Health Benefits of Cycling

There are many health benefits that are associated with cycling. Let's look at a few of the major benefits:

Cycling is one of the easiest ways to exercise

You can ride a bicycle almost anywhere, at any time of the year, and without spending a fortune. Many people are put off doing certain sports because of the high level of skill that seems to be required, or perhaps because they can’t commit to a team sport due to time pressures. Most of us know how to cycle and once you have learned you don’t forget. All you need is a bike, a half an hour here or there when it suits, and a bit of confidence.

Cycling builds strength and muscle tone

Contrary to normal perceptions, cycling is not a fitness activity that solely involves the legs. Cycling builds strength in a holistic manner since every single part of the body is involved in cycling.

Cycling increases muscle tone

Cycling improves general muscle function gradually, with little risk of over exercise or strain. Regular cycling strengthens leg muscles and is great for the mobility of hip and knee joints. You will gradually begin to see an improvement in the muscle tone of your legs, thighs, rear end and hips. 

Cycling builds stamina

Tips for Riding in the Rain and Night Riding

Rain and Cold Weather Riding Tips

If you use your bicycle for transportation, sooner or later you'll find that you need to ride at night or in the rain. Practicing good riding skills and the right equipment can make it much safer and more comfortable.

Stay Dry and Warm

You don't need the latest and greatest cycling gear to get around town by bicycle.
-  A decent rain jacket and pants are your best defense. They both cut down on wind and keep you dry. If you can afford it, GoreTex or other breathable fabric will keep the rain out and keep you from feeling clammy. Some cyclists like to use a rain cape, which covers your hands and allows airflow to prevent sweat-buildup.
-  Fenders are also a very good investment by preventing your feet from getting soaked and your clothes from getting gritty and dirty.
-  Nice extras include waterproof gloves, a snug hood or cap, a synthetic layer next to your skin to wick away moisture, and rain booties to go over your shoes.

How To Choose Mountain Bike Rims

The tumultuous nature of mountain bike trails constantly abuses bicycles and their components. Because they are so close to the point of impact, rims are one of the most battered parts on any bike. Rocks, roots, stumps, ruts and everything in between smash into rims head on with only a tire separating the aluminum hoops from the ground. Depending on their intended riding style, rims can either be burly loops of double wall aluminum made to take whatever you can throw at them, or they can be lightweight hoops built for speed. There are also many models that find a balance of strength and weight to provide good all-around performance.

Types
There are four types of mountain bike rim designs: those compatible with rim brakes, disc only rims, tubeless. and non-tubeless. In order to accommodate v-brakes, rims must have a flat braking surface for the pad to make contact with. These rims are not exclusive to rim brakes and are compatible with discs, too. Disc only rims, on the other hand, have a contoured shape to increase strength, provide a sleeker look, and are not compatible with rim brakes. On tubeless rims, the interior wall is not perforated like traditional dual wall rims. This creates an airtight seal between tire and rim. Because of this they require special nipples that thread into the outer wall.

Important Bike Accessories Reviews

Untuk menjamin keselamatan dan kenyamanan bersepeda yang jauh dari tempat tinggal anda, sejumlah item perlu disiapkan. Berikut beberapa perlengkapan sepeda gunung yang wajib dimiliki:

1. Helm (helmet)

Perangkat wajib untuk melindungi aset di tubuh yang paling berharga, yakni kepala. Berat dan bentuk helm beragam. Pilih yang cocok buat Anda.

2. Sarung tangan (glove)

How to Box Up Your Bike for Shipping

1. What You’ll Need

For this job you’ll need a bike box. Your local bike shop should have one, but it’s a good idea to call ahead with the size of your bike. They should also have some extra fork and axle protectors. Most decent bike shops won’t charge for these materials.You will also need: packing material such as cardboard, pipe insulation, bubble wrap etc., string or zip ties to fasten padding materials, 4, 5 and 6mm allen wrenches, a 15mm pedal wrench and a 15mm open end wrench if your bike has nutted axles. If you have a bike repair stand, it will make this job a lot easier, but is not necessary.

2. Tire Pressure

First you’ll want to deflate your tires. You don’t have to deflate them completely but just enough so they are soft. This prevents any damage that could occur with changes in air pressure associated with air travel.

How to Shift & How to Change Gears on Your Bike

How to Change Gears on Your Bike

Knowing when and how to change the gears on your bike is not one of those things that is immediately intuitive to most people. It seems like it should be simple to do, but somehow it ends up more complicated than that and many riders new to a geared bike feel frustration the first few times as they invariably shift into a much harder (or easier) gear than the one they really wanted.
The actual shifting of gears, clicking from one to another is not difficult. It's just a matter of getting the feel for going up or down in the range of gears, and the good news is that being able to shift smoothly is about 80% practice and only about 20% understanding what's happening. In no time at all, you'll be shifting like a pro, changing gears smoothly without even thinking about it.