Pro Mountain Bike Racing

Welcome to my site! We have the Pro Mountain Bike Racing information that you are looking for.

Mountain Biking--King Of Biking Sports In Texas by Pat Carpenter

Any place where the terrain is rough and the sky is blue in Dallas, Houston or elsewhere in Texas is a place you'll probably find mountain bikers. The sport of mountain biking usually refers to riding bicycles, which possess particular design characteristics, off-road, although sometimes the term simply refers to riding a mountain bike.

It's a tough, demanding sport that requires endurance, good bike handling skills and a lot of self-reliance. It's an individual sport that can be performed almost anywhere. There are certain aspects of mountain biking that are similar to trail running, more so than regular bicycling. And, because riders are often far from civilization, there is a strong ethic of self-reliance. Seasoned riders have learned to repair their broken bikes or flat tires to avoid being stranded in the middle of nowhere. This reliance on survival skills accounts for the group dynamics of the sport. Club rides and other forms of group rides are common, especially on longer treks.

Mountain biking can be roughly broken down into five categories: cross country, downhill, freeride, dirt jump and trials/street riding. And, even though there are five very different terrains to ride upon, most mountain bikes have a similar look: knobby tires, large round- frame tubing, and some sort of suspension or shock absorbers. Mountain biking can be done anywhere from a backyard to a gravel road, but the majority of mountain bikers prefer to ride trails which they call singletrack -- narrow trails that wind through forests, fields, deserts or mountainsides.

The bicycle has really been no stranger to off-roading since its invention toward the end of 1800's. The modern sport of mountain biking originated in the 1970's with several groups of riders in Texas and other areas of the U.S. making valid claims to playing a part in the sport's birth.

Riders in Crested Butte, Colorado, and Cupertino, California, tinkered with their bikes and adapted them to the rigors of off-road riding. Other riders around the country copied their friends who rode motorcycles off-road, and then began riding their bikes in a similar fashion.

However, a group in Marin County, California -- recognized by the Mountain Bike Hall of Fame -- played a central role in the birth of the sport. They began racing down Mount Tamalpais on old 1930's and '40s Schwinn bicycles, retrofitted with better brakes and fatter tires. This group included Joe Breeze, Otis Guy, Gary Fisher and Keith Bontrager among others. It was Joe Breeze who built the first new, purpose-made mountain bike in 1977.

Tom Ritchey built the first regularly-available mountain bike frame, which was accessorized by Gary Fisher and Charlie Kelly and sold by their company called MountainBikes. The first two mass produced mountain bikes, the Specialized Stumpjumper and Univega Alpina Pro, were sold in 1982.

Mountain bikes differ from road racing bicycles in several ways. They have a smaller and stronger frame, knobby, as well as wider and higher-profile tires, which are mounted on a rim that is stronger and more durable than a standard bicycle rim. They also include a larger range of gears, to facilitate climbing up steep hills and over obstacles; a wider flat or upwardly rising handlebar that allows a more upright riding position; and, often, some form of suspension system for either the front wheel or both wheels.

The inherent comfort and flexibility of the modern mountain bike has led to an estimated 80% market share of bike sales in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and other countries. While it is estimated that only between 10 and 20% of mountain bikes are actually ridden off-road, the sport of mountain biking has seen an explosion in popularity and diversification.

There are environmental concerns regarding a number of outdoor extreme sports, but properly-built mountain bike trails have little negative environmental impact. Studies reported in the IMBA (International Mountain Bike Association) Trail Solutions manual have shown that a mountain bike's impact is comparable to that of a hiker, and substantially less than that of an equestrian.

But irresponsible use, such as using a trail when it is too wet, can be damaging, whether the individual is on foot, bike, or horseback. It's clear that other activities, such as horseback riding and ATV or motorcycle use, are far more damaging. Improper routing or trail construction techniques may result in a trail that does not hold up well to any kind of use. Riding in rainy conditions can create ruts and holes in the trail, making it less usable.

Physically demanding sports such as mountain biking can be a great way to exercise to maintain good health.

Pat Carpenter writes for Precedent Insurance Company. Precedent puts a new spin on health insurance. Learn more at Precedent.com

Article Source: http://www.earticlesonline.com/Article/Mountain-Biking--King-Of-Biking-Sports-In-Texas/154995

FEATURED PRODUCTS:

A great place to shop for Pro Mountain Bike Racing products is Amazon.

Check out these fine shops that offer Pro Mountain Bike Racing products:

Ergon GX2 Leichtbau Pro Racing Series Grips $59.99 Ergon GX2 Leichtbau Pro Racing Series Grips. Extensively tested on the World Cup circuit, these mountain bike grips with integrated bar ends provide the support and control you need for full-on racing.

Schwalbe Racing Ralph Performance Mountain Bike Tire $48.99 Schwalbe Racing Ralph Performance Mountain Bike Tire. Schwalbe has made its iconic Racing Ralph even faster by reducing its weight, and giving it lower rolling resistance and better grip. Sharks-tooth U-blocks bite into the dirt for confidence-inspiring control in the corners.

Pearl Izumi Women's P.R.O. Mountain Bike Shoes $99.99 Pearl Izumi Women's P.R.O. Mountain Bike Shoes. The lightest, high-performance, women's mountain bike shoes Pearl Izumi has ever made featuring a buckled closure AND a carbon sole.

Schwalbe Racing Ralph Mountain Bike Tire $81.99 Schwalbe Racing Ralph Mountain Bike Tire. It's lightweight. It's easy rolling. It holds on in the corners like a pit bull on steroids. There are lots of reasons why Schwalbe's Racing Ralph is such a successful competition tire. Throw in Snakeskin sidewalls and you've got an ultra-fast, puncture-protected tire you can roll just about anywhere the trail leads.

Sidi Giau Mountain Bike Shoes $169.99 Sidi Giau Mountain Bike Shoes. Perfect for Mountain Bike club riders, amateurs or casual racers, these mud-shedding, mountain bike shoes go the distance in training and racing. Molded heel cup, padded tongue with fit relievers and three Velcro straps for a power-enhancing fit.

2010 GT Marathon Carbon Pro Mountain Bike $2999 2010 GT Marathon Carbon Pro Mountain Bike. Think full suspension and full-out XC performance are as incompatible as ice cream and ketchup? The folks who bring you the GT Marathon Carbon Pro beg to differ. Light, responsive, and incredibly well-mannered at speed, it's a full-on XC race bike to its core--but with a trail-taming demeanor that no hardtail can match.

Fort Pro Locking Mountain Bike Grips $19.99 Fort Pro Locking Mountain Bike Grips. Grab hold as tight as you want, because these grips aren't going anywhere. Locking clamps keep them in place and dual-density rubber compound with knurled half-waffle pattern makes them super comfortable and shock-absorbing.

Sidi Women's Giau Mountain Bike Shoes $169.99 Sidi Women's Giau Mountain Bike Shoes. Perfect for Mountain Bike club riders, amateurs or casual racers, these mud-shedding, women's mountain bike shoes go the distance in training and racing. Molded heel cup, padded tongue with fit relievers and three Velcro straps for a power-enhancing fit.

Sidi Giau Mega Mountain Bike Shoes $169.99 Sidi Giau Mega Mountain Bike Shoes. Perfect for Mountain Bike club riders, amateurs or casual racers, these mud-shedding, mountain bike shoes for bwider feet/b go the distance in training and racing. Molded heel cup, padded tongue with fit relievers and three Velcro straps for a power-enhancing fit.

Pro Bike Case $299.99 Pro Bike Case. The Pro Bike Case is the ultimate in professional level transport. Heavy-duty construction, internal aluminum stabilizer frame and super-secure latches provide safe and reliable transport of your bike. Its molded shape even allows multiple cases to be stacked together for team events. Fits almost any bike frame, including large road bikes and full suspension mountain bikes, plus a set of wheels with extra room for your gear and tools.

Northwave Lizzard Pro Mountain Bike Shoes $104.99 Northwave Lizzard Pro Mountain Bike Shoes. These sporty bike shoes combine style with functionality for everyday riding comfort. Natural rubber outsole with carbon provides excellent grip, even on the descents. Airflow System supplies constant and enhanced ventilation all around the foot within the upper. Omega Heel maximizes power output and three Velcro straps give you a secure fit.

Ritchey Pro Flat Mountain Bike Handlebar 5 Degree Sweep $59.99 Ritchey Pro Flat Mountain Bike Handlebar 5 Degree Sweep. The Ritchey Pro Flat Handlebar combines the lower riding position offered by flat mountain bike bars with just a touch of sweep. It's constructed of double-butted 2014 alloy for lightweight strength and features a bead-blasted anodized finish for enhanced fatigue resistance.

2010 Breezer Thunder Pro Mountain Bike $1399 2010 Breezer Thunder Pro Mountain Bike. Hear that? It's the urge to compete calling you. Why not answer on a machine that lets you speak with authority? Tough cross-country courses, technical descents and rowdy terrain are no match for your skills when you express yourself in your outdoor voice on the highly articulate and competently equipped Breezer Thunder Pro.

2011 GT Zaskar Carbon 9R Pro Mountain Bike $2499 2011 GT Zaskar Carbon 9R Pro Mountain Bike. If your mountain biking style is about speed, flow and finesse, then you'll love what the GT Zaskar Carbon 9R Pro brings to the table. It's sleek, very lightweight and every inch a XC racer's bike. Outfitted with a SRAM XO/X9 drivetrain, Fox F29 fork with 100mm of bump-busting travel and powerful Formula R1X disc brakes, the Zaskar Carbon 9R Pro is bred for speed and built to deliver it.

2010 Mavic Women's Scorpio Mountain Bike Shoes $109.99 2010 Mavic Women's Scorpio Mountain Bike Shoes. Mavic teamed up with women cross-country riders to develop women's Mountain Bike shoes that shed mud like a pro, effectively transfer power, increase ventilation and conform to the female foot - need we say more?

2012 Bell Sequence Mountain Bike Bicycle Helmet $89.99 2012 Bell Sequence Mountain Bike Bicycle Helmet. Somewhere between full-on XC racing and just riding for the huck of it sits the Bell Sequence Mountain Bike Bicycle Helmet. European-inspired, the Sequence is equipped with the Twin Axis Gear fit system, 24 flow-tuned vents and a VPV visor adjustable visor for everything from the all-day XC epic to the a 24-hour endurance race to the show-and-go after work ride.

Giro Code Mountain Bike Shoes $289.99 Giro Code Mountain Bike Shoes. div align=centeriframe width=350 height=208 src=http://www.youtube.com/embed/WbsSVSrfB7g?rel=0 frameborder=0 allowfullscreen/iframe/divbr /br / The secret to a raw power lies within the Code mountain shoes. Easton EC90 unidirectional carbon outsole delivers pro-level stiffness for the most efficient power transfer available. Its traction-hungry lugs provide excellent mud-shedding and adherence to the pedals, making it a favorite among hardcore trail riders and XC racers. SuperNatural Fit Kit with adjustable arch support enhances comfort, scuff-guards boost durability and streamlined upper with ratchet/strap closure seals the deal with a sleek, secure fit.

2012 GT Karakoram 2.0 29er Mountain Bike $849.99 2012 GT Karakoram 2.0 29er Mountain Bike. GT introduced the iconic Karakoram mountain bike in 1988 as a 26 model. Retired in 1993, the Karakoram marque is now back, and it's bigger and badder than ever. Featuring GT's legendary Triple Triangle 6061 aluminum frame, the new Karakoram has been up-sized to accommodate 29 wheels. Complete with a Rock Shox XC28 TK Mg suspension fork with 100mm travel, 27-speed Shimano drivetrain, Tektro Draco Pro hydraulic disc brakes and 29 Alex double-wall alloy wheels, the Karakoram 2.0 29er is an even more capable and fun-to-ride trail bike than the original.

2012 Giro Feature Mountain Bike Bicycle Helmet $67.49 2012 Giro Feature Mountain Bike Bicycle Helmet. Whether you're bushwhacking through neglected trails, gearing up for an all-mountain epic or racing in a Super-D, one thing is for sure. The Giro Feature bike Bicycle Helmet can handle it all. Its new shape has more coverage than traditional helmets for maximum impact protection. Internal channels keep your head cool on the climbs, adjustable moto-style visor protects your vision and the In-Form retention system makes it easy to dial-in the perfect fit, even with gloves on.

Mavic 26" Crossride UB Mountain Bike Wheelset $199.99 Mavic 26 Crossride UB Mountain Bike Wheelset. Experience the quality, efficiency, reliability and value that have made Mavic wheels a top choice of pro and recreational riders worldwide. The Crossride UB Mountain Bike wheelset delivers performance, light weight and great aesthetics a very affordable price.

2012 GT Zaskar 100 9R Carbon Pro Mountain Bike $4999.99 2012 GT Zaskar 100 9R Carbon Pro Mountain Bike. Leave it to the designers at GT to never let up when it comes to bringing great bikes to market. The Zaskar 100 9R Carbon Pro is the latest manifestation of their insanely prolific creativity. Designed from the ground up to be stiff, fast, ultra-sensitive to small bumps, and devoid of suspension-induced pedal feedback (thanks to GT's exclusive Independent Drivetrain system) the 100mm-travel Zaskar 100 9R Carbon Pro exhibits virtually bomb-proof durability to ensure that it won't let you down no matter how hard you push it. And push it you will. Outfitted with a Fox 32 Float RL fork, Shimano XT 2x10 shifters and derailleurs and lightweight DT Swiss wheelset, the Zaskar begs to be ridden fast, ridden far, and ridden over just about anything in its way.

Mavic Women's Scorpio Mountain Bike Shoes $129.95 Mavic Women's Scorpio Mountain Bike Shoes. Mavic teamed up with women cross-country riders to develop Mountain Bike shoes that shed mud like a pro, effectively transfer power, increase ventilation and conform to the female foot. Built with high-traction Contagrip lugs, plus the comfort and fit of the Energy Grip outsole, Ergo Fit 2D Women's insole, Ergo Ratchet and Comfort straps, the Scorpio is perfectly equipped for cross-country speed. Removable traction studs provide excellent grip and mud clearance on the run-ups.

2011 Focus Super Bud 1.0 Mountain Bike $2999.99 2011 Focus Super Bud 1.0 Mountain Bike. If you frequently find yourself mentioning xc racing and full suspension in the same breath, you're a candidate for the Focus Super Bud 1.0. This high-performance, lightweight trail rocket delivers a responsive ride at any speed, thanks to its aluminum frame, Fox 32 FRL 100mm fork, and Shimano XT drivetrain. Whether you prefer singletrack attacks or making marathon tracks, the Super Bud 1.0 is on track to become your new best mountain biking friend.

Kenda Small Block Eight SRC/UST Mountain Bike Tire $39.99 Kenda Small Block Eight SRC/UST Mountain Bike Tire. The Kenda Small Block Eight SRC/UST Mountain Bike tire by John Tomac shares the same award-winning knob shapes as the Kenda Nevegal, but with smaller knobs across the tire. The result is a better bite for your buck. Tubeless technology and Kenda's Dual Tread Compound make it one of Kenda's fastest rolling tires. Perfect for hard-pack riding and racing.

Mavic 26" Crosstrail Center Lock Disc Mountain Bike Wheelset $419.99 Mavic 26 Crosstrail Center Lock Disc Mountain Bike Wheelset. Lighter, stiffer and more responsive than ever, the Mavic Crosstrail Center Lock Disc Wheelset delivers high performance without high cost. They're strong enough for tackling tough trails, light enough for racing and ride like wheels costing much more. Plus, they're compatible with both UST and standard tires and tubes.

Maxxis Ignitor 26 x 2.1 Mountain Bike Tire $59.99 Maxxis Ignitor 26 x 2.1 Mountain Bike Tire. Pro riders have raced the Maxxis Ignitor to several Wold Cup victories, and you can take advantage of its winning ways, too. A combination of a well-spaced central tread pattern and ramped side knobs provides low-rolling resistance with excellent traction in the corners and in medium soil.

Maxxis Ignitor 29 x 2.1 Mountain Bike Tire $59.99 Maxxis Ignitor 29 x 2.1 Mountain Bike Tire. Pro riders have raced the Maxxis Ignitor to several Wold Cup victories, and you can take advantage of its winning ways, too. A combination of a well-spaced central tread pattern and ramped side knobs provides low-rolling resistance with excellent traction in the corners and in medium soil.

GT Zaskar Carbon 9r Pro Mountain Bike $2999.99 GT Zaskar Carbon 9r Pro Mountain Bike. This hardtail means business. It's light, efficient and bred for racing. The Zaskar Carbon 9r Pro has a carbon frame and race-worthy components to help give you every advantage possible over the competition. It's great for singletrack, doubletrack and climby fire road courses.

2012 Diamondback Podium Pro Road Bike -- Performance Exclusive $2879.99 2012 Diamondback Podium Pro Road Bike -- Performance Exclusive. When Diamondback introduced the Podium line of carbon road bikes in 2010, they caught all of us off-guard. After all, Diamondback built its reputation by designing and producing some of the winningest BMX and mountain bikes in the industry. But the Podium shows that their talent clearly doesn't stop where the dirt ends. A true, high-performance race bike, the Performance-Exclusive Podium Pro features a monocoque competition road frame with internal cable routing, carbon dropouts, tapered headtube and press-fit BB30. A well-thought out combination of Shimano Dura-Ace and Ultegra components delivers smooth and precise shifts while nicely balancing performance, weight and cost. Tektro dual-pivot brakes, alloy cockpit components and lightweight Equation wheelset round out the Podium Pro's specs, demonstrating that Diamondback definitely knows how to kit out a proper road bike. One look at the price and you'll want to know how they manage to offer you so much bike for the money.

Fuji Altamira 3.0 Road Bike $1799.99 Fuji Altamira 3.0 Road Bike. The ultralight Fuji Altamira 3.0 has racing in its DNA and a 2011 Vuelta win as its pedigree. Tested and refined on the Pro Tour, the C-4 carbon frame with tapered head tube and oversized downtube provides a stiff, stable and highly responsive platform for satisfying your need for speed. A monocoque carbon fork with alloy steerer, Shimano 105 drivetrain and Oval components and wheels round out the Altamira's race-ready spec.

Other Products purchased from this website:
new fox racing launch pro knee pads mtb mountain bike downhill large xlarge lxl, new maxxis maxxlite 285 exc mountain bike tire 200 x 26 pro xc race please read, new michelin road amp; mountain bike keychain pro 2 3 4 race wildgripper tire, ergon gs2 pro racing mountain bike carbon grip small with bar ends black pair, niterider pro 1500 race rechargable headlight fixie road mountain bike , bontrager team issue carbon saddle 130mm pro road mountain bike mtb race seat, ergon gs2 pro racing grips large wbar ends black mountain bike hybrid bicycle, ergon gs1l leichtbau pro racing grips black large mountain bike bicycle grips, ergon gs2 pro racing grips small wbar ends black mountain bike hybrid bicycle, shimano pro xcr 316 racing seatpost seat post ud carbon mountain bike bicycle , fox racing low pro hydration pack mtb mx mountain bike motocross atv off road, new royal racing pro full finger mountain bike gloves small, new pearl izumi pro ltd jersey med road mountain bike mtb triathlon race top, pearl izumi pro ltd jersey med road mountain bike mtb triathlon race top, specialized €sworks epic€ pro mountain race bike super light amp; fast, fox racing mens launch pro knee pads mtb mountain bike dh sm small medium, fox men racing launch pro mountain bike knee guards sm, fox men racing launch pro mountain bike knee guards lx, ergon gs2 pro racing mountain bike carbon grip large with bar ends black pair

Tagged with: bike • cycling • news • pro mountain bike racing • racing • sports

Filed under: Bike Parts

Like this post? Subscribe to my RSS feed and get loads more!