard on the roughest terrains. They are able to handle big drops and can make jumps as high as 20 feet look and feel very easy. They are full suspension mountain bikes with very huge rear suspension. To achieve the downhill ability, the uphill pedaling capability has been compromised and can be very difficult compared to the other types of mountain bikes. Nevertheless, they offer a smooth, silky, gliding experience, comfort and confidence on the downhill ride.
There are many different types of mountain bikes that will fit your level of skill and style of riding. We always recommend you research as much as possible to determine which type of mountain bike fits your style of riding. Some bike shops will let you test ride mountain bikes to make sure you are comfortable with the bike. This is highly recommended. If you have any questions make sure to locate a bike shop in your area and speak with a mountain bike professional who can help you make the right choice. You can also check reviews on bike shops to determine which shops might have better service too. If you are in the southern california area of Los Angeles you can stop by Blue Sky Cycling for help. They have a vast amount of knowledge on mountain bikes and will answer all your questions with respect to mountain bike suspension, brakes, gears, tires, pedals, and seats. They have a nice size bicycle shop. We hope you enjoyed our article on the different types of mountain bike parts for first time buyers.
BLUE SKY CYCLING
www.blueskycycling.com
2530 Randolph St.Huntington Park, CA 90255
Toll Free: 1-800-585-4137Tel: 323-585-3934Fax: 323-585-3405info@blueskycycling.com
Store Hours:
Monday - Friday : | 8am - 5pm (PST) |
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