Besides gaining the benefits of exercise, like stress relief and living a healthier life, cycling also provides a whole lot of fun.  Whether it’s hauling down trails on mountain bikes, taking long endurance rides or pulling that new trick off a jump in the park, biking brings a lot to those who choose to participate.

But with more bikers out there, both motorists and cyclists need to understand the rules of the road and how to make sure safety remains a priority.  It’s just as much a cyclist’s responsibility to watch out for motorists as it is for motorists to watch out for the cyclist.

Motorists

Yes, cars are bigger, faster and a lot more powerful than bikes, but the road is not their exclusive domain.  Even in communities where there are clearly marked bike paths along the side of the road or on a sidewalk, bikers still have the right to use the road like motorists.

Laws vary depending on where you are, but general rules of the road that apply to motorists usually apply to cyclists as well.  For example, instead of having to cross the street at cross walks, cyclists are usually allowed to get into a turning lane and cross the road in an arching pattern just like automobiles do.

Here are some simple tips that motorists can use to insure the safety of cyclists around them.

Keep an eye out:  Some communities are known for their heavy bike population, while others are not.  No matter what the situation is in your city, make sure to always be on the look out for road bikes.  Just like you look for oncoming traffic when you change lanes, open your car door or speed up, you need to check for cyclists at the same time.  Double check your mirrors, look in your blind spots and scan the horizon for cyclists that may be coming into your area.

Slow down:  While posted speed limits should always be observed, make sure to go a little slower when you know cyclists are around you.  Be patient and understand they have a right to the road too and don’t try to make quick moves around them.  Not only could you possibly hit them, but you could also hit another car that you didn’t see.  If you know you’re going to be in area where a lot of cyclists are (near a park, in a residential neighborhood, near a school) keep an eye out and slow down a bit.  Just going a little bit slower could mean the difference between life and death for a cyclist.

Signal:  It should go without saying but always signal your intentions when making a change in your driving.  This will keep other motorists and cyclist aware of what you’re doing.

Extra space:  Give cyclists more room than you would a car.  You want an extra bit of padding between you and them in case they don’t see you or you have to make a quick stop or move.

Cyclists

It’s not the motorist’s sole responsibility to watch out for you.  You have to do the same and do your best to let them know you are there and what you’re up to.  Follow these easy guidelines and you’ll be a lot safer:

Gear up:  You should be properly outfitted for your ride at all times.  This means a helmet and any other padding or protection you need to wear.  Large majorities of people that pass away in cycle/auto accidents were not wearing helmets.  Helmets and other protective gear aren’t sure-fire ways to avoid death or injury but they increase your chances a whole lot.  It is also vital to insure you are using reflectors and bright clothing so motorists can easily see you.  If you’re riding at low or no light hours, then you need to make sure you have some sort of lighting system on your bike.  LED lights are perfect for letting cars know you’re there; they are bright and they can be set to flash too.

Ride on the right side:  Depending on where you live, make sure you are riding on the appropriate side of the road.

Signal too:  You’re not free from traffic signaling because you’re on a bike.  Make sure you let people know what you’re up to by giving the appropriate hand signal.  The more you let every one around you know what you’re doing, the safer everyone will be.

How to Stay Safe When Cycling on the Roads is a post from: Bicycles & Bike Riding

Organized road races have run for almost one hundred and fifty years wtih famous races like the Tour de France, Paris-Roubaix, Milan – San remo and Giro di Lombardia have captured the world’s attention.  Riders like Greg LeMond, Jan Ullrich, Lance Armstrong, Fausto Coppi, Gino Bartali and many other personalities have brought a “super star” quality to the sport, helping it’s popularity even more. Without the technical developments and innovations made for road races, most other types of road bikes may not have even been possible.  The use of materials and techniques and fabrication methods like carbon fiber, 3D modeling, wind tunnel testing and TIG welding have all stemmed from road racers trying to get the best possible bikes out there.

Road Racing Advice

Whether you’re new to the sport, have always been a bit of a fan, or you are a seasoned rider, you can always benefit from learning what makes the best riders in the world constantly end up on that podium.

Here are some gems of knowledge put together from almost a century and half of road racing history that will help you improve your game and climb that podium one day.

Learn/Study/Plan

Know Yourself:  When you’re participating in this great sport, you have to first know yourself inside and out.  Know you’re weaknesses and strengths and plan around those.  You have to know what you’re capable of, how you can improve and where you need help.

Know Your Competitors:  Yes, a lot of the battle fought on the pavement is inside your head and what your body is capable of, but you can’t fool yourself into thinking other people don’t play into it.  Know your competitors, study their times, wins, loses and habits.  If you race against someone often enough or study them closely enough, you will know them as well as you know yourself.

Know the Race:  You have to know the vital points of the race, what you’re planning to do there and what contingency plans you have to deal with whatever comes up.

Be Patient:  Yes, patience is a virtue – and one you must have! You must be patient and learn when to use your power and when to hold back.  Reserve your energy for when it will benefit you the most and then pounce.

Breakaways

Depending on the length of the race, you may not want to commit to an early breakaway.  If it happens, go with it but if it looks like it’s not going to be sustainable do not drive it too hard.

Take calculated chances, not wild gambles.  You can’t play it safe all the time, so sit back and when it looks like you have your window, go for it.

Timing

Like anything in life timing is everything.  That doesn’t mean you have to leave it up to fate whether or not you succeed.  You just have to know yourself, the other competitors and the race and then attack accordingly.

The best times to attack are:

Just before or right after a break is caught

After a sprint

Over the peak of a hard climb

If others are hesitating, seize the moment and attack

Near the finish

The worse times to attack are:

Down hill is one of the worse, unless you are on a very technical section of the track.

If you have a tail wind

If everyone else is going fast

On long and straight road going into the wind.

Splitting the Bunch

If you’re interested in finding out how to split the pack and the best times to do so, then check out these tips:

Use five to six riders, stretched across the road riding right into a side wind.

Use one to two gatekeepers that will allow the working riders back into the front group while also keeping other riders from joining your new bunch.

You have to have other riders willing to participate in this move or it will not work.

You can usually pull this off within 50 to 100 meters if every thing is set up perfectly.

Top Tips for Road Racing is a post from: Bicycles & Bike Riding

If you’re looking for a bike to cruise around on and take leisurely rides on the weekend, then you’re barking up the wrong tree.  Road bikes are built for speed not comfort.  You’re going to be bent over to achieve the best aerodynamic stance possible and after a long ride you’re not going to be feeling great.  While modern design techniques and bike geometries try to address the comfort issue, if you want to win or go as fast as possible you’re going to need that stance.

Features

Different variations of road bikes might have different features or stress one feature more than others, but for the most part road bikes all have a pretty common list of characteristics.  Here is what you’re looking for when you are looking at buying a road bike.

Frame:  Road bike makers aim for the best possible combination of frame geometry and weight possible.  They want the design of the frame to be as aerodynamic as possible, while also being as light as possible.  Road bike frames are made from a variety of materials; these include steel, high grade aluminum, titanium and carbon fiber composites.  Depending on the material used to build the frame, the price will vary. Some of the best frame makers in the world are experienced with certain kinds of metal like steel or titanium and won’t switch to higher tech materials like carbon fiber no matter how much lighter it is.

Wheels:  Road bike wheels are narrow, slick and usually come in 700c size.  They are meant to maximize speed and reduce drag.

Handlebars:  Road bike handlebars, like everything else on the bike are meant to increase aerodynamics and help you go faster.  They come straight from the stem and curl under.  This helps riders to achieve the optimal riding position to reduce wind resistance.

Gears:  You’ll find a wide range of gears on these bikes.  Most bikes in this group have two or three chain rings with eight or nine gears on the rear wheel cassette.  This creates anywhere from 16 to 27 gear combinations but on some bikes there are up to 30.  The more gearing, the heavier the bike, so most manufacturers aim to make their gearing as efficient as possible.  Professional cyclists will use different bikes with specialized gearing depending on the terrain and riding conditions.

Disadvantages

Road bikes are designed with weight and speed in mind to ensure the rider with the best possible chance of winning that race. That means a lot of other features will be sacrificed. Here is a quick list of what road bikes don’t deliver on.

Road bike frames are meant to be light not strong.  They are weaker than other bike frames like BMX or mountain bikes.  Usually, the more expensive the frame the better the strength but even the best made frame isn’t going to stand up to much serious abuse.

Bikes in this category have no suspension.  That means you’re going to feel every little dip and bump in the road in your body.  Suspension systems are heavy and usually not needed on short, flat surfaces.  If you ride for a long time though, you’re going to feel it.

Narrow wheels don’t deal with obstacles or bumps well.  Hit a rock bigger than a pebble and you’re probably going to have an issue on your hands.

Variations

Road bikes are a huge part of the bike market and for the most part there aren’t too many variations of them.  This is how the category breaks down:

Competition:  These are road bikes that are meant for races, pure and simple.  Think Lance Armstrong on his trek bike in the Tour de France.

Performance:  These are road bikes that are basically the same as competition bikes but are meant for training or the recreational user.  They may or may not conform to the Union Cyclist International’s (UCI) official standards for competition bikes.

Time Trial:  Just a different version of the road bike.  Competitors in this sport are not allowed to draft behind other racers so time trial bikes are even more focused on aerodynamics than regular bikes.

Triathlon Bikes:  Since a road race is one third of the event, special bikes are made just for it.  They are made with the same ideas of speed and aerodynamics in mind, but with a quick exit and entrance from the bike considered.

Choosing the Best Road Bike For You is a post from: Bicycles & Bike Riding

Many riders ride recumbent bikes because they are much more comfortable that regular bikes.  The body’s weight is more evenly distributed over a larger area.  Instead of all your weight being on your hands, feet and sitting area, your weight is supported by your entire back and bottom.

While it may not look like it at first glance, recumbent bikes are very fast.  Their design is aerodynamically superior to traditional bikes.  In the recumbent position there is less of a frontal profile to create drag, allowing for less resistance and more speed.  In fact, a recumbent bike actually holds the world speed record for a bicycle.  In 1934, this variation of bike was banned from international racing due to having such a big aerodynamic advantage.

Recumbents have safety advantages over road bikes, and other regular bikes too.  Since you sit lower to the ground you less distance to fall and the severity of your impact is dramatically reduced.  With a feet forward design it very unlikely that you will come to a complete stop and get fired over the handlebars, which, as any experienced rider will tell you, exposes you to serious head and neck injuries.  Braking and stopping power is also much improved due to your low center of gravity.

Features

If you’re interested in buying a recumbent, then check out these features to get more acquainted with this increasingly popular style of bike:

Wheelbase:  Recumbent bikes have three main wheelbase set-ups: long, short and compact.  On a long wheelbase version, the pedals are located between the front and rear wheels.  On the short wheelbase model, the pedals are in front of the front wheel and compact wheel base models have pedals very close to the front wheel or above it.

Wheel sizes:  The rear wheel on recumbents can range from 16 inches to 700c.  The front wheel is usually a smaller tyre.  The most common wheel combination of wheel sizes on the recumbent bikes is a 26 inch rear wheel and 20 inch front wheel.

Steering:  When it comes to steering, recumbents are broken down into three main categories; over seat or above seat, under seat and center or pivot steering.  Depending on what kind of steering you prefer you may opt for a bike with larger “Superman” handlebars to help you better control the bike.

Drive Systems:  Just like their traditional cousins, recumbent bikes are usually rear wheel drive.  Front wheel drive options are possible due to the proximity of the crank to the front wheel.  There is also a unique system called Pivot-boom front wheel drive on some recumbents, too.

Suspension:  Just like traditional bikes, recumbents come equipped with more and better suspension systems.  Front and rear suspensions are very common on recumbents as well as a variety of systems like coil, air sprung and elastomer suspensions.

Fairings:  Just like a motorcycles, many recumbent bikes have fairings to increase the aerodynamic properties of these bikes.  Not only do they reduce drag but they also keep the rider warmer and dryer in nasty weather.

Variations

Just like road bikes and mountain bikes, the recumbents come in a variety of setups with different options for riders looking for different things.  What variation will suit you best depends on a host of factors.  Check these out and see if any fit you:

Low-racers:  More common in Europe, these recumbents usually have two 20” or 26” wheels or a 26” in the rear and a 20” in the front.  The seat is between the wheels rather than above them and provides an extremely reclined position.  If you’re looking for aerodynamic heaven, this is it.

High-racers:  These versions have two large wheels with the rider’s legs sitting above the wheels.  This style is more stable than low-racers, and very popular.

Mountain Bike Recumbents:  With the right tyres, gearing and a longer wheelbase, these bikes are awesome off road and on unpaved roads.

Crank Forward Recumbents:  These variations provide a seating position between a traditional recumbent and traditional bikes.

Tandem Recumbents:  Built for two, these versions are marked by having the stokers crankset under the captain’s seat.

Recumbent Trikes:  These bikes are available in two different versions.  The delta has two rear wheels and one front one while the tadpole has the reverse set up.

Handycycles:  Another form of recumbent bike, made especially for the handicapped who don’t have much or any use of their legs.  These are often referred to as hand powered vehicles (HPV).

Hand and Foot Recumbent Trikes:  If you’re looking for a full body workout then check out these recumbent variations that use hand power and leg power to propel you along.

What to Look for When Buying a Recumbent Bike is a post from: Bicycles & Bike Riding

We have all seen the insane amount of calories professional racers have to consume to have enough energy to maintain their endurance and power throughout a long race, whether they are racing on road bikes or mountain bikes. The training and physical feats of champion level racers like Lance Armstrong are often promoted, studied and turned into the stuff of legends.

However, even in the most physical and brutal sports out there, there are huge amounts of mental energy and strategy that must be put into making a winner.  Think about football, rugby or even mixed martial arts.  All the strength and power in the world is going to do you no good if you don’t know the best tactics and strategies to implement and when to use them.

Racing is a complex sport and comes in a variety of forms.  For one single discipline there could literally be hundreds of variables you would have to take into consideration when devising a strategy.  Furthermore, you have to possess the knowledge and have gained the experience to know when to change up your strategy on the fly to deal with changing situations that you could not plan for.  Every race disciple is different, as is every race and every competitor.

While the tactic used to win your last race might have worked perfectly for you, it may not work in the next race.  If you seek to emulate previous winners, their strategies and tactics may not work at all for you.  This is the mental and strategic part of the sport that keeps people coming back for more.

If you’re curious about the principles behind the podium wins, then check out our quick breakdown on how the best racers in the world continue to win.

Picking Your Moment

No matter how much you train, what you eat or what legal supplements you are taking, you do not have an unlimited store of energy to use during a race.  That means you just can’t indiscriminately use your energy.  You need to strategically conserve it for when you need a strong burst while still maintaining a competitive speed with the rest of the pack.  If you decide to “attack”, chase down a rider who has broken away or pull a turn at the front of the bunch, then you’re going to be burning precious energy reserves.

When you attack and how you use your energy reserves will determine if you win the race or not.  That decision should not only be tailored for the individual racer but also the race situation in general.  If you’re a great sprinter, then you want to conserve your energy and use it only when you have to near the end of the race.  If you’re power delivery profile is leans more towards constant power and not sprinting, you want to gain a lead on the pack to have enough of a buffer to deal with the sprinters when they comes for you.

Break Aways

A break away occurs when you attack and get out ahead of the main group.  You can do this on your own or with a group.  Here are some tips for both:

Solo Break Aways:

If you want to make your break away sustained, ride smoothly

Focus on your pedaling

Ride in the car tracks on the road.  They are the smoothest part of the road.

Keep your riding profile low and aerodynamic

Group Break Aways:

Work as a team and show the other riders you are committed to the break away.

Maintain a smooth pace until every rider is in position and then you can make your play to increase the pace.

Look after the riders in your group and make sure they don’t get stuck out of the slip stream.

Bunching

This is quite possibly the most important skill you can learn in racing.  By keeping your riding in the bunch as much as possible, you save a lot of energy.  In order to achieve this you must know how to position yourself in the bunch, when to do turns in front of the bunch, get good at predicting and reacting to changes and, most importantly, be able to ride closely with other riders to take the most advantage of the slip stream.

Position

You want to keep your position around the tenth in the bunch.  This ideal position gives a solid place in the overall group but allows you enough time to react to the bunch.  You will have to do less turns since you’re not at the front but you’re far enough up so you won’t get stuck on the edge of the road and pushed out of the slip stream.

These tactics are just the tip of the strategic iceberg.  If you want to keep moving up the race winner’s list you’ll need to master these concepts and many more.  More importantly, you will have to get out there on the pavement and gain the knowledge it takes to know when to use one tactic over the other.  All the planning in the world is no substitute for raw experience.

Racing Principles – Basics and Tactics is a post from: Bicycles & Bike Riding

The sun might deliver life giving energy to this planet and make days so perfect it’s worth being outdoors, but it can also wreak havoc on your eyes and be a dangerous distraction during your rides.  Too much sun causes glare off the road, cars and even your own bike.  Glare forces you to squint and that is just a recipe for disaster when you’re hauling down the road.  Exposure to too much sun also causes your vision to go haywire and see those crazy little black dots. Too much of that and your eyes will be on their way to being permanently damaged and it can also distract you from your riding and your surroundings.

If you’re into riding the trails and find yourself putting in some serious off road time, cycling eyewear is a must.  With dirt, debris and insects around and in the air, your are more than likely to get some in your eyes and when you do you’re going to have a hard time controlling your bike.  Not a situation you want to be when while you’re barreling downhill.

Clearly, cycling glasses are vital to a comfortable and safe ride.  There are plenty out there to choose from, so how do you find the set that is perfect for you?  What riding glasses will serve you best largely depends on your unique vision requirements, the type of riding you’re doing and what you’re willing to spend.

Let’s go through your options:

Lens

The biggest factor you should consider when buying eyewear for cycling is the lenses. Most lenses are made with a family of materials called polycarbonates, which are a form of soft resin. Being made from this kind of material makes them impact resistant, but your glasses will scratch easier.  While that can be annoying, they won’t shatter and cut you if you take a nasty spill with them.

Lenses come in a wide variety to meet the huge range of bikers that use them.  Here are some of your options when it comes to lenses.

UV Protection:  A special UV reflecting coating will keep harmful rays from damaging your eyes.  You want glasses with lenses that block out 99 – 100% of UVA and UVB light.  Most polycarbonate glasses block UV light but you always want to double check.

Polarized:  Polarized lenses reduce glare and will help you see well while riding.

Photochromatic:  These lenses actually adjust with ambient light conditions, so you always have the right tint.  Expect to pay more for lenses like this.

Clear:  These lenses provide you the protection your eyes need while not affecting your vision with ting.  They are perfect for low light or bad weather conditions.

Brown Red/Orange:  These specially tinted lenses help your eyes relax and add better definition to your field of vision.

Yellow:  These lenses enhance definition as well but are made specifically for bad weather.

Brown:  Short of polarized lenses, brown lenses are the best at reducing glare.

Prescription:  If you require prescription lenses to see properly, you don’t have to give that up on your rides.  You can get special cycling or sport lenses made to fit in your frames.

If you ride in a lot of different conditions and find that you need many of these types of lenses, you could buy several sets of glasses or your could buy frames that allow you to easily swap between lenses.  While it might cost you a little bit more for a frame like that and the lenses, in the end it’s cheaper.

Frames

Once you have your ideal lenses picked out, it’s time to consider what kind of frame you’d like to rock.  There are basically too options when it comes to frames: half and full rims.  You want to consider a couple of factors when picking out your frame and rim set up.

Ventilation:  Many full rimmed frames can fog up, which is not only annoying but can be dangerous while riding too.  Half rimmed glasses offer the best ventilation.

Field of Vision:  With full rims you will get more interference in your field of vision compared to half rimmed ones.  Almost all modern glasses offer great fields of vision, so you’re really just talking about varying degrees of visibility here.

Safety:  When it comes to safety, you can’t go wrong when it comes to full rim frames.  They offer the best protection during a crash or impact with something airborne.  Half rimmed glasses are known to break more than full-rimmed ones and that can cause cuts, even with polycarbonate lenses.

Fit:  You want glasses that fit your face and don’t sip or slide around when you’re doing your thing.  If your brand of biking is more action packed than others, like mountain bikes or BMX riding, make sure your glasses are nice and firmly fitted on your face.  There’s nothing worse then losing your favorite set of shades on the down hill slope or watch them bust on the concrete.

Tips for Finding the Right Cycling Glasses is a post from: Bicycles & Bike Riding

History

References to mountain biking go all the way back to 1966 but new styles of bicycles didn’t gain any noticeable popularity until the 1970’s.  In Northern California’s Marin county, riders started taking advantage of the mountainous surroundings by taking classic cruiser style bikes and modifying their heavy and sturdy frames with better brakes, home made suspension systems and other innovations.  The sport caught on, especially on the west coast of North America and large groups of riders started popping up from California’s Sierra Mountains to Canada’s now famous North Shore Mountains.  It wasn’t until the late 70’s and early 80’s that new and previously established companies started seriously making mountain bikes.  They used technology, design techniques and materials from their road bikes and adapted them to mountain biking uses and developed new innovations to meet the needs of this growing set of riders.  In 1982, Specialized brought out the first mass produced mountain bike, the Stempjumper.

Features

Mountain bikes cover a wide spectrum of bikes, but on the most basic level, they usually share similar features.  These include:

Frames:  Mountain bikes are built with strong and stiff frames for durability and stability while dealing with unpredictable and rough terrain.  Depending on the specific style and needs of the bike the frame can be made from a variety of materials.  The most common are variations of steel, aluminum, titanium and carbon fiber composites.

Tyres:  Mountain bike tyres need to be wider, stronger and more knobby than road bikes.  Rims usually are 559mm but are commonly called 26” inch tyres, even though that isn’t quite accurate given the variations of the bike.  These tyres give the bikes the traction they need in rough and ever changing terrain.

Gearing:  Mountain bike gearing can range from single geared bikes all the way up to 30 speeds.  The amount and kind of gearing you need will depend on the style of riding you’re up to.

Brakes:  Higher end mountain bikes come with disk brakes, while lower end versions are outfitted with V-brakes.  Disk brakes work a lot better when you’re traveling at high speeds but are substantially heavier and more expensive than V-brakes.

Suspension:  Mountain bike suspensions are usually judged by the amount of travel they allow.  The more travel, the more the bike absorbs impacts instead of your body.  The different suspension variations can be broken down into three main categories:  hard tail, front suspension and dual suspension.

Hard Tail:  Hard tail versions feature stiff frames but no suspension.  If you’re doing any sort of serious off road riding, you’re going to feel every bump.  These bikes are designed for the average rider who enjoys off road riding but also plans on doing some city or path riding too.

Front Suspension:  Since mountain bikes land on the front wheel first, generally, these suspensions are great.  The suspension system is loaded in the front and provides good but not great protection from serious off road impacts.

Dual Suspension:  The newest innovation in mountain bike technology is dual suspension.  Often referred to as full suspension or full-susser bikes, this system is in both front and back wheels.  While heavier and more expensive, if you’re doing big jumps and tackling the roughest courses, this is the suspension you want.

Mountain Bike Styles

What was once a niche market made up of tinkerers making their own mountain bikes in garages out of spare cruiser frames and their own custom components, mountain biking has blow up into a full scale industry.  Today mountain biking is just an umbrella term that encompasses a large variety of bikes and riding styles.

As the sport exploded in popularity many riders found their own personal styles and bikes started getting made to meet the needs of those unique markets.  Many bikes fit several categories and can be used effectively across a variety of styles, while others are specifically designed for just one.

Here is a sample of the most popular mountain biking styles today:

Cross Country:  Abbreviated XC, cross country bikes place a high degree of importance on speed and endurance.  The bikes are lightweight and not meant for the roughest off road environments.

Trail Bikes:  These evolved from XC bikes and are commonly used for recreational trial riding and can handle rougher terrain than the bikes that spawned them.

All Mountain:  This style of mountain bike is designed to climb and descend well and are perfect for all day rides up and down mountains.

Free-ride:  Bikes in this discipline are built to be heavier and more durable.  They can be ridden uphill but handle much better going downhill.

Downhill:  DH bikes have large gears, plush travel and are specifically designed to handle the stresses of downhill racing.  Their frames need to be strong but light, which leads to the use of high quality but expensive materials

Dirt Jumping:  DJ bikes are a mix between BMX bikes and free-ride mountain bikes.  They are made to be sturdy and strong enough to withstand the high impacts they are frequently subjected to.  They usually only have front suspension systems.

Finding the Best Mountain Bike is a post from: Bicycles & Bike Riding

The only problem with these specifically designed bikes is that if you need to do any other sort of riding, you’re pretty much out of luck.  That is why over the last decade or so, the bike industry has reversed over a hundred years of making bikes more activity specific and started making rides that can accommodate a variety of riding situations.  Hybrid bikes are the outcome of this process and they combine the best of both worlds.

The hybrid bike takes the best of the mountain bike set up and the best of the road bike set up and combines them into one convenient package.

Features

If you do more than mountain or road bike exclusively, then you’re going to want to check out hybrid bikes.  These relatively new bikes on the scene encompass a variety of models and variations but commonly have the following features:

Large Wheels:  Hybrid bikes have wheels that are 700c, which makes them much more efficient than smaller mountain bike wheels

Tyre Width:  Road racers typically have narrow wheels that have been maximized for sleek contact with the pavement and aerodynamics.  Unfortunately, you can’t do anything but ride on the pavement with them.  Hybrid bikes address that problem by incorporating wider wheels.

Rim Strength:  Hybrid bikes take their strong rims from their mountain bike heritage so they can handle the bumps and lumps along the way.

Tyre Tread:  Hybrid bikes come with tyres that have more dirt bike like tread.  While not as knobby or aggressive as a traditional mountain bike tread, hybrid bikes have enough to get the grip you need on trails, some off road riding and anything the city can throw your way.

Strong Frame:  Road bikes are notorious for their lightweight but weaker frames.  So hybrid bikes have a more mountain bike-like frame.  Usually made from stronger materials like chromyl steel, high-grade aluminum or titanium, these frames can take the abuse of rough city riding plus some moderate off road action.

Suspension:  If you love the speed of your road bike but hate the ride, then hybrid bikes are worth looking into.  They adopt suspension forks and seat posts from mountain bikes for better shock absorption and decreased stress on your body.

Gearing:  Hybird bike usually have somewhere around 18-27 gears to accommodate the variety of terrains and riding situations you’re going to come up against.

Flat Handlebars:  The drop handlebars on road bikes are great for speed and aerodynamics, but on long rides can be killer on your back and body.  The flat handlebars of hybrid bikes give you a more upright riding position and make for a much more comfortable ride.

Uses

Hybrid bikes are perfect for people who do a lot of city riding, but also need some off road capabilities.  If you commute to work on your bike during the week but also enjoy hitting the park paths and trails on the weekend, then hybrid bikes are for you.  Their mountain bike-like frame, tyres and suspension will give you the ability to do some off road riding without having to worry about wrecking your ride.  On the other hand the larger tyre diameters will give you the speed you’re looking for in the paved world.  The flat handlebars and suspension make hybrid bikes perfect for riding long distances on the road and remaining comfortable.

Variations

Even in this relatively newer bike market, there are already subdivisions and new categories of bikes being created.  If you like the concept behind a hybrid bike but are looking for a set up that is a little bit more relevant to your needs and riding style, then check out these variations of the hybrid bike:

Trekking Bike:  This variation on the hybrid bike is simply a ride that has been outfitted with the accessories you need for bicycling touring or endurance rides.  These include but are not limited to mudguards, pannier racks, lights and other accessories.  Trekking bikes sacrifice speed in favor of comfortable riding over long distances.

Cross Bikes:  No to be confused with cyclocross bikes, cross bikes are the closest of these variations to a ‘classic’ hybrid bike.  They are outfitted to deal with more off road riding than trekking bikes but still have good speed on the pavement, as they are less outfitted than the previous variation.

Commuter Bike:  These commuter bikes are specially designed for people who commute on their bikes daily.  They usually come equipped with derailleur gearing, bike racks for work accessories and full fenders.  Optional but common accessories and features on commuter bikes are things like front and rear lights to see and be better seen during low light hours and enclosed chain guards that allow riders to not be worried about getting their slacks caught in their chains.

City Bikes:  While very similar to commuter bikes, city bikes are designed and outfitted to handle the hazards one encounters while doing city riding a bit better than commuter bikes.  With more mountain bike like tyres, sturdier frames and stronger suspensions they can handle curb jumps, potholes and sewer grates like a champ.  These bikes are the favorite of bike messengers in big cities around the world.

Comfort Bikes:  As the name of this hybrid bike variation suggests, it is built purely for comfortable riding.  These bikes are basically updated and modern versions of cruiser bikes.  They have derailleur gearing, front suspension forks, seat post suspension, wide and plush seats and handlebars and geometry meant to create a comfortable upright riding position.

Everything You Need to Know About Hybrid Bikes is a post from: Bicycles & Bike Riding

What Differentiates Tyres?

Tyres are separated into different categories based on three main factors; tread, width and size (diameter).

Tyre Tread

Tyre tread, also referred to as the track of a tyre, is the actual rubber that makes contact with the road, ground or whatever it is you’re riding on.  Different patterns of tread are used to create more or less traction, as the rider’s needs dictate.  Tread wears down over time, making it necessary to replace your tyres.  When you need to replace tyres depends on how much you use them, what kind of riding you’re into and many other factors.  If you’re concerned that your tyres might need replacement but aren’t sure, check with your bike shop.  Tyres with worn down tread that are pushed past the time they needed to be replaced can greatly decrease your performance and even be dangerous to ride on.

Tread comes in a variety of forms for bicycles.  Here are the main ones:

Slick:  The level of tread on a slick tyre is minimal.  They are used primarily to ride on surfaces where you want to maximize your grip and handling but not sacrifice speed.  You’ll often see slick tyres used on pavement, ramps and other smooth surfaces.

Knobby or Jagged:  These kinds of tyres have unique patterns of tread that are very prominent.  They are used to help the tyre grip rough terrain, like you would commonly see off road.  By having tyres that dig into the dirt and grip better, you can more easily control the entire ride and make the moves you need to.

Mixed:  Some tyres are made with minimum tread in the middle and jagged tread on the outside.  Obviously, this kind of tyre is meant for someone who enjoys riding both on and off road.  You won’t get the best that either of the pure tread versions have to offer but what you lose there you will gain in versatility.

Tyre Width

Tyre width is measured in inches or millimeters and is linked to how much pressure your tyre needs to support you and the style of riding you are doing, the amount of frame clearance you have and the size of your bike’s rim.  Most tyre and bike manufacturers try to find an optimal mix of these factors to provide a superior ride.  Generally speaking, the wider the tyre, the rougher or more challenging the terrain is.  Most road bikes have widths of about 23mm while tyre made for tougher conditions like riding in the snow can easily have a tyre width double that.

Tyre Size

When people talk about tyre size, they are referring usually to the diameter of the bike’s wheel.  A well-known example is the 29er class of mountain bikes.  The whole category and style of riding is named after the diameter of the 29” tyre.  BMX bikes are also commonly known by the size of their wheels.  You’ll often see model XYZ 24” and XYZ 26” on a companies line up.  Wheel diameter is also linked closely to wheel width.  Here are common combinations of tyre size and width:

BMX:  20” x 1.95”

Mountain Bike:  26” x 1.95”

Road Bikes:  700 x 23 cm

So What Tyre Do You Need?

The tyre you need for your bike depends on several factors.  The most important being the style of riding you’re doing.  If you try and do road racing on big knobby tyres made for mountain bikes, you’ll cross the finish line but I guarantee you it won’t be first.  Having the right tool for the job is important if you want to get the best results, and cycle tyres are no exception.

Slick treaded tyres are best for road bikes, BMX bikes, cruisers and any sort of on road riding.  Knobby tyres are usually used for mountain bike riding, winter and snow riding and any other sort of tough terrain conditions.  Mixed treaded tyres are great for hybrid bikes where you do some off road and some on road riding.

Not only do you need to consider the style of riding you’re doing, but you also need the correct bike setup for your riding style.  Just because you want to do more off road riding, it doesn’t mean you can just go out and buy a bigger tyre with a knobbier tread.  If your frame isn’t large enough to support the tyre, you’re going to be wasting money and time.

Tips for Choosing the Right Bicycle Tyre is a post from: Bicycles & Bike Riding

While there are many kinds of bikes, such as road bikes or mountain bikes, pedals can be generally broken down into three main categories; platform, click in and toe clip pedals.  Each has their pros and cons. Here is a break down of each pedal type so you can make a better decision on which one is better suited for you.

Platform Pedals

Most bikes are fitted with platform pedals. You are not connected by any apparatus to the pedal and are free to hop off whenever you see fit.  These are universal and can be put on any bike and used with any footwear.  If you are a beginner rider or don’t like the idea of not being able to put your foot down quickly, then platform pedals are for you.  If you’re riding short distances or approach biking from a more casual viewpoint, then you don’t need much more than these pedals.

Click In Pedals

In 1895 Charles Hanson developed the original system that would evolve to become today’s clip in pedal, or clipless pedals.  Perfected over the years by the best racers, designers and engineers in the world, the modern click in pedal require that you wear a shoe with special cleats that lock into the pedal.  This connectivity to the bike allows you the most efficiency as a rider because there is less energy lost between your foot and the pedal.  You can also push as well as pull the pedal in the course of a leg stroke, giving you more power and better speeds.

The issue many people have with click in pedals is that you are clicked in and it takes some effort to get out of them.  While it is only a horizontal motion usually that gets you out of your pedal, when you’re hauling down the road or a hill that split second it takes to get out of your pedal could mean the difference between going down with the bike or not.  That is why many beginners do no feel comfortable riding in these kinds of pedals, but you’ll be hard pressed to find a professional racer who doesn’t.

Toe Clip Pedals

Toe clip or cage style pedals are the third kind of pedal.  As the name implies, these pedals are platform pedals with cage like structures at the toe where you slide your foot in.  Before click in pedals became mass-produced, these were the best options for securing your foot during riding.  However, now that click in pedals come standard on many bikes and are offered in a wide variety of styles and prices, toe clip pedals have become less common.

There are advantages to using toe clip pedals though.  For one, they teach and basically force you to assume a proper riding position with your feet.  Also, if you’re on a budget they are usually significantly cheaper than click in pedals.  Finally, they are easier to get out of if you and your bike have a run in with our old friend gravity.

Which type bike pedal you use usually comes down to what kind of riding you are doing.  The style or discipline of biking you’re into dictates a lot about the bike you ride, the gear you wear and the components you use.  Pedals are no exception to that rule.  BMX riders need the freedom to move their feet around and perform a variety of tricks, so obviously they would ride with platform pedals.  Road racers need to maximize their speed and power, so click in pedals are best for them.  Unless something goes very wrong, they aren’t going off any jumps or doing freestyle tricks.  Mountain bikers also benefit from click in pedals.  Being locked into their pedals helps them maintain efficient and constant pedaling while even going through some extreme terrain.  However, amongst some mountain biking styles like downhill, free riding and dirt jumping platform pedals are preferred.

The style of riding you are doing will have a huge impact on your choice of pedal. If you are doing riding that can accommodate either, like mountain biking, then there are several other factors you need to consider when deciding on pedals:

Weight:  If you’re racing, going airborne or just want to have to deliver less power to move a heavier bike, then you need to look into the weight of pedals.

Price:  Hey, it’s always an issue.  If you’re going to pay top dollar for pedals make sure you’re getting the quality, options and features that you need.  If you’re a world-class racer, state-of-the-art pedals are probably worth it.  If your kid saw BMX bikes on the X-Games for the first time, he’ll make it without them.

Mud Shedding:  If you’re doing your riding where dirt and water combine, then you’re going to want a pedal that has open spaces built into it so mud can be pushed through.  Other wise mud will build up and make your grip on your pedal tenuous.

Adjustability:  Clipless pedals can have a wide range of settings, so you want to see how wide that margin is when it comes to things like tension and float.

Durability:  Even the most laid-back beach cruiser is going to put some wear and tear on their pedals.  You want a pedal that can stand up to the abuse you’re going to dish out with the minimal amount of maintenance.

Pedal to the Metal – Finding the Perfect Bike Pedal for You is a post from: Bicycles & Bike Riding