Rachel Lee

Mountain bikes (MTBs) are a lot of fun to ride and in fact, if you’re looking for an off-road vehicle that can handle even tough terrain, this is the kind you want. If you’ve had your bike for a while, you might be wondering, can I put regular road tires on my mountain bike? It’s something many MTB owners ask themselves at some point, and with good reason.

There are numerous reasons you might want to swap out your mountain bike’s tires for standard road tires, and if you’re curious about whether you can do this, the answer is a resounding “yes.” You can indeed replace the tires on your mountain bike with regular road tires; however, there are a few things you need to keep in mind first because you can’t just rush right out to the bicycle store, buy a set of tires, and put them on your mountain bike.

First off, it’s good to realize that the tires on a mountain bike are not only made differently than the tires on a standard bicycle, but they are a different size as well. You also have to take into consideration not just the tires, but the rims and all of the other components that you’ll need when finding replacement tires; but before we get to that, let’s start at the very beginning.

Why Do People Choose Mountain Bikes?

People choose mountain bikes over regular bikes for a variety of reasons. If you love the great outdoors and wish to bike away from the traffic, these bikes are just perfect. They allow you to enjoy some very challenging bike rides without having to worry about getting hit by a car or staying away from the vehicles on the road.

Mountain bikes offer many other advantages as well. For instance, MTBs:

• Are a lot of fun
• Allow you to get very intense with each ride
• Let you explore a variety of terrains and landscapes
• Allow you to ride at night
• Come with a lot of fun accessories that you can add to make riding even more fun

When people want a challenging ride that is off-road because they love hiking trails or mountainous terrain, a mountain bike is just right. This type of terrain can be bumpy and rough, but if you’re an adrenaline junkie, this is likely exactly what you’re likely looking for anyway!

What Are Mountain Bike Tires Like?

As you can imagine, the tires on a mountain bike are different from the tires on a standard road bike. Bicycle tires are usually thin and inflated to around 100 PSI (pounds per square inch) – sometimes 120 PSI. On the other hand, mountain bike tires are usually … Read More

Have you recently been wondering why you could ever want to “clip-in” to a “clipless pedal?” It sounds absurd, right?

But before diving into where the clipless pedal got its silly name, or what a clipless pedal even is, it would be valuable to at least explore all the options, which can seem complicated and confusing.

Starting with the basics of the pedal’s anatomy may help some.

The pedal is the single most crucial aspect of the cycling experience. It connects the rider to the machine. Without the pedals, there is no energy transfer from the cyclist to the bicycle. And neither can go anywhere without them.

There are three main components to the pedal:

1. The spindle
2. The body
3. The bearings

The body mounts to the spindle, allowing for rotation along the spindle axis. The bearings simply allow this to happen with minimal friction and heat build-up.

Types

There are several different types of pedals, depending on what variety of cycling you intend to do.

Platform pedals

You may be tempted to conjure up visions of a three-year-old’s tricycle pedal when thinking about platform pedals. But they have evolved considerably, even in the last few years.

For example, the Bontrager Line Pro MTB Pedal Set offers some high-tech features for the serious cyclist:

• Tuneable traction pins to help avoid foot slippage
• Sealed cartridge bearings
• 6061-T6 aluminum body

Platform pedals are commonly used by commuters, recreational cyclists, and mountain bike riders. The large, flat surface allows for more freedom and maneuverability. Also, platforms are ideal for those who wear street shoes while riding.

Pedals with toe clips

These are platform pedals that have toe clips and straps to secure the cyclist’s shoes on the pedal without slipping off. The toe clip is a thin metal or plastic attachment to the front cage of the pedal.

The toe clip is shaped like the toe of a shoe and its function is to prevent a cyclist’s shoe from slipping off the pedal during the forward pedaling motion. It usually comes with a strap made of nylon or leather that holds the foot securely in place. The main drawback of this system is that the rider has to first loosen the strap when coming to a complete stop.

Some manufacturers still make pedals with toe clips. Wellgo currently offers a platform pedal set with a combination toe clip & strap, which is designed to increase pedal stroke efficiency. However, when it comes to the mainstream, most riders prefer clipless.

What exactly are clipless pedals?

This is the confusing part. A clipless pedal is one that excludes the toe clip and strap. But this does not mean that there is no clip … Read More

Bike riding is a popular activity for thousands of Californians. It provides enjoyment, stress management, and physical health benefits. Cycling also is an environmentally friendly way to get around. Unfortunately, bike accidents do happen, but wearing a helmet can help prevent serious head injury. It might even mean the difference between life and death.

Is it illegal to ride a bike without a helmet in California?

Yes, if you are a child who is 17 years old or younger. The law also applies to children who ride on public property, streets, or designated bike paths and trails. Although adults aged 18 years and older don’t have a legal obligation to wear helmets, it’s still a good idea for them to put one on.

In California, wearing a helmet is not just about safety; it’s the law for children under 18. Whether you’re a child or an adult, riding a bike without a helmet could make you more vulnerable to severe head injury and possibly death. It also can cost you money and non-financial headaches.

The California Bike Helmet Law

What does the law say? Article 4 of the California Vehicle Code requires that anyone under the age of 18 who rides a bicycle on a street, bikeway, or other public bike path or trail wear a bike helmet that meets safety standards. Article 4 also applies to minor passengers of a bike trailer or a passenger seat attached to the bike.

The law doesn’t just apply to bicycles. Article 4 of the California Vehicle Code also states that children have to wear a helmet when they ride any non-motorized scooter or skateboard. This requirement also applies to roller blades or skates that the child uses on any public grounds, designated paths and trails, or the street.

What about people over 17?

There are no laws in California—or any other U.S. state—that mandates bike helmets for adults over 18 years of age. Adults have the freedom to decide for themselves. Nevertheless, proponents of the law typically argue that helmets are an important safeguard for cyclists of any age.

Not just any helmet will do. A bike helmet that complies with the California law must pass safety standards set by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) or the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). These standards ensure that the helmet fits properly and adequately to protect the head against impact.

Don’t confuse the bike helmet law with motorcycle helmet laws. Just like a car or motorcycle, a bicycle is a vehicle; it’s another mode of transportation that gets you from one point to another. However, helmet laws differ across vehicles. For example, in California, people of all ages who ride or … Read More

Getting the best bang for your buck when it comes to cycling is a natural concern that every rider has on their mind at one time or another. An increase in bike choice each year also comes with increased costs for the average cyclist.

The new generation of mountain bikes is no exception. With some costing over $10,000, it is no wonder cyclists of all levels want to get the most out of their purchases. “Multi-purpose” takes on a whole new meaning when it comes to plunking down your hard-earned cash for a new bike.

With that in mind, is it okay to ride your mountain bike on the road? To answer that question, it is necessary to thoroughly understand mountain bikes and how they operate compared to road bikes.

What is a mountain bike, anyway?

What distinguishes a mountain bike from its road-racing cousin is the overall design. They share similarities, but the mountain bike has different features to enhance durability over rugged terrain. These typically include:

• Front or full suspension systems
• Large, knobby tires
• Stronger wheels
• More powerful braking systems
• Lower gear ratios for hill climbing
• Straight handlebars for better comfort

Mountain bike manufacturers build their bikes with the outdoor adventurer in mind. Most true off-road riders have an independent streak and are often daring enough to challenge even the most brutal landscapes including:

• Rocks
• Loose dirt
• Gravel
• Tree roots

Some human-made courses offer additional obstacles known as Technical Trail Features (TTF’s) such as:

• Rock gardens
• Log piles
• Specialized jumps
• Narrow riding surfaces (“skinnies”)
• Log rides
• Near-vertical riding surfaces (“wall rides”)

Mountain cyclists not only ride on mountain trails but also on other specialized areas such as fire roads and narrower, singletrack trails.

Because mountain bikes can handle all of these extreme riding conditions, they have been popular for several years with urban riders. Due to their increased durability, navigating over potholes and curbs is no problem for these sturdy workhorses, which leads to another question:

What type of mountain bike should you get?

To answer that question, it is helpful to review the different types of mountain bikes offered:

1. Hardtail

The hardtail mountain bike is just how it sounds. There is no suspension provided on the back and performs well on smoother, less rugged terrain.

The common misconception about hardtails is that they are usually only offered as cheap alternatives, which is not the case. Some can cost into the thousands for a well-built bike.

2. Full suspension

The full suspension mountain bike offers both front and rear suspension. This category breaks down into several other subsets:

• Cross country
• Trail
• Enduro
• Downhill

Suspension travel is an important specification (spec) for full suspension bikes and … Read More

When did you last replace your road bike helmet? A bike helmet is perhaps the most critical protective equipment you wear on your ride. A helmet that’s in good shape can mean the difference between a good day and a bad one. An old or damaged road bike helmet won’t likely give you the protection you need, and you’ll need to replace it.

How long does a road bike helmet last? You can probably use your helmet for 5-10 years. Standard-setting organizations like the Snell Memorial Foundation say that five years is the maximum. Some helmet manufacturers recommend replacing a helmet after just three years, especially if you ride a lot of hot, sunny days.

If you don’t ride very much, you might be able to hold onto your helmet for more than ten years. However, you might be better off replacing the helmet every 5-10 years in case it accumulates wear or damage that you might not be able to see. If you care about bike safety, there are signs that your current helmet is no longer safe or reliable.

How to Tell If You Need to Replace Your Road Bike Helmet

You’ve had a crash.

Keep in mind an important rule of thumb: If you crash while wearing your helmet, replace it, no matter how minor the accident. A bike helmet is a single-use piece of safety equipment. If you’ve worn your helmet during a crash, you might not be able to see any damage, such as compression on the foam liner hidden by the external shell.

The shell is sun-faded or brittle

When the shell gets exposed to too much ultraviolet or UV light, it can become brittle, and it’ll eventually crack and not hold up during impact. Is the color of the shell faded? Faded color could be a sign of diminished protection. Even though many manufacturers put UV inhibitors in the plastic, these inhibitors can fail.

Your helmet acts as a beer can

You probably know that when you press in a dent on an aluminum can the dent pops back out. Try the same thing on your helmet’s shell. Less expensive helmets sometimes do this, but if this denting occurs all over the helmet, the expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam underneath is likely crushed.

You can see damage on the foam liner

The EPS, which is fitted against the outer shell, is a very important element that shields your head from impact. The EPS won’t deteriorate from age alone. You still should check it for any cracks or deep dents. Even in a relatively new helmet, a damaged foam liner will not protect you properly.

The chin strap is worn out

A little sweat … Read More