I am a runner but I have been biking since I heard about cross training. One of my running buddies recommended either swimming or biking, in that order. Swimming pools, however, are much more expensive than bikes, so I settled with mountain biking.
I have ridden over rocky, sandy, muddy, and gravelly terrain with ascents and descents, as well as trails filled with rain ruts and potholes. Before getting to the rough and jagged trails, I have to pedal about 10 kilometers of paved roads.
I always carry a bike pump whenever I go out on my bike. This is because different terrain requires different tire inflation. I start off at 65 PSI while still on concrete roads and the smooth dirt trails. As these give way to rougher terrain, I let out some air, about 10 PSI, for a more comfortable ride. If I come across loose, sandy ground, I deflate even more for added traction. Rocky areas would force me to pump up air as soft tires can easily get pinched flat on a rock.
If you are serious about mountain biking but want to be as comfortable as possible, or if you want to avoid frequent flats, always carry a good and reliable air pump so you can inflate or deflate as needed. One fine specimen is the Schwinn Aluminum Frame Bike Pump.
As it is made of aluminum, it is extremely light yet strong and resistant to degradation. It features two nozzles, one of which is compatible with Presta valves, while the other fits Schrader valves. Your mountain bike probably has a Presta, but if you also have a utility or a kid’s bike at home which are likely to have Schraders, you won’t have to buy two air pumps.
It has a T-handle that is ergonomically designed for a comfortable grip as you pump air into your tires. Although the recommended air pressure of most mountain bike tires is only 65 PSI, the pump has a maximum PSI of 100. It comes with a frame mounting bracket which can be attached to water bottle bosses by a supplied Velcro strap.
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