DISCOUNT LINK WWW.AMAZON.COM Action Sports Bell Bike Helmet Whether youre into pointing that front wheel downhill or more likely to push it against a starting gate, the Bell Drop Bike Helmet is an ideal choice to keep your noggin safe and secure. Perfect for BMX, freeride, slalom, four-cross, or downhill use, the hand-laminated Drop was designed from the ground up by the same team that created Bells now legendary Moto-8 motocross helmet. One of the safest full-face helmets on the market today, the Drop is both CPSC and ASTM DH certified. About Bell More world champions have worn Bell Helmets than all other helmet brands combined. From Grand Prix racing through the Indy 500 to Olympic cycling, Bell helmets have played a vital role in protecting sportsmen and women for nearly 50 years. Bell began as a small auto parts store in a suburb of Los Angeles. Growing under the leadership of Roy Richter, Bell became a leader in safety equipment for auto racing, motorcycling, and then bicycling. His commitment to creating great product through a close connection with the sport, along with his trust of and care for the people who worked for him, turned Bell from a one-man operation into a multi-million dollar enterprise. His legacy lives on today in Bells commitment to racing, quality and innovation. Helmet Tips–You Should Always… Wear a helmet when you ride Wear your helmet low in the front to protect the forehead Fasten your buckle and tighten your chin strap Check your <b>…<b>

The specialized mountain bikes are the ones, which are specially customized to meet the requirements of the rider. The bikes have a fundamental version, with specially customized parts and accessories. These specialized parts turn the bike even more powerful. The specialization brings more comfort to the riders, resulting in their ultimate satisfaction.
You can purchase a specialized mountain bike from a dealer or can customize it yourself by assimilating different parts. This would be possible if you are an experienced biker and is acquainted with the intricacies. However, if you are a beginner, then a basic mountain bike model without customization would be sufficient. The more the knowledge grows, the more you would be confident in using different parts all by yourself.
A specialized mountain bike is manufactured with added and better parts; the look gets improved and even more fascinating. In order to customize your own bike, you can add new paddles, brakes, gears and handlebars. You can even change the frame, suspension system or tires. The color of the bikes may also be changed, to suit your taste. However, if you are more interested in purchasing the mountain bike, then you must have the idea what parts are needed to make your ride safe and enjoyable. There is no limit to the amount you may pay for customizing your bike. However, you should be quite particular about your budget, and must keep your expenditure under control.
Processes for customization
1.Customization can be done by getting new handlebars that better suit your mountain bikes.
2.Do not run after spending too much money on buying new parts. Use a bit of intelligence in customizing your bike, and make it powerful and worthy.
3.The new parts that you will purchase, should match the bike you have.
4.You should contact the manufacturer to be in the safe side, and must check the return and exchange policies of the online and offline exchanges.
5.There is huge number of models available in the market. However, you must discreetly choose the model you exactly want.
The way to specialize bikes
There are many processes to specialize bikes. The specialization would depend on your choice of bikes, and the amount you are willing to pay. Sometimes, only the new frames cause a makeover to the bikes. A large majority want specialized, ultra smooth suspension seat posts or fully adjustable handlebars. There are specialized tires, suiting different terrains.
Disadvantages of specialization
There are some disadvantages of specialization as well. Specialization does not always serve you in the way you should. You would not know, whether you are the only person with the specialized bike or not. Only a branded manufacturer can give you the guarantee.
Thus, a specialized mountain bike can bring you full satisfaction, if it is chosen rightly.

Robert Sheehan is a freelance writer and co-owner of
http://www.bicycles-are-us.com Visit Robert And
read more about bicycles at
http://www.bicycles-are-us.com/Mountain-Bikes.html
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In the postwar era, many technological advances were made in the manufacture of motorcycle helmets. Energy-absorbing foams were developed which could absorb and scatter the force of impact and lessen head trauma from crashes. Improvements were made in all four of the basic elements of the motorcycle helmet: The outer shell, interior lining, flexible foam lining and chin strap.

The most important of these components as regards safety in a crash is the foam lining inside of the helmet. Polystyrene foam (to be precise, expandable polystyrene foam or EPS) is present in a thick layer in contemporary motorcycle helmets. EPS is lightweight and can withstand compression, making it a perfect material to use for the lining of motorcycle helmets. This lining absorbs and diffuses the energy of an impact, which the skull of the rider would otherwise bear the brunt of. EPS comes in different types and is used in various thicknesses in the manufacture of motorcycle helmets. Basically, the more foam that is used, the more impact resistance the helmet possesses.

The interior lining (not to be confused with the foam cushioning is usually removable; all the better to adjust for fit and of course, removal for washing. This liner comprises the top two layers of the interior of a motorcycle helmet. The outer shell is made from extremely durable materials and must go through extensive DOT testing. These tests include resistance to puncture and abrasion (for instance, from skidding along pavement). These days, the shell is likely to be made of fiberglass or plastic due to cost and weight. However, more high end helmets are made from (equally light, yet far more expensive) materials such as Kevlar and carbon fibers.

And last but not least is the chin strap. Usually made of nylon, this vital piece holds everything together and ensures that the helmet will remain on the rider in the event of a crash.

The manufacturing process of motorcycle helmets is undergoing continual improvement by the companies engaged in making them. Lighter materials and better construction mean constant improvement in motorcycle helmets. There are heavier materials out there for helmets; fiberglass for instance. While offering good protection, they can crack if dropped, ruining their utility as protective gear. Injection molded plastic is another common material. However, this is not as long lasting as fiberglass and can be broken down by paint and decals. Great care must be taken with what goes onto a plastic helmet.

Keep in mind what sort of bike you intend to ride while wearing any helmet you are considering purchasing. Discuss it with the staff at your local shop; the type of helmet that can best protect you in a crash can depend to some extent on what model and make you ride.

John Daniele is an expert on motorcycle helmets. For information or to purchase a handcrafted, light-weight, fiberglass novelty motorcycle helmets see www.helmetsrus.com
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Why do you think one needs a helmet while riding a bicycle or skating or horse riding or even playing?Well,some say that helmets are unnecessary as they cannot save a persons life or prevent accidents.True,safety helmets cannot prevent or stop accidents but they can in some measure safe a person?s life when met with an accident.According to the statistics calculated recently in U.S, about one fourth of the people brought in emergency rooms have head injuries and one out of every eight of them are reported to have brain injuries. This may not have happened had they been wearing a safety helmet. So at least brain injury would have been prevented which would eventually cause death. A single head injury can also make a person handicapped for life. Even while at work especially where there are a lot of construction work, a safety helmet is a must. It should be the responsibility of the employer to provide these helmets to his employees as many to prevent any such head injuries. Choosing the right helmet: There are different kinds of safety helmet available as different sports require different helmets. But the key here is to wear the right fitting. A loose helmet cannot protect the head as much as fitted ones. A helmet should always fit the persons head. It should touch the head all the way around and should be stable enough that even in jerks it should not move. When it comes to buying for kids many a times we tend to feel that we should get a bigger one as they would grow anyways but that is wrong. The brand is also important. One should never compromise on price when it comes to safety. Comfort is another thing that you should keep in mind as if it is not comfortable then you are very unlikely to wear it also. All parents, coaches, trainers and organizers should be made aware of this safety precaution. A lot of injuries also occur during horse riding and the statistics of accidents is very alarming. Even though other factors may also be involved from falling off a horse like slipping and back riding but the height from which the person falls is what jeopardizes the injury. If he falls from a height of 2 feet he is likely to have brain damage but if he falls from a greater height as the horse tends to elevate him up to 8 feet from the ground then his skull would be shattered. So, one should never ride a horse without wearing a safety helmet. Bicycle helmets are made from foam polystyrene, and this polystyrene though is rigid it can be molded into virtually any shape. This can be easily damaged by crushing as it has a quite a high number of tiny air pockets. This process of crushing absorbs energy thus making it ideal for the construction of bicycle helmets. This helmets tend to get a bit warm during hot days but nowadays there are more expensive ones that are available and these helmets have more air vents to keep you cool but this can reduce the amount of energy absorbed as the amount of polystyrene is reduced. Whether wearing a helmet is necessary or not depends on the individual. But you should never underestimate the use of it because there are benefits of using a safety helmet. It is always better to take precautions then suffer the consequences. You should take responsibity of young ones in your family and educate them about safety helmets after all it is always better to have knowledge about things then be careless about it. Always wear helmets and be safe.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), when comparing a automobile to a motorcycle rider the motorcycle rider has a 35 percent greater chance of getting hurt or dying in a automobile accident compared to a driver in a automobile. When wearing a helmet it is less likely that the motorcyclists will receive a serious head injury and more likely to survive the accident according to the The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Safety helmets for motorcycle users are the law in many states, optional in others. Especially so if the helmet is rated for safety and is properly fit to the wearer. Safety is what it’s all about right.
When wearing a motorcycle helmet it will protect your head against the following, it protects your face, your ears and you are able to have an intercom system to talk to others. A helmet protects your head and your face from injuries. There are many different types of helmets ranging from helmets that have a face guard and helmets that have an open face so you can feel the wind on your face, helmets can be customized to your specifications. Looking for full face helmets can be a challenge. On helmets the face shield can retract by lifting up and down.
Because Motorcycles lack the protection of other vehicles, such as a car or truck, severe injury is much more likely. For comfort and protection they generally have fabric and foam interiors. Motorcycle helmets act as a protection device for your head.
When looking at helmets to purchase don’t let the price determine which helmet you will purchase, you will need to look at the protection factor it can provide and how it is rated. When manufacture design a helmet they look at many different factors, one of the factors is how much impact a helmet can receive without hurting the persons head, many helmet manufactures put padding and made the inner side soft while the outer shell is very hard and very difficult to penetrate.
Trying to find a helmet that fits is very important, when looking at helmets try them on and make sure they fit snug and the feel is comfortable. If you are buying a helmet for a child make sure the helmet fits snug and the child can see out of it and the helmet doesn’t turn around while wearing it, if you are buying a used helmet make sure there are no cracks, the padding is in the helmet and the strap still works.
Even if you don’t choose to wear a motorcycle helmet for safety reasons, there are other reasons. When looking for motorcycle helmets there are so many choices and many different designs, colors and visors. Some manufactures match the men’s helmet with the women’s helmet and other accessories.
Safety helmets successfully reduce the chances of head injury to a great extent. For instance, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has estimated in a report that if you do not wear a helmet there is a 40% chance that the rider will suffer a head injury and a 15% chance of it being a fatal head injury.

Mountain biking, as the name suggests, is a biking sport in which bicycle-riders ride along mountain trails. Biking through a mountain terrain is pure fun, but it also has its share of adventure and excitement. The best-known locations for biking in mountainous surroundings have unpaved surfaces and so you need to be an expert biker to truly experience the thrill.

History

Since their invention, bicycles have been used on all terrains, including rugged mountainous territories. However, it was not until 1970s that biking in the mountains became an organized sport. Groups of bicycle-riders from different parts of the United States played a pivotal role in the evolution of this thrilling biking-sport – experimenting with bikes of different makes and modifying them so that they could take the rigors of riding in the uneven, craggy mountainous lands.

The Mountain Bike Hall of Fame, however, bestows the honor to a group of bikers in Marin County, California. The group (consisting of famous names in this field like Gary Fisher, Joe Breeze, Keith Bontrager and Otis Guy among others) undertook bike-ride down Mount Tamalpais (Mt Tam) on old 1930s and 40s Schwinn bicycles retrofitted with advanced brakes and fat tires.

The first ‘proper’ mountain bike was built by Joe Breeze in 1977. The present-day mountain bikes are based on the bicycle first marketed by the MountainBikes Company. The frame of this particular bike was built by Tom Ritchey and it was accessorized by Gary Fisher and Charlie Kelly.

Types

Bikers usually engage in four different kinds of cycling tours in the mountains:

1. Cross-Country (or XC) biking is the most familiar type mountain riding sport and naturally has the maximum number of followers. The sport involves riding between points or in loops. It includes ascents and descents on different terrains. (Cross-Country racing competitions are different from cross-country biking). A typical XC bike weighs some 22-28 lbs and it has 0-4 inches of suspension travel front and rear.

2. Freeride is the other popular type of biking in mountain trails. It restricts the biker with no specific rules rather allows the rider to do ‘anything and everything’ – downhill rides (without clock), jumps, stunts – that require skill and are hence meant for professionals. Freeride biking requires the rider to assemble the bike as per convenience and style, but these bikes are a bit heavier (weighing between 30 and 40 lbs) and are amply suspended (generally has 6 inches of suspension front and rear).

3. Downhill, as the name suggests, involves riding mountain bikes downhill. It is generally associated with racing-oriented downhill riding. Downhill biking does not require the rider to pedal up the hill. The bikers along with their bikes are transported up the hill with the help of a truck or ski-lift. The downhill climb is indeed challenging including jumps and drops as well as physical hindrances. Tough mentality, physical strength, swiftness and mounted heavy bikes weighing some 40-50 lbs make you eligible for these races.

4. Trials riding, which is quite similar to skateboarding, involves hopping and jumping over obstacles with your bike. It demands great sense of balance and control. The riders make use of special bikes that make use of 20″, 24″ or 26″ wheels fitted to small, low frames.

The following tips will prove helpful if you are planning a bicycle-trip in the rocky, hilly terrains for the first time:

1. You must have stamina and endurance to bike down a mountain.

2. Selection of a superior quality bike, especially one that perfectly meets your type of mountain riding is also very crucial.

3. You cannot avoid minor cuts and bruises but you can certainly prevent major mishaps by resorting to precautionary measures, buying yourself some protection in the form of helmets, knee-caps and elbow-caps. A good pair of goggles will also prove handy.

4. Special competitions are organized by various mountain bikers’ groups and you can join in with them. If you choose to go on your own, you will need to collect all relevant information – routes, rules, et al.

5. Whether you go with a bikers’ group or go biking all by yourself, you must remember to carry your equipment kit so that you can take care of all your bicycle-repairs.

When people decide to buy a motorcycle, the dealer will usually throw in a helmet. This is because state regulations require bike owners to have this on as a safety device. Before leaving the place, the individual should check if this will snugly onto one’s head.
If this can easily be taken on and off, then the person can already drive away. Most motorcycle helmets come in just one color. This is usually in yellow, red, white and orange. Should the individual want to add style to it; there are places that offer stickers that will look good on the helmet.
The decal store is not that hard to find. This is because the people who run these places also make stickers for cars, boats and trucks. The person can drive around town to find it, check the local directory or surf for these in the Internet.
There are hundreds of sticker designs to choose from. The individual will notice that these are available in different shapes and sizes which also means that the price of these vary from $.99 cents to $4.00.
People who want this to look cool and flashy should get those that are reflectorized so that motorists can see the biker on the road. This safety feature will prevent drivers from bumping into the biker from the back causing injury or death.
Many people want to add stickers that have lines going from the front of the helmet until the back. Others want a big cartoon caricature on the sides or on the rear.
If the design the customer wants is not available, the dealer can probably make a customized version according to the specifications given by the client.
Before selecting the sticker, it will be a good idea to imagine how the bike owner will look with it in front of a mirror. If this will make the individual look like a clown, it is advisable to choose something else.
The only safety feature that a motorcycle has against collisions is the helmet. This is because this two-wheeled machine doesn’t have the space for a seat belt or air bags that are commonly found in automobiles.
So if the person wants to look cool and be safe on the road, it will be a good idea to have stickers on it. This will probably make the individual stand out in a crowd of bikers who might mistakenly get someone else’s head gear when it is time to go home.

Trust a woman to make sweeping changes for the better.
For years, motorcycle riders have always had a certain infamous reputation. Especially when they travel in packs, motorcycle riders are feared by others. They are often depicted by media, particularly in films, as the proponents of massive brawls and unprovoked violence. Furthermore, bikers are often stereo typed as people who are uneducated and have nothing better to do than terrorize people as they move from bar to bar, transported by their big bikes.
This kind of behavior and reputation however, does not precede the various, responsible motorcycle bike riders that all happen to be women. Although associations of women motorcycle riders have been established since decades ago, the growing number of responsible motorcycle riding women along with their numerous contributions to society are only beginning to constantly garner attention and praise. At last, motorcycle riders, particularly, female motorcycle riders have been able to revise popular opinion about how they are perceived.
Going beyond promoting the wearing of helmets when riding motorcycles, these women riders from different women riders associations, help each other and help society as a whole with their various activities. Common activities done during meetings within these women bike rider groups are talks on safety on the riding as well as practical, do it yourself troubleshooting for motorcycles.
Beyond that, many individuals, as well as women rider groups have been, and continues to be actively involved in raising funds and awareness for certain charities and causes. While as individuals, these women may have very different backgrounds, preferences and inclinations, but they all have the passion for biking in common as well as the need to be better at serving society through this particular passion.
Women motorcycle riders with their helmets and jackets is a truly remarkable breed. They have successfully transformed the prevailing, less than favorable image of bike riders and they have gone the distance with causes and charities close to their hearts. If you are a woman who likes to ride bikes and you are above worrying about getting your hair messed up inside a helmet, you might consider hooking up with other women bike riders if you are not part of a group yet.
To help you understand these groups better, what they stand for, what they do and if there is a group nearest you, check out the various links below of fantastic associations of woman motorcycle riders out to set the world ablaze with their passion for riding equaled only by their compassion for those in need. Happy riding!

Along with the feelings of freedom and rebelliousness that come with riding a motorcycle, comes its more impending issue: safety. All riders know the advantages of having a face helmet, but it is only the responsible ones that use them.Face helmets are an essential item in the responsible rider’s arsenal. The head being an severely vulnerable part of the body, it comes only natural that we humans have developed a second skull, so to speak. It must be noted, though, that there are a vast number of face helmets available in the market today, and not all of them offer equal levels of protection and thus the said responsible rider must inevitably acquire all information available to him before making a purchase and depending his life on a flimsy piece of plastic (which is quite sadly, a possibility). Growling through to supply your information needs, Facehelmet.com steps in. Facehelmet.com offers its followers with every bit of information they could ever need about face helmets. With supremely helpful and undoubtedly simple articles on half face helmets, open face helmets and much more, Facehelmets.com becomes the most responsible avenue to depend on  before any rider acquires any face helmet. And though not as important as the safety advantages, any rider will surely agree that it is indeed a great help to know the several prices of face helmets before committing to one. Facehelmets.com also touches on the price ranges of face helmets, thus also making it integral to a cost-effective decision.The first step to riding safety right beneath your fingertips; Facehelmet.com is absolutely free, and is no doubt the best resource for everything about face helmets.  Visit Facehelmet.com today and become the responsible motorcycle rider that you ought to be. Facehelmet.com, because you love your face. Because you love your life.

Freelance Web designer and Artist
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Being a motorcyclist is probably one of the most dangerous road-going hobbies on the planet. You can be the most skilled experienced biker and still get knocked off your bike by some irresponsible van driver or even by a less experienced biker!

The only thing you can do is ensure you are as safe as possible when you are out and about on your bike and having a decent helmet is the first place to start.

You should always buy your helmet brand new – if you are looking at second hand ones then STOP as you don’t know what the helmet has experienced or if it’s been used in a crash or anything.

You should always go and try your bike helmet on before you buy – or buy one you have tried on before and you know it fits you well. Having an incorrectly fitting helmet is as dangerous as not wearing one at all.

In addition to these obvious things, it’s also important to never draw on your helmet with any permanent markers, or stick stickers on them – as the glues and solvents used in such products can weaken the helmets – and we don’t want that do we! There are places you can go, mainly professional body shops – that will professionally paint your helmet – they use water based paints and techniques that will in no way weaken your helmet, so if you are insistent in having it modified then please consult the professionals.

To summarise, make sure your motorcycle helmets the right size, brand new, and un-modified.