Bike Reviews

March 22, 2010

A Look At Some Of The More Common Mountain Bike Designs

Filed under: Bike Reviews — jennifer8163 @ 1:18 am

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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March 21, 2010

Mountain Biking Vacations

Filed under: Bike Reviews — jennifer8163 @ 10:16 pm

If you are looking for an exciting new vacation, why not try a mountain biking tour. You will see sights that you could never have seen on a regular bus tour. The most important part of booking a mountain bike tour is the research you must do before hand. The internet will most likely be your greatest resource for planning this type of trip. You can also look into a travel agent that specializes in this type of travel.

Before you begin your planning, you need to decide where you would like to go and what type of tour you want to do. There are tours that specialize in family travel, singles, women, and many other groups. There are so many different locations to explore; it will help if you can narrow down a region you would like to visit. Because of the physicality of a mountain biking tour, they are generally shorter in duration then a regular bus tour. The usual biking tour will last approximately two to three days. Keep this in mind when reviewing price. It is a good idea to book with an established company. They will have several years of experience in this type of travel and you will be able to find positive reviews of the company and the travel experience.

Be sure to fully understand the specifics of the contract, the most important aspect being the cancellation policy. You will want to know ahead of time how long you have to get your deposit back and if there are specific circumstances under which you can cancel without penalties.

After you have booked your tour, make sure you are prepared. If at all possible, you may want to bring your own mountain bike rather than renting one from the tour company. You will be more comfortable with a bike you are familiar with. Whether you choose to rent the bike or not, make sure that you bring your own safety gear. Your helmet and gloves should fit perfectly, don’t leave your safety up to a rental.

Weather conditions can greatly affect your trip. Find out ahead of time what type of weather is expected during your trip and make sure you pack appropriately. Rain gear is very important and you should have an extra pair of shoes with you in case they get wet or damaged.

Properly researching your vacation and having the appropriate gear when you travel will ensure that you have the best and safest experience possible.

Sydney Garrison is an avid cyclist and sports enthusiast. She 00000EFAis also a partner in an online bike carrier store.

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Lightweight Folding Bikes For The Convenience Of Your Everyday Transit

Filed under: Bike Reviews — jennifer8163 @ 10:46 am

The arrival of the lightweight folding bikes was welcome news for most every day commuters. Actually, these bicycles can easily be folded, packed and stowed away neatly; they are so light that you can carry them with you effortlessly. No wonder that these days many people are choosing to travel on their lightweight folding bicycles instead of using cars and motorbikes.

Specialty

Made from lightweight Aluminum, the different folding bike models are not inferior to regular bikes in terms of performance and durability. Lightweight folding bicycle models of different sizes and styles are available in the market. You will need to select one fit for your requirement and style of riding.

Electricity-driven folding bikes have also been launched by some manufacturers and if you are one of those reluctant bicycle-riders, you can simply whiz around on them.

Pricing

As far as prices are concerned, you can surely strike good, cheap deals if you shop around, doing a little bargaining. Shopping online provides you the opportunity of checking the prices being offered by different dealers in a matter of moments.

Following below are some super-performance lightweight folding bicycle models:

Airframe Folding Bicycle

Befitting its nomenclature, the Airframe folding bicycle with its high-grade alloy frame (if not as weightless as air) weighs just 23.2 lbs. Designed by Graham Herbert, this commuter bike

Understanding The History Of Mountain Biking

Filed under: Bike Reviews — jennifer8163 @ 7:44 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 d00000905ownhill 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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About Mini Bikes

Filed under: Bike Reviews — jennifer8163 @ 4:42 am

Mini bikes have developed greatly throughout the years, they were first built with 4 stroke engines which usually came out of yard equipment such as lawn mowers. However today you are more likely to see a two stroke bike which has been designed to look the same as the larger motorcycles available today.

Mini bikes were first created by enthusiasts using spare parts which were found in their garage. These started to become popular in the 50’s with many people using them as ‘pit bikes‘ for drag racers. They were useful as they took up roughly around the same amount of room as a bicycle would in the trailer and were easy to manouvre and were a lot quicker than bicycles when used around the pit lanes.

The racers that created these would then often use these motorcycles at home and around their neighborhood where children would see them and want them as they liked the idea of a ‘mini motorcycle’. The popularity of these motos quickly grew and companies started to produce these bikes in order to sell to a growing market. The first mini bike companies which were set up to sell these mini bikes were companies such as Rupp, Arctic cat and Fox.

It is from these early designs that all other forms of mini bikes were developed. Firstly the pocketbike/mini moto was created, these are miniature racing replicas of GP bikes.

Pit bikes have also been created from the original designs, these now look like motocross bikes and are more commonly being used in competitions.

Also chopper mini bikes have been created, these are scaled down versions of larger chopper bikes including replicas of Harley Davidson choppers.

Mini bikes are now more popular then ever, with hundreds of thousands of new models being purchased each year. Why not take a look at what mini bikes are on offer at Minimotosgo.com. We have an extensive list of mini bikes for sale including Rupp minibikes for sale and mini dirt bikes for sale.

Also if any more information is required on mini bikes then there is all the information needed on the site.

Marc Wilton, I have been riding mini motos for around two years now and am currently an editor for the website mini motos go.

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Pocket Bike Parts

Filed under: Bike Reviews — jennifer8163 @ 1:40 am

Maintenance is an important factor in keeping your bike running smoothly, whether it is a normal bike or a pocket bike. So frequently changing worn out parts with new parts is a way to re-power your pocket bike and to make sure that it continues to operate efficiently.

There are many different parts that constitute a pocket bike, and all the parts are offered under different categories and serial numbers. However, many parts are exchangeable. The vital body parts of a pocket bike are tires, wheels, axles, gas tanks, chains, engines, pistons, carburetors, throttle units, brake parts, and cylinders. High-velocity chrome stack and high-performance air filters are also essential ingredients to boost the power of pocket bikes. Chrome racing pipes, mufflers, and other accessories are available in the market; these accessories all add a custom touch your pocket bike.

Pocket bikes offer both convenience and fun. These bikes can be easily carried in your arms, and they are able to offer fast speeds. Gas-powered engines power up pocket bikes. Disc brakes in the front and rear, racing tires, fairings, light-weight aluminum alloy cast perimeter frames and swing arms, etc., are the features that can be added to a pocket bike. Different parts of a pocket bike have their own functions; for example, the gas tank stores gasoline and the carburetor pumps air in from the environment.

Each of the different pocket bike parts have an essential role to play in the proper functioning of the pocket bike and each part needs to be properly maintained in order to maximize the life and the power of your pocket bike.

Pocket Bikes provides detailed information on Pocket Bikes, Mini Pocket Bikes, Cheap Pocketbike, Pocket Bike Parts and more. Pocket Bikes is affiliated with Mountain Bike Parts.

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March 20, 2010

Road Bikes For Sale - 3 Factors to Consider When Purchasing Road Bikes at Discount Prices

Filed under: Bike Reviews — jennifer8163 @ 10:17 pm

For the beginner, purchasing a road bike can be overwhelming task as there are many different types to choose from and numerous factors to consider. Brand new bikes can easily cost upwards of thousands of dollars depending on the brand name and the quality but fortunately, great discounts can be had by shopping online or purchasing used. Here are 3 factors to consider when purchasing road bikes for sale.

1. Check the condition of the bike

Always be sure to check the condition of the bike and that there are no significant cracks or areas that are rusted as this can damage its integrity. When shopping online, be sure to request as much detail as possible about the bike and that you deal with a reputable seller. The last thing you want is your bike braking on you when riding through a mountain trail.

2. Be sure the bike has been properly maintained

Ensure that the bike has been properly maintained with the previous owner and has had its tires and chains replaced when needed. The bike should also have been kept clean so as to prevent buildup of grim and dirt. Again, if you are purchasing online th00004000is will be difficult to determine so be sure to get as much information about the bike as you can before committing to the purchase.

3. Research the bike ahead of time

Once you narrow down your choices into specific brand names and models, be sure to check the manufacturer’s website to find out whether that bike has been recalled. There are numerous reasons why a bike can be recalled but typically items such as bars, stems and seat posts may cause injury due to defects. If your bike has been recalled for any reason, make sure that the seller has taken care of the issue.

Finding great deals online is a great way to saving a significant amount of money. Always check the condition of the bike and that it has been well maintained. Be sure to keep these factors in mind as your safety is extremely important.

Ready to get started?

Get free tips on where to get road bikes for sale and what factors to consider in finding the most ideal bike for you.

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Going Green With Hybrids - The IZIP and Other Electric Bicycles

Filed under: Bike Reviews — jennifer8163 @ 7:15 pm

Because of the energy crisis, hybrid is the buzzword of the day. With respect to cars, hybrid usually refers to engines that uses electricity and gasoline. The combination of both gets you more gas mileage. For example the 2008 Toyota Prius, a well-known hybrid car, gets 48 miles per gallon as oppose to a comparable 4-cylinder non-hybrid car, say a Honda Civic, that gets 36 miles per gallon. By the way, Honda also has a hybrid version of the Civic and it gets 45 miles per gallon. The point is hybrid technology allows you to cover more grounds for a given set of resources, gasoline in this case.

In the cycling world, the term hybrid refers to bicycles with electric motors . Yep, that’s traditional push pedaling made easy with electricity . Instead of more gas mileage, you get more miles pedaling and best yet, you don’t have to buy gas (because it’s a bicycle).

THE FRUGAL AND HEALTHY CONSUMER

But you’re asking why mention gas with bicycles? In the past, at least in the United States, gas prices were never a concern. Up until 2006 or so, Americans were able to buy gas for under $2.00 per gallon. That’s practically nothing! Two years later, it’s a different story.

In other parts of the world, however, they haven’t been so lucky. Europeans have been experiencing gas prices between $5-$8 per gallon for years. But they still get around. Common among their usual transport is a bicycle. You’ve seen many pictures of common folks getting around town bicycling. Kinda like what we did when we were kids. To get more “mileage”, a lot of Asians and Europeans use hybrid electric motor bikes.

Many smart and frugal folks are discovering electric bicycles for short distance commuting to save money. You don’t have to pay for gas!

There is another advantage. Since you’re pedali00000960ng, you’re exercising. Makes you healthy. Of course, not everyone is in superb physical shape to be pedaling from one side of the city to the other. But remember, it’s a hybrid bike. The electric motor helps you pedal . Therefore you can get in shape slowly, but at the same time do so enjoying the outside.

The price of a hybrid bike may set you back from $500 to $1000 USD. But that should pay for itself within a year if you can save on $50-$70 a month on gas and/or $20-$30 on gym membership.

THE ECO-FRIENDLY CONSUMER

Just as important as saving money, there is a global trend, or at least in the US, to be more eco-friendly. Among others, gasoline is a concern. As you know, burning gasoline emits pollutants that are harmful to both the environment and our health. Transportation that uses less gas (hybrid cars) and no gas (electric car, hybrid bikes, electric scooters) are getting a lot of attention among consumers.

THE CHOICES OF HYBRID ELECTRIC BICYCLES

Though there are quite a few manufacturers of electric bicycles in existence, none of them are quite household names yet. But below are just a handful electric bikes readily found from Amazon, eBay, Shop.com and other online retailers:

iZIP Enlightened Hybrid Electric Street Bicycles

From Currie Technologies, the iZIP is one of the more popular electric hybrid bikes. In one battery charge, it can travel up to 23-30 miles depending on the cycler’s weight. Top speed on this 8-gear street bike can be up to 18 mph. As you can see from the pictures, the motor and battery pack are cleverly integrated within the bike’s frame. So unlike most electric bicycles, these components are not visually obtusive. The geared hub motor is a brushless DC type encased in an alloy shell. The battery pack is made of NiMH EV Rated Batteries Down Tube Concealed 24V / 9AH Pack (20) 1.2V Rechargeable Cells. There are men’s and women’s versions of the iZIP bike.

The Euro Electric Bicycle

Designed for urban commuting, the Euro gives you the impression you’re gliding to your destination. The rear storage rack makes it easy to run errands such as groceries. The Euro is powered by a 24V 10Ah Li-ion battery with 6 speed Sh000026F7imano derailleur and a high speed 350W motor. Since the battery is Lithium-ion, it can be recharged over 1,000 times, making it more durable than a typical NiMH battery and SLA (sealed lead acid) battery. Another plus is that Li-ion batteries are recyclable making this electric bike a truly eco-friendly.

Electrec Electric Bicycle

From Ideation Taiwan, the Electrec electric bicycle allows for non-pedal cruising for an 8-12 mile ride using only the motor. Of course, the actual range depends on the terrain and weight of the cycler. This seven speed electric bike comes with a 600-watt high-torque brushless motor powered by a 24-volt, 12 amp-hour battery pack.

The author is the producer for http://planetcomicbookradio.com and writes on various topics such as the benefits of electric motor bikes.

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Thule Spare Me Spare Tire Bike Rack

Filed under: Bike Reviews — jennifer8163 @ 4:13 pm

When you start bicycling usually you begin by your home. But when you get more serious about biking you might want to ride in different areas. That means you will probably need to get a bike rack for your vehicle to open up your bicycling opportunities.

There are many types of bike racks and they all work well but it depends on what type of vehicle you have. There are racks that attach to the trunk or rear hatch of a car. There are racks that attach to the roof of your vehicle (these racks offer more versatility for other items such as skis or cargo but can be rather expensive). Also there are bike racks that attach to receiver hitches. These racks are very convenient because you can remove them easily after use but you must have a receiver hitch to use this type. Again that adds expense. And if you have a pickup they also make bike racks for the bed of the truck.

The type that I have been using for the last couple of seasons is the type that attach to the spare tire of my vehicle. These types of Bike Racks only work if you have a spare tire on the back of your vehicle. Usually these vehicles are SUV’s. And my vehicle is a Jeep Wrangler so this was the type of bike rack that I decided to purchase. Specifically I purchased the Thule Spare Me bike rack. It attaches with a plate that goes behind the spare tire and has a threaded square tube that holds the rack in place. Then a lockable bolt tightens the rack against the tire and keeps it from falling off the end. The rack also folds down when not in use to keep it out of the way.

I have been satisfied the this bike rack since I purchased it a few years back. I have no complaints, it has served it’s purpose and it does exactly what it is supposed to. But I wish I had bought a receiver hitch bike rack. I already had a receiver hitch on my Jeep and the spare me bike rack adds extra weight to the spare tire that was not designed to support extra weight. I00000769 must note I haven’t seen any problems with the spare tire on my truck but I’m still a little concerned. Also if I sell my vehicle and buy something without a spare tire on the back of it the bike rack will no longer be of use to me. If I had bought a receiver hitch bike rack I could move it around from vehicle to vehicle (assuming they have a receiver hitch). The other reason I wish I have bought a receiver hitch bike rack is the number of bikes you can get on the rack. The spare tire bike racks are limited to two bikes.

You can get versions of receiver hitch bike racks that can hold 3, 4 or even 5 bikes. It’s not that big of a deal when you are bicycling by yourself but when you start hanging out with other bicyclists it is nice to be able to get more bikes on your bike rack for getting away from your usual bike rides. I would also suggest getting a receiver bike rack that fits both Class 2 and Class 3 hitches. You cannot get Class 3 hitches for all vehicles and if also makes it easier to move the hitch to other vehicles, such as your friends car because it’s their turn to drive.

Some other issues to keep in mind when using bike racks. First when you have 2 or more bikes on you bike rack they will probably rub together and scratch you bikes. There are accessories that will help you keep your bicycles away from each other but I have not used them “yet”. And second, some smaller mountain bikes will not fit on your bike rack. But don’t make the same mistake I did and go get a bigger bike to fit on the bike rack. They make what is called a “bike 00002FADbeam” that goes from the handle bar stem to the seat post. The only downside to the bike beam is your bicycle will move more but it does what it is designed to do. Make your bike fit on your bike rack.

Dennis Gertgen is an intermediate bicycle rider. He has been Bicycling seriously since the summer of 2007. He rides both road bikes and Mountain bikes as often as he can. And he is sharing some of his experiences with biking, trails and equipment. You can check out this article and his personal blog here: Bicycling Blog

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A Look At Some Of The More Common Mountain Bike Designs

Filed under: Bike Reviews — jennifer8163 @ 10:50 am

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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