The Shredders Gear Guide - March 2024
Bikes
A proper mountain bike that fits and runs well is the most critical piece of gear for a Shredder. That bike is also the most expensive part of riding mountain bikes and an obstacle to participation for many families. At Saratoga Shredders we are working to remove as many barriers to participation as possible. We are anxious to help you get your child on a bike that enhances their Shredders experience.
To that end, coaches do everything possible to make the bike you already have work. We also do an annual Bike Swap which allows local riders to pass along bikes they are not using or have outgrown. Seeking a needed bike from the Shredders Community through TeamSnap or via the Bike Swap can be a lower cost way to get on the right bike. New for 2024 we also are developing a limited fleet of loaner bikes to accommodate families who, for any number of reasons, need a bike. Loaners will be available on a first come first serve basis and are borrowed for the Shredders season, returned at the end of the season.
If you are in the market for a new bike, we have great local bike shops that know our program and will help you find the right thing. We recommend our local bike shops over “big box” stores. Our local bike shops have higher quality, more trail appropriate bikes and they typically have better mechanics building the bikes which equates to a lot less hassle later. It’s helpful to know that all “mountain bikes” are not created equal. Many bikes look like mountain bikes but were never intended to ride on a trail and some are legit “trail bikes” – designed to ride single track trails and clear obstacles. The local shop can help you sort that out. They also know how to fit, build, and maintain bikes that will maximize the experience and be dependable on the trail. The two local bike shops in Saratoga are Grey Ghost Bicycles in Saratoga (who are a Shredders’ sponsor and also have a shop in Glens Falls) and Trek Saratoga Springs
A note about local bike shops. Specialty bike shops are especially busy in the spring just as Spring Shredders is getting started. Please leave extra time for new purchases and mechanical adjustments. In the spring shops will often not be able to get bikes at once or do repairs while you wait. Saratoga Shredders works to maintain a great relationship with our local shops. Sometimes letting the shop know you need the bike for Shredders practice can be helpful – but not always!
Regardless, if you are using an existing bike, borrowing a bike, or buying a pre-enjoyed or new bike, here are some helpful tips.
Bike Set Up
Wheel Size: Mountain bike wheels come in a confusing range in sizes from 12” to 29”. What is more important than wheel size is frame fit. Once proper frame fit is established (see below) we suggest the largest diameter wheel available for that frame size. Larger diameter wheels roll over most obstacles better than smaller. However, big wheels do not help if the bike frame is too big for the rider. Frame fit first!
Frame Type: Mountain bikes come in three different frame types. Fully rigid (no active suspension system), front suspension fork only, and full suspension with a front suspension fork and a rear suspension shock. For small riders a heavy suspension fork is often more of a hindrance than help. Fully rigid bikes are lighter and work great on most of the terrain we ride. Front suspension bikes are common and perfect for our terrain. Full suspension bikes are nice but not necessary for the trails we ride. Keep in mind the more suspension equipment on a bike the heavier it will be. Lighter weight bikes handle better and climb more easily - critical for our more novice and intermediate riders. A “step through” frame - one that eliminates or slopes the top tube in such a way as the rider does not have to “throw a leg over”, can work fine for Shredders if they meet the other criteria here. Often “step through” frames are not intended for trail riding.
Gears: This is important! Mountain bikes have a wide range of gears to help the rider tackle a wide range of terrain – particularly hills and steep inclines. A gear system includes shifters by the hands connected by cables to a front gear/s near the feet and a rear cassette on the hub of the back wheel.
Shifters: All mountain bikes shift using shifters on the handlebars. It’s important that your Shredder spends time practicing shifting. Lots of kids move to geared bikes but then rarely shift them riding in the neighborhood. They will need to be able to shift gears often when trail riding! If the bike is equipped with thumb/finger shifters they should be able to easily reach the shifters and shift through the full range of gears. Some bikes have “grip shift” where the rider shifts the bike by twisting the grip like a motorcycle throttle. Sometimes kids with developing strength have a hard time twisting grip shifters to access the full gear range. Your local bike shop can help adjust either type of shifter to ensure your rider can access all their gears.
Shift Cables: On most bikes gears are changed using adjustable cables. A bike may shift poorly for any number of reasons - but shifting can usually be corrected by cable adjustments. But cable adjustment can be a little finicky. Ideally any necessary adjustments can be made inexpensively by a local shop prior to the season starting. Coaches can also help with adjustments; however, this can take time away from riding and the other Shredders. Making sure gears are adjusted before Shredders season is a big help.
Gears: Gears themselves – the “chainring/s' near the rider’s feet and the cassette of sprockets on the back wheel also can come in several configurations. We have found the best set up for kids is a single chain ring in front, with the largest range of sprockets on the cassette. This is called “1x gearing”. 1x gearing means the rider only worries about shifting with one hand and not navigating a more complex system at the same time as they are tackling new terrain. 1x is ideal. 2x (2 chainrings up front) is also manageable. A “triple” or three chainrings up front is a challenge and should be avoided if possible. If not possible – don’t worry, your coach will work to make it as simple as possible for the rider.
Brakes: Brakes on mountain bikes have evolved over time. Chances are the bike you have or get will end up with disc brakes. “V brakes” and some “U brakes” are still around. If you have a choice, we recommend disc brakes. However, either of the other types will work provided they are adjusted correctly. Adjusting the cables for brakes is a lot like adjusting the cables for gears. It can be done on the fly if necessary but if they need adjustment and it's possible to have a shop do it – please go that route to avoid time consuming adjustments on the trail.
Starting the season with a bike that has gears and brakes checked and adjusted is helpful for all!
Proper Bike Fit
Kids grow fast and as a result sometimes we squeeze them on a bike that’s a little too small or ask them to ride a bike a little (or a lot) too big, in hopes they will grow into it. A bike shop or your Shredders coach can help you if you are not sure. A couple key starting points.
A Shredder should have at least 1”-2” clearance between their crotch and the top tube of the bike.
A Shredder should be able to comfortably reach the handlebars without stretching.
Saddle height: This is important. Most people ride with their seats too low. There can be an expectation of sitting on your seat and being able to put both feet comfortably on the ground. This will result in the seat being too low. It’s not unusual when the seat is at the proper height for the rider to be able to just get their tippy toes to the ground on both sides. When riding, there should be a little knee bend at the bottom of the pedal stroke but not too much. If a rider is “scrunched," their legs will get tired and they won’t get as much available power. Riders will learn to come off the saddle as the bike comes to a stop and do not stop when seated on the saddle so reaching the ground with both feet while seated on a saddle is not important. Your coach can help you determine the right saddle height and can adjust it at practice. Riders accustomed to having both feet comfortably on the ground can be a little nervous raising the seat. The good news is that seat height can be raised in small increments allowing the rider to transition comfortably.
Other Gear
Helmet: Helmets for kids is state law and mandatory for all Shredders. We suggest a good quality bike shop helmet, but less expensive alternatives can be found at big box stores and online – and are commonly found at our Bike Swap. Most important - the helmet should be structurally sound with no cracks or big dents and it should fit well. A helmet should never slip over a rider’s eyes. What is more common is the helmet sitting back on the head leaving the forehead exposed. Please make sure your rider’s helmet covers their forehead without easily slipping forward over their eyes or backwards exposing their forehead.
Shoes: Sneakers are just fine! But make sure they are sneakers that you don’t mind getting a little (or a lot) dirty. A bike shoe often looks like a sneaker, but bike shoes have a stiffer soul making for more efficient pedaling. That stiffer shoe can also make for less comfortable walking – so again sneakers are fine. Older and more advanced riders may elect to try or use “clipless” pedals and shoes – which ironically is the kind of set up you clip into. Unless a child is racing as part of our development team, we would suggest “flats” - pedals that are easy to step onto and off from and can be used with sneakers or bike shoes.
Apparel – Most of our programs take part in the spring and fall which means it can be weather variable and cool. We suggest fabrics that wick moisture away from the skin and clothes that are easily layered. Remove a layer if the rider heats up; add a layer when it gets cool out. Packable layers usually fit into a small pack or can be carried by a coach. Bike apparel is great. Padded shorts are often helpful – bike gloves (short finger or long finger) are helpful - however most sport clothes – layers for soccer, running or skiing will work for our purposes. Kids love hoodies (ok we all do). Please keep your hoodie for after your ride. Hoodies on the trail get soggy and heavy and are a pain to carry if the rider needs to shed the layer.
Bottle or Hydration Pack – All shredders should come with a way to drink water as they ride. If your bike has a water bottle cage (bottle holder), great! However, lots of smaller mountain bikes don’t have the space to hold a bottle. A small hydration pack or waist pack is great to have. The rider can keep their water in a “bladder” and drink from a hose. These packs are also great to carry a cycling “multi tool” and parts and pieces to change a flat tire and space to stash an extra layer. There are lots of available options in stores, online and available through the Shredders Community via our Bike Swap or messaging on TeamSnap. We also suggest carrying an energy or granola bar - some kind of snack. Kids are busy after school and don’t always remember to eat before practice!
Gear Questions
If you have questions or want help with gear, your rider's coach or one of the local bike shops are a great resource.