Mountain Bikes Hub

Mountain Biking : It was in July 1, 2006

had thoroughly enjoyed my guided bicycle tour with Ça Roule and Bruno, a licensed city guide from Guidatour, really introduced Montreal up close to us. And my own independent explorations of the bicycle trail along the Lachine Canal introduced me to a side of Montreal I had never been exposed to. After returning my bike after a full day of exercise I wanted to find out a bit more about who is behind this operation, Ça Roule, or Montreal on Wheels, as it is known in English.

Montreal, by the way, is a fabulous city to explore by bicycle. The Old Port area, the bicycle path network along the Lachine Canal and alongside the St. Lawrence River, as well as the islands of Ile St. Hélène and Parc Jean Drapeau in the St. Lawrence are eminently bikeable. Of course the trail network on Mont Royal also adds some interesting terrain for cycling enthusiasts and many of Montreal’s quaint neighbourhoods lend themselves perfectly to be discovered en vélo. Montreal was actually voted the number 1 city for bicyclists in 1999 by Bicycling magazine.

Ça Roule is a Bicycle Rental and Touring Shop located on the harbour front boulevard at 27 De La Commune Est. André Giroux, the owner, created this company 12 years ago. He originally studied law and spent 7 years as a lawyer, specialized in litigation and legal consulting for large real estate developers. As an avid sports person, André plays hockey and tennis and he really enjoys cycling and in 1994 he decided to open a small rental store that initially focused on renting roller blades, a big craze in the mid 1990s. His original stable of equipment also included 12 bicycles. In the meantime his fleet has grown to more than 70 bicycles which include touring bikes, tandems, trail bikes, electric bikes and electric scooters. His store also rents kids trailers and child carriers.

I asked him what the name “Ça Roule” actually means and he explained that this French phrase literally means “it’s rolling”, but is generally understood as “it’s going well”, “it’s running well”. He explained that his store specializes in customer service, his staff is knowledgeable, and they are available to provide advice on all sorts of biking activities in and around Montreal. Everyone gets outfitted with a city-wide cycling map and a free bottle of water is included in every tour.

His customers come from all over the world including the USA, the rest of Canada and a wide variety of European countries. Even Australian, Korean and Japanese travelers rent muscle-powered equipment from him and many of his clients are referred by hotels and the Montreal Tourist Office. In addition he also offers bicycle repairs and some of his repair clients are part of the 3500 permanent residents that now live in Old Montreal, or employees that work in Old Montreal and commute there by bicycle.

Ça Rule has six staff members: two bicycle repair technicians and four tour leaders. Recently he has started to collaborate with Guidatour and both companies combined have developed an Official City Tour By Bike that is led by a licensed tour guide. This morning I participated in this official city tour and in my opinion exploring a city by bike has to be one of the best ways of discovering a new place.

In any northern country, the bicycling business is seasonal, and the high season at Ça Roule goes from May to October, sometimes stretching into November, depending on the weather. During the winter André works on updating the website and preparing the strategies for the next business years and last year he had a chance to go to Florida for 3 weeks. During the summer the shop is very busy and André and his staff members work very had, but he tries to go out bicycling himself in the evenings between 7 and 8 pm. He loves to cycle over to Montreal’s islands: Ile St. Hélène and Jean Drapeau Park.

André also pointed out that Ça Roule is able to offer customized bicycle tours. One time a group of people asked to start a tour on top of Mont Royal. So he rented a cargo van and carted several bikes up to the top of the mountain so the tour group could start their ride at their intended starting point. All sorts of special assignments can be done, they might just require a bit of notice to organize.

With all this exercise I was ready for a very solid dinner, so I thanked André for his time and for putting on the Official Guide City Tour, one of the best ways of getting to know the city and continued my explorations of Montreal on this Canada Day.

For the entire article including photos please visit

Other bike related topics: Kids Mountain Bikes, Mountain Bike Fork and Women Mountain Bikes

http://www.travelandtransitions.com/stories_photos/montreal_ca_roule.htm

Susanne Pacher

http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/hello-from-montreal-part-11–a-chat-with-andreacute-giroux-owner-of-ccedila-roule-bicyle-rentals-93325.html

Technorati Tags: Ça Roule, Lachine Canal, Mountain Biking

Mountain Biking , For the Adventure Loving Lot

Mountain biking, as the name suggests, is a biking sport in which bicycle-riders ride along mountain trails. Biking through a mountain terrain is pure fun, but it also has its share of adventure and excitement. The best-known locations for biking in mountainous surroundings have unpaved surfaces and so you need to be an expert biker to truly experience the thrill.

History

Since their invention, bicycles have been used on all terrains, including rugged mountainous territories. However, it was not until 1970s that biking in the mountains became an organized sport. Groups of bicycle-riders from different parts of the United States played a pivotal role in the evolution of this thrilling biking-sport – experimenting with best mountain bikes of different makes and modifying them so that they could take the rigors of riding in the uneven, craggy mountainous lands.

The Mountain Bike Hall of Fame, however, bestows the honor to a group of bikers in Marin County, California. The group (consisting of famous names in this field like Gary Fisher, Joe Breeze, Keith Bontrager and Otis Guy among others) undertook bike-ride down Mount Tamalpais (Mt Tam) on old 1930s and 40s Schwinn bicycles retrofitted with advanced brakes and fat tires.

The first ‘proper’ mountain bike was built by Joe Breeze in 1977. The present-day mountain bikes are based on the bicycle first marketed by the MountainBikes Company. The frame of this particular bike was built by Tom Ritchey and it was accessorized by Gary Fisher and Charlie Kelly.

Types

Bikers usually engage in four different kinds of cycling tours in the mountains:

1. Cross-Country (or XC) biking is the most familiar type mountain riding sport and naturally has the maximum number of followers. The sport involves riding between points or in loops. It includes ascents and descents on different terrains. (Cross-Country racing competitions are different from cross-country biking). A typical XC bike weighs some 22-28 lbs and it has 0-4 inches of suspension travel front and rear.

2. Freeride is the other popular type of biking in mountain trails. It restricts the biker with no specific rules rather allows the rider to do ‘anything and everything’ – downhill rides (without clock), jumps, stunts – that require skill and are hence meant for professionals. Freeride biking requires the rider to assemble the bike as per convenience and style, but these bikes are a bit heavier (weighing between 30 and 40 lbs) and are amply suspended (generally has 6 inches of suspension front and rear).

3. Downhill, as the name suggests, involves riding mountain bikes downhill. It is generally associated with racing-oriented downhill riding. Downhill biking does not require the rider to pedal up the hill. The bikers along with their bikes are transported up the hill with the help of a truck or ski-lift. The downhill climb is indeed challenging including jumps and drops as well as physical hindrances. Tough mentality, physical strength, swiftness and mounted heavy bikes weighing some 40-50 lbs make you eligible for these races.

4. Trials riding, which is quite similar to skateboarding, involves hopping and jumping over obstacles with your bike. It demands great sense of balance and control. The riders make use of special bikes that make use of 20″, 24″ or 26″ wheels fitted to small, low frames.

The following tips will prove helpful if you are planning a bicycle-trip in the rocky, hilly terrains for the first time:

1. You must have stamina and endurance to bike down a mountain.

2. Selection of a superior quality bike, especially one that perfectly meets your type of mountain riding is also very crucial.

3. You cannot avoid minor cuts and bruises but you can certainly prevent major mishaps by resorting to precautionary measures, buying yourself some protection in the form of helmets, knee-caps and elbow-caps. A good pair of goggles will also prove handy.

4. Special competitions are organized by various mountain bikers’ groups and you can join in with them. If you choose to go on your own, you will need to collect all relevant information – routes, rules, et al.

5. Whether you go with a bikers’ group or go biking all by yourself, you must remember to carry your equipment kit so that you can take care of all your bicycle-repairs.

Other related topic: Kids Mountain Bikes, Mountain Bike Fork, Women Mountain Bikes

Robert Sheehan

http://www.articlesbase.com/fitness-articles/mountain-biking-for-the-adventure-loving-lot-92136.html

Technorati Tags: Best Mountain Bike, Charlie Kelly, Cross-Country (or XC) biking, Downhill, Freeride, Gary Fisher, Joe Breeze, Keith Bontrager, Mount Tamalpais, Mountain Biking, Otis Guy, Tom Ritchey, Trials riding

Replacing Mountain Bike Components

Best Mountain Bike: Enthusiasts of mountain biking are always searching for new ways to help make their bike riding better. This may include making their bike more controllable, more comfortable to ride, or faster. Serious mountain bikers are always looking at the newest technologies available to help make their mountain biking more fun. The best way to find the most up-to-date components is to visit one of the many trustworthy bicycle shops online.

Adding a new saddle to your mountain bike can help to make it much more comfortable. This is an easy way to add comfort to your bike and saddles come in many different styles and designs to help you find the one that will make you the most comfortable. They come in styles especially for women mountain bikes and they come in styles that are made especially for men and Kids Mountain Bikes. Another easy way to help make your bike feel better is to adjust the handlebars. If you heighten them by just a few inches, it can allow you to be upright more, which is more comfortable for some riders.

If you have been biking for a while, then you know that you need to base your tire tread choice on the terrain that you are going to be riding. This helps you to have maximum control of your bicycle. For stopping your bike, you want to choose a high quality V-type brake for your bike.

Most mountain bikers would put the suspension system and shocks at the top of their list of most important components. If you have good shocks, then you can withstand the hilly terrain that most trails offer and can enjoy the ride without pain. If you want to make your bike more controllable, then you may want to replace some of the heavier components on your bike with those made of aluminum of titanium. This can also help you to go faster, which makes more riders very happy. You can find all of these components at your local bike shop or online.

If your bike is not riding like it did when you first got it or if you want to make it more fun to ride, then you will find that replacing just a few things can make a big impact. Whether you are trying to make your bicycle more comfortable, easier to control, or faster, you can just change a few components to give you a big bang for your buck. Your local bicycle shop should be able to help you find the parts that you need to make your bike feel like new.

If your goals are to ride faster and to increase control, then you will find that reducing the weight of your bike can make a huge difference. If you replace some of the heavier components with some more high-tech materials, like titanium, carbon fiber, or aluminum, you can make a big difference in the control and quickness of your ride.

Other related topics: Mountain Bike Clothing, Mountain Bike Fork

Alastair Hamilton

http://www.articlesbase.com/sports-and-fitness-articles/replacing-mountain-bike-components-102918.html

Technorati Tags: bicycle shops online, Enthusiasts of mountain biking, handlebars, high quality V-type brake, Mountain Bike Components, mountain bikers, Mountain Biking, Replacing Mountain Bike Components, saddle

Mountain bike is a sport that is rapidly taking off around the world. So great is its popularity that travel companies are taking advantage of this and offering mountain biking tours. Whether you are new to the sport or a seasoned veteran, you are bound to find a tour that will appeal to you.

Because there are so many companies offering mountain bike tours, you have to do a great deal of research in advance to make sure you go with the best company. Typically, it’s best to go with a tour company that is already well established, so that you know they are reputable and give good service.

When researching tour companies, an important piece of information to find out is what there cancellation policy is. Typically companies allow you to cancel without penalty up until 60 days before the start of the tour, after that you may have to forfeit any deposit you’ve put down, and if you cancel within days of the tour you may lose the entire price of the tour! So make sure you understand the fine print before you sign on the dotted line.

Because of the popularity of the internet, it’s easy to find the right mountain biking tour for you.

Unlike leisure biking tours which can extend over the course of several days, mountain biking tours typically only last for two or three days, although some do last for five. There are also mountain biking tours that cater specifically to women, and those that cater to families.

When you’re going on these tours, you may want to bring your own bike, or you can rent one from the tour company. However, you simply must bring your own helmet and gloves. The last thing you want to do is trust your safety to an ill-fitting helmet. Bring your own and make sure! If you’re renting a bike from the company make sure you take two types of shoes in case they use clipless pedals.

Be Prepared on Your Mountain Biking Tour

You’ll also want to be prepared for the weather by bringing rain gear. You’ll want an extra pair of shoes in case your first pair gets wet. You’ll need sunscreen and insect repellant. It’s always a good idea to bring your own water bottle, not to mention a hydration pack.

Below we give just a few examples of businesses that offer mountain biking tours.

Rim Tours has been offering mountain biking tours in the back country locations of the Western United States since 1985. The names will be familiar to all mountain biking enthusiasts: Utah, Moab, Canyonlands National Park, Bryce and Zion National Parks, the North Rim in Grand Canyon National Park; the Kokopelli Trail, Fruita, Crested Butte and Durango, Colorado.

Did you know you could go mountain biking in Australia? A company called Mountain Bike Tours offers day tours to Byron Bay’s Hinterland (Northern NSW) – you’ll see a protected subtropical rainforest, deep gorges and famous cascading waterfalls and you’ll learn about historic pioneering postal routes and early logging tracks and trails.

Ever heard of the Carpathian mountains of Transylvania? Feel like biking by Dracula’s castle? Well, a company called Active Holidays offers such a tour. The inhabitants of Transylvania still work the land, and old farmers still uses horses and carts. The cycling routes average 40 miles a day so you’d better be pretty fit, but there’s plenty of time stop and visit a fewancient fortresses, citadels or fortified churches.

If you like the exotic – give Transylvania a try today.

By searching the web for any of your other interests besides mountain biking, you may well find that you can combine two vacations in to one. So start searching for that dream trip today.

Alastair Hamilton
http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/take-a-mountain-biking-tour-87278.html

You’ve decided to take up the exciting and challenging sport of mountain biking. Unlike casual biking, you need much more than just a helmet to ensure that you have a safe ride as you hit the trails.

Mountain biking is such a popular sport that there is now a vast range of accessories for both men and women. Make sure you do a bit of research on each item you want to purchase to make sure you buy the best quality for the amount of money you want to spend.

Bike helmet
We may be listing the bike helmet as an ‘accessory’ but it really isn’t. It is a necessary piece of equipment. In mountain biking, it is not a question of if you’re going to fall, it’s a question of when. And when you take a header over your handlebars, having a secure helmet on your head could well save your life. Although you can buy most accessories second hand if you so desire, the bike helmet is something that you want to buy brand-new, and make sure that it fits your head properly. And if you do have an accident in which any damage occurs to the helmet, the wisdom is that you should purchase another one. One accident per helmet – that’s the rule.

Eye protection
Have you ever been riding on the road and been passed by a car that sends up a spurt of gravel at you? If any of that gets into your eyes, you have to stop immediately to clear your vision. If you’re on a trail heading downhill at a breakneck pace, and a baleful bee takes that opportunity to hit you in the eye, the following seconds could end up being very uncomfortable. Glasses or sunglasses are one solution, but the best method is to wear goggles. Whatever you get, make sure that lenses are non-breakable.

Hydration system
It’s common sense to bring a water bottle with you when you go out on a trail ride. It’s very easy to get dehydrated which brings your energy right down. However, in order to drink from your water bottle you have to take your hand off one of the handles, and there are sometimes when you don’t want to do that. A hydration backpack is a good solution. As a backpack you can put all kinds of necessary inside it, and when you need a drink you just reach over with your mouth to the bite valve and take a sip.

Mountain bike shorts
These days bike saddles are a lot more comfortable than they used to be. There are saddles made especially for women as well as men, and you can purchase gel-filled saddles that make the hours you spend on your bike a bit more comfortable. But you’ll also want padded bike underwear and padded bike shorts, just for extra comfort.

Mountain bike gloves
If you fall off your bike (or should that be, when), your hands will probably be the first thing to hit the ground – either a paved road, a graveled road, dirt, mud, bushes…all sorts of hazards that can rip up your hands unless they’re properly protected. Gloves serve another purpose as well, of course. If you’re heading down the trail your hands will get sweaty which could cause problems keeping your hands on your bike grips. Wearing gloves eliminates that problem.

Mountain biking shoes

These days there’s a shoe made for every sport under the sun, including that of mountain biking. The main difference in mountain bike shoes is the type of sole – designed for the different types of pedals out there: with clips or clipless. The clipless type of pedal requires that your shoes be fitted with special cleats. The shoes need to be durable and comfortable.

Trail repair kit
Regardless of what type of biking you do, it always makes sense to carry a bicycle repair kit with you. However, you can ‘get away’ with not carrying one if you ride on the streets of your city. You’ll just be a phone call away from someone who can come and help you if you have a flat, after all. It’s not that easy if you’re out in the woods and your cell phone doesn’t work. Always have a a multi-tool designed for bike repair, tire levers, and a patch kit for fixing flat tires. However, having a repair kit will do you little good if you don’t know how to use the tools! So make sure that after you purchase your kit you familiarize with each of the tools and how to use them! It’s easy once you know how.

Alastair Hamilton
http://www.articlesbase.com/sports-and-fitness-articles/accessorize-your-mountain-bike-89620.html

The Best Online Kids Mountain Bikes Deals

Many Kids enjoy riding bikes for several different reasons. Some enjoy bike riding because it’s an easy way to reap the benefits of cardiovascular exercise, while simultaneously enjoying the scenery. Other kids like to bike-ride because it is so fun that most people forget that they are even exercising. All you do is buy a comfortable Scott Mountain Bike, a great helmets and other gear, and find a cool bike trail. You can even try different trails, in order to prevent boredom.

People with children don’t have to give up bike-riding, either. There are plenty of bikes for children that enable parents to enjoy riding bikes with their offspring or children that they are providing care for. It is also one of the easiest ways to incorporate exercise into a child’s life. And if a child is too young to ride a bicycle, parents still don’t have to give up their hobby. There are convenient bike trailers that are specially designed so that the child can sit in a safe, enclosed area, which is attached to the adult’s bike. Young children will really enjoy going on long, scenic rides with their parents.

There is a wonderful website that offers all of the best deals on Kids Mountain Bikes, as well as any other possible accessories that you could need. The site also has a handy coupon center, which enables you to save even more money on your already low cost purchase. The site is: http://www.onlinebikedeals.com. And this wonderful site has every type of bicycle there is, so you won’t have any trouble finding what you’re looking for. Mountain bikes, road bikes, comfort bikes, and many more can be found on this awesome website. There are even bike boards, tricycles, and all the accessories that you could possibly need.

So whether you’re a beginner or a pro at bike riding, why not invest in a brand-new bicycle? Doing so can really make a difference in how comfortable you are during and after riding. Bike riding can be fun, therapeutic, and extremely healthy as well. Just take the time to find the bicycle that fits you, as well as the appropriate gear to protect yourself, and then you’re all set to go out and have a great time. You can ride solo, with your kids, or with your spouse or friends. Whatever you choose, you’re bound to have a great time while you strengthening your heart and muscles at the same time.

other related topics: Women Mountain Bikes, and Mountain Bike Fork

James Brown

http://www.articlesbase.com/internet-articles/the-best-online-bike-deals-91853.html

Technorati Tags: Kids Mountain Bikes, Kids Mountain Bikes Deals, Scott Mountain Bike

The Best Mountain Bike – Perfect Hill Heroes

Mountain Bike Fork: Mountain bikes are specially meant for rough and rugged terrains. These extra traction and shock absorbing mountain bicycles are provided with fat knobby tires. However, a full front and rear suspension is becoming quite a common factor nowadays with bikes meant for mountain rides. Some bikes of this particular variety are fitted with bar ends on the handlebars, but with recent trends the use of handlebars and extensions are becoming less and less popular.

Mountain bicycles have both 26 and 29 inches wheels. The larger wheels of this bike type have better rolling capacities over rocks and boulders. Moreover, wheels, which are larger in diameter, also bring about an enhancement in rotational weight giving way to stable acceleration.

Mountain Bicycles – Kings On Rugged Roads

Based on suspension, mountain bicycles are broadly graded into four different kinds:

Bikes with dual or full suspension – These bikes have front suspension fork and rear suspension with a rear shock and linkage that is ready to make the rear wheels move on pivots

Hardtail bikes – These bikes have frames with no rear suspension and they are often supplied with front suspension forks

Soft Tail Bikes – These bikes have frames with small amount of rear suspension. The bikes are activated by flex of the frame rather than the pivots

Fully rigid bikes – These bikes have a sub-type of hardtail along with rigid fork system

The Different Types Of Mountain Bicycles

The Cross-Country Mountain Bike

This bike variety has small amount of suspension on the front or on the rear. These bicycles are comparatively light because they are constructed with lightweight materials both in frame construction and in components. Some XC bike varieties of this particular type are without any suspension. They make use of rigid front fork that helps in saving weight. Here, the skill of the rider to pass through rough terrains is more important.

Freeride Mountain Bike

These are very similar to enduro bikes and emphasize more on weight and enhanced suspension. These bikes have ample suspension and they are mostly constructed with heavier materials. Freeride bikes are absolutely versatile and they are fantastic for uphill travel. The frame angles of such bikes are usually steeper in comparison to downhill bikes. Most freeride bikes are 30 to 45 pounds in weight.

Trials Mountain Bike

These are trial specific bikes. Most of these bikes are without any suspension. The contemporary trial bikes come without seats as most of the time the rider is out of the saddle. This bike is particularly lighter than other mountain bicycles and it weighs between 15 to 25 pounds. The lightweight makes it easier for the biker to maneuver the bike.

Single-Speed Mountain Bike

This is a kind of mountain bike with one set gear ratio. The ratio of the gear depends on the kind of terrain the bike crosses, the skill and strength of the bike rider and the size of the bike too. A single-speed bike is completely rigid having tough steel frames. If you want to ride a single-speed bicycle on mild to moderate cross-country terrains you have to be strong and active.

North Shore Mountain Bike

North shore mountain bike is genuinely constructed for rough and rugged land surfaces. A rider of this particular bike type has to exhibit lots of skill and balance while riding the bike. This bike is a wonderful combination of freeride and downhill bikes.

The other mountain bike varieties include Enduro Mountain Bike, Downhill Mountain Bike and Dirt Jumping Bike.

Most modern bikes meant for mountains have lighter and stronger frames with innovative design and form. The geometry of these bikes encourages vigorous riding over several obstacles like logs, rocks, wooden bridges and manually fabricated ramps. In the front, the bikes have three gears and it has 7, 8, 9, or 10 gears at the rear wheel position.

Some notable companies who have introduced the latest models of mountain bicycles include Fox, Manitou and Rock Shox along with other significant bike manufacturers. It is quite likely for you to make mistakes while riding a mountain bike. The mishaps generally take place due to equipment failure or misjudgment on the part of the rider. Thus, several companies have come forward with protective gears referred to as armors to provide full protection from injuries. Some essential upper body protectors for riders include spine protector, full-face helmets and backpack hydration system.

It is quite an established fact that mountain bicycles are aptly designed following the present trend and demand. They are in fact the dream of every spirited and efficient mountain biker.

—— Other related topics: Mountain Bike Clothing, Scott Mountain Bike and Women Mountain Bikes

Robert Sheehan

http://www.articlesbase.com/fitness-articles/mountain-bikes-perfect-hill-heroes-99740.html

Technorati Tags: Best Mountain Bike, Bikes with dual or full suspension, Cross-Country Mountain Bike, Freeride Mountain Bike, Hardtail bikes, Mountain Bicycles, mountain bike fork, Perfect Hill Heroes, Soft Tail Bikes

Why A Good Lock For Your Bicycle Is Important And How To Choose One

Scott Mountain Bike : Countless accessories are manufactured for bicycles and bicycle riders. When thinking about such products we often think of helmets, lights, water bottles, specialized clothing, speedometers, and racks. One important accessory your bike should never be without is a good locking system. Just because you live in a relatively safe neighborhood doesn’t mean you have no need for a lock.

Bicycle theft is a growing crime throughout the United States, and it doesn’t matter where you live. Bicycles are relatively easy to steal and easy to sell or get rid of. They’re an easy target for dedicated criminals, opportunists, and bored teenagers. Unless you never intend to leave your bike untended, you should invest in some sort of locking system. Even if you’re just leaving it outside a convenience store for a couple minutes so you can go inside real quick, that’s all the time a thief needs to make off with your ride. Don’t think that thieves won’t steal a cheap Scott Mountain Bike, either. They’ll take whatever they can get their hands on, whether it’s a rusted old girl’s bike with faded streams dangling from the handlebar grips and a torn-up banana seat or a sleek high-dollar professional Scott mountain bike with full front and rear suspension.

There are basically two options when it comes to locking systems for bikes. The most popular is the chain or cable lock with either a separate padlock or combination lock or with the lock integrated into the chain or cable. If this is the type of lock you’re looking into, make sure that it’s long enough to wrap around both wheels and the frame. With this style of locking system, the best choice is a chain that’s as thick as you can comfortably carry.

If you’d prefer a cable lock, again, make sure you purchase the thickest one possible. The thicker the chain or cable, the more of a deterrent it’ll be for thieves and scoundrels. The downside, of course, is weight. Cables tend to be lighter than chains, but they also tend to be easier to cut. You have to consider the importance of weight relative to your bicycling activity.

An avid racer is extremely concerned with weight, but such a competitor isn’t going to be leaving his/her bike just lying around, either. In all likelihood, weight is not a serious issue to you. One advantage chain/cable locks have over other varieties of locks is their ability to encompass oddly shaped shaped objects such as trees, bushes, etc.

The other popular bicycle locking system is the U-lock. As the name implies, such locks have a big bend in them and are essentially big padlocks. Some are only big enough to go around the back wheel and the bike rack. Others are big enough to go around the frame as well. These sorts of locks are nice because they’re quick to employ and come with clips to hook onto the bike frame without scratching it.

Whatever kind of bike riding you intend to do, unless it’s solely competitive racing, you should invest in a good bike lock. You should get the heaviest one you can. An important feature to look for is some sort of guarantee by the manufacturer. Good locks come with assurances that if used correctly, and your bike is stolen, the manufacturer will reimburse you for the cost of your bike.

Other related topics:  Mountain Bike Clothing and Women Mountain Bikes

Gregg Hall

http://www.articlesbase.com/sports-and-fitness-articles/why-a-good-lock-for-your-bicycle-is-important-and-how-to-choose-one-68344.html

Technorati Tags: chain lock, chain/cable locks, helmets, lights, locking system, locking systems for bikes, racks, Scott Mountain Bike, specialized clothing, speedometers, U-lock, water bottles

Singletrack magazine were invited to Trek UK HQ to see the new bikes for 2007.

Sorry about the sound quality on this one. The noise inside the bit tent there was pretty rubbish.

Duration : 0:6:32

Continue reading “Trek 2007 – R1 & Women’s Bikes” »

Technorati Tags: 2007, Bikes, mag, magazine, mountain, MTB, R1, singletrack, Trek

Legendary mountain biker brothers Dan and Gee Atherton go for a ride through Dona Marta slum in Brazil. The course was designed and built for the unprecedented Red Bull Desafio no Morro race.

http://redbull.com

Duration : 0:2:13

Continue reading “Amazing POV – downhill MTB bike race in Brazilian favela” »

Technorati Tags: atherton, bike, brasil, brazil, bull, dan, Downhill, gee, mountain, MTB, pov, race, red, redbull, rio, urban