Why Helmets are Important

Whether you ride your bike through the city or in the countryside it is essential that you wear protective head gear. Regardless of whether you ride each day to work or are pushing the boundaries of an extreme sport, helmets are a must.

Helmets take out the risk of riding your bike by adding a layer protection between the ground and your skill and can also become part of your riding style. There are many different types of helmets available for the range of cycling sports.

Statistics taken from the Brain Injury Association show that while wearing a helmet cyclists reduce the risk of brain injuries by 88% and head injuries by 85%. With those startling statistics it is easy to see the importance of wearing a helmet while cycling. Without protective head gear the risks are much higher.

Innovative manufacturers have began to make stylish and lightweight helmets in recent years so wearing protective head gear can still provide great protection while looking great. Brands such as Lazer and Giro have created a number of highly popular helmets that offer great protection and look stylish. What’s more is that the helmets now being produced no longer weigh riders down as they are produced with lightweight materials, something that was not previously possible due to manufacturing technology.

Extreme sports professionals can be seen wearing the best protective gear available, and this shouldn’t be any different for anyone involved in extreme sports at an amateur level. Anyone who has seen an accident in extreme sports or while watching an event such as the X games will know just how important protective equipment can be.

There are a number of different helmets available that offer varying levels of protection. A helmet that protects the top and back of your head only is known as an open face helmet. The other side of the coin offers full face helmets which are generally used for downhill trails. Full face helmets offer much more protection and are the choice of many professionals.

Find out more about giro helmets at Fawkes Cycles.

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November 29 2010 | cycling | No Comments »

Bike Shops- Chain or independant?

Looking for a bike from a bike shop may appear to be the best wise thing to do yet is it? With a good deal of retail store merchants advertising cycles these days the level of selection is fantastic. You have the self-sufficient bike shop, the big multiple such as Halfords and now supermarkets!

Every locality has an impartial cycle shop but will almost certainly also have a substantial multiple dealer or supermarket who also sells cycles. If you are buying a couple of hundred pounds on your own bike the type of store most likely doesn’t make a difference. If you are hoping for a cycle of higher quality however then the reward of going to an separate cycle shop is more visible. At an independent cycle shop you will have a whole lot more selection of fine quality cycle models to select from, you will have the cycle wisdom of the staff who are not 17 year old youngsters!! You might not assume so but purchasing the accurate sized bike is not as effortless at it would seem.

The independent cycle shop owner will have years of experience and will be able to help size you for a cycle more easily and you will probably leave the shop with something that is right for you.

In conclusion then I would say that if you are spending less that 200 on your new cycle then you have many choices and you will end up with a cycle that is acceptable however if you want to spend more the the local independent cycle shop is the only place worthy of your consideration.

Independent cycle shops provide a greater selection of cycles, more suitable cycle expertise, better after sales backup, better mechanical cycle knowledge and you are supporting a local business.I know where I will be buying my next cycle! From my local cycle shop!

Rutland cycling officially this year leading independant cycle shop This years best independant cycle shop click here. This article, Bike Shops- Chain or independant? is available for free reprint.

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November 20 2010 | Mountain Bikes | No Comments »

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