The Best Kids' Bike Helmets

How Do I Choose the Best Kids' Bike Helmets?

To choose the best kids’ bike helmets, the buyer should most consider fit and safety. Specialized helmet options might be required depending on the type of biking kids do, such as recreational, mountain, or racing. It’s also a good idea to let children have some say in the choice to encourage their compliance in safe biking.

The most important consideration in choosing kids’ bike helmets is fit. Buyers may notice a variety of different sizes, such as toddler, and small through large childrens' sizes. Alternately, some helmets are one-size-fits-all, and the dimensions may vary. Sometimes older kids and teens are better served with adult sizes. In any case, trying on several helmets is the best way to determine the right size, but most have some adjustable features that can customize the fit.

Foam padding in the helmet’s interior can be left in for a snugger fit or removed to give extra room. With or without use of these pads, a close fit doesn’t allow the helmet to be easily swiveled or twisted from side to side, but the head shouldn’t be squeezed. The brim should sit about an inch (2.54 cm) above the eyebrows, though some brims have a sun visor attached that will reduce this distance. An adjustable chinstrap also helps to secure the helmet in place.

Buyers will also want to evaluate kids’ bike helmets by their compliance with regional safety standards, which should be listed on the packaging. They might consider choosing these biking accessories by what has been labeled “best” by consumer review agencies. Lists of the best equipment options may be available in magazines or on websites, and shoppers are advised to follow the most current recommendations. Outdated lists may not be as helpful.

Most children are recreational bikers and the best kids' bike helmets for this type of riding may be surrounded with a hard plastic exterior or slightly softer foam. Both are good choices, provided they meet safety standards. When choosing kids' bike helmets for racing or mountain biking, shoppers should look for ones suited to the particular sport. These are often lighter, more durable, and more expensive.

To encourage safe biking habits, it may be wise to let children pick out their favorite helmet. This could better assure a child will actually wear what he selects. Shopping locally is often the best way to satisfy fit requirements and child preferences at the same time.

Standard guidelines for replacing kids' bike helmets recommend purchasing a new one anytime a crash impacts it, even if it doesn’t look damaged. Alternately, a new helmet should be selected every three to five years. This advice may not be entirely accurate, and depends most on the age and growth rate of the child. It’s suggested parents do a fit check every half-year and make any needed adjustments or replace the helmet if it is too small.

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The Best Cycling Helmet

How Do I Choose the Best Cycling Helmet?

A cycling helmet is an essential piece of equipment that can prevent severe head injuries or even death. It is important to choose a cycling helmet that fits your head properly, and it is also vital that you do not ever buy a used helmet; only consider a new cycling helmet for purchase, as used helmets may have hidden cracks that can compromise the integrity of the helmet. Used helmets may also become brittle with age, meaning they will not adequately protect your head. Choose a helmet that fits your budget, too, as helmets range from very inexpensive to prohibitively expensive.

All cycling helmet offerings from recognized companies are built to the same safety standards, and in order to be offered for purchase, every helmet must be inspected for quality and correct construction. In other words, no one brand of helmet is safer than another. All helmets must meet safety regulations, ensuring any helmet is safe enough for regular use. Finding the best helmet is therefore a matter of finding a helmet that looks good and fits well. The styles and shapes of helmets will vary significantly, and many helmets feature elaborate shapes to cut down on weight and to increase venting capabilities, keeping your head cool and dry throughout your ride. Look for a helmet that is well-vented and seems sturdy.

Most modern cycling helmet models feature adjustable fit systems that will allow you to cinch the helmet down snugly on your head. The fit system should be easy to use and should hold the tightness regardless of head movement throughout the ride. If the fit system features a dial, be sure the dial can be moved easily with one hand so you will be able to adjust the helmet's fit on the fly without having to stop your bike to perform this task. Be sure the neck strap can be adjusted as well, and check whether the strap will adjust snugly but not uncomfortably underneath your chin. 

If you are a mountain biker, consider a helmet with a visor. Cycling helmet visors will help block sun, and they will also help stop branches or other debris from striking your face while riding. Many helmets feature removable visors so you can use the helmet for either mountain biking or road cycling. The visor will affect the aesthetics of the helmet, so be sure to consider whether this design appeals to you or not.

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The Best Tips for Road Cycling

What Are the Best Tips for Road Cycling?

There are a few tips that can make road cycling a fun and safe activity for people of all levels of experience. The most important tip is to learn the rules of the road. Another tip for road cycling is to have the essential gear and know how to use it properly. There are tips that can help people learn how to ride their road bikes efficiently as well. Planning and preparing the route also can be an important tip for avoiding road hazards, traffic, or other issues while road cycling. 

The best tip that any cyclist can follow is to know the rules of the road in her area. For example, in the United States, riders should typically ride on the right hand side of the road, while they may ride on the left side of the road in other countries. In addition, if there is a large amount of traffic, cyclists may be required to give vehicles the right-of-way in some areas. If bike lanes are available, a valuable tip is to use the bike lane and know how to do so safely. Generally, most road cyclists are required to obey all traffic signs and signals, even if other vehicles are not present. 

Another good tip is to own cycling gear that fits well. For example, make sure the bike helmet fits according to the manufacturer’s directions. If the helmet is too large or too small, it may not protect the cyclist’s head if she were to fall. Protective eyewear is also a good idea and must fit securely so it doesn't fall off while speeding downhill or pedaling uphill. If there are windy conditions, protective eyewear can help prevent dust or dirt from causing eye irritations that can be a hazard for a rider. 

Although most people assume that road cycling is a self-taught sport, there are several tips that can allow the cyclist to bike efficiently and safely. For example, it is important to learn how to brake suddenly or how to brake for an emergency. This is usually done by quickly pulsating the front brake. A good tip is to practice using the front brake before heading out on the road. In addition, it is important to learn how to ride in a bike pack or group. This is often taught in road cycling clinics. 

Another tip for roadcycling that will allow cyclists to ride safely is to plan and prepare for the bike route. For example, consider if road construction is present on a given route. In addition, it may be more enjoyable to ride during times and on roads that do not have a high volume of vehicle traffic. Another road cycling tip is to consider whether a dog may be present and unleashed; an angry dog may try to knock a cyclist off of her bike, and it may be best to find an alternate route

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What Are Cycling Rollers?

What Are Cylling Rollers ?   Cycling rollers are a type of indoor exercise equipment on which one can ride a bicycle indoors on a series of cylinders, or rollers. The cyclist is responsible for keeping his or her balance while riding on the rollers, unlike a cycling trainer, on which a bicycle can be mounted for a stability.   Cycling rollers are therefore more difficult to use than an indoor trainer will be, and the cyclist will need to practice riding cycling rollers by steadying himself in a doorway before using them as part of a regular exercise routine. Many cyclists prefer them because they improve balance and force the cyclist to focus during indoor training sessions, which tend to be boring and tedious.  The design of cycling rollers is fairly simple: the front wheel of the bicycle rests on one cylinder, while the rear wheel rests between two rollers. Each roller is situated perpendicular to the bicycle, which means the bicycle is allowed side to side movement during the cycling process. The rollers themselves are mounted to a frame that runs parallel to the bike and on either side of the bike, securing all parts of the cycling rollers in place. When the cyclist begins to pedal, the rollers will turn, thereby allowing the cyclist to pedal forward while staying in place. It is important for the cyclist to pay close attention to his or her body position, as this will have an effect on balance; if the cyclist loses his or her balance, he or she can end up sliding off the rollers. Most cycling rollers fold up for storage, since they tend to be quite long and somewhat bulky otherwise. When they are taken out for use, they are laid out and rest on rubber feet to prevent the entire unit from shifting during use. Rollers are made of metal — usually aluminum or other lightweight metals — and the rollers themselves feature bearings to ensure smooth movement throughout use of the device. Many cyclists will set up the rollers on a hardwood surface or other hard surface to prevent shifting, and they will set up in front of a television so they have something to focus on during riding. Some cyclists, however, do not need an extra distraction on which to focus, because staying upright on rollers can require some concentration. A cyclist needs to pay attention to his or her body position to prevent sliding off the roller, and he or she will need to focus on keeping his or her speed up; when standing up to pedal, the cyclist must again pay close attention to balance, as this is the most common time to fall.

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What Is VO2 Training?

What Is VO2 Training?

VO2 Max testing is athletic endurance testing that focuses on how much oxygen an athlete can use during intense physical activity. VO2 training is a targeted workout that is meant to increase the amount of oxygen an athlete can use during physical exercise; the test and the VO2 training are both considered barometers for how well the athlete will perform during live competition. While much research contends that VO2 threshold is connected to genetics, VO2 training can help increase performance and develop a better VO2 Max. The VO2 Max measures how efficiently a person's body can use oxygen during exercise, and is thought to measure the persons fitness level. Young athletes and new athletes are most likely to start a VO2 training regiment. VO2 Max is generally highest in young athletes and it decreases as the athlete ages. A young athlete's VO2 Max level has been known to increase significantly and quickly with proper VO2 training, thereby helping increase performance in general athletic competition. VO2 training can be very intense, since most of the exercises used to develop and test VO2 Max increase the heart rate and hold it there for long periods of time. The point of VO2 training is to increase the amount of usable oxygen that can reach the muscles performing an exercise. To do this, the athlete must participate in activities that increase the heart rate, such as running or cycling. The general idea is to raise the heart rate to just above a normal strenuous pace. A training session may involve pushing above the normal pace, then slowing down for a short period, then repeating. This allows the body to get used to the strain but also allows the body to recover slightly. This, in turn, allows the athlete to perform longer. Such training is important to athletes participating in highly aerobic sports. Cycling and running are common sports that necessitate VO2 Max testing and training, and any sport that involves a significant amount of running or other movement. Soccer players, for example, would benefit from VO2 Max training and testing. A consistent VO2 workout should be done over the course of several weeks, several times a week. The training session should stop one week before any live competition to allow the body to recover from the strenuous workout. The body may not otherwise perform at its peak because of built up exhaustion. Even if live competition is not right around the corner, it is wise to take a break from training after about four weeks of consistent workouts. A two week rest allows the body to recover and prepare for another round of training.

 

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How Do I Get the Best Cycling Training?

How Do I Get the Best Cycling Training?

To get the best cycling training, variety is important. For example, a cyclist should ride on the roads with her road bike and on trails with her mountain bike. In addition, she should take spinning classes at a local gym or recreation center. If a velodrome is available in her city, she should also ride there from time to time. For people who do not want to leave their homes, a trainer can be attached to a road or mountain bike for at-home cycling training.

Riding a road bike on the road is one of the best forms of cycling training. By training on the road, it gives the cyclist working knowledge of her bike and the way her body responds to certain conditions. For example, riding outside may allow a road cyclist to practice riding up steep hills. It will also allow her to see how her body and bike respond to certain conditions, such as rain, wind, and heat. The information learned through cycling training in these conditions may prove valuable in a race-type situation.

Another cycling training aspect is mountain biking. With mountain biking, the cyclist uses different muscles than she may use while riding on the road. As a result, it may enable her to get stronger. In addition, balance and fearlessness are essential when mountain bike riding. These traits can be learned and may help a road cyclist become faster and less apprehensive while riding on the road, particularly while racing.

Spinning classes are popular for cycling training, too. Participants ride on stationary bikes with an instructor directing the class. Generally, the class will adjust the tension on their bikes to simulate going up or down a series of hills. This type of class is a good way to build up speed and train when the weather is icy, snowy, or extremely cold, for example. They are also great ways to practice intervals, wherein the cyclist pedals as hard as she can for short bursts of time. 

A few cities have velodromes, or indoor cycling centers. Cycling training is extremely popular in these centers. Generally, cyclists work on speed work while they race around a track on a bike created specifically for the design of the velodrome.

Many cyclists like to use indoor bike trainers for cycling training as well. The trainer is basically a stand that holds the cyclist’s bike in place. As a result, the person can ride her own bike in the same manner as she would a stationary bike. The main difference is that it allows her body to get used to the design and feel of her personal road or mountain bike.

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