Comments on: Random Mountain Bike Tips and Tricks

By: blundar

blundar — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 13:44:35 +0000

Always clean your water bottles after every ride. If you have a hydration pack, clean the outside and put it in the fridge to keep mold from growing in it.

By: Dyno_Don

Dyno_Don — Fri, 09 Nov 2012 14:25:09 +0000

I thought the reason for lineing up your valve stem with your tire logo is for when you get a flat you can find the puncture in the tire by finding the hole in the tube, then realigning the valve stem with the tire, you can then pinpoint the puncture point, remove the hard to find cause of the flat tire so you won’t get another puncture in your new tube. Looking like a pro, I wish it was that easy..
An old piece of tube works as a good sleeve to carry your spare tube.

By: ablack84

ablack84 — Mon, 24 Sep 2012 01:13:01 +0000

Good tips. At least if your not a great rider, you can at least look like you are….

By: 272

272 — Thu, 31 May 2012 15:30:31 +0000

The chain should ALWAYS be on the big ring. The smaller rings are for kids and delivery bikes.
Sunglasses should be worn however they are most comfortable for you.
The only fender on a bike should be Freddy Fender … on your iPod!
What the h*)) is a “trail maintainer”? ROFL

By: brianW

brianW — Mon, 28 May 2012 13:10:36 +0000

I have a pair of glasses for riding from http://www.zennioptical.com/ Prescription sport glasses for under $30.

By: Cawoodwilly

Cawoodwilly — Mon, 28 May 2012 05:34:07 +0000

Unless you want to break your glasses frames. Never put them out side the helmet straps. I poped off the helmet and snapped off the ears and watched my 600 dollar lenses bounce across the payment. Sum ideas are just stupid.

By: abegold

abegold — Sun, 27 May 2012 18:40:11 +0000

I disagree with tip #9, straps under sunglasses, unless you like headaches! Fenders here in the desert are just added weight.
May get some gorilla.

By: brianW

brianW — Sun, 27 May 2012 01:24:24 +0000

my ss has a rear rack that doubles as a fender.

By: Bubblehead10MM

Bubblehead10MM — Fri, 25 May 2012 16:51:35 +0000

“Looks Faster” LOL #7 I like the idea of tape around a tube, but personally like to pull off a good bit and make a flat role. that is fold 6″ back on it self and role the rest on. It look like a long wallet and slides into camel back well. And Gorilla is the best with Duck the next by a good margin. Old navy guys no Sierra stamp of approval.

By: TrevorDHyland

TrevorDHyland — Fri, 25 May 2012 16:01:47 +0000

Good tips. Thanks! I had no idea that there was a correct way to photograph your bike. Also, I’d like to try fenders. Goodness knows I’ve had many a ride with mud up my crack!

By: goonie72

goonie72 — Fri, 25 May 2012 13:34:33 +0000

@brianW “volunteer to ride sweep so you have an excuse being last” too funny, I’ve done that before lol, good one..

And #9 is my favorite mainly because every roadie I know that also rides MTB will always mention “hey you should put your sunglasses outside the straps, never fails..

I don’t think I can do fenders either, although they would no doubt come in handy in an extreme situation. I don’t really ride in rainy conditions, my local trail maintainers prefer no one ride until at least 2 days after a heavy rainfall to try and avoid tearing up the trail. I personally would love riding rainy and muddy but I have no problem respecting their requests.

By: Tr0gd0r

Tr0gd0r — Fri, 25 May 2012 04:39:07 +0000

If your bike has fenders, I’ll laugh at you behind your back. Although I did get caught in the rain once a few years back…

By: GimmeAraise

GimmeAraise — Fri, 25 May 2012 04:31:45 +0000

hahah this is…….dumb! dont get a fender! who cares how your wheel lines up with the tube valve! Who cares how you take pictures just ride!! ah ok all i need to say is this was very random!

By: brianW

brianW — Thu, 24 May 2012 22:09:28 +0000

tip #10 When riding with faster riders, volunteer to ride sweep so you have an excuse being last.

By: MarcS

MarcS — Thu, 24 May 2012 21:33:15 +0000

Here in Western Oregon it rains for about 8 months out of the year. In fact, it’s pouring right now. Our trails, as a result, tend to have a ton of water crossings and it makes for a much more comfortale ride if you have fenders (or at least a rear one) to keep your rear from getting soaked.

By: maddslacker

maddslacker — Thu, 24 May 2012 20:25:32 +0000

What is rain?

By: klowe8828

klowe8828 — Thu, 24 May 2012 20:01:35 +0000

Nothing but fun, and you are correct…4 hours in the rain also necessitates a tube of desitin and a friend to help apply. Desitin should be added to previous list of essentials…and in typing about diaper rash ointment I see the error of my ways in mocking your fenders…:)

By: dgaddis

dgaddis — Thu, 24 May 2012 19:45:05 +0000

I’ll bet that anyone ragging on fenders has never spent four hours or more riding in the rain.

And I have a bell on one of my bikes, need to get one for the other bike too!

By: klowe8828

klowe8828 — Thu, 24 May 2012 19:37:06 +0000

When installing fenders, don’t forget the bell, and telescopic orange flag attached to your sissy bar…love #9

By: Jampa56

Jampa56 — Thu, 24 May 2012 17:08:56 +0000

I put the tire pump presta adapters on both valve stems or I will lose them.
Take all the reflecters off the bike if you only use your bike off road.

By: mtbgreg1

mtbgreg1 — Thu, 24 May 2012 16:59:19 +0000

For #1, this is also great when you are trying to double check the recommended pressure on the tires (for those who run tubes). Makes it easier to find.

Also, on #4, while that always applies for the rear, I know people who were adamant about keeping the lever away from the disc up front because of the possibility of touching the rotor with your hands. They were very serious about how the oils from your hand getting on the rotor could reduce your braking power. Personally, I don’t really give a rip either way.

By: fleetwood

fleetwood — Thu, 24 May 2012 16:58:14 +0000

Great tips, although I cannot recall ever having a difficult time finding my stems.

I’ve fallen victim to #5 before.

By: Fitch

Fitch — Thu, 24 May 2012 15:40:19 +0000

I call shenanigans on using fenders!

By: maddslacker

maddslacker — Thu, 24 May 2012 15:16:07 +0000

For #1, don’t forget to look at both sides of the tire. For example, with GEAX tires, you have to line up with the model name, not the brand name, due to the placement on each side.

Tip: buy a Sram or KMC Power/Quick Link and carry it with you. When your friend breaks a Shimano chain. Let them diddle with the stupid pin for a bit, then fix it for them in with the link. It will look like a magic trick.

By: dirtjunkee

dirtjunkee — Thu, 24 May 2012 15:02:22 +0000

Bright red valve stem caps work well for #1 also.