Archive for June, 2009

What good are cycling shoes? (mountain biking)?

rambling vine


Last summer, I got laughed at when I raced with Converse All-Stars. I’ve cycled for years with those shoes (great for dry conditions, terrible for wet conditions). Why should I pay more for cycling shoes? What are some good affordable shoes for mountain biking?
addendum: I’m not talking about clip-on shoes. Those things freak me out.

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Basics To Buying Bicycle Car Racks

Lee Dobbins


You should have a bicycle car rack because terrific bicycling areas are always not within easy cycling distance. Carrying your bicycle on your vehicle is an excellent means to spread out your bicycling escapades. This makes it very easy to discover traffic-free streets, impressive trails or take your bicycle with you on vacations.

If you do drive regularly to bike, then you will be pleased to know about how recent bicycle car rack innovations have made transporting your bikes much easier for you.

Not all cars are can fit all kinds of bicycle car racks, which is why it is very important to buy the right bicycle car rack to fit your car as well as your needs.

Things to consider when buying a bicycle car rack:

- Your vehicle model. Generally, you can not find a bicycle car rack that will match or install two cars; therefore, if you possess two or more cars, choose the one car that you will most likely use.

- Your car load. Will you possibly be carrying 3 or 4 bicycles in the near future? How many family members are there, who are or will be joining you on your biking adventures? If you need to carry more bikes than you presently do, make certain to choose a bicycle car rack model with carry-load that is more flexible.

- Positioning of the bicycle car rack. Depending upon the model and make of your car, there are many bicycle car racks that can suit your needs several of these add more access or functionality to your vehicle.

- Durability. Spend your dollars based on primarily how long will you be using it or you require it to stay with you; good quality bicycle car racks can last up to several years, however if you need it only for a very rare trips, just buy the lower priced variety.

Familiarize yourself with your bicycle car rack choices:

1. Roof mounted bicycle racks. If positioned securely, roof mounted bike racks will carry a minimum 4 bicycles and can even accommodate more reliant on your car type.

This type of rack also can provide a utility for fastening a “roof-box” that can hold your sports equipment, luggage, and bicycles under cover, preventing bicycle damage with the clamped, upright position.

This type of bike rack is slightly expensive because of the benefits it brings and you may need to utilize a tiny ladder in order to get your bicycles on and off from it.

2. Front bumper racks. These bike car racks are normally not recommended and only are suitable for cars with a “high-front end”.

If positioned excessively high, these types of racks can get in the way with the driver’s vision. Take note that you need to confirm that these are accepted in your state, because in some locales, they are considered illegal.

3. Rear bicycle car racks. These are the most commonly used of all forms of bicycle car racks. Normally, you can carry 3 bicycles and it is attached with the use of metal hooks and straps.

As bicycles are usually carried very closely together, using “foam pipe-insulator” that this type of rack features as protective cover is recommended.

4. Tow ball bicycle mount. This type can carry up to 5 bicycles and is generally set up with a “square mounting post” placed into a “square pipe” attached to your car’s underside rear that tilt down if empty to permit for rear doors and tailgates.

5. “Rear ball-hitch” bike racks. This type of set-up usually can only accommodate a 2 bikes maximum due to limitations in weight and generally clamps against or bolt through the “hitch-ball” mounting outlet on the vehicles hitch tongue or bumper.

6. “Sports car interior”. If your car has enough room for it, this type is much safer and cheaper option as thieves have fewer chances of getting or stealing your bike or its parts.

You can buy brackets to make sure your bicycles does not move or swing around while inside your car.

Now that are well informed with the basics of buying a bicycle car rack, all you need to do next is to find a dependable dealership and ask recommendations or find the best bicycle car rack deals online.




Why The Ugliness Of Cycling Shorts Is Surpassed Only By Their Importance

A.Caxton


Non-riders have a tendency to laugh at the shiny, often gaudy cycling clothes worn by even casual bicyclists, but if they rode even a few miles, they would understand that cycling shorts are second only to a helmet in crucial importance to the rider. Cycling shorts may not be made for fashion, but they provide a critical element of comfort to any kind of bicycling effort.

The first cycling shorts were nearly more work than worth. Made of wool, with a leather chamois stitched for padding in the crotch of each pair, they were hot and they were nearly impossible to launder. The wool took forever to dry, and the leather became so stiff it often hurt more than it helped. Today’s cycling shorts are as far from these old models as our laptops are from main frames. They weigh next to nothing, they dry in no time, and their padding stays soft and supple, just as it’s supposed to be. With or without straps (the so-called “bib” style), a pair of cycling shorts is essential for any bike rider.

Really, the only thing today’s cycling shorts have in common with their ancestors is their style. With the exception of some of the models made for mountain biking, cycling shorts are still long enough to cover most of the rider’s thigh and basic black is still the predominant color. However, any ride through a town with a sizable population of road riders will also reveal what passes for fashion sense among bicyclists: the basic black cycling short is now frequently festooned with so many advertisements for events and products and companies in the most garish colors on the spectrum that the black is all but unseen! For some reason, road riders seem to thrive on clashing colors and excessive advertising. And the more devoted a cyclist you observe, the more logos and screaming slogans you are likely to observe!

Still, there is a real reason to wear cycling shorts, no matter what they look like: their padding. It, especially if combined with a good bicycle seat, will vastly increase your comfort level as a rider. It, rather than a particularly delicate area of your anatomy, will absorb a lot of the shock of bike riding. Cycling shorts are made as they are for good reason. They absorb shock, let perspiration evaporate, and keep you aerodynamic on your bike. Being aerodynamic matters to speed, of course, but also to safety. Loose fitting clothing can get stuck in a bicycle’s moving parts as well as making your form more resistant to any wind you encounter.




Women and Bicycles

Marcia Henin


Nowadays, cycling is one of the most famous sports in the world. Both women and men enjoy riding bicycles; sport competitions are held and thousands of people join bicycle clubs. Bicycle racing is very popular; men and women, children and grownups master the art of bicycle riding.

However, bicycle riding wasn’t always accessible to women. On the contrary: in 19th century it was consider inappropriate for women to ride bikes. The pose, which the bicycle riders had to take, seemed too vulgar. Some critics condemned women who decided to ride bicycles, claiming that their vulgar look is provocative and that they should be arrested, since women on bikes disturb social order.

Today, women riding bicycles everywhere, not realizing the importance of the mark the bicycle left upon gender relations. In the 19th century, cycling was considered male dominated sphere of activity, much like other sport activities, and women couldn’t play a part in these spheres. However, as the years went by, women started to protest against such discrimination, and after many disputes were also allowed to ride bicycles. The shift in attitude towards women on bikes also brought other changes – women’s emancipation changed the style of their clothes from the impractical long dresses and long skirts to sport dresses.

Bicycle riding played an important role in women’s struggle for independence. It served a tool for increased freedom and opportunity to engage in sports together with men. Many feminist writers of today consider the bicycle one of the most important tools towards women’s self control.

Read about Cycling, Read about Bicycling reviews and Cycling news on sportingo.com




What is the best way to build up calf muscle while cycling?

kanollie


I’m 16 years old and addicted to cycling. My calves are pretty big but I want to know how to make them bigger? Maybe going uphill more or what?

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What are good brands for Cycling shoes?

mileskmp


I need to buy cycling shoes so what are the good brands out there, where can you buy them?

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What burns more calories cycling or running?

Scott H


I know alot has to do with the effort you put into it but I am going to either purchase a treadmill or a recumbent exercise bike in a few days and I need to know which one burns more calories per hour. I read that cycling burns more but I get so much more winded and tired running, therefore I thought running burns more. I’m confused.

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How to get certified or licensed to teach a cycling class?

Amanda K


I was wanting to know if anyone can tell me how do I get I guess certified or licensed to teach a cycling class. I’ve been taking the class for a while now and I would really to be an instructor for the class. Oh I need info for Houston, TX.
Thanks in advance.

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The Essential Cycling Accessories

Matthew Smith


If you intend to cycle then choosing the right accessories is essential. Amongst others you will need a good lock, clothing, shoes, lights and a bag.

Selecting the correct lock is crucial. If you bike is shiny and new then it will be a target for thieves. Get a good lock to help prevent this. Bikes will be stolen, your goal is to make you bike less appealing than those that surround it. To do this you should not only spend around 50 pounds on a decent D-lock, but also fill the space in the D with as much of the bike as possible. Generally the best way to lock a bike is to put the lock through the rear wheel and frame. This will put the lock in a awkward position to work on.

Clothing is essential if you wish to cycle any great distances. For this you will need to get a good waterproof jacket, and a series of layers. These layers can be added or removed to keep you at the ideal temperature any time of the year. Proper cycling shorts will also make the journey more comfortable and help wick away sweat. This helps you to arrive at you destination on time and ready to start work.

If you are cycling daily then proper cycling shoes are far superior than trainers. Cycling shoes stick your foot to the pedal meaning there is always 100% contact and no possibility of your foot slipping off and causing injury. With a bit of practice they will improve your pedalling movement, speed and efficiency.

Lights are also essential if you ever intend to cycle at night. Lights vary in design and brightness. Considering the number of accidents on the road keep yourself seen. Spending a good 50 pounds on lights will help light up the road and allow you to be seen from miles away. For the back light look for the cateye 10 led version. This is incredibly bright and nobody could ever use the excuse of not being able to see you if you have one of these. The cateye opticube series produce an incredibly bright front light and for most situations this would be ideal.

If you need to carry any items on a bike it is best to get a pannier rack and a proper cycle bag. This is a better way to carry items than on a rucksack as this lets the bike take the load rather than you. Using these bags you can carry substantially more than you could on your back.




How do Pearl Izumi cycling shoes fit?

bdeaub


I am looking at new cycling shoes. I am normally a 10.5 US Men’s sneaker. Some sizing charts have this as a Euro 43.5, others a 45. I am spending a good amount on these shoes so I was wondering if anyone owning Pearl Izumi cycling shoes could tell me how they typically run.

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