lightweight racing bikes

lightweight racing bikes
If you are looking for 5-foot-3, and shopping for a bike, you will be pleasantly surprised at how many bikes really fit you. And the chances of one of these bikes to reach, and knock you over the head with its styling, its "cool factor", and its general suitability. But only in the event that the bike speaks to you the loudest does not fit you perfectly, as she sits on the sales room floor, there are a few simple modifications ( "mods ") you can keep in mind that only solve one of the two main-level problems.

Problem 1: You can not "" flat foot "bike.

To attract the best and the control of the wheel at slow speed or not, it should be possible in the saddle on a bicycle pulled up before the kick stand, knees bent, feet planted flat on the ground. If you click on the balls of the feet, or even worse, tip-toed, you will not have complete control when you roll up to a stop and the foot or if you straddle a bicycle-walking backwards out of the garage or in a parking.

Solution: Lower the bike.

You can physically lower the bike course a few possibilities, but also the change of suspension components - namely, the shock absorbers. For most bikes, the shocks to the frame and the swingarm. You can use a special bracket that allows you to loosen the mounting screws, slide the shocks to push the shock back inch or so, the frame-by-Fender a little closer to the tire on the back, which is enough to give you flat-footed.

You can also use the stock shock with shorter shocks, the things even further. If you go this route, make sure you are not so short that the tire is rubbing on the underside of the fender when the shock is compressed (ie, you take a bump, or add a passenger or luggage.)

If this were not enough, you can also buy kit that lowers the front of the bike by changing the springs in the fork tubes. Also make sure that you are not creating a situation in which parts of the bicycle is RUB, which is not to do. Alternative Solutions: You could flat foot the bike by using the seats. A bicycle with a wide seat, your legs further apart, before they head toward the ground. A narrow-profile seat, you can only have enough space so that you flat-footed. And if you only on the balls of the feet instead of the peak-peak, it is possible, you can only through the purchase of boots with a higher heel and sole.

Problem 2: You can not comfortably reach the handlebars.

Of course, in a position to handle is the key for convenient control of the operating and bicycle. From a design stand-point, many bicycles have today "" Drag Bars - Drag-racing-style handlebars, in an almost straight line from the triple-tree, the left and right, but not back toward you. This Bars can force the shorter rider to bend forward and reach out to the right and left, with the weight on your wrists and causes a burning sensation between the shoulder blades after only a short drive. (such as the old ten-speed you for The ride on the curled-under handlebars - which not coincidentally, was also originally designed for aerodynamic race.)

Solution: Different Handlebar risers or withdrawal.

Depending on how far you have to bend forward, you can try a few things here. Retreat risers are small bits chromey between the tree and the bars, the bars and back toward you in inch increments. Small shoulder straps can make a big difference, so ask your dealer to determine how much pull-back you need.

You can also try a different style handlebars whole. Buckhorn bars (and the next larger cousin, mini ape-hangers) the handles back to you, and put your hand at an angle to the handles so your body is a little back and your weight is on the rear and back instead wrists. Full-ape hangers will probably raise your arms above shoulder level, which is "old-school cool", but lead to the upper arms ache. Finally, beach bars form a wide curve back to the driver - as with a half steering wheel from the bus. They have a vision and a grip back on you, with your hands in a straight position as the drag bars (but probably with a better weight distribution). Of course, if you have bars you want the design and the look of the bike, too. Beach bars might look hot on a large cruiser, but they should be made on a narrower bike.

An important limitation is that adding or changing the risers bars could also mean you have to be longer or shorter clutch control cables and / or brake lines to the set distance.

Shorter riders need not fear that the bike-shopping experience. While it is true that these changes will be the final price for the bike, it is also true that a bike fit you perfectly, is a part of the process - and part of the fun!

Janet Green is the editor and director of the Biker Chick to Biker Chick News, a popular Web destination for women who ride motorcycles.

For their complete travel magazine, as well as news and links of interest to women, the journey, visit http://www.Bikerchicknews.com.