Is the gearbox of mountain bikes as many as possible?

The development of mountain bike speed:

Since the mid-90s, the speed of mainstream mountain bikes has been changing. The development process is roughly like this: 3×8=24 speed→3×9=27 speed→3×10=30 speed→2×10=20 speed→2×11=22 speed →1×11=11 speed →1×12=12 speed.

The more popular speeds such as 3×9, 3×10, etc., have now been replaced by lesser speeds such as the front 1-2 speed and the rear 10-12 speed.

Why is there less and less speed?

Less than so many gears:

Bikers who often ride mountain bikes cross country know that in the process of cycling, the three-disc configuration is actually not very useful. Take me as an example. In the era of 3 discs, I would basically use the big disc to ride on the road, the middle disc for climbing or cross-country. For the adjustment of the front and rear speed ratio, I used more on the rear derailleur. It is not needed because it is too “light” and it feels like kicking in the air. And in use, the 3-disk system will have a lot of overlap between the front and rear speed ratios, which is actually too redundant.

The wheel diameter is getting bigger and bigger:
In addition, the current professional mountain bike wheel diameter is mostly 27.5 or 29 inches, which is much larger than the traditional 26 inches. The large wheel diameter and the larger chain ring make the foot feel very heavy, which is not suitable for cross country cycling. , So manufacturers will reduce the number of teeth of the chainring to a more suitable number of cross country teeth, such as a single disk with 34-36 teeth, or a small disk with about 26 teeth.

This allows the cyclist to obtain a more suitable pedaling force during cross country cycling.

Flywheel gears gradually increase:
At present, the flywheels of mainstream mountain bikes are all 10 and 11 speeds, and SRAM has even introduced a 12-speed flywheel. For the outdated 8 and 9-speed flywheel era, the current flywheel covers more speeds, with double discs and even A single disc is completely sufficient, and the increment range of the number of teeth is small, and a very fine increase/decrease of the gear ratio can be obtained-the fine speed change is more reflected in the flywheel than the chainring.

Easy to operate:
Too many gears will make you feel very complicated to operate, especially in cross country cycling that requires a high degree of concentration and can handle changing terrain at any time. Simple operation is particularly important. Therefore, streamlining the transmission system allows the cyclist to concentrate more on cycling. Moreover, the higher the intensity of mountain bike cycling, the more downhill and the less frequently the transmission system is used.

Practical application:
At present, 3×9 and 3×10 speeds are still in use, but they are mostly concentrated on 26-inch hardtail mountain bikes. 3×9 speeds are basically only used for entry-level mountain bikes. The dual-disc transmission system is mostly found in the middle and high level. Hardtail mountain bikes with 27.5 or 29-inch wheel diameters, and soft-tail bikes with stronger off-road strength (mountain bikes with rear shocks) basically use a single-disc transmission system.

Do you need to drink sports drinks while cycling?

Do you drink sports drinks while cycling? Obviously, water can be filled at home, is it really necessary to buy a can of sports drinks? According to the surveys I did in some cycling clubs, about half of the cyclists drink sports drinks while riding, and half drink only water. It can be seen that half of the cyclists still don’t understand the help of sports drinks, or I don’t think it is necessary.

Today we will take a look at how sports drinks can help us!

Your sweat is not just water

Have you ever thought that when you are climbing a very steep mountain road and constantly increasing your cruising speed on flat ground, your body starts to sweat in order to lower your body temperature, but what is in the sweat running down your cheeks? In addition to 99% moisture, sweat also contains electrolytes.

When the exercise intensity is high and the ambient temperature is high, the body will sweat a lot, and the rate of electrolyte recovery in the body will not keep up with the rate of loss, resulting in a decrease in the concentration of electrolytes in the body. The main functions of these electrolytes in the body are: “moisture control”, “maintenance of osmotic pressure”, “nerve conduction”, and “muscle contraction”. Each function directly affects sports performance. Every cyclist has to pay attention to it.

What happens if you only drink water?

Generally speaking, the osmotic pressure of the human body is about 270~330m Osm/kg. Any liquid with an osmotic pressure lower than 270 will be classified as low osmotic pressure, and water is low osmotic pressure. Drinking only water while cycling will make the osmotic pressure in the body unbalanced, and will accelerate the decrease in electrolyte concentration due to sweating, leading to cramps. If the situation is more serious, you may feel nauseous and even cause spontaneous dehydration. Happening. Simply put:

Increase in body temperature → sweat more → lack of salt + drink only water → decrease in sodium ion concentration → sweat more → cramps

Therefore, no matter how far you ride that day, it is safest to prepare a can of sports drinks on the bike to be on the safe side.

What sports drink is right for me?

At present, sports drinks on the market are mainly divided into three types: high osmotic pressure, iso-osmotic pressure, and low osmotic pressure.

Low osmotic pressure: The osmotic pressure is lower than 270m Osm/kg, and the absorption rate is too fast.

Isotonic pressure: The osmotic pressure is between 270~330m Osm/kg, the electrolyte concentration is similar to that of the human body, and the absorption rate is moderate.

High osmotic pressure: The osmotic pressure is higher than 330m Osm/kg, which mainly provides the body’s sugar reserves, and the absorption rate is too slow.

Because cycling has a certain exercise intensity and sweats a lot, some cyclists who have ridden a bicycle in the summer have experienced dry mouth and wet clothes that can squeeze out the water. Normal exercise at this time Drinks are more difficult to consume, and isotonic sports drinks will not have a sweet and greasy feeling when you drink them, are easily absorbed by the body, and replenish quickly, so they are very suitable for replenishment when cycling.

The right way to hydrate

After knowing what sports drink is suitable for cycling, how to replenish water when cycling?

Generally speaking, the way of replenishing water can be divided into sports: front, middle, and back three stages.

Before cycling: You can replenish 250~500cc sports drink 30 minutes before departure to prepare for sweating during exercise.

During cycling: Replenish sports drink every 15 minutes, 200cc each time, to maintain the balance of water in and out.

After cycling: Drink as many isotonic sports drinks as possible to replenish lost water and electrolytes.

Generally speaking, cyclists are advised to drink while cycling instead of waiting until they are thirsty. Because when the body feels thirsty, the “water loss ratio” has reached 2%! If you feel thirsty during cycling, quickly replenishing isotonic sports drinks can replenish fluids of water and electrolytes, and the recovery effect will be better than just drinking water.

Remember, maintaining good hydration habits is the secret to maintaining athletic performance!

Some cyclists will drink coffee, juice, or even beer while cycling. These beverages are not recommended to drink while cycling. Caffeine can cause diuresis and increase the frequency of going to the toilet; the sugar in the juice can make blood sugar unstable, and its calories are astonishingly high! As for beer, let’s not mention it. Drunk driving is not good. You can drink these drinks until you finish cycling!

Finally, let’s summarize:

If you only drink water while cycling, the electrolyte concentration in your body will be too low, which can easily cause physical discomfort.

Isotonic sports drinks are best for quickly replenishing water while cycling.

You need to add sports drinks before, during, and after cycling. Keeping good habits can make your performance better.

How to choose the tire that suits you

The importance of tires in a bike is often easily overlooked. Tire characteristics are closely related to the performance and efficiency of the bike. Here I will introduce you to the structure of tires and the characteristics of tires. First of all, we first understand the tires. Only by understanding the structure of the tires can we find suitable tires for ourselves.

The structure of the tire

The structure of the tire is like this. The clincher of a bicycle is the main body of the tire composed of a woven mesh cover, with a layer of tire skin attached to it to wear during rolling, and two bead lips are embedded to hold the tire
Fixed on the wheel frame, thus forming the main structure of the tire. Because bicycle tires are relatively thin and are prone to punctures or cuts, most of them will add an explosion-proof layer between the tire skin and the mesh cover to increase the strength of the tire.

Click Here To Buy High-Quality Clincher Carbon Fiber Wheelset

Characteristics of tires
Generally speaking, when describing the characteristics of a tire, it is roughly divided into several directions: rolling resistance, grip, road feel, abrasion resistance, explosion-proof, weight, and price. In addition, there are two other characteristics that are often overlooked but are very important: power transmission and manufacturing quality. If you want to use “noun interpretation” to explain these vocabulary, you may fall asleep before you finish reading, so I still use “feeling” to describe these characteristics, which is easier to read.

Rolling resistance
When the wheel starts to roll, you want it to keep rolling and not slow down. Of course, this is impossible because it will face wind resistance and other resistance. In terms of the resistance of the bicycle itself, a small part of the reason is the resistance of the hub bearing, and the other main part is the “rolling resistance” of the tire. The smaller the rolling resistance, the easier it is to maintain the speed. In other words, the speed will increase if you use the same strength to step on it. Needless to say, the smaller the rolling resistance, the better.

Grip
When you are cornering or braking, the last thing you want to happen is skidding. At this time, the tire’s “grip” is the key. Even in straight acceleration, grip is required when the force is strong. The greater the grip, the better.

Road sense
When encountering uneven roads, some tires will make you feel very bumpy and make your whole body uncomfortable. Some tires are stuffy and don’t feel anything. Other tires make you feel changes in road conditions but don’t feel bumpy. These feelings are collectively referred to as the “sense of the road.” You want to have a comfortable sense of the way, not a sense of the way that will overwhelm you.

Abrasion resistance
Generally speaking, bicycle tires are expensive. If you use the amount per unit of rubber, they are many times more expensive than bike tires. So you would hope that such expensive things can last longer. This is the responsibility of the tire’s “wear resistance”. The better the wear resistance, the longer the mileage that can be used.

Explosion-proof
Broken tires can be said to be the most common failure encountered in cycling leisure sports, and in order to reduce the weight of the tire skin is often only a thin layer, it is not easy to withstand the puncture of stones, glass, tree branches. Most outdoor tires have an “explosion-proof” design to prevent foreign bodies from piercing the mesh cover.
　　
Weight
Maybe you are one of those who are chasing lightweight. Any spare part on a bicycle has to care about the dozen or twenty grams. Undoubtedly, the inner and outer tires are also a lightweight standard, and one bicycle can be as short as one or two hundred grams. Regardless of the effect of reducing the weight of the tires, just seeing the weight reduction on the book of the whole bike may make you obediently take out the money to buy lightweight tires.

Force transmission
If you, like me, have ridden the particle tires of mountain bikes and replaced them with bald tires, you will definitely feel that the acceleration is more pronounced with the same effort when you start, and it becomes lighter when climbing. This is that the “power transmission” of the tire has become better, or it can be said that the “rigidity” of the tire is better. A tire with poor power transmission looks like a tread stuck to an asphalt road, but it is like stepping into the mud with a lot of effort.

Manufacturing quality
Do you feel that some tires look frizzy and uncomfortable? Some tires add different colors for visual effects or other reasons, but have you found that the color junction is skewed? Some tires are put on the rim and then you turn around. Have you noticed that they are not “perfect round” and have deviations up and down? Even manufacturers should not be happy to see these unpleasant aspects in their products, but it may be that quality control fails to meet the requirements or sacrifices made under cost considerations.

Price
The price of tires also varies greatly. A lightweight tire used in competition may cost two to three thousand yuan, but a training tire may cost less than five hundred yuan. There are some tires with outstanding characteristics on the market, such as extremely lightweight or ultra-high tire pressure. It often depends on how much you are willing to spend in exchange for these characteristics, and these characteristics in exchange for money may make you ride Feel happy while cycling, or make the race performance even better.

In addition to the price, it is almost possible to take into account all the features, depending on the manufacturer’s design ingenuity and industrial technology. However, often after adding cost and selling price factors, compromises are produced. It has become a little difficult to make comprehensive tires at a reasonable price, so manufacturers will make a fuss about certain features of the product to increase the attractiveness of the product.

Special gadgets for carbon fiber bicycles

Whether you are away from home or cycling at home, simple maintenance and maintenance of the bike is a compulsory course for cyclists. For cyclists with carbon fiber bicycles, this compulsory course is even more important. Let’s take a look. See what tools this compulsory course needs to get into the classroom!

Torque wrench

A torque wrench is a set of necessary tools for bicycles, especially for carbon fiber products. If you are a frequent traveler, loading, and transfer, frequent disassembly and assembly of the seat tube and other parts are inevitable, then a handy portable torque wrench will definitely come in handy.

Torque wrenches can not only prevent the carbon fiber products on the bike from being damaged by “strengthening the miracle”, but also prevent the parts on the bike from accidentally loosening due to the sub-standard torque. The editor once used the seat tube clamp screw on the bike because of the miracle. It broke, but fortunately, it didn’t hurt the carbon fiber seat tube on the bike.

It should be noted that the torque wrench needs to be calibrated after being used for a period of time, depending on the brand and model of the product.

Carbon fiber anti-skidding gel

Carbon fiber anti-skidding gel is used to enhance the friction of the carbon fiber surface, most of which are used in the seat tube to solve the problem of seat tube sliding. There are also some cyclists who choose toothpaste and other remedies to replace the anti-slip agent. As for whether it is good or not, and whether there are any better alternatives, wait for your feedback in the comment area. If it is a cyclist who maintains or assembles a bike at home, then A tube of carbon fiber anti-slip agent is definitely a necessity.

Handsaw

If you want to cut carbon fiber head tubes and seat tubes at home, since traditional tube cutting tools are not suitable for carbon fiber products, a hand saw is also one of the indispensable tools. If you want to complete the cutting of carbon fiber products at home, in addition to the hand saw, the following two items are also very important.

Upper column cutting guide for toothless front fork

If you don’t want your head tube or seat tube to be sawed in a wavy shape, or the length is too short, then you must buy a cutting guide. Of course, the guide is not very cost-effective for cyclists, unless you often install the bicycle or For saw seat tube and head tube, there are also many DIY modified guides on the market. Although the effect is not very good, it with lower price.

Sanding tools

After completing the sawing of the seat tube and the head tube, sanding off the carbon fiber burrs of the thorns is the last process, so sandpaper and other sanding tools also are the necessary tools. For model players, this process is similar to the treatment of the nozzle. of.

Tips: Do not use strong acids, strong alkalis (cleaners, sweat, salt), and other chemical-containing cleaning agents to clean carbon fiber products. Please use special cleaning agents, such as Muc-Off, MBI series, and other products.

Do you know how to maintain a carbon fiber frame?

Carbon fiber is an incredible material that has completely changed the design and performance of bicycle frames. It is lightweight, corrosion-resistant, can be molded into various required shapes, and is very strong in use. The claim that carbon fiber frames and related parts are generally brittle and unreliable is not true, but just alarmist. It is strong enough to be used in F1 and the aerospace industry, and there is no doubt that it is naturally used in the bicycle field.

If it is produced by a credible manufacturer and used correctly, there is no reason why the carbon frame will not give you enough mileage to ride happily, and now many manufacturers provide a lifetime warranty for the frame. No matter what frame material you choose, whether it is a carbon frame, a steel frame, aluminum alloy, or titanium alloy, quality is the key, and good quality is always more durable. Riding a carbon frame bike, you don’t need to deliberately change some cycling methods, but you can pay attention to the details of the daily maintenance and use of some carbon fiber bikes.

Buy a torque wrench

Despite the incredible force performance in the design direction, squeezing can easily damage the carbon fiber, such as over-tightened bolts and clamps, handlebars, and seat posts are the most common causes of damage to the carbon fiber frame. All parts of a carbon fiber car will be marked with a recommended torque value in Newton meters, which can be found on the relevant parts, manuals, or on the manufacturer’s official website. If you have a carbon fiber bike, a torque wrench is necessary, it can ensure that you will not use more than the recommended torque to tighten the components. If you have previously owned a bicycle with a metal frame, you may be surprised that the force required to assemble and adjust a carbon fiber bicycle is so small.

Use carbon assembly paste

The relatively small torque required for the carbon frame and its components also has a drawback that it is easy to slip off. This especially affects the Seatpost. Don’t risk trying to tighten the Seatpost with extra, more force, you should use carbon assembly paste. This is a gel containing fine particles, similar to a thin film, which increases friction between the contact surfaces to prevent slippage. Assembling paste and torque wrench are necessary for carbon fiber car owners.

Be careful

Damage to the carbon frame caused by accidents or collisions is usually difficult to predict and avoid in advance, but some collision events that damage the carbon fiber can be easily avoided. A common situation is when the handlebar is rotated and hits the upper tube of the frame. This often happens when the bicycle is inadvertently lifted. So be careful not to let this happen when picking up the bike. In addition, try to avoid stacking bicycles on other bicycles, and do not use the seat part to lean on poles or pillars, so that the bicycle will easily slip and cause a collision with the frame. Leaning the bike on a surface such as a wall is much safer. Of course, you don’t need to be too nervous to wrap your bike with cotton wool. You just need to be more careful and take reasonable precautions to avoid unnecessary collisions.

Keep it clean

Regular cleaning can give you a chance to inspect the bike carefully to see if there are obvious signs of damage. Regardless of the material of the frame, this should be your routine during cycling. Of course, rough cleaning also needs to be avoided, which will damage the epoxy resin wrapped around the carbon fiber. If you have any questions about how to clean your bike scientifically, you can consult the manufacturer for advice. Any degreaser or cleaning products for bicycles and old-fashioned mild soapy water should be used appropriately and reasonably.

Avoid squeezing

As mentioned above, try not to over-tighten the parts. Carbon fiber is easily damaged by extrusion. Therefore, you need to be especially careful when using a repair rack or an on-board bicycle rack to clamp the frame tube. The bicycle should be fixed with minimal pressure, or a protective layer can be wrapped on the frame. Of course, you can also consider changing to a bicycle transportation method. If you want to take your bicycle on the plane, we strongly recommend using a hard special box for packing.

Don’t reverse

For metal frames and parts, for example, during the installation process of handlebars and Seatposts, it is normal and acceptable to give a certain amount of rotation or pull for fine adjustment after being fixed. However, this step will cause damage on the carbon fiber car and must be strongly avoided. The correct way is to use the recommended torque value and use the assembly paste. If the position and angle of the parts need to be adjusted, the parts should be completely loosened in advance.

Measure twice, cut once

If you need to cut carbon fiber parts, such as handlebars and the entire Seatpost, remember to measure carefully and accurately, and wrap it with tape as a mark for the cutting part. Cutting requires a special carbon saw blade, which can prevent fiber tearing and abrasion. . Never use a pen or sharp tool to mark the position on the seat post that needs to be cut, because even a small scratch may damage the carbon fiber. Instead, you can use insulating tape to paste and wrap it to mark the cut position.

Avoid chain jamming

Many people have encountered the situation of chain drop, especially when shifting gears incorrectly. In the worst case, the chain gets stuck between the smallest chainring and the chainstay after the chain is dropped, and it gets stuck instantly. For carbon fiber bikes, this is a great “pain”. When this happens, stop pedaling immediately and avoid further exertion. After returning home, thoroughly clean and relubricate your drive system. Check your chain, including wear, elasticity, etc. It is best to replace it if necessary.

Replace the brake pads

If you use alloy training wheels and carbon fiber racing wheels alternately, replacing your brake pads accordingly is the most basic. Although there are dual-purpose brake pads, the remaining metal fragments on the surface of the brake pads can easily scratch and destroy the carbon fiber rim.

If the worst happens

In the event of a crash or accident, unlike the metal frame, where the depression or bending damage can be clearly seen on the exterior, the carbon fiber may appear to be undamaged on the exterior, but it has actually been damaged. If you have such a crash and worry about your frame, be sure to ask a professional technician to do a professional inspection. Even serious damage can be repaired well. Even if the aesthetics are not perfect, it can at least guarantee safety and function.

Different stages of cycling have different breathing methods

The way of breathing is different in different stages of cycling.

Before cycling: Inhale through the nose and exhale through the mouth

Before setting off, you must first adjust your breathing by inhaling and exhaling to make your body adapt to the rhythm of exercise in advance.
Method analysis: first close your mouth and use your nose to inhale deeply and slowly until you can no longer inhale, and then open your mouth to slowly exhale the air. After exhaling, close your mouth and inhale deeply with your nose. Repeat the above operation 9 times in succession.
After you are done, breathe naturally through your nose a few times and you can set off.

Cycling on flat roads: abdominal breathing
When you start cycling, your body’s oxygen consumption will increase, and abdominal breathing can inhale more air, thereby increasing oxygen intake.
Method analysis: close your mouth and roll your tongue up against your upper jaw to prevent excessive air from staying in your mouth. Then use your nose to inhale deeply. At this time, you can clearly feel that your abdomen is contracting in. When you exhale, you should exhale as much as possible. At this time, your abdomen should be protruding outward.

It doesn’t matter if you don’t get used to it at first, you will get used to it if you practice consciously.

When climbing: fast inhale and fast exhale
Compared to cycling on a flat road, climbing a hill requires more energy, so more oxygen is needed to power the muscles. At this time, although abdominal breathing requires a large amount of oxygen, such a relatively slow breathing rhythm cannot meet the demand. At this time, it is necessary to change the breathing mode.
Method analysis: When you first start going uphill, you can use the same way of inhaling and exhaling before you set off; pay attention to inhale and exhale slowly. When you find that your breathing is getting more and more rapid, you should speed up your breathing rhythm-close your mouth, inhale quickly through your nose, and exhale quickly through your mouth.

If your breathing becomes more and more rapid, you might as well stop the cart and adjust your breathing.

Precautions
During the entire cycling process, whether you are cycling or getting off the cart, be sure not to breathe in with your mouth.
On the one hand, although the amount of oxygen inhaled by mouth is relatively large, it is easy to inhale insects and other dirt, and inhalation of cold air often causes coughing and even diarrhea, which greatly affects the cycling experience. On the other hand, the nose itself has the ability to filter air, and at the same time, after the air passes through the nasal cavity, it will become warm and humid. In contrast, inhaling through the nose is more beneficial to the body.

Those who love to ride must go to Tibet in China

Bicycles are the most successful means of transportation invented by mankind. With bicycles, people can go farther, and the world seems to be a lot bigger all at once. Bicycles can take us to see the world, see great rivers and mountains, ride wherever we want to go, challenge ourselves, surpass ourselves, and realize our dreams.

The scenery along the way is so beautiful that you can get close to nature at an unpleasant speed. Those mountains and valleys, rivers and streams, towns and villages, sunrise and sunset, cloudy, sunny, rainy and foggy, and the fragrance of birds and flowers can only be experienced first. The hardship on the road enriches us, and the experience on the road allows us to grow.

The roads are steep and the weather is changeable. Maybe the sky is clear one second, or the next second is dark clouds. Although the road ahead is full of hardships, it is also a road full of magic and beauty, so that everyone who walks will leave an indelible memory in his mind.

It’s mysterious, it’s the surface closest to heaven, the closest place to centrifugation

The longing for this mysterious land, like many pilgrims, step by step toward the faith in the heart. The beautiful Nam Co, God-like Tibet, conquered it by riding a bicycle. It is really a good place to purify the soul because of the simplicity, simplicity, and enthusiasm of the Tibetans. It is not enough to truly understand it once. This is why some people want to go again after they go! This is a test of one’s own will, a challenge to one’s physical endurance… Even if there are too many obstacles, I am on the road without hesitation, on the way to Lhasa… Everyone who has never been to Tibet wants to go. Once, everyone who has been there hoping to do it again. If you have a place so close to heaven, I suggest you go there once, maybe you will be reborn.

10 misunderstandings about helmets, cyclists have to know!

Helmets are equipment related to the lives of cyclists. Although the news does not list those products that are unqualified, there are still some things you can pay attention to when choosing a helmet. In addition to choosing a well-known brand, pay attention to the following misunderstandings and try to avoid them during use!

Myth 1: The lighter the helmet, the better
Relatively speaking, the lighter the helmet, the better. But the lighter the cycling helmet, the smaller the chance that it will pass the national safety certification test standards, and the higher the relative price. Therefore, the prerequisite for choosing a helmet is to pass the national safety certification test standard. This weight will not make you tired even for a long-distance, so don’t care too much about the weight index of the helmet. Generally speaking, the lighter the helmet, the more expensive it is. Unless you are for a bicycle race. Try to reduce your own weight, otherwise, it is not worth the extra money to buy an ultra-lightweight helmet.

Myth 2: The bigger or more holes in the helmet, the more windy the helmet
Breathability is the key to the helmet, which can keep your head dry during long-distance cycling. The more or larger the ventilation holes on the helmet, the greater the airflow around your head, and the cooler you will feel. However, please keep in mind that the more or larger the ventilation holes on the helmet, the more exposed your head will be, so the degree of protection will be reduced accordingly. Compared with mountain bike helmets, road bike helmets have more or larger ventilation holes. Similarly, road bikers must consider the weight of their helmets more than mountain bikers.

Myth 3: The buckle and the drawstring cannot withstand a certain amount of force
You may only know that cycling helmets need to be subjected to some impact tests, but the buckles and straps also need to be subjected to corresponding tensile tests. If they fail the corresponding tensile tests, they cannot be used on the helmet. Therefore, a qualified cycling helmet, small buckle and pull strap must pass the corresponding tests before it can be regarded as a helmet that meets the national safety certification test standards in the true sense.

Myth 4: The helmet is broken or used overdue
If it breaks, don’t use it. Wearing it is just comfort for the heart. It is not of much practical use. If you make a small bump, it doesn’t matter, but once the car crashes and the strength is strong, it may not be able to play a protective role. . Don’t underestimate a crack, it has changed the helmet’s force and component effects in the physical structure. Do you know the cause of the collapse of a bridge in Seoul in the 1990s? Later, it was inferred that it might be caused by cracks that were not firmly welded at a certain welding spot on one side of the bridge deck. Changing the simple principle, you pull a piece of brand new A4 paper from both ends forcefully, it may take a little effort to tear it, but once you tear a small hole in the middle of the paper, it will be easy to tear the paper.

Regardless of whether they have fallen or collided, cyclists should change their cycling helmets every three years. Because, although the helmet has not undergone a collision, sun exposure and sweat erosion will also cause the helmet and some accessories to age, thereby weakening the safety factor and damaging the helmet’s protective performance.

Myth 5: Wear a helmet without straps

It may feel more comfortable to untie the chin strap of the helmet, but if the head is hit, it will easily bounce out, and naturally, it will not be able to protect it. Therefore, in order to play the protective role of the helmet, please wear the helmet chin strap at all times.

Myth 6: Wearing a helmet that is too wide or narrow
If the helmet is not the correct size, it will not protect your head from impact. Don’t make the mistake of buying a helmet of inappropriate size. To determine the correct size of the helmet, measure around the largest part of the head, (usually 1 cm above the eyebrows), and then buy a helmet according to this measurement. Since helmets are often divided into small, medium, and large sizes, you may only buy a relatively suitable size, and then use the size adjuster rotary button to adjust to achieve the most suitable size. After putting on the helmet, turn the helmet from one side to the other, from the front to the back, and feel whether it is comfortable to wear. If it is too loose or too tight, you need to continue to adjust or replace it.

Myth 7: Use poor quality helmets
The manufacture of helmets has strict technical standards. Inferior helmets often fail to meet safe collision avoidance standards and cause danger. Many cyclists may not know how to know whether the helmets they bought are safe. In fact, it is impossible to determine whether the helmets are safe simply from whether the helmets are affixed with the CE certification mark. Corresponding test reports and certification certificates must also be provided. CE mark certification is a certification for specific products, focusing on product safety features. It is a conformity certification that reflects the product’s requirements for public safety, health, environment, and personal safety.

In China, most helmets are produced in accordance with the CE EN1078 standard, because most of the helmet manufacturers in China still export more, so the helmets bought on the Chinese market are basically CE EN1078 standards. Some have affixed this CE mark, but they have not really been sent to TUV. SGS has been certified. Each product and different sizes should have corresponding test reports and certification certificates. Consumers must pay special attention. Helmets without safety certification are dangerous.

Myth 8: Wrong wearing position
The most effective helmet position requires keeping the helmet and head level, and the edge of the helmet should be about 1 cm above the eyebrows. If it is not in this position, check whether the size of the helmet is appropriate, and then adjust the adjuster knob and chin strap to ensure that the helmet is worn in the correct position.

Myth 9: The system bandwidth is loose
The loose straps make the helmet possible to jump and move at any time, and when the head is hit by a secondary collision, the protective effect is reduced. Therefore, it is necessary to adjust the length of the pull strap so that the distance between the pull strap and the chin is adjusted to a space between the fingers, which can maximize the effective safety protection performance of the helmet.

Myth 10: Put the cycling helmet casually after use
After every use of the cycling helmet, please put it in a cool and ventilated place to avoid high temperature or long time exposure to sunlight

Does cycling really hurt your knees?

Does cycling really hurt my knees? Here is a specific scientific answer for everyone~
In fact, in daily life, we use the knee joint every step we take. Every sport we engage in may cause varying degrees of injury to the knee. Cycling, as a very green and healthy sport, exerts far less pressure on the knees than other exercises such as walking and climbing stairs in daily life.
Here is the chart about the pressure of various sports on the knee:

It can be seen that cycling is less weight-bearing on the knee joint, which is an ideal way of exercise for people with knee joint injuries. Cycling is one of the more popular sports, the reason is that it greatly reduces the pressure of the weight on the knee, so that the knee injury rate is reduced.
What are the benefits of cycling?
Cycling is an exercise that does not hurt the knee joint. It has great benefits for the body. It can not only lose weight, but also prevent many diseases.

And cycling is a very beneficial aerobic exercise. Cycling does not require deliberate preparation like other sports. No time limit, no speed limit, no place limit, as long as there is enough space, whether indoor or outdoor, it can become a place for you to exercise freely. You can ride a bike alone or go in groups.

What should I pay attention to when riding a bicycle?
Long-term incorrect cycling posture and cycling habits can cause knee strain.

Therefore, when we are cycling, we must choose a bicycle of our own size, as well as the correct cycling posture and habits, otherwise no matter how good exercise is, it will bring unexpected damage to the knee. Here, we pay attention to our cycling style from the following five aspects.

1. Avoid excessive climbing and sprinting exercises.
2. Pay attention to the height of the bicycle cushion.
3. Pay attention to the direction of cycling and the direction of pedaling.
4. Choose the right bike size.
5. Don’t use sudden force often.
   All in all, scientific exercise methods can effectively avoid sports injuries.

Novice guide! 3 core skills that drivers should master

Sometimes it is difficult to distinguish between experienced cyclists and beginner cyclists, but those who often ride alone can easily separate the two. We have organized them into three core skills, after you have mastered them, you can call yourself a seasoned cyclist without any shame. If you want to look very cool reasonably, look down:

First: ride bike slower

Actually, I don’t want to say that slowness is a kind of cycling skill, because riding a bike always pursues fast rather than slow, right? But it is easy to infer that the two cyclists (veteran cyclist and beginner cyclist) deal with the situation when the speed is reduced to a very low speed or even stop, and you will quickly recognize who is the experienced cyclist.

Cycling slower requires more balance than fast cycling. For beginner cyclists, often have some pain when encountering two directions or when they need to stop (need to stop on tiptoe and accelerate again). This is relatively regular training. We are not saying that you cannot run 400 kilometers at a speed of 40 yards. We just suggest saving the time you have. For example, your friend was late when he asked you to ride a bike. Instead of just sitting there in a daze and playing with your phone, why not ride the bike as slowly as possible, it can also help you develop a sense of the bike.

Some suggestions on this point: 1. Don’t spend too much energy looking down at the rolling wheels. 2. Relax your hands and don’t be too nervous (the action will be deformed).

Second: Ride a bicycle with your hands off the handlebars

Being able to ride comfortably with one hand is the core safety skill for cycling. (This technique) not only allows you to immediately reach out when you turn left or right; it also helps you drink without stopping when you are alone. Water, take it out from the bottle cage calmly, drink the water, and put it back in, instead of looking at the (bottle cage) to get it. You can also use this skill to easily eat without stopping the bike, and take out energy bars or other foods from your back pocket or other places to eat.

The advanced version is to take off your hands and ride the bike. On the premise of ensuring safety, you can wear/undress while riding on the bike. To take off the handle with both hands, you must first take off the handle with one hand, and then practice taking off the handle with both hands. Gently loosen the handlebar and practice slowly (increasing time) until you can ride freely (hands off the handlebar). The pleasure of cycling with both hands off the handlebar is beyond words, but always remember: if you start cycling with both hands off the handlebar, make sure you are on an open and straight road, and remember to stay away from traffic.

Third: Look ahead

It doesn’t sound like a skill like the first point. Reading this point with me is “to-forward-look”! Maybe you want to see farther roads to get a better view, but there must be some almost “crazy” skills to achieve it. Or honestly look at the normal vision. Take a turn as an example. In order to gain more visibility, you will swing closer to the outer circle or tilt the vehicle to obtain more information about the road ahead. What is similar to the leveling technique? That is to stay focused and look ahead.

Imagine: If other scene cards or trees on the mountain did not give you information, can you see the trend of the curve or the road? Of course, oncoming vehicles will help you choose the route of travel. It is best to pay attention to road hints and try to walk on the correct route. The above techniques are also applicable to traffic areas. Looking straight so can collect information in all directions of the area ahead under the current situation, which can give you great convenience for traveling in the city.

The skill is very simple, including don’t just look at the distance around you, you need to observe the range of one hundred meters or even two hundred meters (especially when crossing the road).

These skills are not just the effects I mentioned, more effects will be gradually discovered when you are more experienced.

in conclusion

These are the three points that can make you more professional:

1. Ride slowly
2. Cycling with your hands off the handlebars
3. Look ahead