So You Want To Be A custom Bike Builder? Start With A bicycle Kit!

So you want to be a custom bike builder? Well friend, before you rush out and buy that motorcycle kit, the one that will set you on the road to riches and fame, stop and think about the level of expertise and artistry the top builders have attained. More importantly think about how long it has taken them to attain it! Let's look at a few key issues...

Education

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You'd be surprised how well educated a lot of today's top bike builders are. Several of them have degrees (some more than one!) fluctuating from mechanical engineering to business and marketing management. Billy Lane, the founder of Chopper Inc, has Several patents relating to motorcycle technology in his name for example. What about person a little more "old school" like Dave Perewitz? Dave has accumulated close to forty years of mechanical, metalworking and painting experience. Not theoretical, but genuine hands on, early morning late night kind of experience. Could you put that kind of time in? Matt Hotch is still only young, but has gained an improbable whole of practical perceive customizing first bicycles, then Vw's before tantalizing on to custom bike building.

So You Want To Be A custom Bike Builder? Start With A bicycle Kit!

Facilities

These guys are building choppers and custom bikes that are state of the art. They don't get thrown together in the yard; the motorcycle shops have all the tools and equipment required to yield approximately anything out of metal, not just bikes. Just as prominent are the other services these builders use; the local chrome platers, machinists, painters and so on. These guys have just as prominent a part to play in the building of these one off bikes as the designer builders themselves.

Desire

All the top custom bike builders live for one thing; building the best bikes they can. They truly live eat even dream about custom bikes (and finding at some of the more way out creations you can totally believe this from the designs they produce!) They are enduringly striving to build bikes better. Its not about money for the top guys, I am convinced of that.

So where does that leave average Joes like you and me? Actually, I don't think we are too badly off; in fact if you want to build a custom bike, it has probably never been easier. Here's my take on it....

Education

There is an improbable whole of facts for the guys who want to start down the road to custom bike building. Videos, books websites, all of them help to flatten the studying curve for a novice. Most of the material out there relates to motorcycle kits, and for the beginner, building a motorcycle kit is certainly the best way to go if you want to get real hands on experience. After that there are motorcycle maintenance courses, which again will allow you to get up to speed as fast as possible in your quest to come to be the next Arlen Ness!

Facilities

To put together a shop like the ones you see on television costs thousands of dollars. But you don't need all that stuff if you start with a motorcycle kit. motorcycle kits can be put together with some pretty basic tools, providing they are of good quality. Two things that are an absolute must in my opinion though are a torque wrench and a basic lift. With these two tools, you can tighten the motorcycle kits fittings correctly, and not break your back while you are doing it!

Desire

Well this is one area where you can match the pros, no question. If you truly want to be a custom bike builder, start doing it for fun and put your motorcycle kit together.

We can't all be Billy Lane, Eddie Trotta or Russell Mitchell, but we can have a lot of fun trying!

So You Want To Be A custom Bike Builder? Start With A bicycle Kit!

What is a Hybrid Bicycle? How to pick One

All bicycles used to fall under 2 common categories - mountain bike and road bike. The mountain bicycle is meant for rough terrain riding, while the road bike is meant for smoother roads.

However, many riders are uncomfortable owning more than 1 bicycle. They usually trip on a wide range of terrain - both rough and flat. So the mountain bike alone or the roadie alone just won't meet the needs of such people very well.

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So bike manufacturers come up with the idea of hybrids - a cross between a mountain and road bike. What are some characteristics of a hybrid bike?

What is a Hybrid Bicycle? How to pick One

1) Flat handlebars with more than 1 hand position.

A customary mountain bike has flat handlebars. But the rider is forced to stay in the same hand position. On occasion, a hybrid rider can convert hand positions due to the improvements made on the handlebars. This will help perform a more aerodynamic posture, or provide a more comfortable posture. Many riders prefer such handlebars as it makes it so much easier to navigate the bike straight through different types of terrain.

2) Thinner tires for less rolling resistance.

Hybrid bikes have thinner tires compared to mountain bikes. But these wheels are still thicker than those on road bikes. The size of the wheels is the perfect size if you are looking for a equilibrium between protection and speed. It's safe sufficient to ride (even in wet conditions) and it provides less rolling resistance compared to customary mountain bike wheels. Over long distances, such wheels can save the rider lots of costly energy!

3) Middle weight frames for a equilibrium of stability and speed.

There are many types of bike frames in the market, and the frame on a hybrid can vary greatly. However, most hybrids are targeted at the "leisure riding" group. So prices are quite affordable. Most of the bicycles are built with aluminum. Aluminum is an affordable material that can be in effect engineered into durable frames. Unfortunately, such frames are usually heavier and less stiff, which leads to power loss.

If budget permits, take a look at hybrids that are made from carbon fiber frames. Such bikes can cost thousands of dollars, but once you own one, you won't want to own another hybrid bike.

The carbon hybrid is the cream of the crop. It's one of the lightest construction material around, and it offers very good power change capabilities. That means every pedal and every ounce of vigor comes from you is put into good use.

Such bikes are perfect for those who are protection conscious. Due to the rider friendly designs of hybrids, even beginners find it easy to ride one.

The next time you go group riding with your friends, bring a hybrid along and zip past all those mountain bikes as if they are standing still!

What is a Hybrid Bicycle? How to pick One