The fork is one of the essential elements of a bicycle, both in terms of performance and comfort. Its purpose is to absorb shocks taken on the front of the bike. Many types of forks exist, depending on the use of the bicycle. Today we will guide you to choose a suitablecarbon forkfor your mountain bike.
How It Works
The operation of a mountain bike fork is quite simple, two divers sink when there is compression in the sleeves, protected by seals. During the time of relaxation, the divers make the opposite path by withdrawing from the sleeves.
Forks come in various forms: rigid, single-arm, single, double Tee. Their operating modes are different. The entry-level models are generally spring-loaded, while the mid-and high-end models use technologies that use air and oil (to increase lightness).
Pivot, Axle, and Bracket Support
Another important variable is the size of the fork pivot diameter: 1″1/8 (28.6 mm) or 1″1/2 (38.1 mm).
The diameter of the axle for the wheel is to be checked if you want to keep your wheel. This axis can be 9mm, 15mm, or 20mm.
Finally, the braking system, its compatibility must also be checked. There are now 3 assembly standards: International Standard (IS), Post-Mount (PM), and rim brakes (V-brake) The market has now almost fully adopted the IS and PM standard
s. However, some entry-level models still offer the possibility of installing V-Brake brakes.
Forks Adapted to Practice
The key to success in choosing a mountain bikecarbon fork lies in defining future use. Depending on the practice we are going to do (downhill, freeride, enduro, cross-country), the size of the travel is not the same. Travel is the distance that can be damped by the fork. This distance is therefore more or less important depending on the models. If you would like to know more about the fork, please visit our official website:https://www.trifoxbike.com/
The handlebars, saddles, and locking shoes constitute the “golden three points” of the human body and the single workshop. These three contact points determine the riding comfort and the overall compatibility between the rider and the body. The handlebar is set to a necessary consideration for a good cockpit system. Further, the shape, size, and correct setting of the handlebars are critical to the comfort of the rider’s shoulders, neck, back, arms, and hands, while avoiding the occurrence of partial paralysis. This time, I want to talk to you about how to choose a handlebar and provide a reference for novices who are interested in upgrading and remodeling their bike.
How wide should the handlebar be?
Generally speaking, it is recommended that riders decide the width of the handlebar according to their shoulder width, but this is only a standard, in addition to the rider’s riding style, riding habits, and comfort.
A wider carbon bike handlebar can improve riding comfort and handling. If you are a novice, or do not pursue aerodynamic advantages and prefer a light off-road Gravel route, it is recommended to choose a wider handlebar. On the contrary, if you want to develop into road racing or like to engage in long-distance riding, you can choose a narrower handlebar width. For example, if you should use a 420mm handlebar based on the shoulder width, you can change the handlebar width. into 400mm.
Aluminum or carbon fiber?
As for the material selection, some drivers still have to consider their own budget first. The difference between carbon fiber handlebars and aluminum alloy handlebars lies in weight and comfort. Carbon fiber handlebars are lighter in weight, and because carbon fiber is elastic and has a shock-absorbing effect, it will feel more comfortable to hold when riding. But relatively, the rigidity of carbon fiber handlebars is worse than that of aluminum alloys. In terms of durability and firmness, aluminum alloys are slightly better.
If you want to upgrade your bike, then changing the handlebars is definitely more beneficial than updating the wheelset or even a new bike. Find the most suitable handlebars according to your needs and physical constraints. It is recommended that novices who do not know their riding style or preferences can give priority to “comfort” and “handling”. After all, if you want to ride for a long time, Riding far, the relief of discomfort is still important!
The question of whether to sit or stand uphill is usually easy for novices or leisure cyclists to answer: standing is better because it allows you to walk faster. And standing bike looks cool and can shake the bike.
First, consider the relative energy consumption of sitting and standing uphill. In general, cyclists perform best when they can find the rhythm and stick to it. By sitting up the hill, you may walk a little slower, but you should be able to better maintain a consistent rhythm for a long time. By standing up, your rhythm will be broken immediately. That’s because changing your posture will disrupt your driving dynamics and increase your heart rate, making it more difficult to rise.
At the same time, the uphill performance is also related to your weight. Lighter riders usually climb faster than heavier riders. Conversely, heavier people tend to glide faster downhill.
Physical science professionals answer: “put your ass on the carbon bike saddle.” They can tell a lot of scientific evidence, but sometimes standing riding is inevitable. You may find a very steep hillside that is difficult or impossible to climb without standing. In competition, the attack is usually carried out in a standing position. These strategies are completely acceptable.
The answer is given by professional drivers: “it all depends on the steepness and length of the climb and their physical strength”. With a small slope, you can climb completely fast without standing. Sitting at this time is more aerodynamic. If the slope is too steep, you may need to stand up, because first, you have to make sure you can climb to the top of the mountain.
Climbing uphill is an exciting and hard task, and even for experienced cyclists, uphill riding is a challenge. All you can do is take a deep breath, focus on the top, and move on.
Too high a carbon bike saddle can cause pain on the outside of the knee.
A low seat saddle can cause pain in the inside of the knee.
Heavy stepping can cause pain behind the kneecap, and the tenderness point is on the kneecap.
Cycling can indeed cause very serious knee injuries, In short, it can be divided into the following categories:
When riding, try to use the pinion ratio to improve the stepping frequency. Don’t use the gear ratio too heavy. You must use light stepping. Start riding 10 kilometers with light teeth, with even force, and with no excessive rest, We don’t encourage riding uphill. If you can ride uphill, don’t force it. The cart is not a matter of falling off the chain. Please rest assured that the comrades in arms in front will wait for you and won’t fall behind you.
The main reason is that the riding posture is not correct. Avoid riding with the outer figure 8 or the inner figure 8.
If the bicycle is pulled too high and the legs are stretched too straight when pedaling, it is said that it will also cause knee injury.
The pain in the inner thigh of the knee area is non-persistent. It is often found when changing the posture when sleeping or working for a long time. It is manifested as slight tingling. This is not a knee injury, but a strain of the medial thigh ligament. Most of the reasons are due to the incorrect riding posture itself. The most common is the external splayed leg of cycling.
Most of this situation is not serious and does not affect the actual riding. Use the inner leg lock to correct the posture, and at least reduce the strength of KMS.
Pain in the upper seam of the knee area, non-persistent, similar to 1, manifested as swelling or tingling. This situation is due to the strain of muscles and tendons caused by stepping on or shaking the bicycle vigorously, which is common after climbing the mountain and shaking the bicycle continuously. You don’t need to care too much. Just pay attention to rest and reduce your strength.
The cartilage tissue inside the knee is damaged. There is a sense of foreign body in the knee during exercise. There is swelling and pain when pressing the knee bone. The pain will be aggravated by shaking the knee bone back and forth, left and right.
This is the real knee damage, which must be treated with physical adjuvant therapy, and no large-scale activities shall be carried out for a while. Hiking and mountaineering are more prone to such problems, and cycling seems to be OK.
The higher the saddle of a carbon fiber mountain bike, the more flat the angle will be; If the seat saddle is low, the angle will tend to tilt up, so that the seat is stable. In fact, the seat saddle should be purchased according to your own body. In the case of horizontal, it will also top the boys’ eggs because of the inclination of the body, but if the seat saddle is a little lower, you will feel the body sliding when cycling.
There are also many riders who have a concave curve in the middle of the saddle. When they sit on it, they will naturally sit in the most concave place instead of the largest place on the saddle. It is normal to feel uncomfortable. In fact, they can make the front edge of the seat tilt up a little, so as to keep the rear half of the seat at a basic level.
Some new riders, like to sit on the back half of the saddle when riding. Although it feels comfortable, it is not conducive to leg exertion. On ordinary level roads, it is recommended to sit in the middle of the seat, so that the seat can hold up the upper body. At this time, it only plays the role of supporting body balance. Whether going uphill or downhill, you can sit at the front of the seat according to your personal habits and try to sit behind the seat.
Especially when riding for a long distance, the saddle bears the private parts for a long time and oppresses some organs such as the prostate, which is easy to causes congestion, poor urination, easy bacterial reproduction, and other symptoms. Therefore, no matter how far you ride, it is very necessary to rest at an appropriate time, so that the exercise effect of riding will be better.
Put the handlebar higher, or move the seat forward, which will change the force application position of the pedal, which is not the best force application position. The setting here should be suitable for the bone movement of the foot rotation speed, generate the necessary output power to adapt to a certain speed, and make the maximum output of the muscle at the best foot force application position, so as to maximize the use of muscle movement.
Conclusion: there are many kinds of bike saddles, from shape to filler grade, from whether hollowed out to seat rail of what material. I’ve used a lot of bicycles, and my bicycle is also a mountain bike. I can only say, either through professional measurement to find their own suitable seats, or try one by one. You can find similar seats according to your needs. Well, that’s all for today.
Take the occasional ride on a road you don’t know, throw away the map and start exploring. This versatility keeps you engaged and may also lead to exciting new discoveries.
2、Break interval
Minimize the rest interval with maximum intensity, so that it can be easy to remember what to do next.
3、Conquer steep hills
If it’s not a critical climb in a race, then don’t put your best foot forward. Hold your speed steady at the beginning, then shift gears, maintain a pedaling frequency of about 75-80rpm, and be at a sustainable intensity to achieve a balance between pedaling frequency and intensity. If you use all your strength too early, you’re going to be stuck with too big a gear ratio, which will leave you exhausted and sluggish.
4、Affordable travel
“Not considering a bike in a hockey bag if someone reports such an exception.” Says mountain bike world champion Brian Lopez. “For three years, I flew around with my bike and spent no more than $50 for it.” To get through, he removed the front fork and packed it in his suitcase. (If he’s carrying a mountain bike, the brake disc goes in, too.) Everything else, including the wheels, goes into the suitcase. “When you unpack, there’s only one big suitcase. If you’re staying in a small hotel, that’s really helpful.
5、Conquer the long-distance
Add 10 miles a week to your farthest ride until you reach 80 miles. “At the end of a ride, if you’re feeling exhausted, it’s probably a lack of dietary intake. On departure day, control the pace.” says physiologist and coach Neil Henderson. “Many first-time 100-mile riders ride too fast at first because they’re overly excited. And, be prepared for mental swings. This will allow you to enjoy the ride to the fullest.”
6、Tire problems
Don’t wait until you’re on the road to learning how to fix your bike, says Leonard Zinn, author of Zinn and the Art of Road Bike Repair, “In the garage, practice how to change a tire without fear, and bring your usual air cartridge and tools with you when you hit the road. That way, when you’re away from home, you won’t worry too much even if your tire breaks.”
7、Ride fast
Listen to professional riders and ride with friends, says 1984 Olympic champion Connie Carpenter, “In groups, cycling is always more fun and faster. If you do have to stop at a care station, don’t stop for too long.”
Sometimes it is difficult to distinguish between experienced cyclists and beginner cyclists, but those who often ride alone can easily separate the two. We have organized them into three core skills, after you have mastered them, you can call yourself a seasoned cyclist without any shame. If you want to look very cool reasonably, look down:
First: ride bike slower
Actually, I don’t want to say that slowness is a kind of cycling skill, because riding a bike always pursues fast rather than slow, right? But it is easy to infer that the two cyclists (veteran cyclist and beginner cyclist) deal with the situation when the speed is reduced to a very low speed or even stop, and you will quickly recognize who is the experienced cyclist.
Cycling slower requires more balance than fast cycling. For beginner cyclists, often have some pain when encountering two directions or when they need to stop (need to stop on tiptoe and accelerate again). This is relatively regular training. We are not saying that you cannot run 400 kilometers at a speed of 40 yards. We just suggest saving the time you have. For example, your friend was late when he asked you to ride a bike. Instead of just sitting there in a daze and playing with your phone, why not ride the bike as slowly as possible, it can also help you develop a sense of the bike.
Some suggestions on this point: 1. Don’t spend too much energy looking down at the rolling wheels. 2. Relax your hands and don’t be too nervous (the action will be deformed).
Second: Ride a bicycle with your hands off the handlebars
Being able to ride comfortably with one hand is the core safety skill for cycling. (This technique) not only allows you to immediately reach out when you turn left or right; it also helps you drink without stopping when you are alone. Water, take it out from the bottle cage calmly, drink the water, and put it back in, instead of looking at the (bottle cage) to get it. You can also use this skill to easily eat without stopping the bike, and take out energy bars or other foods from your back pocket or other places to eat.
The advanced version is to take off your hands and ride the bike. On the premise of ensuring safety, you can wear/undress while riding on the bike. To take off the handle with both hands, you must first take off the handle with one hand, and then practice taking off the handle with both hands. Gently loosen the handlebar and practice slowly (increasing time) until you can ride freely (hands off the handlebar). The pleasure of cycling with both hands off the handlebar is beyond words, but always remember: if you start cycling with both hands off the handlebar, make sure you are on an open and straight road, and remember to stay away from traffic.
Third: Look ahead
It doesn’t sound like a skill like the first point. Reading this point with me is “to-forward-look”! Maybe you want to see farther roads to get a better view, but there must be some almost “crazy” skills to achieve it. Or honestly look at the normal vision. Take a turn as an example. In order to gain more visibility, you will swing closer to the outer circle or tilt the vehicle to obtain more information about the road ahead. What is similar to the leveling technique? That is to stay focused and look ahead.
Imagine: If other scene cards or trees on the mountain did not give you information, can you see the trend of the curve or the road? Of course, oncoming vehicles will help you choose the route of travel. It is best to pay attention to road hints and try to walk on the correct route. The above techniques are also applicable to traffic areas. Looking straight so can collect information in all directions of the area ahead under the current situation, which can give you great convenience for traveling in the city.
The skill is very simple, including don’t just look at the distance around you, you need to observe the range of one hundred meters or even two hundred meters (especially when crossing the road).
These skills are not just the effects I mentioned, more effects will be gradually discovered when you are more experienced.
in conclusion
These are the three points that can make you more professional:
Trifox Carbon Fiber Bicycle Club 