Latest mountain bike news

I took a trip to Europe recently and although I didn't get a chance to mountain bike while I was there, I thought perhaps writing about biking might allow me to write off the cost of my trip as a "business expense." (IRS auditors take note: this is a joke ;) ) Anyway in Germany I saw all kinds of folks riding bikes in the streets - old women, businessmen in suits, teenagers, even middle aged couples. The commuter bikes people rode seemed well suited to the task - chain guards to protect pants legs, upright geometry to keep an eye on traffic, and simple (or no) gearing for the flat city streets. One thing I noticed, though, was the lack of mountain bikes. In the US it seems that mountain bikes are a pretty standard choice for commuters since they can go anywhere (on or off road) and are great for hopping commuter-unfriendly curbs. Of course most mountain bikes chew up your pants legs and their fat knobby tires aren't really all that efficient on the road. While commuter bikes and hybrids are available in the US, most people shy away from them either because they're uncool or because they already have a mountain bike sitting in the garage. All this leads me to a question: is mountain biking more popular in the US than in Europe? Obviously road cycling is a popular spectator sport around Europe but do many regular people hit the trails on weekends? I know <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/my/view_profile.php?user_no=1747">Bombardier</a> and <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/my/view_profile.php?user=prophet">Prophet</a> have done some mountain biking in <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/database.php?terms=name&state_id=77">Germany</a> so the trails do exist - but are they popular? I attempted some "Google research" about mountain bike sales in Europe but I wasn't able to find much. The one bike shop I poked my head into in Italy had a few low-end mountain bikes but a ton of commuter bikes and motorized scooters. Cars are definitely smaller and in shorter supply in Europe so I imagine it's tough to haul the bikes out to the local trailhead for weekend rides. Plus if you're cruising around on your bike all week, who wants to ride for fun on the weekend? It's like taking your car out for a Sunday drive despite driving 1 hour each way to work Monday through Friday. Sure some people still take Sunday drives but it ain't as popular as it used to be. My sense is that of all the European countries, the UK probably has the biggest interest in mountain biking and I'm not sure why. The Alps touch several European countries and seem like a natural place for off road riding while the UK, for the most part, is pretty flat. Go figure. I'd be interested to hear from some Europeans about the mountain bike scene, particularly since my perspective is entirely based on a single short trip around the continent. What countries have the best trails? Is mountain bike racing big there? What are the best mountain bike brands?
Culture
Europeans love to bike (though not necessarily off road)
May 8, 2007
  4
Exterior of a Trek Bicycle Store, featuring a brick façade, green awnings, and large windows displaying bicycles. A parked car with a bike rack loaded with bicycles is in the foreground, and parking lines are visible in the lot.
Mountain Bikes and Gear
Trek Concept Store: Not clear
May 7, 2007
  1
A group of mountain bikers riding through a rock-lined path underneath a highway, with concrete pillars supporting the structure above. The terrain features winding trails and earthy surroundings, providing a unique biking experience in an urban environment.
Mountain Bike Trails
New MTB trails in downtown Seattle
May 4, 2007
I took a trip to Europe recently and although I didn't get a chance to mountain bike while I was there, I thought perhaps writing about biking might allow me to write off the cost of my trip as a "business expense." (IRS auditors take note: this is a joke ;) ) Anyway in Germany I saw all kinds of folks riding bikes in the streets - old women, businessmen in suits, teenagers, even middle aged couples. The commuter bikes people rode seemed well suited to the task - chain guards to protect pants legs, upright geometry to keep an eye on traffic, and simple (or no) gearing for the flat city streets. One thing I noticed, though, was the lack of mountain bikes. In the US it seems that mountain bikes are a pretty standard choice for commuters since they can go anywhere (on or off road) and are great for hopping commuter-unfriendly curbs. Of course most mountain bikes chew up your pants legs and their fat knobby tires aren't really all that efficient on the road. While commuter bikes and hybrids are available in the US, most people shy away from them either because they're uncool or because they already have a mountain bike sitting in the garage. All this leads me to a question: is mountain biking more popular in the US than in Europe? Obviously road cycling is a popular spectator sport around Europe but do many regular people hit the trails on weekends? I know <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/my/view_profile.php?user_no=1747">Bombardier</a> and <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/my/view_profile.php?user=prophet">Prophet</a> have done some mountain biking in <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/database.php?terms=name&state_id=77">Germany</a> so the trails do exist - but are they popular? I attempted some "Google research" about mountain bike sales in Europe but I wasn't able to find much. The one bike shop I poked my head into in Italy had a few low-end mountain bikes but a ton of commuter bikes and motorized scooters. Cars are definitely smaller and in shorter supply in Europe so I imagine it's tough to haul the bikes out to the local trailhead for weekend rides. Plus if you're cruising around on your bike all week, who wants to ride for fun on the weekend? It's like taking your car out for a Sunday drive despite driving 1 hour each way to work Monday through Friday. Sure some people still take Sunday drives but it ain't as popular as it used to be. My sense is that of all the European countries, the UK probably has the biggest interest in mountain biking and I'm not sure why. The Alps touch several European countries and seem like a natural place for off road riding while the UK, for the most part, is pretty flat. Go figure. I'd be interested to hear from some Europeans about the mountain bike scene, particularly since my perspective is entirely based on a single short trip around the continent. What countries have the best trails? Is mountain bike racing big there? What are the best mountain bike brands?
Community
Forget Everest: Mountain bike race in Nepal
May 4, 2007
I took a trip to Europe recently and although I didn't get a chance to mountain bike while I was there, I thought perhaps writing about biking might allow me to write off the cost of my trip as a "business expense." (IRS auditors take note: this is a joke ;) ) Anyway in Germany I saw all kinds of folks riding bikes in the streets - old women, businessmen in suits, teenagers, even middle aged couples. The commuter bikes people rode seemed well suited to the task - chain guards to protect pants legs, upright geometry to keep an eye on traffic, and simple (or no) gearing for the flat city streets. One thing I noticed, though, was the lack of mountain bikes. In the US it seems that mountain bikes are a pretty standard choice for commuters since they can go anywhere (on or off road) and are great for hopping commuter-unfriendly curbs. Of course most mountain bikes chew up your pants legs and their fat knobby tires aren't really all that efficient on the road. While commuter bikes and hybrids are available in the US, most people shy away from them either because they're uncool or because they already have a mountain bike sitting in the garage. All this leads me to a question: is mountain biking more popular in the US than in Europe? Obviously road cycling is a popular spectator sport around Europe but do many regular people hit the trails on weekends? I know <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/my/view_profile.php?user_no=1747">Bombardier</a> and <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/my/view_profile.php?user=prophet">Prophet</a> have done some mountain biking in <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/database.php?terms=name&state_id=77">Germany</a> so the trails do exist - but are they popular? I attempted some "Google research" about mountain bike sales in Europe but I wasn't able to find much. The one bike shop I poked my head into in Italy had a few low-end mountain bikes but a ton of commuter bikes and motorized scooters. Cars are definitely smaller and in shorter supply in Europe so I imagine it's tough to haul the bikes out to the local trailhead for weekend rides. Plus if you're cruising around on your bike all week, who wants to ride for fun on the weekend? It's like taking your car out for a Sunday drive despite driving 1 hour each way to work Monday through Friday. Sure some people still take Sunday drives but it ain't as popular as it used to be. My sense is that of all the European countries, the UK probably has the biggest interest in mountain biking and I'm not sure why. The Alps touch several European countries and seem like a natural place for off road riding while the UK, for the most part, is pretty flat. Go figure. I'd be interested to hear from some Europeans about the mountain bike scene, particularly since my perspective is entirely based on a single short trip around the continent. What countries have the best trails? Is mountain bike racing big there? What are the best mountain bike brands?
Community
Sorry for the lack of news
May 2, 2007
I took a trip to Europe recently and although I didn't get a chance to mountain bike while I was there, I thought perhaps writing about biking might allow me to write off the cost of my trip as a "business expense." (IRS auditors take note: this is a joke ;) ) Anyway in Germany I saw all kinds of folks riding bikes in the streets - old women, businessmen in suits, teenagers, even middle aged couples. The commuter bikes people rode seemed well suited to the task - chain guards to protect pants legs, upright geometry to keep an eye on traffic, and simple (or no) gearing for the flat city streets. One thing I noticed, though, was the lack of mountain bikes. In the US it seems that mountain bikes are a pretty standard choice for commuters since they can go anywhere (on or off road) and are great for hopping commuter-unfriendly curbs. Of course most mountain bikes chew up your pants legs and their fat knobby tires aren't really all that efficient on the road. While commuter bikes and hybrids are available in the US, most people shy away from them either because they're uncool or because they already have a mountain bike sitting in the garage. All this leads me to a question: is mountain biking more popular in the US than in Europe? Obviously road cycling is a popular spectator sport around Europe but do many regular people hit the trails on weekends? I know <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/my/view_profile.php?user_no=1747">Bombardier</a> and <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/my/view_profile.php?user=prophet">Prophet</a> have done some mountain biking in <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/database.php?terms=name&state_id=77">Germany</a> so the trails do exist - but are they popular? I attempted some "Google research" about mountain bike sales in Europe but I wasn't able to find much. The one bike shop I poked my head into in Italy had a few low-end mountain bikes but a ton of commuter bikes and motorized scooters. Cars are definitely smaller and in shorter supply in Europe so I imagine it's tough to haul the bikes out to the local trailhead for weekend rides. Plus if you're cruising around on your bike all week, who wants to ride for fun on the weekend? It's like taking your car out for a Sunday drive despite driving 1 hour each way to work Monday through Friday. Sure some people still take Sunday drives but it ain't as popular as it used to be. My sense is that of all the European countries, the UK probably has the biggest interest in mountain biking and I'm not sure why. The Alps touch several European countries and seem like a natural place for off road riding while the UK, for the most part, is pretty flat. Go figure. I'd be interested to hear from some Europeans about the mountain bike scene, particularly since my perspective is entirely based on a single short trip around the continent. What countries have the best trails? Is mountain bike racing big there? What are the best mountain bike brands?
Culture
Knowing your limits versus building your MTB skills
Apr 30, 2007
I took a trip to Europe recently and although I didn't get a chance to mountain bike while I was there, I thought perhaps writing about biking might allow me to write off the cost of my trip as a "business expense." (IRS auditors take note: this is a joke ;) ) Anyway in Germany I saw all kinds of folks riding bikes in the streets - old women, businessmen in suits, teenagers, even middle aged couples. The commuter bikes people rode seemed well suited to the task - chain guards to protect pants legs, upright geometry to keep an eye on traffic, and simple (or no) gearing for the flat city streets. One thing I noticed, though, was the lack of mountain bikes. In the US it seems that mountain bikes are a pretty standard choice for commuters since they can go anywhere (on or off road) and are great for hopping commuter-unfriendly curbs. Of course most mountain bikes chew up your pants legs and their fat knobby tires aren't really all that efficient on the road. While commuter bikes and hybrids are available in the US, most people shy away from them either because they're uncool or because they already have a mountain bike sitting in the garage. All this leads me to a question: is mountain biking more popular in the US than in Europe? Obviously road cycling is a popular spectator sport around Europe but do many regular people hit the trails on weekends? I know <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/my/view_profile.php?user_no=1747">Bombardier</a> and <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/my/view_profile.php?user=prophet">Prophet</a> have done some mountain biking in <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/database.php?terms=name&state_id=77">Germany</a> so the trails do exist - but are they popular? I attempted some "Google research" about mountain bike sales in Europe but I wasn't able to find much. The one bike shop I poked my head into in Italy had a few low-end mountain bikes but a ton of commuter bikes and motorized scooters. Cars are definitely smaller and in shorter supply in Europe so I imagine it's tough to haul the bikes out to the local trailhead for weekend rides. Plus if you're cruising around on your bike all week, who wants to ride for fun on the weekend? It's like taking your car out for a Sunday drive despite driving 1 hour each way to work Monday through Friday. Sure some people still take Sunday drives but it ain't as popular as it used to be. My sense is that of all the European countries, the UK probably has the biggest interest in mountain biking and I'm not sure why. The Alps touch several European countries and seem like a natural place for off road riding while the UK, for the most part, is pretty flat. Go figure. I'd be interested to hear from some Europeans about the mountain bike scene, particularly since my perspective is entirely based on a single short trip around the continent. What countries have the best trails? Is mountain bike racing big there? What are the best mountain bike brands?
Community
Womens mountain bike camps
Apr 29, 2007
Alt text: Movie poster for "2 Solo," featuring a mountain biker in action and a close-up of a cyclist's face, with the tagline "One man's quest for a 7th world title and the punishment he'll take to get it." Brands like Volkswagen, Trek, and Nike are also featured.
Culture
24 Solo mountain bike movie
Apr 27, 2007
  1
I took a trip to Europe recently and although I didn't get a chance to mountain bike while I was there, I thought perhaps writing about biking might allow me to write off the cost of my trip as a "business expense." (IRS auditors take note: this is a joke ;) ) Anyway in Germany I saw all kinds of folks riding bikes in the streets - old women, businessmen in suits, teenagers, even middle aged couples. The commuter bikes people rode seemed well suited to the task - chain guards to protect pants legs, upright geometry to keep an eye on traffic, and simple (or no) gearing for the flat city streets. One thing I noticed, though, was the lack of mountain bikes. In the US it seems that mountain bikes are a pretty standard choice for commuters since they can go anywhere (on or off road) and are great for hopping commuter-unfriendly curbs. Of course most mountain bikes chew up your pants legs and their fat knobby tires aren't really all that efficient on the road. While commuter bikes and hybrids are available in the US, most people shy away from them either because they're uncool or because they already have a mountain bike sitting in the garage. All this leads me to a question: is mountain biking more popular in the US than in Europe? Obviously road cycling is a popular spectator sport around Europe but do many regular people hit the trails on weekends? I know <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/my/view_profile.php?user_no=1747">Bombardier</a> and <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/my/view_profile.php?user=prophet">Prophet</a> have done some mountain biking in <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/database.php?terms=name&state_id=77">Germany</a> so the trails do exist - but are they popular? I attempted some "Google research" about mountain bike sales in Europe but I wasn't able to find much. The one bike shop I poked my head into in Italy had a few low-end mountain bikes but a ton of commuter bikes and motorized scooters. Cars are definitely smaller and in shorter supply in Europe so I imagine it's tough to haul the bikes out to the local trailhead for weekend rides. Plus if you're cruising around on your bike all week, who wants to ride for fun on the weekend? It's like taking your car out for a Sunday drive despite driving 1 hour each way to work Monday through Friday. Sure some people still take Sunday drives but it ain't as popular as it used to be. My sense is that of all the European countries, the UK probably has the biggest interest in mountain biking and I'm not sure why. The Alps touch several European countries and seem like a natural place for off road riding while the UK, for the most part, is pretty flat. Go figure. I'd be interested to hear from some Europeans about the mountain bike scene, particularly since my perspective is entirely based on a single short trip around the continent. What countries have the best trails? Is mountain bike racing big there? What are the best mountain bike brands?
Community
U.S. Women Ranked #1 in 2007 Mountain Bike World Cup (1st Round)
Apr 26, 2007
Culture
Riding with your Dog
Apr 26, 2007
  1
Culture
Free mountain bike video game
Apr 24, 2007
  1
A winding dirt path through a forest with tall, bare trees and a view of distant mountains under a blue sky with scattered clouds. Leaf litter covers the ground alongside the trail, and patches of green vegetation are visible.
Mountain Bike Trails
Douthat trip not all that
Apr 21, 2007
  2
I took a trip to Europe recently and although I didn't get a chance to mountain bike while I was there, I thought perhaps writing about biking might allow me to write off the cost of my trip as a "business expense." (IRS auditors take note: this is a joke ;) ) Anyway in Germany I saw all kinds of folks riding bikes in the streets - old women, businessmen in suits, teenagers, even middle aged couples. The commuter bikes people rode seemed well suited to the task - chain guards to protect pants legs, upright geometry to keep an eye on traffic, and simple (or no) gearing for the flat city streets. One thing I noticed, though, was the lack of mountain bikes. In the US it seems that mountain bikes are a pretty standard choice for commuters since they can go anywhere (on or off road) and are great for hopping commuter-unfriendly curbs. Of course most mountain bikes chew up your pants legs and their fat knobby tires aren't really all that efficient on the road. While commuter bikes and hybrids are available in the US, most people shy away from them either because they're uncool or because they already have a mountain bike sitting in the garage. All this leads me to a question: is mountain biking more popular in the US than in Europe? Obviously road cycling is a popular spectator sport around Europe but do many regular people hit the trails on weekends? I know <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/my/view_profile.php?user_no=1747">Bombardier</a> and <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/my/view_profile.php?user=prophet">Prophet</a> have done some mountain biking in <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/database.php?terms=name&state_id=77">Germany</a> so the trails do exist - but are they popular? I attempted some "Google research" about mountain bike sales in Europe but I wasn't able to find much. The one bike shop I poked my head into in Italy had a few low-end mountain bikes but a ton of commuter bikes and motorized scooters. Cars are definitely smaller and in shorter supply in Europe so I imagine it's tough to haul the bikes out to the local trailhead for weekend rides. Plus if you're cruising around on your bike all week, who wants to ride for fun on the weekend? It's like taking your car out for a Sunday drive despite driving 1 hour each way to work Monday through Friday. Sure some people still take Sunday drives but it ain't as popular as it used to be. My sense is that of all the European countries, the UK probably has the biggest interest in mountain biking and I'm not sure why. The Alps touch several European countries and seem like a natural place for off road riding while the UK, for the most part, is pretty flat. Go figure. I'd be interested to hear from some Europeans about the mountain bike scene, particularly since my perspective is entirely based on a single short trip around the continent. What countries have the best trails? Is mountain bike racing big there? What are the best mountain bike brands?
Community
Julian 7500 Death March as tough as Leadville?
Apr 19, 2007
I took a trip to Europe recently and although I didn't get a chance to mountain bike while I was there, I thought perhaps writing about biking might allow me to write off the cost of my trip as a "business expense." (IRS auditors take note: this is a joke ;) ) Anyway in Germany I saw all kinds of folks riding bikes in the streets - old women, businessmen in suits, teenagers, even middle aged couples. The commuter bikes people rode seemed well suited to the task - chain guards to protect pants legs, upright geometry to keep an eye on traffic, and simple (or no) gearing for the flat city streets. One thing I noticed, though, was the lack of mountain bikes. In the US it seems that mountain bikes are a pretty standard choice for commuters since they can go anywhere (on or off road) and are great for hopping commuter-unfriendly curbs. Of course most mountain bikes chew up your pants legs and their fat knobby tires aren't really all that efficient on the road. While commuter bikes and hybrids are available in the US, most people shy away from them either because they're uncool or because they already have a mountain bike sitting in the garage. All this leads me to a question: is mountain biking more popular in the US than in Europe? Obviously road cycling is a popular spectator sport around Europe but do many regular people hit the trails on weekends? I know <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/my/view_profile.php?user_no=1747">Bombardier</a> and <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/my/view_profile.php?user=prophet">Prophet</a> have done some mountain biking in <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/database.php?terms=name&state_id=77">Germany</a> so the trails do exist - but are they popular? I attempted some "Google research" about mountain bike sales in Europe but I wasn't able to find much. The one bike shop I poked my head into in Italy had a few low-end mountain bikes but a ton of commuter bikes and motorized scooters. Cars are definitely smaller and in shorter supply in Europe so I imagine it's tough to haul the bikes out to the local trailhead for weekend rides. Plus if you're cruising around on your bike all week, who wants to ride for fun on the weekend? It's like taking your car out for a Sunday drive despite driving 1 hour each way to work Monday through Friday. Sure some people still take Sunday drives but it ain't as popular as it used to be. My sense is that of all the European countries, the UK probably has the biggest interest in mountain biking and I'm not sure why. The Alps touch several European countries and seem like a natural place for off road riding while the UK, for the most part, is pretty flat. Go figure. I'd be interested to hear from some Europeans about the mountain bike scene, particularly since my perspective is entirely based on a single short trip around the continent. What countries have the best trails? Is mountain bike racing big there? What are the best mountain bike brands?
Community
Floyd Landis competing at Teva Mountain Games
Apr 18, 2007
A close-up image of a bicycle handlebar mirror, featuring a round reflective surface attached to a black adjustable arm and a textured grip.
Mountain Bikes and Gear
Mirror for a mountain bike?
Apr 18, 2007
I took a trip to Europe recently and although I didn't get a chance to mountain bike while I was there, I thought perhaps writing about biking might allow me to write off the cost of my trip as a "business expense." (IRS auditors take note: this is a joke ;) ) Anyway in Germany I saw all kinds of folks riding bikes in the streets - old women, businessmen in suits, teenagers, even middle aged couples. The commuter bikes people rode seemed well suited to the task - chain guards to protect pants legs, upright geometry to keep an eye on traffic, and simple (or no) gearing for the flat city streets. One thing I noticed, though, was the lack of mountain bikes. In the US it seems that mountain bikes are a pretty standard choice for commuters since they can go anywhere (on or off road) and are great for hopping commuter-unfriendly curbs. Of course most mountain bikes chew up your pants legs and their fat knobby tires aren't really all that efficient on the road. While commuter bikes and hybrids are available in the US, most people shy away from them either because they're uncool or because they already have a mountain bike sitting in the garage. All this leads me to a question: is mountain biking more popular in the US than in Europe? Obviously road cycling is a popular spectator sport around Europe but do many regular people hit the trails on weekends? I know <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/my/view_profile.php?user_no=1747">Bombardier</a> and <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/my/view_profile.php?user=prophet">Prophet</a> have done some mountain biking in <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/database.php?terms=name&state_id=77">Germany</a> so the trails do exist - but are they popular? I attempted some "Google research" about mountain bike sales in Europe but I wasn't able to find much. The one bike shop I poked my head into in Italy had a few low-end mountain bikes but a ton of commuter bikes and motorized scooters. Cars are definitely smaller and in shorter supply in Europe so I imagine it's tough to haul the bikes out to the local trailhead for weekend rides. Plus if you're cruising around on your bike all week, who wants to ride for fun on the weekend? It's like taking your car out for a Sunday drive despite driving 1 hour each way to work Monday through Friday. Sure some people still take Sunday drives but it ain't as popular as it used to be. My sense is that of all the European countries, the UK probably has the biggest interest in mountain biking and I'm not sure why. The Alps touch several European countries and seem like a natural place for off road riding while the UK, for the most part, is pretty flat. Go figure. I'd be interested to hear from some Europeans about the mountain bike scene, particularly since my perspective is entirely based on a single short trip around the continent. What countries have the best trails? Is mountain bike racing big there? What are the best mountain bike brands?
Culture
Equestrians gone wild
Apr 17, 2007
Three handheld GPS devices are displayed side by side on a wooden surface. The left device is a Garmin eTrex Vista, the middle device is a Magellan eXplorist 200 in yellow, and the right device is a Garmin Edge 305. Each device features a screen and varying designs in gray and yellow colors.
Mountain Bikes and Gear
Magellan eXplorist 200: Not for bikers
Apr 16, 2007
  2
I took a trip to Europe recently and although I didn't get a chance to mountain bike while I was there, I thought perhaps writing about biking might allow me to write off the cost of my trip as a "business expense." (IRS auditors take note: this is a joke ;) ) Anyway in Germany I saw all kinds of folks riding bikes in the streets - old women, businessmen in suits, teenagers, even middle aged couples. The commuter bikes people rode seemed well suited to the task - chain guards to protect pants legs, upright geometry to keep an eye on traffic, and simple (or no) gearing for the flat city streets. One thing I noticed, though, was the lack of mountain bikes. In the US it seems that mountain bikes are a pretty standard choice for commuters since they can go anywhere (on or off road) and are great for hopping commuter-unfriendly curbs. Of course most mountain bikes chew up your pants legs and their fat knobby tires aren't really all that efficient on the road. While commuter bikes and hybrids are available in the US, most people shy away from them either because they're uncool or because they already have a mountain bike sitting in the garage. All this leads me to a question: is mountain biking more popular in the US than in Europe? Obviously road cycling is a popular spectator sport around Europe but do many regular people hit the trails on weekends? I know <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/my/view_profile.php?user_no=1747">Bombardier</a> and <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/my/view_profile.php?user=prophet">Prophet</a> have done some mountain biking in <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/database.php?terms=name&state_id=77">Germany</a> so the trails do exist - but are they popular? I attempted some "Google research" about mountain bike sales in Europe but I wasn't able to find much. The one bike shop I poked my head into in Italy had a few low-end mountain bikes but a ton of commuter bikes and motorized scooters. Cars are definitely smaller and in shorter supply in Europe so I imagine it's tough to haul the bikes out to the local trailhead for weekend rides. Plus if you're cruising around on your bike all week, who wants to ride for fun on the weekend? It's like taking your car out for a Sunday drive despite driving 1 hour each way to work Monday through Friday. Sure some people still take Sunday drives but it ain't as popular as it used to be. My sense is that of all the European countries, the UK probably has the biggest interest in mountain biking and I'm not sure why. The Alps touch several European countries and seem like a natural place for off road riding while the UK, for the most part, is pretty flat. Go figure. I'd be interested to hear from some Europeans about the mountain bike scene, particularly since my perspective is entirely based on a single short trip around the continent. What countries have the best trails? Is mountain bike racing big there? What are the best mountain bike brands?
Community
Crankworx Colorado
Apr 16, 2007
A scenic view of a rocky landscape featuring a winding dirt path, with a cyclist riding along the trail. The background showcases a river meandering through the valley, surrounded by hills and sparse vegetation under a clear blue sky.
Community
Good chance to ride the Kokopelli trail
Apr 13, 2007
  2
Mountain Bike Trails
MTB trail access: Illegal trails
Apr 13, 2007
  3
Community
Klunkerz MTB documentary screening at Newport Beach Film Festival
Apr 12, 2007
Logo of TopoFusion featuring a stylized globe with an elevation graph and the text "topofusion.com."
Mountain Bikes and Gear
GPS software review: TopoFusion
Apr 12, 2007
  2
Culture
Indoor mountain biking
Apr 11, 2007
I took a trip to Europe recently and although I didn't get a chance to mountain bike while I was there, I thought perhaps writing about biking might allow me to write off the cost of my trip as a "business expense." (IRS auditors take note: this is a joke ;) ) Anyway in Germany I saw all kinds of folks riding bikes in the streets - old women, businessmen in suits, teenagers, even middle aged couples. The commuter bikes people rode seemed well suited to the task - chain guards to protect pants legs, upright geometry to keep an eye on traffic, and simple (or no) gearing for the flat city streets. One thing I noticed, though, was the lack of mountain bikes. In the US it seems that mountain bikes are a pretty standard choice for commuters since they can go anywhere (on or off road) and are great for hopping commuter-unfriendly curbs. Of course most mountain bikes chew up your pants legs and their fat knobby tires aren't really all that efficient on the road. While commuter bikes and hybrids are available in the US, most people shy away from them either because they're uncool or because they already have a mountain bike sitting in the garage. All this leads me to a question: is mountain biking more popular in the US than in Europe? Obviously road cycling is a popular spectator sport around Europe but do many regular people hit the trails on weekends? I know <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/my/view_profile.php?user_no=1747">Bombardier</a> and <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/my/view_profile.php?user=prophet">Prophet</a> have done some mountain biking in <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/database.php?terms=name&state_id=77">Germany</a> so the trails do exist - but are they popular? I attempted some "Google research" about mountain bike sales in Europe but I wasn't able to find much. The one bike shop I poked my head into in Italy had a few low-end mountain bikes but a ton of commuter bikes and motorized scooters. Cars are definitely smaller and in shorter supply in Europe so I imagine it's tough to haul the bikes out to the local trailhead for weekend rides. Plus if you're cruising around on your bike all week, who wants to ride for fun on the weekend? It's like taking your car out for a Sunday drive despite driving 1 hour each way to work Monday through Friday. Sure some people still take Sunday drives but it ain't as popular as it used to be. My sense is that of all the European countries, the UK probably has the biggest interest in mountain biking and I'm not sure why. The Alps touch several European countries and seem like a natural place for off road riding while the UK, for the most part, is pretty flat. Go figure. I'd be interested to hear from some Europeans about the mountain bike scene, particularly since my perspective is entirely based on a single short trip around the continent. What countries have the best trails? Is mountain bike racing big there? What are the best mountain bike brands?
Mountain Bike Trails
Voice your opinions in Oregon
Apr 11, 2007
A mountain biker navigating rocky terrain, leaning forward as they ride downhill over a steep, uneven surface under a clear blue sky.
Mountain Bike Trails
Pickin' your lines
Apr 10, 2007
Culture
Responsible New England riders & Marin whiners
Apr 9, 2007
Mountain Bike Trails
MTB trail access: Do bikes damage trails?
Apr 6, 2007
  1
A computer screen displaying a map and a corresponding elevation graph. The left side shows a green line tracing a route on a topographic map labeled "Taiwan Datan Equivalent Cylindrical Map," while the right side features a graph representing elevation changes over distance. Various data points are visible along the route on the left.
Mountain Bikes and Gear
Mac GPS Pro review: Solid but...
Apr 6, 2007
Graphic featuring the text "Singletracks bike the net" at the top, with "MTB Trail Access 2007" prominently displayed in the center. Below, there are four colored icons with the keywords: "Speak," "Build," "Respect," and "Ride." The background is a gradient from light blue to white.
Mountain Bike Trails
MTB Trail access: Share the trail
Apr 4, 2007
A 3D satellite map showcasing a mountainous landscape, with a winding road labeled "40" and the town of "Cherry Creek" marked. The image also displays the interstate highway "I-70" and various terrain features in the background.
Mountain Bikes and Gear
Topo maps in Google Earth: Map your bike trails
Apr 3, 2007
  1
Culture
MTB trails: Good and bad news
Apr 2, 2007
A Garmin Edge 205 Cycle Pack, featuring a GPS device and a blue water bottle, displayed in packaging. The package includes a photo of a cyclist and informational text about the product's features.
Mountain Bikes and Gear
Buy my Garmin Edge 205 GPS & get free membership
Mar 30, 2007
Image featuring the text "Upgrade to Premium" in stylized red font above a black barcode, with the website URL "S1NGL3TRACKS.COM" displayed below.
Community
Singletracks email newsletter launched
Mar 30, 2007
A muddy pathway through a wooded area, showing tire tracks and patches of grass surrounded by trees. The ground is wet and uneven, indicating recent rain or poor drainage.
Mountain Bike Trails
Wait for the mountain bike trails to dry before you ride
Mar 29, 2007
  1
A close-up view of two cyclists riding on a basketball court, focusing on their bikes. The cyclist on the left is wearing blue jeans and a dark sweater, while the cyclist on the right is on a yellow bike. The court surface features different colored sections.
Culture
The $242 track stand
Mar 28, 2007
  2
Alt text: A Garmin Edge 200 cycling computer and heart rate monitor, featuring a display screen that shows various metrics related to cycling performance. The device is black with a sleek design, alongside a chest strap used for heart rate monitoring.
GPS
Garmin Edge 305 review: Sweet but spendy
Mar 28, 2007
  1
I took a trip to Europe recently and although I didn't get a chance to mountain bike while I was there, I thought perhaps writing about biking might allow me to write off the cost of my trip as a "business expense." (IRS auditors take note: this is a joke ;) ) Anyway in Germany I saw all kinds of folks riding bikes in the streets - old women, businessmen in suits, teenagers, even middle aged couples. The commuter bikes people rode seemed well suited to the task - chain guards to protect pants legs, upright geometry to keep an eye on traffic, and simple (or no) gearing for the flat city streets. One thing I noticed, though, was the lack of mountain bikes. In the US it seems that mountain bikes are a pretty standard choice for commuters since they can go anywhere (on or off road) and are great for hopping commuter-unfriendly curbs. Of course most mountain bikes chew up your pants legs and their fat knobby tires aren't really all that efficient on the road. While commuter bikes and hybrids are available in the US, most people shy away from them either because they're uncool or because they already have a mountain bike sitting in the garage. All this leads me to a question: is mountain biking more popular in the US than in Europe? Obviously road cycling is a popular spectator sport around Europe but do many regular people hit the trails on weekends? I know <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/my/view_profile.php?user_no=1747">Bombardier</a> and <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/my/view_profile.php?user=prophet">Prophet</a> have done some mountain biking in <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/database.php?terms=name&state_id=77">Germany</a> so the trails do exist - but are they popular? I attempted some "Google research" about mountain bike sales in Europe but I wasn't able to find much. The one bike shop I poked my head into in Italy had a few low-end mountain bikes but a ton of commuter bikes and motorized scooters. Cars are definitely smaller and in shorter supply in Europe so I imagine it's tough to haul the bikes out to the local trailhead for weekend rides. Plus if you're cruising around on your bike all week, who wants to ride for fun on the weekend? It's like taking your car out for a Sunday drive despite driving 1 hour each way to work Monday through Friday. Sure some people still take Sunday drives but it ain't as popular as it used to be. My sense is that of all the European countries, the UK probably has the biggest interest in mountain biking and I'm not sure why. The Alps touch several European countries and seem like a natural place for off road riding while the UK, for the most part, is pretty flat. Go figure. I'd be interested to hear from some Europeans about the mountain bike scene, particularly since my perspective is entirely based on a single short trip around the continent. What countries have the best trails? Is mountain bike racing big there? What are the best mountain bike brands?
Mountain Bike Trails
Singletrack MINDS mountain biking documentary
Mar 27, 2007
I took a trip to Europe recently and although I didn't get a chance to mountain bike while I was there, I thought perhaps writing about biking might allow me to write off the cost of my trip as a "business expense." (IRS auditors take note: this is a joke ;) ) Anyway in Germany I saw all kinds of folks riding bikes in the streets - old women, businessmen in suits, teenagers, even middle aged couples. The commuter bikes people rode seemed well suited to the task - chain guards to protect pants legs, upright geometry to keep an eye on traffic, and simple (or no) gearing for the flat city streets. One thing I noticed, though, was the lack of mountain bikes. In the US it seems that mountain bikes are a pretty standard choice for commuters since they can go anywhere (on or off road) and are great for hopping commuter-unfriendly curbs. Of course most mountain bikes chew up your pants legs and their fat knobby tires aren't really all that efficient on the road. While commuter bikes and hybrids are available in the US, most people shy away from them either because they're uncool or because they already have a mountain bike sitting in the garage. All this leads me to a question: is mountain biking more popular in the US than in Europe? Obviously road cycling is a popular spectator sport around Europe but do many regular people hit the trails on weekends? I know <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/my/view_profile.php?user_no=1747">Bombardier</a> and <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/my/view_profile.php?user=prophet">Prophet</a> have done some mountain biking in <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/database.php?terms=name&state_id=77">Germany</a> so the trails do exist - but are they popular? I attempted some "Google research" about mountain bike sales in Europe but I wasn't able to find much. The one bike shop I poked my head into in Italy had a few low-end mountain bikes but a ton of commuter bikes and motorized scooters. Cars are definitely smaller and in shorter supply in Europe so I imagine it's tough to haul the bikes out to the local trailhead for weekend rides. Plus if you're cruising around on your bike all week, who wants to ride for fun on the weekend? It's like taking your car out for a Sunday drive despite driving 1 hour each way to work Monday through Friday. Sure some people still take Sunday drives but it ain't as popular as it used to be. My sense is that of all the European countries, the UK probably has the biggest interest in mountain biking and I'm not sure why. The Alps touch several European countries and seem like a natural place for off road riding while the UK, for the most part, is pretty flat. Go figure. I'd be interested to hear from some Europeans about the mountain bike scene, particularly since my perspective is entirely based on a single short trip around the continent. What countries have the best trails? Is mountain bike racing big there? What are the best mountain bike brands?
Mountain Bikes and Gear
Kids learn to build their own bike frames
Mar 26, 2007
A Garmin stopwatch with a digital display showing lap time, current time, and temperature, attached to a black strap.
Mountain Bikes and Gear
Garmin Forerunner 201 review: So-so for biking
Mar 25, 2007
Cover of a National Geographic CD-ROM for topographic maps of Colorado, featuring a detailed terrain map and text highlighting features like GPS readiness and seamless state coverage.
Mountain Bikes and Gear
National Geographic TOPO! - Expensive and sucky
Mar 23, 2007
  1
I took a trip to Europe recently and although I didn't get a chance to mountain bike while I was there, I thought perhaps writing about biking might allow me to write off the cost of my trip as a "business expense." (IRS auditors take note: this is a joke ;) ) Anyway in Germany I saw all kinds of folks riding bikes in the streets - old women, businessmen in suits, teenagers, even middle aged couples. The commuter bikes people rode seemed well suited to the task - chain guards to protect pants legs, upright geometry to keep an eye on traffic, and simple (or no) gearing for the flat city streets. One thing I noticed, though, was the lack of mountain bikes. In the US it seems that mountain bikes are a pretty standard choice for commuters since they can go anywhere (on or off road) and are great for hopping commuter-unfriendly curbs. Of course most mountain bikes chew up your pants legs and their fat knobby tires aren't really all that efficient on the road. While commuter bikes and hybrids are available in the US, most people shy away from them either because they're uncool or because they already have a mountain bike sitting in the garage. All this leads me to a question: is mountain biking more popular in the US than in Europe? Obviously road cycling is a popular spectator sport around Europe but do many regular people hit the trails on weekends? I know <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/my/view_profile.php?user_no=1747">Bombardier</a> and <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/my/view_profile.php?user=prophet">Prophet</a> have done some mountain biking in <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/database.php?terms=name&state_id=77">Germany</a> so the trails do exist - but are they popular? I attempted some "Google research" about mountain bike sales in Europe but I wasn't able to find much. The one bike shop I poked my head into in Italy had a few low-end mountain bikes but a ton of commuter bikes and motorized scooters. Cars are definitely smaller and in shorter supply in Europe so I imagine it's tough to haul the bikes out to the local trailhead for weekend rides. Plus if you're cruising around on your bike all week, who wants to ride for fun on the weekend? It's like taking your car out for a Sunday drive despite driving 1 hour each way to work Monday through Friday. Sure some people still take Sunday drives but it ain't as popular as it used to be. My sense is that of all the European countries, the UK probably has the biggest interest in mountain biking and I'm not sure why. The Alps touch several European countries and seem like a natural place for off road riding while the UK, for the most part, is pretty flat. Go figure. I'd be interested to hear from some Europeans about the mountain bike scene, particularly since my perspective is entirely based on a single short trip around the continent. What countries have the best trails? Is mountain bike racing big there? What are the best mountain bike brands?
Culture
MTB skills training
Mar 23, 2007
A panoramic view of the Cleveland skyline during sunset, showcasing tall skyscrapers and the iconic Key Tower. The image features a bridge crossing a river, along with bustling city streets below, painted in warm hues of orange and purple from the setting sun.
Mountain Bike Trails
MTB park coming to midtown Cleveland
Mar 22, 2007
A graphic featuring a silhouette of a bicycle against a gradient blue background, with the text "Your bike here" at the top and "Give trek7k a new name" at the bottom.
Mountain Bikes and Gear
Who watches MTB races anyway?
Mar 22, 2007
A person riding a lightweight all-terrain vehicle jumps over a log on a dirt trail, surrounded by trees. Dust is kicked up behind as they navigate an outdoor obstacle course, showcasing the thrill of off-road racing. A spectator can be seen in the background.
Mountain Bikes and Gear
4-wheel mountain bikes
Mar 21, 2007
Culture
Stripped: mountain bike movie
Mar 21, 2007
A panoramic view of the Grand Canyon, showcasing its dramatic layers of red and gray rock formations under a clear blue sky. The landscape features steep cliffs and valleys, illustrating the natural beauty and geological history of the area.
Mountain Bike Trails
MTB: in the Grand Canyon?
Mar 20, 2007
  1
I took a trip to Europe recently and although I didn't get a chance to mountain bike while I was there, I thought perhaps writing about biking might allow me to write off the cost of my trip as a "business expense." (IRS auditors take note: this is a joke ;) ) Anyway in Germany I saw all kinds of folks riding bikes in the streets - old women, businessmen in suits, teenagers, even middle aged couples. The commuter bikes people rode seemed well suited to the task - chain guards to protect pants legs, upright geometry to keep an eye on traffic, and simple (or no) gearing for the flat city streets. One thing I noticed, though, was the lack of mountain bikes. In the US it seems that mountain bikes are a pretty standard choice for commuters since they can go anywhere (on or off road) and are great for hopping commuter-unfriendly curbs. Of course most mountain bikes chew up your pants legs and their fat knobby tires aren't really all that efficient on the road. While commuter bikes and hybrids are available in the US, most people shy away from them either because they're uncool or because they already have a mountain bike sitting in the garage. All this leads me to a question: is mountain biking more popular in the US than in Europe? Obviously road cycling is a popular spectator sport around Europe but do many regular people hit the trails on weekends? I know <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/my/view_profile.php?user_no=1747">Bombardier</a> and <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/my/view_profile.php?user=prophet">Prophet</a> have done some mountain biking in <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/database.php?terms=name&state_id=77">Germany</a> so the trails do exist - but are they popular? I attempted some "Google research" about mountain bike sales in Europe but I wasn't able to find much. The one bike shop I poked my head into in Italy had a few low-end mountain bikes but a ton of commuter bikes and motorized scooters. Cars are definitely smaller and in shorter supply in Europe so I imagine it's tough to haul the bikes out to the local trailhead for weekend rides. Plus if you're cruising around on your bike all week, who wants to ride for fun on the weekend? It's like taking your car out for a Sunday drive despite driving 1 hour each way to work Monday through Friday. Sure some people still take Sunday drives but it ain't as popular as it used to be. My sense is that of all the European countries, the UK probably has the biggest interest in mountain biking and I'm not sure why. The Alps touch several European countries and seem like a natural place for off road riding while the UK, for the most part, is pretty flat. Go figure. I'd be interested to hear from some Europeans about the mountain bike scene, particularly since my perspective is entirely based on a single short trip around the continent. What countries have the best trails? Is mountain bike racing big there? What are the best mountain bike brands?
Mountain Bikes and Gear
Automatic transmission for bikes
Mar 20, 2007
Cover of the documentary titled "No Way!", featuring bold red text against a black background. The title is accompanied by images of BMX biking, and the logos of GT and Adidas are displayed at the top. The documentary is described as "The BMX Boy Story" by Brian Grasso.
Culture
No Way! The Hans Rey Story video clip
Mar 19, 2007