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Following up on an earlier entry about essential tools for a good trail side tool kit, this entry outlines some of the first tools that you should gather together. Learn how to use them properly and you’ll be on your way to lowering maintenance costs and your reliance on your local shop for mundane repairs.
Essential mountain bike tools, the basics
- Pliers (needlenose, sidecutters, and heavier-duty)
- Screwdrivers (small standard, Phillips)
- Chain lube. I prefer TriFlow or White Lightning.
- 10mm box wrench. For pushing back brake pistons, among other things.
- Full size allen wrench set.
- Spoke wrench. It’s nice having a full-sized spoke wrench, even if you have one integrated with your multitool. Make sure you pick up the size that’s right for your wheelset.
- Crank puller and bottom bracket tool (make sure your BB tool works with your bottom bracket). You don&’t need these tools if you run an X-Type crankset like the new Shimano XT crankset or the Race Face Deus XC.
- Spare tubes, derailleur cables, a few feet of housing. There’s nothing worse than preparing your bike the night before an early morning ride and finding out you need some of this gear.
- Brake pads. You should have at least one spare set kicking around.
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The Rocky Mountain News published a list of the top 5 excuses people use to avoid cycling to work, along with a rebuttal for each of those excuses:
- It’s too far, and I don’t have the time.
- I need to wear dress clothes at work.
- I don’t have a place to shower.
- The weather is too rotten to ride my bike.
- There’s no place to park my bike at work.
Check out the original article (link above) to read the responses to these rather lame excuses.
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It looks like Kona UK just released an article laying out the 2006 Kona lineup. Along with some new photos of the 2006 Kona Stinky, there are new images of the Stinky Deelux, the Stab Primo, the CoilAir (Get it? a take off on the Coiler?), the King (I understand that it’s a race bike but a rim brake? come on…) and a few other interesting looking rides.
The more I see the new Stinky, the more I become unconvinced that the ‘new’ Stinky frame design is little more than Kona moving the line towards the linkage setup of the Stab; I understand the benefits associate with having increased standover and it’s good to see something change on the Stinky but, after all these years, I wonder if more people are asking, “Is that it”?
Update - 25 August 2005 : You can get a glimpse of the entire 2006 Kona bike lineup on their website.
As an aside, Singletrack World notes that Marzocchi looks to be switching to a post-mount system on their forks for 2006. Among other things, it’s great news for people looking to simplify disc brake installation on their rides!
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14 June »
Reviews »
Cory
The Kenda Nevegal is an excellent tire choice for budget conscious riders who demand excellent performance out of their purchase. The Nevegal handles wood, roots, and slick rock faces with aplomb, allowing you to concentrate on staying with your bike (or going faster). The tires corner really well and, with the downhill casing, the Nevegal rarely subjects you to the dreaded pinch flat. Read the rest of this entry »
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13 June »
Reviews »
Cory
Shimano’s Deore XT lineup has long been the staple for serious cyclists who want great performance but were hesitant (or unable) to drop the cash on the slick but pricey XTR group. The Deore XT rear derailleur offers consistency in all conditions and does a very good job moving gears when it’s supposed too. While the derailleur experiences some of the shortcomings that are common to Shimano derailleurs, it’s a good overall performer. Read the rest of this entry »
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One of the questions I get a lot is, ‘What are some of the differences between SRAM and Shimano?’ For the answer, I did some digging on the SRAM website and came up with the following:
Well, SRAM’s ESP design uses a 1:1 ratio. This means that for each millimeter of cable moved in the shifter, an equal millimeter will be moved in the derailleur. This allows a greater acceptance of off-road conditions (dirt, water, sand, etc.) and also gives SRAM a unique shifting technology. Conversely, Shimano uses a 2:1 ratio for its shifting systems. This means that for every one millimeter of movement in the cable there will be two millimeters of corresponding movement in the rear derailleur. The ratios are not the same; therefore, you cannot use an ESP shifter and a Shimano derailleur, or vice versa.
What does this explanation mean in real life applications? In short, it means that Shimano derailleurs shift as well as SRAM derailleurs UNTIL something interferes with the shifting process (sand, mud, dirt, water, crashes). Once that occurs Shimano derailleurs, because they move two millimeters for every millimeter of cable pulled, become ‘out-of-tune’ more quickly than the 1:1 based derailleurs offered by SRAM.
It also means that you won’t be able to use SRAM 1:1 rear derailleurs — X7, X9, X0 — with Shimano shifters and vice-versa. You can use certain SRAM shifters — Rocket, Attack, MRX — with Shimano rear derailleurs. Fortunately, each company’s front derailleurs will work with their competitor’s shifters.
We’ll have reviews of some SRAM derailleurs in the next couple of weeks so you can learn more about some of the other differences in the technologies used by each company.
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Bike Magazine has published an exclusive insider’s view of Michelin’s test facility in North Carolina. The article, the first part in what presumably is a series, discusses Michelin’s R&D process, breaking down tire performance (from cars) in adverse conditions.
The article closes with a brief description of Michelin tire technology and a decent, if brief, writeup about two new Michelin tires: the XCR All Terrain (2.0 inch) and some All Mountain tires (2.2 inch).
I’ll state right here that I love Michelin tires; I run them on my main ‘trail’ bike and am always impressed by their performance. If only they weren’t so expensive (the article at Bike does touch on the cost of Michelin tires too).
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10 June »
How tos »
Cory
So here’s a bit straight from the horse’s mouth: if you’re the owner of a Classic Chris King Hub and are looking to make your bike’s wheels disc-brake ready, you can send your hub into Chris King and have them swap your current hub shell to a disc-compatible one (either Universal Disc or ISO Disc).
Your local Chris King dealer can order the parts and perform the swap or the customer can send their hubs to the factory to be swapped by calling 800-523-6008. One of our customer service representatives will be able to issue a return authorization number and process the order. We charge $25 in labor for the rear hub and $15 in labor for the front hub when swapping shells.*
This is a great option for you if you’re currently running a King hub that won’t work with discs. The whole process also falls in line with the King Cycling Group’s commitment to sustainability and environmental awareness.
* Prices subject to change.
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It looks as though Mitchell Scott over at Bike Magazine got some trail time on the 2006 Manitou Travis out in my neck of the woods. By most accounts, this fork has been a stellar performer for those lucky enough to spend time on it.
As a replacement for the hallowed Dorado, it better be good but I’m curious about the Intrinsic damping system, which sounds as though it will introduce more small-bump absorption than earlier SPV products. I’ll publish more information about the Manitou lineup as it becomes available.
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With all of the hype surrounding VPP-style bikes, it’s not a surprise to see more and more of these things making their way to market. The latest to jump on board the train is Haro, who unveiled their newest prototype, the Haro Sonix with a VPP-style linkage at Sea Otter.
The bike features a virtual-link pivot that centers around the bottom bracket, a move that is intended to minimize chain growth and allow full power transfer to the rear wheel. The Sonix does look sharp, although with 120mm (4.7″) of rear wheel travel I’m a little surprised that it looks as though it’s intended to be a cross country race bike (Haro team rider Chris Sheppard has been logging time on the prototype).
I do question the use of an interrupted seat tube on a bike with almost 5″ travel; many riders would likely use the Sonix as a light-duty trail bike and would want to lower the seat on occasion.
Update (2 October 2005): The official Haro Bikes lineup for 2006 is up on the company website.
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