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Racing Bikes And The Future Of Racing

Posted by Tera Warner | Off-Road Racing | Wednesday 15 October 2008 9:24 am

There are several types of racing bikes. The most common is the standard racing bike, which is perfect for road riding. The riding position is hunched over, but still high enough which enables the rider to see where he is going. It is also very fast. Another would be the time trial bike, which is designed to go as fast as possible around a circuit or an oval on a closed-off road. The riders are very much hunched over. Some would prefer the use of extensions on the handlebars for added comfort, to get a better grip on the handles and to get their hands forward. Others would still attach smaller front wheels to modify the riding position to something even lower than the usual. Another would be the track racing bike, which is raced indoors on oval circuits. There is a single fixed gear with no brakes. A rider can only stop by slowing down the way he pedals, and the gear makes it impossible to suddenly stop pedaling. This racing bike is stripped down to the absolute minimum with no extras to make it lighter and faster.

On the plus side, racing bikes are very fast. The slick tires offer very little drag on the road, and the aerodynamic position keeps the wind drag to a minimum. On the other hand, because the bicycle is very skinny, it is often called as uncomfortable by other riders. The tires do not absorb much of the vibration when it comes to rough surfaces, and the hunched-over position can be very painful to the neck, back, and wrists. Whatever your speed thrill though, the racing bike will probably outstrip it. Racing bikes are fast, light, and very versatile. They can pass through very narrow places and leave that police car in the dust. If ever things get sticky, racing bike rider will just pull his throttle downward, and the next you will see is the dust in your eyes. If you are interested in buying a racing bike, you can look for websites offering such in the Internet. You can also look at newspaper ads and bicycle magazines. They feature racing bikes for sale that there will so many for you to choose from. You have to remember though that if you are going to buy it online, you should check first if the website is legitimate so as not to waste money.

Nitro RC Truck Racing is a Different animal..

Posted by Phoasie | Off-Road Racing | Friday 31 August 2007 7:50 am

…but it’s fun and rewarding form of Radio Controlled Racing, and taming this beast is where all the fun is. I have heard it said many a time at the touring car races i frequent, that Nitro RC Truck racing appears too slow, too cumbersome, and just awkward looking.

While it’s true that on those dirt tracks, the larger Nitro RC Truck don’t hit top speeds like thier touring car brothers, and the dirt tracks are lumpy and bumpy, the challenges to driving these bad boys like a pro require a whole different approach you.

The most obvious difference with Nitro RC Truck racing, are the jumps. Altho on your first time out, your going to want floor it and go straight off into the great blue yonder, you should keep in mind… it’s a long way down. Hitting those jumps just right means landing on all fours, and on a spot on the track that sets you up for the next turn. These jumps range from a series of moguls, called a “rhythmn section”, to jumps as high as 6 feet. Not only should you learn to gun your acceleration just right coming into the jump in order to improve your lap times, but to keep your monster truck in one piece.

One more difference to overcome with offroad Nitro RC Truck racing, is getting used to less grip on the track. After all, this is dirt. Your going to have to adust your driving to take into account the heavier wieght of the monster truck, and all the sliding your vehicle might do if you don’t knock down how to handle all those dirt track turns. The most widely used tread today, the bow-tie, will only help your grip so much, and may feel like no grip at all, if you’ve been racing on indoor carpet up to this point. It’s a necesary adjustment to your driving style, and at first you may feel like your racing in oatmeal, by comparison. But don’t mistake this for a boring ride. Once you get good at throttle control and handling your big bad MT, you will soon appreciate the precision and skill it takes to turn your MT on a dime. The very fact that it is harder than touring car racing, makes it all the more enjoyable.

So my advice to you is, don’t sit back and stare at that Nitro RC Truck on the hobby store shelf. Buy it. And get out there and race at your local track. You will soon find yourself torn between which is your favorite, on-road or off-road.