Bicycle Rims And Wheels, Your Bike Cant Go Anywhere Without Them

The first bicycle wheels were from a horse drawn cart, made of wood with a metal band round the bicycle rim, very hard and very uncomfortable to ride. Then a man called Dunlop (Scottish) invented the pneumatic tire, this along with Macadam (another Scot) inventing the tar road surface made cycling a lot more comfortable.

The bicycle rim, like the bicycle frame hasn抰 changed much in design, its still round and always will be. From the first wooden rims the next were made of steel, then alloy and now if you can afford it, carbon. Of all bicycle parts the bicycle rim can make a big difference to how your bike handles. First the weight of your rim affects your sprinting and climbing as the weight will low you down, for a long, flat effort the weight isn抰 so important as when you get the wheels rolling the weight can help to keep them going. The shape of the rim can be important also, a flat rim is best for climbing as aerodynamics are not so important on a hill, a deep section, aero, rim will help you cut through the air, but in a cross wind could cause you handling problems.

Bicycle Rims Materials

The different materials used for rims are very important also, steel is heavy and if damaged can be difficult to pull back into shape, but because its so strong it is quite difficult to bend in the first place and steel is cheaper than all the other materials. Alloy is probably the most popular rim, it can be made in any shape and profile, flat or aero, but not too deep as it would then weigh too much, most deep section rims are of a alloy braking section nearest the tire which is then mounted to a carbon deep section for lightness and aerodynamics and a very beautiful looking bicycle rim. As with most things if money is no problem you can go for the best, this would be an all carbon rim, strong and very light, but there are a few problems with these rims, first they don抰 brake so well in wet conditions and you must use special brake blocks for carbon and they can be expensive, also the rim has to be perfectly round and not have any bulges in the rim wall as this will make braking quite erratic, carbon is a difficult material to work with and must be well looked after.

Types Of Rim To Consider

There are also two types of rim to consider and this depends on which kind of tire you want to use, first there are tubular tires these are glued on to the bicycle rim, cost more and are difficult to repair after a puncture, but for racing they feel and ride wonderfully. Clincher tires have improved a lot recently and are nearly as good as tubulars for performance and are easily repairable and more reasonably priced. Most manufacturers make all styles in both systems.

So which should I buy? Not an easy answer, as there is so much to choose from, years ago you went to your local bike shop, picked out which hubs, spokes and rims you wanted and he would build your wheels, but now most rim makers also manufacture there own wheel sets, Mavic, Shimano and Campagnolo are probably the best known, check out there web-sites for all there new goodies, there are other brands and if you go to your local cycle shop or look in the bike magazines you抣l find them. There is a lot to choose form, but they are all round.

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Getting Started in BMX Racing

BMX racing is a fun sport for young people. For kids, the basic bike should have 20-inch wheels. Riders under age six can use whatever type of bike they have, even if it's not a true BMX freestyle bike. These little folks might still be riding bikes with wheels as small as 12-inches. Some tracks even have races for Big Wheel bikes.

A cruiser or mountain bike with 24-inch or 26-inch wheels might be okay, too, but check ahead of time with your local track for advice. Many tracks will let you race a mountain bike in the "Cruiser" class.

Whatever bike you use should be equipped this way. Remove all reflectors. Take off the kickstand and chainguard to prevent injury in a wreck.

The bike should have pads on the top tube, stem and crossbar. Most BMX freestyle bikes already have these pads. If your bike doesn't have them, adding this safety feature will cost about $5.

The bike should have at least one working brake. A coaster brake is fine if that's all the bike has. The bike should be in safe working order.

Finally, tie a paper plate to the handlebars. This will be your number plate. When you get to the track, they'll give you a number to put on it. That number will identify you to the judges and fans as you are racing.

Safety is important

For head protection, a helmet is essential. Depending on the track rules, this may need to be a full-face helmet or a helmet with a separate mouthguard. Other tracks will accept any type of inexpensive motocross-style helmet.

Wear protective clothing. Regular long pants or jeans will protect the rider's legs. For arm protection, wear a long-sleeved shirt. Since riders will use their feet, they should wear good sturdy shoes they are comfortable riding in.

Although you can race without gloves, wearing them is a good idea. Be sure they fit well and don't interfere with moving your hands. Finally, bring bike tools and an air pump in case repairs are needed.

Ready to race

To race, a potential rider needs to find a track. Local bike shops may have information on where the nearest track is. Otherwise visit the National Bicycle League (NBL) or American Bicycle Association (ABA) websites. These are the sanctioning bodies of BMX racing. They provide advice and insurance to local tracks. As an NBL or ABA member, you will have some medical insurance if you get hurt on the track during a race and do not have other insurance.

A parent or guardian must accompany the rider to give permission for the child to race. A birth certificate must be shown as proof of age. Most tracks charge between $15 and $35 for a racing license that is licenses good for a year. There is also an entry fee for each race, which is usually between $6 and $10.

For your first visit to a particular track, get there about two hours before the first race starts. Find the registration tent or trailer and sign up.

Then take a walk around the track. Try to remember where the jumps are. Next it's time to practice. Put your helmet and other gear on and follow the others to the starting gate. Watch what everyone else does and where they go. A beginner should put his front wheel against the starting gate, keeping one foot on a pedal and the other one on the ground. Start pedaling when the gate drops. Go slow the first few times until you feel comfortable.

After practice, the races will be posted. The people at the registration tent can tell you where your particular race will be posted and how the race actually works. You will be in a group or "moto" with other riders about your age. Line up with them in the staging area. When your group is called, go up and race! This will probably happen three or four times, depending on the system the track uses, and then it will be over. If you win, you might get a trophy. Even if you don't, you'll have fun.

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BMX - Biking

BMX bikes are a special kind of low bike, with smaller wheels than normal, that can be used for racing. They are designed to be very light weight but also very robust, as well as streamlined for speed. They are also known for being easier to perform tricks with than normal bikes.

BMX stands for bicycle motocross, which refers to the origin of the sport: children saw motocross races on the TV in the ?0s and wanted to emulate them. Since they had no motorbikes of their own, they used their bicycles to race around similar dirt tracks to the ones they had seen. Today the sport is notable for being one of the few sports that is taken part in almost exclusively by the under-10s. Although there are a few older professional BMXers, most good ones move on to other cycling or motorcycling sports.

Among children today, BMXes remain one of the most popular kinds of bikes around, even if they do not compete in competitions, and BMX magazines are some of the biggest-selling hobbyist magazines. This was a surprise to many, as the sport was considered pretty much dead in the ?0s and early ?0s, only to undergo a dramatic revival in the mid-?0s that is still going on now.

BMX is now one of the range of extreme sports like skateboarding and snowboarding, and similar tricks can be performed with the bikes to the ones the boarders do. The sport of Freestyle BMX was invented to allow BMXers to concentrate on doing tricks in skate-parks instead of racing, and has since arguably outgrown the popularity of BMX racing altogether ?this is the style that the most famous BMX bikers, Mat Hoffman and Dave Mirra, compete in.

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Fitting A Road Bike Frame To Your Needs

For most of us, well-intentioned but casual bike riders who secretly believe we might be Lance Armstrong's heir if we only had a few more hours a day to spend on our bicycles, buying a new road bike is tantamount to buying a road bike frame. The frame is what we're thinking of, something new and shiny and colorful, something we suspect even car drivers envy when they see us flash through the snarl of traffic. Truly, a road bike frame is a beautiful thing and part of the reason we love bicycling.

When you have the good fortune to be looking at new bicycles, though, you definitely want to look at a few elements besides the color of a road bike frame. Face it. When you're on your way back home from a long Sunday ride and you're riding your thirty-fifth mile smack into a stiff headwind, the fact that your frame is cobalt blue or even Bianchi green is not going to help you. The length of your seat tube is going to help you and the length of your top tube and even the angle of the three main tubes all put together is going to help (or hinder) you, but color is not.

If you shop at a discount store or even a general purpose sports store, if you get any help at all in choosing a bike that fits you, it will probably consist of a clerk instructing you to stand over the top bar of the frame and see if you can comfortably straddle it with your feet on the floor. This is not really particularly helpful, especially if you happen to have anything unique about your physique, like long legs combined with a short torso. If you have long legs, you can straddle almost any bike, but will your body be able to relax comfortable in the stretch between your saddle and the handlebars? The whole geometry of the road bike frame matters a lot to fit. And fit matters excessively to comfort.

If you're a racer, comfort will not be your only consideration. Indeed, it may be down among the last elements you consider. Speed is not usually built from comfort, and the road bike frame that promotes speed is built of different materials than one used primarily for recreational riding. Frames can be made of titanium, chrome-moly, aluminum or steel, and each metal has different advantages of weight and strength. Frame geometry varies, too, with touring bikes featuring a longer vertical base and top tube than the skittish racing models.

So when you're looking at road bike frames, think beyond the paint. Get a frame that fits both you and your purpose. Whether you do your research online or in a good bike store, you'll be glad you took the time.

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How to Find a Cheap Pocket Bike

If you want a pocket bike but money is an issue, you should take hear and know that it is not too hard to find cheap pocket bikes for sale if you know where to look. First, know why you are buying a pocket bike. If you are buying a pocket bike for recreational purposes, and you have no intention of racing, you can actually find cheap pocket bikes for sale for around two hundred dollars. If you intend to race, you will have to search harder to find a good price.

Pocket bikes used for racing can run up to a full four thousand dollars, depending on how much you want the bike to be upgraded. This is going to be an expensive price for many who are looking for cheap pocket bikes. When you visit a dealer, ask them if they have any defective bikes, such as bikes with scratches or dents, which they will sell at a discount. If not, check to see if they have a bulletin board, or ask if they know any individuals that want to sell their pocket bikes. Leave your name and number with them, so that if anyone comes in with a bike to sell, or if they get damaged merchandise, they can give you a call. A shop is the preferred way to find a bike, since you can see what you're getting.

Your next stop to find cheap pocket bikes for sale is the Internet. There are many manufacturer's web sites that will give deals on new pocket bikes. You can also join one of the many pocket bike forums where bike owners regularly chat. Let them know that you're looking for a bike, and mention a price range. These communities tend to be fairly tight, and word will spread. Don't post your name and phone number on the website, but use a free e-mail account, such as yahoo or hotmail, and ask people who have bikes for sale to contact you there. You might be surprised at the results. You can usually find cheaper bikes on e-bay and auction sites, but caveat emptor.

Go to pocket bike races in your area. Talk to the riders before or after the races, and let them know that you are in the market. They may have one sitting in the garage, or they may be on the verge of upgrading to a new bike. If nothing else, they may know someone else who is looking to sell. Keep an eye on your local classified ads as well. Take your time and shop around. If you are patient, you will find cheap pocket bikes for sale.

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How To Choose The Proper Bicycle

There are many different types and styles of bicycles. You will need to decide on the type of biking you will be predominantly doing in order to help you narrow down your choices. Below are just some of the types of bicycles available on the market today.

The first bicycle we will mention here are what are considered by some to be comfort bicycles. These are the type used by most weekend recreational bike riders. They usually have a comfortable shock-absorbing seat and shock absorbing front forks and wide pedals.

Another type of bike which is a bit more rugged than the comfort bike is a trail bike or light duty mountain bike. These bikes can take a bit more rough stuff than the bikes mentioned above but are not meant for serious mountain biking.

Touring bicycles are for those who go long distances and faster than recreational bike riders. These bikes are built for riding on the pavement. They are light weight bikes with more shock absorbency than comfort bikes.

Cruiser bikes are heavier than the comfort bikes with fatter tires. They are good for the road, or riding in the sand.

A true mountain bike has a stronger frame and components than any other bike as they are intended for off road and rugged terrain. The tires on a mountain bike are knobby and wide for more shock support. The seat and handlebars are positioned to allow for the rider to lean over while maneuvering the bike.

Recumbent bicycles are becoming very popular with older riders and those who have some limits in physical ability. The rider reclines while pedaling in a feet forward position. The seat is much more comfortable than on any other bicycle. Recumbent bikes sit low to the ground and have multiple gears.

Talk with family and friends who own bikes to get their opinion on what may be the best investment for you. If you don't think that you'll stick with bike riding long term and if you don't plan to do more than weekend riding you don't need to spend a fortune. Visit several bicycles shops and talk with the pro's before making a decision. You can get many years of enjoyment if you choose the right bike for you.

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Exercise Bikes And Working Out

The exercise bikes are an excellent way of working out. They are high impact cardio vascular workout machines. They help in losing weight by shedding the calories and also help in toning up the muscles of the lower body especially the lower limb and the calf muscles. It's very convenient for people to listen to music or read a book while they are on the exercise bikes. Its convenient as exercise bikes can be installed at home. Unlike treadmills and fitness rowers, which take a huge amount of pace. Therefore even in a small area, you can have a great workout. The popularity of the exercise bikes is second to that of treadmills.

The exercise bikes are available for as little as $200 for the stationary exercise bikes and go up to $3000 for an exercise bike with all the frills added. Exercise bikes work on the principle of resistance to magnetic, air or a flywheel. All have their own advantages, therefore before you make purchases, read the these reviews of exercise bikes available on the Internet as well as in many magazines. Almost all exercise bikes will also have some sort of a control panel. This control panel gives the display of the heart rate, the calories burnt, the distance covered etc.

Before you buy a exercise bike, look for the reviews in various magazines as well as websites. See whether you require a simple exercise bike or a more advanced exercise bike. You can also opt for an used exercise bike. You can also ask your personal trainer for giving you the reviews of the exercise bike will be beneficial as they will give you an impartial advice, versus the salespeople of the exercise bike company. Also ask the advice of those who have already used or are currently using an exercise bike.

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50cc Pocket Bikes

If you are planning to shop for a new 50cc pocket bike, you need to know what exactly it is you are searching for, and the right questions to ask before you visit a store, or even before you shop online, if that's your preferred method. Not paying especially close attention to specific features, or not asking the right questions can result in you buying a 50cc pocket bike that you don't really want, or even worse, can't use.

First, know exactly what you want your 50cc pocket bike will be used for. Will it be fun and recreation, or will you be racing? This decision has to be firmly set in your mind before you go out to make the purchase. If you will be using the pocket bike for recreational purposes, and you have no intention of racing, you can expect to pay about $400 or a little more. A very reasonable price. It's a completely different story if you want to race. If you eventually plan to race, you may find that you need to pay up to a full $7000 to get what you want. The price difference shows you pretty quickly why you have to know what you're investing in.
Generally you will find that any pocket bikes you are looking at were made in one of two places. There are the pocket bikes that are built in Italy, and there are pocket bikes that are manufactured in China. The bikes made in Italy are typically among the highest quality bikes. Higher quality also brings a higher price, but once again what you should be willing to spend on a 50cc pocket bike depends on what you are going to use it for. If the bike is going to be used solely for recreational purposes, then look at the ones made from China, because the difference is not that large if it is just for fun. If you're looking to race, buy from Italy.

Keep in mind pocket bikes are not very comfortable, due to their small size - unless you are very small or a kid. So, comfort isn't what you need to look for, however, you still need to be comfortable enough to ensure that you have full control of the bike at all times. Take the bike for a test run, and make sure that your body isn't touching anything that it shouldn't, like the exhaust pipe, and that you're comfortable controlling the bike.

Talk to the pocket bike dealer to find out what spare parts are available for the bike, and how hard those parts may be to get. Find out what parts need to be replaced often. Remember, they sell 50cc pocket bikes for a living, and they are probably the best experts you are going to find. They will be able to tell you all you need to know about what the bikes need, and what they don't need. Also, find out if there is a mechanic at the dealership, or in the town, that is capable of making repairs should they be needed, and inquire about warranties as well, the same types of information you would want for a new car. Make an informed decision based on your needs, and you will find a pocket bike an enjoyable investment.

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Custom Pocket Bikes

So you buy your first pocket bike, or maybe you buy your first major upgrade. It's a great looking bike, you go to show it off and realize there are two other people who have the exact same bike. That takes the wind out of the sails a bit, but the good news is that it does not have to stay that way. One of the nice things about pocket bikes is that you don抰 have to buy a customized bike to have one! You can change your pocket bike抯 appearance, upgrade its performance, and transform your machine into a custom pocket rocket you can be proud of. You抣l find all the tools, parts, and accessories you抣l need at pocket bike chop shops.

Turn your normal stock pocket bike into your personal custom pocket rocket! If you抮e not sure where to find the parts you need, a good place to start is at one of the numerous mini bike forums or that have recently rolled into action on the Internet. There you抣l find an enthusiasts' community with unsolicited testimonials (because have you ever seen a company's website with a bad testimonial?) from members?other bikers, who抣l tell you where they抳e found the best deals, and even more importantly, they抣l tell you where and what to avoid at all costs!

You may also want to check with your mini-bike dealer. Because of the mushrooming popularity of minimoto and custom pocket bikes, many dealers who originally didn抰 sell spare pocket bike parts have recently added both parts and accessories to their inventories to meet an increased interest and demand in both. Along with individual parts, you抣l see that many chop shop owners and pocket bike dealers also sell performance-enhancing kits that are even complete with instructions that will tell you how to touch up everything. These are very helpful if you抮e new to the mechanics of custom pocket bikes.

You don't have to look the same as everyone else. Make your custom pocket bike look as good as it rides. Between the Internet and chop shops you will have a wide choice of accessories to make you custom bike stand out from the rest of the group with accessory designs, saddles and saddlebags, trunks, tanks and tank pouches, headlights, horns, chromed wheels, decal kits, etc. If you've seen something done to a pocket bike, you can probably either get it or do it to your own!

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Exercise Bikes To Suit Every Budget

Exercise bikes are available in various types of models as well as costs to suit all budgets and needs of people. There are three types of exercise bikes and these are upright exercise bike, semi-recumbent exercise bike and recumbent exercise bike. Depending upon your need you can buy the one, which suits your needs. It's a great cardio vascular workout and helps one to lose calories easily as well as tone up the figure. The recumbent stationary cycle is as popular as the treadmill to burn the calories and attain a good and fit body.

The recumbent exercise bikes help a person to reduce the blood pressure level. The person is seated very close to the floor. The feet of the person are near the chest level. Control panels display various readings and this helps a person on the recumbent exercise bike to see whether they are achieving the target that they had set for themselves. The control panel gives the readings for the pulse rate, heart rate, the number of calories burnt, the distance traveled etc. the biggest advantage is that one can exercise at any point of time on the recumbent exercise bike.

The bikes can be adjusted for the height. It's easy to adjust the height of the seat as well as the resistance levels. There are also various programs which are designed for both the beginner as well as the for a more advanced workout. Its important that you seek the advice of a doctor and personal trainer before one can start exercising on a recumbent exercise bike, so you don't put yourself at risk of a medical complication. Also ask people who are currently exercising on a recumbent exercise bike before you start working out on one too.

The whole gist of this article is 'do your research well'. Follow that principle and you should have a satisfying buy experience.

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How To Choose A Mountain Bike

The first thing to do before purchasing a bicycle for any reason is to know what your primary riding is going to be. Most people initially purchase a dual use bike, something that can be ridden on road and off road. Eventually, when the bug bites big it'll be time to invest in a bike that is all muscle for the mountains.

One of the ways that mountain bikes differ from other bikes is that they have very strong, lightweight frames, multiple gears, powerful breaks and wide tires. A comfort bike, or recreational weekend bike, touring bikes and cruiser bikes are built more for comfort than durability. WIthin the mountain bike category there are several types of bikes available; the cross country bike, the trials bike, the downhill bike and the jump/slalom bike.

Generally the largest percentage of mountain bikes sold are in the cross country, or XC classification. These are good dual purpose bikes. They are lightweight and good for riding over tough terrain, but they are also comfortable for road riding.

Jump/slalom bikes are also good dual purpose bikes. They are very strong and have an excellent front suspension.

Downhill and trial bikes are for serious mountain bikers. The downhill bikes have both front and rear suspension, disc breaks and are very strong. A trial bike is for a very skilled rider. Trail riding itself is a very competitive sport demanding a lot of precision. Most riders of downhill and trail bikes build their bikes from scratch, choosing each component individually.

You will want to do a lot of reading about different types of bikes, and you'll want to visit many bike shops. A cross country mountain bike can cost between $600 and $800 or more. Some bikers say that your first bike should be the best bike you can possibly afford, even if you think that it's too much bike for you. If you buy a low-end bike initially and then find you want to change components later it can get costly. Before choosing a bike you will want to ride it. Most dealers allow for a 15 to 20 minute test ride. If you do a test ride make sure you go "off road" if you can, even if it's over curbs and grass. You want to get a feel for the bike.

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Bicycle Clothing: What Cycling Gear to Wear and When

Article Body:

Avid cyclists know there is a wide-range of cycling gear available to choose from. Determining what you will need means asking yourself some key questions.

?What gear is required by law?

?What gear will provide the most comfort for the bicycling I plan to do?

?What equipment is best for the summer/winter conditions?

Cycling store employees should be able to help you answer these questions as you look to purchase new or updated cycling clothing.

What gear is required by Law?

Nearly every government has a regulation or law requiring helmets for cyclist. Some states require them for all riders while others set an age requirement. A good, well-fit helmet could save your life. Whether mountain biking or street cycling, a helmet is a must have for anyone riding a bike.

Though not specifically required by law, many state cycling groups recommend wearing reflective clothing when biking as well. This is another safety benefit, ensuring you are able to be seen by cars and pedestrians.

What gear will provide the most comfort for the bicycling I plan to do?

Having a variety of clothing for cycling is recommended as what you need is based on how long your ride and wear. Cycling shorts are great for longer rides. They help to keep you cool while you are exerting yourself on the roadway. Quality cycling shorts are made of special material made specifically for comfort and moisture control. They usually have a padded seat for extra protection and comfort for extensive riding. Choosing a sleeveless cycling jersey to help keep you cool on long-rides is also recommended.

Mountain bikers who ride through brush and trees should look for a long-sleeve cycling jersey to protect their arms from abrasions. Cycling shirts or jerseys worth their salt will be made of synthetic fabric that is comfortable, lightweight and moisture resistant. This will ensure that, whether long or short-sleeved, the jersey will help a rider maintain a good temperature.

What equipment is best for the summer/winter conditions?

Avid bicyclers hit the road during all kinds of weather, especially if the bike is their primary form of transportation. For cold days, a cycling jacket or a wool cycling jersey will keep you warm against the cooler air while still keeping you dry by sweeping the sweat away from your skin. Windproof jackets are also available for wind and rain protection. Coupled with cycling pants or knee warmers, which keep your knees and legs warm and flexible, these items will help you have a pleasant ride, even when the weather is less than ideal.

As the weather warms, your cycling apparel should mirror what you would wear on long rides. Good cycling or bib shorts and a sleeveless jersey will keep you comfortable and cool. You may want to carry a lightweight, compact cycling jacket with you in case your ride goes later in the evening than you anticipated or you start out your ride early in the morning. There are a number of jackets available that can be easily stowed when the temperature rises. Cycling jacket made of breathable material that incorporates ventilation, like mesh vents, in the fabric are ideal.

There are many choices in bicycle clothing and not all of them are necessary. Depending on what kind of bicycler you are, you may find that less is more. But, if you are seriously into cycling, then choosing a variety of bicycle clothing is in your advantage ?you will feel much more apt to get out there on your bike if you have all of the proper equipment, including comfortable clothing that helps to keep your body temperate and dry.

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Getting The Right Bicycle Seat

It takes only one ride on the wrong bicycle seat to demonstrate irrefutably that a good bicycle seat is paramount to regular bicycle riding.Even the shortest, smoothest ride can be painful and joyless if your bicycle has a bad seat on it.

What differentiates a good seat from a bad seat?It will differ between any two people, and it will differ especially between men and women.Our anatomies in the lower torso are made for strikingly different purposes, and it's pretty safe to venture that none of them include bike riding!Truth be told, the perfect bicycle seat has not yet been marketed.There are, however, some seats that are markedly better than others.

The biggest mistake made by occasional riders, particularly the elderly, is to opt for a bicycle seat that is bigger and better cushioned.Stop right there.Bigger seats are the wrong way to go, for anyone.Bigger seats increase friction and contact.All they will do is to broaden the area of your discomfort.Go for a smaller seat.The aim is to decrease the contact area between your derriere and the bicycle seat, not increase it!

As for cushioning, here you have some leeway.There are some very comfortable, stream-lined bicycle seats out there now, especially those made with the bumps of mountain bike riding in mind, or for the hybrid bicycles so popular with urban riders.Here, you can combine a svelte seat with some very nice and unobtrusive cushioning that will be positioned right where you need it: under your right and left buttocks' contact points.There is absolutely no good reason to have cushioning under your entire derriere.

Today, there are a lot of bicycle seat designs intended to account for the anatomical differences in men and women.The most important is that the flare of a woman's seat is just a little bit wider to allow those contact points and their cushioning to hit where a woman's anatomy requires it, but there are also bicycle seats made with various openings in the middle to decrease painful prolonged contact with male or female genitalia.

Whatever you decide might be a good option for you, try out a bicycle seat before committing to purchase.Shop at a good bike shop.Their employees know a lot and most will allow you to return it if you need to take it home to try it on your own bike. You really can't know if it's right unless you try it.

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Bike Survival Kit

Ride Safe (The Tools Every Biker Should Have Along for the Ride)

It抯 actually quite easy to do routine maintenance on your own bike. And having the right tools for the job can mean the difference between enjoying an all-day ride and having to pack your bike up and head back home when something goes awry. So, what tools do you need to take along for the ride? First and foremost, you should have the tools to repair a flat fire. Next, invest in the tools needed to maintain your chain and brakes.

Bike Survival Kit

A basic bike survival kit should include:
Tire patch kit
Pump
Chain tool
Screwdriver
Spare tube
Wrenches in various sizes

A more extensive bike survival kit would include:
Chain cleaners
Solvents specifically designed for bike chains
Lubrication

Things to Check for Before You Hit the Road

Brakes: Ensuring your brakes are working well is vitally important. Make sure you check your pads often to prevent rim damage and to ensure that your bike actually stops when it is supposed to. Adjusting the tension is also important.
Chain: Degrease the chain and re-lube it. Clean rear sprockets with a brush tool.
Gears: Check derailleur gear action and cables. Degrease chain and re-lube. Clean rear sprockets with brush tool.
Pedals: Make sure the axle spins freely. Check bottom bracket axles for looseness.
Steering: Make sure handlebar and stem is tight.
Frame: Check for damage. Make sure the seat is adjusted appropriately for your height.
Wheels: Make sure spokes and nipples are tightened and wheels are trued.
Check tire pressure and condition. If your suspension fork is quick release, make sure they are tightly fastened, and don抰 forget to check tire pressure.

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Buying Cycling Jerseys, Shoes And Other Bike Clothing Online

At one time you could only buy cycling equipment at your local cycle shop, if they had what you wanted or you had to hope they could order it and then you would have to wait for it to come and hope it was the right size, colour or price. Then cycling magazines started to have adverts for the bigger stores and you could post off a cheque and wait for your prized article to arrive. Now things could not be easier, your at home watching the Tour de France on television, you see you hero attack on the mountainous slopes of Alpe-d扝uez, what are those sexy carbon cranks he抯 using? They look like FSA or are they Campagnolo, they could be Stella Azurra, which are they? How much will they cost? Where can I get them? Well, get on the Web, put the name of that most wanted item into your search engine and see what it comes up with. The next move can be nearly as exciting as riding your bike up the mountains, that抯 making comparisons of all the equipment, something you probably wont be able to do at your local cycle shop and then ordering it online, the worst bit is waiting for it to arrive.

All the top cycle components, clothing, frames and cycle manufacturers have their own web-sites, once you抳e found what you really want for your bike, most sites can link you to a retail out let, from there, with the use of your credit card you can order the goods on-line, or check out a store near to where you live and if they stock what you are looking for. This is best for items of clothing, shorts and jersey sizes vary from one maker to another and there is nothing worse than receiving your new professional look a like kit and it is too big or small, so get down to your local cycle shop or sports store, try on your choice for size and if all is OK, you can buy it there and then or if you don抰 mind waiting and it抯 at a better price, order and pay for it online and wait for it to arrive in the post to your house.

How to wear comfortable cycling shoes

There are many cycling shoes on the market, and finding the right ones for you can be hard. Look them up on the web, go through the search engine or if you have a particular make in mind, find them online and if you can抰 try some in a shop, this is best, because size can be a problem, one manufacturer size 9 could be a half size bigger or smaller than another company, and most of the best cycling shoes are Italian, so remember that European sizes are very different from American or English sizes, and German shoes are wider and Italian shoes are narrower and you may be looking for a size 44 or 45, so try as many different shoes you can and then make your decision. Very importantly with shoes is which pedal system you are using, Look, Shimano, Campagnolo, Time and all the other systems have different fittings on the sole of the shoe, check up which they have on the shoe manufacturers web-site and then it should then be safe to order them online.

An other good and very important item you could look for online is a cycle helmet, as with most cycling goods there are many different helmets on the market, some times the helmets you see on the heads of the professionals are difficult to find, but anything is possible on the net, just type it in and away you go, it may be that just the helmet you are looking for is available in Holland, get it ordered, it may take some time to come but if its what you want it抣l be worth it. Sizes of helmets, like shoes can vary, so if it is possible to try before you buy, then make sure it抯 a comfortable fit, the big difference between cycle shoes and helmets is that helmets come with different pads to go inside so you can make the helmet fit exactly, which could help if you抳e ordered the wrong size, this is not something you can do with cycling shoes.

The net is a great way to find the frame size you want for your new bike, with the new sloping frame designs it can be tricky to know which size to order, all frame designers have their own ideas for what is best, so if you know the top tube length of your present bike then you can compare online with the design dimensions on the manufacturers web-site and then you will know what size to order either at you local bike shop or from your internet supplier. As this is probably the most important and expensive thing you抣l buy for your cycling, and so with online shopping you can make sure you make the right decision.

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Customizing Your Bicycle Rims

Barring a serious crash or the most frequent bike accident of all梕ntering the garage with a bicycle on your car roof rack梱our bicycle rims will probably last as long as you can stand riding the same old bike. Usually made of aluminum, rims are lightweight and strong and are hardly ever the source of trouble on a bicycle, even in the most arduous riding conditions.

In fact, most bicycle riders probably never give a single thought to their bicycle rims. The circular band of metal that holds in the bike tire and connects it to the wheel hub via spokes is easily overlooked. Unlike spokes, a bicycle rim hardly ever breaks. Unlike the hub, it hardly ever causes problems. Unlike tires, it never goes flat or explodes. Serious bicycle racers have some pretty fancy rims, full of the same outrageously colorful advertising that covers their clothing usually, but most riders really don't need these. Even the fanciest rims, the flattened out, wide, presumably aerodynamic rims you'll see on the wheels of the pros, are not certainly all that much better. They are, however, flashier, and in the world of bicycling, this apparently does count for something, maybe for intimidation.

Do you need to know anything special about your bicycle rims? Not really. Most bicycles come with rims appropriate to their overall quality. You can spend as much money as you want on a rim條ike everything else associated with the sport of bicycling梑ut what comes standard on a bike is probably sufficient. Customizing your rims will bring you fancier rims, maybe lighter rims, probably stronger rims, but the research on what constitutes the best rim weight, strength and shape is still largely inconclusive, and since this feature causes so few problems to the recreational rider, you can leave this issue to the professional mechanic who services the bicycles of world class racers. When they've resolved the issue, you will know about it!

Meanwhile, if your bicycle rims are aluminum, as most are today (steel rims being heavy, carbon rims being expensive), there is very little you need to do for them. As with all parts of your bicycle, rims should be kept clean of dirt and corrosive oils, wiped after long dusty rides and examined after any crash. Otherwise, do what most riders have always done: forget about your bicycle rims. You may not be able to ride a bike without them, but you really cannot ride a bike better for thinking about this vital but happily innocuous part.

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Bike Buying Tips

The Right Bike for You

Want to buy a bike but don抰 know where to begin? Maybe a friend of yours recommends getting a certain bike, while another biking buddy insists that his bike is the best choice for you. Who do you listen to? How about neither? What you need to do is sit down, relax and figure out what your priorities and preferences are to determine what bike is going to work best for you. Here are some points you will definitely want to consider before you pick out your new set of wheels.

What抯 Your Riding Style?

Start by asking yourself why you want to ride to begin with. Is it for exercise? Do you want to fly through the air for the thrill or the sport of it? Where are you going to ride? Through city streets or back road trails? Once you define your style of riding, it will be easier for you to choose the kind of bike you need.

There Are a Variety of Bike Options Available

Although there is a multitude of bike styles, the following are some of the most popular:

Mountain Bikes: These are durable bikes you can take off the road. Mountain bikes have fat tires, comfortably wide handlebars, and low gears for easier navigation of hills.
Road Bikes: If you plan on doing long rides, pavement riding, this is the bike for you. Road bikes are built for speed, have thinner tires and handlebars, and are overall, much lighter in weight.
Hybrid Bikes: This type of bike combines the features of mountain bikes and road bikes. Hybrid bikes are perfect for those who want to experiment with all styles of riding.
Cruisers: These bikes are generally one speed and are constructed for literally just that梒ruising.
Comfort Bikes: These are specialty mountain bikes or hybrids that offer more upright riding and softer seats. These bikes are essentially designed for riders who desire more comfort in their ride.

Size Matters

Some bike models offer up to eight different sizes. To determine the right size for you, measure your inseam梩his will determine the right size frame, in terms of stand-over-height. Like a pair of jeans, the right fit is important.

Ask Questions

Don抰 be afraid to ask advice about what you don抰 understand, such as quick release, bike maintenance, what kind of equipment you need, etc. Knowing what you need to know is the difference between easy riding and not so easy riding.

Buy a Bike You Like

Take even the smallest details into consideration when buying a bike: how it rides, size, how it looks, color--everything. After all, it抯 your set of wheels--ride it proudly.

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Interview with Mine's Niikura Michizo: GT-R Super Tuner

"The name: It's plural of mine. I thought 'Mine's' would be better than answering, 'Niikura'. I designed the logo myself. I like simple and cool designs. I like simple cool designs, that's why my cars aren't always decked out. "

You may or may not know the name Niikura Michizo, but you definitely know the name Mine's. Born in 1952 in Hayama, Japan, Michizo is the man responsible for the Japanese tuning house that has developed some of the fastest GT-Rs in the world. Niikura-san's long love of the GT-R began in his teens when his father gave him a hand-me-down Skyline梟ice dad, huh? His first 搉ew?car was a Celica GT-S.

While in high school he maintained a huge interest in motorbikes as well as cars. It was at Isho College that he'd further develop into a forward-thinking engineer and tuner. Almost right after college Michizo joined Bridgestone and there he remained for 12 years, moonlighting the last few years to start up Mine's. Rather than blowing the money on sake and women, he wisely invested his earnings at Bridgestone to buy the necessary equipment to make sure that his shop would be more than just a lift and an air compressor.

"The name: It's plural of mine. I thought 'Mine's' would be better than answering, 'Niikura'. I designed the logo myself. I like simple and cool designs. I like simple cool designs, that's why my cars aren't always decked out. "

You may or may not know the name Niikura Michizo, but you definitely know the name Mine's. Born in 1952 in Hayama, Japan, Michizo is the man responsible for the Japanese tuning house that has developed some of the fastest GT-Rs in the world. Niikura-san's long love of the GT-R began in his teens when his father gave him a hand-me-down Skyline梟ice dad, huh? His first 搉ew?car was a Celica GT-S.

While in high school he maintained a huge interest in motorbikes as well as cars. It was at Isho College that he'd further develop into a forward-thinking engineer and tuner. Almost right after college Michizo joined Bridgestone and there he remained for 12 years, moonlighting the last few years to start up Mine's. Rather than blowing the money on sake and women, he wisely invested his earnings at Bridgestone to buy the necessary equipment to make sure that his shop would be more than just a lift and an air compressor.

After Bridgestone you established Mine's. What concept did you have in mind?

Simple is best. A well-balanced car that stops, turns and can go fast. Another thing, I like to do things that my competitors don't and can't do. I like to do things fast. I like to build [my products and cars] quickly and be on time. I hate to be slower than anyone else. Tuning doesn't have regulations like motorsports, but my thing is to be faster than the cars that are fully decked out like motorsports cars. The parts I develop are for my customers, but they also have to function and be good for the car. I want to keep my parts as realistic attainable tuning parts for consumers. It's easy to build a bigger displacement engine, but how many people do that? Which leads to keeping it simple.

I learned a lot in my younger years. I had been involved with motorsports and worked with them when I was younger. I wanted to learn; the whole experience was a learning process. Teams are just there to win. I wanted to absorb what was available to me from motorsports. And I've put what I've learned in that experience into my tuning and products. From R32 to beginning of R34 I was prety much went to every race in the Super Taikyu series.

You must have become very familiar with the series, but also the development of racing and products. How do you use R&D to develop your products?

To develop my parts I would actually get into races and test my products. I do a lot of tenstive on-track testing privately. Testing, R&D you don't necessarily have to go full throttle for a race distance. That's not what's needed for R&D. What I've striving for is not the ultimate speed or quickness or time. It's actually drivability, or driving pleasure. It has to do with feeling comfortable while you're driving, what the driver feels. You Have to feel good, safe about the feel of the vehicle. That's a lot deeper than just speed or horsepower.

Tell us about the GT-R legacy and why you've chosen to continually developer the Skyline.

Long ago it was known as a very good car and the one to tune. And that's what I was attracted to. I was attracted to the potential of the GT-R and because it was difficult to tune. For the US, I'm really looking forward to releasing parts for the Z and the new 2008 Nissan GT-R. I want to open a shop in LA and have that be my US headquarters. Sometime next year.

What are your thoughts on the new VQ38 versus the older RB26?

They're completely diferent engines, of course, but they're both GT-R motors. They're great motors. Even if the new engine isn't an RB, I can tune it. I'm not worried. As a characterisics of the car, I don't think it's the type of car you just want to max out the horsepower on. The characteristic of the new GT-R won't be to boost the engine power, but to increase the total factor of the car a little higher. With the VQ it's an advancement of technology using an aluminum blocking, compact V- engine. I have no worries about the engine, because it's been developed by one of the best engineers at Nissan. I'm confident it's a good engine to start with.

And what about the old GT-R versus the new one?

In Japan a lot of people say that the R33 isn't an exact successor to the first-generation GT-R, it's not an improvement, neither is the R34 to the R33. Neither is the R35 to the R34. They have all their own characterisitics. Some good and bad. Some people like the R32 better etc. So all four of them would have different characteristrics.

What is your philosophy on design and how does that factor into the looks of the new GT-R?

I think overall the design concept or deisgn character is similar to the R32 and R33. The R34 is a sportier looking car. And that's your first impression. Whereas the R32 and R33 and new GT-R is design more or less than grows on you. The GT-R and Ferrari are two different cars. The GT-R enthusiasts wouldn't accept the GT-R to be like the Ferrari and neither are the designers trying to imitate Ferrari梒ontrary to what some people may think. The debut of the R32 is very similar to the current vehicle. But even now the R32 is the most popular Skyline of all time.

Who do you see purchasing the new GT-R and what rivals does it have in Japan and in Europe?

I don't think, at this point, there are any rivals to the GT-R in Japan. If it's not limited to Japanese cars it'd be Porsche and BMW. I think the buyer would probably increase a little bit in terms of age, higher than before.

Moving onto a slightly different topic, you've been in just about every version of Sony'sGran Turismo. Is Mine's in the next GT?

350Z and the GT-R will be in the new Gran Turismo. When I get the new GT-R, I assume it'll be in the game, too. I'm looking forwad to getting involved with the game again. I work closely with Yamauchi-san, I know him very well and ensure that my vehicles feel like they should in the game. The production study of the game it's very intense, very precise. They use a lot of laser scanning devices to scan the whole car. I do give input of the sound of the car and all other parameters.

When should we expect the next Mine's Nissan GT-R? And what color will it be?

I hope to release the new GT-R within this year. And it'll be white of course.

Get the full story with drifting and car racing video footage of Niikura Michizo interview.

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Mountain Biking Capital USA ?Winter Park, Colorado

With 600 miles of trails, it抯 no wonder why Winter Park has gained the title of 揗ountain Bike Capital USA? At the resort alone you will find 50 miles of single-track trails accessible via chair lifts and marked with signs identifying skill level. Once at the top of the lifts you may want to stop into the Sunspot for a quick bite to eat while enjoying the 360-degree views of the surrounding mountains. From there you can choose runs like the Upper Arapahoe, the resort抯 downhill race course, or wind down The Long Trail for a 7-mile novice ride.

In the Fraser Valley you can enjoy the trails of the Rocky Mountain wilderness while cradled by spectacular mountain views all around. The trails follow babbling brooks, glide through wildflower meadows and trek up rugged mountains.

All throughout the summer, there are races that are open to public and are available to many different skill levels. A majority of the races either start or end at Winter Park Resort, including the finale?The King of the Rockies.

Repairs, rentals and shops are easy to find, whether you are at the resort, or downtown Winter Park. You can also find a wide variety of restaurants and bars, with food that is just as good as it is diverse.

Music sounds better with a backdrop like the Continental Divide, and you just may find out for yourself, as there are music festivals and concerts happening almost every weekend during the Summer. Events like the Jazz Festival and the Food, Wine & Beer Festival may require advance planning for stays in Winter Park.

It would be impossible to cover all of the mountain bike trails of Winter Park and the Fraser Valley in one short article. However, once you get to here, there are a number of free mountain bike trail guides that can be found at most establishments.

Stay just a five minute walk from the base of Winter Park Resort. Slope View Bed and Breakfast offers views of the Continental Divide, unique amenities and a knowledgeable staff. 970-531-2386

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Pocket Bike Racing: A Background & Introduction

Pocketbike racing, which is also known in some places as Minimoto or Mini GP racing, is a racing that is doine with the use of miniature racing motorcycles, which are known most commonly as pocket bikes. These bikes are raced around kart tracks. It is an extremely popular sport in Japan and Europe, and is gaining in popularity in other parts of the world, particularly in the United States.

A typical pocket bike is roughly one quarter the size of a normal motorcycle, and is powered by an internal combustion engine of between 40-50 cubic centimetres producing somewhere between 3 and 15 horsepower, depending on the particular model. The machines have no suspension, relying on the tires to absorb bumps and handle cornering, and most weigh right about 40 pounds. The entry-level models often produce about 3 to 4 horsepower, but the more expensive racing models run with much more power. The best pocket bikes for racing are ones that provide a favorable power-to-weight ratio. Performance enhancements are sometimes added to increase speed and acceleration. Despite their tiny size, both adults and children race pocket bikes at speeds of up to 60 miles per hour in organized racing leagues.

The ease of transportation afforded by their size, and the low cost of the bikes (they are priced anywhere from a mere $200 for the most basic models built in China, to anywhere upwards of around $5,000 for a top notch, best of its kind Italian model) make them an affordable way for children (some as young as six) to learn the basics about motorcycle racing and for adults to live out their hunger for the adrenaline rush of bike racing without the high costs and heavy risks associated with full-sized motorcycle racing.

In most countries, a lisence is not required to ride miniature bikes. Even so, pocket bikes are not usually street legal and should only be ridden on private land, such as car parks, gardens or on race tracks. Some areas have very specific laws against riding pocket bikes on the street, and because of their small size, people driving cars and trucks may not see them. For this reason they should never be driven on busy public streets.

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