Aug 27 2010

Ride Safely – Keep Your Bike Tuned Up

Posted by biker in Road Bikes

It can happen that you have a break from riding. Possibly the weather conditions aren’t right, or you’re convalescent from an injury. But even if you don’t have a break it’s still important to check your bike occasionally and tune it up, so that nothing important breaks or fails on you when you’re speeding down the road.

So here are things to check. Start with your chain. Chain links wear down as you ride with the result that  the effective length increases, and as this happens, the chain doesn’t conform to the cog and teeth of the chain ring. If you haven’t replaced your chain in a year or more, it’s probably time to do it. Replace it before it stretches too much, you’ll save yourself from having to replace high priced cogs and chain rings.

Bearing surfaces:  These include your bottom bracket, hubs, and the headset, which should each turn freely without a problem and with no play in the system.  Before checking the bottom bracket, make sure each cranking arm is snugged tight.  Then hold onto the crank arm (not the pedal) and wobble it back and forth.  Any clicking noise, or if the crank arm binds, indicates that the bottom bracket should be adjusted .

Wheel hubs should be done the same way by taking the wheels off the bike, spinning the hub axles and feeling for any free play or binding.  If you get this, then you need to make an adjustment.

To check the headset ( where the forks turn ) put the wheels back on the bike and then pull and push the handle bars back and forth, and there shouldn’t be any play.  when you lift the front of the bike off the ground, the fork needs to turn really smoothly, and if not the headset needs to be replaced or fixed.

Check the condition of your brake cables and housings at the same time.  You don’t want any cracks in the housing or rust cables and if that’s the case you need fix it, or your shifting and braking will be sluggish.

Brake pads.  Most pads have ridges or indicator marks that show you when they need to be replaced. Brake pads that are worn out are a danger, because you can’t stop properly !

Once you’ve got the tune ups out of the way, it’s time for a bike workout, so have some fun!

Aug 26 2010

Rough Riderz Present Moutain Biking That’s Open To All

Posted by biker in Mountain bikes

Downhill MTB is a sport that has seen a continual rise in popularity over the last few years, both in the UK and abroad. Traditionally, mountain biking is a sport that can only be enjoyed by those who are fully able-bodied. That has all changed recently however, with the addition of the Rough Riderz club, who have come up with a way for both able-bodies riders and wheelchair users to enjoy the thrills and speed of downhill mountain biking.

 

The Rough Riderz team utilise an ingenious new bike design that features 4 wheels instead of 2, and can be fully enjoyed by anyone who no longer has the use of their legs. The bikes are used on downhill runs and are powered by gravity, meaning the rider only has to worry about braking and steering the bike. The bikes can move very quickly, reaching speeds of well over 30mph, even over very rough ground.

 

The bikes are open to be used by anyone, although usually you’ll find they’re used much more by the disabled riders. There are several different methods for setting up the four wheeled bikes, all of which give different results, so no matter what your age or level of experience, there’ll be a suitable setup for you. Whilst the sport is designed for disabled riders, users must have the ability of their arms and hands in order to be able to properly control the bike. Although the vehicles are used mainly on downhill courses, using gravity to produce the speed, they can also be ridden using self-propulsion over short, flat areas.

 

If you are disabled and want to take part, you’ll need to buy your own bike and equipment, although some places do offer help with funding. Maybe one day you’ll be able to buy one of these specialised bikes using the Mobility Scheme, although this isn’t an option at the moment.

 

So if you’re looking for a disabled vehicle that’s insanely quick, packed full of adrenaline and amazingly good fun, you’ll want to ignore the Nissan NV200 and head straight down to the Rough Riderz club!

 

For those that are interested in the sport, you can find more information on the Rough Riderz website: www.roughriderz.co.uk

Aug 25 2010

Men’s mountain biking

Posted by biker in Mountain bikes

Nowadays the market is witnessing a stirring mass of new items with their own unique qualities and selling proposition. It is very tough for a brand new beginner to select which bicycle will serve greatest to his requirements. The very best part is these bikers have a large presence on world wide web. You will find different magazines available on mountain biking as a sport as well as mountain bikes.

There is an amazing variety of a number of mountain bikers shared in web sites and magazines. These include a range of seasoned professionals and also the info about available bikes, models, prices and user comments.

Each and every website and magazine has its own method to judge a bike in various aspects. When bikes are first test ridden by experts after which the results are published in numerous magazines and web sites. There a quantity of basis on which the bike is evaluated after which the ratings and recommendations are provided. Anybody who is interested in purchasing can help that person to understand the positives and negatives in advance.

You will find forums which allow the user to their experiences about the mens mountain bike websites. These forums even assist in knowing the evaluations and experiences. There are a quantity of posts accessible on nearly all the topics related to mountain bikes which is simply emotionally overwhelming. There are some good evaluations being published about the websites for some mountain bikes which include the Honda 26 In Dual Suspension Mountain bike, Elite Mountain Bicycle with dual suspension, the Schwinn 26″ Men’s Aluminum Comp Mountain Bike etc. while buying a brand new brand mountain bicycle be carefull about the cost which is to be according to your budget.

 Save cash for few bicycle accessories for example Bicycle helmet, water bottle, gloves, bicycle lock to name a couple of. Whenever you plan to a purchase a bike, do a bit of investigation about the internet, read a number of magazines, converse with your friends and relatives about their experiences which can assist you decide what kind of mountain bike will suit you. You will find two ways to figure out the right of your bike.  The very best way to purchase a  new bicycle is know your height and regardless of whether your legs will fit in properly. Just give a check to these two things. The commonest sizes which are available in the bike frames are 21/22 inches and 19/20 inches.

Anybody who’s enthusiastic about purchasing can help that person to know the positives and negatives ahead of time. There a quantity of basis on which the bicycle is evaluated and then the ratings and recommendations are given. Anyone who is interested in buying can help that individual to know the positives and negatives ahead of time. You will find forums which allow the user to their experiences about the mountain bike websites. These forums even assist in understanding the reviews and experiences. Examine the seat, it should not be low and also the height of the handle bars is sufficient. Should you require some adjustments in the bike take the bike to the showroom and ask them to do the adjustments.

Aug 24 2010

Men’s Mountain Bike Brakes

Posted by biker in Mountain bikes

There are two types of brakes available for men’s mountain bikes.  The 1 may be the older, traditional ‘V’ brake or rim brake, the other may be the modern disk brake.  Both kinds have their benefits and disadvantages and the final selection you make depends on budget, what type of mountain biking you intend doing and personal preference.

The old type of braking system may be the ‘V’ brake, which is a modification of the older cantilever brake, has been around for decades on all kinds of bicycles.  The brakes slow down the wheel clamping down a rubber brake pad onto the rim from the bicycle wheel.  The brakes are controlled via cables.  This is a simple, cheap option and is simple to maintain, repair and utilize.  Rim brakes are lighter than disk brakes, because there a fewer components.

Rim brakes do have down sides although.  Rim brakes tend to wear out the rim of the wheel and over time, the rim can collapse from the constant frictional wear.  Rim brakes are slower at halting a bike.  Rim brakes require  undamaged, perfectly level rims to work successfully.  Any bumps or flaws about the rim surface will trigger brake judder.  This makes it hard to control the bike while it’s braking from high speed.  The rim brake does not have a big surface area to press against, which adds to its braking inefficiency.  If severe braking is done constantly, the rim brake pads will trigger a slight depression on the rim.  Which means that the tyre has a tendency to brake at one point only in its revolution, causing flat spots on the tire.

Even though disk brakes have been used on automobiles for numerous decades, their arrival about the bicycle scene is fairly recent.  From the mid 1990′s disk brakes were fitted to off road bikes like mountain bikes.  The performance of disk brakes on men’s mountain bikes is superior to that of rim brakes.  Simply because the disk is situated in the center from the wheel, the wheel stops quicker when the brakes are applied.  This really is due to the relative distance the outside of the disk travels in comparison to the rim of the wheel.  Disk brakes are better for higher speed braking and are more suitable for muddy and wet conditions.  This really is partly because of the location from the disk.  Being within the center from the wheel, it’s much further away from mud and debris than the rim.   Disk brakes allow for easier wheel changing.

The stopping power of disk brakes can be increased by using a bigger hub.  This really is essential for downhill racing mountain bikes.  Disk brakes can be of the mechanical type, or from the hydraulic type.  Hydraulic disk brakes are much more responsive and need less force to push the brake calipers together.  They’re much more expensive though and need more care and maintenance.  Hydraulic disk brakes could be fitted to permit the front tyre to turn 360 degrees without cables getting tangled up.  This really is useful for trial and stunt riding.

The major brake type for men’s mountain bikes since the mid 2000′s have been disk brakes.  The overall performance benefits they provide far over-shadow the additional pounds and cost, compared to rim, or ‘V’ brakes.

Aug 21 2010

All About Mens Mountain Bikes

Posted by biker in Mountain bikes

Mountain biking has become more and more well-known this is why you will find manufactured different types of mountainbikes for instance are mens mountainbikes various from women’s mountainbikes. Biking is widely enjoyed not only for fitness and health conscious but also for for example family bonding or joy riding with friends.

Mountainbikes are created for mountainbiking sports which can’t be done by ordinary bikes. Mens mountainbikes are strong and flexible and can easily be managed or maneuver on uneven landscapes. A mountainbike is utilized in numerous events such as competition because men’s mountain bike provides much more professional approach.

There are different types of men’s mountain bicycle; some of these bikes are made for recreation. Some are extremely utilized for competition, and if you are one of them who wants to use men’s mountain bicycle for competition you will find few things you need to remember: for example upgrading your men’s mountain bike. You have to upgrade your mountain according to the functions and requirements for the competitors and for rough terrains. Then proper maintenance for your men’s mountain bicycle is a should. Upgrade your bike towards the accordance towards the requirements and demands.

Another thing to be aware of is that upgrading your men’s mountain bike is important to lower the weight of your bike. Light frame men’s mountain bicycle provides greater and faster speed, also flexibility which you be needing when attending competitions on mountain biking.

Mountain bikes are usually expensive, you are able to find it everywhere in your nearest bike shop or online exactly where they also offer excellent range of affordable but high quality made men’s mountain bike. Also lots of shops have their personal web sites exactly where you really can order or reserve or even see much more items there than you are able to on their physical stores, this could be because of the lack of space they have for their shop that they choose to post their items online instead.  Then you can pick it up at there shop or have it delivered to your own home.

Moreover a men’s mountainbike generally cost more than ordinary bikes due to their additional functions and functions. So if you’re on a budget  but still chasing after a high quality and well made men’s mountain bike discover one with warranty, try browsing the web or even on the internet classified ads and see if you are able to find a second hand but nevertheless in excellent condition bike.

Aug 19 2010

Finding the Best Bike for You – What To Seek Out

Posted by biker in Shopping

It is common to assume picking the right bike is an easy task. Simply finding the bike they like the look of is all there is to it, right? As long as it is comfortable that’s all you need to worry about. However this is not the case, there are plenty of things you need to consider when looking for the right bike. There is more to it nowadays than there used to be. Cycling is increasing in popularity each day, be it for fun or as a serious mode of transport, there are now more bikes to choose from than ever before. It is popular in modern times to use a bike as a serious mode of transport. There are also plenty of people and families who love riding as a hobby. If you want to know those important things to look out for when selecting a bike, read the following.
Consider how the bicycle brakes, for one. You need to make sure you understand how your brakes work and what kind of brakes you need your bike to have. If you are choosing a bicycle for sporadic hobby riding, you can get by with the brakes that are little more than pads that squeeze your tires to keep them from moving. If you are going to be using your bicycle more often or in heavy terrain, you will want brakes that are a little more hard core and complicated. The best kind of braking system to choose for this style of riding is the disk brakes, because they are build to handle more and are less apt to fail under stress.
Before you buy any bicycle, you are going to want to take it for a test ride. You should never buy a bike until you have ridden it first, if only for a couple of minutes. Do you know of anyone that would buy a used car without taking it out for a test drive?
Why wouldn’t you do the same with a bicycle? You really need to be sure to test it if you plan to spend a good bit on the bicycle or if you are going to be spending a lot of time riding it. Choose the bicycle that you know will fit you. There shouldn’t be a problem in making the decision on whether or not the bike is the right size for you, but you should also keep in mind that it needs to fit your riding style as well. You don’t want make an investment on a bike that isn’t going to feel good to ride.
You also need to acquire some safety gear. The new bicycle helmets look and feel nothing like the old bicycle helmets. They are now designed to offer better protection while looking a bit better, as well. You should never, ever ride your bicycle unless you are wearing your helmet. You’d be surprised at how many lives have been saved from that one simple thing.
If you are going to be taking your bike off road, then you need to also invest in some knee and elbow pads, as well as ankle and wrist guards. Pants clips are another great investment, especially if you are using your bike as your sole means of transportation. These are clips that keep your pants legs up and out of the way of your gears and chain.
Your main priority is the physical fit of your bike. That is the primary goal of anyone who chooses cycling as their primary form of transportation. You need to feel safe but also comfortable on your bike, otherwise you won’t enjoy riding it!

Cycling Tips & Tutorials

Aug 18 2010

Tips for Safe Riding on Men’s Mountain Bikes

Posted by biker in Mountain bikes

Riding men’s mountain bikes can inspire numerous fans to force themselves past their own usual boundaries.  When riding on a correct bike trail, the only real restriction you’ve is your riding ability.  The usual urban restrictions of traffic intersections, pedestrians and motor vehicles are not there in the wilderness.  This freedom and the excitement of being on the mountain bicycle in a potentially dangerous environment, can trigger riders to obtain over-confident and trigger accidents that can hurt them, as well as other riders.

Being able to control your mountain bike at all times is critical to your security.  Remember that if you’re incapacitated from a mountain bike accident, there are no cars along the trail to transport you towards the nearest ER.  The very first step to take in riding safely is to have the right equipment and security gear.  This includes  a helmet, gloves, glasses and mens mountain bike shoes.  Have a great understanding of what your own riding limits are and what your bike is capable of.  Make sure you know the route you are taking when riding on a mountain bike trail, so that you are capable to anticipate obstacles, sharp bends and blind corners.  If you’re unfamiliar with the trail you intend riding on, rather take things slowly and follow an additional rider who knows the trail.

If you will find sections from the trail the look too hard or harmful to ride on, instead dismount and carry your bike more than those sections.  You may feel a bit inadequate as a rider, but rather save yourself from injury and your bicycle from damage than attempt some thing beyond your ability.  Be cautious when going downhill at speed.  There may be slower riders up ahead, or someone who has already fallen.  Speeding down a hill and not becoming able to quit in time for a corner could be lethal, especially along contour paths.  Not all men’s mountain bikes are designed for high-speed downhill traveling and anything from the suspension to the brakes could cause problems at higher speed over bumpy terrain.

Should you encounter a section of a trail that looks dangerous or tricky, instead quit the bicycle and examine it and plan how you are going to tackle it.  The same goes for utilizing trick stunts and jumps to obtain across obstacles.  Try to picture what will happen if something goes wrong.  You’ll be able to tell what kind of injuries you’ll sustain and what the chances of avoiding them are if you fall.  Most from the time this visualization technique will quit from attempting some thing that’s downright harmful or stupid.

Gain confidence and experience by practicing easy stunts very first and do these in a park or in your backyard before trying them on a mountain bike trail.  One from the most important tools to use when riding men’s mountain bikes is your instinct.  If something feels as well dangerous to attempt, trust your gut feeling and avoid obtaining horribly injured.

Aug 11 2010

Men’s MTB suspension models

Posted by biker in Mountain bikes

You will find some various suspension types available for men’s mountain bikes.  Which kind you require depends about the type of riding you will be doing and the typical terrain you intend riding on.  When mountain bikes had been first manufactured, all of them had strong, rigid, heavy frames.  None f them had any kind of suspension until the 1990′s when shock absorbers had been very first introduced to the front forks.  Since then, suspension has become more and much more well-liked amongst competitive and recreational MTB cyclists.  You will find four kinds of suspension for mountain bikes:

•    Rigid frame and rigid front forks, without having any rear suspension.

•    Soft tail, with slight rear suspension via frame flex, but without having pivots and no front fork suspension.

•    Hard tail, with shock absorbers about the front forks and no rear suspension at all.

•    Dual or Mens mountain bike full suspension, with shock absorbers about the front and back, with pivots for the rear suspension.

Hard tail mountain bikes were the first to have suspension components.  The early shock absorbers had about 2 inches of suspension travel.  Modern front shocks for mountain bikes have up to 8 inches of travel.  These hard tail mountain bikes have rigid rear suspension, so they’re fairly unsophisticated and rugged.  Most of the riding shock is sensed in the cyclist’s arms when hitting bumps or ramping over obstacles.  By standing on the pedals, with joints bent, the shock from the rigid rear wheel could be lessened.  Hard tail suspension is used for Cross-country mountain bikes (XC) as well as for Dirt Bouncing mountain bikes.  Both disciplines need reliable heavy-duty suspension.

Rigid suspension off-road bikes are not that popular anymore, due to the preference of most recreational bicyclists to get some form of suspension.  Convenience is seen as the main element in determining whether or not to purchase a rigid frame bike.  Rigid frames are used in Single Speed (SS) racing events.  A rigid frame mountain bike will be much less expensive and heavier than the models with suspension elements.  Steel frame mountain bikes are repairable and tough.  The fancier light weight alloy frames generally cannot be repaired and also the entire bike needs replacing following an accident.

Modern day suspension styles have turn out to be more clever to solve the problems that very first plagued soft tail and dual suspension mountain bikes.  Back suspension systems utilized to be rather heavy  and they interfered with the chain and reacted towards the pedaling motion from the cyclist.  Modern rear suspension uses the Horst design, which gives much more freedom of movement towards the rear suspension via allowing it to move on pivots, as well as delivering a rear shock absorber.  Dual suspension is popular amongst downhill racers, simply because the suspension components absorb the shock from bumps and jumps, limiting the bike’s upward travel.  Upward travel results in a loss of forward momentum, making the mountain bike slower after every jump.

Because of the simplicity of difficult tail suspension systems, they’re less expensive to purchase and easier to maintain.  In spite of these factors, more men’s mountain bikes are constructed and sold that feature full or dual suspension.

Written for Mens Mountain Bike.

Aug 10 2010

The Different Varieties Of Bike Handlebars

Posted by biker in Shopping

One of many rising developments in cycling is the flexibility to create your personal bike, built to your own specifications. You can do this by going to a specialist bike builder but that may get very expensive. One of the ways lots of people end up with a custom built bike is through the gradual customisation of their present bike.

One of many first things that tends to be modified is the handlebar and this could be for a few reasons. Firstly, as a result of the riding position is not fairly right for the rider, maybe they should have an excessive amount of of their physique weight over the handlebars making them really feel unstable or possibly the handlebars really feel too distant to regulate the bike properly. The other cause is actually to reinforce the apperance of your bike and to perhaps make it stand out a little bit from everybody else. New handlebars are one of many best modifications to make which is able to handle the entire above.

There are various different types of mountain bike handlebar designs available as after-market products that can assist you resolve a problem together with your using place or just to boost the seems of your bike. Drop handlebars are the kind of handlebar you traditionally see on street bikes or track cycles. They have a short straight tube which then bends away from the rider and drops right into a deep C shape. This permits the rider to undertake various driving positions. A casual trip might mean a more upright place with the hands resting on high of the handlebars. A racing position will more than doubtless require the rider to drop his body forwards with his palms on the underside a part of the C.

Pursuit handlebars, that are also typically referred to as bull horn handlebars because of their appearance. Their use comes from devoted track racing where the place is good for pursuit riding. A technique in which you might make your personal bullhorn handlebars if in case you have a street bike is to cut the drop off your drop handlebars and remount them upside down. This may not be an ideal answer but it surely provides you with an analogous driving position.

There are many different variations of the above which have been developed for various functions and specialisms and it is all the time price having a superb go searching at what’a accessible as there is certain to be one thing that will give you the impact you are looking for.

Aug 09 2010

Tips For Purchasing A Road Bike In Melbourne, Australia

Posted by biker in Road Bikes

A Few Tips For Purchasing A Road Bike In Melbourne, Australia

Choose great deals on bicycles for sale Melbourne by shopping online. Choose the many types of giant road bike choices you have. Head online today and learn more.

For those who covet active lifestyles, Road bikes make the perfect accessories. For those interested in cheap and casual commuting and training for triathlons, these type of bikes are great. Certain things should be considered, however, for people who are interested in buying a road bike in Melbourne.

For their owners, these bikes can serve some very useful purposes. Since they require no gasoline and just a bit of upkeep, they are an energy efficient and cheap transportation form. And thanks to their sturdy frames and multiple gears they are perfect for training athletes as well.

Most bike hobbyists faced with the decision of buying a new road bike often debate on whether or not to go with a previously owned one. With road bicycles, most people will tell you that purchasing a new one is the preferred option. Although there are some excellent used bicycles available, many will still cost a lot. That, paired with the warranties that bike stores often throw in, it’s generally best to go with a new bike.

Determine the type of bike that’ll fit your needs best before you begin a search for one. The model and make that you get should be determined by how you plan to use your new bicycle. The materials you decide to pursue for the bike will make a difference too.

To begin your bicycle search, check out local bike shops and online websites and ads. Good road bikes can be quite expensive so it is important that you look around and get the best deal possible. Many specialty shops will throw in warranties and free tune ups as well so make sure and keep your eyes peeled for these special offers.

When you examine potential bikes in person, the most important thing you can do is to get a fit. Have a knowledgeable salesman or shop owner measure your height and weight in the store. Each model of road bike is different and choosing the wrong one for you could end with damaged knees or a sore back.

Finally, before making your final decision, be sure to have an idea of your budget in mind. A road bike can range in price from five thousand dollars down to one hundred. You’ll be less likely to have a salesman pressure you into purchasing something you can’t afford if you know how much you can spend beforehand. That being said, never do business with a salesman or store that uses force as a sales method.

In conclusion, road bikes can be wonderful investments whether you just enjoy riding a bike to work or are looking to train seriously for an event. Before you get one, be sure and do your research and find out which type of bike will work best for your needs. Whether it is aluminum or steel, the type of material a bike is made of is a big decision too. Be sure to stay on budget and get fitted for your bike by a trusted professional and soon you’ll have a trusted bike that should last you a number of years