There are two types of extreme, shredding type mountain bikes. One type is downhill. This type of bike is usually for racing. The handlebars are wider and the suspension is plusher in this type of bike. Usually forks are double crown and rear shocks have a coil spring. The next other type is a freeride mountain bike. This type of bike is usually for doing tricks but not just tricks, or the would be BMX. The handlebars are narrower than downhill bikes and the suspension is usually very stiff. Both double crown and single crown forks are used. Also rear shocks that are both air spring and coil spring based are used. Usually, freeride bikes are modified downhill bikes.
Bike Sizing
For downhill biking, 1 inch of clearance between the frame's top tube and your pants'/shorts' inseam is sufficient. But, for freeride mountain biking, 2 inches of clearance is better. This is because in freeride, you really have to move a lot around your bike when doing tricks. For downhill, on the other hand, our feet always stay on the pedals (okay, usually). This is why there is a difference between downhill bike and freeride bike sizing.
Bike Components
There are so many components in a bike. If you order your bike online, usually the front end, seat assembly and pedals are dismantled and you will have to assemble the components. The fork and shock take care of suspension work. The pedals transmit power to the rear wheels. They also provide a solid place for you to put your feet on. The stem attaches the handlebars to the head tube. The brakes stop the bike when required. The wheels allow the bike to roll forward. The gear system allows you to change the speed at which your wheels turn when turning the pedals. The handlebars provide something for your hands to hold on to.
Handlebar Sizing
You can choose between narrow handlebars, wide handlebars or anywhere in between. The wider the handlebars, the more aggressive stance you are in until the bars get too wide. The narrower the handlebars, the more control you have over your bike through corners and jumps. Too narrow handlebars on the other hand, are not good at all. I personally prefer a handlebar width somewhere in between of narrow and wide, but I mostly ride a custom 760mm bar, and thats pretty wide for extreme freeriding.
Tire Pressure
Tire pressure is a very important aspect when setting up your bike. Too high tire pressure and you get a very, very bumpy ride. If your tire pressure is too low, you are not going to get proper feeling of the ground. I ride with 40psi in the front and back tires. This is towards the high side.
Suspension Setup
Setting up your suspension is extremely important. If you freeride, set your suspension up stiff. But, be careful that your suspension is set up to be able to absorb smaller, jittery bumps. The best way to do this is have a softer low-speed compression. Cam Zink, and extreme freerider who took part in the Red Bull Rampage and won, set up his suspension to a little less than 200psi in his fork. He set up his rear shock to be little stiffer than his fork. I think his settings were very good for extreme freeriding. Downhill bikes should be set up plush to absorb small impact like rocks and roots. These obstacles are popular in downhill courses. Do not set up your suspension too plush or you will not get a feeling of the ground. Sag is also very important. I set my fork and rear shock to 30% sag. For best setting instructions on setting up your suspension, go to the manufacture's website and the product's Owners Manual.
Types Of Forks: Double Crown vs. SIngle Crown
Double crown forks are awesome for extreme jumps, rock gardens, and overall big time hucking. These types of forks are usually used for extreme riding. These types of forks reduce twisting and make the fork stiffer. And by stiffer, I mean side to side movement, not shock absorption. I don't use a double crown fork even though I shred big. Instead, I use a specially designed single crown that lets me do bar spins, tail whip, etc. The single crown I use has very, very, very little flex, lesser than a double crown, and works for the 40-45ft. drops I do. My fork is specially designed so not all single crown forks will work for 40-45ft. drops, but what I mean is, single crowns are good. Now for the single crowns. This is the type of fork which is commonly used. If you have a good quality version of this fork, it will be as good as a double crown but with the advantage of being able to do a barspin. Single crown forks do flex more than double crown forks, but, they are way cheaper.
A double crown fork's photo is below.
A single crown fork's photo is below.
Different Types Of Pedals
There are two types of pedals. One type has pins coming out of it to increase grip between the riders' shoes and the pedal. The other kind does not have pins. The type of pedal that does have pins is popular among mountain bikers. This is because in jumps, bumps, rocks, roots and odd positions, your feet should never slip of your pedals. Always use pedals with pins!!! If there are too many pins, the pedal is not good. Put your feet with shoes that you wear while biking to test the pedals.
Bike Components
There are so many components in a bike. If you order your bike online, usually the front end, seat assembly and pedals are dismantled and you will have to assemble the components. The fork and shock take care of suspension work. The pedals transmit power to the rear wheels. They also provide a solid place for you to put your feet on. The stem attaches the handlebars to the head tube. The brakes stop the bike when required. The wheels allow the bike to roll forward. The gear system allows you to change the speed at which your wheels turn when turning the pedals. The handlebars provide something for your hands to hold on to.
Handlebar Sizing
You can choose between narrow handlebars, wide handlebars or anywhere in between. The wider the handlebars, the more aggressive stance you are in until the bars get too wide. The narrower the handlebars, the more control you have over your bike through corners and jumps. Too narrow handlebars on the other hand, are not good at all. I personally prefer a handlebar width somewhere in between of narrow and wide, but I mostly ride a custom 760mm bar, and thats pretty wide for extreme freeriding.
Tire Pressure
Tire pressure is a very important aspect when setting up your bike. Too high tire pressure and you get a very, very bumpy ride. If your tire pressure is too low, you are not going to get proper feeling of the ground. I ride with 40psi in the front and back tires. This is towards the high side.
Suspension Setup
Setting up your suspension is extremely important. If you freeride, set your suspension up stiff. But, be careful that your suspension is set up to be able to absorb smaller, jittery bumps. The best way to do this is have a softer low-speed compression. Cam Zink, and extreme freerider who took part in the Red Bull Rampage and won, set up his suspension to a little less than 200psi in his fork. He set up his rear shock to be little stiffer than his fork. I think his settings were very good for extreme freeriding. Downhill bikes should be set up plush to absorb small impact like rocks and roots. These obstacles are popular in downhill courses. Do not set up your suspension too plush or you will not get a feeling of the ground. Sag is also very important. I set my fork and rear shock to 30% sag. For best setting instructions on setting up your suspension, go to the manufacture's website and the product's Owners Manual.
Types Of Forks: Double Crown vs. SIngle Crown
Double crown forks are awesome for extreme jumps, rock gardens, and overall big time hucking. These types of forks are usually used for extreme riding. These types of forks reduce twisting and make the fork stiffer. And by stiffer, I mean side to side movement, not shock absorption. I don't use a double crown fork even though I shred big. Instead, I use a specially designed single crown that lets me do bar spins, tail whip, etc. The single crown I use has very, very, very little flex, lesser than a double crown, and works for the 40-45ft. drops I do. My fork is specially designed so not all single crown forks will work for 40-45ft. drops, but what I mean is, single crowns are good. Now for the single crowns. This is the type of fork which is commonly used. If you have a good quality version of this fork, it will be as good as a double crown but with the advantage of being able to do a barspin. Single crown forks do flex more than double crown forks, but, they are way cheaper.
A double crown fork's photo is below.
A single crown fork's photo is below.
There are two types of pedals. One type has pins coming out of it to increase grip between the riders' shoes and the pedal. The other kind does not have pins. The type of pedal that does have pins is popular among mountain bikers. This is because in jumps, bumps, rocks, roots and odd positions, your feet should never slip of your pedals. Always use pedals with pins!!! If there are too many pins, the pedal is not good. Put your feet with shoes that you wear while biking to test the pedals.
Getting dirty is half the fun. Great selection of Mountain Bikes. Nelson Pearson
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