Mountain Bike basics? - Wild Texas Forums: Parks, Travel & Recreation

Cube · 11-28-2005, 02:05 PM

Howdy,

I'm looking to get a quick catch up on the state of mountain bikes. I've not owned an off-road bike in over 15 years. There are so many advances that even the $100 bikes at Wal-Mart and Academy are better than what I used to thrash the trail with back when I was capable of thrashing.

What are the critical features? Are the bikes plenty strong? I ain't as small as I once was.. even though I hope that a bit of time on the trail will reduce my heft.

I don't mind spending enough to get a good bike (actually three) but I am amazed at the advances and I'm not bleeding edge..

Gracias,

Shannon · 11-28-2005, 06:25 PM

I found the best bet was to peruse our local bike shop(s). Hopefully you have one within a reasonable drive of where you are.

Justin and I were in the same boat earlier this year when we shopped for and purchased our mountain bikes -- it'd been over 15 years since either of us had done any biking or owned our own bikes. The first thing that will surprise you is just how light even the standard (Walmart, Academy, etc.) bikes are nowadays and how sturdy they are put together (terrific welds, etc.) Obviously, more expensive bikes are even lighter (Carbon Fiber), but most of us don't need to even consider those models.

After checking out bikes at two local bike shops and online, Justin and I both purchased Gary Fisher Tassajara's. We *LOVE* them and they are built solid and a good value for the money (imho).

I still don't know all the lingo, since we learned only what we needed to in the process of locating and purchasing our bikes. There are some good online guides on the various bicycling magazines and enthusiast websites.

Make sure you get the right frame size for your body and build, and make sure to get a comfortable seat if that is an issue (we both ended up buying "anatomically friendly" seats for our respective bikes within the first month of use). Seat height is crucial as well, not only to keep from punishing your knees but also to prevent poor posture that will cause back and wrist/shoulder pains. Any decent bike shop will let you sit on their models and, hopefully, let you take it for a spin outside to see if it suits you. That's exactly what we did with our bikes and that really helped us determine which frame styles/sizes were best for our needs.

I'd never heard of Gary Fisher before we bought our bikes, but Justin had and Gary Fisher's actually been around for ages. I can now say from experience that they do make very good bikes.

If you have a BikeWorld anywhere near you I highly recommend them. I think they have a couple stores outside of San Antonio and they've always been terrific to deal with, including free routine maintenance on the bikes for the first year and free adjustments (seat, handlebars, etc.) Their prices on other services and basic merchandise are good as well -- they charged me something ridiculously cheap to repair two flat tires (suffered them in the same week -- one was my fault, as I ran over a cactus trying to avoid a fall on our first trip out; the other was a fluke -- something must've gotten my tire on a long road ride.) They've given great advice on local riding areas to check out for our skill levels (newbies) and we've even bought some apparel there though I recommend REI online for that generally after you have a sense for what fits you (I have an issue with the way they size most women's biking apparel -- I've lost weight over the past year, and was never really overweight, but I still find most women's bike shorts were made with Paris Hilton or Angelina Jolie in mind (both with figures far slimmer than my bones would ever allow, and with midriffs they don't mind advertising to the world because that's part of how they make their money.

If I can help in any way, let me know. I love love love mountain biking and enjoy a little road biking on our MTBs as well. It's been a terrific rehab activity for my knee after last February's ACL reconstruction and meniscus repair/removal (partial).

Cube · 11-28-2005, 07:10 PM

Shannon,

Thanks for the references. I'll check into them.
My needs are simple. I like solidly built products. What I wonder about are the components. Are there any breakthrough items that are mush haves?
Disc brakes?
Suspension components?

I hear you about the seats. And I am so grateful for the camelback systems so staying hydrated isn't a major issue. My right knee is crap, bone on bone in spots. I like to hike, but have found it difficult to have a pleasant, pain free experience of any duration.

I'd prefer to just buy at Academy.. but if I need to go do the fancy fitting route.. well.. sometimes you gotta do it right.
Adios,

Shannon · 11-28-2005, 08:37 PM

I don't think there are really any must-haves in terms of components, though it depends on how hard you're going to push the bike. If you are capable of or plan to get capable of doing some harder core mountain biking (very rocky, hopping over big logs, catching air a lot, etc.) then do invest in a better suspension than the basics. Our Tassajara's have front and (very basic) rear shocks -- the front one's have the most play/give and I can feel the difference when I forget to tune it into full shocks on really rocky trail sections (our front shocks are changeable on the fly -- one-handed quick twist of a clicker wheel and it dials in more or less range of shock absorption.) Some of the hard core mountain bikes have serious shock absorption and handling capabilities, including seats built on shocks, but that's more for the folks doing stunts offroad (the "catching air" bit I mentioned above). Ours take a beating with no complaints, and while we're newbies I wouldn't say we stick to flat and easy stuff... we've both wiped out before, and will do so again I'm sure, as we try new trails and tactics.

Disc brakes I cannot really comment on. It's sort of like Windows vs. Mac I think. Some will swear one is better than the other, and for some riders maybe one is better but I didn't get any compelling reason to pay the extra cost of disc brakes. I have full confidence in our standard brakes, so much so that it took a little while to re-learn not to jam on my front brake lest I send myself end-over (endo) the handlebars. The brakes do need a fair bit of adjustment after hard rides -- they get jostled and such. We generally take our bikes in every 2-3 months if we've been riding regularly, to get the brakes recalibrated, the shocks cleaned and regreased, the chain and gears cleaned, the wheel spokes tightened, etc. It's been free for us so far since we're in the one year after purchase period; most of what they do we can do ourselves once it's no longer free. We figure routine maintenance now means longer-lived bikes down the road, that's all.

There are people who will tell you to get "clipless pedals" (which you actually clip into, which makes the name confusing, eh?) but so far my feeling as a novice rider is I'll take some reduced efficiency in my pedal strokes over guaranteeing every little bobble turns into an all out crash/wipe out because I can't get my feet unclipped in time. Most road bikers and some mountain bikers use clipless pedals because the constant contact with the pedals on the up and downstroke produces better energy transfer to the bike's drivetrain -- you're basically producing power on both the up and downstroke, vs. a rider with traditional pedals who's really only producing power on the down pedal strokes. (I'm probably butchering the description and rationale a bit, but this is my memory from discussions both at bike shops and with a couple friends who do ride with clipless pedals.)

The great thing about bikes is for the most part you can mix and match parts as desired, as long as the measurements and attachments will fit your particular make/model of bike. People swap out handlebars, pedals, seats, and so forth as they outgrow their current bike's configuration or find things that they need/want to address (like an uncomfortable seats).

I hear you on the CamelBak's. I have a water bottle mount on my mountain bike, and usually carry an icy bottle of water there just in case, but 99% of my hydration comes from my Camelbak because it's so convenient. I carry a 100oz. model which is too big for some people, but I suck down a lot of water when I exercise so I live with the extra weight knowing I'll need the extra water. Justin's CamelBak is I believe a 70oz. or so model. We actually had these prior to getting into mountain biking, since they are also perfect for hiking/backpacking.

Oh, and don't skimp on a helmet or gloves. I bought cheap gloves with almost no padding and replaced them after about 2 months and too many rides with numb fingers. And a helmet, well, the tougher the better since your noggin is the most important piece of equipment of all, and it's a one-of-a-kind item... repairs are iffy, at best, on it!

One more item you MIGHT want to consider is a GPS. We already owned Garmin's Forerunner (201) for hiking/walking but after getting the mountain bikes we bought a handlebar mount for them and they're great -- not just for giving us a running tally of how far we've travelled, but also our current and average speed and, when we're back home, the ability to create tracks/maps of our bike routes -- great for keeping track of training rides or just favorite routes. The 201 is perfect for mountain biking because it's so small -- many of the other GPS units are a little too big to make sense mounted to a bike's handlebars, in my opinion (I just sold one of my other Garmins for just that reason), but the 201 fits superbly on both the handlebars and (it's original intended position) on one's wrist.

dwalsdorf · 11-28-2005, 08:40 PM

Here is a great source for your info:

bikemojo-texas

Shannon · 11-28-2005, 08:45 PM

Hehe... you beat me to it! I was about to edit my post to mention that website, as it is one we refer to often as well.

Cube · 11-28-2005, 08:59 PM

I appreciate the wisdom.

I expect I'll go basic for now.. see how much they get used. And like I said I gotta buy bikes for me, the wife and the son. :eek: Talk about a cash drain!

Take care,

Turn Key · 11-29-2005, 11:04 AM

Hi Cube,

Haven't biked in a number of years and all of mine was INTENDED to be on hard surfaces. Have been thinking about the idea of some mountain biking but haven't decided one way or the other.

Got a chance to talk with a guy that's connected with a bike shop in Cleburne, Texas. I looked at his bike and was amazed at the changes! Probably the two biggest differences were the reduction in weight (lighter then the best 10-speed I ever had!) and disc brakes (Would you believe :idea:!). Also, given the type of riding I want to do and my age, the guy recommended "townies" for DW and myself. Supposed to be better for us. Haven't looked into it yet but will soon.

Good luck in your search and I'll check this thread later!

Shannon · 11-29-2005, 02:56 PM

P.S. Justin and I now have a little experience with various bicycle rack/mounts for vehicles, as well, so if you get to a point where you'd like commentary on that as well, just ask.

I have a trunk and fender-mounted bike rack (removable) for my '92 Corolla, and Justin uses an in-bed pickup truck mount (also removable, but he leaves it in for convenience) on his '01 F-150 4x4. The rack I use is compatible with non-sedans (small SUVs, hardtop jeeps, minivans, etc.) Since I'll eventually be getting a new car, I tried to find a rack I wouldn't need or want to replace in 2-5 years. I'm not a big fan of permanent roof-mounted racks for sedans and compact cars, but they are arguably the most sturdy and we do have a friend who migrated to one after using the same trunk and fender-mount that I use.

Cube · 12-01-2005, 10:36 PM

Thanks,

I'll check out a couple of bike shops this weekend.. I'm actually off for two days in a row. We'll see if there are any deals to be had before Christmas.

As for racks.. I hadn't thought about it. I drive a truck, but will likely add a car in the future. Tired of that gas tank fillup emptying my wallet.

Shannon · 12-01-2005, 11:18 PM

We use two "Insta-Gator" brand bike racks to carry our two mountain bikes in the bed of Justin's F-150 pickup. Two bikes will fit perfectly in most full-size pickup truck beds, but since our pickup is a 4-door ("Supercrew") model, the bed length is about 1-1.5 inches shorter than the bikes are long. We almost returned the InstaGators until we learned the ONE way the bikes will fit securely in the Instagators in his truck bed -- the bikes have to go in at a slight angle, each with its rear tire in the corner of the bed, and even then the handlebar ends touch. But, it's a secure fit and one that eliminates having to carry them on a tow-hitch mounted rack which seemed a little less secure to us (from a theft standpoint) and a bit of a hassle from a parking perspective.

If you're handy, I've seen people with home-grown (wood bolted to the truck bed with a notch or other way to 'capture' the tire) truck bed racks that'll be far cheaper than any store-bought rack. The InstaGator's are nice because they're held in place simply by the tailgate being closed and they quite securely grab the bikes' front tires.

About in-bed truck racks/mounts -- If you have back problems or you're short and have a 4x4, a bed rack might be a hassle though. I usually let Justin heft our bikes into his truck bed because with my height (or lack thereof) it's a struggle to get a bike up into his truck bed all by myself. My sedan's bumper/trunk rack is far easier to reach!

I can't remember the brand of my rack -- will add that to this post tomorrow. They make a 2 bike and 3 bike model; we have the 2 bike model for my sedan since we only have 2 bikes.

Cube · 01-02-2006, 11:14 PM

Well, I got myself a little $$$ (more like $) and I'm going to go shopping.

Any bike shop suggestions for the Austin-San Marcos area? Actual names, stores and people, would be a real plus.

Adios,

Cube · 01-05-2006, 10:49 AM

I'm hoping for any suggestions? Gonna be off work for a couple of days (Friday and Saturday).

Shannon · 01-05-2006, 11:18 AM

{original post was accidentally from my Forum Admin account, hence the repost so it's from "Shannon"

}

I hadn't chimed in yet since my experience is limited to San Antonio, and I'll largely be repeating myself from earlier threads. However, here's all the gaps I can fill in -- hopefully it's enough to help you have some options.

Also, San Marcos is a college town. I'm *certain* there's probably at least one or two good local bike shops there; I just haven't a clue what they are. Google to the rescue: Search results for San Marcos Texas bicycle shop

We never had to go to Austin for our bike hunting, although we did call an Austin bike shop for info; I think it was the "Bicycle Sport Shop" on 517 S. Lamar Blvd.; 512/477-3472. We were initially looking for Women's Trek's, and no one had them locally; turns out they were few and far between in Austin, also, and those that were available were way over our budget. So, I dropped Trek from my wishlist (It was a vanity desire anyway, a sort of "ride the same bike Lance Armstrong won the Tours in".)

For Austin, here are Google's search results for Austin Texas bicycle shop

Justin and I are in San Antonio, and we bought our bikes here in town at the Alamo Heights Bikeworld store (their largest store in San Antonio, so we went there for the best selection.) We LOVE our Bikeworld stores -- we also have one much closer to us (we realized later), literally down the street about 10 minutes away, on Blanco Road. And there is a brand new one coming in even closer to us, on the access road to Loop 1604; I think it may be open by late spring or early summer.

I'm pushing Bikeworld fairly heavily here because they are by far our favorite local bike shop, and their multiple locations (and semi-sanctioned weekly bike rides) are definite pluses for locals. However, we have literally visited every single bike shop in town (that we know of), and all are worth a visit. None would be a wasted trip -- even if they don't carry a huge selection of bikes, the employees at all of these stores are VERY knowledgeable and many ride together weekly/daily and some competitively.

For other options in San Antonio, here are Google's search results for:
San Antonio bicycle shop

Hope this helps! Let us know what you choose! Take it out for a spin at the store if they will let you. It really helped (A) being on a bicycle again after so many years (all I'd been on were stationary bikes as part of my knee surgery rehabilitation; Justin hadn't been on a bike since puberty! )
(B) Taking the bike out for a short spin helped bring to light just how much has changed in bikes over the years -- all good; totally different and better shifting controls, SHOCKS! if you want 'em, sturdier frame, LIGHTER, etc.)
(C) No short spin is going to tell you if the bike's perfect, but for those of us who learn through doing, it helps seal the sale more than staring at a bike. I was ready to go home and do more research when the bike store employee assisting us kindly offered a quick spin out back to test how the bikes feel.

Proper fit is especially important for women, since unless they're petite (I'm not), a women's frame won't suit them at all but some men's frames will be far too big or poorly proportioned. I still have some issues with my reach (to the handlebars) and may invest in a special set of riser handlebars so I'm not leaning quite so far -- your elbows shouldn't be LOCKED when riding... elbows are shock absorbers in riding, and locked ones are useless for that. Seat height can make up for a lot of issues, and I learned early on that my seat height needed to be even higher than I thought to help reduce back strain and limit how often my elbows lock to reach to handlebars.

Cube · 01-06-2006, 05:07 PM

Thanks Shannon.. I remember a lot of what you have said..
I prefer Dogpile, but have searched up many of the same names. My time is in such short supply, that I'm a bit antsy.. and now, I'm moving furniture on my day off, instead of shopping for a bike.

Ain't kids grand?

Hopefully tomorrow!

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