Bike Reviews

October 31, 2009

Motorcycle for Sale - Three Final Steps for Getting Top Dollar for Your Bike

Filed under: Bike Reviews — jennifer8163 @ 10:40 pm

In a previous article I talked about the impact a clean, well polished motorcycle can have on your price when selling a used bike. I also discussed the effect of including any unneeded parts and accessories in your bike sale. Here are a few more simple steps that can help you get the most cash for your current bike.

The tasks below should only take an hour or so to accomplish and should help to increase the value of your bike to prospective buyers. Just a bit of preparation will differentiate your bike from all the other used bikes for sale in your area.

Find Your Old Maintenance Records

If your old maintenance receipts are floating around your house, see if your can dig them up. Having records for all your past oil changes, tune-ups, tire changes etc. will set you apart from almost all other bike sellers. Since very few bike owners hold-on to their receipts, it

Custom Built Road Bikes- The Pinnacle of Perfection

Filed under: Bike Reviews — jennifer8163 @ 7:37 pm

Ever heard of Randonneuring? Sounds French, doesn’t it? Well, the sport originated in France, but is becoming more and more popular in the United States.

Randonneuring is “long-distance unsupported endurance cycling.” You may have heard of it as “Ultra Long Distance Cycling.”

The joy of this sport is that it is non-competitive. Riders indulge in friendly camraderie, not trying to drive each other into the ground. And because the rides are “unsupported” - the idea is to be self sufficient.

There are many events held for Randonneur riding, but the names of winners are not posted. Rather, the names of the riders who have finished the course are posted in alphabetical order. It’s not about beating anyone, it’s about challenging yourself.

These events consist of rides of 200, 300, 400, 600, and 1000 KM for individual riders. Each of these distances is called a “brevet.” There are probably events being held in your area, even if you’ve never heard of them before. Search the web under “randoneuring” or “ultra long distance cycling” and you’ll find any local clubs.

Now, it’s when road riders want to participate in racers and ultra long distance cycling that they’ll want a custom-built road bike rather than one purchased just off the rack.

It’s not that bikes purchased just off the rack aren’t perfectly serviceable for most riders, but serious athletes - professionals, and those just below the professional level - will certainly want a custom-built bike - one that is precisely fitted to their body. (Customized bikes, and custom-built bikes, are two different things. Customized bikes swap out various pieces for better fitting pieces, whereas custom-built bikes are built to certain specifications from the ground up.)

Triathletes are another group of people who need custom-built bikes. In a triathlon, the participants have to swim, cycle and then run for certain distances. It’s an incredibly grueling sport and so the cycle has to be the lightest, the most sturdiest, and the best fitted piece of equipment they have.

Many bike companies offer customized road bikes, and while they are expensive, they’re not as expensive as they used to be because with new technology always comes lower prices. It’s possible to purchase your customized bike from a local dealer, but for a custom-built bike, most likely you’ll have to go online.

Companies that offer custom-builds include Guru, Waterford, and Titus. Do a search on the web to find them, and they’ll tell you all the information you need to know to get a custom-built bike.

Alastair Hamilton is the author of many articles on different web publications, with subjects like cycling published online for http://www.bikecyclingreviews.com . A website with tips on road bike reviews.

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October 30, 2009

Better Deals on Mountain Bike Finance

Filed under: Bike Reviews — jennifer8163 @ 11:09 pm

Haggling is an age-old art form and while some people never seem to pay full price for anything, the majority of us take the ticket price as a finalised price without even testing the water for compromise. Haggling is not only appropriate for physical products but payment methods as well. Why pay hundreds or thousands of pounds over the original cost of a Mountain bike just because you’ve chosen to take advantage of mountain bike finance? Very few people are able to pay the full price of a car all in one go and so many dealers offer comprehensive finance packages ensuring that the cars they have sold will bring them a profit. Just like cars, mountain bikes are an expensive commodity and people want to spread the cost over a number of months or years. More and more dealers are offering mountain bike finance as a way to maintain their sales and attract new customers looking to purchase a bike without committing the full price all in one go.

Finance can be expensive. Make no mistake that dealers offering finance schemes are predominately interested in making a profit. However if you are willing to haggle you will often find yourself paying less for the price of the mountain bike and sometimes you can even net yourself some freebies!

Buying a mountain bike over the internet can be one of the cheapest00000736 ways to purchase a new bike at a good price. Most internet dealers offer finance packages with 0%-10% interest options. If you are flexible on the type of bike you’re after, shop around and you will be able to find a cheap bike with a 0% finance deal. Although there is normally a delivery charge of around £20, the difference in price of buying the same bike in a shop is normally much higher, so you are still saving when shopping through the internet. There is the added advantage of purchasing your bike online as a huge choice is available to you by simply clicking your mouse a few times. To access the same number of bikes in a shop you would have to spend all day visiting different suppliers, adding petrol costs onto the final price of your bike!

If however, you would prefer to see and test some bikes before you buy, shops are still able to offer good deals on finance as well as the cost of bikes, they just do not want to tell you about them! If a large retailer states that they are unable to reduce the amount of interest on their finance deals or tells you that the ticket price for a bike is final, walk away. They will be reluctant to lose a sale and will probably give in to some of your demands. As well as reducing the cost of paying by mountain bike finance, if you are confident enough and command the art of persuasion, you could end up walking away with free insurance, an extended warranty or free accessories such as a helmet or comfy bike seat.

So remember, when you are buying a mountain bike HAGGLE! Dealers are reluctant to lose a sale and will normally grant concessions if 00004000they think that you might walk away without spending any money. Not only can you get discounts off the products but also mountain bike finance and extra accessories. Confidence and eye contact is the key to success when haggling. Put these tips to good use and soon you will be enjoying your brand new mountain bike!

Author Mark Woodcock is a Webmaster of a wide variety of online specialty shops including a very popular site on Mountain Bike Finance. Visit http://www.allterraincycles.co.uk/bike_finance.html today.

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The Major Points That Separate BMX Bikes From Other Bikes

Filed under: Bike Reviews — jennifer8163 @ 8:06 pm

The Modern BMX bikes that many of us are familiar with have come a long way from the original bicycle invention and even from the BMX bikes of the late 60s which were specifically for jumps and dirt racing. After a while they even became desired even among those not into racing. These days you see kids riding them for everything to riding to school and visiting friends in addition to doing tricks.

These bikes like others come in many different sizes so that a diverse range of people can enjoy them. BMX is a sport that can be started as a young child and be continued well into adulthood. With the minis for kids up to the ages of six to nine, then the expert model up to thirteen year olds, and the professional size for that age through adult. These are only a guide since some kids are bigger than others, like my son who was over 200 lbs at 16 from lifting and surfing.

Another important factor that the bikes have is their lightweight construction which is crucial for jumping and racing. This is accomplished by the use of aluminum in many cases or with another low cost composite. By far the most popular metal used is aluminum.

One of the ways that a genuine BMX bike can be distinguished from regular bikes is that nearly all of them have 20″ wheels and knobby tires to assist with traction in loose dirt compared to regular bikes with smooth tires and smaller wheels. As mentioned before the frames are also much lighter but still sturdy which also sets them apart from the heavier recreational bikes on the market. Another way that BMX bikes stand out from regular bikes is that they only have one gear with one chain in order to do the tricks and so that they are easy to pedal backwards and forwards.

These bikes also generally do not have front brakes and they will have padding in place on the crossbar, the straddle bar, and the gooseneck. This is to protect the rider during BMX competitions as does the sturdy construction with the stem being held in place by 4 large bolts to keep the frame from coming apart when landing from a jump.

These bikes have been big business for 40 years and they definitely aren’t showing any signs of slowing down at all. You may think of kids when you think about BMX bikes but the fact is there are a lot of adults who ride them, especially when you think about the professional BMX riders. The extreme sports shows that are shown on ESPN and other sports channels have only added to the popularity of the bikes.

Gregg Hall is an author living with his beautiful wife and family in Navarre Beach, Florida. Find more about cycling as well as bicycle parts at http://www.bicyclepartsandclothing.com00004000

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ATV Shopping? Wait for a Sale!

Filed under: Bike Reviews — jennifer8163 @ 5:04 pm

The popularity of ATV riding has been increasing tremendously over the years so, if you

A Look At Some Of The More Common Mountain Bike Designs

Filed under: Bike Reviews — jennifer8163 @ 2:01 pm

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 i000009D4n 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 outdo00004000ors, 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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Buying a Full Suspension Mountain Bike

Filed under: Bike Reviews — jennifer8163 @ 10:58 am

Deciding which full suspension mountain bike to buy can be time consuming and stressful. So in an effort to make the process more enjoyable I put together some tips to consider before purchasing a new bike.

Tip # 1 - Determine your riding terrain. It is important for you to know your typical riding conditions. Will you be riding cross country, down hill or a combination of both? This question is very important to answer and will have a big impact on the type of bike that you purchase because some bikes are designed to accommodate specific riding conditions.

Tip # 2 - Determine your budget and stick to it. Buying a new full suspension mountain bike can be very expensive. Bikes, parts, and accessories vary in price and when added together can be costly.

Tip # 3 - Buy the best bike that you can afford within your budget. After you determine your budget buy a bike that meets your needs and has the best components that you can afford. Buying a base bike and upgrading later might sound like a good alternative but it will be more costly in the end.

Tip # 4 - Decide on what type of full suspension bike you want to buy. There are different types of full suspension bikes and each has their pros and cons. I am not going into detail about each suspension type so just know there are differences and be sure to ask about them when you visit the bike shop.

Tip # 5 - Buy your 00001475bike from a specialty bike shop. The people that work in specialty bike shops are knowledgeable and can explain to you the differences between bikes, components, etc. Do not feel intimidated when asking for assistance. They will help you find a bike that fits your budget and also setup the bike to your specifications. The bike store will also have many bikes for sale for you to choose from.

Tip # 6 - If you know exactly what you are looking for you can get a great deal on a bike and/or parts online via a store or a mountain bike classified website.

Tip # 7 - Test ride as many bikes as you can. The bike shop will let you test ride their bikes to help you determine which one is right for you. Take advantage of this option and ride as many bikes as you can. Test riding will help you measure different bike specifications and help you pick the right bike.
Good luck

Experience with full suspension and hartail mountain bikes, bike parts and organizing race events for mountain biking.

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Pacific Rim National Park Bike Trails

Filed under: Bike Reviews — jennifer8163 @ 7:55 am

The Northwest is a hidden paradise for bikers. The amount of trails and beautiful scenery would make anyone want to move their, set up shop, quit their job, and go biking everyday. One these gems that have not been completely discovered by the rest of the biking world is the Pacific Rim National Park, located on Vancouver Island, British Columbia.

The park itself is over 100,000 acres of beautiful beaches, forests, and the home to thousands of amazing wildlife. Before you set out, you should make sure to pick up a park map at the visitor center to find trailheads and weather conditions. There are two main trails that the park has to offer to bikers:

- Long Beach Trail
- Broken Group Islands

Long Beach

The trail starts at Schooner Cover, right on the beach for great ocean views. It enters into a beautiful cedar-hemlock forest, a slightly tropical climate with lots of green vegetation for most of the year. On this route you can experience bird and whale watching from the beaches or take a break and mount a cruise. At any point in this trip you can always get of your bike and take a steeper excursion for some different views.

Broken Group

One of the great parts of the park is the broken group islands that are a small archipelago. These can only be reached by boat, but are great to explore by bike as none of them are more than two or three kilometers wide. Or if you are tired of biking you can go ocean kayaking or canoeing if the waters are not so dangerous. You can also stay overnight and enjoy the beautiful skies that are unaffected by any lights from a city.

While not designated a biking park, if you feel adventurous you can find your own trails and have a unique experience. Stay within the park borders and see the sights. Enjoy on or off your bike with your entire family.

For More Information

If you would like more information of the Pacific Rim bikes trails of Vancouver Island, British Columbia, or would like more information on other bike trails, visit http://www.bike-locks.com today! Finding new bi0000210Cke trails and getting good bike advice is rare, check it out.

Joseph Devine

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The Right Kind Of BMX Bikes For Freestyle And Dirt Jumping

Filed under: Bike Reviews — jennifer8163 @ 4:53 am

Though BMX is a universally used term when it comes to BMX bicycles, it is important to know that BMX racing (or bicycle motocross) refers to racing on a dirt track. However, there are other types of BMX bikes used for different other forms of BMX racing. These are freestyle and jump bikes which are much heavier and sturdier than ordinary BMX bikes because of rigorous treatment they put through.

A good quality BMX bike for a beginner costs approximately $200. If you are into BMX freestyle and dirt jumping then you need to pay special attention to the type of BMX bike you are purchasing.

For BMX freestyle and dirt jumping, your bicycle should have a sturdy and heavy frame. If you compare an actual freestyle bicycle to a conventional BMX bicycle, you will realize that a freestyle bicycle is nearly two times heavier. While jump bicycles are lighter than freestyle bicycles but heavier than BMX bikes. If you are small in stature, you should not worry because there are many frame sizes to choose from.

Usually BMX bicycles have a 20

Understanding The History Of Mountain Biking

Filed under: Bike Reviews — jennifer8163 @ 1:50 am

When it comes to mountain biking, everybody who takes part does it for a different reason. It could be that they enjoy the leisurely rides along the countryside, it could be that they want to keep fit, or it could be that they want to take part in extreme biking. Whatever your reasons are for taking part in mountain biking, when you look back into mountain bike history, you will see that it wasn’t always as popular as it is today.

The History of Mountain Bikes

One of the main reasons why mountain biking is more popular today than it was in the 1970’s for example, is because the bikes today are designed much better than they used to be. The way they are designed now has made biking more accessible to more people. So whilst it may still have been popular back in the 1970’s, these days it is much more accessible to a wider range of people.

If you were to look at when mountain biking first started, you will notice that it was in California where a group of enthusiasts got together. They decided to try out downhill racing and that was the main type of mountain biking that was enjoyed right at the beginning. Today it is still as popular, but it is not the only type of biking enjoyed by enthusiasts these days. The tracks that were ridden along were exactly the same back then as they are today, it is only the bikes that have really changed.

The main trouble with the bikes when they were first designed, was that they were not overly sturdy. The bikes today are built to withstand practically everything that can be thrown at them. This makes them ideal for extreme biking. The frames have been made lighter, yet stronger at the same time. There are also more gears on mountain bikes today too. Riders first started to change their bikes when they wanted to adapt to d00002D16ownhill runs and routes. That is how the typical modern day mountain bike started out.

The bikes that were mainly on sale when mountain biking was first created, were ones that were created only for the road. So that is where they were mainly ridden. People did start to take their bikes off road, but it was not as popular. It was the enthusiasts within California which changed this and they thought about creating a bike that could handle all terrains.

So overall the main reason why you can now enjoy mountain biking off the road over all kinds of different terrain is down to those enthusiasts in California. It all started back in the 1970’s and thanks to those enthusiasts mountain biking is now more popular than ever before.

Alison Addy is a journalist who writes newsletters on history of mountain biking for http://www.bikecyclingreviews.com A website with tips on bike frame size and bicycle frames.

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