The Different Types of BMX Seats
Whether you’re building your own BMX from scratch, or you only want to replace the existing seat, there are many important things you ought to consider prior to purchasing a new seat. The different features you need to pay attention to depend on the riding style, level of experience and also have to do with the level of durability and comfort.
How to Choose a Good Gymnastics Mat for Home Use
Gymnastics is a wonderful physical activity that can not only increase your flexibility and improve your general health but also help you get in touch with your body and mind. Kind of like yoga, but a lot more fun. So, no wonder more and more people practice gymnastics outside of the gym class. But practicing this sport at home carries some risks if you’re inexperienced or don’t use the right equipment and accessories. Since it’s an activity that involves drops and heavy landings, it’s important to have a good gymnastics mat that can cushion them and prevent injuries. Here’s what you need to look for in a mat. Read More
Bike Mounted Lights and How Easy They Can Make a Night Ride
If you ever decide that you are in the mood for a bike ride at night because you want to feel some of that chilly night air or just make sure that there is no one around if you enjoy riding alone, then there is some basic gear that you will need. Included in this gear is a standard helmet, some standard knee and elbow pads, and a standard 10,000 dollar military grade “see in the dark like it was daytime” pair of night vision googles. Or alternatively, you could get yourself a flash light. Read More
Benefits of a Smart Trainer Bike
There’s no doubt that riding a bicycle is one of the best ways to stay fit, lose weight and exercise your cardiovascular system at the same time. Nowadays, there are more people into riding bicycles than ever before. But not everyone can enjoy riding outdoors due to a variety of reasons. Some places simply don’t have bike paths, while oftentimes, the dry and hellish Australian climate doesn’t allow people to commute and ride as much as they’d like. However, there’s a perfect solution for those who want to go for their joyride without facing these inconveniences – a trainer bike.
Indoor cycling on a smart bike trainer offers the same benefits that cycling outdoors offers, and more! It provides you with an extremely high expenditure of energy, but without impacting your ankles, knees and thighs – all of which conventional bicycle riding does. That being said, with a bit of knowledge, you can easily make indoor cycling your favorite thing to do once you come home. Without further ado, here are some of the benefits a smart trainer bike offers.
Building Mental Endurance
Even though riding in one spot for an extended time period may seem monotonous, it can be extremely beneficial as it can help you focus on the mere act of riding. You’ll be able to focus on the control, breathing, timing and the pain that comes with cycling, without having to worry about your safety and the safety of those around you.
Bad Weather? No Problem!
When exercising on a smart trainer bike, you don’t care whether it rains, snows or it’s 40°C outside. You can use your bike all year round, and even make use of the air conditioning you have in your home. That being said, bad weather will no longer be on the list of excuses you make for not being able to bike.
It Requires Less Time and Planning
An hour long trip might require you to check for the weather and plan out a route. With a trainer bike, you can exercise for as long as you want to, without any previous planning. There are no unnecessary stops involved, so you can make use of your time optimally. Roughly measured, 2 hours of biking on the trainer equals about 3 and a half hours of biking outdoors.
It Takes Little Space
When compared to other exercise machines, a bike trainer takes up very little space in your home. You can exercise your calves, hips, thighs, legs, and improve your cardiovascular system all at the same time.
Factors to Consider When Buying a New Set of Bike Wheels
The wheels of a bike are among the most replaced parts by most bicycle enthusiasts, as they’re the part that takes the most abuse while riding. A wheel effects the handling, speed, weight and the bike’s overall performance. Typically, lighter wheels improve the bike’s acceleration, lower the rotational weight and give you a slight speed boost. However, if you’re into off-road and rough riding, then burly and tough wheels can be the better alternative.
That said, if you’re looking to replace your bicycle’s current wheels with new ones, there are several factors to take into account in order to make the right purchase. Factors such as wheel size, rim width, weight, hub type, spoke number, and others, should have an impact on what bike wheel is right for you. As aforementioned, if you’re into cross-country racing and riding, lighter wheels provide less rotational weight which equates to more speed. Mountain bikes, on the other hand, require wheels that have wider rims that can take the abuse.
The three most common bike wheels diameters are 26 inches, 27.5 inches and 29 inches. Again, depending on the type of riding you do, the ideal diameter will vary. 26 inch wheels were considered the standard, because they balanced stiffness, light weight and snappy acceleration with sharp handling in technical and twisty single-track terrains. Manufacturers started experimenting with 29 inch wheels sometime later, and found that 29 inch wheels held speed better and rolled easily over obstacles. However, 29 inch wheels had their own disadvantages, like having less wheel stiffness and increased weight. So in an attempt to balance things out, 27.5 inch wheels emerged as the ideal compromise.
In terms of rim width, most bike wheels are either 23mm or 28mm. 23mm rims are standard for trail and XC riding, while more technical and rough terrain riders opt for 28mm rims. However, there are people who prefer more extreme FR and DH riding, which puts the wheel through a lot of abuse, so they may end up choosing 36-40 (sometimes even wider)mm rims.
Lastly, the amount of spokes and spoke patterns can impact how the load is distributed across the wheel. The standard is 32 spokes, but most lightweight wheels feature 24 or 28. Wheels meant for more extreme riding, on the other hand, feature 36 or in the most extreme cases even 48. Spokes can either be butted or plain-gauge. Standard wheels are manufactured using j-spokes and feature a bend on one end, which is considered a weak point, so most manufacturers opt for wheels with straight-pull spokes.
Most wheels use a 3x spoke matter which is laced in a way where each spoke passes either over, or under three other spokes between the hub and the rim. Another popular pattern is the 0x or radial pattern, where spokes go from the hub to the rim without crossing other spokes.
Benefits and Essential Features of RC Transmitters and Receivers
If you’re invested into the RC hobby, then besides a quality RC car, a radio transmitter and receiver are probably among the most worthwhile items you can buy to improve your experience. A quality radio has on-board processors and features that aren’t usually found in some stock and cheap units. Some of the benefits of a radio transmitter and receiver are quite evident, such as being able to use it for multiple RC models. However, there are also benefits that may be harder to grasp.
First and foremost, an RC car receiver and transmitter give you more options to choose from – depending on how you want your system to perform. If you’re a serious modeler, it’s definitely an investment worthwhile considering. A quality RC car receiver and transmitter usually has multiple channels (typically either 4 or 6). You’ll come across models with 2 and 3 channels, but generally, the more channels the radio controller has – the better it is.
Secondly, you get the model memory feature, which alone justifies the extra cost of a computer radio. This means you can operate multiple models with a single radio controller. The controller can store the set-up of all different models, and you can shift between them with ease. And let’s face it, you may think this feature is unnecessary because you’ll never have more than a few models. But don’t fool yourself – you’ll probably end up with dozens of different models in no time.
Furthermore, look for a receiver and a transmitter that has the ability to use a simulator. This feature is especially important if you’re a beginner who wants to practice flying a helicopter or an airplane. In the colder moths, you can keep practicing on the simulator, as you most likely won’t be able to spend a lot of time flying outdoors.
Additionally, consider the amount of modes the transmitter comes in. The most common amount of modes is two, so make sure your transmitter supports the right mode – the one which you’re used to operating in. Ensuring compatibility cannot be stressed enough, so if you’re buying a transmitter for a bind and fly plane or helicopter, ensure it’s compatible with it.
Bottom line is, these features are just the tip of the iceberg of what’s possible with advanced, modern radio transmitters. However, they do represent the essential aspects that newcomers need to understand. As you gain more experience with a transmitter, you can explore all the other features that it offers.
A Sense of Freedom on a Set of Wheels
The first thing that will pop up when you search the term “biking” online is probably a few dozen texts about “the health benefits of biking” or “a few surprising perks that come from taking up biking”. I should know since I’ve written a few of them myself. Now, don’t get me wrong, this isn’t some sort of confession to lessen a heavy burden on my soul because I can’t stand living without confessing that biking is not, in fact, the cure for all that ails humanity…
Modern Lifestyle and Nutrient Deficiency: Supplements can Break the Spell
Though we should feel blessed to be part of such a technologically advanced era, modern lifestyle is taking its toll on our well-being. Worst of all is we’re not really aware of it. We live our lives thinking if we get in the habit of exercising enough, and start eating a well-balanced diet, we’d be in primary health. And then we get devastating results something still isn’t right.
The reason our health still isn’t as great as we expect it to be is because of being exposed to so many toxins around, and in fact eating food that’s been deprived of the many necessary nutrients thanks to all the processing it goes through (yes, even food with labels that say it was enriched with certain vitamins).
Add to this a bit of stress exposure on a daily basis, with the lack of sleep, and health issues are bound to arise. However, fret not, this is where you can get help in the form of supplementation, that you can find like the well-known Nutralife vitamins online as well as minerals, and herb-based products with a bit of search. Read More
Going All the Way with Whey
Every bodybuilder understands the importance of protein, and how hard it is to take it through solid foods alone. Hence, if you decide to do a survey in your gym, and ask everyone whether they take protein supplements or not, chances are at least 90% of them do. The most popular type of protein is whey. It’s a delicious powder that can be mixed with all kinds of liquids and is extremely beneficial to the body. It helps build muscle mass, speed up muscle recovery, boost immunity and lower blood pressure.
With all of these reasons to use whey protein concentrate wpc, it’s no wonder the market is flooded with many brands. You have to be careful what you choose, as the quality between various whey proteins can differ. As a general rule of thumb, quality whey protein concentrate wpc has at least 80% pure whey.
Whey protein supplements contain immunoglobulins, cysteine and lactoferrin, all of which play a crucial role in your body.
- Immunoglobulins are immune boosters found in breast milk and colostrum. They’re proteins that act as antibodies that get rid of pathogens and bacteria in your intestines.
- Cysteine is an amino acid found in mother’s milk and colostrums that help improve immunity and regulate the metabolism.
- Lactoferrin is also found in breast milk and colostrums and is a prebiotic which supports growth of good bacteria the purpose of which is inhibiting the growth of bad bacteria and viral replication by bonding to excess iron.
All of these ingredients help manufacture glutathione, a very important antioxidant that is essential for helping your body metabolise carcinogens and toxins, as well as free radicals. Moreover, whey contains lipids and amino acids that serve as the building blocks for the protein itself. If you have problems digesting milk, you’re likely to digest whey protein without any issues. Most people who have gas and stomach discomfort after consuming dairy, usually have so because their body can’t digest milk fats or casein protein.
But most importantly, whey protein concentrate provides much better muscle and strength gains than any other type of protein. It offers benefits during resistance training and helps promote lean tissue mass and relative gain. Whey protein is also low in calories, meaning it’s the perfect supplement for weight loss and maintaining a healthy body composition.
It’s recommended that you take protein in the morning, before and after the gym. You can make many different protein shakes or just drink pure whey protein. As a general rule of thumb, for every 1 kg of body mass, you need 2 grams of protein to reach your daily limit.
LED Lenser, the Herald of Innovation and their Magnificent Torch
It was 1993 and banks refused to grant a loan to the twin brothers Rainer and Harald Opolka because they did not have any estate to offer as collateral. What banks actually dismissed was their prototype invention (Ledlenser V8 flashlight) telling them it wasn’t good enough and it was never going to sell. What a huge mistake they made. Read More
Essential Tips for a Perfect Motorcycle Trip
I love travelling around the country with my motorcycle. The days spent planning, the anticipation, getting out on the road exploring new places, meeting new people, and in the end – coming back home with amazing memories and new experiences. I truly love every second of it! Many people find the thought of touring the country on a bike frightening, but that does not involve us bikers. We are a special type of people – fearless adventurers always on the lookout for the perfect trip. If you’re reading this, chances are you too are planing to hit the road with your motorcycle. And since most of the time I’m in that state of mind too, I wanted to make it easier for you to get ready to do it in full power. Besides bringing your sense of adventure, here’s what else you’ll need.
All the Gear, All the Time!
So, what kind of equipment is essential? Let’s start with the most obvious one – the motorcycle. The right one for you will be the one that’s easy to improvise with, mainly off-road oriented, and of course, affordable. But the most crucial feature of a motorcycle is a tank with a large fuel range. When it comes to embarking on long trips, having your tank full will save you from constantly stopping on gas stations and from getting stuck in the middle of nowhere. After you’re done with the basics, the next step is buying proper motorbike security gear. A skid plate, headlight guard, engine crash bar, hand guards and folding mirrors are all protection parts you mustn’t skip as they will keep you safe from potential road dangers. Furthermore, you also need to think about your motorbike’s safety when you’re not riding it. The right motorbike security gear will protect it from being stolen while you are sleeping or exploring the beauty of nature by foot.
Plan the Destination
After you’ve made sure you have everything you need gear-wise, the next thing to do is think about how much time you have and where you want to go. Consider this: How many kilometres are you able to ride a day? How often do you need to stop for gas, food and rest? Have you ever had difficulties with certain roads? When you know the answers to these questions you can focus on picking the destination. People usually take trips to tourist attractions, but for some, the road itself is the attraction. After you’ve made up your mind about where and when you are going, focus on the weather report. Bring equipment and clothes that are suitable for that kind of weather. A navigator can be your best friend on this trip, but don’t underestimate the good old physical map just in case the navigator becomes unresponsive. Get informed about which gas stations, restaurants and motels are along the way. I’m not saying you need to stay in one, but you have to know the nearest places where you can find people to help you if you experience any problem. In any case, the most important piece of advice is to consider your own abilities and endurance. Don’t take on something which is too much for you.
Plan Your Lodging
Staying in a motel could kill the adventurous vibe that you’re after, but camping on the other hand, is what any true adventurer would certainly choose. For setting up a comfortable camp, you will need only a few things: a tent, a sleeping bag and some cooking tools. When choosing the tent, think about the area that you’ll place it on. Is the ground wet and cold? If yes, go for a thick water-proof material to provide you with the proper protection. When choosing a sleeping bag, pay attention to the temperature it’s designed for. A little tip when doing so: always choose a temperature rating that’s 10 degrees lower than the temperature of the area. For example, if it gets cold in the night up to -5 degrees in that particular area, pick a bag with a rating of -15. However, you can always choose to stay in a motel too, I just decided to skip the explanation about it because there really isn’t much to consider besides the fact that you should find one that suits your budget.
When you’re all ready and set, the only thing left to do is to have a good time and keep your mind and eyes on the road. Leave your problems and worries behind you in a cloud of dust. Or as the respected motorcycling author Dave Preston puts it: “When the helmet drops, the bullshit stops”.
Scuba Diving: Know Your Gear Before Going Down There
Humans are an adventurous species. We have always been compelled to venture into the unknown and discover what the world has in store for us. This basic instinct is the driving force behind our progress and we are now at the verge of becoming an interplanetary species. However, there is a whole lot of “unknown” to be explored right here on our planet and it is as alien as it gets. I am, of course, talking about our oceans. They cover nearly 70 percent of the Earth and it is estimated that we have only explored about 5 percent of them. I am not trying to undermine space exploration. In fact, we owe a lot of our technology (even the one we are using to explore the oceans) to space exploration. I know most of us wanted to be astronauts when they grow up, but let’s be realistic, becoming an astronaut is not as simple as putting on your scuba gear and diving into the ocean. And if you ask me, our oceans are the next best thing.
Scuba diving may seem way too complicated for most people and it actually is. There is a lot of information you need to digest gear wise and you need to go through a fair amount dedicated training. But, despite all that, every scuba diver starts with the most basic scuba gear: a mask, a set of fins and a snorkel. These items are critical for getting the feel of scuba diving and being comfortable and confident underwater before you can move on to a full diving equipment. This is why it is important to choose quality gear and not some Chinese knockoff from a beach toy store. So, lets go over them one by one.
There is a large number of scuba masks available to the diving community. They vary in style, colours, shapes, design and materials. These variations affect both the price and the performance of the mask. I wouldn’t worry too much abut the colour or the style of the mask, since the most important feature is how good it fits. Struggling with a leaking mask all the time can completely ruin your diving experience. So, make sure to try a number of different variations and see which one fits your face the best. Make sure there are no uncomfortable points where the mask is in contact with your face. And an easy trick to check for leaks is to pull the straps out of the way, place the mask on your face and slightly inhale through your nose to see if it stays on your face without any support. The lenses of the mask are another important feature, since vision should be clear and unobstructed. Some divers prefer a single lens while others prefer dual lenses. The main advantage of dual lenses is that they can be upgraded to prescription lenses if needed.
Choosing the right fins can be as complicated as choosing a mask. Again, there are a ton of different models to choose from. There are open-heeled and full foot fins; there are long free diving fins for maximum thrust and there are shorter recreational fins; there are fins made from different materials with different buoyancy; and so on. All in all, the best way to choose the right fins is to explain your needs to the retailer and ask for guidance and advice.
And finally, you need to choose a snorkel. Snorkels are actually an old tool that has been used for centuries. The most basic model is a tube snorkel – you breathe from one end and the other end is open to the air. There are semi-dry snorkels that feature a cover which deflects water, however, it will still flood if the diver decides to submerge. Then, there is the dry snorkel that has a valve which closes up when the diver submerges. One of the latest and most popular models is the roll up snorkel that can be easily stored in your pocket.
Over all, when choosing your scuba gear, looking cool is the least important factor. Functionality should always be your primary concern to ensure that you have the best diving experience and get the most value for your purchase.