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ASK MBA: WHY DOES MY NEW TIRE WOBBLE ON A PERFECTY TRUE RIM?

A wobbly fix

Jun 28, 2024

I just bought a brand-new set of Maxxis tires, but when I installed the front one on my bike, I noticed it had a wobble that is noticeable at higher speeds.
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ASK MBA: HOW OFTEN SHOULD I GREASE MY BIKE’S SUSPENSION PIVOTS?

Serving your bike's suspension pivots will extend their longevity and performance but only if you do it often enough

Jun 21, 2024

How often should I be breaking down the frame and linkage on my bike and removing the bearings to clean and re-grease?
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ASK MBA: ARE CARBON WHEELS WORTH THE EXTRA MONEY?

The great wheel debate

May 24, 2024

I’m looking to upgrade the wheelset on my 2022 Santa Cruz Hightower and am debating whether carbon wheels are worth the price.
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ASK MBA: HOW DO I REPLACE A BROKEN SPOKE?

A common mechanical problem that's easy to fix

May 3, 2024

Reinstalling the new spoke once you’ve got it is the hardest part of the whole process, but it’s not impossible with a little patience
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ASK MBA: WHAT’S THE BEST WAY TO FLY WITH MY BIKE?

Flying with your bike is easy if you do it correctly.

Apr 26, 2024

Would I be okay using a bike box from a shop? Or, is it worth the investment for a bike bag?
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ASK MBA: WHY DO MY BIKE’S DISC BRAKE PADS KEEP RUBBING?

Mountain bike disc brake pad rub is annoying but there's a fix!

Mar 29, 2024

I center the pads and make sure everything is tight, yet by the end of every ride I can hear the pads rubbing on the rotor again.
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ASK MBA: WHY AM I HAVING TROUBLE ALIGNING SHIMANO MICROSPLINE COGS?

Tiny splines won't align

Mar 22, 2024

I’m trying to mount my microspline 12-speed cassette to my new wheelset and can’t seem to figure out the final little cog.
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ASK MBA: HOW DO I PICK THE RIGHT LENGTH DROPPER SEATPOST?

Dropping a bum

Mar 15, 2024

There are a lot of options to choose from, and if you’re on a budget, you’ll have to be even more picky to keep from choosing a troublesome unit.
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ASK MBA: SHOULD I BUY A CARBON OR ALUMINUM FRAME?

Competing materials.

Feb 23, 2024

I’m looking to buy a new bike and am having a hard time deciding between an alloy or carbon frame.
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ASK MBA: WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HIGH AND LOW SPEED COMPRESSION?

Damping speed confusion

Feb 9, 2024

What exactly are the differences between high and low speed?
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ASK MBA: DO I REALLY NEED A DIRT JUMP BIKE?

DUELING PUMP-TRACK BIKES

Jan 25, 2024

I have a Polygon Siskiu D7 trail bike I got last year that I do well with on the trails, but I always feel like it’s too big for the pump track.
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ASK MBA: SHOULD I TRIM MY FRAME’S SEAT TUBE FOR A LONGER DROPPER SEATPOST?

Not all modifications make sense.

Jan 12, 2024

Would it be bad to trim an inch or 2 off of the frame to lower it just a bit more?
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ASK MBA: HOW DO I FIND VINTAGE MOUTAIN BIKE INFORMATION FOR RESTORATION?

OLD BIKES NEED LOVE, TOO

Jan 2, 2024

I rescued a Kaitai 19-inch frame. It’s a U.S.-made bike, and I would like to restore it to what it was when new.
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ASK MBA: HOW DO I DIAL IN MY FOX 34 FORK?

Finding Goldilocks

Dec 19, 2023

I just bought a 2019 Giant Trance with a Fox 34 fork on it. It’s the Rhythm model, and I just can’t seem to get the setup right.
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ASK MBA: IS THE UPGRADE TO 12-SPEED WORTH THE FREEHUB FIASCO?

Upgrading systems on a mountain bike is always a challenge with changing technology.

Dec 8, 2023

The only thing you’re giving up is the 10-tooth little ring for an 11-tooth, which really isn’t that much if you think about it.
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ASK MBA: WHAT DO I DO ABOUT A STUCK BRAKE ROTOR BOLT?

Don't break your brakes.

Nov 20, 2023

In preparation of changing all of the pieces over, I was trying to take off my rear rotor and found that one of the bolts seems to not want to budge.
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ASK MBA: HOW DO I REPAIR PUNCTURES AT THE TIRE BEAD AND SIDEWALL?

A few solutions to common spots for damage on mountain bike tires.

Nov 13, 2023

I just had a puncture at the bead/rim interface of my Maxxis 27.5 Aggressor 2.3-width, dual--compound, double-down tire (tubeless) at 28 psi with a DT Swiss EX511 rim in a heavy rock garden with potentially sharp, jagged rocks. I weigh 200…
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ASK MBA: AM I RIDING TOO MUCH BIKE?

Stuff's getting boring...

Nov 3, 2023

Is there a mid-travel somewhat-budget-friendly trail bike I should consider to spice up my local trail rides, or keep on truckin with the big dog?
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TRAILGRAMS: READERS WEIGH IN ON FAT BIKING ETIQUETTE

READERS’ COMMENTS ON FAT BIKES

Oct 25, 2023

Absolutely agree, skinny tires ruin groomed trails, along with too high of tire pressure and riding when too warm out.
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ASK MBA: WHAT ARE THE PROS AND CONS OF TRAY AND VERTICAL STYLE BIKE RACKS?

Racking your brain over the best way to transport a mountain bike.

Oct 20, 2023

Is there a specific benefit to those upright racks like the VelociRAX, or would I be better off going with a tray rack?
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ASK MBA: WHAT ARE MY BEST ENDURO BIKE UPGRADE CHOICES?

A lot has changed in six years.

Sep 29, 2023

I have a (2017) Yeti SB6 with 27.5-inch wheels that I absolutely love, but I’ve been considering upgrading to a more modern bike recently.
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ASK MBA: SHOULD I BUY A CONVERTIBLE OR DEDICATED FULL FACE HELMET?

The full face decision.

Sep 15, 2023

I know there are enduro and downhill-specific helmets, but I can’t afford to buy two expensive helmets.
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ASK MBA: WHERE CAN I FIND BEARINGS FOR MY OLDER MOUTAIN BIKES?

Keep the classics rolling

Sep 1, 2023

New bearings on old bikes are always a challenge to find whether the brand stopped supporting that platform or the company changed hands.
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ASK MBA: SHOULD I UPGRADE MY CHEAP ELECTRIC BIKE?

MONEY DOESN’T EQUAL QUALITY

Aug 25, 2023

Sadly, lots of money doesn’t always equal a well-built bike.
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ASK MBA: WHAT’S A SAFE FOLLOWING DISTANCE WHILE RIDING?

Aug 11, 2023

SAFE FOLLOWING DISTANCES Q: I recently witnessed an altercation at the bike park when a rider slowly came to a stop at a jump landing but wasn’t aware how close the rider behind was following. The rider from behind was…
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ASK MBA: TO WASH OR NOT TO WASH YOUR MOUNTAIN BIKE?

The pressure is on

Jul 28, 2023

I often use a pressure washer on my dirt bike after a day at the track, but my mountain bike friends tell me I shouldn’t touch my bicycle with a high-powered washer.
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ASK MBA: DO PRESTA VALVE CAPS DO ANYTHING?

Capping the Valve of Curiosity

Jul 26, 2023

Is there a particular reason I should stress about keeping them around or is there not really a reason for it?
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ASK MBA: DO I NEED TIRE INSERTS FOR MY CROSS COUNTRY MOUNTAIN BIKE?

Is a little extra cush worth the weight?

Jun 28, 2023

I have friends who use inserts in their tires to help with impact protection, and all of them are telling me to get them.
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ASK MBA: HOW DO I SHOOT PHOTOS LIKE THE PROS?

Jun 27, 2023

You Too Can Be a Pro Photographer
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ASK MBA: WHAT ARE THE BEST TOOL STORAGE ALTERNATIVES TO WEARING A PACK?

Get that monkey off your back.

Jun 9, 2023

Are there any suggestions you might have for attaching stuff to my bike without wearing a bag?
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