Outdoor Lifestyles

Carbon emission reduction is one reason why more people are looking for new ways to enjoy non-polluting activities and buying a mountain bike can satisfy this search. Purchasing a mountain bike is not a cheap business and can mean forking out many 100s or sometimes 1000s of pounds to get the right model.

When this amount of money has been spent on a mountain bike, it’s obvious that the owner will want to protect the purchase. Damage to a mountain bike is not an outcome that should be too surprising given the types of strains and pressures that bikes are put through on the trail. Given that a mountain bike costing five thousand pounds is probably quite desirable, it’s not unusual for thieves to show an interest.

Deterring even the criminally minded can only be achieved by making sure the mountain bike is equipped with the necessary security items. Where there’s a will there’s a way and a thief with the right level of determination can always get what they want. Mountain bike owners should guarantee that if their prize item is stolen, that they are not out of pocket and can replace what’s been taken from them.

Mountain bike insurance can help guarantee value protection, for a little money. Insurance specialists can draw up mountain bike insurance policies that are specifically put together to cover the needs of cyclists.

Mountain bike owners that use their bikes for leisure, commuting or more importantly for competitions and race trail tracks can cover their activities depending on the level of insurance they purchase.
The best advice that can be given to a mountain bike owner is firstly to get them to consider whether they could afford the cost of repairing a mountain bike if it were damaged. Next, mountain bike owners should think about whether a stolen bike can be replaced easily and if they could afford it. It’s important to buy mountain bike insurance if the answers to both questions is a resounding no.

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When it comes to mountain bikes, you get what you pay for much of the time. While purchasing the best bike you can afford is a good idea, figuring out which top of the line downhill bike really is a good buy can be harder. Usually, it’s best to look at the quality of the components, and the way in which the bike fits you and the way you ride to decide on the right model.

A mountain bike is a bicycle with a sturdy frame, wide tires with large treads, horizontal handlebars, and gearing, basically. Off road, they offer better stability and traction than a street bike’s narrow tires and lightweight frame can. But that’s not all they are for, even though these bikes are called mountain bikes. They can also be ridden cross country, or on trails with no surfacing or with gravel. City streets that have uneven or broken paving are also suitable for these bikes. Just look out for large rocks and roots. Choose a mountain bike for any application where you will need strength and stability. These bikes are probably heavier than you’re looking for, if you do most of your cycling on flat areas with smooth pavement.

Look for High Quality Build

As well as using good materials, top of the line mountain bikes will offer quality construction. Do not be fooled, even if many merchants will try to sell you frames and components based purely on the materials that make them up. It is possible to make a bad bike frame from titanium, just as it’s possible to make a good one from steel or aluminum. Whether you are buying a frame, some gears, or new wheels, quality of manufacture is more important, even though prestigious materials certainly cost a lot more. Instead of rim brakes like the ones on road bikes, look for bikes with higher quality disc brakes and good suspension.

Lightweight Frames Are In

Lighter frames mean there’s less for you to pull up steep slopes. However, lightweight frames and wheels also mean that you sacrifice strength, in some materials. A certain loss of stability is also unavoidable. Mountain bikes are usually heavier-built than road bikes, for these reasons. Composite materials like Kevlar (the same material used for bullet-proof vests) and carbon fiber are the newest and hottest composites used to make trail bicycle frames. Because they are intensely light-weight and very powerful, these materials are also made use of for other parts of the bike. However, it is very difficult to repair bike frames made with Kevlar and carbon fiber when they are damaged.

Titanium, the best and most costly material for bike frames, offers the light weight of carbon fiber with strength that may surpass that of the toughest steel alloy frames. For bicycle frames, it’s also the most corrosion-resistant. As you would expect, all these benefits come with an extremely high price tag.

Reliable Suspension is a Must

Good suspension can reduce the “whippiness” you sometimes encounter with lighter materials like aluminum and titanium. Front only or both front and rear supension are available on quality mountain bikes. Be sure to try it out to make sure that you have the right fit, and that the weight feels good, when you select your bike. Make certain you know exactly what you are getting, in terms of materials, weight and frame size, if you decide you want to have a bike built elsewhere.

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The British Mountain Bike Series is the country’s largest biking event in the whole year and attendees get to see races, challenges and bike demos at 5 venues around the UK. The Bike Series offers whole families the chance to see some excellent riding from the country’s biggest riders. And in 2010 for the first time ever, the BMBS will play host to bike demos from the world’s biggest mountain bike brands. Giant Mountain Bikes are one of those manufacturers who will be attending the demos along with others like trek and Specialised where riders will be able to test-ride the latest mountain bike models.

It will be the first event of its kind and people from across the UK will be able to experience a demo as there are 5 venues in total. Yorkshire, South Wales, Plymouth, Nottinghamshire and London will all play hosts to the British Series events. And whether you want to take the family biking, learn new tricks or get some technical information, Giant Mountain Bikes Managing Director Ian Beasant promises that you can get all this and more at the demos.

With the addition of these new demos and the activities taking place at all 5 venues, the organisers of the British Series hope that 2010 will be their best year ever. Just a few of the events taking place include XC races, endure challenges and under-12s races so there is something for everyone. Last year the BMBS attracted over 4000 riders and hopes are high that this year there will be even more.

As well as getting to see some great biking action at the British Series you can also use the vent as a basis for a great weekend away. Near to some of our venues there are activities including deer parks, adventure playgrounds, castles and forests all waiting to be explored. You might just do something you never knew existed in the UK.

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Going on a mountain bike tour adventure can be incredibly fun and enjoyable, and so if you have never done it before it is definitely something that you will want to consider. However, before you go on a mountain bike tour adventure, regardless of how experienced you are as a biker, there are a few things in particular that you are going to need to think about.

Before you Head out on That Mountain Bike Tour Adventure

The first thing you want to consider before going on a mountain bike tour adventure is whether or not you have everything you need. After all, although mountain biking is a relatively simple sport, especially when compared to other sports which require a large amount of specified equipment, there are really only a few things in particular that you need here.

One of the most important pieces of equipment is your helmet, as this is what is going to most likely save your life if you happen to fall while biking. Nobody should be on a bike without a helmet, no matter how experienced they are, and especially when you are going mountain biking, because it is much more extreme than regular cycling.

Mountain bike gloves are also important, as these will help to keep your hands from sweating and tiring while you are biking. When you ride, your hands can really take a beating, especially when you are mountain biking because you are going over rougher terrain and thus you have to keep a firmer grip.

Bike shorts are also crucial, because by wearing the proper shorts you will be able to ride for longer periods of time and be more comfortable in general. Bike shoes are important as well, and you need to pick the type of shoes that you are going to wear depending on the type of pedals that you have and as well the type of riding that you want to do.

Eye protection is also crucial, particularly if you are planning on going on a longer mountain bike tour adventure, and specifically, wearing the proper eyewear can keep debris from getting in your eyes, as if this happens it can throw you off guard and throw you off track. Eye protection such as sunglasses or clear glasses, for instance, can help to keep your eyes safe from debris as well as protect them from the sun and wind.

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