What is a Mountain Bike Rear Derailleur Hanger and How to Fix it
After taking a tumble my bike wasn’t shifting correctly. At the bike shop the tech said I needed a new derailleur hanger. I had no idea what he was talking about so I had him explain, WHAT IS A MOUNTAIN BIKE DERAILLEUR HANGER. A Rear Derailleur Hanger is a...
How To Reduce Knee Pain Mountain Biking & Some Easy Fixes
Last week I was riding with a friend when he casually stated that his knee hurt. While knee pain is a common ailment of many mountain bikers, it should not be passively accepted as if it is a right of passage to ride a bike. This article explains some ways to reduce...
Searching for the Best Mountain Bike GPS? Look NO Further
To really track my mountain biking improvement, I made the decision to break down and buy a mountain biking GPS unit. My search for the BEST Mountain Bike GPS ended when I discovered this gem: The Garmin Edge 520 with Heart Rate Monitor, Cadence and...
Build a Mountain Bike vs Buy Complete: Does it Makes Sense
My middle daughter Megan (20) seems to appreciate many of the same activities as me. Last year we had an awesome trip to the Smoky Mountain National Park where we mountain biked, and fly fished. Megan’s bike is my old 26in Gary Fisher hardtail. The...
Mountain Bike Tools: The Ultimate List for On and Off Trail
One of the things I love about mountain biking is all the tools and parts. I’m a gadget guy, so besides riding I’m happy to be working on my ride. So what are the most important mountain bike tools you should own? Well, it depends on the situation. Essential MTB...
How to Ride a Mountain Bike For A Cardio Workout
We all want to be able to ride stronger, faster, and longer on our mountain bikes. Does strengthening your heart and oxygen carrying capacity actually make you a better cyclist? This article is all about how to ride a mountain bike for a cardio workout. 9 Benefits of...
Can I Ride My Mountain Bike on Pavement?
I was hanging out in my little town last week and noticed all the bikes lined up at the different shops and restaurants. It made me want to do some recreational road riding, but I priced road bikes and was shocked at how much they cost. I wondered, why...
What is the difference between a Quick Release and Thru Axle?
My old 26 inch MTB had quick release skewers, but my upgraded 29er has thru axles – I was wondering, what’s the difference between a Quick Release and Thru Axle? Both quick release skewers and thru axles are metal rods that keep bicycle wheels in place. Skewers use a...
DIY Mountain Bike Maintenance Schedule Guide
A couple years ago, I upgraded my ride and went with a full suspension 29 inch Specialized. I really like that bike. As I rolled it out of the bike shop, I asked the shop sales person how often I should do maintenance on the rear shock. I ended up...