Franks Dog Messenger Bag

Do you ever find yourself not satisfied with what is carrying your most precious belongings? I recently was gifted this revolutionary bike bag that not only comes in handy when riding, but also provides great shielding from mother nature’s most extreme weather conditions. The Franks Dog Messenger Bag is a great fit for ones laptop, folders, charger, and even your mid-day snack. Just recently being the new owner of a Mac Book Pro 15”, I was so eager to start playing with this new bag. Protection, Durability, and Style, all in one bag, can’t be beaten.

After having some alone time with my new little gift and getting it all situated onto my bike, I wanted to do some research online and see what other people have to say about Franks Dog bag. Sure enough within seconds I came across this review that sums it all up. Check out this Link

So if you have some money to spare and are in the hunt for a new bag, with a purpose, I would suggest grabbing one of these bad boys. You truly get “More Bang for Your Buck!”, MSRP AT $120, and will save maybe hundreds in the long run. Take a shot and grab Franks Dog Bag and watch those doggies bark!

Santa Bike Shark

Since time is ticking down, and the Holiday season is about to celebrate its finest day I think its appropriate to post this picture that I came across. Santa not only delivers presents to all little boys and girls across the world, but also finds time to get to those wild animals within our ocean. Didn’t know Santa had the skills to pull a wheelie on the bottom of the oceans floor. Much respect to this Jolly fellow!

Happy Holidays!

Eat Right and See Results

Its very important to know what your body is feeling and how it reacts in certain situations. The week leading into a big race or competition can already be nerve racking, but with some simple and smart eating habits, you can ease those levels of anxiety and focus on the final outcome of your ride.

Each individual is his/her own person and by eating an all carb diet vs. a high fat diet, will only determine by each being to themselves. Check out this article from bikeradar.com, and hear what British national road champ Rob Hayles has to say about keeping your energy levels up and fueling your body: Nutriton; Eating to Win

Feel free to post some of your own personal techniques that help you gain success across the finish line.

The Competition Bicycle

“It’s a beautiful book that tells the story of racing’s influence on bike design. None of the bikes we show have been restored, but are actual bikes ridden by Bartali, Coppi, Merckx and others just as they were raced,” stated by Jan Heine about his new release. The publisher or Quarterly Magazine has just released this new photographic masterpiece that gives some true meaning to the world of cycling.

Check out this link to learn more on this new piece of Art.

How to Buy a Road Bike

There are some great tips to help you buy a road bike. Of course, you probably have an idea of what you are looking for if you are in the market to make a purchase, however there is always the chance that you don’t know quite what to look for. One thing is for sure and that is that the prices of road bikes range considerably based on the frame material, components, brand, and the like. Depending on your budget you may be able to afford any bike you want or else you might need to pick and choose between certain features to buy the best bike you can in the budget you have available.

Remember, consider where you will be riding your road bike first so you know what to look for. If you want to ride just on pavement then a road bike is the right choice for you. However, if you have other riding desires you might need another type of bike. The recommendations made here are based solely on those looking specifically for a road bike.

Frame

The frame is potentially the most important aspect of your road bike. This is what provides support to the bike and rider as well as how fast you can ride and how well. It is recommended to buy a road bike that is as light as possible. The ultra light road bikes will be the most expensive so you may consider buying a light bike with few features. Then, over time you can add more components like handlebars, pedals, and the like that fit your style of riding. Most likely, if you find a road bike that is an entry level bike it will probably be made of either aluminum or steel. You will find aluminum frames to be stiff and steel to be heavy albeit providing a softer ride. Higher end bikes are most likely to be made of carbon fiber, which is lighter and strong.

If you aren’t sure what type of frame will work best for you simply take a test drive on several different bikes with various frames. This is the best way to figure out the frame that works best for you and your riding style.

Wheels

You will also want to buy a bike with good wheels. It’s important to find a road bike that boasts narrow wheels that have very little contact with the pavement. Similarly, the wheels should have high pressure and be as smooth as possible. You can make some judgment calls when it comes to the wheels, your riding style, and budget, so do a little research and shop around.

Handlebars

When shopping for a road bike you will also want to keep in mind the handlebars on the bike.  Generally, you will want to look for handlebars that are curled under on the bottom so you can hold on, hunch over, and ride as fast as you can with little wind resistance.

There are lots of things you can keep in mind when buying a road bike, but these are some of the more important points you will want to consider.

Top 3 Things to Look for in Bargain Road Bikes

When shopping for a bargain road bike there are several things you should keep in mind. Of course, when you buy a bike that is a bargain you will likely need to make some sacrifices in regards to what you want. However, if you can ensure the bike meets your basic needs then you will have a great road bike at a great price that will serve you well until you can afford something better. The following are the things you should look for in a bargain road bike.

1.) Wheels

The wheels of your road bike are incredibly important because these are what will help you gain speed and ride well. Look for wheels that are smooth, narrow, and high pressure. You want a road bike that has wheels that have very little contact with the pavement so that resistance is minimal. These types of wheels will help you ride on pavement, go fast, and ride as far as you want. That’s what a road bike is all about so make sure you focus on buying a bike that has great wheels.

2.) Frame

You want to buy a road bike with the lightest frame possible. However, generally the lighter the frame the more expensive the bike so you may have to make some trade-off here if you are on a budget. Be sure to look for the bike with the lightest frame that fits your budget, though. This is just as important if not more so than the wheels so keep this in mind. However, if you aren’t climbing much on your road bike then an ultra light frame is not as important as it would be if you were planning on doing so. If you aren’t a competitive rider though a heavier bike may make no difference at all to you. You will find you can’t reach high speeds on flats and downhill like you would with an ultra light road bike, but if you are riding for fun that won’t be a problem for you.

3.) Gears

Another thing you will want to look for is a road bike with good gears. The gears are what allow you to climb hills or ride super fast. Make sure the crank assembly is in good condition and that the gears are in good condition. The multiple gear options allow for great riding so do a close review of the gears on the road bike before you buy it.

The best advice is to search for a bike with the lightest frame possible and then gradually change out the components you don’t care for. This is a great way to slowly upgrade your bike as your budget allows and you will find that you will be happier over the long haul with your road bike.

Track Bike Basics

Bicycles that are racing optimized are called track bicycles or track bikes. These bikes are specialized for racing on an outdoor track, sometimes referred to as a velodrome. There is not a freewheel or brakes on a track bike and there is only one gear. The tires on these bicycles have high pressure and are very thin. This is to lower rolling resistance. Many racers choose to outfit their track bike with tubular tires.

The track bike has a frame that is used only for that particular type of racing and it is not as important to be light as it is to be rigid. Track bikes need to be as rigid as they possibly can whereas general racing bikes should be lighter and more aerodynamic.

When it comes to rules that govern track bikes it is important to keep in mind that the dimensions and design of track bikes are regulated by the International Cycling Union. This body also ensures that the tubes used to make the bike frame meet the guidelines set for diameter as well as shape.

Differences from Other Bikes:

Many people are unaware of how track bikes are different from other bikes. Basically, a track bike has less fork rake than a road bike as well as a seat tube that is steeper. This is to create a better position for the rider to make him more aerodynamic. Additionally, the bottom bracket is raised so the pedals won’t hit the track that is steeply angled. Finally, the head tube of a track bike is steeper to improve steering.
Track bikes are frequently made from carbon fiber, steel, titanium, or aluminum. Professionals most frequently ride track bikes that are made of carbon fiber. The frame boasts a rear hub spacing of 120mm. Chain tension adjustment is assisted by  backwards facing track ends.

Gears:

Track bicycles have one very important part and that is the great. The size is what matters most and when the gear is lower than allows the track bike to accelerate faster. However, sustaining speed is easier with a bigger gear. As a result, racers must determine what’s most important to them and the type of race they will be involved in. Trials, pursuits, and timed races generally require track bicycles with bigger gears. A compromise that most track cyclists practice is pedaling as fast as possible.

These are just a few of the basics points that any track cyclist should know and understand before beginning to race or take part in this sport. There is a lot to learn and track bikes are different than road bikes. Knowing the differences and understanding how to use them to your advantage in a race will help you become a great track cyclist.

“No Bikes!”

In the Los Altos Hills section of California, the city council decided to ban bike riders on one of the busiest routes cyclist maintain by painting “No Bikes” on the pavement. Check out this picture below and notice the cyclist in the top right, i guess he didn’t event realize the signage.

Get more on this article and the update to see how the neighboring townies took the local change at Cyclelicious.

Lance Surfing

On December 1st, Lance posted some pics up on his twitter account. Its kind of cool to see how a sports star lives his normal life, as a normal human being not different then any of us. Check out more pic from Lances “TwitPic” account.

Flintstones Bike Wanna Be’s!

Try screaming down your local street on these bikes and see if you don’t hurt yourself when coming to an intersection. Looking for your next Halloween costume, I think I found it! These Flintstones  wanna Be’s are really pushing life to the limits.

As Albert Einstein once said, ““There is no such thing in anyone’s life as an unimportant day.”"

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