The acronym BMX stands for Bicycle MotoCross and has to do with the history of this sport, which dates back to 1969. It was then that in California - where else - young people began to use their bikes on Motocross tracks to imitate their motorized idols. . Seeing the trend, a manufacturer started producing bikes similar to motorcycles and the sport would expand. It would not be until a few years later when he would arrive in Europe.
Given the place and the reason for its birth, the original modality is the BMX Race, which consists of races on tracks similar to those of Motocross. With one difference: instead of moist soil, it is compact clayey sand to prevent fouling of the bike wheels. The objective is none other than that of any other race: to be faster than the rival, either competing simultaneously or against the clock.
With the appearance of the skateparks, the bikers who used BMX also began to take these spots and try 'tricks'. Here BMX Freestyle was born, which consists of performing tricks with the bike. This discipline has several sub-disciplines: Dirt Jump, Flatland, Park/Bowl, Street, Vert and Big Air.
The Dirt Jump are acrobatic jumps on dirt ramps chained one after another. When the biker is in the air he performs some trick (or maneuver, for those who don't understand) with the bicycle. A good place to practice it in Spain is La Poma Bikepark, in Premià de Dalt (Barcelona) and a good rider to watch could be Erick Ponce, winner of the Best Trick in the last Happy Ride Weekend that was held there. And watch out for the 'trains
Do you like to exercise by cycling or do you do other sports?
True to its name, a track bike is a bicycle that is designed for use on a velodrome. There are three different types of track bikes on offer, each suited to different events including; endurance events, sprint events and time trial/pursuit events. We’ll dive into the unique features of each below, however, the basic component list is consistent across all three styles. These components being the frame and fork, handlebars, wheels, cranks, pedals, a single chainring on the front, one cog fixed to the hub on the rear wheel and the chain itself.
A standard track bike is best thought of as more of an all-rounder and is typically utilised in longer, endurance based events. The geometry of a standard track bike is more similar to that of a race orientate road bike. Frame shapes will typically be aerodynamically optimised, however, not to the same level as the bikes ridden by sprinters or pursuit riders. As for frame materials, carbon and aluminium are the preferred options, however, steel and titanium options also exist but aren’t typically used in racing due to their increased weight and more traditional frame tube shapes. Moving to wheelsets and deep section carbon or aluminium wheels are typically used with tubular tyres inflated to pressures in excess of 180psi. Gearing is also likely to be smaller on a traditional track bike to encourage a higher cadence and a more sustainable power output over longer distance events.
Sprinters track bikes are much more aggressive in every aspect when compared to a traditional track bike. Head tubes are typically shorter to allow for a decreased frontal profile, while longer reach figures are also typical, placing the rider in a long and low position. Frame shapes are typically on the cutting edge of aero efficiency as will the components used. As track sprinters are capable of astonishing power, stiffness is a major factor in ensuring that a riders efforts are transferred to the track, propelling the rider forward. As a result, wheels, handlebars, stems and chainsets will typically be some of the stiffest available in the cycling industry. Whilst riders may sometimes opt for a carbon disc rear wheel, often riders will make use of carbon wheelsets with thick bladed carbon spokes to ensure that their speed generated is maintained.
Pursuit bikes are just about as wild as track bike get, similar to a time trial bike, pursuit bikes are engineered to be as aerodynamic as possible. Pursuit races are time trial events raced either by individuals or teams over a distance of between one and five kilometres. Under UCI rules, riders are allowed to use aero bars further aiding riders in achieving a lower, more aerodynamic position. Disc wheels are almost always used at the rear, combined with a deep section or full disc front wheel. Gearing is also scrutinised, with riders often opting for a bigger gear than an endurance event. Such is the nature of racing against the clock, seemingly minute differences such as handlebar height, wheel depth, tyre pressure, even air pressure, density and temperature can have a noticeable effect on a riders performance.
What do you think about bikes that are thin and very light?
Mountain biking differs from the rest of the competitive cycling disciplines because it takes place in natural environments. Another fundamental difference has to do with the type of bicycles used: mountain bikes (MTB). Suspensions play a fundamental role and their materials must combine resistance and lightness.
However, there is no single way to ride a mountain bike. Once we leave those shared characteristics behind, we can find different specialties. Mountain biking is gaining a growing following in part because it has proven to be such a diverse sport. Let's see how much.
enduro
The most basic form of mountain biking is known as Enduro. Mountain biking was born in 1976 when a group of friends, aboard their beach bikes, began to climb the tops of the mountains in California, United States, and compete to see who could get downhill first. That is basically Enduro and therefore, the fairest thing is to start with this discipline.
cross-country
Cross-Country is perhaps the most famous specialty within mountain biking. It became an Olympic sport in 1996 and is the only type of MTB present at the Olympic Games. In this case, when Olympic distances and rules are respected, it is known as Cross-Country Olympic (XCO).
XC is a cross-country discipline. The courses include climbs, descents and horizontal terrain. Sometimes the terrain gets very hard and you have to cross narrow and very irregular paths. On the other hand, in other parts, paved roads can be included that join different sectors of the circuit.
Downhill (DHI)
It is one of the specialties included in the Mountain Biking World Championship organized by the UCI. As its name indicates, the rules of this modality are very simple. In DHI you start at the top of a mountain and end at the bottom. Whoever completes the course in the shortest time wins.
It is similar to Enduro, with the difference that the climb is not done by pedaling. In fact, it is common for those who practice this sport to go up using chairlifts, since Downhill competitions are usually held in ski resorts during the summer months.
Freeriding
Freeride is a specialty of MTB that is related to Downhill as it takes place in natural environments and downhill. However, it has its peculiarities.
Freeride is a strictly technical discipline as it focuses on doing tricks that are scored by judges. To that end, a freeride course can include wallrides, wooden planks, or any other structure that helps the rider rise into the air. In that sense, the track fulfills the same function as a skatepark.
What do you think about the risk involved in practicing this sport?
Mountain biking, considered a risky sport, is competitive cycling carried out on natural circuits, generally through forests on narrow paths with steep slopes and very fast descents.
Track bike
Track cycling or also known as track racing is a cycling sport that is characterized by being played in a velodrome, which currently has an oval measurement of 250 meters, always the measurements are a multiple of the kilometer. (previously 500m and 333m) with sprint bikes, where the bottom bracket is usually positioned higher than on road bikes, so the pedals don't hit the track floor
Conpetitive bike
Competitive cycling is a sport in which different types of bicycles are used. There are several modalities or disciplines in competitive cycling such as Road Cycling, Track Cycling, Mountain Biking, Trial Cycling, Cyclo-Cross, BMX Cycling and within them various specialties. Competitive cycling is recognized as an Olympic sport. The International Cycling Union is the world governing body for cycling and international competitive cycling events
BMX bike
BMX (abbreviation of its name in English: "Bicycle Motocross") is a cycling discipline that is practiced with cross bikes with 20-inch diameter wheels. BMX encompasses two modalities: race, whose objective is to complete the course in the shortest possible time, and freestyle, whose objective is to perform stunts.
which of the above activities would you like to practice?
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