Pocket Bike Parts

One of the most appealing aspects of pocket bikes is that you can modify and upgrade them yourself.  You can strip them down and rebuild them from scratch with high performance parts, modifying and customizing them until they almost flip you off the seat when you roll the throttle on!  If the flipping off a bike with speed isn’t for you, there are plenty of parts made specifically for improving the design to give it that hot, unique look that sets you apart from everyone else.  But before you can upgrade or switch out, or even do basic maintenance, you have to understand the basic parts of a pocket bike.

Fairings:
This is one of those parts that really is not essential to the pocket bike, but it does make your bike look really good!  Fairings are the plastic covers that surround the frame of your pocket bike, and give it a "super bike" type of look.  There is not much you can do with them, other than paint them, but you can put on any design you want and that is always pretty fun to do.

The Wheels and Tires
This is straight forward.  Everyone knows what a wheel is.  The important part is the tires.  The tires on a pocket bike can make a big difference if you are racing. It's definitely one of the main pocket bike parts you should think about upgrading.  Most, if not all, pocket bikes come with pretty generic crappy tires.  The rubber used in them tends to be hard and doesn't grip the track well.  Sava is a well known brand of tires that are affordable and will cut seconds of your lap times on the track!

Sprockets (Gears)
The sprocket connects your engine's power to your back wheel.  Changing the size of your sprockets can make you bike accelerate much faster (which is what most people want) or it can give you a higher total speed, depending on which one you want.  Unfortunately you can not both, so think about which upgrade is the most important to you for your needs before committing to the work.  Tracks with long straight-aways translates to you wanting the top end speed.  Tracks with a lot of sharp corners and curves means you want the acceleration.

These are just some of the parts that can be changed, modified, or re-built to make your pocket bike the best running, and best looking, racing bike in your neighborhood.  Decide what you want, buy the parts, and when you go to town, remember to have fun!

Optimal Performance from Super Pocket Bikes

Any racer is likely to tell you that there is performance, and then there is Performance.  Optimal performance is the end goal, especially from super pocket bikes.  You want the best possible performance out of super pocket bikes, and doing so is not all that difficult.  There are a few basic tips that can help to ensure your bike stays in top notch shape.

One of the most basic rules to keep your super pocket bike running smoothly is the same rule that you need to keep any vehicle running smoothly, from mini bike to a car or van: choose your gas carefully.  For super pocket bikes, most pros will tell you not to use racing fuel.  Not only does it not help, it might cause problems that other fuels would not.  High octane unleaded gasoline works best.  As with any gas station, look at the condition of the pumps and ground.  If they look bad and there is standing water around where the gas in put into the tank, try the next one down the road.  Make sure to mix the oil right, too.  The mixtures are fairly easy to figure out, and do not use the same oil as cars.  It is not designed for pocket bikes.  Buy motorcycle oil.

Break the super pocket bike in right.  This mainly involves using common sense.  Don't run your bike at the maximum RPM's during the break in period.  That puts undue stress on the motor.  On average it will take about four tanks of gasoline, five to be safe, to break your super pocket bike in.  During this period, don't push the bike too hard - baby it a bit.  Slow and steady quite literally will lead to winning the race.  Going along with treating your bike right, don't run it cold.  Allow your super pocket bike to warm up for about five minutes after starting it.  This allows the motor and the fluids to heat up to their optimal running temperatures.  You would never just start your car when its winter outside and take off, so don't so the same with your bike.  It's not meant to run cold!

Finally, get to know your super pocket bike.  Learn what is normal, and what isn't.  When it isn't running normally, or if anything at all sounds different than usual, turn it off and find out what the problem is.  Make all repairs as soon as possible, and park the bike until the repairs are made.  Caution will save you a lot of money in the long run.  Follow these tips, and you will be able to enjoy a super pocket bike that lives up to every ounce of its potential.

Mountain Biking – Great Exercise and Fun

Mountain biking is a great way to explore the great outdoors, exercising and having fun.  Racing down a mountainside is exhilarating; however, it can also be dangerous.
Although it is consider a dangerous sport, if done with utmost caution, mountain biking can be enjoyed by the whole family.

As with any outdoor sport, selecting the right equipment and an understanding of the sport will be the key to a great adventure.  

Styles of Mountain Biking

Mountain biking can be categorized into three different styles.  There is downhill, free riding, and cross-country.  Although the styles are similar in some respect, they all require different skills.  The style you select will determine the type of bike.

Mountain Biking Locations

Typically, this sport is known as biking on an unpaved surface.  Most regions have areas specifically designed for this grand sport.  State and federal parks are a good place to mountain bike. However, you should check with your local parks to get the routes and other regulations or rules they may have.  In addition, if you venture off to some state or federal land or any wilderness type area, it is best to know about the surroundings should there be any unexpected accidents.

There are also groups that have mountain bike rides and competitions.  You could search the internet or local newspaper to see what is available in your area.  There may be groups for the advanced rider as well as the novice.

Criteria to be a Great Mountain Biker

A prerequisite for a great mountain biker is endurance and stamina.  In addition, it takes discipline to practice and the ambition to succeed and conquer the course.  A novice mountain biker will have to overcome the bumps and bruises from falling of the bike.  Like all sports, it takes practice and the constitution to keep trying.

Selecting Your Bike

Selecting your bike is a personal choice and contingent on the type of riding you will do.  Bikes come in all different styles, shapes, and prices, therefore selecting the perfect one for you can be difficult.  Again, do some internet research or venture out to do some comparison-shopping before you get ready to make a purchase.  Ask to try out a bike before you buy.  A good mountain biker becomes one with his or her bike.  Check for comfort, fit, and how it is geared, all these factors need to be considered. 

Staying Safe

As mentioned earlier, mountain bike riding on unpaved roads can be hazardous.  The typical safety gear is a helmet, knee and elbow pads.  You should also consider goggles if riding in a very dense wooded area or if following a group of bikers.  Safety should be your top priority and not taken lightly when riding no matter what the terrain.

Mountain Bikes Buying Guide

How to choose a mountain bike depends on what you are going to do with it, if all you want your new mountain bike for is going for a nice leisurely ride on the canal path or a ride in the woods with the dog, well you wont need a full suspension downhill machine with 4 inch travel on the forks and a fully articulated rear end with damping and rebound control.

+ Where to Start From.

If you do want to go for an easy ride in the park you don’t need to spend too much, if you think you will do any off-road riding then big tread tires maybe all you need, but if you think you might try some rough stuff then you will need suspension. Gears will probably be Shimano, brakes must be V-brakes, but could be made by a few different manufacturers, all the rest of the MTB components will depend on how much you can spend. If you go to your local bike shop or big sports store and see what they’ve got to offer, then buy it or have look on the Internet and maybe you’ll find the same thing at a better price.

+ The Next Step Up.

So maybe you want to be a bit more adventurous, more off-road, more forest tracks and dry boulder river beds, then you’ll need something a little lighter, with suspension forks. All this will cost you more money, but will be worth it for the extra enjoyment and adventure. With a better mountain bike it will have a sportier handling and because it is lighter, it will be easier to struggle up the hills before you come flying down the other side. The components will again be Shimano and the quality will depend on how much money you can spend. V-brakes and Rapid-fire gear shifters, along with Shimano chain set, bottom bracket and headset. Handle bars, stem and seat pin should be alloy and along with a comfortable saddle you’ll be set to take to the hills.

+ More Money, More Bike.

The next rung up on the mountain bike ladder would be good enough to race on. There are many to choose from, get on the net and surf the bike manufacturers sites and all the shop sites along with the magazines for juicy photos of the bikes. The top manufacturers in this price range, I would say are: - Trek, Giant, Specialized and Cannondale, these companies make the nicest frames with the best mountain bike parts available at the price, gears will be either Shimano or SRAM, brakes could be V-brakes or cable disc brakes, both are very good and light, most of the other MTB parts, of course will be Shimano and as usual get the best you can afford. There are many combinations of hubs and rims to make up your wheels; hubs from Shimano and rims form Mavic are the usual mix. Then you have to choose which suspension forks to put on you bike, you may not get a choice, depending on which bike you buy, the main ones are Suntour, Marzocchi, Manitou, Fox, RockShox and RST, buy any of these and you wont go far wrong.

+ Top Bikes…. Top Money.

If you want what the professionals ride you will have to pay a lot of money a professional MTB. As with road bike at the top of the range, you can specify what you want to build up your dream bike. Top bikes frames to spend your money on could be Klien, Scott, Rocky Mountain, Gary Fisher, Santa Cruz and K2; these are some of the most sought after bike frames in the world and would be the envy of your friends. Probably the best forks to put on your frame would be RockShox SID’s these are light and do all the things you need with control of all functions, there are many other to also to consider, look at how much travel they have and the rebound and damping systems. Gears again will be either SRAM or Shimano Rapid fire, XT or XTR, more money could be spent on carbon or very light alloy cranks, the brakes should be hydraulic discs from Hayes, Pace or Magura or stick to the trusted V-bakes. Wheels from Shimano or Mavic or some fancy carbon wheels, but remember they will have to take a lot of punishment, so maybe better to go for reliability over light weight expense. Carbon handle bars, stem and seat pin and a light weight race saddle and Time or Shimano SPD clipless pedals, then your choice of tires will depend on what terrain and ground conditions you are going to ride on.

+ And Downhilling?

Downhill bikes are very different, more like a cross country motor bike, but without the engine, low center of gravity and a lot of travel on the suspension on the forks and the rear end, disc brakes, wide rims and fat tires, gears are only at the back as usually a single chain set is used. Unless your going to do a lot of downhill racing then there isn’t much point in buying one as you have to get up the hill first before you can come down and as light weight is not an issue with downhill bikes, they are very heavy to get up hill with out the use of a tow rope or a ski lift.

Lowrider Bikes History

Lowriding began as a cultural element of Chicano Americans, part of the street culture of the American barrio where Mexican immigrants maintained a lively urban culture.Lowrider bikes, one of the most splendid and unique products of this culture, are a cross between the Harley and the cruiser bike, decorated with paint and chrome and streamers, found in any all-American hometown parade.

As you might surmise, lowriding bikes hug the ground.The highest points on a lowrider bike are almost always its two hand grips, just like you might find on its motorized cousin, the Harley motorcycle.The seat of a lowrider bike is down at wheel level and its pedals are sometimes higher than the seat!These bikes are typically a highly individualized creation.Most of them are ridden with enormous pride by their creators, although you can buy some standard models and a few elaborate models in a good bike store, especially in cities of the American West.

Despite the fact that these bikes originated within the poverty of the barrio, lowrider bikes are anything but cheap.Makers of these one-of-a-kind creations regard their bicycles as much as an artwork and a mechanical marvel as a means of transportation, though part of the joy of creation has always been parading them down the street when completed—these are not pieces of art meant for life in dusty museums, for the most part.Each part is usually carefully selected for its utility as well as its beauty, with the resulting bike a breathtaking example of technical and artistic ingenuity.

Lowrider bikes are becoming a presence in more and more cities, perhaps made more "respectable" among the affluent bicyclists who drive the market by the increasing popularity of their cousin, the recumbent bicycle.As the baby boomer generation ages and feels increasing twinges of back pain riding on the dropped handlebars of road bikes, expect to see more and more lowrider and recumbent bikes alike.

And once you get your first basic lowrider bike, don't be too surprised if you find yourself flipping through the real or online pages of a lowrider parts catalog musing, "Hmm.I wonder how that golden sprocket would look on my bike?"Lowrider bikes have a tradition of creative embellishment and technical improvisation that calls out the artist and the inventor in many of us.

What, really, could be better to evoke, especially if you're already a bike rider?

LED Bike Light: Adding Safety and Efficiency To Your Ride

LED flashlights are an economical and safety conscious choice for any bicycle rider. Many riders overlook this piece of safety equipment because it has been traditionally considered too bulky or heavy to carry on a bike. However, there are a number of bike light options now available that are easy to carry and versatile, making them perfect for bicycle safety.

Why Carry a Light on Your Bicycle
Anyone who bicycles should consider keeping a light on their bicycle. There are a variety of types of lights that can be used on bicycles. Bicycle specific lights, such as an LED bike chip, are wonderful investments. The LED bike chip connects to the bicycle, providing a bright, hands-free source of light. If you need a flashlight, you can easily remove the LED bike chip and use it as a hand held flashlight.

There are a variety of reasons for carrying a flashlight on your bicycle. The most obvious is for safety.  In the summer, when many people bicycle in the evening to take advantage of the cooler temperatures, it is easy to end up far from home with darkness rapidly approaching. While there are hours of additional daylight, once darkness settles in, it gets dark quick. What starts as a leisurely ride can quickly turn frightening if you take a wrong turn or encounter a flat tire. A bright LED torch is the perfect companion for your ride. The LED torch has a compact size, a bright light and long battery life.

If you need help, a strobing light can bring it. While you may think the chances of injury or danger on you bicycle are rare, it only takes a pothole to damage your bicycle beyond repair, or even a minor wreck to leave you too sore to ride home. A strobing light will be noticed by passers-by, and is just the thing to bring someone to the rescue. Many strobing lights can be used as a regular flashlight, and switched to strobing if necessary.

What Makes the Best Sort of Light
LED flashlights are a good choice for the bicyclist. The battery life of the LED light is extraordinary, and the clear, bright light that the LED flashlight emits is a wonderful safety feature, particularly in foggy conditions. If you are frequently out in the early morning or late evening hours, or at times when the weather is unpredictable, a strong light, such as an LED torch is a safety conscious choice.

The batteries in an LED flashlight, as well as the bulb, last an extremely long time, often thousands of hours. Compare this to traditional filament flashlights and you can see the benefits of an LED flashlight. Also, an LED flashlight will gradually lose strength over a period of time, while a traditional flashlight will work one time, and the next time, it will be dead. Because you are unlikely to use your flashlight each time you ride your bicycle, it is important that you have a flashlight with a long shelf light. If you have a traditional light bulb, you would find it necessary to carry extra batteries and even a spare bulb, but with an LED flashlight, all you need is your flashlight. You can easily find a small LED flashlight that will fit into the palm of your hand.

Improving Drive: Customizing with Performance Parts

Customizing your pocket bike can turn a common bike into a real pocket rocket when you use pocket bike performance parts.  Many pocket bikes performance parts not only make your pocket bike faster and more powerful, they add to the general look of “attitude” you want your competition to see on the track!  Those cool side stripes may look great, but they're not going to get you around the track any faster.  Put your money into high performance pocket bike parts and then you'll have a bike that can back up the appearance of attitude you've given it.

When you’re looking for pocket bike performance parts, remember your bike's speed and power is “all in the mix”.  The correct mixture of gas, oil, and air are the elements that combine to work like jet fuel for your pocket rocket.  However, if your customized bike is riding too hot, a good solution is to start with a temperature sticker.  These parts for pocket bikes are typically sold in packs of three, and can easily be applied to your bike’s engine, suspension and other heat sensitive parts.

Most pros get the largest boost in speed and overall performance from pocket bike performance parts like velocity stacks and air filters.  While those are king, take the time to still add some performance pocket bikes parts for pipe and custom carburetion and the only thing that will be able to stop you will be your own brakes!  In addition, there’s something about performance parts pocket bikes custom pipes and exhaust system that makes your bike look like a formidable adversary to your competition, and gives you an early psychological edge in any competition!

There are many other performance parts for pocket bike enthusiasts that not only help you stay in the race, but combined with your skill, will put you in front of the pack.  Some things that you might overlook are pocket bike performance parts like custom grips and foot pegs that improve your ability to control your bike.  Remember not to have immediate expectations.  The best racers are those who know their bikes, so it may take some time for you to re-adjust after adding these improvements.  Concentrate on getting used to how they ride, and soon the only thing you'll have to worry about is how far ahead of everyone else you are before hitting the finish line.