The hybrid bicycle combines features of a road bicycle and a mountain bicycle. The hybrid bicycle retains most of the features of mountain bicycles, but is not a mountain bicycle. The use of mountain bike gears to make riding in hilly environments easier, slightly upturned handlebars to provide for a more upright seating, and use of tires slightly wider than a road bicycle, yet thinner and smoother than those of a mountain bicycle, make the hybrid very suitable for urban use.

The hybrid comes in many configurations. Some hybrids have a frame similar to a racing or touring bicycle, with 700C-size wheels with slick or semi-slick tires between 32 and 40 mm wide [1] . The wider width is intended to provide more stability on rough surfaces such as road pavement, hard packed sand, shallow mud, bike paths, and gravel. These are conditions typical of urban use.

Most hybrid bicycles are based on a modified mountain frame. Features include a taller head tube providing a more upright riding posture, and 26-inch wheels with semi-slick tires around 1.95 inches (5 cm) wide. Most hybrids include features such as front suspension forks, seat post suspension and angle-adjustable stems to provide more comfort for the rider. Hub gears are sometimes used on hybrids rather than derailleur gears. The hybrid bicycle is very well suited for leisure road and trail riding, and at the same time can be ridden on moderately rough terrain.

The “comfort bicycle” is a variation of the “hybrid bicycle” with many of the same features. Often a bicycle is called “hybrid” if they have 700C size wheels, and “comfort” if they have the 26 inch size wheels. The main difference is usually more one of marketing focus than specification, and similar features are generally provided on both the hybrid and comfort bicycles to enhance the comfort of the rider.

There is no doubt the Schwinn Bicycle remains among the best recognized brands in cycling. Schwinn bikes have already been around for many years, additionally the manufacturer has been able to keep up with the changing times. Currently we can find a Schwinn bicycle to suit virtually any budget and any kind of bicycling.

Due to the durability of this brand name, there is also a good interest in Schwinn bicycle parts. Today you will find genuine Schwinn parts to restore or upgrade your Schwinn mountain bike, road bike, hybrid or beach cruiser bicycle.

You’ll be able to locate Schwinn bicycle parts, Shimano bicycle parts, bicycle bags, bicycle locks, bicycle handlebars, bicycle brakes, along with bicycle tires and wheels in one convenient place. The most beneficial element related to shopping on a website is that most items are usually in stock and it’s not necessary to be worried about special orders. You will discover the majority will ship inside two business days.

Whenever I used to deal with a local downtown store, it seemed virtually all the time I had to wait for my parts or accessories to be special ordered. Even back then, no person wanted to carry any additional stock. This is actually the main benefit of buying from an internet website. Considering the many reputable dealers taking part online, you already know you are going to usually find what you want.

Nowadays, it isn’t difficult to get mixed up between terms like mountain bicycles, beach cruiser bicycles, hybrid bicycles as well as commuter bicycles, electric bikes and folding bikes. Because of the number of specific kinds of bikes to take into consideration you have to select the type that’s best to your specific kind of riding. Every type of bicycle mentioned includes special features that make them far better for one type of riding then another.

Needless to say together with these unique characteristics comes specific Schwinn parts. You will find beach cruiser bicycle parts or mountain bicycle parts as an example. With the increasing interest in hybrid bikes you can find quite a few specific Schwinn parts to set up your bicycle just the way you want.

Dennis Estelle has been involve in motor sports and cycling for many years. You can learn more about Schwinn Bicycle Parts at http://www.thebicyclepartsshop.com

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http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Trick-to-Finding-Genuine-Schwinn-Bicycle-Parts&id=3932676

Technorati Tags: bicycle, comfort bicycle, hybrid bicycle, hybrid bicycles

Technorati Tags: bicycle, comfort bicycle, hybrid bicycle, hybrid bicycles

Having chosen a cycling activity, you now have to select a suitable bicycle. There are bikes to suit all tastes, skills, ages, riding terrain and budgets. However, the main thing to bear in mind is that it is not necessary for you to have expensive cycle equipment to follow an effective fitness programme.

What is essential is that you have a bicycle which fits you correctly and is in sound mechanical working order, that you are safely equipped and have comfortable clothing. You may have a bicycle in the back of your garage that your mother used to ride. If it is mechanically sound and fits you well, this bicycle is good enough for fitness training – you will get no fitter riding an expensive new bike straight from the cycle shop. When choosing your bike, you will need to decide between one of six main types.

Road bike

Road bikes with ‘skinny’ tyres (18-30 mm) are still popular for long recreational rides, touring, fitness and racing cycling. The classic racing or competitive riding bike will have larger and much narrower wheels than the mountain bike, and a narrow saddle. A racing road bike may be as light as 8 kg, as opposed to 12 kg for the mountain bike. Almost all new racing road bikes are fitted with 16-speed gearing.

Hybrid bike

The hybrid bike is basically a mountain-style bike that has been adapted to work better on pavements and trails. It’s lighter and rolls more freely than a mountain bike, but is sturdy enough for some trails. Its wheels are of the same diameter (700 c) as a road bike, but the tyre width is narrower than that of a mountain bike. Its upright riding position is also like that of a mountain bike. A hybrid is probably the bike most suited to recreational riding and general fitness training.

Stationary bike

The correct choice of exercise bike will make the difference between seeing your fitness develop and progress, or having to find room in the attic for another well-intentioned fitness purchase. Most bikes now have some form of integrated computer which allows you to monitor your training. Have a look at a local fitness club and see which stationary bikes they use, and then to spend perhaps the first couple of months of your programme using them. This will tell you whether or not you’d prefer outdoor riding. A good alternative to the stationary bike is to use a ‘turbo-trainer’ which simply attaches to your normal bike so you can use it indoors.

Track bike

This is the simplest type of bike, with a racing-style frame and size but no gears or brakes. The rear wheel lacks any free-wheel facility, so that when the bike is moving, the rider has to pedal. If you do choose track cycling as your route to fitness, you would be well advised to contact your nearest track to try out their bikes before making a purchase.

Learn more about choosing a bike then get yourself training. In no time at all you will be up to the challenges of a ride like the Coast to Coast cycling route in the UK or the Race Across America!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Marcus_Smith
http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Four-Main-Types-of-Bike—And-When-to-Use-Them&id=5545522

Technorati Tags: bicycle, comfort bicycle, hybrid bicycle, hybrid bicycles

Technorati Tags: bicycle, comfort bicycle, hybrid bicycle, hybrid bicycles

People own a bicycle for many reasons, say work, recreation, utility, racing, military, or adventure and based on the usage bikes are also constructed, to name a few types of bicycle are utility bicycles, mountain bicycles, BMX bicycles, touring bicycles, racing bicycles, hybrid bicycles, and cruiser bicycles. No matter what type of bike you own, it is necessary to consider the storage aspect. Many feel that finding a solution for bicycle storage is quite tedious but it is not like they assume. The main reason is bicycle storage takes a considerable amount of floor space and even when the bike is wall mounted it still makes the place cramped up. The best way of storing a bicycle is ceiling mounting. If you think that this type of bicycle storage is difficult and retrieving it is even complicated, read this article and know how to make an easy-to-store bicycle storage hoist.

The first step towards making a bicycle hoist is to measure the distance between the its handlebar and seat, this is going to be the distance between two pair of pilot holes that you are suppose to drill into the ceiling. About the distance to be maintained between the two front and back holes is 4 inches and make sure all these holes are aligned properly. Install quality anchors in all these four holes, while installing leave an inch of distance between the hook and the ceiling.

Now, decide where you will be standing while raising and lowering the cycle and fix the pulleys to hooks that are close to the standing position and also one of the back hooks (closest to the standing position)needs to be attached with a pulley. Once done with attaching pulley close the hook with the help of pilers and the rest of the way has to be screwed firmly to the ceiling, this way you can be confident that your bike is safely mounted.

Next is to mount a cleat onto the wall close to where you will be standing to store and retrieve the bike with the help of an anchor. Then proceed with the installation of the rope, first tie it to the empty hook on the ceiling, then thread across the loese and hanging pulley alternatively. A carabiner has be affixed to each loose installed. Now, cut ropes in two lengths and make them like a loop, one to be tied around the bike’s seat on one end and the other end to be attached to one of the carabiner, and one end of the other rope is to be tied to the handlebar and its other end is clipped onto the other carabiner. When these two ropes have taken their place, pull the first installed rope to raise the bike and tie it to the cleat, you can wrap the loose rope and hang it on the cleat. That’s all, your cycle is safely mounted onto the ceiling and so you can comfortably use the space.

Those who have no time to perform all these can go for ready-to-install bicycle hoist available at retail and online sports supply stores.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Frankie_Russo
http://EzineArticles.com/?Easy-To-Make-Bicycle-Storage-Hoist&id=5813067

Technorati Tags: bicycle, comfort bicycle, hybrid bicycle, hybrid bicycles

Pro Bike Geometry Dominates Road Bikes Business from Mid Eighties to 2000

Following the road bike boom in the 1970s and early 80s, road bikes declined in popularity as the mountain bike market emerged. The road bike market from the mid eighties until the turn of the century was dominated by bikes with aggressive, race-oriented geometry. This trend was exaggerated by two trends: longer top tubes on road bikes became the norm with American manufacturers who were capitalizing on the success of pro cyclist Greg LeMond, and the use of threadless headsets which had a lower stack height than the older, threaded models.

These two factors made the front ends of most road bikes too low and too long, leading to discomfort, especially on longer rides. The trend helped facilitate the rise of the hybrid bike market. Hybrid bikes used shorter top tubes and taller head tubes. This gave greater comfort in the short run, but the hybrids were inefficient and heavy compared to road bikes.

Comfort Became an Issue for Road Bikes at the Turn of the Century

In 2003, Specialized Bicycle re-introduced a bike that they had made for a few years in the early 1980′s – the Sequoia. The original Sequoia was a lugged steel bike with sport touring geometry. This allowed for use of racks, fenders and wide tires, but without the add-ons and with a 23 or 25mm tire the bike was light, responsive and fun to ride. The new Sequoia was made from an aluminum frame with a carbon fiber front fork. You could put racks on it but there wasn’t enough clearance for fenders or wide tires. Strong sales of the new Sequoia demonstrated that there was a market for “endurance road bikes” as Specialized called them. Here was a bike that was comfortable, relatively light and had a shorter top tube and longer head tube than most other road bikes of that time. The Sequoia was ideally suited to century and club rides, or touring if you didn’t have to carry your own gear.

The Specialized Roubaix Road Bike Revolutionizes the Industry

The following year, 2004, capitalizing on the success of the Sequoia, Specialized introduced the bike that changed the industry: The Roubaix. The Roubaix, which took its inspiration from the famous Paris-Roubaix race (run over many sections of uneven cobblestone), was a bicycle with a full carbon fiber frame that introduced several important innovations. The top tube was longer than the Sequoia but not too long, more in line with European stage-race geometry. The head tube was much taller than the norm, which allowed more flexibility in handlebar height.

A multi position stem was used to enable a greater range of handlebar heights than most other road bikes at the time. The carbon fiber frame was engineered to be torsionally stiff but compliant (flexible) vertically, which maximized pedaling force while allowing the frame to absorb road shocks effectively. And an elastomer material, which Specialized trade-named “Zertz” was inserted into the seat stays, seat post and fork. This Zertz absorbed the high frequency road buzz that lightweight bikes amplified and transmitted to the cyclist, contributing to the riders’ fatigue level on longer rides.

That first year, 2004, the Roubaix was available in four models with the highest being the Roubaix Pro. That put the bike on an equal footing with Specialized’s highest-end road racing bike, the Allez Pro. The very next year, Specialized introduced its S-Works line of bikes, the very pinnacle of cutting edge technology for each bike type. For 2005, the S-Works Roubaix was sold as a frameset only. In 2006, it was sold as a frameset and a complete bike. By now, the other big players in the bike market were trying to copy the commercial success of the Roubaix, but they never put in a wholehearted effort to understand the bike or its market, and Specialized was staying 2 – 3 years ahead technologically. The 2007 S-Works Roubaix added SL to its name, signaling a significant weight reduction from previous models.

2009 Sees Specialized Bicycle Company Introduce the SL2

For the 2009 model year, Specialized did something extraordinary: they introduced a major technological frame advance in the S-Works Roubaix only, dubbed the S-Works Roubaix SL2. By now, Specialized-sponsored Pro Tour teams like Quick Step and Gerolsteiner were using Specialized’s race-specific bike, the Tarmac. By giving the Roubaix more cutting-edge features than the Tarmac, they were signaling that the Roubaix was a bike to be taken seriously by professional and elite-level riders as well. And indeed, their efforts paid off with the Roubaix coming full circle to its original inspiration: Quick Step rider Tom Boonen won the 2008 Paris-Roubaix on an S-Works Roubaix. He would repeat the following year, and in 2010 Saxobank’s Fabian Cancellara took the title, also on a Roubaix.

The 2011 Roubaix saw a number of startling changes. The S-Works Tarmac had been upgraded to a new frame technology, dubbed SL3, for the 2010 model year. This construction method created the frame in four parts: the top tube/head tube/downtube section was made in a single unit. The seat tube was a separate unit, as were the seat stays. The bottom bracket area, chain stays and a short lug to connect the seat tube and down tube were fashioned as one piece. This gave the Tarmac best-in-class bottom bracket and chain stay stiffness, the part of the bike where torsional flex would waste the most power. And it allowed the bike’s engineers to build in vertical compliance in the seat stays and top tube, to give the bike a smoother ride.

The 2011 Roubaix got this innovation, plus a few more. The Cobra head tube wrapped some fibers from the top tube and down tube around the front of the head tube, widening the top and bottom of the head tube as well as the connecting ends of the top tube and seat tube. This stiffened the head tube junctions for quicker, more predictable handling with less material, saving weight and maintaining the vertical compliance of the top tube. Also for 2011, the Roubaix gained internal cable routing plus redesigned fork and seat stays.

The Zertz inserts were no longer all the way through the carbon. They fit into a concave section in each area, maintaining the vibration-damping properties as before while also making the fork and seat stays torsionally stiffer for better power transfer and handling. And perhaps the boldest innovation of all: the Pro and Expert models of the Roubaix also gained SL3 construction and internal cable routing, bringing the technology that one year earlier had been available only on S-Works bikes costing upwards of $8,000 to models starting at around $3,500. Also, the entry-level Roubaix Elite at under $2,000 and Roubaix Comp at about $2,600 were given SL2 framesets. Talk about trickle-down!

What Does the Roubaix Revolution Mean for the “Rest of Us?”

So what does all this bike geek-speak really mean to the average cyclist? It means that now, almost any rider can get a bike that is super-light, super-fast and super comfortable. The Roubaix handles like a dream, accelerates quickly and maximizes rider power and comfort. It can flatten hills, shorten century rides and make road biking a true joy for beginners, elite riders and professional cyclists alike. That’s a pretty impressive achievement for a bike that defined a whole new category just seven short years ago.

Steve Boden is the owner of PV Bicycle Center ( http://www.PVBike.com ). The shop is nationally recognized as one of the premier shops in the nation for Specialized road bikes. But Steve now hopes to begin building a similar reputation for mountain bikes. Some call his shop the Nordstroms of bicycle retail stores.

As the shop is located at the top of the hill in Palos Verdes Peninsula at the corner of Hawthorne Blvd and Silver Spur in the Peninsula Shopping Center, he is no stranger to hills or beautiful scenic bike rides. It goes without saying that the jaw dropping views just minutes from his shop are second to none in the SoCal area. You can easily get to the shop by taking the Hawthorne exit off the 405 freeway and driving the 10 minutes or so to the shop. The last 5 minutes of the drive takes you through beautiful horse country in the Rolling Hills Estates area. You can also access the shop off the 110 or from the beach along PCH or Sepulveda.

PV Bike Shop is also known for its professional fitting studio. Utilizing the latest in video and computer programs from Specialized BG fit, Steve has become well known as an expert at the craft of properly fitting rider to bike to increase speed, power, stamina, and reduce potential injuries.

Also check out the blog at http://www.PVBicyclingCenter.blogspot.com

Call Steve to learn more at (310) 377-7441

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Steve_Bowen
http://EzineArticles.com/?Specialized-Roubaix:-Evolution-of-the-High-Performance/High-Comfort-Road-Bike&id=5954836

Technorati Tags: bicycle, comfort bicycle, hybrid bicycle, hybrid bicycles

Technorati Tags: bicycle, comfort bicycle, hybrid bicycle, hybrid bicycles

Mountain biking is a very popular form of cycling for both recreational riders and competitive cyclists. As with road racing, mountain biking offers a variety of racing events that require a diverse set of physiological (e.g., aerobic endurance and upper-body strength) and technical (e.g., bike handling) abilities. This article describes eight popular mountain bike races.

1. Cross-Country. Cross country consists of a mass start race that typically includes 100 to 150 riders. Cross country events are contested on circuit courses consisting of unpaved dirt or gravel roads, and single-track trails filled with rocks. The courses often have significant elevation gain and difficult descents. The typical cross-country race lasts for about two hours (22-28 miles for men and 16-22 miles for women).

2. Short Track Cross-Country. Short track is mountain bike racing’s answer to the criterium. It is a brief cross-country event contested on a circuit course about three-fourths of a mile in length. This mass start race also traverses rough terrain but is typically completed in about 20 minutes.

3. Downhill. The downhill is known as a gravity event because, as its name infers, it is contested entirely downhill. It is a time trial event in which each rider departs individually (usually at 30 second intervals) and attempts to traverse a challenging course as quickly as possible. The racer with the fastest time wins. Races are typically 4 to 8 minutes long.

4. Dual Slalom. The dual slalom is similar to the slalom in ski races and is another gravity event. Two racers compete head-to-head by simultaneously riding down parallel courses as quickly as possible. The course typically includes tight turns, berms and jumps.

5. Four Cross. The newest of all mountain biking disciplines, four cross is a gravity event. It is similar to the dual slalom. In this race, four riders compete head-to-head and side-by-side. They race downhill on a short, technical course with tight turns, berms and jumps. The top two finishers in each heat advance to the next round.

6. Super D. A hybrid event that combines aspects of both downhill and cross-country events. The race is contested on a course that has far more descending than ascending. The course is less technical than most downhill events (e.g., no jumps), and is designed to test both endurance and bike handling skills.

7. Single Speed. A mountain bike event contested on bicycles with only one front chainring and one rear cog (i.e., a single-speed bicycle). This means the cyclist cannot change the gear combination during the race.

8. Observed Trials. Observed trials consist of mountain bike riders negotiating an obstacle course strewn with boulders, rocks, tree stumps, and artificial barriers such as tables and cars. The goal is to complete this course without putting a foot down (known as a “dab”) or using a hand for balance. The rider with the fewest dabs is declared the winner.

As an ACE Certified Personal Trainer and a USA Cycling Level 2 (Expert) coach, Dr. Holmes provides Cycle-Max Coaching for cyclists and multisport athletes who want to improve their performance on the bike. Visit http://www.holmesfitness.com/CycleMax.htm to sign-up for a FREE coaching session, and to access resources that will help you achieve your goals.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tyrone_Holmes
http://EzineArticles.com/?An-Introduction-to-Mountain-Bike-Racing&id=6640572

Technorati Tags: bicycle, comfort bicycle, hybrid bicycle, hybrid bicycles

Cyclists can be broken up into 6 unique types. Which type you are or would like to be will depend on your reason and purpose for cycling.

Sport Cyclists

This is the most noticeable type of cyclist as they are easy to spot. Sport cyclists usually wear colorful cycling outfits, often go for group rides on weekends, own the best racing or sports bicycles with sometimes very unique looking wheels, travel to races, and are interested in anything to do with racing and top notch ultra-light equipment. If you are into sports cycling, you likely know the best racing magazines or blogs and don’t need to speak French to know exactly what “Tour de France” is all about.

Fitness Cyclists

There are not that many fitness cyclists as compared to some of the other groups of cyclists, perhaps because of the invention of the stationary bike. Fitness cyclists usually cycle alone or at most with a riding buddy who has the same fitness goals. They are less concerned with the style of bike they ride or the outfit they are wearing, and more concerned with getting in shape and body building. Some are casual in their approach while others plan their bike rides by length and difficulty, increasing their endurance and muscle as hey go.

Utilitarian Cyclists

I have to admit that until recently I was ignorant that this type had a name and group attached to it; and I have in fact been one of them. There are whole websites dedicated to utility cycling.

Utilitarian cyclists use their bicycle for a specific purpose. Either to get to work, run errands, or perhaps for their actual job such as policemen who work on their bike or a bicycle courier. For the utilitarian, you probably own a mountain or hybrid bicycle and likely understand a bit about bicycle maintenance since you depend on your bike for your transportation or job.

Recreational Cyclists

This is the largest of the cycling groups but have the least amount of branding. Recreational cyclists don’t have a common type of outfit, they don’t ride one type of bike, nor do they ride to common locations. They ride for recreation, and of course that brings people to many different places. Recreation can take you to explore your neighborhood, or a common bicycle trail, a new pathway you recently discovered, or just seeing some of the countryside or the city. What defines recreational cyclists is that they are riding for the pure purpose of enjoyment, though they may have health as a background motivator.

Mountain Bikers

You could probably fit mountain biking into recreational cycling, but having been into mountain biking myself at one point in my life I feel it needs its own category to do justice to it. Mountain bikers ride for enjoyment, but choose mountain bikes and pick mountain trails to create that enjoyment. How extreme one does it is up to the individual, but they are more driven by the call of nature of the ruggedness of the ride than the tame urban riders.

Touring Cyclist

The most hard core group in my opinion and probably the most adventurous too. A touring cyclists is someone who wishes to explore a part of the country, the country itself or the world on their bicycle. They’ve picked a long distance destination and are riding there on nothing more then their bike. They may sleep in a tent although motels and hotels could be in the budget as well. Rain, heat and wind do not stop the touring cyclist who comes prepared for any type of circumstance the road can throw at them. For the touring cyclist, you can say that the journey is by far more important than the destination.

Whichever type of cycling you are interested in or would like to try, cycling is a great activity that helps the world in so many ways. I’m convinced that there is much more room for more of us to use our bicycle to improve our lives.

Sam Walker is a cycling enthusiast who researches and writes reviews for cycling gear part time. He has recently been working on a bicycle tool kit review with the popular Park Advanced Mechanic Tool Kit for those interested in home bike repair.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Samuel_Walker
http://EzineArticles.com/?The-6-Unique-Type-of-Cyclists&id=6335671

Technorati Tags: bicycle, comfort bicycle, hybrid bicycle, hybrid bicycles