No matter what type of bike you buy, most people customize their bike to fit their needs and body style. Below are some of the modifications we have done to suit our riding style...
a.) Seat:
Everyone installed a different seat from what was on the original bike. We seem to stick to the seat we (our butts) are accustomed to... we moved our old bike seat to our new bike.In addition to the type of seat, you should modify the height, angle (rake) and forward/rear location of the seat to suit your body requirements.
One additional note... the wider the seat does not mean you will have more comfort, the comfort depends on your seat adjustments.
b.) Drop seat post: Rick and I have dropper seat posts, allowing the seat height to be adjusted on "the fly". Dropping the seat down, going downhills, gives you greater stability and a lot more self confidence. They are not cheap, but worth it if you are going downhill a lot. Priced around $400 - $800
MEC - Dropper Seat post
c.) Pedals:
Rick and I found that the stock pedals were not wide enough for our feet. We opt for a wider pedal, giving you the feel that you have more control. Merrill, on the other hand, found the stock pedal size just right for him... everyone is different.
Note that the pedals have screw grips built into them. These work great, in keeping your feet on the pedals, but you can easily scrape your legs.
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Recommend- Get a pedal that matches your foot width, so your entire foot is on the pedal.
- Get one that has good grip for your shoe, otherwise they may slide off when you hit rough terrain.
- The pedal colour should compliment the bike.
The cost range from $75.00 for the plastic ones, up to $150.00 for the metal ones. (both materials work fine so far.
d.) Tires:
Rick and Merrill, found the stock tires on their e-bikes suited their needs; they both like aggressive tires. For me, I prefer a quieter ride on pavement... no tire noise., so I purchased a set of Maxxis - minion SS tires... smaller tire tread pattern equals less noise on pavement... Works great for me!
Rick is presently gone to tubeless tires; the rest of us are waiting for his test results.
e.) Water bottle holders:
We are all surprised that most bike manufacturers do NOT provide mounting areas for our water bottles. We had to used plastic zap ties and strapped them to the frame... works, fine for us.
We found that the Gatorade water bottle works the best for our riding style. The disposables work the best, as you always have a fresh bottle (no plastic taste) and screw on top is simple... it works
f.) Handlebars:
We all liked the handlebars that came with the bike, but had to make a few modifications to these bars to suit our riding style. Both Rick and I cut down the width of the bars a bit. In addition, I needed to install a longer handlebar stem due to my height (6'-2")
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| Hank's grips |
Rick and I installed the paddle-shape designed grip, providing extra hand support. They cost around $50.00... Trek handlebar grips
Recommend to purchase grips that are bolt-on type. as they are a lot more secure on the bar.
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| Rick's grips |
Rear Trunk bags:
We all carry rear trunk bags on our bikes... carrying...Trek bike bags
NOTE: on full suspension bikes, be sure there is enough clearance from the bottom of the bag to the rear wheel when the bike is compressed on it's lowest setting
- spare tube
- CO2 air cartridge Trek CO2 air cartridge
- Spare parts and tools. Trek Multi-tool
- Plastic zap ties, duct tape
Handlebar Bag:
- 1st aid supplies
- food
- camera
- tissue papers
- Wallet
- Cell phone
Cell-phone bag:
Hank uses a very small clear covered cell-phone bag... does the job.
i.) Fenders/mudguards:
Both Rick and I have small front tire mudguards, looks cool and stops the small rocks and mud from hitting our face. :)
We do not use or recommend a rear fender, as it is more problematic... gets in the way
j.) Bell / Horn:
Merrill and I have standard handlebar mounted bells, but Rick went over the top and installed an air horn system... AirZound Bicycle Horn.
"The horn is best used in small amounts at a fair distance from the people who are taking up the entire trail, (4 or 5 abreast). A large blast at too close a distance tends to lead to people shouting rude things at you. A large blast is very good when some bear starts to come to you, they quickly run away".
We had a situation with a bear at Minekhada Regional Park the horn worked perfectly!
The horn was easily installed with the help of some cable ties and the Velcro tape./
Video showing the AirZound Horn
Another video link showing the use of the AirZound Horn
k.) Computer software:
Hank is running the Runtastic Mountain Bike App. Most of the maps in this blog come from this app. I have been using this app for 4 years now, logging over 2,000 miles... Works perfectly each time I use it. I highly recommend this app.
"Bike wherever the path leads you – without losing orientation! – with the Runtastic Mountain Bike app. Turn your smartphone into the ideal bike computer, offering inumerous online & offline features plus incredibly accurate elevation calculation. Whether your track is a lap around the house or the deepest mountain trail, Runtastic Mountain Bike is your ideal MTB companion."
In addition, we all use the Trailforks App or the Trailforks Website to help find other trails or new areas to explore.
K.) Bike Rack:
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| The spacing works well, just have to lower the seats. |
- Adjustable cradles allow for quick and easy bike fit adjustments
- very quick to load your bike
- lockable cables.
These people know all about what type of rack is best suited for you. With an E-Bike, you have to be sure that the rack can safely support the additional weight you are carrying.
The rack I have for my vehicle (2017 Cadillac Escalade) is the Kuat Cradle rack
In addition, we installed a lowered trailer hitch, reducing the height of the bikes (you can go into an underground parking lot without hitting the bikes).
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| Note: We made up a PVC brace (the white object) that separates and holds the bikes together |
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| note the trailer hitch setup |
- You can open the rear door that the rear tailgate lifts, even with the bikes still on.
- Bike rack is lower to the ground for easier lifting the bikes onto the rack.
- You can now see the license plate,when the rack is up or down!
- Rear camera still works
- In addition to the above... by using the trailer hitch ball location, we installed a metal u-channel, giving us a THREE bike carrier!!
- Fabricate a metal u-channel bar.
- Buy two wheel clamps to secure the bike to the U-channel.
- Make up a PVC brace to hold and separate the bike that is on the metal channel.
- Use shock cords to hold the bike to the other bikes.
- Needed to use shock cord to put the brakes on the bike, so the bike does not roll side to side on the u-channel.
l.) Other "stuff":
- Bike Storage Cover: Great thing to use, when parked in an apartment basement, or in a parking lot. As the old saying goes... "out of site, out of mind". Hank parked this vehicle in an underground parking lot, with his Haibike in the bike rack... someone stole it right off the rack.
- First Aid Kit: Mountain biking like all extreme sports isn’t without any risk, accidents and crashes happen to even the most experienced of riders. Carrying a first aid kit doesn’t add much weight to your pack, will give you peace of mind and in the event of a crash or injury is essential. Video on First aid kit
- What we carry ... day trip... tensor bandage, paper towels, electrical tape, various size band-aids
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