Bike: Finding The Right One

by: James Brown

It is incredibly important that a person purchases a bike that meets all their wants and needs. First of all you want to decide if there is a specific reason why you are looking to purchase a bike. For example are you going to use your bike to get to work? Perhaps you are planning to do some off road biking or plan on purchasing a bike in order to ride long distances. If you are made well aware of what type of bike is going to meet your personal needs you are going to be able to avoid a common problem faced by many looking to buy a new bike. This dilemma is not being well informed before making a bike purchase and ending up with a style of bicycle that does not meet your needs at all. Bikes are available to consumers in a number of different styles in order to accommodate for different body shapes, a wide assortment of accessories that can be used to mold the bike to your individual needs and a wide range of prices for different styles of bikes.

There are a few different styles of bikes available to consumers and each style has its own features and benefits.

Here is a brief description of each bike.

Road Bike: A Road Bike is very striking and lightweight. Road bikes were outlawed in the year 1934 because they were considered to be too fast. However over the years they began to make a real comeback. The style of a road bike makes it perfect of recreational riding, traveling to work in the city or enjoying a leisurely ride down a country road.

Mountain Bike: Mountain Bikes are made to be able to keep up their power while being lightweight and well built. The simple, straight forward riding position of a Mountain Bike makes it an excellent choice for recreational riding as well as riding on advanced trails lots of rocks and dips along the road.

Touring Bikes: A Touring bike is made for those planning on traveling on more intense terrain. A touring bike is very similar in appearance to a bike built for racing however touring bikes are a bit sturdier. Due to advances in bike building technology, touring bikes are manufactured to be very light in weight while being able to hold up while being ridden over very intense roads.

City/Commuting Bikes: A Commuting bike is built solely for use on the asphalt. A City Bike is ideal for those looking for alternative means of transportation to their job as long as you do not have a lot of items to transport along with you.

Cruiser/Tandem/Comfort: A Cruiser Bike is the perfect choice for those looking for a bike simply to ride along easy terrain. This style of bike is a wonderful choice for families that wish to bike together. A tandem bike is also a fantastic choice for families or even couples that wish to enjoy a bike ride together.

So before you purchase a bike make sure to consider your specific desires. Once you are sure of where you will be going with your bike you will be better informed and able to select the bike that is perfect for you.

Thinking About Buying A Mountain Bike?

by: Luke Cameron
Are you a biking enthusiast? If you are, then you probably know how problematic buying the perfect mountain bike can be. If you are a newbie and wish to buy your very first mountain bike, you have to be prepared for a tough hunt. You should never settle for anything less than satisfactory. If it is anything to go by, you should settle for the best there is in the market. Quality and price do come hand in hand, however, and it is a reality that we all have a specific budget range. But that is of little consequence. There are so many quality mountain bikes that you can afford. It's a matter of looking for the best deals.

First thing to consider when buying a mountain bike is your budget. Do some research on the different price levels of available mountain bikes. You need not go inside every sporting goods store to compare prices. The internet will do just fine, maybe even better, as there are countless of online stores and biking websites from which you may get the information you need. When you have an estimate of how much a mountain bike costs, you can set out and begin looking for the bike that you want. Here's a little tip - try buying from a local community sporting goods or bike shop. The prices are considerably lower than those from mass merchant stores like Wal-Mart.

What is your style? Mountain bikes are manufactured differently from one another. The reason for this is that there are different specifications and requirements on mountain bikes depending on your riding style and the terrain types that you will be conquering. Among the different styles of biking are - smooth riding, cross country racing, mountain cruising, or lift accessed downhill. You need to know which of these styles you will be embarking on. This is very important in finding out the right mountain bike for you. Here's another tip - salespeople are in it for the commission. Don't listen to their tiny voices which say you need to buy this or that bike because they are top of the line. Buy according to your needs and style.

There is another very important point that you need to consider when buying a mountain bike. Full suspension or hard tail? To be honest, a full suspension mountain bike is the best choice. That is, if you can afford it. However you can still choose a hard tail. If you opt for the hard tail, which means the bike has no rear suspension, the bike will be much lighter and pedal more efficiently. Full suspensions are of course the most comfortable. However, since there is a satisfactory alternative in the presence of the hard tail, this decision will be based on what you really want and what your budget is.

Don't forget to take the bike for a test ride. Try testing out several different bikes, so you will be sure which one works best for you and with you. Also, try checking out seasonal sales and promos. This way, you will be able to save some money and afford the best possible mountain bike within your price range.

I hope that this little guide was able to help you. With the tips given, I am sure that you and your new bike will work together for that ultimate mountain biking adventure

Learn Mountain Biking

by: Christopher Johnson

Riding a mountain bike is pretty much the same as riding any other type of bike. Except for the rocks, the fallen trees, the streams and the occasional mountain. In other words, mountain biking is the extreme version of two-wheeling around the neighbourhood. It can be dangerous, so should be respected and even a little feared. If you want to hit the trails, you need to learn mountain biking skills.

Mountain biking skills involve agility, balance and stamina. Review the following list of exercises, and find a suitable place to practice. These can be don at home, at a school or park, on a bike path and ideally, at a place with a steep hill.

Sit and Spin

In other words, just go for a ride. Get on your bike and cruise around to find the best position for mountain biking. Your arms should be slightly bent. Your legs should be 70 to 90 percent extended at the bottom of every stroke on the pedal, so it may be necessary to adjust your seat higher or lower.

Get used to keeping your body relaxed because when you're on the trail, your knees and elbows should never be locked.

Feel the Pedal

While on your bike, practice moving your foot away from the pedal. Do this first while sitting on your bike with one foot on the ground, then try releasing and replacing your foot while pedaling around. If you have toe clips on your pedals, you'll need to spend a little extra time with this exercise. There will be times on the trail that feet will have to leave the pedals. Make sure you're comfortable with this move, before you have to use your feet to balance yourself over a bumpy path.

Switch Gears

Get used to shifting gears. You'll use them a lot on the trails. Higher gears make the bike go faster, but it's harder to pedal. Lower gears make pedaling easier, so you'll use these gear positions when climbing hills. Be sure to shift to a low gear before you reach the hill, rather than when you're already climbing it.

Drop a Curb

Ride down the sidewalk, and then find a curb that's easily accessible. Approach the curb at moderate speed, stand up and coast right down onto the road (look for cars first!) If you want to learn mountain biking, you need to know how to handle sudden drops. Try this exercise at different speeds until it becomes second nature.

Coast is Clear

Coasting on a bike can feel like flying. Get your bike up to a reasonable speed, stand on your pedals and just cruise without sitting down. Keep your arms bent, don't lock your knees, and try to lean your body towards the rear end of the bike. Mountain biking involves very little sitting, so spend some time coasting to get used to the feeling.

Stand and Pedal

Just like coasting, you'll also spend a great deal of time pedaling while standing. While pedaling, simply lift your body off of the seat. Or, start off standing on the pedals then start cranking them. After you've mastered standing and pedaling on flat ground, practice while climbing a hill in lower gear. It's easy to learn mountain biking. You already know how to ride a bike, so now it's time to master these additional techniques. Once you're comfortable coasting, dropping, standing, pedaling, spinning, and switching gears, you'll be ready to hit the trails, and tackle any challenge along the way.

Mountain Biking Tips

by: Barbara Miller
If you're looking for a truck or SUV to explore the countryside, you're thinking two wheels too many. To get really close to nature, have a blast and keep in shape, grab a mountain bike and head for the hills.

The popular "mountain bike" style was developed, as the name suggests, from bicycles designed for cruising up and down a mountain. Obviously racing down a mountainside can be a real adrenaline rush, but it can also be quite dangerous. Anyone actually considering taking on a mountain pass is advised to invest in a bike designed to accomplish such a task. With the right equipment and some common sense, mountain biking is a fun sport for the entire family.

Find your Style

There are three basic styles of mountain biking: cross-country, freestyle, and downhill. Although the styles vary in many ways, each demands a great deal of skill. Choosing your personal riding style will determine the type of mountain bike you should buy. In other words, don't buy a heavy downhill bike if you plan on busting moves with your buddies. A lighter freestyle model is better suited for trick riding.

Hone your Skills

Every great mountain biker needs endurance and stamina. It takes ambition and, sometimes, courage to be able to conquer nature's courses successfully. Like any sport, mountain biking also involves time and practice. Lots of practice. You can't expect to go from riding your bike around the block, to scaling rocky hills and maneuvering through winding trails. Anticipate getting a few bumps and bruises before you're ready to ride with the big kids.

Location, Location, Location

Thinking of mountain biking as riding an unpaved surface. Your bike is ready to take you virtually anywhere you want to be, and many North American parks offer designated biking locations. Before hitting the trails in a park or conservatory, check for rules and regulations. There may even be trail maps available for you to bring along on your trek. Ask about local mountain biking clubs and group trail rides and competitions. You can easily find this information by asking at a local bike shop, checking the papers or searching online. Beginner to advanced groups are available, so be sure you're joining a club that matches your skill level.

Choose your Ride

Once you've narrowed down your mountain biking style--cross-country, freestyle or downhill--the bike you select basically comes down to personal choice. There is a huge variety of makes and models on the market today. Compare styles, shapes and price. Be sure to consider the quality of the bike and the reliability of the manufacture, but don't be fooled into thinking the most expensive models are necessarily the best bikes. The Internet can be a great tool in shopping for a bike, as some compare quality, features and prices for you. When you find a bike you like, ask for a test drive. A great mountain biker needs to feel as one with his or her own bike. Check for a comfortable seat and position, and be sure that the brakes and gears are suited to you.

A mountain bike can be a big investment, so ask around and do your homework before you buy.

Keep it Safe

Mountain biking on unpaved roads and through unexplored territories can be very dangerous. You literally do not know what's lying around the corner. Always wear a helmet, wherever you ride. Elbow and kneepads and riding gloves are also good choices to help keep you safe and comfortable, and goggles should be worn if you're riding in the woods or following a group. Finally, keep a few band-aids in your pack--just in case.

Whether you're riding across the county, or across the country, mountain biking is a great way to see the sights and stay in shape. Wear a helmet, proceed with caution and have fun!

Biking enthusiasts try out Black Rock bike area on tour

BY TIMOTHY ALEX AKIMOFFStatesman Journal
April 22, 2007
Mountain bikers at Black Rock mountain bike area near Falls City should have brought flotation devices Saturday.
A steady downpour dampened everything but spirits as the 2007 Santa Cruz AllRide Tour hit the popular mountain biking area for the first time.
Kirt Voreis, a professional mountain biker from Bend, has been eyeing Black Rock as a site for his tour.
"This one isn't too far from my house, and I've heard tons about it," Voreis said about Black Rock. "This is definitely a treat, lot of stuff out here."
The tour hits bike dealers and mountain biking areas all around North America and promotes riding by allowing people to try out the bikes. With the Santa Cruz tour, the riders are promoting Santa Cruz bikes, which can sell for thousands of dollars.
"A lot of people, if they're buying a $3,000 to $5,000 bike, they want to size them up you know, see what they're getting," Voreis said.
Black Rock Mountain Biking Association president Rich Bontrager said the Santa Cruz AllRide Tour isn't the only one to hit the area, but the cache of the brand name shows that interest in the area is growing.
Melissa Flick of Sonora, Calif., stopped by Santiam Bicycles in Salem to look for something that has been elusive -- a bike frame that fits her 6-foot, 2-inch frame.
So the guys at Santiam told her to check out the 2007 AllRide Tour.
"Yeah, it's like heaven," she said as she perched on top of a Santa Cruz bike that seemed to fit her perfectly.
Adam Treadwell of Salem didn't try out a bike, but he gladly showed up on a day that would keep most people inside.
"It's pretty bad out there," he said shortly after riding down a trail aptly named Brake Check. "But I'm going to ride it again."
Voreis said the rain and mud didn't take away from his objective.
"I want to promote the lifestyle of biking," Voreis said. "That's why I came up with AllRide."

Landis will compete at mountain biking event

04/19/2007 10:11 AM - Tour de France champion Floyd Landis will compete in the Teva Mountain Games next month despite an ongoing doping investigation and hip surgery last year.
VAIL, Colo. -- Tour de France champion Floyd Landis will compete in the Teva Mountain Games next month despite an ongoing doping investigation and hip surgery last year.
Organizers said Landis will participate in the Ultimate Mountain Challenge on June 2-3, which includes road bike, mountain bike, kayak and trail running races.
A spokeswoman for the games did not immediately return a call Thursday.
Landis, 31, tested positive for a high ratio of testosterone to epitestosterone after winning the 2006 Tour and faces the loss of the title and a two-year ban from competition if the doping allegations are upheld.
Landis has denied the allegations.
The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency is awaiting the results of tests by France's anti-doping laboratory on Landis' "B" urine sample.
Landis underwent surgery on his right hip in San Diego in September.
At the Teva Mountain Games, Landis will compete as a member of Team Athletes for a Cure, raising money for prostate cancer research.
Landis also plans to compete in Colorado's Leadville Trail 100, a 100-mile mountain-bike race in August.