Most cross country enthusiast feel like keeping your wheels on the ground is a more efficient way of cycling. I would have to agree to a certain extent. Yes it takes less energy, but if you are looking to get strong why not bunny hop the world. Clearing gaps and bunny hopping over things can only make you stronger as a whole.
When descending down a hill, bunny hopping is essential. Why get hung up on a root or rock. Also if you find yourself looking down a hill and having a hard time deciding which line to take, just pull up and bunny hop half of the DH. It is ten times faster and a way better thrill. When trying to clear gaps you need to spot your landing and pull up accordingly. Most of the time if you spot the landing and have confidence you will clear all the nasty's and land smoothly with ten times more speed.
If you think keeping your wheels on the ground the whole time is faster, you might be right. In some situations i can tell you your wrong. Also you want to get strong? Pull up and bunny hop everything you can. Every little lip and transition when your on a trail act as if it is a jump. This will rip your core and make you a better rider ten folds. Your cornering and bike skills will improve if you bunny hop things.
So next time your on the trail, go out and bunny hop everything in your way. You will have a much more eventful and fun ride. Keep going out and try to clear stuff that you never thought you could. Then the next group ride you go on, you can show off a little bit and pull ahead when you bunny hop huge stuff and your buddies are getting hung up on everything. Good luck and try to pull up.
matt-
Choosing Components
Finding the right bike for yourself is a difficult task, finding the right components to suite your riding style is a whole other ball game. wether you are in to racing XC, riding downhill, road racing, or just commuting, you will have a wide verity of components to choose from. Depending on your budget for your upgrades or bike build, there is a few manufactures to go with . In my experience from racing XC for four years, commuting to work weekly, and training on my road bike. i found that the leading manufacutres are Sram and Shimano.
If you want a crisp, hard shift and nicely cnc'd components I would choose Sram all around. When choosing Sram components you get light weight components randing in all price ranges. Starting at the top with the Sram X-O group for mountain biking, you will notice that you will hear all of your shifts, but rarely miss a one. Being light weight I am not sure how they made such a strong group of drive train cycling parts. With carbon fiber cover plates on the shifters and carbon fiber cages on the derailleurs, you can't beat the look.Sram also came out with an assortment of colors to choose from. Down to a more affordable group, you can choose from X-9 or X-7 shifters and derailleurs. These are not as cosmetically sexy, but still offer a firm shift and a strong long lasting performance. While still on the topic for Sram X-0, I will get into the road bike aspect of the company. With Sram Red being comparable to Sram X-0, it is the leading group set for road cycling. Again it has the appeal of a diamond and the performance of a Ferrari, and these parts will rarely break down and will surely give you a nice riding experience. When your wallet is tight choosing from Sram Force and Sram Rival are dependable yet cost friendly.
When you're looking for a buttery smooth shift and a quiet drive train I would definitely recommend going with Shimano components. Offering a smooth streamline appeal, you will hardly notice your shifting with the Shimano parts. Just like the competition, Sram, Shimano will allow you to choose from wide range of components differing in price levels. If you want the best, don't hesitate to purchase Shimano XTR for your mountain bike and Shimano Durace for your road bike. You get what you pay for. While shifting, the only way to tell if you hit another gear is by the resistance of your pedals. Shimano's shifting is effortless and extremely quiet. You get the action you want out of a shifter while still having light weight parts. Again, it times are rough, and you can't afford the high end group sets like the XTR or Dur-Ace, Shimano has affordable components such as the XT and Deore components.
Whatever it is you choose to ride, definitely stick with these two cycling manufacturers; Shimano and Sram. They are the leaders in the industry and have been for some time now. I ride both products and have not been let down by either. Check your pockets and buy what you can afford, but if you choose Sram and Shimano you will never be let down.
Matt- The Pedal Stop
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