Executive Summary about Mongoose Black Diamond Triple by Brady
Mini downhill bikes are growing in popularity and rightfully so, allow people to use one bike to do both trail riding and light-to-medium downhilling. The geometry of these bikes is modeled after their larger downhill counterparts. Some of these bikes are also marketed as freeride bikes and they are also fully capable of filling that niche.
Over the past two years, Mongoose has been getting their foot back into the door of high end bike market with their introduction of the Freedrive suspension design first seen on the ECD downhill bike. They have outfitted an entire line of suspension bikes with the Freedrive system, has the wheel path of a single pivot bike because functionally, it is a single pivot bike – a high pivot single pivot design to be exact. However, the major shortcomings of a high single pivot bike have been overcome with the Freedrive system, overcomes this characteristic of a high pivot by moving the bottom bracket rearward with the suspension movement. This keeps the chainstay lengths constant and there by allows the bike to manual like a typical bike. The rear end of the BD3 is identical in structure and design to the rear end of their downhill model, the ECD, and can be adjusted to either 6” or 7.5” of rear wheel travel. All pivots of the frame ride on bearings to provide smooth movement.
The geometry of the BD3 is great. Mongoose chose a slack 66 degree head angle which is perfect for this bike. The slack head angle of the BD3 makes it perform great as a mini downhill bike.
The bike is speced with some very good components. Avid Juicy 7's provide the stopping power for the bike. The testing of the bike lasted for 8 months, during which time I used the BD3 over every type of terrain that I ride. I used the BD3 for trail riding, freeriding, and racing DH. I learned that the BD3 is a very versatile bike. At first, I restricted using the bike to only DH trails. Pedaling the BD3 was much easier than anticipated for a bike with this amount of travel and weight. Extended trail rides offered a good opportunity to explore the handling and pedaling characteristics of the bike. Ride quality of the rear suspension is top notch as expected from a high pivot. High pivot bikes make for great straight line performance. The 66 SL makes for a perfect match for this bike. As noted before, the wheelbase of the bike lengthens as the bike goes through its travel. Turning prowess was the worst aspect of the BD3. While braking for turns and general trail braking, there never was any noticeable brake jack.
Overall, the BD3 was a very easy bike to maintain and not many things went wrong with the bike. Value is where the Mongoose BD3 shines above all other bikes in its class. The BD3 has one of the best spec of components of any small freeride bike for the price range. There aren’t many other bikes on the market that have the BD3’s level of components and a sub $3000 price tag. While there are minor issues with the bike and some may say that the bike is heavy for its size, to get a bike that performs this well with top shelf parts, you’d have to spend close to $5000 for a boutique bike. MSRP on the BD3 rings in at $2999.
Minggu, 25 Oktober 2009
Bike Frame Size Advice
Executive Summary about Revisionist Theory of Bicycle Sizing by Sheldon Brown
As a guide you need to get the basic frame size correct and then you can go about adjusting reach, saddle height and postion by using different sized bike components.
You would stand over the frame of a bike, and if there was an inch or two between the top of the top tube and your tender parts, that was the right size. Bikes commonly came in frame sizes two inches apart, so there was not much question whether the 21" or the 23" was the "right" size.
In the world of mass-produced bikes, the difference between different size bicycles was that the larger sizes had longer seat tubes and head tubes , so the top tube was higher. This was usually the only difference between frame sizes.
In a given model, the height of the top tube would vary, but the length of the top tube and every other part of the frame would be same, whether the bike was a 19" or a 25".
Modern bikes are generally built with proportional sized frames, the smaller sizes have shorter top tubes, and the larger sizes have longer top tubes.
Generally, when you see a single number listed as a frame's "size" that number refers to the length of the seat tube .
Even leaving the inches question out of things, there is the question of where the seat tube ends:
The old standard system was to measure from the center of the bottom bracket to the very top of the seat tube.
Some other bikes that have seat tubes that protrude farther than normal above the top tube measure as if they were measuring to the to the top of a seat tube with normal protrusion.
Some bikes are measured to the top edge of the top tube, even though the seat tube protrudes higher up.
Some bikes with slanting top tubes are measured as if there were a level top tube, they use the length that the seat tube would be if it was as high as the head tube.
Bottom line: seat tube "frame size" numbers are nearly meaningless unless you know how they are measured!
Seat tube height is no longer the most important frame dimension. More determinant of the actual way the rider will sit on the bike is the top tube length.
Now 250 mm and 300 mm seatposts are stock items, and a variety of excellent handlebar stems are available. There are a number of sizing systems available today, which require various measurements of the cyclists body and reccommend frame sizes on this basis. The FitKit makes reccommendations for a particular seat tube length, and a range of top tube lengths with corresponding handlebar stem extensions. For instance, for a particular rider, it might suggest a 58 cm seat tube with a combined top tube and stem extension of 66 cm. The "by-the-book" fitting method would then be to select a suitable bike with a 58 cm seat tube, measure the top tube, and install the reccommended stem.
Comparing two frames mainly in terms of top-tube length is only valid if both have similar seat tube angles. Generally, each degree of difference corresponds to about a centimeter of top tube length. Thus, frame "A" with a 58 cm top tube and a 72 ° seat angle can give the same riding position as frame "B" with a 57 cm top tube and a 73 ° seat angle.
On a bike, the weight of your body is supported at 3 locations:
The saddle supports your butt.
The pedals support your feet.
The handlebars support your hands.
Shoulder pain often result from inappropriate handlebar adjustment. The usually recommend position for a racer is the "KOPS" position, which usually works out well with seat tube angles in the 73 °-75 ° range.
Low handlebars provide a leaning-forward riding position. The sprinter's upper body is perfectly comfortable with a very low relative handlebar position.
Thus, the ideal handlebar height with relation to the saddle height is a function of the intensity with which the cyclist pedals. The cyclist who pedals all the time will be confortable with lower bars than the cyclist who coasts down hills.
The "7" shaped handlebar stem gets its shape from a historical accident. With the smaller frame sizes used now, the "7" shaped stem is an atavism, a stylistic holdover from an obsolete technology. There is a trend to use "mountain-bike type" stems on road bikes, and it really makes a lot of sense.
Let's say a given model comes in 25, 23, 21 and 19 inch frame sizes. If you want to build a 19" frame with full-sized wheels _and_ a level top tube, you wind up with an itty-bitty head tube and steerer. This creates issues with the headset and handlebar stem, so they can't go below a certain minimum head-tube length.
If you raise the bottom bracket, you can make a frame you can call a 19" and still have the level top tube and a reasonable head tube. This is no longer that common, since the sloping top tube eliminates the problem, but short riders looking at older used bikes should beware this scam.
As a guide you need to get the basic frame size correct and then you can go about adjusting reach, saddle height and postion by using different sized bike components.
You would stand over the frame of a bike, and if there was an inch or two between the top of the top tube and your tender parts, that was the right size. Bikes commonly came in frame sizes two inches apart, so there was not much question whether the 21" or the 23" was the "right" size.
In the world of mass-produced bikes, the difference between different size bicycles was that the larger sizes had longer seat tubes and head tubes , so the top tube was higher. This was usually the only difference between frame sizes.
In a given model, the height of the top tube would vary, but the length of the top tube and every other part of the frame would be same, whether the bike was a 19" or a 25".
Modern bikes are generally built with proportional sized frames, the smaller sizes have shorter top tubes, and the larger sizes have longer top tubes.
Generally, when you see a single number listed as a frame's "size" that number refers to the length of the seat tube .
Even leaving the inches question out of things, there is the question of where the seat tube ends:
The old standard system was to measure from the center of the bottom bracket to the very top of the seat tube.
Some other bikes that have seat tubes that protrude farther than normal above the top tube measure as if they were measuring to the to the top of a seat tube with normal protrusion.
Some bikes are measured to the top edge of the top tube, even though the seat tube protrudes higher up.
Some bikes with slanting top tubes are measured as if there were a level top tube, they use the length that the seat tube would be if it was as high as the head tube.
Bottom line: seat tube "frame size" numbers are nearly meaningless unless you know how they are measured!
Seat tube height is no longer the most important frame dimension. More determinant of the actual way the rider will sit on the bike is the top tube length.
Now 250 mm and 300 mm seatposts are stock items, and a variety of excellent handlebar stems are available. There are a number of sizing systems available today, which require various measurements of the cyclists body and reccommend frame sizes on this basis. The FitKit makes reccommendations for a particular seat tube length, and a range of top tube lengths with corresponding handlebar stem extensions. For instance, for a particular rider, it might suggest a 58 cm seat tube with a combined top tube and stem extension of 66 cm. The "by-the-book" fitting method would then be to select a suitable bike with a 58 cm seat tube, measure the top tube, and install the reccommended stem.
Comparing two frames mainly in terms of top-tube length is only valid if both have similar seat tube angles. Generally, each degree of difference corresponds to about a centimeter of top tube length. Thus, frame "A" with a 58 cm top tube and a 72 ° seat angle can give the same riding position as frame "B" with a 57 cm top tube and a 73 ° seat angle.
On a bike, the weight of your body is supported at 3 locations:
The saddle supports your butt.
The pedals support your feet.
The handlebars support your hands.
Shoulder pain often result from inappropriate handlebar adjustment. The usually recommend position for a racer is the "KOPS" position, which usually works out well with seat tube angles in the 73 °-75 ° range.
Low handlebars provide a leaning-forward riding position. The sprinter's upper body is perfectly comfortable with a very low relative handlebar position.
Thus, the ideal handlebar height with relation to the saddle height is a function of the intensity with which the cyclist pedals. The cyclist who pedals all the time will be confortable with lower bars than the cyclist who coasts down hills.
The "7" shaped handlebar stem gets its shape from a historical accident. With the smaller frame sizes used now, the "7" shaped stem is an atavism, a stylistic holdover from an obsolete technology. There is a trend to use "mountain-bike type" stems on road bikes, and it really makes a lot of sense.
Let's say a given model comes in 25, 23, 21 and 19 inch frame sizes. If you want to build a 19" frame with full-sized wheels _and_ a level top tube, you wind up with an itty-bitty head tube and steerer. This creates issues with the headset and handlebar stem, so they can't go below a certain minimum head-tube length.
If you raise the bottom bracket, you can make a frame you can call a 19" and still have the level top tube and a reasonable head tube. This is no longer that common, since the sloping top tube eliminates the problem, but short riders looking at older used bikes should beware this scam.
Killer Recumbent Bike Workouts
Executive Summary about Killer Recumbent Bike Workouts by Jillcoleman
The beauty of using the recumbent bike is that it helps burn fat all over, while also eliciting a localized burn in the legs, attacking both the glute-hamstring tie-in and the lower part of the quad near the knee. Traditional fat-burning anaerobic exercise done via high-intensity interval training (HIIT) creates a hormonally and calorically favorable environment to lose inches, while aerobic pedaling using heavy resistance generates a similar effect to that of weight training, thus shaping the leg. If the resistance and speed combinations are enough to elicit a strong lactic acid burn in the legs and glutes, the result is a fat-burning, leg-sculpting effect.
Luckily, since the recumbent bike only works the lower body, the trainee can channel all exertion to the legs and glutes to create powerful pedal strokes through the fat-burning protocol. Fat oxidation increased 60% from baseline. Even though the recumbent bike utilizes only the lower half of the body, the metabolic effect created by interval training on the bike generates a universal fat-burning ripple effect.
Workout 1 – 25 minutes: Traditional HIIT workout done on the bike. Pedal as hard as possible for the “working” segments and move the legs very slowly during the “resting” segment in order to recover and be able to generate the same force for the next working segment. Avoid moving faster during the rest segments even if you can; a more pronounced fat-burning effect is generated with a large differential between working and resting. Use a recumbent bike whose highest level is 20.
Time Level RPM Segment Time
0-5 8 90+ 5 min
5-6 15 80+ 1 min
6-6:30 1 50+ 30 sec
6:30-7:30 15 80+ 1 min
7:30-8 1 50+ 30 sec
8-9 15 80+ 1 min
9-9:30 1 50+ 30 sec
Continue to alternate 1 min @ Level 15, and 30 sec @ Level 1 until you reach 20 minutes
20-25 8 90+ 5 min
Workout 2 – 25 minutes: This workout forces to work a little harder by adding an upper body component. Full-body movements like this can feel awkward, but will only exponentiate the fat-burning potential of the workout. The upper body movements involved are also listed.
Time Level RPM Segment Time Upper Body Movement
0-2 8 80+ 2 min Punches (across the body)
2-4 10 70+ 2 min None
4-6 12 60+ 2 min Shoulder Press
6-7 4 70+ 1 min None
7-9 9 80+ 2 min Side Raise
9-11 11 70+ 2 min None
11-13 13 60+ 2 min Alternating Shoulder Press
13-14 4 70+ 1 min None
14-16 10 80+ 2 min Front Raise
16-18 12 70+ 2 min None
18-20 14 60+ 2 min Upright Row
20-21 4 70+ 1 min None
21-25 8 90+ 4 min Alternating Biceps Curl/Triceps Ext.
Workout 3 – 25 minutes: Throughout this protocol, you will build on resistance and slow the pace to the point of burning. Choose Manual Program on the bike and change the levels as called for.
Time Level RPM Segment Time
0-5 8 90+ 5 min
5-9 11 80+ 4 min
9-12 13 65+ 3 min
12-14 15 50+ 2 min
14-15 2 50+ 1 min
15-19 12 80+ 4 min
19-22 14 65+ 3 min
22-24 16 50+ 2 min
24-25 2 50+ 1 min
The beauty of using the recumbent bike is that it helps burn fat all over, while also eliciting a localized burn in the legs, attacking both the glute-hamstring tie-in and the lower part of the quad near the knee. Traditional fat-burning anaerobic exercise done via high-intensity interval training (HIIT) creates a hormonally and calorically favorable environment to lose inches, while aerobic pedaling using heavy resistance generates a similar effect to that of weight training, thus shaping the leg. If the resistance and speed combinations are enough to elicit a strong lactic acid burn in the legs and glutes, the result is a fat-burning, leg-sculpting effect.
Luckily, since the recumbent bike only works the lower body, the trainee can channel all exertion to the legs and glutes to create powerful pedal strokes through the fat-burning protocol. Fat oxidation increased 60% from baseline. Even though the recumbent bike utilizes only the lower half of the body, the metabolic effect created by interval training on the bike generates a universal fat-burning ripple effect.
Workout 1 – 25 minutes: Traditional HIIT workout done on the bike. Pedal as hard as possible for the “working” segments and move the legs very slowly during the “resting” segment in order to recover and be able to generate the same force for the next working segment. Avoid moving faster during the rest segments even if you can; a more pronounced fat-burning effect is generated with a large differential between working and resting. Use a recumbent bike whose highest level is 20.
Time Level RPM Segment Time
0-5 8 90+ 5 min
5-6 15 80+ 1 min
6-6:30 1 50+ 30 sec
6:30-7:30 15 80+ 1 min
7:30-8 1 50+ 30 sec
8-9 15 80+ 1 min
9-9:30 1 50+ 30 sec
Continue to alternate 1 min @ Level 15, and 30 sec @ Level 1 until you reach 20 minutes
20-25 8 90+ 5 min
Workout 2 – 25 minutes: This workout forces to work a little harder by adding an upper body component. Full-body movements like this can feel awkward, but will only exponentiate the fat-burning potential of the workout. The upper body movements involved are also listed.
Time Level RPM Segment Time Upper Body Movement
0-2 8 80+ 2 min Punches (across the body)
2-4 10 70+ 2 min None
4-6 12 60+ 2 min Shoulder Press
6-7 4 70+ 1 min None
7-9 9 80+ 2 min Side Raise
9-11 11 70+ 2 min None
11-13 13 60+ 2 min Alternating Shoulder Press
13-14 4 70+ 1 min None
14-16 10 80+ 2 min Front Raise
16-18 12 70+ 2 min None
18-20 14 60+ 2 min Upright Row
20-21 4 70+ 1 min None
21-25 8 90+ 4 min Alternating Biceps Curl/Triceps Ext.
Workout 3 – 25 minutes: Throughout this protocol, you will build on resistance and slow the pace to the point of burning. Choose Manual Program on the bike and change the levels as called for.
Time Level RPM Segment Time
0-5 8 90+ 5 min
5-9 11 80+ 4 min
9-12 13 65+ 3 min
12-14 15 50+ 2 min
14-15 2 50+ 1 min
15-19 12 80+ 4 min
19-22 14 65+ 3 min
22-24 16 50+ 2 min
24-25 2 50+ 1 min
Jumat, 23 Oktober 2009
What is A Tandem Bike?
A Tandem bike is a two seater. You have to have some communication going when you're riding a tandem. Tandems are usually bigger bikes. So it's usually two adults riding a bike. It's very hard for a young child to ride a tandem with an adult because their feet won't be able to reach the pedals.
Selasa, 20 Oktober 2009
Mongoose Mountain Bike Amazing Offer
Don’t miss the 2009 Mongoose bikes: 2009 Canaan Team, 2009 Boot’R Team, 2009 Khyber Super, 2009 Teocali Super, 2009 Canaan Elite, 2009 Teocali Elite, 2009 Teocali Comp, 2009 Ritual(Dirt-Hi), 2009 Otero Super, 2009 Otero Elite, 2009 Ritual(Street), 2009 Ritual(Dirt), 2009 Otero Comp, 2009 Tyax Super, 2009 Sabrosa 3X8, 2009 Sabrosa SS, 2009 Tyax Elite, 2009 Fireball, 2009 Tyax Comp, 2009 Kaldi Single Women’s, 2009 Kaldi Single, 2009 Fireball 24 Boy’s, 2009 Pinn’R Apprentice, 2009 Boot’R, 2009 Nugget. Experience that ultimately leads to better bikes for you.
Advice on Buying Bottom Brackets
Executive Summary about Advice on Buying Bottom Brackets by Bonthrone Bikes UK
Bottom bracket, frame and cranks must all be compatible in order to work properly and efficiently.
Different Types of Bottom Bracket - Types & Compatibility
1. BMX style 3 Piece Crank/Bottom Bracket
3 piece cranks are usually supplied as a tough axle, chrome molly cranks plus and bottom bracket.
2. Square Taper
Square taper bottom brackets and cranksets used to be standard. A bottom bracket bolt hold the crank in place.
3. Hollowtech /RaceFace
Shimano Hollowtech II & RaceFace X-Type Bottom Brackets, designs are the newest mountain biking components that are lighter and give more strength than older bottom bracket designs, normally bought as a complete crank and bottom bracket set with the axle fixed to the drive side crank arm, has large bearings which have a longer life.
4. Octalink
Octalink Bottom Bracket/Crank System, is Shimano's own splined crank bottom bracket system. Compatibility: with a few exceptions Shimano are the only cranks that will work with Octalink bottom brackets.
5. ISIS
ISIS (International Splined Interface System) Bottom Bracket System, is the standard for splined bottom bracket and cranksets.
A bottom bracket must be compatible with your frame - ie the bottom bracket shell size must match that of your frame. The bottom bracket shell is the hole in the frame where the new bottom bracket will sit.
Thankfully most mountain bike frames have a standard diameter threaded bottom bracket shell. Shell sizes for mountain bikes are either 68 or 73mm in length. Some Dirt jump mountain bike frames come with non-threaded BMX style bottom bracket shells.
There are two types of road bike bottom brackets - the Italian Style or International Style. Italian style bottom bracket threads are found normally on very high quality Italian made road race frames. International Thread is the same diameter as a standard 68mm Mountain Bike Bottom bracket.
Mountain Bike Riding Secrets You Should Take Into Consideration
Executive Summary about Mountain Bike Riding Secrets by Cnceptz.com
If you want to make your riding adventure more enjoyable you need to be well ready for riding. Here are mountain bike riding secrets that will be specially useful for learner.
1. Any rider should have right equipment, such as a mountain bike helmet and even if you don’t get another accessory, make certain you don’t skimp on your helmet.
2. Any rider should have mountain bike gloves.
3. Padded cycling shorts are also good due to that they will enlarge your comfort on the bike for those long rough rides.
4. Bear in mind that the type of mountain bike you ride needs to be designed for the kind of riding you are going to do.
5. While you are riding on dust, mountain bike tires need to be knobby not skinny as this ensures traction on rugged terrain.
6. The mountain bike should be checked frequently and any repairs made that are necessary before you take your mountain bike out for a ride.
The truth is that a ready mountain bike rider will have a bike that works well and fits well. Do your part to protect and enhance the mountain biker’s access and image by observing the following rules:
1. Follow all of the rules since they were designed partly for your safety.
2. Don’t damage our ecosystem.
3. You should ride only on open trails. Closed trails are closed for a reason and riding on one is banned.
4. You need also to pay attention to the dirt under you.
Minggu, 18 Oktober 2009
Huffy Mountain Bike For Your Kid
Executive Summary about Huffy Mountain Bike for Your Kid by Paul Kramer
If you are introducing your kid to biking one way to attract your kid to it is by getting him or her Huffy mountain bike which are specially designed to make them attractive for the little ones. Huffy are making bikes for the kids based on cartoon characters from the Looney Tunes and the Disney world. Progress will come with time but only if your kid loves his bike. There is no joy greater than see your kid progress and if it is a family action and adventure that you are interested in make the right decision when going for a bike for your kid.
Bicycle Buying Guide
Executive Summary about Bicycle Buying Guide by amazon.com
1. The Right Ride
In general, bikes are broken down into three major categories:
a. Road and Racing Bikes--As a general rule, road and racing are built for speed and longer distances on paved surfaces.
b. Mountain Bikes--With their larger tires, hill-friendly gearing, and upright position, mountain bikes are very popular for all types of riding, both on pavement and off, designed specifically for rugged trail use typically feature a suspension fork.
c. Comfort Bikes--For tooling around on bike paths, light trails, or for cruising a quiet beach-side lane, comfort bikes are the ticket.
2. The Right Price
A bike's price boils down to three essentials: frame materials, bike weight, and component quality and durability. To keep your spending under control, figure out what price range you are willing to pay for your new bike and try to only look at bikes within that price range.
a. Entry-level--You'll find a wide range of comfort and cruiser bikes in this category, as well as some lower-end mountain bikes and road bikes.
b. Mid-range--Bikes in this range may feature a lighter aluminum frame with mid-range components that keep performing after miles of use. Most serious commuter and touring bikes fall into this category, as do mid-range mountain bikes with a decent front suspension.
c. High-end--Racers and serious enthusiasts who expect lightweight, high-performance components will want to stick to this category.
3. The Right Size
Here are some basic bike fit tips:
a. Stand-over Height--To find out if a bike's overall height fits your body, measure your inseam. Next, determine how much clearance you'll need between your crotch and the top tube of the bike. For a mountain bike, you'll want three to five inches of clearance. A road bike should offer between one and two inches of clearance, while a commuter bike should have two to four inches. Compare the stand-over height for a given bike to your measurements to determine the right bike height.
b. Top Tube Length--You can measure your torso to get a good estimate of proper top tube length.
c. Bikes for Women--Proportionally, women tend to have a shorter torso and longer legs than men. Bike makers design women's bikes that offer a shorter top tube and many comfort bikes built for women may also provide more stand-over clearance.
4. The Right Accessories
a. Helmet
b. Seat pack
c. Lock
d. Hydration pack
e. Spare tubes
f. Portable bike pump
g. Gloves
5 Test Ride, and then Test Ride Some More
Test ride as many bikes as you can in your price range and riding style category.
If you are introducing your kid to biking one way to attract your kid to it is by getting him or her Huffy mountain bike which are specially designed to make them attractive for the little ones. Huffy are making bikes for the kids based on cartoon characters from the Looney Tunes and the Disney world. Progress will come with time but only if your kid loves his bike. There is no joy greater than see your kid progress and if it is a family action and adventure that you are interested in make the right decision when going for a bike for your kid.
Bicycle Buying Guide
Executive Summary about Bicycle Buying Guide by amazon.com
1. The Right Ride
In general, bikes are broken down into three major categories:
a. Road and Racing Bikes--As a general rule, road and racing are built for speed and longer distances on paved surfaces.
b. Mountain Bikes--With their larger tires, hill-friendly gearing, and upright position, mountain bikes are very popular for all types of riding, both on pavement and off, designed specifically for rugged trail use typically feature a suspension fork.
c. Comfort Bikes--For tooling around on bike paths, light trails, or for cruising a quiet beach-side lane, comfort bikes are the ticket.
2. The Right Price
A bike's price boils down to three essentials: frame materials, bike weight, and component quality and durability. To keep your spending under control, figure out what price range you are willing to pay for your new bike and try to only look at bikes within that price range.
a. Entry-level--You'll find a wide range of comfort and cruiser bikes in this category, as well as some lower-end mountain bikes and road bikes.
b. Mid-range--Bikes in this range may feature a lighter aluminum frame with mid-range components that keep performing after miles of use. Most serious commuter and touring bikes fall into this category, as do mid-range mountain bikes with a decent front suspension.
c. High-end--Racers and serious enthusiasts who expect lightweight, high-performance components will want to stick to this category.
3. The Right Size
Here are some basic bike fit tips:
a. Stand-over Height--To find out if a bike's overall height fits your body, measure your inseam. Next, determine how much clearance you'll need between your crotch and the top tube of the bike. For a mountain bike, you'll want three to five inches of clearance. A road bike should offer between one and two inches of clearance, while a commuter bike should have two to four inches. Compare the stand-over height for a given bike to your measurements to determine the right bike height.
b. Top Tube Length--You can measure your torso to get a good estimate of proper top tube length.
c. Bikes for Women--Proportionally, women tend to have a shorter torso and longer legs than men. Bike makers design women's bikes that offer a shorter top tube and many comfort bikes built for women may also provide more stand-over clearance.
4. The Right Accessories
a. Helmet
b. Seat pack
c. Lock
d. Hydration pack
e. Spare tubes
f. Portable bike pump
g. Gloves
5 Test Ride, and then Test Ride Some More
Test ride as many bikes as you can in your price range and riding style category.
Kamis, 15 Oktober 2009
Saracen
Executive Summary about Saracen by Mike Davis.
Bike trade magazine, “BikeBiz” reports that owners Paul and Rick Stanforth put Saracen Cycles Ltd into administraion last Friday, citing "difficult trading conditions". Saracen Bikes Ltd is a new company which has bought all the stock, goodwill and intellectual property rights of Saracen Cycles Ltd, has also taken on responsibility for Saracen Cycles's warranties, so fear not if you already have a Saracen. The MAD trials display team is looking for a new sponsor. Team boss, Giles Wolfe can offer potential partners national TV and press coverage, a big presence in schools and exclusive presence at key
Saracen 2010 mountain and kids’ bikes
Executive Summary about Saracen 2010 mountain and kids’ bikes By Matthew Cole
1. Tufftrax
The Tufftrax is Saracen’s entry-level mountain bike, suitable for light trail use. Both the Tufftrax (£249.99) and Tufftrax Comp (£299.99) come with 80mm-travel Suntour forks. Both models will come with Saracen-branded stem and handlebar combos. The Tufftrax Jnr model is a scaled-down version of the Tufftrax adult bike and has 50mm Suntour forks, Shimano shifting and Saracen-branded grips, stem and bars.
2. Mantra
The double-butted Mantra bike comes in three flavours: Mantra, Mantra Pro and Mantra X-27, and has been designed for riders who want to hit the trails proper. The £399.99 base model has a 100mm Suntour XCT fork with lockout, Shimano 24-speed gearing with an Acera rear mech, Tektro cable disk brakes and Saracen’s own stem, bars and saddle. For £100 more you get the Mantra Pro. Upgrades include a Suntour XCM 100mm-travel fork with lockout, Quad Axis hydraulic brakes and Shimano Alivio rear mech.
3. Zen
The £999.99 Zen 2 has Marzocchi Bomber 33 TST2 140mm forks (15mm QR), Deore shifting with SLX Shadow rear mech, Truvativ Firex chainset, Shimano M486 hydraulic brakes and a RaceFace stem and bar combo. The £1299.99 Zen 3 gets a RockShox Recon 335 U-Turn 95-140mm fork (20mm axle), Shimano SLX shifting, Deore XT rear mech, Truvativ Firex chainset, Shimano M575 hydraulic brakes and Syncros all-mountain wheels, stem and bars.
4. Amplitude
Saracen have long been renowned for producing decent budget jump bikes, and according to Simon Wild, dirt jump bikes are an “integral part” of what the company is about.
Alleviating Muscle Soreness
Executive Summary about Alleviating Muscle Soreness by Frank Claps, C.S.C.S.
“Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS) is a by-product of the muscle building process,” says researcher Priscilla Clarkson, Ph.D., of the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.
“Strenuous exercise, creates minor tears in your muscles.” she explains. Possible treatments to ease the pain include massage, stretching, ice therapy, over-the-counter pain relievers and nutritional supplements. One promising prevention is cherry juice. Strength loss and pain were significantly lower when drank the cherry juice.
A recent study at Eastern Michigan University found no difference in the oxygen costs or heart rate response between four popular saddle-height formulae and self-selection in both increasing-intensity and steady-state trials.
Great for runners, Seated Iliotibial Band Stretch helps loosen up the IT band, a thick group of fibers that runs along the outside of the thigh.
1 Sit with your legs folded comfortably in front of you.
2 Grab your right knee and foot, and pull your leg up toward your chest evenly with both hands.
3 To increase the amount of stretch, place your foot in the crook of your elbow and wrap your other arm around your knee.
4 Keep your back straight and gently rock your leg back and forth.
5 Repeat with the other leg.
Bike + Mountains = Excitement + Challenge
Executive Summary about Bike and Mountains by the American Council on Exercise
Tired of paved roads and four-wheeled traffic? If you answered “yes,” then your vehicle of choice could very well be a mountain bike. Mountain bikes are sturdier than your average road or hybrid-style bicycles, so they can withstand rough roads. When purchasing a mountain bike, be sure that it is the right size. A helmet is a must, gloves can protect your hands if you fall, bike shorts can add comfort to your ride and bike shoes and clip-less pedals can improve control and skill.
Riding a bike is one of the best cardiovascular exercises around. Mountain biking offers the bonus of using the muscles of the upper body and torso when climbing hills and navigating technical downhills. Pedal slowly in a low gear.
Practice makes perfect isn’t a cliché when it comes to handling a mountain bike. Mountain bikes usually have V-brakes or more advanced disc brakes, both of which are stronger than brakes found on other bikes, allowing riders to control factors such as descending speed and slowing down prior to turns. Use a low gear when you need power and a high gear when you are climbing up steep hills. Short, steep hills may require out-of-the-seat pedaling to garner more power.
You can obtain information about trails in your area from local bike shops, mountain-biking groups, park rangers or the library.
“Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS) is a by-product of the muscle building process,” says researcher Priscilla Clarkson, Ph.D., of the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.
“Strenuous exercise, creates minor tears in your muscles.” she explains. Possible treatments to ease the pain include massage, stretching, ice therapy, over-the-counter pain relievers and nutritional supplements. One promising prevention is cherry juice. Strength loss and pain were significantly lower when drank the cherry juice.
A recent study at Eastern Michigan University found no difference in the oxygen costs or heart rate response between four popular saddle-height formulae and self-selection in both increasing-intensity and steady-state trials.
Great for runners, Seated Iliotibial Band Stretch helps loosen up the IT band, a thick group of fibers that runs along the outside of the thigh.
1 Sit with your legs folded comfortably in front of you.
2 Grab your right knee and foot, and pull your leg up toward your chest evenly with both hands.
3 To increase the amount of stretch, place your foot in the crook of your elbow and wrap your other arm around your knee.
4 Keep your back straight and gently rock your leg back and forth.
5 Repeat with the other leg.
Bike + Mountains = Excitement + Challenge
Executive Summary about Bike and Mountains by the American Council on Exercise
Tired of paved roads and four-wheeled traffic? If you answered “yes,” then your vehicle of choice could very well be a mountain bike. Mountain bikes are sturdier than your average road or hybrid-style bicycles, so they can withstand rough roads. When purchasing a mountain bike, be sure that it is the right size. A helmet is a must, gloves can protect your hands if you fall, bike shorts can add comfort to your ride and bike shoes and clip-less pedals can improve control and skill.
Riding a bike is one of the best cardiovascular exercises around. Mountain biking offers the bonus of using the muscles of the upper body and torso when climbing hills and navigating technical downhills. Pedal slowly in a low gear.
Practice makes perfect isn’t a cliché when it comes to handling a mountain bike. Mountain bikes usually have V-brakes or more advanced disc brakes, both of which are stronger than brakes found on other bikes, allowing riders to control factors such as descending speed and slowing down prior to turns. Use a low gear when you need power and a high gear when you are climbing up steep hills. Short, steep hills may require out-of-the-seat pedaling to garner more power.
You can obtain information about trails in your area from local bike shops, mountain-biking groups, park rangers or the library.
Cliché
Executive Summary about Cliché by Wikipedia
A cliché may sometimes be used in a work of fiction for comedic effect. In printing, a cliché was a printing plate cast from movable type. "Cliché" came to mean such a ready-made phrase, is french comes from the sound when the matrix is dropped into molten metal to make a printing plate.
Most such phrases were originally striking, but they lost their force through overuse. A spoken cliché is often a vivid depiction of an abstract matter that works by means of analogy and exaggeration. When used sparingly and deliberately, a cliché can be used to great poetic effect.
Tweak a Cliché Into Something Original
Executive Summary about Cliché by Camy Tang
Utilize a writer's voice and brand, phrase additions, and key words to change clichéd phrases into fresh prose. Each writer has a unique way of cadence.
Often, your unique fiction niche can help you turn a cliché on its head. Utilize your own unique fiction brand to twist clichés into interesting turns of phrase.
He smelled something fishy.The cliché is well-known enough that the key word “fishy” will be sufficient to clue the reader into the meaning behind the cliché—that there’s something suspicious going on. ”Bro!” When you spot a cliché in your writing that is fairly well known, see if you can take a key word and rewrite the sentence around the key word rather than the entire cliché.
4-Wheeled Seven-Seater Autos Banned
Executive Summary about 4-wheeled seven-seater autos banned by Andhra Pradesh
HYDERABAD: City Police Commissioner B. Prasada Rao on Thursday imposed restrictions on the movement of four-wheeled seven-seater autos in twin cities to ensure smooth flow of traffic. These autos should not enter beyond the following areas:
Vehicles from Champapet up to Chanchalguda rotary will be stopped at Indira Seva Sadan junction.
Autos coming from Rajendranagar will be stopped at Rethibowli.
Vehicles coming from Medchal will be stopped at Bowenpally check-post.
Autos coming from Karimnagar towards Trimulgherry will be stopped at Rythu Bazaar in Alwal.
Vehicles coming from Kukatpally towards Ameerpet will be stopped at ESI hospital junction.
Autos coming from Rajendranagar towards Puranapul will be stopped at Kishanbagh crossroads.
Australian petition calls for ban on 4WDs
Executive Summary about Australian petition calls for ban on 4WDs Greg Anlsey
CANBERRA - The simmering war between car drivers and owners of four-wheel-drives has again broken to the surface of Australian roads, with new calls for bans and tighter restrictions on the big sports utilities that continue to take a growing share of city and suburban streets. The proposal to proposing new taxes for the nation's four-by-fours vanished overnight.
Four years ago New South Wales Deputy Coroner Jacqueline Milledge had urged action against four-by-fours following an inquest into the death of a 5-year-old girl killed by a four-wheel-drive in the ground of a Sydney school, wanted the vehicles banned from stopping within 200m of primary schools.
Monash University's accident research centre which found that while reducing an occupant's chances of death or serious injury by four in 1000, four-wheel-drives increased the chance of killing or injuring others by 11 in 1000.
Rabu, 14 Oktober 2009
Myths That Effect Your Muscle Building Results
Executive Summary about Myths That Effect Your
Here are some of the most common myths that will effect your muscle building goals.
1. You need to drastically cut your calories to lose weight and build muscle.
False. My clients eat more food and still keep losing body fat. Not only that, building muscle without enough calories is impossible. It takes calories to build muscle.
2. Aerobic exercise should be done every day.
False. Over-training can be done by doing too much cardio as well as too much weight training. Doing anything everyday will have a negative impact on your muscle building results. Keep cardio to 2-3 sessions per week. Any more than that and you negatively impact your muscle building and your recovery time between workouts.
3. The longer the aerobic session the better.
It's not the duration, it's the intensity level of what you are doing.
4. You need to spend hours a day, many days a week weight training to see results.
False. The process of building muscle is fairly easy. You just lift weights to stimulate muscle growth and then you allow that muscle to recuperate before you train it again and then you try to lift a bit more the next workout.
5. Ab stimulators and energizers will give you a great set of Abs.
False. Abs, just like any other muscle group, need to be worked with resistance training in order for them to develop, are developed through overload and electric stimulators do not overload the muscle. Ab stimulators create involuntary contractions. This may help the therapeutic effect on abdominal muscles but not the muscle building process.
6. You need to work a muscle more than once a week.
False. If done well and intensely, a muscle will not need to be worked more than once a week. Muscles need rest and recovery time in order to grow and get stronger.
The Building Muscle Process
Executive Summary about The Building Muscle Process by By
The building muscle process is relatively simple to understand. When muscles are asked to do more work than they are accustomed to, they suffer minor ruptures. You'll feel these micro-tears as muscle soreness. A bodybuilder maximizes the muscle building process by continuously escalating the stress level place on muscle groups. This is accomplished by increasing the amount of weight, the repetitions of the exercises and changing the type of exercise used on a specific muscle, causing new micro-tears, building the muscle more and more.
Massive muscle growth requires a specific nutritional plan as well. There are three macronutrients that you'll need in correct proportions to fuel muscle growth. Carbohydrates, proteins and fats will deliver the nutritional payload your muscles call for.
Post workout meals often contain some quickly digested carbs in order to replace glycogen in the muscles and promote protein synthesis. Protein is the building block of muscle creation and professional bodybuilders eat massive amounts of it.
Selasa, 13 Januari 2009
BIKES
There is a little about the different types of mountain bike and road bike that are available in the UK.
Mountain Bikes
There are roughly 6 types of Mountain Bikes available:
Cross Country (XC) - these bikes are super light-weight and designed for speed.
Trail - an all day bike that is comfortable to ride and fairly lightweight. If you are starting out in mountain biking and intend to ride on a weekend basis, a trail bike is probably the place to start when comparing options.
All Mountain - the 'do it all' category is fiercely fought over with the big mountain biking companies producing new lines of bikes that are designed to be relatively agile going uphill but great fun to ride coming down the other side. The geometry on these bikes is more relaxed and provides a more 'heads up' riding style than an XC bike.
Free Ride (FR) - aggressive bikes for demanding situations. These bikes are designed to be ridden hard. Expect a Free Ride bike to have between 6 - 7.5 inches of travel front and rear.
Downhill (DH) - as the name suggests these bikes are designed for riding and racing downhill, fast!
Jump/Street/4X - these bikes are small framed, strong, and designed for control.
Road Bikes
Commute/Flat handle bar – Generally these are ‘Sport’ style road bike with flat wide handlebars.
Cyclo Cross – XC racing on a road style bike with a slightly more robust frame, more ‘off road’ brakes and fatter tyres.
Hybrid – These bikes strike the balance between road bikes and mountain bikes, allowing you to cruise comfortably on the road but still follow the local bridleways if it takes your fancy. Perfect bicycle for mixed use leisure cycling.
Sport – Whether you ride on the road to train or simply escape, these bikes will take you where you want to go fast.
Traditional – If you are a purist who loves all things retro these are the bikes for you.
Time Trial/Triathlon – Built specifically for the rigours of racing against the clock. Very flat back positioning on the bike with stretched aerodynamic handle bars.
Mountain Bikes
There are roughly 6 types of Mountain Bikes available:
Cross Country (XC) - these bikes are super light-weight and designed for speed.
Trail - an all day bike that is comfortable to ride and fairly lightweight. If you are starting out in mountain biking and intend to ride on a weekend basis, a trail bike is probably the place to start when comparing options.
All Mountain - the 'do it all' category is fiercely fought over with the big mountain biking companies producing new lines of bikes that are designed to be relatively agile going uphill but great fun to ride coming down the other side. The geometry on these bikes is more relaxed and provides a more 'heads up' riding style than an XC bike.
Free Ride (FR) - aggressive bikes for demanding situations. These bikes are designed to be ridden hard. Expect a Free Ride bike to have between 6 - 7.5 inches of travel front and rear.
Downhill (DH) - as the name suggests these bikes are designed for riding and racing downhill, fast!
Jump/Street/4X - these bikes are small framed, strong, and designed for control.
Road Bikes
Commute/Flat handle bar – Generally these are ‘Sport’ style road bike with flat wide handlebars.
Cyclo Cross – XC racing on a road style bike with a slightly more robust frame, more ‘off road’ brakes and fatter tyres.
Hybrid – These bikes strike the balance between road bikes and mountain bikes, allowing you to cruise comfortably on the road but still follow the local bridleways if it takes your fancy. Perfect bicycle for mixed use leisure cycling.
Sport – Whether you ride on the road to train or simply escape, these bikes will take you where you want to go fast.
Traditional – If you are a purist who loves all things retro these are the bikes for you.
Time Trial/Triathlon – Built specifically for the rigours of racing against the clock. Very flat back positioning on the bike with stretched aerodynamic handle bars.
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