Felt Bicycles are a high quality maker of top end Road Bikes. The Felt Bicycle Company is based in Irvine, California, USA and produce Road Bikes, Track Bikes, Cyclocross Bikes and Time Trial as well as mountain and BMX bikes. All Felt bikes are made to a very high quality and they cater for the top end of the cycle market.
Felt Bicycles were founded in the early 1990s by Jim Felt and were originally distributed through Answer. In 2001 Felt Bicycles became a completely independent concern. Felt have developed a number of innovative Road Bikes and have a unique bike technology, which has enabled them to remain cutting edge in the High End Road Bicycle market. One such innovation is the Felt Bayonet Fork, which has an external steerer just in front of the head tube. This is said, by Felt, to increase stiffness and aerodynamics. Felt have a heavy involvement in the Pro cycle circuit, when, in 2007 Felt Bikes sponsored the Slipstream-Chipotle bicycle team.
In 2009, Felt Bicycles started to supply frames to the Garmin Chipolte cycle team. As seen in the 2009 Tour De France where Bradley Wiggins ended up a fantastic fourth in the overall general calisification and just one place off the podium in Paris. Founder of Felt Bikes Jim Felt had already made a name for himself in motocross as a?top mechanic for the Honda team before turning his talents to Road Bicycle design and manufacture. Felts first frame was for a time trial/triathlon bike for O’Mara which made a name for Felt even before the cycle company existed. The Felt Brand started in 1994 in conjunction with Answer. In 2000 Jim Felt parted with Answer after a 7 year working relationship, so in 2001 Bill Duehring and Michael M?llmann, in partnership?with Jim Felt,?re-launched the Felt brand bringing with them a fresh vision for the brand. Their vision was to?expand the prestigious name to a wider audience and not confining themselves to the top end road bikes and triathlon bikes and offering tri bikes, BMX, mountain bikes, cruisers and commuter bicycles. Top Road Bikes from the Felt range include the Felt AR1 Team Issue Road Bike, and AR2 and AR3 the Felt Z2 and Felt F1SL all top quality carbon fibre road bikes built with quality style and performance in mind.
By: Steve Brig
For many riders, this years Nationals will be their first – an exciting but intimidating experience. The highly anticipated 2008 National BMX Championships have finally arrived. At the time of writing this, there are 1140 entries.
Cat Hopkins (Hills, WA) experienced her first Nationals at the age of 10, eight months after starting her passion for the sport. The event was held in Perth that year, largely the reason Cat took part. “The racing atmosphere was amazing” Cat says. “But I admit, I didn’t think there was going to be so many people there!”
For Lauren Reynolds (Bunbury, WA), her first experience was at the age of 9 in Adelaide. “I was pretty young and hadn’t had much racing experience” recalls Lauren. “Especially interstate racing, so I didn’t have a clue what to expect”.
Personally, this is my first National experience and I have been riding approximately seven months over the last year. I find the idea of riding at Nationals nerve-racking, particularly at the thought of riding against elite riders who have ridden for years. My training has consisted of riding the bush, gullies, local highway and flying to Perth for Super Series comps – with my first training session a few weeks ago (thanks Kero!).
“I didn’t really know what training meant back then” says Lauren. “I rode club nights each week and heard from older riders to do grass sprints. I had a few cracks at that and thought I was pro because I did sprints” Lauren laughs. “But I came first!”
“I came 11th out of 11 riders” Cat chuckles, as she remembers the event. “It was gold! I was pretty much last out of the gate and last to the finish. I only passed someone if they fell off. I loved everything about Nationals, it was so much fun. I rocked up to racing in black and white polka dot pants and bright red shoes. And to top it off, the Hills shirts back then were fluoro yellow and orange. You have no idea how embarrassing it is to look back” she laughs. “Luckily I’m the only person who has the photos and I’m not showing anyone!”
“I had a few nerves in the final but that’s what makes me race better” Lauren continues. I liked everything about it – the crowd, number of pro shops, presentations and the general adrenaline of riding my bike in front of hundreds of people with a gate full of girls racing. There wasn’t anything to not like!”
So what can you expect from Nationals for your first time?
Lauren says “Nothing is worse than going to a major event like this, under prepared! Focus and expect a tough field of riding. Go there open minded, prepare yourself physically and mentally. Expect the competition to be tough and love what you do. It’s a great experience for everyone!”
“Expect a lot” adds Cat. “Imagine States twice as big. Nationals is crazy, like you have no idea. The level of riding is high! How to prepare? If anything, mentally. Don’t put pressure on yourself to perform. If it’s your first Nationals, just have some fun. And it’s understandable to be nervous as hell. I’ll tell you now, I still get nervous when I’m up there”.
By: Delphine Jamet
Eager fans of BMX bikes and online BMX games often feel the need to take their online BMX gaming experience a step further and seek out even more complex and detailed applications to play free online. These are the fans who are willing to wait the extra minutes necessary to download online BMX games with detailed graphics, sound special effects, and a myriad of controls to do just about every stunt in the book on their virtual bike. Considering online BMX games are free to play for as long as you want, these multimedia applications have managed to gather quite a following among the young fans. Among the few titles available, which could fit the bill for these thrill seekers, we could probably mention BMX Stunt Island.
When compared to other BMX games online, BMX Stunt Island takes a while to load in almost every connection speed. This is due mainly to the additional options and amount of detail invested in the game itself. When starting the game, the player is immediately given options for game play, including different outfits and bike schemes. It’s a kind of mini dress up game within the BMX game, given that the user is allowed to dress up his character and choose different colors for his bike to go along with it. Moving forward, the player will then be given the option of islands to ride in. Each island will present an overall different experience, with its unique set of obstacles and level of difficulty. The user is advised to begin with the first choice, and then move along to the other options as he learns to handle himself better.
The object of this online BMX game is to pull off as many stunts as possible in the least amount of time. The player will be awarded points for every stunt he performs, plus extra points for performing double stunts in mid air. There are also a number of extra features that add up to the virtual bike riding experience. For example, an add-on in the form of a pink flower will give the player a power up bonus that will increase his hop strength. An image of a cocktail on the road will max out strength and speed, while a totem figure with two times multiplier sign on it will double your jump score. There will also be totems with a four times multiplier sign, which will multiply your jump score by four.
As soon as the player has finished selecting options and reading over all the instructions, he will be taken to the game screen to begin his online BMX game adventure. You will soon notice the amount of detail in the graphics and the scrolling background of this virtual world. The effect is almost a three dimensional experience. If you happen to be an online BMX game thrill seeker looking for more, then this game is for you.
By: Damian Cross
180 to tire Trap
(it is best to learn this on a mini ramp until you can do it on the ground). Get average speed going up the ramp. Hit the lip and do a fly out and 180 by kicking the rear end around as you’re about to land. Lean back slightly and lock back brakes. (David the Jesus)
360
know what foot you go to the ramp into) If you go with your right foot, spin to the right and vice versa. When you get to about one foot before the end of the ramp, jerk your front tire to right and follow through with your body. Master this motion and soon you will get a 360. (Matt)
Curtain Call
Go as fast as you can and hit the ramp. Once you are five feet in the air, put your left foot on left front peg and hold on with just your left hand. Take your right leg and arm off the bike while holding on with just you left arm and leg.
Flatland Bar Spin
Start with your left foot on the left back peg. Keep right foot on pedal. Slow down to a walking pace Put your left or right hand on the front of the seat. Pedal quickly with the right foot and pull up with your hand that is on the seat.
Try balancing with your front tire up and spin your handlebars around. Grab the handlebars and put everything back on. (Once you get good at this, you will be able to do 3, 4, or 5 bar spins).
Superman
Get a lot of air, and keep on trying. It’ll take a little (okay, A LOT) of pain to get it right, but it’s well worth it.
Turndown 360s
The key to doing a 360 is to turn your head and upper body in the direction you plan to spin throughout the rotation; where the head leads, the body will follow … hopefully.
Double tail whips
To do a tail whip, swing your right foot over the frame, and when at a fast walking pace, jam it in between the front forks and the tire. With your left foot still on the pedal, push the frame around in a counterclockwise direction.
Keep your left foot in the air and use it for balance. Make sure to hold the front brakes. When the frame gets all of the way around, use your left foot to stop it, by placing it on the seat post.
Take your right foot off of the tire and put it onto the right pedal, then swing the left foot over the frame and onto the left pedal, then pedal away. You’ve done it!
720s
Bigger spins take more windup with the upper body (throwing your body into it), and more time to come around. Entering a spin slightly on edge can help get the bike turning, but wait until you’ve left the ground to really start the rotation (spinning too early may cause you to catch an edge).
Turn your head and upper body in the direction of the spin as you leave the lip of the jump. Continue to look that way-over your lead shoulder-until you spot the landing. Fixing your sights on the landing and extending your body will stop the rotation, allowing you to set ‘er down real nice.
By: Daniel Lesser
Remember those good old days of riding your bike all over the neighborhood? Every child can appreciate this as they grow up. I can still recall coming home from school, and heading outdoors to hop on my BMX bike. Me and several other kids around the neighborhood would ride all over for hours. In fact, my mother would typically not see me until it got dark outside. This is just the way we did things back in the day. Of course nowadays it is not quite as safe as it was. At this point you have to keep track of everywhere your kids go and what it is they are doing. Regardless, BMX freestyle bikes for sale can still be found, and there is still plenty of riding to do.
When it comes to bikes and bicycles, there is such an amazing selection to choose from these days. It does not matter if you want a dirt bike, 10 speed, mountain bike, city bicycle, or combination of city and outdoors. You can find BMX freestyle bikes for sale that fall into all categories. A few stores that offer these kinds of bicycles are Sears, Target, Glimpse.com, and BikesDirect.com. Check out all of them in order to get a good idea of what is out there. With so many choices at your fingertips, you need to really explore the market in order to find out which bike will be best suitable for you and your cycling or riding needs.
One of the wonderful things about stores and retailers like Target and Walmart is the low prices. You typically cannot beat the prices on BMX freestyle bikes for sale at these superstores. Furthermore, you can typically find a great selection of bicycles at these locations as well. This is something to definitely keep in mind when you are out shopping around for new BMX freestyle bikes for sale, or any brand of bike, for that matter. You should also consider the World Wide Web when seeking out an ideal bike. As you probably know, there are plenty of great bicycles for sale online. Many of which discounted greatly in comparison to other dealers.
Sometimes you just have to visit the local bike shop in order to see what all they have to offer. More than likely there is one in your area, and they may have BMX freestyle bikes for sale. Take some time on a weekend to visit one of these stores and get better acquainted with all of the bicycles they have for sale. There is likely to be a number of brand names like BMX, Mongoose, Huffy, and Diamond Back. Feel free to sit on a few of these makes and models. This will give you a better idea of their comfort levels. Some dealers will even let you test ride them around the parking lot, if you choose to. This can assist you with selecting the right one.
By: Willard Estes
When you first enter the Bmx world you have many questions. They begin with what kind of bike should I buy? What brands are good and what aren’t? What on earth is an integrated headset and do I need it? These questions aren’t even the tip of the ice burg when it comes to beginners. This guide will help you out when deciding to buy a used Bmx bike.
The first choice you need to make when buying a used Bmx bike is what type of riding will you mainly do? A rider’s bike who typically rides street is different than a rider’s bike that typically rides street. Obviously you don’t need a bike for each type of riding and any bike can go on any terrain. But if your only gonna ride dirt than there is no need to have pegs. Once you know what your main type of riding will be you can now begin looking at bikes. There are many things to consider when buying a used bike, but I feel these are the most important for beginners.
Frame:
The frame is the most important part of buying a used bike. With a solid, reliable frame you can easily upgrade your parts rather than having to go out and drop a big chunk of change on a new one. The first thing you will want to consider about the frame is the top tube length. Make sure it is a length suitable to you the rider. Taller riders will want longer top tubes. Make sure it’s of a reputable brand and is a newer model. Also check and see if its a stock frame. A stock frame is one that can be bought with a complete bike. For example: the Dk Four Pack is a complete bike. The frame it comes with would be considered a stock frame. Stock frames are not bad, but they are not the best out there. Frames that are not stock have more time put into them to make them the best they can be. Also check to see where the brake mounts are located or if it even has them. You may think that is silly, but some signature frames do not have brake mounts.
Wheels:
Wheels are also a very important piece of a used Bmx bike. You are going to want a solid pair of rims as a beginner. You will be trying new tricks and will not be very “smooth.” And with your lack of skills and fluidity will quickly lead to bent rims and lots of frustration. Try and get a used Bmx bike with double wall rims or better. This will save you lots of money in the future. Also check to see what kind of hub the rims have. Try and get a bike that have wheels with a cassette hub. Although not necessary it is very beneficial. Cassette hubs are much smoother and allow you to have very small gear rations which are a huge plus! The last thing to check on wheels is the color. Yes this may seem dumb to you, but color does matter when it comes to Bmx wheels. Chrome rims have the absolute best braking surface, the pads easily grip to the chrome. With Black rims, as well as other colors, the pad has a tougher time slowing the rim due to the paint.
Forks:
Forks are the last main thing to look at when it comes to purchasing a used Bmx bike. Like frames, forks are not something that you want to be stock. Stock forks quickly become bent forks. You will want a solid fork that is made by a good brand. As a beginner you will want the forks to have 14mm dropouts. When trying out new tricks like grinding you will be be bending dropouts and axles with the smaller 3/8 axle. The last thing to consider with forks are brake mounts. Most riders only ride with rear brakes, but some riders use front brakes. If your a rider who wants front brakes check to see if they have brake mounts.
These are the main things to consider when buying a used Bmx bike. There are other smaller factors as well. Check to see what on the bike has sealed bearings. Sealed bearings last much much longer and are much smoother. Also check to see if the bike comes with pegs if you will be doing a lot of street, park, or vert riding. Check to see if the bike has a gyro or not. Some riders like gyros so they can easily do advanced tricks like barspins and tailwhips. Gyros are not a necessity but are something you may want to look into.
Looking at all the above things will result in you buying a solid Bmx bike that suites your riding style. You won’t have to go out and purchase a bunch of new parts if you use the advice given here. Hopefully this guide will help you in purchasing your first used Bmx bike!
By: Keith Nederhoed
Though BMX is a universally used term when it comes to BMX bicycles, it is important to know that BMX racing (or bicycle motocross) refers to racing on a dirt track. However, there are other types of BMX bikes used for different other forms of BMX racing. These are freestyle and jump bikes which are much heavier and sturdier than ordinary BMX bikes because of rigorous treatment they put through.
A good quality BMX bike for a beginner costs approximately $200. If you are into BMX freestyle and dirt jumping then you need to pay special attention to the type of BMX bike you are purchasing.
For BMX freestyle and dirt jumping, your bicycle should have a sturdy and heavy frame. If you compare an actual freestyle bicycle to a conventional BMX bicycle, you will realize that a freestyle bicycle is nearly two times heavier. While jump bicycles are lighter than freestyle bicycles but heavier than BMX bikes. If you are small in stature, you should not worry because there are many frame sizes to choose from.
Usually BMX bicycles have a 20″ wheel diameter. Jump BMX bikes in contrast have bigger wheel diameters. If you are tall and large then you should opt for a jump BMX bicycle with a 24-inch wheel diameter. Most jump bikes have 13-gauge spokes while freestyle bikes have a 48-gauge spokes. If you compare the tires of different types of bikes, there is a vast difference. Jump bikes are heavily treaded among all BMX bicycles. This is because jump bikes have to concentrate on traction rather than speed. While freestyle BMX bikes have smooth treads making it easier to use them on pavements or indoors. Freestyle BMX bikes also have axle pegs which are used for performing tricks.
Now that you know the basics about BMX bikes for freestyle and dirt jumping, you can hop to the nearest store and purchase one for yourself.
By: Kum Martin
If you are into bicycles, then no doubt you’ve heard of the diamond back bicycle brand. Diamond back bicycles are famous for many reasons. They offer top quality bikes with cutting-edge technology and design. If you want a top quality mountain bike, BMX bike, hybrid bike or dirt bike, diamond back is the best place to shop. Read on for more information about the diamond back company and their products.
The diamond back bicycle company designs, manufactures and sells a wide range of sport bikes. Some of these bikes include mountain bikes and BMX bikes. They also sell sport bikes for kids. Diamond back sport bikes are considered the best by many professional bike riders. If you are looking for a top-notch sport bike that has the best technology and exciting modern design, then diamond back is the company for you.
In addition to mountain bikes, dirt bikes and BMX bikes, the diamond back bicycle company sells commuter and hybrid bikes. These are great options for anyone who would like to lend a hand in the fight against global warming and avoid sitting in traffic. Hybrid bikes combine the fun of a bike with a motorized vehicle. They make it easy to commute without polluting the air and spending loads of money on gas. You can also use these bikes on long recreational trips, because the motor will be there should you be interested in taking a break.
The diamond back company doesn’t just sell bikes, they also sell fitness equipment. With a variety of stationary bikes, steppers and treadmills, you can get a great workout with diamond back exercise equipment. As a leader in technology, diamond back always puts plenty of research into their products, so you know they will be safe and efficient. Many professional athletes swear by diamond back exercise equipment, get in on the trend with one or more pieces for your home gym.
By: Sarah Freeland
BMX dirt racing is a very famous sport. For this kind of race ramps are usually constructed. For a successful and a entertaining race, proper planing for the ramps is required. The preferable ramps should be one without stones and shrubs.
For successful BMX dirt racing, you will have to choose the appropriate piece of land where the racing is to take place. Next you will have to carefully construct the ramp. the place where the racer will begin their jump needs to be curved, round and with a flat spot. The jumps must be obstacle free. They should be constructed to suit the specific category of the racers. This may be beginners or professionals.
The starting point, jump direction, and length of the ramp that should be straight, needs to be carefully planned in order to avoid running out of space during a jump. The trees in the racing are do not need to be cut down as they provide good structural support. Leaves and branches should be removed form the pile used to make the ramp. They prevent the ramp from hardening as they decompose. They many cause the ramp to fall flat. Stones also should be avoided, they may look small during the rains but will harden later and may injure the riders.
The final stage in preparing a ramp for BMX dirt racing is careful shaping the ramp by smacking it with the back of the shovel. For this job you will need the flat edge shovel and a spade type shovel. Ensure that the jump is round, and curved without flat spots.
By: Peter Gitundu
If you are a bicycle enthusiast and you like to watch or participate in bike racing then this article is for you! Here are various biking tidbits along with some basic information and specifications that you might need.
Racing Bike Construction
A competition bicycle is constructed with light aluminum and dual carbon fiber chain and seat stays. It is very light with an elevated seat to offer vibrant attitude to the rider. The front and rear wheels are closely set for quick maneuvering.
Racing Bike Wheels
For superior aerodynamic effectiveness, the competition wheel has a triangular cross-section that creates a teardrop with the tire. The quantities of spokes in the wheel are relatively low– the rationale is to necessitate decreased air opposition and to include maximizing general effectiveness. Nevertheless, in the situation of mountain climbing bikes, the conventional box-sectioned rim is employed.
Racing Bike Rims
The rims of the competition bikes are composed of light light aluminum, which is very light and is capable of being molded with no trouble. On the other hand, in some bikes, molded carbon fiber is employed to construct the rim. These rims are lighter as compared to light aluminum rims but they without doubt crack and chip if the wheel punctures. That is the reason that the riders have a preference for less costly and stouter wheels for preparation.
Racing Bike Tires
The rubber tires are very light, thin and have smooth treads to decrease air stream opposition and street resistance. They are inflated to a force of approximately 8 bars. The popular competition bikes contain tubular rubber tires that are sewn surrounding the tube and glued to the rim. In recent times, cyclists have preferred the tubular clincher rubber tires. Conversely, judgment on the virtues and demerits of the two rubber tires remains at odds.
Racing Bike Frame
The bicycle used for competition has a carbon frame. Its workings are as a group referred to as a group-set. Though, this does not comprise the frameset, fork, wheel-set, bars, stem, pedals, saddle and seat post.
Racing Bike Parts
Carbon-fiber is employed to formulate the majority of the competition bike apparatus. These incorporate high-end shifters, brake levers and cranks. Moreover, this carbon-fiber is in addition used to create stems, handlebars, shoe soles, forks and seat posts. The motivation for this is that carbon fiber is extremely light and has elevated capability to soak up vibrations.
By: Tim Gorman
