November 10th, 2011 — Biking, Swim Bike Run
The bicycle rides you choose will depend on how you will be using them. When you are talking about rides, you are talking about your bike. Something people are not aware of when they first buy a bike is that there are different rides they can choose from. You can choose one which is designed for the road, for a triathlon and for mountain biking. It is a good idea to make sure the ride you choose is designed just for what you will be using it for. This is because you will find superior comfort as well as superior performance.
The Female Bike
While it is possible to buy bicycle rides which are unisex, it is a better idea for women to buy bikes which are designed just for women. This is because the frame is designed to meet the needs which are specific to women. The seat tube will be at a sharper angle to the ground in order to accommodate the longer legs women typically have. The top tube will also be shorter to accommodate the shorter torso most women have. You will even find shorter cranks to avoid your foot running into the wheel.
The Street Bike
This is the lightest of all the bicycle rides on the market. This is because you will not need a lot of reinforcement for the ride ahead of you. You will be on smooth surfaces with varying slopes. You will need the lighter bike so your energy will be directly translated into forward momentum. The street bike is also designed to give you options between riding upright and hunching down to get more aerodynamics. You should make sure the bike you choose is designed for your height. Ask a good bike shop to measure you for the right size bike.
The Triathlon Bike
The bicycle rides used for triathlons are different from the average street bike. While it is possible to ride a street bike in your first triathlon, it is not recommended as you reach higher levels of performance. This is because the triathlon bike will actually help you to be ready for the running portion of the race. The handlebars which are used by the triathlon bike will force your body to use skeletal support rather than muscular support to create an aerodynamic posture. This will make it where your back will not be tired as soon as you start running,
The Mountain Bike
The first difference you will notice in bicycle rides designed for mountain biking is their heavy reinforcements. You will also notice the shocks which are on the front and rear forks. This is important to allow you to go over the roughest terrains without causing any damage to yourself or your ride. You will also notice a difference in the gears which are used and the way in which you shift gears. Another main difference is in the handlebars and the wheels which are used. This provides you with a ride designed for abuse.
Photo Credits: Thorne Enterprises
Originally posted 2010-03-12 03:09:01. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
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October 19th, 2011 — Biking, Swim Bike Run
Any vehicle you own is going to need maintenance to keep performing reliably. If you would like your bicycle to not leave you stranded out on the trail, then you need to keep it in good working condition. If you love your bike, then your bike will love you back.
The majority of people who purchase and ride a bike do want to keep their bike in good operating condition, but they do not know where to start. This list should give everyone a good idea of what needs to be done, and when. If you ride in the rain and / or mud often, or put a lot of extra mileage on, then of course you will need to do this maintenance more often. On the other side of things, if you are a more casual rider, you obviously can use a more relaxed maintenance schedule
Before you go on every ride, you should check the air pressure of your tires, check your brake cables and pads, check your cranks for slop or play, and make sure your quick release hubs (if you have them) are set firm, but not overly tight.
After every ride you should check your tires for glass bits, nails, thorns, cuts, or sharp gravel. Make sure your wheels are true, and roll straight, with no wobble. Clean the various mechanicals as necessary, such as the derailleurs, and brake arms.
Once a week, or every 200 miles (whichever comes first) you should lubricate your chain.
Every Month
Once a month you should do a full cleaning of your bike, including the drivetrain if need be. Be sure to inspect the chain and your freewheel. Inspect and lubricate the pedals, style cleats, brake levers and all of your cables. Check for looseness in screws and bolts throughout your bike.
Every Three Months
Wax your bike because shiny and clean bikes go faster as well as farther. Inspect the frame and the fork for cracks or bulges in the paint that may indicate part damage. Visually inspect the entire bike looking for bent or broken components.
Every Six Months
Every six months you are going to want to inspect as well as readjust the bearings in the headset, the hubs, the pedals and in the bottom bracket. Some sealed cartridge bearings are incapable of being adjusted and can only be replaced, so only do this if it is feasible to.
Annually
Every year you are going to want to disassemble and overhaul the entire bike. You should be replacing all of the bearings if it is possible for you to do so. You should remove the brake cables and shift cables and replace them if it is necessary for you to do so. This should definitely be performed when you hit 6000 miles if you are riding more than that many miles every year. If you are a commuter that rides in the rain or if you get dirty in mountain biking then you are going to want to overhaul your entire bike more often.
Before you take any important journey with your bike you should have a professional go over your bike to double check all of the adjustments so that there are no problems that spoil your excellent ride.
Photo Credits: xddorox
Originally posted 2009-10-22 03:23:07. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
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October 12th, 2011 — Biking, Swim Bike Run
A bicycle is a two wheeled vehicle driven by human power using 2 pedals. The wheels are generally attached to a metal frame, one in front, and one in back. Sometimes the frame is made of carbon fiber, or hard plastics.
The first bicycle was originally introduced in the 19th century in Europe. Presently, bicycles number around one billion across the entire world. In some areas of the world, they are the primary mode of transportation for the people, most notably in China and the Netherlands. Bicycles have also grown to become a popular entertainment form of recreation. Bicycles in one form or another have been adopted into many roles and facets of life, such as toys, military and police applications, courier services, cycle sports, etc.
The basic config and shape of the bike that we know has not changed much since was developed in 1885. Particularly of late, subtle details have been improved via use of computers and the improvement of materials used to make the bicycles. The general use of modern technology has made it easy to have specialized designs for different types of cycling.
The Parts and Construction of a Typical Bicycle
Wheels: The initial wheels of the first bikes used a wooden hub and a steel axel, the spokes were wood, and the “tire” was iron tacked on the outside. Today, the wheels have a metal alloy hub, steel or aluminum spokes, the rim is metal, and the tire is a treaded pneumatic that fit into the rim. Today’s wheels use bearings inside the hub which provide a smoother and freer roll.
Frame: The vast amount of today’s bikes use the diamond frame, which looks like 2 triangles attached together. The front half has the head tube, the seat tube, the top tube, and the down tube. The head tube contains a pair of bearings for steering. The top tube connects to the down tube, which the seat fits into, and also connects to the bottom bracket, where the cranks and crank bearings are found. The rear half of the frame is the seat and chain stays.
Drivetrain: The drivetrain is the pedals, crank arms, crank axel, chain, and front and rear sprockets.
Sitting and Steering: Steering is done via the handlebars which are connected at the head tube. Sitting is provided by a saddle that sits atop the seat tube. Bike seats come in many shapes and sizes for different type of cycling, and so do bicycle handlebars.
Brakes: Today’s bikes use one of three types of brakes. Side pull brakes, which activate by clamping against the side of the rim when you pull the brake lever, disc brakes which have a pair of padded calipers that grab a brake disc when you pull the lever, and the coaster brake which engages when you pedal in reverse.
Suspension: A relatively new system on bicycles, there are many means of accomplishing suspension systems on a bike. Front suspension is usually a simple dual spring shock system, though some bikes have a single short but stiff spring shock between the top of the forks and the axel going up into the head tube. Rear suspensions vary greatly from manufacturer to manufacturer. Loss of power due to “pedal bob” has caused the introduction of spring shock suspended seat posts to allow for a smooth ride without this loss of power.
Accessories: mudguards, chain guards, kick stands, baskets, rear racks, bike pumps, locks, drink bottles with holders, all of these are accessories that can be had for a bicycle.
Photo Credits: indywriter
Originally posted 2009-10-16 03:11:46. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
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