BikesDirect Tumblr Blog

Leveraging a diverse portfolio of cycling products, BikesDirect furnishes bicycles ranging in type from mountain bikes to road bikes at competitive rates through its website. BikesDirect recently started selling the Windsor Essex and Oxford bicycles, both of which are available in an attractive retro style. Retro bikes, once a niche market, have begun to draw the interest of mainstream consumers, a movement BikesDirect hopes to facilitate. The Windsor Essex and Oxford products sold by BikesDirect include a custom rear rack option. As founder and Chief Executive Officer, Mike Spratt helps BikesDirect maintain its business model of low cost and high volume sales buttressed by customer-focused online support. During its 15 years of business, the company has assisted more than 100,000 individuals with their cycling needs. The company maintains competitive prices by selling its products factory direct, resulting in lower prices passed on to the consumer, since BikesDirect avoids the cost of an expensive brick and mortar establishment. Learn more about BikesDirect, browse its diverse portfolio, and read the company’s satisfaction guarantee by logging on to www.bikesdirect.com.

[bikesdirect-com]

Buying a Bicycle Online

Buying a Bicycle Online

  Fantom Mountain Bike Image: bikesdirect.com

BikesDirect sells a wide range of road, comfort, cruiser, and mountains bikes on its website, BikesDirect.com. Since opening more than two decades ago, BikesDirect has sold hundreds of thousands of bicycles to satisfied customers around the country.

The first thing to do when shopping for a bike online is to decide which type of bike you need and…

View On WordPress

[bikesdirect-com]

St. Jude Emphasizes Patient Family-Centered Care

St. Jude Emphasizes Patient Family-Centered Care

  St. JudeImage: stjude.org BikesDirect provides high-quality bikes at low cost to customers using an Internet-based business model through the website BikesDirect.com. Founded by college professor Dr. Mike Spratt more than 15 years ago, BikesDirect also supports charitable organizations such as the Smile Factory, SCPA, and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. A leading children’s hospital, St.…

View On WordPress

[bikesdirect-com]

Payment and Site Security Measures at BikesDirect.com

Payment and Site Security Measures at BikesDirect.com

  BikesDirectImage: bikesdirect.com Bikes Direct is an online retailer of bicycles founded by Dr. Mike Spratt, a biker and college professor. Through its website BikesDirect.com, BikesDirect focuses on a low-cost, high-volume business model to provide the best deals to customers. In addition to the assurance of a Better Business Bureau A+ rating, the company’s website incorporates multiple…

View On WordPress

[bikesdirect-com]

The Full-Suspension Windsor Trail FS COMP Mountain Bike

The Full-Suspension Windsor Trail FS COMP Mountain Bike

  Full-Suspension Windsor Trail FS COMPImage: bikesdirect.com A Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida-based company offering discount prices on high-quality bicycles and placing a premium on its flexibility and responsiveness, BikesDirect ships directly to its customers. BikesDirect’s selection extends from hybrids to top-tier road and mountain bikes, including the durable and versatile full-suspension…

View On WordPress

[bikesdirect-com]

Varieties of Mountain Bikes

Varieties of Mountain Bikes

Fantom Mountain BikeImage: bikesdirect.com Founded by Dr. Mike Spratt over 15 years ago, Bikes Direct sells high quality bikes at low cost through an Internet-based business model. Bikes Direct has provided different styles of bicycles to over 100,000 customers through its website at www.bikesdirect.com. Mountain bikes are one style that is popular with customers. A flexible bike with the ability…

View On WordPress

[bikesdirect-com]

Motobecane Fantom Mountain Bike - Enhanced Speed with a Light Frame

Motobecane Fantom Mountain Bike – Enhanced Speed with a Light Frame

Fantom Mountain BikeImage: bikesdirect.com Founded by college professor Dr. Mike Spratt, BikesDirect.com is an online bicycle distributor with a diverse inventory of models intended for leisure and sport. BikesDirect’s inventory includes the newly stocked PLUS models, a series of lightweight bicycles designed to mimic the fat bike in leisure enjoyment with enhanced speed and versatility. PLUS…

View On WordPress

[bikesdirect-com]

Tips for Biking Safely in the City

At BikesDirect.com, cyclists can purchase top-of-the-line bicycles at rock-bottom prices. BikesDirect is an authorized factory dealer for every brand it carries, which means customers get full warranties for near-wholesale prices. BikesDirect offers road and mountain bicycles as well as a variety of cruisers and hybrids suitable for commuters and casual riders. Commuting on a bicycle is fun and rewarding but comes with certain dangers. Follow these tips and local laws in order to bike to work or school safely. 1. Gear up properly. Make sure your bike is in good shape, paying careful attention to brakes and tires. Wear a helmet, and make sure you have reflectors or lights. Skip the headphones. 2. Follow the law. Ride where drivers expect you to be, and always use hand signals when you turn, slow, or stop. Obey road markings and traffic signs. Never pass on the right. 3. Pay attention and plan ahead. Watch what other drivers are doing, and make eye contact with them at intersections if you can. Be on the lookout for hazards in the road. If you are going to make a left turn, plan the safest course several blocks ahead.

[bikesdirect-com]

Aluminum - A Versatile, Resistant Bike Frame Material

With an online presence at BikesDirect.com, Dallas-based sporting goods company offers a wide variety of bicycles. BikesDirect products come in a number of frame styles and materials, including aluminum frames with several options. Although they lack the strength of titanium or steel, aluminum frames make for a lightweight bike that resists rusting and provides increased durability. The material also tends to possess a better strength-to-weight ratio, which translates into a bike with a stiffer, more responsive frame. However, aluminum’s selling point as a bike frame material comes in its versatility in style and affordable price. Many custom bicycle frame manufactures favor the physical qualities of aluminum, as it allows for innovation and experimentation at a low price. Additionally, aluminum is denser than steel and causes less wear and tear on equipment used to cut and shape it than titanium. Mountain bikers who prefer lighter bikes and residents of coastline cities where salty air poses a high risk of rusting tend to count themselves among cyclists who favor aluminum-frame bicycles. Tourists who frequent coastal areas may also appreciate aluminum’s resistance to rust.

[bikesdirect-com]

What is a Hybrid Bike?

What is a Hybrid Bike?

Hybrid Bikes Image: bikesdirect.com Operating through an Internet based business model, Bikes Direct has been providing high-quality, low-cost bikes to customers for over 15 years. Founded by Dr. Mike Spratt, a college professor with an interest in bikes and computers, Bikes Direct is the largest internet seller of high quality bicycles. Bikes available at…

View On WordPress

[bikesdirect-com]

Road Bike Handlebar Styles

Bikes Direct is a business that has been selling quality bicycles on the Internet for more than fifteen years. Founded by Dr. Mike Spratt, www.bikesdirect.com has sold bikes to over 100,000 customers. The business offers several types of bicycles including road bikes. Road bikes are made for use on different types of pavement and are usually lighter than mountain bikes. Common uses include fitness cycling, daily commuting, long-distance riding, and racing, among others. Road bikes generally are distinguished through two different handlebar types. One road bike handlebar type is a drop-bar handlebar. Light and aerodynamic, this style allows riders to use energy and move the bike efficiently. The drop-bar style also enables a rider to take different riding positions. The second style is known as a flat bar handlebar. This style features a handlebar in an upright position that is more comfortable for many, and allows riders to have a good view of what is ahead of them. The flat handlebar causes less strain on the rider’s body and limbs than the drop-bar style, but is not as aerodynamic. Selection of the style is usually based on the fit and comfort of a respective road bike. Visit www.bikesdirect.com to view different bike styles.

[bikesdirect-com]

How to Change Handlebar Tape on a Road Bicycle

BikesDirect sells quality bicycles online at exceptionally low prices. At BikesDirect.com, cyclists can get deals on road, mountain, and hybrid bikes from top manufacturers. BikesDirect also helps cyclists maintain their new bikes. Road bikes with drop bars will periodically require new handlebar tape. Bar tape is inexpensive and easy to change and can make an old road bike look brand new. Follow these steps to change your old tape. 1. Remove the old tape and clean away any debris or sticky residue. If you route any cable housing under the bar tape, make sure it is clean and secure. Pull up the brake hoods. 2. Peel off a little of the adhesive backing and start wrapping. Always wrap away from your body, so that your grip pulls the tape tighter as you ride, instead of loosening it. 3. As you wrap, overlap the tape by one-third to one-half of its width. Keep the tape tight, but do not tear it. Wrap curves in the bar so that they overlap more on the inside, and less on the outside. 4. When you get to the brake lever, you should have enough tape on a standard-length strip to cover the brake clamp or make a figure-eight around the hood, if you want to, or you can skip both entirely. Whatever you choose, take extra care to wrap closely around the brake levers. 5. Keep wrapping until you reach the point you’d like the tape to end on the bar. Cut the tape at the same angle you wrapped at, so that you end with a clean line. Secure the bar tape with electrical tape. 6. Push in the provided end plugs, flip the brake hoods back down, and enjoy your new tape.                            

[bikesdirect-com]

The Windsor Clockwork Plus Track Bike

An online bicycle retailer with over 15 years of experience in the sporting goods industry, BikesDirect sells a wide selection of bicycle types for use in cities, mountain roads, and other terrains. Bicycles within BikeDirect’s inventory include the Windsor Clockwork Plus, a track-style fixed gear bike. The Windsor Clockwork features a custom butted and tapered chromyl steel track-frame and a set of precision-bearing wheels designed for cross town travel. Manufactured with the intention of creating a smooth riding experience, its frame and fork are also drilled to yield to both front and rear brakes. Additionally, the Windsor Clockwork’s rear flip-flop hub includes a freewheel side with the option to add a fixed gear cog. Bikes come in a variety of sizes suitable for individuals ranging between five and six feet. A number of color combinations are also available, such as a silver frame with red or white rims and a black or white frame with green rims. Although the Windsor Clockwork is 90% preassembled, additional assembly is required and users must take precautions to ensure all components receive proper tightening.

[bikesdirect-com]

A Brief Look at the History of the American Bicycle

BikesDirect opened for business over 15 years ago and serves customers nationwide through an online storefront that sells bicycles for a variety of recreational and sporting purposes. While BikesDirect focuses on the sale and distribution of some of the latest bicycle models, its history as an invention dates back almost 600 years and is generally shrouded in mystery due to the lack of consensus by historians on who created the first bicycle incarnation. For America, the first bicycles entered the market in the early 1800s. Designed by German Baron Karl Drais von Sauerbronn in 1817, the early ancestors of the modern wheel consisted of a steerable front wheel, padded seat, and armrest in front of the body. It received patents in Germany and Paris, France, although the French name vélocipède became the official term until the word “bicycle” came into use 52 years later. The velocipede continued to gain popularity in Europe until it caught the attention of New York resident W.K. Clarkson, Jr., who obtained a US patent for it in 1819. However, it didn’t acquire significant popularity in the US until 1868. Many eastern US cities began establishing riding schools and the activity gained considerable popularity among Harvard and Yale University students. Despite the spike in popularity, interest took a dive nearly a year later due to numerous design flaws and public ordinances against riding on pedestrian sidewalks. American interest in bicycles began rising again in the early 1870s after improvements made the bicycle easier to steer while requiring less physical strength and coordination. The importation of bicycles from England continued until 1878, during which time Albert A. Pope opened the first American manufacturing business at the Weed Sewing Machine Company factory in Hartford, Connecticut. Bicycles continued to evolve in design and function over the next decade, until they came to look as they do today.  

[bikesdirect-com]

Five Safety Tips for the Mountain Biking Cyclist

Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, BikesDirect serves over 100,000 cyclists through an online storefront that offers bicycles for use on numerous types of terrain, including bikes designed for mountain biking. Mountain biking comes with its own inherent dangers and safety risks that require cyclists to take extra precautions. The following tips cover important safety information for cyclists to remain safe while mountain biking. 1. Wear the proper gear. Remember to invest in proper riding gear appropriate for mountain biking, including a comfortably fitting helmet, gloves, and shoes. Cycling professionals also recommend wearing additional safety armor such as leg, knee, arm, and elbow pads designed to reduce crash damage. 2. Maintain your bike. Perform regular inspection checks on your bike to ensure all components work at optimum condition. Key areas to inspect include the brakes, tires, gears, and bike chain. You will also need to apply oil to the chain on a routine basis and check for loose parts. 3. Know your skill level. Respect your skill level and know when to step back and acknowledge when a trail may be too far above your level. Choose risks carefully and do not feel ashamed for walking a more difficult terrain. Walking terrains will also help you obtain a better understanding of the trail, improve your skill level, and increase your confidence in trying more challenging trails. 4. Learn basic first aid. All mountain biking cyclists will experience at least one crash. Take precautions by judging new trails using the “risk versus reward” method and learning basic first aid skills for treating concussions, sun stroke, and broken bones can save lives and prevent serious permanent injury. 5. Know the terrain. Familiarize yourself with the terrain and the area you plan on riding in. Take maps or GPS devices on unfamiliar trails and plan exit routes in case a problem arises that forces you to turn around. You may also wish to inform someone of where you plan to ride and an estimated time you will return. 

[bikesdirect-com]

Bicycle Type Selection

 BikesDirect offers customers a wide selection of bicycles and related items at discounted prices. In addition to gear and tool kits, BikesDirect sells mountain, road, and hybrid bicycles, enabling customers to choose the bike that best suits the geography of their local areas as well as their biking preferences and frequency. Bikes Direct also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee to ensure customers are satisfied with their purchases. Choosing a bike requires careful consideration of how the bike will be used. Road bikes are lightweight vehicles that primarily serve those who want to ride in an urban area with smooth paved roads. Examples of uses for road bikes include long-distance commuting in a large city or participating in on-road races. It is important to note that road bikes often are not designed to carry heavy loads. Mountain bikes are typically more rugged and feature lower gears and stronger brakes than other bikes, enabling them to better deal with the hazards faced in rough, off-road terrains. Mountain bikes also typically have either single or dual suspension systems. Hybrid bikes are designed to offer advantages associated with road and mountain bikes. Capable of dealing with both paved and gravel roads, they are excellent for casual suburban riders who enjoy riding on neighborhood trails and running errands on their bikes. Suitable for short commutes, hybrids typically have large padded seats and front suspension systems. Those interested in lower-maintenance vehicles can also look into fixed-gear bikes, which have only a single gear, rendering them light and lower-weight than their counterparts.                              

[bikesdirect-com]

Common Bike Frame Materials

BikesDirect is a reputable Internet seller of high-grade bicycles. Based in Dallas, Texas, the company is dedicated to providing its customers with all the latest trends in bicycle technology and frame materials. Bikes Direct currently sells bikes with frames made various materials, such as carbon fiber, steel, and aluminum. The sturdiness, weight, and flexibility of every bike frame partly rely on the type of material used. There are several popular bike frame materials that are used for various reasons. Steel is the most commonly used material, though it is not very lightweight. Steel alloys are typically very strong and create a long-lasting, relatively stiff bike frame. Since steel is not too expensive, it is possible to get a high-strength bike without spending too much money, although the frames are more prone to rust. Chromoly is a type of light steel that is growing in popularity. Offering much of the strength of carbon steel without the heaviness, chromoly is relatively flexible but able to hold its shape. Aluminum produces very stiff, yet light bike frames. Also widely used, it is light and inexpensive and does to rust. However, repairing aluminum frames is difficult, as they cannot be straightened easily. A more expensive frame material is titanium. Since titanium can be very flexible while still keeping its shape, many high-end road and cross-country mountain bikes use the material as a shock absorber. Finally, carbon fiber, when arranged in the proper pattern, offers a tough, stiff frame. However, its tendency to break with somewhat minor strain makes it a less common option.

[bikesdirect-com]

An Overview of City Bikes

Based out of Dallas, Texas, BikesDirect is an online provider of a wide range of bicycles, including city bikes and mountain bikes. Over the last 17 years, BikesDirect has evolved into the most comprehensive seller of bicycles online. A city bike has been specially built to take frequent trips over flat, urban terrain at a relatively moderate speed. Comfortable seats and strong wheels are a staple of city bike designs. Sometimes referred to as European city bikes (ECBs), city bicycles are viewed globally as basic utility vehicles, durable enough to withstand constant riding and variable weather conditions, but not suitable for being taken off road or onto a technical course. Considering these advantages and limitations, knowing when and where a cyclist will be traveling will determine if a city bike suits his or her needs. Note that individuals using a city bike to go to and from work in an urban environment will likely want to invest in a high-quality bike lock. To view city and other bikes available for purchase, visit Bikes Direct at www.bikesdirect.com.