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.
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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