Top Ten Extreme Sports

Extreme sports have a craze all over the world. Here is a detailed analysis on the basis of the Sporting Goods Manufacturer's Association International's report. Following is the current Super study of Sports Participation.

TOP 10 MOST POPULAR SPORTS

1. Inline skating 19.2 million

2. Skateboarding 11 million

3. Paintball 9.8 million

4. Artificial Wall climbing 8.6 million

5. Snowboarding 7.8 million

6. Mountain biking 6.9 million

7. Trail running 6.1 million

8. BMX bicycling 3.3 million

9. Wake boarding 3.3 million

10. Roller Hockey 2.7 million

Following are some additional facts on the 12 most popular extreme sports:

• Inline skating:
Out of total population of inline skating, 51 percent are female. However, 58 percent of all regular (25-plus days/year) inline skaters are male.

• Skateboarding:

The average number of days of participation is 44.

• Paintball:

Overall participation in paintball and U.S. sales has grown up each year since 1998.

• Artificial Wall Climbing:

The average age was found to be only 19.9 years in this game.

• Snowboarding:

Sales figures are incredible now. Snowboard equipment sale in 2003 was $141 million.

• Mountain Biking:

Almost 70 percent of mountain bikers are guys.

• Trail Running:

Since 1990, on the whole participation has increased 17.3 percent in trail running. It became 6.1 million in 2003.

• BMX Bicycling:

The average age of a BMX cyclist is 26.

• Wakeboarding:

The average annual income of a wake boarder is $73,400.

• Roller Hockey:

Out of the 2.7 million roller hockey participants, 33 percent of them play the sport on a "regular" (25-plus days/year) basis.

As is said, fear is in the brain! If a person overcomes it, extreme sports are a thrilling experience. If this fear persists in the brain, extreme sports seem to be no less than a suicidal act.

Elementary Bicycle Maintenance - Tires, Tubes and Wheels

If you ride a bicycle the chances are that some day at some point it will break. In fact I received a program the other day on a CD called Ride it Break it Fix it which is all about repairing and maintaining a good functioning bicycle.
 
There are those people that ride bicycles that have no desire to learn how to repair them, but even those people should know how to do some simple maintenance, fix a flat or do other minor repairs.
 
I personally have ridden a bicycle as much as 120 Miles in 1 day. I put between 2000 and 3000 miles on my bike annually, so I need to be able to do some minor repairs with minimal tools when out away form my home base. Many recreational riders will not need to have as in depth knowledge as a person that rides as often or as much as I do, however they should still know a few things. This report will help you decide what you should know based on your mechanical ability and riding style.
 
Anyone that rides alone should know at least how to fix a flat tire. If you always ride with a group or you always ride with a partner, especially if your ride with a partner that is very mechanical you may be able to get by without this knowledge. You should still know how to check the tire pressure and what it should be. Most of the time you will find the recommended tire pressure right on the side of the tire. Check the tire pressure with a tire pressure gauge, not by the feel of the tire. Some tubes have Presta Valves, some have Schrader Valves, and make sure you know which one you have. Most of the pumps in the US are made for Schrader and unless you have an adapter with you or your companion does, you may be out of luck even if you have a new tire and tube.

You can purchase at most bike shops and at most online bike stores such as Bike Nashbar, Bikmania, and Performance Bike a small device that pumps up bike tires using a CO2 cylinder. These take a while to get used to using, so buy some extra cartridges, you are very likely to drain the first few without getting anything in the tire itself.
 
It is best if you always carry an extra tube, or at the very least a patch kit. I have found that patching a Mountain Bike Tube seems to work, patching a road bike tube appears to be an exercise in futility. Your best bet if you ride a road bike is to carry an extra tube, and unless you are very good with the CO2 inflator, get a frame pump. I have had to carry my road bike for a few miles one time and now I always carry a new tube.
 
Here's something no one ever tells you that could save you a real headache. In order to replace the tube you need to take the old tube out of the tire and after you do check the tire itself by running something along the inside. If you feel anything check to make sure it is not the cause of the blowout, glass or a tack can get stuck in the tire, if you put the new tube in a tire that has some sort of foreign object going through it then the new tube will get flattened also.
 
Also before you put the new tube in, blow it up and make sure there are no kinks. You don't have to blow it up too much, just enough to get the kinks out that are there from it being folded up in the box, or wrapped in a bag. Check also that the new tube has no leaks. I have had a few brand new tubes that had bad valves, or even holes in them. I have also had tubes literally explode after they were placed in the tire. The exploding tube can often be avoided by making sure the tube is not twisted inside the tire. The narrower tires that use the Presta Valve are the most likely to have the problem. Install them carefully and make sure that there are no foreign objects in your tire.
 
If you have quick release hubs on your bike then you won't need any wrenches to remove the wheel from the bike. For most bikes you will need a wrench to remove the wheels from the bike itself. A set of tire removal tools are invaluable for changing a tube. I have one that I bought in Arizona back about 20 years ago. It does not need to be fancy, the best one I have looks like a plastic screwdriver with a strange head on it. I also have some Maxxis Tools that my grandson Jason won at McDonough Georgia at a BMX Race. He picked up some Maxxis tires that day too.
 
Once you have replaced the tube and repaired the flat and have put the tire back on the bike you should check the wheel for True. That simply means that when you spin the wheel does it wobble back and forth or does the brake pads or the fork stay the same distance from the side of the tire all the way around?
 
Some of the causes of wobble can be a broken or weak spoke. It also can be that the tire is not centered or that the quick release has not been tightened properly. You can ride a bike for a while with a wheel that is out of true, but you should have it checked and repaired at a shop very soon after finding the problem. If you have a broken spoke or a bent spoke, you should have the bike checked by a competent shop ASAP. If it is a matter of the wheel is incorrectly seated or the quick release not being tightened simply re-seat the wheel or tighten the quick release. 
 
I plan to make a series of these reports on various aspects of bike repair and maintenance and will possibly be doing some videos that relate to these reports. 
 
For updates check back here or subscribe to my blog.

Dirt Bike Reviews Can Save You Money

There is nothing quite like dirt biking, it blows all the cobwebs away and gets work out of your head for awhile or hopefully a lot longer. But you need to make sure that you are getting the best gear for your money. Dirt bike gear does not come cheap and there is plenty of sub standard stuff out there that will give you very little bang for your buck. Then again, a lot of the original maker's gear can be good, but it is just so much more expensive than the pattern parts and accessories that it seems a bit pointless paying that much more for it. Of course the quality's there but just because some of the alternatives are made by other companies that doesn't necessarily mean that they are going to be inferior. Even if they are not quite as good, then the difference in price might still make the pattern parts worth going for.

Of course, the trouble is that unless you know someone that has used them, how do you know which are the good parts and accessories that will give you great performance as well as a considerable cost savings over the original parts. Well, probably the best answer is too look at as many dirt bike reviews in biking magazines as you can. Dirt bike magazines very often have sections where they try out new and used pattern parts and give you the low down on which are the best for the price they cost.

Many Internet dirt bike review sites also have a section for parts and accessories and you can pick up some really good tips there. After all, what is the point in spending all your hard earned money without knowing if the items that you are buying are any good or not or if you could get the same thing cheaper and just as good?

However probably the best of all the dirt bike review mediums is the many different dirt bike forums and Internet chat rooms. These are really great because of the fact that they are interactive. You don't have to go through piles of dirt bike reviews in magazines or sites to find what you are looking for, you just ask a question and then see if anyone else has used the parts that you are thinking of buying. That way you can not only get a review, but probably the best review around, someone that has actually used the things and can tell you what you need to know. If you are thinking of upgrading or getting some replacement items then it is worth trying to get some feed back to make sure that you are getting best that you can afford.

Bike Wheel Types - The Right Wheel For Your Cycling Lifestyle

Not every biker is unique and they have different needs and purposes for riding a bicycle. Some people ride their bikes to serve as replacement for cars while some ride them as a sport or for racing. Knowing the bike wheel types allows you to make the most of your bicycle while ensuring that your cycling needs are met efficiently.

The mountain bike wheel

Among the most common bike wheel types is the mountain bike wheel that is designed for mountain bikes. They usually have 26-inch rims that are often the standard size for mountain bikes and they also have clincher tires. However, you can also find them nowadays in tubeless variants. Still, mountain bike wheels contain low air pressure so they can absorb shock better. These wheels are suitable for off-road cycling that usually consist of steep climbs, dirt trails, unpaved roads, etc.

For racing and stunts

There are also bike wheel types suitable for rougher conditions including stunts and racing purposes. For stunts and jumps, the ideal wheels to use are BMX wheels can provide you with more pressure and shock absorption to support your moves and swerves. On the other hand, there are racing wheels that are lighter so you can swerve quickly through various race tracks. Racer wheels are also aerodynamic and are thinner and leaner.

Buy according to usage

Aside from your riding style, it is important to match the bike wheels to the type of bike that you have. That way, you can ensure that your bike is able to perform well for you as a mode of transportation, for racing, or for riding on rough roads. The lighter the wheels are, the lesser drag issues you encounter so you can pedal effortlessly. Meanwhile, buy stronger and thicker bike wheels if you are into riding or if you need to let your bike pass through rough roads.

Bicycle Designs & Styles - Choosing Between Custom Made Cycles and Factory Built Bikes

Currently there are many types of bicycles available. Even so, the standard safety bicycle design developed in the 1800's is the basis of our current bicycle designs. The types of bicycle most commonly used today are mountain bikes, cruisers, touring bicycles, racing bikes, BMX's and utility bikes. The class a bicycle falls in hinges on a number of elements; style of construction, number of passengers, gearing and propulsion.

Mountain bicycles were intended for trail and mountain riding where the terrain is tough. The frames are constructed to resist the rough treatment of riding in natural settings. In addition, special tires and gearing make it easier for riders to get the power they require to keep moving.

BMX bicycles are another unique style. These cycles usually have little 16 - 24 inch traction treaded tires. They are small framed, making them easier to maneuver and much faster. BMX bikes are usually used for racing and even for doing fantastic tricks.

Racing cycles are designed for road cycling and they are all about speed. They're light weight and have excellent handling. Racing bicycles use drop handlebars, positioned lower than the saddle. This puts the riders body in the best possible aerodynamic posture. The closeness of the derailleur gear ratios permit the rider to pedal at the most effective cadence.

Touring bikes are unique in that they have racks mounted on them to carry the riders gear. These racks are attached to the frame of the bicycle in front and back. The wheel base is also longer than on a standard bike, which makes it able to carry more weight. Also, features such as wider tires and additional water bottle mounts are commonly incorporated.

Tandem bicycles carry two or more passengers at once. Tandem refers to the way the seats of the bicycle are set up, and not to the number of passengers it will carry. All the passengers of a tandem bike pedal, providing power. In most tandem set ups, the front rider controls the steering just like in a standard bicycle.

Low rider bicycles are normally home-built, extraordinary customized bikes. They have normally got an old-school curled banana seat with a extremely tall sissy bar. Ape-hangers are the norm for handlebars, giving the bicycle a "chopper" look & feel. They're normally chromed to the limit and have glittery, high spoke-count wheels.

Recumbent bikes & trikes are designed so that the rider is reclining back in a low-statured position. Also commonly referred to as 'bents. The seat supports the passengers back and the legs are extended forward to the pedals. The seat and pedals are usually at the same height. Tires used on recumbents are commonly smaller and farther apart than they are on an upright bike. Recumbents can be guided using either over- or under- seat steering.

There are other types of human powered vehicles referred to as "bikes" too. Though they are not technically regarded as bicycles, they work on the same general principles. They include unicycles, tricycles and quadracycles. Fun to ride, no doubt, none of these styles are used very often.

Despite the multitude of bicycles that are commercially available, there are always those that want to construct their own. Building a bicycle, trike, or tandem at home is fun and not awful hard. In fact, nearly anybody with a can-do attitude, a a couple of tools and some simple instruction could build a decent bicycle.

Bike building can be done in a shed or garage and it's an excellent small project. For individuals that want a custom-made bike without the custom built cost it's an excellent choice. The bicycle you make could bring back a old-time style or lead the pack into the future of bike construction.

Whether you decide to ride a factory built bicycle or a unique custom bike, the important thing is to get out there and ride! Next time, we'll discuss the important topic of bicycle safety.