Comprehensive Sports Guide: Rules, Conditioning & Equipment

Athletic mastery depends on understanding official gameplay rules, optimizing equipment technology, and implementing sport-specific conditioning drills.

cycling in the city

10 Inspiring Facts Guaranteed to Make You Bike More

A third of you have a bike, but less than one percent of all trips Americans take are on a bicycle, according to Spokefly.com. Compare that with 27 percent of trips that the Dutch are taking via bicycle. That means that if you have one, your bike is mostly likely gathering dust in the garage.

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Zion National Park

What Is the Difference Between a Downhill & a Mountain Bike?

Downhill mountain biking is a fast-paced segment of mountain biking that takes place on steep courses or off-season ski slopes. Downhill bikes are sturdy and have full suspension with extra travel, making them especially adept at conquering rough terrain at high speeds.

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Male cyclist on track in countryside

The Differences Between a Mountain Bike and a Road Bike

For every possible type of terrain, there's probably a bike designed to handle it. Pavement and trails have very different surface characteristics that demand a specialized bicycle. The road bike, designed for pavement, has over a century of racing heritage and is the predecessor of every bicycle since.

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Rear MTB cassette with chain

How to Use Gears on an 18 Speed Bicycle

18 speeds is a common drivetrain configuration for modern bicycles, with options for a double chainring paired with a 9-gear cassette or a triple chainring with a 6-gear cassette.

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Mountain bike

How to Remove a Bicycle Fork and Stem

Removing the fork and stem from your bicycle isn't a professional task. With a little bit of elbow grease, you can easily swap out a new stem or a new fork without cutting cables or calling upon your local bike professionals.

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Injured blonde touching her painful knee

Inside Knee Pain & Cycling

Nothing slows down your cycling routine more than prolonged soreness. Knee pain while cycling is usually a symptom of another problem. In the case of pain on the inner side of the knee, the culprit is almost always the position of your cycling cleat.

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mountainbike couple outdoors

Neck Pain While Riding a Road Bike

Neck pain is an extremely common complaint for new cyclists. Though it's usually caused by improper posture, the way you wear your helmet or sunglasses could also influence neck pain. Making specific corrections will allow you to ride longer or more frequently without discomfort.

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Young man riding bike down mountain, side view

What Size Mountain Bike for a Six Foot Man?

At 6 feet, you're a fairly tall guy. Selecting a bike that's correctly sized for your proportions is essential to being comfortable while you ride. A properly fitted bicycle reduces joint pain in your knees, soreness in your back and neck, and is much healthier for your body over long miles.

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Near Truckee California USA

The Proper Height of a Mountain Bike Seat

Mountain biking takes your cycling routine off-road, where stable terrain and smooth inclines rarely appear. Rough trails and complex obstacles require good positioning to traverse, and getting your seat to the right height plays an important role in how well you maintain your balance.

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Mother and daughter race mountain bikes

The Best Hybrid Bike Tires

Your hybrid bike has a few design features to enhance your comfort while riding, but few do as much for reducing the jarring and vibration of city riding than your tires. Tires provide absorption and traction, and hybrid bike tires excel at this with wider tread, lower tire pressures, and enhanced grip.

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Red beach cruiser bicycle propped against fence in front of house.

1-Speed Vs. 7-Speed Cruiser Bike

Your cruiser bike is an ideal ride for city streets and rolling bike trails. Deciding whether or not to spring for a seven-speed over a single speed cruiser depends on where you plan to be riding.

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Cycling race

What to Eat Before a Bicycle Race

If you're like most athletes, pre-race anxiety is a fact of life. Despite feeling like you couldn't possibly eat anything, having a good meal before your bike race can mean the difference between riding the best race of your life or running out of steam halfway through.

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Cyclist on velodrome track, rear view

Road Tire Vs. Hybrid Bike Tire

Move over, road bikes -- hybrid bikes are increasingly taking a starring role in big city commutes. Some key differences in the design and components of the hybrid bike make it more comfortable for casual riders.

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Man riding mountain bike

What Does the Frame Size of a Bike Mean?

Bicycles come in a variety of sizes to match the heights, inseams and proportions of different riders. Most frames come in a wide variety of sizes, while others come in just small, medium and large. A mountain bike uses standard measurement for frame measurements, while road bikes use the metric system.

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bicycle seat

Bicycle Seat Adjustment & Crotch Pain

Your cycling routine shouldn't be punishing on the sensitive tissues between your legs. Groin soreness is a serious indicator of an improperly adjusted seat, and should be addressed immediately to avoid permanent damage.

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