Mountain Bike Reviews

Mountain Biking Accessories

admin — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 21:28:39 +0000

Mountain Biking Accessories

Like any hobby, there are always 'extras' and 'upgrades' to purchase in order to maximize the experience. Mountain biking is no different. Except these accessories can save you some skin or maybe a broken bone or two!

Here are some mountain biking accessories you truly need before bounding over hill and dale.

Mountain Biking Helmet

No question, a mountain bike helmet is the most important mountain bike accessory that you need. A good helmet should always be worn while riding, otherwise you're just inviting unnecessary danger to your sport. Besides, it takes hours to be seen in the emergency room when you could be out riding!

If you enjoy downhill riding, dirt jumping and other high speed, higher risk forms of riding, consider using the additional protection of a full face mountain bike helmet.

Giro Remedy Bike Helmet

Overall Rating:

Retail Price: $130.00

Amazon Price: View Sale Price

Bell Bellistic Bike Helmet

Overall Rating:

Retail Price: $80.00

Amazon Price: View Sale Price

If cross country, single track and recreational riding is more your thing, the open face helmet offers excellent lightweight, comfortable and well ventilated protection.

These skull savers can save your life. Wear one.

Giro Animas Bike Helmet

Overall Rating:

Retail Price: $105.00

Amazon Price: View Sale Price

Giro Havoc Bike Helmet

Overall Rating:

Retail Price: $0.00

Amazon Price: View Sale Price

Without a proper helmet it is just too dangerous - and stupid - to ride a bike. Wearing a suitable bike helmet can be a simple remedy to avoid accidents or lessen the impact on your body if you tumble. Besides being functional, mountain bikers can have stylish headgears too!

Azonic Exile MTB Bicycle Helmet White Adult L XL
US $71.99

Fox Racing Downhill MTB BMX Rampage helmet Black Large
US $97.99

Fox Racing Downhill MTB BMX Rampage helmet Rockstar L
US $105.99

Mountain Biking Gloves

No matter what the weather is like outside, hands can take quite a beating while riding a bike. Gloves will protect you. Mountain biking gloves are an important piece of mountain bike protective gear.

Mountain biking gloves absorb impact during falls, protect your hands and allow you to maintain a strong grip on the bars. Even when conditions get wet and/or muddy.

Full-finger Bike gloves

For the rider looking for minimal protection, and maximum flexibility, full finger gloves are great. If you want a lightweight, better grip, great steering feedback and light protection, full-finger gloves are a wise choice. These gloves are designed to be all-day riding gloves -- perfect for warm weather, not too hot in the summer.

Harbinger Adventure Series Mucka Full Finger Mountain Biking Gloves (X-Small, Black/Red)

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Retail Price: $24.99

Amazon Price: View Sale Price

SixSixOne Storm Watch Gloves - X-Large/Black

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Retail Price: $29.95

Amazon Price: View Sale Price

Half-finger bike gloves

Half-finger and 3/4 index with full thumb gloves works really well during extended hot summer rides. The shortcuts are cool, partly because of the short fingers, and partly because the back of the glove that's not covered by the plastic can breathe.

New Black Fingerless Leather Gel Pad Biker Cycle Gloves Large

Overall Rating:

Retail Price: $39.95

Amazon Price: $14.95

Diamondback Hucker BMX Freeride Mountain Bike Gloves - Large

Overall Rating:

Retail Price: Varies based on product options

Amazon Price: View Sale Price

Alpinestars Gravity Gloves S Black MTB DH
US $47.95

Alpinestars Gravity MTB Bike Gloves White Black Small
US $38.60

661 SixSixOne EVO Mountain Bike Glove 2010 Black Medium
US $67.75

Mountain Biking shorts

Yes, they make shorts for mountain biking too. And you might want to think about adding them to your accessories list, as mountain biking can be quite painful on your "bottom" line. Mountain biking shorts can alleviate your 'arse' from some of the punishment due to cushioning provided in the 'caboose'. Mountain biking shorts are not expensive and are quite comfortable. When you feel good, you can ride longer!

Canari Cyclewear Men's Mountain Trail Baggy Padded Cycling Short (Black, X-Large)

Overall Rating:

Retail Price: $40.00

Amazon Price: $29.99

Pearl iZUMi Men's Elite Versa Cycling Short,Black,XX-Large

Overall Rating:

Retail Price: $84.99

Amazon Price: View Sale Price

Fox Racing MTB Mens Demo Giant Shorts 34
US $99.99

Fox Racing MTB Mens Ranger Shorts Graphite 32
US $59.99

Fox Racing MTB Mens Ranger Shorts Khaki 34
US $59.99

Mountain Biking Shoes

The pedals on your mountain bike and the type of off-road riding you do, will determine the kind of shoes that you need.

If you have clipless pedals, you will need shoes that have special cleats designed to work with those type of pedals. These allow you to 'snap into' your pedals for maximum power on each stroke.

If you don't plan on using clipless pedals, then good pair of comfortable and durable shoes with a stiff sole will do the trick. Standard mountain bike pedals have teeth to grip your footwear and assist in anchoring your foot to the pedals. If you are not sure about the shoes that you should choose, ask for assistance at the local bike shop.

Pearl Izumi 2009/10 Men's Quest MTB Mountain Bike Shoe - Black - 5727-021 (45)

Overall Rating:

Retail Price: $80.00

Amazon Price: View Sale Price

Shimano Men's Mountain Bike Shoes - SH-MT32L (41)

Overall Rating:

Retail Price: $79.95

Amazon Price: View Sale Price

AXO CYCLING Altis3 SHOES SIZE US 10 ClipLess Mountain ROAD BIKE BICYCLE EURO 44
US $19.99

MTB Tariki Mens Dress Casual Shoes WALKING SHOES
US $100.00

CARNAC COSMOS MOUNTAIN BIKE SHOES 43CM Black Silver
US $299.99

Mountain Bike Repair kit

You may find yourself spending the night in the woods if you don't have a way to repair your bike. Or maybe just a long walk home.

To avoid that, be sure to keep a repair kit handy. Few of the things that you will want to consider in the kit are multi-tool, tire levers, and tire patch kit.

And maybe reading up on the art of bicycle maintenance BEFORE you venture out on the trail!

Park Tool BBB-2 The Big Blue Book of Bicycle Repair - 2nd Edition

Overall Rating:

Retail Price: $28.99

Amazon Price: $19.99

Brand New! Home Mechanic Bike Bicycle Tool Kit!

Overall Rating:

Retail Price: $49.99

Amazon Price: $37.99

2012 Cycling Bicycle tools Bike repair kits with Pouch Pump blue
US $.99

PARK MULTI TOOL BICYCLE BIKE REPAIR SCREWDRIVER HEX NEW
US $4.87

New Cycling Bicycle Tire Repair set Bike Tyre Tool Kits
US $1.75

Mountain biking can be - and is - a fun, exhilarating sport. But barreling down a hillside alongside brush, trees, logs, and who knows what as obstacles, can present some serious challenges. (But that's what makes it fun!) Having the right equipment will help keep you safe -- and biking along -- for years to come.

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Trek Mountain Bike Review

admin — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 12:50:06 +0000

Trek Mountain Bike Review

Trek's humble beginnings started in a rented barn in Waterloo, WI. Today they have a 43,000 sq building to house their bigger OCLV Carbon facility as well as an ever-growing engineering and R&D dept. A lot has changed in the past 30 plus years!

Trek is committed to outfitting the world’s best riders with the world’s best bikes as they compete in the world’s toughest races.

Trek's Professional Mountain Bike Team

Owned and operated by 23 Degrees, with Trek as title sponsor, the Trek World Racing team is one of the first World Cup teams to combine both cross-country athletes and downhill athletes into one highly competitive squad. Their schedule includes over thirty stops on four continents.

Trek is also heavily involved with cycling at the non-professional level. It's their contention that the bicycle is a simple solution to some of the world’s most complicated problems. Trek commitment to helping the world become a more bicycle friendly place.

With the world facing skyrocketing obesity rates, escalating traffic congestion and the concerns of global climate change, Trek's opinion is that the bicycle is an under utilized solution.

To that end, Trek has sponsored - 1 World, 2 Wheels . The objective is to alleviate obstacles that prevent people from using bicycles for transportation, as well as recreation.

A key goal of 1 World, 2 Wheels is to increase US trips taken by bicycle to 5% from the current 1% by 2017. (With nearly 40% of car trips taken being under two miles, it's an achievable goal.)

On to the bikes!

Trek has many mountain bike models to choose from. Whether you're interested in a quality entry-level,'beginner bike', or a serious competitor, Trek most likely produces a model to your liking.

Vintage Trek 850 1983 Black Red 19 Mountain Bike suntour mountaintech black
US $599.00

Trek Mountain Bike
US $2,100.00

Trek Fuel 98 Carbon Mountain bike
US $699.00

EASTON EA50 RISER HANDLEBAR WORK W SPECIALIZED TREK GIANT MOUNTAIN BIKES Z
US $2.99

Trek Session 77 Full Suspension Mountain Bike
US $2,500.00

2011 Trek HiFi Pro 29er Full suspension mountain bike 21 frame
US $2,000.00

Trek Y26 Mountain Bike 19 Frame
US $249.99

Trek 800 Sport Mountain Bike 13
US $75.00

TREK 7000 RETRO RACER VINTAGE HARDTAIL GIANT DEORE GIRVIN VECTOR MTB
US $107.51

Trek Bruiser 2 Mountain Bike Great Condition
US $350.00

Trek Hardtails Reviews.

69er - The inverse mullet. It’s party in the front, all business in the back. With a 29" front wheel you get trail bikeconfidence, and the 26” rear wheel makes it race bike fast. Inspired by Travis Brown.

Review: 5 Stars - "Fantastic Bike!"
By ChuckVerified Reviewer from Seattle Washington on 6/25/2009
Pros: Durable, Great Components, Great Geometry, Great value, Handles Well, Lightweight, Sweet Paint Job
Cons: Grips
Best Uses: Climbing, Single Track, Trail Riding
Describe Yourself: Avid Cyclist
Bottom Line: Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

"I got this bike a while ago and after my first ride I was always wondering when I would be able to go again. The bike does exactly what it's supposed to do. It rolls over roots and rocks like they were nothing and it still has the same acceleration as a smaller wheeled bike. The maneuverability is that of a 29er but its a small sacrifice for the other things the big wheel brings you. Also this bike has a sweet paint job and I have had no problemswith chipping."

9 Series - The members of Team Trek/VW reach for Trek’s OCLV hardtails when the course demands maximum efficiency and absolute minimum weight. Built around an 80mm or 100mm suspension fork, the 9 Seriesenables the racer in you.

Review: 5 Stars - "AWSOME AWSOME AWSOME AWSOME AWSOME"
By Nathan Smith from Turlock Ca on 7/19/2009
Best Uses: Climbing, Descending, Great for everthing, Single Track, Trail Riding, Urban Riding
Describe Yourself: Avid Cyclist
Bottom Line:Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

"Buy it no cons its like a farrari on 2 wheels. Worth every penny"

8 Series - The privateer racer who wants speed and efficiency on marathon climbs and technical trails picks the 8 Series, a top-shelf hydroformed aluminum hardtail frame with premium parts spec and a 100mm travel suspension fork.

Review: 5 STARS - "Best in it's class!!"
By Nick -Verified Reviewer from Chevres, Belgium on 4/2/2009
Pros: Durable, Good Geometry, Great Components, Handles Well, Lightweight
Cons: Color
Best Uses: Climbing, Single Track, Trail Riding
Describe Yourself: Avid Cyclist
Bottom Line: Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

"What can i say this bike rocks!! fast, light, and climbs like a champ. Going from a full suspension to this makes me wish i never got a FS for XC races. this bike flies. the only thing I don't like is the color but it's growing on me. the whole bike has XT parts what can you say but great!! Put on a scale with my DH pedals and the bike weight in at 25.1 lbs. if you have to deside from a 6 series to a 8 take the extra step and get the 8 you won't regret it!!"

6 Series - For the singletrack enthusiast who wants a lightweight aluminum frame but needs a parts group that packs a punch. 100mm front suspension by RockShox complement a bike that’s ready for any trail adventure.

Review: 5 Stars - "Great Bike!!!!"
By Drewsky25 from LA, CA on 10/20/2008
Pros: Durable, Good Geometry, Great Components, Handles Well, Lightweight
Cons:None
Best Uses: Climbing, Urban Riding
Describe Yourself:Avid Cyclist
Bottom Line: Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

"This bike is a great on and off mountain bike for the avid rider. If you are not a hardcore downhiller and want to ride ocasionally on a mountain and also street, this is probably one of the best coices for you. I am veryhappy with the purchase!"

4 Series - Beginning and novice riders should pick the 4 Series for their first foray onto singletrack. A 100mm suspension fork and hydroformed aluminum frame keep it light and durable with the most performance for your dollar.

Review: 4 stars - By Trailpatrol-Verified Reviewer from Zimmerman, MN on 6/18/2009
Pros:Durable, Good Geometry, Handles Well
Cons:Poor Tires, Uncomfortable Seat
Best Uses:Single Track, Technical Riding
Describe Yourself:Avid Cyclist
Bottom Line: Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

"I use this bike as a park ranger and a volunteer National Mountain Bike Patrol member. Added a new seat and tires and it is good to go, wherever I want to go. Singletrack, sandy trails, hardpack. I love the geometry ofTrek's MTB frames. Now if I could just get it with a SRAM X-7, that would be MTB heaven!"

3 Series - The perfect bike for the beginner heading out to the local park or taking the long way home. The 3 Series offers an aluminum frame, an 80mm suspension fork and durability for years to come.

Review: 5 Stars - "Absolutely Awesome"
By Crush from S. Korea on 9/23/2008
Pros: Durable, Good Geometry, Great Components, Handles Well, Lightweight
Best Uses: Climbing, Urban Riding
Describe Yourself: Casual Cyclist
Bottom Line: Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

"Great performance for the price. I enjoy riding but i'm not hardcore. It is the absolute for a intermediate riderwho doesn't need rear suspension."

820 - The 820 is the easiest way to get on a Trek. For the entry level rider who wants comfort and durability, the steel-framed 820 gets it done with a 21-gear Shimano drivetrain.

Review: 5 Stars - "Awsome"
By chillytater from Fairbanks Alaska on 5/3/2009
Pros: Comfortable, Durable, Good Geometry, Handles Well
Best Uses: Urban Riding
Describe Yourself: Casual Cyclist
Bottom Line: Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

"Well i love this bike granted i have only been rideing el cheapo department store bikes i really didnt see the need for a bike over 150 bucks until my roomate let me ride his 6 series i thought he was crazy for spending that much on a bike but the next day i went to same store and was surpized to find the 820 its so comfortable the gears r so smooth i love the shifters the brakes are great and the warranty is awsome as soon as my wife gets up here im goin to buy her the wsd model Its just and awsome bike"

Trek even makes a Police Bike! - Protect the peace with the lightweight ride and rugged toughness of Trek’s hydroformed Alpha Aluminum frame. Your new cruiser comes with all the essential extras that help you get the job done. Your job is hard enough, your bike should be the easy part.

Review: 5 STARS- "Best Police Bike"
By Cop from St. Louis on 7/21/2009
Pros: Durable, Great Components, Handles Well Off-road, Lightweight
Best Uses: Off-Road, Pavement
Bottom Line: Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

"I used this bike, and older models, on full-time bike patrol in St. Louis for 18 months. Best patrol bike ever! It is whisper-quiet, works well on both pavement and in parks, and is perfectly balanced. Handles great and comfortable for hours."

"I beat the heck out of it in the field and in numerous trainings and never had a problem with it beyond routine preventative maintenance. I have put it head-to-head against Smith & Wesson, Raleigh, and Canondale in the field and in training...this bike wins, hands down! I hope we can buy more next year..."

Trek Full-Suspension Mountain Bikes

"We Believe in Suspension Intelligence"

Bikes with front and rear suspension allow greater control and comfort in all conditions, but not all full-suspension bikes are created equal. Only Trek mountain bikes give you ABP, Full Floater, and EVO Link suspension technology that is tuned for each category. Explore our lineup to see what meets your demands.

The Top Fuel: Trek Claims "Our Fastest Mountain Bike Ever"

Top Fuel- Ultimate weight savings. Ultimate pedaling efficiency. The ultimate cross country race bike. The all-new 2009 Top Fuel 9.9 SSL combines Trek's top-shelf OCLV Red Carbon with a host of technological innovations, all designed to make you faster. ABP Race. Precision Fit Sockets. A no-cut seatmast. BB90 and an exclusive 2x9 crankset made just for Trek. It all adds up to the lightest, fastest full-suspension mountain bike we've ever made. Eat your heart out hardtails.

Review: 5 stars- "Light as a hardtail smooth and fast"
By Lefty the Rocket-Verified Reviewer from Cape Cod, MA on 3/19/2009
Pros: Balanced Suspension, Great Components, Handles Well, Lightweight, Plush Feel
Best Uses: Mountain Biking, Racing
Describe Yourself: Competitive Cyclist
Bottom Line: Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

"This bike is by far the nicest full suspension bike I've ever ridden. Lighter than most hardtails, this thing climbs like nothing I've ever ridden before. The ABP works great no more suspension lock-up under hard braking, the full floater gives a bottomless feel to the rear suspension. A real race bike straight out of the box."

FUEL EX - The answer to that age-old campfire question: If you were stranded on a singletrack-laden island and could only have one bike, what would it be? Light, agile, and efficient thanks to its OCLV Black frame.

Plush, comfortable, and in control courtesy of cutting-edge suspension technologies like ABP, Full Floater, and EVOLink. It's the new Fuel EX 9.9. And its ready for any trail, any mountain. Built with top-shelf parts from Shimano, SRAM, Fox, and Bontrager, the EX 9.9 is more than ready for your go-anywhere, do-anything adventures. And it means your buddies will have to find a new question to wile away the hours.

Review: 5 stars - "Best bike ever!"
By Napfgoldwascher - Verified Reviewer from Madiswil, Switzerland on 6/8/2009
Pros: Balanced Suspension, Durable, Great Components, Handles Well, Lightweight, Plush Feel
Best Uses: Downhill, Free Riding, Mountain Biking, Racing
Describe Yourself: Avid Cyclist
Bottom Line: Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

"After riding a TREK 9900 and a TREK FUEL 100 I'm riding now this FUEL EX 9.9.
For me it's really the best bike I have ever seen and ridden within the last 20 years!"

Remedy 9 - Here it is. The undisputed king of the mountain. The All-Mountain World Champion. The Remedy.

You don't win in Downieville unless you've got a bike that can carve, climb, and descend with the confidence of a DH bike and the agility of an XC bike. That's the Remedy. A bike built to handle anything you throw at it.

Drops. Stunts. Challenging descents. All-mountain. Every mountain. Both ways, up and down. With the best components from world-class manufacturers like Shimano, SRAM, Fox, and Bontrager, the Remedy 9 features an ultra-light, ultra-tough Alpha Red Aluminum frame with 150mm of smooth, efficient, and seemingly endless travel. It's the ultimate ride for the ultimate in all-mountain excursions.

Review: 5 stars - "want a little stronger parts"
By biker dude - Verified Reviewer from danville on 8/6/2009
Pros: Balanced Suspension, Durable, Great Components, Handles Well, Lightweight, Plush Feel
Best Uses: Downhill, Mountain Biking
Describe Yourself: Avid Cyclist
Bottom Line: Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

"just want saint cranks and shifters maybe even brakes"

Session 88 FR - The Measure of All Bikes

The Shore special. A gravity sled machine. Andrew Shandro's go-to park bike. Whatever you want to call it, the Session 88 FR is engineered with one thing in mind: highly technical downhill riding. With a freeride-specific component spec like the RockShox Totem, Shimano Saint and Fox DHX 4.0, the Session 88 FR can hit the stunts that make your spine tingle, the drops that make you drool and the berms that bring a smile to your face.

Review:5 stars - "Epic Ride..."
By BenderVerified Reviewer from West Hartford, CT on 6/29/2009
Describe Yourself:Competitive Cyclist
Bottom Line: Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

"This is the best DH/FR bike ive ever ridden. The suspension is so plush and bottomless. Usually after a day at a mountain my hands hurt by then end but this is the only bike ive ridden where this hasn't happened. Words just dont do this bicycle justice..."

=============================================

If you've been interested in mountain biking for any length of time, you've heard the name "TREK". Maybe it's time to see what all the excitement is about!

Schwinn Protocol Dual-Suspension Mountain Bike Review

Giant Mountain Bike Reviews

admin — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 15:42:22 +0000

Giant Mountain Bikes

For nearly three decades, Giant has been steeped in the growth of cycling and the cycling culture. Giant is an active participant in the development of cycling; either as a means of simple transportation or contributing to the widely popular world of recreational and sport cycling.

The Giant name is synonymous with technological innovation and the state-of-the-art designs. They are dedicated to proving the best quality and most innovative bicycles to its customers.

Giant is committed not only to recreational and competitive cycling, but also the entire cycling industry and our environment. Not Satisfied with being the world's most widely known bicycle brand, Giant is in constant pursuit of its vision of becoming 'The Best Bicycle Company in the World'.

The Giant Mountain Bike Line Up

Giant groups their mountain bikes into five main categories: Competition, Trail, All Mountain, Free Ride, and Sport

The Competition line is for those diehard purists looking to leave the competition in the dust. Giant’s race machines set the pace with Anthem Advanced, Anthem X, XTC Advanced, and Glory DH

Anthem Advanced - Full composite engineering from the world leader in composite bicycles, Adam Craig’s race-winning know-how and the supple response of 3.5-inch travel Maestro Suspension make Anthem Advanced the one to beat. Race-tuned, race-ready. Built to win!

Anthem X - The Anthem X’s precision-fabricated ALUXX SL frame gives you everything you want for XC: superlight quickness, amazing torsional stiffness, loads of tire clearance, 4 inches of incredibly active Maestro Suspension and race-tuned geometry that lets you rail singletrack like a Stinger missile.

XTC Advanced - Light, fast, quick, nimble—that’s Giant Mountain Bike Team member Adam Craig, and this is the hardtail he wanted. This is the ultimate racing machine, engineered with Advanced Composite Technology for trail-smoothing suppleness and absolute power delivery. When going fast is the only thing that matters.

Glory DH - The Glory DH’s 8.8-inch Maestro Suspension is fully active over everything from stutters to less-than perfect landings, whether you’re speed-checking or pedaling for all you’re worth. It’s the backup you need when you’re throwing everything you’ve got into beating the clock

The Trail line is designed to devour sweet singletrack in super-sized helpings courtesy of the award winning Trance X. Light enough to climb the highest peaks, smooth enough to rip back down.

Trance X - is cutting-edge superiority with features like a hyper-engineered main triangle, absolutely dialed geometry and 5 inches of Maestro Suspension that’s active under pedaling and braking alike. But all you need to know is this: Trail riding just got that much better.

The All Mountain group is designed to conquer and accomplishes that goal with the Reign and Reign X. Packing 6 to 6.75 inches of Maestro suspension, these all mountain machines give you the confidence to blaze new trails.

Reign - a true all-mountain performance machine. Six inches of aggressive downhill Maestro-equipped travel that’s supple and controlled when pedaling uphill or powering the flats. Nothing puts you more in touch with the trail, or more in control—under any conditions.

Reign X - with 6.7 inches of always-active Maestro Suspension lets you pound pedals uphill and blitz down Buttressed, hydro-formed, perfectly welded ALUXX SL aluminum and the best suspension on the trail make this the ultimate all-mountain machine.

Free Ride is for bombing burly mountain terrain or perfecting tailwhips at the park. Giant presents the Glory and STP to keep you charging all the way.

Glory - Technical spec meets the technical trail. Overbuilt with 8 inches of coil-over Maestro Suspension, onePointfive headset and freeride-specific geometry. Because out there, there’s no substitute for strength. Or the confidence and talent to make it stick.

STP - Zero hype. One hundred percent creed. Butted ALUXX SL alloy gives STP a lightweight chassis and the strength to last. Tight, precise geometry for no-guesswork tire placement—with a low saddle and tall cockpit that puts you solidly in control.

Performance Hardtail is for devotees who demand lightweight and responsive simplicity. For that kind of performance, nothing beats the traditional hardtail. From lightning-fast race bikes to efficient, affordable trail bikes, XtC has it covered.

XtC Alliance - a lightweight chassis packing real heavyweight performance. Pure efficiency and the most supple, controlled ride Giant’s engineers can coax out of composite and aluminum alike. Its go-fast technology, stripped to its trail-pounding essence.

XtC - ALUXX SL butted aluminum is the perfect platform for aspiring racers and hardcore trail riders. Experience aluminum’s near-perfect efficiency, with the race-tested geometry and trail-taming suppleness only Giant can engineer.

The SPORT lineup are machines that can go from city streets to singletrack without missing a beat. Aimed at adventure, the versatile Sport Mountain range is all about expanding horizons.

The Sport models include: Brass SX, Brass , Yukon FX, Yukon, Rincon, Boulder SE, and the Boulder

Giant mountain bikes always top the mountain bike reviews. They last years longer and tolerate intense rides better than most other off road bikes. If getting more for your money and having a dependable bike means as much to you as getting out and riding, then a mountain bike by Giant is the way to go.

Here is a collection of Giant Mountain Bikes currently available on eBay.

Fox Racing MTB Mens 360 Jersey Giant Large
US $58.95

Fox Racing MTB Mens 360 Jersey Giant Medium
US $58.95

Fox Racing MTB Mens Demo Giant Shorts 34
US $99.99

Fox Racing MTB Mens Livewire Jersey Giant Large
US $58.95

Fox Racing MTB Mens Livewire Jersey Giant Medium
US $58.95

GIANT Mountain Bike Lock on Rubber Grips BLUE
US $16.16

GIANT Mountain Bike Lock on Rubber Grips BLACK
US $16.16

Giant Boulder Mountain Bike ONLY USED ONCE
US $140.00

New Giant Universal 170mm Left Crank Arm Replacement Aluminum MTB
US $15.00

New Mountain Bike Riding Bicycle Winter GIANT Damping Antiskid Full Finger Glove
US $4.99

No related posts.

Specialized Mountain Bike Reviews

admin — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 18:23:49 +0000

Review and History of Specialized Mountain Bikes

Specialized 2003 Hardrock Pro disc 17

Overall Rating:

Retail Price: $610.00

Amazon Price: View Sale Price

Bike building philosophy at Specialized is more on par with being a religion. And so is actually riding them. The Specialized team is devout – and fanatical - about riding! Bikes are their passion. And the folks at Specialized feel, to be the best, you must be a fanatic.

Specialized's founder, Mike Sinyard, has been known to cancel meetings just so he could spend more time on the trail. And his enthusiasm is shared throughout the Specialized company.

Specialized was started in 1974 for two major reasons.

1. They love the sport
2. Their mission is to build products that help people enjoy bike riding as much as they do.

And they’ve been committed to those principles since day one.

Specialized Bicycle Components Inc. is the US’s 4th largest producer of high-end bicycles. Specialized prides itself on being an innovator - consistently striving to create new and better bicycle technologies.

Specialized began introducing mountain bikes to the general public 1981, and completely revolutionized the biking industry. Their first model - the StumpJumper – is even on display Smithsonian Institute.

What was once a sport consisting of homemade bikes, Specialized brought to mainstream America specifically designed machines built for off road riding. And ever since the introduction of the StumpJumper, competition for mountain bikes has been fierce. Specialized is completely aware of just how competitive this market is and lives by the motto: "Innovate or Die."

Some of their innovations include:

Lightweight helmets
Physician-designed bicycle seats
A three-spoke wheel designed to cut bike racers' times
And bike frames made of high-tech materials.

Specialized made available the first affordable carbon fiber mountain bike, the StumpJumper Epic and the Body Geometry bike seat.

The Body Geometry bike seat was designed in response to growing concern that bicycling was linked to male impotence. Specialized's Body Geometry seat was designed by a physician and intended to shift the bulk of the rider's weight off the front of the saddle and back, more towards the seat. Cycling enthusiasts and recreational riders alike made the switch from the traditional seat to the new design.

In 1983, Specialized put together the world's first mountain bike racing team. Specialized's teams have captured numerous competitions while riding on Specialized products.

Specialized's professional bikers also test ride the company's equipment before it is released for sale to the public. The company's track record of releasing the professionally tested products within one year of testing works to their advantage as customers crave and appreciate the opportunity to ride the most technologically advanced products possible.

Keeping with their cutting edge spirit, Specialized once again made tracks where other bike companies had never before ventured. In 1989 specialized entered into a deal with an aluminum fabricator and special ordered 5,000 metal-matrix composite bicycle rims. Sinyard noted that the new rims are a "major break-through in the industry". And they were!

The 1990’s brought fierce competition to the mountain biking production. Industry leaders such as Trek, Cannondale, and Schwinn-Scott also produced innovative designs and were severely cutting in on Specialized market share.

Up to this point, Specialized bikes were only available through bike shops, while their rivals were selling cheaper models in sport stores and retail outlets. Jumping on the bandwagon, Specialized also entered this market selling bikes under the Full Force brand.

Needless to say, loyal bike shop owners were quite upset over this move. And after a short stint in the budget-model line, Specialized discontinued the Full Force brand and decided to compete by designing superior bike parts and committing to high-end mountain bikes.

Current models in the Specialized lineup include:

S-Works Epic Carbon Disc - uses an advanced carbon chassis, integrated FSR suspension and new Mini Brain technology to make molehills out of mountains. S-Works Epic wins bicycling Magazine's Editor's Choice Award for Best Performance Cross Country Mountain Bike.

S-Works Carbon HT Disc- After decades in production, the Stumpjumper® Hardtail makes no apologies for being the leanest, lightest (some models are under 20 lbs.) and most precision hardtail on the market. Tradition works.

FSRxc Pro - takes to the trail like an old pro, but its updated design with improved standover, greater seatpost adjustment and new rocker link gives you a license to a wider range of trails.

Pitch Pro - levels even the most demanding All Mountain terrain with a tough M4 alloy frame, 150mm of FSR suspension and a generous helping of top shelf specs—including RockShox, Fox and Avid components.

Demo 8 II – Built for steep trails and big air with 7 and 8 inches of generous travel. Its top-of-the line Fox components, stable geometry with low central mass and insanely strong double ORE down tubes are competition-proven to withstand the most extreme abuse.

BigHit FSR III – Top-dollar ride at an entry level price. The new Big Hit lives up to its name on punishing terrain with a stout frame and 6.75 to 7.5 inches of travel. The new design with lower standover and more seatpost adjustment makes this bomb-proof ride even more accessible to a larger range of riders.

P.1 All Mountain Rim – All mountain tough, but competitive in weight to some other XC bikes. The P. All Mountain is just as much fun on the trails as it is at the park. Fully butted alloy frames with double ORE down tubes make the AM version among the lightest in the P. series.

Rockhopper Pro – For over two decades the Rockhopper has been the best hardtail for any rider looking for thrills and adventure over a wide variety of terrain. The Rockhopper's M4 alloy frame and premium specs deliver category-leading efficiency, value and dependable handling.

Hardrock Sport Disc - The Hardrock is still the most versatile hardtail for kicking around town, but its lighter weight, more efficient alloy chassis and category-leading specifications make it the perfect introduction to XC Trail riding.

eBay is the perfect place to search for your next Specialized Mountain Bike. Through the marvels of technology, we’ve put together this compilation of Specialized bikes that are currently available.

Vintage Specialized Stumpjumper Mountain MTB bike Shimano Deore XT 22 Rock Shox
US $850.00

Specialized camber comp full suspension mountain bike
US $1,034.99

Vintage Specialized Triple Mountain Bike Alloy Bicycle Crank Set NOS 1725 NEW
US $299.00

Vintage Specialized Dealer Tech Training sales Manual 1994 NEW s works bike mtb
US $99.00

2 Bontrager XR4 Specialized Mountain Bike Tires 26x220 235 A Pair
US $54.00

2 Bontrager XR1 Team Issue Specialized Mountain Bike Tires 26x220
US $69.00

Specialized S Works Med 2007 Full Suspension MTB
US $710.00

20 ACCESS XCL MOUNTAIN BIKE DISC BRAKE SPECIALIZED DEORE LX DEORE BONTRAGER
US $330.00

SPECIALIZED HARDROCK Mountain Bike Vintage 80s NICE
US $149.00

2 Bontrager XR4 Team Issue Tubeless Specialized Mountain Bike Tires 26x235
US $69.00

**Specialized's history is a condensed version of a review by fundinguniverse.com

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Hardtail or Full-Suspension Selection

admin — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 17:24:34 +0000

Hardtail or Full-Suspension?

Everyone has a preference (and an opinion!) when it comes down to the best set-up for mountain bikes: hardtails or full-suspension. This “discussion” is sure to launch some heated debates so let’s take a closer look at the differences between these two camps.

When it comes to bike weight, a full suspension bike is going to be heavier. Fact. A cross-country bike is equipped with more rough-terrain features for you to haul around.

Not having this added weight makes the hardtail a bit more nimble. Weighing less, the agility factor gives the nod to the hardtail.

But when the going gets rough, that’s when a full-suspension’s features really start to shine. On rocky technical climbs, the full-suspension has the overall advantage of tackling tough terrain. And the suspension system affords a more comfortable ride in this unfriendly environment.

On the minus side, all that extra equipment means more moving parts. Besides the added weight, there’s more maintenance involved with a full-suspension over it’s hardtail cousin.

The extra weight in question is typically less than five pounds, which begs the question: “Does that 5 lbs make a difference?” It all depends on the type of riding you do.

When the terrain ‘goes north’, every pedal stroke you make is fighting gravity. Simple physics, extra weight requires more power to move the mass uphill A hardtail, being lighter, has the definite advantage in making it up the slope with less horsepower.

Besides being lighter, hardtails generally have a shorter wheel base too. This compact design does lend to faster handling response. But again, the type of riding you do will make a difference. Loose rocks and other technical obstacles are mastered better with a full-suspension system. A dual-suspension system is designed to absorb these impacts on dicey terrain, transferring traction to the ground.

On smoother terrain, hardtails do climb better, but when encountering severely rocky terrain a good cross-country full-suspension wins hands-down.

Thanks to advances in technology, full-suspension bike maintenance has become easier and much more dependable.

Shocks on a full-suspension bike rarely fail when adjusted properly. Seals are not the issue they once were and you can expect years of use without maintenance problems.

Bottom line: the more technical the trail, the more a full-suspension system comes into play to iron on the impacts Mother Nature will throw at you.

If you want tight handling, agility and speed, it’s hard to beat a hardtail for backwoods riding.

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Schwinn Protocol Dual-Suspension Mountain Bike Review

admin — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 16:28:22 +0000

The Schwinn 26" Full Suspension Men's Mountain is a high-performance machine that's built and designed to produce some thrill-seeking, off-road rides.

The 09 model features New Down Hill Aluminum Dual Suspension Frame coupled with a Suntour Suspension fork. Assisting in its rugged design are Arrow Black Anodized Alloy rims and Promax Front Disc and Rear Alloy Linear Pull Brakes. For zipping up steep terrain, the Protocol has 24-Speed Shimano Altus with the EF-50 shifting system.

Overall Review of the Schwinn Protocol 1.0

Our review team found plenty to get excited about this full-suspension mountain bike. One review submitted by a semi-pro cyclist found this model to hold its own in this price range. He was quite impressed with the bike's features and after several days off testing, found the "bike's quality shone through".

When he tested this Schwinn model against one of its closest rivals in the Mongoose product line, the Protocol held it's ground. It simply becomes a choice of what fits the ride best.

If you're in the market for a reasonably priced full suspension mountain bike, this Schwinn model is worthy of your consideration. You won't be dissappointed!

Mongoose Tech 4 Full Suspension Mountain Bike Review

admin — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 03:17:41 +0000

Over All Assessment of Mongoose Tech 4 Mountain Bike

Mongoose is committed to building quality bikes for off-road enthusiasts. The Tech 4 Full Suspension Mountain Bike is no exception.

It's a quality build and a great performing machine - even if you're not crazy about canary yellow!

More Reviews for the Mongoose Tech 4

Mongoose Maxim Dual-Suspension Mountain Bike Review

admin — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 21:56:17 +0000

The Mongoose MGX Maxim. A lot of bike for the money!

Over All Review of The Mongoose Maxim Dual-Suspension Mountain Bike

Our review team found mostly 4 and 5 star rating for the Maxim. Over the years, Mongoose has earned a great reputation in the mountain biking community. Although this is an entry-level model, years of great engineeering designed it. It can't compete with higher-end models, but for the budget-minded, it's a great choice.

More reviews on the Mongoose Maxim Mountain Bike.

Pacific Grays Peak Mountain Bike Review

admin — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 21:00:00 +0000

An entry-level Dual Suspension Mountain Bike brought to you by Pacific.

Over All Review of the Pacific Gray's Peak Dual Suspension Mountain Bike

Reviews for this bike are quite mixed. A buyer must realize that this MTB is bargain-priced. It's unrealistic to expect pro-caliber equipment at this price range.

Is this mountain bike right for you? A lot depends on the type of riding you expect to do. And your budget. For casual riding and off-road, the Gray's Peak should do you fine. Serious treks to the outback should be tacked with better gear. (And more money.)

Something else to consider, the shocks provide more comfort, but with a dual suspension bike there is some additional maintenance. You now have a rear shock added to the mix. But maintenance is part of the mountain biking routine if you want to get the most out of your off-road machine.

Click on the link to read more owner reviews on the Pacific Gray's Peak Mountain Bike.

Pacific Evolution Womens Mountain Bike

Pacific Evolution Womens Mountain Bike

admin — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 20:09:44 +0000

Over All Review of Evolution Mountain Bike by Pacific

Our review team found most owners quite satisfied with their Evolution purchase. It's also noted that most providing comments use the bike primarily for casual use. And that's what this bargain-priced bike is designed for.

For truly off-road venturing, better equipment is suggested. But for easy-going use, Pacific's Evolution, in all it's purple glory, should do you fine!

Pacific Grays Peak Mountain Bike Review