Latest mountain bike news

Close-up of a Kinetic bike trainer showing a heat sink component, featuring a cylindrical metal casing and a fan design, mounted on a bright green frame. The background is softly blurred, emphasizing the trainer's details.
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A mountain biker riding along a narrow dirt trail surrounded by tall trees and lush greenery in a forested area. A wooden structure is visible in the background, partially obscured by the dense foliage. The scene captures the essence of outdoor adventure in nature.
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Logo design featuring a stylized letter 'M' overlaid with a crown shape, accompanied by the word "Mammoth" in bold, playful font. The color scheme is predominantly black with a minimalistic style.
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A detailed view of a bicycle rear derailleur in black, showcasing its various components including the pulley wheels, tension adjustment, and attaching mechanisms. The design features a sleek, modern shape suitable for high-performance cycling.
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A person riding a mountain bike on a dirt trail surrounded by scenic hills and mountains under a clear blue sky. The cyclist is wearing a pink shirt and a helmet, smiling as they enjoy the outdoor adventure.
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A mountain biker navigating a narrow dirt trail along a rocky hillside, with cliffs and sparse vegetation on either side. The landscape features red and brown rock formations under a clear blue sky.
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A person riding a mountain bike on a dirt path, wearing a helmet and a backpack, with a scenic view of hills and cloudy skies in the background. The cyclist is dressed in a short-sleeve shirt and cycling shorts, navigating a rugged terrain.
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A mountain biker navigating a rocky cliff edge in a desert landscape, with expansive canyons and mountains visible in the background under a clear blue sky.
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A scenic outdoor landscape featuring two mountain bikers navigating a dirt trail on a hillside. The sky is filled with clouds, and the terrain is rocky with sparse vegetation. In the background, distant mountains are visible under a cloudy sky.
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A mountain bike with a sleek design, featuring a white and blue frame, positioned on rocky terrain. The bike has large tires suitable for off-road conditions and a prominent front suspension fork, showcasing its capability for rugged trails.
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Map of the most popular mountain bike trails in the United States and Canada for the year 2017, featuring various trail locations marked across the regions of both countries.
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Close-up of a bike tire featuring a rugged tread design, partially covered in snow. The tire's surface is detailed with distinct, square-shaped knobs, which provide traction for winter riding conditions. The background shows a snowy landscape.
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A mountain biker navigating a rocky trail on a hillside, with mountains and a cloudy sky in the background.
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A close-up view of a person wearing a CamelBak hydration pack, positioned on their lower back, while holding onto a bicycle handlebar. The background features a forested area, suggesting an outdoor activity like biking or hiking.
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A winding dirt path through a tranquil forest, surrounded by tall trees and patches of green moss. Sunlight filters through the branches, casting gentle shadows on the ground.
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A person riding a mountain bike on a rocky terrain, with large boulders and sparse vegetation, under a clear blue sky.
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A close-up view of a bike suspension tool mounted in a workshop, featuring a metallic silver body with a blue label and a clamp at one end. Various bike tools and equipment are visible in the background, arranged on a wall.
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A person riding a mountain bike on a gravel path alongside a river, surrounded by trees and rocky terrain. The scenery features hills in the background and a clear sky.
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A scenic view of a mountainous landscape at sunrise, featuring rugged peaks illuminated by warm sunlight. In the foreground, a rustic wooden fence and scattered bushes blend with the natural surroundings, while a house is nestled among the trees in the distance. The scene captures the tranquility of nature, with a mix of rocky terrain and evergreen trees.
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A mountain biker rides along a narrow rock arch in a desert landscape, with cloudy skies overhead. The scene captures the thrill of outdoor adventure and the natural beauty of the terrain.
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A close-up image of a brightly colored, worn shoe resting on a large stone, surrounded by natural elements such as dried leaves and small plants. The shoe features a black toe with red accents and visible text printed on the side.
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Group of four outdoor enthusiasts posing together by a body of water. They are smiling and wearing casual attire, with logos visible on their shirts and hats. The background features a recreational area with boats and greenery under a clear blue sky.
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A mountain biker riding over rocky terrain on a sunny day with a clear blue sky. The cyclist is dressed in a black and pink jersey and gray shorts, focusing on navigating the challenging landscape.
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A group of mountain bikers in various colored outfits and helmets are lined up next to a starting banner on a dirt path. The setting appears to be a grassy area with hills in the background, under overcast skies. Some participants are holding umbrellas due to the weather, while others are on their bikes, preparing for the race.
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Alt text: A detailed view of a mountain bike featuring a black and green frame, showcasing the suspension system and handlebars. Images include close-ups of the shock absorber and fork with branding, highlighting the bike's advanced components.
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A mountain biker climbs a dirt trail on a hillside, surrounded by rocky terrain and sparse vegetation under a partly cloudy sky.
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Four containers of Nikwax cleaning products are displayed on a red background. The products include TX.Direct Wash-In and TX.Direct Spray-On on the top, and Basewash and Tech Wash bottles on the bottom.
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A scenic landscape view featuring rolling hills and a valley, with a winding river and patches of trees. In the distance, snow-capped mountains rise against a cloudy sky, illuminated by sunlight breaking through the clouds.
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A black and yellow GT mountain bike frame is positioned on a workbench. The frame features a stylish design with prominent branding and is equipped with a shock absorber. A small piece of wood is supporting the frame, and the background shows a power outlet and a row of electrical sockets along the wall.
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A blue fat bike with oversized tires is displayed against a textured white background. The bike features a sleek design, with a modern frame and disc brakes. Additionally, a graphic reading "Coming Soon" is positioned at the top left corner, adding a promotional element to the image.
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A mountain biker performing a jump off a wooden ramp in a forested area, surrounded by trees and greenery. The rider is wearing a helmet and protective gear, showcasing an action shot that captures the thrill of the sport.
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Two people riding mountain bikes along a dirt path in a desert landscape. The scene features sparse vegetation and a distant mountainous horizon under a cloudy sky.
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A mountain bike with orange handlebars and two water bottles mounted on the frame is parked beside a trail sign featuring symbols for biking and hiking. In the background, a rocky mountain range and clear blue sky are visible. The scene is set in a natural outdoor environment with scattered shrubs.
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A mountain biker skillfully navigates a rocky trail on a bicycle, with a wooden bridge in the foreground. The landscape features rugged terrain and sparse vegetation, showcasing the challenging environment of the bike ride.
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Close-up of a man’s face with a focused expression, accompanied by the text "dirtTV" in the top left corner and the words "BEYOND THE BIKE 'NEEDLES'" prominently displayed. The background is dark, emphasizing the subject's features.
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A black fat bike displayed in a shop, featuring oversized tires with white rims and a sleek frame design. Various bicycle accessories and other bikes are visible in the background, showcasing a vibrant retail environment.
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A person riding a mountain bike on a narrow dirt trail surrounded by tall grasses and rocky terrain, with hills in the background under a partially cloudy sky.
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A spacious bicycle shop featuring a variety of bicycles on display. The interior has high ceilings with bright overhead lights and large windows allowing natural light. Rows of bikes are arranged around the shop, with a counter where staff assist customers.
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Logo of "Bell Built" featuring a hexagonal design in red with the words "BELL BUILT" prominently displayed. The tagline "MAKING TRAILS" is included, accompanied by a gear symbol.
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A cluttered bike shop filled with numerous bicycles, both on the floor and hanging from the ceiling. Various styles and colors of bikes are visible, including a bright yellow bike prominently displayed amongst many others. Price tags are attached to most bikes, and posters and signage decorate the walls of the shop. The overall atmosphere is busy and vibrant, highlighting a vast selection of bicycles.
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A person standing outdoors in a black t-shirt, speaking towards the camera with a scenic background featuring trees and mountains under a clear blue sky. A video player interface is visible at the bottom.
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<a href="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/IMG_1275a.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-42314" alt="" src="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/IMG_1275a.jpg" width="620" height="165" /></a>

The new <a href="http://www.kurtkinetic.com/rock-roll-p-112-l-en.html">Kurt Kinetic Rock and Roll indoor trainer</a> is one of very few indoor trainers that feels like riding a bike rather than a solid, immovable machine.

<a href="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/IMG_1272a.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-42312" alt="" src="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/IMG_1272a.jpg" width="620" height="383" /></a>

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The Rock and Roll is based around a leak-free patented kinetic fluid resistance unit and a fly wheel. The resistance unit puts down a smooth, progressive power curve from 5-3000watts... if you're pedaling your guts out.

Interestingly, the Kinetic, closely resembles what can be expected on the road. There are a few assumptions, but never the less it is close.

<a href="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/ki1.jpg"><img alt="" src="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/ki1.jpg" width="779" height="502" /></a>

What makes the Rock and Roll different from other trainers is that the base is separated from the resistance unit. This allows side-to-side movement while pedaling, which in turn forces the rider to maintain balance over the bike while pedaling. Yes, there are built in safety features preventing tipping (such as the extra wide base), but that is not the point of the unit.

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The Rock and Roll is designed to make you, the rider, cognizant of your body position over your bike. Keeping yourself upright while riding forces your core muscles to activate and stabilize the bike and your body.  This in turn stabilizes the pelvis, giving the rider’s legs a solid fulcrum to act against, efficiently transferring power to the pedals.

Don't have a road bike to mount on the trainer? Not a problem. Kurt Kinetic sells various axle adapters for those of you who are not using a quick release rear. In fact, I am impressed with the range of rear axle adapters available for through-axle bikes. The adaptors retail for $49 each.

<a href="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/ta1.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-42315" alt="" src="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/ta1.jpg" width="567" height="271" /></a>

Other design features include the ergonomic tension adjustment knob that moves the roller onto your wheel. The Rock and Roll will accommodate tires from 22" all the way to a 29x2.4" tire. Using a tripod-style design eliminates adjustments, so the durable rubberized central pad and leg extension boots do a good job holding the trainer in place.

Out of the box, this trainer was ready to roll in about 5 minutes. Most of that time was spent going over the literature. In my case, I opted to run my road bike on the trainer. Removing my quick release and substituting it with the one supplied by Kurt Kinetic took 30 seconds. Another minute consisted of locating the supplied hex key and inserting the leg extension in the main frame, and torquing them down.

Placing the bike on the trainer was a simple matter of centering the wheel and tightening it down. The side of the fluid unit is adjusted first. You want the wheel centered on the spindle. Once that is done, just close in the other side to the supplied QR, and you're off to the races. 5 turns on the adjustment knob applied enough friction to prevent my tire from slipping when I sprinted on the bike.

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Overall, I was impressed at how smooth the Rock and Roll felt. Just out of sheer curiosity, I placed my vibration meter right next to the trainer, and went to town on it. The trainer barely registered on my meter. That's pretty awesome, if you ask me. As far as sound is concerned, at full tilt on the pedals I barely hit 83 decibels, which is very quiet. This would be a perfect trainer for any indoor condo: you won't have people complain about noise.

As far as performance, I can't really say anything negative about the trainer itself. However, since it's a fluid trainer, you can't adjust the amount of resistance. But Kurt Kinetic does sell some accessories for those who are more serious about their training. A  heavier fly wheel will add more mass to the system, and is perfect for those who like to interval train. A swivel riser block both balances the bike better and makes the Rock and Roll more active.

I did notice that if you leave tension on the tire, a flat spot may develop that will take a few minutes to go away. To combat this, I found that after my session on the trainer, simply releasing the tension eliminated the flat spot: a good bit of advice for any bike trainer.

For $579 USD, this is a super-sturdy, well-balanced, fuss-free unit that carries an unconditional lifetime warranty. Adding the swivel riser block is well-worth the additional $45 USD.

<em>Thanks to the folks at <a href="http://www.kurtkinetic.com/">Kurt Kinetic</a> for sending down the Rock and Roll for review!</em>
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A mountain biker navigating a rocky downhill trail, leaning forward with intensity as he expertly rides his blue bike through a rugged, natural landscape surrounded by trees and rocky terrain.
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An artistic arrangement of Shimano XTR bike components, including a crankset, cassette, chain, and derailleur, set against a dark blue background. The text "SHIMANO XTR" and "ENGINEERED FOR THE WAY YOU RIDE" is prominently displayed.
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A fat tire bike parked on a snowy trail, with mountains and a cloudy sky in the background.
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A man wearing a black helmet, a dark plaid shirt, and black pants is standing next to a mountain bike. He is holding an orange object in one hand and has a relaxed expression while posing against a textured gray background.
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