Browsing Tag

ask mba

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.

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.

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.

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...

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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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.

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.

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.

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

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

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?

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: DO PRESTA VALVE CAPS DO ANYTHING?

Capping the Valve of Curiosity

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?

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?

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.

Are there any suggestions you might have for attaching stuff to my bike without wearing a bag?
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ASK MBA: DO CARBON HANDLEBARS REALLY HELP WITH ARM PUMP AND COMFORT?

Carbon handlebars are more than just expensive.

I’ve always suffered from hand and arm pump, and some of my riding buddies swear to me that carbon bars will help with that. Is there any truth to that theory?
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ASK MBA: DO DAMAGED SPOKES AND NIPPLES ALWAYS NEED TO BE REPLACED?

Well, it depends...

On my second or third ride, I managed to snap a spoke nipple on the rear wheel.
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ASK MBA: IS SRAM’S X01 CHAIN WORTH THE EXTRA MONEY COMPARED TO GX?

Sometimes, you get what you pay for.

It can be confusing trying to figure out what is worth spending more money on and what isn’t.
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ASK MBA: WHO MAKES FLAT PEDAL SHOES FOR WIDE FEET?

There are a few solid choices out there for those with wide feet.

Which shoes would work best for my 9.5 5E, narrow-ankle foot?
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ASK MBA: WHY DON’T YOUR RIDERS WEAR KNEE, ARM OR ELBOW PROTECTION?

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure - but only if you wear it.

I noticed in your “Trail Mix” section of photos and throughout your mag how many riders don’t wear knee, elbow or hand protection here.
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ASK MBA: SHOULD I USE A HANDLEBAR OR HELMET MOUNTED LIGHT?

In the dark.

I am not sure if I want to put a light only on my helmet, only on my bar or both. What are your thoughts?
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ASK MBA: HOW DO I REMOVE DRIED TUBELESS TIRE SEALANT FROM MY FRAME?

There's no easy way.

There are many different sealant brands out there, and each one coats the frame a little differently when this happens.
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ASK MBA: WHAT ARE THE BEST SUB 6K TRAIL BIKE OPTIONS?

Upgrading from a hardtail to full suspension

I don’t ride a lot of crazy technical trails, but I’d like to have the option, but I still want it to climb well.
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ASK MBA: IS THERE A TRICK OR GREAT GLASSES THAT ARE FOG RESISTANT?

It's not just for shaving.

I have tried numerous big-name brands, anti-fog sprays and different helmets to try to give better clearance from the glasses and allow good airflow; however, when it is humid and body heat is rising due to cranking up the trails, my…
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ASK MBA: HOW LONG SHOULD I KEEP USING MY HELMET?

Use your head

"My helmet is at least a few years old, and I am wondering when I should replace it."
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TRAILGRAMS – A READER WEIGHS IN ON EMTBS AND THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT

He is not an attorney but did stay at a Holiday Inn Express

"While the response provided by MBA to the “Times Are A-Changin’” question could have been sufficient to answer the reader’s question, the reference to the “Public Accommodations, Title III” link, largely, is not."
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ASK MBA: CAN I GET A TICKET FOR MY BIKE RACK?

Are you breaking the law?

We have also had friends and wrecking crew members pulled over for not just the license plate being blocked but the taillights, too.
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ASK MBA: ELECTRIC MOUNTAIN BIKES ON A BUDGET?

Don't confuse cheap with inexpensive

I want to spend $8,000 on a couple of electric mountain bikes for me and the missus.
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ASK MBA: DOES TIRE LABEL ORIENTATION REALLY MATTER?

Style points

My riding buddy said that I mounted my tire incorrectly by not lining the tire’s labels up with the valve stem.
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ASK MBA: DO I NEED A FAT BIKE TO RIDE SNOW?

Snowman rides

The good news (and from our experience) is you actually don’t really need a fat bike to enjoy riding in the snow.
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ASK MBA: WHERE DO I GET THE CUSTOM MOUNTAIN BIKE ACTION APPAREL?

Hit the trails in style

The custom MBA kits you see in some of our bike tests are made for us by Colombian apparel manufacturer Manzur.
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