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Benefits of Riding Bicycles

29 May.
Posted by riporty in Biking | No Comments

Bicycles have been around for a very long time. In fact, bicycles have been around for so long that it is a very common tradition, especially in the United States of America, that one of the first thing that a young child is taught along with his or hers abcs and 123s is how to ride a bicycle.

As we get older, most people often lose interest in cycling. The thought of riding a bike becomes mere nostalgia of times when we were younger. However, if you stop to think about it, there are many benefits to riding a bicycle.

Health Benefits

The health benefits of riding a bicycle are tremendous. A daily or weekly regular exercise regime is hard to maintain because the lifestyles that we may have. Most of us have at least one full time job and many have families to take care of and spend time with in addition to secular work. Because we all have these type of mundane tasks, this makes it harder and harder to keep up with a regular exercise schedule.

Now, if you were to travel via bicycle, this can double as exercise. Depending on how fast you go, you may be able to get a great cardio aerobic workout. If you cycle uphill and off-road, you may also be able to squeeze in some fitness training and strengthen your leg muscles.

Riding a bicycle in lieu of an automobile sometimes can afford you the time to get a work out. If you can set aside some time to cycle strictly for exercise, that can prove to be even more beneficial.

Financial Benefits

There are also financial benefits to riding bicycles. In this day and age, gas prices are on the rise and they continue to be priced higher and higher seemingly every single week. Some times the price of gas can be so financially taxing to people who are on a budget, that they have no other choice but to seek a cheaper alternative. Well, one great alternative is cycling.

Regular, manual bicycles require absolutely no gas at all. All that is required is a little bit of leg muscle and elbow grease. If you live near your workplace or school, why not travel the gas-free way and cycle to your destination?

Eco Benefits

Go green by cycling! Because bicycles require no gas, they are eco-friendly. They do not cause pollution to be blown into the air nor do they release harmful toxins that may potentially cause health problems.

So, there you have it. Riding bicycles have physical, financial, and eco benefits. These reasons for cycling are great, and the benefits can make you happier and healthier.

For more information on great bicycles, check out Jays site Schwinn Bicycles at Bicycle Stockpile dot com. You can visit Jays site at http://bicyclestockpile.com.

Bicycle - A High Utility Vehicle

22 May.
Posted by robertoms2003 in Biking | No Comments

Evolution of bicycle commenced in 1818 with push bikes or hobby horses which were like a wooden frame supported by two in-line wheels and the rider used to push it with his feet while navigating the front wheel. Then in 1839 it was refined, as a mechanical crank drive was added to the rear wheel.

A new design of bicycle marked its beginning in 1850s and 1860s when Frenchmen Pierre Michaux and Pierre Lallement placed pedals on an enlarged front wheel. It was made of wrought iron and wood with mounted wire spiked wheels with solid rubber tires on a tubular steel frame. But this designed faced problem of very high seat and uneven distribution of weight.

Subsequently, these problems were solved to some extent by reducing the front wheel diameter, adding gears to attain enough speed, setting the seat in the middle, etc. But it faced major problem with the front wheel, as both pedal and steer were attached to it. Then J.K. Starley, J.H. Lawson and Shergold connected the pedals with the back wheel with chain drive system to reduce the problem. Those bicycles were given a name of safety bicycles or dwarf safeties, as they had lower seats with equal distribution of weight.

Golden age of bicycles began in 1890s, since new innovations made these bicycles more comfortable. Pneumatic tire was an invention of Scotsman John Boyd Dunlop in 1888 and then only freewheel was developed. Subsequently, coastal brakes were invented in 1898. This period also marked the introduction of derailleur gears and hand operated cable-pull brakes. Soon it became world wide famous due to its high utility in alsmost every field. It was used in India to distribute milk in houses, used by postman for mail delivery, used by military for troup movement, and it also became a source of recreation.

With an advent of technology and modern materials, various types of bicycles are launched in the market. There is a range of utility bicycles, racing bicycles, mountain bicycles, BMX bicycles and many more. One can select the type of bicycle according to his requirement in terme of functions, number of riders, etc.

A rider rides the bicycle by keeping it upright so that the centre of gravity remain on its wheels. He leans while taking a turn by turning the handlebars with his hands. He uses brakes in order to stop, as the brakes applies stopping force to the front wheels. It is the most energy-efficient means of transportation, as it requires very low energy to ride in a slow speed and transmits 99% of energy of a rider to the wheels.

With an influx of technology and innovatios, the designing of bicycles has remarkably changed. There are different models for men and women, racing and ordinary rides, cargo carriers and circus use. Each model has its own unique features in order to meet the exclusive requirements of the rider like gears for racing riders, cushioned saddles for short distance riders, disc brakes for off-road riders, etc.

The use of bicycle has not only improved man`s day to day life, but also contributed for better environment because cycling doesn`t cause polllution. Moreover, it has positive effects on one`s health. Manufacturing of bicycles has led to the deveopment of other industries also like composition of ball bearings, sprockets, washers, etc., as many companies make frames of bicycles and buy other parts from other companies.

This article can be accessed in portuguese from the Article section of page http://www.polomercantil.com.br/bicicleta.php

Roberto Sedycias works as IT consultant for http://www.polomercantil.com.br

How To Be Sure You Have The Correct Tire Pressure

05 May.
Posted by teahupoo in Biking | No Comments

Are you having a difficult time riding your mountain bike? Maybe the speed seems off or the bike seems harder to control. Well, before you consider getting your bike checked for any physical problems, check the tire pressure associated with it. This is because tire pressure has a huge effect on how well you are able to operate your mountain bike. For instance, if the tire pressure is set a setting that is too high, the bike will not be close enough to the ground to make for the best control. However, if it is set too low, you could encounter problems with your bike’s tires as it becomes more apt to gaining pinch flats. Indeed, in order to get the most control out of your mountain bike, you will need to learn how to set it to pressure that is just right for your build and riding style. You will also need to consider the conditions of the trail you plan on riding.

So, how can a person determine the best tire pressure setting? They will need to experiment with a variety of settings, so they should feel comfortable changing it until they find the right tire pressure setting for them. This process will be easiest with a pressure gauge that is reliable. With that in hand, a person may want to start with a higher tire pressure setting that is between 40 and 50 psi. Tubeless mountain bikes should have setting between 30 to 40 psi. Go for the higher tire pressures if you weigh more, whether the mountain bike is in tube form or tubeless form.

If the higher tire pressure doesn’t suit your needs, consider dropping it by 5 psi. Doing this should greatly improve your stability. But if this doesn’t work, consider dropping by 5 psi again. Keep doing this until you find the tire pressure that offers you the most comfort and riding ability.

What can be done if you’re encountering a riding situation in which your bike has a greater chance of encountering pinch flat, (which is when the tires of your mountain bike rolls over an object causing it to compress)? To avoid this situation, consider setting your tire pressure to a lower psi. This should be particularly easy with tubeless mountain bikes, which can operate well at relatively low tire pressures. However, don’t think that setting your tire too low you’ll offer your tires the most protection against pinch flats. Instead, you’ll cause problems with your rims. In fact, when tire pressure is too low, your tire might even roll out from under the rim.

Once you’ve established a suitable setting for your bike, squeeze it so you can get a good feel for what you will need should you have to set it again. You may even want to make a mental note of how these “feels” are, so you’ll be able to quickly ascertain the best tire pressure setting for whatever riding situation you may encounter. All of this would be done without the hassle of using a pump.

Gregg Hall is an author living with his 18 year old son in Jensen Beach, Florida. Find more about bicycle accessories as well as bicycle tires at http://www.nsearch.com

Why The Choice Of Bicycle Seat Is So Crucial For Your Biking Enjoyment

04 May.
Posted by teahupoo in Biking | No Comments

Often when or if you buy a new bike it will always come with a stock seat. The seat that is stock on the bike is made to fit and take your weight. Most of the stock seats are very uncomfortable and hurt. That is why you can get other bike seats with a gel mesh that is like a bed for your butt while riding your bike.

If you have never ridden with a different bike seat then the one that is stock on your bike then you’re in for a surprise. The thing you will need to think about when you are getting anew seat is whether you like it hard or soft. If you are a heavy rider than you will probably like it soft and not hard it is better I say to ride soft then hard. Others may like a hard seat thought.

The other choice is whether to buy a narrow or rather width size seat. You should get the seat that fits your bottom. If you get one that’s too small take it back and gets one that’s bigger because you are not going to enjoy the ride at all. So when you pick one out do it right the first time and buy the best one that will fit you and that will last.

You can even choose from what kind of material your bike seat is made from. You can get a mesh gel kind, soft, hard, cushiony all kinds of seats are made to comfort your ride wherever you go or how far you go.

As a man you need to pick the one bike seat that will fit you as tests have proven that it is hard on the penile areas in the legs. If ridden like this over time may make you infertile. If you ride with the right kind of seat for your body then you will not have these types of problems. Women may also like to ride so she will need to choose the right seat for her too. Women need to have the seat that fits them too so when you are picking out your new seat make sure whether you’re a female or male to buy the correct seat.

If you don’t want to spend a lot of time upgrading the seat then pick one that is quick to install and will comfort you as you take a ride. When you buy a bike seat you need to always buy the one that will make it a comfortable bike ride for you. If you don’t then it wont be such a good ride and might result and some pain to your butt.

Gregg Hall is an author living with his beautiful wife and family in Navarre Beach Florida. Find more about bicycle accessories as well as bicycle seats at http://www.bicyclepartsandclothing.com

Why You Must Buy A Bike Lock For Your Bicycle No Matter Where You Live

04 May.
Posted by teahupoo in Biking | No Comments

When you buy a new bike lock you need to buy the one that is going to guarantee that your bike will not get stolen it is better to have a bike than have to walk. It does not matter how often you ride your bike or how you ride your bike you are always going to need a bike lock if you go some where in public with your bike. If you’re going to the store real quick someone who needs a new bike only needs a minute to steal your bike while you’re inside the store.

This crime happens everywhere. Even though New York has the most number of bikes stolen every town and small city will have its bike stealers. There are all kinds of bikes that can be stolen from a thousand dollar race machine to a junky bike just needed by someone to make it home. Some thieves will steal the bikes to sell them and get money for your bike. Maybe a thief just needs a ride to get somewhere and he needs your bike and you are not watching it at the time. If you have a cheap lock on the bike the thief could pick it or clip it.

If you have that cheap lock and it has been working for you your day may soon come. You need to buy a lock that is going to make sure that your bike is safe. You can buy any kind of lock. You will need something that will have some sort of key not a combination as someone with a good bit of luck could just say, “oh lets try it just for a second”, and might pick your lock and steal your ride.

Chain locks are the other really good type of lock. They can be very heavy and a thieve wont think about clipping the chain it will probably make a lot of noise and also probably wont be worth going to jail or getting beat up over. The bigger locks that are out there on the market will help you with securing your bike though and companies like bell will make a good lock for you. If you buy the right bike lock then you will be able to ride anywhere you want and be able to lock it up anywhere you want without it getting stolen. That’s the last thing you would want to happen as you ride up to the store for a soda is to walk out and see your bike gone when you could have just bought a lock for your bike. So do the right thing for your ride and buy the lock so it doesn’t get jacked like all your other bikes did.

Gregg Hall is an author living with his beautiful wife and family in Navarre Beach Florida. Find more about bicycle accessories as well as bicycle locks at http://www.bicyclepartsandclothing.com

How To Choose The Best Urban Road Bike For You

04 May.
Posted by teahupoo in Biking | No Comments

Racing bikes are good bikes and they all have similar traits to them. The light weight frame that you might have to your bike may be made of some light weight metal such as aluminum. The wheels that you are riding on called tires are made to be able to withstand high pressures. The handle bars are slightly lower than usual and the gears and brakes may be in a cluster so you don’t have to take your hands off the grips anytime.

If you just like to simply go on an easy going bike ride, than more than likely a racing type of bike isn’t for you. The bike and its wheels are made smaller for lighter weight and the breaks are made for light weight also and not a quick stop so you may want another bike like a mountain bike. The gear ratio is probably going to be a lot longer on a racing bike to gain speed but you can get another bike such as the mountain bike that you can climb steep hills and mountains with, with ease.

With a light weight frame that you can pick up with one hand and the tight positions you may have to sit will make you accelerate at high speeds higher than a normal bike. The way the bike is made is to limit the wind and create a good position for the rider. With owning a racing bike they can reach pretty high speeds up to 35 mph I would say or at least what I have seen. They might be able to go even faster but I am not a bike rider fan so I wouldn’t know.

Another thing that racing bikes don’t have that a regular bike would is mud flaps to keep you from getting mud all over the back of your legs and bottom. Mudguards are good when riding in a dirt environment or a muddy road. As I stated this is also a choice that goes with a regular bike and not available in racing bikes.

Although you might have been thinking of getting a racing bike, and might have had the rack up for it in the garage already. It might not be the bike for you if you just like to go on easy rides and not fast speedy races. Other people may prefer to challenge their friends or family when owning a racing bike, but the family just may like the regular bikes too. Just choose whichever bike is right for you and what you want out of it. Don’t get the bike that you just want to have to own, get the bike that’s right for you and that you will enjoy riding.

Gregg Hall is an author living with his beautiful wife and family in Navarre Beach Florida. Find more about bicycle accessories as well as bicycle clothing at http://www.bicyclepartsandclothing.com

How To Choose The Right Bicycle Accessories That Will Make Riding Your Bike Fun And Safe

04 May.
Posted by teahupoo in Biking | No Comments

If you like riding your bike then you know it’s hard to ride without the best accessories. Especially when you know a lot of the best accessories out there are for safety as well.

The one bike accessory that you will always need to wear and own is the bike helmet. A lot of states have made riding without one illegal. So you should wear one anyways to be on the safe side.

Also when you are taking a little bike trip on the road you need to be motorist friendly. Even though a lot of drivers are good ones there are bad and you are also on a bike. Accidents happen and you can’t stop them so do the right thing and just wear a helmet.

Another thing that is bad to do when riding your bike is to take a ride at night. The best thing that you can do to protect yourself if you are going to ride at night is to buy some type of light source or reflectors for you and your bike. So people can see you at night when you ride.

Something else you can buy is reflector striped shirts or pants possibly. So when you ride at night when you move your legs and arms the reflectors will shine off the lights of the cars and you will be seen and not road kill. You can probably buy any type of light or reflector source at any bike shops near you.

Another accessory that you can add to your bike can be lights to the handle bars or to the back of your seat to shine and show others you’re on the road too. When you get rained on or you are going on an early morning ride and there is fog lights will help you in some way. Some you can buy can be attached to where they can’t ever come off others you can get that are detachable and you can bring with you where ever you go.

The other good bike accessory to have is a horn. This is so if some bad driver is swerving you can honk. I would recommend and air horn of some type something that is really loud and will get the attention of the driver.

Bike accessories can be a very good way to upgrade your bike. There are also the things that you will need anyways to ride like mentioned the reflectors, lights, light clothing as well will always help, and remember to wear your helmet. These are the things that you need to buy and remember to do when you go riding whether it be at night or during the day.

Gregg Hall is an author living with his beautiful wife and family in Navarre Beach Florida. Find more about bicycle accessories as well as bicycle parts at http://www.bicyclepartsandclothing.com