Perks of Belt drive bikes

If you are looking for a Belt drive bike, you need to look no further than Downtube. You will be able to find a variety of the bikes to your liking. The following article talks about the perks of the bikes and what you need to know before you purchase one.

Introduction

A Belt drive bike is a chainless bike that uses a toothed synchronous belt in order to transmit power from the pedals to the wheel of the bike. The belts are usually made by the same manufacturing companies that produce timing belts for cars, machinery and other belt drive applications. The application of the belt drives to bicycles is growing, especially in the commuter bike market, because of the low maintenance and lubrication free benefits that these types of bikes offer.

Pros of the Bikes

You are going to find the following perks/benefits out of a Belt drive bike:

·         The drive belts are not going to rust.

·         Lubrication is not required of the drive belt.

·         They are going to stay very clean because of the fact that lubrication is not required of them.

·         There is little to no maintenance required of the belt drives.

·         The bikes offer a smoother operation compared to bikes with chains.

·         The bikes are much quieter than with bikes that have a chain on them.

·         You are going to get a longer life span than bikes with a metal bicycle chain.

·         Some belt systems are going to be lighter than conventional chain driven system.

Cons of the Bikes

The following are things that people do not like as much about the bikes:

·         Derailleurs cannot be used on the bikes.

·         The drive belt is not able to be taken apart as you can do with a chain.

·         A frame must be able to accommodate the belt by having an opening in the rear triangle.

·         Belts come in limited selection of lengths, which have to be accommodated in the design of the frame that you have.

·         A beltdrive bike and the repair/replacement parts are harder to find at bike shops than bicycles with conventional chains.

·         The front and rear pulleys or sprockets need to be well aligned in order to avoid excessive friction and wear.

·         Compared to bikes with a chain, the drive belts are usually going to run at a much higher tensions but the high belt tensions is going to reduce the life expectancy of the bearings in the bottom bracket and rear hub.

·         First-generation pulleys with dual guides had problems with snow becoming compacted and trapped in the pulley. The second and generation models have improvedwith the design.

Conclusion

The possibilities for Belt drive bikes are increasing as manufacturers of internal gear hubs are constantly innovating and introducing new designs of the bikes. When you are ready to start looking at the very popular types of bikes, you need to look into the many different bikes that are offered from Downtube. The bikes may be more expensive than bikes with your traditional chains but they are definitely worth the extra money.

Best Accessories for Collapsible Bicycles

If you have had your eye on a collapsible bicycle, you need to look no further than Downtube. The bikes are great for just about anyone, no matter what type of living style that you have. The following article discusses the best accessories that you can get for your bike.

There are lots of ways to add accessories to your collapsible bicycle. A lot of people are going to like safety as the most important accessory feature. For these people, there are a variety of good items such as mirrors, lights, bells and such. There are others who are going to like commuter gadgets, such as panniers, baskets and fenders. If you are looking for folding bike accessories, you will find some popular and important ones below.

1.      Bicycle Mirrors

Bicycle mirrors are going to gives you a wide look of vehicles that are behind you. You will not have to turn backward as you are riding the bicycle with the use of mirrors. The mirror you decide upon will depend upon what type of view you need to have. The mirrors will easily be able to put onto your bike’s handlebars.

2.      Carrier Racks

Carrier racks mount on the back of the collapsible bike in order to help you quickly and easily move your belongings. The type you get will depend upon the amount of things you are wishing to load on your bike. Some racks can hold up to 50 pounds. The racks are popular with people wishing to put backpacks in them.

3.      Seat Bags

Seat bags give you ample space for you to carry all of those small bus essential requirements on your collapsible bicycle. They are easy to attach to your bicycle. 

4.      Bike Computers

Bike computers can boost your exercise routine productivity. They can be safely affixed to your handlebars. The computers are not hard to install. They will improve your workout efficiency. It attaches easily and securely to your handlebar and tracks speed, distance, time and calories burned.

5.      Speedometers

Speedometers will let you see precisely how quick you might be riding your collapsible bicycle. Speedometer can exhibit current velocity, mean velocity, and optimum velocity. Some speedometers will also have built-in watches. Most speedometers are very economical.

6.      Seat Covers

There are a variety of seat covers that you can choose for your collapsible bicycle. Most times, people are going to choose one that is going to make them most comfortable. Another popular choice is going to be the color the seat cover.

7.      Smartphone Caddies

Smartphone caddies are designed to maintain your mobile phone readily available at all times. They are best suited for commuter riding and easily attach to the handlebars or stem of the bike. The caddies can be quickly and easily installed.

Conclusion

There are a variety of accessories that you can choose for your Collapsible bicycle. Not everyone wants to have a lot of accessories for their bike but some people feel that they just cannot live without the accessories.

Tips to Make Bicycling More Comfortable

If you are looking for a comfort folding bike, you need to look no further than the variety of bikes that can be found from Downtube. The following article will give you tips on making your bike even more comfortable than just purchasing a bike that is made to be comfortable.

The only pain that you should feel while riding your folding bike, should come from pushing yourself to the extreme. If you are feeling uncomfortable on your bike, you should try some of the following tips.

Seat 

It is not always easy to find a comfortable seat. There are many bicyclists that are going to end up having to try many different seats at various angles before they find the right one. When you do find the seat that works, it is going to transform your ride. 

Bars

If your bars are either of the wrong width or curvature, you may have a pain in your shoulders, numb hands and trouble reaching the brakes of the bike. You want to be able to support your upper body weight without straining your neck and shoulders. You always want to feel confident and in control when riding your comfort folding bike. 

Handlebar Tape

Something simple as putting handlebar tape on your handlebars is going to affect your comfort on your folding bike. If you are looking for a more cushioned ride, you should look for handlebar tape that has gel that is integrated into it. Plastic or leather tape may be best for you if you are looking to feel more connected to the road. 

Chamois Selection

A huge portion of your bike ride experience is going to come down to your chamois selection. Exactly which chamois is your favorite is usually going to be a personal preference. You always want to make sure you have enough padding so that you are going to be comfortable in the seat and do not struggle with chafing in any way. 

Gloves Selection

If you are experiencing numbness and tingling in your hands, you may want to try out some new bike gloves. Not only will the padding inside the gloves improve your comfort, but they are also going to protect your palms in the event of anuntimely crash.

Shoes Selection

There is a fine line between having a shoe that is stiff and snug enough to transfer power and a shoe that feels like it is squashing your feet. You want to have shoes that are going to fit snugly but still be able to accommodate puffy feet at the end of a long ride. It may be worth investing in a shoe insert to help customize the fit of your shoe to your foot. You can also try wearing socks with the shoes that have high-tech fibers. These socks are going to wick away sweat and help give you a more cushioned and comfortable ride.

Conclusion

If you are looking for a folding bike, you need to look no further than Downtube. Besides having a bike that is made for comfort, there are many things as listed above that will give you that extra comfort you are looking for.

Folding Bikes are Your Answer

If you are looking for Folding bicycles, you need to look into the variety of bikes that can be found from Downtube. You will be pleasantly surprised what all you are going to get out of your next folding bike.

Finding a safe and dry place to put your bike at home can be a struggle for many people. The solution you are looking for might just be a folding bike. Folding bicycles can be taken with you right into your apartment, on elevators and into your office. Folding bikes rarely suffer the indignity of being stolen because they do not leave your sight. There are now many good quality makes and models of bikes to choose from that optimize ease of folding and folding size, performance and ride.

It is not advised that you ride folding bicycles with no hands or try any cute stunts. If you plan to take a lot of trips that utilize transit, a bike that folds quickly and compactly may be best for you. If you are a tall rider, you may want to check out how each type of Folding bike can adjust to fit your body.

Before your purchase, you should determine your plan to use the folding bike and try to find one that matches your needs best. A lower-quality bike may make you wish you had bought a better bike in the first place, so always looks at everything in detail before making a decision on which bike to get. Folding bikes are not for the shy because you will be asked about your bike on the streets over and over. Folding bikes are a thrilling sight many people city folks have ever seen.

Some of the things that people are looking for in their bikes include:

• Full front and rear suspension
• Light aluminum frame
• Variety of gears
• Low weight
• Folds down quickly
• Low priced
• Lights
• Covers
• Attache cases

Portability

The real purpose of folding bicycles is to increase their portability. This is because people want their bikes to be able to be more easily transported and stored and allow greater flexibility in getting from their different destinations, from everything from shopping to going to their daily office job. There are actually many public transportation systems (especially in large scale cities) that ban or restrict unfolded bicycles but allow folded bikes all or some of the time. There are even some transport operators that only allow folding bicycles if they are enclosed in a bag or cover. Airline baggage regulations often permit folding bikes as ordinary luggage without an extra cost.

Size

Folding bicycles come with a wider range of adjustments than conventional bikes for accommodating different riders. Seat posts and handlebar stems on folders extend as much as four times higher than conventional bikes. Folding bikes are usually smaller in overall size than conventional bicycles. The wheelbase of many folding designs is also very similar to that of conventional bicycles. Advantages of smaller wheels include potential for more speed, quicker acceleration, maneuverability and easier storage.

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