Commuter And Urban Bicycle Gear

There are lots of reasons to take up cycling. Some folks are having a hard time keeping up with the rising cost of gasoline and maintenance bills, so they choose to ride a bike. Others choose it because riding a bike is better for the environment than traveling in a car or using public transportation.

And then there are those who choose to cycle because they simply love it. Whatever your reason for going cycle shopping there are some definite criteria that you need to think about before you make your choice. You will be surprised at how much more there is to a bicycle than just the looks. Here are some helpful tips that you can use to help you decide which bicycle you should buy. By the way, cycling requires a healthy diet. We highly recommend Shakeology. It is delicious and there are a ton of fantastic Shakeology recipes to try out.

One of the most important things to keep in mind is the cost of the bike. Of course you are going to need to think about how much you will ride your bike as well as where you are going to be riding it, but cost is one of the most important things.

Good bicycles can cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars. Don’t worry if you do not have this much money available, there are lots of ways to cut down on the amount of money you will spend on your bicycle. The local auctions are some of the best ways to find wonderful deals on things like bicycles and equipment so you won’t find yourself spending too much money.

Always keep in mind that you want to test the bike before you buy it. It is important that you not buy anything before you’ve had the opportunity to ride it at least for a few minutes. It’s exactly the same as buying a used car; you would never find yourself buying a used car without taking it out for a ride.

Why wouldn’t you do the same with a bicycle? You need to do this especially if you are spending a lot of money on a bike that you know you will use for a long time. You need to make sure the bike is a perfect fit. This doesn’t only mean physically fit you, this also means one that easily fits your riding styles. You would never want to ride a bicycle that was uncomfortable for you.

If the bike you are buying is for your child, then you are going to have to think of something completely different than outlined here. Durable bikes are best, with wide tires to add stability and brakes that are easy to use. Style usually is also a factor in children’s bikes as is price because a bicycle can quickly become too small for your son or daughter to ride comfortably.

There are lots of things to think about when you are buying a cycling bicycle. Your choices range from safety issues to those of fashion. If you don’t have a lot of experience with cycling bicycles, you will probably feel overwhelmed and insecure as you start your shopping. By investing a bit of your time to look at your preferences you will make the best decision.

Look up some of your choices before you hit the store. The peace it will offer during shopping makes it very worthwhile. Last but not least, don’t forget to check out our article about Insanity and Shakeology.

Filed under: commuter bicycle gear on August 18th, 2010 | No Comments »

There are two kinds of brakes available for men’s mountain bikes.  The one is the older, conventional ‘V’ brake or rim brake, the other may be the modern disk brake.  Both types have their benefits and disadvantages and also the final choice you make depends on budget, what kind of mountain biking you intend doing and personal preference.

The old type of braking system may be the ‘V’ brake, which is a modification from the older cantilever brake, has been around for decades on all kinds of bicycles.  The brakes slow down the wheel clamping down a rubber brake pad onto the rim of the bicycle wheel.  The brakes are controlled via cables.  This really is a simple, cheap choice and is easy to keep, repair and use.  Rim brakes are lighter in weight than disk brakes, because there a less components.

Rim brakes have down sides though.  Rim brakes tend to wear out the rim from the wheel and over time, the rim can fall from the constant frictional wear.  Rim brakes are slower at stopping the mens mountain bike.  Rim brakes need  undamaged, perfectly level rims to work successfully.  Any bumps or flaws about the rim surface will cause brake judder.  This makes it hard to control the bike although it’s braking from high speed.  The rim brake doesn’t have a big surface area to press against, which adds to its braking inefficiency.  If tough braking is done constantly, the rim brake pads will cause a slight depression on the rim.  Consequently the wheel will brake at 1 point only in its revolution, causing flat spots about the tire.

Although disk brakes have been utilized on automobiles for numerous decades, their arrival on the bicycle scene is fairly recent.  From the mid 1990′s disk brakes were fitted to off road bikes like mountain bikes.  The performance of disk brakes on men’s mountain bikes is superior to that of rim brakes.  Because the disk is situated in the center of the wheel, the wheel stops quicker when the brakes are applied.  This is because of the relative distance the outside from the disk travels in comparison towards the rim of the wheel.  Disk brakes are better for high speed braking and are more suitable for muddy and wet conditions.  This is partly simply because of the location from the disk.  Being within the center of the wheel, it’s much further away from mud and debris than the rim.   Disk brakes allow for easier wheel changing.

The stopping power of disk brakes could be increased by using a bigger hub.  This really is important for downhill racing mountain bikes.  Disk brakes could be of the mechanical type, or from the hydraulic kind.  Hydraulic disk brakes are more responsive and require less force to push the brake calipers together.  They are more costly although and need much more care and maintenance.  Hydraulic disk brakes could be fitted to allow the front wheel to turn 360 degrees without cables getting tangled up.  This really is useful for trial and stunt riding.

The major brake kind for men’s mountain bikes since the mid 2000′s have been disk brakes.  The performance benefits they offer far over-shadow the extra pounds and price, compared to rim, or ‘V’ brakes.

Filed under: commuter bicycle gear on August 17th, 2010 | No Comments »

There are a few various suspension kinds available for men’s mountain bikes.  Which kind you require depends on the kind of riding you will be doing and also the typical terrain you intend riding on.  When mountain bikes were very first manufactured, all of them had strong, rigid, heavy frames.  None f them had any kind of suspension until the 1990′s when shock absorbers were very first introduced to the front forks.  Since then, suspension has become more and more popular amongst competitive and recreational MTB cyclists.  You will find four kinds of suspension for mountain bikes:

•    Rigid frame and rigid front forks, without having any rear suspension.

•    Soft tail, with slight rear suspension via frame flex, but without having pivots and no front fork suspension.

•    Hard tail, with shock absorbers about the front forks and no rear suspension at all.

•    Dual or Mens mountain bike full suspension, with shock absorbers about the front and back, with pivots for the rear suspension.

Hard tail mountain bikes had been the very first to have suspension components.  The early shock absorbers had about 2 inches of suspension travel.  Modern front shocks for mountain bikes have up to 8 inches of travel.  These hard tail mountain bikes have rigid rear suspension, so they are relatively unsophisticated and rugged.  The majority of the riding shock is experienced in the cyclist’s arms when hitting bumps or ramping over obstacles.  By standing on the pedals, with joints bent, the shock from the rigid rear wheel could be lessened.  Hard tail suspension is utilized for Cross Country mountain bikes (XC) and for Dirt Leaping mountain bikes.  Both disciplines need reliable heavy-duty suspension.

Rigid suspension off-road bikes are not that well-liked anymore, due to the preference of most recreational bicyclists to obtain some form of suspension.  Convenience is viewed as the biggest element in determining whether or not to buy a rigid frame bike.  Rigid frames are utilized in Single Speed (SS) racing events.  A rigid frame mountain bike will be much cheaper and heavier than the models with suspension elements.  Steel frame mountain bikes are repairable and tough.  The fancier light weight alloy frames usually cannot be repaired and also the entire bike needs replacing after an accident.

Modern day suspension designs have turn out to be much more ingenious to solve the problems that first plagued soft tail and dual suspension mountain bikes.  Rear suspension systems used to be rather heavy  and they interfered with the chain and reacted to the pedaling motion from the cyclist.  Modern day rear suspension utilizes the Horst design, which gives more freedom of movement towards the rear suspension via allowing it to move on pivots, too as offering a rear shock absorber.  Dual suspension is well-liked amongst downhill racers, simply because the suspension elements absorb the shock from bumps and jumps, limiting the bike’s upward travel.  Upward travel results in a loss of forward momentum, making the mountain bike slower after each and every jump.

Because of the simplicity of hard tail suspension systems, they are less expensive to purchase and simpler to maintain.  In spite of these factors, more men’s mountain bikes are now being manufactured as well as marketed that feature complete or dual suspension.

Written for mens mountain bike

Filed under: commuter bicycle gear on August 15th, 2010 | No Comments »

From where I live, waterproof shoe covers are always practical to have . You’ll never know when rain will pour . A pair of well-made shoes is expensive which is why you want them to last a little longer to maximize their value  . Wet feet are very uncomfortable; I hate the feeling of walking around with cold feet and squeaking shoes! Water has a damaging effect on leather and you and I both know how pricey leather shoes can be. Doesn’t it make you feel bad when your favorite pair has to retire early because you did not care for them properly? There are tons of waterproofing sprays and products available in the market today but are they really sufficient  to protect your shoes?

This may be something you never bothered with  before but the truth is there are a lot of available options to keep your shoes protected from the rain, snow or mud . It really doesn’t matter whether you’re looking for added warmth, more support, or protection for your shoe’s material or perhaps all of the above, there is waterproof shoe cover designed for your specific needs. These covers come in all shapes, sizes and colors. You have almost as many options for shoe covers as you do for shoes! These products have evolved so much for the past couple of years. Now style and comfort come hand in hand.

Waterproof shoes are way too expensive and if you are like me who doesn’t want to spend a lot of money, a shoe cover should be your best option.  If you are a biking enthusiast, protecting your shoes shouldn’t be a problem because there are various waterproof bike shoe covers made to best suit your active lifestyle. Burley Shoe Covers are great for keeping your feet dry but you can’t order directly from them. You have to go to a bike shop or you may want to check out mail order businesses that offer the said brand. If you want a cheaper option that works quite as well, you can turn to Tyvek Boot Covers. They usually come in white which will make you more visible to motorists. You can get away with them for as low as $1  . Now that’s an amazing deal !

Filed under: commuter bicycle gear on August 14th, 2010 | No Comments »

A Few Tips For Choosing A Road Bike In Melbourne, Australia

Find great deals on bicycles for sale Melbourne by shopping online. Find the many types of giant road bike choices you have. Head online today and learn more.

Road bikes are superb accessories for people with an active lifestyle. The bicycles are perfect for anyone interested in activities ranging from race training to casual and affordable transportation. For those interested in buying a road bike in Melbourne, certain things need to be contemplated first.

Road bicycles also serve important purposes for their users. They can be a inexpensive and highly efficient forms of transportation as they require only a little maintenance. They’re also ideal for athletes who are training thanks to their multiple gear modes and sturdy builds.

Faced with the task of bicycle shopping, many enthusiasts often debate back and forth about whether to buy new or used. Most professionals agree that when it comes to road bikes, the better option is to buy new. Even though there are many wonderful used bikes available, most of them will still be relatively expensive. So that, coupled with the fact that most bike shops will throw in good warranties, usually it is best to buy new.

Before a quest for the perfect bicycle can take place, you should first decide upon the make and model of road bike that will fit your specific needs. How you intend to use the new device should help determine the type you buy. The materials it is constructed from will make a big difference also.

To initiate your bike search, investigate local bicycle stores and online advertisements. Reputable road bikes can get very pricey so it is crucial that you look around and sniff out the best deal possible. Most bicycle shops will add in extended warranties and some free tune ups as well so be sure and inquire about these and other special offers.

When you examine potential bikes in person, the most important thing you can do is to get a fit. Have a knowledgeable salesman or shop owner measure your height and weight in the store. Each model of road bike is different and choosing the wrong one for you could end with damaged knees or a sore back.

Before you make a final choice, make sure to have some kind of budget in your mind. Road bicycles range anywhere from a hundred bucks to thousands of dollars. By identifying the amount of cash you have to spend ahead of time, you’ll be less likely to get coerced into a more costly bike. That being said, you should never do any business with a shop or salesperson that attempts to pressure you into a more expensive item.

In conclusion, road bikes can be wonderful investments whether you just enjoy riding a bike to work or are looking to train seriously for an event. Before you get one, be sure and do your research and find out which type of bike will work best for your needs. Whether it is aluminum or steel, the type of material a bike is made of is a big decision too. Be sure to stay on budget and get fitted for your bike by a trusted professional and soon you’ll have a trusted bike that should last you a number of years

Filed under: commuter bicycle gear on August 13th, 2010 | No Comments »

The the benefits to your health of cycling  are enormous  due to the fact that it gives you a regular  low impact aerobic work out, which means that it is a form  of workout  that is suitable for a much wider range of people than lots of other types  of regular excersise. The seated  riding position  is such  that the pressure  on many  of the joints and the spine  is reduced added to  the possibilty of } the rider to free wheel whenever  conditions  are right  means that most riders  can safely ride to a ripe old age, when they continue their urban cycling.

A regular  regime  of bike  riding helps to alleviate or at any rate lower  the dangers of many of the commonly named “silent killers” like assist with the reduction of  blood pressure and reducing cholesterol counts  in the  blood. Your cardiovascular stamina  and circulation  will get better , it raises ,  and helps keep  a healthy weight, and of course the always present and all too common threat of obesity.  An hour of cycling on your city bike at a moderate  pace uses  approx.  500 calories in someone  weighing  180 pounds.

OK that’s the scary stuff dealt with, the  best reason for riding on 2  wheels under your own power  means  you have much  more interaction  with your  environment. Also the  using your Focus Corrente is great  for the Earth , by helping to make you have better fitness levels, thus in the long run  requiring  less medical facilities, and lowering  your own  carbon footprint by reducing your own production  of exhaust emmsions.

Some  of the health benefits attained by the regular  exercise  of urban biking  are often  not really thought of as health benefits in the real sense of the term . For instance making use of  your urban cyling  on a regular  basis enables  you to obtain similar  advantages  as you would   with a  workout   at the gym, statistics show that  there is double the likleyhood that youn will maintain the cycling workout , as you are with the  costly gym membership. Simply being on two wheels and under  your own muscle power  gets you into a lot greater contact  with your surroundings versus speeding  by  enclosed in the lonely confines of your car, the contact can raise your feeling of well being (not very medical but it just makes you feel better). Having to deal  on a one to one basis with the  local environment will do marvels for your self confidence and self esteem.

There has to be  be a lot of  good about urban biking  because  there are now in excess of a billion bicyclists  world wide and they can’t all be wrong- can they ?

Filed under: commuter bicycle gear on August 12th, 2010 | No Comments »

Civia Bicycle Company is a unique  American company that produces  high-end commuter  bicycles  aimed specifically at the regular commuter, the company based in Minnesota and are a wholly owned division  of Quality Bicycle Supplies.

The Loring range  of urban  bicycles are constructed  in such a way  that quality  is of primary concern and  the Civia Loring Base 3 Urban Bike is a stylish and yet practical  aroundtext   town cycle with plenty  of room to transport  a load of books, groceries or whatever you need to carry .

The compnay has adopted the same policy when choosing names for its bike ranges, they are given their names from special  places within Minnesota, in this instance  the Loring, thier sleek and stylish errand  runner, is named for Loring Park, an island of green in downtown Minneapolis. Encircled  by schools, colleges, art museums and theaters, the Loring-Park area is the kind of environment the Loring was designed to ride .

This is possibley the favorite of all spaces with the local  cycling community  whether they are cycling across  to the farmer’s market to fill their baskets with fresh fruit & vegetables or heading  into the city to see  an exhibit at the Walker  Art Center, it is possible to begin and end lots of  urban adventures travelling  the tree-lined bike paths  of Loring Park

Civia has a passion  to build transportation for all cyclists , simple, beautiful  bicycles and products that carry you to work, to school, the grocer—everwhere  you need to be.

Civia Loring Base 3 Urban Bike is a fashionable and yet purposeful  about town cycle  with plenty of space to carry mostly anything you have  to transport to any pace you need to go .

The design philosophy for the base model is that is meant  for those  riders who are searching  for an enjoyable safe experience  covering  distances in the2  to fivet mile distances . The 2 inch tires enable you to glide  over the worst excesses of the urban pavement. The swept back “Loring 80 degree” were specifically  made for a comfortable grip, that combines  the benefits  of the perfect  riding stance  with an upright safe viewing position perfect for coping  with urban  traffic. The comfort  which  is so  vital as the bike is designed  for use every day, is provided  by a top quality Velo VL-6067 saddle, sounds impressive  doesn’t it, but the main thing is that it is comfortable   as it makes you feel as though you are gliding  through the down town drivers .

This is  absolutely not a one size is good for everbody bike, 4 frame sizes are available suitable for cyclists  from five foot to well over 6 foot.

The Civia Loring Base Bike is  very simple  to get on and off having  a low standover height, fitted with 26 inch wheels and the low BB drops provides stability while transporting  a full load.

The base mode,l while not cheap is of such brilliant  quality and that makes it a great value bicycle, that it will carry  you through the urban scene on one of the coolest looking urban bikes for many years.

Filed under: commuter bicycle gear on August 11th, 2010 | No Comments »

Treadmills have many advantages over real running and walking. Sure, you don’t get to go outdoors in the nature, but you can also avoid bad weather and all the other hazards that come with going out of your house, such as cars and passers-by. It’s much more relaxing to not have to keep your mind and one eye on the potential problems, and just concentrate on your running.

Apart from that, though, there are many more serious benefits. The ground remains at the same level for the whole run, which avoids you having to constantly adjust the way you’re running – you can build up a pace and then keep going. Also, the run is always at the speed you’re most comfortable with, and you can change it whenever you like. If you do want to run uphill, though, you can simulate that too, by adjusting the gradient of the machine.

Another advantage is in all the statistics you can collect about your running: because the machine is setting the pace of the run, it can calculate all sorts of things automatically, such as the amount of energy (calories) you have burned. You can also hook yourself to various monitors – heart rate monitors, breathing monitors, and so on – to check all the different aspects of your health when you run.

One of the best things about running indoors is that you don’t have to be bored while you’re doing it – you can watch TV or read a book while you’re using it. Even though it can be quite relaxing, though, treadmills are still a more effective form of exercise than some complex cardiovascular exercises. Faced with a choice between getting into all sorts of strange positions and contorting my body into odd shapes or just running on a treadmill, I know which one I’d choose.

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Filed under: commuter bicycle gear on August 10th, 2010 | No Comments »

My Favorite Exercise Bike: Schwinn 230 Recumbent Exercise Bike Overview

A short while ago, I was trying to find a piece of exercise equipment which i might actually stick with using. I’m so fed up with hanging my wardrobe on my cardio equipment and walking past the dusty weight bench in my basement. My husband and I have always been promising to lose those extra 50 pounds for a long time, but these days I’ve discovered that my energy levels are simply shot. As a result, I went about searching for recumbent exercise bikes since I’ve been told numerous excellent things about them. I came upon the Schwinn 230 Recumbent Exercise Bike and I’ve got to mention that I was pleased over-all.

What’s So Wonderful About a Recumbent Exercise Bike Anyhow?

A lot of people do not recognize that recumbent exercise bikes give the same exact aerobic advantages as riding a regular bicycle anytime, in all climate conditions and with out leaving the coziness and security of home. Do you ever see individuals riding bikes in the blazing summer heat or going down the side of a busy road? Instead of risking life and limb, why not have one in your home that’s comfy and does exactly the same thing?

This particular exercise bike will not consume a great deal of room and calls for no balance coordination on your part. In addition, you get a much cushier seat with no bruised butt bones at the end of the day. If you like to view Television, roll the bike in front of your favorite programs and begin burning calories. Recumbent actually means “lying down” which explains why these types of bicycles are quite popular now. They allow people to have complete ergonomic back support when they are exercising without leading to strains to their back, arms, neck or shoulders.

For many men and women, owning a piece of reliable and easy to use exercise equipment will make or break their physical fitness routine. I know that we have personally given up on a lot of workouts over the years. Having said that, a recumbent bike was the only piece of equipment which i determined I might stick with given it was so comfortable and easy to use.

Don’t They Take up An excessive amount of Room?

Fortunately, I found this particular exercise bike to be a space saver instead of a space hog. It really is small meaning that it is simple to store in an out of the way spot and doesn’t occupy an entire room. Additionally, it has these neat transport wheels that make the bike simple to move out of the way and store.

Exactly how Will I Know What To Do?

The half a dozen preset programs (calorie goal, BMI measurement, recovery test, results mode, quick start and manual mode) take the aggravation out of trying to figure out what type of workouts to complete on the bike and for the length of time. The sixteen resistance levels also take the uncertainty out of your exercise program because you could ramp up as you get stronger. You’re not just stuck with someone else’s idea of how hard to exercise. It even has ten profile courses. The work out stats include time, interval time, RPM, watts, distance, pulse, speed, calories, and resistance.

One wants a monitor that can be read easily with out a pair of powerful eye glasses or a flashlight, and this one has an adjustable angle LCD viewing console. Furthermore, having your time, distance, pace and calories burned will assist you to make you stay on track and truthful. Additionally it is an excellent way for you to observe how you’re progressing in your workouts daily. For many individuals, that provides them a little something to shoot for and a goal to aim at instead of not knowing how good you are doing. It also includes a three position angle adjustment to be able to shift it to the best place for your own height and placement.

What About My Tushy?

One of the biggest problems with some recumbent and upright stationary bikes is their less than enjoyable seats. I am sure just about everyone has been on some of those stationary bikes which make your buttocks bones ache for days or weeks when you finish riding it. This recumbent exercise bike is really a godsend for the reason that it has a wide recumbent Bio-Fit comfortable seat that features a dual position lumbar support. This is ideal for individuals of all shapes and sizes since it safeguards the lower back. The seat also slides forwards and backward to give you a lot more room if you require it or less for those who have shorter legs. It also features a somewhat lower pedal height which produces an even more pleasant riding position and an easy step-through frame.

Any Additional Benefits Of This Exercise bike Over Another One?

Something I truly favored were that there are heartrate grips are made directly into the handlebars so that it is very simple to take your pulse while you are riding. You definitely need to monitor your pulse rate when exercising, but the truth is don’t want to have to frequently stop to make sure that you are in the fat burning zone.

The Bio-Fit pedals are amazing because they are broader than normal pedals which can make them much more comfortable regardless of what size your feet are!

The exercise bike also has the perfect place for your water bottle in addition to a reading rack. This means that you don’t have to be bored out of your mind while you are riding on it. Sometimes listening to songs is great, but everyone has those occasions where we would choose to read in silence. This bike enables you to have that time without needing to balance a book or a newspaper in your lap. The exercise bike supports to 300 lbs and has a ten year frame warranty in addition to a 1 year warranty on mechanical and electrical.

So, if you’re thinking about the Schwinn 230 Recumbent Exercise Bike, I recommend jumping on it soon. Sometimes there’s a large discount or sometimes free shipping being offered that makes it a great deal!

Filed under: commuter bicycle gear on August 9th, 2010 | No Comments »

You can experience the ultimate in cycling year round with the Tacx Fortius virtual reality trainer. It allows you to ride just like you were on the road, year round.  You can push a button to select the team you want to ride with.  You can choose the terrain that you prefer.  It is almost as though you are there. The included software simulates the pain of grinding uphill or the speed of descents. You will feel like you are really in a race. You may even see a crash or two and see what it’s like to be in the thick of the peloton when riders go down.

You can use the Tacx Virtual Reality Trainer to build your endurance and maintain it until your next big race.  Many people use these trainers to stay up on their game all year long. There are three different versions of the TacX Virtual Reality Trainer.  There is the i-Magic T1900 which allows you to experience various types of road surfaces or terrain. You may be on smooth asphalt or a rough and bumpy road. 

The flagship model of the TacX lineup is the Fortius.  It comes with the motorized brake so that you have the feeling of climbing hills and riding on declines also. The Fortius Multiplayer is the top of the line for Tacx fortius virtual reality trainer models.  With the power brake module, it gives you a very accurate sensation of riding outside. You will feel the climbs and descends more with this model than with any other.

There is no question that the TacX Virtual Reality Trainer is a high-quality indoor virtual trainer that will help you stay on top of your fitness when and if you can’t get out on the road. It is easy to get lost with the virtual trainer as though you were really in the actual terrain. This makes workouts a lot more enjoyable and the time passes much quicker

Tavis is a 2x Ironman Triathlon Finisher and training for Ironman Canada 2010. For more information about the TacX Fortius, please drop by his iwillnotbonk.com Triathlon Training Blog.

Filed under: commuter bicycle gear on August 6th, 2010 | No Comments »