Your racing tires would do you no good in the winter in the same way your fat bike tires would make you miserable in a race. Whether you ride on rocks, snow, simple trails or trails with every kind of terrain, there’s definitely a tire for you.

Tires are some of the most important pieces of a mountain bike, so you’ll want to make sure you’ve got the right ones and that you treat them right.

For more of our top mountain biking gear recommendations, check out the Best Mountain Bike Wheels.

Reviews - The Best Tires for Mountain Biking

Maxxis Minion FBF

Specs

• Tubeless: Yes
• Wheel Size: 26 in.

Features

• PROS: Specifically designed to handle corners better than other fat bike tires, slip resistant
• CONS: Like most fat bike tires, these are fairly expensive

BEST FOR: WINTER RIDERS WHO HANDLE TRICKIER TRAILS, HIGH-END RIDERS

The legendary Minion is now available in a fat bike format and offers the same ride anyway attitude of its smaller brothers. Push it into snow and mud and it will keep you on course, even when cornering aggressively. It holds up equally well on dry trails and the high TPI help to keep it rolling fast.

The Minion FBF performs best as a rear tire as the length of the center knobs will help keep you rolling in the direction that you want to be going, and not sliding sideways. You can also use it up front but if you spend lots of time on snow you will probably want something with a bigger profile up there.

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Continental Trail King

Specs

• Tubeless: No
• Wheel Size: 29 in.

Features

• PROS: Handles well on nearly all terrains
• CONS: Not the best for muddy riding

BEST FOR: RIDERS WHO FIND THEMSELVES ON ROCKY TERRAIN

If you rarely see mud and ride everything else from hardpack to rocks and loam, the Trail King is an aptly named tire to see you through. Continental’s BlackChilli compound allows the tire to be soft and conform to the terrain, while being remarkably fast rolling and durable.

The knobs do not look like the biggest but on top of the big volume and wide tire, they give surprising amounts of cornering and braking grip. Try to keep your Trail Kings on dry trails. As soon as mud turns up, you will start sliding around.

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Schwalbe Racing Ralph

Specs

• Tubeless: No
• Wheel Size: Various

Features

• PROS: Great for cornering, slip-resistance
• CONS: Not the most durable

BEST FOR: RACERS LOOKING FOR SPEED OVER DURABILITY

A somewhat legendary fast tire for fast racers. A huge variety of wheel sizes, width, carcasses and compound options are available, so everyone can find the exact tire that they need. There are faster tires available for all out speed on dry trails, but the Racing Ralph offers support through patches of mud and loose corners that faster tires cannot.

The softer compounds give faultless grip on dry trails and rocks but they will wear out reasonably fast. The light carcasses available will help you accelerate like a demon and help you put in great race times.

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Maxxis Ardent

Specs

• Tubeless: No
• Wheel Size: 26 or 29 in.

Features

• PROS: Great traction, particularly around corners
• CONS: Cheap, so not as durable

BEST FOR: CROSS-COUNTRY RIDERS ON A BUDGET OR LESS ADVANCED RACERS

The Ardent strikes a great balance between lightweight XC tires and reinforced enduro beasts. It is intended to be fast rolling but able to cushion bigger impacts and deal with more abuse in rocky terrain than a proper XC racing tire. The broad center knobs and soft shoulder knobs provide great braking and cornering traction but the trade off is that it is slower to accelerate.

Use the Ardent all year on the back and on the front in dry summer conditions with reasonably high air pressure. A great choice for all round riding in mixed conditions.

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Schwalbe Hans Dampf

Specs

• Tubeless: Yes
• Wheel Size: 27.5 in.

Features

• PROS: Great grip even on hard terrain, making it high in safety
• CONS: Not as durable as other tires, not at all meant for on-road riding

BEST FOR: THOSE WHO RIDE ON A VARIETY OF TERRAIN

A great all rounder tire for anything from winter mud to dry, loose loam. At lower pressures it grips well on wet roots and conforms to the ground while the big lugs deep deep for heaps of grip. Add more air for use in harder or rocky terrain and you will find that it does not have as much resistance as you would expect from the profile.

The sidewall has protection to prevent tears from sharp rocks and a variety of compounds are on offer. Slow on the road, but that the off road performance is what counts.

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Michelin Wild Race’R

Specs

• Tubeless: No
• Wheel Size: 27.5 in.

Features

• PROS: Rear tire traction allows for quick cornering in races, long-lasting
• CONS: Fairly expensive as far as racing tires go

BEST FOR: RACERS WHO RIDE ON ROCKY COURSES

A fast rolling tire to help you race in dry conditions, regardless of if the terrain is hard or loose. The shallow, hard compound center knobs keep the rolling resistance down, allowing you to accelerate fast and hold you speed in a straight line. The softer shoulder knobs are bigger and dig into the corners, giving grip even in loose conditions.

The sidewalls are not reinforced, so you cannot run as low pressures as with other tires. Still great choice for racing or long distance rides. If you are expecting any mud at all, then choose something else.

 

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Schwalbe Rock Razor

Specs

• Tubeless: No
• Wheel Size: 26, 27.5, 29in.

Features

• PROS: Great on rocks
• CONS: Slips frequently during breaking quickly

 

BEST FOR: SLOWER RIDING ON ROCKY TRAILS

This is the first semi-slick tire designed for downhill and freeride use. Intended to be used only as a back tire, the slick center profile allows you to accelerate fast and hold speed on dry or rocky terrain. When it is time to corner, the bigger shoulder knobs will provide a bit more grip.

Push it hard and it will break free quite easily into a drift. Whether this is a good or a bad thing depends on what you like. One man’s pleasure is another man’s absolutely terrifying cornering experience! Do not even think about using it in mud or loose soil.

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Nevegal Pro

Specs

• Tubeless: No
• Wheel Size: 27.5 in.

Features

• PROS: Consistently rated the best budget tire, great traction
• CONS: Cheap, so not as durable

BEST FOR: ALL-AROUND RIDERS ON A BUDGET

Budget all round tires with an award winning tread pattern. Mountain Bike Action Magazine like the tread so much that they rated it as the best two years in a row. The big knobs are designed to dig deep in loose terrain to find the traction below. Shoulder knobs hang on during cornering and intermediate knobs support you in between.

The strengthened sidewall allows you to run low pressures for more grip without the tire folding or getting squirmy. The Nevegal pro hold up well in damp conditions but once you get beyond the tacky stage and the real wet or mud appears, you will need something bigger.

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Maxxis Mammoth

Specs

• Tubeless: Yes
• Wheel Size: 26 in.

Features

• PROS: Can be used during the winter but are light enough to use on hard-pack dirt, great for cornering
• CONS: Pricey

BEST FOR: WINTER RIDING AND HARD-PACK TRAIL RIDING

A fast (for fat bike standards) rolling tire for mostly dry conditions. The Mammoth is the first tire that Maxxis produced. It offers a dual compound with the smaller profile center tread having a harder compound than the shoulder knobs. This means it is fast rolling in a straight line and you can lean it over on the shoulder knobs for more grip in the corners.

The Mammoth performs best in dry and hardpack conditions. You can take it on sand but you will lose traction and spin out faster than you like. The same happens even faster on snow so look elsewhere if you are a fat biker who enjoys the snow.

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HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST MOUNTAIN BIKE TIRES

CROSS-COUNTRY TRAILS

For cross-country riding or racing, you’ll want a tire that’s both light and able to endure more advanced terrain than on-road riding.

Cross-country racing involves a variety of disciplines including racing, rocky mountainous terrain and desert terrain. It also frequently involves a lot of mud. You can probably see why you want a tire that offers a good grip but isn’t so heavy that it exhausts you halfway through your ride.

WINTER CONDITIONS

Winter mountain biking is an up-and-coming sport that requires a totally different type of tire: fat bike tires. These tires are the only ones out there that can handle the snow and ice. You don’t want to take your chance on winter trails without these tires as even the best grips don’t stand a chance.

These tires are very thick, heavy and often slightly deflated, which can travel through snowy woods or even in fat bike races. Think of motorcycle tires on a bike and that’s what closely resembles fat bike tires.

The major drawback with mountain biking in the winter is that these tires and even the bikes are more expensive than any other mountain bike discipline. This is why winter riding is often reserved for more experienced riders.

RACING

Racing tires can be similar to cross-country tires, but you’ll want them to offer more speed. There are a variety of disciplines in racing, but speed is a key factor in nearly all of them.

Race tracks are mostly gravel and hard-packed. This means you need a tire that’s more rugged than an on-road bike, but not as heavy as a tire used to ride down the sides of mountains.

Any tire claiming to be narrower than average and has a low rolling resistance is your best bet when racing. These tires have speed and cornering in mind.

DOWNHILL TRAILS

Downhill riding is a branch of racing, but many people also do it on their own. It’s an intense form of riding that often feature steep and rocky trails.

You’ll want tires that offer slip-resistance and can handle jagged rocks. Wider tubeless tires are your best bet against rocks. They’re less likely to get punctured. Wider tires can also offer better traction.

ROLLING RESISTANCE

If you’ve ever looked up mountain bike tires, you’ll likely see that sellers discuss the rolling resistance. The exact definition of rolling resistance is this: “the energy that is lost when the tire is rolling”.

What does that mean in layman’s terms?

You want the ability to put in as little energy as possible to keep the tires turning and the bike going forward. So, it’s a good thing if a tire has a low rolling resistance. It means you lose less energy when the tire is rolling.

Low rolling resistant tires are best for racing or riding on the hard-packed ground because they allow you to go faster without exerting unnecessary energy.

TREAD

Mountain bike tires have specific treads that allow for better connection with the ground, making sure you don’t slip.

A tread with closely space knobbies (yes, you can laugh) is best for racing or any type of mountain biking where your main concern is speed. You’ll likely find these on narrower tires.

If you do any other kind of mountain biking, wider spaced or thicker knobbies will help protect against slippage on rocky or muddy roads.

TUBES OR TUBELESS

WHY TUBELESS?

Tubeless tires are all the rage these days and for good reason. Tubeless tires tend to get flat less often, offer a smoother ride and best of all, provide more speed.

Mountain bike tires are often tubeless because they offer more speed and smoother rides. Also, they tend to be less apt to get punctures (although it’s more of a pain when they do).

Puncture-resistance is especially important for riders who spend their time on rocky mountains. Many riders are opting to pay extra for entirely tubeless tires.

WHY TUBES?

There are plenty of good reasons to stick with traditional tires. First of all, there are more of them on the market. There’s also less maintenance involved. Most riders want a tire they can change themselves and tube tires are easier to change than the tubeless one.

WHAT’S TUBELESS-READY?

Typically, if your mountain bike tires are not tubeless, they’ll be tubeless-ready. This they can easily be made into tubeless tires if necessary.

The post Best Mountain Bike Tires of 2022 appeared first on The Adventure Junkies.

But plan on whipping out a few times, especially when you come across sudden, muddy corners. Once you’ve mastered the technique, everything will get a whole lot easier.

You’ll need to learn how to twist your body, when to brake, and what to do with your hands when you’re coming around corners. It sounds like a lot to think about all at once, but mountain biking is all about using your whole body.

THE BASICS

1. KEEP YOUR BODY STRAIGHT

The first thing you’ll want to do when cornering is to make sure you’re sitting up in the seat of the bike. This will give you more control.

Instead of tilting your body, you’ll want to keep your body vertical and lean the bike into the curve. Staying upright can be difficult when you’re first learning, but it’s the key to mastering corners.

Leaning the bike into the turn is what will help you get around it in one piece. Learning how far to lean the bike takes practice and likely a few falls, but you’ll quickly be able to tell how far to lean based on the sharpness of the corner.

2. MAKE SURE YOUR KNEES ARE BENT

Always keep your knees bent when you’re going around a corner. You’ll find that your knees will likely be pressed to the bike when you’re turning.

Don’t worry, this is a good thing. Tight corners require you to lean the bike quite far. If you’re doing things correctly, your body will stay upright.

3. KEEP A TIGHT GRIP ON THE HANDLEBARS

Your hands will help you keep your weight evenly distributed. Keep them tight on the bars and bend your elbows.

When you get into the turn, you’ll want to release your hands from the brake and press them into the handlebars.

4. ALWAYS LOOK AHEAD

When you’re taking a corner you’ll always want to keep your eyes ahead so you know what you’re coming up against. Looking down can throw off your balance or you might end up hitting rocks or mud, causing you to slip.

Keeping your gaze ahead also allows you to see the exit on the corner (which we’ll get to in a minute).

5. KEEP YOUR HEELS DOWN

As you can see in the video, you don’t want to pedal into a turn. For most corners, you’ll want to keep your outer foot down with your heel pressed down as well. This keeps the back tire firmly on the ground.

If you know you’ll constantly be riding on difficult terrain, it’s best to have clip in pedals with the correct shoes. This will hold you more firmly to the bike.

6. DON’T BRAKE TOO HARD

You’ll want to do all your braking before you come up to the corner. If you brake as you’re going around the turn, your wheels will slip and you’ll end up on the ground.

Avoid hard braking as you come into the turn. You’ll want to reduce your speed gradually to keep your tires from slipping. Obviously, you don’t want to completely stop, but how fast you’re going will depend on the type of corner you’re up against.

7. EXITING THE CORNER SMOOTHLY

Learning how to properly corner on a mountain bike is all about keeping the flow of your ride. Exiting a corner is the same. Doing it properly allows you to keep up speed and keeps you from wasting energy.

As you exit a corner, you’ll want to gradually straighten the bike. Jerky movements will make you lose balance and speed.

You’ll want to exit to the outside of the corner. This will keep you going fast and give you the time to straighten out your bike. You’ll also want to lean back slightly. This is for safety and speed.

If your bike does slide out on the corner, you won’t be leaning forward. This means you won’t be thrown over the handles bars which, trust me, hurts a lot more than tipping over the side.

THE DIFFERENT KINDS OF CORNERS

1. HIGH-SPEED

Taking on fast corners takes little more precision and you’ll have to move your body and lean the bike very quickly—like the rider in the video below.

These fast turns also sometimes call for a different foot position. You’ll want to keep your feet horizontal instead of the traditional one foot down pose.

As the rider in the video puts it, keeping your feet both at the same horizontal position allows you to get back to your basic position more quickly. This means you’ll be able to get back to pedaling quickly in order to keep up speed.

2. SLOW-SPEED OR SWITCHBACKS

Switchbacks are tight turns that you’ll want to take pretty slowly. They’re frequently 180 degree turns, so taking your time is critical.

These turns are where it’s especially important to keep your outer foot down and heel dropped. It’ll keep your weight down on the bike, helping you stay on.

It’s also particularly important to keep your eyes ahead on these turns. You’ll want to see your exist as soon as possible so you know when to turn.

3. HAIRPIN TURNS

Hairpins are very tight, often downhill curves. Watch the video below to see just how your body should be positioned.

Handlebar control is crucial in these turns. You’ll want to make sure to have them turned in tight towards the curve. If you’ve got multiple corners one after the other, you’ll need to turn the handles bars quickly and sharply.

You’ll also want to make sure your body is firmly pushed forward. You need to have excellent control of the front wheel, and your body weight is what will keep the wheel firmly on the ground.

CORNERING IN THE MUD AND ON ROUGH TERRAIN

Riding off road will eventually lead you to not so perfect terrain, including mud and rocks. The good news is, if you know how to corner correctly, it’ll be no match for a mountain bike.

1. DON’T BRAKE

The first rule of biking on difficult terrain—don’t brake. This causes your tires to lose traction and you will slide out. While landing in mud doesn’t hurt as much as landing on the hard ground, it’s still not fun if you aren’t expecting it.

2. LEAN BACK

When you hit a patch of mud your bike will slow down but your body will still be leaning forwards, that’s a good way to fall over your handlebars. You’ll want to lean back a little bit to make sure you and the bike are going at the same speed.

As stated above, keeping your body upright is the most important part of cornering. This is especially true for riding on rocky terrain. It’ll take a little more effort when you hit rocks to stay upright, but bend your knees more and square your hips off with the ground and you’ll be fine.

3. LOWER YOUR TIRE PRESSURE

If you know you’re going to be riding on wet trails, lowering your tire pressure just a little bit can do wonders. A softer tire will meld to the terrain better and keep you from slipping as much. Don’t entirely deflate them, obviously, but let just a little air out of each until the tire has a little give to it.

The post How To Corner On A Mountain Bike appeared first on The Adventure Junkies.

You’ll want to ask yourself what you’re looking for in a hydration pack. Do you want more of a backpack with a pocket for water? Or the smallest, lightest pack possible? Something that will last forever? The good news is, there are tons of hydration packs to choose from so there’s bound to be one perfect for you.

For more of our top mountain biking gear recommendations, check out the Best Mountain Bike Saddle Bags.

Reviews - The Best Hydration Packs for Mountain Biking

Camelbak Rogue

Specs

• Bladder Size: 2.5L

BEST FOR: RIDERS LOOKING FOR A MINIMALIST PACK THAT STILL HOLDS A LOT OF WATER

PROS: Small, lightweight, breathable

CONS: Just a standard hydration pack, not a lot of storage

STORAGE: Enough space to pack an extra layer

View at REI

CamelBak Hydrobak

Specs

• Bladder Size: 1.5L

BEST FOR: SHORT RIDES WHEN YOU DON’T HAVE MUCH EXTRA TO CARRY

PROS: Very light, reflective strip for night riding

CONS: Storage is minimal

STORAGE: Small pocket that holds keys and/or wallet

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Deuter Race EXP

Specs

• Bladder Size: 3L

BEST FOR: LONG RACES, EVEN ON RAINY DAYS

PROS: Durable, lightweight, ventilation system

CONS: When full, it’s a little bulky

STORAGE: 12 liters

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Osprey Raptor

Specs

• Bladder Size: 2.5L

BEST FOR: LONG RIDES WHEN YOU’VE GOT A LOT TO CARRY

PROS: Designed for comfort, even when heavy with items

CONS: Not the most stable when you hit rough patches on trails

STORAGE: 14 liters, helmet attachment clip, multiple side pockets

 

View at REI

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Lowepro Photo Sport

Specs

• Bladder Size: 2L

BEST FOR: BIKERS WHO LIKE TO TAKE THEIR CAMERAS ALONG FOR THE RIDE

PROS: Built in water-proof shell

CONS: Larger than most packs

STORAGE: Limited, except for camera storage

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HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST MTB HYDRATION PACKS

SIZE

Hydration packs come in all different sizes. From a small, sleek pack that’s only meant to hold water, to one more akin to a day-hiking backpack that can hold all your personal belongings.

Size also includes how many liters of water your pack can hold. Are you going on a long bike ride? You’ll want more water, so you should opt for a 2L or 3L pouch instead of a 1L version.

The reservoir (or bladder) is what holds your water, and they come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Some are soft and tend to sag inside the pack if you don’t have hooks to keep them in place. Others are harder and can hold their shape, but take up more space in the bag.

Some packs are sold without the bladder, so you’ll want to make sure the one you have (or buy) will be compatible.

WEIGHT AND FIT

Think about it. If you’re going for a long ride, you might not want a pack that weighs too much. This could tire you out and make your shoulders ache more than they have to. But, if you’re the kind of person who also drinks a lot of water, you’ll still need a large reservoir.

You’ll need to decide which works best for you or find a bag with a lot of storage that also offers some breathability. You want to make sure the bag fits snuggly on your back to avoid putting too much weight on your shoulders.

This is why most of the larger packs come with a harness to strap around your chest and waist. Some riders feel too trapped with this so they opt for smaller, less heavy packs.

STORAGE

Storing your phone, keys and wallet in your pockets while you ride is a good way to lose them, so most people opt for a pack that has extra storage space to safely store their belongings.

But, some riders are just looking for a pack that holds water and their keys. Others pair mountain biking with camping or overnight trips, so they’ll want a pack that can hold many travel essentials. Some packs even come with a helmet storage space for when you’re not riding.

There’s a pack out there for almost everyone, even photographers. Mountain biking and photography are great hobbies to take up at the same time. Mountain bike trails can take you everywhere – from the tops of mountains to the ocean side or even deserts, so it’s great to have a nice camera ready to snap pictures.

Recently, hydration packs have started featuring storage pockets specifically designed for cameras. This does make the pack considerably heavier, so you’ll have to decide if you’re willing to compromise.

INSULATION/WATERPROOF

Mountain bikers know it’s easy to hit bad weather when you’re riding. A little rain never hurt anyone, but it can hurt your belongings if you don’t have a waterproof pack.

Luckily, nearly all of them are made with some sort of waterproof covering either on the outside, inside or both. Some even come equipped with hoods.

STYLE

When you look at mountain bikes or mountain bike equipment and clothes, you probably noticed that there’s a certain element of style to them. And why shouldn’t there be? After all, mountain biking is a cool sport.

Hydration packs aren’t left out in this aspect. Most of them feature bright colors and patterns that blend in nicely with helmet and bike designs. That being said, if you’re looking for something simple and not flashy, you can always find those as well. Those could even be bought usually on a budget.

The post Best MTB Hydration Packs of 2022 appeared first on The Adventure Junkies.

Higher end chains last longer and come in a variety of colors for a clean ride and stylish look. Cheaper chains tend to be louder when shifting and are less durable, but offer a rider on a budget a more affordable option.

For more of our top mountain biking gear recommendations, check out the Best MTB Chain Lubes. 

Reviews - The Best Chains for MTB

SRAM 10

Specs

• Bike Speed: 10 Speed
• Material: Steel

BEST FOR: THOSE LOOKING FOR THE MOST RELIABLE CHAIN BRAND THAT’S EASY TO REPLACE

PROS: Shifts cleanly, high-end, which means durable

CONS: When shifting, the chain tends to make a fairly loud noise

View at REI

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KMC X9 SL 9

Specs

• Bike Speed: 9 Speed
• Material: Nickel-Plated

BEST FOR: THOSE WHO LIKE FASTER, MORE DIFFICULT RIDING

PROS: Can be removed and cleaned easily, can handle any terrain.

CONS: Slightly pricey, about $35-$40

View at Jenson USA

KMC X10 SL

Specs

• Bike Speed: 10 Speed
• Material: Steel, Titanium Coated

BEST FOR: SOMEONE WHO WANTS A BIKE CHAIN THAT IS DURABLE, BUT ALSO STYLISH

PROS: Extremely durable, come in a variety of colors including: green, blue, pink, and gold, very light

CONS: These are very pricey chains, at around $170, mostly because of the style

View at Jenson USA

Wipperman Connex 11S0

Specs

• Bike Speed: 11 Speed
• Material: Steel

BEST FOR: BIKERS ON A BUDGET THAT STILL WANT A SOMEWHAT DURABLE CHAIN

PROS: Cheap, but adaptable to nearly all bikes

CONS: Not rated the best in corrosion resistance

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Shimano CN-HG53

Specs

• Bike Speed: 9 Speed
• Material: Steel

BEST FOR: SOMEONE LOOKING FOR A CHEAP CHAIN, BUT THAT WILL STILL LAST

PROS: Durable for what the price is

CONS: It is cheap, so it won’t last as long as some other chains

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KMC K810

Specs

• Bike Speed: Single Speed
• Material: Steel

BEST FOR: SOMEONE LOOKING FOR THE CHEAPEST CHAIN POSSIBLE

PROS: Can buy for as low as $8, easy to remove and clean, comes in gold

CONS: This is a very cheap chain, so what you see is what you get

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Wipperman Connex 11SX

Specs

• Bike Speed: 11 Speed
• Material: Stainless Steel

BEST FOR: BIKERS WITH LOOKING FOR A CHAIN THAT WILL LAST THE LONGEST

PROS: Durable for any condition, high grade material

CONS: On the pricey end, simple look

View at Amazon

Connex 108

Specs

• Bike Speed: Single Speed
• Material: Nickel-Plated

BEST FOR: BMX RIDERS

PROS: Weather and wear resistant in any weather

CONS: For long-trail riders, this chain isn’t the best

View at Amazon

SunRace CNM99

Specs

• Bike Speed: 8, 9, 10 Speed
• Material: Chrome-Plated

BEST FOR: BUDGET RIDERS

PROS: Lighter chain that is easy to replace, smooth shifting

CONS: Cheap chain so it will wear quicker than high-end chains

View at Amazon

HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST MTB CHAINS

PURPOSE

Just as there are different levels of mountain biking, there are different chains designed for the various terrain you may face.

BMX (COMPETITION)

BMX biking comes in a variety of forms, not just the stunt events you might think of when you first hear BMX. There are long trail races as well. Both of these styles need rugged chains to withstand the force you’ll put on the bike.

TRAIL

Trail riding tends to be more individual. Depending on where you live and/or ride, bikers can face terrain from light trails to mountainous regions, and even deserts.

This is where bikes differ the most. The type of frame, chain, and tires all depend on what terrain you’re riding on. You don’t want to use a fat bike (a mountain bike with large tires), meant for snow out in the desert. The wheels just aren’t meant for it, and neither is the chain.

MATERIAL

ALLOY STEEL

Alloy steel is the standard bike chain material, no matter if it’s a road bike, mountain bike, or racing bike. This material allows for less-expensive bike chains, but ones that hold up in many conditions.

NICKEL-PLATED

Higher-end bikes often feature nickel-plated chains, both for aesthetic purposes and because they provide even more corrosion resistance. Nickel-plated chains also sometimes vary in color, while steel chains tend to be your typical gray.

CHAIN LENGTH

The length of your bike chain determines the number of speeds the bike is capable of (i.e. 9, 10, 11 speed).

Some mountain bikers swear by single speed bikes for a variety of reasons. First, it’s definitely the most challenging way to ride, because you can’t shift to a lower speed when you’re pedaling up a difficult part of the trail—-instead you’re pedaling full speed and at full strength the entire time. For those people that like to build or repair their own bikes, whether for cost saving reasons, or just for fun, a single speed bike means less equipment to deal with.

If you’re a beginner, or just like to make things a little easier, having multiple speeds on your bike lets you coast on those difficult uphill climbs and preserve energy.

Again, the speed your bike is, depends on the kind of riding you’re doing. Long-range trail riding with a few different terrains require a variety of speeds, but not as many as you might need if you’re rising windy, rocky mountains that are throwing a huge number of obstacles in your way.

REPLACING THE CHAIN

TOOLS TO USE

Certain chains don’t require the use of tools to remove and replace the chain, but most do, especially those with longer chains. For these bikes, you’ll need a chain tool that allows you to push the pin out of the chain so you can remove the chain and make the new one the correct length.

There are videos on Youtube and Urban Velo that offer a tutorial on how use a chain tool and remove and replace your chain. If you’ve got an expensive bike and buy an expensive replacement chain, it’s best to just take you’re bike to a shop and have a professional replace it.

CLEANING THE CHAIN

Cleaning your bike chain is something you can easily do on your own and something you should do every once in a while. If you’re riding in mud or storing your bike outside (something you should avoid) you’ll have to clean your chain more frequently to make sure the moisture doesn’t rust out your chain.

The chain tool can help you remove the chain if it’s particularly dirty and needs a more thorough cleaning, but you can also leave your chain right on the bike. You can use bike lube or oil specifically designed for chains, but this can be expensive. You can also use vinegar or degreaser soap. Using a toothbrush, simply scrub your chain clean, rotating the pedals to rotate it.

The post Best MTB Chains of 2022 appeared first on The Adventure Junkies.