David Streever, Author at The Adventure Junkies

Shimano XTR Di2 RD-M9050

Specs

Weight: 289g
Supports Single Front: Yes

BEST FOR: STATE-OF-THE-ART SHIFTING FROM THE COMPANY THAT STARTED IT

PROS: Precise, smooth, accurate, range of front chainrings

CONS: Price, wires, weight

SRAM XX1 Eagle

Specs

Weight: 265g
Supports Single Front: Yes

BEST FOR: ANYONE RIDING A SINGLE FRONT RING SETUP WHO WANTS A WIDE RANGE OF USEFUL GEARS

PROS: Better range than 2×10 setups, quality, precise

CONS: Price

Shimano M640 Zee

Specs

Weight: 268g
Supports Single Front: Yes

BEST FOR: BUDGET USERS WHO WANT TO RUN 1X10 OR 2X10 SETUPS WITH LATEST CLUTCH TECHNOLOGY

PROS: Clutch technology, durable, precise

CONS: No triple support

Shimano Deore XT RD-M786 SGS

Specs

Weight: 258g
Supports Single Front: Yes

BEST FOR: 10-SPEED DERAILLEUR FEATURING SHIMANO CLUTCH TECHNOLOGY, DESIGNED TO AVOID HITTING OBSTACLES

PROS: Versatile front chainring options, durable, smooth

CONS: None we could find

SRAM GX Type 2.1

Specs

Weight: 302g
Supports Single Front: Yes

BEST FOR: BUDGET USERS WHO WANT SINGLE, DOUBLE, OR TRIPLE FRONT RINGS

PROS: Clutch technology, compatibility, precise, accurate

CONS: Less durable, weight

HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST MOUNTAIN BIKE DERAILLEURS

NUMBER OF GEARS

If you want a new derailleur, you’re probably looking to change things up or just replace a broken part. Either way, it’s time to consider how many sprockets you need, and what your current setup can handle

Unless you’re buying new shifters, you’re likely limited to what you had before. Most shifters work with a specific rear cassette size — usually 9, 10, 11 or 12. If you buy a 9-speed derailleur and mate it to your 12-speed shifter, you’ll probably end up breaking it or a spoke by over-shifting.

If you’re looking for a new shifter, too, your options are open, and you probably want to go with an 11 or 12-speed derailleur. This is the modern standard, and it’s ubiquitous in bike shops and easy to buy cassettes, chains and cables for.

This 2013 blog from Performance Bike is slightly dated, but worth reading. They accurately predicted the transition from 9- and 10-speed to 11. The biggest change since then?

Virtually every wheel comes designed for 11- and 12-speed cassettes. You’ll need to use a usually included adapter if you want to stick with a 9-speed derailleur.

ELECTRIC OR MECHANICAL?

Both Shimano and SRAM have released electronic derailleurs that work with electronic shifting. If you’re upgrading to this, it’s a whole re-build as you’ll need compatible brakes, shifters and a front derailleur.

The innovation of faster, more precise shifting came to road bikes first and now appears on mountain bikes as well. Cycling Weekly breaks down the benefits and makes an argument that all riders can appreciate the upgrade, but I’d note that price is a big barrier to entry.

If you’re happy with mechanical shifting, then don’t make the switch yet. This equipment starts at around $1,200.

SHIFTER AND FRONT DERAILLEUR COMPATIBILITY

The compatibility issue will limit your options unless you’re doing a full rebuild of the drive train. Front derailleur, shifters and cassette all must match. Some rear derailleurs can be thrown on with a wider range, but most are very specific.

Shifting uses fairly old technology, but it’s incredibly precise. Make sure that you’re buying a rear derailleur from the same company, and usually even the same line of that brand. Each of the derailleurs we chose has its compatible partner listed on the shop pages we’ve linked to.

If considering a full overhaul, see our guide on mountain bike shifters to help get the best shifter for your new setup.

CAGE LENGTH

Most derailleurs come in your choice of three cage lengths: short, medium, or long. Short cage lengths are great for single front chainrings, medium for doubles, and long for triples. UK retailer Wiggle has a detailed breakdown on cage lengths and clutch technology, something I’ll explain in the next section.

If you’re looking to buy a new front derailleur and crankset, we have a guide to cranksets to help you make your selection.

SHIMANO OR SRAM

SRAM devotees describe their shifting as slightly snappier to explain their preference, but it’s very subjective. Go with your favorite, or just stick with what’s already on the bike.

Remember that you can’t mix and match, so if you go from one to the other, you’ll need to replace the shifters and front derailleur, too. Campagnolo is a third option for roadies, but they don’t make many components suitable for mountain bikers.

The closest they come is in their cyclocross offerings. We’ve included a derailleur from a small company, Box, which is compatible with Shimano.

INDEX SHIFTING VS FRICTION

Derailleurs can be used with index or friction shifters, so this choice won’t limit you. It’s all in how you set it up.

GEAR RATIOS

If you’re buying a new derailleur, it’s probably time for a new rear cassette, too. Check out this helpful calculator to plan the perfect ratio. It considers wheel size, cranks, front chainring, and rear cassette, to show you how many useful options you have.

WEIGHT

How much does weight matter? It depends on the rider. Some people will think nothing of paying hundreds to shave off a few grams; others never even look at the weight.

If you’re racing, we’ve highlighted the lightest of the bunch. For general riders, all of the rear derailleurs we’ve picked should be good as well.

TUNING AND ADJUSTING

Different companies have different reputations for tuning and adjustment difficulty. Shimano is said to be slightly easier to tune and adjust. Box is even easier. This shouldn’t have a lot of practical implications for your ride, but it’s part of why some people prefer Shimano.

Whichever you get, make sure to include it in your routine maintenance, covered in our mountain bike maintenance article.

CLUTCHES

Clutches are an innovation in mountain bike derailleurs which keep the chain on the gears even over bumps and jumps. Typically, quick changes in weighting and force can cause the chain to go slack, which makes noise and may result in a dropped chain. The clutch aims to solve this problem by keeping appropriate tension on the chain at all times.

Every manufacturer has their own system. SRAM has Type-2 and Type-3, and Shimano has Shadow Plus. When the technology debuted, they were somewhat unreliable and could make wheel changes difficult; they’ve since gotten easier to adjust and come with locking features for easy wheel removal. They are quickly becoming mainstream for all mountain bikes.

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

Mountain Bike Maintenance 101 : A Beginners Guide

David Streever — Mon, 11 Sep 2017 10:05:43 +0000

How do you keep a mountain bike running reliably? The best way is to perform regular mountain bike maintenance. Dirt and grime corrode both the frame and the components. Your frame needs to be cleaned regularly, and the components require cleaning and servicing as well.

Failing to grease and clean components can result in a noisy ride at best. At worst, parts will break or fail. Cleaning the frame will prevent grime from chipping away at the paint and finish. Routine maintenance lets you avoid unpleasant surprises on the road and replace cables and brake pads before you’re in trouble.

There are a lot of important steps, but we’ve broken down the most common maintenance routines to help you get started. From filling the tires to bleeding your brakes, this guide will help you keep your mountain bike clean and problem-free.

WEEKLY CLEANING

If you do nothing else, make sure to give your bike a weekly all-over clean and wipe down. Remove mud and other grime on the same day when possible, and do the general clean once a week if you’re riding routinely.

Make sure to use bike cleaner to avoid damaging any surfaces or the finish, and grease and lube all moving parts after washing. We’ve already made a cleaning guide for quick and thorough scrub-downs.

You should be able to wipe down and inspect your bike in about ten minutes or less. Look for anything rubbing, clicking, or loose and inspect the frame and wheels for cracking.

You should also do a larger clean after really muddy rides or before major service. The Global Mountain Bike Network has made a video detailing every step in a thirty-minute clean.

VIDEO: IN-DEPTH MOUNTAIN BIKE CLEAN

1. HEADSETS, HUBS, CRANKS

The headset affects steering. Hubs affect your wheels, and cranks are what turns the chain. These components are vital but easy to overlook. Make sure they are all tight and moving smoothly, and carefully adjust them if not. They also may need to be greased.

VIDEO: HEADSET ADJUSTMENT GUIDE

HUBS

Regular maintenance means cleaning and making sure they feel smooth. You may need to do more in-depth work every few years, or after a particularly harsh ride for the bike. It’s not mountain bike specific, but Bikeradar’s article on hub service may be helpful.

CRANKS

Crank arms are fairly easy to adjust and work with, provided you know what tools you need. Thankfully, Singletracks has published a guide listing tools, types of cranks, and how to work with them. If you feel any play when pedaling or if they click or shift around when you’re cleaning the bike, you’ll need to do a thorough service on the cranks.

2. BRAKES

If you have disc brakes or calipers, you need to clean and service them regularly to make sure your bike can stop when you need to. According to Bicycling Magazine, there are four simple steps to spot trouble with disc brakes.

Make sure to follow all four: A warped rotor can make braking impossible, and it’s easy to overlook. Caliper brakes are even easier. Look at the pad for wearing, then spin the wheel while lifting the bike and make sure it spins freely and stops when the brake is used.

BRAKE PADS

Worn pads need to be replaced promptly. Calipers are fairly straight-forward: Unscrew the pads, remove them, replace them with new. Disc brakes may be a little more complicated. Remove them whenever they are less than 1 mm thick

VIDEO: DISC BRAKE REPLACEMENT

BRAKE CABLES

Caliper and mechanical-style disc brakes both use cables to operate the brakes. Sluggish braking may be a sign that you have a frayed cable or a leak in a hydraulic system. Leaks can be fixed by bleeding, and worn cables should be replaced promptly.

Performance Bike published a guide to replacing brake cables and shifter cables, which isn’t too technical. According to REI, it’s a good idea to lightly lubricate the brake levers and pivot points of brake levers. Take note that sluggish braking may be a sign that you have a frayed cable or a leak in a hydraulic system.

BLEED DISC BRAKES

If you have disc brakes, you probably need a bleed kit. Air in the line will make your brakes work poorly. Some brakes are easy to bleed, even on the trail, and others are more complicated. Every brake has its own routine, but here are some general tips on what not to do from Epic Bleed Solutions.

3. SHIFTING CHAINS AND CABLES

Shifters are similar to brake levers; grease the moving spots, and typically you’re set. Shifter cables also fray and wear, and may need to be replaced.

VIDEO: REPLACE SHIFTER CABLES

DERAILLEURS

These parts actually move the chain up and down the gears. They can be finicky and tend to be easily damaged, especially the rear derailleur. Clean these components once a month, and review this guide by Bicycling if you’re derailleur seems to be poorly adjusted.

BIKE CHAIN AND CASSETTES

We’ve already covered cleaning and lubing the chain, but make sure to check for wear and stretch when you clean. You can buy a chain stretch tool to measure, or simply go to the bike shop whenever it feels sloppy and ask them to check. If your chain is stretched or worn, you’ll need to replace it and the rear cassette, which wears with the chain.

Cassettes will show visible wear when they need to be replaced–think shark teeth instead of clean, unified sprocket edges. They’ll also shift poorly. If you need a new cassette, make sure you buy a compatible chain at the same time.

4. BIKE WHEELS AND TIRES

Your mountain bike wheels should freely spin around the hub without rubbing, touching, or hitting anything else. If the wheels don’t spin true, in a proper circle, they’ll need to be serviced. Problems include spokes, broken or loose, worn-out hubs, and possibly even damage to the rim.

Truing mountain bike wheels is not a basic maintenance task: Make sure you go to a professional if you don’t know what you’re doing. If you have a cracked rim, it’s unlikely that the wheel can be saved; better to buy a new one.

Tires are easy: Simply look for smoothed worn patches, cuts, tears, or other damage. If a tire is damaged, buy a new one right away. A worn tire will affect braking and steering, and a damaged one will likely cause a flat. It’s a good idea to buy an extra set of tires and keep them somewhere clean and dry.

5. PEDALS

Clipless pedals should be cleaned and lightly greased, particularly the contact points where your cleat connects and any internal bearings or moving parts. Flat pedals don’t need external greasing, but should also be cleaned and gently greased where they spin around the crank.

6. SEATPOSTS AND SADDLES

It’s probably the one part you think least about: Where you sit down. Failing to maintain this essential part, however, can actually ruin the frame of your bike.

Make sure it can move smoothly up and down, never overtighten it (use a torque wrench!), and put a little grease for alloy seatposts in alloy frames. Don’t grease carbon: It can degrade the plastic and ruin the frame.

The post Mountain Bike Maintenance 101 : A Beginners Guide appeared first on The Adventure Junkies.

Best Mountain Bike Shifters of 2022

David Streever — Mon, 21 Aug 2017 08:36:06 +0000

Is your shifting smooth enough? Are you dropping your chain or having a hard time finding the right gears? Maybe you just want swifter, faster shifting? It might be time for an upgrade. The best mountain bike shifters work under pressure and won’t leave you in the wrong gear.

You might rock simple bar-end twister shifters or the sportiest trigger-release levers. Either way, you want shifters that are reliable, lightweight and comfortable. Shifting is the most tactile aspect of biking, and smooth shifting makes a bike feel faster.

Here at The Adventure Junkies, we make mountain biking easy by taking some of the mystery out of the gear selection. We’ve created this guide to help you evaluate mountain bike shifters for compatibility and riding style, helping you find the best gear for your ride.

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

Quick Answer - The Best Mountain Bike Shifters

Sram 3.0 Comp Twister
View at Jenson USA
Shimano SL-4600 Tiagra
View at Jenson USA
Sunrace SLM10
View at Amazon
Shimano Shifters SL-TX30 Tourney
View at Amazon

Comparison Table - Best MTB Shifters

For the best experience turn your device horizontally

Name	Trigger	Weight	Price	Rating	Review
Sram 3.0 Comp Twister	No	162g	$$	4.6	Read Review
Shimano SL-4600 Tiagra	Yes	297g	$$$$$	4.6	Read Review
Sunrace SLM10	No	129g	$	4.5	Read Review
Shimano Shifters SL-TX30 Tourney	No	283g	$$	4.2	Read Review
Name	Trigger	Weight	Price	Rating	Review

Reviews - The Best Shifters for Mountain Bikes

Sram 3.0 Comp Twister

Specs

Weight: 162g
Trigger: No

BEST FOR: HIGH-END PERFORMANCE ON BUDGET BAR-ENDS

PROS: Weight, quality, reliable, tactile

CONS: Grip position can be uncomfortable

GEARING: 3×7-8

Shimano SL-4600 Tiagra

Specs

Weight: 297g
Trigger: Yes

BEST FOR: ROAD-BIKES CONVERTED TO FLAT-BAR CYCLOCROSS OR GRAVEL BIKE USE

PROS: Quality, speed

CONS: Price, weight, incompatible with mountain bike derailleurs

GEARING: 2×10

Sunrace SLM10

Specs

Weight: 129g
Trigger: No

BEST FOR: OLD-SCHOOL TACTILE FRICTION SHIFTING

PROS: Old school style, compatibility, price, weight

CONS: Speed

GEARING: 1-3×5-11

Shimano Shifters SL-TX30 Tourney

Specs

Weight: 283g
Trigger: No

BEST FOR: INEXPENSIVE TRIGGER-LIKE SHIFTERS FOR TRIPLE CHAIN-RINGS

PROS: Easy install, price

CONS: Weight, hybrid twist/trigger

GEARING: 3×7

HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST MOUNTAIN BIKE SHIFTERS

COMPATIBILITY: SRAM OR SHIMANO?

The two main companies are SRAM and Shimano, and they differ in one major way. SRAM pulls the cables at a 1:1 ratio, and Shimano at a 2:1 ratio. In practice, it’s not that different, and you’ll probably never notice the switch.

Shimano may feel slightly easier to shift, and SRAM may perform slightly better in inclement weather or mud. Diffen has a breakdown of differences between the two companies if you’re feeling uncertain.

The biggest issue is compatibility; you want to make sure that whatever your derailleur is, you buy the same shifters. If you don’t have SRAM or Shimano, you’ll have to check the ratio used and then figure out what you can buy. Whatever you do, stick with the same ratio; don’t try to hack it to work.

If your rear derailleur is made by Campagnolo, you have an extra set of headaches. The venerable Italian firm hasn’t made mountain bike components since the 90s, so you’ll need to consider replacing the whole drivetrain if you want new shifters.

THUMB SHIFTERS OR GRIP TWISTS?

The next issue is a preference once. Some are happy with simple “twist” shifters, which tend to be less expensive and fairly reliable. The bike handlebar grips turn in order to shift, similar to the shifters on most of our first bikes.

THUMB SHIFTERS

The step-up are triggers or twin levers; one lever goes up the gears, the other goes down. The levers usually “click” like a trigger, and provide a lot of tactile feedback. They feel fast and snappy compared to twist shifters, and are the default on any bike setup for racing or competition.

TWIST SHIFTERS

If you’re going for casual trail rides, the twisters are good enough; if you want to do sportier, jumpier riding or racing, you want triggers. If you have twister grips and are swapping them out for twin-lever triggers, you probably need new grips. See this guide to grips by fellow The Adventure Junkies writer Richard Bailey.

FRICTION OR INDEXED?

INDEXED

Indexed shifting is more accurate and precise. When you press the button, the bike shifts to the next gear. You can shift better under load, too, partially because of the way the shifter works, and partially because of advances in cog manufacturing. If you need a primer on shifting technique, see Mary-Elizabeth Schurrer’s article on shifting for The Adventure Junkies.

You probably will want to stick with indexed shifters unless you know you prefer friction shifters. If you do, you’re in luck; the improvements to modern cogs also benefit friction shifters, making them work even more reliably and snappier.

FRICTION SHIFTING

Friction shifting is largely disappearing from the market. Think 1970s road bikes with downtube shifters: That’s friction. You push the chain left and right, and feel when it’s in place.

RANGE OF GEARS

How many gears do you have? If you’re just upgrading the shifter, count your gears, and make sure the shifters accommodate them. Most of the sets we’ve recommended can be bought as singles, too, if you’re running a single chain ring in the front.

If you’re making up your mind about gearing, Bikeradar has a detailed article on the pros and cons of various gear combinations. Look through their breakdown to determine what works best for you.

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

Best Bike Computers of 2022

David Streever — Tue, 08 Aug 2017 22:44:32 +0000

Do you need a dedicated GPS or a bike computer? If you want the most reliable speed and cadence records, you would definitely want a bike computer. GPS units can be inconsistent, expensive and battery-intensive. The best bike computer will record every second of your adventures, no matter where they take you.

Some riders prefer a simple bike computer for ease of use. Others want the deluxe option with heart rate, cadence and power measurements. Whichever level of computer you choose, it’s great to have a dedicated unit that lives on the bike.

Bike computers can also be an inexpensive complement to a smartphone GPS log. Cheaper, more durable and safer in rain, they’re the perfect handlebar display unit. Here at The Adventure Junkies, we want to steer our readers to the best gear for their rides. We’ve prepared this guide to help you get started on your own adventure.

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

Quick Answer - The Best Bike Computers

CatEye Padrone
View at Amazon
CatEye Strada
View at Amazon
CatEye Padrone Smart+
View at Amazon
Planet Bike 8.0 Protege
View at Amazon
CatEye – Velo 9
View at Amazon

Comparison Table - Best Bike Computer

For the best experience turn your device horizontally

Name	Wireless	Weight	Price	Rating	Review
CatEye Padrone	Yes	32g	$$$	4.3	Read Review
CatEye Strada	Yes	90g	$$$	4.2	Read Review
CatEye Padrone Smart+	Yes	30g	$$$$$	3.4	Read Review
Planet Bike 8.0 Protege	No	91g	$$	4.2	Read Review
CatEye – Velo 9	No	113g	$$	4.3	Read Review
Name	Wireless	Weight	Price	Rating	Review

Reviews - The Best Computers for Mountain Bikes

CatEye Padrone

Specs

Weight: 32g
Wireless: Yes

BEST FOR: SIMPLE, STRESS-FREE SPEED AND DISTANCE RECORDING WITH A GIANT SCREEN

PROS: Auto-pause, huge display, reliable, color variety

CONS: No data transfer

CatEye Strada

Specs

Weight: 90g
Wireless: Yes

BEST FOR: RELIABLE AND HIGHLY ACCURATE SPEED AND TIME LOGGING

PROS: Auto-pause, large display, reliable, price

CONS: Weight, no data transfer

CatEye Padrone Smart+

Specs

Weight: 30g
Wireless: Yes

BEST FOR: DATA JUNKIES WHO WANT TO LINK THEIR GPS SMARTPHONE, HEART RATE MONITOR, AND CADENCE AND SPEED SENSORS

PROS: Battery life, smartphone link, cadence and heart rate monitor, web upload

CONS: Price

Planet Bike 8.0 Protege

Specs

Weight: 91g
Wireless: No

BEST FOR: MULTI-FUNCTION DISPLAY ON A LONG-LIVED WIRED DEVICE

PROS: Price, long lasting battery, no signal interference, customizable display

CONS: Wires require more initial setup, no data transfer

CatEye – Velo 9

Specs

Weight: 113g
Wireless: No

BEST FOR: RELIABLE AND SIMPLE FUNCTIONALITY IN A WIRED COMPUTER WITH MAXIMUM BATTERY LIFE

PROS: Reliability, no signal interference, price, auto-stop, 3 year battery

CONS: Wires require more initial setup, no data transfer

HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST BIKE COMPUTERS

SPEED SENSOR CONNECTIONS

Bike computers are also called speedometers. The primary reason to own one is to know your speed, which is why every computer measures speed and time ridden.

They do this by counting the number of times a magnet, usually on the rear wheel, passes a sensor on the fork or triangle. If you aren’t sure which part is which, see our previous article on mountain bike parts.

WIRED CONNECTION

The most basic sensors are connected by a thin cable. They can be harder to install, but won’t require a battery for the sensor.

Once installed, they should be fine until you decide to buy a new one. They aren’t as popular today with an industry moving to internal cables and wireless components, but are great for riders who want to avoid interference or battery issues.

If installation gets tough, see bike mechanic legend Sheldon Brown’s 17 tips on installing computers.

WIRELESS CONNECTION

Wireless sensors are the most common. They tend to work well but can run into interference issues with other electronic signals. Some of the wireless units can also work with other types of sensors, such as heart rate monitors.

ADDITIONAL SENSORS

CADENCE SENSOR

Cadence is a measure of how fast your pedals turn, an important consideration for racers and anyone looking to improve. A cadence sensor can be the difference between a bike ride and a training ride. If you’re thinking about starting a training program, see our guide on mountain bike training.

HEART RATE SENSOR

Heart-rate monitors add another measure of exertion, even more crucial than cadence for serious racers. Race training is done in different heart rate “zones,” or ranges. Knowing your heart rate is important for structured training programs, but not always helpful on a group ride.

If you want to learn about heart rate zoning, start with this guide from BikeRadar.

DATA TRANSFER AND CONNECTIONS

Most data transfer is fairly straightforward and low-tech: Write it down in a training log. The higher end bike computers are more like a Garmin GPS or smartphone, though, and will upload or transmit the data to your computer. This isn’t a must-have feature for most cyclists, but it’s important to consider if you want to keep a digital record.

At the highest end, bike computers can even sync with your phone, providing call details, GPS links, and more.

BACKLIGHTING

One of the most important features of any bike computer is the display. A good one is visible and easy to read at a glance; a great one is backlit and visible even in the dark. If you ride trails at night, dusk, or dawn, you’ll want a backlit computer.

DISPLAY OPTIONS AND INTERFACE

If you’ve already determined that you just want to know your speed, this will be an easy choice. Some units have as many as 15 functions, displaying average speed, top speed, time, calories burned or even an ecological metric like how much CO2 you aren’t emitting in a car.

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

MTB Training – A Beginners Guide

David Streever — Tue, 01 Aug 2017 12:10:10 +0000

What are your mtb training goals? If you’ve learned the basics, you’re probably looking to upgrade your skills and fitness. Want to enter a race, go bikepacking or master the local black diamonds? Or maybe you just want to show off for your weekend riding group?

No matter the reason, you’ll need to train your cardio, endurance and technical skills to improve as a mountain biker. Mix up your training rides with some obstacles and off-the-bike exercising to give your skills a boost.

One of our goals at The Adventure Junkies is to share our love of mountain biking. In this guide, we’ll help you increase your speed and agility to get the most out of your mountain bike.

There are many components to mountain bike training. Trainable skills include aerobic fitness, strength, balance and agility, technique and mental fortitude.

FITNESS TRAINING

Being physically fit and healthy will improve every aspect of your mountain biking skills, ranging from simple riding to complex skills. While just going out and mountain biking will improve your fitness, there are other techniques you can use to vary your routine or squeeze in extra training time.

CROSS-TRAINING

Why cross-train? First, no single sport works every muscle group or skill. Second, too much of the same thing can become boring or even cause repetition injuries. If you’re recovering from overuse or looking to mix it up, try some of these other activities.

ROAD BIKING

Road biking and mountain biking have a lot in common, and practicing one can improve the other. Outside of technique, the biggest difference is endurance.

Road cycling tends to consist of long, steady efforts. Mountain biking is more staccato. A short, intense, effort followed by several minutes of easier flow. This builds muscle, but not endurance.

These differences are explained on Training Peaks by mountain bike racer Mike Schultz. He created an easy-to-follow schedule of road bike exercises to build off-road endurance.

RUNNING

Cycling is a great low-impact workout, but this can cause other problems. The New York Times reports cyclists have lower bone density than other athletes.

Bone density only increases from impact exercising, like running or weight-lifting. Long low-impact endurance efforts deplete minerals and strengths from the bone.

Thankfully, running is a great way to improve bone density, even for serious cyclists. Casual cyclists aren’t in any danger, but you may want to incorporate running into your training. Fitness blog Breaking Muscle has a great running workout to help any cyclist improve their power and fitness.

SWIMMING

If you need an off-season sport, swimming is a great contender. Swimming involves the whole body, can be aerobic or anaerobic and can be done easily indoors. The low impact lets you do it even if you have other injuries, and it’s a great way to build endurance with long, steady efforts.

Wiggle, the British sports retailer, offers a full range of training programs and plans for cyclists looking to swim.

STRENGTH TRAINING

Fitness training will help you spin the pedals quicker in easier gears, but strength training will help you turn the harder gears. This will make it easier to mash up a climb or race across a flat.

WEIGHTED EXERCISES

Mountain biking requires upper and lower body strength. The riding is jarring, and impacts will be absorbed by muscle groups throughout your body. Furthermore, you’ll need to lift and pull a 30- to 35-pound bike up and down the trails.

According to James Wilson, mountain bike coach and trainer, most mountain bikers make the mistake of doing too many repetitions with light weights for their training. He recorded a podcast explaining why you should be doing five or less repetitions for strength training.

For more detailed exercises, the team at Bodybuilding.com has broken down exercises for each type of mtb rider. In addition to theory, they’ve provided several example routines to help you get started.

BODY WEIGHT EXERCISES

If you don’t belong to a gym or want to invest in weights, you can still get stronger. Strength training doesn’t just improve climbing, though. It can also be used to increase your downhill speed.

In the following video from Global Mountain Biking Network, racer Scott Laughland demonstrates seven body weight exercises you can do to improve your descending.

VIDEO: 7 BODY WEIGHT EXERCISES TO MAKE YOU A FASTER DESCENDER

For another take on body weight strength training, see this article on Pink Bike, with a routine consisting of four exercises you may not have heard of before. The entire circuit is pretty quick and should be perfect for anyone trying to improve in their spare time.

CORE TRAINING

Different from most strength training, core training will strengthen the abdominal muscles, obliques, and laterals, improving overall stability. A stronger core will make you a more efficient and agile rider, and will even improve your recovery time from hard efforts.

According to this practical training guide from Bicycling, these are the most important muscles to train, and neglecting them will cause frustration and slowness.

Global Mountain Bike Network has a 6-minute workout, explained in the following video. You can follow their workout to improve your core, without equipment, in the comfort of home.

VIDEO: CORE STRENGTH WORKOUT: 6 MINUTE CORE TRAINING FOR MOUNTAIN BIKING

MENTAL TOUGHNESS

Physical training is important, but most coaches rate mental toughness as being the deciding factor for elite athletes. Sandy Gordon, a professor of sports and exercise psychology, explains the concept in a short interview with the British Psychological Society.

MENTAL TOUGHNESS IN SPORT

A new study has confirmed the theory, showing how several minutes of meditation and mindfulness per day give athletes an edge in competition. Writing on Entrepreneur, former NFL linebacker Matt Mayberry shares his two techniques for building mental toughness.

The BBC has an in-depth series on mental resilience and sports performance, presented via their iWonder platform. The program offers practical tips and theory, and explores the brain differences between elite athletes and regular folks.

FUNDAMENTALS

You’ve probably grasped the fundamentals by now, but they can always be improved. Cornering, shifting, braking; these basic skills are a crucial factor in your overall speed, and it’s easy to develop bad habits that will slow you down over time.

CORNERING

The MTBProject has an incredibly detailed article on cornering, with a series of drills that will make you turn like a pro. The best part is you can do these drills anywhere, even in your driveway.

For an on-trail demonstration, Bike Radar recorded a video with skills training company Pedal Progression.

VIDEO: FASTER CORNERING – MTB SKILLS

SHIFTING

Most new riders use the wrong gears when they climb, and improving your shifting might be the single greatest improvement you can make when climbing. Bicycling has a guide to smart shifting, walking through a number of scenarios, to help you improve this skill.

Keep these scenarios in mind on every ride, and ride the same hills, noting how you fare in different gears. Get used to feeling how the bike shifts in different situations, and strive to shift smoothly and efficiently, and you should make big gains.

BRAKING

Efficiency is crucial for mountain biking, and braking is the technique where we sacrifice most of our efficiency. According to Singletracks.com, it’s one of the most overlooked techniques in the repertoire of mountain bikers.

VIDEO: MOUNTAIN BIKE BRAKING TECHNIQUE – BRAKING WITH LESS DIVE

ADVANCED TECHNICAL SKILLS

Technical skills encompass an assortment of practices and techniques. Weighting, unweighting, bunny hopping and pumping are a few we’ve written about.

See our beginner’s guide for the basics of weighting, which will improve how you turn corners. We also have a dedicated guide to bunny hopping to skip obstacles and another for pumping. The last technique turns obstacles into speed boosts like a real-life Mario Kart game.

There are a lot of other techniques too. Practice the skills on this list from MTB Techniques whenever you ride. There are even some backyard drills you can do before you hit the trails.

VIDEO: HOW TO MOUNTAIN BIKE BETTER – 5 BACKYARD DRILLS FOR AWESOME MTB SKILLS

HAVE FUN

The best way to keep improving on a mountain bike is to have fun riding. If you enjoy the sport, you’ll work harder and make the most of your time.

Ride with friends, especially ones who are better than you, and solicit advice, tips, and tricks. Most of all, make it an adventure. Go outside your comfort zone and skip grinding repetition. You’ll find you enjoy it more when you keep seeking new challenges, new trails and new adventures.

The post MTB Training – A Beginners Guide appeared first on The Adventure Junkies.

Best Mountain Bike GPS of 2022

David Streever — Wed, 19 Jul 2017 09:29:19 +0000

Ever wonder what’s over the next ridge? Want to record your rides? You need a dedicated GPS unit for your mountain bike. The best mountain bike GPS devices have full-color maps, touch screens, ride logging, heart rate monitors and other built-in fitness tools.

Most smartphones can log rides, but not as well as a dedicated device. Adventures don’t follow cell towers. Phone GPS tends to be inaccurate off-road, and poor data coverage will drain the battery quicker, leaving you with a dead phone and a poorly logged ride.

One of our goals at The Adventure Junkies is to help you find the right tools for your own adventures. We’ve prepared this guide to set you on the right path to the perfect GPS for your next ride.

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

Quick Answer - The Best Mountain Bike GPS

Garmin Edge 830
View at REI
Garmin Edge 1030
View at Backcountry
Garmin Edge 530
View at REI
Lezyne Micro Color
View at Amazon
Polar V650
View at Amazon
Bryton Rider 420
View at Amazon
Cateye Stealth Evo Plus
View at Amazon

Comparison Table - Best MTB GPS

For the best experience turn your device horizontally

Name	Color Screen	Display Size	Battery Life	Weight	Price	Rating	Review
Garmin Edge 830	Yes	2.3"	15 Hours	67.7g	$$$$	3.9	Read Review
Garmin Edge 1030	Yes	3.5"	20 Hours	114.5g	$$$	4.2	Read Review
Garmin Edge 530	Yes	2.6"	20 Hours	75.8g	$$$	4.3	Read Review
Lezyne Micro Color	Yes	1.4"	14 Hours	29.0g	$	2.8	Read Review
Polar V650	Yes	2.8"	10 Hours	120.0g	$$$	3.4	Read Review
Bryton Rider 420	No	2.3"	35 Hours	70g	$$	3.5	Read Review
Cateye Stealth Evo Plus	No	N/A	10 Hours	50.0g	$	3.7	Read Review
Name	Color Screen	Display Size	Battery Life	Weight	Price	Rating	Review

Reviews - The Best GPS for Mountain Bikes

Garmin Edge 830

Specs

Battery Life: 15 Hours
Color Screen: Yes
Weight: 67.7g
Display Size: 2.3"

BEST FOR: RACERS WHO WANT A GPS THAT TALKS TO STRAVA, THEIR PHONE, AND EVEN THEIR ELECTRONIC SHIFTERS

PROS: WiFi, Strava Live, heart rate monitor and sensors, Garmin group riding app and fitness apps

CONS: Price, touch screen glitches and bugs

View at REI

Garmin Edge 1030

Specs

Battery Life: 20 Hours
Color Screen: Yes
Weight: 114.5g
Display Size: 3.5"

BEST FOR: SEASONED ADVENTURERS WHO WANT FULL COLOR MAPS AND MID-RIDE ROUTING TOOLS

PROS: Speakers, software, display, included sensors

CONS: Price, weight, size

Garmin Edge 530

Specs

Battery Life: 20 Hours
Color Screen: Yes
Weight: 75.8g
Display Size: 2.6"

BEST FOR: RACERS WHO GAVE UP ON THE 820’S TOUCH SCREEN ISSUES

PROS: Strava and other live features through phone, display, fitness tools and apps

CONS: Price, no sensors included

View at REI

Lezyne Micro Color

Specs

Battery Life: 14 Hours
Color Screen: Yes
Weight: 29.0g
Display Size: 1.4"

BEST FOR: BUDGET RIDERS WHO WANT A COLOR SCREEN AND HARD BUTTONS

PROS: Light-weight, price

CONS: Mount, sensor glitches, screen

Polar V650

Specs

Battery Life: 10 Hours
Color Screen: Yes
Weight: 120.0g
Display Size: 2.8"

BEST FOR: ANYONE SEEKING A WELL-DESIGNED AND EASY-TO-USE GPS

PROS: Display, heart rate monitor, barometric sensors

CONS: Weight, price, battery life

Bryton Rider 420

Specs

Battery Life: 35 Hours
Color Screen: No
Weight: 70g
Display Size: 2.3"

BEST FOR: RIDERS WHO WANT THE BEST BATTERY LIFE AND HIGH-END FEATURES IN A BUDGET UNIT

PROS: Light-weight, battery, price, display, heart rate monitor, barometer

CONS: Poor support, file format to share rides, unintuitive settings

Cateye Stealth Evo Plus

Specs

Battery Life: 10 Hours
Color Screen: No
Weight: 50.0g
Display Size: N/A

BEST FOR: RIDERS WHO WANT A SIMPLE, NO-FUSS UNIT WITH A BASIC SCREEN

PROS: Light-weight, price, display, reliability

CONS: Battery, hard to upload data