What You Should Have in Your First Aid Kit

It is unfortunate, but every day a biker is injured. While any injury sucks, having a first aid kit can be a very good thing. In fact a good first aid kit can mean all the difference in an emergency situation. However the off the shelf first aid kit, while good, needs a bit more added to it. This article is meant to be a guide as to what should be in a first aid kit.

The Basics:

1. Gauze bandages. These guys are great for stopping bleeding and will help the body clot the blood.
2. Band aids. There is nothing better for treating minor cuts and scrapes than a band aid.
3. First aid tape. An absolute must for attaching Gauze bandages.
4. Alcohol wipes. Treating any cut with alcohol seriously reduces the chance of infection
5. Ace Bandages. Joint injuries are unpleasant, but one of these bandages can help support an injured joint until you have time to get medical attention.
6. Tweezers. Never think that tweezers will not come in handy.
7. Tourniquet. One of the best emergency treatments of a major cut is to cut off the blood supply. While a clean tourniquet is best, wearing a bandana can serve the same purpose.

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Fight the Burn: How to Take on a Steep Uphill Trail and Live to Tell the Tale

Every biker on the planet would agree that the best part to a ride is down hill. This is where it all comes together in a symphony of speed, adrenaline and skill. However, unless you live in a different physical plane than the rest of us, the truth of the matter is that to go down a hill also requires going up a hill.  The problem is that in truth, the bigger the down, the bigger the up. So the trick in climbing up any hill is to know how to do it to make sure not only that you get to the top, but that when you are there you have the energy and desire to go on.

While every rider will eventually discover what works best for them, the following are some suggestions on taking on those uber hills and still have some gas left in the tank.

• The primary key to taking on any hill is having the skill and endurance too do it. If you are trying to take on a steep incline and you have only started biking that day, you might want to reconsider. Even the best bikers in the world took some time getting in shape and learning correct biking techniques. Do the same favor for yourself and make sure you are ready before trying to take on Mount Everest.
• Momentum is another important part of climbing a hill. The more momentum you have, the easier the beginning of the incline will be. The easier the beginning the more gas you have for the middle and end of the hill. When you see the big hill coming, get your speed up and attack it with a good amount of speed and force. Also remember to gear down a bit before you start the climb. Gearing down after you have started is going to create some possible problems.
• Once you are on the hill keep the pace steady and remember to breathe well. Trying to go to fast or hyperventilating will have you running out of steam long before you reach the top. Maintain a consistent speed on the pedals and keep your breathing rhythmic. This will help you out a lot as breathing right helps gets oxygen to those tired muscles that are working to keep you in motion.  Read more

  Tags: riding tips

  Duct Tape: It Holds the Universe Together…and Inner Tubes Too!

  August 8, 2008 by Richard Martens  
  Filed under Tips

  1 Comment

  If there is one thing that sucks almost as much as severe bodily injury then it has to be getting a flat in the middle of the trail. While there are some articles on what to bring with you in case this happens, there is not one that actually tells you how to fix a flat when you are in the middle of no where.

  In an ideal world, everyone carries enough patch kits with them to fix every flat they will ever get. However any experienced mountain bike rider will tell you that sometimes the trail gods hate you and it seems like you get a flat every time you pedal a full rotation. In these times having a roll of duck tape, a couple of flat head screwdrivers, and a tire pump are your last and final line of defense against the whiles of both the trials and their gods.

  With the following steps you will learn that not only can you do an emergency flat repair, but that in some cases you can even resurrect a trashed tire long enough to get you to home base.

  Minimal tools that you will need

  1. Wrenches sized to the nuts on your wheels
  2. Two flat head screw drivers or putty knives
  3. A roll of grey duct tape
  4. Tire pump

  Step 1: Removing the flat tire

  The first step in this process is to put the bike in a position that is comfortable for you to work on. Most people prefer the bike to be upside down using the seat and handle bars much like a bench. However some prefer to work on their bikes with the wheels on the ground, or laying side ways. It really makes little difference so long as you are comfortable.

  With the correct sized wrench placed squarely on the nut, turn in a counter clockwise direction. Once the nut becomes hand loose, proceed to finger twist the nut off enough to allow the tire to be taken from its supports. Repeat this process for the other side of the tire.

  Step 2: Remove the tire from the Wheel

  Making sure to let out any remaining air in the tube slide either your flat head screw driver or putty knife carefully under the lip of the tire. Using the leverage provided by the edge of the wheel push slowly down on the handle of your tool until the lip of the tire is sitting over the edge of the wheel rim.

  Next insert the second flat head screwdriver or putty knife and slowly push it around the edge of the tire lifting the lip of the tire over the edge of the wheel rim until one edge of the tire is completely removed from the wheel rim. There may be a few areas you really need to coax the tire over, and remember to keep constant pressure on the other tool to make sure the tire does not “hide” back under the wheel rim.

  Step 3: Locate the puncture

  While this can be done visually and with spit, it is suggested you use some water to clean the tube first. After cleaning the tube inflate the tube with your tire pump and using all your senses locate the leak. Most leaks are pretty easy to find and will hiss fairly loudly. If you are having a hard time locating the leak use water to sparingly splash on the tube and look for bubbles created by escaping air.

  Step 4: Repair the puncture

  At the location of the leak take the roll of duct tape and place the edge of the tape about a half inch from the puncture. Then slowly wrap the tube two to three times. It is important to not wrap to tightly as this can cause the tube to squeeze when it is inflated. However, also pay attention not to wrap to loosely or the leak will most likely not be sealed.

  There is some debate among bikers as to the correct way to use duct tape to seal a leak. Some believe it is best to wrap the tape around the are of the puncture while others feel that using a square much like a patch is a better idea. From personal experience it is better to just wrap the tube because squares tend to fall off more readily which means repeating the whole process again.

  Step 5: Replace the tube back into the wheel

  Again making sure the tube is out of air place the nipple into the slot in the wheel and slowly place the rest of the tube around the wheel.

  Step 6: Replace Tire

  Taking care not to pinch the tube replace the tire by using your palms to set the lip of the tire back into the rim of the wheel until the tire is once again in place.

  Step 7: Pump up the tire

  Using your tire pump, pump the tire up to your normal psi

  Step 8: Get back on the trail!

  Get back on the trial and try to make it back to home base quick. There is no guarantee that this patch will last long and the sooner you make it back home the better off both you and your bike are.

  So there you have it. A great way to fix a flat with duct tape. If you have a patch kit handy simply follow the above directions with exception of instead of using duct tape use a patch kit instead. Most patch kits provide directions on their proper application so this should be a fairly easy process as well.

  Until next time, good trails and good rides.

  Tags: duct tape, flat tire, Tips

  Mechanic Tips: Replacing Wheel Bearings

  August 7, 2008 by Richard Martens  
  Filed under Tips

  1 Comment

  There comes a time in every rider’s life when they decide to either fix a bike on their own, or choose to modify their bike. While the professionals will tell you that you are always best off using them for these problems, both our wallets and our curiosity often propel us forward in search of greater understanding of the mechanical universe. In an effort to help you do it yourself several articles will be focused on various mechanical aspects of mountain biking.

  What you will need for the following repair/modification

  1. Correctly sized wrenches.
  2. Bearing grease (this should be available at any bike store)
  3. Wheel bearings (most should come pre assembled in the brace)

  Step 1:
  Using the correct size wrench remove the wheel from the frame. For front wheels this will be simple, for some rear wheel set ups you may need to remove the derailer and brake system before removing the wheel.

  Step 2:
  Using the correct sized wrench remove the retaining nut that is against the outside of the wheel well (where the axle goes through). At this point some bikes may require a flat head screw driver to remove the wheel well plate, while others will simply pull out. If necessary repeat this process on the other side. You know you have done it correctly when the axle of the wheel is completely removed.

  Step 3:
  Remove the wheel bearing brace. This will be a small circular piece of metal with several ball bearings spaced apart. Also you should find at least some grease to help reduce friction during movement.

  Step 4:
  After removing the replacement bearings from their package set them on a cardboard box or similar surface you do not mind getting dirty. Then open the wheel grease and scoop out a liberal amount with one hand. Next grab the replacement bearing with you clean hand and begin rubbing the grease into the bearing.

  Step 5:
  Continue rubbing wheel grease into the bearing for several minutes scooping out more grease as needed. You want to make sure that as much of each ball is coated in grease so that they will function correctly. Repeat this process for the other bearing.

  Step 6:
  After wiping your hands clean of grease replace the bearings into the wheel well. Most wheels should have groves that they align with, if they don’t, put them in there as well as you can.

  Step 7:
  Replace the axel assembly and tighten all nuts as needed. Make sure to not over tighten these nuts as doing so could cause problems down the road.

  Step 8:
  Remount wheel as specified by your particular bike manufacturer.

  Step 9:
  Take your bike for a ride, listen for any grinding sounds. Also you will want to make sure that your pedaling is as smooth or smoother as it was previously. If you hear either grinding or the pedaling is not smooth repeat the process and apply more wheel grease as it is very likely you did not coat the bearings well enough.

  Step 10:
  Enjoy the ride.

  Tags: Tips, wheel bearings

  Tire Pressure: Something to Pay Attention To

  August 7, 2008 by Richard Martens  
  Filed under Tips

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  Every person who has ever ridden a mountain bike wants to know the best way to get the best ride. To confuse this matter every company that has a product swears their product revolutionizes the sport of mountain biking. In fact millions of dollars a year are spent by enthusiastic mountain bikers looking to get the best ride they can. The funny thing is that while good gear is good gear, one of the easiest ways to adjust the experience of your ride is by knowing how to set the correct tire pressure.

  This may seem like a no brainer, and it may also seem like it’s a very small part of the overall riding experience, but air pressure in your tires is very important to the over all quality of the ride. Physics, which controls almost every aspect of riding a mountain bike, has several laws that must be obeyed. However these rules, which must be obeyed, can also be manipulated. The key to manipulating these rules is to understand how they work and how they affect your riding experience.

  The most basic law involved in riding a bike is the law of friction. Friction is the force we must fight in order to achieve even the slowest of movements. When riding a bike you are essentially operating against two forms of friction. The first is the friction between your tires and the ground, the second is the friction created by you and your bike moving through air. There are many things you can do to reduce the friction you create in the air, however, the only way to increase or reduce friction between your tires and the ground is to find ways to increase or decrease the surface area of the tire that contacts the ground. To explain this simply, less tire on the ground means less traction and friction, while more tire on the ground means more traction and more friction.

  With this basic theory in hand do the following. Inflate your tire to around 35 to 40 psi. This should be almost as full as it can go without bursting. Now get on the bike and pedal around a bit. It should feel like you are having a bit of a difficult time controlling the bike, but pedaling is easy. This is because friction has been reduced, but so has traction and thus control.

  Now deflate the tire around 5 psi or so. Again get on the bike and pedal around a bit. While the change may not be drastic, you should notice an increase in handling as well as an increase in effort. This is because you have created a bit more area for the tire to grab and thus increased both friction and traction.

  Finally spend some time adjusting your psi until you feel the amount of effort and the amount of control are as well balanced for your riding style as they can be. For heavier people this will probably not be far below maximum while lighter people may go as far down as 25 psi (which is about the lowest you want to go). While this may seem a small change, you will notice the difference pretty quickly.

  Stay tuned for the next article in the series which looks at using air pressure for specific trail conditions.

  Tags: Tips, tire pressure, tires

  The Great Debate: Gatorade or Water

  August 1, 2008 by Richard Martens  
  Filed under Tips

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  If there is one thing almost everyone who has ever done serious mountain biking knows, it is the value of good hydration. In fact, the matter of hydration is so important that not taking care to make sure you are well hydrated can lead to some serious health effects. A person who begins to go through the process of dehydration loses energy, experiences poor cognitive function (commonly refered to as “spacing out”), and runs the risk of disastrous health problems such as kidney or liver failure. What many people do not realize is that the effects of dehydration can begin to occur within minutes of engaging in any exerting activity. Luckily, there are many easy ways to counter dehydration that are as simple as making sure you have a water bottle full of water and you drink it often during your ride.

  Not only is water important, but there are also several things you should avoid just before engaging in any heavy exertion like mountain biking. One of the biggest mistakes bikers make is drinking soda either before or on the ride. The reason soda is so bad is not the caffeine content, nor the sugar content (both of those are actually positives in small amounts) but the high sodium content. Sodium is a natural dehydrator and will dry up a good deal of the bodies’ natural water reserves as it makes its way through your system.

  So the natural question is where does Gatorade fit into the whole mess? Well, actually Gatorade is a great thing to have on the trail. It contains carbohydrates, sugars, and salts that the body loses during heavy exertion. In fact, because of the formula used in Gatorade it is actually better than straight water while on the trail. Where many people run into problems is using Gatorade at times when it is not beneficial, and could be harmful.

  It may not make much sense, but the fact of the matter is that Gatorade is not a good idea unless you are involved in heavy exertion. The reasons for this are the same reasons Gatorade is so good on the trail. When you are not involved in heavy exertion you do not lose the things that Gatorade replenishes. You are not using carbohydrates, you are not burning sugars, and you are not sweating out the bodies’ salt supplies. So when you take that great big gulp of your favorite flavor you are actually giving the body more than it needs, and when the body gets more than it needs it tries to store it. In other words, it becomes fat or excess sugar floating around in the blood stream causing damage to blood veins and other parts of your internal structure. Over enough time this can lead to obesity and diabetes no matter how active a lifestyle you maintain.

  So what is the best policy to remain well hydrated during the trail? Well, a good rule of thumb is to drink 16 or more ounces of water before you ride, keep a Gatorade or other sports drink handy for the ride, and when the ride is over drink some more water. This will keep you full of all the right minerals, keep enough water in the body, and provide long term energy for even the toughest of trails. Remember that while your body is tough, taking care of it will help make sure it is around for a little bit longer.

  Tags: hydration

  Dehydration, the Forgotten Enemy

  July 31, 2008 by Richard Martens  
  Filed under Tips

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  If you were to list the greatest threats to your safety when mountain biking what do you think it would look like? Most people would probably put some form of bodily injury at the top. This makes perfect sense, one wipe out at the wrong time and you are going to have some injury. After the various forms of bodily injury, most people would probably state exhaustion, again makes a lot of sense, mountain biking is intense exercise and if you over do it you will notice it pretty quickly. Going along with this idea the next thing most people would point to would be heat stroke. However the single most important health risk when mountain biking is perhaps one of the easiest to avoid, dehydration.

  It is easy to understand why dehydration is so overlooked. Dehydration masks itself under a variety of other symptoms, so often we tend to think that something else is at fault when the effects of dehydration begin to show. Also because the body can cope with dehydration on its own, we tend to ignore the minor signs until it is too late. Then suddenly people are having a hard time standing, their muscles ache from constant cramping, and eventually coma can set in. Don’t be fooled into thinking that it can’t happen in the space of a couple hours. Dehydration can reduce even the healthiest person down to unconsciousness in a very short time if the circumstances are right. So knowing that Dehydration is a problem is a start but what exactly is dehydration, how does someone recognize it, and most importantly, how can you treat it? Answering these questions is the purpose of this article.

  What is dehydration?

  In essence dehydration occurs when the body is loosing more water than it is replacing. As the body looses water it begins to take action to preserve both water and blood pressure. To do this it stops letting water flow to the bladder and through the intestines while taking water from the cells and putting it out into the bloodstream. While this is a good short term solution, if left unchecked it can lead to serious problems.

  What are the effects of dehydration?

  The earliest effects of dehydration are manifested as thirst. As dehydration continues the body will show symptoms such as dry mouth, the stopping of sweat, and other water conservation reactions. As the body continues to dehydrate physical symptoms such as muscle cramps and vomiting will begin. If by this point the body does not get the water it needs people will begin to experience light headedness, and eventually can fall in to coma, and in some cases die.

  What leads to dehydration?

  Several factors lead to dehydration, the key one being lack of water. However while lack of water is the biggest culprit many things can speed up the dehydration process. First the heat of the air will cause the body to sweat more, thus water loss will occur. Next is heat caused by exercise (such as in mountain biking), where again the body seeks to cool itself by sweating. Other causes are frequent urination, diarrhea, and vomiting. In fact if you are experiencing diarrhea or vomiting before riding it is highly suggested you do not go as you are at a very great risk.

  How can I avoid dehydration?

  The easiest way to avoid dehydration is to drink a lot of water. Depending on your climate you want to drink a minimum of 1 quart or more of water a day. Also if you are an active person increase your water intake accordingly to make sure the body stays well hydrated. Also there are several drinks and powders available such as Gatorade that help keep the body hydrated.

  What do I do if I am experiencing the symptoms of dehydration?

  Only a health care professional can tell you if you are truly dehydrated, but if you suspect you may be suffering from dehydration there are things you can do to counter act the symptoms. First stop any intensive activity. You want the body to cool down and thus need less water. Also a relaxed body maintains blood pressure better than an active one and the body can use the water in the blood for other functions. Next if possible find shade and rest there. Again you want to cool down the body and the cooler the better. Once resting and in the shade, drink some water. It is important to remember that drinking water to quickly can cause problems, but make sure to keep drinking until you don’t feel thirsty any more. If after drinking water and cooling down you are not feeling any better, go to the nearest hospital. While they will most likely just give you an IV liquid, it is always better safe than sorry.

  So there you have it, some information about dehydration, and the ways to avoid it. It may seem that this is a fairly minor issue compared to a broken bone (or even worse a flat tire) but in all reality dehydration can kill very quickly if people do not take it seriously. In fact according to the latest estimates by the World health organization well over four million people die each year world wide from the effects of dehydration. Do yourself a favor and make your water bottle your best friend.

  Tags: dehydration, hydration

  My Singlespeed Friend

  July 31, 2008 by Richard Martens  
  Filed under Single-speed

  2 Comments

  Whoever made the statement that you can never go back to your childhood was wrong. While there is truth to the fact that once we age past those great years of endless child powered energy, we can still recapture pieces of our youth by simply doing the things we used to do. One of the greatest joys I have found recently is the ability to once again tear up the track and trails of my childhood with a single geared mountain bike. Sure the bike needs to be bigger and unfortunately they are a bit more expensive than saving my paper route money can afford, but single gear mountain bikes are a great way to not only remember your childhood, but bring it back as well.

  I, like a lot of riders, still freshly remember tearing around a dirt track. Taking on jumps and bumps, sliding around a turn with one leg out to help keep myself upright, all of this and more. I remember how from the moment I got home until the sun set I was gone somewhere on my bike. The best part about being an adult is I don’t have to worry about my mother calling me home too soon. Yet the bad part about being an adult is that after a couple hours of riding like a crazed maniac I am exhausted. However it is a sweet price to pay for the feeling of once again being a kid.

  Sure there are some issues with single gear mountain bikes. First off those hills that are hard with gear selection become true monsters with only one gear. Also only having one gear means that no matter how hard I pedal I am not going to get a better speed ratio from my bike. Yet I am more than willing to give these things up and not just because I get to regain some of my childhood. As a matter of fact I can think of a lot of benefits to a single gear mountain bike.

  First is the obvious fact I don’t have to worry near as much about derailing issues. Since the bike only has one gear, there is no chance that the chain will derail as it switches gears. Also because everything is simpler, I have a lot less maintenance I have to worry about. Instead of making sure my gear rail is in good shape, then testing to make sure the gear cables are in working order, I can just check to make sure my tires are good, my handlebars straight and off I go. All of this is even before I consider the different challenges a single gear bike offers.

  While I can’t speak for every biker on a trail, I can vouch that at least some of us enjoy the pure challenge of the sport. Now imagine that already monster hill without the benefit of gearing down to help you get to the top. Yep, you have one gear and the only way you are going to make it up that hill is to put everything you got on the line. Yet once you are up there, you know you earned it. Another challenge aspect of single geared bikes is the fact that back woods trails become even more technical. Now instead of being able to gear up or down for the demands of the trial you only have one gear and that gear is forward.

  So okay maybe these kind of bikes are not for everyone. After all if we all converted to single gear bikes, engineers would be joining the unemployment lines in droves. However for those of us looking to recapture some of our childhood, or those of us looking for a different kind of challenge, the single geared mountain bike is a great answer.

  Tags: singlespeed

  The Best Tools For the Trail

  July 30, 2008 by Richard Martens  
  Filed under Tips

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  No matter how much we wish things were different, bikes break down. They just don’t break down, they often break down at the worst possible time. In fact it seems the bike just knows not only the worse time to break down, but the worst way to break down. Sure everyone packs a patch kit, and everyone has a keychain spoke wrench. But what happens when it’s a sidewall? Or worse your crank bends? Not only does this mean your ride is over, but if you don’t have something to fix it with your looking at having to push or carry your bike the entire way back, and that is something no one really wants to do.

  So we know the problem but how do we fix it? Well I could throw a list of tools at you that you should carry but what if your bike does not have a need for that tool? What if your bike uses a different size? Well then there is a problem and if you followed my advice I would be the poor guy you grumble about and blame when the tool you have does not work for your bike. So what is the best thing to do when you want to make sure you have every tool you could need? Honestly the best thing for any biker to do is get to know their bike.

  While this will take some time, I would actually take as much of the bike apart that I can. As you take it apart you will know what tools it took. Then after you have it apart, start to put it back together again. As you put it back together, make sure to separate the tools you use away from the tools you don’t use. Once the bike is back together you can either keep the tools you used, or find replacements for them at the local bike shop. I would actually suggest the bike shop as they will have some multi tools that should have every tool you need on it. However this is only part of what you will be doing.

  Tires present a unique problem. A patch kit (or buying some flat proof tires) is great for the occasional flat, but what happens when a rock shreds your side wall? There are special types of patches for when this happens, however duct tape can also make a great emergency repair well enough to get you home. In fact duct tape works for a lot of problem so I would suggest you carry a small roll of this wonderful stuff with you as well as the other tools you have.

  Along the same lines as the above is carrying a spare inter tube. I can’t count the times that having an extra tube has allowed myself or a friend to continue on a trial instead of having to walk the bike along. While it may take up space, you will be happy to have it when the need arises.

  So we got a good idea of what we need to fix a bike, but something that needs to be discussed is what we need when it comes to fixing yourself. It is understandable that we often to look at ourselves as a repair problem, but after a wipe out the biggest hindrance to the performance of the bike can be the rider themselves. Because we are human, we are fallible, because we are fallible, we can wreck a mountain bike, because we can wreck a bike means we can get hurt. This is when a first aid kit comes in handy. However unless you buy one of the super duper first aid kits that enables you to practically perform surgery, you will find most kits a bit short. So make sure you have the following as part of your rider repair kit.

  1. Band aids
  2. Antiseptic or alcohol wipes to clean up the wound
  3. Gauze bandages for really nasty scrapes and cuts.
  4. Ace bandages for sprains and muscle tears.
  5. Slings for broken bones.
  6. Tylenol or some other over the counter pain reliever
  7. Clean water

  While this list is very basic, it’s a good start. Remember if you think of something else to bring with you by all means add it. The important thing to remember is you want to be prepared as possible.

  Going along with the preparedness thing, have you ever given thought to the idea of being stranded in the middle of no where? The fact is most people don’t, and this can lead to some problems along longer trails that are not close to civilization. Because of this it is wise to pack some items that will help you survive should you wind up in a situation where due to mechanical failure, injury or some other circumstance you need to have an impromptu camping night.

  First always make sure to bring enough water. Most people bring a water bottle, but having a second one in your back pack makes sense for a variety of reasons. Second always bring along some kind of snack mix or granola bar. It won’t keep you from going hungry, but it will give you enough energy to survive that much longer if you need too. Pack a flare, these handy little devices will get attention if anyone is close by. Finally pack a warm blanket and a water proof pancho, both of these will keep you warm should the weather take a sudden and nasty bend.

  Again remember that every trail is more than the bike and rider. It is an adventure and a wise rider does everything possible to make sure that they are as prepared as they can be for when those adventures take unexpected turns. With the above advice and talking to other biking enthusiasts you can learn a lot without having to go through it all first. The trail calls, but remember you decide if you ever come back.

  Tags: bike repair, tools

  Big Wheel Revolution: The 29er

  July 16, 2008 by Richard Martens  
  Filed under 29er, Newbies

  2 Comments

  In all reality the sport of Mountain Biking is still fairly young. After all the first bikes called mountain bikes were not out until around 20 years ago, and in the wide world of sports that makes this sport a bit of an upstart. However, this is actually a very good thing for mountain bikers. The reason is that because Mountain Biking is still such a young sport that people are still more than willing to experiment with different ideas in efforts to improve or change the sport. A great case in point is the emergence of the 29 inch wheel.

  Up until recently almost everyone rode on the traditional 26 inch wheel. This makes a lot of sense when one takes a look at the geometry and physics behind bikes and riding. However people don’t use mountain bikes for just a ride down the road, mountain bikes are used by a large number of us for rough and tumble back country trials. This means that smaller wheels can slow a rider down and have more difficulty going over the large obstacles that are so often a part of the trails we enthusiasts ride.

  Given the idea that we spend a lot of time on rough surfaces some people have brought around the idea of the 29 inch wheel. This process of changing out 26 inch wheels for 29 inch wheels is seriously gaining momentum and it is not beyond conception that not to long from now the 29 inch wheel actually becomes more commonly used than the traditional 26 incher. While it is unlikely that the 26 inch wheel will go away entirely, the 29er or big wheel as some call it, is quickly becoming a staple to trails across the world.

  Many people who first see the big 29er often ask the question of why? The nice thing about the big wheel revolution is that why is pretty easy to understand. Bigger wheels mean two things, increased speed and an easier time rolling over obstacles. This makes the bigger wheel ideal for both cross country and endurance riding where these factors are a huge consideration for most riders. However one problem does occur when you change wheel sizes.

  Because the traditional size of the mountain bike wheel was 26 inches, most companies have designed their frames and forks for wheels of that size. This means that the geometry and physics of the bike are optimal when mounted on this size wheel. This governs things such as controlling the bike during turns, impact on the frame, and other things. When you mount a new size wheel on the frame you essentially change the physical basis the bike is designed on. This means that you have the potential of lack of control and frame damage among other things. Also some concern needs to be given to the rider themselves. While riding a bike that has only added three inches to the wheels may not seem a big deal, that is a large three inches.

  In the end the big wheel revolution is happening as we speak, there is not really a lot that can stop it, nor should there be. While there are some tweaks that will need to be made over time for the 29er to officially become the wheel of choice, those tweaks are few and soon frames and other special items designed for 29 inch riders will start flooding the market place as this revolution continues to happen.

  Tags: 29er, mountain bike

  
  

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