Benefits of Mountain Biking 

    Many people prefer mountain biking over other sporting and recreation activities such as running or going to the gym because mountain biking can be more exciting and still has the health benefits. In fact, a lot of people have become more healthy by mountain biking even when their main focus was to have fun!  As a means of recreation, mountain biking is so engaging and thrilling that it lets you have fun while sweating, shaping up your body and building up your muscles. It also has the capabilities of keeping you physically, mentally, emotionally and socially fit. Not so many sporting activities have such a capacity as mountain biking!  Let’s check out the health benefits of mountain biking. Whenever you go out mountain biking, every tough section you encounter such as the lung-crushing and cholesterol burning climbs are almost instantly and generously rewarded by the breezy and refreshing descents you were anticipating. You also get to enjoy the beautiful view of nature as you ride along. Apart from the fun derived from this activity, you also get to build, strengthen and tone your muscles.  There are also the benefits of relief from stress and maybe even depression.  Mountain biking can even help maintain healthy  joints and build up healthy heart. 

Building, Strengthening and Toning Your Muscles

Mountain biking is a good way of building, toning, and strengthening your muscles. You get the maximum health benefits out of your workout when you ride regularly.  Although your whole body benefits from the exercise, mountain biking focuses more on strengthening the muscles on your legs, thighs, and buttocks.  A good way of improving your stamina is taking the bike out on rough terrain or in the hills. In addition, you will improve your body coordination because there can be unexpected bumps and other terrain you have to react to. 

Relieving Stress

Natural scenery such as green spaces and untamed environments are known to possess the power to change your mood and the general state of emotion. You can try and compare cycling within or around the city and cycling in open and natural areas and feel the difference. As you encounter the bustles and hustles of the city, you most often feel overwhelmed by stress. As you go about your daily activities which may include mentally demanding tasks such as studying, research and doing repetitive tasks, you will always get stressed.  This is the time when you need to take a break and hit the mountain trails. The pressure in you deflates hence relieving you of stress and improves your overall state of emotion.

Taking Care of Your Joints

Hitting the pavements hard while running or jogging can have a negative impact on your joints; especially your knees, ankles and hips. But you still need to work out and keep fit. Well, mountain biking presents you with an option of working out and keeping fit while being gentle on your joints. Especially if you are experiencing problems with your knees and other joints. As opposed to other recreational and sporting activities such as running, mountain biking is very gentle on your body especially when you have the correct mountain bike. A bike that is the right size for you, and suits your riding style, riding discipline and the kind of terrain you ride.

Building and Maintaining a Healthy Heart

   Like all other exercises and sports, mountain biking gets your heart pumping hard. Whenever you take on steep climbing, you exercise your cardiovascular system making it strong over time. This makes your heart stronger and much healthier. Since mountain biking gives you the much needed breezy recovery periods, it becomes fun and easier to do it again and again. This way you are able to work out more while enjoying yourself.  Whether you take mountain biking as a hobby, a sport or a recreational activity, it will take care of your health. It will build up, strengthen and tone your muscles, decrease your stress, be easy on your joints and help you build and maintain a healthy heart. When building your muscles, a perfect way of increasing your stamina is by riding on tough rough terrains. The beautiful scenery and natural environment where you ride your bike have the magic to ease the pressure built up in you as a result of hard work. Unlike running and jogging, mountain biking is very gentle on your joints especially if you have problematic knees and other joints. Finally, mountain biking is that kind of activity that encourages you to exercises more and harder hence building and maintaining a healthy heart.  For further reading check out another great article on the health benefits of mountain biking. We hope this article encourages you to hit the trail and get that heart pumping!  If you have any questions please feel free too leave us a comment and don’t forget to give us the Facebook and Google like!    

We hope you enjoyed our article on the health benefits of Mountain Biking.  Please feel free to leave us a comment and check out our website!  

www.nathanhaasken.com

www.nathanhaasken.com

   As a cyclist, you may have come across and even cycled on different types of mountain bike pedals including the flat platform pedals, quill pedals, clip less pedals and magnetic pedals. Flat pedals which are also known as platform pedals are more traditional/old-fashioned pedals. They are usually made of rubber, metal or plastic. Flat pedals are still in use on many mountain bikes today. Although they are the older type, they still overshadow the other types of pedals in that they are universal and can be used effectively and efficiently on any bicycle, and for any kind of riding style and terrain. Flat pedals enable you to have a lot of confidence when training hence you can dare a lot of high-risk maneuvers. They provide you with feedback from the bike and allow you to adjust accordingly. They allow a lot of control in emergencies hence avoiding severe crashing. Flat pedals do not allow you to cheat when doing jumps hence you can train in the correct manner. 

More Confidence and Less Fear (just a little less)

   When riding on flat pedals, you can easily take your feet off the pedals quickly. Therefore, riding on technical sections and learning important skills such as track standing is much easier. It is very common for cross-country cyclists to ride clipped in. However, the ability to put your foot down at will gives you the confidence to try more technical sections and new skills that you wouldn't have tried if you were clipped in. The ease to go on and off your pedals enables you to make hill starts very quickly and confidently. With flat pedals, you will experience less fear which will allow you to stay in your comfort zone and relax. We ride much better when fearless and relaxed since our muscles are less tensed.

More Feedback

   Flat pedals provide a lot of feedback from your riding which translates into an easy way of checking your riding style and technique. For example, when you are not attached to the pedals and you realize that your feet are bouncing all over the pedals, you will definitely know that you are riding stiff and relying too much on your suspension rather than using your body. Therefore, you can take action and be more relaxed and correct your technique and posture. This is very helpful especially when you are learning new skills and techniques.

Crashing...  OUCH...

   There are situations when you can save yourself from crashing when you are riding on flat pedals. For example, when you are riding on flat pedals and you get out of control, you can quickly step out and bring your bike back into control.  Similarly, crashes that happen when you are on flats are less severe compared to the ones that happen when you are clipped in to your pedals.  Yes, some quick release pedals allow you to escape quickly but even I have come close to falling by not being able to remove my feet from the pedals.  

No Cheating

   Flat pedals will not allow you to cheat when doing tricks; especially those moves that involve lifting maneuvers such as the rear wheel lift, bunny hops, and dirt jumps. This is most important when you want to learn the skills with the correct techniques and posture. If you get used to riding on clip-less, magnetic or the quill pedals, you may not realize how much you cheat when doing even the simplest of jumps and maneuvers until you switch back to flat pedals. In addition, pulling up when clipped in requires more energy and can stiffen you up and throw you off balance.

Wellgo Pedal Review Video...

   Riding on flat pedals is all about safety, convenience, confidence, and less fear, getting more feedback from your riding, avoiding crash accidents, and zero tolerance to cheating. If you use your mountain bike for commuting or doing short rides around town and you get on and off your bike very often, you will find flat pedals to be the most convenient. With flat pedals, you can put on any type of shoes you want. Apart from just convenience, you will gain a lot when you ride on flat pedals. You will have more confidence and less fear which will allow you to push you practice to the very extreme. You will get more feedback from the bike and be able to adjust you riding posture, style and technique instantly. You will easily avoid crashing accidents and if you do crash, you will have a lot of control on how you land. And since flats will not allow you to cheat, you will be able to learn new techniques in the correct way. It is important to keep in mind that the attributes of flat pedals we have discussed above apply only to the mountain bike and not the road bike or any other type of bicycle.  You can get more information on the history and progression of the bike pedals which is pretty cool.  Here's the link.. bike pedals wiki. Thank you for reading, hope you enjoyed our quick article on flat mountain bike pedals.  If you have any questions or comments please feel free to contact us at the phone number below or leave us a comment. Thank you!  

  Differences between Cross-Country Mountain Bikes and Trail Mountain Bikes

           www.nathanhaasken.com

    A lot of people usually find it hard to identify the correct mountain bike for them. Although choosing a bike may all depend on your riding style, the terrain you will be riding on and who you will be riding with, getting the right bike that fits your style is tricky. The trail mountain bike and the cross-country mounting bike are quite identical and can easily be confused at first glance.  There are several areas where you can find a significant difference between the two bikes. Physical features of the bikes such as the length of the stems, the width of the handlebars, the braking system, the suspension travel, and tires are normally taken into consideration when identifying these types of mountain bikes.  You can find all your mountain bike parts and accessories below on the nathanhaasken website.  

The Handlebars - The cross country mountain bike has a narrow handlebar.  Since the cross country bikes are built for maximum speed and agility, a narrow handlebar enables the rider to get a feel of what the front wheel is doing. It is also quick to steer around corners. A wide handlebar on trail bikes gives the rider enough leverage to maneuver technical terrain. It helps the rider not to be thrown around when going through rock gardens. 

The Stem length - The cross country mountain bike features a longer stem length of approximately 90mm - 100mm. The long stem positions the rider in a posture that pushes the rider's body further forward for enhanced grip on flat terrain, and maximum acceleration. On the other hand, the trail bike has a shorter stem length of approximately 40mm -80mm. A short stem keeps the rider's posture laid more backward for better stability during steep downhill riding.

The Suspension Travel - A cross country mountain bike has a shorter travel of suspension than the trail bike. A shorter travel of suspension enhances a quick uphill sprint. For real fast cross-country mountain bikes, the comfort of the rear suspension has been eliminated to boost pedaling efficiency.  A longer suspension travel provides comfort and easy crawling capabilities over obstacles. 

The Head angle - Due to a longer suspension travel in the front, trail bikes also have a wider head angle which is good for down hill riding. It positions the front wheel far much ahead of the rider making the bike stable even on steep downhill maneuvers. On the other hand, the short suspension travel on a cross-country bike forces it to have a narrower head angle which makes a cross country bike more twitchy when riding on steep down hills.

The Brake Rotor - A trail bike has a relatively large brake rotor compared to the cross country bike. A large brake rotor of about 140mm - 160mm is key to a more powerful braking system, which is essential when down hilling at a fast speed. Due to its wide surface area, a large brake rotor is less likely to overheat and cause brake failure than smaller brake rotors. Since cross-country mountain bikes are quite twitchy on the downhill ride, a powerful braking system will only make things worse. Therefore, its brake rotor is much smaller and less powerful.

Tires - A Cross-country bike has smoother tires to enhance faster rolling for maximum speed while the trail bikes feature wide and heavily threaded tires for better grip and stability on unstable grounds.

     Apart from the physical features of theses mountain bikes, they can also be identified by their capabilities, or what they can do better than the other. For example, cross country mountain bikes are slower on the descent and faster on climbs and flat surfaces. Trail mountain bikes are slower on climbs and fast and fun to ride on down hills. Considering the overall speed, the cross country bikes are far much faster than trails bikes. While the trail bikes can take a corner quite aggressively with more grip, the cross country is able to maneuver sharper corners with more agility. The trail bikes do break faster and more precisely. The cross country bike is lighter and quicker in acceleration and steering while the trail bikes are heavier and optimized for descends. Today's mountain bikes have become extremely specialized in terms of their intended use. On one extreme you will find the cross-country racing mountain bikes. On the other extreme, you will find the downhill racing mountain bikes. The trail mountain bike sits in between the two types of bikes and tries to serve the purposes of both ends but to a limited extent.  How to set up your mountain bike is important.  Click to check out how to set up a mountain bike.  Or you can watch a quick video below that will show you the steps...

     You can tell the difference between them by having a closer look at the handlebars, the stem length, the suspension travel, the brake rotor, the tires, and the head angle. The handle bars vary in length with the shorter ones for cross country bikes and the longer ones for trail bikes. Long stem length creates the appropriate body posture for cross country bikers while short stem lengths pull the cyclist backward for safer down hill riding on the trail. A long suspension travel is fit for trail bikes while cross country bikes feature a shorter travel on the suspension. Trail bikes have a large brake rotor for a more powerful breaking experience while cross-country bikes have smaller brake rotors. The tires on a cross country mountain bike are thinner relatively smoother for maximum speed compared to trail mountain bikes which have rougher and wider tires for better grip on technical terrains. With all these features in mind, you can easily tell the two types of mountain bikes apart.  If you have any questions please feel free to leave us a comment.  Thank you! 

nathanhaasken
2530 Randolph St.
Plzeň, Ca 90255
(323) 585-3934
www.nathanhaasken.com

   There are many different brands and models of mountain bike brakes from a range of manufacturers. The varieties of brakes available in the market today is so overwhelming that unless you know exactly what you are looking for, you might bypass the perfect set of brakes for your mountain bike. You may end up buying brakes that do not fit onto your bike at all. Or maybe you might find one that fits your mountain bike but is not as effective as you want it to be.  Braking, when calibrated just right can be a beautiful feeling.  I remember purchasing a mountain bike with standard equipment, riding down a steep hill and having brakes that just couldn’t stop me fast enough.  Not the best feeling in the world.  So lets take a look at some of the basics in braking to try to better understand what we can do to slow down a bit faster.  

     Mountain bike manufacturers such as Avid, Shimano and Sram produce high-quality brakes. Despite the quality, you need to know some more about mountain bike brakes if you are to get the perfect upgrade for your bike.  The most popular type of mountain bike braking system used today is the disc brake. Disc brakes can either be the mechanical type or the hydraulic type. When shopping for a disc brake, you need to consider the rotors, the brake pads, and the brake modulation. If you are having a hard time choosing disc brakes for your mountain bike, the information in this article will make the task a piece of cake.  

Types of Mountain Bike Brakes

Basically, there are two kinds of mountain bike braking systems. Although we are concentrating on the disc brakes in this article, it is useful to go get an overview of rim brakes. Since mountain bike frames are made to accommodate disc brakes and rim brakes, it is important, to find out the type of mount you have before you choose any type of brakes.  Rim brakes come in different varieties such as the “V – brakes” and “Y – Brakes”. In the rim braking system, there are two pads fitted on both sides of the wheel. They grab the wheel when the levers are depressed, hence slowing down the bike. Rim brakes have a limited stopping power which gets even worse in wet and muddy conditions. This is why the popularity of rim brakes has reduced significantly over the years.  On the other hand, disc brakes have gained its popularity because of its effectiveness and efficiency. They provide a shorter braking distance and are not affected by the weather conditions.  

Hydraulic vs. Mechanical Disc Brakes

Great video on Hydraulic vs. Mechanical Disc Brakes for road bikes and mountain bikes.  

Disc brakes are made in two flavors. Hydraulic brakes are the ones that use a piston-cylinder system that is filled with a special kind of fluid. It is similar to the brakes being used on vehicles and motorcycles. On the other hand, mechanical brakes use a steel cable which converts the pull on the lever to a pull on the brake caliper on the disc.   Although hydraulic brakes provide more stopping power and an improved modulation, they are quite expensive to buy and maintain. They also require a lot of skill to service and perform operations such as bleeding. Mechanical brakes are cheaper to buy and maintain. They are also easy to service and maintain compared to hydraulic brakes.

Considering the Brake Rotors

In a disc brake system, the disc itself is also called the rotor. It is the circular disc that is mounted on the wheel, which when grabbed by the pads, slow down the bike. It functions very well in dissipating heat from the friction during braking.  The diameter of the rotor will determine the amount of heat transferred. Therefore, gravity-oriented mountain bikes should use larger rotors than cross-country mountain bikes. The size of the rotor can also be dictated by the position on which the caliper is mounted on the frame of the bike. For this reason, many manufacturers have adopted and now include an adapter that fit various rotors.

Disc Brake Pads

Here's a great video on how to change your own disc brake pads on your mountain bike.  Some people take their mountain bikes in for this but the process is pretty simple.  You can do it at home if you follow the steps in the video...

    The basic brake pads available for disc brakes include the semi-metallic pads, sintered pads, and organic brake pads. Most out of box bikes will come fitted with some kind of semi-metallic pads. They are famous for providing stronger stopping power and do not wear out quickly compared to organic brake pads.  Sintered pads, also known as metallic pads, are suitable for heavy gravity riders because of their elevated friction values. As a matter of fact, metallic brake pads produce more friction in high temperatures as opposed to low temperatures. As a result, they perform well in extreme conditions.

Resin brake pads, which are the organic pads, provide an improved modulation. It generates less noise but wears and tears quicker than the semi-metallic pads. They also do not cope very well with wet conditions.  

    Now that you understand some more about the types of mountain bike brakes, the difference between the mechanical and hydraulic brakes, the brake rotors and the different types of brake pads, you are in a position to select the perfect brakes for your mountain bike. All you need to do is keep in mind that manufacturers make the different types of mountain bike brakes depending on the riding style the bike is meant for. The hydraulic and mechanical brakes are the two flavors available for the disc braking systems. The size of the brake rotor contributes significantly to its power, and brake pads also come in three flavors: the metallic, semi-metallic, and the organic brake pads. You can get more information on bike mountain bike braking system on the wiki page.  Also, remember that heavy riders should go for a braking system that has more stopping power.  If you have any questions please feel free to email us or leave a comment!  We thank you for reading!   

Cycling computers, cadence monitors, and heart rate monitors are helpful gadgets that can help you get the most out of your cycling workout. These are gadgets you can hardly do without, especially if you are seriously concerned about the progress in your workout.  The Cannondale IQ100 11 Function Cycling Computer, the Giant AXACT 11 Wired Computer, the Cateye Strada Triple Wireless Computer CC-RD430DW and the CatEye Stealth 50 GPS Computer CC GL50 are some of the top gadgets you can use to keep track of your speed, distance, and time.

Cannondale IQ100 11 Function Cycling Computer

     This is a low-profile shaped, wired cycling computer that easily mounts on the handlebars or stem of your mountain bike. It has the basic functions and features a couple of extra luxury features. On its display, you are able to read your speed as the current speed, average speed and your maximum speed. You can also view the clock in 12 or 24-hour modes, and the odometer will show you the distance you have travelled. With this gadget, you can also keep track of your calorie consumption. Its power lasts longer when you use its auto On/OFF functions and the two power saving modes. This gadget only weighs 19 grammes.

Giant AXACT 11 Wired Computer

     The power of information is at your fingertips when you use the Giant's AXACT 11 wired computer. It shows the basics such as the maximum speed, the average speed and the current speed. It also shows the time and distance. In addition, it features a pacer which helps you know your progress in relation to your average speed. Its large display is easy to read and has only one button for you to perform these simple operations. Unlike many cycling computers, the Giant's AXACT 11 is enveloped in a waterproof casing with sports backlights.

 Cateye Strada Triple Wireless Computer CC-RD430DW

    This is a comfortable to wear wireless cycling computer that features three sensors in one gadget. All cycling functionality of the Strada Wireless is combined within this gadget. It also has a digital heart rate and cadence measurements. Believe it now or later, this cycling computer is fitted with the latest digital wireless speed technology at 2.4GHz, a cadence sensor (ISC-10) and a heart rate (HR-10). In addition, the Cateye Strada Triple Wireless Computer CC-RD430DW features automatic sensor recognition, enabling you to track any ride you want even when you change bikes. Talking of comfort, unlike the traditional chest straps, this gadget has a new detachable fabric heart rate sensor that is designed for more comfort. It also has a low battery alarm for the computer head and the sensors. To crown it all the Cateye Strada Triple Wireless Computer CC-RD430DW is virtually interference free. The display of the Cateye Strada Triple Wireless Computer CC-RD430DW is large enough to show multiple information. Using the mode button, you can view the elapsed time, heart rate trip distance 1, trip distance 2, average speed, maximum speed, total distance, and the clock.

CatEye Stealth 50 GPS Computer CC GL50

The CatEye Stealth 50 GPS Computer CC GL50 is a fully functional cycling computer that features latest technologies such as the ANT+ capabilities, a USB interface, and GPS technology. With this gadget, you get all you need to get the most out of your cycling workout. With ANT+ capabilities, you can work with CatEye or a third party ANT+ gadgets to record and display the heart rate, speed and cadence. On the other hand, the built-in GPS constantly tracks your ride, and you can use the USB port to upload your data to your computer and training websites. The CatEye Stealth 50 GPS Computer CC GL50 also has great features such as a customizable odometer, recharging via the USB port, automatic start and stop, backlight. To top it off,  you can use it continuously even when you change your bike. And amazingly, it is waterproof and only weighs 50 grammes.  

      These are just a few of the numerous gadgets you can use to get the most out of your cycling workout. They differ in sizes, functionality, and technology, and this gives you a wide variety from which to choose according to your preferences. You may choose to use the Cannondale IQ100 11 Function Cycling Computer, Giant AXACT 11 Wired Computer, the Cateye Strada Triple Wireless Computer CC-RD430DW and the CatEye Stealth 50 GPS Computer CC GL50 or go for any other that suits you best. The Cannondale IQ100 11 Function Cycling Computer is only 19 grammes and has a low profiled shape. The Giant AXACT 11 Wired Computer has the all the basic functionalities and features a pacer. The Cateye Strada Triple Wireless Computer CC-RD430DW is comfortable to wear, wireless, and features some of the latest technologies. Finally, the CatEye Stealth 50 GPS Computer CC GL50 has all the basic functionalities and features unique functionalities such as the GPS, and the USB port.

If you have any questions please feel free to leave a comment or give us a call.  We ship all throughout the entire USA!  

nathanhaasken
Budilova 161/15
Plzeň, CA 90255
(323) 585-3934
www.nathanhaasken.com
[email protected]

The most common bicycle tires used today are tubed. Also known as tubular tires if you want to get a bit technical.  But we don't want to make it too complicated so lets just go with tubed tires and tubeless. If you are riding on these traditional tires and need to switch to tubeless tires, you may have to change either the tires only or the whole set of wheels depending on the type of rims you are riding on. But why should you change your tires? Why should you switch from the tires you are currently riding that have tubes?  Tubeless tires have got several merits over the more traditional tires with tubes. Tubeless tires can run on low tire pressure, they provide a less rolling resistance, and when using tubeless tires, you will experience very few incidences of flat tires.  Check out the nathanhaasken tubeless tires for more information on specs.  

Lower Tire Pressure

Since there is no tube in these tires, you are able to run on lower tire pressures without the fear of pinch flattening. Riding on low tire pressure will allow your tires to take shape into the ground and provide you with a comfortable ride. With less air, the jumpy nature of a fully inflated tire is highly reduced. It results in an increase in the surface area of the tire that is in contact with the ground. With more surface area on the road, you get increased grip, hence more traction. When you are riding in a situation that demands good traction such as in a cross-country race, you can run up to 15 percent less air pressure with your tubeless tires and get terrific traction.

Less Rolling Resistance

The performance of a fully inflated tire on a road bike is different from the performance of a fully inflated tire on a mountain bike. As we talk about the rolling resistance, consider that a road bike uses smooth narrow tires and rides on flat hard surfaces while a mountain bike uses fat knobby tires and rides on rough, bumpy, rocky; even soft, loose surfaces. In this case, we are talking about mountain bikes and not road bikes.

The interaction between the tire and the ground is what causes rolling resistance. Therefore, forgetting about road bikes and its terrain, reflect the picture of your mountain bike tire in motion, on rough terrains. When it hits a bump, the wheel will either move upwards or sideways. This deflection requires some energy, which is snatched from your forward momentum. This will cause you to slow down. Now can you imagine hitting all those rocks and holes on a rock garden; how much forward momentum will you lose?

     Using a lower tire pressure allows your tire to deform inwards rather than moving your tires up or sideways, acting more like a shock absorb-er. And thus, you will lose less forward momentum and ride faster over obstacles. This will also result in more stability and balance as you ride over obstacles because there will be less upward and sideways movement on your wheels.

When you are riding a mountain bike with low pressured tubular tires, you will not get a good amount of deformation on the tires when it hits a bump because of the friction between the tube and the tire. You must get rid of this kind of friction to allow the tire to deform properly. By getting rid of the tube; and using tubeless tires, there is no more friction to reduce the energy needed to deform the tire.

Fewer Flat Tires

First of all, when you are riding on tubeless tires, you never worry about pinch flats because there is no tube to be pinched. Since you will be using a sealant when installing the tire, many small punctures will get sealed up by the sealant without you noticing. And when you get a puncture that is too big for the sealant to repair, you can simply install a tube and use the tire as a tubular tire; at least for the time being as you find better ways of solving the problem. Moreover, many manufacturers will provide an internal liner within the tires that will prevent leaking and constrain damages to the casing. According to IRC, applying a thin rubber coating to the inner wall will prevent leaking and allow the tire to be repaired easily even when you are in the field.

 Here is a great video on how to convert your mountain bike tubed tires to tubeless tires...

      As a mountain biker, getting rid of tubes from your wheels will give you an improved feel of what your wheels are doing on the road. Your ride will get smoother, faster and easier and the tires will also sound differently on the trails. You get all these benefits because you are able to ride on lower tire pressure which greatly contributes to less rolling resistance. You will also experience fewer flat tires. With less tire pressure, you get you tire to mold more into the ground giving you a comfortable ride and more traction. Less rolling resistance will enable you to ride faster over obstacles. Riding on tubeless tires will also present you with the convenience of riding long distances without experiencing a flat tire. If you still want to research going tubeless on your mountain bike check out an article on tubeless cycling tires I found useful while researching. I hope you were able to gain some great information on tubeless tires for your mountain bike or even road bike.  As always, please feel free to leave a comment with any questions you might have.  Thank you and get out there and ride!  

nathanhaasken
Budilova 161/15
Plzeň, CA 90255
(323) 585-3934
www.nathanhaasken.com
[email protected]

   The drivetrain of your mountain bike is a fairly small section of your bike, yet it is made up of the most hardworking components on your bike. For example, when you are climbing long rocky hills with your mountain bike, you are forced to keep shifting from gear to gear trying to keep a constant cadence. You grind over the long sections of grit, mud and sand, or on the snow, wheezing down the rock gardens towards your finish line, hoping and jumping over abrupt logs and roots on your cross country trail. All these translate to pressure and stresses on your bike which in turn leads to wear and tear. The components of the drivetrain are the ones that you will most likely replace more often.

Since there are several different types of groupsets available for your mountain bike, it can be very difficult to choose the correct set to use when replacing or upgrading your mountain bike. This article takes a closer look at the lineup of Shimano’s drivetrain group sets starting with the Deore groupset, the Shimano SLX groupset, the Shimano Deore XT groupset, the Shimano Zee groupset, the Shimano Saint groupset, the Shimano XT Di2 groupset, and the Shimano XTR groupset, with the aim of helping you identify the correct set for your mountain bike and your riding style.

Shimano Deore groupset

Although the Shimano Deore groupset may seem to be obsolete, it is still one of the best groupsets offered by Shimano. It may be perceived as an unsung icon in the mountain biking componentry. Nevertheless, the fact is that it mixes the right balance in performance and reliability. What you may not know is that over the years, Shimano has been tweaking and refining the Deore groupset until now it boasts of many of the features found in Shimano’s top models. In general, the Deore groupset is still the ideal choice for an entry level mountain bike trail riding.  

Shimano SLX groupset

The Shimano SLX groupset is a relatively new addition to the Shimano’s set of family. It is a universal group of components that you can easily tailor to your own riding style and preferences. The Shimano SLX groupset shifts smoothly and is long lasting. It is composed of Shimano’s high-quality components featuring the Shimano Shadow+ rear derailleur, the Shimano RapidFire plus shifter, and the Shimano Ice Technology disc brakes. All these accrue to the exceptional performance witnessed in this group set, not forgetting that all these come at a wallet-friendly price

Shimano Deore XT groupset

A whole new level of performance and reliability comes with the Shimano Deore XT groupset. Its components are lighter in weight and have high performances. The Shimano XT derives its features from a trickle of features from high-end models. Regardless of whether you are a cross-country cyclist, a trail rider, or you mix different riding styles, the Shimano Deore XT excels in providing you with crispier shifting, transfer, general refinement, and increased power.

Shimano Zee groupset

One of the latest groupsets by Shimano is the Shimano Zee groupset which is carefully engineered to meet the need of gravity riders who are usually on the lookout for the next big jump, and drop off. The components of this groupset have been meticulously tried, tested and designed to meet the riding needs of mostly the freeride and downhill riding styles. It is a mix of high technology, reliability, top value, and a fair price.

Shimano Saint groupset

The Shimano Saint groupset is manufactured in such a way that it is able to take that extra harsh treatment, and abuse. Surprisingly, it is still light enough. The Shimano Saint groupset  is manufactured with the top end downhill professional in mind. The rider can easily forget all about gentleness to the bike and concentrate on the technical aspects of the ride.

Shimano XT Di2 groupset

The cross-country and enduro riders have also not been forgotten. The Shimano XTDi groupset is specially designed and manufactured for them. This groupset blends high performance with seamless shifting and brings them to a new level. Their price is affordable and accessible.

Shimano XTR groupset

     Top of the list is the Shimano’s XTR groupset which is a collection of Shimano’s top cream components. Using this groupset, numerous high-speed racers and have won uncountable races and championships. It is light in weight, yet strong and adorn with the latest technology which makes it crisp, efficient, and reliable.

Although the latest and the greatest mountain bike products and components catch the attention and stimulate conversations and debates about them, this need not mean that the earlier versions of the same products and components are rendered useless. We have taken a look at the major groupsets offered by Shimano such as the Deore groupset, the Shimano SLX groupset, the Shimano Deore XT groupset, the Shimano Zee groupset, the Shimano Saint groupset, the Shimano XT Di2 groupset, the Shimano XTR groupset. The Deore may not be celebrated much, but it is still a great way of starting mountain biking. While the SLX can easily be tailored to match your riding style and preferences, the Deore XT features characteristics of other high-end models. The Zee and the Saint are crafted to meet the needs of freeride cyclists and withstand harsh treatment respectively. The Shimano XT Di2 is best suited for high-speed cross-country cyclist, and the XTR groupset being a careful collection of the best of Shimano’s components.