•Enter your inseam measurement: __________cm inseam
Calculate your frame size (C-T):
Road: _____cm inseam * .67* = _____cm
Mountain: (____cm inseam * .67*) - (10-12cm)= ___-____ = ________cm
•Calculate your saddle height: ____cm inseam * .883 = ____cm saddle height
•Establish "neutral knee:" Move saddle fore or aft?
Recheck saddle height
•Enter your TT and stem lengths: Top tube = _____cm; Stem = _____cm
•Enter your handlebar size: Bar width = _____cm
•Enter your crank length, gearing: Crank length = _____mm; Chain rings = ____ * ____
Cassette = ____ * ____
•Note: Wheelbuilding:
# Spokes ____F/____R
Spoke Gauge ____F/____R
Nipples ____F/____R
•Conversions:
____inches * 2.54 = ____cm
____cm * .394 = ____inches
Tuesday, 13 November 2007
Bike Fit Tips
Road Bike : 1” – 2” over top tube
Mountain Bike : 3” – 4” over top tube
Correct Inseam Measurement:
To determine your proper frame size, you’ll first need to get an accurate inseam measurement . Stand with your back against a wall, your bare feet 6" apart on a hard floor, looking straight ahead. Place a book or carpenter’s square between your legs with one edge against the wall, and pull it up firmly into your crotch, simulating the pressure of your saddle while riding. Have a helper measure from the top edge of the book to the floor, in centimeters. (You can convert inches to centimeters by multiplying inches by 2.54.) Repeat two or three times, for consistency, and average the results to get your inseam length.
Road Bike Fit & Frame Size:
The best frame size for a cyclist is as small vertically as possible, with enough length horizontally to allow a stretched out, relaxed upper body. This frame will be lighter and stiffer than a larger one, and will handle better and be more comfortable than a smaller one.
Mountain Bike Fit…
For a mountain bike, we start by recommending a frame in the range of 10–12cm smaller than you take in a road frame. For example, if you ride a 55cm C-T road frame, look for a 43–45cm (17–18") C-T mountain frame.
Frame Dimensions:
A1 Seat Tube Length (C—T)
A2 Seat Tube Length (C—C)
B Top Tube length (C—C)
C Stem Length (C—C)
…Mountain Bike Fit
In many ways, though, it is more important to fit a mountain frame by the top tube length needed, rather than by the seat tube length. For instance, you might be able to get to the proper frame clearance, saddle height and neutral knee position (see below) on either a 17" frame or a 19" frame. Yet the 19" frame will likely have a top tube 1" longer than the 17" frame, which changes your stem length accordingly. Or, one manufacturer’s 17" frame may give you a 22" top tube, while the next one’s 17" gives you a 22.8". More on this below… just make sure that you’ll be able to work out your top tube and stem length for a given frame.
Thinking About Buying A Mountain Bike?
Are you a biking enthusiast? If you are, then you probably know how problematic buying the perfect mountain bike can be. If you are a newbie and wish to buy your very first mountain bike, you have to be prepared for a tough hunt. You should never settle for anything less than satisfactory. If it is anything to go by, you should settle for the best there is in the market. Quality and price do come hand in hand, however, and it is a reality that we all have a specific budget range. But that is of little consequence. There are so many quality mountain bikes that you can afford. It's a matter of looking for the best deals.
First thing to consider when buying a mountain bike is your budget. Do some research on the different price levels of available mountain bikes. You need not go inside every sporting goods store to compare prices. The internet will do just fine, maybe even better, as there are countless of online stores and biking websites from which you may get the information you need. When you have an estimate of how much a mountain bike costs, you can set out and begin looking for the bike that you want. Here's a little tip - try buying from a local community sporting goods or bike shop. The prices are considerably lower than those from mass merchant stores like Wal-Mart.
What is your style? Mountain bikes are manufactured differently from one another. The reason for this is that there are different specifications and requirements on mountain bikes depending on your riding style and the terrain types that you will be conquering. Among the different styles of biking are - smooth riding, cross country racing, mountain cruising, or lift accessed downhill. You need to know which of these styles you will be embarking on. This is very important in finding out the right mountain bike for you. Here's another tip - salespeople are in it for the commission. Don't listen to their tiny voices which say you need to buy this or that bike because they are top of the line. Buy according to your needs and style.
There is another very important point that you need to consider when buying a mountain bike. Full suspension or hard tail? To be honest, a full suspension mountain bike is the best choice. That is, if you can afford it. However you can still choose a hard tail. If you opt for the hard tail, which means the bike has no rear suspension, the bike will be much lighter and pedal more efficiently. Full suspensions are of course the most comfortable. However, since there is a satisfactory alternative in the presence of the hard tail, this decision will be based on what you really want and what your budget is.
Don't forget to take the bike for a test ride. Try testing out several different bikes, so you will be sure which one works best for you and with you. Also, try checking out seasonal sales and promos. This way, you will be able to save some money and afford the best possible mountain bike within your price range.
I hope that this little guide was able to help you. With the tips given, I am sure that you and your new bike will work together for that ultimate mountain biking adventure.
Skills For The Beginning Mountain Biker
Mountain biking is a fun sport but it is also dangerous. However, participants can lesson their chances of injury by taking a few precautions. First off, of course, they should have the necessary skills before even getting on the mountain.
Practically anyone can get on a bike and ride around their neighborhood, go across flat countryside or ride up and down hills, but when it comes to mountain biking, the rider should have certain skills before giving it a try.
Depending on how long you've ridden your bike, it's quite possible that you do have these skills - so let's just run through them.
1) Feel the pedals
Are you used to keeping your feet on your pedals at all times? Of course you are. But when you're mountain biking (or doing stunts), feet come off the pedals... and have to be able to find them again without hesitation.
So practice taking your feet off the pedals and replacing them...this will instill "muscle memory" so your feet always will know where the pedals should be at any given time.
2) Shift the gears
If you live in a flat area, you probably don't do a lot of gear shifting. This will change when you get on the slopes, so find yourself a hill near your home and practicing shifting as you go both up and down. Also, if you get tired just biking up a regular-sized hill, you'll want to do some wind sprints up that same hill for a couple of weeks before you decide to take on a mountain.
3) Stand up for yourself
Most people sit on their bikes while they ride, but again, on a mountain bike you don't have that luxury. You'll be off your seat more often than not. So practice coasting along while standing, and then pedaling while standing....and don't do it for just a few yards and then stop.
4) Before you go hurtling down
Mountain biking is a dangerous sport, and you should always wear a helmet, and knee and elbow pads. And when you're practicing going over curbs - the same should apply.
You want to practice going up and over curbs to get the feel of doing it on a hill. You know your own bike best - exactly how high can an obstruction be before you can't go over it with your bike? Probably about six inches.
Going off a curb is another thing entirely. As long as you have good balance and strong hands to keep your front tire straight, you can get quite a bit of "air" before hitting the ground again - but you need to know the ground you'll be landing on to ensure that there's no obstructions that will get in your way. So always ride a downhill trail relatively slowly the first time, before you go full out.
But back to practicing. Check out the curbs in your neighborhood, and - while wearing your safety gear and making sure there's no traffic in the area - practice going over them at different speeds. If all the curbs are of the same height, you'll have to increase them using man-made objects such as ramps. However... you learned to crawl before you could walk, and by the same token, become very comfortable on those short curbs before you try to increase the height and air of your jumps, and always wear your safety gear while you do it.
There's no need to be impatient. Work on your skills first, then tackle a beginners mountain biking trail or two to perfect your skills even more. Once you've got the skills, mountain biking will be a breeze! by: Alastair Hamilton
Practically anyone can get on a bike and ride around their neighborhood, go across flat countryside or ride up and down hills, but when it comes to mountain biking, the rider should have certain skills before giving it a try.
Depending on how long you've ridden your bike, it's quite possible that you do have these skills - so let's just run through them.
1) Feel the pedals
Are you used to keeping your feet on your pedals at all times? Of course you are. But when you're mountain biking (or doing stunts), feet come off the pedals... and have to be able to find them again without hesitation.
So practice taking your feet off the pedals and replacing them...this will instill "muscle memory" so your feet always will know where the pedals should be at any given time.
2) Shift the gears
If you live in a flat area, you probably don't do a lot of gear shifting. This will change when you get on the slopes, so find yourself a hill near your home and practicing shifting as you go both up and down. Also, if you get tired just biking up a regular-sized hill, you'll want to do some wind sprints up that same hill for a couple of weeks before you decide to take on a mountain.
3) Stand up for yourself
Most people sit on their bikes while they ride, but again, on a mountain bike you don't have that luxury. You'll be off your seat more often than not. So practice coasting along while standing, and then pedaling while standing....and don't do it for just a few yards and then stop.
4) Before you go hurtling down
Mountain biking is a dangerous sport, and you should always wear a helmet, and knee and elbow pads. And when you're practicing going over curbs - the same should apply.
You want to practice going up and over curbs to get the feel of doing it on a hill. You know your own bike best - exactly how high can an obstruction be before you can't go over it with your bike? Probably about six inches.
Going off a curb is another thing entirely. As long as you have good balance and strong hands to keep your front tire straight, you can get quite a bit of "air" before hitting the ground again - but you need to know the ground you'll be landing on to ensure that there's no obstructions that will get in your way. So always ride a downhill trail relatively slowly the first time, before you go full out.
But back to practicing. Check out the curbs in your neighborhood, and - while wearing your safety gear and making sure there's no traffic in the area - practice going over them at different speeds. If all the curbs are of the same height, you'll have to increase them using man-made objects such as ramps. However... you learned to crawl before you could walk, and by the same token, become very comfortable on those short curbs before you try to increase the height and air of your jumps, and always wear your safety gear while you do it.
There's no need to be impatient. Work on your skills first, then tackle a beginners mountain biking trail or two to perfect your skills even more. Once you've got the skills, mountain biking will be a breeze! by: Alastair Hamilton
Monday, 12 November 2007
Bicycle Riding Safety Tips for Children
Whoosh! The cyclists shot around the last turn in the race and began their final ascent up the hill. After reaching the apex, they rushed downhill towards the finish line. As the two leaders rolled neck-and-neck across finish line, no naked eye could determine who had won. Watching today’s professional cyclists sport streamlined helmets reminds us that we should use safety precautions, such as a kids playing sign, to protect our children.
In addition to races, cycling can function as an excellent workout and conserve natural resources! People of all ages, including children, can enjoy bicycling. However, like any other recreational activity, safety precautions, such as posting a kids playing sign should be taken.
Bicycle safety starts with a helmet, as the majority of bike accidents include head injuries. Even with the frequent help of a kids playing sign, every year in the United States alone, about 5000,000 children become critically injured in accidents that involve helmets. However, helmets could have prevented the majority of them. When purchasing a helmet for a child, it should meet high safety standards; allow much air to enter; fit well and be adjustable; and be bright. After purchasing a helmet, ensure that the child wears it, does not wear another hat beneath it, and ties the straps. Also, if it is to be as effective like a kids playing sign, the bike helmet should be worn exclusively for bicycling.
Like a helmet or a kids playing sign, clothing is also significant for children’s bike safety. Shoes should be capable of gripping the bike’s pedals. Meanwhile, pants legs should not be overly baggy. Also, lightweight clothes can help to prevent overheating. Lastly, clothing should be fluorescent or brightly colored, functioning like a kids playing sign in making drivers cautious.
To increase cycling safety like a kids playing sign does, children’s bikes should be examined twice every season. In particular, the chain, seat, tires, breaks, and handlebars should be adjusted and undergo maintenance.
In addition to races, cycling can function as an excellent workout and conserve natural resources! People of all ages, including children, can enjoy bicycling. However, like any other recreational activity, safety precautions, such as posting a kids playing sign should be taken.
Bicycle safety starts with a helmet, as the majority of bike accidents include head injuries. Even with the frequent help of a kids playing sign, every year in the United States alone, about 5000,000 children become critically injured in accidents that involve helmets. However, helmets could have prevented the majority of them. When purchasing a helmet for a child, it should meet high safety standards; allow much air to enter; fit well and be adjustable; and be bright. After purchasing a helmet, ensure that the child wears it, does not wear another hat beneath it, and ties the straps. Also, if it is to be as effective like a kids playing sign, the bike helmet should be worn exclusively for bicycling.
Like a helmet or a kids playing sign, clothing is also significant for children’s bike safety. Shoes should be capable of gripping the bike’s pedals. Meanwhile, pants legs should not be overly baggy. Also, lightweight clothes can help to prevent overheating. Lastly, clothing should be fluorescent or brightly colored, functioning like a kids playing sign in making drivers cautious.
To increase cycling safety like a kids playing sign does, children’s bikes should be examined twice every season. In particular, the chain, seat, tires, breaks, and handlebars should be adjusted and undergo maintenance.
In addition to a child’s cycling gear, children’s cycling itself should be safe, by following these guidelines:
- Adhere to all traffic lights and stop signs, as a driver should note a kids playing sign.
- Be cautious of pedestrians.
- Keep a reasonable distance from parked cars
- Look both ways before pulling away from a curb, driveway, or alley.
- Ride on designated bike paths
- Ride with traffic
- Use crosswalks to walk bikes across busy intersections.
Next, children should always be mindful of other bikers and travelers, like a kids playing sign makes drivers aware of cyclists in the area. Cyclists should also cross other bikes on their left; never wear headphones when they are biking; use their left arm to perform correct hand signals; always ride with other groups in single file; and never allow others to sit on their handlebars or seats.
Bicycles offer a healthy and fun exercise for children. Thus, ensuring their safety through means such as a kids playing sign can help to launch a lifetime of cycling enjoyment.
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