| By :
Joe Maldonado
Copyright (c) 2011 Joe Maldonado As bike riders, we all need to be careful and keep ourselves safe from injuries, and Giant bikes are a good way to stay safe. A recent study on spinal column and spinal cord injuries suffered by mountain bikers published in The American Journal of Sports Medicine really gives a good warning. It shows how sometimes good intentions can go extremely wrong. While the report's numbers are probably precise, its findings are a little skewed, because all of the injury data was collected from Canada's British Columbia province. It is amazing that the authors of the article took their location into account when reporting their findings. There is a far-flung likelihood that the number of spinal injuries suffered by mountain bikers may be superior in British Columbia than any place on Earth. British Columbia has our sport's legendary North Shore riding area, mountain bike gravity parks and insane man-made aerobatics that give confidence to riders that take extreme risks. There is a huge difference when this is compared to the risk of riding on a multi use single track trail on giant bikes. It is ridiculous to extrapolate their findings to all mountain biking. However, this is exactly what the mass-media did by sensationalizing the story. The teaser for the evening news shouted, "Is the mountain bike you're riding going to kill you? Not even your helmet can save you." Headlines screaming about the dangers of mountain biking do as much harm as the spinal cord injuries suffered by riders by frightening people away from an exercise that is easy on the joints, relatively cheap and proven to combat circulation, heart, obesity and depression problems is a shame and disfavor. Researchers at the University of British Columbia consider that they may have exposed an intrinsic danger of mountain biking. It is more likely to be the innate danger of riding beyond one's capabilities and not making sure that your equipment is strong and appropriate. So over the years, people have fallen for some of the new and best stuff that mountain bike companies tout. The 2x9 drive train can be used after a severe knee surgery. The doctor might tell you to stop riding. Take off the big ring and replace it with a bash guard for the log piles. It is foolish to use tubeless tires. It may be good enough for racing, but not every day trail riding. You still have to carry a tube, and it's messy. Twenty nine inch wheels are a gimmick to sell bikes. Those wheels are too heavy for tight trails and fold up on big drops. These are the things that should easily work for you: a solid, aluminum, dual-suspension frame with 4 to 6 inches of travel and a platform shock; lightweight wheels with mechanical disc brakes, SRAM Grip Shift nine-speed; and use square taper bottom brackets and you will never have a problem. Giant bikes are the best, but you do not want to wreck your $7000 bike, so keep in mind all the above tactics.
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