Monday, April 2, 2012

How Strong is a Carbon Fiber Bike?

There is a common misconception that Carbon Fiber Bikes are designed and built for toughness and vigor as well as for speed benefits.  This is wrong.  The truth about carbon fiber products is that although they are very light and can be manufactured in to various dissimilar shapes and designs, the actual vigor of the material can be compromised very easily.

If you are serious about using carbon fiber components, or are a serious road racer or triathlete you will know that losing the ounces means all things when it comes to competing sports.  Just by using a carbon fiber change part will make a great dissimilarity to the widespread speed and effectiveness of your bike and hopefully give you an edge against your competition.

Hybrid Bike

If your carbon fiber frame on your new mountain bike even gets a deep scratch or gouge after a crash or fall, it can render the bike useless.  A crack or break will also mean that the bike is probably best disposed of.  Carbon fiber can be repaired, but due to the way that the material is made and shaped specifically to the build of the bike, it will never be as good as before.  If the frame develops a crack, this will become the weakest point in the frame and will cause extra stress which will at last cause the tubing to crack open.  You will in effect not be able to use the bike on a downhill run or over any bumpy terrain again.

How Strong is a Carbon Fiber Bike?

If you are not a serious cyclist, you might consider buying a economy combination frame such as a carbon fiber and aluminum mix which will give you the benefits of the bike being lighter, but will also contribute you with a bike with better vigor overall.  If you bought an item such as a carbon fiber seat post, you may find that it is not entirely made from that material and that it is a hybrid mix designed to make it lighter but also stronger.

If you are seeing to purchase a second hand carbon fiber bike or frame, make sure that you know the history of the item and ensure that there are no bumps, scratches or cracks before you buy.  However, the good thing is that the person selling the item will most likely be a professional cyclist too seeing to upgrade to a new model and they will have looked after the bike and kept it in good condition.

How Strong is a Carbon Fiber Bike?

Eco-Friendly Tips For Your Summer Getaway

With both energy costs and environmental awareness on the rise, more people are starting to rethink their advent to planning summer holidays.  Armed with just a few bits of information, it's surprisingly easy to plan a satisfying summer adventure that's both ecologically and fiscally responsible.  Here are our top tips to development travel plans that save money and lower carbon emissions.

Travelling Green

Hybrid Bike

How you get from point A to point B can be someone else opportunity to stretch your green lifestyle. There are so many options, with commercial aircraft probably at the top of the carbon impact list. Get creative! gawk options like a sailboat, whitewater rafting, or overland exploring on horseback. Green Tortoise Adventure travel offers funky and fun sleeper buses that stop at hot springs and beaches as they travel from British Columbia to Mexico.

Eco-Friendly Tips For Your Summer Getaway

Try the Train: It might take more time, but you'll see more countryside, avoid the hassle of airport security, and feel good about contributing fewer greenhouse gas emissions. Rail travel uses less fuel per passenger mile than cars or commercial airlines

Driving Lightly: Rather than put miles on your own car, rent a hybrid electric car or effective diesel car that you can even fill up with biodiesel.

Green Accomodations

One way to make your vacation greener and healthier is to choose a hotel that's committed to bettering its environmental footprint. Eco-resorts are available in most traveler destinations, and nearly every major hotel chain seems to be going green in one way or another. Help more hotels go green by patronizing one that matches your environmental ethic.

No matter where you stay you can also let housekeeping know you're O.K. With retention your same sheets or towels for a few days (most hotels will have signs you can hang out.) You can also bring a reusable water bottle for every person in your group.

Green Activities

Entertain the possibility of experiencing different natural systems like a desert, river, lake, seaside or forest. State and national parks are also a great place to chill, especially with kids in tow. You can generate a holiday camping under the stars or find a four-star recession lodge with all amenities. Whether way, you'll be rewarded with the added bonus of creation's natural regenerative, healing, and inspirational effects.

If you're traveling to a city, see the local sights on foot, or rent a bike. You can also crusade for a vacation by event (cycling, rafting, etc.) or by location at www.sustainabletravelinternational.org.

Offset Your Impacts

Carbon offsets are a way to lower the environmental impact of a plane trip or other impact by investing money in associates that plant trees, help to build wind farms, or create energy rescue projects; basically paying for emission reductions to take place somewhere so that it offsets your own emissions. It's much best to lower your own personal carbon footprint first, and then look at supporting sustainable projects that sequester carbon responsibly in other parts of the world. Be sure to check the credibility of the carbon-offset fund you want to support.

Eco-Friendly Tips For Your Summer Getaway