If you are new to mountain biking then you may not realize that the type of rims that you have on your bike can actually alter your riding experience. They can either help you or harm you and so it is important to know the difference between the different rims available. If you are using the bike for cross-country, jumping and free-riding then heavy rims will likely be needed. However, if you are just planning on doing trail riding then you should stick to a rim which is lighter as this will allow better and smoother movement of the bike.
The Difference between Rims
You should find that the rims on your mountain bike are the same at the front and the back of the bike. This is mainly to help with stability as if you have a heavy rim at the back and a lighter one at the front it could really cause problems with balance. This is especially problematic if you are using the bike to perform tricks and to take part in jumps. So you will need to ensure that the rims that you use are suitable for the type of activity you will be taking part in.
If you are planning on using the mountain bike for jumping and performing tricks, you may want to ensure that you have different types of tires. These can be readily mounted onto adequate rims, ready to be used whenever you need them. Having different rims and tires for different mountain bike activities is definitely advised and it will reduce the risk of any accidents from occurring.
If you frequently jump with your bike and take part in downhill riding, your bike will go through a lot of pressure. If you want to remain safe then it is vital that you ensure that the rims are up to the pressure they are put through. If the rim is not string enough then it will bend and the bike will become impossible to ride. Also, a broken rim can cause further problems for the bike with the brake pads and the chain all likely to become damaged.
Another important factor to take into consideration is the spokes on the rims. You need to ensure that they have the proper tension and you can tell this by simply listening to them. Gently hit them with a wrench and listen to see whether there is a dull thud. If there is then you will need to tighten up the spokes. If you take care of the spokes then they will take care of the rims.
Overall it is important to take into account the activities you will be taking part in on your bike. If you are planning on jumping and taking part in more extreme mountain bike riding then you will need to purchase heavy duty rims if you want to reduce the risk of injuring yourself and damaging your bike.
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