The Bewitchin' Kitchen

Bike Assembly Guide: Parts and Components 101

2012-05-23T00:00:00.000-06:00

Cycling is a great hobby that attracts millions of people worldwide. And it is fun in more ways than one. First and the primary attraction that the bicycle has is its ability to propel you into good speed and is a great way to pass time and travel with friends and companion. The second attractive aspect of biking is its health benefits. Many fitness and figure conscious individuals pursue biking as a means to improve their overall strength and endurance. The third, and perhaps most appealing part of cycling is its mechanical appeal that is attractive to those who are fond of tinkering machines to see how they work and how they can be improved. If you are one of these people and you are looking to build your own bike from scratch, here are some tips on what parts you should look for and the considerations that you have to make when selecting the parts.

Some initial considerations First of all, there are many kinds of bicycles that you can build. The first consideration that you should make is what kind of bicycle do you want to build? Each type of bicycle can greatly vary on purpose, style and costs (so your budget should also be a consideration). For example, racing bikes and road bikes costs a lot more than street bikes. And if you are going to be driving around urban areas, a city bike may be a better choice than a racing bike; in terms of price and function. For a quick list of the kinds of bicycles, click here.

The Frame This will be your bicycle's foundation. Thus, you should select a frame that perfectly suits your body type. You can determine what frame measurement exactly matches your needs by having yourself measured on a bike specialty shop. If you have the budget, you can have a frame custom made for you. The measurement is for free so if you are short on budget, you can have yourself measured there and buy the frame from a second hand shop, garage sale, Walmart, Target, or any other malls that sell affordable bike frames. However, don't expect it to match the ergonomics, lightness, or durability of what you can get from Guru or Shimano.

Components Since this is more or less your first time of building a bike, I suggest getting a components build kit instead of buying the parts one by one which requires extensive knowledge on how each one functions. Great bike component makers are Shimano and Campagnolo. If you have the budget, I strongly suggest going for these will save you a lot of trouble; not to mention that using these really feel great. Wheels and tubes The wheels are the parts that have greatest effect on the bike's performance. I suggest allocating 40% to 60% of your budget on this. You can select almost any tube. Your priority should be the wheel as this makes a lot of difference. The type of wheels that fit your purpose, however, will vary according to your purpose. It would be best to get some advice from the shop owner or sales personnel regarding this. Ideally, you should find the perfect balance between function, lightness, and durability. Make it as light as possible, but if you will use it off road, a significant thickness is required for it to be durable enough for the purpose.

Pedals and handlebars These are the last components. You can pretty much select anything that matches your taste and grip. But for the pedal, having a clipped pedal is more ideal. Assembling your own bike can become quite costly. If you are on a tight budget, going for discount coupons can be very helpful. If interested, see some pages about couponing information.

A Must Have For Every New Mom | Wordless Wednesday w/Linky

2012-05-22T14:00:00.000-06:00

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Whisked Foodie | Whisk Up Something Delicious

2012-05-22T10:22:00.001-06:00

I'm always looking for new and exciting recipes to try, I'm not a "foodie" by any means but more like a foodie wannabe. My browser is full of recipes bookmarked and I'm eager to try them all.

The last couple of days I have been browsing Whisked Foodie and I love what I see. I have recently stumbled across the recipe for Grilled Lemon Thyme Peaches and what do you know? I bookmarked it. This site is more then just recipes, there are some fantastic How To Videos that I am always learning something new from, such as "How To Clean a Fresh Pineapple". From Cooking Techniques to Cocktails 101, Whisked Foodie has you covered and constantly inspired with new and "fresh" ways to add something special to your kitchen.

On Facebook I have noticed that the majority of my "Likes" are from L.A, and I have great news for you Angelenos. Before you go to browse a california farmers market head to the L.A Foodie section on the site and find inspiration from the latest trends in your area, to an ingredient spotlight. If cooking isn't your thing, there are restaurant reviews to browse to help you find that perfect restaurant to feed your craving.

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Now That's What I Call Love | Wordless Wednesday W/Linky

2012-05-15T14:00:00.000-06:00

I had photos done on Friday by Melissa Zimmerman Photography and received this sneak peak on Sunday night. Love it! Link Up!
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Calling All Wine Lovers | Wine.com

2012-05-15T09:52:00.001-06:00

On a beautiful summer evening, there is nothing better then sitting down to a wonderful steak dinner accompanied with a bottle of merlot. It sets your mood to complete relation and you're able to take in your surroundings and appreciate them. I was able to do this on Sunday night and it was a great way to end Mother's Day.
That being said, wine can get expensive and I'm always trying to find the best prices. We go through a lot of it around here and no, it's not because we drink like fish but because I love to cook with it as well. When wine.com was brought to my attention, I browsed the site for prices on my favorite Merlot, Chardonnay and Champagne. I have found savings of 10, 20 and even 45%! That's not all, if you sign up for their daily wine deals, you can save up to 70% off the wine of the day. What a fantastic site to be apart of.
At wine.com, not only will you find your favorite wines but also fine wines and an excellent assortment of gift packs (regular and corporate) and gift baskets. My favorite gift basket is the Tuscan Trattoria Italian Wine Gift Basket, where you receive a bottle of Banfi Col di Sasso, an assortment of pastas, basil sauce and pesto, biscotti and even a stainless steel collander. A great gift for an italian cuisine lover, all for only $59.99. Wine.com also brings you a selection of wine clubs to join and if you're like me who doesn't know a whole lot about wine (you just know you like it) there are wine basics which teaches you about wine and all the information that you need to know. I encourage all you wine lovers to check out wine.com. Unfortunately they don't ship to Canada, but you can still learn the ins and outs.Pin It