Mountain biking, an awesome sport - General

Ever wanted to do some sort of sport, but hate having to be competitive? Hate getting footballs, baseballs, or just generally balls, thrown in your face? Like to ride something that has two wheels? Then shut the fuck up and start mountain biking. [b]To get started, you'll need on of these:[/b] [img]http://www.jacksbikes.com/contents/media/giant%20rincon%202008.jpg[/img] In a *mountain* bike, you'll need to look for these: •Good FRONT suspension, with lockouts, so you pump uphill without losing power.. •The right tires, more on that later. •Strong brakes, preferably disk brakes and not rim brakes. •Lightweight, well-welded frame. Usually made of aluminum. •And don't forget a helmet. I know some of you are gonna laugh at this statement, but helmets have saved me from a concussion, or maybe even death, more than once. Strong helmets for extra credit. •Should have a decent number of gears. •Sturdy tires (Thanks to SiMoN 23259 on the request) [B]Where to shop:[/B] [img]http://sa.tweek.us/emots/images/emot-siren.gif[/img][highlight]DO NOT BUY FROM WALMART OR TARGET OR FRED MEYER ETC.[/highlight][img]http://sa.tweek.us/emots/images/emot-siren.gif[/img] These stores will NOT have high-quality bicycles. Instead, buy from a bike shop near you. Bike shops will have great brands, all the accessories you'd need, and don't have kids running around screaming all the time. Walmart-style bikes are usually made for just riding around the street, while respected brands (like Giant) make bikes that last for several decades, or even a lifetime, if you take care of it. Like I said, your local bike shop should carry everything you need to get started. [b]Riding season[/b] If you aren't a super-hardcore mountain biker, late spring to mid autumn are the best times to ride. If you live in a particularly hot region, try not to ride in the middle of summer, unless you want to. Also, riding in the rain/snow/hail isn't recommended, as you can become cold, miserable, hypothermic, and you may even crash. [b]Where to ride[/b] If you're just starting out, riding on a paved trail/smooth dirt trail would be the best. Later on, you may want to look into mountain trails and tricky forest paths. Just look up trails in your area, and check to make sure they allow bikes. [b]Tires[/b] The tires I use are good for pavement, dirt, and gravel. Just think about how good of a grip the tire will get depending on what the trail is. There isn't much else I can say in this section, oh well. V[img]http://sa.tweek.us/emots/images/emot-v.gif[/img]V [b]Safety[/b] ALWAYS WEAR A HELMET, GOD DAMMIT! When riding, try not to stray too far off the trail, unless you [I]really[/I] know what you're doing. Don't interact with wild animals, as they can have rabies or the T-virus or God knows what. Drink water often, and not Gatorade or energy drink or Propel or any of that shit, just water. All that stuff has sugar, which makes you feel like teh shitz afterward. Pack an energy bar or two. I admit, that energy bars can be disgusting, but a couple flavors of "CLIF" bars are actually pretty good. If you don't eat before/during, you'll feel sick just a little into your trip. One time, on a long uphill mountain trail, I nearly threw up and passed out because I didn't eat anything. Carry a bear bell with you if you're riding in the woods. My dad's friend, who is a professional mountain biker, as in his only recreational activity is mountain biking, always has a little jingly bear bell with him in the woods. Unless you're a professional, NEVER ride alone. And bring two-way radios. [b]Conditioning/muscle building[/b] Before attempting to tackle a huge, man-eating trail, go on many small rides in the weeks prior to prepare yourself, physically and mentally. Before setting out on your expedition, take an amino acid capsule. It stops your muscles from "eating" themselves when you start to work hard. After you're done with the ride, drink a protein shake or eat a high-protein food to build up your muscles and such. It is highly recommended that you do this less than an hour afterward, for maximum effect. I may add to this thread later, so you would-be bikers should stay tuned. Ask a question, and I'll get around to answering it. [quote=S3CURiT0N]Anyone seriously looking at any style of MTB should start off with a Giant STP2 - STP1. This is fact, and anyone who disputes me on this is silly. Tires: I recommend Maxxis - hookworms or holy rollers for street riding, high rollers (double walled) for dirt riding. Also get some good grips, Snafu grips are pretty fantastic, and they come in lots of purty colours. Also, Dual suspension is useless untill you get actually decent at downhilling/freeriding. Don't even worry about it, just get a solid hardtail like the STP.[/quote] Listen to this guy.

Nice thread, i just bought a Mongoose mountain bike for £50 (my friend died, he lives 120 miles away so i got his bike from his sister) i should get it tomorrow, pics if i do! Also, i suggest make sure your wheels are sturdy too because i buckles mine on a small jump once, i wasn't happy at all. Rear suspension is pointless on a bike without front suspension, sometimes it is too bouncy on cheaper bikes so your better off getting a semi decent one!

The good old days of mountain biking. I used to do it a lot. Then I sort of realised that there's not many off road places to do it where I live, so I bought a BMX and now I just ride around the streets and try to do wheelies and bunny hops. But my friends still have mountain bikes and they pressure me into going down to the park, and they do jumps over grassy mounds and I can barely go over grass.

My brother stole my bike, so I stole my sister's bike, and someone stole it from me, so I don't have a bike. But I wish i did.

Hey, guys. It's kinda muddy here (it's been raining). Should I take my bike out or go hiking and take photos? [b]Edit:[/b] My bike's got mismatched parts. I let my brother borrow it and take it to his mountain biking class, and he came back with a broken shifter and derailleur. :P [b]Edit:[/b] rear suspensions are for wimps

I have my sister's old bike that she gave me. It's a nice ride with awesome brakes (a bike is only as good as its brakes) and a front suspension. I occasionally ride on some trails behind my neighborhood, and the bike tackles everything I throw at it. It's also nice and light, so if it ever falls on me, I won't be worried about getting my bike off of me.

I have a mountain bike and enjoy riding it around, but got bored and during the winter wanted something to do, so I started riding flatland BMX. It's really hard, but I can do it in my garage, and don't need to ride to a skate park(Uhgg), I can go to a parking lot or tennis court. Now that summers coming I'm going to start doing both.

I don't like a bike without disk brakes, also i have never owned a bmx, they just feel wierd to ride. I have no real trails to ride down near me :( i love riding all over the pavements and the uni campus near me, its great on the way to work.

Oh, and a tip: Carry a bear bell with you if you're riding in the woods. My dad's friend, who is a [i]professional[/i] mountain biker, as in his only recreational activity is mountain biking, always has a little jingly bear bell with him in the woods. They scare the fuckin' shit outta bears.

I recently picked up a Kona Stinky and a King Kikapu to add to my collection. Fun bikes. Out here in Seattle we have the Colonnade park which is a blast and I volunteer out there and build new sections.

Suspensions are for wusses. I like to have a bumpy ride :D

[QUOTE=Bengley;13921617]Suspensions are for wusses. I like to have a bumpy ride :D[/QUOTE] Good luck once you hit a decently sized dropoff.

Used to be into this, I ended up quitting after realizing the only skill I had acquired and honed was the ability to fuck myself up by doing increasingly stupid shit. It was fun though.

[QUOTE=Bengley;13921617]Suspensions are for wusses. I like to have a bumpy ride :D[/QUOTE] Unless you're female I can't see why.

[QUOTE=Upgrade123;13918902]Oh, and a tip: Carry a bear bell with you if you're riding in the woods. My dad's friend, who is a [i]professional[/i] mountain biker, as in his only recreational activity is mountain biking, always has a little jingly bear bell with him in the woods. They scare the fuckin' shit outta bears.[/QUOTE] I'll remember that when I'm riding in the English countryside.

Under "Riding Season": Surely you mean "hypothermic" and not "hypothetical." "I am not traveling through space, but perhaps space is traveling beyond me." Err, nevermind.

protip, recommend you add to OP: Anyone seriously looking at any style of MTB should start off with a Giant STP2 - STP1. This is fact, and anyone who disputes me on this is silly. Tires: I recommend Maxxis - hookworms or holy rollers for street riding, high rollers (double walled) for dirt riding. Also get some good grips, Snafu grips are pretty fantastic, and they come in lots of purty colours. Also, Dual suspension is useless untill you get actually decent at downhilling/freeriding. Don't even worry about it, just get a solid hardtail like the STP.

Which mountains are good for a beginner?

Make sure you always bring a bottle of water. Oh, and those little musli bar things are fucking life-savers. Also it's not fucking hard to put the god damn chain back in place if it comes off. I don't get why people can't figure it out. If you're one of these people learn the fuck how to put your chain back in its god damn place before going out. Carry a puncture repair kit with you. They're helpful. If you need to find a puncture spray some water from a bottle over the inner tubing (or place it under water if there's any near you) and you'll be able to identify the location of the puncture.

Scotland has some of the greatest terrain ever.

[QUOTE=Bengley;13921617]Suspensions are for wusses. I like to have a bumpy ride :D[/QUOTE] Jackass

If i were you dont get suspension they break easily and if they go the bike has to go and the heavier the bike the more fat you burn.

[QUOTE=Brokein3;13921592]I recently picked up a Kona Stinky and a King Kikapu to add to my collection. Fun bikes. Out here in Seattle we have the Colonnade park which is a blast and I volunteer out there and build new sections.[/QUOTE] I live in* Seattle, too. I'd have to agree with you. *Near.

[QUOTE=Spartan8907;13922144]Under "Riding Season": Surely you mean "hypothermic" and not "hypothetical." "I am not traveling through space, but perhaps space is traveling beyond me." Err, nevermind.[/QUOTE] Thanks, Firefox's spellcheck is a bitch and doesn't recognize "hypothermic".

Mountain biking? Pshh. Road biking is where it's at!

I road cycle. But I was thinking of getting into mountain biking too. I live in oregon so I am sure there are plenty of trails and what not.

[QUOTE=Dickoliath;13928657]I road cycle. But I was thinking of getting into mountain biking too. I live in oregon so I am sure there are plenty of trails and what not.[/QUOTE] Yeah, Oregon should have a cockload of trails.

I got my bike today it's a Mongoose Pro Wing Elite: [img]http://www.bicycleshop.com.au/images/04wingelite.jpg[/img] I can't wait to get a new chain on it and get it serviced, that way i can put it through it's paces in the woodlands behind me, see what it can do

[QUOTE=Upgrade123;13915930]Ever wanted to do some sort of sport, but hate having to be competitive? Hate getting footballs, baseballs, or just generally balls, thrown in your face? Like to ride something that has two wheels? Then shut the fuck up and start mountain biking. [b]To get started, you'll need on of these:[/b] [img]http://www.jacksbikes.com/contents/media/giant%20rincon%202008.jpg[/img] [/QUOTE] I have that exact fucking bike what the fuck

I ride my Specialized 2008 P1 [img]http://www.pearcecycles.co.uk/images/l_08p1cromo_large.jpg[/img] I fucking love it! [img]http://photos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v2641/44/53/550221072/n550221072_2069292_4089783.jpg[/img] ^(me) I only wish I had the income to put more money into it.