Bicycle Bikes

Archive for the ‘Mountain Bikes’ Category

There’s a lot of terminology to learn if you’re a mountain biking enthusiast. These enthusiasts have a language all their own, what with “face plants, boing-boing, drillium and wild pig.”

However, there is also biking terminology that stays the same, regardless of the age of the user, and that’s the terms used for individual parts of the bike. And its important to know these as well.

1. Bottom bracket – A circular hole in the bottom frame of the bike, used to attach the crankset.

2. Brake cable – The cable that connects the brake lever to the brake mechanism.

3. Brake lever – Lever on the handlebar which activates the brakes. The left lever controls the front brake, the right lever controls the rear brake.

4. Chain – The set of circular metal links which transfers power from the chain ring to the cogs. There are two types of bicycle chains: bushing and bushingless.

5. Chainring – Part of the crankset. A sprocket or toothed wheel which attaches to the crank and holds the chain. Bikes can have from two to three chainrings.

6. Crank – Part of the crankset. The lever or “arm” which connects the pedal to the bottom bracket.

7. Derailleur – The device which moves the chain from one chainring to another inorder to shift gears.

8. Down tube – Part of the frame. The tube which runs diagonally from the head tube (supporting the handlebars) to the bottom bracket. Above this is the top tube, which runs from the head tube to the seat.

9. Front shock – A suspension system on the front fork which allows the bike to absorb shocks without transmitting them to the rider.

10. Handlebar – The horizontal bar located at the front of the bike which is used to steer, and which will contain the shifters and break levers and any other items a cyclist wishes to have within easy reach.

11. Headset – The device which houses the bearings that enables the handlebars and front wheel to rotate on the frame of a bike. There are two types of headset, the threaded and the threadless.

12. Hub – The center part of the bicycle wheel, consisting of an axle and ball bearings to allow the wheel to move easily. In addition, the spokes radiate out from the hub to the bicycle rim.

13. Idler pulley- A pulley takes up slack in the chain in order to keep it tight at all times.

14. Nipple – Small threaded cylinders in the bicycle rim which secure a spoke to the rim.

15. Pedal – A short metal bar on which to put your foot, in order to propel the bicyle. The pedal is attached to the crank. Pedals can be simple or come attached with clips in which to put your shoes to increase leverage.

16. Rear shock – On a dual suspension bike, the device that absorbs shocks from the rear tire.

17. Rim – The metal ring to which the bicycle tire is fitted, and to which the breakes apply their force. The interior of the rim holds the spokes which give strength to the tire.

18. Saddle – Also called the seat. Something to sit on!

19. Seat post – The tubular support to which the saddle is connected. This tube is then placed into the seat tube, and can be raised or lowered depending on the rider.

20. Skewer – A metal rod that attaches the wheel to the frame of the bicycle. On one end is a nut to keep the skewer secure, on the other is the release mechanism, which is secured either by a “quick release” toggle, or with bolts.

21. Spindle – Part of the bottom bracket. The free rotating axle to which the crank arms attach.

22. Spokes – The thick wires that join the hub to the rim. The amount of spokes determine how strong the tire will be. Spokes can also be arranged in different patterns, which affect twisting and brake forces.

23. Stem – The metal piece that attaches the handlebar to the steering tube.

24. Wheel hub – See hub.

Alastair Hamilton
http://www.articlesbase.com/sports-and-fitness-articles/the-anatomy-of-a-mountain-bike-89372.html

See the Turner RFX in action, as riders Tom Buba, Shaun Evans, Moe Hutchison and Sean Methven incorporate their styles of riding to help define RFX's personality

Duration : 1 min 10 sec

Read the rest of this entry »

Technorati Tags: turner

The most essential part of going mountain biking is purchasing a mountain bike. This bike has many different parts, however, that you will learn more about below:

1. Bottom Bracket – This bracket helps to secure the body of the bike and the crankset together.

2. Brake Cable – This cable is the connection between the brake mechanism and the brake lever.

3. Brake Lever – This lever is located on the handlebars and it is used to enable the braking mechanism. The left lever is to activate the front brake and the right lever is to activate the rear brake.

4. Chain – This part consists of a set of circular links that help to transfer your power from the chain to the cogs to make the bike move.

5. Chain Ring – The chain ring is the rings with teeth that help to secure the crank to the chain.

6. Crank – This is the lever that goes from the pedal to the bottom bracket. It helps to transfer your power to the chain rings.

7. Derailleur – This is the mechanism that moves the chain from cog to cog.

8. Down Tube – This frame section goes from the bottom bracket to the stem.

9. Front Shock – The front fork’s shock absorber.

10. Handlebar – This is the horizontal bar that has handgrips on each end. It is secured to the stem to help you guide where the bike is going.

11. Headset – This is the mechanism on the frame’s front that helps to connect the stem and handlebars to the front fork.

12. Hub – This is the wheel’s center part where the spokes are attached.

13. Idler Pulley – This keeps the chain tight by adding spring tension to the rear derailleur’s bottom pulley.

14. Nipple – This holds the rim to the end of the spoke via a threaded receptacle.

15. Pedal – This is the part that you use to pedal on and it is attached to the crank.

16. Rear Shock – On bikes with dual suspension, this is rear tire’s shock absorber.

17. Rim – This is the metallic ring that secures the inside spokes to the outside tire.

18. Saddle – The seat that you sit on.

19. Seat Post – Supports the saddle/seat.

20. Skewer – This is the metallic rod that attaches the wheel to the frame dropouts by going through the hub.

21. Spindle – This is what the crank arms are attached to via a free rotating axle and it is also a component of the bottom bracket.

22. Spokes – These are the thicker wires that secure the wheel hub to the rim of the wheel.

23. Stem – This piece secures the steering tube to the handlebar.

24. Wheel Hub – This is located at the wheel’s center and it is where the spokes are attached.

Alastair Hamilton
http://www.articlesbase.com/sports-and-fitness-articles/the-insides-of-your-mountain-bike-103722.html

Mountain Bike Tours provide an extremely exciting journey to take on. The mountain bike Tour packages are not like any other ordinary tour during the holidays, but journeys really exciting and adventurous. It gives you the opportunity to take on tough challenges and experience the vibrancy of different regions and cultures as well. If you feel interested, you would get plenty of opportunities, because there is a flourishing market for such rides.

Tours and packages

The tours on Mountain Bikes can be arranged by buying the vacation packages and through travel agents. But arrangements through touring guides would be the best option. The touring companies provide the tourists with guides, and some of the companies offer self-guided tours as well.

Mountain bike tour packages are usually organized for two or three days. They are generally arranged on dirt streets. There can be separate arrangements for women too. Nevertheless, if you are a novice, and taking on such a challenging journey for the first time, you must go for a well organized guided tour

Initially, it is going to be a difficult task to choose the right tourist agency. The best idea is to go with an established company, who can give full assurance of service and safety. You can also find the necessary information on the Internet.

Before booking, kindly check the cancellation process. Mostly, the tour companies do not charge any penalty if you are canceling your tour within 60 days of booking. But if you cancel it exactly on the starting day, the tour company usually forfeits the entire money.

In a guided tour, you would be shown the best suitable trails for biking. The guides frequently visit these places and are well acquainted with the local mass. Hence, you would not have to worry about which way to follow and where to stop, refresh or camp.

You must enquire about the touring company also before booking your ticket so that you are acquainted with the people who would be your companions. Some of the agencies would allow your family members to join and some would not. In some cases you have to bring your own bicycle with you, and it would solely be your responsibility to take care of it. The bicycle must have tough frames, good brakes and gears. You must also bring your helmet and gloves with you.

The most important thing while taking on a journey is to read a map and know the basics of navigation. You must also be prepared for an emergency, like a sudden injury or a breakdown. You also need to be a bit investigative in your approach, and decide where to ride and which place to avoid.

Wish you a journey full of energy, adventure and exploration.

Robert Sheehan
http://www.articlesbase.com/fitness-articles/mountain-bike-tours-for-ceaseless-excitement-100119.html

Do you need a bike light?

If you bike during the evenings – during the dusk or at night, it is imperative that you have a bike light. It’s not so much that you need to be able to see where you’re going, although that is a consideration, but so that motorists will be able to see you.

Bicyclists are supposed to follow the rules of the road – which means that they bike with the traffic and not against it. Unfortunately, there are some teens who don’t follow these rules, so it’s a good thing for them to have a light so any on-coming motorists can see them. Also when riding at night, it is important to wear bright or light clothing, again to make it easier for people to see you. Otherwise you are simply an accident waiting to happen.

There are two kinds of lights you can purchase – those that fasten on to your bike and those that fasten on to your helmet. You’ll want a light that doesn’t weight very much, is easily adjustable, but also provides you with a well-lit path.

You can purchase these lights from online bicycle shops, or from your local bike shot.

You’ll usually save money if you order online – and you’ll be able to find the widest selection of lights on the internet.

However, it’s always a good idea to support your local shop. While their prices may not be quite as good as those on the Internet, you’ll have a better idea of what you’re purchasing and you’ll be able to discuss your needs with a knowledgeable individual.

But you’re a mountain biker. Do you need a bike light?

Millions of Americans enjoy riding Mountain Bikes – and there are those daring folks who like to experience it at night. And if you’re going to be zooming down mountains at night, having a bike light is obviously imperative. Indeed, you’ll probably want one on the bike and one on your helmet.

As with all accessories, lights will vary in cost depending on the quality you need. Prices for lights can range from as little as $25 to the hundreds of dollars.

You’ll need to consider how often you bike at night to decide how much money you want to spend…but just bear in mind that the bike light is an essential safety device, and you can’t put a price on your safety.

Alastair Hamilton
http://www.articlesbase.com/sports-and-fitness-articles/see-and-be-seen-with-a-mountain-bike-light-91552.html

All terrain, all pleasure Speed fanatics, perched on bikes specially made for bumpy mountain terrain,
already know Crans-Montana for its mountain bike downhills. The Bike Park is here to test and improve your skill
on two wheels. Cross country fans can follow marked routes with different levels of difficulty. Beginners will find
attractive, flat trails which they can safely enjoy pedaling along.

Duration : 1 min 38 sec

Read the rest of this entry »

Technorati Tags: mountain