Cannondale Road Bikes: What Kind of Rider Are You?

Before shopping for a new bike, it is important to know what type of rider you are. It helps in finding the right bike and accessories to fit you just right. There are typically four groups of road riders: cyclocross rider, elite road rider, performance road rider, and the multisport rider. I’ll tell you about each group and what bikes fit your style best.

Cyclocross Road Rider: If you enjoy the fall chill and a mud covered bike, this is you. The cyclocross rider loves the Cannondale Cyclocross series. The frame is light weight and all aluminum, which helps make it a true all purpose bike. There are three 2009 models: Cyclocross 2, Cyclocross 5, and Cyclocross 6.

Elite Road Rider: If you daydream of riding a bike that climbs better than all the others to the top of the Tourmalet or just racing ahead on a bike that is super efficient, this is you. Cannondale offers more choices for this group, which are the SuperSix, Six, and CAAD9.

The SuperSix is made of HI-MODulus, unidirectional carbon fiber that gives a precise and efficient ride. There are four 2009 models: SuperSix HI-MOD Team, SuperSix HI-MOD Red, SuperSix HI-MOD 1, SuperSix HI-MOD 3.

The Six line is the bike of choice for racers around the world. They are full carbon and have pro-Tour features just like the other Elite bikes. The tubes on the front triangle are oversized to deliver an awesome performance. You can get the competitive edge with the hourglass shaped seatstays as they give a vibration damping comfort. The six 2009 models are: Six Carbon 1, Six Carbon 3, Six Carbon 5, Six Carbon 6, Six 5, and Six 6.

The last line for the elite rider is the CAAD9 line. It is an aluminum bike that mixes comfort with race winning characteristics. The three 2009 models are the CAAD9 5, CAAD9 6, and CAAD9 7.

Performance Road Rider: The performance rider expects high comfort along with high performance. The Cannondale Synapse is the bike of choice for this group. It is ultra comfortable and comes in a variety of frame materials and paint jobs. The eight 2009 models are: Synapse HI-MOD Red, Synapse HI-MOD 1, Synapse Carbon 3, Synapse Carbon 4, Synapse Carbon 5, Synapse Carbon 6, Synapse 5, and Synapse 7.

Multisport Road Rider: Last but not least, the multisport road rider is thinking of Kona. For this group, the Cannondale Slice is the bike of choice. Its race proven design puts the rider in a lower position cutting minutes off of their best times. The four 2009 models are: Slice HI-MOD Ultimate, Slice HI-MOD 1, Slice HI-MOD 3, and the Slice HI-MOD 5.

April 09 2009 | cycling | No Comments »

Tuning Your Own Mountain Bike

If you have purchased a mountain bike, the important thing is to understand how to be able to tune up your own mountain bike parts. Some of them particularly you will like to know tune up are discussed here. You have to just keep up general maintenance.

Here we start with the chain. In case the chain of your bike needs grease on it then grease it. If the chain simply needs to be adjusted, this can be easily done by tightly pulling on the chain and then counting 20 links. Then measure the chain with ruler from pin to pin. If chain increased longer then 10 inches, then it is most likely to be changed with new chain.

If there is no problem with chain’s length, then clean it like a new one. The chain can be cleaned with some sort of citrus solvent and an old toothbrush. Rub and lubricate it as much as you believe you need to. Check out the bent teeth of chain while tuning up chain. If some teeth are bent, then an adjustable wrench can be used to straighten these teeth.

If you want to get the parts of your mountain bike in shape like the wheel and the breaks, there are some other things to keep in your mind. To check the wheels and breaks, simply apply the front brakes while rolling the bike upward and backward. While doing this play should not be occurred. If there is a play then you might need to tight the headset after loosing the bolts.

It is very simple to check the hubs. All you required is to push the front wheel harder enough to make it spin more or less two to three times. As much as the wheel spins freely, your bike is in good shape. Carefully check and make sure that there is no lateral movement as wheel spins.

If you generally want to know that how to keep your bike tuned up, stand at front of your bike and check the loose bolts and tighten them. In routine riding bolts come loose by the passage of time. Also check the other parts like bottle cage and the chain ring bolts.

Lubrication is very important to your bike, coat grease slightly and when you do this cleans it immediately. Also lubricate the front suspension for sliders. After doing this, take a moment to clean out grit that might be lodged next to the seal.

April 05 2009 | Mountain Bikes | No Comments »