Exercise Bikes, More Than Just Clothes Racks

January 25th, 2010

In the world of home exercise equipment, few pieces have been around as long as the exercise bike. Although exercise bikes (fitness bikes, studio bikes) received a bad rap for a number of years, being used as clothes hangers, etc., the new versions are sleek, silent, and easy to use.

There are two basic types of exercise bikes, the upright and the recumbent. An upright is what most people think of when they think of exercise bikes. The upright is closest to a regular bike, narrow saddle, pedals below the rider, handle bars out front. On the other hand, a recumbent exercise bike has a wider seat with a small back support. The pedals are out front, and the rider is in a reclined position. Both bikes have good and bad points as we shall see.

The traditional setup of an upright bike allows the rider to more closely simulate an actual bike ride than possible with a recumbent. The rider is able to stand, assume a race crouch, or a neutral position. Trouble is, if the rider has any sort of back problems, especially lower back, an upright can irritate the condition leading to worse problems. An upright is more difficult to get on and off of because of a higher proximity to the ground. This can be problematic for older or overweight people. An upright takes up less room than a recumbent. You may want to keep this in mind if your exercise area is on the small side.

A recumbent exercise bike is easier on riders with lower back troubles, and is lower to the ground, allowing riders that have difficulties getting on an upright to still be able to get a workout on an exercise bike. Don’t let the recumbents seemingly easier ride make you think you’re not getting a total workout; you are. a recumbent does have a larger footprint, keep this in mind when deciding where to put your workout gear.

Exercise bikes have come a long way from the simple, noisy, boring rides they once were. Modern bikes have a dizzying array of electronics that allow you to program a ride that simulates hills and other riding conditions. Most bikes, both upright and recumbent, now come with a sophisticated control panel that will keep you updated on your workout by giving you feedback on such items as heart rate, calories burned, speed, distance, and watts. The resistance system on most exercise bikes is magnetic. The bikes take advantage of a magnets ability to repel and attract to change resistance on the fly, enabling the rider to experience real time varying conditions. This type of resistance also gives the bikes whisper quiet operation.

An exercise bike workout is a excellent way to receive both cardio and aerobic workouts as well as leg and back muscle strength. Unlike a treadmill or roadwork, an exercise bike will not jar your joints, the workouts are very low impact. In addition to the basic types, a dual action bike is available. These bikes have handlebars linked to the drive system so you get an arm and upper body workout at the same time as your lower body workout.

Deals on exercise bikes can be found both on and off line. Make sure to do a little homework on the party you are buying from. Used bikes can be found on auction sites like Ebay, or specialty stores like Second Wind. Another source to consider is buying used bikes from a fitness center when they upgrade. You may be able to get a club quality bike for a good price.

To find out more about portable exercise bicycles, and exercise bikes in general,


visit:
Exer-Cycles. Learn where to get


parts, how to maintain a bike, and what to look for when purchasing one.


John Phillips owns and operates http://exer-cycles.com

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Safety Tips for Using Super Pocket Bikes

January 25th, 2010

With the advent of technology, inventions increase with each passing day, and motorized inventions are no exception to that. One of the most outstanding inventions in the world of motorcycles is the super pocket bikes. These super fast, miniature motorcycles have become the latest fad today of every speed enthusiast.

Super pocket bikes are a smaller version for the super bikes used in racing. This mini-bike isn’t the only mini invention in the motor world. It shares spotlight with the dirt pocket bike – a mini version of the dirt bikes specially created for children, and the fast pocketbike – built for adventure seekers who love the thrill of riding on a pocket bike.

Super pocket bikes are just like the usual racing bikes except for the fact that they are much smaller yet still larger than the mini pocket bikes. Super “mini” pocket motorcycles are also equipped with automatic transmissions, disc brakes, powerful engines and super fast speed capacity.

Safety in riding the super pocket bikes has become a critical issue for most parents of younger pocket bike riders. It may appear that kids fit perfectly on the super pocket bikes more than the adults do. However, this does not specifically mean that kids are encouraged to ride the super pocket bikes. Though small in size, super pocket bikes are actually designed for the big people and not for the small kids. It is specially made for experienced pocket bike riders who wish to ride a faster pocket bike. But apparently, if kids are really eager to ride and use the super pocket bike, then they would need the permission and supervision of a responsible adult in order to do as they wish.

Here are some safety tips one should put in minds before riding on the super pocket bikes:

Should never be ridden on regular and national highways or streets.
Before riding, you must understand first your local rules and regulations.
Sshould only be used on tracks or locations made specifically for racing pocket bikes.
These pocket “rockets” can go as fast as 75mph, so it is advised that the rider should wear special protective equipment before riding the bike.
Do not ride any motorcycle (mini or not) in ride conditions that might impair your visibility or reaction time.

If used in the right way, super pocket bikes can surely be a great way to enjoy speed to its fullest. Please be sure to practice proper safety tips so that you or your children (not recommended) will remain safe. Again, always wear a helmet and do no ride your pocket bike on public roads. Ride smart, ride safe.

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Exercise Bikes vs. Treadmills

January 24th, 2010

You’ve decided you want to exercise at home. There are hundreds of pieces of home cardio equipment available. The most popular are treadmills and exercise bikes. In deciding between the two, you should compare long-term sustainability, the effectiveness of the workouts, and safety.

Overcoming Boredom

The biggest obstacle to a home exercise routine is sticking with it. You don’t have to drive to a gym, so your home fitness equipment is more convenient. The problem is that other distractions are just as convenient at home. The key is to make your routine fun. You want to look forward to your daily workout. You have to be realistic. Playing with the heart rate monitor or watching the calorie counter go up will only be fun the first couple of times you exercise.

o Treadmill vs. Boredom

On a treadmill, you walk. Walking isn’t that fun. You can walk at different speeds, but that isn’t really much more fun. If you get a treadmill that offers an incline, that keeps it a bit more interesting. Walking uphill isn’t exactly fun, but it’s different. It presents a challenge.

You can’t really read on a treadmill because you are bouncing up and down. You can’t keep your eyes on the same sentence, and you usually end up with a headache. Basically, the only thing fun to do on a treadmill is watch television or movies. If you are really into TV or movies and are able to put your treadmill in front of a television, you can probably keep your treadmill workout from becoming too boring. Problems consist of commercials, the noise coming from the machine, and again, the bouncing.

o Exercise Bikes vs. Boredom

Exercise bikes are unique in that many of them come programmed with various biking routines. You simulate different courses that require you to sprint, pedal uphill, and perform at different levels within one workout without having to keep pressing buttons and changing everything. You can even select random programs so you don’t know what’s coming, which really keeps you on your toes. Some exercise bikes can even be plugged into televisions and video games to let you interactively pedal through visual courses.

On upright exercise bikes, you run into some of the same problems as treadmills as far as reading is concerned. Recumbent bikes, however, allow your hands to be free to hold a book or magazine, video game controller, or phone. Multi-tasking during an exercise bike workout keeps it from becoming boring and allows your workout to more easily fit into a busy schedule.

Defeating boredom to successfully keep up a long-term exercise routine is much easier with an exercise bike than a treadmill.

The Calorie Factor

In a study conducted by Nordic Track, young, healthy people used various exercise machines and did cardio workouts. Although they felt they used the same intensity on all machines, they burned the most calories on treadmills and ski machines.

On average, most people burn about 750 calories per hour on a treadmill. The same people are likely to burn about 550 calories per hour on an exercise bike. So it’s a no-brainer, right? You should get a treadmill because they burn more calories.

Well, not exactly. You can’t get so caught up in which machine burns the most calories. You have to take a lot of other factors into consideration. How likely are you to sustain a treadmill routine as opposed to an exercise bike routine?

Because exercise bikes are usually more fun than treadmills, you are much more likely to stick with it long-term. This means that even though you can burn more calories on a treadmill, you are also more likely to stop using it altogether.

You might also find it difficult to use it long enough per workout session to get the full benefits. Most people find it easier to workout for 20 minutes on an exercise bike than 20 minutes on a treadmill. You have to think about that. If you are likely to only do 10 minutes on a treadmill but can easily do 20 minutes on an exercise bike, you will burn more calories per session on an exercise bike.

So just going strictly by the numbers, treadmills burn more calories. If you easily get bored or have tried and failed to stick with exercise routines in the past, you might want to consider burning less calories per hour in favor of a sustainable long-term exercise bike regimen.

Your Safety

The biggest difference between exercise bikes and treadmills is overall safety to your body.

The first case of safety is the most basic. You can fall off of a treadmill. It’s very difficult, however, to fall off of an exercise bike. In fact, you would probably have to try to fall when riding an exercise bike. While you might be thinking you’d have to be pretty clumsy to fall while walking, it happens more than you’d think. People get involved with watching television or the beat of music. One wrong step and you can seriously injure yourself. It’s also possible to spill water or sweat on the treadmill track, causing a safety hazard you might not notice until after you’ve slipped.

Another safety hazard is injury from the activity itself. A treadmill puts quite a bit of stress on your joints, especially your knees and ankles. Even if you invest in a treadmill with some degree of shock absorption, when you eventually get to a jogging or running point, you can put severe orthopedic stress on your body, even up to three times your body weight. People with existing conditions such as arthritis will find a treadmill painful at times due to this stress. Otherwise healthy individuals can sustain injury and possible long-term damage over time.

Exercise bikes put much less stress on your joints. A properly positioned exercise bike supports your weight and still allows you to receive the benefits of a higher impact cardio workout. Upright bikes can sometimes stress your back in the way you have to bend to reach the handlebars. Recumbent exercise bikes, however, can actually improve existing back pain by forcing proper posture and giving support as you exercise. On any exercise bike properly used, your knees and ankles are not stressed as they are on a treadmill.

The less you stress joints, the less likely you are to sustain an injury during your workout. You are also less likely to be sore afterwards. Most importantly, a non-workout injury doesn’t always have to halt your exercise routine on an exercise bike. If you hurt your back or neck, you will find the support of a recumbent exercise bike will keep you from having to stop your exercise regimen altogether. Let’s face it – if you have to stop, you are less likely to start again.

An Exercise Bike is Better for Your Health than a Treadmill

As you can see, both pieces of home fitness equipment have advantages. While the treadmill continues to be the most popular piece of home gym equipment, most people are more likely to faithfully use an exercise bike. This means you’re more likely to have to dust a treadmill until it gets the garage sale sticker.

Michael Walker is a freelance author providing useful information about exercise bikes, recumbent bike and home fitness equipment. His numerous articles offer comprehensive tips and solutions for the fitness enthusiast.

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How to Lose Weight with an Exercise Bike Program

January 24th, 2010

Your pants are a bit tight, you can’t seem to stop eating junk, and you’re tired all of the time. It’s time to get healthy and lose weight. Combined with a more sensible diet, an exercise bike can help you achieve the results you want.

Ugh, the Diet.

So many people go wrong here. Forget fad diets, forget starvation. Slow and steady wins the race. Try changing one thing about your diet. Limit yourself to one soda a day. Stop skipping meals. If you always clean your plate, start leaving one or two bites. A total change in diet is work. If you go for a radical change, you are setting yourself up for failure. You’ll be surprised how well small changes work.

The Right Bike Determines Your Success

This is a critically important part. There are literally hundreds of exercise bikes available. You have to be honest with yourself to discover the one that will work best for you. If you talk yourself into some fantasy world where your exercise plan is going to work this time even though there’s nothing different, you’re going to be disappointed. If you think ahead, you will buy the right bike for your needs. You will end up with a successful long-term exercise routine.

Think back to your last exercise routine attempt. Why did you stop? Did you suffer an injury? Did you get bored? Was it just too hard to do every day? Was it hard to find the time? Answer these questions truthfully. If you don’t figure out where you went wrong, you won’t be able to come up with a solution.

Avoiding and Working Through Injuries

If an injury caused you to stop working out, how did you sustain your injury? Becoming physically fit is supposed to help you prevent injuries, not cause them. There is an exercise bike for someone who has been injured working out. It’s called a recumbent exercise bike. It’s the kind found in a lot of health clubs. It has a large, bucket seat, and you sit back and low to the ground. It is perfect for people beginning a new exercise routine. It’s also very good for back problems as it forces you to keep good posture. It puts no pressure on your joints, and you can keep working out even if you have minor injuries.

Overcoming Boredom

Did you get bored the last time you tried to workout on a regular basis? If you did, you are likely to get bored again. With exercise bikes, the solution is usually a bike with several different levels and riding programs. You can get bikes with different difficulty levels. This means that when it becomes too easy for you to pedal, you simply move up to the next level instead of having to ride longer (which just isn’t likely to happen for the person who is easily bored). You can also get different programs. Programs give you variety and goals. They make you pedal harder, simulate conquering hills, and even sprinting for short periods.

Riding programs might not be enough for you. You might need a bike that you can hook up to your television that simulates riding through different courses. You can take a leisurely ride through a park or compete with other computer riders on a difficult obstacle course. These bikes might cost more up front, but if you don’t invest in a bike that will let you sustain your workout, you’re wasting money on anything less.

The coolest thing for game addicts who get bored is an interactive bike that plugs into a Sony Playstation or Playstation 2. It makes over 50 games interactive. Whatever is happening on your bike happens on the screen in bike, car, and similar games. There are all types of similar bikes available.

If you plan on listening to music or watching TV while you cycle, be sure to pay attention to features that will make the exercise bike quieter. It’s also a good idea to get a quieter bike if you live with other people. For all you know, your workout time is going to be 5AM or midnight. A quieter bike won’t disturb other people in your home.

Don’t Try to Be Lance Armstrong Yet…

People beginning exercise programs are sometimes too ambitious. It’s good to be excited, but you have to remain realistic. If your last exercise program failed because it was just too much work, don’t make the same mistake again. Fight the urge to overdo your first workouts. It is critical to your long-term success that you start out slow. If you go from no exercise at all to 5 to 10 minute exercise bike workouts with little resistance, you are much more likely to avoid injury, soreness, and most of all, early feelings of defeat. If you aim too high – expecting to go from a sedentary lifestyle to 45 minute workouts immediately, for example – you are setting yourself up for failure. When you don’t reach your unattainable goal, it is more likely you’ll quit altogether to alleviate the feeling of failure that much sooner.

The perfect bikes for people who get a bit over-excited are exercise bikes with built in riding programs. You simply start out at the lowest level, and the bike determines your workout. You program in a small goal (10 minutes, 50 calories, or .25 mile) and when you reach that goal, your workout is over.

Finding the Time

You do have time to burn fat and calories on an exercise bike. No matter how intense your schedule is, there are people busier than you who find time to make an exercise routine work. They are not better than you. They don’t have more than 24 hours in a day. They simply figured out how to make it work. You can, too.

It can be as simple as the time of day you chose to workout in the past. There is scientific evidence that people who are “morning people” or “night owls” are physically different. Different people have energy at different times. Think about when you work best. If you wake up without an alarm clock ready to go, you should exercise first thing in the morning. If you are a night owl, you should consider working out at night. You might find that you are one of the people who tire yourself out enough with a night workout to sleep like a baby.

You Can Do This!

Losing weight is not a punishment. You are smart enough to know how to eat a little better and become more active. If you are honest with yourself, you will choose the proper bike. You want to look forward to the workout itself. Don’t get caught up in which bike burns more calories. Find an exercise bike you will enjoy riding. Figure out the time of day that’s best for you to exercise. Make it like getting dressed or bathing – it’s just something you do every day. You don’t have to train for the Tour de France. You just have to get on and do something every day. Ten minutes a day will yield results. Bookmark this article for future motivation, find your exercise bike, and get busy!

Michael Walker is a freelance author providing useful information about exercise bikes, recumbent exercise bike and home fitness equipment. His numerous articles offer comprehensive tips and solutions for the fitness enthusiast.

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Trek Mountain Bikes – Riding a Tour

January 23rd, 2010

If you are in the market for a new bike – or even for your first bike, you definitely need to check out Trek Mountain Bikes. Trek Mountain Bikes have been around since the beginning of mountain bike time, and they aren’t going anywhere soon – except maybe to the next challenging trail!

First you should note that trek designs and manufactures mountain bikes, as well as street bikes, but the company does much more than that. As for bikes, they produce such high quality rides that even Lance Armstrong rides a Trek! What better endorsement could the company have than that?

Trek has a line of accessories that are highly suited to mountain bikers of all ages and skill levels. Clothing and shoes, under the Trek brand are available through the website. You can also purchase helmets and other safety equipment, lights, locks, saddles, racks, packs, trainers, bike maintenance gear, trailers, team wear, Trek souvenirs, and even computers for your bike! Trek even has their own specially designed water bottles, and they sell nutrition bars and packs as well!

Now that you know that Trek is all about bikes and mountain bikes – and fulfilling the needs and whims of bikers and mountain bikers, visit the site, and start building your Trek mountain bike. That’s right! You can build your very own virtual Trek Bike. You can start with just the frame, or select a complete bike. You can choose the color scheme, and many other features as well – when you have virtually designed the bike of your dreams, you can order it if you want to! If you can’t afford it just yet, however, you can save it, and go back and look at it over and over again.

Once you’ve purchased your Trek mountain bike, you may be interested in a Trek mountain bike tour. Trek also caters to mountain bikers with Trek Travel. Trek Travel puts together mountain biking tours. You can plan your Trek Travel vacation based on where you want to go, the type of trip you want to take, the skill level that you are at, the dates you want to travel, or by selecting a pre-planned event. These are often guided tours, and the guides are well trained not only to make sure that you have the best biking adventure possible, but also that you remain safe during your tour.

If you aren’t quite ready to buy the Trek mountain bike, you can still go on one of the many Trek mountain bike tours – and the bike will be provided for you! You get to choose between the OCLV Carbon Fiber Trek 5.2 Madone road bike and the full-suspension Trek Fuel EX9 mountain bike – and the bike is included in the price of your tour. If you’ve already purchased a Trek bike – or any other brand of bike – and you prefer to bring your own bike on your tour, bring it along! Trek simply requires that you pack it in a bike carrying case. You will, however, be expected to reimburse Trek for any spare parts you may use during the trip, and you will be responsible for the care and maintenance, as well as the assembly and disassembly, of your own bike.

If you aren’t in the best of shape, don’t let this keep you from the fun and adventure of a Trek mountain bikes tour! There are easy tours available, where you will average thirty miles per day, or less. The terrain will be flat, and you can ride at your own pace, and riding is optional each day. If you prefer something a bit more adventurous, there are moderate trips available as well.

With a moderate trip, you will ride 30 – 45 miles per day. There will be occasional challenges and climbs, and again, riding is optional. Avid tours cover 45 to 70 or more miles per day and are extremely challenging. Choose the package that is right for your abilities, as well as a tour that fits in with the other things you want to do on your Trek mountain bikes vacation!

Mt-bikes.com provides you with information on giant mountain bikes, specialized mountain bikes, trek mountain bikes, mountain bike holidays and mountain bike reviews. http://www.mt-bikes.com/

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Specialized Mountain Bikes – A little Customization goes a Long way

January 23rd, 2010

There are many makes and models of mountain bikes on the market today. In fact, you can usually find exactly what you want – right off the showroom floor – without ordering specialized mountain bikes. However, sometimes specialized mountain bikes can offer more of what you want in a ride!

Bikes can be specialized in a variety of ways – depending on what type of performance you want from the bike. Some bikes are even specialized simply to look a certain way, and the specialization has little or nothing to do with performance. Again, it all just depends on what you want and what you need – and how much you are willing to pay for it.

Many people request or make very small changes to the bike – but certain changes turn an ordinary mountain bike into a specialized mountain bike – no doubt about it! For instance, many people want specialized frames, but everything else about the bike is factory standard. A large majority of people want specialized ultra-smooth suspension seat posts or fully adjustable handlebars made of alloy.

Specialized suspensions are common requests and modifications that a large number of mountain bikers make. Specialized tires, which are suited to specific types of terrain, are popular as well. Of course, specialized paint jobs or designs are the top requests and modifications made by those who place a great deal of importance on the look of the bike as well.

Specialized parts and components cost a lot of money in most cases, but some specialization and customization can be done affordably, if you are willing to do the work yourself and only pay for the needed parts. Having to pay a shop to do the work starts driving the costs up quickly! So, if you want to customize your bike in anyway, try to learn what you need to know to do the work yourself to keep costs down.

Some people have major specialization work done, and by the time the work is complete – the bike rides and looks like a totally different bike! Of course this type of specialization should be reserved for expert riders who know exactly what they want, and how those customizations will affect their ride or their techniques. This type of specialization runs into the thousands of dollars – over the cost of the bike without the specialization!

Beware of the word specialized! It doesn’t always mean what you think it means. For instance, many bike shops use the word ‘specialized’ in their business name – this doesn’t necessarily mean that they sell specialized bikes. It is also important to note that a specialized bike, in most cases, does not mean that you are the only person in the world with that type of bike – unless you’ve ordered a specialized bike that is guaranteed to be one-a-kind (most bike shops will not make this guarantee, but you could get such a guarantee from a major manufacturer).

Beginners do not need specialized bikes. Again, the average rider can find exactly what they want and need in a bike shop, or at an Internet bike store. Some bikes arrive at the store for resale already specialized – in almost every case you have the option of getting a bike that you see in a store customized to suite your needs, but it usually costs quite a bit, and you have to wait for the parts to come in and the work to be done before you can take the bike out of the store and onto the trails.

The best way to get a specialized mountain bike is to order one at an online bike store, or directly through the manufacturer. This is the best way to ensure that you are getting the right specialization to suit your needs and desires. Just make sure that you have enough experience with mountain bikes to know what kind of specialization you want before you just start adding or changing components without fully planning or thinking things through – sometimes specialization can ruin your ride, as opposed to improving it – which is what specialized mountain bikes are supposed to be all about!

Mt-bikes.com provides you with information on giant mountain bikes, trek mountain bikes, specialized mountain bikes, mountain bike holidays and mountain bike reviews. http://www.mt-bikes.com/

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Beginner Triathlete-Novice Ironman–Don’t Expect Bike Magic

January 22nd, 2010

In preparing to take on the challenge of a first Ironman, I believe far too many athletes put too much emphasis on the bike they choose to purchase for the event.

Somewhere along the Ironman trail, many athletes have come to believe that the lighter, and more state of the art the bike, the faster they will finish the bike leg of the Ironman.

Nothing could be further from the truth. For example: You could put one athlete on a $10,000 bike and have him train without the aid of a proper diet or without paying attention to proper hydration choices and repacement drinks and the Ironman will spit him out like a cherry pit somewhere around mile 80 on the bike course.

Take another athlete and put him on a $800 reliable, average weight, used bike fitted with proper pedals and aero bars. Then have him pay particular attention all training year to proper diet, hydration, and raceday fueling techniques and somewhere around mile 80 of the same course he will call out “nice bike” as he passes athlete number one who is in for a very long, painful day.

Don’t get all wrapped up in taking out a second mortgage so you can buy that “special” bike that is 6 ounces lighter than anything on the road. After all, you’re going to be loading 5 pounds of water and food and gear on the thing before you even get out of transition. This is not your normal bike race. If you were just racing a bike century and that’s it, then that might be a different story. But that’s not the nature of this beast.

First of all you’ve most likely been bashed around for an hour or so in a wild free-for-all swim and for most of that time your heart-rate has been racing out of control. Plus, you still have a full marathon to consider after you get off the bike.

Your bike is just a small part of the Ironman equation. Don’t get too wrapped up in light and fancy and expensive. I know, I’ve done that.

I had my best bike leg ever and my first thought was to fix up the old bike and keep racing it. However, I let my bike supplier talk me into buying a fancier, newer model that was so much lighter that I would go even faster. I never, never matched my fastest bike ride over the next 10 years. Even on bikes valued 10 times more than my old standby. It was probably the biggest single mistake I made in my 20 year Ironman career. I should have gone with my very first instinct.

For some reason, a bike will just suit you. It suits your style, ability and “fits” you like that favorite pair of runners. When this happens, hang on to that bike. If you have to, save it mainly for races and get a second bike for the bulk of your training. That way your race-day bike will last you for years.

I’ve raced on more than one high-end bike that I was just never comfortable on, no matter how light and fast they were supposed to be. At first it may seem cool to be the recipient of envious gazes from fellow triathletes when they see you on your bike the week leading up to the race. You are the bike “king”.

Believe me, its not so cool when these same athletes pass you out on the course with those dreaded words left in their wake. “Nice bike.”

Every time you hear that, you will want to sink further and further into your bike seat. You will wish you were on a $250 beater. At least that way you reason, you would have an excuse for getting passed over and over again. There is nowhere to hide out there.

To save yourself a ton of embarrasment and humiliation, be sure that your ability matches the bike you ride.

All my bikes are gone now, except for one. That same old bike is in my living room on a wind-trainer and if I decide to do this amazing race once again, when I turn 60, four years from now–it will be on a very special, 16 year old bike.

My name is Ray and I’m a veteran of over 25 years of endurance events including 14 Ironman Triathlons. I’ve built a site full of training and racing tips for the beginner triathlete/novice-ironman. come for a visit… http://triathlon-ironman-myfirstironman-ironstruck.com

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Find the Right Bike Rack: How to Choose a Bicycle Rack to Meet Your Needs

January 21st, 2010

A good bike rack is easy to find if you know how and when you want to use the bicycle rack and understand your options and the available price ranges.

Need a good bike rack for a mountain bike, dirt bike, trick bike or other type of bicycle? Think about your needs before you shop online or go to a sporting goods store, or bike shop.

For $50.00-$100.00, you can get a two-bike rack to store your bicycles in your garage or shed. By mounting your bikes on the wall, you clear floor space and avoid damage to your bikes when they are not in use.

Bike hooks are less expensive (they are priced between $15.00 and $30.00) and some allow you to lock the bike in place to protect against theft if you are storing your bike in a common apartment store room or an open storage building. Ceiling mount bike lifts are priced between $25.00 and $50.00.

These lifts will get your bike well out of the way, and keep it safe until you want to use it again! So, instead of running over or damaging that expensive mountain bike, get yourself a good wall rack or bike hook, and use your garage floor space or storage space for other things.

You can choose from folding wall mounts, double folding wall mounts, ceiling or wall bike lifts, freestanding bike ‘trees’, floor to ceiling bike racks, vertical bicycle racks and many other options.

If you prefer to take your bike on the road, you have many options for car and bus racks. You can choose a tandem bike racks, or a short or long tray bicycle carrier for the roof of your car.

These are priced between $100 and $200. Bicycle racks that fasten onto the back of your vehicle and are priced from $60 to $150, depending on the number of bikes you want to carry and the quality of the rear bike carrier you select.

Hitch bike racks are priced between $120 and $225 depending on the number of bikes you want to carry. If you want to put your bike in the back of a pick-up truck, you can choose from trap or full racks that are priced from $20 to $200.

Need a bike rack for an RV or a bus? ‘Tires only’ bike racks are made from steel and come in standard and narrow profiles, for one, two or three bicycles. Some of these racks are sturdy enough to be used on city transit buses where the latches may be opened and closed many times and the racks may be subject to impact from other vehicles on city streets.

C-bracket bike racks fasten to the front bumper of a bus using existing holes on the bumper, though you will have to drill some holes to add stability, whereas the ‘stand-off’ fastener uses brackets to fasten to the bumper and is easy to install. There are some specialty models for certain makes of trucks like Ford, and for certain types of buses that use Class III hitches.

Prices on these ‘industrial strength’ models vary widely, so you’ll need to check with the manufacturer and distributor to find one that fits your budget and your needs!

Whether you need a bike rack for the top or rear of your car, or for a storage shed or garage, or perhaps for an RV or bus, you can find everything you need by visiting our web site: Bike Rack

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A Look At Some Of The More Common Mountain Bike Designs

January 21st, 2010

Mountain bikes are designed for off-road riding. Whether made for racing or the more leisurely rider, there are four basic frame designs for mountain bikes: rigid, hard-tail, soft-tail, and full suspension.

The rigid (also commonly known as fully rigid) mountain bikes resemble a conventional sort of bike as you would imagine it. A rigid mountain bike has neither a rear suspension nor a front suspension. These used to be the most common kind of mountain bike but they are rapidly being replaced by the more comfortable models which feature some sort of suspension system. Fully rigid bikes tend to be lower-priced than models with a suspension. Many riders still prefer rigid bikes because it’s what they’re accustomed to, and the feel that the rigid design allows them greater control.

Another common mountain bike design is the hard-tail. Hard-tail mountain bikes are so named because they have a conventional rear end without a suspension. Hard-tails differ from fully rigid bikes in that they have a front suspension. The hard-tail is perhaps the most popular mountain bike design. Many professional riders prefer the feel of a hard-tail and the comfort of a front suspension.

The next kind of mountain bike design is the soft-tail. As you probably guessed, soft-tails employ a rear suspension. Rear suspensions are a more recent innovation than front suspension due to the complexities of the design. Soft-tails are often more expensive than hard-tails, but they also tend to be more forgiving.

Finally there’s the full suspension mountain bike. Bikes with this design feature both front and rear suspensions. These bikes are the latest mountain bike design. For a long time riders avoided full suspension bikes because they were heavy and they tended to sag in the middle like an old swayback horse. It took years for engineers and riders to perfect a viable, functional full suspension mountain bike. It was in the 1990’s when these bikes finally reached a point where they were marketable.

In addition to the frame and suspension, there are other differences in mountain bike designs. One key area where bikes differ is the brakes. Mountain bikes either have some form of caliper brakes, which are the kind of brakes typically associated with bikes. This kind of brake squeezes the rims to slow and stop the bike. The other type of brake is the drum brake. Drum brakes on bikes are similar to the braking system on automobiles. Drum brakes are more expensive than caliper brakes but they’re also easier to maintain. Mountain bike braking systems have even been made which utilize hydraulic power.

Another area where you have some choice in mountain bike design is tire size. Mountain bike tires typically range in size from 24″ to 29″. Smaller tires are used when greater maneuverability is required as in stunt-riding and jumping. Larger tires are used when speed is the key.

As with any other important purchase, do your homework before buying a new mountain bike. Think about your needs and your budget. Mountain biking is a terrific past-time. It’s a fun way to get some fresh air, enjoy the outdoors, and improve your health.

Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Beach, Florida. Find more about this as well as cycling fitness at http://www.cyclinggearplus.com

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Mountain Biking , for the Adventure Loving Lot

January 20th, 2010

Mountain biking, as the name suggests, is a biking sport in which bicycle-riders ride along mountain trails. Biking through a mountain terrain is pure fun, but it also has its share of adventure and excitement. The best-known locations for biking in mountainous surroundings have unpaved surfaces and so you need to be an expert biker to truly experience the thrill.

History

Since their invention, bicycles have been used on all terrains, including rugged mountainous territories. However, it was not until 1970s that biking in the mountains became an organized sport. Groups of bicycle-riders from different parts of the United States played a pivotal role in the evolution of this thrilling biking-sport – experimenting with bikes of different makes and modifying them so that they could take the rigors of riding in the uneven, craggy mountainous lands.

The Mountain Bike Hall of Fame, however, bestows the honor to a group of bikers in Marin County, California. The group (consisting of famous names in this field like Gary Fisher, Joe Breeze, Keith Bontrager and Otis Guy among others) undertook bike-ride down Mount Tamalpais (Mt Tam) on old 1930s and 40s Schwinn bicycles retrofitted with advanced brakes and fat tires.

The first ‘proper’ mountain bike was built by Joe Breeze in 1977. The present-day mountain bikes are based on the bicycle first marketed by the MountainBikes Company. The frame of this particular bike was built by Tom Ritchey and it was accessorized by Gary Fisher and Charlie Kelly.

Types

Bikers usually engage in four different kinds of cycling tours in the mountains:

1. Cross-Country (or XC) biking is the most familiar type mountain riding sport and naturally has the maximum number of followers. The sport involves riding between points or in loops. It includes ascents and descents on different terrains. (Cross-Country racing competitions are different from cross-country biking). A typical XC bike weighs some 22-28 lbs and it has 0-4 inches of suspension travel front and rear.

2. Freeride is the other popular type of biking in mountain trails. It restricts the biker with no specific rules rather allows the rider to do ‘anything and everything’ – downhill rides (without clock), jumps, stunts – that require skill and are hence meant for professionals. Freeride biking requires the rider to assemble the bike as per convenience and style, but these bikes are a bit heavier (weighing between 30 and 40 lbs) and are amply suspended (generally has 6 inches of suspension front and rear).

3. Downhill, as the name suggests, involves riding mountain bikes downhill. It is generally associated with racing-oriented downhill riding. Downhill biking does not require the rider to pedal up the hill. The bikers along with their bikes are transported up the hill with the help of a truck or ski-lift. The downhill climb is indeed challenging including jumps and drops as well as physical hindrances. Tough mentality, physical strength, swiftness and mounted heavy bikes weighing some 40-50 lbs make you eligible for these races.

4. Trials riding, which is quite similar to skateboarding, involves hopping and jumping over obstacles with your bike. It demands great sense of balance and control. The riders make use of special bikes that make use of 20″, 24″ or 26″ wheels fitted to small, low frames.

The following tips will prove helpful if you are planning a bicycle-trip in the rocky, hilly terrains for the first time:

1. You must have stamina and endurance to bike down a mountain.

2. Selection of a superior quality bike, especially one that perfectly meets your type of mountain riding is also very crucial.

3. You cannot avoid minor cuts and bruises but you can certainly prevent major mishaps by resorting to precautionary measures, buying yourself some protection in the form of helmets, knee-caps and elbow-caps. A good pair of goggles will also prove handy.

4. Special competitions are organized by various mountain bikers’ groups and you can join in with them. If you choose to go on your own, you will need to collect all relevant information – routes, rules, et al.

5. Whether you go with a bikers’ group or go biking all by yourself, you must remember to carry your equipment kit so that you can take care of all your bicycle-repairs.

Robert Sheehan is a freelance writer and co-owner of
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