Posted by Art on Feb 5, 2012 in
Biking
Many alternative means of gauging a bike make buying another one hard. Even for those people who are paid to ride, buying a new bike is hard. The fact of the situation is that getting a bike involves many different selections. Imagine the future: how safe, comfy and classy do you need the bike to be. How far will you ride and where will you be riding? Keeping on top of all of the new concepts coming out with cycling, as well as choosing between the old options, makes choosing a bike hard. These are some of the criteria you need to use when you're buying your next cycling bicycle.
The first thing to think about when buying a cycle is the cost of the bike. This doesn't suggest other stuff are not important, like where you are going to ride or how often you will but it implies that the cost of the cycle should be one of your main concerns. Some of the finest cycles you'll find will cost thousands of bucks. This doesn't suggest you are going to be forced to spend several thousand greenbacks on a good bike, because there are ways that you can find a great bike for a superb price. You can go to auctions and find some of the finest bikes available for a little part of the price of fresh ones.
Do you need additional gizmos for your bike? If you'll need to transport things with your bike, you'll need a basket. Will a child ever be transported on your cycle? Attaching a child seat is not possible for every bike, so choose wisely. Have you ever considered pulling anything behind your bike? If that is the case you'll need to discover a bike that may support the weight of a tiny trailer or whatever you will be towing behind you.
If you're buying a cycling bicycle for your children, you've an entirely different set of standards to consider. A little robust bike is required, which has wide tires for balance and brakes that are easy to use. You are going to need to get a keenly priced bike because children will grow fast, and it will also have to look good because looks are everything to the young.
You'll see there are several things you need to consider when you are finding the bike that's suitable for you. It can become a maddening process at times to try to figure out precisely what bike you want and which accessories you must get to go with it. So long as you go prepared and know exactly what you need and are looking out for, you can shed some of that disappointment and find the ideal bike. Finding a new bike can be difficult but when you apply these tips you will be playing the bike game right. As I generally say if you are going to play games you have to play2win.
Ryan Pounders lives in nyc and believes in what he calls the play2win perspective. This is composed of living life to your fullest and to chase your dreams. Ryan has started to become very interested in his biking and has written a few articles on several thoughts that you might find lurking on his blog
Tags: Bikes, Biking, gifts, shopping
Posted by Art on Aug 19, 2010 in
Biking
The frame is the essence of a road bike and also its strongest point. If you are in the market for a new road bike than the road bike frame should be the part that gets most of your attention.
The factors to consider when buying a bike frame are the material its made from, the symmetry and sizes of the bike frame.
Early wood and steel road bike frames
While road bike frames designs have not changed much over the years, the same can not be said of the materials, and its the material of the bike frame that separates the big boys from the rest.
Wood and than steel were the first materials used in the manufacturing of road bike frames. You can still find bike frames made from steel, and you will notice how much heavier they are then current bikes.
Over the years bike frame designs have also evolved. Changes in road conditions and technology have lead to an evolution in road bike designs. When roads were rougher than they are today, bike frames designs had laid back angles and a longer wheel base.
Bike frames made from alloy
The introduction of alloy tubes marked a turning point in the manufacture of bike frames. This made frames a lot lighter than the previous steel frames.
Bikes under $2000 are among the best selling. These bikes usually combine an alloy frame, a carbon fork, chain and seat. Bikes solf at this price point are usually a good value for the money.
Bike frames made from titanium
The next step up in bike frames is the titanium frame. Titanium bike frames are almost weightless and offer a great ride.
Titanium and carbon road bike frames are a much more expensive option.
These top of the line bikes mix a titanium frame with carbon seat and fork. This combination makes for maximum comfort and handling while preserving safety.
bike frame sizes
Once you settle on the material and manufacturer of your bike frame. The size of the frame is the next thing to consider in your buying decision. The right size will insure a comfortable and safe ride. When determining the right size bike frame there are a few thing to look at.
The size of the frame is the length of the seat tube. The number is usually presented in centimeters. A popular way to determine your bike frame size is to measure 0.65 of your inseam length. You can calculate your bike frame size by measuring your inseam, converting it to centimeters and multipling by 0.65. For your reference, one inch is equal to 2.54 centimeters. With this method an inseam length of 34 would translates into a 56 bike frame size. If you are buying a mountain bikes you should get a frame size that is 10 to 12 centimeters smaller.
When an exact size is not possible this can be corrected by adjusting the seat height. Another distance to consider is that of the part of the frame that holds the pedals and cranks to the seat. This measurement should be about 0.88 of your inseam size.
A minor adjustment of the seat hight and the right bike frame size will result in the perfect fit.
After buying your bike go out and enjoy it!
Tags: bike frames, Bikes, Cycling, Mountain Bikes
Posted by Art on Jul 22, 2010 in
Biking
Mountain biking is synonymous with sometimes dangerous but exhilarating biking trails that can range from cliff-face climbing to pastoral countryside and open farmland. The environmentally friendly and health inspiring qualities of mountain biking mean that everyone is a winner. The mountain bike industry is also behaving responsibly to the environment – Trek mountain bikes are made in a carbon-neutral factory.
It’s perfectly true that mountain bikers themselves need to keep their integrity too. Keeping healthy means that riders are able to manage the sometimes tricky trails that they deliberately seek-out. Whilst those riders who use Trek mountain bikes for example, will no doubt have the staying power to complete difficult trails, it’s equally important to maintain physical power as well.
Body weight and physical strength is important to mountain bikers because it enables them to take better control of situations they may come across when riding. This enables them to train their reactions quickly and positively when the unexpected comes their way and ‘stay loose’.
There are many ‘bodyweight exercises’ that can be undertaken to achieve improved physical strength, the easiest and simplest being push-ups and pull-ups. However, following a properly worked out and regular routine can do more for the aspiring rider of Trek mountain bikes than simply doing these basic moves.
Taking the advice of a fitness instructor is a good idea, and there are numerous books on the subject from recognised mountain biking professionals like John Metcalfe. Large brands like Trek have World Racing teams that mountain bikers can follow to see how the professionals train and prepare.
Being the owner of a bike like those from the range of Trek mountain bikes is quite something, however, learning to be fit to enjoy riding it is quite another.
Tags: Bikes, Mountain Bikes, Trek Mountain Bike, Trek mountain bikes
Posted by Art on Jul 19, 2010 in
Biking There are all kinds of bikes being produced for carbon-free entertainment, such as those for the exciting and often dangerous pursuit of mountain biking. Technological advances have meant that some bikes now have full –suspension, such as Trek mountain bikes for example, as part of their mountain bike range.
Families use mountain bikes, as well as individuals competing in tournaments or on mountain bike trails. Many companies produce mountain bikes and as their name implies, they are used off-road or on uneven surfaces deliberately for entertainment. Bikes like Trek mountain bikes are designed to be strong, comfortable and agile, however, the safety of the bike is a primary concern. If bikes are built with safety in mind by being strong and easier to control, then riders will find difficult ground easier to deal with too – better agility from the bike therefore helps the rider stay safe.
Mountain biking by its very nature can be a dangerous activity, and safety is something that should be encouraged at all times. Wearing the correct helmets and other protective clothing will help keep a mountain biker safe, as well as learning to ride the bike with control.
Knowing your abilities and limits is as important as understanding the trail and terrain on which you’re biking. It makes sense to get to know trails before attempting them at the extremes or limits of your experience – the old adage ‘practice makes perfect’ applies here.
Making sure the correct bike is chosen is a simple but important thing to do. There are so many models of bike to choose from that the rider should seek help from a seller of well-known and respected brands of bike like Trek mountain bikes before buying.
If you fail to get the correct advice, then it’s highly possible that you’ll not only risk your health and safety, but you could also waste a lot money.
Tags: Bikes, Mountain Bikes, Trek Mountain Bike, Trek mountain bikes
Posted by Art on Jul 15, 2010 in
Biking No one can deny the thrill of mountain biking. Riding and jumping a simple machine over the rockier parts of our planet can be exhilarating. Kids ask their parents to teach them how to ride a bike, because once you learn, you never forget. And they are quite simple machines, the most basic level requiring two wheels, a frame, and a gear set to make pedaling a little easier. They’re used for exercise, transportation, and just plain fun. Mountain biking is a specific form that’s become incredibly popular since the 80′s, and there are two brands to consider when buying mountain bike: Schwinn and Diamondback.
The Schwinn Bicycle company has been around for 115 years, founded back in 1895 by Ignaz Schwinn. The company was originally based in Chicago, and when it began it didn’t make much of a dent in the transportation market. Automobiles and motorcycles had recently become available, and most consumers preferred the fancier motorized vehicles over the occasionally strenuous pedaling necessary with a bike. The 1920′s, though, changed all that. The stock market crashed, and overnight most people didn’t have the money to maintain their automobiles. But these were still the traditional two-wheeled, single gear designs. A Schwinn mountain bike wouldn’t make its appearance until much later.
By the 1950′s, the Schwinn Bicycle Company had grown to dominate the bicycle industry. Unfortunately, this wasn’t to destined to last. In the 60′s and 70′s, Schwinn began to lose it’s hold over the bicycle market. Schwinn’s main claim to fame was the standard bicycle, but the public’s demand began to shift. Consumers wanted bikes catered to more specific forms of biking, like road racing or touring. Schwinn didn’t budge in its position, which led to financial trouble for the company.
Their position wasn’t helped when the management made a statement denouncing BMX racing as a dangerous sport. Without any bikes catered to the emerging market of BMX, Schwinn fell by the wayside in the 80′s and 90′s. In 2001, the company was finally sold to Pacific Cycles, though the parent company retained the brand name. It wasn’t until recently that a Schwinn mountain bike would appear in stores.
These days, there are two bicycles worth looking at when buying a mountain bike: Diamondback Bikes and Schwinn Bikes. Diamondback is a relative newcomer to the bicycle scene when compared to Schwinn, but they never had the troubles Schwinn came up against. Diamondback entered the market with a range of sports bikes, while Schwinn was wary of changing their tried and tested design.
There is one major question to consider when buying mountain bike, though, and it all depends on the terrain. The biggest decision you’ll have to make is hardtail or full suspension. A hardtail bike has the back wheel firmly secured to the frame, adding strong support, but can cause discomfort over rougher trails.
Full suspension mountain bikes solve this problem. The rear wheel is connected to the frame through a suspension device. This device allows the rear wheel to keep contact with the ground more often, supplying more pedaling power to the rider. Of course, the suspension also offers some cushioning on rough terrain. It’s a good idea to find your trails first, then decide on the bike you need.
Tags: Bicycle, Bikes, Schwinn
Posted by Art on Jul 15, 2010 in
Biking If you are looking for a bike then there is a lot to be considered. Some brands are built for specific uses such as trail riding and stunts while others perform best under what is usually considered normal use or riding on paved roads. Here are some tips to help you find the perfect bike for you no matter what you want to use it for.
You will want to make certain you get the right size bike. This will enable you to ride the bike more comfortably. This also ensures that you can reach the handle bars and pedals while sitting on the seat of the bike properly. Height is one of the biggest factors in this and can make a huge difference in how well and how long you can ride.
The Mongoose mountain bike is very popular for those looking for an off road bike. They have superior shocks and can handle any terrain. This brand may cost a bit more but most think it is well worth the price. Some say that this is the best brand on the market whether you are looking for off road or general use.
The Schwinn mountain bike is also gaining in popularity. The biggest reason for this is the frame and the fact that they have the option for full suspension. These are very well made bikes and may save some money over other brands.
For stunts and every day use, more riders prefer the line of Diamondback bikes. These are not quite as popular as some of the other models but they are well made and can last even under rougher conditions. They also have some models suitable for off road use.
When you are looking for a bike, it makes sense to buy one you can use for a long time to come. Quality materials and well crafted frames, along with proper care and maintenance can ensure your bike last for many years to come.
When you buy a bike then you should also consider accessories. These usually include a helmet, knee pads, and elbow pads. These all protect you in the event of an accident. In many areas these may be required especially for younger riders.
Remember that biking is about more than exercise; this can be great fun for you and the whole family. Get your bike today and discover a sport that is loved by many.
Tags: Bikes, buying bikes, looking for a bike, Mountain Bikes
Posted by Art on Jul 7, 2010 in
Biking It can be difficult when trying to choose a bike is suitable for your needs. This is even more true for beginners who don’t know about the different types of bikes you can get. You will find mountain bikes to have better suspension and are therefore more comfortable but they are also heavier and not as fast as road bikes. So how do you decide which bike is right for you?
First decide what you need a bike for. The are a few things you will want to consider one of which is where you will be riding your bike. This not only includes the terrain you will encounter on your journey but how long you expect to spend on each journey. A comfortable bike that can handle different types of terrain can be ideal. For people who will be cycling on the road racing bikes are the best solution. But if you need to cycle in difficult conditions then a mountain bike may be more your thing.
This brings us nicely to next consideration which is how much you value comfort and speed. Faster bikes are light because they use lighter materials and don’t have any extra features. You will also need to bear in mind the different riding postures for the different styles of bikes. Road bikes require that you use a posture that makes you more aerodynamic and this can sometimes be uncomfortable for people who have never ridden like this before.
Choosing a specific model of bike is the next step once you know the type of bike you want. In every bike range you will find that there are many different models for you to choose from. For pure speed you will want a bike made from carbon fibre although this can be quite pricey forroad bicycles. When it comes to mountain bikes extra features to consider are the wheel size, suspension and braking system.
Naturally budget will always play its part. You will find that there are many good quality bikes available for good prices.
Tags: Bikes, cycles, racing bikes, road bicycles
Posted by Art on Oct 28, 2009 in
Biking Buying a mountain bike can be time consuming and stressful as there are so many features that you need to think about. Take a look at these tips to help you when you are deciding on which mountain bike to buy.
Determining your price
To help you keep your spending under control, you should figure out what your price range is and how much you’re willing to pay for a new bike. Try to avoid the massive stores with chains across the country. You should instead support your local bike shop and get a much better bike and much better service. If you want alternative ways to pay, enquire after MTB finance which will help you dilute the immediate cost.
Finding your style
All mountain bikes are designed with several different riding styles and terrain types in mind. If you prefer one type of riding over the rest, pick a bike with this purpose. Smooth riding, cross country racing, mountain cruising, or lift accessed downhill is something you need to figure out. Do not let the sales staff pressure you into a bike that does not fit your riding style.
Sales and seasons
What you will pay for a mountain bike changes from month to month during the year. Spring through summer is the main buying season. If you are not desperate for a new bike in the summer, wait until autumn or winter and you could save yourself two, maybe three hundred pounds. Be cheeky and ask for a discount if you are also buying biking accessories.
Finding a good dealer
Finding a good bike dealer is more important than finding the best price. If they try to sell you a bike because it is expensive rather than it suiting you properly, find another seller. A great dealer will have a clean repair shop and give you the impression that you can really trust them.
Doing the research
If you want to know how reliable a bike is or what other riders think of a certain model, do some research and read rider reviews. You should always look at what other owners and reviews think about a bike before you make that final purchase.
Tags: bike finance, Bikes, Cycling, moutain bike finance, MTB finance
Posted by Art on Jun 29, 2009 in
Biking It can be a bit overwhelming when you first start walk into a bike store to buy your first mountain bike and accessories as there is so much choice.
You can purchase many mountain biking accessories and related products. If you are on a budget then be careful the sales staff don’t sell you unnessassary items, you need to ensure your safety and enjoyment not what’s cool. Accessories need to be chosen carefully so the following infomation is a good guide for when you hit those trails.
Bike Helmet
The bike helmet is the most important mountain biking accessory that you can buy. You should never go biking without a helmet. Serious head injurys can be prevented by wearing a helmet, there have been many people who have been unfortunate enough to have experienced this.
All mountain bike helmets are comfortable and stylish and everyone who rides on the trails wears one.
Mountain Bike Gloves
No matter what season you ride in, your hands can take a beating. Beginners will normally keep a death grip on the handle bars, which can be very brutal for their hands. Everyone crashes at some point and your hands will be the first thing to hit the ground. Your hands will take a huge beating so having mountain bike gloves are a must have accessory
Mountain Bike Shorts
After the first few mountain bike rides you take, you’ll notice that your rear end will be quite uncomfortable. Even though your body will adjust, bike shorts are great to have as they will help keep it at a bare minimum. Shorts are a great addidtion to your mountain bike ride as they make your ride more bearable.
Mountain Bike Shoes
You will need to pick your mountain bike shoes accordingly dependent on the type of pedal and the type of riding
you do.
If your bike has clipless type pedals, you’ll want to get shoes to accept the special cleat for your pedals. When purchasing mountain bike shoes things to take into consideration are their durablility, do they have a stiff sole for better efficiency when pedaling and are they comfortable. Also, you should make sure to get the right shoe for the terrain you’ll be ridingin as well.
Eye Protection
If you get something in your eye, you can run off the trail in a matter of seconds. Sunglasses or clear lense glasses can help protect your eyes from any debris which may kick up from the trail as well as protecting them from the wind. Make sure they are non-breakable when you buy your glasses.
Hydration System
Hydration backpacks or a water bottle are a good thing to take with you. Enusre you bring water with you to drink on the trail so your body stays properly hydrated at all times.
Trail Repair Kit
You can easily get stuck in the woods or on the trails if you forget to bring a repair kit for your bike. To be on the safe side, bring a multi-tool designed for bike repair, tyre levers, and a patch kit for fixing flat tyres.
Tags: bike, Bikes, cycle, Cycling, mountain, Mountain Bike, Trek, trial
Posted by Art on Jun 21, 2009 in
Biking When it comes to road racing, particularly in time trials, everyone is looking to be a light as they possibly can. Pro cyclists are on very strict diets and watch their weight very carefully, but the racing bikes also need to pretty trim. Time trial bikes have seen the weight drop off them as the years have gone by, in fact by around 10g per year. Most people would consider this not a lot but when it comes to racing every gram counts. So what are the latest developments to come on scene, aimed at shaving another few pounds off?
Carbon fiber shoes. When it comes to cycle clothing, strong and light is the key. Firm shoes are vital in order to transfer maximum energy from the legs into the pedals. Traditionally there has been a tossup between using hard materials which were usually heavy or lighter ones that softer and not as effective. New carbon fiber shoes however solve the problem by being very light but also incredibly strong
Lightest spokes. Believe it or not, the weight of your spokes can add up to make a big difference in the overall weight of the bike. Some spokes are now being made out of carbon fiber but they have to be thicker in order to have adequate strength. The preferred option is now titanium spokes Zipp wheels have adopted and can be made to the same size steel ones, but are around half the weight.
Fully carbon bikes. The ultimate in performance racing is the bike made almost completely from carbon fiber. A bike made from this material will not only boast an amazing low weight but being strong enough for any type of racer. Its a very comfortable ride as well according to those lucky enough to have had a go. The only downside to kitting yourself out with all this carbon fiber gear is the expense. It does not come cheap, which is why you’ll only see the top professionals using it for the time being.
Tags: Bikes, carbon fiber, light, racing, speed