| The first requirement for a would be mountain biker is | | | | of this when you are using your vehicle with bikes |
| to obtain a bicycle. Some mountain bicycles are | | | | attached on top and about to pass through a tunnel, |
| traditional in that they feature thick rugged tires. These | | | | park your car in a parking facility with a low roof, or |
| bikes are ideal for off road rough terrain biking. There | | | | even park your car in your own garage. I am ashamed |
| are also mountain bikes that feature thinner less | | | | to admit that I have forgotten that my bikes were |
| rugged tires. These bikes are really hybrids between | | | | attached to my roof rack as I entered my own |
| mountain bikes and touring bikes. The advantage these | | | | garage on more than one occasion with expensive |
| bikes offer is they weigh less than traditional mountain | | | | consequences of my absent mindedness! |
| bikes. If you are planning on biking on paved roads or | | | | Some other possible disadvantages of using roof |
| paved bike trails or even on trails with light obstacles | | | | racks are that lifting your bikes up to fasten them to |
| such as roots or rocks these bikes (hybrids) may be | | | | the roof rack puts extra strain on your back and may |
| ideal for you. | | | | cause back injuries. Another disadvantage of roof |
| For the technical mountain biker who enjoys riding over | | | | racks, is especially with today's sport utility vehicles, |
| rocks, tree roots, and other natural hazards the thicker | | | | you may need to carry a step stool in your vehicle |
| tired mountain bike will offer a safer more satisfying | | | | when you are cycling in order to lift the bikes high |
| riding experience. As a fledgling mountain biker you | | | | enough to fasten them to your vehicle. A trunk rack as |
| should not as a general rule choose the most | | | | the name implies, has clamps which fasten tightly to |
| expensive mountain bike available. As a general rule | | | | the trunk of your car. Trunk racks are clamped to the |
| what you are paying for is either an enhanced ride | | | | trunk of your car before you begin your biking trip and |
| through the use of front and rear shock absorbers | | | | are removed after its completion. |
| mounted over the front wheel and under the seat of | | | | Trunk racks may be ideal when you are carrying |
| the bicycle or a bike frame constructed of the very | | | | bicycles for young children that are not heavy or large. |
| latest space age medals and so lighter than traditional | | | | As the size and weight of the bikes increases. the |
| mountain bikes. The only times I can see spending | | | | added size and weight may bend or dent your trunk |
| extra for an more expensive mountain bike is if you | | | | and impede accessibility to it with a trunk rack. A hitch |
| suffer from arthritis, have had a carpal tunnel or other | | | | rack is attached to the rear of your vehicle on a more |
| operation such that an enhanced shock absorbing | | | | or less permanent basis. The bikes are fastened using |
| system will benefit you. Also if you enter mountain | | | | heavy rubber clamps. A hitch rack offers the |
| biking races than a more lightweight mountain biking | | | | advantage of not increasing the height of your vehicle |
| frame will benefit you. | | | | or denting your trunk. Hitch racks do increase the |
| Right after selecting a mountain bicycle, I suggest you | | | | length of your vehicle and restrict visibility in back of |
| select a bicycle helmet. No one should engage in the | | | | your vehicle. Furthermore, a hitch rack with bikes |
| sport of mountain biking without a helmet. Many states | | | | attached makes the motion detector on my Ford |
| have passed laws requiring that both children and | | | | Explorer useless. With all of that said, I myself use a |
| adults wear helmets when they ride bicycles. The | | | | hitch rack. |
| natural hazards inherent in the sport of mountain biking | | | | Another piece of equipment that is a necessity for |
| make proper headgear a necessity. Most bike helmets | | | | mountain biking are water bottle racks. Regardless of |
| today are made at least in part of hardened | | | | the season, it is important to have an ample supply of |
| Styrofoam with plastic outsides and are very light in | | | | water with you when you are mountain biking. Water |
| weight. Inside the biking helmet there is usually stamped | | | | bottle racks come in a few styles and can be easily |
| the safety results that independent testing | | | | attached to your bicycle. If you will be cycling for more |
| organizations have obtained in testing the helmet. | | | | than a few hours, you should take food with you as |
| These should be examined carefully. | | | | well. Food for lunch or snacks can be carried safely in |
| In addition to needing a mountain bike and a helmet you | | | | many types of bike bags which can be fastened by |
| will need to transport your bike to where you wish to | | | | means of velcro straps or bungies (single or double |
| ride. To do this, you will need a bike rack. There are 3 | | | | width elastic straps). If taking food in a bike bag is likely |
| major types of bike racks available. These are roof | | | | to be a part of your mountain biking experience, you |
| racks, trunk racks, and bicycle hitches. A roof rack fits | | | | should ask your bike store to attach a sturdy rack to |
| tightly on your car's roof. The bikes are clamped tightly | | | | your bike to which you can attach a thermal bag to |
| to the rack. A roof rack has the advantage of allowing | | | | carry your food in. |
| the trunk of your vehicle to be readily accessible. This | | | | I also suggest carrying a few other things with you |
| can be an important advantage on vacation trips. The | | | | when you ride. A universal bike tool to allow you to |
| two most prevalent manufacturers of roof racks | | | | raise or lower your seat, an extra inner tube for your |
| seem to be Thule and Yakima. I have also seen racks | | | | tires, and a small bike air pump can all come in handy, |
| with Sears Roebuck and Volvo trademarks attached | | | | help you meet your little biking emergencies, and |
| to cars also. One major disadvantages of a roof rack | | | | increase your enjoyment of the sport of mountain |
| is that carrying your bikes on top of your vehicle adds | | | | biking. |
| height to the vehicle. You need to be very conscious | | | | |