Posts Tagged ‘bike racing’
What To Consider When Purchasing Santa Cruz Mountain Bikes
December 1, 2011
When people purchase bicycles, they tend to be driven by various motives. This is chiefly because they perform various tasks that can be both beneficial to human beings. A good example is utilizing them for leisure, exercising or sporting. They all perform all these functions. However, for you to enjoy the best out of it there are some factors that have to be put into consideration. It is on this note the consequent paragraphs will elaborate some of the factors that have to be adhered to when buying Santa Cruz Mountain Bikes.
The buyer has to keep it in mind that the main ambition should be foully considered. In other words, the major objective behind this considerations makes things work out better on your side. At the end of the day, you will be able to come up with a conclusion regarding the best way of utilizing it.
Depending on how you wish to use it, you have to consider the functions that come with the desired model. If it is to be for hilly areas, consider the one that is suitable for such topography. A good example of a part you should concentrate on is the gears.
When you have arrived at the shop where they are sold, do not just hurry to pick one and pay for it. You may do this unless you are very sure of what you want to use it for. If that is not the case, it is advisable to discuss this with the vendor. If at all they are experienced, they will be in a position to give you an appropriate direction for the best version.
Human beings tend to prefer merchandise that will sever them for a lengthy period before expiring. For the case of such bicycles, carbon made type works better. It has been known to have a lengthy duration as compared to other models.
When mountain climbing, the best to use is still the carbon made. Unlike the one made form steel, the carbon version is lighter. As a matter of fact, scientific experiments reveal that steel is heavier than carbon. This helps in increasing its speed.
If at all your center of concentration is based on hilly areas, the carbon version will serve you better. Climbing mountainous regions will be much simpler by the use of this version of Santa Cruz Mountain Bikes. This points proves the fact that your main aim of buying it is what determines the type that you should use, to enable it serve you properly.
Now you can find Santa Cruz Mountain Bikes for trail, cross country, down hill and more, quickly and easily! Get all the details and information you will need to choose the bike that will meet your needs at http://www.SantaCruzMountainBikes.org today!
Breaking In The Race With A Planet X Bike
November 30, 2011
Individuals who call themselves cyclists often ensure they are using the very best equipment. There are different types of brands and cycles that stick out, but one particular brand outshines the rest. The Planet X Bike is one of the leaders in cycling, and there are plenty of reasons why.
This particular brand has been around for only about 20 years. They are primarily constructed and sent out of the main warehouse in the UK. Only a light amount of construction is needed when the model first arrives. A few simple tools is all that is required to get riding. If this is being ordered for an event, make sure to plan ahead for the overall shipping times.
Individuals who currently own and ride the Planet X Bike, usually use it in order to compete. Time trials and triathlons are very popular these days, and the individual entered in the race needs to come fully prepared with the best equipment. This is why most athletes are riding this particular brand.
In order to keep the cycle moving at the necessary quick speed, the composites used are going to be different. Alloy is used with these cycles, which is known to be very lightweight as well as durable. Make sure that the proper size is purchased so that the actual weight is distributed properly throughout the entire ride.
In order to get a hold of this cycle, individuals will need to find the right shopping outlet. The internet seems to hold the top models that are hottest on the market right now. It will be up to the buyer to take care of the sizing, as well as purchase any extra accessories that will enhance the overall ride.
It is easy to see why so many riders are turning to the Planet X Bike. This is the type of cycle that gives any rider the control and the speed that they are in search of. Take some time to look around and see which models may work best for the next race.
Planet X Bike is a leader in its field of racing in the last two decades. For more details check out the website at http://www.planetxbike.org now.
Use Carbon Wheels For Racing – The Benefits Are Clear!
September 25, 2010
In the last several years carbon wheels have become increasing more popular in all types of cycle racing and are even been used in mountain bike downhill racing.
The prices of top end alloy wheels is increasing, with the Mavic Ksyrium up to 900 now – so many racing cyclists are seeing the price advantage of buying a pair of Carbon Wheels, as prices are coming down, with some wheelsets costing just 500.
The most popular type of rim for use with a carbon wheel is the tub rim – this is where you glue a tubeless tyre to the rim instead of the clincer type. There are huge benefits for using a tubular tyre – one being that they accept pressures of up to 220psi (100 psi is normal for a clincher) meaning less rolling resistance – great for time trial riders and criterium sprinters.
Clincher carbon wheels are generally heavier than tubular due to the extra carbon that is needed around the edge of the rim. This is to stop the clincher tyre pushing the rim apart. Of course this extra weight is going to make the wheels a bit slower in getting up to speed. All carbon clinchers have a maximum tyre pressure generally around 120psi.
Carbon rims need specific pads. Most wheel sets come with a set of pads and the quality seems to vary between screechy and useless in the wet, to others like Swiss stop that work nearly as good as pads braking on alloy rims especially for Road Bikes.
Some alloy pads are Ok to use with carbon wheels, however it is generally recommended to ditch them and invest in a good set – this cancels out any problems with braking in the rain.
You have a choice between 50mm and 80mm rim depths when choosing your wheels. 80mm are ok for use on the back of a bike, but in windy conditions if used on the front would cause the bike to be blown around – not what you want at high speed. 50mm is recommended for general use.
A deep section wheel is going to be at its most efficient with a cross/tailwind, basically it acts like a sail so in theory the deeper the better. However, once you turn and the wind is coming from the side, really deep section is going to make the front of the bike a bit difficult to control particular if you are small, although Mark Cavendish doesn’t seem to have a problem.
Bladed spokes are now commonplace as they offer huge aerodynamic advantages of the traditional round spokes found on older handbuilt wheelsets. Blades cut the wind offering even more advantages to the budding racer wanting to shave a few thousands off their time.
Cyclocross racers have been using top end carbon wheels for ages, as they simply cut through the mud with ease – hardly slowing the rider down. Old style spoked wheels with thin rims get sucked into mud and slow the rider. Tub tyres such as Dugast are popular with cyclo cross racers across the world.
Johnny Ratcliffe is a road racer based in the Leeds who specialises in Criterium road races. He has written for many cycling websites such as Road Bikes Reviewed.
Santa Barbara Mountain Bike Racing
August 31, 2010
For this day, the Cat 3 riders were the beneficiaries of June glum at the Elings Park mountain bike race. The cool morning weather with thick fog was sure to minimize any dehydration problems for these MTB riders. For the Cat 1 riders who rode later in the day, the piercing sun awaited them with upper 70 degree temperatures.
The mountain bike race at Elings Park is one of the largest in the area, and sure to remind people that Santa Barbara is one of the best locations in California to take a trip with the family. With the majestic Pacific Ocean as a backdrop to the rolling green hills, bringing a camera is highly recommended.
To capture some speed in motion, I decided to bring out the video camera today. With its mix of single track trails and fire roads on a multi-lap course with plenty twist and turns, there would be many opportunities to capture some good footage.
For this course, a solid warm-up is mandatory. Within a short distance after the start, you are going vertical. The course climbs to the top of Elings Park, mainly on fire roads, and then adds single track trails at the top. On the second lap, the course changes at the beginning section as you tackle a winding trail with plenty of U-Turn climbs to the summit.
After shooting some video and photographs of the mountain bike competitors, I discovered a good shooting location on the climb of the second lap. So far, today was going well. I hadn’t fallen down any hills with my gear. But I realized later, the day was just beginning.
The bright sun welcomed the Cat 1 and 2 riders with high 70 degree weather. The goal for the day was to shoot these MTB racers up close so I trekked through the hills to find a good location and the heart beat of the Elings Park mountain bike race. After sliding down a couple of hills, I realized I created some new ventilation in my jeans…an eight inch gap from the crotch downward. Thankfully, any competitors coming my way only cared about one thing…going fast.
Once the mountain bike racers reached the top of the hill, they were given a spectacular view of the Pacific Ocean. However, the view was short lived due to the winding trails.
Deep in the bushes, I managed to find a good location to capture the MTB riders as they raced around me. I was in the zone, and focused.
Since I got all the race footage I needed, I finally took a look at my surroundings. It was then that I realized one of the few disadvantages of focusing too much. Surrounding my eight inch rip in my pant leg stood multiple poison ivy plants! The mountain bike race at Elings Park will never be forgotten. It reminded me that I too must keep my eye on the path before me.
If you are looking for a great race to take the family for a few days, the Elings Park mountain bike race is one of the best. Put together by Team Big Bear, the race is sure to challenge your mountain bike fitness level.
Staying on the trail is highly recommended.
Keith Rejino is a sports photographer for Dreamscape Images, a personal trainer, mountain biker and triathlete. His Socal Mountain Bike website provides mountain bike event coverage, training and sports nutrition tips for the mountain biker. For more mountain bike event coverage, check out Dreamscape Images MTB site.
Grudge bike Rumpling in the Gump Montgomery Al.
December 15, 2009
BIKE PAPARAZZI VISITED THE MONTGOMERY ALABAMA DRAGWAY FOR ONE OF THIS SEASON’S FIRST BIKE GRUDGE FESTS. WITH RIDERS LIKE TERRY, SMACK, SHINE, LEE, MISSISSIPPI SUPERMAN, KING KONG, LIL RICH, BABYFACE KILLAH, BILLY, JETHRO, GANG GREEN, AND MISSISSIPPI WHITE BOYS JUST TO NAME A FEW. ONE OF THE MOST INTENSE GRUDGE DAYS IN THE HISTORY OF THIS TRACK.
Duration : 0:10:40