Your helmet is possible the most important accessory that you’ll need to take along on a bike ride. There is no doubt that a good helmet might save your life some day, in case of a nasty fall. We want you to come home from Morzine in one piece. Wearing a helmet is crucial for any bike rider, whether you are a downhill or a cross country rider. However the kind of helmet recommended varies between the different styles of riding.

In order to choose the best helmet fitted for you, it is best to look for one in a known and respected bike store. We highly recommend purchasing a helmet manufactured by a known brand name company. Safety is definitely not the place to save a few dollars.

In order to choose the best helmet for you, it is important to know what kind of riding you are planning to do. The tougher and steeper terrain, the thicker and larger the helmet ought to be, in order to be able to save you from the harder and more dangerous falls that might occur.

After taking in to account the materials the helmet is composed of and their durability, it is time to choose a helmet that will fit your head the best. Take your time while fitting the helmet while trying it out at the store. The optimal fitting of the helmet on your head should be in a way that the helmet is about 5 centimeters above your eyebrows, the straps form a "Y" around the ears and the straps are adjusted snugly around your chin. Move the helmet on your head bank and forth. If the skin on your forehead moves with the helmet, the helmet is fit properly. You must feel comfortable with the helmet on your head, if the helmet makes you fell uncomfortable, try on another one.

I recommend consulting a bike instructor on purchasing a helmet. No article can replace personal advice.

Down hill riding at morzine is a complicated style which force the rider to use all of his scenes skills. Downhill biking can be fun if doing it right and keeping it safe.

To ease you’re riding and get you back safe home, here are a few tips for the beginner down hill rider.

At first choose your way carefully. Take a look at track and analyze it. Look for dangerous spots and avoid them. Count your speed, high speed can help you keep balance but uncontrolled speed can make you loose it.

Keep your balance, Lean backwards and try to locate your center of mass between the wheels above relative to the surface.

Passing obstacles, put light pressure on the breaks, rear and front simultaneously, stand on pedals while balanced. When arriving to the obstacle push the steer forward, if it’s very steep, band your knees and push your bottom back close to the back wheel.

Share your weight equally between your feet while their balanced relatively to the surface. Keep moving, slow enough to keep control and fast enough to keep balance.

No matter how complicated the slope is, it is safer to pass it and not going around it.

In case of loosing control let go of the breaks and turn the wheel towards the fall direction, gain back your balance and keep going.

When going towards ramp, stand on your pedals and pull the steer helping the front wheel take off, look towards the landing spot and land while both wheels touch the ground simultaneously.

All tips provided here aren’t easy as sounds and must be practiced.

Most important to choose track adapted to your skills level, gain practice and experience before climbing next step.

Enjoy your ride.

As we wrote many times before, Downhill riding, although being an enjoyable sport, is a sport that requires extra safety measures. A rider, who does not take the necessary precautions, can easily finish his vacation in an unfortunate way.

Many injuries caused by biking accidents and falls cause scrapes, bruises and strokes inflicted in the biker’s legs and knee’s. In order to protect rider from scrapes and bruises, it is recommended to wear knee and shoulder protectors.

Knee protecting is a main component of bike rider safety gear is. There are many kinds and brands of knee protectors sold in bike shops. In general, if you are not a frequent Downhill rider, it is best to rent knee protectors, together with the rest of protecting gear in one of the various bike shops in Morzine.

One of the problems encountered by bike riders who wear knee pads are that they slip easily and that their straps loosen and rip. In order deal with this problem, knee pad manufacturers began to manufacture knee pads secured to the rider’s leg by a sleeve closed by Velcro cloths. The new make of knee pads with sleeves instead of straps are much more resilient and safe for riding – we recommend using knee pads with sleeves instead of straps.

Prices of knee pads meant for mountain biking range from 20 to 60 dollars. I recommend not sparing and investing in the better kinds of knee pads that cost in the vicinity of 40 dollars. Those kinds of knee pads are reliable and comfortable.

Finally, its important to remember that even if a biker wear the best safety gear in the market, if he will ride recklessly the probability of him getting injures is high, safety gear is an additional precaution.

Have a safe and enjoyable ride!

In part 1 of our short summary of mountain biking styles, I described XC and downhill biking. Those are the two most known biking styles. This article will describe two less know biking styles.

Free-Ride: FR riding is similar in some ways to DH riding. FR is characterized by riding rough terrain and difficult descends. As a pose to DH riding, that usually contains riding trails that were specially prepared for riders with special obstacles, FR riding specializes in riding the natural terrain. For FR riding it is required to wear full body safety gear that include: a helmet that covers all of the bikers’ head, chest and shoulder safety gear and gloves that cover all of the hands . Bikes that are meant for FR riding are usually heavier, sturdier and with full suspension. There are many trails in Morzine fit for FR riding. One can enjoy FR riding in the trails of the Morgins and Les Crosets areas, both in the Morzine region.

Mountain Cross – (4X) – 4X is a newer biking style than the others. Differently from the other styles, this style is a racing style. 4X is distinguished from the other styles in which that it resembles the BMX courses that we used to see on TV. 4X gets its name from it objective. Four riders start the track and try to get down the track first. Bikes that are made for 4X racers are heavier than usual and are to be with full suspension.

As mentioned many times before, mountain biking varies in its styles and levels, there are many types of mountain bikes available, in order to meet the needs of different bikers. These days all mountain bikes are manufactured with a shock absorbing system. A question asked by many bikers is, what is the difference between the different shock absorbers?

Before renting or purchasing a mountain bike, examine its shock absorbers. As a pose what is sometimes thought, there is a variety of mountain bike shock absorbers, meant for different kinds of riding styles. The main variables of shock absorbers are size, the level of suspension and the ability to adjust and the level of suspension.

The ability to adjust shock absorbers allows bike riders to decide what kind of ride they would like to experience. The level of suspension basically means the level of shock the bike can absorb – how far can the front wheel go up and down in order to stay in contact with the ground and allow the biker to enjoy a smooth ride.

There are four basic categories of mountain bike shock absorbers, allowing the suitable amount of suspension for different kinds of mountain bikes. Cross country bikes usually have 11 centimeters of suspension. All trail bikes are fitted with between 11 to 15 centimeters of suspension. Free ride bikes are usually fitted with 17 to 20 centimeters of suspension. Finally, for those of us planning to ride down the slopes of Morzine, it is recommended to make use of a down hill mountain bike which has between 18 to 25 centimeters of suspension.

One of the questions asked frequently by bike riders is: what kind of bike is preferable to ride, full suspension or hard-tale. The difference between the two is understood from their names. Full suspension bikes have shock absorbers both in the front and back part of the bike, as a pose to hard-tale bike, which have shock absorbers only in front. Full suspension bikes are known for the comfortable and enjoyable ride that they allow. It is not obvious that full suspension (FS) bikes have only advantages over hard-tale bikes (HT). Two of the main tradeoffs that come with the advantages of FS bikes are: extra weight of the bike and lower efficiency in pedaling. Since the bike absorbs most of the pedaling power put in to it, its pedaling efficiency is lower than HT bikes. There are bike riders who disagree with the second assumption. They claim that since FS allow the biker to keep pedaling over many obstacles, therefore, in the total calculation it is more efficient.

Any expert asked that question, will answer that the decision all depends on what kind of riding you wish to do. It is recommended for Down-Hill riders to ride full suspension bikes, in order to overcome the many technical difficulties while having a comfortable and enjoyable ride. The harder the terrain you are going to ride in, the more it is more recommended to ride a FS bike.

In the past ten years there have been many developments in the area of mountain biking. Many different kinds of subspecialties of biking have evolved in addition to the traditional Cross-Country mountain biking. One of those types is Down-Hill biking. Down-Hill biking is all about riding down unpaved rocky steep trails and roads at very high speeds. Down-Hill riding pushes the rider to his limits and gives him/her an experience full of adrenaline. The area of the French Alps surrounding Morzine is a world-known area full of magnificent, enjoyable and challenging Down-Hill trails. Down-Hill biking is a sports which contains more hazards and dangers than the dangers hidden in ordinary mountain biking, considering the terrain and high speed of riding. It is very important to set out to a Down-Hill biking trail only after being equipped with the suitable safety gear. As a pose to ordinary biking safety gear, safety gear for Down-Hill biking is much more comprehensive. Standard bike helmets meant for Down-Hill biking cover and protect the riders head and face. In addition there are elbow guards and shin protectors that are a necessity for Down-Hill riders. Although it sounds very dangerous, if you are equipped with the proper safety gear, you will have a thrilling experience in Down-Hill riding in the Morzine surrounding.

Considering the harsh terrain ridden by Down-Hill riders, there are bikes manufactured with specialized attributes that ensure the endurance of the bikes and allow support and shock suspension that enhance the riders riding experience. The main differences between mountain bikes that are meant for Cross-Country riding and between mountain bikes meant for Down-Hill bike riding are the strength of the bike frames and the high quality full suspension. Down-Hill bikes are more expensive than Cross Country mountain bikes, yet by extreme amounts. A beginning Down-Hill rider should not pay more than 400$ on a Down-Hill mountain bike.

In the last post of our Blog we wrote all about how to prevent flat tires. Sometimes, after taking all the necessary precautions, flat tires do happen. After all, there are many trails in the Morzine area that are quite thorny in some seasons. The abundance of brush in the French Alps might cause flat tires too. As we wrote last time, in the case of a puncture, it is always best to replace the inner tube. In any case, it is important for every bike rider to know how to mend flat tires. Here are some very simple instructions for the steps of mending a puncture on your bike tire:

1.Locate the size and type of puncture – If the tire is blown out or full of many holes, there is no other option besides replacing the tire. If the flat tire is caused by a single hole it is fixable.
2.Turn the bike over – Make sure that it is not standing on the brakes or the gears.
3.Find the hole – by turning the wheels around slowly. Look for anything sticking out of the tire such as nails or thorns. Next let the remaining air out of the tire.
4.Pry the tire off of the rim – with the help of an ordinary screwdriver.
5.Lift the tube out of the tire.
6.Pump air into the tube, enough to find the leak. The more air in the tube, the easier it will be to find the hole.
7.Mark the hole – After finding the hole, mark the location of the hole and remove the air from the tire once more.
8.Spread a thin layer of glue around the puncture site.
9.Put the patch firmly into place.
10.Slide the tube back into the tire, pry the tire back into the rim and inflate the tire.
In order to be ready for any occasion of a flat tire, it is crucial to bring along an emergency kit which includes: a small pump, a pair of pliers, a tube patch kit, a screwdriver and an adjustable wrench. You will be able to purchase such a kit in any of the bike stores located in Morzine.

Whether you are an experienced Downhill bike rider or just a beginner, it is always good to go over the basics of riding techniques. With better riding techniques, overcoming obstacles becomes much more easy and enjoyable. Here are some useful tips for better riding technique and for overcoming obstacles:

1.The first rule considering overcoming obstacles is to notice them ahead of time. You’re sight should always be 30 feet ahead. Since the bike rides to wherever you’re sight is too, look at the path bypassing the obstacle and not at the obstacle itself.
2.Be loose and ease you’re grip. As a pose to our instinct, a hard grip on the bike will make it harder for us to overcome obstacles. Before reaching the obstacle, stand on the pedals a bit crutched – that way you’re body will absorb shocks easier.
3.Keeping Balance – Keeping our balance to the sides comes naturally while riding. Keeping balance to the front and back of the bike affects the efficiency of pedaling as well. Our weight should always be balanced between the two wheels. While riding uphill you should lean your body ahead, so you’re weight will be balanced to the middle of the bike between the two wheels. The opposite should occur while riding downhill. Our weight should be leaned back. If a rider will lean his weight forward while riding downhill, he might reach the end of the trail before his bike will.

These days, the mountain bike market offers a wide variety of bikes and bike frames made out of many different kinds of materials. It is known that the material of a bike frame plays a very important role in its performance. When preparing for riding the down-hill trail of Morzine and Les-Gets, it is important to take in to consideration what material you prefer for your bike frame. To help you choose the right kind of bike frame material for your preferred riding, I’ll give some basic information on the popular materials used for bike frames in this article.

The two main materials used for bike frames in the past years are steel, aluminum, titanium and carbon fiber. The two main attributes that we look for in a bike material are weight and durability. The lighter the bike, the better and yet, the bike must be durable enough to take the casual beating that comes with mountain biking, especially the rough trails of the French Alps.

Steel

Steel is the longest material in use for bike materials. It is definitely the most durable substance that bike frames are made out of and yet, also the heaviest. Steel is of the less expensive material of bike frames. The sturdiness of steel comes in handy while pedaling downhill; pedaling down hill will easily build up speed quite with not much effort.

Aluminum

Aluminum became a popular material for bike frames in the past ten years. Aluminum frames are substantially lighter than ones made of steel. One main disadvantage of steel frames is their rigidness. While riding a technical trail or tough, you’ll feel every bump. If you decide to ride an aluminum made bike, it is recommended for the bike to be full suspension.

Basically, there is no definite answer to the question asked in the beginning of the article. It is just important to remember that the material the bike is made of is not the only consideration in choosing the bike, yet it is an important one. When choosing a bike towards your next trip to Morzine keep this tip in mind.

There is almost nothing more annoying than having to deal with chain repairs in the middle of a bike trail. Technical difficulties while riding downhill trails automatically also becomes a safety hazard. One way of making sure you will not come across a broken or stuck chain while riding, is taking good day-to-day care of your bike’s chain. Cleaning the chain after riding is a large part of keeping good maintenance of your bike’s chain. Downhill trails such as those found in Morzine, are very muddy. After a downhill ride in any of the trails, the chain will probably be full of mud and debris. It is most important to clean your chain before your next ride, so your chain won’t get stuck or break.

When cleaning the chain, also clean dirt and debris from the rear pulleys, rear cogs, and chain rings with a brush. Let the chain dry, then lube. Your choice of lube depends on your riding habits, time of year, and choice of trails. If you are between riding downhill trails in the Morzine area it is recommended to use Chain wax (such as White Lightning, far left, and Pedro’s second left, a thicker wax) which is a “dry lubricant” that picks up very little dust and sand. Yet, it provides no protection from rust if you’re not able to dry the chain after a wet or muddy ride.

New chains come pre-lubricated with a grease-type lubricant which has been installed at the factory. This is an excellent lubricant, and has been made to permeate all of the internal interstices in the chain. This factory lube is superior to any lube that you can apply after the fact. Some people make the bad mistake of deliberately removing this superior lubricant. Don’t do this! The factory lubricant all by itself is usually good for several hundred miles of service if the bike is not ridden in wet or dusty conditions. It is best not to apply any sort of lube to a new chain until it is clearly needed, because any wet lube you can apply will dilute the factory lube.