Taman Rasuna Said,
Kuningan - Jakarta
Monday, November 22, 2010
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Mountain Bike Size Selection
Sizing/Selection
What’s the difference between a cross-country, a downhill, and a free-ride bike?
Cross-country bikes are usually hard tails and most often just have just front suspension. They are the most lightweight type of mountain bike. However, there is a new generation of cross-country bikes that have rear suspension, although this suspension does not have as much travel as full downhill bikes. The angles of a cross-country bike can be fairly steep to be able to handle lots of single-track. Weight range is 20-26 pounds.
Downhill bikes are full-suspension frames built with very slack angles for going downhill fast with little concern for riding back up the hill. Downhill bikes have lots of travel front and rear, with the front fork often a triple-crown fork and have powerful disc brakes for stopping. Everything on a downhill bike is heavy duty, so it the heaviest among the mountain bike choices with a weight range of 35-45 pounds.
Free-ride is a term for a new generation of heavier and more solidly built bikes that are typically full suspension. Free ride bikes are marketed towards the extreme all-day rider, with a premium put on strength vs. weight. Some free-ride bikes can also have just front suspension, albeit one with lots of travel. Weight range is 24-35 pounds.
How do I know what size frame I need?
As a general rule, you should have at least a couple of inches of stand over height above the top tube. In other words, if you are standing over the top tube in front of the seat, you should have some space between you and the bike. Precise fit is critical for a road bike. For a mountain bike, you may want to have even more stand over clearance, since you’ll tend to move around on the bike a lot more when you’re riding trails. If you are between sizes, it is always better to get the one that is a little small (you can always raise the seat or get a longer stem) than to risk getting a bike that is too big, which could be uncomfortable or even dangerous. Frames are measured along the length of the seat tube, usually from the center of the bottom bracket to the center of the top tube intersection. Since bottom bracket height will vary from bike to bike, there is no simple formula or guide for determining your appropriate frame size. But as a very general guideline, you may consider the following for basic mountain bike sizing:
4’10” – 5’0” = 12-13” bike
5’0” – 5’2” = 14” bike
5’2” – 5’4” = 15” bike
5’4” – 5’6” = 16” bike
5’6” – 5’8” = 17” bike
5’8” – 5’10” = 18” bike
5’10 – 6’0” = 20” bike
6’0” – 6’2” = 21” bike
6’2” – 6’4” = 22” bike
For precise sizing, it may be best to visit your local bike dealer and try sizing yourself on several brands of bicycles. By the way, road bikes are traditionally measured in centimeters, while mountain bikes are measured in inches.
What size full-suspension bike will fit me?
Here's a rough guide to go by, based on your height:
5'2"-5'6" = small
5'7"-5'10" = medium
5'11"-6'1" = large
6'2"-taller = X-Large
This is just an estimate. Depending on arm/torso length, the size your needs may differ.
What size road bike would fit me?
To determine your correct road frame size, you will need your actual inseam length. This is a measurement for bike sizing purposes and will likely be different than your pants length. For this measurement, stand in stocking feet with your back against a wall. With your feet about eight inches apart (pedal width), place a carpenter's square (a notebook also works) tight against your crotch. It should be tight enough to simulate sitting on a bike. The other plane of the square should be against the wall. With a yardstick, measure from the floor to the top of carpenter's square or notebook. Repeat several times and average the results. If you measured in inches, convert to centimeters by multiplying by 2.54. To find your frame size, multiply your average inseam in centimeters by .67. For example if your inseam is 33 inches, multiply 33" x 2.54= 84cm x .67= 56.28 cm. The frame size for a 33-inch inseam would be 56 centimeters.
How can I measure the size of my bike?
Each manufacturer measures their bikes a little differently, for greatest accuracy you will need to find out how your frame is measured.
All the methods start the measurement at the center of the bottom bracket. Always measure from the crank bolt on an assembled bicycle.
The measurement will be taken up the sea tube and end in one of two places:
A: The center of the top tube.
B: The top of the top tube.
This is the size of your frame (or rather one of them is). Feel free to contact your sales department to find out which measurement is most accurate.
Frame Materials
With so many different frame materials out there, how do I choose?
Keep in mind your budget and what type of riding you will be doing. Steel is the most traditional frame material – it is extremely durable, and with proper care, a steel frame can last a lifetime. Aficionados will tell you, “Steel’s for real.” Aluminum is stiff, light and responsive – great for climbing and racing, but it can be unforgiving over rough roads or trails, transmitting the force of every bump or pothole right through the frame to your points of contact at the grips, pedals, and saddle. Carbon fiber provides great shock absorption qualities, but in the largest frame sizes, it may not be rigid enough (unless combined with other materials, as in the case of metal matrix frames) and can feel too soft. Titanium bikes are beautiful, very lightweight, and get lots of “oohs and aahs”, but they are also very expensive. Titanium has an amazing strength to weight ratio, but also an inverse relationship between weight and price! You’ve got to balance the ride quality you are seeking with the amount of money you want to spend.
Hard-tails vs. Rear Suspension
Would a hard-tail mountain bike or a full-suspension model be better for me?
Again, this all depends on the kind of riding you will be doing, as well as how much you are willing to spend. Some cross-country riders swear by their hard-tails, but more and more full-suspension bikes seem to be showing up on the start lines at cross-country races. Downhillers almost universally prefer the full-suspension design, because they are riding down extremely technical trails and their bikes need to be able to withstand the big hits. The debate rages on. Full-suspension bikes do tend to be more expensive – if not, their specifications surely include sacrifices in other areas, such as components. But depending on how you spec it out, a hard-tail can end up being just as pricey. At the very least, we recommend a suspension fork for anyone riding off-road, but the choice of hard-tail versus frame-integrated full-suspension is still a matter of opinion and riding style. Find the design that works for both your riding preferences and your budget, and you cannot go wrong.
Assembly
Does my bike come ready to ride?
You will have to do some basic assembly when you receive a complete bike, which will include adjusting the derailleur’s and brakes, but no special tools, other than a set of Allen wrenches, is necessary. You’ll want to make sure your wheels are properly attached, trued and that your quick releases are nice and tight before you go for a test ride. Novices may be better off taking the bike to a local shop to make sure it is properly assembled and trued. Please note that some bikes may not include pedals, please ask to make sure. Also, keep in mind that a new bike will go through a “break-in” period during your first few rides. You should make sure to check your spokes, cranks, stem, handlebar, and other parts to catch any loosening bolts and you may have to readjust your derailleur’s and brakes as the cables tend to stretch out slightly during the first few rides. ;
What’s the difference between a cross-country, a downhill, and a free-ride bike?
Cross-country bikes are usually hard tails and most often just have just front suspension. They are the most lightweight type of mountain bike. However, there is a new generation of cross-country bikes that have rear suspension, although this suspension does not have as much travel as full downhill bikes. The angles of a cross-country bike can be fairly steep to be able to handle lots of single-track. Weight range is 20-26 pounds.
Downhill bikes are full-suspension frames built with very slack angles for going downhill fast with little concern for riding back up the hill. Downhill bikes have lots of travel front and rear, with the front fork often a triple-crown fork and have powerful disc brakes for stopping. Everything on a downhill bike is heavy duty, so it the heaviest among the mountain bike choices with a weight range of 35-45 pounds.
Free-ride is a term for a new generation of heavier and more solidly built bikes that are typically full suspension. Free ride bikes are marketed towards the extreme all-day rider, with a premium put on strength vs. weight. Some free-ride bikes can also have just front suspension, albeit one with lots of travel. Weight range is 24-35 pounds.
How do I know what size frame I need?
As a general rule, you should have at least a couple of inches of stand over height above the top tube. In other words, if you are standing over the top tube in front of the seat, you should have some space between you and the bike. Precise fit is critical for a road bike. For a mountain bike, you may want to have even more stand over clearance, since you’ll tend to move around on the bike a lot more when you’re riding trails. If you are between sizes, it is always better to get the one that is a little small (you can always raise the seat or get a longer stem) than to risk getting a bike that is too big, which could be uncomfortable or even dangerous. Frames are measured along the length of the seat tube, usually from the center of the bottom bracket to the center of the top tube intersection. Since bottom bracket height will vary from bike to bike, there is no simple formula or guide for determining your appropriate frame size. But as a very general guideline, you may consider the following for basic mountain bike sizing:
4’10” – 5’0” = 12-13” bike
5’0” – 5’2” = 14” bike
5’2” – 5’4” = 15” bike
5’4” – 5’6” = 16” bike
5’6” – 5’8” = 17” bike
5’8” – 5’10” = 18” bike
5’10 – 6’0” = 20” bike
6’0” – 6’2” = 21” bike
6’2” – 6’4” = 22” bike
For precise sizing, it may be best to visit your local bike dealer and try sizing yourself on several brands of bicycles. By the way, road bikes are traditionally measured in centimeters, while mountain bikes are measured in inches.
What size full-suspension bike will fit me?
Here's a rough guide to go by, based on your height:
5'2"-5'6" = small
5'7"-5'10" = medium
5'11"-6'1" = large
6'2"-taller = X-Large
This is just an estimate. Depending on arm/torso length, the size your needs may differ.
What size road bike would fit me?
To determine your correct road frame size, you will need your actual inseam length. This is a measurement for bike sizing purposes and will likely be different than your pants length. For this measurement, stand in stocking feet with your back against a wall. With your feet about eight inches apart (pedal width), place a carpenter's square (a notebook also works) tight against your crotch. It should be tight enough to simulate sitting on a bike. The other plane of the square should be against the wall. With a yardstick, measure from the floor to the top of carpenter's square or notebook. Repeat several times and average the results. If you measured in inches, convert to centimeters by multiplying by 2.54. To find your frame size, multiply your average inseam in centimeters by .67. For example if your inseam is 33 inches, multiply 33" x 2.54= 84cm x .67= 56.28 cm. The frame size for a 33-inch inseam would be 56 centimeters.
How can I measure the size of my bike?
Each manufacturer measures their bikes a little differently, for greatest accuracy you will need to find out how your frame is measured.
All the methods start the measurement at the center of the bottom bracket. Always measure from the crank bolt on an assembled bicycle.
The measurement will be taken up the sea tube and end in one of two places:
A: The center of the top tube.
B: The top of the top tube.
This is the size of your frame (or rather one of them is). Feel free to contact your sales department to find out which measurement is most accurate.
Frame Materials
With so many different frame materials out there, how do I choose?
Keep in mind your budget and what type of riding you will be doing. Steel is the most traditional frame material – it is extremely durable, and with proper care, a steel frame can last a lifetime. Aficionados will tell you, “Steel’s for real.” Aluminum is stiff, light and responsive – great for climbing and racing, but it can be unforgiving over rough roads or trails, transmitting the force of every bump or pothole right through the frame to your points of contact at the grips, pedals, and saddle. Carbon fiber provides great shock absorption qualities, but in the largest frame sizes, it may not be rigid enough (unless combined with other materials, as in the case of metal matrix frames) and can feel too soft. Titanium bikes are beautiful, very lightweight, and get lots of “oohs and aahs”, but they are also very expensive. Titanium has an amazing strength to weight ratio, but also an inverse relationship between weight and price! You’ve got to balance the ride quality you are seeking with the amount of money you want to spend.
Hard-tails vs. Rear Suspension
Would a hard-tail mountain bike or a full-suspension model be better for me?
Again, this all depends on the kind of riding you will be doing, as well as how much you are willing to spend. Some cross-country riders swear by their hard-tails, but more and more full-suspension bikes seem to be showing up on the start lines at cross-country races. Downhillers almost universally prefer the full-suspension design, because they are riding down extremely technical trails and their bikes need to be able to withstand the big hits. The debate rages on. Full-suspension bikes do tend to be more expensive – if not, their specifications surely include sacrifices in other areas, such as components. But depending on how you spec it out, a hard-tail can end up being just as pricey. At the very least, we recommend a suspension fork for anyone riding off-road, but the choice of hard-tail versus frame-integrated full-suspension is still a matter of opinion and riding style. Find the design that works for both your riding preferences and your budget, and you cannot go wrong.
Assembly
Does my bike come ready to ride?
You will have to do some basic assembly when you receive a complete bike, which will include adjusting the derailleur’s and brakes, but no special tools, other than a set of Allen wrenches, is necessary. You’ll want to make sure your wheels are properly attached, trued and that your quick releases are nice and tight before you go for a test ride. Novices may be better off taking the bike to a local shop to make sure it is properly assembled and trued. Please note that some bikes may not include pedals, please ask to make sure. Also, keep in mind that a new bike will go through a “break-in” period during your first few rides. You should make sure to check your spokes, cranks, stem, handlebar, and other parts to catch any loosening bolts and you may have to readjust your derailleur’s and brakes as the cables tend to stretch out slightly during the first few rides. ;
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Start Blog
Assalamualaykum....
Hai...
Akhirnya saya membuat blog sendiri, setelah dipaksa-paksa oleh istriku hampir setahun. Alasannya biar aku bisa upload foto-foto yang aku ambil diluar facebook dan tulisan-tulisan yang sedikit ngawur. Mungkin pertama-tama aku masih harus belajar jadi mohon dimaafkan apabila ada kesalahan dan kekurangannya.
Thanx
Wassalamualaykum
Hai...
Akhirnya saya membuat blog sendiri, setelah dipaksa-paksa oleh istriku hampir setahun. Alasannya biar aku bisa upload foto-foto yang aku ambil diluar facebook dan tulisan-tulisan yang sedikit ngawur. Mungkin pertama-tama aku masih harus belajar jadi mohon dimaafkan apabila ada kesalahan dan kekurangannya.
Thanx
Wassalamualaykum
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