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| 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. |
| 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/ |
| 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. |
| Super Pocket Bikes! by Mike Yeager Super pocket bikes are very popular among racing fanatics. These bikes are just like motorcycles except that they are much smaller in size . Super pocket bikes are like pocket bikes except they have larger engines and carry capacity, but a lower maximum speed. The engine size on these bikes is 49cc. Many of these pocket bikes are used in racing. Super pocket bikes are for racing fanatics. These bikes should not be used on regular highways or streets as they are not safe in those areas. Super pocket bikes are highly safe, but you still need to wear protective gear such as a helmet. Safety is key to minimizing injury. While these machines are gaining in numbers, it is important to realize the dangers involved with them as well. Super pocket bikes look fun and exciting. They look innocent enough because of their size but are fast and dangerous if you do not know what you are doing. Super pocket bikes should be used cautiously and always with the supervision of an adult if, it will be used by a minor. It is possible even to find super pocket bikes at discounted rates. A cheap super pocket bike may have fewer features and possibly lesser speed and strength but it is still a nice bike to begin with. To find a discounted rate on a super pocket bike, just check online or in a local dealership. Often these places will offer discounts as incentives to bring customers in. The super pocket bike is racing fans ideal gift. These bikes are super fast pocket bikes that allow the rider to experience a sense of thrill, adventure, and speed. While most super pocket bikes are costly, it is possible to find a good deal, using local dealers, maybe even picking up a slightly used model may work. Either way, Super pocket bikes are to be taken seriously and caution should be used when allowing minors to use them. Super pocket bikes are a great investment, if purchased wisely. About the author: Mike Yeager Publisher http://www.my-pocket-bike-4me.com/ |
| The 49cc Pocket Bike! by Mike Yeager The 49cc pocket bike is also known as the super pocket bike. These bikes are smaller version of a motorcycle. Pocket bikes are designed to be driven by racers, not streets and highways around the city. These bikes are becoming widely popular, and for that, we should consider all the dangers and restrictions on these bikes. Also, there is the cost factor of a 49cc pocket bike since they are usually pretty pricey items. The 49cc pocket bike, or super pocket bike 49cc, is a great investment. These highly quality bikes are made with quality material and design. Most are manufactured in Italy while some come from the United Kingdom. True super pocket bike fans consider them an art form, not just a bike. Their detail and precision make them so well liked. But, these bikes are not for light riding. They are designed for racing and excitement. And, for that reason, the 49cc pocket bike is dangerous. These bikes are made to race. They are made to cut through the air at high speeds with experienced drivers behind the wheel. So, realizing this, we know that the 49cc pocket bike needs to be taken seriously. If your teen has asked for one of these bikes, consider all the risk factors before purchasing one. Even more so to this point is the cost of the 49cc pocket bike. They are not cheap gifts to give. Lastly, in order to get a good understanding of the 49cc pocket bike, the consumer should do a little research of their own before making this investment. To learn more about super pocket bikes and pocket bikes in general, use the internet to help you find information on the size, speed, power, and overall quality they offer. Look for 49cc pocket bike part availability and required maintenance. Beyond that, when considering the purchase of a 49cc pocket bike, ensure that the driver of this bike will be able to control it safely. Even more importantly, talk to a dealer or a professional about the risks involved in owning the 49cc pocket bike. About the author: Mike Yeager Publisher http://www.my-pocket-bike-4me.com/ |
| The Advantages of Recumbent Exercise Bikes by Michael Walker There are so many exercise bikes available that it’s easy to be overwhelmed. Spinning bikes, stationary bikes, dual action bikes, and recumbent bikes are probably some of the terms you’ve heard. It’s almost as though you have to be a fitness equipment engineer to understand the differences! Here’s a quick summary of these confusing terms.•Spinning BikesYou’ve probably heard about the spin craze that has become so popular in health clubs. Spinning bikes usually have at least a front wheel that spins (which is why they are so brilliantly named spinning bikes). These bikes might be the current fad, but they aren’t very comfortable. The seats are small and hard. The classes make these boring bikes more interesting, but as home exercise bikes, they quickly become tedious.•Stationary BikesStationary bikes (or upright bikes) are the exercise bikes that most people can identify. It’s the same basic model as in the 1980’s. Once again, it’s fairly uncomfortable. You can’t really do anything like read or watch TV because you’re leaning left and right and bouncing, so it, too, quickly gets boring.•Dual Action BikesDual action bikes are aptly named, as they give you both an upper and lower body workout. There are handles that move independently - much like an elliptical machine. It’s a good workout, but a bit tough for beginners, and as usual, the time on the bike will eventually get boring.You can also get dual action bikes that allow you to adjust the machine to create an arm-pedaling workout. It’s usually fairly difficult to make the adjustments. It’s also two separate exercises, which create a longer workout. Most people aren’t as likely to keep up such a routine.•Recumbent BikesRecumbent bikes are the exercise bikes with the comfortable bucket seats. You sit back and lower to the ground as you pedal. These exercise bikes are easy enough for even the most sedentary beginners, and they usually offer workout programs to keep the workouts from becoming mundane.The Experts Recognize the Advantages of Recumbent BikesMost physicians and personal trainers recommend recumbent bikes. Recumbent bikes are better for people of all different fitness levels. You are more likely to keep up a recumbent bike routine over time, the bikes are safer, and there are different benefits for both men and women.•Recumbent Bikes for All Fitness LevelsEven the most sedentary person will find a recumbent exercise bike easy to use. You can adjust the settings to offer little or no resistance as you pedal. People who are overweight will definitely find the seat much larger and more comfortable than other exercise bikes.Athletes will find the recumbent exercise bike a challenge. The resistance can become incredibly difficult. The bike can simulate pedaling up hills. Most recumbent bikes offer various programs that will require you to sprint and tackle hills. If you want an upper body workout as you pedal, you can easily add weights and do repetitions as you sit back in the recumbent bike seat.•Recumbent Bikes Offer a Sustainable WorkoutThe programs offered by most recumbent exercise bikes definitely keep the workout from becoming boring. You can simulate a course that is easy or difficult, flat or hilly. When shopping for exercise bikes, it’s better to get a bike with as many variations as possible.The fact that a recumbent bike is suitable for all levels will keep you getting back on the bike. If you’re feeling particularly tired or lazy one day, you can have an easy workout where you can read a book or newspaper. If you really want to test your limits, you can crank up the music, set the machine to more difficult levels, and add some weights for an upper body workout.•Recumbent Bikes are SaferBecause you sit back and lower to the ground in a recumbent bike, it is better for your body. Most exercise bikes force you to hunch over, causing a stiff back. Some dual action bikes are back injuries waiting to happen. Recumbent bikes require that you sit with good posture as you pedal.Recumbent bikes also offer one of the few cardio workouts that put no pressure on your knees and other joints. You can’t “cheat” on a recumbent bike and stand up when you’re finding it more difficult to pedal. Standing like that on other types of exercise bikes puts unnecessary pressure on your knees and ankles. Recumbent bikes let your body exercise at an angle where your body weight is not stressing your joints. Even people with back and knee problems will find a recumbent bike easy to use.•Why Men Should Choose Recumbent Exercise BikesSo many men neglect their lower bodies when they workout, especially in strength training. It’s common to see buffed out men with giant biceps and tiny little bird legs. That’s because it’s easier to get an upper body workout at home. If you just invest in a recumbent bike, you can set the machine to high resistance. You will build leg muscle, and you can even do curls while you pedal.Recumbent bikes can also allow men to get a great cardio workout without the discomfort that only a man knows on regular bikes or other types of exercise bikes. With the large, comfortable seats of recumbent bikes, you are much more likely to enjoy your workout pain-free.If you move the seat of a recumbent bike up a bit to bring your legs higher, you can even target the lower abs and have to do less crunches to get the bottom of your six-pack!•Things Women Should Know About Recumbent BikesTwo words, ladies: legs and bottoms. Recumbent exercise bikes are so comfortable and easy to use that eventually you can do workouts giving you results like you’ve spent hours a day on a stair-stepper.Recumbent bikes can give you a fat burning cardio workout with enough resistance to help you build long, lean muscle. Picture Tina Turner legs. Recumbent bikes also are great for your inner thighs. Using different programs and settings, you will be able to target different muscle areas in your legs for longer looking, leaner legs.According to most polls, women claim in higher numbers to not have time for exercise because of more responsibilities in the home. With the positioning of a recumbent bike, you can multi-task to more easily fit in a workout. You are able to read, catch the news, and even use a phone or your handheld organizer.Finding a Recumbent Exercise BikeWith prices between $200 and $3000, there is quite a variety of recumbent bikes available. Use the Internet to find great deals (including free shipping most of the time). Because the bikes are great for any level and help you to finally be able to stick with a safe and effective workout routine, you can splurge a little. This is definitely one of the best investments you can make for your health. About the Author Michael Walker is a freelance author providing useful information about exercise bikes, recumbent exercise bikes and spinning bikes. |
| The Origin Of Pocket Bikes by Mark Lambie The concept of pocket bikes also known as mini bikes, mini motos, or mini motorcycles) began years ago in Japan, a country known for miniaturizing full-scale products. As crude mockups of the first pocket bikes were developed and ridden, a brand new trend and following developed. As the sport spread into Europe, Italian manufacturer Polini began research and development into producing high quality racing Minimoto bikes. Throughout the years, the combination of Japanese innovation and Italian craftsmanship has produced ultra high performance pocket bikes. Some of today's top motorcycle racers got their start in the sport of pocket bike racing. Champion riders started in this smaller scale sport and eventually dominated all pocket bike racing events throughout the world. Until recently, quality pocket bikes were largely out of reach and unavailable to the casual rider. Prices of pocket bikes reached upwards of $4000. These astronomical costs were mainly due to research and development costs to provide optimum frame geometry, motor configurations and dimensions. Today's manufacturers are able to use the information pioneered by these Italian and Japanese companies and develop pocket bikes that are essentially configured the same way including motor setup, frame geometry, braking systems, etc. Because these upfront costs were avoided, prices of these high quality pocket bikes are much less expensive today
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. |
| Tips for Mountain bikers in Spain by Steve Murray As any keen mountain biker will know, there are some important rules to follow and bike handling skills to master before subjecting yourself and your bike to the thrills and spills of off-road riding. Although most of us ride within our capabilities most of the time, riding on different trails in hot weather conditions can present a new set of challenges requiring some new biking skills and knowledge. Here in Southern Spain, I spend most of my time riding in warm and dry conditions, on shale/gravel trails in relatively remote areas, at medium to high altitude (1000 – 4000 ft). I say relatively remote, in that I seldom meet other bikers, hikers or other like-minded individuals. In other words, you must be prepared to patch yourself up and get yourself off the mountainside in the event of an accident. Here are some points to consider before embarking on your Spanish MTB adventure.Planning routes:Map it out - When planning routes for yourself and other bikers to ride, get hold of a map first. I use the 1:25,000 topographical maps published by the Centro Nacional De Informacion Geografica (CNIG). They show most off-road vehicle tracks, forestry access roads and some single track/footpaths.Note: I am not sure how often they are updated. Some trails marked on these maps can suddenly disappear. On the other hand, I have ridden trails, which are not indicated, on the maps. Terrain and time of year -Taking into account the distance, terrain, altitude, gradients and vegetation you can plan a suitable route for the time of year.Mid-summer (early morning and evening riding advisable) look for shaded trails, low gradients with less altitude gain and think about places to refill water bottles. Mid-winter This time of year it can be lovely and warm (15-20 deg C ) at sea level and pretty chilly (0-5) at 1000+ metres. When ascending you are generating a lot of heat, coming down the other side at 40Kph + you are subjecting your body to a wind chill factor which can drop temperatures a further 10 degrees. - carry extra layers of clothing.Preparation :Rider - You of course, must be fit for the ride and this cannot be achieved the night before.…… although it can be enhanced by laying off the San Miguel.Eat a decent breakfast, mainly carbohydrates, Cereal, toast and fruit for example.Stretch before you leave and spin in a low gear for about 1 km when you first set off (especially in winter).Know some first-aid that you can administer to yourself as well as to others. E.g dealing with Bleeding and serious grazes.Bike & bits - Bike set-up and Maintenance is much the same everywhere so I won’t bore you with details of what you already know, however pay attention to the following. -Check for any play in wheel, steering and bottom bracket bearings. With a lot of fast descents and rocky ground it is worth a quick adjustment before any loose bits get worse.-Chain needs regular attention in these dry, dusty conditions (every 2-3 rides). Run it through a cleaner, apply fine oil and then remove any excess lubricant, which only acts as a magnet to any dirt. Clean shocks and apply thin film of silicone-based lubricant -Tyres, nice ‘n’ knobbly if you’re intending to be off-road 90 % of the time.With a lot of climbing on loose surfaces and descents on rocky stuff I get more traction and comfort with wider tyres at a lower pressure.-2 spare tubes ( at least) - There are some vicious plants in the campo, especially prominent in the summer months, with thorns like you wouldn’t believe. Check inside surface of tyre thoroughly before fitting new tube – where there is one thorn there could be many.- Helmet and gloves - This should go without saying.Water - I usually allow for 1L of water per hour of riding. In the winter on a leisurely low level ride you may drink less than this, during the summer months it can be double. When the weather is hot, I carry 2 bottles on the bike and 2 in my rucksack. Most villages and towns have a natural spring or potable water available somewhere, on longer routes it is worth knowing where the nearest habitations are.Food - Unlike thirst, hunger pangs will pass. On a short ride in warm conditions you may not even feel like eating – the wet stuff is far more important. However it is not advisable to deplete energy reserves so always have some driedfruit/muesli bar with you – Newsagents are not a common feature of Spanish villages and café/bars may not be open all day.First-aid kit – This doesn’t need to be bulky. A small well-packed container, including the following; Bandage, gauze pads, safety pins, plasters, antiseptic cream.Clothing – for comfort and protection from exposure to the sun and cold.-2 or more thin layers especially on upper body for better temperature regulation, increased insulation ( more air layers) and protection against grazing if you fall off.- Bandanas one folded and tied around the forehead keeps sweat out of your eyes.Another folded diagonally and tied loosely to keep sun off back of neck.- Sunglasses- High protection sun-cream on any exposed skin.Safety on the trail:Hazards such as loose surfaces, ditches, eroded gullies and the like will always be present – it’s something that appeals to us MTBers. Accidents occur when we are unfamiliar with these conditions, over confident in our ability or meet with something unexpected in our path. Good bike handling skills can prevent or help get you out of a sticky moment, however when taking on steep descents and tricky technical sections be prepared for the unexpected Dogs - Some people are put off from biking and walking in Spain because of the dogs they may encounter. More often than not this will be when passing by/through a farmyard. In my experiences (which doesn’t include any nasty ones yet – touch wood) Spanish mutts come under the following categories;1. Bark and run away2. Bark and chase3. Total disinterest in your presence.In most cases it isn’t always clear whether the dog is of type 1 or 2 until you have committed yourself to entering its territory. If you are starting a long descent when they give chase, you can give a two-finger salute and go for it. If however you are grinding uphill in 1st gear and the blighter is loping at your side with plenty in reserve it can be a bit intimidating – and you probably won’t care much for my categorising.When passing farm buildings, I always assume that dogs are present.If they do appear but remain at a distance and bark, I stand on my pedals to make myself taller and ride slowly but confidently past. If a dog/dogs begins to advance I shout “FUERA” the term often used to send a dog out or away. This will usually work and also bring your presence to the attention of the household. You can advance and repeat this procedure if the animal is reluctant to give way. Stooping as if to pick up a rock can also intimidate Spanish dogs. If you feel at this stage that it is still too risky then trust your instinct and retreat to find an alternative route.In my experience, dogs will not attack if you retreat in a calm but confident manner – DON’ T RUN.In general Plan your rideDon’t ride alone on unfamiliar trailsCarry spares and sufficient waterProtect your body from falls and extreme weather conditions.Then get out there and enjoy yourself About the Author Steve Murray lives in spain and Runs and Adventure Sports Company www.abdal-adventures.com |
| Tips on a Comfortable, Efficient Position on the Bike by Murray Priestley Good positioning on the bike is very important for efficient mountain biking. The height of the seat should allow you to have your foot at the lowest point in the pedal stroke. Still, it should leave some roam for a slight bend in your knee. Your hips will rock when you pedal if you extend your legs fully. However, if the bend in knee is too much, the full pedal power will not get to the pedals. You run the risk of leg cramps and discomfort with incorrect positioning on the bike. When you have your foot and pedal in the "3 o’clock" position, your knee should be directly over the pedal. For that, you will need to adjust your seat position by moving it forward or backward.The width of the handlebars in your bike should be approximately equal to your shoulder width. Its position should be at the same level as the seat. A slight bend in your elbows will help you absorb shock while riding. A change in stem length may also be helpful. You will have a wide variety of stem sizes in your local cycle shop. Keeping the hands straight and changing hand positions occasionally help avoid hand numbness over long rides. The grip should be firm, but relaxed. For additional positioning options, you can have a set of bar-ends. You should position yourself on the seat on a comfortable saddle well behind the cranks. The position should be so that it does not numb the plumbing or crush the folds. Your body weight should be on your butt while riding, not your hands.There should be a noticeable bend in your elbow as you ride the brake hoods. This will keep your forearm more horizontal than your upper arm. Your position on the bike should give your body a good amount of flexibility. You should be able to make the necessary body movements without a strain while on the move. You can push the seat a little back and keep the bars much higher. This will allow you to grab the tops (the straight section of the bar next to the stem) gently without "falling into" them. It is not impossible to find such a position in bikes. However, most people prefer small bikes because they are lighter, stiffer, stronger and more responsive. Experienced bike riders usually associate big frame bikes with newcomers. That is why they avoid bikes with big frames. However, when it comes to performance, those bikes are quite okay. A big frame bike provides a better perch with its weight, rust and squeaks. It gives a comfortable riding position. Settling on a saddle height is the first step to determine the proper frame size of the bike. The saddle height is the distance from the top of the saddle to the center of the bottom bracket. The seat tube angle determines this height to some extent. If you go farther behind the pedals on your seat, you will be farther away for any given saddle height. The saddle height of your bike should give you a comfortable position with proper leg extension.The saddle height and fore-and-aft ness should allow you to have a slight bend in your knee at the bottom of the stroke. After you set the saddle height and fore-and-aft ness, you can raise the bars slightly to ensure more comfort. Most of the riders have the tops of the bars where the drops are. The drops remain down so far that they never get to them. There are various reasons why they cannot raise the bars enough. It may be due to a short stem quill or a low stem angle. It may also happen if the frame is too small. Sometimes, the reason may be a combination of all these. The most common way to raise the stem on a bike is with either an up jotter like those you find on some mountain bikes or a long-quill "periscope" style. About the Author This article is an excert from a new downloadable ebook. For more information see http://www.terrainskills.com/ |
| Tips On Bike Maintenance by Andrew Caxton First of all, and before start any bicycle maintenance you have to clean your bike, that doesn't mean a bit of wipe with a cloth, you have to clean it appropriately and there are a few things you will need in order to do the job. Probably, you will have to buy some tools. However, notice that most of them can be found around the house. Try to find them under the kitchen sink, but don’t let your wife or mother catch you. What is the required equipment: - A bike workstand or handy tree/washing line to hang your bike on. Old rear hub or old axle or stick Degreaser or diesel fuel (careful diesel is not good for your hands). Hot water. Washing up liquid. 2 buckets (1 with soapy and 1 with clean water). Paint brush. Old water bottle. Bottlebrush. Soft scrubbing brush. 2 sponges. Cloths. Oil. And for that extra shinny finish, spray polish.An important premise when you are cleaning your bike is to keep your eyes well opened. It’s necessary to remember anything that may need fixing later, this is how a mechanic on a professional cycling team does it, but he might have 10 bikes to look after, so it’s a lot easier with only one. You can start from the bike wheels, and then cut the top off the old water bottle and put some degreaser in it, you can use a spray degreaser, but you waste most of it. With the paintbrush work the degreaser into the sprockets being careful not to get too much into the bearings. Then with some hot water and washing up liquid scrub the sprockets clean, then scrub the rims clean of old brake block residue, you can use a little degreaser to help this, but don’t get it on your tires. Scrub the tires clean, with soft scrubbing brush, at this point look at the tires for any cut in the tread that could puncture later and inspect the rims for damage or if they are wearing thin. With a soapy sponge wash the spokes and then rinse them in clean water and put them to one side to dry, not in direct sunlight. Now take the bottlebrush or a sponge and a bucket of soapy water and clean under the cycle saddle, under the bottom bracket, under the brakes and under the forks, use the scrubbing brush to shift any stubborn dirt, then take a soapy sponge and clean off all the degreaser and loosened dirt. Then with a clean soapy sponge clean every part of the bike, start with the handlebars and saddle and work your way down the bike making sure the whole bike is sparkling clean, then rinse with clean water. Remember keep your eyes open for things like worn brake blocks, gritty bearings, tight or frayed cables or any cracks or damage to the frame, if all is OK put the wheels back in. Things to look for while you are cleaning your bike: - Worn brake blocks. Damaged or thin rim walls. Damaged or cut tires. Damaged chain. Damaged or bent handlebars and stem. Twisted or damaged saddle. Torn or worn handle bar tape. Damaged or worn chain rings and sprockets. Damaged or worn chain. Damage to cranks or pedals. Condition or gear and brake cables. Damage to frame tubes. Loose or broken spokes. Condition of brake calipers. All bearings should run smoothly.So your bike is now clean, dry it with a clean cloth and if you want it to really shine, get the spray polish out, but don’t get any on the brake surface or you wont be able to stop the first time you go out. Next you have to oil the chain and all moving parts, brake pivot bolts, front and rear derailleur, pedal springs and the pivots on the brake levers, wipe away any spilt oil, check your gears and brakes work well, pump up your tires and away you go on your clean and sparkling bike. Oh! And remember to put back all that stuff from under the sink before you go on your bike ride or you’ll be making your own dinner when you get home. http://www.bike-cycling-reviews.com About the Author Mr.Caxton is a the Webmaster of http://www.bike-cycling-reviews.com. A free online magazine that carries articles on road bikes as well as mountain bikes. |
| What are Pocket Bikes? by Mark Lambie Pocket bikes, also known as mini motos, are miniature sized motorcycles averaging around 47 inches long and 18 inches tall. Pocket bike, although small enough to carry under one's arm, are capable of impressive speeds. They are usually built with gas-powered engines. The smaller industrial-motored models used by Junior class racers are capable of speeds of over 35 mph, the average 4.2 hp and 6.2 hp racing models achieve about 40-45 mph, and open class machines reach 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. While many owners race their pocket bikes at competitions and go-kart tracks, others simply enjoy riding their pocket bikes in open local areas. There are many options for legally racing your pocket bike with friends and in organized competitions. A racing sanctioning body has been established to promote racing in North America called NAPRA, the North American Pocket Bike Racing Association. Go-kart tracks offer a road racecourse that is perfectly scaled to Pocket bikes. Whatever your choice, it is yours to make. And it will be a fun one. Nothing quite matches Pocket bike racing
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. |
| Why Exercise Bikes Might Be The Ultimate Fitness by Its Kirmani Exercise bikes are the first things that come to your mind when you talk about home exercise equipments. Exercise cycles popularly known as exercise bikes have gained so much recognition that they are next to TV in demand and popularity among the household items. The best part about workouts with exercise bike is that it has no side effects or no rules to follow. This makes it a tremendous gizmo to chop off that extra fat just like that. Most health conscious people keep the exercise bike in their home for fitness. There are fundamentally two types of exercise bikes, upright bikes and recumbent bikes. Upright bikes are more like real bicycles with the exception that they do not run on road. Recumbent bikes on the other hand, have bucket seats and the pedals out in the front. These exercise cycles are fit for overweight people and those suffering from backaches. Exercise Bikes the Easiest Way to Burn Fat Unlike big exercise machines and gym equipments, exercise bike are simple to use and free from side effects. The functions of this exercise equipment are simple and everybody in you family, even kids can use it. Just sit on it, start pedaling and see your fat start burning. The exercise bikes have a regulator gear to control the power exerted and you can adjust it according to the workout required. Adjustable seat and handle makes it possible for persons of all age and size to use the same equipment. You can't go wrong with an exercise bike. It counts your miles and gives better control on your diet management program. Exercise Bikes: Mix Workout With Entertainment The biggest excuse for inability to exercise is lack of time. Exercise bike is an appropriate solution for all such problems and excuses. If you are a TV buff and spend most of your free time watching TV, you can keep the exercise bike in the TV room and enjoy the movie or your favorite soap while exercising. You can even read a book, newspaper or help your kids with their homework while pedaling and burning out those extra inches from your waistline. You do not have to take a step out of your home for exercise and you can spend that time with your family and enjoy the workout without missing any important phone call. Exercise Bikes-The Economic Exercising Alternative Besides simplicity, the second best thing about the exercise bike is its cost. Bikes with several features are available to fit all the budget requirements. The basic equipment comes for as low as $50. For a trial, you can even start with a used bike. There are ample of used bikes available on sale through online stores, auctions and garage sales. Moreover, the bikes have a long life and low or even no maintenance requirement. Select the right exercise bike for yourself and get going for a healthy and fit body. About the Author: Paul Johnson works as a software developer, often working long hours under great stress. He considers exercise crucial to his health. When purchasing his own fintess equipment he researched all available products. Now he's written a series of useful articles on choosing (and using) exercise equipment. Source: www.isnare.com |
| Winter Bike Riding --The Safe Way by Kay Zetkin Are you one of those motorcycle riders that live in northern climates where winters can be harsh and still choose to continue riding when the bitter winter sets in? Well, everybody would say you're dreadful to even consider riding out in the snow. Contemporaries who are more protective of their bikes might even say that you're a brutal slave-driver of your beloved bike.Winter is really a terrible season for motorcycle enthusiasts. Determined as you are to go on riding, surviving the harsh winters should be kept in mind to prevent any inevitable danger that would cause trauma for you and your beloved motorcycle. Remember that winter riding is not the time to boast of a great stamina and show off your toughness just by wearing extra clothing and driving roughshod over your bike like it's any hot summer day. Precautions must always be taken if you plan to go out riding during winter. So how do you go about preparing your motorcycle and yourself?For your motorcycle: - You need to get a windshield. Don't ever think that twenty degree temperatures with severe wind chill factors are enjoyable enough for you to neglect having a windshield. - Make sure your motorcycle batter could stand the strain of chilly blasts. Keep it charged and you can try to use Battery Tender for this. - Using the proper oil for your motorcycle is also top priority. The 10w - 40w oil is sufficient enough. - For those with liquid-cooled bikes, make sure that the reading on the anti-freeze is sufficient for the temperatures you'll be expecting. - Make sure your bike has been thoroughly inspected for any mechanical problems before starting your ride.For yourself:- Be patient of the use of your protective gears that would restrict your overall movement while riding. Like wearing full-faced helmets and heavy clothing that would prevent free and easy movement. - Keep yourself posted over weather forecasts and road condition reports over the route you'll be taking. It is a good measure especially for those who will ride a long way from home. - Cover up your body and eliminate all the places where the cold air can easily enter. Some winter riders wear heavy clothing and use duct tape to seal up openings. But modern fabrics designed to seal out the cold and retain body heat can be more preferable. There's winter clothing made specifically for motorcyclists. You can even use ski pants. - Electric vests and electric gloves can also be preferable. These electric gadgets are interconnected with wires that also connect to a thermostat that can be kept in your pocket. One end of the thermostat goes to a dedicated connector that leads to the battery. You'll find yourself fleecy warm in these gadgets to it has a bulkiness to it.Your winter riding can be a great adventure. Just make sure that while you're having fun, you and your motorcycle are also safe and sound. Copyright © 2005 Kay Zetkin About Kay: Kay Zetkin discovered the pleasure of writing through her daily journals as a teen-ager. Writing in it helped sort out her thoughts, relieve her feelings and record what she observes of the world. For her, writing is an effective tool to express your viewpoints... To write is already to choose, thus, writing should be done along with a critical mind and a caring soul. She hopes to become more professional, skilled and mature in her craft. Aside from writing Kay likes to spend her time reading. Reading lets her travel to far-off imagined places and situations. She also learns a lot from books, especially from the socio-political and historical ones. For comments and inquiries about the article visit http://www.aftermarketmotorcyclepartsnow.com |
| Winter Season Come: Basic Steps to Winterize Your Bike by Kay Zetkin We know that motorcycle enthusiasts out there are knowledgeable enough in how to care for their bikes. Having a motorcycle and considering it as a prized possession is indeed tedious work. And here, we would like to share bits of information about several things that you may find really important, especially if you're a motorcyclist from northern climates.Northern climates motorcyclists experience dilemmas during the winter season comes. Once winter approaches, they either take the option of continuing their motorcycle riding, not wishing to be apart from their motorcycles for the winter spell or they winterize their motorcycles and put it away until spring comes. Winter brings with it cold, icy, wet weather. These conditions do not bode well for your motorcycle's condition and neither is it a great condition for riding your bike.Every motorcyclist may have many different opinions on how to do the process of winterizing their motorcycles. Doing it is a matter of grave significance in order to restore the power and built of your motorcycle in order for it to be sturdy during its active lifespan. Once you have decided on putting away your bike temporarily as the winter sets in, here are several basic steps to winterize your bike and put your mind at ease for the rest of the winter. - Even before the winter sets in, check over your motorcycle for any mechanical problems. If you find something wrong, put it in repair immediately. - The engine oil and oil filter of your bike must be changed. After this, run the engine briefly so that the oil can circulate completely through the system. Try to avoid using used motor oil as it is contaminated with acids. Drain your float bowls by running the engine, shutting off the fuel or letting the engine use up the fuel in the float bowls. - After the last ride of the season, top off your gas tank. This will prevent water condensation in the tank. You can treat your gas with a gasoline stabilizer for your fuel to stay good through the winter. - Your motorcycle's battery should be checked. This entails cleaning the battery terminals and connecting a Battery Tender or similar trickle charger. You can also remove the battery and store it in a warm, dry place. - Take time to clean and wax your bike. - After cleaning and waxing it thoroughly, dry it up real good and cover it. Find a nice and warm garage that's safe from cold drafts in which to store your bike. - Ooops! Before leaving your bike alone in its cozy place, check your tires and inflate them to the proper pressure. - Also, make sure the garage you found can be locked up real tight and the registration and other papers are removed from its case.There's no law saying not to drop in on your bike every couple of weeks. This will remind you that once the winter is gone, you and your bike will both be back in the road again! Copyright © 2005 Kay Zetkin About Kay: Kay Zetkin discovered the pleasure of writing through her daily journals as a teen-ager. Writing in it helped sort out her thoughts, relieve her feelings and record what she observes of the world. For her, writing is an effective tool to express your viewpoints... To write is already to choose, thus, writing should be done along with a critical mind and a caring soul. She hopes to become more professional, skilled and mature in her craft. Aside from writing Kay likes to spend her time reading. Reading lets her travel to far-off imagined places and situations. She also learns a lot from books, especially from the socio-political and historical ones. For comments and inquiries about the article visit http://www.aftermarketmotorcyclepartsnow.com |
| Leather Jacket Blazer Coat Bomber Biker Skirt Pants Vests Handbags by Martina Jastin This is the world of fashion: the beautiful models, the runways, the photographers, and the clothes. Fashion is not only what we wear, it is also how we describe ourselves to the world. When you’re deciding which fashion is for you, take the time to consider your figure and style and also how you want to be perceived. Style.....! What comes in style ? Different patterns of dresses, new fashionable clothings & accessories . If you’re wearing a leather apparel , you will be the one who has a 'great new look'. Leather fashion encompass a great collection of Quality Leather Apparel - leather jacket, biker, fur coat, vest, skirt,pants, halter, shorts and accessories with an outstanding service . The hottest trend in the fashion industry is "LEATHER". The industry has emerged with trendy leather apparel & accessories for dashing men and women . Try this approach: choose a leather style that you feel comfortable and confident in, accessorize it with a few tasteful choices (such as a nice bag) and enjoy your evening out. Leather Apparels are commonly available in many different styles and colours. The Classic Italian lambskin blazers, dyed fur collections in Jackets are very soft, comfortable, well fitting and can last longer. They are great to wear in cold weather because they can retain body heat and are wind proof as well. Fits in with the "cruiser" look and style. Choose a leather apparel that flatters your individual figure : leather jackets, leather bombers, leather pants, leather bikers, leather cycle jackets, leather motorcycle jackets, leather coats, leather skirts, riding chap pants, leather handbags and accessories, leather vests, leather tank tops, leather shorts, leather hot pants, leather halter. Get all at your door step in an compatable price. About the author: Martina Jastin leather-fashion-online.com is a leading online provider of Quality Leather Apparels. For more information and an introduction to leather accessories , please visit us at www.leather-fashion-online.comfashion_leather@yahoo.com |
| Dirt Bike Crashes by Andrew Green If you’re considering dirt bike racing as a hobby there is one thing that you are definitely going to have to prepare yourself for and that’s dirt bike crashes. I don’t think there’s a single dirt biker out there who hasn’t been involved in a crash of one sort or another. The nature of the sport means they are inevitable and when it happens there’s a good chance it is going to hurt.Wearing the proper safety gear won’t prevent you from crashing your bike, but it may well prevent serious injury. The helmet is probably the most obvious because it stops a glance to the head from becoming a full-blown head trauma. They really do save lives on a regular basis and riding without one isn’t just foolish, it’s suicidal.Proper boots, jerseys and trousers will protect the majority of the rest of your body from serious injury in most cases and gloves will protect your hands. Never be tempted to ride without the full quota of protective gear.Crashes will happen most often when you are still an inexperienced rider. Making the wrong decision, turning late or taking a jump badly will inevitably lead to ground time for you and your bike but it doesn’t have to hurt that much and it definitely shouldn’t stop you taking part and having fun. Everyone who sits on a dirt bike knows the risks of crashing but that’s where the adrenalin comes into it.It’s been said that there are only two types of racer; those that have been down and those that are going to go down. It really is inevitable, so make sure you’re as protected as you can be when it happens. Many professional riders can list numerous broken bones and some nasty dirt rash as part of their credentials but they keep getting back on the bike for more. They truly are adrenalin junkies.Dirt bike crashes can happen at any speed and at any time, whether you are just setting off and hardly moving, in full flight and getting air or at full throttle down the straight. You could hit a bump, clip tyres with another rider or simply lose control. Dirt isn’t even and even with the specialist tyres you aren’t always guaranteed a safe ride.Enjoy dirt bike racing and be prepared for the fact that if you haven’t already then you will experience a dirt bike crash before your time is up. Be prepared and be protected, as this will mean the difference between cuts and bruises and serious injury. About the Author Dirt Bikes HQ, http://www.dirtbikeshq.com/, for lots of information about dirt biking. |
| 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 This article is brought to you by Pocket Bike Fun a website dedicated to everything pocketbikes. Visit us today. |
| Leather pants | Leather chaps | Leather Biker pants by Rosly |
| The 10 Bike Shop Customer Etiquette Commandments by 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, don't 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.
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.
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| Where to race your pocket bike by Mark Lambie While many Pocket bike owners race their pocket bikes at competitions and go-kart tracks, others simply enjoy zipping around on their pocket bikes for recreational purposes in open local areas. There are many options for legally racing your pocket bike with friends and in organized competitions. A racing sanctioning body has been established to promote racing in North America called NAPRA, the North American Pocket Bike Racing Association. Go-kart tracks offer a road racecourse that is perfectly scaled to Pocket Bikes You can give your local go-kart track a call or get in touch with NAPRA itself to see if any tracks or leagues are offering racing in your area. Major kart tracks across the country have adopted pocket bike racing, and there are sure to be more as the national interest in pocket grows with every passing day. Outside of pocket bike competitions, you can ride your pocket bike on private property in enclosed courses. Here are some guidelines for recreational pocket bike riding: find a clear, open area that allows for high speeds, be sure there are no major obstacles or obstructions that could cause harm or injury, ride on a relatively smooth surface to maximize control, and steer clear of public roads and pedestrian-heavy areas About the Author This article is brought to you by Pocket Bike Fun a website dedicated to everything pocketbikes. Visit us today. |
| Dirt Bike Safety by Andrew Green |
| Cycling components and bike accessories from Internet by Andrew Caxton At one time you could only buy cycling equipment at your local cycle 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 cycling 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 cranks he’s 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’s making comparisons of all the equipment, something you probably wont be able to do at your local cycle shop and then ordering it online, the worst bit is waiting for it to arrive. All the top cycle components, clothing, frames and cycle manufacturers have their own web-sites, once you’ve found what you really want for your bike, most sites can link you to a retail out let, 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 jersey sizes vary from one maker to another and there is nothing worse than receiving your new professional look a like kit and it is too big or small, so get down to your local cycle 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’s at a better price, order and pay for it online and wait for it to arrive in the post to your house. There are many cycling 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 can’t try some in a shop, this is best, because size can be a problem, one manufacturer 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. An other good and very important item you could look for online is a cycle 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 Holland, get it ordered, it may take some time to come but if its what you want it’ll be worth it. Sizes of helmets, like shoes can vary, so if it is possible to try before you buy, then make sure it’s a comfortable fit, the big difference between cycle 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’ve ordered the wrong size, this is not something you can do with cycling shoes. The net is a great way to find the frame size you want for your new bike, with the new sloping frame designs it can be tricky to know which size to order, all frame designers have their own ideas for what is best, so if you know the top tube length of your present bike then you can compare online with the design dimensions on the manufacturers web-site and then you will know what size to order either at you local bike shop or from your internet supplier. As this is probably the most important and expensive thing you’ll buy for your cycling, and so with online shopping you can make sure you make the right decision. A. Caxton contributes adding articles and reviews to cycle componentsBike Cycling Reviews. You can contact him at webmaster@bike-cycling-reviews.com |
| Dirt Bike Helmets by Andrew Green Safety before looking cool. Always wear a dirt bike helmet. Let’s face it, everyone wants to look the part when they’re out on their dirt bike, but it’s difficult to look cool when your head is split open. Dirt bike helmets are singly the most important factor you should consider when buying your protective gear for dirt biking. Don’t get me wrong though because boots, a jersey and proper pants are all exceptionally important items but the helmet is the one that stops you killing yourself in a crash. There are quite a few things to consider when looking to buy any helmet, but especially your first one; it’s quite a momentous occasion and you want to make sure you do it right. What should I consider when buying dirt bike helmets? The first thing you have to consider is that you are going to wear a helmet every time you go dirt bike racing. There should be absolutely no exception to this. If you’re looking to buy your first helmet it can seem quite a daunting task. You’ve probably looked on the Internet and seen one that you think looks good, safe and is reasonably priced. My first word of warning though, is not to buy dirt bike helmets without seeing it and preferably trying it on first, but at the very least you should go and try some helmets on in your local store. You can get a good idea for what size fits well and take this knowledge away with you. Besides it’s always easier to try a little haggling if you’re in your local bike shop than on the other end of the Internet. Do dirt bike helmets have to cost a fortune? You shouldn’t scrimp on the price you pay for your helmet just because it’s cheap. You need to find a strong and safe helmet that fits snugly. Then consider the price. Buying a tested helmet is always best, in America you’re looking for SNELL or DOT certified helmets. This means they have been professionally tested and proven to be safe enough to wear. That said, just because they’re safe doesn’t necessarily mean they have to be expensive and for under £50 or $100 you can get a good looking, safe and certified helmet. It won’t stop you falling off your bike and landing on your head, but it will be the difference between getting up and not getting up after your crash. Where can I buy dirt bike helmets? There are plenty of places you can buy dirt bike helmets. Many people will only buy from their local store because you build up a good relationship, or simply because the helmet came as a sweetener when you bought your bike, but there are also plenty of options online too. As long as you know the right size to buy there is no reason why you can’t buy a perfectly good, certified dirt bike helmet over the Internet. About the Author: Dirt Bikes HQ, http://www.dirtbikeshq.com/, for lots of information about dirt biking. Source: www.isnare.com |
| Exercise Bikes vs. Treadmills by Michael Walker You’ve decided you want to exercise at home. There are hundreds of pieces of home cardio equipment available. The most popular are treadmills and exercise bikes. In deciding between the two, you should compare long-term sustainability, the effectiveness of the workouts, and safety. Overcoming Boredom The biggest obstacle to a home exercise routine is sticking with it. You don’t have to drive to a gym, so your home fitness equipment is more convenient. The problem is that other distractions are just as convenient at home. The key is to make your routine fun. You want to look forward to your daily workout. You have to be realistic. Playing with the heart rate monitor or watching the calorie counter go up will only be fun the first couple of times you exercise. • Treadmill vs. Boredom On a treadmill, you walk. Walking isn’t that fun. You can walk at different speeds, but that isn’t really much more fun. If you get a treadmill that offers an incline, that keeps it a bit more interesting. Walking uphill isn’t exactly fun, but it’s different. It presents a challenge. You can’t really read on a treadmill because you are bouncing up and down. You can’t keep your eyes on the same sentence, and you usually end up with a headache. Basically, the only thing fun to do on a treadmill is watch television or movies. If you are really into TV or movies and are able to put your treadmill in front of a television, you can probably keep your treadmill workout from becoming too boring. Problems consist of commercials, the noise coming from the machine, and again, the bouncing. • Exercise Bikes vs. Boredom Exercise bikes are unique in that many of them come programmed with various biking routines. You simulate different courses that require you to sprint, pedal uphill, and perform at different levels within one workout without having to keep pressing buttons and changing everything. You can even select random programs so you don’t know what’s coming, which really keeps you on your toes. Some exercise bikes can even be plugged into televisions and video games to let you interactively pedal through visual courses. On upright exercise bikes, you run into some of the same problems as treadmills as far as reading is concerned. Recumbent bikes, however, allow your hands to be free to hold a book or magazine, video game controller, or phone. Multi-tasking during an exercise bike workout keeps it from becoming boring and allows your workout to more easily fit into a busy schedule. Defeating boredom to successfully keep up a long-term exercise routine is much easier with an exercise bike than a treadmill. The Calorie Factor In a study conducted by Nordic Track, young, healthy people used various exercise machines and did cardio workouts. Although they felt they used the same intensity on all machines, they burned the most calories on treadmills and ski machines. On average, most people burn about 750 calories per hour on a treadmill. The same people are likely to burn about 550 calories per hour on an exercise bike. So it’s a no-brainer, right? You should get a treadmill because they burn more calories. Well, not exactly. You can’t get so caught up in which machine burns the most calories. You have to take a lot of other factors into consideration. How likely are you to sustain a treadmill routine as opposed to an exercise bike routine? Because exercise bikes are usually more fun than treadmills, you are much more likely to stick with it long-term. This means that even though you can burn more calories on a treadmill, you are also more likely to stop using it altogether. You might also find it difficult to use it long enough per workout session to get the full benefits. Most people find it easier to workout for 20 minutes on an exercise bike than 20 minutes on a treadmill. You have to think about that. If you are likely to only do 10 minutes on a treadmill but can easily do 20 minutes on an exercise bike, you will burn more calories per session on an exercise bike. So just going strictly by the numbers, treadmills burn more calories. If you easily get bored or have tried and failed to stick with exercise routines in the past, you might want to consider burning less calories per hour in favor of a sustainable long-term exercise bike regimen. Your Safety The biggest difference between exercise bikes and treadmills is overall safety to your body. The first case of safety is the most basic. You can fall off of a treadmill. It’s very difficult, however, to fall off of an exercise bike. In fact, you would probably have to try to fall when riding an exercise bike. While you might be thinking you’d have to be pretty clumsy to fall while walking, it happens more than you’d think. People get involved with watching television or the beat of music. One wrong step and you can seriously injure yourself. It’s also possible to spill water or sweat on the treadmill track, causing a safety hazard you might not notice until after you’ve slipped. Another safety hazard is injury from the activity itself. A treadmill puts quite a bit of stress on your joints, especially your knees and ankles. Even if you invest in a treadmill with some degree of shock absorption, when you eventually get to a jogging or running point, you can put severe orthopedic stress on your body, even up to three times your body weight. People with existing conditions such as arthritis will find a treadmill painful at times due to this stress. Otherwise healthy individuals can sustain injury and possible long-term damage over time. Exercise bikes put much less stress on your joints. A properly positioned exercise bike supports your weight and still allows you to receive the benefits of a higher impact cardio workout. Upright bikes can sometimes stress your back in the way you have to bend to reach the handlebars. Recumbent exercise bikes, however, can actually improve existing back pain by forcing proper posture and giving support as you exercise. On any exercise bike properly used, your knees and ankles are not stressed as they are on a treadmill. The less you stress joints, the less likely you are to sustain an injury during your workout. You are also less likely to be sore afterwards. Most importantly, a non-workout injury doesn’t always have to halt your exercise routine on an exercise bike. If you hurt your back or neck, you will find the support of a recumbent exercise bike will keep you from having to stop your exercise regimen altogether. Let’s face it – if you have to stop, you are less likely to start again. An Exercise Bike is Better for Your Health than a Treadmill As you can see, both pieces of home fitness equipment have advantages. While the treadmill continues to be the most popular piece of home gym equipment, most people are more likely to faithfully use an exercise bike. This means you’re more likely to have to dust a treadmill until it gets the garage sale sticker. Michael Walker is a freelance author providing useful information about http://www.all-in-exercise-bikes.com/ , http://www.all-in-exercise-bikes.com/recumbent-exercise-bikes.htm and http://www.all-in-exercise-bikes.com/mini-exercise-bike.htm His numerous articles offer comprehensive tips and solutions for the fitness enthusiast. |
| How To Choose A Mountain Bike by Andrew Caxton How to choose a mountain bike depends on what you are going to do with it, if all you want your new mountain bike for is going for a nice leisurely ride on the canal path or a ride in the woods with the dog, well you wont need a full suspension downhill machine with 4 inch travel on the forks and a fully articulated rear end with damping and rebound control.
Where to Start From.
If you do want to go for an easy ride in the park you don’t need to spend too much, if you think you will do any off-road riding then big tread tires maybe all you need, but if you think you might try some rough stuff then you will need suspension. Gears will probably be Shimano, brakes must be V-brakes, but could be made by a few different manufacturers, all the rest of the MTB components will depend on how much you can spend. If you go to your local bike shop or big sports store and see what they’ve got to offer, then buy it or have look on the Internet and maybe you’ll find the same thing at a better price.
The Next Step Up.
So maybe you want to be a bit more adventurous, more off-road, more forest tracks and dry boulder river beds, then you’ll need something a little lighter, with suspension forks. All this will cost you more money, but will be worth it for the extra enjoyment and adventure. With a better mountain bike it will have a sportier handling and because it is lighter, it will be easier to struggle up the hills before you come flying down the other side. The components will again be Shimano and the quality will depend on how much money you can spend. V-brakes and Rapid-fire gear shifters, along with Shimano chain set, bottom bracket and headset. Handle bars, stem and seat pin should be alloy and along with a comfortable saddle you’ll be set to take to the hills.
More Money, More Bike.
The next rung up on the mountain bike ladder would be good enough to race on. There are many to choose from, get on the net and surf the bike manufacturers sites and all the shop sites along with the magazines for juicy photos of the bikes. The top manufacturers in this price range, I would say are: - Trek, Giant, Specialized and Cannondale, these companies make the nicest frames with the best mountain bike parts available at the price, gears will be either Shimano or SRAM, brakes could be V-brakes or cable disc brakes, both are very good and light, most of the other MTB parts, of course will be Shimano and as usual get the best you can afford. There are many combinations of hubs and rims to make up your wheels; hubs from Shimano and rims form Mavic are the usual mix. Then you have to choose which suspension forks to put on you bike, you may not get a choice, depending on which bike you buy, the main ones are Suntour, Marzocchi, Manitou, Fox, RockShox and RST, buy any of these and you wont go far wrong.
Top Bikes, Top Money.
If you want what the professionals ride you will have to pay a lot of money a professional MTB. As with road bike at the top of the range, you can specify what you want to build up your dream bike. Top bikes frames to spend your money on could be Klien, Scott, Rocky Mountain, Gary Fisher, Santa Cruz and K2; these are some of the most sought after bike frames in the world and would be the envy of your friends. Probably the best forks to put on your frame would be RockShox SID’s these are light and do all the things you need with control of all functions, there are many other to also to consider, look at how much travel they have and the rebound and damping systems. Gears again will be either SRAM or Shimano Rapid fire, XT or XTR, more money could be spent on carbon or very light alloy cranks, the brakes should be hydraulic discs from Hayes, Pace or Magura or stick to the trusted V-bakes. Wheels from Shimano or Mavic or some fancy carbon wheels, but remember they will have to take a lot of punishment, so maybe better to go for reliability over light weight expense. Carbon handle bars, stem and seat pin and a light weight race saddle and Time or Shimano SPD clipless pedals, then your choice of tires will depend on what terrain and ground conditions you are going to ride on.
And Downhilling?
Downhill bikes are very different, more like a cross country motor bike, but without the engine, low center of gravity and a lot of travel on the suspension on the forks and the rear end, disc brakes, wide rims and fat tires, gears are only at the back as usually a single chain set is used. Unless your going to do a lot of downhill racing then there isn’t much point in buying one as you have to get up the hill first before you can come down and as light weight is not an issue with downhill bikes, they are very heavy to get up hill with out the use of a tow rope or a ski lift. www.bike-cycling-reviews.com About the author: Andrew Caxton is a the Webmaster and publisher of http://www.bike-cycling-reviews.com. A free online magazine that focuses completely on cycling reviews about road bikes, mountain bikes and cycle clothing. |
| How to Lose Weight with an Exercise Bike Program by Michael Walker Your pants are a bit tight, you can’t seem to stop eating junk, and you’re tired all of the time. It’s time to get healthy and lose weight. Combined with a more sensible diet, an exercise bike can help you achieve the results you want. Ugh, the Diet. So many people go wrong here. Forget fad diets, forget starvation. Slow and steady wins the race. Try changing one thing about your diet. Limit yourself to one soda a day. Stop skipping meals. If you always clean your plate, start leaving one or two bites. A total change in diet is work. If you go for a radical change, you are setting yourself up for failure. You’ll be surprised how well small changes work. The Right Bike Determines Your Success This is a critically important part. There are literally hundreds of exercise bikes available. You have to be honest with yourself to discover the one that will work best for you. If you talk yourself into some fantasy world where your exercise plan is going to work this time even though there’s nothing different, you’re going to be disappointed. If you think ahead, you will buy the right bike for your needs. You will end up with a successful long-term exercise routine. Think back to your last exercise routine attempt. Why did you stop? Did you suffer an injury? Did you get bored? Was it just too hard to do every day? Was it hard to find the time? Answer these questions truthfully. If you don’t figure out where you went wrong, you won’t be able to come up with a solution. Avoiding and Working Through Injuries If an injury caused you to stop working out, how did you sustain your injury? Becoming physically fit is supposed to help you prevent injuries, not cause them. There is an exercise bike for someone who has been injured working out. It’s called a recumbent exercise bike. It’s the kind found in a lot of health clubs. It has a large, bucket seat, and you sit back and low to the ground. It is perfect for people beginning a new exercise routine. It’s also very good for back problems as it forces you to keep good posture. It puts no pressure on your joints, and you can keep working out even if you have minor injuries. Overcoming Boredom Did you get bored the last time you tried to workout on a regular basis? If you did, you are likely to get bored again. With exercise bikes, the solution is usually a bike with several different levels and riding programs. You can get bikes with different difficulty levels. This means that when it becomes too easy for you to pedal, you simply move up to the next level instead of having to ride longer (which just isn’t likely to happen for the person who is easily bored). You can also get different programs. Programs give you variety and goals. They make you pedal harder, simulate conquering hills, and even sprinting for short periods. Riding programs might not be enough for you. You might need a bike that you can hook up to your television that simulates riding through different courses. You can take a leisurely ride through a park or compete with other computer riders on a difficult obstacle course. These bikes might cost more up front, but if you don’t invest in a bike that will let you sustain your workout, you’re wasting money on anything less. The coolest thing for game addicts who get bored is an interactive bike that plugs into a Sony Playstation or Playstation 2. It makes over 50 games interactive. Whatever is happening on your bike happens on the screen in bike, car, and similar games. There are all types of similar bikes available. If you plan on listening to music or watching TV while you cycle, be sure to pay attention to features that will make the exercise bike quieter. It’s also a good idea to get a quieter bike if you live with other people. For all you know, your workout time is going to be 5AM or midnight. A quieter bike won’t disturb other people in your home. Don’t Try to Be Lance Armstrong Yet… People beginning exercise programs are sometimes too ambitious. It’s good to be excited, but you have to remain realistic. If your last exercise program failed because it was just too much work, don’t make the same mistake again. Fight the urge to overdo your first workouts. It is critical to your long-term success that you start out slow. If you go from no exercise at all to 5 to 10 minute exercise bike workouts with little resistance, you are much more likely to avoid injury, soreness, and most of all, early feelings of defeat. If you aim too high – expecting to go from a sedentary lifestyle to 45 minute workouts immediately, for example – you are setting yourself up for failure. When you don’t reach your unattainable goal, it is more likely you’ll quit altogether to alleviate the feeling of failure that much sooner. The perfect bikes for people who get a bit over-excited are exercise bikes with built in riding programs. You simply start out at the lowest level, and the bike determines your workout. You program in a small goal (10 minutes, 50 calories, or .25 mile) and when you reach that goal, your workout is over. Finding the Time You do have time to burn fat and calories on an exercise bike. No matter how intense your schedule is, there are people busier than you who find time to make an exercise routine work. They are not better than you. They don’t have more than 24 hours in a day. They simply figured out how to make it work. You can, too. It can be as simple as the time of day you chose to workout in the past. There is scientific evidence that people who are “morning people” or “night owls” are physically different. Different people have energy at different times. Think about when you work best. If you wake up without an alarm clock ready to go, you should exercise first thing in the morning. If you are a night owl, you should consider working out at night. You might find that you are one of the people who tire yourself out enough with a night workout to sleep like a baby. You Can Do This! Losing weight is not a punishment. You are smart enough to know how to eat a little better and become more active. If you are honest with yourself, you will choose the proper bike. You want to look forward to the workout itself. Don’t get caught up in which bike burns more calories. Find an exercise bike you will enjoy riding. Figure out the time of day that’s best for you to exercise. Make it like getting dressed or bathing – it’s just something you do every day. You don’t have to train for the Tour de France. You just have to get on and do something every day. Ten minutes a day will yield results. Bookmark this article for future motivation, find your exercise bike, and get busy! Michael Walker is a freelance author providing useful information about http://www.all-in-exercise-bikes.com/ , http://www.all-in-exercise-bikes.com/spinning-bikes.htm and http://www.all-in-exercise-bikes.com/mini-exercise-bike.htm His numerous articles offer comprehensive tips and solutions for the fitness enthusiast. |
| Lessons About Marriage Learnt From Riding A Bike by Conrad L.Jones "Marriage relationships are similar to learning to ride a bicycle as a kid."Unwrapping The Gift Marriage is like a gift;the easiest part of marriage relationships is opening it by saying, "I do." I once heard someone say at a ceremony, "The wedding is now over, but the marriage has just begun!" Now that you are in this new chapter of your life, believe it or not, it has just begun. Everytime I'd hop on that bike, I'd make it a few feet and fall off. When I first got married, our relationship seemed this way also. We'd set of on our journey, our differences would clash, and trivial arguments would erupt. You probably know what I mean. Ones like - "why didn't you put the toilet seat down? Where is the cap for the toothpaste? I thought you said you'd take out the trash? blah, blah, blah, blah, Are you listening to me?" As a kid, I really was serious about learning to ride that bike, but a decision had to be made. Was I strong enough to not give up until I could ride?, or was I gonna take the easy way out and say "riding bikes isn't for me!". You've got to make these same decisions after you've said "I do". Will you keep going and work through your differences? Or will you say "let's get a divorce!". Know that all marriage relationships have good and bad days. Great marriages relationships just work at producing more good days than bad ones. "But Paul Doesn't Fall Off..." We often look at other marriage relationships and measure our progress or lack of it based on what other people have or don't have. What's misleading about this is that we base our judgements from what we see on the outside, rather than knowledge from inside their lives. Sadly, we walk away and try to pattern our lives after what we've seen but, not understood. I'll be the first to tell you, watching what Tom and Betsie do, and trying to act out this same thing between you and your mate, will only increase problems in your marriage relationship. Why? simply because you are trying to measure your marriage by someone else's standard. You have a totally different man/women in your life, create your own standards by learning what you both want in your marriage, then work by those standards. If you don't do this, get ready for a long, troublesome, frustrating journey. Pedaling & Balance In riding a bike, you need to learn balance to stay upright, and you need to pedal to move foward in the direction you wish to go. When these two work together, the result is a great breathtaking ride. In marriage relationships, you also need forward, positive momentum, and balance. The wonderful things you do that pleases each other, builds passion and increases attraction (momentum), while learning more about each other and creating an environment for each of you to personally grow, gives balance. Since there are also many things that decreases passion (slows momentum/love busters) and creates imbalance, both of you must constantly work at pedaling and balancing to build a great marriage (great ride). Using Training Wheels Using those training wheels gave me an opportunity to learn how to balance and pedal at the same time. After I'd gotten more comfortable coordinating the two, my dad took the training wheels off and helped me to move without them. As married couples, because this is often new to us, creating balance and building About the Author Conrad L.Jones is CEO of "KPS Publishing Inc", an organization created to educate, motivate, and equip people working to improve their lives in areas of Godly living, personal finance, relationships, self-improvement and healthy lifestyles. To read more of his articles go to his site www.relationship-helps-and-advice.com |
| Recumbent Exercise Bikes - Advantages by Michael Walker There are so many exercise bikes available that it’s easy to be overwhelmed. Spinning bikes, stationary bikes, dual action bikes, and recumbent bikes are probably some of the terms you’ve heard. It’s almost as though you have to be a fitness equipment engineer to understand the differences! Here’s a quick summary of these confusing terms. • Spinning Bikes You’ve probably heard about the spin craze that has become so popular in health clubs. Spinning bikes usually have at least a front wheel that spins (which is why they are so brilliantly named spinning bikes). These bikes might be the current fad, but they aren’t very comfortable. The seats are small and hard. The classes make these boring bikes more interesting, but as home exercise bikes, they quickly become tedious. • Stationary Bikes Stationary bikes (or upright bikes) are the exercise bikes that most people can identify. It’s the same basic model as in the 1980’s. Once again, it’s fairly uncomfortable. You can’t really do anything like read or watch TV because you’re leaning left and right and bouncing, so it, too, quickly gets boring. • Dual Action Bikes Dual action bikes are aptly named, as they give you both an upper and lower body workout. There are handles that move independently - much like an elliptical machine. It’s a good workout, but a bit tough for beginners, and as usual, the time on the bike will eventually get boring. You can also get dual action bikes that allow you to adjust the machine to create an arm-pedaling workout. It’s usually fairly difficult to make the adjustments. It’s also two separate exercises, which create a longer workout. Most people aren’t as likely to keep up such a routine. • Recumbent Bikes Recumbent bikes are the exercise bikes with the comfortable bucket seats. You sit back and lower to the ground as you pedal. These exercise bikes are easy enough for even the most sedentary beginners, and they usually offer workout programs to keep the workouts from becoming mundane. The Experts Recognize the Advantages of Recumbent Bikes Most physicians and personal trainers recommend recumbent bikes. Recumbent bikes are better for people of all different fitness levels. You are more likely to keep up a recumbent bike routine over time, the bikes are safer, and there are different benefits for both men and women. • Recumbent Bikes for All Fitness Levels Even the most sedentary person will find a recumbent exercise bike easy to use. You can adjust the settings to offer little or no resistance as you pedal. People who are overweight will definitely find the seat much larger and more comfortable than other exercise bikes. Athletes will find the recumbent exercise bike a challenge. The resistance can become incredibly difficult. The bike can simulate pedaling up hills. Most recumbent bikes offer various programs that will require you to sprint and tackle hills. If you want an upper body workout as you pedal, you can easily add weights and do repetitions as you sit back in the recumbent bike seat. • Recumbent Bikes Offer a Sustainable Workout The programs offered by most recumbent exercise bikes definitely keep the workout from becoming boring. You can simulate a course that is easy or difficult, flat or hilly. When shopping for exercise bikes, it’s better to get a bike with as many variations as possible. The fact that a recumbent bike is suitable for all levels will keep you getting back on the bike. If you’re feeling particularly tired or lazy one day, you can have an easy workout where you can read a book or newspaper. If you really want to test your limits, you can crank up the music, set the machine to more difficult levels, and add some weights for an upper body workout. • Recumbent Bikes are Safer Because you sit back and lower to the ground in a recumbent bike, it is better for your body. Most exercise bikes force you to hunch over, causing a stiff back. Some dual action bikes are back injuries waiting to happen. Recumbent bikes require that you sit with good posture as you pedal. Recumbent bikes also offer one of the few cardio workouts that put no pressure on your knees and other joints. You can’t “cheat” on a recumbent bike and stand up when you’re finding it more difficult to pedal. Standing like that on other types of exercise bikes puts unnecessary pressure on your knees and ankles. Recumbent bikes let your body exercise at an angle where your body weight is not stressing your joints. Even people with back and knee problems will find a recumbent bike easy to use. • Why Men Should Choose Recumbent Exercise Bikes So many men neglect their lower bodies when they workout, especially in strength training. It’s common to see buffed out men with giant biceps and tiny little bird legs. That’s because it’s easier to get an upper body workout at home. If you just invest in a recumbent bike, you can set the machine to high resistance. You will build leg muscle, and you can even do curls while you pedal. Recumbent bikes can also allow men to get a great cardio workout without the discomfort that only a man knows on regular bikes or other types of exercise bikes. With the large, comfortable seats of recumbent bikes, you are much more likely to enjoy your workout pain-free. If you move the seat of a recumbent bike up a bit to bring your legs higher, you can even target the lower abs and have to do less crunches to get the bottom of your six-pack! • Things Women Should Know About Recumbent Bikes Two words, ladies: legs and bottoms. Recumbent exercise bikes are so comfortable and easy to use that eventually you can do workouts giving you results like you’ve spent hours a day on a stair-stepper. Recumbent bikes can give you a fat burning cardio workout with enough resistance to help you build long, lean muscle. Picture Tina Turner legs. Recumbent bikes also are great for your inner thighs. Using different programs and settings, you will be able to target different muscle areas in your legs for longer looking, leaner legs. According to most polls, women claim in higher numbers to not have time for exercise because of more responsibilities in the home. With the positioning of a recumbent bike, you can multi-task to more easily fit in a workout. You are able to read, catch the news, and even use a phone or your handheld organizer. Finding a Recumbent Exercise Bike With prices between $200 and $3000, there is quite a variety of recumbent bikes available. Use the Internet to find great deals (including free shipping most of the time). Because the bikes are great for any level and help you to finally be able to stick with a safe and effective workout routine, you can splurge a little. This is definitely one of the best investments you can make for your health. Michael Walker is a freelance author providing useful information about http://www.all-in-exercise-bikes.com/ , http://www.all-in-exercise-bikes.com/recumbent-exercise-bikes.htm and http://www.all-in-exercise-bikes.com/spinning-bikes.htm His numerous articles offer comprehensive tips and solutions for the fitness enthusiast. |
| Scootabike - Number one in Wooden Toys by Stefan Driess ScootAbike is set to become the must have present for UK children this Christmas Scootabike is set to become the must have present for UK children this Christmas. Already popular with European parents leading wooden toy company Wooden Choice Limited (http://www.woodenchoice.co.uk) are launching Scootabike to the UK. ScootAbike is the perfect early introduction to cycling. At first, your child will use it like a hobby horse, at least one foot firmly on the ground. As confidence develops, they'll begin to lift both feet, scooting forward and balancing, maybe dabbing a foot to the floor occasionally if the bike tips. Soon, they'll also be having a whale of a time, not least because this is no heavy, unresponsive child's bike; it weighs just 3.5kg. As your child grows, the saddle can be adjusted for height. The three settings cover a range of 33 to 39cm saddle height, which suits children up to about 5 years old. The cotton saddle cover is easy to remove and fully washable. A leather saddle cover is an optional extra. An extension saddle and seatpost is also available to increase the saddle height to suit 6 year olds. ScootAbikes are made by Kokua Holzspielzeug in Roetgen, Germany, a small business run by the Mertens family. They realised that the best way to teach a child to cycle is not to use stabilisers, which simply prevent the child developing a proper sense of balance, but rather to remove the cranks entirely. With most children's bikes, that still leaves a heavy steel frame - dead weight can soon kill a child's enthusiasm. When your child has out-grown the ScootAbike, they'll take to riding a bicycle instantly, as if it's the most natural thing in the world. Balance and steering hold no fears; they can concentrate instead on pedalling and brakes! The BIKE is built to withstand the worst rough and tumble it's young riders can dish out. Learning the ScootAbike is a great psychological boost; from the very first attempt your child can make independent progress, without adult help, using just their innate ability and co-ordination. They'll be proud of the positive achievement and will revel in independent mobility, ensuring the ScootAbike 's lasting appeal.
About The Author Stefan Driess is the owner of the family run wooden toy company, Wooden Choice Limited (http://www.woodenchoice.co.uk). info@woodenchoice.co.uk |
| Scootabike - The number one wooden toy by Stefan and Louise Driess ScootAbike is set to become the must have present for UK children this ChristmasScootabike is set to become the must have present for UK children this Christmas. Already popular with European parents, leading wooden toy company Wooden Choice Limited are launching Scootabike to the UKScootAbike is the perfect early introduction to cycling. At first, your child will use it like a hobbyhorse, at least one foot firmly on the ground. As confidence develops, they'll begin to lift both feet, scooting forward and balancing, maybe dabbing a foot to the floor occasionally if the bike tips. Soon, they'll also be having a whale of a time, not least because this is no heavy, unresponsive child's bike; it weighs just 4.5kg.As your child grows, the saddle can be adjusted for height. The two settings cover a range of 36 to 39cm saddle height, which suits children up to about 5 years old. ScootAbikes are imported by Wooden Choice Company Ltd. from Germany, a small business run by the Driess family. They are excited about the Bike because they saw the success of the bike on their on daughter, Grace. Grace did not use stabilisers, which simply prevent the child developing a proper sense of balance. When Grace out-grew the ScootAbike, she started to ride a bicycle instantly, as if it's the most natural thing in the world. Learning using the ScootAbike is a great psychological boost; from the very first attempt your child can make independent progress, without adult help, using just their innate ability and co-ordination. They'll be proud of the positive achievement and will revel in independent mobility, ensuring the ScootAbike 's lasting appeal. About the Author Stefan and Louise Driess are the owners of family run firm Wooden Choice Limited (http://www.woodenchoice.co.uk), offering affordable educational and traditional wooden toys. |
| "Why Exercise Bikes Might Be the Ultimate Fitness by Paul Johnson Exercise bikes are the first things that come to your mind when you talk about home exercise equipments. Exercise cycles popularly known as exercise bikes have gained so much recognition that they are next to TV in demand and popularity among the household items. The best part about workouts with exercise bike is that it has no side effects or no rules to follow. This makes it a tremendous gizmo to chop off that extra fat just like that. Most health conscious people keep the exercise bike in their home for fitness. There are fundamentally two types of exercise bikes, upright bikes and recumbent bikes. Upright bikes are more like real bicycles with the exception that they do not run on road. Recumbent bikes on the other hand, have bucket seats and the pedals out in the front. These exercise cycles are fit for overweight people and those suffering from backaches. Exercise Bikes the Easiest Way to Burn Fat Unlike big exercise machines and gym equipments, exercise bike are simple to use and free from side effects. The functions of this exercise equipment are simple and everybody in you family, even kids can use it. Just sit on it, start pedaling and see your fat start burning. The exercise bikes have a regulator gear to control the power exerted and you can adjust it according to the workout required. Adjustable seat and handle makes it possible for persons of all age and size to use the same equipment. You can't go wrong with an exercise bike. It counts your miles and gives better control on your diet management program. Exercise Bikes: Mix Workout With Entertainment The biggest excuse for inability to exercise is lack of time. Exercise bike is an appropriate solution for all such problems and excuses. If you are a TV buff and spend most of your free time watching TV, you can keep the exercise bike in the TV room and enjoy the movie or your favorite soap while exercising. You can even read a book, newspaper or help your kids with their homework while pedaling and burning out those extra inches from your waistline. You do not have to take a step out of your home for exercise and you can spend that time with your family and enjoy the workout without missing any important phone call. Exercise Bikes-The Economic Exercising Alternative Besides simplicity, the second best thing about the exercise bike is its cost. Bikes with several features are available to fit all the budget requirements. The basic equipment comes for as low as $50. For a trial, you can even start with a used bike. There are ample of used bikes available on sale through online stores, auctions and garage sales. Moreover, the bikes have a long life and low or even no maintenance requirement. Select the right exercise bike for yourself and get going for a healthy and fit body. |
| Discover the Might of Dirt Bikes! by Maricon Williams Dirt bikes are considered ruler of the motorcycles. Quite agile and rough compared to the rest of the clan. Generally, dirt bikes are used to conquer rough terrains. It is used in competitions to determine the most brake race survivor. In a race like this, categories which are dependent on the age and gender of the riders as well as the courses are used. The rules on dirt bike racing are presented to give racers key pointers on what are allowed to be done and what are prohibited. In this kind of rule, points are exacted to every rider. These points are tallied based on the finish order of the participants. Then it is tabulated. After tabulation, the organizers announce the awardees and champion of the race.Racing is a perilous and unsafe sport, this is the reason why organizers of such race require their riders to be sound and fit for the race. In order for a rider to qualify as a bonafide race contender, he must first be a licensed rider. Annual licenses are available at the race site itself. For the minors to be admitted, they need parental or guardian signature. Dirt bike racing rules necessitate high quality racing equipments to avoid fractures, limp, collision and fatal accident. In connection to the proclamation of the winner, dirt bike racing rules include prizes and awards. Often, the depth of the Expert Men's payout is to the discretion of the promoter whereas the Expert Women’s payout is out of 40% deep. Regularly, 75% of the cash payout minimum is given to the winner. Dirt bike racing rules also include awarding of trophies, plaques and ribbons. Dirt bike racing is a contact sport that can take away lives thus extra-protection and precaution must be taken into consideration. The might of dirt bikes not only include the ecstatic feeling to be superior than the rest of the contenders. On one hand, it can also mean your life. It is always preferable to be prepared in life’s struggle same way as we have to prepare to achieve total security and protection in cases of dirt bike competitions. This race can be bloody, debilitating and very challenging however, you must protect while conquering the roughest terrains you dare not imagine!Dirt bike racing is a race for the survivors, a race for the bravest individual in the route nevertheless, protection is needed to preclude risks and elemental drawbacks, use gears and state-of-the accessories in order to grab the chance to be the champion of this deadly game! About the Author For Comments and Questions about the Article you may Log - on to http://www.aftermarketmotorcyclepartsnow.com |
| How To Choose Amongst All Road Bikes by Andrew Caxton How To Choose Your Road Bike, Different Level Of Riders
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! www.bike-cycling-reviews.com About the author: A. Caxton is a successful freelance author and the webmaster of http://www.bike-cycling-reviews.com. An online cycling magazine that focuses exclusively on bicycle components and parts, clothing and heart rate monitors. Andrew publish bike technical reviews regularly for both road bikes and mountain bikes. You will find lots of information and professional cycling reviews at his site Furher road bikes readings at: http://www.bike-cycling-reviews.com/bike-parts/bicycle-parts.html |
| Top 10 Ways Managing Your Money Is Just Like Riding a Bike by Sherrill St. Germain An avid cyclist and bike racing fan, I sit transfixed during the many hours of Tour de France coverage every July when the race rolls around. This year, during some of the less-than-scintillating early miles of the sprint stages, my mind wandered a bit, and it occurred to me that there are some interesting parallels between winning the Tour de France and winning at personal finance. Having watched Lance Armstrong pull off the win for 7 years in a row, I’ve compiled this list of the Top 10 Ways Managing Your Money Is Just Like Riding a Bike:1. If you take safety precautions (e.g. helmet/emergency fund), you’ll feel a whole lot more relaxed and confident on the journey. 2. The better prepared you are, the greater your chances of succeeding. It’s important to learn from the past, but you must also scout out the road ahead and evolve with the constantly changing environment. 3. Crashes happen. The actions of other participants, bystanders, and the media can sometimes distract you from your goal. If you expect the unexpected and are able to respond with a level head, you’ll be better off. 4. If you take too many unnecessary risks, you might end up out of the race, and sometimes it can take quite a while to recover. 5. But you’ll probably have to take at least some calculated risks to come out ahead. For example, you might improve your performance by using cutting edge products, e.g. ultra-light wheels for big uphill climbs or, in the financial world, Health Savings Accounts (HSAs.) But you also make some tradeoffs, e.g. less stability going downhill or, with HSAs, penalties if you withdraw the money for something besides health care. 6. There will be rainy days, and there most certainly will be ups and downs. The one who weathers the tough days the best usually comes out ahead in the end. 7. You don’t have to come out on top (“beat the market,” so to speak) every day – or any particular day, for that matter – to win the overall race, the race that really matters. 8. You can go a lot farther if the team you surround yourself with has skills, experience, a well-defined goal, and the right motivation. 9. Even if you start at a huge disadvantage, you can emerge victorious if you have the right attitude, understand the rules of the game, and persist despite setbacks. 10. A little bit of luck never hurts!So the next time you’re in doubt as to which road to take on your personal financial journey, consider looking to the peloton for guidance and inspiration. Whether your goal is a yellow jersey on the Champs-Elysées in July or a secure retirement, there’s a surprising amount to learn from watching a bunch of bike racers circumnavigate France. Congratulations, Lance! About the Author Sherrill J. St. Germain, MBA, is founder and principal of New Means Financial Planning of Hollis, NH. A member of the Garrett Planning Network, a national network of fee-only financial planner, she offers financial advice on an hourly, as-needed basis. |
| Exercise Bikes – No Excuses, 30 Minutes A Day On A Bike Will Change Your Life by Declan Tobin Exercise bikes are the ideal home exercise equipment. We are all advised to exercise for 30 minutes per day to stay healthy combined with a good balanced food intake. Most people complain of not having the time to go to the gym or prepare to out jogging etc but if it was for 30 minutes of TV I’d bet that time would be no problem. Why not combine the two, TV and exercise. Watching TV while exercising cuts out the boredom of being locked in a room looking at the four walls exercising. If you have a program you watch on a regular basis the time will only fly in. What exercise bike will I buy? Exercise bikes come in all wonderful styles from the basic stationary bike to built in programs for spinning and mountain courses. The best is what you can afford to pay, the main thing is that you are exercising regularly or intend to do so. The more basic exercise bike can cost anywhere from $80 upwards and generally has a few different gears available to make the exercise more intense as you proceed with fitness. I have to say if you can afford to spend $200 you will find exercise bikes that have pre tuned exercise programs that are easy to follow and are a great way to burn fat. How to Start: Starting can be daunting but after a week or so you will find your fitness level improving and overall health. You need to introduce the body into the exercise for the first couple of days, for many people buying exercise bikes it’s the first time they have done such an exercise in years. The first few days should be a slow introductory pace, if you go all out in the first day or so you will only end up with aching muscles and may even put you off exercising again. Remember that this is a marathon not a sprint. Who are the main manufacturers of exercise bikes? Weslo, Reebok,Tuntui, Stamina, Proform, Nordic Track and Fitnees Track have for many years manufactured some of the greatest exercise bikes we have ever seen and all are still doing so. There are foldable bikes available for those living in apartments or people who are simply tied for space. Many people are now trying to build a home gym with the essentials in exercise equipment; the exercise bike should be first on the shopping list. The exercise itself is an excellent aerobic exercise, easy to start with and works ideally as a cross trainer with most other fitness equipment. Some exercise bikes have a dual function, exercise for the upper and lower body. Apart from the obvious leg exercise you will also find upper body levers on some, this is an ideal exercise for a total body workout and will burn fat more quickly than the standard exercise bike (the more muscle groups you exercise the more fat your burn and more quickly). Why buy an exercise bike when I can get a treadmill? The exercise bike has very low impact on the joints. If you have previous injuries or weak joints in general the exercise bike is an ideal gentle exercise. The treadmill is a much higher impacting exercise on the joints and people with weak knees or ankles should be aware. If you decide to get an exercise bike with dual exercise (upper and lower body) you will burn more fat than that of the treadmill as you have no upper body resistance with the treadmill. There are arguments on both sides of the fence as to what is better the bike or the treadmill but you should look at your goals and see what suits both your budget and your target weight loss or general fitness. At the moment the cardio benefits to you as the user lies greater with the exercise dual function bike to that of the treadmill. In Brief: The exercise bike is ideal for beginners to the more advanced groups; it offers a low impact, high calorie burning exercise that have an excellent cardio workout. Combined with a balanced diet the exercise bike used regularly will help you achieve your fitness goals.
About The Author Declan Tobin is a successful freelance writer providing tips and advice for consumers purchasing Fitness Equipment, Treadmills and Weight Benches . His numerous articles offer tips and valuable insight on fitness. http://www.no1-in-fitness-equipment.com. |
| Finding a Recumbent Exercise Bike by Michael Walker There are so many exercise bikes available that it's easy to be overwhelmed. Spinning bikes, stationary bikes, dual action bikes, and recumbent bikes are probably some of the terms you've heard. It's almost as though you have to be a fitness equipment engineer to understand the differences! Here's a quick summary of these confusing terms.Spinning BikesYou've probably heard about the spin craze that has become so popular in health clubs. Spinning bikes usually have at least a front wheel that spins (which is why they are so brilliantly named spinning bikes). These bikes might be the current fad, but they aren't very comfortable. The seats are small and hard. The classes make these boring bikes more interesting, but as home exercise bikes, they quickly become tedious.Stationary BikesStationary bikes (or upright bikes) are the exercise bikes that most people can identify. It's the same basic model as in the 1980's. Once again, it's fairly uncomfortable. You can't really do anything like read or watch TV because you're leaning left and right and bouncing, so it, too, quickly gets boring.Dual Action BikesDual action bikes are aptly named, as they give you both an upper and lower body workout. There are handles that move independently -- much like an elliptical machine. It's a good workout, but a bit tough for beginners, and as usual, the time on the bike will eventually get boring.You can also get dual action bikes that allow you to adjust the machine to create an arm-pedaling workout. It's usually fairly difficult to make the adjustments. It's also two separate exercises, which create a longer workout. Most people aren't as likely to keep up such a routine.Recumbent BikesRecumbent bikes are the exercise bikes with the comfortable bucket seats. You sit back and lower to the ground as you pedal. These exercise bikes are easy enough for even the most sedentary beginners, and they usually offer workout programs to keep the workouts from becoming mundane.The Experts Recognize the Advantages of Recumbent BikesMost physicians and personal trainers recommend recumbent bikes. Recumbent bikes are better for people of all different fitness levels. You are more likely to keep up a recumbent bike routine over time, the bikes are safer, and there are different benefits for both men and women.Recumbent Bikes for All Fitness LevelsEven the most sedentary person will find a recumbent exercise bike easy to use. You can adjust the settings to offer little or no resistance as you pedal. People who are overweight will definitely find the seat much larger and more comfortable than other exercise bikes.Athletes will find the recumbent exercise bike a challenge. The resistance can become incredibly difficult. The bike can simulate pedaling up hills. Most recumbent bikes offer various programs that will require you to sprint and tackle hills. If you want an upper body workout as you pedal, you can easily add weights and do repetitions as you sit back in the recumbent bike seat.Recumbent Bikes Offer a Sustainable WorkoutThe programs offered by most recumbent exercise bikes definitely keep the workout from becoming boring. You can simulate a course that is easy or difficult, flat or hilly. When shopping for exercise bikes, it's better to get a bike with as many variations as possible.The fact that a recumbent bike is suitable for all levels will keep you getting back on the bike. If you're feeling particularly tired or lazy one day, you can have an easy workout where you can read a book or newspaper. If you really want to test your limits, you can crank up the music, set the machine to more difficult levels, and add some weights for an upper body workout.Recumbent Bikes are SaferBecause you sit back and lower to the ground in a recumbent bike, it is better for your body. Most exercise bikes force you to hunch over, causing a stiff back. Some dual action bikes are back injuries waiting to happen. Recumbent bikes require that you sit with good posture as you pedal.Recumbent bikes also offer one of the few cardio workouts that put no pressure on your knees and other joints. You can't "cheat" on a recumbent bike and stand up when you're finding it more difficult to pedal. Standing like that on other types of exercise bikes puts unnecessary pressure on your knees and ankles. Recumbent bikes let your body exercise at an angle where your body weight is not stressing your joints. Even people with back and knee problems will find a recumbent bike easy to use.Why Men Should Choose Recumbent Exercise BikesSo many men neglect their lower bodies when they workout, especially in strength training. It's common to see buffed out men with giant biceps and tiny little bird legs. That's because it's easier to get an upper body workout at home. If you just invest in a recumbent bike, you can set the machine to high resistance. You will build leg muscle, and you can even do curls while you pedal.Recumbent bikes can also allow men to get a great cardio workout without the discomfort that only a man knows on regular bikes or other types of exercise bikes. With the large, comfortable seats of recumbent bikes, you are much more likely to enjoy your workout pain-free.If you move the seat of a recumbent bike up a bit to bring your legs higher, you can even target the lower abs and have to do less crunches to get the bottom of your six-pack!Things Women Should Know About Recumbent BikesTwo words, ladies: legs and bottoms. Recumbent exercise bikes are so comfortable and easy to use that eventually you can do workouts giving you results like you've spent hours a day on a stair-stepper.Recumbent bikes can give you a fat burning cardio workout with enough resistance to help you build long, lean muscle. Picture Tina Turner legs. Recumbent bikes also are great for your inner thighs. Using different programs and settings, you will be able to target different muscle areas in your legs for longer looking, leaner legs.According to most polls, women claim in higher numbers to not have time for exercise because of more responsibilities in the home. With the positioning of a recumbent bike, you can multi-task to more easily fit in a workout. You are able to read, catch the news, and even use a phone or your handheld organizer.Finding a Recumbent Exercise BikeWith prices between $200 and $3000, there is quite a variety of recumbent bikes available. Use the Internet to find great deals (including free shipping most of the time). Because the bikes are great for any level and help you to finally be able to stick with a safe and effective workout routine, you can splurge a little. This is definitely one of the best investments you can make for your health. Copyright © 2005 Michael Walker About Michael: Michael Walker is a freelance author providing useful information about exercise bikes(http://www.all-in-exercise-bikes.com/), recumbent exercise bikes(http://www.all-in-exercise-bikes.com/recumbent-exercise-bikes.htm) and mini exercise bikes (http://www.all-in-exercise-bikes.com/mini-exercise-bike.htm). His numerous articles offer comprehensive tips and solutions for the fitness enthusiast. |
| Recumbent Exercise Bikes - Advantages by Michael Walker There are so many exercise bikes available that it's easy to be overwhelmed. Spinning bikes, stationary bikes, dual action bikes, and recumbent bikes are probably some of the terms you've heard. It's almost as though you have to be a fitness equipment engineer to understand the differences! Here's a quick summary of these confusing terms. Spinning Bikes You've probably heard about the spin craze that has become so popular in health clubs. Spinning bikes usually have at least a front wheel that spins (which is why they are so brilliantly named spinning bikes). These bikes might be the current fad, but they aren't very comfortable. The seats are small and hard. The classes make these boring bikes more interesting, but as home exercise bikes, they quickly become tedious. Stationary Bikes Stationary bikes (or upright bikes) are the exercise bikes that most people can identify. It's the same basic model as in the 1980's. Once again, it's fairly uncomfortable. You can't really do anything like read or watch TV because you're leaning left and right and bouncing, so it, too, quickly gets boring. Dual Action Bikes Dual action bikes are aptly named, as they give you both an upper and lower body workout. There are handles that move independently - much like an elliptical machine. It's a good workout, but a bit tough for beginners, and as usual, the time on the bike will eventually get boring. You can also get dual action bikes that allow you to adjust the machine to create an arm-pedaling workout. It's usually fairly difficult to make the adjustments. It's also two separate exercises, which create a longer workout. Most people aren't as likely to keep up such a routine. Recumbent Bikes Recumbent bikes are the exercise bikes with the comfortable bucket seats. You sit back and lower to the ground as you pedal. These exercise bikes are easy enough for even the most sedentary beginners, and they usually offer workout programs to keep the workouts from becoming mundane. The Experts Recognize the Advantages of Recumbent Bikes Most physicians and personal trainers recommend recumbent bikes. Recumbent bikes are better for people of all different fitness levels. You are more likely to keep up a recumbent bike routine over time, the bikes are safer, and there are different benefits for both men and women. Recumbent Bikes for All Fitness Levels Even the most sedentary person will find a recumbent exercise bike easy to use. You can adjust the settings to offer little or no resistance as you pedal. People who are overweight will definitely find the seat much larger and more comfortable than other exercise bikes. Athletes will find the recumbent exercise bike a challenge. The resistance can become incredibly difficult. The bike can simulate pedaling up hills. Most recumbent bikes offer various programs that will require you to sprint and tackle hills. If you want an upper body workout as you pedal, you can easily add weights and do repetitions as you sit back in the recumbent bike seat. Recumbent Bikes Offer a Sustainable Workout The programs offered by most recumbent exercise bikes definitely keep the workout from becoming boring. You can simulate a course that is easy or difficult, flat or hilly. When shopping for exercise bikes, it's better to get a bike with as many variations as possible. The fact that a recumbent bike is suitable for all levels will keep you getting back on the bike. If you're feeling particularly tired or lazy one day, you can have an easy workout where you can read a book or newspaper. If you really want to test your limits, you can crank up the music, set the machine to more difficult levels, and add some weights for an upper body workout. Recumbent Bikes are Safer Because you sit back and lower to the ground in a recumbent bike, it is better for your body. Most exercise bikes force you to hunch over, causing a stiff back. Some dual action bikes are back injuries waiting to happen. Recumbent bikes require that you sit with good posture as you pedal. Recumbent bikes also offer one of the few cardio workouts that put no pressure on your knees and other joints. You can't "cheat" on a recumbent bike and stand up when you're finding it more difficult to pedal. Standing like that on other types of exercise bikes puts unnecessary pressure on your knees and ankles. Recumbent bikes let your body exercise at an angle where your body weight is not stressing your joints. Even people with back and knee problems will find a recumbent bike easy to use. Why Men Should Choose Recumbent Exercise Bikes So many men neglect their lower bodies when they workout, especially in strength training. It's common to see buffed out men with giant biceps and tiny little bird legs. That's because it's easier to get an upper body workout at home. If you just invest in a recumbent bike, you can set the machine to high resistance. You will build leg muscle, and you can even do curls while you pedal. Recumbent bikes can also allow men to get a great cardio workout without the discomfort that only a man knows on regular bikes or other types of exercise bikes. With the large, comfortable seats of recumbent bikes, you are much more likely to enjoy your workout pain-free. If you move the seat of a recumbent bike up a bit to bring your legs higher, you can even target the lower abs and have to do less crunches to get the bottom of your six-pack! Things Women Should Know About Recumbent Bikes Two words, ladies: legs and bottoms. Recumbent exercise bikes are so comfortable and easy to use that eventually you can do workouts giving you results like you've spent hours a day on a stair-stepper. Recumbent bikes can give you a fat burning cardio workout with enough resistance to help you build long, lean muscle. Picture Tina Turner legs. Recumbent bikes also are great for your inner thighs. Using different programs and settings, you will be able to target different muscle areas in your legs for longer looking, leaner legs. According to most polls, women claim in higher numbers to not have time for exercise because of more responsibilities in the home. With the positioning of a recumbent bike, you can multi-task to more easily fit in a workout. You are able to read, catch the news, and even use a phone or your handheld organizer. Finding a Recumbent Exercise Bike With prices between $200 and $3000, there is quite a variety of recumbent bikes available. Use the Internet to find great deals (including free shipping most of the time). Because the bikes are great for any level and help you to finally be able to stick with a safe and effective workout routine, you can splurge a little. This is definitely one of the best investments you can make for your health. Michael Walker is a freelance author providing useful information about http://www.all-in-exercise-bikes.com/ , http://www.all-in-exercise-bikes.com/recumbent-exercise-bikes.htm and http://www.all-in-exercise-bikes.com/spinning-bikes.htm His numerous articles offer comprehensive tips and solutions for the fitness enthusiast. Copyright Michael Walker - http://www.all-in-exercise-bikes.com/ |
| How to Lose Weight with an Exercise Bike Program by Michael Walker Your pants are a bit tight, you can't seem to stop eating junk, and you're tired all of the time. It's time to get healthy and lose weight. Combined with a more sensible diet, an exercise bike can help you achieve the results you want.Ugh, the Diet.So many people go wrong here. Forget fad diets, forget starvation. Slow and steady wins the race. Try changing one thing about your diet. Limit yourself to one soda a day. Stop skipping meals. If you always clean your plate, start leaving one or two bites. A total change in diet is work. If you go for a radical change, you are setting yourself up for failure. You'll be surprised how well small changes work.The Right Bike Determines Your SuccessThis is a critically important part. There are literally hundreds of exercise bikes available. You have to be honest with yourself to discover the one that will work best for you. If you talk yourself into some fantasy world where your exercise plan is going to work this time even though there's nothing different, you're going to be disappointed. If you think ahead, you will buy the right bike for your needs. You will end up with a successful long-term exercise routine.Think back to your last exercise routine attempt. Why did you stop? Did you suffer an injury? Did you get bored? Was it just too hard to do every day? Was it hard to find the time? Answer these questions truthfully. If you don't figure out where you went wrong, you won't be able to come up with a solution.Avoiding and Working Through InjuriesIf an injury caused you to stop working out, how did you sustain your injury? Becoming physically fit is supposed to help you prevent injuries, not cause them. There is an exercise bike for someone who has been injured working out. It's called a recumbent exercise bike. It's the kind found in a lot of health clubs. It has a large, bucket seat, and you sit back and low to the ground. It is perfect for people beginning a new exercise routine. It's also very good for back problems as it forces you to keep good posture. It puts no pressure on your joints, and you can keep working out even if you have minor injuries.Overcoming BoredomDid you get bored the last time you tried to workout on a regular basis? If you did, you are likely to get bored again. With exercise bikes, the solution is usually a bike with several different levels and riding programs. You can get bikes with different difficulty levels. This means that when it becomes too easy for you to pedal, you simply move up to the next level instead of having to ride longer (which just isn't likely to happen for the person who is easily bored). You can also get different programs. Programs give you variety and goals. They make you pedal harder, simulate conquering hills, and even sprinting for short periods.Riding programs might not be enough for you. You might need a bike that you can hook up to your television that simulates riding through different courses. You can take a leisurely ride through a park or compete with other computer riders on a difficult obstacle course. These bikes might cost more up front, but if you don't invest in a bike that will let you sustain your workout, you're wasting money on anything less.The coolest thing for game addicts who get bored is an interactive bike that plugs into a Sony Playstation or Playstation 2. It makes over 50 games interactive. Whatever is happening on your bike happens on the screen in bike, car, and similar games. There are all types of similar bikes available.If you plan on listening to music or watching TV while you cycle, be sure to pay attention to features that will make the exercise bike quieter. It's also a good idea to get a quieter bike if you live with other people. For all you know, your workout time is going to be 5AM or midnight. A quieter bike won't disturb other people in your home.Don't Try to Be Lance Armstrong Yet...People beginning exercise programs are sometimes too ambitious. It's good to be excited, but you have to remain realistic. If your last exercise program failed because it was just too much work, don't make the same mistake again. Fight the urge to overdo your first workouts. It is critical to your long-term success that you start out slow. If you go from no exercise at all to 5 to 10 minute exercise bike workouts with little resistance, you are much more likely to avoid injury, soreness, and most of all, early feelings of defeat. If you aim too high -- expecting to go from a sedentary lifestyle to 45 minute workouts immediately, for example -- you are setting yourself up for failure. When you don't reach your unattainable goal, it is more likely you'll quit altogether to alleviate the feeling of failure that much sooner.The perfect bikes for people who get a bit over-excited are exercise bikes with built in riding programs. You simply start out at the lowest level, and the bike determines your workout. You program in a small goal (10 minutes, 50 calories, or .25 mile) and when you reach that goal, your workout is over.Finding the TimeYou do have time to burn fat and calories on an exercise bike. No matter how intense your schedule is, there are people busier than you who find time to make an exercise routine work. They are not better than you. They don't have more than 24 hours in a day. They simply figured out how to make it work. You can, too.It can be as simple as the time of day you chose to workout in the past. There is scientific evidence that people who are "morning people" or "night owls" are physically different. Different people have energy at different times. Think about when you work best. If you wake up without an alarm clock ready to go, you should exercise first thing in the morning. If you are a night owl, you should consider working out at night. You might find that you are one of the people who tire yourself out enough with a night workout to sleep like a baby.You Can Do This!Losing weight is not a punishment. You are smart enough to know how to eat a little better and become more active. If you are honest with yourself, you will choose the proper bike. You want to look forward to the workout itself. Don't get caught up in which bike burns more calories. Find an exercise bike you will enjoy riding. Figure out the time of day that's best for you to exercise. Make it like getting dressed or bathing -- it's just something you do every day. You don't have to train for the Tour de France. You just have to get on and do something every day. Ten minutes a day will yield results. Bookmark this article for future motivation, find your exercise bike, and get busy! Copyright © 2005 Michael Walker About Michael: Michael Walker is a freelance author providing useful information about exercise bikes(http://www.all-in-exercise-bikes.com/), recumbent exercise bikes(http://www.all-in-exercise-bikes.com/recumbent-exercise-bikes.htm) and mini exercise bikes (http://www.all-in-exercise-bikes.com/mini-exercise-bike.htm). His numerous articles offer comprehensive tips and solutions for the fitness enthusiast. |
| The Advantages of Recumbent Exercise Bikes by Michael Walker The Advantages of Recumbent Exercise Bikes There are so many exercise bikes available that it’s easy to be overwhelmed. Spinning bikes, stationary bikes, dual action bikes, and recumbent bikes are probably some of the terms you’ve heard. It’s almost as though you have to be a fitness equipment engineer to understand the differences! Here’s a quick summary of these confusing terms. • Spinning Bikes You’ve probably heard about the spin craze that has become so popular in health clubs. Spinning bikes usually have at least a front wheel that spins (which is why they are so brilliantly named spinning bikes). These bikes might be the current fad, but they aren’t very comfortable. The seats are small and hard. The classes make these boring bikes more interesting, but as home exercise bikes, they quickly become tedious. • Stationary Bikes Stationary bikes (or upright bikes) are the exercise bikes that most people can identify. It’s the same basic model as in the 1980’s. Once again, it’s fairly uncomfortable. You can’t really do anything like read or watch TV because you’re leaning left and right and bouncing, so it, too, quickly gets boring. • Dual Action Bikes Dual action bikes are aptly named, as they give you both an upper and lower body workout. There are handles that move independently - much like an elliptical machine. It’s a good workout, but a bit tough for beginners, and as usual, the time on the bike will eventually get boring. You can also get dual action bikes that allow you to adjust the machine to create an arm-pedaling workout. It’s usually fairly difficult to make the adjustments. It’s also two separate exercises, which create a longer workout. Most people aren’t as likely to keep up such a routine. • Recumbent Bikes Recumbent bikes are the exercise bikes with the comfortable bucket seats. You sit back and lower to the ground as you pedal. These exercise bikes are easy enough for even the most sedentary beginners, and they usually offer workout programs to keep the workouts from becoming mundane. The Experts Recognize the Advantages of Recumbent Bikes Most physicians and personal trainers recommend recumbent bikes. Recumbent bikes are better for people of all different fitness levels. You are more likely to keep up a recumbent bike routine over time, the bikes are safer, and there are different benefits for both men and women. • Recumbent Bikes for All Fitness Levels Even the most sedentary person will find a recumbent exercise bike easy to use. You can adjust the settings to offer little or no resistance as you pedal. People who are overweight will definitely find the seat much larger and more comfortable than other exercise bikes. Athletes will find the recumbent exercise bike a challenge. The resistance can become incredibly difficult. The bike can simulate pedaling up hills. Most recumbent bikes offer various programs that will require you to sprint and tackle hills. If you want an upper body workout as you pedal, you can easily add weights and do repetitions as you sit back in the recumbent bike seat. • Recumbent Bikes Offer a Sustainable Workout The programs offered by most recumbent exercise bikes definitely keep the workout from becoming boring. You can simulate a course that is easy or difficult, flat or hilly. When shopping for exercise bikes, it’s better to get a bike with as many variations as possible. The fact that a recumbent bike is suitable for all levels will keep you getting back on the bike. If you’re feeling particularly tired or lazy one day, you can have an easy workout where you can read a book or newspaper. If you really want to test your limits, you can crank up the music, set the machine to more difficult levels, and add some weights for an upper body workout. • Recumbent Bikes are Safer Because you sit back and lower to the ground in a recumbent bike, it is better for your body. Most exercise bikes force you to hunch over, causing a stiff back. Some dual action bikes are back injuries waiting to happen. Recumbent bikes require that you sit with good posture as you pedal. Recumbent bikes also offer one of the few cardio workouts that put no pressure on your knees and other joints. You can’t “cheat” on a recumbent bike and stand up when you’re finding it more difficult to pedal. Standing like that on other types of exercise bikes puts unnecessary pressure on your knees and ankles. Recumbent bikes let your body exercise at an angle where your body weight is not stressing your joints. Even people with back and knee problems will find a recumbent bike easy to use. • Why Men Should Choose Recumbent Exercise Bikes So many men neglect their lower bodies when they workout, especially in strength training. It’s common to see buffed out men with giant biceps and tiny little bird legs. That’s because it’s easier to get an upper body workout at home. If you just invest in a recumbent bike, you can set the machine to high resistance. You will build leg muscle, and you can even do curls while you pedal. Recumbent bikes can also allow men to get a great cardio workout without the discomfort that only a man knows on regular bikes or other types of exercise bikes. With the large, comfortable seats of recumbent bikes, you are much more likely to enjoy your workout pain-free. If you move the seat of a recumbent bike up a bit to bring your legs higher, you can even target the lower abs and have to do less crunches to get the bottom of your six-pack! • Things Women Should Know About Recumbent Bikes Two words, ladies: legs and bottoms. Recumbent exercise bikes are so comfortable and easy to use that eventually you can do workouts giving you results like you’ve spent hours a day on a stair-stepper. Recumbent bikes can give you a fat burning cardio workout with enough resistance to help you build long, lean muscle. Picture Tina Turner legs. Recumbent bikes also are great for your inner thighs. Using different programs and settings, you will be able to target different muscle areas in your legs for longer looking, leaner legs. According to most polls, women claim in higher numbers to not have time for exercise because of more responsibilities in the home. With the positioning of a recumbent bike, you can multi-task to more easily fit in a workout. You are able to read, catch the news, and even use a phone or your handheld organizer. Finding a Recumbent Exercise Bike With prices between $200 and $3000, there is quite a variety of recumbent bikes available. Use the Internet to find great deals (including free shipping most of the time). Because the bikes are great for any level and help you to finally be able to stick with a safe and effective workout routine, you can splurge a little. This is definitely one of the best investments you can make for your health. About the author: Michael Walker is a freelance author providing useful information about exercise bikes, recumbent exercise bikes and http://www.all-in-exercise-bikes.com/spinning-bikes.htm">spinningbikes. His numerous articles offer comprehensive tips and solutions for the fitness enthusiast. |
| "Why Exercise Bikes Might Be the Ultimate Fitness by Paul Johnson Exercise bikes are the first things that come to your mindwhen you talk about home exercise equipments. Exercisecycles popularly known as exercise bikes have gained somuch recognition that they are next to TV in demand andpopularity among the household items. The best part about workouts with exercise bike is that ithas no side effects or no rules to follow. This makes it atremendous gizmo to chop off that extra fat just like that.Most health conscious people keep the exercise bike intheir home for fitness. There are fundamentally two types of exercise bikes,upright bikes and recumbent bikes. Upright bikes are morelike real bicycles with the exception that they do not runon road. Recumbent bikes on the other hand, have bucketseats and the pedals out in the front. These exercisecycles are fit for overweight people and those sufferingfrom backaches. Exercise Bikes the Easiest Way to Burn FatUnlike big exercise machines and gym equipments, exercisebike are simple to use and free from side effects. Thefunctions of this exercise equipment are simple andeverybody in you family, even kids can use it. Just sit onit, start pedaling and see your fat start burning. The exercise bikes have a regulator gear to control thepower exerted and you can adjust it according to theworkout required. Adjustable seat and handle makes itpossible for persons of all age and size to use the sameequipment. You can't go wrong with an exercise bike. Itcounts your miles and gives better control on your dietmanagement program. Exercise Bikes: Mix Workout With EntertainmentThe biggest excuse for inability to exercise is lack oftime. Exercise bike is an appropriate solution for all suchproblems and excuses. If you are a TV buff and spend mostof your free time watching TV, you can keep the exercisebike in the TV room and enjoy the movie or your favoritesoap while exercising. You can even read a book, newspaper or help your kids withtheir homework while pedaling and burning out those extrainches from your waistline. You do not have to take a stepout of your home for exercise and you can spend that timewith your family and enjoy the workout without missing anyimportant phone call. Exercise Bikes-The Economic Exercising AlternativeBesides simplicity, the second best thing about theexercise bike is its cost. Bikes with several features areavailable to fit all the budget requirements. The basicequipment comes for as low as $50. For a trial, you can even start with a used bike. There areample of used bikes available on sale through onlinestores, auctions and garage sales. Moreover, the bikes havea long life and low or even no maintenance requirement.Select the right exercise bike for yourself and get goingfor a healthy and fit body. About the Author Paul Johnson works as a software developer, often workinglong hours under great stress. He considers exercisecrucial to his health. When purchasing his own fintessequipment he researched all available products. Now he'swritten a series of useful articles on choosing (and using)exercise equipment. |
| Designer's Leather Biker Jackets, Skirts, Pants for Men & Women - now 60% off by Merry Jones This is the world of fashion: the beautiful models, the runways, the photographers, and the clothes.Fashion is not only what we wear, it is also how we describe ourselves to the world. When youre deciding which fashion is for you, take the time to consider your figure and style and also how you want to be perceived. Style.....! What comes in style ? Different patterns of dresses, new fashionable clothings and accessories . If youre wearing a leather apparel , you will be the one who has a 'great new look'. Leather fashion encompass a great collection of Quality Leather Apparel - leather jacket, leather biker, leather vest, leather skirt, leather pants, leather halter, leather shorts and leather accessories with an outstanding service . The hottest trend in the fashion industry is "LEATHER". The industry has emerged with trendy leather apparels and accessories for dashing men and women . Try this approach: choose a leather style that you feel comfortable and confident in, accessorize it with a few tasteful choices (such as a leather bag) and enjoy your evening out. Leather Apparels are commonly available in many different styles and colours. The Classic Italian Lambskin blazers, dyed fur collections in Jackets are very soft, comfortable, well fitting and can last longer. They are great to wear in cold weather because they can retain body heat and are wind proof as well. Fits in with the "cruiser" look and style. Choose a leather apparel that flatters your individual figure : leather jackets, leather bombers, leather pants, leather bikers, leather cycle jackets, leather motorcycle jackets, leather coats, leather skirts, riding chap pants, leather handbags and accessories, leather vests, leather tank tops, leather shorts, leather hot pants, leather halter. Get all at your door step in an compatable price : http://www.leather-jackets.i8.comhttp://www.leatherpants.8k.comhttp://www.leather-skirts.8k.comhttp://www.leather-motorcycle-jackets.8k.com About the Author This is the world of fashion: the beautiful models, the runways, the photographers, and the clothes.Fashion is not only what we wear, it is also how we describe ourselves to the world. |
| Leather motorcycle jackets, Leather cycle jackets, Leather Biker jackets and pants by rosly In this century everybody wants to change ,we also want to look diffrent than other. For change , some guy try to ware diffrent type of dresses ,hair style & so many things, but i think leather one of the thing that gives the diffterent look you can choose diffent variety of leather apparel like leather jackets, biker, fur coats,vests,leather motorcycle jackets, skirts,pants, halter, shorts and accessories with an outstanding service . Leather Apparels are commonly available in many different styles and colours. The Classic Italian Lambskin blazers, dyed fur collections in Jackets are very soft, comfortable, well fitting and can last longer. They are great to wear in cold weather because they can retain body heat and are wind proof as well. Fits in with the "cruiser" look and style. Leather-jacket-world Premium leather jackets, leather bombers, leather pants, leather skirts, leather motorcycle jackets, leather bikers, coats, halter. Try this approach: choose a leather style that you feel comfortable and confident in, accessorize it with a few tasteful choices (such as a nice bag) and enjoy your evening out. About the Author Rosly Leather Jacket World. All about Leather motorcycle jackets and biker leather motorcycle jacket,leather bomber jacket motor. http://www.leather-motorcycle-jackets.8k.com |
| Review: Patch the Porcupine and the Bike Shop Job by Norm Goldman Lily Azerad-Goldman, author, artist, and book reviewer for www.bookpleasures.com reviews Scott Nelson's children book Patch the Porcupine and the Bike Shop Job Authored and Illustrated by Scott Nelson ISBN 0-9745715-3-9 Publishers: KRBY Creations, LLC
The following review was contributed by: Lily Azerad-Goldman &CLICK TO VIEW Lily Azerad-Goldman's Reviews How can a porcupine fix a bicycle tire with his sharp quills without popping it? Well, Patch the Porcupine and the Bike Shop Job, authored by Scott Nelson will give you a nifty answer.
Patch the Porcupine always wanted to be a Mr. Fix-it. He forever followed his heart and fixed gears for other people. Hired by a bike repair shop, he makes every bike look brand new, except that every time he touches the inner tubes with his sharp paws, they go POP! But, Patch is determined to overcome this “prickly” problem! First he dreams of putting marshmallows all over his quills, but then what would happen, he quips, if he fell into a cup of hot cocoa? Then, he enlists the help of his friend Benjamin Bear. Does Benjamin Bear have a solution? Read on….
Scott Nelson has devised a hilarious and playful little story on how to overcome your shortcomings.
The whimsical cartoons jump out of the page. Colors are bright and Patch’s expressions as well as all the other characters are animated and adorable.
Scott Nelson’s imaginative prose and cartoons are sure to hold children’s and parents’ attentions.
Thinking of Patch the Porcupine will bring a smile and a chuckle to parents and children bicycling together. And, if they pop a tire, why they can go straight to Patch’s Bike Repair Shop and have some marshmallows and hot cocoa while waiting for their bike to be repaired. Or they can fix the tire themselves with Scot Nelson’s guide at the end of the book. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Lily Azerad-Goldman is an artist, children's author and reviewer for www.bookpleasures.com.
Lily and her travel writer husband, Norm, meld words with art focusing on romantic destinations. You can view Lily's art work and Norm's articles on www.sketchandtravel.com |
| A Bicycle Trip Down The River by Steve Gillman My river-rafting adventure started on a bicycle. The small daypack I wore carried a hatchet, a saw, some scraps of rope, food, water, a garbage bag bivy sack, a hat, and odds and ends. It weighed less than fifteen pounds total. It was late May, so Id stay warm in my homemade bivy, without a sleeping bag. I might wear my hat, and pile up some leaves to sleep on. If the mosquitos were bad, I'd use my headnet, which, I had learned, would also trap warm air around my head, keeping me warmer. I had matches and a lighter, in case I needed a fire in an emergency. Thirty miles of pedaling had brought me from my home in Traverse City, Michigan, down the backroads to the Baxter Bridge, on the Manistee River. It was almost 10 a.m. I pushed the bicycle into the woods, and rolled it along, lifting it over logs, until I was a mile upstream. Looking around at the trees, I knew this was the place to start the river rafting part of the trip. Sometimes Adventure Involves A Lot Of Work The first tree was the biggest, and I almost couldn't drag the ten-foot sections to the river after cutting them. They were perfect, however. Dead, dry-rotted Poplar was always good, because it was like styrofoam inside. It cut easy, and floated well. White Cedar was the best quality, but it was more difficult to find, and to cut. When I had hauled enough logs to the river, I got into the water and pulled the first two pieces in after me. I tied them together, then tied two long thin poles to them perpendicularly near either end. The other logs were guided, one by one, under these two rails, and tied in place. By early afternoon I was finished. With the last piece of rope, I tied the raft to shore. I cut a good rafting pole to guide me. I was ready. Tom Sawyer Day My first river rafting adventure had involved four of us. I advertised it to my friends as an adventure-disaster, sure to get them wet and cold. Three took the bait. Apart from snacks and water, we took only a hatchet, a small saw, and whatever scraps of rope we could find. It all fit into a small backpack. We parked near the river and hiked a trail upstream until we were a few miles from the car. The plan was to build a raft, using only dead trees and our scraps of rope. We would then get on it and go rafting back to the car. It was dubbed "Tom Sawyer Day," and became a much anticipated event among an ever-changing group of participants. Since it was, in equal parts, fun and dangerous, we didn't usually bring beer. Even sober, it was enough of a challenge to keep a thousand-pound pile of logs, with four people on it, from going where it wanted to go. Where it wanted to go inevitably involved pain and cold water, but with each trip I managed to learn a little. Sometimes we even stayed dry. Sometimes Adventure Involves Math The first trip, Roland and I were cutting and hauling logs to the river, while Cathy and Leslie cooked hotdogs over a fire. We began to do geometry on a piece of birchbark, trying to figure out how many logs were needed, allowing for the dishonesty of the women's stated weights. "Cedar weighs 37 pounds per cubic foot," I told Roland, "leaving a lifting capacity of about 27 pounds, given that water is 64 pounds per cubic foot." The girls were laughing at me. "The volume of a cylindrical object is pi times the radius squared, times the length, right?" Roland agreed. We counted out the logs and began to build the raft. When finished, we had a floating pile of old rotten logs and two frightened women. Sometimes Adventure Involves Getting Wet Leslie and Cathy sat on a stump in the middle of the raft. Roland and I stood with our poles, ready to fend off the banks of the river and the overhanging trees. We did this successfully for at least fifteen minutes. Then, when a low, horizontal tree refused to move, Roland pushed us all off in order to regain his balance. We quickly gave up trying to find the bottom of the river, and swam after the raft. Sputtering and cursing at Roland, the three of us climbed back on. This first rafting trip was in late April, when the water is still like ice. The sun warmed us, but our feet were almost always in the water. It was bad enough that the raft didn't float very high off the water, but then it began to change shape before our eyes and under our feet. "It's a square. No wait! It's a parallelagram... Now it's a square again." The girls decided that there was too much geometry in river rafting, so a few minutes later we let the raft drift close to the shore, where they stepped off into the shallow water. The water, however, wasn't shallow. Once the girls had resurfaced, and climbed up the sandy bank of the river, we waved goodbye. The trail took them to and from the river on their way to the car. The next time we saw them, Leslie was hiking in her wet bra and panties. This part of the adventure story was crucial to recruiting other young males in the future. The trail went into the forest again, and the girls didn't see us for thirty minutes. Sometimes Adventure Involves Running Actually, they saw the raft first, floating quietly down the river by itself. Soon they saw Roland and I, running along the opposite side, trying to catch up. This was because of a tree that stuck out from the bank, low to the water. We were unable to avoid it, despite our excellent rafting skills, but we thought we could jump over it as the raft passed underneath. It seemed like a reasonable plan at the time. It didn't seem so reasonable when Roland was pushing my face into the sicks in the tree while climbing over me to get to shore. The raft went on, not noticing our absence. We ran through swamp and woods, pretending this was part of the plan when the girls saw us. The raft came near the riverbank just as we caught up to it. We leapt for it, and we were back in control. More or less. "How do we get off?" Roland asked, when we were near the car. We decided that we just had to get close to shore and jump. It seemed like a good idea. Roland was still hanging over the river from a tree when I started up the big hill to the car. Tom Sawyer Days went a little smoother after this first one. Sometimes Adventure Involves Being Pointed At After pedaling thirty miles and hauling logs for hours, I was tired, but satisfied. It was the best raft yet, and I was soon rafting down the river, under Baxter Bridge, and into the National Forest. I noticed immediately that these rafts float better with only one person on them. There was just one small group of houses to pass before a long uninhabited stretch. My bicycle stood proudly in the center of the raft, tied in place, with the backpack on the handlebars. The first guy to see me yelled hello, and pointed me out to his wife. The second didn't know what to say. The Manistee is not a well-traveled river, especially not by bicyclists. A few minutes later I was past the houses. Around the next bend, a whitetail deer saw me and backed off through the cattails. I floated for hours. Apparently my previous river rafting experience was paying off, because I managed to miss the trees, rocks, riverbanks, and to stay dry. I was even able to sit down and soak up the sun for a minute or two at a time. The latter was always interrupted, of course, by the necessity to jump up and use the pole to avoid something. In the evening, I stopped, disassembled the raft, and began pushing my bicycle through the woods. A mile later I found a trail, and started pedalling. A mile after that I met two guys on a two-track, with there truck. The ice-cold beer they gave me made them instant friends, so I told them that, no, I wasn't out bicycling. I was river rafting. Then they weren't sure they wanted a new friend, so I traveled on. Sixty miles of bicycling, miles of pushing the bike through the woods, three hours of log-hauling, and five hours of rafting, all in one day, seemed like a worthy goal, so I decided to just head for home. And the mosquitos were worse than I had anticipated. Sometime after dark I rolled into the driveway, dropped the bike, and stumbled into the house. I took a shower and answered the phone. It was time to go dancing. About the author: Steve Gillman has been hiking, biking, floating and adventuring in general for decades. For more of his stories and outdoor advice, you can visit http://www.TheMountainHikingSite.com |
| Here's why you should ride a bicycle! by Silent One Here's why you should ride a bicycle! The world is an open road when you’re riding a bicycle! Bicycle riding for recreation is becoming more popular than ever. More main roads are being designed with bicycle lanes, and bicycle trails can be found in all parts of the country. Many bicycle trails are formed along old railroad tracks, which are fairly level and placed at a distance from automobile traffic, and stretch on for miles. This makes them perfect for both the beginners and the experienced bicycle riders. Bicycles themselves have evolved greatly over the years, becoming ever better than they were before. The first bicycle came into being back in 1817, a simple version with two wooden wheels and propelled by pushing the ground with one’s feet. The bicycle has taken on many shapes over the years. It was in the 1890’s that wooden or steel tires were finally replaced by pneumatic ones, and bicycling became widespread as a form of transportation. Bicycles were affordable to the general public, and what began as a fad became a reasonable means of getting to where one needed to go. Today’s bicycles are a credit to years of improvements, being made of stronger, more durable materials, yet incredibly light weight, and with complex features to give increased speed and ease. Bicycles are specialized for long distances, racing, city traffic or climbing mountain trails. Bicycle enthusiasts still keep coming up with a better bicycle. The patent office receives hundreds of patents a year for innovations to make a better bicycle ! About the author: http://www.a1-bicycle-4u.info/bicycle.html |
| The history of bicycle rims by Andrew Caxton The first bicycle wheels were from a horse drawn cart, made of wood with a metal band round the bicycle rim, very hard and very uncomfortable to ride. Then a man called Dunlop (Scottish) invented the pneumatic tire, this along with Macadam (another Scot) inventing the tar road surface made cycling a lot more comfortable. The bicycle rim, like the bicycle frame hasn’t changed much in design, its still round and always will be. From the first wooden rims the next were made of steel, then alloy and now if you can afford it, carbon. Of all bicycle parts the bicycle rim can make a big difference to how your bike handles. First the weight of your rim affects your sprinting and climbing as the weight will low you down, for a long, flat effort the weight isn’t so important as when you get the wheels rolling the weight can help to keep them going. The shape of the rim can be important also, a flat rim is best for climbing as aerodynamics are not so important on a hill, a deep section, aero, rim will help you cut through the air, but in a cross wind could cause you handling problems. Bicycle Rims Materials The different materials used for rims are very important also, steel is heavy and if damaged can be difficult to pull back into shape, but because its so strong it is quite difficult to bend in the first place and steel is cheaper than all the other materials. Alloy is probably the most popular rim, it can be made in any shape and profile, flat or aero, but not too deep as it would then weigh too much, most deep section rims are of a alloy braking section nearest the tire which is then mounted to a carbon deep section for lightness and aerodynamics and a very beautiful looking bicycle rim. As with most things if money is no problem you can go for the best, this would be an all carbon rim, strong and very light, but there are a few problems with these rims, first they don’t brake so well in wet conditions and you must use special brake blocks for carbon and they can be expensive, also the rim has to be perfectly round and not have any bulges in the rim wall as this will make braking quite erratic, carbon is a difficult material to work with and must be well looked after. Types Of Rim To Consider There are also two types of rim to consider and this depends on which kind of tire you want to use, first there are tubular tires these are glued on to the bicycle rim, cost more and are difficult to repair after a puncture, but for racing they feel and ride wonderfully. Clincher tires have improved a lot recently and are nearly as good as tubulars for performance and are easily repairable and more reasonably priced. Most manufacturers make all styles in both systems. So which should I buy? Not an easy answer, as there is so much to choose from, years ago you went to your local bike shop, picked out which hubs, spokes and rims you wanted and he would build your wheels, but now most rim makers also manufacture there own wheel sets, Mavic, Shimano and Campagnolo are probably the best known, check out there web-sites for all there new goodies, there are other brands and if you go to your local cycle shop or look in the bike magazines you’ll find them. There is a lot to choose form, but they are all round. About the author: Andrew Caxton contributes adding articles regularly to http://www.bike-cycling-reviews.comA free online magazine that carries reviews on bike components, clothing as well as comparisons on heart rate monitors. Further info on bicycle wheels and bicycle rims. |
| The Lure of a Bicycle Tour. by Silent One The Lure of a Bicycle Tour. The lure of a bicycle tour may be in its recreational value, but the health and fitness aspects have made them more popular today than ever before. There are bicycle tours available all across the country. Biking enthusiasts need not look very far to find a bicycle tour to their liking. Going on an organized bicycle tour offers many advantages over biking alone, one advantage being having a mapped route, especially if you are going into unfamiliar territory. Also, bicycling can just be more fun in a group. Going on a bicycle tour can be a major excursion, and you’ll want to go well prepared. Whether or not you’re new to bicycle tours, it is a good idea to brush up on the basic necessities. First, be sure your bicycle is in good repair. Bicycle tours range from a couple hours to a couple months, but either way, it’s best to check for mechanical problems well ahead of time. Even so, take along a tire repair kit, along with a tire pump and needed tools. Of course, a bike helmet is a must. Outer clothing should be waterproof, and clothing in general should be chosen with layering in mind. What you bring with you is very dependant on the actual bicycle tour you intend to take. You’ll always need water bottles and nutritional snacks, first aid kits, sunglasses, and, of course, a good bike lock. About the author: http://www.a1-bicycle-4u.info/bicycle-tour.html |
| Types Of Bicycle Rims To Consider by Andrew Caxton The first bicycle wheels were from a horse drawn cart, made of wood with a metal band round the bicycle rim, very hard and very uncomfortable to ride. Then a man called Dunlop (Scottish) invented the pneumatic tire, this along with Macadam (another Scot) inventing the tar road surface made cycling a lot more comfortable.The bicycle rim, like the bicycle frame hasn’t changed much in design, its still round and always will be. From the first wooden rims the next were made of steel, then alloy and now if you can afford it, carbon. Of all bicycle parts the bicycle rim can make a big difference to how your bike handles. First the weight of your rim affects your sprinting and climbing as the weight will low you down, for a long, flat effort the weight isn’t so important as when you get the wheels rolling the weight can help to keep them going. The shape of the rim can be important also, a flat rim is best for climbing as aerodynamics are not so important on a hill, a deep section, aero, rim will help you cut through the air, but in a cross wind could cause you handling problems.Bicycle Rims MaterialsThe different materials used for rims are very important also, steel is heavy and if damaged can be difficult to pull back into shape, but because its so strong it is quite difficult to bend in the first place and steel is cheaper than all the other materials. Alloy is probably the most popular rim, it can be made in any shape and profile, flat or aero, but not too deep as it would then weigh too much, most deep section rims are of a alloy braking section nearest the tire which is then mounted to a carbon deep section for lightness and aerodynamics and a very beautiful looking bicycle rim. As with most things if money is no problem you can go for the best, this would be an all carbon rim, strong and very light, but there are a few problems with these rims, first they don’t brake so well in wet conditions and you must use special brake blocks for carbon and they can be expensive, also the rim has to be perfectly round and not have any bulges in the rim wall as this will make braking quite erratic, carbon is a difficult material to work with and must be well looked after.Types Of Rim To ConsiderThere are also two types of rim to consider and this depends on which kind of tire you want to use, first there are tubular tires these are glued on to the bicycle rim, cost more and are difficult to repair after a puncture, but for racing they feel and ride wonderfully. Clincher tires have improved a lot recently and are nearly as good as tubulars for performance and are easily repairable and more reasonably priced. Most manufacturers make all styles in both systems.So which should I buy? Not an easy answer, as there is so much to choose from, years ago you went to your local bike shop, picked out which hubs, spokes and rims you wanted and he would build your wheels, but now most rim makers also manufacture there own wheel sets, Mavic, Shimano and Campagnolo are probably the best known, check out there web-sites for all there new goodies, there are other brands and if you go to your local cycle shop or look in the bike magazines you’ll find them. There is a lot to choose form, but they are all round. About the Author Andrew Caxton is 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. Read a further related article about bicycle rims. |
| Are there any bicycle accident lawyers in Los Angeles? by Jeff Lakie |
| Injured in a Bicycle Accident in Los Angeles? by Jeff Lakie |
| Bicycle Rims Review by Andrew Caxton |
| Are there any bicycle accident lawyers in Los Angeles? by Jeff Lakie Are there any bicycle accident lawyers in Los Angeles? Yes, of course. I was unable to find any attorneys that are only bicycle accident lawyers in Los Angeles, but there are a lot of lawyers that specialize in accidents in general and they can offer you all the help you might need at the court. Where can I find them? As everybody else they can be found on the Internet. Type “bicycle accident lawyers Los Angeles” phrase in your search engine and you're going to receive at least 10 attorneys' sites. But before you choose, check their records and make sure their bills won't be too high - it is easy to spend so much money on lawyers that in the end you start to wonder why you have sued somebody in the first place. What are my rights after a bicycle accident? Under California law you have substantial rights if only you had a bicycle accident. “Lawyers Los Angeles” website (www.losangeles-lawyers.com ) can provide you all information you might need. You have rights to compensation of medical expenses, lost income, property damage, pain and suffering, future medical expenses, loss of future enjoyment of life, scaring and disability. As you see there are quite a lot rights and they are limited by one thing only - the California law sets strict time limits of taking actions. In some cases you can have only a few months. Of course if only you keep to these limits, there is a good chance of winning a few dollars and all bicycle accident lawyers in Los Angeles will be more than eager to help you. Where's the catch? It's simple - if you request the help of lawyers you have to be prepared to spend some time and money on them. A typical bicycle accident lawyer in Los Angeles will take at least about 30 per cent of money you will win (plus expenses), so in some cases it is simply not cost-effective. Of course if the accident was a serious one and you have a chance to gain more than a few hundred dollars, there can be something to fight for. Just don't let the lawyers take control of the situation - and check the bills they send you. Dave Hoffman is the founder of Personal Injury Atorneys a website providing information on personal injury law |
| Injured in a Bicycle Accident in Los Angeles? by Jeff Lakie Have you, or someone you know, been injured in an accident involving a bicycle? Not sure what to do? Here's is a guide to some things that you should know when looking for bicycle accident lawyers Los Angeles. If you or a family member was injured or killed in an accident involving a bicycle, you may be able to recover damages, with bicycle accident lawyers Los Angelos. Assuming the other party was at fault, you can bring a suit of negligence against them. Negligent parties can include automobile drivers, bus drivers, as well as bicycle manufacturers and the makers of bicycle parts. Other negligent partied can include the State and the City of Los Angeles, for not properly maintaining the roads, which can sometimes contribute to accidents. If you have recently had your bike repaired, the mechanic that conducted the work could also be implicated and found negligent. Likewise, private property owners can also be held negligent for improper upkeep of property, if it leads to an accident. When deciding to sue someone for negligence leading to an accident, it is important to be aware of what your rights are as a cyclist. Bicycles in Los Angeles are considered vehicles and bicycle accidents are to be treated as vehicular accidents. The State of California has many law regarding cyclists, many pertaining to the use of alcohol and drugs and riding, which you will be held accountable for. So, remember, if you have infringed any laws pertaining to the use of alcohol or drugs, you may well be found to be at fault. In some cases, it is possible to be charged with DUI and you may jeopardise your driver's license. Being involved in an accident on your bicycle can be a stressful and frightening experience. However, if you believe that the accident was the result of another's negligence, it is important to seek legal advice from bicycle accident lawyers Los Angeles. You may be entitled to damages. Dave Hoffman is the founder of Personal Injury Atorneys a website providing information on personal injury law |
| Tips On Bicycle Maintenance by Andrew Caxton Bike Maintenance A clean bike will function better than a dirty one and is a pleasure to work on. Before you start any bike maintenance you have to clean your bike, that doesn’t mean a bit of wipe with a cloth, you have to clean it properly and there are a few things you need to do the job, you might have to buy some equipment, but most of it can be found around the house, try under the sink, but don’t let your wife/mother catch you. First what equipment do you need: - • A bike workstand or handy tree/washing line to hang your bike on. • Old rear hub or old axle or stick. • Degreaser or diesel fuel (careful diesel is not good for your hands). • Hot water. • Washing up liquid. • 2 buckets (1 with soapy and 1 with clean water). • Paint brush. • Old water bottle. • Bottlebrush. • Soft scrubbing brush. • 2 sponges. • Cloths. • Oil. • And for that extra shinny finish, spray polish. The most important thing to remember when you are cleaning your bike is to keep your eyes open and look for anything that may need fixing later, this is how a mechanic on a professional team does it, but he might have 10 bikes to look after, so it’s a lot easier with only one. Start with the wheels, cut the top off the old water bottle and put some degreaser in it, you can use a spray degreaser, but you waste most of it. With the paintbrush work the degreaser into the sprockets being careful not to get too much into the bearings. Then with some hot water and washing up liquid scrub the sprockets clean, then scrub the rims clean of old brake block residue, you can use a little degreaser to help this, but don’t get it on your tires. Scrub the tires clean, with soft scrubbing brush, at this point look at the tires for any cut in the tread that could puncture later and inspect the rims for damage or if they are wearing thin. With a soapy sponge wash the spokes and then rinse them in clean water and put them to one side to dry, not in direct sunlight. Now the rest of the bike put your bike on your bike workstand or other handy item you can hang it on. Put the old hub/axle/stick in the rear end of the frame so the chain can rest on it, then using the paintbrush and the old water bottle with the degreaser clean the chain, the front and rear derailleur, chain rings and cranks, brakes and any other metal parts, try not to get it on the saddle, handlebar tape and don’t get too much on the headset and bottom bracket bearings. Also use the degreaser and paintbrush to clean under the down tube, as you’ll find any spillage form your feeding bottle will make this a very sticky place and the degreaser should shift it. Now take the bottlebrush or a sponge and a bucket of soapy water and clean under the saddle, under the bottom bracket, under the brakes and under the forks, use the scrubbing brush to shift any stubborn dirt, then take a soapy sponge and clean off all the degreaser and loosened dirt. Then with a clean soapy sponge clean every part of the bike, start with the handlebars and saddle and work your way down the bike making sure the whole bike is sparkling clean, then rinse with clean water. Remember keep your eyes open for things like worn brake blocks, gritty bearings, tight or frayed cables or any cracks or damage to the frame, if all is OK put the wheels back in. Things to look for while you are cleaning your bike: - • Worn brake blocks. • Damaged or thin rim walls. • Damaged or cut tires. • Damaged chain. • Damaged or bent handlebars and stem. • Twisted or damaged saddle. • Torn or worn handle bar tape. • Damaged or worn chain rings and sprockets. • Damaged or worn chain. • Damage to cranks or pedals. • Condition or gear and brake cables. • Damage to frame tubes. • Loose or broken spokes. • Condition of brake calipers. • All bearings should run smoothly. So your bike is now clean, dry it with a clean cloth and if you want it to really shine, get the spray polish out, but don’t get any on the brake surface or you wont be able to stop the first time you go out. Next you have to oil the chain and all moving parts, brake pivot bolts, front and rear derailleur, pedal springs and the pivots on the brake levers, wipe away any spilt oil, check your gears and brakes work well, pump up your tires and away you go on your clean and sparkling bike. Oh! And remember to put back all that stuff from under the sink before you go on your bike ride or you’ll be making your own dinner when you get home. http://www.bike-cycling-reviews.com About the author: Andrew Caxton runs a cycling site where you can find reviews and comparisons on heart rate monitors, bike clothing and bicycle components. Further reviews at Andrew's website http://www.bike-cycling-reviews.com |
| Race Equipment Checklist for Mountain Bike Racers by Levi Bloom Race Equipment Checklist for Mountain Bike Racers 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 hadnt packed my clothes! Just kidding. But the reason I remembered them is that I had a checklist of everything I would need. I dont 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 youre 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. |
| 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. |
