September 2010 – Cycling Central

Six Items That Must Be In A Bike Repair Kit

September 4, 2010 No Comments

Six Should Have Tools For Bike Repair.
By Jim Powers

Flat tires are a fact of life for bikers and they will rarely happen when you are near to a bicycle shop. So, what tools are required to repair a flat bicycle tire. It is, thankfully, not rocket science and only a couple of tools are needed. When fixing a flat tire, it seems that a lot of people think in buying an spray can which can blow up your tire in seconds. Easy fixes rarely do the job. We need a dependable process which packs effortlessly and is inexpensive.

Therefore, you should have a bike repair which is available at all times. Tire repair kits are designed with bikers in mind to store nicely and resolve a wide range of flat tire issues. A decent tire bike repair is less expensive and more reliable than any of the available easy fixes.

Patch Kit
Valves
Spare Tubes

You want to have a bare minimum of 2 replacement tubes accessible. Are these tubes the same type? No, however there are not a whole lot of tube varieties. Only 2 varieties of tubes and valves are currently utilized on present day bikes. These are referred to as the ‘presta’ and ‘shrader’ valves. ‘presta’ valves are often called French valves are slimmer and the smaller of the 2 varieties. ‘Shrader’ valves are very comparable to those utilized on car tires and are larger than the ‘presta’.

Distinct valves demand distinct tubes, so you should select which valve kind you will use and obtain the proper tubes.

Levers For Your Tires

A lever is like a bottle opener for a bicycle tire. However, levers have a habit of busting, so you need to bring more than one.

When you go looking for one (tire lever), you will find them to be sold in sets. To allow for breakage, buy three sets.

You Must Have A Bicycle Tire Pump

Bike pumps are specialized. Any bicycle tire pump should affix effortlessly to your bicycles body. In fact, some folks refer to bicycle tire pumps as frame pumps. A decent tire pump will add little to your bicycle’s mass. Since they are very light, it is a life saver for you on the road.

That’s not to state pumping up a tire with a bicycle tire pump is effortless. Nevertheless, it is a small and transportable pump.

Kit To Patch A Bicycle Tire.

You ought to try to patch tubes whenever feasible and exchange them only when no other choice exists.. Patching means that even if we change the tube, we still have a extra in the event of a second flat. Only then you can unpack the new tube for replacement.

‘Presta’ Valve Adapter

Valve adapters weigh next to nothing. They are actually lighter than your pump Since they are so light, there is absolutely no reason not to have one with you. You may get the opportunity to be a good samaritan for another broken down biker.

Aerosol Inflator Cartridge

Occasionally, you simply do not have the time to repair a flat tire yourself like a mechanic alongside the road. This is especially applicable during biking competitions. However it requires practice to use them properly. With experience, a quick repair with an inflator like this can be accomplished in minutes.

Find more valuable information about bicycle touring and the equipment needed at http://biketouring.co

The Lowdown on Road Bikes and Frames

September 3, 2010 No Comments

Out of all the varieties of bikes available, the road bike is one of the oldest and most popular. You’ll want to invest in one of this kind if you are mostly going to be riding on pavement, and distance or speed are important priorities for you. These bicycles have lightweight frames meant to allow aerodynamic posture without causing discomfort, and are meant for racing in most instances. Using a road bike is highly recommended, and among the highest quality are the Colnago Bicycles and the Fuji Road Bikes.

Road bikes don’t have the knobbly surface most people associate with mountain bike tires – they typically have narrow tires that are kept at a high pressure, and which are smooth surfaced. These reduce road contact, giving you the smallest amount of rolling resistance. However, they allow you to feel more when it comes to bumps and stones – that is why they’re best used on pavement that is in good condition.

You’ll need to pay attention to the frame, too. Road bike frames are made from many different materials, and the costs vary depending on the material and the way they’re made. Lighter frames normally cost more – better suited to climbing. Heavier bikes lead to slower times for competition riders. This may or may not be important for you.

Virtually all basic level bikes have frames made either from aluminum or steel, with aluminum little by little taking over more and more of the market. Neither is a bad choice, but each has its pluses and minuses. For example, aluminum frames are crafted to be especially rigid, resulting in a slightly rougher ride. Steel frames are heavier, but offer more flexibility, and can handle bumps a little more. How do you find out which one is the right choice for you? Test as many as you are able to and make your mind up which one feels the best.

You’ll start to see bicycle frames made from different materials as bike prices climb. For example, the front fork may be made of carbon fiber – a light, but strong material. High end bikes may have an entire frame made of carbon fiber, offering great lightness and strength. Other high end bikes are made of titanium and other specialist materials. Most of these bikes are purchased only by serious cyclists, because they are not cheap to buy.

Another important factor are handlebars. On road bikes, they typically project straight from the base, then curl under so that riders who want the least wind resistance can hunch over. Riders are also able to sit in a position that is more erect and keep their hands at a higher position on the bars. Brake levers and gear shift are often mounted on the handle bar on road bikes, giving more control.

Pay attention to riding position, too. Most modern road bikes are meant to allow riders to bend over, allowing them to put the most power from the hips and legs into the pedals, and lessening their wind resistance. This aerodynamic position is good for short term speed, but can cause discomfort in the long term, causing pain in the hands and arms.

Road bikes typically come with lots of gear speeds – two or three chain rings and eight or nine gears – affording anything from 16 to 27 different gear combinations. You’ll also usually get platform pedals which come with toe pedals, but clipless pedals are also available. They give you the option of pedaling the cycle on the downstroke as well as the upstroke.