.
E-mail This Article

Hard-core cycling

All-terrain mountain bikes

Phil Duffy
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Jun 04/01) - When the snow melts the bicycles come out of storage.

In recent years more and more Northern cyclists are tuning up high-tech mountain bikes.

"A lot of Northern communities don't have paved streets, so the only kind of bikes available are mountain bikes and BMX bikes. Eighty-five per cent of the bikes we sell are mountain bikes," said Jim Craig, manager of the Northern Store in Fort Good Hope.

The Northern terrain is nothing if not rugged and beautiful, and many cycling enthusiasts believe that's where the best riding is to be had.

If you're going to limit your riding to paved streets, your average 10-speed will do, but if you want to go off road at all you will need the design and durability of a mountain bike.

A wide price range

A decent mountain bike that is designed to last for at least a few seasons can cost as little as $350. A top-of-the-line full suspension mountain bike with a frame designed to last a lifetime will run you anywhere from $1,200 to $3,500, or more.

"Basically you get what you pay for," said Gary Tait, assistant manager and bicycle expert for Overlander Sports in Yellowknife.

"You see a lot of people go out and buy themselves or their children mountain bikes at hardware stores or supermarkets. They are spending about $200 to $250 on these bikes and are disappointed when the bike can't handle the pounding of off road riding.

"They spend more on repairing the bike or replacing it next season," he added.

The popular form of suspension for mountain bikes these days is, without a doubt, shock absorbers

A bike with shocks both in the front and rear is called a full-suspension bike. The shocks average three to four inches of compression in the rear and four-inches in front.

"Shock absorbers, especially on the front, will add a surprising amount of stability and comfort when off road cycling. When you are going downhill over rocky terrain you will be glad you have them," said Craig.

Another advancement is the grip-shift component.

It's a twist grip that allows you to change gears like you would on a motorcycle.

"A lot of motorcycle technology is trickling down into the designing of today's mountain bikes," said Tait.

Better for braking

Frames and wheel rims used to be made mostly out of chrome alloy steel, but the trend these days is to go with aluminum.

Bike brakes grip better on aluminum than on chrome or steel.

Aluminum is easier to work with, less expensive and not as heavy when it comes to constructing the frame of a mountain bike.

It isn't as strong as a titanium frame but companies have found that because of the advantages of aluminum construction, and the fact that customers prefer a lighter bike, aluminum is a popular material.

Bicycle seats, or saddles, have changed a lot in recent years as well. The gel seat is losing popularity to the saddles designed with a narrow channel running down the middle of them.

This is so that the perineum vein, located in the groin, won't get pinched and cause numbness.

"It also isolates and supports the two major bones in your posterior to ensure a more comfortable and balanced ride," said Tait.

One thing that has stayed pretty much the same is the popularity of Shimano components.

Tried and true, Shimano is still the name retailers and cyclists prefer to see stamped on their shifters, brakes, and levers.

Shimano has new technology, as well. They recently came out with a 27-speed gear system. This many gears may seem like overkill but many cyclists appreciate the wide range when on long rides.

Be prepared to ride

When out on the land mountain biking, it is a wise practice to carry a repair kit containing allen wrenches, a chain splitter, a tire removing implement, a patch kit, and a hand pump.

A good helmet, pads, and a first aid kit is prudent as well.

Water bottles are losing ground to backpack hydration systems containing large, insulated bags of water.

"Because they hold more water, they keep the water colder, especially when you can add ice cubes, and they have a drinking tube with the mouthpiece hanging by your jaw for hands-free access, they are rapidly growing in popularity," said Craig.

For handling the rock-filled terrain of the North, downhill tires are preferable because of their thicker sidewalls. This helps prevent side punctures, which are common.

Hybrid bikes (half mountain bike-half street bike), are fairly popular because of the speed and handling they afford on paved surfaces and they are good for the occasional off-road jaunt. Hybrids, however, are not built to withstand prolonged off-road riding.