How to Properly Maintain Your Bicycle
If you utilize a bicycle as your main means of transportation, congratulations! You are doing both yourself and the environment a lot of favors. But if you want to keep that good feeling of riding a bike, you must also learn how to take care of it. There are special ways of maintaining the quality of your street or mountain bike. Here are some of those tips and techniques to apply to your own bike. Procedure for Street and Mountain Bike Maintenance -Remove the bell, lights, and all other accessories that you've placed on the handlebar. -Release the brake cables, beginning with the front brake. Adjust front calipers by pushing them into the wheel's rim. This lessens the cable's tension. Then, taking...
Gear Up For Ice Biking
Cycling is an incredibly popular sport. However, when the weather drops below the comfortable cool, the "cycling season" starts to cease. For some people, winter is not a good time to carry their bikes around town. But for a few enlightened ones, winter is the best time to go cycling. They call it winter cycling, or better yet, ICE BIKING. Winter cycling is worthy to be included in the extreme sports category. It exposes the cyclist to different obstacles; the glacial temperature, blasts of freezing air, risky trail covered often with ice, and even the cruel heat of the sun on some days. This sport or hobby is not as dangerous as it sounds. Cyclists still need to be cautious when riding up and the...
Tandem Bicycles - Bicycles Meant For Two
In this racy world with fast cars and fast bikes we have all but forgotten about traditional bicycles. Bicycles are an inexpensive and non-polluting mode of transportation. Riding a bicycle is an excellent way to burn those calories and take a breath of fresh air. A Tandem bicycle is one that is built for two or more people. They were invented in the late 1800's and were created by welding two bicycles together. They are built more solidly in order to take the weight of more than one person. These bicycles are similar to traditional bicycles. The only difference is that they have more than one seat and pedals. Since two or more riders are required to ride a tandem bicycle, this could prove to be...
Cool Features of 700C Bicycles
For many of us, cycling is not about the challenge of biking up and down mountains and through streams. With the movement toward environmentally friendly habits, bicycling is becoming more mainstream and involves getting from point A to point B on paved streets with very few environmental challenges. We need bicycles that are stylish, easy to maneuver, and easy to care for. We are riding them to and from work and school, and we need to be able to use them and put them away with little fanfare. This is exactly the niche that 700C bicycles seek to fill. \Multiple Choices 700C bicycles come in a variety of models, so the consumer can choose features they prefer, including handlebar style, toe clips on...
Tandem Bikes - Compare Best Price & Review
A Tandem Bike is basically a bicycle that has been specially designed to be rode by more than one person, one at the front and one at the back is the most common, however they can be built to accommodate three, four or even five riders. Both riders cycle and generally the one in front will do the steering, it is a fun way to travel as you have company with you whom you can chat with, and also you are not doing all the work cycling on your own, and should you perhaps break down in the middle of nowhere, you are not alone to deal with the problem. Tandem bikes are also often used in Paralympic events for the blind and visually impaired cyclist, with the front cyclist being full sighted. Used in this...
Cycling in Bad Weather
Riding a bike is quick, convenient and environmentally friendly mode of transportation. It also makes for a mean workout! This is my first year riding in cold weather. It's a shock to the system. The Wind blows hard in to your face and leaves getting tangled in your spokes. Not to mention the cold wind beating on your chest and hands, as you try to focus on the road. It is surprising how uncomfortable and dare I say, miserable it is to ride in these conditions. Never mind when it starts snowing. It sure is a change from the sunny days and warm breezes. To have an enjoyable and safe ride in the cold weather follow these tips: -Layers I like to wear a tank top, a long sleeve shirt and a big zip up...
How to Clean Your Water Bottle?
A water bottle is always our good company when cycling a long journey. It keeps us from being thirsty under the hot sun. If our hands become dirty, water bottles are there to help wash off the dirt, too. Most of the bikers will have at least one or two water bottles kept by their side during the racing journey. We wash our bottle at home when we finish our exercise. We clean it by using dish washer soap or cleaner and leave our bottle there to dry out. But after a period of time you might realize that your bottle will still accompany with a smell, no matter how hard or how frequent you try to clean it up thoroughly. This is because there are some tiny little residue built inside your bottle and it...
Being Safe on Your Bicycle
Bicycles are a great source of fun and are a healthy and green means of transportation. They are incredibly useful, but can also be dangerous. There are a lot of different ways that you can be injured on a bicycle. Unfortunately, it is often the result of someone doing something stupid or not paying attention. Some of the most common bike accidents are from being hit by cars. When a cyclist rides on the road, vehicles should give some space and share the road. Unfortunately, bikes get hit even when they are in bike lanes. This is usually because the driver of a car does not see the cyclist. One of the most dangerous places for a bicycle is an intersection. Traffic from the oncoming lane that is...
Guide to Fixing a Cycling Knee Injury
A knee injury to a cyclist can cause severe pain and has caused some individuals to give up the sport, however, this is often unnecessary as proper diagnosis and treatment can have you cycling better than before. When it comes to cycling, in general there are not many knee injuries sustained that cannot be fixed. This article will guide you roughly through a holistic approach to rehabilitating your knee injury, assuming that it is not caused by a fall or impact. This approach is to be considered for tendonitis or other inflammations. Basically it incorporates a chiropractor, a physiotherapist and homeopathic treatments. A cycling injury, especially to the knee, is susceptible to further damage by...
Beach Cruiser Bicycle Guide - Aluminum vs. Steel
As a Beach Cruiser enthusiast I'm often ask about the difference between an Aluminum Beach Cruiser and a Steel Beach Cruiser. This article will highlight the differences in various beach cruisers and make some recommendations. Years ago most bicycles were made in the United States. Beach Cruisers by Schwinn, Electra, Nirve and many others held a strong presence in the United States Beach Cruiser Market. Those days are gone. Almost all bicycles are made in either China or Taiwan. The same plant that is making baby buggies today may be retooled and making beach cruisers tomorrow. This has had two dramatic effects on the USA Beach Cruiser Market. First, the price of Beach Cruiser Bicycles has fallen...
Tour De France - The Famous Cycling Event
The famous Tour de France is a bicycle race known around the world. It typically has 21 days, or stages, of racing and covers not more than 3,500 kilometers (2,200 mi). The shortest Tour France was in 1904 at 2,420 kilometers (1,500 mi), the longest in 1926 at 5,745 kilometers (3,570 mi). It spam over three weeks usually include 2 days for rest, in some cases used to transport riders from a finish in one town to the start in another. In tour de France, the country is divided into alternates between clockwise and counterclockwise circuits of France. Cyclists in the race are judged by the time each has taken throughout the race, a ranking known as the general classification. One can win without...
Endurance Cycling - Pacing For Success
You've done the training and you've got your nutrition dialed in. You can still blow it if you don't get your pacing correct. Start an event too hard and you will fade long before the finish. Go too easy and you will finish much slower than your potential would allow. For events longer than 5 hours you need to choose when to put in hard efforts as you only have so many of these in your system. Follow these tips to find and hold the pace for optimal performance. Avoid redline efforts particularly if you are riding on your own. For a triathlon or other event that you don't have the benefit of drafting, a strong steady pace that sees you dial back the effort on hill climbs will yield you a better...
Wholesale Pocket Bikes - A Great Deal At Low Cost
Wholesale pocket bikes are simply small motorcycles designed like a mini motorcycle. They are sleek and well built with an aluminum or steel frame. They may not be very fast but are fast enough to get you over hills. The actual speed they will give depends on the weight of the rider. However, all said and done, these pocket bikes are great fun to ride. Riding pocket bikes is both great fun and learning experience, not to be missed by anyone, young or old. They may be small but give the same feeling of riding a regular motor bike, despite being slower. No wonder that in today's biking world a huge shift is taking place towards pocket bikes. These pocket bikes run on gas as well as electricity. The...
Bicycle Century Training 101 - How to Train For a Century Ride
Developing a successful bicycle century training program for yourself can be a daunting task. It can be very difficult to know where to begin, let alone know how to get yourself in shape to ride for 100 miles. Many people who decide to ride a century get information overload and simply abandon any formal training schedule in favour of simply getting out there and riding as often as possible. In order to get the best from your body it is absolutely crucial that you train in a structured way. Getting fitter is all about stressing your muscular and cardio vascular systems to a certain level and then allowing recovery time. A well planned training schedule will ensure you optimise both the stress and...
Vintage Bicycle Posters
Vintage bicycle posters are colorful reminders of the love affair humans have had with the bicycle. They can feature advertisements for bicycles, announcements of bicycling events or they can simply feature a classic bike, like the Adler Bicycle. The attraction of collecting vintage bicycle posters is their beauty. Vintage bicycle posters were truly created as a work of pop art. Before you start buying vintage bicycle posters for your collection you need to know what to look for, how to spot reproductions and how to price posters. An investment guide and price guide for vintage posters are both good investments. These manuals will provide you with the figures and tips needed for making wise...
BMX Bikes - For Those Who Like To Live On The Edge
BMX Bikes are specially designed bicycles for racing on sandy and hilly tracks. Apart from racing on hilly terrains, BMX bikers also perform tricks on flat grounds, wooden ramps and trails. Earlier, bikes were manufactured with an assembled frame and fork, with two wheels and a seat. BMX bicycles originated in the state of California in the late 60's but it was not before the beginning of 1961, that the bikes achieved popularity, and the manufacturers began to produce BMX bicycles frequently. BMX tricks and stunts are now very popular among the teenagers. There are numerous clubs and organizations where people can come and try their hands out on the BMX bicycles and practice the skills and tricks...
I used to think that if you bought the right size bike - that was it! I did not have to consider anything else. I even thought that I could take it straight out of the shop and go on a 20, 30 or 50 mile ride and I wondered why I suffered many pains. I learnt that you need to be able to buy the right saddle and also be able to fit the saddle on the bike correctly. This will give you the best chance of avoiding problems with body pains etc. So the first thing is to purchase the correct saddle. You need to choose the correct saddle with the style of riding that you are likely to do. For example, if you are a bit of a "racer" and speed is the important thing then the style of saddle that may be more...
Used BMX Bikes - A Good Way to Save Your Money If You Are Smart Enough to Pick the Right One
Most of us refrain from buying second hand and used bikes because we believe we are not smart enough to pick the right one. If you also think this, do not just sit back and waste money on new and expensive bikes, rather try to master the art of choosing the right used bike for you. Used bikes are better, if chosen properly, because they save your money and offer something exactly of your choice. Used BMX bikes are available in different models, sizes and colors. In order to choose one, be sure of your requirements. First decide the features that you would want your bike to have. For instance, different bikes have different features depending on the needs and requirements they have been designed for...
Bicycle Accessories That Make Riding Easier
When you browse around a bike shop, it is easy to get caught up in all of the accessories there are to buy. Some you can easily brush off and find no need for, however, even casual bike riders should consider purchasing various bicycling accessories to make their riding much more comfortable. You don't need any accessories to ride a bike (accept for a helmet for safety), however, I realized after starting back to riding that specific items are now a necessity for myself. The first thing I purchased for my bicycle was a well-cushioned comfort seat. You can find various types in a bike shop including ones that you can pull over your regular seat. I prefer buying a whole new seat rather than to cover...
Many athletes as they grow older have a tough time playing their favorite sport or running. Their knees and muscles are simply not as good as they once were. So, they migrate over to riding a bike, unfortunately, the cars simply refuse to give them the right of way. Now, we all know that drivers do attempt to be courteous, I know both you and I do, but there are many who will not yield and even get a little aggressive, perhaps they are having a bad hair day or want to see how close they can get. There are many roads with little or no shoulder for the bicycles. There are times when it is very windy, when the roads are wet or slick, and those pot holes due to poor maintenance. Of course, every bike...
Bicycle Accessories - Are They Necessary?
As bicycles gain appeal, you may be noticing more and more the things people have with their bikes. Sometimes it's a trailer for carrying children or cargo. Sometimes it's just a really nice water bottle. What's necessary? What's just extra stuff? Mostly this depends on your own needs. You aren't going to need a trailer if you won't be hauling kids or stuff around on your bike. Odds are good, on the other hand, that you will want a way to carry a water bottle. You don't have to be riding extreme distances for the water bottle to just make sense, especially on warm days. The most important accessory, of course, is the bicycle helmet. It's the law most places that you wear one. A good quality bike...
Bicycle Commuter Bags - Don't Leave Home With Out 'Em!
If you are new to cycling and do not have any kind of bag yet you should get at least a small bike bag. These bags attach to your seat and seat post. They are very light weight! The reason you would want to have such a bag is to carry extra tubes, a tire, a small compact tool set, and a patch kit. These bags are your 'just in case' bags. It is not fun to be stranded and have to wait for a ride or walk. You can save yourself a lot of frustration just by having a simple bike bag with the necessary equipment in it. The added weight is definitely worth it when you are on your training rides. Now for those people who commute to work you will need something you can carry bigger things in. A small bike...
The One Bicycle Repair Tool That You Should Have At All Times
Having a bicycle repair tool accessible when you are out for a long ride is very important. Many cyclists do not carry one because the chances of a malfunction on your bicycle are very slim. However, there is repair tool that you should have on you whenever you are out for a long ride so that you may prevent the ultimate cycling disaster, which is walking back home. This tool is the Adjustable Wrench. The most basic adjustable wrench bicycle tool is one that is U-shaped with adjustable sides. The adjustable sides are used in order to fit the screw that you are trying to either loosen or tighten. I truly believe that cyclists can fix many things on the bicycle with this one bicycle repair tool alone...
Top 10 Bicycle Tours
Many people sit at their desks at work, staring aimlessly at their computer screens and wondering what it would be like if they go just dump all this and reach for the wide-open spaces. Others get home, pack some belongings in to a single backpack, stretch their legs, and leave on a bicycle tour. There are many destinations in the world where people can ride their bikes for miles without interruption. These places have become the on-road temple for people who have finally had enough of city life. There are a number of bicycle tours people can take all around the world that can inspire those who need to get out and get some action. The first among them is without a doubt a tour of the Swiss Alps...
Four Bicycle Safety Tips For Children
Children depend on their parents for guidance and protection. As parents, it is crucial that we provide our children with a safe environment in which they can grow and play. This can be done by child-proofing our homes, placing our children in a proper booster seat, or teaching them to look both ways before they cross the street. When it comes to playtime, parents need to teach their children how to exercise and be active in a safe manner. Children are anxious to learn to ride their bikes so they can play with their friends and enjoy their evenings after school. It is the parents' responsibly to research proper safety guidelines to teach their children before allowing them to ride on their own. Here...
Beach Cruiser Bikes Make Biking Fun For Everyone
Biking is good healthy fun. An activity offering lots of fresh air, sunshine, and safe, low-impact exercise is something everyone could benefit from, and biking is also fun for the whole family. But many are intimidated by all the gears and gadgets, and many find narrow seats and skinny wheels make biking uncomfortable for the beginning rider. Beach cruiser bikes are a great alternative for any riders of all ages, offering simple operation and a comfortable ride. Beach cruiser bikes give a smooth and comfortable ride allowing the whole family an opportunity to get on board. Wide tires smooth out the bumps and make even rough terrain easily traveled. Mom and dad, even grandma will enjoy gliding down...
Why Take Up Cycling?
Cycling is a fantastic way to get into the great outdoors and get fit at the same time. It lets you explore the countryside quickly, allowing you to take in more in one day and striking a balance between relaxation and excitement. This is because you can cycle at your own pace and over the terrain of your choosing - it's a sport for adrenaline junkies but also makes a great pastime for families, people who aren't very fit and those just wanting a leisurely day out. There are cycle paths all over the countryside - a lot of footpaths allow cycles too, and if you're daring you can take your bike over rugged hills, through rivers and anywhere similarly inaccessible. You can ride your bike on public...
Century Training Schedule 101 - How to Train For a Century Ride
Do you want to ride a century? Riding your bike for 100 miles can be a daunting task however with the right training and preparation completing your first century is more than achievable. The key to successfully riding a century The most important aspect of riding a bike for 100 miles is having a structured training program or schedule. Too often riders I talk too simply believe that going out and riding as much as possible is the best way to get fit for a century ride. Naturally there is some truth in this however by simply riding as much as possible more often than not you will slowly wear yourself down and increase the chances of getting an injury. A decent training plan will firstly help you get...
How to Protect a Carbon Bicycle Frame
A hugely popular choice for cyclists, enthusiasts, and professionals is the carbon bicycle frame. Its strong and light as a feather designs makes it a top pick all around the world. Carbon fiber is an artificial material made by putting several sheets of carbon together with the grain in opposite directions. This method makes a very strong bike that is extremely light in weight. Customized carbon bicycles are very common among cyclists. This is because the process used to make them allows the manufacturer to create whatever design is needed or wanted. These bicycles do have a fairly expensive price tag. This is not just a purchase, but it is an investment. No matter if you are riding professionally...
The History and Evolution of The Bicycle
Bicycles are one of the most popular forms of transportation in modern cities today. Particularly in some parts of China and in Dutch countries, bicycles are used as a primary form of transportation. Aside from being an economic and environment-friendly form of transportation for adults and adolescent students, the bicycle is also popular among children as toys. In the United States, school children ride their bikes to school. Kids and toddlers learn their first attempt at independence and autonomy in bike riding. Nowadays, bicycling activities and health fitness activities that involve bicycling are also coming up and are being recognized as new forms of sports, attesting to the fact that...
Switching From Cycling Shirts to Skin Suits For Indoor Track Racing
If you are somebody who loves cycling, the chances are you will spend much, if not all of your time riding on the roads and cycle paths. You might even spend a lot of time on your mountain bike, off-roading for the thrills and spills of cross-country trialling. Cycling shirts can offer several advantages if you are one of these people. Road safety is an important consideration, so wearing a brightly colored cycling shirt can help to get you seen by motorists. If other road users can see you easily, they are less likely to crash into you! Normal cycling jerseys are designed to be longer at the back than the front, so they do not ride up your back when you are leaning forwards to cycle at high speed...
Buying a Low Cost Bicycle
Would you like to get out there and get in shape? If you are looking for a good activity to get in shape you should consider buying a cheap bicycle. The quality of the bike that you buy depends upon the quality and the company who sells it. If you are looking to buy a bike you should determine what size frame you will need. Do some research before you go to the stores. The internet is the best place to go for this. Would you like to purchase yourself a bicycle? If you want to get started riding you should think about how much money you would like to spend. You can spend a small amount of money and purchase a bicycle which will get the job done. However, if you are looking to get something that will...
Bicycling - Are the Topeka, Kansas Public Trails Worth Doing by Outsiders?
After riding and checking out a fairly new nature rail-to-trail having one end of it in Topeka, I found three other city trails nearby. They are described below. 1. Landon Nature Trail 2. Shunga Trail 3. Deer Creek Trail 4. Lake Shawnee Trail 1. Landon Nature Trail (10-miles open). This rail-to-trail (still being developed southward) begins at 15th and Monroe Streets, next to the Brown v. Board of Education Historical Building and a public park. Basically this trail runs north and south, and will be 38-miles long when completed at the site of Lomax Junction just west of Pomona, KS. Although this trail is being built mostly with private donations, it is done under the Kansa Rail Trail Conservancy...
Bike Stands
When people talk about bikes, they often forget about bike stands. You may have heard countless conversations about every aspect of bikes, but you'll have to rack your memory for the last time you heard two people discussing bike stands. And yet, since no bike can do without these stands, they happen to be one of the most critical components. Though ignored by most people except the manufacturers, the bike stand has come a long way. There is quite a variety of bike stands available. Conventional and side stands are the most commonly used. Most on-road conventional and utility bikes, including pedaled bikes, use the conventional stands. Side stands are generally used by bikes that are heavier than...
Water Bottle Cage - A Very Important Tool For Cyclists
For cyclists, a water bottle cage is a very important tool for increasing performance and decreasing distraction while on the road. There are many different types of cages that are available, and picking the right one can make the difference between how often and well you can hydrate yourself while you are participating in a competition. No matter what type of cycling that you do, it is vital that you keep your concentration on the road and on those around you. In the quick time it takes to struggle with a low quality cage to get your water bottle, you may end up the victim of an unfortunately bicycle accident that otherwise could have been avoided. Because of this, you want to make certain you...
Review - SRAM Rival Group - Race Performance on a Budget
When looking for good value and solid performance the SRAM Rival road components should be at the top of your list. Great shifting and braking, light weight and a fair price. It's a marketers dream. Lighter than Shimano Ultegra for about the price of 105, and it works better than either. SRAM has the best shift action with their Double Tap technology, with up and down shifts taken care of by the same lever. The shift action is far more complicated to describe than it is to use. Move the lever in one click to go to harder gears and in past the first click to go easier. The lever throw per shift is short making for quicker shifts with less wrist movement. This is great for everyone but women and...
Nirve Beach Cruisers and Your Style
The Nirve Beach Cruisers are the best accompaniments of the young riders and when you want to go for a drive then the Nirve Beach Riders are the best options. You can also make the best out of it when you learn properly the driving procedure. These bikes are sleek ad stylish and youngsters use them because of their elegant design. The basic features of the Nirve Cruisers are enlisted below:o The Nirve Beach Cruisers are made from durable, steel frame and is strong, resilient. It the steel frame provides extra protection to the Nirve Beach Cruisers. It makes this cruiser stronger and more long lasting. It also ensures a smooth ride right on in the road.o The Nirve Beach Cruisers consists of wide...
Cycling Power - 2 Drills the Cyclist Can Implement Off of the Bike to Boost Their Ride on the Bike!
A true athlete knows the importance of having an important and smartly planned strength and conditioning program. The key is understanding what to do in order to get your body in OPTIMAL working order for you to compete effectively in your competitive event. Even cyclist have to have powerful legs and be able to endure the beating of many miles on a bike and this takes strength, but most importantly strength-endurance! Check out the following 2 drills that you can implement in order to boost your time on the bike. 1. Kettlebell Suitcase Deadlifts: This is a wonderful drill that should be a staple ingredient included within the strength program of every cyclist. For the sake of this article I am...
Safety Equipment for Easy BMX Tricks
If you have just bought a BMX bike then it is a really good idea to try to learn some easy BMX tricks, but you should really learn on a proper course. It is quite easy to hurt yourself if you do not know what you are doing so you also need to get some proper safety equipment. It is very easy if you are not an experienced rider to fall off even doing easy BMX tricks and it can be very easy to hurt yourself. The main thing that you need to buy is a proper helmet. If you injure your head it can be very dangerous and a good helmet that is actually made for BMX riding is one of the first things that you should buy. The next things that you should buy are elbow and knee protectors. They are the...
Mini Pocket Bikes
Mini pocket bikes are targeted at those who are too small or too young to hold the handles of a normal motorbike. A mini bike is the most stylish of the other lots of pocket bikes, and it is an advancement to the concept of pocket bikes. Mini pocket bikes are not only appropriate and fast, but they are a realistic way to begin motorcycle racing and riding. These bikes are more popular for off-road riding. Mini pocket bikes weigh around sixty-five pounds, with a height of about four feet. The diameter of wheels is about ten inches. The mini pocket bike can be driven at speeds of twenty-six to sixty miles per hour, depending on the engine horsepower of the bike, which ranges from 2hp to 8hp. These...
Graeme Obree - A Unique Cyclist
Graeme Obree is one of the most unique cyclists. He has had a colourful cycling history which includes breaking the prestigious world hour record twice. Obree made his first attempt in Norway, 1993. At the time he was relatively unknown outside of Great Britain and few gave him any realistic chance of beating Francesco Moser's world hour record of 51.151 KM which had stood since 1984. At the first attempt Obree failed missing the mark by nearly 1 KM. However Obree was determined to try again the next day. Most journalists left and Obree had to beg the officials to let him have another go. This time to many people's surprise he was successful setting a new hour record of 51.596 KM. This record would...
Antique Courier Bicycles
When bicycles were first introduced they were considered to be a recreational toy. However, retailers and message services quickly realized the value of bicycles as a delivery vehicle. Bikes were quicker than traveling by foot, and less expensive and easier to maneuver than horses were. These qualities made them ideal for delivering packages and important messages in large cities. The first courier bicycles were used by the Paris Stock Exchange in 1870. However, the American company, Western Union, quickly adopted bicycles into their New York City delivery fleet. Bicycles were gradually added to message delivery and package delivery services in other major cities throughout the world. Today, bikes...
Cervelo - The World's Best Bicycles
Cervelo, among all has come out to be the leader in world bicycle technology. Started in 1995 by Phil White and Gerard Vroomen, Cervelo Bikes are a hot favorite, both with the common man and the sports enthusiast. Both these men, working on streamlining the design for greater speed gave birth to the fastest possible bike for an Italian professional cyclist quite early in time. The P3 and R3 products are perfect examples of their work nad high quality mechanized skills on aerodynamics. Cervelo R3 - This product has been quoted by the 220 Magazine as the best bike they have ever ridden. It has never ever had a mechanical issue, even though it's a bike with an extremely light frame. The R3 is well...
Benefits of Biking
There are many short-term and long-term benefits of biking. Some people prefer to actually go biking, but for others, it is more convenient, easier, or safer to simply use an exercise or stationary bike. The great thing about the stationary bike is that you do not have to leave the safety and warmth of your own home, especially if you exercise at unusual hours of the night, live in a colder climate, or live in a city without clear, accessible bike paths and bike trails. The first of the benefits of biking is that it provides a good, safe cardio workout. Health experts suggest that you should do aerobic exercise at least three times a week, keeping your heart rate elevated for at least twenty minutes...
5 Reasons to Try a Compact Crankset
Many road cyclists are ditching their old triple cranksets in favor of compact cranksets. A compact crankset splits the difference between a standard 53/39 setup and triple. Here are five reasons to consider making the jump to a compact double if you're still riding a triple. 1. Triple cranksets look lame. I know this is a superficial reason, but it's true. Along with the fluorescent yellow jersey and the helmet mirror, those three rings scream amateur. 2. Triple cranksets are heavy. This is probably not a huge issue if you're a recreational rider, but if you're someone who is always looking to save a little weight, moving to a compact double can shave significant grams off the total weight of your...
What is an Electric Bike and How Does it Work?
An electric bike is for all intents and purposes a normal everyday bicycle that has been equipped with an electric motor to assist in its propulsion. These motors are, limited by Federal Law, to 750 watts of power and 20 miles per hour top speed. Most electric bikes are built to meet that specification but some do exceed them. Electric bicycles can be built from kits for around $500 to $800 dollars or purchased new for between $400 to $3500 dollars. As with any product and especially a vehicle, you usually get what you pay for. Electric bicycles are powered by a rechargeable battery(s), and the average range is around 20 miles. The range can vary greatly depending on the weight of the bike and rider...
Tour de France Viewing in Person - What to Expect (Part 1)
What does an HC (hors categorie, or "out of category") or even a Category 1 or Category 2 climb feel like? Can I do it, or would I need to get off and walk? How much of the Tour de France will I get to see if I go there on an organized tour? These are just several of the many questions cyclists ask while they are contemplating a trip to France to see the Tour. Experiencing the Tour de France in person can be the fulfillment of a lifetime dream for many cyclists. Seeing the colorful peleton swoosh by, riding the famous mountains like the Alp d'Huez or Col du Galibier in the Alps, for example, are dreams for many cyclists, both avid riders and weekenders. Watching the Tour on OLN is not like...
Beach Cruisers
-> At our retail bike store, many of our customers say they want to purchase a beach cruiser, but they don't live on the beach. The main question happens to be, "is a beach cruiser just for the beach?" The answer is a big - NO Way! All riders can enjoy Beach cruisers, whether you live in California, New York, Wisconsin, Iowa, Missouri, or any other state - or country for that matter, if there is a road, a beach cruiser bike is ready to ride on it. This style of bike appeared in the 1930's and was the predominant style for bicycles through the 1950's. The large tires on beach cruisers were originally designed to handle sand on beaches (greater surface area than small tires), but the great side...
The Top 3 Secrets You Need to Know to Avoid Knee Pain When Cycling
Cycling is regarded as one of the safest sports for avoiding injury. However is the world of cycling knee pain is fairly common. As with most sports, the more mileage you do, the more close to perfect biomechanics you need to be in order to avoid injury. As cycling is a non contact sport knee pain from cycling stems from poor biomechanics, muscle imbalance, poor flexibility or poor bicycle set up. The top three areas to examine when trying to fix your knee pain is training errors, technique errors or bike set up errors. 1) Training errors. It is very easy to develop muscle imbalances around the knee. For example you may overdevelop the quadriceps compared to the hamstrings.Hamstrings and calves...
Bicycling Gear - Seven of My Favorites
My days of running for pleasure and exercise ended when Imoved to the beautiful Columbia River Gorge. I had beenliving in the relatively flat Willamette River Valley wherethere were miles of level bark running trails. Now in the Gorge, I encountered rocky, steep trails that were tortureto my hips and knees. It was time to find a replacement forrunning. The Gorge of the Columbia River is a recreation meccathat's especially attractive to mountain bike riders andwindsurfers. Swimming doesn't appeal to me, so I decidedto check out mountain biking. In the end, that was amongthe best decisions I've made, but I began with caution. For one thing, I didn't know if my interest would last. That's why I...
How to Stop Your Bicycle Without Flying Over the Handlebars
The question always comes up; Is it best to use the front brake, the back brake or both? The question is not as simple as it would seem. For the road bike rider it is pretty straight forward and I would side with those that prefer the front brake. However I am still undecided on the mountain bike and most BMX Bikes are not even equipped with front brakes, in fact the NBL nor the ABA even require front brakes on BMX bikes. Most people would say that you will stop faster if you use both brakes at the same time. That seems to at least on the surface make good sense and is probably the best advice for beginning cyclists. To get the shortest stopping distance however you will need to learn how to use the...