BikeRadar Deals of the Week ? Mountain Bikes

BikeRadar's weekly round-up of great online deals from our recommended retailers could save you both time and money.

If you just want to get to the bargains, skip to the end of the article to see the deals listed as Quick Links.

Otherwise, read on for more details including pictures, BikeRadar reviews and your opinions wherever possible ? so you can make sure you're fully in the picture before parting with your hard-earned cash.

Some of these offers won't last forever though, so be quick if you want to bag yourself a bargain.

1. Norco Atomik (2010) ? Buy Now from Winstanleys Bikes for �1,759.99 and save 20 percent

What the manufacturer says:

"Leaving your friends behind in the dust has never been easier than with the Norco Atomik. Delivering fast, light and smooth downhill ride characteristics as well as high durability for professional trailing and park use. Features include the Atomik 2010 frame, Marzocchi 888 RV fork, SRAM drivetrain, Avid Juicy 3 brakes and Alex FR 32 rims wrapped in Kenda Nevagal tyres."

2. Felt Q720 (2010) ? Buy Now from Hargroves Cycles for �679.99 and save 20 percent

What the manufacturer says:

"With 6061 double-butted aluminium frame tubing and fully hydroformed top and down tubes, the Q720 has many of the same features as race bikes costing hundreds more. Competition-ready parts include a RockShox Dart 2 100mm suspension fork, Shimano Deore shifters, WTB SX 24 Disc Doublewall wheelset and hydraulic disc brakes, meaning the Q720 is formidable contender on the professional trails."

3. Rocky Mountain Vertex 70 RSL (2010) - Buy Now from Chain Reaction for �2,199.99 and save 37 percent

What the manufacturer says:

"Featuring Race Tuned Compact (RTC) geometry and superior XC race handling the Vertex 70 RSL represents the pinnacle development of custom alloy tubesets over the last decade. Equipped with a Fox 32 F100 RL FIT fork, Race Face Deus 170-175mm 44/32/22T crankset, Avid Elixir CR Carbon Hydraulic Disc brakes and a frame stiffer and lighter than ever, the Vertex is clearly tuned for speed."

4. Rocky Mountain Vertex 10 (2010) ? Buy Now from Wiggle for �829.99 and save 31 percent

What the manufacturer says:

"New for 2010 is the Vertex alloy frame that features a completely redesigned FORM tubeset, Shimano direct mount front derailleur mount and BB92 bottom bracket shell. A selection of its mountain taming components include a RockShox Tora SL coil fork with 100mm of travel, Shimano FC-M442 170-175mm 44/32/22T chainset, Shimano BR-M486 hydraulic disc brakes and WTB Speed Disc XC rims wrapped in Continental Mountain King tyres."

5. Commencal Meta 6.3 Bike (2009) - Buy Now from Leisure Lakes Bikes for �1,300 and save 32 percent

What the manufacturer says:

"The frame has been greatly improved with a new hydro-formed top tube, gussets and slightly revised geometry that includes an adjustable head tube angle. It features a telescopic seatpost, RockShox Domain 302 Coil 160mm fork, Fox Float R High Volume rear shock, Avid Juicy 3 brakes and Jalco Double Wall Disc rims wrapped in Maxxis High Roller tyres. The Contact System has also been modified to further enhance its absorption and grip capacities that make the Commencal Meta 6.3 a technical marvel."

Quick Links:

• Norco Atomik (2010) ? Buy Now from Winstanleys Bikes for �1,759.99 and save 20 percent
• Felt Q720 (2010) ? Buy Now from Hargroves Cycles for �679.99 and save 20 percent
• Rocky Mountain Vertex 70 RSL (2010) - Buy Now from Chain Reaction for �2,199.99 and save 37 percent
• Rocky Mountain Vertex 10 (2010) ? Buy Now from Wiggle for �829.99 and save 31 percent
• Commencal Meta 6.3 Bike (2009) - Buy Now from Leisure Lakes Bikes for �1,300 and save 32 percent

Offers courtesy of: Wiggle, Chain Reaction Cycles, Winstanleys Bikes, Leisure Lakes Bikes and Hargroves Cycles

Subscription offer:

What Mountain Bike ? Buy Now from myfavouritemagazines.co.uk for as little as �35.49 (�2.73/issue) and save 35 percent

The essential magazine to consult before you spend your cash on any mountain biking equipment. Read more & subscribe.

You can follow BikeRadar on Twitter at twitter.com/bikeradar and on Facebook at facebook.com/BikeRadar.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BikeRadar/MountainBiking/News/~3/4zGmUvLbVzM/story01.htm

Priscilla L. Randolph Ronald B. Elder Lucille P. Henderson Merlin M. Scott

BikeRadar website of the week: EcoVelo

As the unrelenting rise in fuel costs continues to take a bigger chunk of our pay packets, the need for more economical travel grows. New records seem to be set on a weekly basis; in the UK, the average cost of a litre of petrol is now an eye-watering �1.33.

Yet despite efforts by Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne to reduce fuel duty in his Budget last Wednesday, the few pence shaved off each litre are mere drops in the ocean. The situation is no different elsewhere; in France, a litre will set you back ?1.58. And in the US, a litre is up to a historically high $0.94.

The environmental impact of motoring is also causing people to think twice before jumping in their cars for short shopping trips or office commutes. And it?s this combination that's prompting more and more of us to leave our cars in the garage and opt for something a little cheaper, and a little greener.

This is the concept at the core of EcoVelo, the website set up by California residents Alan and Michael Barnard. Their mission is to promote cycling as their primary mode of transport, and to inspire others to make a similar commitment. The husband and wife duo started out as recumbent cycling bloggers on their aptly named Recumbent Blog. They rode the machines for sport but switched to bikes as a means of transport in 2008, which meant a change in bike, and a change in direction.

EcoVelo was born out of the couple's personal commitment to reduce their own impact on the environment

For Alan, the site is an extension of what he enjoys doing most ? riding bikes ? and the pleasure he gets from running it comes from the interaction with his readers. ?It's all about the people,? he told BikeRadar. ?Over the past few years we've developed many friendships with our readers, sponsors and fellow bloggers. Some of these have turned into long-term friendships that will certainly outlast the website. And knowing we've played a part in getting just one person out of their car and onto a bicycle is incredibly satisfying.?

A graphic designer and semi-professional photographer by day, Alan places as much emphasis on images as he does on words. The photo-related competitions he runs, such as last year?s ?Why I ride? ? where readers summed up their motivations for riding in a single image ? are his personal favourites. ?The thing I enjoy about them is that they turn the focus away from us for a time and place it on our readers," he said.

"It's always a treat to see who they are and how they're using their bikes. It?s for the same reason that we enjoy our Bicycle Gallery, a community project comprised of photos of transportation and utility bikes submitted by readers from all over the world. Any bike used for day-to-day transportation is welcome. It remains our most popular, ongoing feature.?

More than anything else, its photography is the site's biggest draw

On the issue of getting more people onto two wheels, Alan believes the US Government needs to do more ? with actions as well as words. ?Better bike infrastructure in the form of well-designed cycle tracks and separated bike paths would increase safety and attract new riders who might otherwise be intimidated to ride in the traffic lane,? he said. ?Making parking less affordable or available in urban areas would improve things too."

As for skyrocketing fuel costs, Alan reckons it?s as much an issue in the US as the UK, and believes it will have an important impact on the number of commuters in future. ?Nobody knows where it?s headed,? he said. ?In Sacramento, we saw a tremendous increase in bike commuting in the summer of 2008 when gas prices spiked to over $4 per gallon. By early 2009, gas prices dropped back down into the $2 range and the number of bike commuters dramatically dropped off as well. The way things are going, we could be looking at $5 per gallon before the end of the year and if that happens, I?d expect to see another surge in bike commuting.?

Alan says he and Michael are delighted with how the site has progressed in the past three years, and have plans to develop it even more. There are now more reviews, more industry news and more commuting tips than ever before and they're hoping to increase the number of contributors, possibly with an extra four or five regular columnists. "Adding new voices to the mix will help keep the site fresh and challenge us to move out of our comfort zones and into new areas," he said. To find out more about Alan and Michael's blog, visit www.ecovelo.info.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BikeRadar/Commuting/News/~3/Qh16RjlbIqE/story01.htm

Gerald M. Rojas Laura J. Simoes Joseph E. Roper Daniel S. Antunez

The Trouble With Sprinting

It’s a complicated thing to be a sprinter in this sport. Riders without that taste for risk and a talent for velocity, especially at the lower levels of the sport, seem perpetually envious of the speed merchants.

But a strong finishing kick is not the blessing that it seems. There are many factors that play into [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Cyclocosm/~3/GN39hOFqEok/

Julia J. Larson Tim L. Rueda Harold J. Johnson Heidi H. Campanelli

Charity ride across Vietnam and Cambodia

Despite the fact that I still have an arm in a plaster cast following my unfortunate run in with a pigeon, I?ve signed myself up for a second charity challenge this year? a five-day 400km ride across Vietnam and Cambodia raising money for The Genesis Research Trust! The charity itself is headed by Professor Robert [...]

Source: http://magazine.bikeradar.com/2011/03/14/charity-ride-across-vietnam-and-cambodia/

Anna M. Maki Paul S. Matos John C. Acosta Julia J. Larson

Brent Bookwalter breaks collarbone at 2011 Volta a Catalunya

Brent Bookwalter breaks a collarbone in Sunday?s finale at the Volta a Catalunya

Source: http://velonews.competitor.com/2011/03/news/brent-bookwalter-breaks-collarbone-at-2011-volta-a-catalunya_165741

Michael F. Nichols Alfred C. Morris Gregory K. Beach Luigi P. Gill

#46 - Trek 1500 - (Road Bike)

Frame Material: aluminum
Frame Angles: 73.0 head, 73.8 seat
Sizes: 52cm, 54cm, 56cm, 58cm, 60cm, 63cm
Colors: Black, Gray/Blue
Fork: Bontrager Race Carbo

Source: http://www.RoadBikeReview.com/PRD_290762_5668crx.aspx

Lucille P. Henderson Merlin M. Scott Heather B. Widmer Brandy R. Fowlkes

FOR SALE: Rata JOPO

Source: http://fixedgearbikes.blogspot.com/2011/03/for-sale-rata-jopo.html

Laura J. Simoes Joseph E. Roper Daniel S. Antunez Jane B. Cruz