REVIEWS BIKES

My son’s in the market for a motocross bike, so he’s combing the classifieds for motocross bikes for sale.

Of course, there are many factors to consider when buying anything new or used, but this article will primarily concentrate on used motocross bikes for sale.

Motocross Bikes for Sale – Why Is the Seller Selling?

If you’re looking at a private party sale, take a good look at the bike as you drive in the yard or walk in the garage. Has the bike been always garaged? Is it clean? Waxed? Is there any oil dripped on the floor under the bike? Are the tires aired and firm? This will tell you quite a bit about whether these motocross bikes for sale have been well cared for.

When you’re looking at a used product, there are always a few good things to ask the seller. Why is he selling? Are there any flaws to know about? Is there something he doesn’t like about the bike? What particularly does the seller like about this motocross bike?

Kick the Tires

Okay, maybe kicking the tires won’t tell you a lot, but starting the engine will. Ask the owner to start the bike. Watch what he does. Does the bike have an electric start? Does he have to kick it? And if he does kick start it, how many kicks does it take? Does the engine smoke?

Listen to the engine. Does it idle well? Or does the engine race and then slow down? If there’s a choke, see how it reacts when you engage it. Try revving the engine. Does it speed right up, or is there a delay?

Next, you can ask the seller to ride the bike so you can watch. See how it handles. Does he sit on it at some strange angle? Does the bike seem to respond well to his handling? Does it accelerate well when asked?

When you’re satisfied that the bike seems all right, it’s your turn to take a test drive. How does the bike fit you? Can your feet reach the ground? Or if you’re searching for motocross bikes for sale for a child, have the child sit on the bike and observe whether his feet reach the ground.

If the child can’t reach the ground easily, this may be too much bike for him. The good news is that there are plenty of motocross bikes for sale these days and you’ll be able to find one that better suits him.

After all, you want to prevent any potential accidents.

Test Drive the Bike

When you take your test drive, pay attention to how the bike fits you and responds to you. When you pull on the throttle, does it answer? Does it brake well? And when it brakes, do you notice any pull to the right or left?

Take a couple of gentle bumps. Are you almost thrown off the bike? It could be a shock issue, or it could be something more serious. Make sure to ask the seller if there are any repairs the bikes needs.

Used Motocross Bikes for Sale Versus New Bikes

A used bike often means that you can get a good deal. Private party sales on motocross bikes (and most things) are typically cheaper than buying a bike at a dealer.

A used bike, however, can also mean that there could be problems lurking under the surface. You’re relying on the honesty of the seller, and if you don’t know him personally, there can be a bit of risk associated with buying used.

On the other hand, there are plenty of motocross bikes for sale at the dealer, both new and used. Used motocross bikes for sale at the dealer are typically trade-ins that others have basically sold back to the dealer in exchange for a better price on a newer bike.

An advantage to shopping at the dealer is that typically a dealer will run a used bike through an inspection process, checking for fluids, problems and general maintenance. When the dealer completes this inspection, there is usually a warranty offered with the bike purchase.

This means that if something breaks during the warranty period, the dealer will typically make any needed repairs.

By doing a little research and taking care of your due diligence, you’ll be able to choose a great bike from among the motocross bikes for sale in your area.

Robert really loves family and the outdoors. Feel free to see more if his experiences at Motocross Bikes For Sale and Kids Quads.

Article Source: EzineArticles.com

Bike Touring offers the a unique way for independent adventure travelers to find new places, meet new people, and face new personal challenges anywhere in the world. There is no feeling in the world like barreling down a tall mountain keeping pace with the traffic while the world around you turns into a blue and the wind gets loud. Of course, bike touring isn’t all downhill; it also presents the intrepid traveler with several unique challenges to overcome. Bike touring is definitely not for everyone, here’s a quick look at some of the benefits and challenges of seeing the world on two wheels under your own power.

PROS: Why bike touring is the best way to see the world

Bikes make you relatable and approachable: Just about everyone everywhere in the world has had or currently has a bike. Even more universal than cars or busses, everyone remembers the feeling of freedom they felt the first time they rode without training wheels, the magic of an expanded universe that their first bicycle offered them. On a bike tour you can expect to be greeted with joy and wonder by complete strangers every single day of your trip. People will want to know where you are going, where you have been, how much the bike weighs, and more. And behind every question you will find a mixture of admiration and disbelief as well as the nagging sometimes unspoken thought – “I wonder if I could do that” More than anything else, traveling on a bicycle is a great way to meet people.

On my own travels I have had lunch with bikers, truckers, farmers, and scientists – all drawn to me by the site of my loaded touring bike outside a diner and my helmet sitting on the table. If you like meeting people, bicycle touring is the very best way to see and meet the world around you.

Traveling by bicycle is very inexpensive: there is a joke among touring cyclist that we make poor candidates for would be thieves because everyone “knows” that no one with any money at all would willingly ride a bike that far. It’s mostly true too. When you travel by bike you save on rentals, gas, insurance, parking, maintenance and a host of other fees the car tourists have to pay. Thanks to low cost hike/bike campsites, and touring cyclist networks, even housing costs are cheaper than for people who travel by automobile. For anyone traveling on a budget a bike is the cheapest and best way to get around.

On a bicycle tour, you can go where cars can’t: Bicycle travel is becoming more and more accessible every year. Many cities and countries in Europe are particularly well suited to bicycle travel, and even in car centric US, many long distance bike trails, and bike friendly routes have been developed. The “Rails to Trails Conservancy” in particular works to convert old unused train and canal grades into multi use trails perfect for cycling. Two of the best are the Katy trail in Missouri and the GAP/C&O trail that runs 350 car free miles from Pittsburgh all the way into downtown Washington DC

You will go slower and see more: In a world where cars are too fast, and walking is too slow, Bicycle travel moves at just the right pace. Seeing the world at 10mph gives you time to notice the little things that get lost in the blur from inside a car. You can see more, smell more (not always a good thing) and hear much more than you would otherwise, and when you happen upon something really cool – like a bunch of Elk standing in a field – you can just roll off the side of the road, stop and watch them for a while. Just about everyone wants to slow down and enjoy life a little more – on a bike you can.

You may even get in shape: Probably the most obvious aspect of cycling is overall fitness. On a tour you will ride anywhere from 40-60 miles a day – maybe even more when you get in the groove – and even when you are not riding you will spend more time walking from place to place. You sleep better get more fresh air, and burn off hundreds of calories providing you with guilt free dinners at the end of every day.

Yep, bike touring is a hell of a great way to see the world. Before you start packing your panniers though, there are a few disadvantages to traveling by bike, be sure to think it over and decide if bike touring is right for you, here are a few of the drawbacks.

CONS: Why bike touring sucks.

You will cover less ground each day: If you are in a hurry, or the type who feels that the perfect journey is one that crams the most sightseeing into every day, bike touring will not be for you. Bike tours tend to be laid back affairs, more about enjoying the journey rather than the destination. While some cyclists do put in very high mileage days, for most, the joy of riding and seeing the world at a leisurely pace is what bicycle touring is all about.

You may do less: Especially for people on short tours, you will most likely take in fewer “touristy” things. Part of this is due to the fact that getting from place to place takes longer, and part of it comes from the fact that you may be tired at the end of the day. If you are already in good cycling shape, exhaustion will be less of a factor on all but the windiest or hilliest of days, but since the point of a bike tour is to ride a bike, overall you will have less time to spend on ‘normal’ tourist activities.

Security will be more of a concern: Bike theft is a reality, and when everything you need for your trip is on the back of your bike you are much more vulnerable to thieves. Theft becomes less of a problem in rural areas than in cities, and even in towns a heavy, fully loaded touring bike is not a good opportunity for would be thieves, many of whom are looking for easy quick grab and go targets. Good locks and mismatched gear are great theft deterrents, but when everything you need to get through the day is strapped to your bike, some part of your mind will always be wondering if it is safe every time it’s out of sight.

Not everywhere is set up for bicycle travel: While the roads in the US are becoming more bike friendly, and trails and bike routes abound, this is still the land of the car. In rural areas there may be long distances between towns and in the city traffic congestion and irritated or careless drivers can make cycling a challenge to say the least.

Bike touring is more challenging than motorized travel: On a bike, everything has a potential impact on your day, sudden storms, hills, road closures and wind can all change your plans in an instant, and delays that may change car travel plans by an hour or two may cost you a day in extra riding. Many experienced cyclist learn to just ‘roll with it’ knowing that the unexpected is part of the joy of a journey, but if you have limited time for your trip, a long detour, foul weather, or broken gear could dramatically alter your plans or even end the trip prematurely.

On my own bike tour around the United States I’ve experienced all of the good and bad aspects of long distance cycling, and I still feel that bicycle tours are one of the best ways to see the world. There are challenges with any form of transportation and compromise is always a part of independent travel. For the adventurous, physically active traveler who wants to see the world at a human pace, there is no better seat than the one atop of touring bike. To learn more about bike travel or adventure touring visit my blog at http://www.bigrhinodog.com

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Hybrid Bicycles

As the name implies, a hybrid bike is a combination of two different bikes – usually a road bike and a mountain bike. However, cyclo-cross, city, and comfort bikes also fit under this category.

Being a general purpose bike, the hybrid can be used for cruising worry-free and comfortably over a variety of different surfaces, from pristine asphalt to narrow dirt paths.

Because of its versatility, the hybrid bike is quite popular with people who can only afford one bike, but who like to do different sorts of riding. After you spend the week commuting to work, you can easily take this bike over rough gravel roads, or winding singletrack.

The hybrid achieves its versatility by combining the features from road bikes and mountain bikes. Using a mountain bike frame, it also borrows the triple crank for maximum gear choices, straight handlebars for upright posture, and cantilever or disc brakes for fast braking action.

To add to the speed of this bike, the hybrid uses slimmer tyres with less tread and more air pressure. This creates less rolling resistance and consequently makes for a faster ride. To save weight, the hybrid also uses less bulky wheels that would normally be found on a mountain bike.

Why Combine Bikes? You might wonder why one would even bother combining these two bikes? This bike became popular because it combines the best of two worlds. Mountain bikes are sturdy, but can be considered a bit slow for the type of riding one would typically do in a city. The hybrid solves this problem by fusing the sturdiness of mountain bikes with the speed of road bikes.

Uses of your hybrid bicycle As mentioned, the hybrid is a general purpose bike. It is not the best bike to enter into a road race, or bring along with your friends who are heading out for the day to recklessly tackle rugged country. However, hybrids are fantastic for every kind of riding in between:

• Perfect for sailing over potholes and other trials of city commuting.
• Gravel roads and dirt paths are no problem, thanks to the sturdy mountain bike frame.
• Hybrids are also ideal for touring in regions where you are not certain of the terrain.

Although hybrid bike borrow many features from mountain bikes, they should not be confused with mountain bikes. The tires are not ideal for loose sand and dirt, rocky trails, or steep ascents and descents. Nonetheless, these bikes are much hardier then pure road bikes, and can be used in a wider range of circumstances.

What is the right Hybrid bicycles for You? Because of the popularity of this style of bike, you should have no problem finding a hybrid bike. Evaluate your needs, and choose the right bike accordingly. Remember, knowing what you are looking for before you go shopping will lead to greater success.

For Speed

• Aluminum or carbon frame (light, stiff metals)
• Skinnier tires with higher air pressure
• One or two chain rings in the front
• Road bike handlebars and low profile stem for an aerodynamic position
• Clipless pedals for use with special cycling shoes

For Comfort

• Steel or carbon frame (metals that absorb road vibration)
• Wider tires with lower air pressure
• Stem and handlebars that allow for a more upright position – this will be easier on your back and wrists
• Three chain rings in the front, for the widest selection of gears

Other parameters To add to the practicality of the bike you choose, you may want to consider some of these additions:

• Fenders are a must for rainy days
• Front and rear light for cycling at night
• Water bottle cage for longer commutes
• Rear rack for panniers
• Bell warns people in front of you that you are coming up behind them

For more information about hybrid bicycles and about other bicycles, You are invited to visit my site.

http://www.bike-riding-guide.com/hybrid-bicycles.html

David Lidor

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There are several reasons to trade in your old bike for a sparkly new one. It may be that one’s old bike is simply worn out and in need of replacement. Alternatively, it could be that a new bike has a better design and features. Finally, it could be that a new bicycle is more suited for certain purposes, like mountain bikes for off-road trail riding.

Upgrade

There are multiple arguments for why a bike upgrade might be justifiable. If your old bike is lying around with flat tyres, rusting in a shed, then there must be a reason for it. Hopefully it’s not for having lost the desire to ride altogether. It may be that the bicycle you own no longer serves its prior purpose. It could be that it’s too old, too uncomfortable or simply too hard to fix. One needs to consider whether attempting to revive an old bicycle to a rideable state is worth the effort or expense.

New Design

While it is a shame to get rid of an old bicycle, if it no longer meets the needs and requirements of the rider, then one is better off doing away with it. Newer bikes have continually enhanced designs and features to satisfy the modern bike rider. Suspension on mountain bikes is one example. It was a rarity in times gone by, but is now becoming quite common on more modern models. For the comfort it provides the serious mountain biker, it may turn out to be indispensable.

Quick release skewers are another enhancement that are now sometimes used to conveniently detach and re-attach parts of the bicycle, such as the wheels and seat. For someone who needs to work on their bike regularly, such an advancement may save a lot of hassle with bolts and spanners.

Practicalities

An impractical bicycle is one that is probably rarely ridden. In such a case, an upgrade to an appropriate bicycle is probably warranted. For example, trying to ride a road bike on a farm may be fraught with difficulty. A trade in for a mountain bike or BMX will probably mean happier riding.

In a world of rising fuel prices and environmental concern, some keen cyclists may consider riding to work. If public transport is required for part of the journey, a folding bike could be handy to squeeze into peak hour trains. Such a bike is also more easily stored once one arrives at their place of work.

If it’s a difficult decision to part with one’s old bike, but a new bike is needed, one might consider keeping both.

One bike could be used for daily use, and another for its specific purpose. An old bike might be suitable as a runaround, or for riding to the train station, but could be left at home in place of a racing road bike for more serious biking pursuits.

Whether it’s for a new smoother running bike, a better or more comfortable design, or for a bike that’s simply more practical to one’s current situation, it’s always nice to upgrade to a new bicycle. A range of BMX bikes, mountain bikes, road bikes and specialty bikes give the consumer plenty to choose from.

Shop online for cycling bikes at Sell Your Bike – the best bicycle classifieds in Australia. New & used bicycles for sale. For more information or to view our bikes, visit Mountain Bikes.

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It was a humid Saturday morning as I had one foot clipped into my mountain bike while there must have been thirty of us lined up onto the starting line of this 15 mile mountain bike race. As I stood there I glanced over at the other competitors, some of whom had what looked like a ball of fire in their eyes while others had ripped leg muscles. They all sat onto their bikes, some of witch were carbon fiber bikes, hard tail and full suspension bikes and even a few 29ers. Here I am with only a year of experience riding on single track trails with my Trek full suspension mountain bike as I tried to keep myself pumped up for what could potentially be a very grueling race. Before the gunshot was heard, I kept my hands relaxed on the handle bar grips, only letting go to make sure my gloves were on tight, my helmet was adjusted properly and I took a few sips from the Camelbak hydration system that was strapped to me. Once the gun went off and was heard all over the mountain bike park, we were all in a dash to leave the starting line while clipping in and jockeying for position like a herd of wild animals as we made our way from the open field and into the single track trails. As I kept changing gears, looking around at the riders in front of me and thinking about what I would encounter during the race, I had a thought in the back of my mind.

I thought about what led me to buy a mountain bike, how long would it take before I would become confident enough to ride through rugged terrain, switchback trails and steep hills. Could this new sport help me out in the other endurance sports that I compete in?

With the background of a distance runner, and a triathlete, mountain biking would definitely benefit me. A little more than a year and a half before this race, a friend convinced me to buy an inexpensive hard tail mountain bike to participate in group rides in the winter time where we would be doing a lot hill repeats on a twenty mile loop on pavement. These workouts would keep us in shape through the winter so we would all be better off for the upcoming triathlon season. Once springtime rolled around and I wanted to get into ridding on single track trails that offer switchbacks, rugged terrain and steep hills, I realized that the bike that I currently had was inadequate for this type of ridding. So then I found myself buying a Trek full suspension mountain bike. The more I rode my new bike at the local mountain bike parks, the more I appreciated having an intermediate level bike. He way the dual suspension was forgiving on the terrain of the trails along with how well the tires gave me enough traction through the different trail conditions were just a couple of key features that I began to appreciate about this bike. As I rode my mountain bike on the easy and intermediate trails, I not only realized that I was turning into a better mountain biker, I noticed something else along the way. When I was not making my way though the local mountain bike parks, I was out on the road on my triathlon bike. What I found out about mountain biking is that it forces you to become very good at being able to handle your bike in all different situations. It is that same requirement in mountain biking that made me more confident when riding on road, especially through a village where there are a lot of cars, traffic lights, potholes and other various problems that a cyclist has to be aware of. At the time, while I was still becoming acclimated to this bike that I had bought, I knew that sometime in the future I would like to try a mountain bike race. I also knew that I would have to become a much better mountain biker at this new discipline before I try to do it at a competitive level. I soon found myself waking up very early on a September morning to join a of friends on what was going to be a sixty mile ride on our bikes. We would ride the first thirty five miles on a flat trail and then stop for breakfast and then the fun would really begin. Then twenty five miles of singe track trails and see who could endure the most pain. As the leaves fell off the trees and the snow blanketed the ground, there was yet another opportunity for me. Mountain biking on the snow packed trails while breathing the dry air and trying not to let my tires lose their grip in the snow. Eventually in the middle of the summer, I found myself on vacation visiting a friend in Massachusetts near the New Hampshire border and we mountain biked at various parks in the area. My friend and I rode in parks that offered an endless amount of rocks, boulders, roots, logs, man made bridges over creeks and even a few mosquitoes! At this time I was confident enough in my bike handling that I had registered for my first mountain bike race.

Now here I was in the first of four laps in this grueling mountain bike race while I was thinking about how I got into the sport instead of thinking about the race itself. I was quickly getting exhausted while I tried to keep up with the more experienced athletes in this race. With beads of sweat already dripping down my face and realizing that my mental toughness was slowly fading away, this discipline was beginning to feel a lot harder than distance running and competing in triathlons. I found myself on trails that meandered through the park as well as steep climbs, a few rollers, roots, logs, some rocks and then an open field to have a chance to gain speed. Overall I didn’t finish as well as I wanted to, but I plan to compete in more mountain bike races in the future. With the various mountain bike parks around the country, this is a very rewarding sport for a beginner to get into as well as an experienced mountain biker. Both types of mountain bikers will still reap the benefits and enjoyment, while continuously trying to push themselves past their comfort zone.

This is how I got into the sport of mountain biking. This is a sport where I have not only learned alot about the sport itself, but also about myself as an athlete. I’m sure after reading this you are ready to go out and buy a bike or if you already have a mountain bike, dust it off and take it out to the trails.

For More Mountain Bike Information, Visit My Website At http://www.mountainbikeblogger.com

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Unless you plan on buying a cheap bike from Walmart or your local sporting goods store, buying a new bike can be a tedious process. If you are looking for a higher end road or mountain bike for serious recreational use, there are several things to consider before making the purchase: price, quality, components, weight, and warranty. There are tons of online resources, including the manufactures websites, where this information can be found. Another good way to get a grasp of this information is to visit your local bike shop and talk with an expert.

When it comes down to it, you first need to create a budget and a price range. When it comes to bikes, you typically get what you pay for. However, there are certain instances when you will pay a little more for certain brands, such as Trek or Specialized. For example, let’s say your budget is $2,000 and you are looking for a new road bike. You have been shopping around for weeks looking at every bike imaginable until you are blue in the face. Finally you find a Trek you really like and notice the quality level of components (aka: groupo set) it comes with. You recall a bike from a smaller company you were looking at last week equipped with top of the line components where the Trek in front of you has medium level. What throws you for a loop is they’re the same price. This is common when it comes to bike companies. After all, Trek is a well established company and people know the name, thus willing to pay more. You may get better quality and a better warranty going with the name brand, but may not get the higher end components on a bike in your price range. But in the end, does it really doesn’t matter? What I used to tell my customers is that whatever feels the best and is in your budget it is what you should get.

As I mentioned before, you get what you pay for. If you are looking to buy a nice bike that rides amazing, be ready to fork out some money. A decent bike can be between $900 to $1300 depending on whether it’s a mountain bike or road bike, full suspension or hard tail, or whether it is made of aluminum or carbon. The lighter the bike, the more expensive it is going to be. This is due to the materials the frame is made out of and the technology utilized to design the frame. Also, the quality of components and wheels the bike comes with plays a factor in the overall price.

Bikes falling in the $1500 to $2500 range are probably the most common among those who ride on a regular basis. Bikes in this range are great for those who are going to be riding a lot and looking for the durability, comfort, and efficiency in a bike that will be ridden multiple times a week. These bikes will typically have an aluminum frame with medium level components and should last a long time if maintained properly. The components can be easily upgraded when parts wear out or break and are a joy to ride.

Additionally, bikes costing $2500 and above will typically feel amazing… much like how a luxury car drives compared to a cheap compact car. These will probably be race ready machines with top of the line components and made of carbon. They will be very light and most efficient on climbs, descends, and riding fast on flat ground. The frames will feel stiff and there will be very little power loss when pedaling, especially uphill. Bikes in this range will probably come with a high end wheel set and drive train to give a nice smooth feeling. This is even more prevalent in bikes costing over $4500.

The most important thing when buying a good bike is to do your homework. Whether it is your first time buying a bike over $1000 or you are looking for your 5th top of the line bike, always be sure to test ride the bike and several others in your price range. Talk with the bike shop experts, read reviews online, and visit several company websites to see how they design and build their bikes. Also, compare the different warranty’s offered by bike manufactures. Some offer an additional warranty that you pay a little more for so be sure to look into that as well. Taking time to do your homework and research will ensure you are confident with your purchase. Bicycles can be a lot of money and your new bike should be something that feels great to you and are happy with, not what a salesman thinks you will be happy with.

After you buy the bike, be sure to get it fit properly for you. Most bike shops have expert bike fitters who will be more than willing to make sure your new bike fits you properly and is comfortable. If you buy the bike from a shop that does fits, they are usually more than happy to spend 30-60 minutes with making adjustments to ensure the proper fit. After all, if the bike is not comfortable, how motivated do you think you will be to ride it?

David is an avid mountain and road cyclist, but he also writes information about outdoor garbage cans on his website http://www.outdoorgarbagecan.org.

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The most essential accessory you want to take into account is a locking scheme for both your bike rack and your bikes. We all know that bikes are a hot item for thieves, but the bike rack itself can also be very alluring to thieves. The generic resolution that will perform for all bike racks is a locking hitch pin that holds your bike hitch rack to your trailer hitch receiver. If you have a Raxter Bike hitch Rack, you’ll like the anti-sway locking hitch pin found on the Ultimate Bike Hitch website. Raxter designs their racks to perform with these locking hitch pins to diminish sway and fasten your rack. The Softride Dura and Elite bike hitch racks come with their specific locking hitch pin system as part of the “QuietRide” locking, tightening, and anti-rattle method. The Softride Element rack does not come with this lock, so if you want to lock this rack to your receiver it is recommended you buy the Softride Access Lock to conform with their QuietRide system. The Hollywood Road Runner bike carrier racks also come with a full arrangement of locking hitch pin as well as cable to fasten your bikes. The Hollywood Traveler will need a generic locking hitch pin.

Ultimate Bike Hitch now carries the Python Masterlock system for locking your bikes to the bike hitch rack. This is an splendid lock because you can thread the cable into the lock to create any length you want and then lock the cable in that position. You can also add multiple Python cables by connecting them all together to form a cable up to 30′.

Now that you own your bike carrier rack and bikes secure and safe from burglars, there are a few other items that might make your bike rack easier to handle for you. If you have a recumbent bike or 2 person bike, you will need the wheel extensions to go with the Raxter Bike Rack. If you do not possess the anti-sway locking hitch pin, Raxter makes a anti-sway nut that simply attaches to the bike rack receiver.

Hollywood Racks has several accessories for you to take into account. Hollywood Racks makes a frame adapter in case you have a bike frame that does not have a horizontal bar to hang on the bike rack. Hollywood also has a selection of anti-sway cradle sets and extra rubber straps if you would like to have an additional strong grasp of your bikes to your bike rack.

Softride Racks supports their line of bike hitch racks with accessories such as “soft wraps” to keep brake cables from rubbing against the bike frame. Softride also makes an extended hitch bar in case you have a spare tire extending from your trunk to make sure your rack has an adequate amount of clearance.

Make sure you surf through the accessories available for your bike hitch rack to make sure you end up with a all-inclusive system that works for you. Chiefly, make sure you have a locking system for your bikes and bike rack. And keep in mind you can always check out Ultimate Bike Hitch if you want to add accessories following your bike carrier rack acquisition.

Benjamin Whitehouse is the owner and operator of the Ultimate Bike Hitch website http://www.ultimatebikehitch.com

Article Source: EzineArticles.com

One of the most convenient modes of transportations that are still used up until today is the bicycles. With the rapid increase of price of gas in the world market and the high cost of living, people still choose to ride bikes to use their means of transportation conveniently.

Bikes are still widely used in some European and Asian countries. Although they are the handiest and inexpensive device used for traveling, bikes still need to be taken care rightly to extend its stability and quality. Simple ways of handling the bikes properly include proper storage when they are not in use.

In order to store properly, you will need storage racks. These racks are devices securely attached to a wall or ceiling to hold a bike in place. These bike storage racks generally save space and it also protect the it from damages. It is advisable to use a storage rack that not only helps you save space in your garage or apartment, but also secures both wheels and the frame.

You can choose from three basic racks available in bicycle shops which are the storage hooks, simple bike storage racks, and ceiling mounted pulley. You can choose your rack according to the design and size of your bike.

The bike hooks are basically used in lodging bikes on walls or ceilings. The storage hooks are used to maximize your floor space if you have limited space available on your garage or basement. You have to make sure that the hooks are tightly secured attached on the walls or ceiling bars.

Alternatively, you can use the basic storage racks to save space on your floor. The racks may be bought in singles or in several pieces. If you only need one rack to hold your bike on a wall, you may use the single rack.

But, if you need several bikes to store on the wall, you may buy storage racks which are packaged with several racks in it. The benefit of using storage racks is that it steadily holds both wheels and the bike’s frame in place. There are also bike storage racks for floor standing if you have enough floor space to hold few bikes in place.

If you want make us of your ceiling areas in your garage, apartments, and basements, you may use the ceiling mounted pulleys. These storage racks help you life your bikes off the ground easier. You can also find some ceiling mounted pulleys available in the shops that fit the design and size of your bikes. Ceiling mounted pulleys are also wise to use for long-term storage.

You have to remember that the space you have available for storage concludes the bike storage rack you need. You can use the ceiling storage system if you don’t have enough floor space to stand your bikes in.

On the other hand, you can use the vertical bike storage system if you have enough floor space to spare. You can use the vertical bike storage system for floor standing racks to easily access and use your bikes at all times. The vertical bike storage system is designated to use for short-term storage.

Whatever storage system you choose to use, it is important to store your bikes properly using the right storage racks. You have to take care of your bikes to ensure that their durability and functionality exceeds time. You may also want to think about the expense you will spend if your bikes are damaged because they are not properly stored.

Maintenance and repair may cost a lot if your bikes are damaged severely. You also spare yourself from buying several new bikes over and over. You have to keep in mind that whether you are a professional cyclist or just a regular bike rider, you have to take care of your bike to prolong its durability and quality. And yes, you can start by choosing the right bike storage racks.

Athena has been writing articles for the past 3 years. Check her latest website over at http://www.bike-storage.net/ which gives people advice about the best Bike Storage Racks as well as more information on cycling.

Article Source: EzineArticles.com

For a beginner or returning cyclist a visit to a modern bicycle shop can be a bewildering experience. It’s not like the good old days when the choice amounted to Racer, Roadster or Folder. Now it’s like a maze, with ten varieties of mountain bikes, several classes of street bikes and an ever growing range of road bikes, tourers and racers. Luckily it’s not as complex as it seems and armed with a short list of answers to the following questions even a child can find the right bike for their needs.

How far?

Broadly speaking, for rides up to… three miles almost any bike will do. Unless you live somewhere particularly hilly a cheap shopper or roadster will cope with short distances perfectly well. An able bodied person can cover such a distance in around fifteen minutes so you simply won’t be on the saddle for long enough for discomfort to become a serious issue. And reliability isn’t a major concern since the worst that can happen is that you have to walk a mile and a half.

A six mile commute equates to half an hour on the bike twice a day. At this distance saddle comfort and bike-fit really start to play a part so a six mile bike should be designed for comfort and reliability with large-section comfy tyres and an upright riding position.

At nine miles and above, commuting becomes a rather more serious business. At roughly an hour and a half of daily travel time a nine mile bike should still be comfortable and reliable, but now efficiency becomes more important. A more aerodynamically efficient (bent over) riding position and skinnier tyres trade a bit of comfort for speed.

How many gears?

There are bikes currently available which feature1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16, 18, 20, 21, 24, 27 or even 30 gears. A commuter on a dead flat route might only require a single speed whilst a tourist on a fully laden touring bike over an alpine pass will need every gear she can get. Between five and nine is an adequate range for a six mile bike on moderately hilly terrain. To an extent the number of gears is determined by the type of bike you choose and whether it has hub or derailleur gears.

Which wheel size?

With the exception of folding bikes there are only two common wheel sizes; 26inch and 700c (also known as 28″). 26″ is derived from mountain bikes and is generally available in a larger (i.e. more comfortable) range of sizes. 28″ is (obviously..) larger than 26″ and is generally available in skinnier (i.e. faster) sizes. All the way down to super fast 18mm, about the size of your thumb but there is some cross-over, you can get skinny tyres for 26″ and fat tyres for 28″. Skinny equals fast. Fat equals comfy. You choose.

Folding bikes often have suspension to overcome the higher rolling resistance of their smaller wheels. Few people ride folders more than six miles thanks to their ability to sneak their bikes unnoticed onto buses and trains.

How much?

Some people will ride a horrid bike from the catalogue or supermarket for many years without a grumble. At the other end of the scale are the bike snobs who wouldn’t be seen dead on anything less than the most expensive bike in the shop. Of course most people fall somewhere in between, but how is a new cyclist to decide how much to spend? It’s unrealistic to expect a super cheap bike to be reliable, comfortable or even nice to ride, cost cutting at the factory leaves the absolute minimum required to qualify as a functioning bike. And don’t expect a super expensive bike to still be attached to the railings when you come back to it. A commuting bike is above all a tool. It doesn’t need to be super-light with all the bells and whistles but it does need to be up to the job of day in day out riding in all weather conditions. We reckon no less than £200, whilst £600 will get you something quite special to last a decade or more.

Sizing

Bikes, like shoes and cardigans, come in different sizes. Sizes vary between brands so don’t count on an 18″ Brand X fitting the same as an 18″ Brand Z. These are the key considerations: Stand-over, Saddle height, Reach.

Minimum Stand-Over Height

Standing with the bike between your legs, it is essential that there is a decent gap between the underneath of you and the top-tube. It’s simply the difference between your inside-leg measurement and the height of the top tube from the ground. To establish your Stand-over clearance simply stand astride the bike with the top tube under your crotch and with your feet flat on the floor, then grab the handlebar stem with one hand and the saddle with the other and lift the bike up as high as it will go. Try and keep it level and ask a bystander to measure how much gap you have under your wheels. On a street bike, racer or touring bike this might be as little as an inch (25mm), on a mountain bike we aim for no less than four inches (or 100mm). This procedure establishes the maximum frame size in that particular model and you can progress to..

Saddle height

“Sit on the saddle, place the flat of your foot on the pedal and adjust the height of the saddle until you can just straighten your leg. When pedalling the ball of the foot should be directly over the middle of the pedal and as a result your leg never fully straightens out”. It’s the universal bike shop saddle height adjustment method. However, for a beginner this method will set the saddle way too high for comfort or confidence so it is the job of a good bike fitter to help the new cyclist find a compromise between a saddle height high enough for pedalling efficiency and a saddle height low enough to feel safe. Usually, after a few weeks of regular cycling our cyclist should have developed enough confidence to cope with a few centimetres of extra seat height. The saddle also has a few mm of fore and aft adjustment should you need it.

Reach

The distance from the saddle to the bars is called reach and it’s every bit as crucial as saddle height to get right. Adjusting the handlebar stem up and down (or replacing it for one of a different length or height entirely) puts the bars where you want them. High for more control and a sense of safety in traffic, low for better aerodynamics and greater speed. Too close and you’ll feel cramped, too far away and you’ll feel too stretched out. At first it’s hard to know how you are supposed feel on the bike but making a conscious effort to be aware of your position really is the key to many happy miles of cycling. Adjustments can be usually undertaken with a single tool, the folding multi Allen key tool. So universal are they that many companies make them and many make several versions. Get one and learn how to wield it.

Pedals to saddle, saddle to bar. Adjust the bike to fit your body, don’t force your body to fit the bike.

Written by Mick Allan, associate editor of Cyclorama. This article and many more can be found on http://www.cyclorama.net – the online cycle show.

This article was originally written for the Bike Boost Project, a Get Cycling creation: http://www.getcycling.org.uk

Article Source: EzineArticles.com

For a couple of years, I lived in Redondo Beach, CA, about two miles from the beach. One of my favorite weekend pastimes entailed me riding from my place to the beach on my beach cruiser, and then heading north on the bike path for miles and miles. I would pass through Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach, and even made it up to El Segundo a couple of times. My goal was eventually to make it all the way up to Santa Monica and back, but I didn’t live up there long enough to make that happen.

To me, nothing is better than a bike ride along the coast, where I can take in the beautiful scenery, enjoy people watching and work on my tan all at the same time. After leaving Redondo Beach, I moved back to my hometown in San Diego, CA. While San Diego also has gorgeous beaches, I don’t live close enough for a quick bike ride over to them. This has put a real damper on my beach-cruising days. That’s why I’ve decided that I need to do something about it – I enjoy riding along the coast too much to just give up that hobby. If you’re like me, and you’re not fortunate enough to live right on the coast, or if there are some great bike trails that also offer beautiful views and people-watching opportunities, but are a good car-ride away, it’s time to take matters into your own hands. It’s time to give in and purchase bike carriers for all your destination bike riding desires.

Bike carriers come in several different styles, so you have a lot of options when it comes to purchasing one that works for you. There are roof top bike carriers, hitch mount bike racks, truck bed bike racks, trunk bike racks and more. For the purpose of keeping this article short and to the point, I’m just going to go over the main benefits of these select styles.

Hitch Mount Bike Racks
Hitch mount bike racks conveniently attach to your vehicle’s existing hitch receiver. Obviously, in order to use this style of bike carrier, you need a vehicle that has a hitch receiver. Hitch mount bike carriers have the ability to carry up to four bikes. And, the bikes lock in place on the carrier so thieves can’t simply walk off with them.

Trunk Bike Racks
Trunk bike racks mount to your sedan, hatchback, SUV, minivan and even your truck tailgate. Easy to attach and remove, trunk bike racks are able to hold a variety of bikes in their stable arms, and can carry up to four bikes.

Roof Mount Bike Carriers
Roof mount bike carriers mount to your vehicle’s crossbars and provide an incredibly stable spot for carrying your bicycles. These bike carriers are available in a traditional fork-mount style or an upright-mount style. This system works for vehicles already equipped with crossbars, or with the ability to install a roof rack system.

Truck Bed Bike Racks
Truck bed bike carriers keep your bicycle upright in the bed of your truck so it’s not sliding and banging around while you drive. This style bike carrier can hold up to 4 bicycles and is easy to install.

Whether you’re packing up for a long weekend or cruising to the local bike trail, bike carriers like trunk bike racks, roof mount carriers and hitch mount racks make it easy to transport your bicycles.

Article Source: EzineArticles.com