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| Race Equipment Checklist for Mountain Bike Racers by Levi Bloom I remember my first mountain bike race. Whenever I showed up, and was just about to change into my cycling outfit, I realized that I hadn't packed my clothes! Just kidding. But the reason I remembered them is that I had a checklist of everything I would need. I don't want you to forget anything, so I decided to put my list online. You should print this out and hang it by your bike stuff so you can check everything off as it goes in your car. If you're preparing for your first race, or your eighty-first, better safe than sorry. Bike Water bottle (filled) CamelBak or Seat bag --spare tube --tire levers --mini-pump --CO2 --energy gel --mini-tool --patch kit Helmet Sunglasses Jersey Undershirt (optional) Gloves Shorts Socks Shoes with cleats Energy bar Change of clothes Post-race food and water First-aid kit Bike lock Camera or Camcorder Towel Baby wipes Money Registration form and/or license Light (for 24 hour races)
About The Author This article was written by Levi Bloom in 2004 and originally appeared on http://bloombikeshop.com. Check out his site for more bike related information. |
| For Fast Paced Fun, Nothing Beats a Pocketbike by Mark Lambie Pocket bikes can be comfortably cradled under your arm and are capable of splendidly fast speeds. They are usually powered by gas-powered engines. The smaller industrial-motored models used by Junior class racers are capable of speeds upwards of 45 mph. Open class machines reach blistering speeds over 50 mph. Pocket bikes can be built with many of the features common to regular bikes, such as disc brakes in the front and rear, racing tires, fairings, lightweight aluminum alloy cast perimeter frames and swing arms. Originally, pocket bikes were solely made by specialty manufacturers who sold them at expensive prices. As their appeal has grown, however, affordable pocket bike imports have become available to a much larger group of motor sport enthusiasts. They are great for adults and children alike, for the family or individual who enjoys outdoor fun on two wheels. Nothing beats the Pocket bike for economy, ease of transporting. Enjoy them just for riding around your neighborhood, but for racing as a team sport. Start your own club or join one. You’ll be a welcome addition to such a tight group
About The Author Mark Lambie This article is brought to you by http://www.pocket-bike-fun.com, a website dedicated to everything pocketbikes. Visit us today. |
| Mini Dirt Bikes by Andrew Green What are mini dirt bikes?As the name suggests, mini dirt bikes are basically small dirt bikes. They have quite a lot less power than a standard dirt bike but appear virtually the same. Costing much less than a full size, full power dirt bike they are perfect for your budding Motocrosser and becoming very popular with children of all ages.How do mini dirt bikes differ from standard dirt bikes?Apart from the fact that they are normally designed to carry only ten stone in weight and are much smaller than a normal dirt bike, a mini dirt bike has a lot less power; normally around a 47cc two-stroke engine. They obviously have all the working parts and are designed as well as a 250cc, and because they weigh less and carry less it is still possible to get a quite impressive 70kph out of them.The petrol tank is much smaller holding only around 1 litre of petrol and seat height ranges from 500 to 600 mm off the ground. They have full shock suspension and brakes and are perfectly safe to drive as long as a reasonable amount of care and safety is used.Are mini dirt bikes really safe?As with any motor powered bike, or car for that matter, there is an element of danger involved and proper safety measures should be taken into consideration especially if you are buying one for your child. It is advised not to let pre teens ride a mini dirt bike because they can still do considerable speed and offer little in protection in the event of a crash.A helmet and safety suit should be worn an at all times when riding a mini dirt bike, and riding without these is dangerous and fool hardy. As long as you pay close attention to the safety of the rider, though, mini dirt bikes are incredibly good fun and a really good way to get the adrenalin pumping.How much do mini dirt bikes cost?The bike itself is comparatively inexpensive, when compared to a full size dirt bike, and you can expect to pay anywhere between £150 and £300 (roughly $300 and $600) depending on the make, model and specifications you require. You also need to buy a strong helmet and protective clothing if you want to take this seriously and safely. These can vary dramatically in price dependant on whether you want the outfit to match the bike, whether you buy a well-known brand and whether you buy new or used.Obviously you have to pay for petrol but this is next to nothing because a two-stroke 47cc engine will literally run for miles on a litre of petrol. Apart from that, repairs or new parts are really the only other price you need to take into consideration and again, these are relatively inexpensive. About the Author Dirt Bikes HQ, http://www.dirtbikeshq.com/, for lots of information about dirt biking. |
| Mountain Dirt Bikes by Andrew Green What are mountain dirt bikes?Mountain dirt bikes are basically dirt bikes for use in climbing and descending rocky and grassy mountains. They can be motor or peddle models and it is up to you which you go for. The motor versions are quite different in design and look to other dirt bikes because of the use they are designed and built specifically for.How do mountain dirt bikes differ from other dirt bikes?Specifically, the frame is a lot higher than on a standard dirt bike in order that you get more ground clearance; the extra ground clearance will help you avoid mud build-ups, rocks and other such debris when traversing a mountain or hill. The frames themselves are also much more sturdy so if you do happen to clip a rock or something similar they are unlikely to just snap in half and will provide you and your bike with more protection. The brakes are stronger, making it possible to stop your bike rolling down the hill or off a rock and they usually come with both rear and front suspension to make the trickier terrain associated with mountain riding easier to handle. The suspension also makes the ride a lot more comfortable because you will face a number of bumps and sometimes some quite manic descents down the mountain.Generally speaking a mountain dirt bike is much more rugged and rough than a normal dirt bike because of the beating and battering it will take during it’s life.What else should I know about my mountain dirt bike?If you own or are considering purchasing a mountain dirt bike you should know that you can’t purchase normal dirt bike parts and expect them to do an equally good job on your mountain dirt bike. They simply aren’t designed for the same purpose. Yes, it’s true that a dirt bike is built to withstand quite a battering and a beating but it’s also designed for riding around a dirt track. However, a mountain dirt bike is designed to be ridden over mountains and through rocky, grassy and muddy terrains. The tires are such that they can withstand all of these terrains as is the rest of your bike. The suspension, brakes and frames are quite different when compared to other types of dirt bikes so you should be careful when buying parts or repairing your bike. About the Author Dirt Bikes HQ, http://www.dirtbikeshq.com/, for lots of information about dirt biking. |
| So you want to be a custom bike builder? Start with a motorcycle kit! by Michael Holmes The step from reading about building motorcycle kits and watching bike builds on television to the real thing is a little more difficult than it looks…So you want to be a custom bike builder? Well friend, before you rush out and buy that motorcycle kit, the one that will set you on the road to riches and fame, stop and think about the level of expertise and artistry the top builders have attained. More importantly think about how long it has taken them to attain it! Let’s look at a few key issues…EducationYou’d be surprised how well educated a lot of today’s top bike builders are. Several of them have degrees (some more than one!) ranging from mechanical engineering to business and marketing management. Billy Lane, the founder of Chopper Inc, has several patents relating to motorcycle technology in his name for example. What about someone a little more “old school” like Dave Perewitz? Dave has accumulated close to forty years of mechanical, metalworking and painting experience. Not theoretical, but genuine hands on, early morning late night kind of experience. Could you put that kind of time in? Matt Hotch is still only young, but has gained an incredible amount of practical experience customizing first bicycles, then VW’s before moving on to custom bike building.FacilitiesThese guys are building choppers and custom bikes that are state of the art. They don’t get thrown together in the yard; the motorcycle shops have all the tools and equipment required to produce almost anything out of metal, not just bikes. Just as important are the other services these builders use; the local chrome platers, machinists, painters and so on. These guys have just as important a part to play in the construction of these one off bikes as the designer builders themselves.DesireAll the top custom bike builders live for one thing; building the best bikes they can. They literally live eat even dream about custom bikes (and looking at some of the more way out creations you can totally believe this from the designs they produce!) They are constantly striving to build bikes better. Its not about money for the top guys, I am convinced of that.So where does that leave Average Joes like you and me? Actually, I don’t think we are too badly off; in fact if you want to build a custom bike, it has probably never been easier. Here’s my take on it….EducationThere is an unbelievable amount of information for the guys who want to start down the road to custom bike building. Videos, books websites, all of them help to flatten the learning curve for a novice. Most of the material out there relates to motorcycle kits, and for the beginner, building a motorcycle kit is definitely the best way to go if you want to get real hands on experience. After that there are motorcycle maintenance courses, which again will allow you to get up to speed as fast as possible in your quest to become the next Arlen Ness!FacilitiesTo put together a shop like the ones you see on television costs thousands of dollars. But you don’t need all that stuff if you start with a motorcycle kit. Motorcycle kits can be put together with some pretty basic tools, providing they are of good quality. Two things that are an absolute must in my opinion though are a torque wrench and a basic lift. With these two tools, you can tighten the motorcycle kits fittings correctly, and not break your back while you are doing it!DesireWell this is one area where you can match the pros, no question. If you really want to be a custom bike builder, start doing it for fun and put your motorcycle kit together. We can’t all be Billy Lane, Eddie Trotta or Russell Mitchell, but we can have a lot of fun trying!Copyright Michael Holmes 2005 Permission is granted to reproduce this article provided a live link is provided to http://www.motorcycleparts-accessories-andmore.com About the Author Michael Holmes is a enthusiast for all thing motorcycle. His website, http://www.motorcycleparts-accessories-andmore.com, is a great resource of articles aimed at motorcyclists of all levels. |
| The 10 Bike Shop Customer Etiquette Commandments by Levi Bloom The 10 Bike Shop Customer Etiquette Commandments Levi Bloom This article was inspired by all those things customers do that really irritate bike shop owners and employees. I decided to create this list of commandments for you to follow. 1. Thou shall buy from nowhere before your local bike shop. 2. WD-40 shall not be applied as chain lube. 3. Keep frequent thy visits to the local bike shop. 4. Thou shall not park your Mercedes in front of the store and then attempt to haggle the price on a $350 bike. 5. Thou first bike may come from Wal-Mart, but that is it. 6. Thou wert never "just riding along." 7. If thou wert "just riding along," do not expect thou crumpled frame and bent wheels to be covered under warrantee. 8. Thou shall not request solid tubes or at least ask for them to be fixed. 9. If thou wish to get a good deal on a tube by talking to "Rick," maybe you should just see Rich. If you happen to be in Lincoln, Nebraska, that is. 10. Thou shall not quote mail-order catalogs in the shop. If you are a customer, dont be offended, I am partly joking! What fun would a bike shop be without some funny/odd/amusing/stupid events every day Thanks go out to Bloom Bike Shop, The Bike Barn, and Bike Pedalers bike shops for their input.
About The Author This article was written by Levi Bloom in 2004 and originally appeared on http://bloombikeshop.com. Check out his site for more bike and health related information. |
| Dirt Bike Jumps by Andrew Green Do I have to face dirt bike jumps?If you ever want to ride on a motocross track you are going to have to learn to beat the dirt bike jumps. At first they are a very daunting affair, and riding at them with any pace seems almost suicidal but to get anywhere in dirt bike racing you need to face them and you need to beat them otherwise you won’t get anywhere and you won’t have any success. When you first start dirt bike racing you’ll be lucky to get a couple or feet of air and stay upright when you land, but this will all change when you have a little experience and a little knowledge behind you. The only real trick to being any good over dirt bike jumps is to practise and keep practising.The best way to beat dirt bike jumps.It’s true that there are no quick fixes to beat dirt bike jumps and the real key to success is to practise and keep practising. However, there are some basic guidelines that will increase you chance of success and it is these guidelines you should be practising.Firstly, you posture should be that of a standing up position but crouched slightly and gripping the bike with your legs; if you don’t grip with your legs you and the bike are likely to become separated and this will ensure that you can land relatively comfortably in a sitting position. It also stops the bike from kicking out sideways if you hit a bump on the way up the ramp.As you approach the ramp you should know pretty much exactly where you want to be on the up ramp; finding the line on the ramp and keeping an even throttle all the way up. Again, this will mean less chance of the bike jumping if you hit a bump or a rock.If you want to land with your bike upright and you on the seat, then when you’ve got air you need to be looking where you’re going to land and amend your bike position accordingly so if you’re landing on the flat lift your handle bars before you hit the ground; this way your back wheel will make contact first and will take most of the pressure of the landing. If, however, you are landing on the down slope then you need your bike to be at the same angle as the slope. To alter your bike’s position, you can either rev while in the air which will drop the rear of your bike or you can let up on the clutch and apply the rear brakes giving the opposite effect.The second before you land get straight onto your clutch, the revs will help your rear suspension take the blow and will give you good acceleration on landing. One of the hardest things about dirt bike jumps is having the confidence to pull it off. If you’re confident then you’ll stand more chance of doing everything as well as you can so practise and practise hard; don’t get too carried away at first though, just take it at your own pace. About the Author Dirt Bikes HQ, http://www.dirtbikeshq.com/, for lots of information about dirt biking. |
| Dirt Bike Racing by Andrew Green What’s so good about dirt bike racing? The adrenalin is flowing, heart beat racing and blood pumping; the dirt bike racing is about to begin. As far as adrenalin fuelled sports go, you don’t get much more action packed than dirt bike racing. It’s fast, and to coin a well-used phrase, it’s furious. People from age 4 to age 64 love the thrill and regularly take part in dirt bike racing. What should I consider when dirt bike racing? First and foremost, you should consider your safety. The very nature of dirt bike racing as a sport means it’s dangerous and it’s even more dangerous if you don’t take it seriously. Any reputable dirt bake track won’t let you on if you don’t have a helmet, goggles, a jersey, pants, chest protector and in some cases a neck protector. You should always pick gear that fits because if it doesn’t fit it isn’t safe. Dirt bike riders don’t appreciate people who ride recklessly, and if you are a reckless rider you will undoubtedly get an ear bashing for your dangerous behaviour and quite possibly kicked off the track. Dirt biking is one of the most dangerous sports in the world, but taking it seriously and following all the proper safety rules will help you make the most of it. The bike also plays a serious part (obviously) and when you are selecting a dirt bike either for yourself or for your children you should always make sure that the rider can sit on the bike with their feet touching the floor and legs bent slightly. If the bike is too big there is no way you can have full control and the same can be said if it’s too small. Also, consider how practised you are. The more experienced you become as a rider the better you become. Don’t try getting air of incredible heights until you really know what you are doing. Beginners should be happy with a foot or two of air; the riders you see on TV who are climbing up to ten feet have been riding for years and years to be able to do that. As a beginner you will probably find a line you are happy with and stick to it. While this is unlikely to win you any big races, it will give you chance to hone your skills and gain confidence. Once you’re a bit more experienced you will be able to take different lines to overtake people and win races. Dirt bike racing is not something you can just throw yourself into. It takes plenty of practise to become any good and you should never try anything you aren’t confident with. If you stick to this and find yourself a reputable track then you won’t go far wrong. About the Author Dirt Bikes HQ, http://www.dirtbikeshq.com/, for lots of information about dirt biking. |
| Hike Bike Kayak San Diego by Lena Hunt Mabra Hike Bike Kayak San DiegoRead Jetsetters Magazine at www.jetsettersmagazine.comRead this entire feature with photos at:http://www.jetsettersmagazine.com/archive/jetezine/sports02/kayak/calif/hbk/hbk.htmlHike Bike Kayak, Inc. was founded in 2000 by Amy Kangleon. The company offers multisports adventures and fitness classes for those visiting San Diego or for the locals. Hike Bike Kayak (HBK) covers just about everything for those who want to get outdoors and check out the natural sights or to experience a hardcore workout.HBK offers surfing lessons, hikes, biking tours, rentals, beach workouts (such as Boot Camp), spinning classes, walking tours, team building events, and a Girls Scouts badge program.My daughter Candy and I opt for the all day package where we participate in hiking, biking, and kayaking. Nadine is the Team Building Activities Leader who greets us with a big smile and an English accent. She was born and raised in England and has a degree in Travel and Tourism Management. She has traveled to New Zealand, China, Australia, South Africa, Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, and Argentina. Nadine makes sure that all the necessary forms are filled out, gathers the proper equipment, and takes care of our lunches, showing us where the snacks are and she takes care of our lunches.Eli, a buff and totally California kind of guy, is our guide. He has also traveled to many exotic locations. As a Personal Trainer and Fitness Instructor, there aren't many people who can give me a good challenge, but Eli definitely exemplifies the California lifestyle with his love of San Diego, knowledge of the activities, and great character. Buff enough to challenge those who want a great adventure yet compassionate enough to check on "yours truly" to make sure I was keeping up on the bike ride through the streets of La Jolla. (Okay, so I'm not used to riding my bike in traffic. Even my daughter passed me on her bike!)After picking out our bikes, they are loaded into HBK's truck and we drive to the top of a "hill". Californians overall have a much more active lifestyle than we have in Kansas City so if they call it a "hill", you can count on it to be a mountain for us normal folks.At the top of the hill, you can see all of San Diego. Absolutely breathtaking! I want to stay there for another week or so. My thoughts drift over the sights then straight to the ocean!.Oh yeah, why did my daughter Candy disturb my trance and remind of the bike riding adventure. Yeah that. Why couldn't I just stay there and paint and write and dream?We take off on these awesome bikes (I wish I could take one home with me, but how to sneak a mountain bike into your suitcase!) and we ride through La Jolla. I am not used to riding in traffic just on trails so I stay at the end. Eli keeps looking back to see if I am still hanging on.I love California for its quaint little cafés and bistro's, unique restaurants and businesses; an elegant yet casual atmosphere that stirs up the artist and writer in me. And of course, the fitness and nature lover in me savors it all while cycling.The ride along the coast is even more scenic. The Pacific is a dark powdery blue. We continue to the Boardwalk on Mission Beach to catch our breaths and to grab a nutrition bar and a drink. Then we take the somewhat hilly trip back. With gorgeous flowers, palm trees, and never-ending scenery I stay entertained. It isn't hard to get into shape around here!Lunch consists of a giant sub sandwich of your choice and snacks to go with it: pretzels, chips, fruit, energy bars, cookies, and a variety of drinks. Enough to satisfy any taste.The next event is ocean kayaking. I've kayaked in the Caribbean and other places with few waves. I am awed with the surfer-challenging waves.We don wet suits and vests then walk to the nearby La Jolla Beach. After instructing us on what to do, Eli jumps into the water, launching us out to sea.The waves are not intimidating but exhilarating!Read this entire feature with photos at:http://www.jetsettersmagazine.com/archive/jetezine/sports02/kayak/calif/hbk/hbk.htmlBy Lena Hunt Mabra, Cozumel Correspondent, Jetsetters Magazine at www.jetsettersmagazine.com About the Author Lena Hunt Mabra, Cozumel Correspondent, Jetsetters Magazine. Join the Travel Writers Network in the logo at www.jetsettersmagazine.com |
| How To Choose Your Road Bike by Andrew Caxton How to choose your road bike? Well the first question is how much do you want to spend and how much cycling will you do? The answer to the first question is a difficult one, many people when they are younger they want to ride there bike all day and what to be the next winner of the Tour de France, but they can not afford to spend much on there bike. If they get fit and win some races and get in a good team they will be given a top class bike, but what usually happens is they have to give up and work, have a family etc. When they are older and have more money they can afford the bike of there dreams. As to how much cycling you do, that depends on whether you can justify having the best bike around and only doing a short ride on Sunday morning. Remember you get what you pay for. Basic Level Bikes. If you go to the larger sports stores or bike shops they will have complete bikes for sale, probably a alloy frame with Shimano Tiagra or Campagnolo Mirage or a mixture of cheaper components, this bike will be built to a price, will ride fairly well, wont be very light and is a good place to start. To get some thing better, start with a nice alloy frame and if you can afford it, carbon forks, then with what money you have left chose your group-set of either Shimano or Campagnolo and then you can pick your saddle, handlebars, wheel rims and tires, this is all fun, but if you are working to a budget, it can be tricky. Mid Level, Touring and Possibly Racing. In this range of bikes you can buy them as a complete cycle, in the cycle shop, sports store or even in the specialist magazines or on the web. It is more fun to choose the components for your frame and how much you want to spend. At this level you would probably be looking at Shimano 105 or Campagnolo Centaur road bike parts and you could possibly buy some built up wheels from Shimano, Campagnolo or Mavic, but first start with the frame, there are many frames out there to choose from, get on the net and look for what you want, it will probably be alloy again, with carbon forks. Alloy seat pin, handle bars and stem and a comfortable saddle. Top Level Bike For Racing and Pleasure. Now it gets more difficult, your components would be Campagnolo Chorus or Shimano Ultegra, unless you can afford the top components of both manufacturers. Wheels again would be possibly Mavic, Shimano or Campagnolo, deep carbon rims look Great and have a wonderful ride, but will probably be too expensive, best if you stick to alloy rims for high pressure tires as tubulars, even though they ride wonderfully, will be expensive and a lot of trouble. Handle bars, stem and seat pin could be alloy or carbon, if you have the money. The frame is the heart of your bike and you will want a good one, at this price range alloy is going to be the first choice with carbon forks and possibly a carbon rear triangle. If you look around you might manage to find an all carbon frame at this price, Giant make a very well priced carbon frame in a compact, sloping design, there are others but you will have to spend a lot more money. The Top of The Shopping List. When’re looking at a lot of money here if you want to buy a professional road bike. The frame will be all carbon or titanium with carbon forks and maybe a carbon rear triangle or alloy main tubes with carbon front or rear end. The nicest ones on the market at the moment, in my opinion, are Colnago, De Rosa, Pinarello, Battaglin, Time, Scott, Cervelo and many more, all are available in different colours, geometries and sizes, check out there web sites for information and try to make your choice, it’s a difficult job. This is a professional road bike so it will have to have the best components, Shimano Dura.Ace or Campagnolo Record are your only choice at this level. Same with the wheels, Dura-Ace or Campagnolo Bora, these can be for high pressure clincher tires or tubulars, tubulars are more trouble but do ride well, but clincher tires are very nearly as nice and much more practical. Handle bars, stem and seat pin will be carbon and your saddle will have a carbon base with a leather cover and sometimes with gel for a little extra comfort. The Best Bike You Can Afford. You do only get what you pay for, so get the best bike you can afford, look around the magazines and the web sites and don’t forget your local bike shop until you get that little jewel, but be careful not to make your partner jealous! About the Author: Andrew Caxton is the webmaster as well as a successful author of http://www.bike-cycling-reviews.com. Read further reviews obout road bikes from Mr.Caxton at http://www.bike-cycling-reviews.com/road-bikes.html Source: www.isnare.com |
| How to choose your road bike, different levels of riders by Andrew Caxton How to choose your road bike, different level of riders How to chose your road bike? Well the first question is how much do you want to spend and how much cycling will you do? The answer to the first question is a difficult one, many people when they are younger they want to ride there bike all day and what to be the next winner of the Tour de France, but they can not afford to spend much on there bike. If they get fit and win some races and get in a good team they will be given a top class bike, but what usually happens is they have to give up and work, have a family etc. When they are older and have more money they can afford the bike of there dreams. As to how much cycling you do, that depends on whether you can justify having the best bike around and only doing a short ride on Sunday morning. Remember you get what you pay for. Basic Level Bikes. If you go to the larger sports stores or bike shops they will have complete bikes for sale, probably a alloy frame with Shimano Tiagra or Campagnolo Mirage or a mixture of cheaper components, this bike will be built to a price, will ride fairly well, wont be very light and is a good place to start. To get some thing better, start with a nice alloy frame and if you can afford it, carbon forks, then with what money you have left chose your group-set of either Shimano or Campagnolo and then you can pick your saddle, handlebars, wheel rims and tires, this is all fun, but if you are working to a budget, it can be tricky. Mid Level, Touring and Possibly Racing. In this range of bikes you can buy them as a complete cycle, in the cycle shop, sports store or even in the specialist magazines or on the web. It is more fun to choose the components for your frame and how much you want to spend. At this level you would probably be looking at Shimano 105 or Campagnolo Centaur road bike parts and you could possibly buy some built up wheels from Shimano, Campagnolo or Mavic, but first start with the frame, there are many frames out there to choose from, get on the net and look for what you want, it will probably be alloy again, with carbon forks. Alloy seat pin, handle bars and stem and a comfortable saddle. Top Level Bike For Racing and Pleasure. Now it gets more difficult, your components would be Campagnolo Chorus or Shimano Ultegra, unless you can afford the top components of both manufacturers. Wheels again would be possibly Mavic, Shimano or Campagnolo, deep carbon rims look Great and have a wonderful ride, but will probably be too expensive, best if you stick to alloy rims for high pressure tires as tubulars, even though they ride wonderfully, will be expensive and a lot of trouble. Handle bars, stem and seat pin could be alloy or carbon, if you have the money. The frame is the heart of your bike and you will want a good one, at this price range alloy is going to be the first choice with carbon forks and possibly a carbon rear triangle. If you look around you might manage to find an all carbon frame at this price, Giant make a very well priced carbon frame in a compact, sloping design, there are others but you will have to spend a lot more money. The Top of The Shopping List. When're looking at a lot of money here if you want to buy a professional road bike. The frame will be all carbon or titanium with carbon forks and maybe a carbon rear triangle or alloy main tubes with carbon front or rear end. The nicest ones on the market at the moment, in my opinion, are Colnago, De Rosa, Pinarello, Battaglin, Time, Scott, Cervelo and many more, all are available in different colours, geometries and sizes, check out there web sites for information and try to make your choice, it's a difficult job. This is a professional road bike so it will have to have the best components, Shimano Dura.Ace or Campagnolo Record are your only choice at this level. Same with the wheels, Dura-Ace or Campagnolo Bora, these can be for high pressure clincher tires or tubulars, tubulars are more trouble but do ride well, but clincher tires are very nearly as nice and much more practical. Handle bars, stem and seat pin will be carbon and your saddle will have a carbon base with a leather cover and sometimes with gel for a little extra comfort. The Best Bike You Can Afford. You do only get what you pay for, so get the best bike you can afford, look around the magazines and the web sites and don't forget your local bike shop until you get that little jewel, but be careful not to make your partner jealous! About the author: Andrew Caxton is a the Webmaster of http://www.bike-cycling-reviews.com. A free online magazine that carries articles on bike components, bicycle clothes and reviews on the best heart rate monitors. |
| Learn to Ride Faster and Safer With Bike Handling Drills by Matt Russ In my experience most cyclists take handling skills and their bicycles’ in general for granted. Most mechanical break downs can be prevented by properly adjusting, maintaining, and inspecting your bicycle. And a lot of crashes can be avoided by being aware of your surroundings and having the skills necessary to react instinctively to emergency situations. By practicing these skills in a controlled environment you will become a faster and safer cyclist. The first thing you need to do is find an open area where there is no traffic such as a parking lot. You will need some orange cones (water bottles can be substituted), and a partner. •Braking: Begin circling your course. Have your partner randomly call out “stop.” You should immediately bring you bike to a quick, safe controlled stop. Have your partner stop quickly as well and look at the distance between your bicycles. If you have good reflexes and reaction time the distance between your bicycles will be close. Practice braking in a variety of situations such as cornering and braking with your partner in front of you (be careful). If you are a beginner cyclist apply both brakes with even pressure. As you get more experienced apply slightly more pressure to your front brake.•Cornering: Choose your line through each corner. If you corner correctly you should clip the apex of the turn. Make sure your inside crank arm is in the vertical position so that your pedal does not touch the ground. Practice cornering inside and outside in both directions and try to pick up your speed each time. Start to sprint out of corners. Set up a slalom course and also practice 180 degree turns. •Looking: When on the road a key element of safety is being able to see what is going on around you and behind you. Beginners have a tough time looking over their shoulder while keeping their bike strait. Have your partner ride several bike lengths behind you. At regular intervals look over your shoulder and call out how many fingers they are holding up. Have your partner give you feedback on if your bike veered or stayed strait.•Bumping: This needs to be performed on a grassy field using a mountain bike. Have your partner “bump” you slightly and touch shoulders simulating situations that occur in pack racing. You should get used to contact with other riders and not panicking in these situations.•Riding Position: Practice transitioning smoothly from various riding positions such as sprinting, climbing in and out of the saddle, and descending.•Drafting: Have your partner vary their speed over the course and try to maintain a constant distance from their rear wheel. Performing these drills a few times per season will not help you much. You must take what you learn and apply it constantly while you are on the road. Good habits must be practiced thousands of times before they become good form.Awareness is your greatest asset when riding in traffic situations. Try to anticipate what drivers are going to do. Eye contact is very important, as is visibility. Constantly check what is going on around you and stay focused on what you are doing. About the Author Matt Russ has coached and trained athletes around the country and internationally. He currently holds licenses by USAT, USATF, and is an Expert level USAC coach. Matt has coached athletes for CTS (Carmichael Training Systems), is an Ultrafit Associate. Visit www.thesportfactory.com for more information. |
| Online shopping for bike accessories by Andrew Caxton At one time you could only buy bike components at your local bike shop, if they had what you wanted or you had to hope they could order it and then you would have to wait for it to come and hope it was the right size, colour or price. Then bicycle magazines started to have adverts for the bigger stores and you could post off a cheque and wait for your prized article to arrive. Now things could not be easier, your at home watching the Tour de France on television, you see you hero attack on the mountainous slopes of Alpe-d Huez, what are those sexy carbon cranksets he is using? They look like FSA or are they Campagnolo, they could be Stella Azurra, which are they? How much will they cost? Where can I get them? Well, get on the Web, put the name of that most wanted item into your search engine and see what it comes up with. The next move can be nearly as exciting as riding your bike up the mountains, that is making comparisons of all the components, something you probably wont be able to do at your local bike shop and then ordering it online, the worst bit is waiting for it to arrive. All the top bike equipment, clothing, frame and bicycle manufacturers have there own web-sites, once you have found what you really want for your cycle, most sites can link you to a retail shop, from there, with the use of your credit card you can order the goods on-line, or check out a store near to where you live and if they stock what you are looking for. This is best for items of clothing, shorts and tops, sizes vary from one maker to another and there is nothing worse than receiving your new professional look a like clothes and it is too big or small, so get down to your local bike shop or sports store, try on your choice for size and if all is OK, you can buy it there and then or if you don't mind waiting and it is at a better price, order and pay for it online and wait for it to arrive in the post to your house. How To Buy Cycling Shoes On Line. There are many bike shoes on the market, and finding the right ones for you can be hard. Look them up on the web, go through the search engine or if you have a particular make in mind, find them online and if you cant try some in a bike shop, this is best, because size can be a problem, one manufacturers size 9 could be a half size bigger or smaller than another company, and most of the best cycling shoes are Italian, so remember that European sizes are very different from American or English sizes, and German shoes are wider and Italian shoes are narrower and you may be looking for a size 44 or 45, so try as many different shoes you can and then make your decision. Very importantly with shoes is which pedal system you are using, Look, Shimano, Campagnolo, Time and all the other systems have different fittings on the sole of the shoe, check up which they have on the shoe manufacturers web-site and then it should then be safe to order them online. And Helmets. An other good and very important item you could look for online is a bike helmet, as with most cycling goods there are many different helmets on the market, some times the helmets you see on the heads of the professionals are difficult to find, but anything is possible on the net, just type it in and away you go, it may be that just the helmet you are looking for is available in Germany, get it ordered, it may take some time to come but if its what you want it will be worth it. Sizes of helmets, like shoes can vary, so if it is possible to try before you buy, then make sure it is a comfortable fit, the big difference between cycling shoes and helmets is that helmets come with different pads to go inside so you can make the helmet fit exactly, which could help if you have ordered the wrong size, this is not something you can do with cycle shoes. About the author: Andrew Caxton is a successful author as well as the webmaster of http://www.bike-cycling-reviews.com Andrew used to publish bike technical reviews. At his site you can find reviews on cycling shoes and bike heart rate monitors |
| Road Bike Selection and Purchase 101 by Matt Russ Road bikes will range in price from $500 to over $5000, and vary greatly in design, materials, and performance. The first decision you need to make is road bike or tri set up. What type of riding are you going to be doing? Are you purchasing the bike for multi-sport competition or strictly for road riding, training, and / or racing? A tri bike is used in triathlons and other multi sport events, has aero bars and a more forward (less comfortable) position, can be slightly heavier than a road bike, and is generally less comfortable. The position puts your body more forward over the front wheel and has your torso almost parallel to the ground. The more forward position makes the bike less stable and harder to handle. On some tri handlebars your hands are far from the brakes, and the handling is quick and less controllable. I do not recommend this type of bike for beginner riders. You may sacrifice a bit of weight for aerodynamics, but unless you are moving pretty quickly, the aerodynamics will not pay off much... About 80% of your resistance while cycling comes from the air around you, but you must be moving above 20 mph to gain the full advantage. If you are a slower beginning cyclist the more aerodynamic position is not as much of a factor. I would start off with a road bike. Second decision; recreation or competition? This is really more about your budget and how competitive you are. A $500 road bike can actually be pretty reliable, but is heavier, requires more maintenance, is not as ergonomic, and the parts wear out faster. There is a trickle down in technology from top of the line road bikes, and an entry level bike can be of surprisingly good quality. Furthermore some entry level bikes can be easily upgraded to make them perform better. An example of an upgrade would be switching to a better wheel set, which perhaps will have the biggest effect on increased speed. Competition level bikes usually start at around $1000. Competition level bikes usually start with a Shimano 105 component group or better. Shimano 105 has all the features of the more expensive groups (Ultegra and Durace), is fully race able and durable, but is a little heavier. Campagnolo also makes excellent bicycle components, but they are usually found on more expensive European models. I have had 105 bikes and full race Durace bikes. The differences are definitely there, but will not be significant to the newer rider. If you are just getting into the sport, an entry level bike may be good enough for you. But if you think you are going to stick with it, and want to be competitive, you should spend the extra money. Third decision; frame type and material. I believe your best value is aluminum. Aluminum is extremely light, stiff, and relatively inexpensive compared with titanium and carbon fiber. Some complain that aluminum transmits road vibration more than other materials, but manufacturers have gotten much better with this. Carbon fiber is more expensive, but will dampen road vibration over long rides. Titanium is even more expensive, and is no longer the lightest most exotic material. If you buy a ti frame you are buying a long term investment. I prefer the latest technology (I buy a bike every 2 years). Aluminum is going to give you the most bang for the buck. Manufacturers are starting to use a combination of aluminum and carbon fiber in their frame sets. Another consideration is geometry- compact or traditional. The industry has moved towards (sometimes) lighter compact frames. These frames have a sloping top tube and look smaller. There advantage is quicker more precise handling, but you do not want to take your hands off the bars. The disadvantage can be that they often do not come in as many sizes, and can be more challenging to fit. My preference is a compact, but I am a smaller rider and I find a good fit with these bikes. New or used? Buying a new bike is like buying a new car. As soon as you drive it off the showroom you are out considerable money, but there is nothing like that new bike feel. If you are not handy, it is going to need regular maintenance (I recommend you learn the basics). Some shops offer a free lifetime maintenance policy. This is a good deal; a full adjustment can run $40+ a pop. If you buy a used bike off of Ebay or from an individual, you may get a lot more bike for the money or you may get a piece of junk. If you want to pair the price down, go used, but don't go cheap. If you are not sure if you are going to stick with cycling this may be the way to go. Either way I highly recommend you get professionally sized, and that does not necessarily mean the sales guy at the shop. An expert will spend a good hour with you examining every aspect of the bikes fit (as many as ten different aspects). I believe you get your best value with large manufacturers such as Giant, Trek, and Cannondale to name a few. The bikes are mass produced, but are generally very high quality and offer the highest component level for the price. Think of them as the Hondas'. The European models generally have more "panache" with custom colors and even custom fitting. The Porshes' can run up to $8000 but are beautifully hand crafted works of art. A personal recommendation of mine; the Giant TCR2 which I think is one of the best bike values. I believe they are going for around $1300. This puts a world class, extremely light bike in your hands for not a lot of money considering the weight and features. The fall is a great time to buy a bicycle because shops are clearing out the old models to make room for the next years and the Christmas rush. You are also going to need shoes, helmet, water bottle cages, computer, a good pump, flat kit, padded shorts, perhaps a rack, and tool kit. Be prepared, this is not a cheap sport even for the beginner, and there is an initial investment. You can find good prices online for accessories at Nashbar.com, Performancebike.com, or Sportsbasement.com. About the Author Matt Russ has coached and trained athletes around the country and internationally. He currently holds licenses by USAT, USATF, and is an Expert level USAC coach. Matt has coached athletes for CTS (Carmicheal Training Systems), is an Ultrafit Associate. Visit www.thesportfactory.com for more information. |
| Pocket Rocket Bikes…just what are they! by Mike Yeager What are pocket rocket bikes? Basically, they are scaled down versions of street bikes, or racing motorcycles. They are not for use in roads and highways, in spite of their power, and they are just for fun or sport. Pocket rocket mini bikes can carry riders up to 220 lbs. in weight. While these are scaled down versions, many models are accurate reproductions of the racing motorcycles they copy in detail, proportion and craftsmanship. As such, you'd expect to see disc brakes, racing tires, lightweight alloy frame, twist grip acceleration control, and all the features you expect in a full scale bike. There are electric and gasoline powered versions of these pocket rocket bikes. One might be satisfied with a model he buys, or have the option to purchase kits to modify it into an "open class" machine. Prices vary from some US$300 all the way up to US$3000. Electric versions are usually the "toys," coming with a rechargeable battery and reaching speeds of around 15 mph. The gasoline powered versions of pocket rocket bikes, while still "toys" (still not for road use), can reach speeds up to 35 mph, or even 50 mpg for open class machines. These gas powered motor bikes are the ones used in races. Pocket rocket bike races? Well, yes, there are such races. In Australia, it's developed into a sport in itself. It's called "minimoto" racing. This type of racing is said to have started in Italy, where a lot of car parks were converted for this. While other countries like Japan had their versions, the Italians developed the sport to the point of building and designing pocket rocket bikes specific to it. Pocket rocket bikes -- toys or machines? Well, there could be no difference. Boys will always be boys, and men will always be boys. About the author: Mike Yeager Publisher http://www.my-pocket-bike-4me.com/ |
