New to Fixed Gear

What's so special about riding fixed gear. I view about this today while I was out pedaling. I have six bikes. Road bikes, Recumbent, Mountain bike and single speed. (I work in a bike shop).

So why is it, my popular bike is the fixed gear? It's probably the cheapest bike I own. It's surely the simplest. So what is the magic of this bike that draws me to it? Then it hit me Satori! A Zen like enlightenment! When you ride any other bike it feels like a separate machine. You are operating a machine. If you stop pedaling the motor will continue to run like a car you are basically driving the bike.

Fixedgear Bike

Now the divergence : With fixed gear you are one with the bike. You are directly associated to the road through that bike! The bike speeds up and slows down according to your pedaling... You flow. You can not stop pedaling unless the bike stops. You have become the bike! That is the difference!

New to Fixed Gear

So for all the money you spent on that costly carbon fiber road bike you can never palpate the same connection that you can on that uncomplicated fixed gear.

Now grasshopper you understand the essence of fixed gear

Once you've decided you want a fixed gear and you want a new bike. Well your lucky most of the bike manufacturers now offer at least one fixed gear model in their line. Most prices range from 9 to 00. Things you want to look at Frame size find out your correct size. Frame material Steel, Aluminum or Carbon Fiber. Everything else can be changed or upgrated. Frame material- I propose steel.

1) it offers a better ride than aluminum. More shock absorbing.

2) Holds up better in a crash than aluminum or carbon.

3) commonly a better price than aluminum or carbon.

Only negative which is not of course a negative - it weighs more. Weight on fixed gear bikes is not that crucial since they commonly weigh less than most Road Bikes. Remember Fixed Gears have no shifters, derailleurs, freewheel or cassette thus lighter. If your racing on the track then get an aluminum or carbon fiber race frame. For the street go steel or aluminum.

The only advantage an aluminum frame has over steel is weight. With aluminum you have a harsher ride and in a crash it doesn't hold up as well as steel. Also steel can be bent back in shape and welded. Not commonly the case with aluminum. It's your money so ride both and see what you like. Here is a list of new model fixed gear bikes. Bianchi- Pista, Cannondale- Capo, Giant- Bowery, Khs- Flite 100, Raleigh- Rush Hour, Schwinn- Madison, Specialized- Langster, Surly-Steam Roller a incorporate others worth finding at Dolan and Felt also have models. These are just a few of the better known bikes available.

New to Fixed Gear

Specialized Hotwalk goods present

It was safe bet that my son would ride.  He wants to emulate his "Dada" and that means riding a bike.  He commutes to his school on the back of my fixed gear, he "helps" me pump up my tires, and he knows that at least two mornings during the week "Dada" is out riding when he wakes up.  Luckily, he has taken to it which is largely the succeed of the way he was introduced to cycling.  More accurately, it is the type of bikes he has been given, namely push bikes (a.k.a., balance bikes) that have gotten him off on the right foot.  If you want to teach your children to ride, the push bike is the only way to go.

For the uninitiated, a push bike has no pedals.  Your child uses their feet to "push" the bike forward.   Otherwise, it looks like every other bike out there.  There are three overarching benefits to the push bike.

Fixedgear Bike

When a child is learning to ride, pedaling a bike is not the hard part.  That comes later when they resolve they want to race.  The hard part is retention the bike upright and learning to balance.  While they look nice, bikes with training wheels and pedals do not help a kid learn to balance themselves.  In fact, it only gives them a false sense of security that is speedily eroded the day the training wheels come off.  The push bike, on the other hand, is all about balance with the benefit that your child can put a foot down to stabilize themselves when they lose control.

Specialized Hotwalk goods present

Perhaps more importantly, the push bike also teaches your child handle their bike.  Clearly learning to steer is a key component, but even more so is learning to take corrective action while riding.  The push bike helps not just with using the handlebars, but with body positioning and shifting weight.  I am enduringly amazed at the situations my son gets himself out of while riding his bike in our local park.  A cautionary note, kids get the hang of the push bike pretty speedily and start flying around in no time which means they're more likely to put themselves in positions that require good bike handling skills.  It is a good idea, I'd say imperative, that your child wears a helmet when riding any bike, together with the push bike.

The third benefit is one fully for the parents.  The push bike acts like a stroller, only it is a stroller you do not have to push.  Your child is able to keep up with you on walks around town which would otherwise require you to bring a stroller or carry them.

So now that you have decided to get a push bike, which one should get? 

On his first birthday, we gave my son the Radio Flyer Scoot-About, a four-wheel push bike, which he took to like a fish to water.  For his second birthday, he graduated to the Kettler Sprint, a two-wheel push bike that was all wrong.  It was too big, too heavy and poorly designed.   No matter what I tried, I could not get the saddle to stay straight.  So I went and got him the Specialized Hotwalk, part of their kids HotRocks line.  It is all the Kettler was not.

Most push bike manufacturers make toys which come with all sorts of molded plastic parts and call them bikes.  Specialized takes a different approach.  They make actual bikes with the same attentiveness to information as they do in their road bikes.   

The Bike

The Hotwalk has an aluminum frame.  It comes with an aluminum fork with a 1" threaded steel steerer.  The 1" stem connects to an alloy bar which is nice and wide.  The seat post connects with a proper seat clamp.  The wheels have 12" alloy rims with 14 gauge steel spokes.

The Ride

I am not sure about comfort because I have never ridden it, but my son has not complained about his rear end hurting him.  The low standover height let me get the saddle low sufficient for my son, who is a bit above 50% in height for his age group.  This was not potential with the Kettler.  The aluminum frame means the bike is lighter than most (it comes in under eight pounds where the Kettler was over 11 pounds) which makes it easier for to get going and articulate balance.  The wide bars make for good operate and easy corrections.  My son was zipping around on the Hotwalk the first day he got it, unlike with the Kettler, which he indeed could not ride.

Set-up and Maintenance

There was no set-up other than adjusting the saddle height.  Because Specialized uses actual bike components, you will not need anyone but a set of allen keys.  You can also use floor pump for the tires because there is sufficient clearance between the tube stem and the wheel axle to fit the pump head (unlike the Kettler which required a hand pump.)   There indeed is no maintenance to the Hotwalk, but with allen keys and a wrench to take off the wheels, it will not be a big deal should the need arise.

The lowest Line

If you indeed want to do a aid to your kids and teach them to ride well, push bikes are the way to go.   When a child is learning to ride retention the bike upright and learning to balance is critical.  Enter the push bike.  For my son, he will move right to a bike without training wheels next year, and I do not expect to have to do much running alongside him because he has already figured out the balancing part.

There are many push bikes out there.  The Specialized Hotwalk is the nicest of the push bikes around.  It is light, easy to maneuver and easy to maintain.  It is somewhere near the middle of the range in terms of price point, but well worth it.  Plus, just like the pros in those Specialized commercials, your kid can say "I am Specialized" to all her friends.

Specialized Hotwalk goods present

dependable Berkey Water Filter Products

My family has been loyal and satisfied customers of Berkey water filters since 2006. Their products are astounding and we've enjoyed drinking pure, clean water every day. Just knowing that we don't have to worry about ingesting harmful contaminants from tap or bottled water is a relief.

Since I have personal palpate with some Berkey products, I'd like to share my thoughts with you. I understand that a testimony from man who uses the goods often is valuable?

Fixedgear Bike

The first Berkey buy we made was the stainless steel trip Berkey. Standing 20 inches tall, it has a 2.1 gallon water storehouse capacity. We couldn't believe how pure and delicious the water tasted. At that point, we knew we could never go back to the other filter we were using.

dependable Berkey Water Filter Products

Not only did it provide tasty water, the theory was also intelligent and dependable. All of our business was intelligent about our tall, stainless steel system. We proudly shared our filtered water to get their opinion.

We upgraded to the Berkey Light water filter when we started having children. This theory is designed for outdoor use, but we have it in our kitchen. It meets our family's needs and the water is equally delicious. Although this theory has the selection of purchasing Led lights, we choose not to get them.

We've also enjoyed using the Sport Berkey movable bottle. This bottle is convenient for hikes, exercising or even just times when we needed water while driving. The filter is just as dependable as the larger systems and the great thing is that it can be taken anywhere!

All of our experiences with Berkey have been great and we've never been disappointed. Berkey water filters are elegant, powerful and dependable products. We're inescapable that if you use a Berkey you'll feel the same way. After all, it's all the time a good feeling knowing you're doing something salutary for you and your loved ones.

dependable Berkey Water Filter Products

Are Steel Bicyle Frames Advisable For Light Weight People?

Heavier riders all the time need sturdier and more rigid bike frame to preserve their body weight. But with light weight people there are no such issues. It can be bit of a hassle for light weight people, managing a heavy bicycle or one made from heavier material.

Sturdiness is normally mixed up with heavy weight. Sleek finding frames can be as sturdy as any. It all depends on the material used. The manufacturers are continually developing new materials for bicycle frames. Bicycles are not only used a neighbourhood knockabout means of vehicle or for travelling short distances.

Fixedgear Bike

People are buying bicycles to take care of their fitness as many go riding every morning or on weekends instead of jogging. Others are interested in its sporting value and use the bicycle for hitting the roads, the off roads, doing cross country and for rolling up gargantuan terrain.

Are Steel Bicyle Frames Advisable For Light Weight People?

But there are no statistics of only heavy weight people opting for mountain bikes. Even those who are light in weight indulge in this most adventurous sport. Mountain bikes are a heavier duty and normally made from titanium; this is more costly but lighter than construction with steel. But still compared to general bikes, the mountain bicycle frame is heavier as it undergoes use and abuse.

Bikes that are of heavy weight are those made from steel and it has been the original material for bicycle frames over many years. In a way if you are not doing cross country or biking up the mountains, you would prefer lighter bicycles. But that does not again mean that people who weigh less are not favorable for heavier bikes made from steel.

How do you think people managed decades ago when steel was the only material frames were made of? In the past, were more bicycle riders heavy? It does not depend on the material as long as you are not into some definite activity. For adventure riding you would all the time wish and of procedure prefer to be on a heavier bicycle frame. Then again, you could argue that in those days there was no alternative to steel and even light weight people had to go about in those heavy bicycles.

With lots of technically developed bicycle frames coming into the shop nowadays, options are many. The most wanted and favorable bicycle frame for light weight people is made from lighter material. It's straightforward to handle, while using steel for the bicycle frame can be harder to manipulate and steer. It's mostly because there are many more options now rather than the mystery of managing a steel bike frame.

Steel bicycle frames are all the time long persisting and have a high tensile strength. For lightweight people a bicycle frame would depend how much time they would be on their bikes. If they ride long hours even on suburban or city roads, then Chromoly steel could be a preferred option. Longer rides are difficult on steel framed bikes. Chromoly molybdenum steel is light, yet a strong steel alloy.

Copyright (c) 2009 Bikepartscentre.com

Are Steel Bicyle Frames Advisable For Light Weight People?

Tools For eBay Buyers - Snipe Auction Tools describe

How many times have you lost auctions on eBay at the last possible second? You were there early before the auction done with a high bid, feeling good. Then the clock hits 1 minute, and you were still on top, (hey, this is looking good you think). Maybe even a few bidders put in a incorporate bids, but you are still the winning bidder (so far so good).

Then as the auction clock hits 10 seconds your heart starts to race (it is approximately in your grasp), any way as the clock ticks down and the auction closes you are met with discontentment and a feeling of loss (you see that the winning bidder is in fact not you). You lost the auction and more importantly wasted a lot of your time and vigor for nothing. Why or how do these other bidders get their bid in at the last tiny and steal the item away from other bidders? Well, they are using auction software and buyer tools and you should too.

Fixedgear Bike

You see, I was playing the bidding game too, which sellers assuredly love because live bidders drive up the price on items. However, getting in a bidding war means that you have to assuredly be online and monitoring the auction. It also means that you have to "show your hand" (meaning once you are outbid you have to get back into the bidding war and growth your bid).

Tools For eBay Buyers - Snipe Auction Tools describe

For years I was reluctant to use a snipe aid to win auctions on eBay. I guess I didn't trust it or maybe I idea it was cheating. The fact is though once I did try it I was hooked. Snipe services like justsnipe give you (the buyer) the occasion to place your bid at the last possible second. What you will do is give the auction snipe tool the highest price you want to pay for the item. As the auction winds down to the last 5-10 seconds the snipe tool will execute (send) in your highest bid for you automatically (and best the current highest bid).

Let's look at an example. I recently purchased a 2009 Felt Tk3 track frame on eBay using a snipe tool. With a incorporate of days left to go in the auction the price of the frame was up to about 0.00, with a few bidders already placing bids. In the old days I would have jumped in on the bidding auction. However, now instead of putting in my high bid early and perhaps triggering a bidding war (thus driving up the price), I use snipe tools. So with a day to go in the auction for the bike frame I went to my justsnipe list and entered the highest estimate that I was willing to pay for the item. I entered 5.00 as my top price into the snipe software and sat back.

This time I was not the poor guy on eBay who had watched the auction for a week, gleefully thinking he was the one who would be soon occasion a large box and putting together his new fixed gear bike. No, this time I won the auction and even got the Felt frame well below my 5.00 cap, I got it at 9.00.

There are many snipe services out there that eBay buyers can use for free. Many of the snipe websites give you a few free snipes per week, with fewer options than a paying member would have, such as not being able to adjust your snipe order at less than 8 seconds to go in the auction. It is assuredly worth a try though, and so far I have had no problems winning auctions with a free snipe list and my snipes advent in with 8 seconds to go, it is plainly not sufficient time for a live bidder to react and submit other bid.

Tools For eBay Buyers - Snipe Auction Tools describe

Slowing Down and Stopping Your Bike

Most of us learned how to ride a bike before we were ten years old, and studying how to stop the bike using the brakes followed pretty soon after! However, what you learned when you were a child riding for fun no longer applies when you are riding a racing bike at high speeds, and distinct techniques are necessary.

Learning and practicing the right way to brake brings several benefits, along with increased security and the ability to stop much faster - which also has the benefit that you will unblemished your ride at a higher average speed.

Fixedgear Bike

Most amateur cyclists brake using either just the rear brake, or a aggregate of both brakes at the same time, but neither of these is definite or efficient. Using the rear brake alone will stop you, but will take a long time doing it because it is very inefficient so it can be dangerous in an crisis and is not useful when a quick slow down is required. Using both brakes together is much faster, but very often leads the rear wheel to lock and for the bike to skid out of control

Slowing Down and Stopping Your Bike

We all learned very early on that if you slam your front brake on you go over the handlebars, which is a very painful and dangerous experience. But this is the definite way to brake!

Rather than just jamming the brake on it is requisite to apply it gradually, while modulating the pressure - that is, a rapid series of braking and releasing the brake. Meanwhile you need to keep your own center of gravity as far back and low as possible, since going over the handlebars results from your own centre of gravity inspiring too far forward too quickly. This is achieved by sitting back, sitting low, and putting your weight on the pedals rather than the saddle.

Find a quiet place to practice and very speedily you will find you can slow down and stop very efficiently using only the front brake, as you get a feel for the 'tipping point' - the point where too much weight comes off the back wheel and the bike starts to tip forwards.

It is best to practice on a level covering before trying on a steep downhill, but the same technique applies - just with a itsybitsy more caution and possibly a itsybitsy touch of back braking at the same time, since your centre of gravity is already supplementary forward.

Slowing Down and Stopping Your Bike

Specialized Bikes For Sale - Which Mountain Bike or Road Bike Is Right For You?

The best Specialized bikes for sale are ordinarily either mountain bikes or road bikes that are made of light materials like carbon fiber. There are many motorcycle models man-made by this popular cycling brand. The type of bike that's best for you will depend on many factors together with the type of cycling you'll be doing.

Many people have become familiar with this motorcycle company by the rock solid Specialized mountain bikes that have been ascending and descending the fire road and downhill single tracks for decades. Their most familiar models contain the Rockhopper, Stumpjumper, and the Hardrock. These names are staples in the mountain biking community.

Fixedgear Bike

Another type of Specialized bikes for sale that are widely popular are road bikes. With the popularity of the Tour de France and other cycling matches at an all time high, interest in cycling has increased. This has propelled the availability of high end road bikes from many fellowships all colse to the world. Specialized road bikes produce great entry level and pro level bikes, so there's something for every person with this venerable brand name in biking.

Specialized Bikes For Sale - Which Mountain Bike or Road Bike Is Right For You?

Triathlon has also become a popular sport. With the sport comes a more aggressive biking style that is similar to time trial races where speed and not comfort is the focus to the race and therefore, the produce aspect of the bicycles themselves. This is why tri bikes, like those produced by Specialized bikes, have a level top tube for best aerodynamics versus the more angle one on road bikes that are made for comfortability for riding long distances.

The Specialized bike company is so large that they also yield recreational bikes from beach cruisers, Bmx bikes, and single speed and fixed gear models. All these are variations of bicycles that are popular with the casual biker that admittedly enjoys biking as a form of communication like commuting to work or just for having fun riding colse to the neighborhood with friends. If you're not contentious and just want to ride recreationally, there are Specialized bikes for sale for this purpose as well. You don't have to be a pro or all about racing to own a bike from this great company.

When selecting the right motorcycle for your needs, form out what type of riding you'll be doing and what your price range will be and you'll have answered the most prominent questions with regard to your choice for bikes. Then, think about your price range and pick a color. That's all there is to it.

Specialized Bikes For Sale - Which Mountain Bike or Road Bike Is Right For You?

Claim Your Lane! Part I

I am constantly asked why I ride on the road. My smart alec acknowledge is normally something like "Because it is there," and there is something to this. We have a huge network of roads and precious few trails and bike lanes. The clear explication to me is to outline out the best way to use what we have, because I want to ride now, not wait until the government gives us other infrastructure.

With this said, I see a lot of cyclists on the roads who could do a better job of riding safely and who could have a much better time as well. I also talk to many habitancy who state their biggest fear is traffic and the possibility of getting hit from behind. I continue to lobby for cycling advocacy and tell any person who will listen (and some that won't!) that cycling is a lot safer than we think, but we need to genuinely look at the situation to demystify things.

Fixedgear Bike

I liken cycling to flying in airplanes for a concentrate of reasons. First, both are quite safe if done properly. Second, when bad things happen, they are genuinely bad. All of us know man or know of man who has been hit by a car. We may know man who has been in a plane crash. I don't want to lessen the tragedy of these events but do want to put them in perspective. There is risk in anyone we do, even doing nothing! A sedentary lifestyle whereby the heaviest thing we lift is the tv remote is genuinely not risk free and the riding of a bike, a running lifestyle, or even driving in a car is not risk free either.

Claim Your Lane! Part I

That said, I want to get to the heart of the issue. We can minimize risk on the bike and accept the risk that while living life to the fullest; we can still have bad things happen to good people. I ask habitancy to Claim Your Lane! How do you do this?

The first thing I like to tell habitancy is to think about themselves as a vehicle, not man exterior on a bike in their underwear. We all see the looks of amazement from sedentary habitancy in cars as we are out sweating our way to health. We have also been in cars looking at other riders from the car and have a perspective of how we perceive them if we are in a hurry, cranky, not paying attention, etc.

Here are some things to think about.

- A vehicle can control on the road. If a bike is a vehicle, it can be ridden on the road. Simple.
- The road is not the shoulder. No kidding. A car can't drive on the shoulder, we can, but we don't have to! If the shoulder is full of glass and trash, the road is wide enough to cope riding on it, guess what? I ride on the road.
- Vehicles need to obey the law. This is a biggie. There are ways to elaborate the law to keep you out of trouble and I will go into that later, but for now, just consider, if we get to ride on the road, we have to obey the law.
- There are good places and bad places to ride on the same road. To me, a good place is one where I have maneuvering room to the right, where I can be seen from behind, and one that is free of glass and obstructions.
- You need to be as far to the right (or left, more on that later) as "practicable." What's practicable? Well, for me it is defined in the bullet point above. I like to ride in the path of the right hand tires of cars on a road. This is about 2-3 feet from the side of the road. I will elaborate more about this in hereafter segments.

You need to pay attention! I have had so many habitancy tell me they don't want to ride on the road because they have to pay attention. I strongly recommend that they think paying attentiveness while driving their cars. If you are watching ahead and to the sides, while listening behind, you will avoid the highest percentages of problems.

Claim Your Lane! Part I

Know Your Bike - Road Bikes

The Road bike is probably the most popular type of bicycle. The term can refer to bicycles specifically made to run on paved roads, as opposed to mountain bikes which have the specifications such as full suspensions to take on the demands of off road biking. Road bicycles include racing and commuter bikes which citizen use as an alternative to motorized vehicles. The dominant characteristic among road bikes are their lightweight frames which helps in boosting speed.

A less base variant of the road motorcycle is the fixed gear motorcycle or ordinarily known in the Us as fixie bikes or simply fixies. Over the years, fixie bikes have developed a cult following among motorcycle enthusiasts in different parts of the world. Fixies have their sprockets directly screwed onto a fixed hub thus can not freewheel. Since the pedals turn in the same direction as that of the rear wheel, resisting the pedals' request for retrial allows the cyclist to stop the motorcycle without the use of brakes. If you want to try out fixed gear, extra precaution is needed on your first rides since there is a big discrepancy in the middle of riding a fixie and riding a conventional road bike.

Fixedgear Bike

A road bike consists of a number of components, each of which has its important role in motorcycle dynamics. Some of the basic components include the pedals which powers the motorcycle by transferring vigor to the rear wheel, the chain and chainwheel, the frame which holds the different parts together, the saddle which supports the body of the cyclist, the handlebars which is equivalent to the steering wheel of a car, the tires, and the brakes which allows the cyclist to stop the movement of the bicycle.

Know Your Bike - Road Bikes

Road bikes have been regarded to as the perfect alternative to motorized road vehicles. Unlike cars, road bicycles do not emit pollutants which contribute to global warming and are also major causes of respiratory diseases. Pedaling also works out important muscles in the legs and in other parts of the body and is proven to be a good form of cardio exercise.

Know Your Bike - Road Bikes

dependable Berkey Water Filter Products

My house has been loyal and satisfied customers of Berkey water filters since 2006. Their products are fabulous and we've enjoyed drinking pure, clean water every day. Just knowing that we don't have to worry about ingesting harmful contaminants from tap or bottled water is a relief.

Since I have personal caress with some Berkey products, I'd like to share my thoughts with you. I understand that a testimony from man who uses the goods often is valuable?

Fixedgear Bike

The first Berkey purchase we made was the stainless steel tour Berkey. Standing 20 inches tall, it has a 2.1 gallon water warehouse capacity. We couldn't believe how pure and delicious the water tasted. At that point, we knew we could never go back to the other filter we were using.

dependable Berkey Water Filter Products

Not only did it supply tasty water, the theory was also exciting and dependable. All of our company was exciting about our tall, stainless steel system. We proudly shared our filtered water to get their opinion.

We upgraded to the Berkey Light water filter when we started having children. This theory is designed for outdoor use, but we have it in our kitchen. It meets our family's needs and the water is equally delicious. Although this theory has the selection of purchasing Led lights, we select not to get them.

We've also enjoyed using the Sport Berkey movable bottle. This bottle is suitable for hikes, exercising or even just times when we needed water while driving. The filter is just as reliable as the larger systems and the great thing is that it can be taken anywhere!

All of our experiences with Berkey have been great and we've never been disappointed. Berkey water filters are elegant, powerful and reliable products. We're clear that if you use a Berkey you'll feel the same way. After all, it's always a good feeling knowing you're doing something healthy for you and your loved ones.

dependable Berkey Water Filter Products

How to Sell Bicycles to Cyclists at a Bike Shop

For those who work in a bike shop they know that they often wear many hats. They reply questions, justify products, do a little maintenance, ride a lot and do some selling. Selling is probably the most leading part of their job description, because if the bike shop does not sell enough goods it will not be able to keep the lights on or pay the rent.

Generally bike shops pay their help not so much and yet they do often offer added commissions for sales of bikes to insure that more bikes get sold. This normally works quite well for the bike shop and it is a win-win situation.

Fixedgear Bike

So how do you sell bicycles at a bike shop anyway? Well, you consequent some uncomplicated rules of the road. You most importantly listen, as many riders, even novices like to tell you all about their adventures, athletic prowess and future vision of them blazing the trail on a lightweight mountain bike or a fast road bike. Then you need to understand that about one-third of that is wishful mental and embellished glory days.

How to Sell Bicycles to Cyclists at a Bike Shop

You then justify to the person, how this bike solves their needs to go for it and also is comfortable for a good solid ride or just sporting colse to town, which most likely is what they will really do. Make sure the bike fits these preferences and they whole they have to spend and naturally ask for the order. Next! think this in 2006.

How to Sell Bicycles to Cyclists at a Bike Shop

Safe Urban Bike Riding - 7 Tips to Keep You Safe

Urban bike riding can seem intimidating for the new cyclist. With the roads becoming more and more grid-locked, and more new drivers taking to the road than at any time in history, city cycling is becoming more hazardous. Many citizen would love to take up cycling but are put off by their fear of the traffic in their city. There's no denying that the roads are busier than ever and it can be intimidating for new cyclists, but if you ensue a few basic protection rules you should have nothing to worry about. Here's seven rules to keep you safe.

1 Make sure your bike is in good working order. This comes down to basic maintenance but is often overlooked by many people. If you have had your bike stored away for a while, don't just jump on it and go cycling. Check it over. Make sure the brakes are working fine, check that the chain is lively and smoothly and that there are no signs of rust. The gears should be lively admittedly and smoothly. It's distracting if you are on the road and you are having to mess colse to trying to turn gears. While you are concentrating on the gears you are not concentrating on the road. Any defect in your bike, any way itsybitsy can become a risk on the road. This is just a case of preventive maintenance and checking your bike regularly. Preventive maintenance is crucial to safe urban bike riding.

Fixedgear Bike

2 A lot of bike accidents occur at night or in the early morning because the driver did not see the cyclist. This is distinct and cheap to remedy. Make sure you are seen. Fit abundance of reflectors to your bike as well as lights. Use good ability lights not cheap ones which begin to go dim after a few uses. I can never understand citizen who pay a lot of money for a good bike then put cheap lights on it. Lighting is crucial to your protection so get the best. Place reflectors in the middle of the spokes so you are illustrated from the side.

Safe Urban Bike Riding - 7 Tips to Keep You Safe

3 Wear a helmet. There's two sides to this argument. Some citizen say they are not needful and won't prevent injury, the other side say they are essential. I'm with the needful side. Broken bones can be fixed a fractured skull is regularly fatal. Why take the chance? You can get great styled helmets now at a cheap price and the days when citizen stared at a cyclists with a helmet are long gone. You may feel self aware when you first go out with your new helmet on. But believe me, no one is going to look twice at a cyclist wearing a helmet these days. So wear one.

4 Wear high visibility clothing specifically designed for cycling. These will regularly have reflectors built into them. Most drivers will have no issue seeing you but make yourself extra illustrated for the inattentive drivers out there. You also need to be seen if you are at the side of the road repairing a puncture. As a cyclist you have a accountability to make sure you are seen.

5 ensue the traffic rules. I see cyclists weaving in and out of traffic lanes trying to get a few extra yards. They are not only annoying motorists but putting themselves in unnecessary danger. Stay at the side of the road unless you are making a turn. Use bike lanes if they are any. There is a tactic I've read about used in some places where cyclists will cycle in the oncoming traffic lane. The conference being that it prevents you from getting hit from behind and you can see the oncoming traffic. The conference is logical, the tactic suicidal. Don't do it. This is akin to playing Russian roulette, sooner or later you will lose. ensue the rules.

6 I know this may sound like a 1960s communal information film but use hand signals, and I don't mean the two fingered one. Use hand signals to let drivers know your intentions, this avoids any blurring and will give the driver abundance of warning about what you intend to do so he can make adjustments accordingly. I'm a motorist as well as a cyclist and sometimes I have cyclists in front of me who will suddenly turn without warning. I'm always extra alert colse to cyclists so I am rarely taken by surprise, but some drivers may not be so alert. Let them know what you intend to do.

7 Carry a tool kit. Make sure you don't leave the house without some basic tools to get you going if something falls off or breaks. One of the many inventions in tool kits over the last thirty years has been micro tools that fold into a neat itsybitsy square. There's loads of designs about and you should have one. I carry mine in a small under the saddle bag, along with a puncture kit and a spare inner tube.

As a cyclists, you're responsible for ensuring you take the needful steps to ensure your own safety. The seven steps just mentioned are basic but needful to your safety.Taking them will go a long way to ensuring you have an enjoyable time on your bike and stay safe in heavy traffic areas.

Safe Urban Bike Riding - 7 Tips to Keep You Safe

Identifying The Types of Road Bikes

Out of all bikes in the urban area, a road bike is possibly the best option. Urban paved roads offer the perfect friction needed for riding and the lean structure of the bike helps beat traffic too.

The two best qualities of road bikes are - they are in fact lean, and the frame is very light. Both these traits are ideal for a fast journey through a localized distance. Generally there are two kinds of road bikes - the racing bike, which has the curved handle that resembles a ram's horns and the commuter bike, which has that extra box carrier behind the seat.

Fixedgear Bike

There's also a third kind which is very separate from the other two in the sense that it does not have gears. It cannot freewheel and can travel at one speed level only. Hence it is called a fixed wheel or fixed gear bike, or as it is lovingly called in the States - a fixie.

Identifying The Types of Road Bikes

The principle behind the fixie is that the rear wheel has a fixed hub which is fixed to a screw in the pedal hinge, production the pedal and the wheels rotate at sync. This also means that any time the pedal stops turning, the wheel stops too, and vice versa.

Riding a fixie can be a tricky deal for population who are used to freewheeling, so it is advised to get used it before hitting the road, to prevent some nasty accident.

The main parts of a road bike are its frame on which the whole body is shaped, its pedals, chains, chain-wheel, the saddle and the seat. The road bike also needs to to have perfect brakes which is not compulsory for a fixie.

In this increasingly polluted urban atmosphere, a road bike is not only a good selection but also an ethical one.

From a cardio point of view too, nothing beats getting your work out done while on the go.

Identifying The Types of Road Bikes

Does a Yellow Cycling Shirt all the time Make You a Winner?

If you are a fan of road cycle racing you will already know that you need to watch the colors of the riders' cycling shirts very intimately to find out who the race leaders are. Even if you just watch cycling on the television occasionally, you will probably know as a matter of general knowledge that in the Tour de France, the rider with the yellow jersey is the one who is in the lead.

However, the one wearing the yellow cycling shirt is not all the time the person to look out for across all stages of the race. Some stages of the Tour de France involve gruelling mountain ascents, and the leader in these types of race section has a jersey of his own. The mountain stage leader is often referred to as the King of the Mountains, and wears a white jersey with red polka dots. It is potential that the mountain experts are not great at sprint racing and other sections of the total Tour, so despite being leaders in the tough hillside climbs, they ordinarily will not threaten to overtake the yellow jersey holder.

Fixedgear Bike

Many stages of the French Tour - and of other major cycle races - are designed for sprinting, and the first riders to faultless these sprints are awarded points, agreeing to their position in that section. Getting points is the goal in personal and team time trials, but these points are also awarded for the first riders past the finishing line in all other stages. The mountain stages award less points, as the climbing specialists often win these. The riders' points are added up, and the rider with the top tally wears the green jersey.

Does a Yellow Cycling Shirt all the time Make You a Winner?

So it is not as uncomplicated as holding your eyes peeled for the yellow jersey when you watch televised cycling. There are some other colors available in the Tour de France, together with the white jersey which is for the young riders - currently for competitors under 26 years old. It is important to remember that these cycling shirt classifications only apply to the Tour de France, and the photograph becomes slightly confusing if you start watching a race and do not realise it is one of the other main Tours.

There are three major races, together called The Grand Tours, which comprise the Tour de France, the Vuelta a Espana and the Giro d'Italia. The Spanish Vuelta awards similar jerseys to the French Tour; the gold jersey for the total leader and green jersey for the points leader. However, the King of the Mountains in Spain wears red rather than polka dots.

In the Italian Giro, the cycling shirts law is entirely different, with the total race leader taking the pink jersey, while the points leader wears red and King of the Mountains has the green, confusingly opposite to the awards in the Vuelta!

Does a yellow cycling shirt all the time make you a winner then? Perhaps. It depends which race you are watching, but hopefully you will now be armed with the underground information you need, to understand whose progress you should be concentrating on next time you sit down to an evening of cycling on Tv.

Does a Yellow Cycling Shirt all the time Make You a Winner?

reduction Mountain Bikes - Have More Fun at a Lesser Price

'Comfort' has come to be one of the most exhausting words for any metropolitan. Gym, picnic, disc, and even weekend parties, not anymore offer any adventure or bring big inequity to our usual life. Well, the people who were seeking a real break from mundane life for a long time, mountain biking is undoubtedly, a rich flee for all of them.

Mountain Biking is a cool amusement and perhaps the most fascinating way to get rid of this 'comfort' hangover. It is also a damn good fun for all the condition freaks and people who want to offer their body a better shape. More importantly, it is considered as a great cardiovascular workout. So, stuffed with a lot of salutary and funny items, mountain biking certainly relives ones youth and knocks you into shape with a lot of thrills and spills.

Fixedgear Bike

For beginners, buying a mountain bike on allowance is certainly the most profitable and preferable way to enjoy biking. 'Discount Mountain Bikes' is a great way to start with because it allows you test drives charging a smaller number of money. That is to say, by availing allowance Mountain Bikes offers you get chances to test how much you like mountain biking and either you think it's something that you would love to enjoy in the long run. allowance Mountain Bikes are not something that are cheaply produced but priced reasonably for a number of reasons.

reduction Mountain Bikes - Have More Fun at a Lesser Price

Well, the request that might be worrying you right now is, how and where to find allowance mountain bikes? Let's jot down some options like:

The best way to find mountain bikes on allowance is to look for sales. Local bike shops or market of sporting goods often guide sales on bikes. Bike shops also put some used but good mountain bikes for sale. If you are lucky enough you can even get a branded mountain bike in good condition in a surprising price. Try to check out the local carport and estate sales. You can also avail replacement offers, where you get a new bike in a lesser price by selling the old one. The most great way to search for allowance Mountain Bikes is to check out the offers and market in the web list in the sites like Craigslist and eBay. Always acquire facts from the people you know are crazy about mountain biking, because they are the best sources for updated store news.

But all the time remember, to test drive and peruse wholly before you purchase a bike for yourself, because you deserve the best one in best possible price.

reduction Mountain Bikes - Have More Fun at a Lesser Price

Tools For eBay Buyers - Snipe Auction Tools recapitulate

How many times have you lost auctions on eBay at the last potential second? You were there early before the auction ended with a high bid, feeling good. Then the clock hits 1 minute, and you were still on top, (hey, this is looking good you think). Maybe even a few bidders put in a merge bids, but you are still the winning bidder (so far so good).

Then as the auction clock hits 10 seconds your heart starts to race (it is almost in your grasp), however as the clock ticks down and the auction closes you are met with discontentment and a feeling of loss (you see that the winning bidder is in fact not you). You lost the auction and more importantly wasted a lot of your time and energy for nothing. Why or how do these other bidders get their bid in at the last limited and steal the item away from other bidders? Well, they are using auction software and buyer tools and you should too.

Fixedgear Bike

You see, I was playing the bidding game too, which sellers precisely love because live bidders drive up the price on items. However, getting in a bidding war means that you have to precisely be online and monitoring the auction. It also means that you have to "show your hand" (meaning once you are outbid you have to get back into the bidding war and growth your bid).

Tools For eBay Buyers - Snipe Auction Tools recapitulate

For years I was reluctant to use a snipe aid to win auctions on eBay. I guess I didn't trust it or maybe I conception it was cheating. The fact is though once I did try it I was hooked. Snipe services like justsnipe give you (the buyer) the occasion to place your bid at the last potential second. What you will do is give the auction snipe tool the top price you want to pay for the item. As the auction winds down to the last 5-10 seconds the snipe tool will execute (send) in your top bid for you automatically (and best the current top bid).

Let's look at an example. I recently purchased a 2009 Felt Tk3 track frame on eBay using a snipe tool. With a merge of days left to go in the auction the price of the frame was up to about 0.00, with a few bidders already placing bids. In the old days I would have jumped in on the bidding auction. However, now instead of putting in my high bid early and maybe triggering a bidding war (thus driving up the price), I use snipe tools. So with a day to go in the auction for the bike frame I went to my justsnipe list and entered the top amount that I was willing to pay for the item. I entered 5.00 as my top price into the snipe software and sat back.

This time I was not the poor guy on eBay who had watched the auction for a week, gleefully thinking he was the one who would be soon occasion a large box and putting together his new fixed gear bike. No, this time I won the auction and even got the Felt frame well below my 5.00 cap, I got it at 9.00.

There are many snipe services out there that eBay buyers can use for free. Many of the snipe websites give you a few free snipes per week, with fewer options than a paying member would have, such as not being able to adjust your snipe order at less than 8 seconds to go in the auction. It is precisely worth a try though, and so far I have had no problems winning auctions with a free snipe list and my snipes coming in with 8 seconds to go, it is plainly not adequate time for a live bidder to react and submit another bid.

Tools For eBay Buyers - Snipe Auction Tools recapitulate

Tools For eBay Buyers - Snipe Auction Tools reveal

How many times have you lost auctions on eBay at the last potential second? You were there early before the auction complete with a high bid, feeling good. Then the clock hits 1 minute, and you were still on top, (hey, this is looking good you think). Maybe even a few bidders put in a couple bids, but you are still the winning bidder (so far so good).

Then as the auction clock hits 10 seconds your heart starts to race (it is practically in your grasp), however as the clock ticks down and the auction closes you are met with disappointment and a feeling of loss (you see that the winning bidder is in fact not you). You lost the auction and more importantly wasted a lot of your time and power for nothing. Why or how do these other bidders get their bid in at the last slight and steal the item away from other bidders? Well, they are using auction software and buyer tools and you should too.

Fixedgear Bike

You see, I was playing the bidding game too, which sellers precisely love because live bidders drive up the price on items. However, getting in a bidding war means that you have to precisely be online and monitoring the auction. It also means that you have to "show your hand" (meaning once you are outbid you have to get back into the bidding war and growth your bid).

Tools For eBay Buyers - Snipe Auction Tools reveal

For years I was reluctant to use a snipe assistance to win auctions on eBay. I guess I didn't trust it or maybe I understanding it was cheating. The fact is though once I did try it I was hooked. Snipe services like justsnipe give you (the buyer) the occasion to place your bid at the last potential second. What you will do is give the auction snipe tool the top price you want to pay for the item. As the auction winds down to the last 5-10 seconds the snipe tool will execute (send) in your top bid for you automatically (and best the current top bid).

Let's look at an example. I recently purchased a 2009 Felt Tk3 track frame on eBay using a snipe tool. With a couple of days left to go in the auction the price of the frame was up to about 0.00, with a few bidders already placing bids. In the old days I would have jumped in on the bidding auction. However, now instead of putting in my high bid early and possibly triggering a bidding war (thus driving up the price), I use snipe tools. So with a day to go in the auction for the bike frame I went to my justsnipe inventory and entered the top estimate that I was willing to pay for the item. I entered 5.00 as my top price into the snipe software and sat back.

This time I was not the poor guy on eBay who had watched the auction for a week, gleefully reasoning he was the one who would be soon occasion a large box and putting together his new fixed gear bike. No, this time I won the auction and even got the Felt frame well below my 5.00 cap, I got it at 9.00.

There are many snipe services out there that eBay buyers can use for free. Many of the snipe websites give you a few free snipes per week, with fewer options than a paying member would have, such as not being able to adjust your snipe order at less than 8 seconds to go in the auction. It is precisely worth a try though, and so far I have had no problems winning auctions with a free snipe inventory and my snipes coming in with 8 seconds to go, it is plainly not enough time for a live bidder to react and submit an additional one bid.

Tools For eBay Buyers - Snipe Auction Tools reveal

Installing New Road bicycle Pedals

Installing new pedals yourself is quick and easy.

You will need the following:

Fixedgear Bike

* Allen key and/or pedal wrench
* Grease

Installing New Road bicycle Pedals

Removing the old pedals:
Removing the old pedals from your crank can be of course done with whether the bike on the floor or in a work stand.

Note: Pedals like the Look Keo Carbons do not accept a pedal wrench. These pedals will require an Allen key that can be settled in the spindle from the back side. Be faithful you might have a cadence magnet in there - so take off it before you attempt to take off the pedal.

If using a work stand, place your hand on the rear wheel or grab the brake to stop the wheel from spinning.

The right pedal will come off just like any other bolt principles you've used. Turning the spindle counter clockwise (left) will loosen the pedal. However, the left pedal is reversed threaded and will need to be turned clockwise (right) to loosen. Don't be surprised if you need to put your shoulder into it; water and time may have removed the grease, causing them to stick.

Installing the new pedals:
With the old pedals removed, clean out the threads on your crank arm - removing any dirt or old grease. Grab your grease and new pedals. Place a strip of grease on both threads of the pedals.

With the new pedals greased use your fingers to catch the threads and snug them up to your crank arm. Avoid using tools until they are finger tight. Remember the left pedal is reversed thread. Take your time, there is nothing as disappointing as stripping your crank.

With your new pedals finger tightened take your Allen key or pedal wrench and snug them up to your crank arm. Typically a quarter or half turn passed finger tight is enough. When they are firmly in place use a rag to wipe up the excess grease. Now recheck your pedals, ensuring they are firmly in place.

On your first few rides check your pedals to ensure they are still snug against your crank.

If you do a lot of wet weather riding it may be thrifty to take off your pedals and apply new grease from time to time. If you've ever had your pedals seize to a crank arm you'll know why it's worth the extra effort.

We Keep You Cycling

Caution - failing to properly install your pedals can cause serious injuries. If you have any questions about the above please palpate us for clarification. Our guide is a guide intended to aid you in doing your own work. If you have any questions its best to seek help prior to riding.

Installing New Road bicycle Pedals

Bicycling - Two Prevalent No-Fun Ways to preclude Flat Tires on Lengthy Road Or Trail Rides

Background.

Flat tires, especially the blowouts, can ruin long bike rides. A few years back while doing a 300-mile road trip, I had five flat tires, all from a slow leak to a major blowout. In fact, the fifth one happened while I was seeking help in a small town for the blowout. There, I sat on a park bench waiting for a store to open so I could fix or replace my two flats. How did that situation happen? As a new rider then, two reasons come to mind.

Fixedgear Bike

I failed to avoid inescapable hazardous road debris that can cause bike flats. I was riding on soft, reasonable easily-punctured tubes and tires.
Even though we now know the inescapable answers to this problem, two fairly prevalent ways to preclude these flat tires during the non-supported rides are discussed below.

Bicycling - Two Prevalent No-Fun Ways to preclude Flat Tires on Lengthy Road Or Trail Rides

1. Avoid the potentially hazardous debris on roads or trails (easier said than done).

We must avoid any obvious potential tire-puncturing debris, like, broken glass, sharp gravel or rocks, pieces of metal, thorny twigs, small patches of grass that could contain cockle-burs, or avoid any corporal nut, jut, or rut that could cause a tire to bump hard or pinch an inner tube. Of course, we cannot keep our eyes on our pathway every second of the ride. But we can train ourselves to sense potential hazardous debris in front of us most of the time.

This institution means riding in the daytime instead of at night. inescapable debris is hard to see in the dark, even with a headlight. A bike headlight causes numerous shadows on the ground, which can be difficult to distinguish from actual hazards. If one must ride at night is a must for some reason, like being caught between towns or trailheads, then the headlight should be great enough enough to ward off any confused, zig-zagging, night-roaming critters that could divert us into a flat-tire situation.

In some instances, this institution means riding mostly on the clean road shoulders and trails where the hazardous debris is minimal compared to the country back-roads and nut-and-twig-laden trails. Still, even on these clean pathways, bicyclists might have to avoid certain areas where debris could collect.

2. Use tough flat-resistant tires and tubes plus extra liners.

The flat tread on the road and cruising-type tires will wear out comparatively faster than the thicker mountain bike (Mtb) treads. Still, depending on the kind of riding being done (bumpy or smooth), avid riders will turn out their tires two or more times a year. Will any new tires work okay? Maybe so, to a degree.

Yet, one prevalent way to preclude flat tires is to use the multi-layered tough-skin tires (tube or tubeless). These tires and tubes will without fail cost more, but they are worth it in the long run. Also, along this line of preparation, the following practices will aid flat-tire arresting considerably.

Line the inside of the metal bike wheels with heavy spoke-tape (between the rims). Add thin plastic thorn liners to the tires (an extra layer between each tire and tube). Use the heavy puncture-resistant tubes (sometimes called super tubes). Use slime-containing or self-sealing tubes or tires, if preferred. Replace the tires before they become cracked, weakened, and susceptible to blowouts.
In short, as a precaution on long bicycle rides, we need to stay away from the hazards that cause flat tires, and ride on fairly new tough-skin tires. Yet, one query still remains. Will these rides be much fun with this much prevention?

Bicycling - Two Prevalent No-Fun Ways to preclude Flat Tires on Lengthy Road Or Trail Rides

Bicycles - scrutinize The Most prominent Steps to selecting The Right One

Bicycling is one of the most enjoyable methods of working out that whatever at any age can share in throughout the year. While you may have enjoyed this operation when you were a child, you may want to get started up once again to growth your level of operation or as a way to get where you need to go with less expense. The first thing that needs to be done when getting back into a bicycling routine is to adopt and buy the thorough equipment to keep the operation enjoyable and sufficient at the same time. By following a few easy steps when browsing the selection of bicycles, you can make the best selection for your specific abilities.

While the notion used to be that suitable and cheap bikes could be purchased from a allowance store, the current trend to adopt a make from a bike shop that is more distinguished to your specific body size for a more comfortable and calorie burning ride. Kids bikes can still be purchased in this manner, but it is important to shop nearby to adopt the thorough selection from all of the available bicycles when you are an adult looking for a good workout.

Fixedgear Bike

The first thing you will want to keep in mind when shopping for bicycles is the type of riding that you intend to do on a regular basis. There are any different bike designs to pick from, along with mountain bikes, cruisers, lowriders, and road bikes. A road bike is the collection with skinny tires that are meant for use on paved surfaces, but if you are man who is going to be traveling down dirt paths and bumpy surfaces, you will want to pick a mountain bike with wider tires that have more traction. Beach cruisers are typically good distinguished for those looking for a greater level of relieve and do not intend to go fast.

Bicycles - scrutinize The Most prominent Steps to selecting The Right One

Another notice you will want to make when selecting your motorcycle is the size. A salesperson at your local bike shop will be able to part you for the thorough sized bike that will allow for a more comfortable ride. Too often many people chose inexpensive bikes that are made in a one-size-fits-all type of design, but this is of course not the best selection when it comes to the relieve level. Once you find a collection of bicycles you like, it is also a good idea to give them a try to determine which one is best distinguished for your specific body size.

By thought about selecting the motorcycle you purchase, you will be able to make a great speculation in a bike that will last for many years to come.

Bicycles - scrutinize The Most prominent Steps to selecting The Right One

Please Do Not Put Price Ahead of ability With Your Road Cycling Shoes

Everyone knows that there are numerous different types of shoes and boots. By way of example you will find nylon shoes or boots, running and walking shoes, smart shoes and boots, and also pro footwear which includes road cycling shoes.

At the very best the incorrect boots or shoes look wrong. Far more importantly though, if you are playing sports, those incorrect items could damage you.

Fixedgear Bike

Your feet have to be looked after. They are the very most significant body component for mobility. Wearing the correct shoes will not solely care for the feet but in expanding enable us to take benefit of the maximum possible in our legs.

Please Do Not Put Price Ahead of ability With Your Road Cycling Shoes

There are beyond doubt 7,800 nerves in just one foot. Some of those nerves are endings of the intermediate dorsal cutaneous nerve. Considering this data by itself, it is clear that foot associated injury won't solely have an impact on the feet but as well have an whether direct or knock on supervene on one or more other parts in the body system.

Various shoes for sports activities, such as road cycling shoes, are created to be able to cater to our feet's need to derive simultaneously high levels of comfort coupled with durableness and staying power.

Several of these shoes may be built to have specific cushions and furthermore consist of good ability fabrics to allow much improved activity. On top of that these kinds of shoes, together with shoes for other corporal action sporting events (like the game of hockey as an example) offer far good support.

The soles of shoes additionally play an important role in development any shoe collection superior for a specific condition or perhaps activity. Soles made out of dual density materials enable even harder use offer greater possibilities.

The soles on the majority of road cycling shoes are often artificial implementing entirely carbon based textiles. These textiles are exquisite shock absorbers and, in addition, furnish improved security for your feet, combined with being very light.

A lot of of the latest road cycling shoes will offer you maximum efficiency along with convenience. They are often constructed out of foam accompanied by a sheet of carbon encapsulating it and the very best lessen the space between the foot and your pedal. Additionally they have extra derive fixtures to make sure of optimum functionality under racing conditions.

If you're serious about sporting events, not to mention getting excited about more years actively playing at your peak grade, then the selection of the most suitable boots, much like the remainder of your equipment, is vital.

If you will be enjoying basketball get a pair of sneakers who have a firmer base that is in essence great for running. Additionally look at the cushioning of the footwear you will be acquiring. Distance runners may very well consider a good shock fascinating sneaker.

If you're into cycling pick up a pair of road cycling shoes with hard wearing carbon soles and which you'll find comfortable too.

If you conclude to compromise on the calibre of your footwear then you won't just enjoy a much lower effectiveness, but the truth is that you without fail risk suffering injuries. That without fail can be described as tremendous error in judgment

Invest in the very best road cycling shoes and you'll receive the best results and additionally you will be protected too. They will pay you back for your venture for years to come

Please Do Not Put Price Ahead of ability With Your Road Cycling Shoes

Yakima Bike Rack Needs to Be Tried

Yakima has seen far too much damage in both cars and bikes alike, that it has decided to stand up and try to make a bike rack that suits the needs of cars and bikes alike, and keep both parties clean and scratch- free at the same time.

With this, Yakima introduces the new Yakima Bike rack DoubleDown 4, which aims to provide a whole new perceive as to how your bikes can get carried, as well as someone else set of experiences just for trying to keep your car free from scratches as it lugs along your bikes.

Fixedgear Bike

Straight out of the box, the new Yakima Bike rack DoubleDown weighs in at about 25 pounds, which is pretty much within the industry's mean for tool of this size.

Yakima Bike Rack Needs to Be Tried

Not only is the Yakima DoubleDown 4 noteworthy to carrying four bikes to the trailhead, it also folds out to make way for access to the back of the car without having to go straight through the problem of passing straight through the back seat. With this, access to your car's back parts are not only made easier, it also makes some users forget that a rack is installed in their car when they lift the backdoor.

When the rack is not in use, the DoubleDown rack's retain bars fold down to make it less obtrusive when it is not in use, especially when you need it to go down to access the other parts of the car.

The rack is compatible with 2- and 1.25- inch hitch receivers, for greater flexibility when it comes to handling your cycling units and loading them in your car for transport. Yakima's anti- sway cradles are designed to keep your bikes from touching and bumping into each other while they are loaded on the rack and on the road.

Yakima Bike Rack Needs to Be Tried

How to pick the Right Bike Frame

While there are a lot of good capability brands of road bike frames to pick from, it is leading to consider that you get the frame that's right for your size. Think of selecting bike frames as selecting shoes - you need to pick the right fit.

The bike frame is probably the most leading part to consider when selecting your bike size. You will need to check if your bike frame is the right size for you. The best way to do this is by taking measurements of your leg's inner aspect. You will then have to subtract 9 inches from whatever numbers you get from measuring your inner leg. This will now serve as the spoton estimation for the road bike frame that's right for you. The rationale behind such computation is to allow you to rest your feet comfortably on the ground once you stand over your bike's frame. Moreover, you should be able to have a lot of clearance from the crossbar.

Fixedgear Bike

Bicycle frames are also of dissimilar types. Titanium frames are great but a bit pricey. While they are durable and known to last for a long time, they are light in weight, which is why it is recommended that the main tubes should be mixed with carbon forks for better handling and comfort.

How to pick the Right Bike Frame

Bicycle frames that are made of carbon fiber, on the other hand, are less costly but are very strong. This is probably why they are favorite to bike enthusiasts.

Above are just some tips to consider when selecting the right frame for your bike. What is leading is the biker's personal preference. Other factors that could also fall into play are comfort, execution and, of course, budget.

Speaking of budget, you can also consider checking out reduction road bicycles before going to the bike frame details. Who knows, you might just find the right road bike with the exquisite bike frame that just has the right price.

How to pick the Right Bike Frame

Bianchi Road Bikes - The Champion's selection

Bianchi road bikes are one of the most famous bike makers. An Italian bicycle constructor founded it and it has been on the store since 1885. Bianchi bikes are well known for its technology advancement. It is assured that when you buy road bikes form Bianchi, the bike would absolutely deliver an greatest performance.

Bianchi road bikes can be both for professional and amateur bikers, racers or cyclist. No matter what your biking status may be, Bianchi will in fact suit you. And in addition, you do not have to worry about the price of this legendary road bikes. These bikes ranges from middle-priced bikes to the most top of the line bikes.

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They come in separate styles. These styles depend on the biker's need and capacity. Some have the first-rate appearance, some are heavy and some are made of steel. But of course, it all depends on the need and the capacity of the biker. Name it, Bianchi has it.

Bianchi Road Bikes - The Champion's selection

The San Lorenzo bike comes in full kit of Dura Ace with 20-speed. It has the first-rate appearance that most bikers still look for. This bike style has a horizontal tube top and a scandium frame. Among all the racing bikes this one is the lightest.

The Bianchi Fg Lite has approximately the same features as the San Lorenzo. However, it has a foam-reinforced hyper alloy frameset. In addition, it is made with tubes that are made for maximum weight advantage, firmness and robustness.

The Brava on the other hand is an entry-level road-racing bike. It has a frame made of steel and a suspension seat post. Compared with the other styles of Bianchi, the Brava is heavier. However, it is carefully to be more affordable.

For tour de France riders like Danilo Di Luca, Mario Cipollini, Marco Pantani, Moreno Argentin and Jan Ulrich, road bikes from Bianchi is their best bet along with cycling expert Magus Backstedt who made his historic Paris-Roubaix win with the Bianchi. So whether you are a bike champion aspirant or a plain amateur who wants the best bike, Bianchi is absolutely the choice!

Bianchi Road Bikes - The Champion's selection

Claim Your Lane! Part Ii

Part One of "Claim Your Lane!" had some points about us as vehicles. We share the road with bigger, faster vehicles driven by habitancy who may or may not pay attention. I ask habitancy what their biggest fear is while riding on the road and by far the sass is "being struck from behind." It is a harsh reality that when we are struck from behind we are powerless and "naked." The bigger reality, however, is that we have more likelihood to hit something ahead of us than being struck from behind. Since the topic of this record is Claiming Your Lane, here are some things I have observed over my lifetime of riding bikes. As in all my articles, these ideas are observations and opinions that I feel are valid and while you may not agree with me, maybe it will sustain thoughts and discussions on why and how you ride a bicycle.

When riding on the road one needs to be in a position that allows them to be seen from behind as well as provide navigating room in front. I know what it feels like to have cars Whoosh by a limited too close for comfort. I have pondered what my riding would be like if I took evasive action every time I saw a car in my mirror. First, I used a mirror on my helmet for a time. Second I tried one on the handlebars. I don't use one now. This is my perspective on mirrors: providing one has good hearing and is aware of the conditions in front, I say a mirror can hurt more than it helps. Here is my logic: A mirror is a device that allows one to focus on things behind us without turning our heads. The qoute with this statement is "focus" on things behind us. I have found it is very difficult to focus on traffic approaching from the rear and declare the thorough focus on what is in front. I am not saying it is impossible; I compare it to focusing on adjusting the radio in the car and reading middle point facts while driving. The road can still be seen ahead, but is it really in focus?

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This controversial stance needs clarification: I think we need to be aware of our surroundings, simultaneously seeing around, listening, having a backup navigation plan, etc. I know that so much facts is advent at us from the front that our real ability to avoid a car approaching from the rear and discriminate in the middle of a "real" threat or a "perceived" threat while seeing backwards in a mirror is very difficult to do. I believe that we don't see much of what is ahead while focusing enduringly on what is behind. That said, I propose that we claim our lane and press on with awareness, reliance and competence.

Claim Your Lane! Part Ii

I had stated that my favorite place on the road was the right hand tire track which is about 3-4 feet from the white line. This is the cleanest part of the road, ordinarily the smoothest and is a place where one is much more descriptive than a limited further to the right. The next logical ask would be, "why?" and I have to reference a study I saw in college, but can't find today. Here is the Reader's Ant. Eject version: An experiment was conducted that showed how habitancy see while driving a car. Rather than scan smoothly, apparently habitancy will focus on a point, then another, then another. The researchers were able to then record these scan points while subjects were driving and came up with a shocking discovery. The scan points were overwhelmingly whether straight ahead or to the left! Only 5% of the scan points were to the right.

This explains why we all have missed speed limit signs and other things to the right. We really didn't see them. Traffic engineers now paint signs on the road knowing that they are more likely to be seen than a sign on the right. The situation as I see it is as follows: If I ride far to the right at all times to stay off the lane I am in a position of minimal maneuverability. If a pothole or trash or gravel is in my path, I have nowhere to go but in the ditch or into the lane and darting into a lane with traffic, which is not a good thing. Not only this, I have the least occasion of being seen. To make matters worse, the cars don't comprehend me as a "threat" when off to the right and won't slow down. This is why I Claim the Lane!

Since I am spending so much time in Dallas at the Cooper Aerobics town doing bike fittings, I am riding a lot in the city streets. I have found that even though Bicycling Magazine stated that Dallas is the least bike kindly city in the country, that I have fewer problems in Dallas than in San Antonio. I feel that the greater numbers of riders combined with the fact that habitancy ride two abreast in the lanes taking the whole lane, causes cars to avoid them and cut them more slack than in San Antonio. I find that many more riders in San Antonio do not claim the lane and believe that we train drivers of cars to expect that we will whether dive for the ditch when they pass or that we should ride so far off to the right as to allow them to pass without slowing or giving way.

In closing, I know that we all have to make value judgments every time we get on a bike, get in a car, or get out of bed. Life is risky and fun at the same time. Don't take unnecessary risks and learn to compare the risks you encounter in a way that you have the best occasion of production it to the next ride! Next time I will discuss strategies that will help you place yourself in the best inherent position to ride safely and some things to watch out for while Claiming the Lane!

Claim Your Lane! Part Ii

motorcycle Accidents - What Every Driver Should Know

In recent years, bicycles have once again come to be an immensely favorite form of recreation, exercise, and daily transportation. Many habitancy even commute back and forth to work or school by bike, avoiding many of the hassles of traffic and parking. Unfortunately, many drivers remain unaware of how to safely share the road with bikes, and others may even be unwilling to do so. It is important to remember that in a collision between a bike and a motor vehicle, the cyclist roughly all the time suffers serious injuries, sometimes even death. As more and more bikes appear on the road, drivers should understand the tasteless causes of collisions between bicycles and cars and be prepared to avoid these mistakes.

Cycling Accidents: tasteless Causes

Fixedgear Bike

Over 700 habitancy die each year in biking accidents in the U.S. Some of these accidents can be avoided if the cyclist follows safe riding procedures and all traffic laws. However, sometimes it is the careless, reckless, or even malicious behavior of automobile drivers that causes an accident. tasteless causes of cycling accidents between bikes and cars include:

motorcycle Accidents - What Every Driver Should Know

Failing to yield right-of-way to the bicycle. Bikes are required consequent the majority of all traffic laws on the road, and therefore cars must yield to bikes when the bike has the right-of-way. Driving too near a cyclist. Give bicycles at least three feet of space between the front or side of your car and the bike to avoid accidents. Striking a cyclist while manufacture a right-hand turn. A driver in the right lane may not think to check the right side of the car for a bicyclist. Stopping in or opportunity doors into the bike lane. Bike lanes are created to keep bikers out of the way of traffic, so blocking them with your car puts a cyclist in immediate danger. Additionally, a collision with an open car door can prove fatal for a bicyclist.

Some cyclists even article malicious or intimidating behavior from motor car drivers, such as yelling obscenities, throwing things at the cyclists, or driving aggressively to force the cyclist off the road. When driving near bikes, it is important to remember that a collision with the bike could potentially cost the cyclist his or her life. As more and more bicyclists appear out on the road, remember to keep them in mind, especially when driving in town or down smaller streets, to avoid careless accidents.

motorcycle Accidents - What Every Driver Should Know

Long distance Bike Riding and Success

It was cold that night, but I did not care, I only cared about one thing staying focused and not quitting. precisely I had already ridden thru Oregon and along the Northern California Coast and then the Russian River and thru San Francisco in 3 days and I was now on an very long ride trying to force two-days of riding into one trek.

I precisely believe and well I know for a fact now that precisely human intent and will, with permissible strategy and a petite planning ahead and that you are as good as Gold. In fact I forgot about time while that ride, as I put in one leg of 272 miles non-stop.

Fixedgear Bike

Riding thru the night listening to nature; coyotes, owls and critters in the bushes as the wind howled sometimes in my face other times at my back on the long slow “S-turn” road, it hit me, as I was beat and fatigued, but had precisely no thoughts of quitting. I was riding thru Big Sur at Sunrise now to complete the trek on my way into Santa Ynez.

Long distance Bike Riding and Success

That morning I woke up figuratively still on the bike, knowing that there is nothing in life you cannot do and as I crested the hill of someone else cove on that two-lane highway, I felt like I was riding thru a "Successories" poster photograph in someone's office. But it was real life and there I was in the photo.

I now know now that victory and success go to those who perservere to go beyond what they said could not be done. I mention this to you my fellow cyclist and wish you well and if you believe that there is nothing you cannot do in this life then you are 110% definite and God's Speed on your next race! consider this in 2006.

Long distance Bike Riding and Success

Cape Town

What is something that once you learn it, you never forget how? The rejoinder is, of course, riding a bike and it's a topic of conversation for many citizen nearby the world, along with Cape Town, South Africa.

Anytime you think of expert cycling the issue always seems to turn to Lance Armstrong or performing improving drugs at the Tour de France.

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I want expert cycling to touch a distinct outlook for a change. The way to do that is to turn my concentration to Cape Town, South Africa. Not the first place you think of when talking about cycling? Cape Town every year, hosts the Cape Argus Pick 'n Play Cycle Tour. And Cape Town is where the world's largest individually timed cycle race is held, outside of Europe.

Cape Town

About 40,000 cyclists take on this 108 km race nearby Cape Town. The intention is not to be a difficult ride, but as you race, you can enjoy a gorgeous scenic route and talk to a riding partner, as you peddle nearby one of the more gorgeous places on Earth.

The race started in Cape Town, thirty years ago in 1978, when Bill Myrlea and John Stegmann were out riding and felt the need for more cycling paths in Cape Town. Many ideas were discussed, but at the end of the day they decided to put on a race to make citizen more aware of this issue.

Initially, the event was called the Peninsula Marathon, but before the first legal race commenced, it changed, to the name of a local newspaper in Cape Town, Cape Argus.

There are now many events; and things kick off a week before the actual race. There is a Tricycle Tour for kids under the age of six, Junior Cycle Tour for the ages of six and twelve, and Mountain Bike Challenge.

Charities have also come to be a beneficiary at the Cycle Tour. In 2007, over three million was donated to the race's two legal charities, the Pedal Power connection and the Rotary Club of Claremont, both in Cape Town.

Only once has weather come into play. In 2002, the Tour was stopped for the first time as temperatures rose to 42 degrees C in some areas of Cape Town. Only 28 cyclists made it across the finishing line before they stopped the Tour at the recommendation of curative professionals.

Bicycling is mountainous nearby the world, as young and old enjoy the fitness and fun aspect it provides. It's always nice to know where one can find a miniature competition to get the juices flowing.

Now matter how old one gets, the topic of bicycling is never out of one's mind. From the moment those training wheels come off, it is something we'll never forget how to do. And that is a topic worth discussing.

Cape Town

Tandem Bikes, Mountain Bikes and convention Bmx Bikes - How Do They Differ?

At present, there is wide range of motorcycle types. The familiar ones consist of iron horse mountain bikes, racing bikes, tandem bikes, practice Bmx bikes along with many others. Each type of these bicycles vary in terms of the construction, whole of passengers it can accommodate, propulsion, gearing and these are just the basic ones.

Tandem bikes are the ones you regularly see at parks where you can get from rentals there. They carry two or more passengers which make it perfect for couples or house use. Most tandem bicycles have bike pedals for each passenger. There are also any one where the front rider takes operate of the steering, much like with an lowly bike.

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Mountain bicycles, as the name implies, is definite for mountain bike riding. Mountain bicycles have unique frames that are fit for rough terrains. These bicycles are equipped with special types of gearing and tires that differ greatly from that with other type of bicycle.

Tandem Bikes, Mountain Bikes and convention Bmx Bikes - How Do They Differ?

The practice Bmx cycles have other dissimilar style. These bikes regularly have smaller frames than a proper bike. This is to make it light and easier to maneuver. This bike is intended for street racing as well as for doing awesome bike exhibitions.

The whole of sales of Bmx bikes are relatively higher compared to any type of bicycle. This is because of the well known Bmx sport that continues to be patronized by many thrill seekers. If you are inspecting of buying practice Bmx bikes for pleasure, one of the best places you should shop for is the Internet. You'll find any bike manufacturers that offer a wide range of high ability bikes. Don't forget to invest on good protective accessories such as helmets, gloves, knee and elbow padding as well.

Tandem Bikes, Mountain Bikes and convention Bmx Bikes - How Do They Differ?