Here, watch this interview that Heidi Klum and Seal had with Oprah.  If you don't want to listen to the whole thing, just forward to about 5:50 -

See what I mean?!  If you'd get out of those blue jeans you'd have women drooling at your feet!

But seriously, mountain bike enthusiasts wear bicycle shorts for a number of reasons.  Number one, they're a lot more comfortable and easier to move around in than blue jeans or khakis.  And bicycle shorts are actually a high-tech addition that are considered a must part of any cyclist's wardrobe because of they're made of moisture-wicking fabrics so they help prevent chafing and bacteria.

But most of all, because of they're special padding, they eliminate discomfort so you can enjoy your ride without worrying about saddle sores.  There are seven different pad styles on the market and most have several different layers.  The padding layer is usually made from foam or fleece and can vary in thickness but it's the top layer that's most important.  While these pads help improve the comfort of your ride it's that top layer that provides the most benefit because it's the layer that provides the moisture wicking and prevents bacteria growth.

One thing you need to remember, and perhaps this is the reason that Heidi Klum loves guys who wear bicycle shorts, is that you should never wear underwear under your bike shorts.  The whole purpose of a bike short is to prevent chafing while you're riding so it's best if they fit you like a second skin.  Having another layer of clothing between yourself and your bike shorts will prevent them from doing their job of absorbing moisture which leads to chafing and bacteria.  And besides that, I doubt that Heidi Klum would love a guy in bicycle shorts - with panty lines!

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1.  Cross Country Bikes

The most common mountain bike –  most bikes will fit into this category.  These bikes are light weight, making them suited to all sorts of terrain, especially going uphill.  Cross country bikes have evolved to the point that they are often used for riding on paths and road, and even for commuting.

2.  Downhill Bikes

Serious bikers looking for an extreme downhill adventure will require a special downhill bike.  Usually custom built, these bikes feature strong parts and disc brakes to help them withstand the downhill punishment they receive.  They also come with full suspension – the extreme downhill bikers need all the control and comfort they can get.

3.  Trail Bikes

Much like the downhill bikes, trail bikes are often custom built, and rarely available off the shelf.  Trail mountain biking asks a lot of riders, who in turn ask a lot of their bike, so they are usually very light and very strong.  The precision riding of the sport mean these riders will spare no expense on their bikes to ensure they are getting maximum performance.

4.  Jump And Slalom Bikes

Designed to handle the punishment of jumping and street racing, these bikes are built with very strong components and front suspension.  Their strength, yet weight allowance from foregoing rear suspension, makes them perfectly suited for the jumping rider.

So the first step in looking for the bike that’s right for you is working out what you’re going to be doing on your bike.  These tips should point you in the right direction to working out what bike is going to fulfill your needs.  Happy hunting!

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Set Your Budget

When you start looking at all the different features available to you for your new mountain bike, the costs can start to spiral out of control.  There really is no limit to how much you can spend, but that said, there are plenty of options around for the entry-level buyer.  Make sure you decide how much you are going to spend to begin with, and then look in your price range for the bike that best suits you.

Know What Your Bike Will Need To Do

To know what bike is best for you, you need to decide what you need your bike for.  If you’re going to spend most of your time riding on the road or flat terrain, you’re going to be looking for a different bike than if you intend spending most of your time battling the hills.  Deciding this before you start looking will help you narrow your search and save you a lot of time.

What Suspension Do You Need?

Mountain bikes fall into two suspension categories – full suspension mountain bikes and hard tail mountain bikes.  Hard tail simply means no rear suspension.  If you want a lighter bike that’s more efficient to pedal, then hard tail is probably what you’re after.  However, if control and comfort are more important to you, then you’ll need full suspension.  Obviously, your budget may also affect your choice of suspension.

Choose Your Favorite Components

With so many mountain bikes available, it’s near impossible to compare bikes like for like, due to the great number of different components available in each.  The best way to narrow things down is to pick the components most important to you, and select a group of bikes that matches your requirements.  You can then get picky with the remaining components from a much smaller range of bikes to choose from.

Save At The Sales

Mountain bike prices can fluctuate quite wildly through the year, depending on seasons, retailers and manufacturers.  Generally, spring and summer are popular months to buy bikes, so if you can hold out (or plan ahead!) for the winter months, you can often grab a bike at a discount.  You can also shop around different bike shops and knock up to hundreds off the advertised prices.

Find A Good Bike Dealer

Finding a great local bike dealer can often be worth paying a slightly higher price.  The expertise, advice, and repair service they offer can really assist you to look after your bike well and gain maximum enjoyment from it.

Go For A Test Ride

Once you’ve narrowed down your search to a select few bikes, the best way to make a decision is to give them a test ride.  Often, you’ll find one bike really jumps out at you as the most comfortable or fun to ride and your search will nearly be over.

Finally – do your research!

Now you’ve got your mind set on a mountain bike, it doesn’t hurt to do some final research to be sure of your purchase.  You can find reviews of pretty much every bike on the market, from both official publications and websites, to biking forums and message boards, so do a search to see if there are any common problems or faults mentioned.

Now you’re a mountain bike buying expert, get out there and buy your dream bike.  Good luck!

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If riding a bike is one of your favorite things to do, but you’re looking for something new, maybe mountain bike riding is your next step. However, there’s a bit more to riding in the dirt or along the trails, so there are a few basic skills you should be aware of before you get started.

These skills are best practiced if you can find somewhere with a steep hill. Your best chances are a local park or bushland – have a look around your neighborhood and you should be able to find a nice hilly area to starting working on your skills.

Get Familiar With Your Pedals

The best way to get used to working with your pedals is by sitting on your bike with one foot on the ground. Practice moving your foot away from the pedal, and then move onto releasing and replacing your foot whilst pedalling. If you have a toe clip, or a clip less type foot pedal, you’re probably going to need to allow for a bit longer to practice.

Sit Comfortably

When on your mountain bike, you never want to be in a situation where your knees or elbows are locked, so take some time to teach yourself to relax while you sit and pedal. Make sure your seat height is correct – you want your leg to be extended between 70 and 90 per cent when your reach the bottom of your stroke. Also, make sure your arms are slightly bent – this will help you keep better control.

Learn Your Gears

As your terrain will be much rougher when mountain biking, you’re going to need to be more aware of your gears. As a rule – if you’re working up a hill, you’ll want to use a lower gear, which requires less pedaling and will help you up the hill. Some quick advice on hills – be sure to change gears before you hit the hill, rather than while you’re on it. If you want more speed – a higher gear will provide this, but will require more work to pedal.

Coast Around

Make sure you are comfortable with coasting on your bike – stand up on your pedals, off your seat. Be sure to keep your arms bent and your knees unlocked. Also, have a play around with keeping your body weighted over the rear end of your bike.

Get Up And Pedal!

One of the key skills to mountain biking is being able to stand up and pedal. Lift yourself up off your seat, and work on your balance while you work the pedals. Be sure to practice in all situations – flat or hilly ground, high or low gears – this way you’ll be prepared for whatever terrain you face.

Take On The Curbs

Find a curb you can practice on, and work on dropping off it. Start at a slow speed, and practice coasting along, and maintaining control as you drop to the lower level. As you start to master it, you can work up to higher speeds until you feel totally comfortable.

While these skills might be slow going in the beginning, your practice will pay off and soon they will become second nature. With these techniques down pat, you’ll be set to face anything that might come your way when you get out there and hit the trail. Happy mountain biking!

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