Singletracks Mountain Bike News

29ers are back! Or, maybe they never went away. There are so many mountain bike wheel size choices on the market today, yet today, the 29er is once again in the spotlight. In this episode of the Singletracks podcast, we talk about the history of the 29-inch wheel size, the advantages and disadvantages of 29er wheels compared to other wheel sizes, and the future of long-travel and even downhill 29er bikes.

In this episode of the Singletracks podcast, Greg and Jeff discuss mountain bikers’ obsession with lightweight bike frames and components. We’ll talk about how companies save weight on bikes, the advantages and disadvantages of lightweight bike parts, and how to save easy weight on your mountain bike.

We talk with Kenny Griffin, NICA board member and the director of the Georgia Interscholastic Cycling League director about the exciting world of middle and high school mountain bike racing. It turns out NICA isn’t just about racing–it’s a much broader program that’s designed to introduce youth to the sport of mountain biking, and to mentor those young people using volunteer coaches. NICA is perhaps the most exciting thing to happen in mountain biking in many years, with leagues enrolling record-breaking numbers of student athletes all over the USA. Learn more about NICA and the Georgia Interscholastic Cycling League, and find out how you can volunteer or donate to these outstanding organizations.

In this episode, we talk about Northwest Arkansas’ ascendence as a mountain bike destination. Starting with a discussion of the area’s geography and topography, we’ll explore the history of mountain biking in Arkansas and what the scene is like today. Most importantly, we attempt to explain the unique characteristics that make Northwest Arkansas an appealing mountain bike destination, and what other up-and-coming communities can take away from the area’s success.

Aaron, Greg, and I have led our fair share of group mountain bike rides, and in this episode we share our tips for making your ride a success. We’ll talk route selection, communication, logistics, and what to do if you lose someone on the trail.

In this episode of the Singletracks podcast, we’ll be sharing tips for getting and staying in shape for mountain biking. We’ll cover the basics for getting started, how to increase distance and speed, nutrition, and more. Finally, we’ll talk about methods for maintaining mountain bike fitness and how to avoid over training syndrome.

In this episode we talk with our buddy Chris, owner of Loose Nuts Cycles in Atlanta, about the economics involved in owning a local bike shop. We ask what the bike shop of the future will look like in 10 years and also, Chris explains, “if you’ve bought a part online and you bring it in and we tell you that it’s not going to fit, it’s not because you bought it online–it’s because you bought the wrong part.”

In this episode of the Singletracks mountain bike podcast, we share tips for getting faster on the descents. Here is an outline of the main topics we’ll cover: * Trail vision, including line choice * Technique, including body positioning * Cornering * Speed drills * Mental tricks * Braking tips * Equipment selection and set up

Don’t have the scratch for a new rig this year? We don’t either. Luckily there are at least half a dozen MTB upgrades that can be done for under a hundred bucks each to make your bike ride like new. Don’t have time for a listen? Read Greg’s article on this topic published in 2014.

In this episode of the Singletracks podcast, Aaron, Greg, and I discuss some common mountain bike mistakes we’ve made or seen others make, and how to avoid those mistakes. * Buying the absolute cheapest bike or components * Spending too much on a bike * Spending money in the wrong places * Improper bike setup * Ignoring maintenance intervals * Washing bikes with high-pressure hoses * Using the wrong tool for the job * Being unprepared * Treating every ride like a race * Overestimating skills or fitness * Riding wet trails * Not getting involved in local trail work If you’ve learned from a mountain bike mistake we didn’t cover, we’d love to hear about it here.

In this episode I talk with Leah, my Singletracks co-founder (and wife,) about her mountain biking experiences over the last 15 years and some of the challenges women face in our sport. Plus, Leah shares her simple idea for getting even more women involved in mountain biking in the future.

In this episode of the Singletracks podcast, we share our tips for improving your mountain bike climbs. Learn about bike setup, component choices, and suspension settings to make your uphill climbs more efficient. We’ll also talk about training techniques, body positioning, and mental tricks that will melt climbs away in no time. This episode is sponsored by Outerbike.

In this episode, we share our money-saving tips for mountain bikers. Starting with bikes, we’ll talk about how buying a tool can save you money, bike warranties and insurance, and how to shop for new or used bikes. On the travel side, we’ll discuss ways to save money on transportation, lodging, food, and race when you’re on a budget. You can’t afford NOT to listen to this episode.

In this episode of the Singletracks podcast, Aaron, Greg, and I discuss the ways we use our smartphones to make mountain biking easier. We’ll start off discussing apps we use for planning our trips, then talk about the apps we (sometimes) use on the trail. We’ll wrap up the discussion by covering the apps we use after the ride to find places to eat and drink.

In this episode of the Singletracks podcast, Greg and I discuss the best places to mountain bike in California. We’ll share our picks for the best bike parks, backcountry rides, and urban trail systems that are begging to be explored by bike. Whether you’re a native Californian or you’re planning a trip, tune in for our recommendations.