December 8th, 2011 — Biking, Clothes and Gear, Swim Bike Run
Too many people think about the design which was made popular in the 1800’s for womens bicycles. These had a low sweeping top tube to accommodate a dress. These days there is no longer a need for the low top tube. There is however, still a need for a different design in the bike. This is because of the way a woman’s body is different from a man’s. There are a few different things to keep in mind when buying a bike as a woman. This will prevent you from buying a bike which will be okay. By keeping a few different things in mind, you will be able to buy a bike which will be great.
Anatomy of a Woman
Before buying that unisex bike, keep in mind how a woman’s body id different from a man’s. Women have a shorter torso, longer arms and longer legs than a man. This is something which should be kept in mind when buying womens bicycles. The right bike will be designed to meet the specific needs of a woman. This should be accomplished without any modifications being done to the bike after it has been purchased.
The Angle of the Seat Tube
Because women have longer legs than men, womens bicycles should accommodate for this fact. This means having a seat tube which is almost completely perpendicular to the ground. This allows for a longer distance between the seat and the pedals. Having the right angle on the tube allows a woman to be able to easily reach the pedals and not have her knees in her chest. The seat can also be pitched to create a perfect angle to reach the handle bars.
The Right Length Top Tube
The right womens bicycles will have a top tube which will bring the handlebars closer to the seat. This is because the woman’s torso is shorter. The closer bars will also allow a greater angle on the front fork. This will increase the wheel base for a steadier ride. This is important as all of the changes which are made should be in tandem to allow for a better ride. Some manufacturers will make one change without regarding the angles and lengths for the rest of the bike. This is a mistake seeing as it will cause for a bad ride and can even lead to accidents.
Careful for Toe Overlap
One danger which is common in womens bicycles is the danger of hitting the front wheel with your toe. This can happen when the wheel is too close to where you are pedaling. This is a danger when you are traveling at slow speeds, but can still cause serious injuries. If the manufacturer has not compensated for the possible overlap, you may want to consider buying a shorter crank. This will cause you to have to pedal faster because your feet are closer to the crankshaft, but you will at least be free from danger. Better yet, simply buy a bike which has accommodated for your safety.
Photo Credits: richardmasoner
Originally posted 2010-03-29 03:02:58. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
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November 18th, 2011 — Clothes and Gear, Swim Bike Run, Triathlon Tips, Triathlon Training
Some people think competing in a triathlon means wearing what you would normally wear in the different individual sports. This is not accurate. In fact, you should have special triathlon equipment to help you get the highest level of performance possible. Make sure you choose the equipment which is recommended by those who have competed in triathlons before. You should try the different components if possible to make sure they will work for you before using then in actual competition.
The Triathlon Wetsuit
The wetsuit is what you will start your competition in. This is dubbed as one of the more important pieces of triathlon equipment available. There are different styles which are available to you. In colder weather events, many people will opt for the long sleeve wetsuit. In warmer weather, most people will opt for the shorts only. Some people will simply wear the swimming trunks to start out the race when in warm months. Choose the one which will make you comfortable as you enter the water, swim and exit for a transition.
The Triathlon Bicycle
While it is possible to complete a triathlon with a road bike, the triathlon bike is considered to be much better. The specialized piece of triathlon equipment highlights a handlebar which has bars which will allow your skeleton to support your upper body. This will prevent stress on the back while you are riding the bike. This will make the transition to the running section a lot easier. You will notice other changes in the dimension of the bike including a frame which is lower to the ground and a more forward leaning angle to the seat tube. This is a good bike to buy if you plan to race in more than one triathlon in your life.
The Right Shoes
The shoes you wear are very important pieces of triathlon equipment. You should have different shoes for biking and for running. This will help you to perform at the top of your game. Your ability to change your shoes between sections is part of what will help to make a difference in your overall time. You do not want to lose what you are gaining by having the right equipment simply so you can have the ability to put it on.
Training Schedule
One of the most important pieces of triathlon equipment is something you will not even physically have during the race. This is the schedule you will follow as you are training for the event. Creating the right schedule is important to keep you on track. You will be able to create a schedule which will keep you challenged and will improve your endurance and strength. By following the schedule you create, you will have all of the tools you will need to succeed on the day of the race. This is the best way to make sure you will do your absolute best when it really matters.
Photo Credits: Mat Honan
Originally posted 2010-03-23 10:12:30. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
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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 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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