Bicycle Buying Guide

Bicycle Buying Guide

The Basics: Bicycles

Thinking of buying a new bike? If you haven't set foot inside a bike store recently, you'll be amazed at how much has changed in the last few years. Fully suspended bikes are now commonplace, drivetrains and braking systems are more sophisticated than ever, and bikes have features and parts that you couldn't have found on a bike of any price just a few short years ago.

Two of the biggest emerging trends are the re-emergence of the road bike, in various forms, and the surge in women's specific bikes. Women's bikes feature parts and frame sizing specifically fitted to a woman's proportions. Women have proportionately smaller hands, longer legs, and shorter torsos than men, in general. They don't weigh as much and derive more of their pedaling ability from aerobic ability (endurance) rather than strength.

Women's bikes feature parts fitted to a woman's dimensions, and some nicer models feature women's-specific suspension forks with lighter compression. A central feature of the new women's bikes are women's seats, which you'll likely find much more comfortable than those available just a few years ago.

The road bike is also back, and a new form is the flat-bar road bike. A flat-bar road bike is a fast, efficient ride made for enthusiasts, but the mountain-bike-style flat handlebar is a more comfortable position for many riders.

Other trends include better suspension at all price levels, a new influx of inexpensive but excellent disc brakes, and better frame materials, including various exotic combinations, such as aluminum and carbon fiber.

When you think about buying a bike, consider what you'll use it for: A road enthusiast who is interested in long tours will appreciate the efficient, fast rolling road bike; if you want to try the dirt a little bit, consider a hardtail mountain bike or hybrid. And if the off-road is your real calling, strongly consider a full-suspension mountain bike.

How to Shop

Identify your use and your price range. Visit a number of stores that carry different brands to get a feel for what's out there. The shop should narrow your options quickly to no fewer than three models.

Test ride if you can. It's the best way to find out if the bike fits you well and if you like the feel of the controls, the suspension, and its handling. Put a bike through its paces as much as you can on a test ride. Ride it up a hill hard, slalom along a twisty bike path. Brake hard. Shift through the entire gear range to see if there are problems with the adjustment.

At the shop, look for signs of good (or bad) build quality. Brake pads should squarely contact the rim and not squeal during braking. Shifting should be smooth and crisp. There shouldn't be any clunks or rattling noises. Tires should be properly inflated. Shifter and brake cable ends should be neatly cut and capped. These are signs you are in a good shop.

It will be hard to haggle on the price, because many shops don't make a good margin on bikes; service and accessories are where they have more room to bargain. Ask about discounts on accessories - most shops will give a margin discount on extras bought the same day as the bike. Inquire about the bike's service plan - what's included, what's extra? Get the service plan in writing.

If you're interested in learning more about how to work on your own bike, ask about classes the shop offers. Ask about anything of which you are unsure. If the salespeople don't answer sincerely and completely or if they give you a hard time, take your business elsewhere; just like car dealers, there's usually more than one shop in your area carrying a particular brand.

If a bike is close but not perfect for example, the stem is too long or you don't like the seat - ask the shop about swapping it. Most shops have a good policy about these kinds of changes, which can make the difference between a customer walking out with the bike or not.

Doing a cleanse with Oxypowder

The following is intended as a guide only, and is based on personal experience, as well as feedback from our customers. If you are still unsure how to take Oxy-Powder after reading the Oxyhealth guide below, then please see the links at the bottom of the page.The Initial CleanseThe Oxypowder capsules, once taken, will liquidize the contents of your upper and lower colon, as well as start to work on any compaction that is present. The capsules are best taken nightly, before bed, as to give the capsules the benefit of a slow passage through the colon. This way, the slow release capsules can have a better chance of working on the compaction, and should have finished their job by the time you wake.Remember that Oxypowder is not the same as a laxative. You will not lose any control over your bowels, or have the jittery side effects that laxatives can bring on. Once you have visited the toilet in the morning , you can go about your normal day, be it work or other activities, and when you need the toilet, it will be the same feeling as any other time. We would however recommend you try Oxypowder for the first time over a weekend, to familiarize yourself with how the product works, and how many toilet visits you need.The instructions on the bottle state that you should start off slowly, on 1 capsule, and then as needed increase this until you are having 3 5 bowel movements a day. The usual dosage for most people is around 4 - 6 capsules, although your weight, size, compaction, acidity in the stomach etc can all have added effects that may need you to increase of decrease this amount.The easiest way to determine your serving amount of capsules for a cleanse is to judge for yourself how you feel your bowel movement went. The idea is for the bowel movement to be almost pure liquid. It should almost be like passing water. If the contents of your movement are still semi-solid, then this is when you should increase the dosage by 2 capsules. Once the movement is a watery liquid, then this is your dosage for the 7 day cleanse. Your 7 day cleanse only starts after the 1st day where you are passing liquid. Any days previous to this where your movements are semi solid do not count.You may find you need to designate a little longer for your morning toilet visit. This way, you will eliminate the need to make a few frequent visits within the first hour of waking. Because the contents of your colon have been turned to gas and liquid, there will occasionally be airlocks that form in your colon (similar to your Central Heating, but without the little tap to help!!). By spending a little longer at the toilet after your first movement, you will give your bowels a chance to move the airlock, and allow more liquid to pass. It may also help to stretch upwards whilst being seated, which can also help release any airlocks that may be present. You will find that your first bowel movement is the biggest, releasing nearly all your colon contents. After this , you will perhaps go 2 or 3 times during the day, but these will be much less, especially if you have taken our advise to remain on the toilet a little longer for the first visit of the day.Remember to drink plenty of water to help flush your colon and keep you hydrated during the cleanse. It is also worth noting that the Oxypowder can only liquify the compaction in your colon once it has liquefied the food that is present from your daily meals. Having a colon full of hard to digest food will hinder the Oxypowder's effectiveness, as it needs to break down all the food matter before getting onto the compaction. Our advice is to eat sensible foods that are easy to digest during the 7 day cleanse, and avoid things like red meats, pasta, bread etc that may hinder the cleansing process. We don't mean you should starve yourself, or eat like a rabbit, but eating sensibly and being aware of what you are trying to achieve will help you get the best results from the cleanse.MaintenanceOnce you have completed the 7 day cleanse, you will want to drop onto the maintenance programme. The bottle states that this is the same dosage that you were taking for the 7 day cleanse, and should be taken every other day. We have found that in order for things to slowly firm up again, and become less liquid, you may need to reduce your maintenance dose gradually, by taking 1 less capsule every other day, until you are having soft solid bowel movements. Once you have achieved this, you should remain on this dosage. I.e. If you were taking 6 capsules per day for the 7 day cleanse, you would take this amount every other day for your maintenance dose. You may then need to reduce this to 5 capsules every other day and then 4 capsules every other day etc in order to start passing soft bowel movement. The idea with the maintenance programme is to keep your cleansed colon in the same shape it is now in, by cleansing it every other day and keeping things running smoothly, rather than slowly build up to how it was before. The maintenance dose is really up to you. You can either use some capsules every other day , or just use a couple every day to keep things moving. Some people dont actaully do the maintenance programme, and simply do the cleanse every month or so, as they find this easier to manage. Find whats best for you.You can purchase Oxypowder from our website at www.oxyhealth.co.uk, and gain loyalty points and quantity discounts, or if you prefer, you can purchase from our ebay store at http://stores.ebay.co.uk/OxyhealthHere are some customer comments from recent users you may find encouraging. These are all genuine reviews from UK customers of ours. There are more to read on our website:Product that changed my lifeI have been taking this product for six months now and I wish I had found this thirty years ago! After years of laxatives, antacids and colonics, this course of tablets cured all my problems. I started with two and worked up to a maximum of four a night. This product saved my life! No more bloating, spastic colon, constipation or any other problems - I will never go without this product again even though I could quite easily! If there is only one new product you try this year, make it this one! Oh and I lost one and a half stone, just shows you how full of @% we all are! :-)OxyPowderWill use this for the rest of my life. When I reached my twenties my bowel became rather sluggish, and I've always had problems with bloating especially when eating sugary foods or wheat. Before the only choice I had to stop the bloating was to cut out these foods which is practically impossible. This product really helps, and during the times when I'm not using it my bowels have never been more regular.Energised and MotivatedThis has given me the boost to be more energetic and has dropped pounds from me. It has made me feel lighter and better knowing the I'm cleansing inside and out.So simpleWhat an amazing product. Just a few caps daily and I really feel a whole lot lighter. For anyone who has ever struggled with constipation, this is the answer and even better, there is no stomach cramping! Perfect.Please buy this!If you buy one thing this year please buy this, I have been using this since 2004, I use it once a month(on a sunday when i am near the loo LOL) i take 6-7 cap's saturday night and by sunday morning they are working,by evening i feel really really clean and not at all sluggish, there are no side effects but you must drink at least 2 litres of water more if possible. i have had colonic irrigation and this product is 100% better, safer and you are in control. i can honestly recommend this.If you are still unsure how to use Oxypowder, please consult GHCHealth direct, by
emailing then at staff@ghchealth.com or contact us at support@oxyhealth.co.uk. You can also read a full review
at http://www.oxypowder.com/instructions.html

The electronic cigarette

Beat the ban, quit without quitting or cut down and stop with ease, now you do have the choice!

It's not often a cynic like me really puts their heart and soul into a product, but once I tried these, I knew I was onto a winner!

Why?? Well, to put it simply, it's the only product that I feel really works, it's working for me and seeing the benefits, even my own Parents have said goodbye to smelly unhealthy tobacco and are on their very own personal quit program, that's the thing I like the best, it's easy and you are in control.

You can decide yourself how to quit, or maybe not, you could be happy to enjoy your new cleaner smoking gadget without all the risks from conventional smoking, you really can't loose!

I never thought they'd be so good, just open a cartridge and fix it to the atomiser and screw on your charged battery, the atomiser turns the liquid nicotine into a pure vapour, as you inhale it goes directly to your lungs, it feels just like a conventional smoke and you don't suffer cravings or irritability, at all!

I'm saving a small fortune already, and when I feel the time is right, I can choose a lower dose cartridge and slowly work down to none at all!

There are various strengths available, various flavours too and now they even come in different colours, they'd make fun, funky and thoughtful gifts for loved ones.

The other bonus is, you can smoke them anywhere, as they do not give off any smoke at all, just a harmless vapour, no more standing outside in the wind and rain, these are legal to smoke everywhere.

At work, while travelling, pubs clubs and public buildings, anywhere at all. It's fully legal, no longer feel like a social outcast!

As with any nicotine product these are not suitable for Children or for Pregnant Women, and as with anything of this nature it's wise to consult your doctor if you have any health issues that may be affected by Nicotine.

I suffer Raynauds Syndrome, I took this little gadget to my own GP and she was quite impressed, she agreed the benefits are fantastic, no sticky tar to clog up my lungs, and without the tobacco I am hoping my circulation improves too.

I already feel healthier, less breathless and happier in myself, the cartridges are also much much cheaper than my old 30 a day habit, I am currently using 2-3 cartridges a day... much much better all round than 30 cigarettes!!

I've tried patches, gum, inhalators and will power, none of them worked.

This is the first time I feel I really can say goodbye to tobacco forever!

Fake Taylor Made Burner

High quality fake incl. HeadCcoverLooks like TM, feels Like TM, but first drive and you can clearly hear the fake sound From personal experience (Im waiting for my refund as I bought one) be aware of fake taylormade R7 superquad drivers offered for auction. Pitched with tempting buy it now or best offer prices, these clubs are very decent copies which can fool the unknowing. Often the seller does not use Paypal and insists on using NOCHEX or bank transfer. Ask the seller to email you the serial number on the hosel and you can then email Taylormade customer services to find out if it is a genuine club before committing any money. But if the price is too good to be true, it will more often than not be the price of a fake. Look for the blue handled wrench ( authentic wrenches are yellow or silver) along with theall black headcover (R7 superquads have big distinctive yellow patches on the headcover).

Glass Fusing with nichrome wire

Nichrome wire is a high-temperature wire which is perfect for using with fused glass as it will remain intact at temperatures up to approximately1700 degrees Fahrenheit. By using your hands and/or jewellers pliers, high-temperature wire can easily be formed into any shape and secured in place with glass fusing glue in between the layers of glass and fired in the kiln in order to create mini-cabochons suitable for jewellery designs. You can also assemble your creation directly on your kiln shelf if you have steady hands and position the wire in between the layers of glass thereby avoiding the gluing process

As the glass begins to slump in the kiln, the wire will become permanently encased between the layers of glass. After the firing is complete, the nichrome wire will appear somewhat discolored and dull, and you can give it a gentle buffing with some steel wool to quickly restore the luster. The projecting outer end of the wire can then be used to attach the fused glass piece to a jewellery finding

WHY ARE THEY ALLOWED TO GET AWAY WITH THIS....!!!

WON A CAR ON E-BAY ONLY TO BE TOLD THAT IT SHOULD HAVE HAD A RESERVE ON IT. I WAS ONLY TOLD AFTER I HAD PAID A RECOVERY SERVICE TO PICK IT UP!!! THAT HE WOULDN'T SELL IT. IT WAS NON RUNNER AND THEN HE SAID HE WOULD REPAIR AND PUT BACK ON E-BAY. E-BAY THEN GAVE HIM ALL THE TIME IN THE WORLD TO DO WHAT HE WANTED...YES I AM OUT OF POCKET AND THEY WOULD INVESTIGATE BUT YOU NEVER EVER HEAR THE OUTCOME...HIS FEEDBACK WAS REALLY BAD FOR DOING THE SAME THINGS TO OTHERS.... WHERES OUR BACK UP AND RIGHTS, AFTER ALL ISNT THE SELL SUPPOSED TO BE LEGALLY BINDING...... PANTS

Easy fix for faulty Xbox 360 no picture

Please vote yes, so more people can use the guide to fix there broken Xbox 360.If your Xbox is not showing the Red Rings of Death, and you just don't get a picture it's a high chance you just need to re set the display.As the console starts, press and hold the Y button(hold down the Y button before you press the power on), and then pull the right trigger at the same time(the xbox will then turn off and on again by it's self). The Xbox Dashboard resets the display settings to the default settings, and then automatically restarts the console.Try and tell me if it worked for you.