Mountain Bike Living

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Well, a while back my chain broke off my BMX bike. I just heard recently that you can make a mountain bike chain into a BMX bike chain. Is this true? And if so, can you please give me a guide on how to do so? I know it would be alot easier to go and buy a new chain but I don’t want to.

Mountain bikes use a 3/32 inch chain and BMX bikes use a 1/8 inch. Go to Walmart and buy a new chain for $10. You will need to get a chain breaker while you are there $6.

I am looking to build a full suspension mountain bike. I am not looking for the absolute best, but I am looking for a relatively decent one. I would say I am looking to spend $1200. Can I get more for my $$ if I build myself or just buy a bike? What I would like to see is a list of components that would get me a complete mountain built from scratch. For those items can you tell me what are the top 5 names for the component you described? Thanks.

You can build a bike from parts but it’d probably be smarter to buy a used bike. I was once given a slightly damaged hardtail frame and built it up from parts I already had plus a few I bought. If I added up the value of all the parts I put on I probably could have sold the parts and bought a similar complete bike for less $$$.
Now I’m giving the bike away so I’m even less inclined to calculate how much it’s worth.

If you were building a hardtail I’d say go for it but FS bike frames cost more and a decent shock alone can be costly. Find a 3-4yr. old Cannondale Rush or Prophet or a Specialized FSR XC or Stumpjumper and go ride!

I have a cheap mountain bike now, but I’d really like to get more into the biking world. I am a student and use my bike to ride to campus, but I’d like to do some more recreational and long term riding. I was looking at road bikes, and I read about hybrid bikes (which seemed like a good choice because they could go on road and trail). But I have no idea where to start looking for information about different kinds of bikes, or what brand I should buy.

You want to get a shop quality bike that fits you. Stay far away from Walmart and other department store bikes. Fit is very important.

Google " bike shops + your zip " to find all of the local bike shops in your area.

Visit those shops and talk with them they will have road and hybrid bikes in a wide price range to fit you budget. It will give you an idea of what you want to look for.

Don’t worry about brand they will all be very close at the same price range. Some shops cater to high end clients and some to the every day customer so visit them all.

I have a Rallye 24′ Mountain Bike. I pumped it with a hand pump meant for bikes obviously, and its bouncy when i ride it. Its probably a stupid question but should it be bouncy?

Is the bouncing caused by the tyres or the suspension?
If it’s the suspension, then you’ll probably just have to live with it, because the suspension is unlikely to be adjustable.
If it’s the tyres, you may need to put a bit more pressure in them. If they’re too soft, you may get punctures if you ride over pot holes, when the tube gets pinched between the wheel rim and the road.

I’ve heard of different types of bicycles; Hybrid, mountain etc. I’m super confused, what is the difference between bikes with thin tyres and the ones with thick tyres and rough threading? also whats a hybrid bike/mountian bike and which will be best for someone who lives in a rainy city with alot of tared roads and stuff? (sorry i’m asking so many questions in one
A good way to explain the differences between types of bikes is to think of them like you would think of cars.

Road racing bikes- These are the bikes you see with the extremely skinny tires and drop handlebars. The people riding them are often wearing tight lycra clothes. These are like the formula one cars or the supercars of the cycling world. They are highly specialized to only do one thing- go fast on paved roads.

Old ten speed bikes- These are what most Americans think of when they think of ‘normal’ bikes. Some have drop bars like racing bikes, some have other styles of bars. The tires generally aren’t wide, but they aren’t super skinny either. They are inexpensive bikes for just normal riding around. They are pretty much all found on the used market these days. These are the 1991 Honda Civics of the cycling world.

Cruiser bikes- These are the bikes with more curvaceous frames, like an old schwinn from the fifties. They are generally, as the name suggests, just for cruising around and having fun. Some love the style, some don’t. These are like the lowriders of the cycling world- not for going fast, just for having fun, and looking good to those that like the style.

Touring bikes- These are very stout road bikes. Many have drop bars, but certainly not all. They are designed specifically for long distance trips and carrying loads in comfort. They use wider tires. You can generally take a touring bike off road on well groomed trails and fire roads. They are like the suburban or the range rover of the cycling world.

Mountain bikes- These are bikes that are designed specifically for off road use. They generally have tires with a knobby, agressive tread. The cranks are higher up off of the ground for more clearance. Many have some sort of sprung suspension, either at the front or at the front and rear. They aren’t as good at riding on the pavement. These are the Jeeps of the cycling world, ranging from a stock jeep to one of those heavily modified lifted jeeps with mud tires.

‘Hybrid’ bikes- These are a cross between a mountain bike and a road bike. The goal was to create a bike that was the best of both worlds, but for the most part, they are the worst of both worlds. They aren’t as good on the road as bikes specifically designed for paved road use, and they aren’t as good off road as a mountain bike. They are like the crossover SUV’s of the cycling world- pretty much not very good at any of the tasks they were designed for. They are often also known as ‘comfort’ bikes, but they are only comfortable for short, occasional rides.

Cargo bikes- These bikes, such as the xtracycle, the surly big dummy, the kona ute, and the madsen kg271 are designed for carrying a LOT of stuff around. They are like the pickup trucks of the cycling world.

Cyclocross bikes- These are very similar to road bikes, but they use tires that are more akin to mountain bike tires. They are used for a form of racing called cyclocross racing. These are like the rally cars (subaru impreza, mitsubishi evo) of the cycling world.

Roadster bikes- Often called Dutch bikes or English bikes, these are large, very heavy bikes designed for transportation. The most notable feature of this style of bike is the fully enclosed chaincase around the chain, so you don’t have to worry about snagging your pants. They generally last forever. They are very comfortable to ride. These are like the old large sedans of the cycling world.

Tandem bikes- These are ‘bicycles built for two,’ although you can also get them for three or four people if you are willing to shell out LOTS of loot. These are kind of like the minivans of the cycling world, in a loose sense.

Folding bikes- These are small bikes that fold up so you can put them in the trunk of a car, or take them on a train or bus, or stash in the corner of your office at work. They are like the smart cars or the geo metros of the cycling world.

I am sure I have left something out here, but those are the basics.

In general, wider tires are more comfortable. Smoother tires give better performance on the road. You can get wide smooth tires, just like you can get skinnier knobby tires. If you live in a place that is rainy, the most important thing you can have on a bike is a good set of fenders that cover as much of the wheels as possible.

Good luck!

The owner of a bicycle shop reported his inventory of bicycles and tricycles in an unusual way. He said he counted 126 wheels and 108 pedals. How many bikes and trikes does he have?

If we use b as the number of bikes and t and the number by trikes then using his count we can create the system of equations
2b + 3t = 126 <– each bike has 2 wheels, and each trike 3
2b + 2t = 108 <– both have 2 pedals each.

Solve that system and you’ll get the number of bikes and trikes, the elimination method works fantastically here.

I am trying to make my legs stronger and was wondering if those exercise bicycles in the gym can can help me gain muscle. I know that bikes usually increase your muscular endurance, but could it help with gaining muscle as well? I know the alternative is lifting weights, but i prefer bikes.

cycling is the best way to tone your arse lol

it will burn all the floppin fat in your butt and give you a muscular hips and make your hourglass figure

but gradually increase the resistance

but i prefer cycling lunges switch that works best for me i dont know what you call it but when you make a lunge then you jump and switch on the same spot.

Road, commuter, touring, and fitness bikes don’t have shocks. They are not needed, add weight and absorb pedaling energy. Comfort, hybrid, and mountain bike can have shocks but some don’t. The better shocks will allow you to lock them out so you don’t waste energy when they are not needed.

What bike/bikes have a starter that is compatible with my CB550 nighthawk it is expensive to buy the part that is specifically for my bike. The current starter is completely gone and can no be rebuilt, bought the bike this way, the starter is now the only thing keeping it from running. I have already replaced the starter relay.

oldbikebarn.com - starter brush kit. available for most older bikes, call them if you can’t see what you want, not all kit equivalents are liste, but they are tops in support!