Posted by Art on Aug 16, 2010 in
Biking
Many differing options are available to you as you look to purchase a bicycle. Choosing their next bicycle is difficult, even for professional riders. Considering the various factors makes purchasing a bike tough. Planning ahead for things like bike use, safety and comfort, as well as where it will be ridden, and what it looks like, will help you make a better decision. Choosing between all of the options available can be overwhelming, especially since new developments in cycling happen all the time. Here are some of the criteria you should use when you are buying your next cycling bicycle.
One thing that is usually the first on the list is the cost of the bike. You will also be thinking about where you plan on riding your bike, as well as how often you are going to ride, but before you think about any of that you are going to have to think about the cost.
The price ranges of good bikes go anywhere from the hundreds to the thousands. That doesn’t mean all bicycles are going to cost that much, so don’t worry; there is no reason why you can’t find a great bicycle that is in your price range. The local auctions are some of the best ways to find wonderful deals on things like bicycles and equipment so you won’t find yourself spending too much money. You will also need to consider which handlebars you want on your bike. As you probably know, there are many different types of handlebars. Common handlebars which simply extend straight out are good for regular cycling, they offer good maneuverability especially when used on hard terrain. These handlebars will also distribute your weight over a big area. For racing bikes you will want completely different handlebars, these handlebars will curve and allow you to ride your bike in a leaning position, this is to cut down on wind resistance and allow you to cycle faster. For people who rarely use their bike they will want handlebars which allow the bike to be stored away efficiently, but which also offer some level of comfort when cycling.
Children’s bikes have altogether different things to consider. You will want to choose a bicycle that is sturdy with wide tires and easy to use brakes (most children’s brakes operate by moving the pedals backwards). You will want to find a reasonably priced bike because children will grow quickly, and it will also have to look good because looks are everything to the young. Several different factors play into how you are going to choose the right bicycle. Is this a bike you are going to be riding every single day or is it a bike you are only going to ride every now and them? What height makes you feel the most comfortable? Do you prefer your feet to rest flat on the ground or do you like to have some room between them and the ground when you are sitting on the bicycle’s seat? You will want to answer all of these important questions, as you make your bicycle selection.
{Now, let’s look at some other sports, like the|Other then considering cycling, be sure to check out some water sports equipment like the} water ski equipment and discount wakeboards
Tags: Bicycle, Cycling, Sports
Posted by Art on Jan 27, 2010 in
Biking
Contrary to what we may have been used to in the past, getting the right kind of mountain bike for us needs a lot of careful thinking when it comes to details.
From some of the most important factors to think about before spending our money on a mountain bike, are the different Mountain Bike Sizes and which one will best fit us.
When choosing Mountain Bike Sizes, we also have to take into consideration several other factors such as the frame, saddle tilt, and saddle height and handlebar position, among many others.
Choosing A Mountain Bike
There are various Mountain Bike Sizes that are just the right proportion to our heights. Generally, the extra small size at fourteen to fifteen inches, the small size is at sixteen to seventeen inches, medium at 18-19 inches, large at twenty to twenty-one inches, and extra large at twenty-two to twenty-three inches.
From these sizes, we can pick out the right one that most likely ideal to our own size and body posture.
The saddle height and tilt are another consideration that comes with Mountain Bike Sizes. Perhaps we are used to tilting the saddle to make it easier for us when we sit but tilting it means that this is not the right saddle for us, you can browse around the internet to find out more about Saddle Sizes.
By getting one that will allow us to sit at a level height, we will be more comfortable in riding the bike especially for long jurney.
As for the saddle height, this is often adjustable in mountain bikes so this shouldn’t be a problem.
The handlebar position and how wide it is are also big factors that come with different Mountain Bike Sizes. Having one that is too wide for our arm’s reach will render it uncomfortable once we have been riding it for awhile.
For the handlebar position, getting one that is more forward will allow us to ride with more powerful force.
Getting One Online
To help us get a better idea of what type of Mountain Bike Sizes we can get; we can check the internet for further information.
There are several sites that are designed specifically for mountain bike aficionados which can give us more tips on selecting the right kind of mountain bike and help us determine which one will best fit us.
While riding a mountain bike may be something that we love to do, if we get the wrong one, we might just lose interest and not willing to ride one again. This is why it is of utmost importance that we consider all specifics first that go into each mountain bike before making decision to get one.
more: F1 Circuit Length
Tags: Cycling, dimensions, measurements, Mountain Bike, Sports
Posted by Art on Oct 8, 2009 in
Biking
For those of you who don’t know CV (cardio vascular) fitness refers to the ability of the heart and lungs to provide the body with enough nutrients (mainly oxygen) for it to function during activity and remove waste products such as carbon dioxide and lactic acid also. The more efficient and well trained the CV system is, the greater the intensity or duration of exercise can be. Sports like sprinting and discus do not work the CV system very much at all, as muscles do not use oxygen in fast powerful events. But there are sports that work the CV system more than others. Below we look at three of the best sports for developing CV fitness.
Skiing. The variety of this sport known as cross-country skiing is actually the most demanding off all sports on the CV system. This is because competitive events usually take place over very long distances and skiers encounter lots of different inclines to conquer. On top of this, there isn’t a muscle in the body that is not required during the action of cross country skiing, meaning that the CV system needs to work overtime to provide them all with fuel. So if you’re looking to build your CV system, switch your snowboards for skis next time you’re on the slopes.
Cycling. Riding a bike, especially in competitive road racing, can cause the heart and lungs to work overtime as they attempt to feed the large leg muscles. The 7 time Tour De France winner Lance Armstrong is testament to that, having one of the highest VO2 max scores of any athlete. VO2 max is the maximum amount of oxygen that can be delivered and used by muscles in one minute. Based on that evidence, if you’re thinking about getting rid of your old cycling machine or second hand bikes, you might want to think again.
Kayaking. Although kayaking does not use the lower body as much as other sports do, it still punishes the heart and lungs more than most. This is because during middle to long distance races, the upper body and torso work so hard that incredible amounts of oxygen are required to keep going and muscle waste products are also produced in bucket loads. For second hand kayaks and extreme sports equipment check out EST.
Tags: CV fitness, Cycling, kayaking, skiing, Sports
Posted by Art on May 28, 2009 in
Biking Going back 15 years you would have found 2-3 bike shops within a 5 mile radius. Nowadays however a great many have shut their doors and ceased trading, leaving only the bigger companies and shops that sell a range of products such as snowboards and climbing gear as well as bikes. So what is it that has been the downfall of the small biking shop, and will the trend continue? Lets take a look at a few factors.
More Cars. Compared to a century ago, the number of cars around has obviously increased dramatically. More people are not only buying cars but also using their cars a lot more. However, does this necessarily mean that bikes are being used less as a result. Halfords, a large chain of shops in the UK that serves both car and bike owners have stated that over the past 10 years there has been a decrease of 10% in the number of commuter, second hand bikes and new mountain bikes sold. This year just gone however has actually seen the first rise in bike purchases, which maybe a result of financial strain on car owners right now.
Internet Shopping. Every day sees an a rise in the amount of purchases happening over the Internet. Even though bikes are classic items that people like to try out first, the amount that are being sold online continues to increase every year. According to the top bike retailer in the UK, sales on the internet account for 10% more of the total sales each year since 2000.
Online Trading sites. The last factor to consider is the increase in online classified sites such as Ebay. Once upon a time people would take their unwanted bikes to the local bike shop and either sell it or trade it in for a new one. Now you get on your computer and advertise your bike in minutes to thousands of people all over the country. There are now even sites set up specifically for trading used surfboard, snowboards and mountain bikes etc, such as Extreme Sports Trader and Bike Magic
Tags: Bicycle, Bikes, Mountain Bikes, riding, shops, Sports