By Tony Milijun
Bikes have long been a method of transportation and are becoming even more popular with the increase in oil/gas prices. From mountain to road biking there are many categories within each division. Racing, touring, and casual bikes cater to different types of individuals. Prices can range from a couple hundreds to several thousands based on the bikes components. Many people are familiar with brands such as Schwinn, Trek, or even more specific ones like Felt, Giant, or Motobecane. Each brands offers various models over a wide range of prices. Where does this leave you, me, and any other average consumer?
LOST? It is easy to become lost and confused in the world of bikes. The focus of this article will be to clear up any confusion and hopefully set a framework for finding the right bike for your price range. There are several variables that need to be taken into consideration when purchasing a new or used bike. These include:
1. Price - obvious category but there are many more
2. Sizing - very important for cyclists, recreational riders, and anyone looking to get into the sport
3. Type of bike - comfort, hybrid, road, time trial
4. Specificity of bicycle - components and parts included on the bike
SIZING
I will get into the pricing aspect of the bike in a future article but wanted to address the last three points first. Sizing is a crucial element that many people struggle with. Professional cyclists and triathletes often have problems dialing in their 'fit' and pursue expensive testing service routes to find the optimal fit. This is one extreme but many other avenues exist for average riders. Your local bike shop oftentimes will do a free bicycle fit for you or even taken your measurements so that you can plug it into specific calculators such as the FIST fit calculator on Slowtwitch.com. Oftentimes people are looking for something simple or inexpensive to get the job done. A proper size goes a long way for comfort and is, in my opinion, a critical determinant in choosing the right new or used bike. Injuries can result if the frame is wrong for your size. Too small of a frame often leads to knee problems, where larger than recommended frames can make it difficult to reach the shifters or ground. Most of the time people of average height have no problems finding an optimal fit, but outliers: tall (like myself) or short may have trouble finding the right bike.
TYPES
Comfort, road, and time trial bikes are the most common in the road bike category. While you can ride each of these, selecting the one most relevant to your style yields the most comfort and satisfaction. The first kind, comfort bikes, is usually designed with upright handlebars when compared to other bikes. These can be very useful for the average rider looking to put some miles in, but stay as comfortable as possible during the ride. Some bikes known as cruisers are often thrown into this category and come equipped with less gears and much heavier. Designed for going short distances, such as across the street to the grocer, they would not be the best option for longer distances. Road bikes are very common for the average rider, professional cyclist, and anyone getting into the sport. When looking to ride longer durations (say 2,3,4+ hours) road bikes are the best option. They are also fast due to thin tires and a lighter weight. Coming in a variety of frame types, sizes, and brands it is easy to find the right road bike. Used bikes can oftentimes save people 50% or more off the MSRP.
RoadBikeUSA
http://www.roadbikeusa.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tony_Milijun
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Friday, September 5, 2008
Hybrid Bikes - Jack of All Trades
By Rob Buenaventura
Bicycle riding can add a sense of adventure and pleasure to your life. If you enjoy riding, choosing the right bike is of paramount importance. Earlier, you had two choices: a road bike or a mountain bike. However, technology and innovation has conceived and brought into existence several types of bikes like hybrid bikes, comfort bikes and recumbent bikes.
Selecting the right bike depends on where you intend to ride. Do you want to ride on the roads or back-routes? Do you want to race at breakneck speed or do you want to move at a leisurely pace? Though most bikes will let you do all these things, some bikes are made to suit certain pursuits more than others. The hybrid bike is one such bike that allows you to enjoy the best of both the worlds.
A hybrid bike is a kind of multi-purpose bike that has the features of mountain bikes as well as road bikes. The mountain bike was perceived as too slow, unwieldy and heavy for the average rider. So designers created the Hybrid Bike by taking the best elements from mountain bikes and road bikes. The hybrid is fitted with wider tyres than your average road bike but has similar gear systems as the mountain bike. Some models also come fitted with mudguards and rise stems which can be adjusted easily.
Hybrid bikes are light in weight. They can be used to ride on roads, tracks, footpaths and rough terrain. They can withstand longer journeys as well.
These bikes generally use the road bikes 700cc standard. This enables it to go comfortably over pavements and also facilitates easy climbing. You can choose between an upright position and a speed-oriented position. The upright position is preferred by casual riders since it doesn't strain the back and neck. There is always high air pressure in the tyres which allows you to go at faster speeds and travel longer distances.
However, it is best not to use hybrid bikes to ride over mountain tracks and severe off-road paths. They are better suited to gravel and dirt roads and for commuting to and fro.
For more information and ideas on hybrid bicycles visit us at http://www.MyBikeShoppe.com.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rob_Buenaventura
Bicycle riding can add a sense of adventure and pleasure to your life. If you enjoy riding, choosing the right bike is of paramount importance. Earlier, you had two choices: a road bike or a mountain bike. However, technology and innovation has conceived and brought into existence several types of bikes like hybrid bikes, comfort bikes and recumbent bikes.
Selecting the right bike depends on where you intend to ride. Do you want to ride on the roads or back-routes? Do you want to race at breakneck speed or do you want to move at a leisurely pace? Though most bikes will let you do all these things, some bikes are made to suit certain pursuits more than others. The hybrid bike is one such bike that allows you to enjoy the best of both the worlds.
A hybrid bike is a kind of multi-purpose bike that has the features of mountain bikes as well as road bikes. The mountain bike was perceived as too slow, unwieldy and heavy for the average rider. So designers created the Hybrid Bike by taking the best elements from mountain bikes and road bikes. The hybrid is fitted with wider tyres than your average road bike but has similar gear systems as the mountain bike. Some models also come fitted with mudguards and rise stems which can be adjusted easily.
Hybrid bikes are light in weight. They can be used to ride on roads, tracks, footpaths and rough terrain. They can withstand longer journeys as well.
These bikes generally use the road bikes 700cc standard. This enables it to go comfortably over pavements and also facilitates easy climbing. You can choose between an upright position and a speed-oriented position. The upright position is preferred by casual riders since it doesn't strain the back and neck. There is always high air pressure in the tyres which allows you to go at faster speeds and travel longer distances.
However, it is best not to use hybrid bikes to ride over mountain tracks and severe off-road paths. They are better suited to gravel and dirt roads and for commuting to and fro.
For more information and ideas on hybrid bicycles visit us at http://www.MyBikeShoppe.com.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rob_Buenaventura
Saturday, August 23, 2008
America's Road Team Sends Record Number of Captains to NTDC
ARLINGTON, Va., Aug. 15 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The America's Road
Team will have 12 Captains competing at the National Truck Driving
Championships this year in Houston, tying the record number set last year.
The National Truck Driving Championships, considered the "Super Bowl of
Safety," will allow the America's Road Team to showcase their millions of
accident-free miles and superb driving skills to thousands of attendees and
participants. In addition, Road Team Captains will collect money for the
Texas-based charity Associa Cares, an organization that helps neighborhoods
across America who are in financial crisis due to natural and man-made
disasters. Captains will also assist in the NTDC blood drive again this
year.
The American Trucking Associations created the America's Road Team in
1986 as a national public outreach program to promote safety and
professionalism within the industry and educate the general public.
Sponsored by Volvo Trucks North America, America's Road Team is led by a
small group of professional truck drivers who travel the nation sharing
their superior driving skills, remarkable safety records and strong desire
to spread the word about highway safety, driver professionalism and the
essentiality of the trucking industry.
"Volvo is very proud of the America's Road Team program and the
professional drivers who are its safety ambassadors," said Scott Kress,
senior vice president - sales & marketing, Volvo Trucks North America. "The
qualities which led them to be chosen for the Road Team are some of the
same qualities which make them such effective and skillful drivers. We wish
the participating Road Team Captains and all other competitors good luck,
success and happy memories for this year's NTDC."
ATA's Truck Driving Championships include top professional truck
drivers from around the nation competing at state and regional levels to
make it to the national competition Aug. 19-23 in Houston, Texas. The NTDC
annually attracts over 2,000 cheering friends, family, colleagues and
spectators. For more information, visit the 2008 National Truck Driving
Championships website: http://www.truckline.com/aboutata/ntdc/2008
2008 NTDC America's Road Team Competitors:
Wayne Crowder, FedEx Freight (Lanesville, IN) '07-'08 America's Road
Team
Jerry Cudmore, Yellow Transportation (Castlewood, SD) '91 America's
Road Team
Kent Durant, Roadway (Cheney, KS) '07-'08 America's Road Team
Ralph Garcia, ABF Freight System, Inc. (Rio Rancho, NM) '05-'06
America's Road Team
Scott Harris, ABF Freight System, Inc. (North Greenbush, NY) '99
America's Road Team
Clarence Jenkins, UPS Freight (Poca, WV) '07-'08 America's Road Team
Roger Lanham, UPS Freight (Winfield, WV) '96 America's Road Team
David May, Con-way Freight (West Seneca, NY) '05-'06 America's Road
Team
Daniel Poole, The Boeing Company (Ravensdale, WA) '01 America's Road
Team
Larry Shelton, Old Dominion Freight Line (King, NC) '07-'08 America's
Road Team
Tony Spero, ABF Freight System, Inc. (Stratford, CT) '07-'08 America's
Road Team
Bernard Zadrozny, Roadway (Bristol, CT) '96 America's Road Team
The America's Road Team, sponsored by Volvo Trucks North America, is a
national public outreach program led by a small group of professional truck
drivers who share superior driving skills, remarkable safety records and a
strong desire to spread the word about safety on the highway.
http://www.americasroadteam.com.
American Trucking Associations, the national trade association for the
trucking industry, is a federation of affiliated state trucking
associations, conferences and organizations that includes more than 38,000
motor carrier members representing every type and class of motor carrier in
the country. http://www.truckline.com.
SOURCE American Trucking Associations
Team will have 12 Captains competing at the National Truck Driving
Championships this year in Houston, tying the record number set last year.
The National Truck Driving Championships, considered the "Super Bowl of
Safety," will allow the America's Road Team to showcase their millions of
accident-free miles and superb driving skills to thousands of attendees and
participants. In addition, Road Team Captains will collect money for the
Texas-based charity Associa Cares, an organization that helps neighborhoods
across America who are in financial crisis due to natural and man-made
disasters. Captains will also assist in the NTDC blood drive again this
year.
The American Trucking Associations created the America's Road Team in
1986 as a national public outreach program to promote safety and
professionalism within the industry and educate the general public.
Sponsored by Volvo Trucks North America, America's Road Team is led by a
small group of professional truck drivers who travel the nation sharing
their superior driving skills, remarkable safety records and strong desire
to spread the word about highway safety, driver professionalism and the
essentiality of the trucking industry.
"Volvo is very proud of the America's Road Team program and the
professional drivers who are its safety ambassadors," said Scott Kress,
senior vice president - sales & marketing, Volvo Trucks North America. "The
qualities which led them to be chosen for the Road Team are some of the
same qualities which make them such effective and skillful drivers. We wish
the participating Road Team Captains and all other competitors good luck,
success and happy memories for this year's NTDC."
ATA's Truck Driving Championships include top professional truck
drivers from around the nation competing at state and regional levels to
make it to the national competition Aug. 19-23 in Houston, Texas. The NTDC
annually attracts over 2,000 cheering friends, family, colleagues and
spectators. For more information, visit the 2008 National Truck Driving
Championships website: http://www.truckline.com/aboutata/ntdc/2008
2008 NTDC America's Road Team Competitors:
Wayne Crowder, FedEx Freight (Lanesville, IN) '07-'08 America's Road
Team
Jerry Cudmore, Yellow Transportation (Castlewood, SD) '91 America's
Road Team
Kent Durant, Roadway (Cheney, KS) '07-'08 America's Road Team
Ralph Garcia, ABF Freight System, Inc. (Rio Rancho, NM) '05-'06
America's Road Team
Scott Harris, ABF Freight System, Inc. (North Greenbush, NY) '99
America's Road Team
Clarence Jenkins, UPS Freight (Poca, WV) '07-'08 America's Road Team
Roger Lanham, UPS Freight (Winfield, WV) '96 America's Road Team
David May, Con-way Freight (West Seneca, NY) '05-'06 America's Road
Team
Daniel Poole, The Boeing Company (Ravensdale, WA) '01 America's Road
Team
Larry Shelton, Old Dominion Freight Line (King, NC) '07-'08 America's
Road Team
Tony Spero, ABF Freight System, Inc. (Stratford, CT) '07-'08 America's
Road Team
Bernard Zadrozny, Roadway (Bristol, CT) '96 America's Road Team
The America's Road Team, sponsored by Volvo Trucks North America, is a
national public outreach program led by a small group of professional truck
drivers who share superior driving skills, remarkable safety records and a
strong desire to spread the word about safety on the highway.
http://www.americasroadteam.com.
American Trucking Associations, the national trade association for the
trucking industry, is a federation of affiliated state trucking
associations, conferences and organizations that includes more than 38,000
motor carrier members representing every type and class of motor carrier in
the country. http://www.truckline.com.
SOURCE American Trucking Associations
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