Wheel truing for extreme mountain biking is actually something that is very easy
to do.  Even if you have no experience with mountain
biking or truing a wheel, it doesn’t take a rocket
scientist to accomplish it.

The first thing to do is make sure that none of your
spokes are loose.  To check, grab each spoke in turn
and try to shake it back and forth.  If the spoke
wobbles, or makes pinging and grating noises, it’s
loose.  If it’s loose, add tension to the spoke by
turning the spokey anti-clockwise with your finger
and thumb pressure.

Keep turning and shaking until the noise is gone
and the spoke doesn’t wobble or move.  Move on to
the next spoke until you’ve gone all the way around
the wheel and checked them all.

Now, it’s time to see just how true the wheel actually
is.  Turn your bike upside down then spin the wheel
to see where it comes closest to rubbing on the
brake.

You may need to rotate the wheel backwards then
forwards to locate the middle of the bulge on the
wheel.  Tighten the spokes which run on to the
other side of the rim.  If those spokes are already
tight, you’ll need to loosen a few of the spokes
which run to the bulge side of the hub.

Truing a wheel is easier than you may think, although
it can be a little tough with some wheels.  If
you need to loosen spokes, be very careful that
you don’t break them.  They can be very tough
to loosen on older mountain bikes.

As a sport or a hobby, extreme mountain biking can be split
into 9 different categories.  These categories are
very versed in what they offer.  They are:

1.  BMX
BMX is a style where the bikes offer 20 inch wheels.
These bikes are commonly used at skate parks or
with dirt jumps.  Because of their smaller wheels
and shorter wheel bases, BMX bikes are much easier
to perform tricks and stunts with.

2.  Cross country
This type of mountain biking involves riding your
bike up and down hills.  Although it’s the least
extreme form of mountain biking, most cross country
riders are very fit and go on long rides.

3.  Cyclo cross
This is a cross between road and mountain biking.
These riders have to go over obstacles, cross through
rivers, and race on and off the course.

4.  Dirt jumping
Dirt jumping involves jumping the bike over large
man made dirt jumps then doing tricks while they
are in the air.  These jumps are normally close
together so riders can go over six or more jumps
in one run, gaining a flow to give them more
speed for bigger jumps.

5.  Downhill
Downhill mountain biking involves racing downhill
as fast as possible.  This type of riding is very
intense and extreme, offering riders the chance
for ultimate thrills and excitement.

6.  Freeride
Free riding involves finding the perfect line down
the mountain using all of the terrain to express
yourself.  These competitions are very popular,
as riders can express themselves any way they see
fit.

7.  Single speed
No to be confused with fixed gears, this is a form
of cross country biking that’s done using a bike
with only one gear and fewer components.  The idea
with single speed is simplicity.  The straight
chain line will provide efficient pedaling, and
the lack of components mean less mechanical
problems and a lighter bike.

8.  Street and urban
This type of riding involves riding in urban areas,
ledges, and other types of man made obstacles.
Riders of street and urban biking will do tricks
as well, such as stalls and grinds.

9.  Trails
Trials are considered an aspect of mountain biking,
although the bikes used look nothing like mountain
bikes.  They use 20 or 26 inch wheels and sport
small, low frames.  Trail riders will hop and
jump their bikes over obstacles, which requires
an extreme amount of balance and concentration.

When you decide to go extreme mountain biking on a
long days ride, there are several things that you should take
with you.  Below, you’ll find the essentials that
you should have with you.

1.  Back pack – a camelback or mule is a good idea here.
2.  Waterproof – the type that packs down very small is
the best to have.
3.  Water – you need at least 2 liters for a long ride.
4.  Food – sandwiches and energy bars are the best to
have with you to eat.
5.  Pump – take a good one with you, as the small mini
pumps are a waste of time and money.
6.  Tire levers if you need them.
7.  Two small inner tubes.
8.  A piece of medium emery paper about 3 inches long
and an inch wide.
9.  A cut up tube of Crest for pinch punctures or to use
as a tire boot.
10.  A carpet needle.
11.  A card of linen thread to repair torn tires.
12.  A good chain splitter
13.  At least two black pins.  You should tape these
to the inside lid of your puncture repair kit.
14.  A set of allen wrenches.  The penknife style is
the best to get.
15.  A small screwdriver.
16.  A first aid kit that includes an elastic bandage.
17.  A Spokey spoke key.
18.  A felt tip pen that will show on inner tubes.
19.  Some lunch and phone money.

If you take the above with you, you should have no
problems with long mountain bike rides.  Everything on
the above list will serve a purpose, all you have to do
is give them a chance.  If you’ve ever been mountain
biking and ran into problems in the past, you should
know first hand just how important the proper supplies
can actually be.

There is a lot of history and information out there
in regards to the history and origins of extreme mountain
biking, with some being recognized and some that
depends on who has the best firm of public relations.

Some say that mountain biking began with the Buffalo
Soldiers, which was a turn of the century infantry
who customized bikes to carry gear over the rough and
tough terrain.  They began in August of 1896, over
the course of 800 miles.  Their mission was simple -
to test bikes for military use in the toughest of
terrain.

Others say it was the Velo Cross Club of France
that started mountain biking.  The club was comprised
of 20 young bikers from Paris, who between 1951 and
1956 developed a sport that resembles present day
mountain biking.

It could have also been John Finley Scott, who was
the first mountain biker in the U.S.  In 1953 he
constructed what he called a “Woodsie Bike”, using
a diamond frame, balloon tires, flat handle bars,
and cantilever brakes.  He was more than 20 years
ahead of his time.  Even though he remained an off
road enthusiast, there were many at that time who
didn’t share that same passion.

Today, we believe that the history of the mountain
bike is most apparent in Northern California.  There
are a few areas that claim to be the first community
for mountain biking, although each and every history
book will tell you Marin County.

The sport of mountain biking has taken many twists
and turns over the last several hundred years.  Even
though there are many that say different things about
the history and the beginning, we know one thing
for sure – one thing has led to another and the
sport of mountain biking was born.

In extreme mountain biking and even BMX riding, the bunny hop
is a bike trick that involved the rider lifting the
bike up and over an obstacle while remaining in
motion on the bike.  Experienced bikers can lift
their bikes in excess of a meter or one and a half
feet.  The world record for the bunny hop stands at
4 feet.

The bunny hop is executed by approaching an obstacle
with speed, lifting the front of the bike then
leveling the pedals.  If the bike has full or front
suspension, pre-load the shocks by pressing down
on the bike just before you reach the obstacle.

Once the shocks have been pre-loaded, the rider
will spring upwards, pulling up with the hands and
feet at the same time.  Toe straps or clipless
pedals help with this, although if plain platform
pedals are used, it’s still possible.  As the biker
lifts, the hands will roll through twisting the
throttle.  After the object is cleared, push down
on the bike then absorb the impact with the arms
and the legs.

It’s often times a misconception that a bunny hop
without toe clips is achieved by rotating forward
on the handlebars.  Lifting up on a mountain bike
while standing next to it is quite difficult to
hold on to the handle bars.

The bunny hop is very popular with mountain biking,
as experienced riders can make it look a lot easier
than it actually is.  New mountain bikers should
practice a lot before they actually attempt the
hop, as doing it on a bigger obstacle can easily
be quite dangerous.

With proper practice, the bunny hop can be achieved,
even for beginners.  All you have to do is give it
some time and effort, and you’ll be pulling off the
bunny hop just like the pro’s do it.