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What are some things to look out for in mountain bike developments?

An exciting development has been Cannondale’s Lefty line of front suspension forks which are as stable as a dual fork but half the weight, these only get better every year and can be found on many high end free-ride bikes. The Giant Trance is poised to become a legendary mountain bike with its five inches of travel and excellent frame geometry. The Marin Mount Vision offers a compelling cross-country full suspension design that is light and appears quite complex. Definitely a head turner along with the beautifully crafted and always rugged GT bikes which has introduced the Sensor 1.0 with an elegant, simple design.

How do I change the gears on my bike?

The first thing to check is chain ring and rear hub to make sure there are gears and a functioning derailleur. Follow the wires from the gears up along the frame till you find the shifter knob where the wire ends, but don’t get them confused with the brake wires or handles. The shifter is typically on the handlebars near the brake actuators although on some older road bikes the shifter is on the top tube or bottom tube. Before riding the bike move the shifters a little bit while observing the direction the derailleur’s are moving. Those are the devices that will change gears for you so learn which direction they do. A larger gear in the front will give you, the rider, more speed, especially when paired with a smaller gear in back, while a smaller gear being used in the front with a large gear in back will allow you to pedal up steep hills much easier. Practice a little bit on level ground and soon you’ll be mastering the gear shift and be able to traverse all kinds of terrain with ease.

What is the best lock to get for my bike?

Avoid cable locks at all costs, they can be easily cut with a hacksaw or bolt cutters even when they are over an inch thick. U-locks are typically very good, but all U-locks are not created equal. Be sure to get on that is of high quality with a good mounting bracket for transportation. The Kryptonite New York Fehgettaboudit U-lock or NYFU-lock is probably the best U-lock on the market and will guarantee your bike will not get stolen or replace it up to $4,500. It’s a little pricey, but definitely worth it and surprisingly easy to carry, though it may not be possible to lock the wheels as well as the frame.

 

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