You want something that you can get behind, but will also be comfy for your behind. ... Day 5: Spend a day on a bike in the Moab area. Use a dab of blue locktite on bolts that may back out. Don't use a behind-the-saddle pack for anything other than a spare tube and tire levers. Extra bolts that you have broken on your full suspension in the past. We know of at least two near fatal falls on barends--one ruptured spleen and a gut "core sample. 1 We have had clients who rented bikes from other shops, or who brought poorly maintained bikes with them, drive us crazy with repairs and even injuries. Wider bars also help reduce the “tiller effect” and make for more precise handling. Freeride hardtails are awesome for Moab, especially combined with downhill tires and a long travel fork. It’s true, the summer months are the most popular time of year to visit; but the city is brimming with things to do year-round. This is a direct result of our policy not to choose only the highest quality tested equipment, to never rent outside of our tour business and to get rid of any bike long before it begins to show signs of failure. A pair of extra tires may be handy. Slickrock likes more pressure to keep the tire from rolling over. One of our guides is missing a front tooth from contact with a barend in a crash. Bike Shops Bike shops in Moab tend to be good. Of course, if you ride dirt roads, you don't need a Moab bike even in Moab. If the rubber feels slick, it is not optimum. 02-10-2018 #4. hitechredneck. Get an unbreakable riser bar. We recommend the more freeride end of four bar full suspension from companies like Specialized, Kona, Intense. These are the best places for budget-friendly biking trails in Moab: Slickrock Bike Trail; Potash Road; Poison Spider Trail; Hurrah Pass Road; Klondike Bluffs Trail; See more budget-friendly biking trails in Moab on Tripadvisor Best For: A scenic cruise on some of the best beginner trails Moab has to offer A beloved beginner’s route, the ride around Dead Horse Point State Park offers views of an ever-changing landscape—including sights of the sheer 2,000-foot drop to the Gooseneck of the Colorado River and the cyan-blue tailings ponds of Shafer Basin. Though the slick rock trail is only for bikes and motorcycles Hell's Revenge and Fins N Things the same type of trail and can be used by Jeeps and ATVs. 7″ on the front for me. Most of our trails love momentum. This doesn’t mean you WANT to however. Hayes hydraulics used to be the best, but are now going through outsourcing problems (new location in China, new design, bad idea). I'd avoid any Schwalbe Evo due to the expense of replacing them after they get trashed, and any Continental lighter than a protection model for the same reason. A: First off, we are your friends, Claudio. Tons of sandstone (slickrock), big drops, high-desert terrain and aggressive rock-strewn lines are on the menu. Change ), You are commenting using your Facebook account. Riser bars, a taller, shorter stem, and/or a fatter tire on the front will get the front end up. We are a high performance Moab bike shop, with superior service, rentals, tours, shuttles, and gear. The riding in Moab is very unique and riders travel from all over the world to experience it. Most experienced Moab riders prepare for a hill by shifting up into a higher gear and using the momentum of the downside to rip up the next hill. It is no measure of health to be well adjusted to a profoundly sick society. But before you take on The Whole Enchilada, Slickrock Trail, Captain Ahab, and others with your small kids or beginner mountain bikers – you gotta start small and start safe.This list Moab trails for kids is made up of our favorite beginner mountain bike trails in the area. Our tour is like a Moab’s Best Of/greatest hits album. The very best examples of excellent Moab bikes can be found in our rental fleet. Eggbeaters are almost as good. Fatter tires will need a bit of extra pressure if you are running narrow rims. 5 Best Moab Mountain Bike Trails. If your nail leaves an impression, then that is the kind of compound you are looking for. Sun Rhino Lite and Sun Singletrack. These trails crisscross the desert sands and stones, offering beautiful views and fun riding. We know just what each bike has been through. Magura Louise Freeride and Marta brakes are awesome, top rated by Dreamide. We work to provide the ultimate Moab-terrain bikes. Extra tubes. Yes, it is a different world out here. Not as good as hyraulics, but they stop the bike when maintained regularly. « Riding Beats in the iPod – Foster The People A good precaution is to replace these bolts with #5 steel (black hardened, not stainless) bolts. As a result we forbid rentals outside of our company. Although that's not entirely true. Dreamride rental bikes are ridden only under guided supervision. They will fade. There are thorns everywhere. These forks are reliable and bomb proof, and the coil versions work even when they are blown. Nothing comes close to the Ventana El Chamuco (now a discontinued design, by the way), but there are many that work just fine as long as you don't have a Chamuco around to compare them to. Reserve your bike early. We match each rental bike to the client and the trail series. Carrying a rag on wet rides will allow you to wipe the rims down when they get wet and sandy. Push down on them. So, with that said, what is the best bike for Moab? Use a larger water pack to carry EVERYTHING you need. You might think we are freeriding, but no, we are just riding. Moab offers a unique style of riding that makes for great progression on the bike, and the striking desert scenery adds to the vibe . Lots of dry lube and a tad of wet lube. Dear Mountain Bike Action: What time of the year between September and November would be the best to go to Moab, Utah and Fruita, Colorado? Read up on the bikes at DREAMRIDE RENTAL FLEET BIKES. The GEAX Sturdy is great on the rock and sand, but the tread is a bit too square for sidehilling. Some XC bikes will not take a big tire, so check for clearance. Nowhere else will you appreciate the upper end of mountain biking equipment than in Moab. . in capacity is a necessity. Each bike is checked after every ride and tuned and/or upgraded after every series. There are some Taiwan bikes that work for Moab, most of them Horst Link. There are plenty of scenic dirt roads out here. They stand up to abuse, are simple to maintain and handle so well that we no longer have to constantly be looking behind us to make sure clients are not getting themselves into trouble. All should have the Lat 40 "Classic" Moab Trail map, which I think every visitor should buy first thing. Slickrock is a loop, so no shuttle is required. But, if you are coming to Moab for the classic trails and wild slickrock terrain, . Make sure the fat tires fit on your rims and under your fork without rubbing or bottoming on the crown! The newer platform versions of Time and Eggbeaters are awesome and will give you a bit more confidence (and less ground clearance on sidehills). Cross country racing forks are not prime for Moab terrain, but will do in a rush as long as you are careful with them on jack hammer stutter bumps like the ax blades on Porcupine Rim. GET RID OF THOSE BAR ENDS! Great for bikepacking or can be run with a support vehicle or in one long day." Don't worry about bike weight too much, but do worry about durability. Yes, we have heard of and seen a lot of breakages, but never with our rental bikes. I have never ridden a bike there with less than 6″ of travel and always wish I had a little more. . After all, back in the day (80’s) riders were hitting these trails with cro-mo hardtails with no suspension. If you are running ceramic rims, be sure to stock up on another set of pads that are specific to ceramic rims before you come to Moab (we stock them, BTW). Get the widest bar with the tallest rise. If they are tall and roll around with the slightest pressure, they just are not good enough. The Manitou Sherman series is almost as good, but not as stiff or reliable. If it rebounds quickly, it is not prime. The best tire for Moab is a rare version of the WTB Motoraptor 2.4 with climbing shoe rubber. Like the Weirwolf, the GEAX Sturdy is a fantastic sand tire and we have enough of that stuff out here to make you love these tires. Never hesitate to stop and adjust damping. Coil springs are best because they are plush and reliable. We're a full service bike shop with friendly sales & service staff. The usual foibles apply across the board, but they're more likely than most to have a selection of 2.5" tires and new hydro hoses. Moab is world-renown for its mountain biking. Time pedals are THE pedals for Moab. Wider handlebars – The trend right now is W     I     D     E.  Bars over 700mm are common and give you more leverage to work the bike. Shimano hydraulics are very good, they rattle a bit, but are consistent and reliable. Replace weak stuff. They don't clog. Carry extra pads in case it rains. Avid, Hayes and Shimano mechanical discs are good, too. I'm with stupid Reputation: Join Date Moab Mountain Biking Trails for Kids/Beginners – Moab is home to some of the best mountain biking trails on the planet! Make sure your disc brake mounting bolts are tight, and be careful to check spoke tension, especially if you are running discs. Rocks and sticks can get hung up between the rim and brake, so be aware that while they do work, rim brakes mean inherent dangers. The only remaining URT design being sold are the Turner Maverick and GT I-Drive which while not as bad as the original Trek Y-Bikes and Castellano Sweetspot designs, are still not recommended, but almost any suspension is better than no suspension, so bring your Maverick. Slickrock Bike Trail. Just make sure they are not hard compound or have tall flexy knobs. The rooms have been renovated and come morning there is a full hot breakfast buffet. This will keep them from rolling over. WOW! That’s great when you’re alone and have time to explore, but when you are riding with a six year old wandering aimlessly is not an option. Rub your finger across the knobs. Be aware that not all rental bikes have room for bottle cages – you may need to carry your water on your back. These are syndromes of bad bike thinking for Moab. Have your bike tuned up and get ready to ride! You are going to need SUSPENSION! If you are running wide rims (over 20mm), letting the pressure out will help you in sandy conditions. Never toe in Shimano V brakes. Best Mountain Bike Trails for Kids in Moab 2019 Some say it’s about the journey not the destination. Hope Minis are pretty, have a nice lever feel, work well and look nice, but are fragile in a crash. Below are the top 5 intermediate bike trails in the Moab area, as rated by MTBProject.com. The side knobs should be very stout and resist movement. The best time to dirt bike in Moab is during the fall and spring months when temperatures are below 80. With two national parks, one state park and endless BLM hiking trails, there are a lot of hiking trails in Moab. Extra rear derailleur if you have broken one off in the past. Extra derailleur hangers. As for full suspension bikes that don't work or are downright dangerous in Moab, URT designs are the absolute worst. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. No racks. They are incredibly consistent in their engagement and release. Stop by and check our wide selection of bikes parts, accessories, and clothing. Take a look at your shock mounting bolts and make sure they are not bent or loose. Keep the weight on your body, and especially avoid weight above the top tube. ". Create a free website or blog at WordPress.com. The Klondike Bluffs Mountain Bike Trail System is a complex, interwoven set of trails north of the Moab Brand Trails. After being hammered on Porcupine Rim daily, any bike's frame and parts will fatique and break. What can you do to make your bike Moab-ready? We have dropped complete bike lines because of failures during testing or rumored and/or witnessed failures elsewhere. A light bike will not carry momentum into a short, rough climb and the wind will blow them out from under you. Plush long travel is best. This modification will keep the bolts from snapping and ruining your frame. Change ), You are commenting using your Twitter account. They don't suck. We bought up half the entire run of this experimental tire. Our standard rentals are custom builds of Ventana El Chamuco frames, which we feel are the very best for this terrain. You will save the pads for later. We recommend the more freeride end of four bar full suspension from companies like Specialized, Kona, Intense. Even if your skill level is extremely basic, there will be a trail for you. Built up with hot off the press Shimano Dura-Ace 9100 components, FSA Super Light bars and K-Force Crankset, and Zipp 303 Tubulars; this Ritchey Road Logic frameset will undoubtedly be turning heads out on the asphalt. . Let me first say that you CAN ride almost any bike there. ( Log Out /  A good bike in any other place in the world is not a good bike in Moab. All have a better-than-average rental fleet. Of course, the design of the tread can make a slicker, less tacky tire much more friendly on the rock. Again, do not worry about weight. Balanced travel, front and rear, is desired. With so many trails to choose from, Moab will keep you coming back year after year. ( Log Out /  If you are wondering, rent one of our bikes. Each is set up for a specific weight and use. That's all I'm sayin'. ». The Chile Pepper Bike Shop is the highest-rated bike shop in Moab with 4.9 stars (300 reviews). Toward the end of the season in August, September and October, these same bikes have become dangerous. The liquid seaps out between the rotor and hub surface during installation, then hardens, causing a gap to form, which, in turn, causes vibration. Do not use a closed system hydraulic brake in Moab. With such diverse riding terrain from slick rock motorcycle trails to highly technical 4x4 trails, there are trails for every skill level. Tons of sandstone (slickrock), big drops, high-desert terrain and aggressive rock-strewn lines are on the menu. The Jurassic to Dino-Flow option provides a short riding experience that is still varied, challenging, and a great representation of what this trail system has to offer. Dig your nail into the tread. We've been providing visitors to Moab with great rentals, repairs, & service since 1993. Downhill trails will want a bit more compression damping, uphill less. Buy a backpack that carries the load low in the small of your back. If you are not riding with us, proceed with caution, especially if you are renting a bike from a shop in Moab. It's a liability issue, a decision made for YOUR SAFETY. The surface is sometimes hardpack gravel, with some hard stone and some semi-technical mountain bike sections. V-brakes are fine. Moab bike shops have awesome bikes, and they don’t want them damaged during transport. For more on the packed goods and clothing to bring with you go to MOUNTAIN BIKE SAFETY. We have seen too many awful injuries resulting from falling on those damn things. Less than a 30-minute drive from downtown Moab, the Klonzo trail system offers a huge variety of mountain biking for beginners. I usually look to what the locals are riding. When the design was changed slightly and the bikes began to stinkbug, we dropped the line completely. Check your crank arm bolts after a bumpy section, especially on your first ride here. Check out the pro DH guys if you still are doubter. They are designed to work with the pad in full contact with the rim. Signature slickrock trails offer challenging, if fun rides for all levels of riders, marked by seemingly endless singletrack that shade each day. You don't need them here, unless you are climbing on roads or in the mountains. Moab is bumpy. Even on a budget you can still make your bike work better out there. A hydration pack with a large bladder over 100 oz. These are great bikes for the terrain in Moab and will make you feel like a pro for the day. However, each of the best hiking trails in Moab offers something a little different than the last. An alternative is the Best Western Plus Canyonlands Inn on Main Street. Loose rocks like wide tires with low pressure (not too low, though). We consider a good seatpost suspension to be superior to a bad rear end suspension design. Shorter stems (50mm to 110mm maximum) keep you behind the front wheel. If you hear that gritty rubbing sound, get off and wipe down the rims. 5″ + Travel – Increase the travel and hang on! If you bring a poorly maintained bike, we will insist that you rent. We prefer the WTB saddles, especially the Power V or Speed V. Disc brakes are best. It will be worth any future wife groveling. Long travel is best and high quality is always the way to go. Trail surfaces vary, so should your suspension set-up. Too much blue locktite on rotor mounting bolts will cause disc brakes to howl. Any DH rim is fine as long as you can make it go around with your legs. More rubber = more float, less pinch flats and more grip. While air shocks are better than nothing, they do blow up, ramp up on big hits and bounce you off line. If it is tacky, it is good. If you are running 5 weight oil in California, assume that you will need 10 weight in Moab. Good rims for wide tires: Wide rims (over 24mm) such as the Mavic DH321, 719 (old style 519), 219 (now X819). We carry a couple of brands of packs that are perfect for Moab, so if you come to Moab without a pack, we have a few choices. I run a Sunline V One OS in full 740mm. Poison Spider Bicycles: Best Bike Rental in Moab - See 143 traveler reviews, 32 candid photos, and great deals for Moab, UT, at Tripadvisor. TripOutside has done the research for you! . A Seven Duo (based on the Maverick rear end) is better than bringing most hardtails. A good way to keep those disc brake bolts from backing out is to use a bit of red locktite under the head of the bolt. It is usually cheaper than bringing your own bike, and certainly a lot safer. More about pedals: Sand will clog your pedals, especially the older Ritchey and SPD varieties. The Avids squeal like pigs in the wet, but are great stoppers, easy to install. Top Bike Trails in Moab If you are looking for self-guided mountain biking in Moab, you have plenty of trails to choose from, and some great resources and maps for planning your adventure.Below is a quick list of the top bike trails in Moab with links to the MTB Project that has teamed up with the local Bureau of Land Management to make the trails in Moab accessible to all ability levels. Moab has long been a legendary mountain bike destination, featuring hundreds of miles of some of the best singletrack on the planet. The best hikes in Moab can be found throughout the Moab area and range in difficulty. We have seen a lot of GT I-Drive bikes that break the shock mounting bolts. Moab chunk really lends it'self to the roll over of 29er. Be sure to check the bolts during and after a long, bumpy downhill. Tubeless with sealant  if you can. We have seen bikes from other shops literally break in half. It is when the rear end of the bike jacks up under hard braking on a downhill. Try not to carry stuff on your bike to keep it light for handling ease. Make sure you get the biggest tires you can fit on your bike. Biking, Destinations, Environment, Moab Post navigation ← World’s Best List of Moab Mountain Bike Shops and Services. You can also rent bikes like the Yeti 575 or Giant Trance X or Reign from the LBS in town. A huge variety of trails allow for a gradual progression, and the duration of some of the bigger adventure rides always helps me feel more and more confident on my bike … 2.4 tires on a narrow XC rims are fine ONLY if you are just riding along dealing with loose rock or sand, but if you are jumping, sidehilling or going really fast, they can cause serious injury. You want a very firm side knob. Let me first say that you CAN ride almost any bike there. Originally, motorcyclists laid out this route, although now most riders rely on leg and lung power. As for fork set-up, it depends on the trail. My Top Five: The Best Mountain Bike Trails in Moab By Corey Maddocks April 27, 2011 Editor’s note: It’s nearly impossible to ride all the Moab area mountain bike trails in a single trip and fortunately Maddslacker has made enough trips over the years to recommend the best of the best. Change ), You are commenting using your Google account. Undulating slickrock in the Sand Flats Recreation Area just east of Moab challenges even the best mountain bike riders; this is not an area in which to learn riding skills. Just remember to pump them up before you hit the slickrock. For your first trip to Moab, Slickrock Trail and Porcupine Rim should both be on your list. Nowadays most experienced Moab riders are on bikes that weigh from 35 to 40 pounds. Brand loyalty aside, you will see lots of the following: 2.3+ tires. A good rule for setting the bike up for Moab's rough terrain is to level the handlebar height with the seat height. Worn V-brake pads should be replaced prior to coming to Moab. You are going to be sliding back behind your saddle a lot, so a big, cushy gel saddle is NOT where it is at. Slickrock will tear your tires up, so bringing a pair of almost-bald used tires for the bare rock of the Moab Slickrock Trail is a good idea. . "Set it and forget it" is not the way to approach the bike's suspension in Moab. A heavy bike works (not too heavy, though). Either bike will be good. Four bar systems have given us designs that are the absolute best, but some four bar designs are jacked-up, literally. There are tight twisting singletracks in the desert, even more in the mountains. The riding in Moab is very unique and riders travel from all over the world to experience it. I am alone and I have no friend in America so I’d need at least information about the weather.-Claudio, the Italian tourist. The WTB Mutanoraptor 2.24 is awesome on the rock and a fine tire in just about every situation. Check out www.poisonspiderbikes.com or www.chilebikes.com for more info. Our favorite bikes for Moab are modern 27.5” or 29” all-mountain bikes such as the Ibis Ripley LS or HD 3, Santa Cruz Nomad or Bronson, Pivot Mach 6 or 429 … Setting the brakes so that the levers apply force close to the handlebar will give your hands a break on long descents, but make sure you test them with wet rims to make sure you have all the leverage you can get. The few hardtails we sell and provide in our rental fleet have suspension seatposts that allow up to four inches of travel, so when you are sitting you can take a break from the pain. . The Chile Pepper, at 702 S. Main Street in Moab, Utah, is conveniently located near 6 motels, 2 campgrounds, grocery store, laundry services and last, but certainly not least, the Moab Brewery for good eats and locally brewed beer.We are a 10 minute drive to Slickrock bike trail and Sand Flats Recreation Area, for awe inspiring Moab mountain biking and well-maintained camping sites. The best fork for Moab is the Marzocchi Z-1 series with five inches of travel. You might not be able to adjust your saddle height on the fly, but at least you can lower your seat for those super-long descents. Full saddle height for pedalling and as soon as you hit a descent – DROP IT LIKE IT’s HOT for BMX-style handling. Both are located in the Sand Flats Recreation Area and are subject to a $5 per vehicle day use fee, which is good for three days. Feel the tire compound. The impacts in Moab seem to really take stuff past the limit, so look at what may break and assume that it will. If you are riding from town to tour the easier trails, a good hardtail will do. Frogs are not recommended--they break--and you can come out of them on a jump. or you have a bike that is too light. A warning about rental bikes in Moab: At the start of the season in March or April Moab's bike shops have purchased new bikes to rent. Height-Adjustable Seatpost – Thought this was a gimmick until I tried one. 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