Win stuff from MTB Egypt if you share a ride to the weekly ride!

In the interest of making it possible for more riders (especially those who do not drive) to get to the trails on weekends to participate in our group rides, we will be giving an MTB Egypt mug or t-shirt (see above photo) to every rider who shares his/her car with a fellow rider for the Friday morning group rides. A few rules, though:

1. You must get there on time: be at the Wadi Entrance a few minutes before 7:00 a.m.

2. At least one of the riders must be joining the MTB Egypt group ride on that morning.

3, We will give out one prize every week, so whoever gets to the Wadi first gets it!

The nice thing about this little giveaway is that everybody wins! The rider who shares his/her car get’s MTB Egypt stuff, the rider who got a ride doesn’t miss out on the weekly ride, and we all win by putting fewer cars on the street and making our air (just a little bit) cleaner.

Here is how to do it: post in this forum thread if you need or can offer a ride!

The Shimano AM-51 is the latest in a line of mountain biking shoes with the “AM” label, denoting the shoes’ intended use for “all-mountain” riders, providing a balance of sole stiffness, additional protection and all-day comfort. The Am51 was preceded by the AM50 and Am30 shoes, on which it improves by using a new design and an improved sole.

I have a little over 120KM on my pair of AM51’s and it would be reasonable to review them now. The short verdict: I love them! But let’s get into more details.

Design and build quality:

The design and aesthetics of any design is a matter of personal taste, and bike shoes are no exception. personally, I find the black and bronze design with the little red accents on the sole, studs and velcro straps of the Am51 are very nice and matching to the rugged image and intended use of the shoe. It is an improvement over the somewhat bland design of it’s predecessor, the Am50.

The reinforced toe box, heel and upper ankle and side areas is where the AM51 provides a real advantage. I can count at least a few times when I have scraped an ankle on a sharp, protruding rock snaking my way on technical singletrack, so the additional protection is appreciated.

It is somewhat early to judge the long-term durability of the AM51, but it seems to be well made and I will post a long-term review when I have a few hundred kilometers on it.

Closure is done using three well-placed velcro straps. However, the shoe could use a ratchet closure mechanism for additional fit adjustment or a fourth strap near the top like the BG Trail shoe from Specialized.

Sole:

The Shimano AM51 sole

The Am51’s sole is reasonably stiff. By “reasonably stiff” I mean it is stiff enough for good pedaling efficiency while not being so stiff that it makes walking difficult. You will appreciate this balance in the hike-a-bike situations or even walking around at the trail head before/after rides.

The tread is well designed and provides excellent traction on the rock/gravel/sand of our home trails.

The sole has two screw-in toe studs (shown in the above picture) that are intended to provide more foot traction in loose/muddy conditions. I find them a nice addition, but some may find the unnecessary. They are removable, but you are going to need a special tool to remove them. Surprisingly, Shimano does not include this tool with the AM51!

On the bike…

The Shimano AM51 All-mountain shoe on the bike

The AM51 is a very comfortable shoe. The toe box is roomy enough for those with wider feet, and the high ankle does not hinder pedaling and provides excellent foot support. The three velcro straps provide adequate closure, but a ratchet mechanism similar to those found on Shimano’s (and other manufacturers’) racing-specific shoes would have been a nice touch for on-the-fly adjustments.

Finally…

The Am51 is a solid all-mountain shoe from Shimano that provides extra protection and comfort for long rides on rugged terrain. It improves on previous similar models in build quality and design, and it’s well-designed sole provides excellent traction on grip.

Pros:

1- Well designed, durable all-mountain show.

2- Additional protection for ankle and toe areas.

3- A sole with balanced stiffness makes for efficient pedaling and comfortable (short distance) walking.

4- Toe spikes provide additional traction in loose conditions.

Cons:

1. The special toe spike tool is not included.

2. A ratchet mechanism would be a nice addition for quick fit adjustments while riding.

MTB Egypt rating: 5/5

The SixSixOne Raji glove is designed to be a full finger glove for those who do not like to wear gloves. It has a very thin “Tactilite” palm with no padding whatsoever apart from a slightly thicker nylon section on the upper palm area.

The Raji’s thin material and mesh back make for a very airy glove, perfect for hot conditions like Egypt, but they also cause the glove to suffer durability issues. In fact, the gloves started ripping in the lower palm area on their frst ride!

SixSixOne makes a wide array of high quality mountain bike body armour and apparel, but the Raji is not a product that we would call durable. The Raji is a good glove in theory: it is light, well-ventilated and look good. However, subpar durability issues will have you looking to buy a new pair of riding gloves faster than you thought you would.

MTB Egypt rating 2/5

Picture source

One of the most common beginner rider questions is: aside from my bike, what should I take along for a trail ride?

The answer to this question may vary depending on where you ride, experience, terrain and weather, but here is a “universal” packing list that includes most things that you should have when riding off-road.

Note that some items have higher importance than others, but in general having most items on this list ensures that you will be well-prepared for your ride in most conditions. Note that this list is intended as a general guide, and that you may need to carry additional items depending on your actual riding conditions or needs.

1) Must-have items (Do not go riding off-road without these items):

• A decent helmet (MTB-specific helmets often have a visor for some added sun protection)
• Something to carry water in: You can carry standard water bottle on frame-mounted cages, you can pack a couple of water bottles in your backpack or a runner’s waistpack, or – most convenient of all- you can carry a hydration pack.
• A spare tube, tire levers, and a mini pump (you don’t to walk 5-30 KMs back to the trail head, do you?)

2) Recommended items (these items will make you a lot better prepared and equipped for MTBing, especially for longer and more technical rides):

(A) Clothing:

• Padded bike shorts
• Cycling shoes (type depends on whether you use clipless or flat pedals)
• Cycling jersey: There are several cuts and styles, but quality cycling jerseys are made of a fast-drying moisture-wicking material and often has pockets on the back for storing small items like energy bars, mobile phones, etc.
• Riding gloves: Short finger gloves are better in the summer or if you use electronic devices during the ride (a camera, GPS or phone). Long-finger gloves offer more protection for the knuckles and fingers, especially in the event of a crash.
• Sunglasses: You don’t want to keep squinting against the wind and direct sunlight  for the duration of the ride. Many manufacturers offer interchangeable or Photocromatic lenses for maximum versatility, like the Tifosi Dolimite we recently reviewed.
• A bandanna or headband: keeps sweat out of your eyes and makes it more comfortable to wear a helmet on long rides.
• Protective clothing: Knee/shin guards and elbow guards. Some form of leg protection will protect your knees and shins from cuts and abrasions from falls and pedal strikes when your legs slip.
• Extra layer/wind jacket: If the weather is chilly/windy (we’re blessed with sunny weather most of the year in Egypt so you might not be needing this except for a few weeks)

(B) Tools and spares (we already listed spare tubes and pump):

• A good multi-tool.
• A chain-breaker (if your multi-tool doesn’t have one)
• Zipties (useful for many things)
• A small patch-kit (puncture more than one tube? Have extra back-up!)
• A spare derailleur hanger (if you don’t have one and break a derailleur, you can use the chain breaker to shorten your chain and ride home in single speed until you can get a new hanger)
• Spare chain links, like the SRAM PowerLink.
• If you ride tubeless tires, then a CO2 inflator and a spare cartridge.

(C) Other items:

• A compact first aid kit (very important!)
• Cell phone (You might not have coverage in all areas, but nice to have just in case)
• GPS (not essential, but useful to view trail maps and navigation)
• Paper towels/wipes
• A shock pump (if your bike has front/rear air suspension)

A question I get asked a lot by people just getting into mountain biking is: What are the best upgrades I can make to my bike?

Simple enough question, but the answer would vary depending on rider experience, riding location and style, the type of bike you want to upgrade, among others. Thus, for the purpose of this article, I am going to assume the following:

• You are new (or relatively new) to mountain biking. You ride your bike on a regular basis and have ventured on the trails (i.e. Wadi Degla) at least a few times to have a general idea of what upgrades you would like to make.
• You have an entry level to- mid-range mountain bike, which is the type currently most prevalent in Egypt.
• You have a limited upgrade budget and would like to prioritize.
• Since this article is relevant to riding to Egypt I will also assume that you do most of your trail riding in Wadi Degla.
• You already have a decent frame: If you have a frame that is too heavy, too old, or otherwise in need of major repairs it is usually not worth it to go about starting with component upgrades. A good frame makes for a good platform for future upgrades and vice versa. To make the best out of your component upgrades, you should have a good frame to start with.

That said, you should keep in mind that this article focuses on upgrades that would make recreational mountain biking riding on a budget more enjoyable and components that strike a good balance between price and durability. We will leave talking about higher-end components aside for now for another article.

Step # 1:  Know your bike

A typical mountain bike usually has 28-30+ individual components that can be grouped as follows:

1- The frame (the main chassis of your bike on which everything goes)

2- The Wheelset (wheels are made of rims, hubs, spokes, tires and tubes)

3- The drivetrain (front & rear derailleurs, chain, crankset, bottom bracket, pedals)

4- The brakes (brake levers, rotors, calipers, pads, cables/hoses)

5- The steering/cockpit group: (The handlebar, stem, grips, seat post, and saddle)

Step # 2: Prioritize:

If you are not able/can’t afford to get all the upgrades you need in one go, then you must prioritize. Start with the components that can make the most noticeable differences in the way your bike handles. Things like quality brakes, a good wheelset and a nice suspension fork will make for a much better mountain bike. If your drivetrain components are working fine, they should get lower upgrade priority until you start progressing into more frequent/aggressive riding or until they break. Cockpit and steering components should have the lowest priority since – for the average recreational rider – they do not make that much of a noticeable difference unless they are necessary for bike fit (such as stem length/ride and seat post setback).

Step # 3: Choose between durability and weight-savings:

Let me remind you that this article assumes you have a relatively limited budget for upgrades. If cost is a non-issue, then you shouldn’t be reading this.

As a general rule, you could only choose TWO of the following three component characteristics: Durable, light, cheap.

This means that if you get something that is both durable and cheap, chances are it will not be light. By the same token, if you decide to buy something that is both light and durable, you will be most probably paying a lot more on this specific component than others that would serve the same purpose but a little heavier. You can opt to get something which is light and cheap, but it probably won’t last very long. Trade-offs, trade-offs

Taking wheels as an example: Entry-level wheels bult on Shimano Deore hubs will not cost much, are pretty durable with moderate use and, but weigh in at around 2400+ grams for the wheelset (depending on rims and spokes). By comparison, mid-range wheelsets by Shimano, DT Swiss, Mavic and other well-known manufacturers will cost significantly more, but will be up to 600 grams lighter, have better hubs and are generally more durable. High-end wheels from the same manufacturers save yet more weight but retain the quality and durability, and look nicer, too! They also cost about 4 -5 times as much as entry level wheelsets. However, light-weight AND cheap wheels from lesser-known manufacturers suffer from quality and durability issues, but use the lighter weight as a selling point to compete with the bigger brands.

For beginner recreational riders, my advise would be to start with things that are both durable AND cheap. You want components that will both make a noticeable difference in the ride quality of your bike and that will last you for a good while before you decide to move up to higher-end items.

Step # 4: Check the interoperability of new/existing components:

Say you want to upgrade your suspension fork. You find a good deal on one and buy it. You’re getting ready to replace your old fork when you discover than your new fork does jot have v-brake bosses. You were not planning on upgrading to disc brakes now, especially since your wheels do not have disc hubs. Now you have to decide whether you want to return your new fork (if you can) and look for another one with v-brake mounts, or install it but do a whole bunch of expensive upgrades in order to use it (new hubs or wheels + a full disc brake set).

Step # 5: Don’t forget the accessories:

You might get too caught up in upgrading your bike and forget about other very important riding gear that will make a lot of difference in your ride quality and comfort. Make some room in your budget for a good hydration pack, quality gloves and shoes and some comfy riding shorts.

Some recommendations:

• Make sure that your components are properly installed and adjusted before deciding to upgrade. Many beginners make the mistake of assuming that some components are bad just becuase they’re not working properly. Drivetrain and suspension components need to be regularly and properly serviced and adjusted. Have some one with more experience check on things for you before you place an order for all-new equipment.

• Initially go for the mid-range, not the low-end: You probably already know that mountain biking is rough on frames and
  

  The 2010 Shimano Deore mountain bike component group

  components. Better components will last longer and generally require less maintenance. When buying on upgrading on a budget, try to get the components that fall in the mid-range of what manufacturers offer. For example, the Shimano Deore and SRAM x.5 and X.7 drivetrain groups are generally the most reasonable options for beginner mountain bikers who intend to get more into the sport. Components below this level will still work, but are lighter duty and not geared towards frequent/serious off-road riding. Higher-end components (e.g. Shimano Deore XT & XTR and SRAM X.9 and X.O) provide things like smoother shifting, lighter weight and better durability that you will only benefit from as your own riding progresses.

It only took us about 4 months but we finally have our custom jerseys! If you have ordered one email us to claim it!

Sometimes we also ride bikes in the desert…at night.

Full moon night rides are great. Riding the same trails in the dark is like riding new trails. There is also a certain magic to the whole experience of being on a bike in the middle of the desert at night.

One of the most frequently asked questions new mountain bikers in Egypt (or bikers new to Cairo) ask is: How do I get to Wadi Degla? We have had directions posted on our Wadi Degla page for a while now, but it wasn’t as clear or illustrated as the nice document that Antoine, a fellow cyclist and avid mountain biker, put together with help from other riders and thought it would be a good idea to share it with the rest of us.

Download it here (PDF, 150kb):

Directions to Wadi Degla, Arabic

Directions to Wadi Degla, English

Name: Mohamed Kandil

Age: 25

Where are you from?: Obour City-Cairo

What do you do for a living? : Marketing Manger

When and why did you start cycling? : I’ve been cycling for as long as I can remember.

Road, off-road, or both? It was not until recently that I started off-road cycling and it’s really fun but before it was mainly road biking.

Tell us about your bike(s)!: Renault Eclaireur , all aluminum with Shimano Acera , It’s a good entry-level  bike that one can start mountain biking with.

Favorite ride(s) (road or off-road): In 2008 I made a bike tour for 4 days in Switzerland and it was like a dream, I love mountain biking in Wadi Degla. Anyway I love biking anywhere as long as the air is clean and the scenery is nice.

Do you practice other sports?: swimming , running, I’m thinking about taking Triathlon seriously

Tell us about your cycling-related injuries/accidents: Once I had a head-on collision with another bike, the funny thing is that I could see the other bike coming meters away , but every time I took one side of the road the girl on the other bike took the same side ,  so we kept swinging like this until we eventually crashed .
But mountain biking-wise I’ve been cautious till now.

Anything else you want to tell us about yourself? I love astronomy , night sky watching and I build model airplanes.

While sunglasses are generally not absolutely critical for someone to enjoy mountain biking, they are definitely one of the most important accessories you can invest in to add to enhance your riding comfort. In Egypt, we ride in open desert environments with no tree cover, and the direct sunlight, often windy weather in the winter month make a good pair of sport sunglasses essential to protect your eyes from the elements and UV rays. It might become particularly important for riders with sensitive eyes or those who wear contact lenses.

A good deal of personal preference as far as style and fit factors in choosing a good pair of sport sunglasses, but there are a few considerations you should keep in mind when selecting a pair of shades for mountain biking (or outdoor sports, in general). You should most importantly ensure that they have proper fit so as to stay put on your face on rough trail rides and that the lenses are of high-quality material.

Tifosi Optics is a relatively new company (established 2003) that focuses on high-quality sports eyewear. They offer a very nice range of sunglasses based on interchangeable lenses or a single Fototec™ photochromic lens that automatically changes lens opaqueness with changes in the light conditions. The Fototec™ version is what we have and what we are reviewing here.

Fit: The Dolomite is designed to fit “medium to large” faces, according to Tifosi’s product page. They definitely won’t fit snugly to smaller faces, who will want to consider other pairs from Tifosi that are suitable for smaller faces the Torrent or the Pave. I’ve had no problems with the Dolomite sliding off my nose during rough trail rides, but that might be just becuase I have a big nose

Style: Sport-specific sunglasses usually have designs and colors that wouldn’t go well with regular day-to-day use and attire. Not the Dolomite.  This is a pair of glasses that you wouldn’t mind wearing to an outing with friends as well as on the trail, considering their more subtle or relatively conservative design. They also come in a variety of frame colors.

Lenses: So far most of what is mentioned above are things that would be pretty standard on any pair of quality sunglasses. It is in the Fototec™ lenes, however, that the Dolomites have their edge. That Fototec™ thing really does work…

The pictures on the left were taken in the shade, those on the right are in direct sunlight. You can see the very visible difference in lens opaqueness. I rode a few rides in overcast conditions or during sunset and never needed to take them off.

Another nice thing about Tifosi sunglasses is the price: at $60, this pair is very reasonably priced in comparison with similar pairs from other brands. For example, the Specialized Berm is $120, the Zeal Maestro is $130, the Rudy Project Apache SX is $175, the Oakely Eyepatch is $90+ and the Julbo Trail is $160. If you opt for the inetrchangable lens option, you get three lenses included. Tifosi sunglasses also come with a lifetime warranty, which is saying something about the quality you’re getting.

The bottomline is: If you’re looking for a great, affordable pair of sunglasses for mountain biking or outdoor sports, the Dolomite is a great option considering the very nice lens technology, style, quality and price.