Hey guys I finally got my bike out on the trails for the first time yesterday!! woohoo! I got my ass kicked by the hills but man it was a good time. Duffield is a real nice place...Thanks for the suggestion. I wish is wasn't raining today or I'd go again.
I had been going to the gym every day the week before running lifting and cycling to try and get ready but I guess there's nothing like the real thing cause I sure wasn't. Know any workouts that will get me ready for those hills?
So..there are two things that I have been thinking about getting for the bike and now that I have actaully ridden it I would say they would make it much better. I want some disk breaks and some clip in pedals both of which I have never had before. What are your thoughts on these? If I were to only get one of them which would you suggest or should I not even spend the money till i can cart my ass around the trail without stopping?
Clipless pedals would be best choice.
Disk brakes are nice but you will get the bigger benefit from the clipless pedals.
One of the best ways to get
One of the best ways to get in shape for climbing hills, when the trails are too wet, is to find some hills on pavement that you can climb, on a road bike or mtb.
The lower loop at Iroquois Park is approx. 3.3 miles and 330 ft of elevation gain, a nice little series of rollers to get your heart rate up. There's also a nice steady climb to the top of the park that you can add.
There's also a thread in the road cycling section about 100 hills in and around the Lou. area. If you ever venture to Duffield and the trails are too wet to ride, try riding up road to fort section several times, that's about as steep a grade as you'll find.
I second the notion that clip-less pedals are the way to go. It provides one w/a great deal more stability and you also get a little extra from the "upstroke" when your pedaling.
How to get them hills
Miles. put in the miles. get a base. Gonzo can correct me in i am wrong but I think the Mountain Bikers Training Bible says not to do serious hill repeats until you are in your (third?) year of serious cycling.
An opinion
Let me see if I can make this make sense. Clipless pedals are great, and give you a good feel of riding a bike, but disc brakes are a HUGE difference in riding. At least that was my experience. I recommend mechanical discs just because of the ease of use and maintinence. I have hydro on my bike and my wife has mechs. Hers are much better and easier to maintain. No worries with hers they have the same feel as mine without the headaches.
However, I do agree that clipless pedals gives you a great bike feel of the bike and riding, and also makes you feel better on the bike. Once you go clipless you are really riding a mtn bike.
Oh my. What to do ? If you are new at mtn bike riding, go with clipless because it will serve you better in the long run especially since you will probably upgrade your bike soon. Better yet, I've seen mech disc and clipless pedals for sale in catalogs for a cheap cheap price, so maybe you can do both.
p.s. When I first started riding, I was a total puss and bought the combo flat/clipless pedal. Don't do that. Just get the clipless, it's easy to learn and not at all hard to get used to.
Thanks
Thanks for the advice guys! I thought I replied after Don's post but I guess it didn't go through for some reason? My only other question was how to clipless and jumps mix? I dont know how many badass jumps i'll be doing shortly but I don't know if I should be more or less afraid of them with clipless...
I don't really care that the hills tore me up that's not gona stop me from going there and doing it again...and again...and again the downhill part made it all worth it. Why do you say stay off them for the first few years?
And where are these deals you're talkin about? any suggestions on brand or stores?