Team Shredders Tips: BIKES!

Coach Dustin is here to talk all things BIKES!

Which bike will you choose? How about ALL OF THEM! :)

There is certainly a lot to consider when selecting a bike.

There’s different types, brands, frame sizes, wheel sizes, gearing, frame materials, etc… Hopefully this blog will help clarify what you need/don’t need, what’s appropriate for mountain biking and gives you some confidence that you are making the right decision when selecting a bike. I could definitely write a book about this but my intention is to keep it simple so you don’t show up to your first group ride on an electric unicycle with a polo helmet on :)

*Any style bike mentioned should be properly tuned and checked out by a professional bike mechanic at a bike shop.

TYPES OF MOUNTAIN BIKES
Rigid: No suspension. 
Hardtail: Front suspension fork only.
Full suspension: Front suspension fork and rear shock or suspension.

Why do you need suspension? 
You don’t.  However, this is one of the best technological advances in mountain bike history. It definitely makes riding more pleasurable and allows you to navigate technical terrain with less strain on your body and wheels. Suspension is very common and most mountain bikes in every price range have some sort of front suspension.

FRAME MATERIALS
Steel (chromoly)
Aluminum (alloy)
Carbon
Titanium 

Generally cyclists choose their frame material based on how compliant they want their bike to be when riding on their preferred surface. Some materials are stiffer than others and some dampen the ride or provide more/less feedback to the rider when on bumpy terrain. Honestly, this choice is usually steered by budget more than anything, and all of these materials have pros and cons. The design of the frame and the way the bike is built is generally more important than what material it's made of.

SIZES
Adult bike sizes are based on frame size and kids bike sizes are based on wheel size. What’s important when selecting  your bike is that you can stand over the top tube of the bike with some clearance between your body and the frame and your feet can connect with the ground when sitting on the saddle.

*Common kids sizes are:
24”
20”
16”

Generally adult mountain bikes will be sized as small, medium or large. The best way to see what fits you is to literally sit on/stand over the bike in person. There is no real industry standard when it comes to frame size. 

*When in doubt or if you fall in between sizes it’s usually a good idea to select the smaller size bike (true for kids and adults).

WHEEL SIZE
26”
27.5”
29”

The most common wheel size on modern mountain bikes would be 29”. Although you can do anything on any of these wheel sizes, the bike industry has decided that 29” is the most versatile and has the best agility in common scenarios mountain bikers find themselves in. Selecting one of the other two sizes listed would be a personal choice based on specific riding style or bike fit determined by your height/inseam.

NOW WHAT?!?!
Well….you can do anything on any bike, but the correct combination of bike and type of riding will make the experience more enjoyable and rewarding. The first step is to get out and learn the basics on something that functions properly. Then, as you become more proficient and develop a riding style you can tailor your bike to meet your needs and buy something more specific that compliments the type of riding you like to do.

HOT TIP
Pay attention to what other people are riding. There’s a reason everyone riding downhill courses are on full suspension bikes and most folks racing cross country are fine on a hardtail. Also, remember you don’t need what the pros have but the trickle down technology based on their requirements can be found on most bikes and is enjoyable to have. Be honest with yourself and your local shop regarding the type of rider you are and how you intend to ride. That is the best way to get what you need.

LIST OF SPECIFICS YOU NEED FOR SARATOGA SHREDDERS
- A clean, professionally tuned, relatively modern bike that fits you appropriately (Preferably a trail bike or xc bike. These bikes can comfortably navigate almost any terrain and can be easily pedaled uphill)
- Gears
- Front and rear hand brakes controlled by brake levers attached to your handle bars
- Appropriate pedals (see pedal blog)
- Knobby/well treaded mtb tires (tubed or tubeless)

DO NOT HAVE:
- Kickstands
- Coaster brakes
- Training wheels

*These things are dangerous to have on your bike while mountain biking and will prevent you from developing proper technique that will keep you safe.

OK, I’VE GOT A BIKE. IS THAT IT?
Nope! You will also need:

- An mtb specific helmet (it needs to be specific to this sport in order to protect you from common injuries related to how mtbers fall on the trail)
- Mountain bike specific clothes or comfortable athletic wear that will not get caught on your bike or stuck in your drivetrain while riding. *It is essential to wear shorts with a chamois built in or an undergarment with a chamois to be comfortable while riding.
- Cycling socks (generally synthetic and on the thinner side)
- Mtb shoes and pedals (see pedal blog)
- Protective cycling eyewear (sunglasses, prescription glasses or clear lens glasses) This will keep bugs, dirt, rocks, branches, etc… out of your eyes while riding. There are few things worse than catching an eye full of dirt while attempting to navigate technical terrain.
- Gloves (they protect your hands and absorb sweat so your hands don’t slip on your grips)
- Bike specific water bottle and water bottle cage on your bike OR hydration pack (ideally cycling specific)
- What to bring with you? How to carry it? (see what to bring on a ride blog)

NOW GET ON YOUR BIKE AND GO HAVE FUN!

See you out there,
Coach Dustin :)