5 Fantastic Holiday Gifts for Mountain Bikers in 2020
Buying gifts for mountain bikers is no easy task. Most riders are particular about the gear they allow into their packs or onto their bikes. And let’s face it, a lot of mountain bike accessories are expensive. But there are a few gifts out there that are affordable and will be sure to make every rider smile when they find them in their stocking or under the tree. I’ve put together a list of five of those items, with the hope that it will save you some time and effort, as well as the worry of buying the mountain biker(s) in your life a gift they won’t use or appreciate.…
Why Do We Love Such Low Mountain Bike Tire Pressure?!
By now most of us know that low tire pressure in our mountain bike tires is the way to go. Tire pressure is a hot topic (and probably has been since the invention of mountain bikes) and there are a ton of articles out there giving advice on how to properly set your tire pressure for different conditions and for different-sized tires. I want to take a closer look at the benefits of lower tire pressure. This isn’t one of those articles. Instead of debating the difference that one or two psi makes in different conditions and on different surfaces, I want to take a closer look at the benefits…
Why a Hitch Rack is Worth Getting a Trailer Hitch
Guest post by Matt Sklar from Evo. Ever since mountain biking was invented, people have been coming up with creative ways to get their bikes to the trailhead. Sure, the best way to get there is to just ride your bike, but we don’t all live a short pedal from the trail system. So we have to figure out how to load our bikes into or onto our cars securely, just so that we can unload them, ride for a few hours, and then repeat the whole process to get home. If you’re got a truck, it’s a little more straightforward, just throw the bike in the back, and make…
The Space Around Us Will Never Be the Same
We’re well into COVID-19 lockdown in much of the world now , and so far I’ve resisted writing too much about it as I’ve wanted to remain positive during a time that has been negative for many. But now, almost two months into lockdown, I’ve had time to think about some of the positives that have come out of being at home. For me, one of the clearest benefits has been a new relationship with space. No, not the space of astronauts, shuttle launches, and little green men. I mean the wide-open space here on earth, the distance and space I’ve taken for granted. As the space around us has…
The Trail Dog Chronicles: Puppy Training Gear List
Training is key for any mountain bike trail dog, and starting their training as a puppy will help to ensure a great start in life. I don’t believe in the idea that you can’t teach an old dog new tricks, but I do believe it’s easier to do when they’re young. I also believe it’s easier when you have the right gear. Mountain bikers take great care in selecting and buying just the right bikes, clothing and accessories for their adventures. And gear for puppy training shouldn’t be any different. Without the right kit, there is less chance that training can be successful. A few key pieces of puppy training…
Bike Parts and Beer: What the Updated NAFTA Means for Mountain Bikers
With all of the COVID-19 talk on the news and elsewhere, it’s easy to overlook the fact that Canada recently ratified the new updated North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). It was the last of the three countries (Mexico, Canada, USA) to do so and it paves the way for implementation in all three countries. And among other things, it will affect online shopping for mountain bikers. We all win when we can easily get our bike parts, beer, and even the odd souvenir across the border as quickly and easily as possible. There is a large and ever-growing amount of goods crossing the border through online shopping. On top…
Building the Stoke: Structure Cycleworks Has Big Plans for 2020
It isn’t often that I get to have coffee with a mountain bike. But when I met up with Loni Hull, CEO of Structure Cycleworks, that’s exactly what happened. We met, just prior to the COVID-19 social distancing measures, to discuss how 2019 had gone for the startup mountain bike manufacturer and to get some idea of his plans for the future. Like a proud father, Loni brought along the Janis edition of their linkage front suspension mountain bike, the SCW-1, and displayed it prominently beside our table. In a nearly empty coffee shop, the odd-looking bike grabbed the attention of two mountain bikers sitting nearby. Of course, the bike…
I Love My North Shore Bike Rack —3 Reasons Why
You’ve probably seen one at a trailhead or attached to the hitch of a vehicle driving around mountain biking meccas like Moab or Squamish. And you’ve surely seen one if you’ve ever spent time at a trailhead at their namesake: Vancouver’s North Shore. Of course, I’m talking about North Shore Bike Racks. And it’s no coincidence they’re found anywhere mountain bikers gather, all over North America. The North Shore Rack is one of the most popular bike racks out there. They are efficient, well-engineered and well-built. I love mine and wouldn’t trade it for any other rack, but they do have some significant drawbacks. I love mine and wouldn’t trade…
How to Dial-In the Tire Pressure on Your Fat Bike With Ease!
Although gaining in popularity, many people still see fat bikes as a bit of a novelty. Whether it’s on the trail or outside the garage, these odd-looking contraptions attract a lot of attention. It’s unsurprising that whenever I show off my fat bike (which I do often), people’s attention usually goes straight to the tires. And for good reason. The tires are what set fat bikes apart from their other two-wheeled cousins. Once onlookers get over the initial shock of seeing such a cartoonishly-large tire, the question of fat bike tire pressure usually comes up. The answer often catches people off-guard because the pressures are so low. Of course, there…
How to Crush Your First Winter Fat Bike Race!
It’s cold, it’s icy, there’s snow on the ground, and everyone is dressed in winter clothing. Not exactly what most of us think when it comes to bike racing, but this may be starting to change. As the popularity of fat biking has grown, so has the lure of fat bike racing. And it’s likely to grow even further as riders are always looking for ways to push their limits and test themselves. In many ways, fat bike racing is similar to mountain bike racing, but there are some important differences that set a winter fat bike race apart from its summer equivalent. Winter conditions mean changing how I deal…
