Bicycle bits and bobs, advice for all cycling Novices selected cycling accessories ©Online-Bikes.co.uk 2007 All Rights Reserved
There’s nothing like the fun of exploring a mountain valley, or river trail. The feel and exhilaration of following a twisting trail is very similar to skiing or motorcyclebabble riding.
Mountain Bikes
Mountain bikes are a wonderful machine, I still find myself being surprised at the capa-
bilities of these wonderful bikes. If you ever have the chance to see these bicyles in action
you’ll be amazed at how these bikes can take terrain far rougher and steeper than
you can imagine. Yet of all the millions of mountain bikes that have been sold, very few are ever ridden on dirt. Most of them are ridden mostly on city
streets.
Know your Bike
Dirt or Road Bicycle
Take a trip back in time, learn how mountain biking isnt just a modern day trend.
A brief history of the world reknown bicycle race, Le Tour De France.
Cycling is a great way to keep fit. See the benefits for cycling and recommendations.
Be safe, Be seen and be bike smart.The essentials you need as a cyclist.
Cycling - Dirt or Road
So the question is what type of bicycling is for you? Are you psyched to explore secluded trails on a mountain bike?
Are you geared up for some mountain bike cross-country racing or the thrill of down hill
racing? Maybe you simply want to glide into town on a nice, relaxing bike path or lose yourself on some rolling country roads.
Perhaps you want to squeeze exercise into your busy schedule by commuting to work or school.
There are many reasons to get on a bicycle, all of which im sure you will find to be fun and
. It’s just about the most healthy addiction you can pick up.
Before you purchase your bike, consider where you will be doing most of your riding.
Will you be pumping over London Bridge to your job in the busy city centre, or will you be riding through country roads in France on a planned
bike tour? Let’s take a look at the options.
Road Bikes
Most people are familiar with road bikes. Some folks refer to them as English racers.
Of course, modern road bikes usually
have 16 or 18 speeds or even more, and the term English racer may seem odd considering that,
compared to the Italians and French, England has been a minor player in bike racing
history. The name probably stems from the 1950s, when Raleigh and a few other U.K.
based companies exported light-weight, low-priced road bikes to the United States
.
Road bikes have been called “the most efficient
means of
human-powered transporta
tion.”
Just consider; 20 pounds
of metal and rubber
can transform
leg power to
speeds of 20 or 30
miles per hour, now thats ultimate cycling power!
Touring Bikes
In the 1970s and early 1980s, before the mountain bike boom, the big surge in bicy-
cling was touring, which means traveling self-sufficiently by bike with all the necessary
camping gear and such carried on the bike. Touring never went away, and has regained
popularity in recent years.
With its racks and
panniers (saddlebags)
packed with provisions
and camping
equipment, a
touring bike is prepared to
take on the world.
A touring bike doesn’t look much different
from a road-racing bike. A touring bike has
a slightly longer top-tube and chainstays for increased stability. It has fittings on the
fork and the rear of the frame for bolting on luggage racks and usually has space for
three or more water bottle cages.
