Zarnoff Bike Blog
30Oct/090

Learning About Mountain Bikes

At this article you will read what mountain biking is as well as how to get the information on various kinds of mountain bikes.
The most commonly used Mountain Bikes are:
Downhill Bikes:Most prominently used for competition in which one goes down the hill. So with that speed, bikes need to be with tough frames and with heavy-duty brakes such as disc or hydraulic brakes.
XC Bikes: This is another kind of bike which is highly used for competition in which one can go both down and climb hills. So its frame should be light but reasonably tough. Brakes used in this particular bike are v-brakes and light disc brakes.
Hybrid Bikes: This category of bikes is a good option for those who want to ride on both mountains and road.
These bikes either run on front suspension or on full suspension (which is a combination of both front and back suspensions). Various kinds of brakes employed in these bikes are:-
Rim Brakes: They are both light and powerful but their power decreases in muddy terrain where they become slippery.
Disc Brakes: They are light and powerful and are not affected by weather.
Hydraulic Brakes: They are very powerful and don't need much maintenance, but are expensive than other brakes.
Frame Materials: The bikes can be made of aluminum, steel or titanium. These are very important elements of the bike as their composition determines the weight, strength, responsiveness and life of the bike.
Size: Like conventional bikes, mountain bikes come in small, medium and large sizes. But different manufactures use different reference point of measurement therefore sizing is not always consistent.
Latest Trends:
All Mountain Bikes: The "All Mountain Bikes" are characterized by 5-6 inch (125-150 mm) rims to take on very rough conditions.
29er Bike: This uses 700cc-sized rims and is suited for tires of 2 inches (50mm) width or more, so that it is able to roll over the obstacles.
Singlespeed: This is a blend of simplicity with innovation in suspension design.
Some of the other trends includeStable Platform Value Suspension Technology. Here the compressor shim stack has been replaced with a pair of overlapping cups. It also employs VPP suspension designs to balance different forces thereby eliminating unwanted compression without limiting bump absorption.

Alastair Hamilton is the copywriter of http://www.bikecyclingreviews.com .He provides tips and advice about MTB as well as on the disk brakes at mountain bikes
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18Oct/090

What Precisely Are Dirt Bikes And How Do You Enjoy Them|Dirt Bikes

Dirt bikes are also known as off-road bikes. They are great for riding on dirt roads. People enjoy them. This article presents some information about them. Some people believe that all motorcycles were dirt bikes in the late 1800s. That's when motorcycles first came into use. Click through here for more information on how much is motorcycle insurance.

There were no paved roads. So everyone was an off roader. Early motorcycle races took place on flat oval tracks. But these were not paved. They were covered with cinders or dirt.

So in a sense motocross and off road racing were there from the earliest days. 1959 saw the beginning of dirt bikes in America. That's when a man by the name of Honda opened up a tiny bike shop in Los Angeles, California. Bikers were thought to be criminals. Regular people didn't use motorcycles.You can obtain more information on auto and home insurancehere.

Nobody had heard of an off road bike. Honda came up with a plan. He created an ad campaign based on the phrase you meet the nicest people on Honda. This became well known in the country. Tiny women rode bikes around trails in the ads.You can gain tons of valuable information about how much is motorcycle insurance here.

Now people knew the trail bike. Now people ride mini dirt bikes. They're light and cheap. They can be found from as little as 0-00. Most people can afford that. They can go as fast as 80 mph. Because they cost so little, the cost for insurance is correspondingly low. However, it should be noted that because of the way people use dirt bikes that increases the risk and they can be more expensive to insure than a regular motorcycle. There are a number of different types of activities in which dirt bikes are used.

The bikes for each of these is slightly different. Most people know motocross. This is an off-road race that includes jumps. Motocross bikes don't carry a lot of fuel. They can't drive on roads. They have extensive suspensions to accommodate the bumpy courses and the jumps. They use smaller engines.Another type of activity for dirt bikes is Enduro.

These distance competitions take place in forests. These bikes generally carry a lot of gas. Track racing bikes are dirt bikes.. Track racing is done at very high speed. It takes place on an oval track, generally covered with dirt. These bikes have no breaks. They also have no suspension.

They can't be driven on a street because they burn methanol.So next time you think of dirt bikes, you'll know there's a lot of variety in the name. Dirt bikes are awesome fun to ride - some say better thana normal motorcycle and some say less - but all in all a great source of enjoyment - just drive them safely.

15Oct/090

Folding Mountain Bikes – your Travel Mates, your Convenience!

Folding mountain bikes are essentially practical bicycles, which are easy to store and transport. These mountain bikes can be folded in seconds and you will not even need any special rack for these bikes. Just put it inside your suitcase and carry it like another piece of luggage inside a car, boat, train or even inside an airplane.

The folding technique of mountain bikes is a patented military design and it was initially used to develop full-sized folding bikes for the US Marines and paratroopers for strategic use.

A folding mountain bike is a bit expensive when compared to a non-folding mountain bike. Despite the price-factor, purchasing a foldable bike will be advantageous in every respect. Actually, the manufacturers of folding mountain bicycles have not compromised with the sturdiness or toughness of the bikes in making them foldable (and hence portable).

As regards choices, these days you simply have plenty of choices with manufacturers like Airnimal, Montague launching a great many models that allow easy, convenient loading and unloading. Select from among the many lightweight yet tough bikes, choosing as per your requirement.

Following beneath are descriptions of some top foldable mountain bikes available in the market:

Hummer

Montague-made Hummer is a high-tech folding mountain bike. The Hummer bicycle, designed after full-sized military bikes, has normal wheels with knobby tires and hence it can be used on any terrain. It takes around 30 seconds to fold a Hummer and the folded bicycle measures just 36" x 28" x 12". The folding is accomplished without the use of tools.

The Hummer is essentially lightweight yet it is perfectly tough and durable. Other plus-points of this bicycle are – Shimano precision index shifters for a quick gear change, 24-speed Shimano drive train and a front suspension with a front disk brake.

Paratrooper Mountain Bike

The market-leaders have launched yet another folding mountain bike, the Paratrooper Mountain Bike. A very tough bike, the Paratrooper folds and unfolds in less than 30 seconds. This superb braking power and excellent engineering behind this Montague bike makes it unparalleled for rugged terrains. Montague also markets important accessories like foldable pedals and carrying cases - both hard and soft cases.

Airnimal Rhino

Airnimal Rhino, Airnimal’s first officially launched ‘off-road’ bike is a folding mountain bike. Its 20” wheels and front and rear suspension make it perfect for all terrains.

Giatex Stretching Bike

The Giatex Stretching Bike is based on a new folding concept. In this case, it is not the frame that folds from the middle, rather the steering column and the rear part that are folded down. The folded bike measures about 37 inches.

Bike Fridays

Bike Fridays made by Green Gear Cycling Inc. are revolutionary finds because they are collapsible bikes rather than foldable. The assembling and disassembling takes time, but the new bikes are, performance wise, excellent.

Robert Sheehan is a freelance writer and co-owner ofhttp://www.bicycles-are-us.com Visit Robert And
read more about bicycles at http://www.bicycles-are-us.com/Folding-Bikes.html
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8Oct/090

Mountain Biking Tours in India

If you are one of those who love adventure and outdoor sports then riding a bicycle or mountain biking can be the best option. And, when this outdoor activity is done in middle of the luxurious and soothing surrounding of nature, it becomes more enjoyable. It is very interesting to note that biking is just like climbing on a mountain but with the help of a bike. The best thing about mountain biking is, it doesn’t release any form of pollution as other means of transportation and hence good for our ecosystem.

Today, mountain biking in India is gaining its popularity and offers beautiful and varied topography that in turn offers a wide scope for biking. In past few years, this outdoor activity has pulled the attention of many local and international tourists and considered as best option to enjoy outdoor hooting and adventure sports. Be it the mountain range of the Himalayas or the south Indian mountainous treks, mountain biking in India is always filled with pleasure. No matter whether you are riding on a smooth surface or a hard one, the best feature of mountain biking in Himalayas is, it always offers you a fantastic drive.

So, if you have made-up your mind to enjoy the experience of challenging the climbs then biking in Himalayan ranges in India can be an ideal spot. Located in the middle of the picturesque surroundings and booming scenery, Himalayan Mountain ranges offers some hard to beat tracks for the adventure sport lovers. Most of these mountain biking tours here involve some single track riding and asks technical skills. In addition to this, mountain biking in Sikkim, Ladakh and Garwal can be more incredible experience. The entire Himalayan range spread over Sikkim, Ladakh and Garhwal is more tempting and adventurous. The topography is a challenging one and conquering these endless climbs is a real matter of a strength and sheer skill.  However, its friendly ecosystem makes this activity an absolute satisfaction.

So, before you start your mountain biking tour in India, make sure you are going to face different geographical surprises. All you need to do is to ensure some tips in mind:

Always enjoy your biking while carrying a topographical map with you if you are venturing along the off-beaten path.

Ensure your clutch on the cycle is not too tight.

Always be appropriate when you the front brakes while paddling down the hill.

Make sure you wear a long sleeve top along with long pants if you are biking on a wintry day.

It is always easy to view the beauty of mountain from the seat of a bike. While you enjoy your biking, you get to see more than you can make through the window of an auto.

Peak Adventure Tour on of the prominent Adventure Tour Operator in India specializations in trekking tours, mountain biking tours, river rafting tours, mountaineering tour, camping, glacier tours, wildlife tours and more other adventure activities
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1Aug/090

Kona Mountain Bikes Are Made For Biking At Its Best

Kona mountain bikes are the specially designed mountain bikes manufactured by a bicycle company in the name of Kona Bikes. The company also has other product lines, which includes racing bicycles, frames, parts and accessories
The company has been dubbed as the fun bike company for its unconventional yet crazy bike names.
Whats more, it is believed that Kona is the first principal company to be on board as far as Freeride, or "North Shore" riding was concerned. Moreover, they are also known to produce some odd bikes that became instant hits in the market.
You must know that Kona bikes are more than suitable for UK weather conditions. No wonder, their mountain bikes have a huge market in U.K alone. Speaking of Kona bike range, you will find the Kona Stinky and not to mention the Kona Smoke are some of the best choices for the fanatic bike riders and novice cyclists.
Achievements
Believe it or not, Kona has manufactured a downhill bike that took the title of a Downhill World Champion twice. When it comes to cross country riding and cross-country racing you cannot do without Kona Bicycles. From designing to innovation, you will get it all with these bicycles. Although these kinds of races are really tough, Kona bicycles are equal to the task.
Durability and performance are the things that go hand in hand with Kona bikes and for this reason these bikes score high in dirt jumping. If you are seeking a bike for urban riding, then hit the road with Kona Asphalt. With Kona Asphalt, riding city streets becomes childs play.
Free riding bikes were always on demand and now with things going global, the demand has radically increased and Kona bikes have set the example worldwide especially as far as design is concerned.
The variety
The varied collection of mountain bikes from Kona has taken a considerable share of the market. For example Kona Lana I 2005 Mountain Bike, Kona Fire Mountain 2006 Mountain Bike, Kona Shred 2006 Mountain Bike, Kona Cinder Cone Sole 2007 Mountain Bike, Kona Unit 2007 Mountain Bike, Kona Kikapu-8 2007 Mountain Bike and all that have been instant hits.
If you have any queries about this company and its products, go through the shopping help web page to find answers. Another thing you should know is that Kona accepts sponsorship requests and resumes by email. You may also avail yourself to discounted bikes, so check it out with your local Kona dealers.
If you have already bought a Kona mountain bike then you can seek the customer service department for any queries and enhancements.
Maybe, you want to install a DH fork, or a specific tire or may even want to include more suspension to your bike, the Kona people are always ready with their suggestions. All you need to mention is the type of bike, the date of manufacture and its serial number.

Robert Sheehan is a freelance writer and co-owner of
http://www.bicycles-are-us.com Visit Robert And
read more about bicycles at
http://www.bicycles-are-us.com/Mountain-Bikes.html
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14Jul/09Off

Mountain Bike Performance Handbook (Bicycle Books) (Paperback)

Mountain Bike Performance Handbook (Bicycle Books)

A mountain biking expert discusses strategies for extracting the most performance from every component used on toady's mountain bikes. 200 illustrations.

(more...)

4Jun/09Off

20090601 Joshua on his bicycle 03

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Keywords: 20090601 Joshua on his bicycle 03
Added: June 2, 2009