Ryan Simonovich
Ryan Simonovich has been riding and racing for nearly a decade. He got his start as a cross-country mountain bike racer in California, where he cultivated his love for riding all types of bikes. Ryan eventually gravitated toward enduro and downhill racing but has also been found in the occasional road and cyclo-cross events. Today, he regularly rides the trails of Durango, Colorado, and is aiming to make a career out of chronicling the sport of cycling.
Rides: Santa Cruz Hightower, Specialized Tarmac SL4
Latest articles by Ryan Simonovich
![A rider doing a big air on a mountain bike](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/aM3rEVdnMyDtt96KPRKmjk-320-80.jpg)
Mountain bike terminology explained – an A to Z guide of jargon from the world of MTB
By Ryan Simonovich last updated
Feature Confused by mountain bike terminology? We break down the lingo so you can understand what bike manufacturers and other MTB riders are talking about
![Best e-MTB tires](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/TP3VV3gUqgcYCd9aW568rj-320-80.jpg)
Best e-MTB tires – 9 top-rated tires tested by our experts
By Guy Kesteven last updated
Buyer's Guide Maximum tire grip and carcass toughness are crucial for making the most of your e-MTB, here's our expert pick...
![A mountain bike rider pulling a manual on a trail](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/5KM387fgzNZecZSMP5Gx8j-320-80.jpg)
Mountain bike essentials – must-have mountain bike kit when heading to the trails
By Ryan Simonovich last updated
From a helmet to the right tools, these are the MTB essentials you need to pack for a good time out on your bike
![dirt jump](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/b9u4QrdpkTdZRRU68j7R6A-320-80.jpg)
How to build a mountain bike jump
By Ryan Simonovich last updated
Feature Here's how you can create your own jumps to practice your airtime skills
![Best budget mountain bike lights](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/XfXxmhetwpcrTxN4k4fPw9-320-80.jpeg)
Best budget mountain bike lights 2025 – ride after dark for less money
By Ryan Simonovich last updated
Buyer's Guide Our pick of the best budget mountain bike lights that give you decent brightness, standard features, and a fair price
![A broken bike chain](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/7SZ5mKti4QnGYYgY2VgpJV-320-80.jpg)
How to fix a broken bike chain – three methods that are easier than you might think
By Richard Owen last updated
How To A broken chain might seem like the end of a ride, but it needn't be with these simple fixes that will get bike back in working order
![A female athlete riding a gravel bike along a trail](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/jo72if7MYTtvFmM5EKdoS4-320-80.jpg)
Fastest Known Times – what are they and do they matter?
By Ryan Simonovich last updated
Feature Fastest Known Times originated in trail running and have risen to popularity in mountain biking. We look at the background of attempting FKTs in MTB
![KS Suspension short travel dropper seatpost](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ug6oDDe2ymifgN5KKEJdoe-320-80.jpg)
How to start mountain biking – everything you need to know to go from beginner to pinner
By Ryan Simonovich last updated
Feature Want to get into mountain biking but unsure of the first steps? Then read on for all the info you'll need to get started
![Muddy bike](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/yHBSXNrVUhuNmfaPvoQQJe-320-80.jpg)
How to clean a mountain bike – six simple steps that will give you a gleaming ride
By Ryan Simonovich last updated
Feature Regularly cleaning your mountain bike is important to improve performance and lifespan. Luckily the whole process is relatively simple
![Santa Cruz Reserve 37 wheels](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Min9XYbGzkXjuacU9M8R8g-320-80.jpg)
Tips for beginner mountain bikers – essential new bike setup and riding skills
By Ryan Simonovich published
Feature If you're new to mountain biking, here's all the basic skills you'll need to hit the trails like a seasoned pro
![Gear Adjust](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/fA7VomfC9G4VDFJxN2Kt46-320-80.jpg)
How to adjust shifting on a MTB – simple fixes that will sort your gear changes
By Ryan Simonovich last updated
How To There are multiple adjustments that can be made when your gears become noisy or start slipping and skipping. Here's everything you need to know to fix things yourself
![Ryan Simonovich rides singletrack in Colorado](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/TAUkPNMWtLoXeRUKmBSZWP-320-80.jpeg)
How to ride singletrack – essential skills for new mountain bikers
By Ryan Simonovich last updated
Feature From rocks and roots to jumps and berms, here are our tips to riding your local singletrack trails better
![Santa Cruz wheels](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/kBCURSofSyrh52Dm9js76g-320-80.jpg)
What are singletrack MTB trails?
By Ryan Simonovich last updated
Opinion Riding singletrack is what sets mountain biking apart from other types of cycling
![Maxxis Shorty](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/CWeC22byyBHnxZ9Qf7kbZE-320-80.jpg)
27.5 vs. 29-inch wheels: What are the differences between mountain bike wheel sizes
By Ryan Simonovich last updated
Feature Wheel size depends on the type of ride feel a rider is seeking. Here's how to choose the mountain bike wheel size that's right for you
![Merida](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/KTE79hNatWn9tB6rekZkJo-320-80.jpg)
Types of mountain bikes: all the different mountain bike categories explained
By Ryan Simonovich last updated
Feature From hardtails to full-suspension bikes, this is our guide to the different types of mountain bikes and what they're intended to do
![A mountain biker rides through a muddy puddle](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/J6LrdnnyJ24r5uMeUWxdrK-320-80.jpg)
How to ride in the mud and rain – master riding on slick, sodden trails
By Ryan Simonovich published
Feature From riding techniques to clothing options, here are our tips for mountain biking in soggy conditions
![Emily Batty rides the new Canyon Lux Trail downcountry bike](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/BEeAjYPa4fUXjeLKnxQo55-320-80.jpg)
Caynon debuts Lux Trail 'downcountry' bike
By Ryan Simonovich last updated
News Canyon's new cross-country bike gets an added dose of capability with longer and slacker geometry and a 120mm fork
![Best trail bikes for beginners](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/tg4znqikFyrKb6L8YES9zk-320-80.jpg)
Best trail bikes for beginners: Ride any trail and progress your skills
By Ryan Simonovich last updated
Buyer's Guide The best trail bikes for beginners are mid-travel full-suspension bikes that can ride a little bit of everything. Here is our pick of the best
![A female rider doing a big drop onto rocks](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/7Rk8ZuMBi7hkyewX5YbbyD-320-80.jpg)
How to adjust mountain bike suspension – easy ways to get a totally sorted setup
By Ryan Simonovich published
Feature Tune your fork and shock to get the best possible performance out of your mountain bike
![Specialized Trail-Series 3XDRY shorts](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/o7gXujWmQC9XWAhsC9dKXS-320-80.jpg)
Mountain bike size guide – find the perfect bike for your body size and riding style
By Ryan Simonovich published
Feature Everything you need to know about mountain bike sizing and fit
![How to adjust a disk brake](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/UTFTWDR2VALVnPTzB2upef-320-80.jpg)
How to adjust a bike's hydraulic disc brakes and prevent brake rub
By Ryan Simonovich last updated
How to Annoying brake rub can really ruin a mountain bike ride, fortunately it's a simple fix to get them running quietly again
![Kera Linn](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/X5Tab3ZEtgL5FZ5WdEAox5-320-80.jpg)
Kera Linn: Breaking into elite enduro racing
By Ryan Simonovich published
Interview US enduro racer Kera Linn speaks with Bike Perfect about her 2021 season, breaking into Enduro World Series racing, and the health of gravity racing
![Kali Protectives](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/oeHT8stacb9QZJWVuTQCfe-320-80.jpg)
Kali Protectives introduces Mission 2.0 knee pads
By Ryan Simonovich published
News Redesigned knee pads offer comfortable protection to trail and enduro riders