MtnBikeRiders.com

Did you guys know that today is our very own Jeremy Yang’s birthday? Jeremy has been writing for MtnBikeRiders.com for about 4 years now and we’ve made him our 29er go to guy. So to thank him for all his years of service and to wish him a happy birthday, the staff and I pooled our money together and got him this…

a 29er tube!

But wait..I just realized Jeremy uses nothing but tubeless wheels and tires…Besides the tube I got him is a schrader valve…dangit!

Happy Birthday Buddy!

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Typically when a person gets a new bike, it will come with reflectors. Some think they’re pretty lame so they end up removing the reflectors in fear that their friends will tease them during the next ride.

When we took delivery of the Airborne Taka DH, we made sure we left the reflectors on. Why? It’s simple physics. Reflectors help cut through the wind and provide lift to the wheels when jumping a bike.

Reflectors basically work like wings while on a bike. If you notice, they’re actually shaped like wings. With that same basic principle, when you remove your reflectors from your wheels, you’ll end up loosing the lift that you may need during a jump. Here’s a pretty good example of a rider with no reflectors.

Notice the lack of reflectors on the wheels and notice the relation to the lack of air between his tires and the ground. Good effort, but reflectors would have helped him gain more lift.

Now let’s look at Art Aguilar with the Airborne Taka DH. This bike came to us equipped with reflectors. Just check out the HUGE difference in the jump.

Here’s another angle, check out the trajectory. Reflectors are an absolute must when wanting to go big.

I think Airborne Bicycles hit the mark by making sure the Taka had some reflectors installed before sending it to us. I know what you’re thinking, “but I took my reflectors off, can I still buy some?” Sure you can, but the factory blade reflectors are the best. If you can convince a bike shop to sell you them, then you might just be lucky enough to gain the same benefits as Art Aguilar.

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With summer at its peak, you’ve probably noticed more and more snakes on the trail. For the most part, they’ll leave you alone and pose no specific threat to any mountain bikers. Half the time snakes are usually only 3 feet away from you, but you’re either too busy talking to your buddies or flying down the hill, that you never notice them.

As scary as they are, snakes are usually docile creatures. Some species will even let you pick them up and twirl them in the air. Snakes love it when you twirl them!

However, I have to warn you of one type of snake out there that has been seen in all 50 states, yes even Puerto Rico, so make that 51. The myth that there are no snakes in Hawaii is a complete lie. This particular species hatches out of their eggs as small as a maggot, but when they reach full maturity, they can grow as big as 4.5 feet long.

This snake has hitched a ride with unsuspecting bikers, hikers and other animals who happen to be on in the snake’s natural habitat. It will cling on to the host and eat off dead skin cells and hair. At a certain point, usually, 3 days, it will detach from the host and call home where ever it lands.

This snake can be aggressive and has built a reputation on being the “Nut Kisser.” The name was earned by the snake’s tendency to make kissing sounds before attacking men on their left testicle. Scientists have named this snake the Kuma Kain Nang Kaliwabayag, or the “ball biter” for short.

If you do encounter this snake on the trail, don’t make any sudden movements. Rather, slowly turn to your right side, place your hands above your head and start saying “yo’ mama.” For some odd reason the tone that is made when you utter the words, “Yo Mama” has a soothing effect on the Ball Biter. Typically, when yo mama is said 5 times, the snake then goes into a trance. Once in a this stage, the snake will actually become loyal to whom ever says the magic words. After that, you can pick up the Ball Biter, head first, then stuff it into your Poke Ball.

You can keep the Ball Biter inside the Poke Ball as long as you want. But in a time of need/danger, you can call upon your Ball Biter to assist you. All you have to do is throw out the ball and say, “I choose you BALL BITER!” He then comes out to defend you from other animals and or creatures that might cause harm to you and your friends.

Now that you know how to handle this particular snake, you shouldn’t have to fear other snakes. But keep in mind the techniques discussed here may not work with all snakes, just the Ball Biter. So take the advice with a grain of salt and play at your own risk.

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…but I did manage to get some exercise in.

That shirt I’m wearing was the rejected MtnBikeRiders.com Jersey for 2011. But as always, I do everything with style…that’s my nephew next to me, I’ve trained him well.

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As a bike fanatic, I’ve always wanted to make a custom TP holder for one of my bathrooms. I’ve seen similar set-ups at a couple of my local bike shops’ bathrooms and I’ve always wanted to copy it. With old parts laying around I decided to make one.

The main part for my bike art is a 2001 Marzocchi Z1 MCR topped with an Easton carbon Monkeylite handlebar. The bar ends were pretty chewed up where I wouldn’t be able to use them again. These two were held together by an old 25.4 stem. What kept the unit upright was an old Yakima fork-mount holder. I had this secured to a ¼ “ piece of plywood.

Finally, I needed stops so the toilet paper won’t slide down to the middle of the bar. I used two old ODI lock-on clamps and glued cogs onto them. Evenly placed, I secured the ODI clamps and left the ends open to replace with new TP as needed. Pretty cool for making use of old parts.

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