Archive for May, 2009

May 28 2009

Mountain Bikes and Tire Pressure

Published by admin under Mountain Bikes



Tire pressure is a very important facet of riding any kind of bike, including mountain bikes. By learning how to set the tire pressure, you can give yourself more control and help to make the ride down the mountain smoother. If the tire pressure is too low, then you will find that it is much harder to cycle and it can increase the chance of a flat, too. Tire pressure that is too high can make your ride very bumpy and out of control, as well.

Tire pressure can vary from person to person, because it is dependent upon the personal preference of the bicycler, the tire’s condition, and the terrain that you will be riding on. The tire pressure can be easily modified simply by using a high quality pump on the tires. A tire pressure gauge is also an essential part of keeping your tires at the optimum pressure.

The manufacturer of the tire will have a recommended tire pressure for your particular tires and this is where you can start. You can then adjust the tire pressure as needed from there. It is best to use the same tire pressure gauge and pump when you check your tires, because you may get different readings depending upon the tire pressure gauge that you choose.

A good rule of thumb is to start with a higher tire pressure for your bike. This means that you want to be around 40-50 psi (3-3.5 bar), and then lower the tire pressure a little at a time to find which tire pressure is best for your particular bike, terrain, and yourself. If you are a little heavier, then you will want to use a higher tire pressure for sure.

Taking a test bike ride is the best way to check the tire pressure. You will want to notice how the tire behaves, how it rides on the terrain, how it slides down the mountain, and how it hooks in the corners. If you have too much tire pressure, then drop it in increments of 5 psi in both tires. If the bike gains grip and is more stable at this tire pressure, then you will want to keep it at this standard pressure. If not, then you will continue dropping the tire pressure in small increments and redoing the test until your bike rides the way you want and need it to.

If you want to determine the lowest possible tire pressure, then gradually decrease the tire pressure until you see how it feels when you ride on almost flat tires. This will help you to learn how it feels so that you can keep your tubes from getting damaged.

If your mountain bike tires are tubeless, then you will want to stay with a lower tire pressure. The advised tire pressure for tubeless tires is between 30 and 40 psi. This is because tubeless tires experience fewer pinch flats and even rim contact occasionally is okay. This is why you can ride on tires with a much lower tire pressure than normal. If the tire pressure is too low, you will find that if you are cornering hard that the tire will roll under the rim.

Another thing that you need to be on the lookout for is rolling resistance. The increased rolling resistance will take more effort, but it will offer you greater control and better traction to allow you to climb easier. For racers who race cross-country, they would rather have a more efficient bike versus greater control, so you have to take into consideration what kind of biking that you will be doing.

Using your hand to squeeze the tire will help you determine what the right tire pressure feels like so that you do not have to rely so much on the tire pressure gauge.

By: Andrew Caxton

About the Author:
Andrew Caxton is a consultant who writes on many consumer topics like cycling shoes and bicycle accessories for http://www.bikecyclingreviews.com A website with tips on mountain bikes, amongst many related topics.



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May 27 2009

Folding Bikes Are Amazing Road Elements

Published by admin under Road Bikes



Carry it with ease and store it tight – this is how you can handle folding bikes. During the mode of construction, this particular bike variety has been supplied with several joints and hinges that can be locked when needed. You can fold the bike as you like, which makes it easy to be carried on multiple private and public transports. This is the best way to illustrate and depict the features and facilities of numerous folding bike types.

Shake hands with folding bicycles and feel confident on road

A folding bike is always better than a traditional one. You can always think of carrying a folding bike with you while you are on the move for long distance tours. Just think how fantastic it would be when carrying or storing a bicycle is not at all a problem in life.

Folding does not only mean pushing in between the joints to make the bicycle look smaller and manageable. You can even undo the parts of the bicycle and then pack them together for the ease of carrying carefully wherever you may choose to go. According to the present need of time most people would definitely love to go around in lightweight folding bike varieties rather than pushing through the ways in standard bicycles, driving cars and motor bikes. This is only because they can be neatly folded and carried according to your convenience.

If your habitat is situated at a particular corner of a skyscraper then it would be best for you to have a folding bike. Normal bikes with no chances of folding or packing need to be kept or stored at one corner of your garage area. There is no need for you to worry if you live in a building with no lifts and elevators as carrying a folding bicycle down the stairs is not at all a problem.

Why does a folding bike feel so light?

The magic lies in its lightweight aluminum body. Folding bicycles come in different varieties. Folding bicycles are not an inexpensive lot. All you need to do is a little bargaining before you can aptly point your finger at one of the most exclusive folding bike models. The Internet is there to inform you about the contemporary hottest folding bike types offered at affordable price ranges. Just do not go for straight purchasing. A wise choice needs some comparisons and evaluations before the final work done.

One problem with folding bicycles is that they have small diameter wheels, which cause problems on uneven surfaces. The bikes even have shock absorbers promoting a better and smother ride down the lane. They also come with quite a number of adjustments, which surely help you to settle down well on the bike.

How to be folded is indeed significant, but what puts folding bicycles on the top of the list is the fact that they can be easily stored and transported.

By: Robert Sheehan

About the Author:
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/Folding-Bikes.html



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