We at roadbicycles.org are recommending the mycycling.com training program. This program is the best online road cycling program we have ever come across……See Explosive Results in just Weeks!

It includes everything from a beginners training program to secret pro sessions that will push you to higher levels of cycling and endurance. This system includes not only great training tips and tricks, but full training schedules, a tracking system with graphs and charts, and professional cyclists who can answer questions and help you along. It really is a fantastic service that puts the fun back into cycling training and one that we highly recommend.

Here is some of what you get for a relatively small one time membership fee:

And much more!

DON’T PUT IT OFF! START YOUR NEW TRAINING REGIMEN AND TRACKING SYSTEM TODAY!

You will find that no other bike is like one that is customized for you. It is the right fit for your body, including the right weight, height, and feel, and it is made with the right parts and components. A customized bike will be more expensive, but it will be well worth the money because it will ride better and be more comfortable.

One of the first things that you need to decide upon is the top tube. If you have a longer torso, then you will want a bicycle with a longer top tube. You can choose to get a handlebar stem that is longer, but if you do this, then you will need to sit so that your weight will be focused on the front wheel. This may affect the control and handling of your bike, so you may not want to do this. Choosing a bike with a longer top tube would be a much better choice for you.

Woman may find that longer top tubes are not very comfortable because it may cause them to have to stretch to reach the handlebar. This may cause them to turn the stem backwards or they can choose to get a seat post that is longer and a bike stem that can be raised higher.

Bicycles come in a few standard heights. The shorter height is approximately 47 cm and the taller height is 63 cm. You may find that some of the bicycle manufacturers make bikes that are 40 cm for women to ride, but the tubing is usually of a standard size, which makes the ride uncomfortable. To determine which height fits you the best, you will need to try out several of the bikes.

The frame is one consideration, but the handlebar can have a big impact upon the bike’s feel as well. The handlebar needs to be at the right depth and width so that it feels right and so that you can control the bike properly. It should be comfortable to ride during races and long distance rides as well. A 73-degree angle is the optimum angle for the head and seat tube for maximum stability.

You will also find that parts like hubs, the headset, bottom bracket, and the seat post are also important facets of your bike. By choosing more lightweight features, you will find that your bike is easier to control and it will go much faster.

Now that you have a bike that fits your body and your needs, you can also add in your personality to aesthetically make it into the bike of your dreams. Adding your own personal touches can be the most fun part of customizing your bike.

It sounds like a dream to have the bike that you have always wanted, but it can cost you quite a bit of money if you are not careful. The fitting costs and special components can cost quite a bit and add in the cost of assembling this custom bike and you could be looking at quite a bill. By making your decisions carefully, you will be able to get the bike that you want and that fits your budget.

By Andrew Caxton

Andrew Caxton is a consultant who writes on many consumer topics like cycling for http://www.bikecyclingreviews.com. Find more publications about road bike reviews at his website.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Andrew_Caxton

http://EzineArticles.com/?Customized-Road-Bikes&id=457761

Triathlon athletes know that their discipline is unique in the world of endurance sports. Not only are these individuals fit enough to exert themselves for hours without rest, they are also trained in three different arenas. Swimming, cycling, and running are arguably the sports requiring the most perseverance and dedication to master and tri-athletes strive to do just that.

The sport also requires special equipment. For those serious about their performance here is a list of things you might want to consider.

Swimming:
Wetsuit. Preferably one made for triathlons. They are more suited for the movements of swimming than traditional suits.
Body glide or gel. This is helpful when applied before the wetsuit. It aids in quick wetsuit removal and then also reduced friction during the cycling and running legs of the race.
Goggles and Anti-fog. Good goggles are a must. Make sure they fit well and you have tested them in training before the race. Cold water swims will result in fogging which can make a difficult swim harder. Apply anti-fog before the race starts.
Swim Cap. These are generally provided for you in a specific color to denote your start wave. However, if the water is cold (say around 60-68 degrees) then you might want a thicker cap to double up with.

Cycling:
A good triathlon bike. These are different from a traditional road bike. There is no drafting allowed during triathlon races and so aerodynamics is critical. Triathlon bikes are built with different geometry to help with this. The more ‘forward’ position and ‘lower’ upper body profile reduces drag and increases efficiency. These bikes come with ‘aero’ bars that allow you to support your body in a narrower position. Traditional road bikes can be modified to work similar to triathlon bikes by adding aero bars to them.
Cycle shorts and Top. These should be slim and fit snug. This will decrease wind resistance while riding and allow you to wear them under the wetsuit. This makes for a quicker swim to cycle transition.
Aerodynamic Helmet. Again efficiency is everything on this leg of the race and every little bit helps.
Cycling gloves. A must in my mind. Crashes happen, and if you are protected it can make the unlucky setback far more bearable.
Bike mounted hydration system. You will need to drink much of your fluids and electrolytes during this leg. It is impossible while swimming and difficult while running. So, find a hydration system that mounts on your aero bars or frame with a straw-like device that makes it possible to drink while peddling.
Bike repair kit. There is no aid allowed on a race course and so if you run into bike issues it can end your race unless you are prepared to fix it. This also brings the need for a slim tool bag.

Running:
Shoes. This is the single most important piece of equipment for this leg of the race. They must be comfortable and already have gone through the ‘break in’ period. Tie them securely before starting out. Get a pair that you have used before, so that you trust them.
Sunglasses. Likely you will have used these during your ride as well. They should be light-weight and comfortable. UV protection is a must.
Running visor. While this is not a must it is nice on sunny days to have a little shade on your face and eyes.
Body mounted hydration. A great idea since it can seem like an eternity between aid stations. A soft belt or “waist-pack” like holder with a 1/2 liter water bottle will usually do it.
Clothing. Most people will run in the same clothes that they cycled in for shorter triathlons. Half-iron man and Iron man Triathlons require that a pair of comfortable shorts be changed into. Be sure to wear running socks with little or no seam. Other types of socks can result in blisters.

Being well prepared for the physical challenges of a triathlon starts with training, but on race day, equipment can play an equally critical role. I hope you found this helpful and informative. Visit our sponsor below to locate any missing pieces in your triathlon arsenal.  Or visit our Bike Store.

Winter.  It seems like the perfect excuse to ignore the bikes for a few months and go into hibernation.  After all, you deserve it after all the long months of hard riding and intense training.  It’s time to switch over to interval training between the couch and frig, right?  Wrong!  Unless you want to start your spring well behind your cycling comrades and spend the first few months in agony as you try to regain your former performance level you should consider at least a maintenance program.  Winter can be a time for rest for cyclist, but not total hibernation.  Here are some ways to maintain your cycling fitness and even make some improvements throughout the dark and cold of winter.

The first step in having a successful winter training program is formulating a plan.  Just like your spring and summer training program it really helps to sit down and set some goals with specific steps laid out to achieve those goals.  Writing them down is also important.  This makes them ‘real’ and will serve to remind you of your plan.  Take this written program and paste it somewhere you will see it everyday.  This serves to motivate and remind you.

There are all kinds of ways to continue your cycling fitness into the colder and shorter months of the year.  The indoor trainer is a ‘good old’ standby for those rainy, miserable days.  There are lots of trainers on the market and just about any of them will do the job.  Some are fancier than others, but they all essentially perform the same function.  The main differences in quality are that the more expensive models are quieter, smoother, offer a wider range of resistances, and may have adjustable resistance devices that allow you to change the intensity of the workout without getting off of the bicycle.  The most difficult part of exercise on an indoor trainer is the boredom.  I’ve found that watching TV or listening to an MP3 player can help, but it’s still painful.  Another option is to watch cycling videos.  This way you can ‘mimic’ the actions of the riders on the video.  In other words, if they are cruising then you cruise, it the are out of the saddle climbing, then you climb, it they are sprinting to a waypoint or finish, then you sprint.  It really helps to mix up the workout and keeps it interesting.

Spin classes are also a great way to turn the cranks during the winter.  I know that a lot of upper level riders feel that ‘spinning’ is simply below them, however, I think they are missing some of the benefits of this type of training.  Spinning is great for peer motivation.  After all, you’re in a room with a bunch of other riders and no matter how hard you try, its impossible not to be a little competitive.  This helps you push yourself harder than if you’re at home on your trainer.  You can also talk your summer riding buddies into going with you.  Now the competition really picks up.  They are also scheduled classes, which helps to add some structure to your winter training program.

Strength training is not something that we all want to do in the summer when its nice outside; and we shouldn’t.  Winter however, is the perfect time to spend some time ‘pumping iron’.  Strength training is often times overlooked by cyclists  because it associated with the steroid infused human mutants of the weight room.  Again, it is time to set aside judgments and do some leg presses and hamstring and quadriceps training.  By taking advantage of the winter weather and spending some of these days under the weight bar, you will find that the gear you push next season is one notch up from last year.

Cross training can also be a part of winter.  Let’s face it, there are a lot of other sports out there besides cycling (don’t hate me for saying it).  Good cross-training sports to consider are running, cross country skiing, alpine skiing, and swimming.  Do your best to stay injury free, but go out and expand yourself into some new areas.

So with all of that said, put down the remote control and make out your off-season training schedule today.  It’ll make for a better winter and an even better spring of cycling.