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Mountain Biking Articles and Videos

It doesn’t matter if you’re a novice buying your first mountain bike, or an expert tearing down a trail you know like the back of your hand, Trails.com has tips and advice for all mountain biking skill levels. Curious about fixing a flat on the fly, or shortening a chain? Want to know how to handle ruts, balance in place on a hill, or bunny hop over a hazard? Trails.com has the answers, as well as gear reviews for top mountain bike brands. Build a bike from the ground up, or find technique tips for downhill trail riding, Trails.com can help no matter what you’re looking to do.

  • How to Wash Bike Shorts

    Wash bike shorts regularly to keep them free of odor and bacteria. Dirty shorts can cause saddle sores and other uncomfortable conditions. Cleaning your shorts regularly will allow them to perform as designed, keeping you cooler and dryer. Ideall...

  • How to Pick a Bicycle Helmet

    Getting a bicycle helmet that is comfortable, fits correctly and provides proper venting will ensure that you ride in safety each and every time you take to your bicycle. Because a helmet can only protect you if you're wearing it properly, choosi...

  • Choosing a Bicycle Helmet

    Before you take the first ride on your new bike, you should purchase a helmet. While a helmet may seem like an uncomfortable inconvenience, it could save your life. Choosing the right helmet will ensure that you're more likely to wear it each tim...

  • How to Fix a Flat Tire on a Bicycle

    Before you get in a situation where you need to fix a flat tire, it's important to be prepared. Being prepared means bringing the proper repair tools along every time you ride. It also means having the basic knowledge of your equipment to repair ...

  • Types of Bicycle Tire Pumps

    Getting the right bicycle pump can mean the difference between riding home and walking your bike back to your car--for miles. There are several key differences in pumps, the most important of which is the valve type that the pump is compatible wi...

  • How to Fix a Flat Mountain Bike Tire

    Hearing that sudden burst of air spewing out of your tire can really make your stomach sink, especially if you don't know how to fix a flat. Fixing a flat is a skill that every mountain biker and cyclist should have; don't just hope that your tir...

  • How to Fit a Bicycle Helmet

    Bicycle helmets are up to 88 percent effective at preventing head and brain injuries in the event of a bike crash, according to the National Highway Safety Administration. Helmets are mandated by law in many states and are considered the No. 1 pi...

  • How to Bunny Hop on a Mountain Bike

    For those that don't know, bunny hopping is a mountain bike maneuver in which you launch both wheels of the bike into the air at the same time. Though you can get by on many trails without the need to bunny hop, the skill is one that will be inva...

  • How to Wear Bicycle Helmets

    To wear a bike helmet or not? The answer is a no-brainer--and if you don't wear one and have a bike accident, the phrase "no-brainer" could take on a whole new meaning.

  • What is a Hardtail Mountain Bike?

    When shopping for a mountain bike, it's always helpful to understand the different options on the market and the pros and cons of each. Hardtail bikes are one of the standard styles of mountain bikes and are preferred by many riders.

  • Mountain Bike Comparisons

    Mountain biking is an exceptional way to explore the outdoors. It combines the exploratory opportunities of hiking with an invigorating speed. The sport has changed a great deal over time, as improved equipment has allowed hobbyists to manage mor...

  • How to Change a Back Tire on a Mountain Bike

    While the front tire of a mountain bike looks quite simple to pop off, removing the rear wheel can be a bit intimidating to someone who's never changed a back tire before. After all, the rear wheel holds all of the cogs, so pulling it off require...

  • Bicycle Pump Instructions

    Getting a flat tire is one of the few hassles of riding a bike. Carry the right tools -- including a portable bicycle pump -- with you and learn how to make the repair, and fixing a flat will become second nature.

  • How to Use a Bicycle Pump

    Using a bicycle pump can be a frustrating affair. Whether you have a flat tire or just pulled your bike out for a ride only to find the tires soft and deflated, you'd rather be out riding than fiddling around with a pump. Luckily, pumping up your...

  • Pros & Cons of Bicycle Helmets

    Bicycle helmets have become standard equipment for cyclists on roads and trails across the country. Many states and municipalities have enacted helmet requirements and many parks and recreation areas require cyclists and mountain bikers to wear h...

  • How to Pump Up a Bicycle Tire

    Keeping your bicycle tires inflated to the appropriate pressure will ensure that you enjoy a safe, comfortable ride. Allowing them to run low risks causing a flat tire, damaging the bike and simply having an unpleasant experience. For the best re...

  • Mountain Bike Strength Training

    Since mountain biking is an exercise in itself, many people forget weight lifting is an important part. Weight training is particularly important in mountain biking as riding on trails can jar the body, and put stress on joints and muscles. A cou...

  • How to Install a Bike Seat

    During the shopping process, you likely looked closely at a lot of the specs and components of your bike. Factors like weight, drivetrain and pedals likely weighed largely on your decision. One aspect of the bike that's often overlooked is the se...

  • Primary Muscles Used for Mountain Biking

    It is a common misconception that mountain biking relies solely on the leg muscles. While these muscle groups most certainly get quite a workout during a ride, other muscle groups also figure prominently into the equation, some more than others. ...

  • How to Mountain Bike Moab

    For serious and casual mountain bikers alike, Moab is the stuff of dreams. If you plan one mountain bike-based vacation in your life, Moab should certainly be on your short list of destinations. Moab's slickrock and high desert scenery are world...

  • The Best Mountain Bike Tires

    One of the most commonly overlooked performance-enhancing products you can purchase is your tires. Selecting the right tires for your riding style and conditions can lead to a significant improvement in bike handling. With so many variables and a...

  • Biking Along the Panama Canal

    One of the most famous canals in the world is the Panama Canal, which cuts through the Central American jungle at one of its narrowest points. Bikers have long been attracted to canal paths as a means of getting away from car-clogged roads on cro...

  • How to Figure Gear Ratio to Tire Size

    Figuring your gear ratio and applying it to your tire size will give you your development. Development is the distance your bike travels through one 360 degree rotation of the crank.

  • Knobby Vs. Street Bicycle Tires

    Choosing between heavily-treaded or mountain-style tires and the smooth, sleek and delicate road designs can be a serious battle. Certainly, each tire should be used in its respective arena (mountain on the mountain, for instance), but for the c...

  • How to Choose Car Racks

    Buying a car rack is really the best way to transport your bike to trails, races and roads that you can't simply bike to. You could go through the trouble of breaking the bike down and stuffing it in the trunk, but this risks damaging parts on th...