Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category:
Written on August 28th, 2009 by HomeSpkno shouts
Whether you are just getting inquisitive about the game of cycling or have been an avid cycle rider for a while it’s critical that you are supplied with the correct cycling clothing. Cycling clothing will not only help by keeping you safe and comfortable during your bike ride but as well keep you looking fashionable and at the head of your game. When it comes to cycling clothing, there are some pieces particularly which are thought to be as the fundamentals and which any bike rider, noob to classy, should have in their wardrobe. Initially you could be deterred as you could be worried by the indisputable fact that you are not in a position to afford the custom cycling jerseys and pro gear that some riders can, but you must know this isn’t going to have any effect on your performance. As long as you are choosing the correct pieces, you’ll be able to find just as top quality cycling clothing except for a more cost effective cost. Cycling jackets and cycling jerseys are truly one of the first things that you need to be purchasing.
They may keep the sun from burning your arms when riding in the day and keep you warm during cooler weather. You wish to try to find a light-weight water-resistant jacket, and when you’re out on the marketplace for your jacket you must look for a cycling cap, bike leg warmers or perhaps some knee heaters to keep you on the trails even if the weather won’t be the nicest.
Helmet Another piece of cycling clothing that is vital is the helmet. It is urgent that you wear a helmet when cycling, and you take a little time to select the right one. Remember that you only would like to buy helmets that are approved by the acceptable authorities.
You also wish to try on different helmets until you find one that fits your head comfortably. It shouldn’t be too tight or too loose, and should touch the crown, sides, front and back of your head. Also bear in mind that if at any point your helmet ever suffers any damage, the best idea is to just go out and get a new one instead of trying to fix the one that you have. Helmets are cheap enough this isn’t going to put you out much and it’ll make certain that you are safe and secure while cycling. The worst mistake that some folks make is presuming that because cycling is a low impact sport that there isn’t any need to have the right cycling clothing and gear. This is absolutely wrong, and you can suffer major harm if you aren’t wearing your helmet and other protecting gear.
Article by John Black
Written on August 24th, 2009 by HomeSpkno shouts
Having a bike rack is one of the most important things you can own if you’re going to get serious about biking. You can spend as much money on your bike as you want, if you can’t go out do different places around the country then you’re seriously hampering your experience.
You have to research what you want. How many bikes are you planning to carry? There’s nothing worse than having a bike rack big enough for just one and then you decide to take a friend with you. Not cool.
Secondly you need to know what kind of bike rack fits best to your style of car. Is it a hatchback? A saloon? A sports car? Doing your research is key to getting a decent product,these things all need taking into consideration,. Bike racks can be a complete nightmare if you don’t do you research, as the person at the link found out…
Buying cheap products is a false economy. If it’s £40 cheaper than other models, is it worth buying if it doesn’t do it’s job? No it isn’t. It’s for this reason that the strap on variety is probably out of the question. If you’ve got a tow bar, then definitely opt for a bike rack which fits the tow bar, they fit to your car better and you don’t risk scratching your paintwork. As well as this, they’re much easier to add and remove without fearing you’ll rip your car to shreds every time.
So, the top tips are, find out how many bikes you want to carry, figure out which rack best fits to your style of vehicle, and where possible purchase a tow bar bike rack. Of course if you’re a total bad ass you could opt for one of these. Let us know how that goes…
Written on August 24th, 2009 by HomeSpkno shouts
These days retro bike jerseys are gaining in popularity amongst cycling enthusiasts. specially with cyclists that also have a passion for looking great and having a little fun with the way they look while they ride their bicycles. Some believe this popularity for retro cycling jerseys all started when Lance Armstrong won the Tour de France championship while he and his team were wearing a retro cycling jerseys that featured an image of the old U.S. Mail logo from over 30 years ago.
Whether or not this is the true foundation of their popularity, sales of retro cycling jerseys is increasing every day, particularly as access to buying them online gets easier as more and more companies set up shop by putting e-commerce on their websites. The retro bike jerseys come in a wide variety of colors styles and with a myriad of images depicted on them. Images sported on retro bike jerseys these days include novelty images such as Dr Seuss’ Cat in the Hat or the Grinch who Stole Christmas, Betty Boop, Bozo the Clown and even sesame street characters like Oscar the Grouch and Big Bird.
An online company that has some lovely older images on their retro cycling jerseys is the retro image apparel company. The pictures that are used for their selection come from the pictures that are currently in the ‘Horton collection line’ included in these are such well known images as:
* The1935 World Championship Men’s Jersey, a race of 216km over cobblestone roads in Belgium.
* Women’s Phebus, a recreation of a cycling advertising image created by Henri Grey in 1896.
* Men’s Cataluna, the image on this shirt comes from a poster that was made for the 1943 cycling race in spaind called the Vuelta Catalonia.
* Green Eggs and Ham, a colorful jersey with pictures of the characters and happenings from the Dr Seuss story of the same name published for the first time in 1960.
A second great source for retro cycling jerseys and novelty bike jerseys is the website and shop at Amazon.com you will find a great range of items to select from. Amazon stocks a large range of bike jerseys for men women and children as well as other bike clothing, cycling shoes and other accessories. Yet another company that stocks a great range of both novelty cycling jerseys and retro cycling jerseys is ModernBike.com they also have a great range of cycling gear, bike clothing, shoes and other accessories.
Go ahead and have some fun with how you look when you are cycling. take a look at the large range of retro and novelty cycling jerseys available easily on various websites.
Article by John Black
Written on August 24th, 2009 by HomeSpkno shouts
The hybrid bicycle has been around for a few years, but it is becoming increasingly popular now, both with commuters and leisure cyclists alike. With pressure to use the car less from environmentalists and ever increasing fuel costs, the hybrid bike is emerging as a credible alternative to the traditional journey to work in the car.
So just what is a hybrid bike? They are essentially a cross between a mountain bike, a touring bike and a racing bike. The mountain bike is probably the most popular bike for general cycling, particularly off-road. But when on the road they can be cumbersome and heavy, with the deep tread tyres creating a drag on the road surface. The hybrid bicycle uses mountain bike features such as suspension and wider tyres, but on larger diameter rims such as those found on racing bikes. The tyres have a flat line in the centre, to reduce the drag effect on the road but still have the usual textured tread on the outer part of the tyre for grip off-road. Most people wouldn’t dream of riding to work on a racing bike because of the discomfort over a longer distance, especially in rush hour traffic. Similarly a mountain bike isn’t suitable because of the tread on the tyre and the lack of storage for work items.
Some models also feature panniers for storage, something normally associated with touring bikes. The gears tend to be similar to the mountain bike, with around 25 speeds or so, as do the handlebars which are flat. They are relatively inexpensive as well, when compared to a racing bike or mountain bike and because of the all round nature of them, just one bike could be used both for the journey to work and at the weekend in the park with the children. Cheap bikes can be found just by going to Google, or down at the high street where you of course have the luxury of being able to try them out first!
Written on August 17th, 2009 by HomeSpkno shouts
New and improved models of the cycling mountain bike are continuously being offered by bike manufacturers, who are vying to outdo one another to be the ones offering improved features and better cycling bikes. Even a more experienced mountain biker, with all the various models and makes available, will find it difficult to choose the best bike for them. The good news is that there are numerous mountain bikers that are swarming the World Wide Web and. In addition, there are numerous magazines devoted only to dealing and talking about the cycling mountain bike.
Spoiled For Choice
Whether you read a magazine or go online to find information about the cycling mountain bike, you will be spoiled for choice and much of the information being made available to interested people comes straight from the hearts and minds and of course mouths of seasoned mountain bikers. You can find out about various cycling mountain bike models and their prices, as well as benefit from feedback about how well different models and makes perform in real world conditions.
Valuable information can be found by reading mountain bike reviews, which generally provide a desription of the bike, an analysis of their features, and the parts. This will give you the knowledge to find the best cycling bike for you. What’s more, the newer models have been test ridden by expert mountain bikers and the results of the tests can prove to be very informative and helpful to everyone that is interested in the cycling mountain bike.
The best part about reading a cycling mountain bike review is that they will compare different models and provide useful ratings to help you understand the differences and good and bad points of each bike being compared. This information can prove to be especially helpful to anyone planning on buying a cycling mountain bike.
You should also visit forums where topics related to the cycling mountain bike are discussed by fellow shoppers and users of these kinds of bikes. As a result, not only can you continue to develop an interest in cycling mountain bikes, but also find other likeminded individuals who share your interest in cycling.
The indoor cycling bike is available in numerous colors as well as styles which mean that you will have your hands full trying to decide which particular make and model will suit you the best. Reading a review can prove to be a step in the right direction as you will find out from the experts what to look for and where to buy the right kind of such cycling bike.
Written on August 14th, 2009 by HomeSpkno shouts
If you’d like an easy-to-ride, comfortable bike for getting to work and exercising, a hybrid bike could be the right kind of bike for you. Some of the best hybrid bikes around today are easy to ride, extremely lightweight and very comfortable. Hybrid bikes are really easy to pedal on the roads. Many also enable you to ride off-road when necessary.
The main appealing features of the best hybrid bikes include a frame that is designed specifically for comfort and efficient pedalling, and adjustable parts that offer either an upright position or, if you prefer, a more aerodynamic position. They mostly also have smooth suspension and are made of very lightweight yet durable materials that allow for speed while absorbing any vibrations.
The suspension fork on the best hybrid bikes provides control even over rougher surfaces. It also protects you from bumps and jolts for a smoother and more comfortable ride.
You’ll also find suspension seat posts on many hybrid bikes. These are an excellent lightweight feature to soften bumps and add comfort where it’s needed, for example going over obstacles such as curbs.High air pressure in the tyres also aids faster speeds and makes long rides possible.
Contemporary hybrid bikes also have advanced gear systems that are easy to shift and make hills easy work. Most Hybrid bikes also have very good braking systems, which means you can stop efficiently and control your speed easily.
The best hybrid bikes nowadays come with improved, ergonomic saddles that provide a lot more comfort than saddles ever used to. They are mostly made using anatomical shapes, flexible frames and even gel padding on the saddles, to give you a much more pleasurable journey than in a stuffy car.
There has been a huge increase in the range of hybrid bikes on offer recently and most of the large bike manufacturers offer a hybrid bike range. The increase in the number of hybrid bikes being sold can be connected to the improving quality, comfort level and falling price of hybrid bikes on the market, and for the best hybrid bikes you can even shop from home and order one from the internet.
Written on August 14th, 2009 by HomeSpkno shouts
Bike riding enthusiasts have come to see that bike jerseys are one of the most useful items of bicycling garments that you can purchase. Cycling jerseys are essential as their purpose is to stop you from becoming too hot while cycling; while simultaneously helping to safeguard you from ravages of the sun. Wearing cycling jerseys is a ‘must’ no matter how long you’ve been riding.
Sourcing bike jerseys is quite easy to do nowadays, specially if you are someone who likes to shop on the internet. So if you want to find out where to buy your cycling jerseys there are plenty of places to buy them, and an amazing array of different styles, colors and patterns too. Some cycling accessory manufacturers are better than others though so it pays to be careful; it’s like everything you get what you pay for. One that is highly regarded is Pro Cycle Gear; this is a company that creates the very best Italian made pro Euro team bike shorts and bike jerseys.
If you want to look good and stay protected with your cycling jerseys, then Pro Cycle Gear offer a really great range of bike jerseys, the selection is quite large which gives you many options to select from. Their range is constantly changing and being renewed and they stock a huge number of well known brands including Nalini, Santini, and Giordana. This means that the entire range that they sell is produced using the best quality fabrics that utilizes the latest technology in its design.
Bikemania is a company that is gaining increasing recognition as one of the best bike clothing sellers on the internet. They are becoming well known as a company that provides the biggest range of cycling jerseys to choose from. Their products are top quality and it has become well known that their prices are very competitive. More and more cyclists are turning to online purchasing and Bikemania in particular. Their range includes a range of increasingly popular retro jerseys as well as bicycling jerseys for men, women and children in a range of creative designs with every imaginable style.
Most companies these days have a great selection of different types of bike clothing, apparel and accessories in their inventory. These can include items such as cycling sunglasses, bike leg warmers, watches, cycling backpacks and base layers, the list is endless.
The most important thing to consider when it comes to bike riding is to be sure that you are safe and that you are safeguarding your well being. The majority of bicyclists would concur that finding clothing and gear that also looks good is important too. Cycling jerseys are avalable in a large range that fit these criteria well. So look carefully and don’t rush into anything, if you look carefully you are sure to find the gear most suitable for you and your budget.
It is important to keep in mind that if you decide to buy your bike jerseys through a website online, that it is a good idea to be cautious about who you shop with and make sure that their site is secure before handing over your credit card and any other private details.
Article by Johnathon Black
Written on August 10th, 2009 by HomeSpkno shouts
Purchasing suspension forks for mountain bicycles isn’t as easy as it used to be. With countless different styles of frames now available specifically designed to a style of riding, manufactured by different corporations which permit a different size travel fork, purchasing suspension can just be a headache.
Cross country is maybe what most of the people think of when they imagine mountain bikers a number of terrain across hills and mountains typically ridden for fun or against each other or the clock. While this isn’t the only form of mountain biking today it is definitely more than likely the most popular in conditions of numbers.
Like the frames that they fit, cross country mountain bike suspension forks must be light to keep the general bike weight down that may increase rider performance. They are going to require some suspension ( normally referred to as travel ) but will not be rigid in order to permit some kind of defense against the bumps and knocks a rider will encounter whilst riding on coarse tracks. The quantity of travel routinely permitted on cross country suspension forks is around 80mm-100mm.
Original designs of mountain bike forks used springs like you see on automobiles or elastometers however the design trend is now moving toward air sprung shocks. This change of direction in the design of mountain bicycle forks has a number of added benefits ; the absence of moving parts keep the weight to a minimum and air sprung forks are easily adjustable. The drawback of this change in design is the parts can often be harder to maintain and take less abuse than their coil sprung counterparts.
Prices of cross country mtb forks can vary significantly with the pinnacle of the range models like the DT Swiss and RockShox costing over £400 ( $800 ) to the cheaper Ritchey and Kinesis forks costing a little over £100 ( $200 ).
Written on August 6th, 2009 by HomeSpkno shouts
Mountain Biking and indeed cycling in general is one of the most popular sports in the world. Part of its appeal comes from the fact that cycling can be done for fun, exercise, sport, or in a functional capacity such as commuting to work. However, anyone who has ridden their bike for any great length of time or at high intensity will be only too aware that pains and strains can creep in if you are not careful. Let’s take a look at 3 of the most common complaints and how they can be avoided.
Wrist Problems. When you are traveling over bumps or uneven ground, the force is usually transmitted through the forks and into the wrists. What’s more, as your upper body weight is usually pushing down on your wrists, they can often be put under a lot of strain and become inflamed or injured. A good way to avoid this is have decent suspension on the bike to absorb a lot of the pressure, or alternatively find a bike that is made out of impact absorbing material such as the Trek Madone.
Backside Pain. This is one of the most common complaints and is basically a result of repetitive pressure on the gluteus maximus (backside) muscle and surrounding sensitive areas. The long term implications of not addressing such problems can be serious, including infertility and hernia. If you are going to buy a new saddle it is well worth testing it out extensively and giving it a few miles worth of use, as sometimes saddles can start off comfortable, but cause problems after a while. You can also purchase special cycle clothing such as padded shorts which act to dampen the effect of harmful pressure.
Knee Injury. A large number of cyclists report suffering from inflamed knee joints or damage to the cartilage in the knee. There are bike settings that can aggravate this problem, such as having the saddle too high but generally it is caused by overuse and too much strain on the knees. Try making sure all your bike components have shock-absorbing qualities, such as Zipp wheels which reduce the amount of force transferred through the knee joint.
Written on July 28th, 2009 by HomeSpkno shouts
We’ve seen them all, the wide array of different cyclists on their morning commute. All wearing different cycle clothing, from suits to lycra. All riding different types of bikes ranging from streamlined road bikes to slow and steady granny bikes.
Obviously the choice that people make is based upon what they are using the bike for. A number of things affect your choice of bike, what things you need to take with you, how far you’re going, will they have showers at the office.
The majority of people believe they use the most efficient way for getting to work. But have they really? Would it be faster for a granny bike to get to work rather than a fixed gear bike? You’d think not, but I might just prove you wrong.
If you consider how long it takes for 4 different cyclists to get from home to work, we’ll then see who is the fastest. If we pick out 2 lycra wearing cyclists and place one on a road bike and the other on a fixed gear bike. The choose your other cyclists, one in a suit on a granny bike, the other in casual clothes on a mountain bike.
Of course a large number of people will think that the fixed gear and the road bike will shoot off and beat the others by miles. This is true, however, don’t cut out the other competitors yet. Once these 2 arrive at their place of work, they are sweating uncontroably. So for them, not only do you take the travel time, but you also have to add on time for a shower.
For the other 2, the mountain biker may have got there resonably quickly, but being still a bit sticky, a shower will be required. Finally, the granny bike, although it comes in last, the rider is sweat free and has enjoyed their ride. No need to relax and refresh, the rider happily walks into work.
So once you get all the factors together and plus the amount of time taken to get to work, plus the time to recover from cycling. The granny bike wins by a good margin. It proves that slow and steady really does win the daily commute.
Next time you go on the commute, take time to think if you’re getting there fast enough.
Older Posts »
