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Submit your questions to mbaction@hi-torque.com
Hit the following link to ask Mountain Bike Action a question: mbaction@hi-torque.com Q: Is there a scientific way of hydrating while on a ride? Do I have to hydrate every ten minutes, even I don’t feel thirsty? -Frederick, who needs a drink Mountain Bike Action: We have suggested setting a watch so it beeps every […]
Hit the following link to ask Mountain Bike Action a question: mbaction@hi-torque.com CHAIN REPLACEMENT Broke the chain on my two-year-old Motobecane 29er, repaired it on the trail and got home fine. Should I replace the chain or am I good to go? Also, I guess a shop can tell if I need to replace my […]
Q: When I just ride with my buddies, all is well. But when I race, my left foot falls asleep after about 30 minutes. I have used Crankbrothers Candy pedals and just switched to their Eggbeater pedals. Any ideas? -Jeff, who trips after a race Mountain Bike Action: Having feet that fall sleep is usually […]
Hey Mountain Men: Want a Trek Rumblefish. I’m 6’7″ tall and 255 pounds at the moment. I am trying to lose weight before I buy the bike. What are your thoughts? Justin ready to get trim Mountain Bike Action: You are making the correct decision with the Rumblefish. Its shock (Trek’s Dual Rate Control Valve […]
Dear Mountain Bike Action experts: I plan on riding more this winter. I’m looking for good fenders. Easy on easy off, good quality. My bike is a Trek Fuel EX 8. What do you suggest? -Scott with a skunk tail Mountain Bike Action: That’s an easy one. SKS makes the best fenders we have used. […]
Hey Mountain Bike Action guys: I have a 1999 Cannondale F400 with a fork that has a single suspension mounted in the center. I know Cannondale is making their Lefty design now. The Lefty approach seems needlessly complicated. Is there a reason so few use the center/single like mine? –Lee who likes the Headshok Mountain […]
Hey Mountain Bike Action friends: Looking for my first dual-suspension bike and gathered the Specialized Stumpjumper FSR Comp is a great option, but also that the Camber is an excellent choice for the budget conscious. My other favorites are the Trek Fuel EX 7 and EX 8. I’m 6’3″ and 220 pounds and love to […]
Dear Mountain Bike Action: I have arthritic knees. I’m trying to make them last till I’m 65 (two more years) before I have them replaced. I am looking for a clipless pedal that will release very easily. Your suggestion? -Paul, with platform pedals Mountain Bike Action: You want to go with a Shimano pedal. Their release […]
Dear Mountain Bike Action: The G2 offset on the Trek Fisher Collection forks is proprietary. Can I purchase an aftermarket fork with a different offset and be pleased with the performance? If I can’t buy a new fork, can I get the existing Cobia fork revalved and modified so that I would have compression and […]
Hey Mountain Bike Action guys: I ride a RockShox Revelation dual-air fork. The positive air chamber’s cap is super hard to unscrew compared to the negative air chamber cap that I can remove with my fingers. Should I use pliers to unscrew the cap, or will that cause damage? -G.A., with sore fingers Mountain Bike Action: […]
Dear Mountain Bike Action: If the properties of steel are so good for producing a less harsh ride in a hardtail frame, why are there no handlebars, stems and seatposts made out of steel for aluminum bikes? -Juanma, from a faraway place Mountain Bike Action: It all comes down to weight. Advances in extruded aluminum tubing have […]
Dear Mountain Bike Action: Your story on how to build a pump track (MBA, August 2010) got me off the fence, and so I’ve decided to build a pump track in the back- yard for me and the kids. I’m renting a BobCat, and even have lights for night riding. The only pump track riding […]
Dear Mountain Bike Action people: What is your opinion on 96er full-suspension bikes? ?Lars in Denmark Mountain Bike Action: For those who may not be familiar with 96ers, they are mountain bikes designed to run a 29-inch front wheel and 26-inch rear wheel. Carver Bikes, who still offers a 96er, can be credited with offering […]
Hey Mountain Bike Action wrecking crew: Recently switched from weekend warrior to daily commuting. My helmet is getting that moldy smell from being wet all the time. Any suggestions on how to clean it? ?Dan suffering from stink head Mountain Bike Action: Gross, Dan. You need to take care of that quickly. First, don’t leave […]
Dear Mountain Bike Action: I would like to run the 2×9 drivetrain described in your article (“Poor Man’s 2×10,” MBA August 2010) on my Pivot Mach 4 with an Shimano XTR press-fit bottom bracket. I’m getting conflicting advice. I’ve heard just throw the crankset in, but I’ve also heard I would have to replace the […]
Dear Mountain Bike Action: I do all of my shuttling in a pickup with a towel over the tailgate. I have problems with my bikes falling over. Are there advantages to using the pick-up pad or will the towel get the job done just as well? -BK, who hates to pedal A: All pickup […]
Hello, Mountain Bike Action: At 5’7″ with a 29-inch inseam, should I use 170-millimeter length crankarms instead of 175s? -Ken, with a low center of gravity A: Most small bikes come equipped with 170-millimeter cranks. You could reap one benefit of the smaller crank arms, and that is better pedaling clearance. However, should you […]
Hey Mountain Bike Action: Longtime reader, first-time writer. Planning a nine-day trip to Colorado this summer from Wisconsin. Thinking of Fruita, Crested Butte and Telluride areas. Would these be good choices? Any suggestions on a good white water rafting? -Bruce, who has had enough flatland riding. A: Bruce, you are either joking about being a […]
Dear Mountain Bike Action: Had an embarrassing front-tire washout while riding on a level singletrack with a gentle sweeping turn, a little loose over hard. I was going maybe 5 mph and then I was looking at the ground. It was that fast. After reflecting on the incident I had a great idea for a […]
Dear Mountain Bike Action: What time of the year between September and November would be the best to go to Moab, Utah and Fruita, Colorado? I am alone and I have no friend in America so I’d need at least information about the weather. -Claudio, the Italian tourist A: First off, we are your friends, […]
Dear Mountain Bike Action: Currently ride a Kona Kula Supreme hardtail. I am looking for something a little more comfortable and fun on the downhills. I live in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and do a little bit of endurance racing and some adventure racing, so I would like to keep it somewhat light, but mostly just […]
Hi Mountain Bike Action: I’m thirteen and into racing cross-country. I have a Marin hardtail and I want to get a lightweight race bike with full suspension priced less that $1500. I’m 6’1″ and still growing so I will need a bike that will fit me when I get taller -Sam, the beanstalk A: You are not going […]
I’m looking to get a fork for my Giant Reign, and it’s between the RockShox Revelation RLT Ti and the Marzocchi 44 RC3 Ti. Your thoughts? Billy, ready to boing On top of their game: Marzocchi has made it clear they are serious about getting on the front of your bike with their 44 RC3 […]
Hey, Mountain Bike Action: Planning to buy a neck brace, but a lot of people say these things don’t fit most body armor. True? – Stan, dressing for the crash A: Neck braces and body armor do sometimes have compatibility issues. This is because the braces need to fit perfectly to be effective. Many new […]
Got a Specialized Hardrock and want to upgrade the RST Gilla T7 fork with something a little more smooth but that won’t break the bank. Mike O, on the go MBA: Go for the RockShox Tora TK. Priced at roughly $250 (depending on options that you choose, like remote lockout), it packs a good bang […]
Losing weight is something we should do before moving to a lighter bike. Is there a magic number, like, reducing X pounds of body weight is the equivalent of buying a Y-pound lighter bike? –Gideon Gartenberg, all the way from Israel MBA: First off, we don’t agree with you that a rider needs to lose […]
Will the SRAM X0 rear derailleur work properly with the 36-tooth cassette? –Larry, looking for some climbing help MBA: No problem, as long as you are talking about the SRAM X0 10-speed rear derailleur.
I am in the market for my first set of clipless mountain bike pedals. People have recommended the Time ATAC, Crankbrothers Eggbeaters and Speedplay Frogs. Are these good pedals to look at, or should I look at anything else? What does the wrecking crew ride? –Sam, outside of Salt Lake City MBA: We have a […]
I want to get a trials bike, but they are all super expensive. If I purchased a used dirt jump bike, would it be okay to start out with? -Tyler from Texas MBA: Great idea, Tyler. It wasn’t all that many years ago that trials were ridden on regular 26″ wheeled mountain bikes. Well, maybe […]
Bought a Fox 36 TALAS 180 fork. Does this fork fit on the Specialized FSR 2010? Shariff, with the cart before the horse MBA: Shariff, our first bit of advice is for you to do a little more homework before you make a major purchase like that Fox fork. Now don’t get us wrong; that is […]