Thursday 19 April 2012

You should start by finding a reliable pressure gauge or a pump with a pressure gauge.

You should start by finding a reliable pressure gauge
or a pump with a pressure gauge. Then, use this same
gauge or pump anytime you are making adjustments. A
gauge can be very inaccurate, so if you switch around
it you can make things much more difficult.

You should start with a higher pressure of around 40 -
50 psi. If you have a tubeless system, you should
start lower, 30 - 40 psi. The more you weigh, the
higher pressure you should start with. Try this
pressure for a while and get a feel for how the tires
take corners and loose dirt.

Drop the pressure by 5 psi in each tire and get a feel
for how this new setup rides and how it compares to your
previous setting. You should notice some improvement
in stability, and if you don't, drop the pressure by
another 5 psi.

You want to find the lowest pressure you can ride with
without sacrificing pinch flat resistance. A pinch flat
occurs when your tire rolls over an object then compresses
to the point where the tire and the tube get pinched
between the object and the rim on the wheel.

With tubeless tire systems, you can run much lower air
pressure, as you don't have to worry about getting pinch
flats. If you start to dent your rims, burp air out
along the bead, or feel the tire roll under the rim
during hard cornering, you've taken the pressure much
too low.

Once you've found a comfortable setting for your tire
pressure, learn what your tire feels like when you
squeeze it with your hands. Once you know what your
tires feel like you can always get the right air
pressure - with any pump.

Setting Your Tire Pressure

Riding your mountain bike with the appropriate
amount of tire pressure can make a huge difference
in how much control you have over your bike.

Setting your tire pressure too high will make for
poor contact with the ground and also make your
bike less controllable. Setting your tire pressure
too low will make your tires unpredictable and also
make them susceptible to pinch flats.

The appropriate amount of tire pressure in a
mountain bike will vary between rider to rider and
tire setup to tire setup. The conditions of your
trail and the type of terrain your riding will also
greatly impact what tire pressure you should be using
in your tires.

The trick here is to find out exactly what mountain
bike tire pressure works for you and your setup during
normal conditions. After doing this, you can learn
to adjust your pressure for different trails and types
of terrain as needed.

To go faster you'll need a different ratio

To go faster you'll need a different ratio. To
ride downhill at 25 MPH with a 50 RPM cadence at the
pedals, you'll need a 5.6:1 gear ratio. A bike
with a lot of gears will give you a large number
of increments between a 1:1 gear ratio and a 6.5:1
gear ratio so that you can always pedal at 50 RPM,
no matter how fast you are actually going.

On a normal 27 speed mountain bike, six of the gear
ratios are so close to each other that you can't
notice any difference between them.

With actual use, bike riders tend to choose a front
sprocket suitable for the slope they are riding on
and stick with it, although the front sprocket can
be difficult to shift under heavy load. It's much
easier to shit between the gears on the rear.

If you are cranking up a hill, it's best to choose
the smallest sprocket on the front then shift
between the nine gears available on the rear. The
more speeds you have on the back sprocket, the
bigger advantage you'll have.

All in all, gears are very important to mountain
bikes as they dictate your overall speed. Without
gears you wouldn't be able to build speed nor would
you be able to pound pedals. The gears will move
the pedals and help you build up speed.

There are all types of gears available in mountain
bikes, all of which will help you build up a lot
of momentum if you use them the right way.

How Mountain Bike Gears Work

The gears in mountain bikes just keep getting more
and more intricate. The bikes of today have as many
as 27 gear ratios. A mountain bike will use a
combination of three different sized sprockets in
front and nine in the back to produce gear ratios.

The idea behind all these gears is to allow the
rider to crank the pedals at a constant pace no
matter what kind of slope the bike is on. You can
understand this better by picturing a bike with
just a single gear. Each time you rotate the pedals
one turn, the rear wheel would rotate one turn
as well (1:1 gear ratio).

If the rear wheel is 26 inches in diameter, then
with 1:1 gearing, one full twist on the pedals
would result in the wheel covering 81.6 inches of
ground. If you are pedaling at a speed of 50 RPM,
this means that the bike can cover over 340 feet of
ground per minute. This is only 3.8 MPH, which
is the equivalence of walking speed. This is ideal
for climbing a steep hill, although bad for ground
or going downhill.

Mountain Biking Vacation

Taking a mountain biking vacation is an excellent
way to unwind and explore America. There are several
companies that offer mountain biking tours that go
through scenic routes, and they often arrange any
accomodations for travelers as well. For athletic
couples, these types of vacations offer the perfect
way to relax and enjoy some exercise together.

Each and every region in the United States has some
truly awesome mountain biking trails. It's not just
the major mountain ranges that offer these trails, as
any hilly, scenic, rough trail can provide riders with
the adventure they seek. Some of the best areas to
mountain bike ride in the United States are the Pacific
Northwest, Southwest, and Southeast states such as
North Carolina.

Even though the entire American West area is great for a
mountain biking vacation, the Southwest area is rapidly
becoming a popular area for the sport as well. In the
Southwest, some of the best trails include Pinery
Canyon Road in Arizona, South Boundary Trail in New
Mexico, and Flume Trail in Nevada.

How To Lube Your Mountain Bike

A mountain bike is a lot of fun although it does
require some maintenance. You should always lube
your bike 15 hours or so before riding, as quick
jobs right before you take off normally doesn't
get everything lubed. Some lube jobs will last
for more rides, although if things get loud or
shifting gets sticky, it's time to lube.

Here is how to lube your bike:

1. The chain
Apply a generous amount of mountain bike lube to
your chain as you move the pedals around backwards.
It also helps to find a spot to steady your hand
such as the frame while you move the pedals around
and around. Make sure you watch out for the cranks
and chain rings as they move around.

2. Front Deraileur
On the front defaileur, lube the pivots. Use a
spot of lube everywhere you can see movement when
you move the shift lever.

3. Rear deraileur
Just like the front deraileur, lube the pivots.

4. Pedals
There are some types of clipless pedals that will
need to have the release mechanism lubed. You
should only lube this mechanism if you have this
type of pedal.

5. Everything into motion
Pedal around, shift your gears, and bounce your
bike around. If you hear anything squeak, there's
a moving part there are it should be lubed
immediately.

6. Wipe it all clean
Once you've lubed everything and wiped it all
around, simply wipe it all back off. Use a rag
to wipe away all the lube you used, including all
the lube off the chain. Wiping it away will leave
the lube in between the parts but clean it away
from everywhere it isn't needed. This will keep
your bike from collecting dirt while you ride.

Keep your speed under control

Keep your speed under control
Always make sure you keep your speed at a level
where you can quickly adjust to any obstacles or
change in the trail.

Knowing your trail
You should never push the limits on trails that you
aren't familiar with. You should take trails you
aren't familiar with at slow speeds until you learn
them better.

Slow down around blind corners
If you can't see past a corner you should always
slow down, as you never know who or what is around it.

Start small then go big
Work your way up to stunts or obstacles. Practice in
less difficult or dangerous situations before you
move up to something more dangerous.

Playing it smart
If you start to question what your doing, you probably
shouldn't be doing. Always think about what you are
doing and go with your instincts.

Mountain Biking Safety Tips

There are numerous ways that you can improve your
mountain bike safety. Many riders will tell you
that wearing a helmet is the most important step to
staying safe. The second most important step is
that you should always ride in control of your
mountain bike.

By riding in control you'll not only prevent crashes,
but keep others on the trail safe as well. When
riding out of control you loose the ability to
adjust to the terrain as you ride over it. This can
and usually does result in serious injury to yourself
and others.

Follow these helpful guidelines and you'll remain
safe when riding your mountain bike.

Gear
Always make sure that you wear a helmet and other
necessary safety gear for the conditions that you
plan to ride in.

Never ride beyond your control
There is never any shame in walking the areas of
the trail that you don't feel comfortable in riding
and you should never let anyone else tell you that
there is.

Mountain bike gloves

No matter what season you ride in, your hands can
take a beating. Beginners will normally keep a death
grip on the handle bars, which can be very brutal for
their hands. When you crash, your hands will be the
first thing to hit the ground - and everyone crashes
at some point. Mountain bike gloves are a must have
accessory, as they will take the beating for you.

Mountain bike shorts
After the first few mountain bike rides you take, you'll
notice that your rear end will be quite uncomfortable.
Even though your body will adjust, bike shorts are
great to have as they will help keep it at a bare
minimum. You can get shorts that are very comfortable,
making them a great addition to your mountain bike
ride.

Mountain bike shoes
Depending on the type of pedals you have and the type
of riding you do, you'll want to pick your mountain bike
shoes accordingly. If your bike has clipless type
pedals, you'll want to get shoes to accept the special
cleat for your pedals. Good mountain bike shoes are
durable, comfortable, and also a stiff sole for better
efficiency when pedaling. Also, you should make sure
to get the right shoe for the terrain you'll be riding
in as well.

Eye protection
If you get something in your eye, you can run off the
trail in a matter of seconds. Sunglasses or clear lensed
glasses can help keep your eyes safe from debris, as well
as protect them from the wind. When you buy your glasses,
make sure they are non-breakable.

Hydration system
Bringing a water bottle or hydration backpack with you is
always a great idea. It's very easy to get dehydrated so
you should always bring water with you and drink it on
the trail to ensure that your body stays properly hydrated
at all times.

Trail repair kit
It's easy to get stuck in the woods or on the trail if you
don't bring the proper repair kit for your bike. To be
on the safe side, bring a multi-tool designed for bike
repair, tire levers, and a patch kit for fixing flat
tires.

Mountain Biking Accessories

When you first start out with mountain biking, it
can be a bit overwhelming when you walk into a bike
store to buy your first mountain bike and see all
of the available accessories you'll need when you
first start riding.

There are several mountain biking accessories and
related products that you can purchase. Although
the sales staff will try to sell you anything they
can, the real question for those on a budget isn't
what's cool, but what accessories you need to make
your rides more safe and enjoyable. By starting
with these accessories, you'll be just fine when you
hit the trails.

Bike helmet
The bike helmet is the most important mountain biking
accessory that you can buy. No one should ever be
on a bike without a helmet. There have been many
people who have experienced serious head injury, when
it could have prevented by wearing a helmet. All
mountain bike helmets are comfortable and stylish and
everyone who rides on the trails wears one.

You can also find groups that have mountain bike rides and competitions

You can also find groups that have mountain bike rides
and competitions. You can look on the internet or even
in a local paper and see exactly what's available in your
area. You may be able to find groups for the more
advanced riders as well as beginners.

Becoming a great biker
Endurance and stamina are a must for a great mountain
biker. It will also take ambition and practice to succeed
as well as conquer the course. Like all other sports,
it takes time and practice. Those just beginning will
have to get past the bumps and bruises from falling
off the bike.

Selecting your mountain bike
The bike you select is more of a personal choice, and
a big determining factor on the type of riding you will
be doing. Bikes come in all styles, shapes, and prices,
which will make selecting one for yourself very difficult
indeed.

You should use the internet to help you shop for a bike,
even do some price comparisons online as well before you
make a purchase. Before you buy a bike, always ask to
try it out first. A great mountain biker will become
one with his or her own bike. When buying, make sure
you check for comfort, how it fits, even how it is geared.

Staying safe when riding
Mountain bike riding on unpaved roads can be very
dangerous, as mentioned earlier. Anytime you are riding,
you should wear a helmet, along with knee and elbow
pads. If you are following a group or riding in the
woods you should strongly consider a pair of goggles as
well. Safety should be your top priority and never
taken lightly anytime you are mountain biking.

Introduction To Mountain Biking

Mountain biking is a great way to explore the outdoors,
stay in shape, or just have fun. Racing down the side
of a mountain is a lot of fun indeed, although it can
also be quite dangerous. Even though it's dangerous,
if you ride with caution, it can be enjoyed by the
entire family.

Styles of mountain biking
Mountain biking can best be characterized into three
different styles - downhill, free riding, and cross
country. Even though the different styles are similar
in some ways, they still require different skills. The
style that you pick will determine the type of bike you
get.

Locations for mountain biking
The sport can best be thought of as biking on an unpaved
surface. Many areas throughout North America have
specific locations designed for mountain biking. Before
you decide to go down a trail, you should always check
with your local park to get the routes, regulations, and
any rules that they may have.

Now, turn the tool in the other direction, and back it out of the roller

Now, turn the tool in the other direction, and back
it out of the roller. Set the tool to the side,
then work the chain very gently from side to side
and extract the inner side plates and roller.

Now is the time to re-route the chain through the
bike. You may want to have a chain retaining tool
or some to help you hold the chain in the right
spot as you route and repair it.

Now that the broken link has been removed and
you've re-routed the chain, you're ready to insert
a new link or simply connect the links that were
beside the broken one. The process here is the
same - align the two ends so that the link with
the inner side plates will fit inside the link
with the pin and outer side plates. Now, use the
chain tool to push the pin inward until it's
positioned evenly between the side plates.

The easiest way to learn how to do this or feel
comfortable doing it is to have someone show you,
then actually practice with a chain and a chain
tool. You'll have no trouble at all making a
temporary repair in a mountain bike chain once
you've seen it done by a professional and practiced
it yourself a few times.

Once your mountain bike chain becomes damaged

Once your mountain bike chain becomes damaged, you
should immediately replace it with a new one. It
is possible however, to repair a broken chain using
a chain tool. For this very reason, most mountain
bikers travel with a chain tool.

Your chain has three basic components - the metal
side plates, the rollers between the side plates,
and the rivets, or pins which go through the rollers
and help to hold the plates together. These pins
allow the rollers to freely turn as the chain
moves around the cogs.

If your chain happens to break, you'll need to remove
the broken link and replace it with a spare link.
To do this, simply reattach the two ends of the
broken chain and ride on a shorter chain until you
can get it replaced.

To remove a broken link of chain, place it in the
chain tool. Now, turn the tool counter clockwise
until the rivet pin of the chain tool touches
the chain rivet. Continue to turn the tool until
the pin pushes out of the roller. Be very careful,
as you want to stop turning when the pin is right
at the edge of the roller, before it moves through
the outer side plate.

If you are new to mountain biking

There are also several other designs which reflect
on the manny challenging disciplines in the sport
of mountain biking. No matter what type of
mountain biking you like to do, there are bikes
for that specific discipline.

If you are new to mountain biking, you'll want
to check out the many designs and types of biking
before you purchase a bike. Mountain biking can
be a lot of fun and excitement, although it can
also be very dangerous if you don't have the
right bike for the terrain. Before you decide to
buy a bike and hit the trails, make sure you
have the right design of mountain bike for the
riding you are planning on doing.

Mountain Bike Designs

The designs for mountain bikes can be classified in
three categories based on suspension:

1. Hardtail - A frame with no rear suspension,
often containing a front suspension fork.
2. Fully rigid - This is a sub type of hardtail,
with a rigid fork.
3. Dual or full suspension - These bikes offer a
front suspension fork and a rear suspension that
are integrated into the frame.
4. Soft tail - Offers a frame with a small amount
of rear suspension, normally less than a full
suspension frame.

The different designs of bikes in mountain biking
will offer you what you need for your unique style
of riding. You'll want a different bike for
different terrain, such as cross country or
downhill. As the terrain changes, you'll want to
make sure you have the right bike for the job.

Mountain biking is different than any other sport,
offering you plenty of excitement and thrills.
If you are new to mountain biking, you'll find the
different designs to be very enticing yet very
challenging at the same time. Each design serves
a purpose with mountain biking, even some that
excel on the trails.

Depending on the type of heat treating and butting

Depending on the type of heat treating and butting,
you can find this material in bikes as low as 400
dollars all the way up to 1,500 and beyond. The
chromoly steel material offers very good durability
and a compliant ride characteristic.

Aluminum
For the past 15 years, aluminum has been refined in
pretty much the same way as chromoly. There have
been various alloys developed, as well as heat
treatment, oversizing, and butting. With dual
suspension bikes, aluminum is the preferred material
as it's the stiffest and most cost effective.

Aluminum is stiffer than chromoly, and therefore it
will crack before chromoly. Of course, this depends
on how you ride and how much abuse you give the frame.
The advantages of aluminum is that the frame is very
light and very stiff through oversizing or butting.

Titanium
Even thought it's somewhat exotic, the prices for
this material have come down over the last few years.
Frames made of titanium remain expensive because it
takes longer to weld the tubes to the frame.

Titanium is considered an alloy, normally mixed with
small amounts of vanadium and aluminum to give it
better weldability and ride characteristics. More
compliant than chromoly, it offers better fatigue
and corrosion properties.

The material you choose for your bike, all depends
on where you ride and what style you use. Almost
all materials will last you for years, as long as
you take care of your bike and treat the frame with
some respect.

The cost of a mountain bike frame is proportionate to its material

The cost of a mountain bike frame is proportionate to
its material, as well as the treatment that material
has received. Currently, there are five types of
material used in mountain bikes - high tensile steel,
chromoly steel, aluminum, titanium, and carbon
fiber. Oversized diameters, heat treating, and butting are
tubing material treatments that will increase the
cost of a frame as well.

High tensile steel
This is a very durable alloy that's found in lower
priced mountain bikes. It offers a high carbon content
which makes it less stiff than chromoly steel, so
more materials are needed to make it stiff enough for
bicycle frames, which will in turn make it that much
heavier.

Relatively inexpensive to produce, you'll find this
material in trail bikes, city bikes, and even entry
level mountain bikes. There are some bikes that come
with a chromoly seat tube, while the rest is high
tensile steel.

Chromoly steel
Short for steel alloy, chromoly is best described by
its major additives - chromium and molybdenum. This
is probably the most refined framing material, giving
over 100 years of dependable service.

A mountain bike is the one thing you need before you go mountain biking

1. Bottom bracket - This attaches the crankset to
the body of a bike.

2. Brake cable - This is the cable that connects the
brake lever to the brake mechanism.

3. Brake lever - The lever on the handlebar to
activate the brakes. The left side is the front brake
and the right side is the rear brake.

4. Chain - The circular set of links that transfer
power from the chain ring to the cogs.

5. Chain ring - The toothed rings that attach to
the crank to hold the chain.

6. Crank - The lever that extends from the bottom
bracket to the pedal, transferring the power to the
chain rings.

7. Derailleur - The mechanism for moving the chain
from one cog to another.

8. Down tube - The section of frame that extends
downward from the stem to the bottom bracket.

9. Front shock - The shock absorber on the front
fork.

10. Handlebar - The horizontal bar attached to the
stem with handgrips on the end.

11. Headset - The mechanism in front of the frame
that connects the front fork to the stem and
handlebars.

12. Hub - The center part of the wheel that the
spokes are attached to.

13. Idler pulley - The bottom pulley of the rear
derailleur that provides spring tension to keep
the chain tight.

14. Nipple - A threaded receptacle that holds
the end of the spoke to the rim.

15. Pedal - The platform to pedal on; attaches to
the crank.

16. Rear shock - The shock absorber for the rear
tire on dual suspension type bikes.

17. Rim - The metal ring that holds the spokes
on the inside and the tire to the outside.

18. Saddle - The seat.

19. Seat post - Offers support for the seat.

20. Skewer - The metal rod that goes through the
hub, attaching the wheel to the dropouts of the
frame.

21. Spindle - The free rotating axle that the
crank arms attach to; also a part of the bottom
bracket.

22. Spokes - The thick wires that join the hub to
the rim.

23. Stem - A piece that attaches the handlebar
to the steering tube.

24. Wheel hub - The center of the wheel that the
spokes are attached to.

Different Types of Mountain Bikes

With mountain biking being a very popular sport,
there are many bikes to choose from. Depending
on what type of riding you like, the style of
bikes you can choose from will vary. Below, you'll
find tips on the different types of bikes available.

1. Cross country
Almost all mountain bikes will fit into this category.
Cross country mountain bikes are light weight, making
them easy to ride over most terrains, even up and
down hills. This is the most common mountain bike
and it can be used with ease for riding on the path
or even commuting.

2. Downhill
These types of bikes are for serious bikers who
crave the ultimate adventure. Downhill bikes have
front and rear suspension, strong parts, and disc
brakes. Rarely available off the shelf, most riders
like to custom build their own.

3. Trials
Trail mountain biking involves a great degree of
skill and is classified as the precision riding of
the sport. Similiar to downhill bikes, trial riders
will often build their own bikes rather than purchase
one off a shelf. Generally very light and very
strong, these bikes require a lot of discipline.

4. Jump and slalom
Slalom and jump bikes are very strong and designed
for jumping, street racing, and slalom. They offer
a front suspension and use very strong components
dedicated to what they do. These bikes are very
popular with the sport of mountain biking.

If you've never tried cross country mountain biking

If you've never tried cross country mountain biking,
you'll probably find it to be a break from the
ordinary. Even though this type of biking involves
trails, it's normally the type of terrain that
beginners wouldn't want to ride. Involving hills
and rough terrain, cross country biking offers
quite the rush.

For mountain bikers everywhere, cross country is
the way to go. It offers you a new assortment of
bikes, new areas to bike, and a new twist to
mountain biking as you know it. If you've been
looking for a mountain biking rush, cross country
mountain biking is what you need to be experiencing.

Cross Country Mountain Biking

Cross country mountain biking is cross country at
its finest. Where free riders and downhill bikers
use four wheel bikes and ski lifts to get them to
their destination, cross country bikers get to
the top of the mountain by the ride. Though free
riding is very popular, the life vein of the sport
has always been cross country biking.

Just as cross country riders are a different breed,
the bikes they ride are as well. The cross country
bike is completely different in many ways from other
types of mountain riding bikes. The premise for
cross country riders is speed. Everything about
their bikes revolve with the idea of making the
bikes faster and faster.

Bikes used in cross country mountain biking can
be fully rigid frame, hardtails, or even full
suspension frames. Through the years, the cross
over to full suspension has become very popular.

The weight difference between free ride bikes and
cross country bikes are considerable. You'll be
extremely hard pressed to find a bike that weighs
more than 24 pounds, and even that weight can be
heavy. Free ride bkes weigh close to 40 pounds,
which makes the difference in weight pretty close.

Disc Brakes Or Rim Brakes

This can be a very important decision when you
are buying a mountain bike. There are actually
two answers to the question of disc brakes or
rim brakes.

If you want better, more consistent brake performance
in all conditions, disc brakes are what you should
be choosing. On the other hand, if you want the
lightest set up you can have and you are willing to
accept small variances in brake performance, or you
want the lowest price possible, rim brakes are
what you should be choosing.

Over the years, mountain bikes have gone through
many design changes. They started out with the
original cantilever brakes, then went through the U
Brake years, and are now with V Brakes. In most
conditions, the V Brakes seem to work well.

In wet or muddy conditions, rim brakes will perform
poorly. Over time, they can wear right through the
side of your rim, causing the side of the rim to
blow right off.

Disc brakes on the other hand have been around for
a long time in cars but weren't used on bikes much
until the late 1990's. There were some issues in
the earlier models, although the cable actuated or
hydraulic brakes of today seem to work quite well.

In terms of performance, disc brakes seem to work
better than rim brakes, especially in wet or muddy
areas. Disc brakes normally require less force
to apply and aren't effected by the rim or wheel
condition.

Cost is an issue, as disk brake systems tend to be
more expensive than rim brakes. Mechanical or cable
actuated brakes are a closer match, although they
will still cost more. Hydraulic brakes on the other
hand cost a lot more.

When you make that final choice, weight out the above
options then make your decision. Some riders prefer
disc brakes, while others prefer rim brakes - making it
a matter of opinion.

You should wear heavy socks although not to heavy

In case your hands get cold, you should carry a pair
of lightweight glove liners will you as well. If you
have to stop to take care of a problem, the liners will
protect your hands from the cold.

Glasses
Glasses that wraparound and provide maximum protection
from the wind are best to wear in the winter. You can
protect yourself from debris, as well as the cold.

Socks
You should wear heavy socks although not to heavy. A
sock that is overly heavy will make your shoes tight,
cut off circulation, even make your feet cold. You
should try lightweight socks, as they will keep your
feet warm without bulk. If you need an extra layer,
try silk ski socks as they are very warm and also
extra lightweight.

Underwear
Polypropylene is the best material here, as it is
lightweight and best for colder temperatures.

Wind protection
Moving air is the biggest cause for losing body
heat. By having good wind protection you'll be able
to vent perspiration while also protecting yourself
from windchill. You should choose pants and a jacket
based on durability, breathing, and price as these
types of clothing can get very experience.

Helmet and liners
Your head is very important, as you lose 50% of your
body heat through your head. A helmet is designed to
keep you cool in the summer, not warm in the winter. A
fleece liner inside your helmet will keep your head
and ears warm during winter riding.

Clothes For Winter Riding

Mountain biking in cold weather has always been a
challenge. The problem is that you'll start out
cold then warm up and break a sweat, making yourself
wet. Then, when you travel downhill, the combination
of wet skin and windchill will be quite chilling.

Below, you'll find a list of the cold weather clothing
that will make winter riding less of a bone chilling
experience.

Booties
In cold temperatures, your feet are the most vulnerable
part of your anatomy. Pressure from pedaling will
tend to cut off the circulation to your toes, which
can put you at a risk of frostbite. In cold conditions,
neoprene booties are a must have. They will zip over
your shoes and even have a pattern in the sole where
you can cut out a piece for cleats.

Gloves
There are several manufacturers that make "lobster
gloves", a hybrid glove that separates your index
finger and thumb from the rest of your hand. These
gloves are warmer than regular gloves, and the distinct
index finger will allow you to operate your shifting
and brake levers.

Full suspension or hard tail

If you can afford it, a full suspension mountain
bike is always worth the purchase. A hard tail,
without rear suspension, is much lighter weight
and pedal more efficiently, although full suspensions
offer more comfort and overall better control. You'll
want to make that decision based on your price range,
riding style, and the type of terrain you'll be
riding on the most.

Finding your favorites
Comparing mountain bikes component to component is
nearly impossible, as there are far too many combinations
available. The best way to go about doing this is
finding a few components that are the most important
to you and making sure the rest or the minimums fall
within your price range. You can start with the fork
then look at the wheels and rear derailleur.

Sales and seasons
During the year, the prices of mountain bikes can
fluctuate quite a bit. Spring through summer is the
main buying season. If you can wait until the right
price pops up, normally in the fall and winter, you can
save a couple hundred dollars. Many bike shops will
also offer discounts or other accessories if you buy
from them.

Finding a good dealer
Finding a good bike dealer is more important than finding
the best price. You should always find a dealer that
cares more about selling you a great bike than selling you
a high priced one. A great dealer will have a clean repair
shop and give you the impression that you can really
trust them.

Test ride
You should test ride as many bikes as you can within
your price range and riding style. You'll find that
some bikes will feel right, while others won't. The more
bikes you can test drive, you better you'll understand
what works and what doesn't.

Doing the research
Product reviews and bike reviews are some of the best
ways to find out about a mountain bikes reliability and
overall performance. You should always look at what
other owners and reviews think about a bike before you
make that final purchase.

Buying A Mountain Bike

It can be a bit frustrating as well as time consuming
when you buy a mountain bike. Below, you'll find
some tips and things to be aware of before you lay
down the cash and buy a mountain bike.

Determining your price
There is really no limit as to how much money you can
spend on a new mountain bike. To help you keep your
spending under control, you should figure out what
your price range is and how much your willing to pay
for a new bike. When you buy, you shouldn't buy from
mass merchant stores such as Wal-Mart. You should
instead support your local bike shop and get a much
better bike and much better service.

Finding your style
All mountain bikes are designed with several different
riding styles and terrain types in mind. You'll need
to figure out what type of riding you will be doing
the most. Smooth riding, cross country racing,
mountain cruising, or lift accessed downhill is
something you need to figure out. Make sure that
the bike you select fits your personal style and not
that of the sale's staff.

Pedal while standing

Pedal while standing
You should get as comfortable as you can with
pedaling while standing on your bike. Try lifting
yourself off the seat while standing on the pedals,
then crank them around. You should try this in
higher gears on flat ground then again in lower
gears while on a hill.

Dropping down a curb
Try finding a curb where you can easily get to the
upper portion of it. Practice at a moderate speed,
standing and coasting right off the curb from the
upper level to the lower level. Try this at
different speeds until it becomes second nature.

Once you practice these techniques and get the
hang of them, you'll be able to hit the trails feeling
comfortable on your mountain bike. Even though it
may take some getting used to, it'll become second
nature before you know it.

Beginner Mountain Bike Skills

Mountain biking is an exciting sport that can be
enjoyed by anyone who knows how to ride a bike.
Compared to the average bike ride, it does present
some danger. Therefore, you should master these
basic skills before you hit the trails or the
dirt.

You can practice these beginning skills at a local
park, school, bike path, or simply around your
house. If you can, try to find a location with
a steep hill.

Get a feel for your pedals
Practice moving your foot away from the pedal,
first while sitting on your bike with one foot on
the ground. Next, move on to releasing and
replacing your foot while pedaling around for a
bit. Those with toe clip and clipless type foot
pedals will want to spend a bit more time
practicing.

Sit and spin for position
Simply sit on your bike and pedal around. You
should keep your arms slightly bent. You should
also adjust your seat height so your leg is 70 to
90 percent extended at the bottom of every stroke
on the pedal. Keep your body relaxed, as there
will never be a position where you should have
either your knees or your elbows locked.

Shifting gears
Get a feel for shifting gears with your bike. The
higher gears are harder to pedal and will go
faster while the lower gears are easier to pedal
and will help you ascend hills. As you get to
steeper hills, its best to shift before you get
to the hill rather than while your on it.

Coasting
You should spend a bit of time coasting while
standing on your pedals, without actually sitting
on the seat. Keep your arms bent but don't lock
your knees. Now, try experimenting with shifting
your body towards the rear end of the bike.

Tuesday 10 April 2012

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Technology spoils people’s whims. It tends to cater to every human’s caprices. It feeds on the people’s undying thirst for easy, instant, and convenient. More often than not, it also causes them a lot of trouble—financial trouble through credit card debt—that is. Credit Card convenience vs. Credit Card debtWe often see people pull out “plastic” to pay for everything they need. Why not? When all it takes is a quick swipe of the card through a little electronic box and a signature then, everything’s okay. You go home happy, content,

and almost worry-free. On the other hand, not every one of these people realize that the convenience of using credit cards can lead to a false feeling of financial security. And this realization will strike them as soon as the bills arrive. In fact, studies show that credit card debt and personal bankruptcies have increases bank profits to the highest level in the last five years. It only shows that more and more credit card holders were unable to manage their finances that lead to credit card debt. If you are a cardholder and having some credit card debt troubles at this early stage, it’ now time to think over the possible outcomes of this minor glitch so that a more serious problem with credit card debt would cease to arise.Credit card gives people the feeling of invincibility. And it also gives them tons of uncertainty about their financial management capability when they encounter problems with their credit card debt.


Although it is true that that credit cards solve financial matters especially when it comes to safety and convenience, credit cards also creates hassle especially when the person using it doesn’t know what you he or she’s getting into. Indeed, paying off credit card debt may take a long time especially if the person has high interest rates. But, it doesn’t mean that you can do nothing about efficient management of credit card debt. When you find yourself overwhelmed with credit card debt, don’t fall into a pit of depression. You can get through it with discipline and a change in spending patterns.

Start eliminating problems with credit card debt by getting tips and techniques on how to pay off your balances easier, how to consolidate of frequently encountered problems, look for free debt consultation agencies that can help you, and try—inch by inch—to rediscover ways on how you can regain your financial freedom by reducing you credit card debt.The power to eliminate credit card debt People who are having problems managing their credit card debt or those who are near in bankruptcy often don’t realize that the power to eliminate their credit card debt troubles totally is in their hands. Today, more and more Americans need credit card debt help badly. The main problem is that these families are having difficult times paying high interest for credit card debt.


And instead of lifting the burden of credit card debt, more people are paying much in interest every month than that of the actual expenditure. There are actually more lawful and moral ways to zero-out thousands of dollars in credit card debts. And if you only take the time to research and know your rights and how bankruptcy laws have changed, you will discover that there are valuable facts to eliminate credit card debt. Actually, the possibility of reducing or eliminating the high interest credit card debt is now more possible when a person takes action to get his or her finances back on track. Apart from knowing your weapon in terminating credit card debt, it is very important that you develop a sense of control and perseverance first. Since credit card debt elimination process requires organization, clarity, and commitment to your own growth, it is a must that you are ready for the responsibility and to stand free and independent. For those people who consider having a credit card indispensable but afraid of getting one because of the possibility of credit card debt nightmare, you must remember that credit card can be a powerful tool in managing your finances but there will always be glitches when not used properly. Of course, there are countless reasons why you should and shouldn’t get one depending on your needs. Whether you decide to get one or not, managing finances


it still takes a sense of good budgeting, willingness to change spending habits, and the humility to avail low interest consolidation loans when you are already burdened by too much credit card debt. Nissan Altima Steering Pump

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“Plastic money” is a term dubbed by the people of the world in reference to the wondrous item called the “credit card.” And at the rate the economy is going and with the pace of life that we have right now we want everything done the express way.

That’s why a lot of businessmen, young professionals, big bankers and even well-off students are lining up inside their trusted banks, credit card application in one hand and the need to have instant credit on the other. Of credit, cards and credit card applicationCredit card applications have taken over the need to have cold cash and a lot of people are trading in their hard-earned green bucks for a shot of having the charge-it-card. But along with your credit card application is the responsibility that we are mainly unaware of.


So when you are thinking about falling in line to get started with your credit card account and before you start filling up the fields necessary to get up and running with your credit card application know all the precautions and the counter measures for you to be protected by the federal law. Credit card application, as we all know takes a lot of time with regards to the verification of the identity of the person on top of the credit card application.

Because of the US Patriotic Act that requires further verification of anyone applying for anything on the United States, that includes credit card application, getting anything in the US has become quite a chore. But since the importance of having a credit card is top priority in the US many are still willing to go to immense amount of trouble that is coupled with it. The importance of having a credit card is very imminent; take for example the average American. An average American from the middle class bracket owns about eight to ten different credit cards and uses all of them at an average if once a day. With this number it’s not surprising that there are about a hundred thousand credit card applications being processed in a single day. And the rate if credit card applications are still expected to rise within the next quarter. The need for credit cards and debit cards is for real and the market should be open for more credit card applications that is expectedly going to flood their way.

There will be a great need for more people to look into the responsibility of educating other people on how and when to use their credit cards, because it’s hard earned greenbacks that we are throwing away when we buy online porno and junk like that only profit a few people. So whenever you’re ready grab a pen and paper and get ready to fill up that credit card application form and take one step in the express charging the way you buy.Most of the time, although your credit card application is mailed to that states that you have been pre-approved, you will still be asked to fill out a credit card application or the ‘acceptance form’. The reason behind this is the need of the bank or the company to verify the identification of the person they have sent the card to. Since most companies offer online credit card application, you may go online to fill out the form so the processing will be convenient and easier.

When filling out your credit card application, there are some important details that should be considered aside from your name and contact information like the query should you accept every offer or not, the possibility of hidden fees that can be quite expensive and the like. Mercedes Benz C350 Steering Pump

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Credit cards have gained so much popularity amongst the masses that no business can be termed as complete and efficient if it doesn’t use credit card services. Really, without credit card services, most of the businesses would end up losing a significant chunk of business opportunities.

Some people go to the extent of classifying such businesses (which don’t use credit card services) as non-serious businesses. So what are these credit card services that we are talking about?In simple words, by credit card services we mean the ability to accept credit cards as a mode of payment. Well, we can also term the use of credit cards as a credit card service.


However, generally, credit card services will include the services that enable acceptance of credit card by a merchant. So, for a shopkeeper, use of credit card processing machines to accept credit card payments, is a credit card service that he is providing to his customers (and he himself is receiving this credit card service from the provider of credit card processing machine and others involved in making this process so smooth).

Since carrying cash is no more a common practice, any shop that doesn’t use/provide such credit card services would end up losing a lot of customers because customers can’t pay with anything other than a credit card. So, for most merchants, providing credit card services (or credit card processing services) to their customers,


has become very essential part of business.With the internet boom, came a lot of online businesses. These businesses were in the form of virtual shops (or e-shops) that existed either only on the internet or were a virtual extension of physical shops. All these businesses (some selling goods, some selling services), needed a way to accept payments from their customers.


This gave birth to online credit card services. The simplest use of these online credit card services is in the form of a simple webpage/web-form that asks you to provide your credit card details. These details are then verified and processed to debit the amount from your credit card and credit it to the merchant’s accounts. Since credit card details are sensitive information, these websites started implementing mechanisms/technology to secure it and prevent it from getting in the hands of fraudsters. Such sites are now called secured websites and form the backbone of e-commerce.Besides these basic ways of implementing credit card services, the credit card services are provided in some other forms too e.g. over-the-phone payments using credit cards, use of third party online credit card service providers who provide you with an interface to accept credit card payments. So, there are a lot of different ways in which credit card services are implemented and as the time goes by, the expanse of these credit card services is sure to increase. Mercedes Benz C320 Steering Pump

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It comes as a surprise how credit cards have found their way into our lives (and out wallet). Credit cards have gradually turned into becoming a necessity (rather than luxury).


You can find credit card processing machines in almost all the shops today. With the advent of internet, online credit card processing has become popular too. ‘Credit card processing’ as such is a really interesting topic. This article tries to put into perspective the people, systems and the equipment that go into credit card processing.First, let’s check the equipments used for credit card processing. So, there are credit card processing softwares for online credit card processing, there are credit card processing machines (i.e.


the credit card reading machines at shops), there are data verification/validation devices/softwares that verify the security information on credit cards, there are communication devices/systems that enable safe transfer of credit card information from one point to another, and then there are other credit card processing equipments like the credit card processing equipment that is used for the preparation of the actual plastic (credit card).

Then there are various service providers that provide services related to credit card processing. There are suppliers for credit card processing equipment and suppliers for online credit card processing services. Then there are postal and courier service that help deliver credit card bills in time. There are merchants/petrol-bunks etc which provide facility of payment collection boxes at their premises (another important aspect of credit card processing). Besides that there are complete systems for processing credit card applications, there are systems for credit card bill processing/generation, there are people at call centres who help in addressing the queries from credit card holders and, very importantly, there are people (sales representatives) who help you in filling the credit card application forms. Another important entity with regards to

‘credit card processing’ process is the credit rating bureaus. Credit card bureaus maintain a database of credit ratings for individuals and businesses. This rating is based on the data received from various credit providers over a period of time. This rating is the most important part of credit card application processing and a bad rating can lead to rejection of the credit card application altogether. Thus, credit card processing involves a coordinated effort from a lot of professionals and service providers. In that sense, we can also say that credit card processing is an industry in itself that has generated a lot of employment. Mercedes Benz C280 Steering Pump

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‘Credit card debt’ is the worst of all nightmares. A successful credit card debt settlement is like getting a new lease of life. Credit card debt settlement is a wonderful stress relieving mechanisms. Once you are done with your credit card debt settlement, you are assured of a much better life.

All those nagging phone calls and mails will become history and all that surmounting tension would be gone. That’s why credit card debt settlement is so essential.You can approach credit card debt settlement in 2 ways. You can either go for credit card debt settlement all by yourself or you can take advice from a credit counselling company or a professional.

Any of these credit card debt settlement methods are fine, as long as they work for you and help you get debt-free quickly. If you go for credit card debt settlement all by yourself, you will need to analyse the various options available to you e.g. checking on various balance transfer offers available in the market, checking the short term loan options with the banks etc etc. However, if you want to take credit card debt settlement advice from a professional, you should be able to trust the advisor fully. So you need to check the credentials of the credit card debt settlement advisor/company.

There are hordes of people and companies that advertise “credit card debt settlement in one day” or something of that kind which will look just fantastic. Such credit card debt settlement offers/advice are generally not genuine. Moreover, you need to understand that credit card debt settlement cannot happen overnight (unless you win a lottery or something like that).


So, beware of such agencies. That said it’s important to mention that there are a lot of good credit card debt settlement advisors/companies available too who will not only give you genuine credit card debt settlement advice but will help you throughout until you are finally out of debt. Their advice may, in fact, more than compensate for the fee that they charge you for credit card debt settlement. These credit card debt settlement companies/advisors will be able to help you in the best way if you tell them your current financial situation correctly.

Your future plans are important too, as they might influence the decision on ‘What route for credit card debt settlement would work the best for you’.Moreover, once you are done with your credit card debt settlement, you should also take measures to avoid falling into that pit again. Mercedes Benz C240 Steering Pump

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Credit card debt relief is what every debt-struck credit card holder is looking for. Credit card debt relief is not just about reducing or eliminating credit card debt; credit card debt relief is also about getting de-stressed.

Credit card debt relief is about working for oneself and not just for the credit card debt that you have on you. Yes, it’s unfortunate but true. In fact, you can hear statements like “I have got a better job, now I can pack up my credit card debt even faster”.

So, in that sense, credit card debt relief is really about getting your life back on the normal track. Mercedes Benz C230 Steering Pump

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Getting into debt is easy but getting out of it really a difficult task. This holds good for any kind of debt and includes credit card debt too. Credit card debt reduction needs planning and discipline in the way you spend money.Credit card debt reduction starts with reduction in the expenditures you make using your credit card. So, the first trick for credit card reduction is to go for shopping without your credit card (carry some small amount of cash).

This credit card reduction technique isn’t asking you to stop shopping, instead it’s just asking you to seriously evaluate the need of anything you want to purchase and not just purchase it on the spur of the moment. So, if you really-really need to buy it, you will go back to your home to fetch your credit card thus introducing a delay that is instrumental in killing spur-of-the-moment purchase (and hence helping in credit card debt reduction).


It gives you time to evaluate if it’s really worth going back home and getting the credit card for purchasing that item. So, in this case, credit card debt reduction is achieved by preventing the debt from building up further. It’s a very effective credit card debt reduction measure.

The other effective way of credit card debt reduction is debt consolidation i.e. consolidating debt from high APR credit cards to a low APR one. So this credit card debt reduction measure works by reducing the rate at which your credit card debt grows.


Moreover, this way of credit card debt reduction also gives you a breather in the form of a short initial period when the APR is 0%. Besides credit card debt reduction, debt consolidation also brings some additional benefits which are basically in terms of rewards etc offered by the new credit card supplier.


Thus this method of credit card debt reduction is really more than just a credit card debt reduction method – it’s a benefit provider too. If you are not comfortable in taking forward this method of credit card debt reduction, you can seek the help of a credit card debt assistance company.Besides these two credit card debt reduction measures, which are really the most important credit card debt reduction measures, there are other methods too for credit card debt reduction. Another one is to ask your current credit card supplier for help in credit card debt reduction i.e. by lowering the APR.


It might work out for you (as it does for some people).Also remember, that there are people (professionals) out there who provide advice on credit card debt reduction (just in case you need them). Mercedes Benz C220 Steering Pump

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Credit card debt is really a menace and a lot of people are facing it around the globe. Credit card debt consolidation and bank loans are well known as ways of reducing and eliminating credit card debt.


In all this confusion, credit card debt negotiation almost gets forgotten. Well, credit card debt negotiation starts right from your credit accounts where you have the most hard-hitting credit card debt. This means credit card debt negotiation has to be taken up with your current credit providers. Before you misinterpret it, let me clarify that we are not talking about chucking off a portion of your debt through credit card debt negotiation.

We are talking primarily about using credit card debt negotiations for getting the APR on your current credit cards reduced to some lower figure. So, credit card debt negotiation is about talking to your current credit card suppliers for informing them about your intention to clear off your credit card debt and using your skills (credit card debt negotiation skills) to agree a lower APR rate with them. Basically, credit card debt negotiation is about asking your current credit card suppliers for help/assistance in clearing off your credit card debt. If credit card debt negotiation is successful, it will save you not only money (due to reduction in APR) but also the hassle that is associated with looking for a new credit card (to transfer balance).


However, if the credit card debt negotiation, with your current credit card supplier, doesn’t yield the desired results, you will have to look for other credit suppliers who can help you in consolidating your debt. Again, you will need your negotiation skills (rather credit card debt negotiation skills) to get a good deal from them. If your credit card debt negotiations work out well, you might be able to get a really low standard APR or you might get a longer term on 0% APR (or you might get both).

These are really the most important things and your credit card debt negotiations should concentrate more on these than anything else. The other thing to include on your credit card debt negotiation would be the credit limit and other benefits. Here, you are basically trying out the possibility of getting a better credit card as part of your credit card debt negotiation. For people with really bad credit rating, getting an unsecured bank loan or getting another credit card (for balance transfer) is really difficult.

For them, getting an unsecured bank loan or credit card is what you would term as credit card debt negotiation.So, don’t hesitate in going for credit card debt negotiation. It is surely an option available for all. Lexus ES350 Steering Pump

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Though a lot of people are comfortable with going forward with credit card debt management all by themselves, not everyone is. There are people who don’t really want to tread into the territory of financial issues (credit card debt management included). Such people generally prefer going to debt assistance companies for advice on credit card debt management or for getting the credit card debt management done through them.

However, even before we talk further on this topic of credit card debt management, it’s imperative to understand that any external person or agency can only do a proper credit card debt management for you if you strictly follow the advice/guidelines that they formulate as part of credit card debt management. These credit card debt management guidelines are generally related to controlling your spending (which basically means perseverance and contentment).

Going to a credit card debt management company or a credit card debt management advisor/professional is not meant only for people who are foreign to financial topics but is sometimes fruitful for other people too (who are going with credit card debt management all by themselves).

This arises from the fact that these credit card debt management professionals (as any professional) would have more knowledge in that field than anyone else that is not from that field/profession. So, firstly, you wouldn’t know all the tips and tricks that the credit card debt management professional would know (and in fact this is something that you cannot read and learn overnight).

And secondly, it will save you a lot of time; because the person who practices credit card debt management as a profession would know about all the latest offers etc that are available in the market e.g. balance transfer offers etc (and hence you don’t need to go looking for all this stuff all by yourself). All in all, a credit card debt management professional can help get you a better deal that might more than compensate for the fee charged by that professional.

If you look around you will find that there are hordes of companies and professionals offering credit card debt management services. However, the key here is that you choose someone whose credentials are already established (or who can prove his credentials to you).

One good way of selecting a credit card debt management company/ professional is to check with a friend or someone from your family, if they have used any such service in recent times. After all, references are the best way of building trust. Lexus ES330 Steering Pump

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Not everyone believes that credit card debt counseling is beneficial and there are various reasons for that. Some people just read articles in the newspapers or find advice on the internet and take that as the final thing. So they don’t feel the need for credit card debt counseling.


Some others feel that credit card debt counseling companies are just trying to make quick money by telling you the obvious i.e. by telling you something that is being advertised everywhere. However, the most important reason arises from the fact that not all credit card debt counseling companies are genuine and of those that are genuine, not all credit card debt counseling companies provide good advice.


So, choosing a proper credit card debt counseling company becomes a critical factor in determining the success of credit card debt counseling. Always go for a reputable credit card debt counseling company, even if their fee is a bit higher. Remember that a proper credit card debt counseling can help you in not just eliminating your credit card debt, but eliminating your credit card debt in a way that is so cost effective as to more than offset the fee credit card debt counseling company is charging you.


Moreover, proper credit card debt counseling can save you a lot of time and energy that you would have otherwise spend in studying all about credit card debt, gathering information about various credit card debt elimination measures and comparing these measures. Further, these credit card debt counseling companies can present more than one solution to you from which you can choose whatever appeals the most to you. These credit card debt counseling agencies can also get your credit card debt settled much quicker than if you were trying to do it all by yourself (and without any credit card debt counseling).

Also, credit card debt counseling could bring to light things which you would not have been able to see e.g. risks with the approach you were thinking to adopt or a futuristic view of things.


Moreover, a person who earns his/her bread by practicing credit card debt counseling as a profession, would know the tricks of the trade which no one else would even have an inkling to e.g. pitfalls of a particular debt consolidation offer, or advantages of another offer etc etc.There is no doubt with regards to the benefits that credit card debt counseling can bring to you. However, you need to be careful and avoid the fraudsters and pick up someone who has a good reputation. Lexus ES300 Steering Pump

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Credit card debt consolidation is regarded as the first step towards getting rid of credit card debt. Credit card debt consolidation loan is one of the ways of consolidating credit card debt. Besides, credit card debt consolidation loan, you can also go for balance transfer to another credit card.


In fact, due to the publicity by credit card suppliers, balance transfers seem to be more talked about than credit card debt consolidation loan. Some people kind of forget about credit card debt consolidation loan being available as a method of credit card debt consolidation.


However, credit card debt consolidation loan too is important to consider when going for credit card debt consolidation. So what do we mean by credit card debt consolidation loan?Put simply, credit card debt consolidation loan is a low interest loan that you apply for with a bank or financial institution in order to clear off your high interest credit card debt.


So credit card debt consolidation loan too is based on same principle as balance transfers i.e. moving from one or more high interest debts to a low interest one. The credit card debt consolidation loan has to be paid back in monthly instalments and as per the terms and conditions agreed between you and the dispenser of credit card debt consolidation loan.Credit card debt consolidation loan, in general terms, is an unsecured loan i.e. doesn’t require you to pledge any security. However, if you have a really bad credit history and you want go for credit card debt settlement using credit card debt consolidation loan, the credit card debt consolidation loan will take the form of a secured credit card debt consolidation loan.


This type of credit card debt consolidation loan requires you to pledge a security e.g. the home owned by you or something else that has a value which is comparable to your credit card debt consolidation loan amount.

So, worse the credit rating, the more difficult it is to get a credit card debt consolidation loan. Though balance transfers and credit card debt consolidation loans have the same objective behind them, the credit card debt consolidation loans are sometimes considered better because you end up closing most of your credit card accounts which have been the main culprit in landing you in this difficult situation. However, balance transfers have their own advantages which are not available with credit card debt consolidation loans.

Choosing between credit card debt consolidation loan and balance transfer is really a matter of personal choice. Lexus ES250 Steering Pump

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Credit card debt is a nightmare of a problem and unfortunately there a lot of people who face this today (and if others don’t pay heed, they might get trapped into credit card debt too). Credit card debt consolidation is generally regarded as the most important step in credit card debt reduction and elimination.


So what is ‘Credit card debt consolidation’?Credit card debt consolidation is the process/strategy to consolidate debt from multiple credit cards into lesser number of credit cards (ideally one or two credit cards).

Credit card debt consolidation is sometimes also referred as a balance transfer where you transfer your balance on one credit card to another credit card. Generally, the balance transfer (or credit card debt consolidation) is done from credit cards with higher APR to credit cards with lower APR.

Credit card debt consolidation can also be achieved by going for a bank loan (at a lower interest rate) and using that towards paying the debt on the higher APR credit cards. This loan is then paid-back to the bank in the form of monthly instalments.


As you would have noticed, a lot of credit card suppliers and banks keep coming out with attractive offers for Credit card debt consolidation (or balance transfers). There is no dearth of 0% APR offers for credit card debt consolidation. However, credit card debt consolidation is a serious exercise and you must exercise caution so that you don’t get into deeper trouble.


When going for credit card debt consolidation, you must properly analyze the offers from various banks and credit card suppliers. Check the time period for which 0% APR is being offered and also the APR that would be applicable after the lapse of that period.


Generally, 0%APR is valid for a 6-12 month period only. So, if you are confident of paying back a considerable amount of debt in that period, this kind of credit card debt consolidation will work for you even if the APR (post 0% period) is a bit higher.


However, if that is not the case, the long term APR is going to be the most important thing for you. If the long term APR is more than the APR for your current credit card, this kind of Credit card debt consolidation will be futile for you. Also, check processing charges etc before you actually go for balance transfer or credit card debt consolidation with another supplier/bank.

Another good idea is to check with your current credit card supplier and see if they can offer a lower APR to you in order to help you in clearing off your debt (you would be surprised that they do oblige at times and hence eliminate the need for credit card debt consolidation).

It’s important that, with credit card debt consolidation, you also inculcate good spending habits; otherwise credit card debt consolidation would really be of no use to you. Hyundai Elantra Steering Pump

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‘Credit card debt’ is a much discussed topic in the commercial and social circles. A big section of the population has been bit by this bug called ‘credit card debt’. Can’t blame them much; as such, it’s pretty easy to fall prey to this bug. The main reason behind so many credit card casualties (rather credit card debt related casualties) is that many people don’t understand the concept of credit cards properly.


They treat credit card as free money that is never to be returned. Thus all the discipline, which would otherwise have been exercised with spending hard-earned money, goes for a toss. That means people overspend and get into credit card debt. They keep spending till they reach the credit limit on their credit card. Some people go to the extent of treating that like a game and consider it a defeat (or consider their credit card under utilised) if they don’t hit the credit limit quick enough.


These unnecessary spends result in a situation where they are not able to payback their credit card bills and end up paying interest on the amount they owe. This keeps building up their credit card debt and they soon find that the interest component has become a regular feature in their monthly expenses and it is there even if they spend nothing on their credit card.


That is credit card debt on the prowl. Soon they find that their current credit card can no longer handle their needs and start looking to get another credit card. With the new power of credit, they let themselves loose again and follow a ‘shop till you drop’ routine. Soon the credit limit of the new credit card is reached too and they again default on payments.


This is how credit card debt builds. Soon they learn about credit card debt consolidation and other credit card debt elimination techniques. They are quick to grab such credit card debt reduction techniques, but that’s not because they are serious about reducing their credit card debt but because of the attractive low APR offers.


As if it were booty, they again get back to building up their credit card debt. All the while they are spoiling their credit card rating and they soon realise that no one is ready to lend them money because of their credit history. They can only get a secured credit card now (where you first deposit money into your credit account and then only you get the privilege of spending it (50-100% of it) using their credit card.


Credit card debt collection agencies, auction of their goods and bankruptcy is the next thing that hits them and their dream run is blown away in a moment.The moral of the story – “Understand the concept of credit cards and treat credit card debt with all seriousness”. Hyundai Accent Steering Pump

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The emergence of electronic age made almost everything possible to people. Determining and curing terminal diseases made convenient, reaching uncharted territories became a possibility, and most of all; everyday life of people is made easy by the technology.


We now have more convenient stores, easier means of transportation and a variety of gadgets that makes work and pleasure almost effortless. When it comes to finances, technology—through efficient banking system and services—has given people better alternatives and options how to manage their finances.


Among the so many financial management schemes that emerged, one alternative stands out among the rest—the credit card.Credit card, especially to working people and those who live very busy lives, has become an ultimate financial “savior.” More than just being a status symbol or an add-on to expensive purses and wallets, credit card has revolutionized the way people spend their money. But, more than the glamour and the convenience credit card brings, there is much more to this card than most people could ever imagine.


Credit Card 10Before indulging much into the never-ending list of the advantages and disadvantages of having a credit card, it is very important for people to first have a brief realization of what credit card really is in order for them to maximize its potentials. In layman’s terms, credit card is a card that allows a person to make purchases up to the limit set by the card issuer.


One must then pay off the balance in installments with interest payments. Usually, credit card payment per month ranges from the minimum amount set by the bank to entire outstanding balance. And since it is a form of business, the longer the credit card holder wait to pay off his or her entire amount, the more interest pile up. Since having a credit card is a responsibility, only those people who are of legal age and have the capability to pay off the amount they are going to spend through their credit card, is allowed to have one.


Actually, most of the adults in the U.S. use credit card because this is very convenient compared to carrying cash or checks every time they have to purchase something. It is also equally important to be familiar with the different types of credit cards before you begin to build up credit card balances and to avoid having a nightmare of debt. Since credit cards are indispensable to most consumers, it is a must that they understand the types of card that include charge cards, bankcards, retail cards, gold cards and secured cards.


All of these types come in one of two interest rate options—the fixed and variable. Actually, it doesn’t really matter if you decide to have a fixed-rate credit card because the interest rate remains the same. Compared to variable rate cards where rate may be subject to change depends upon the credit card issuer’s discretion, fixed-rate carry higher interest rates. Basically, credit card grantors issue three types of accounts with basic account agreements like the “revolving agreement” a.k.a.


Typical Credit Card Account which allows the payer to pay in full monthly or prefer to have partial payments based on outstanding balance. While the Charge Agreement requires the payer to pay the full balance monthly so they won’t have to pay the interest charges, the Installment Agreement, on the other hand, asks the payer to sign a contract to repay a fixed amount of credit in equal payments in definite period of time. Another category of credit card accounts includes the individual and joint accounts where the former asks the individual alone to repay the debt while the latter requires the partners responsible to pay.


The common types of credit cards available through banks and other financial institutions also include Standard Credit Cards like Balance Transfer Credit Cards and Low Interest Credit Cards; Credit Cards with Rewards Programs like Airline Miles Credit Cards, Cash Back Credit Cards and Rewards Credit Cards; Credit Cards for Bad Credit like Secured Credit Cards and Prepaid Debit Cards; and Specialty Credit Cards like Business Credit Cards and Student Credit Cards. Now that you have an idea how many types of credit card there is, it is now time to review your goals before applying for one.



Some of the things you should consider is how will you spend with the credit card monthly, if you plan to carry a balance at the end of the month, how much are you willing to pay in annual fees, if you have a strong credit history and is does your credit in need of rehabilitation. Once you have an idea of what you are looking for choose the right credit card for you by researching the information you need that will fit your basic needs. You may also review the credit cards you’ve research and compare them. Shopping for a credit cardRegardless of the type of credit card you choose, be sure to discuss your specific financial needs with your financial advisor or accountant before applying for any credit card.


It is a must that you understand the benefits of having a credit card like safety, valuable consumer protections under the law, and the accessibility and availability of services. The most popular credit cards include Chase Manhattan Bank, Citibank, Bank of America, BankOne, American Express, Discover® Card, First Premier Bank, Advanta, HSBC Bank, and MasterCard Credit Cards. Although having a credit card is synonymous to invincibility, this may also trigger a person’s thirst for material things and may lead into the temptation of buying something they don’t really need. A credit card bearer should always have in min that having a credit card is a big responsibility.


If they don’t use it carefully, these may owe more than they can repay. It can also damage their credit report, and create credit problems that are quite difficult to repair. Honda CRV Steering Pump

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Consolidating your credit card debt is actually one of the smartest decision you could ever make. Credit card consolidation is ideal for anyone who is looking to have better credit now, and in the future. Consolidation is very common these days, and it is actually a sure way to combine your debt and make sure that you never get yourself too far in credit card debt.


Even though there are many reasons why to consolidate your debt, one of the better reasons is to get a better rate. If there is a way to get lower rates on a current consolidation, then you’ll have no reason to consolidate your debt.


Anytime you are able to consolidate your debt and save yourself a bit of money - you should never hesitate to do so.Consolidating your credit card debt will also save you a lot of money as well. If you have managed to get yourself in debt, chances are that you owe a lot of money on your credit card, or possibly several different credit cards.

Consolidation will put everything into one bill, making it easier for you to pay. Paying just one bill can help you save a lot of time, as well as prevent stress.Although consolidation will put your credit card payments into one bill, you should never do it for that reason alone.

The last thing you want, is to pay more money to avoid getting more than one bill a month. Credit card debt consolidation is a wise investment though, as it may give you lower monthly payments over an extended period of time. It will also close out other accounts as well, which could help you to improve your credit.If you are looking to consolidate your credit card debt, you shouldn’t hesitate to let the professionals help you.


There are a lot of companies and banks that specialize in consolidation, and would be more than willing to help you. Before you make your decision though, you should always research your options available and find the best one for your needs. You should also make sure that there are no hidden fees or other problems as well. If you take the time to research, you’ll save a lot of money in the future.A lot of people who turn to credit card debt consolidation, let their credit cards get the best of them.


A credit card can be great to have, although it can be easy to abuse as well. If you aren’t careful in your spending, you can rack up debt before you know it. Once you get yourself in credit card debt, it can be really hard and very stressful to get out of it.


Normally, it will take you months and possibly even years to get out of debt.If you’ve made the decision to turn to credit card debt consolidation, the first thing to do is to look at your debt, and see exactly how much you owe. If you know what you owe and who all you owe it to, it will be much easier to contact the professionals and get them to help you.

When you contact them to help you, you shouldn’t be afraid to ask them any questions, as you should always be looking for the best deal possible. Honda Civic Steering Pump

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People who are in debt (credit card debt) often get to hear this advice ‘Consolidate credit card debt’. So, what does that ‘Consolidate credit card debt’ mean? Well, pretty simply, ‘Consolidate credit card debt’ means consolidating the debt on various credit cards into one (or two) credit card.


This consolidation can be done either through a low interest bank loan or by transferring balance to a new credit card (i.e. transferring the amount you owe, on one or more credit card, to a new credit card(s)).


So what should you do when you are looking to consolidate credit cards? Well, the key thing to look for is the APR or the annual percentage rate. Whatever method you adopt to consolidate credit cards, APR will always be the key; in fact, you could say that it is the sole criteria to look for.


So, if you use a bank loan to consolidate credit card debt, the interest rate on the bank loan should be lower than the APR of the credit cards whose debt you are consolidating. Similarly, if you are moving to another credit card, you must make sure that the APR of the new credit card is lesser than the credit cards whose debt you are consolidating. However, there is a catch that you must be aware of when laying a plan to consolidate credit card debt.


The APR rates advertised by most credit card suppliers are the short term APR rates which are meant to lure you to consolidate credit card debt with them. By short term we mean APR rates that will applicable only for an initial period of less than 12 months or some other period after which the APR rates increase. When you go on to consolidate credit card debt with these credit card suppliers, they will offer you a lower (even 0%) APR for the first 6-12 months; and a much higher APR after that. You should check what this higher APR rate is.


Your decision to consolidate credit card debt will be fruitful only if the new APR rate is lower than or equal to the APR on your current credit card. You might check with your current credit card supplier to see if he is able to lower your APR (if that works, it will make things really easy for you).Before you move on to consolidate credit card debt you should understand that consolidating credit card debt will be beneficial only if you pledge to adopt and follow disciplined approach to credit card usage i.e. controlled spending and regular/timely payment of credit card dues. Honda Accord Steering Pump

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All across the United States, there are hundreds and hundreds of banks and credit card companies looking for your business. This day and age, banks and credit card companies are in competition with each other, trying all they can to get your business. To try and get your business, they offer different credit cards with various incentives, rebates, and other perks.

Before you make your decision and choose a credit card, you should always compare what each company or bank has to offer you. If you get an offer in the mail for a credit card, you should go on the Internet and look into it more. You should also make sure that you read the fine print as well, to see if there are any type of hidden fees or other costs associated with that card.

Many times, with offers in the mail, credit card companies or banks will try to sneak hidden fees and costs in there.When you start to compare offers, you should make sure that you look at the APR and the fees. The APR is very important, as this will tell you your interest rate. You want to get the lowest APR possible with your credit card. If you look at a credit card that has an unusually high APR, you should immediately rule it out.

Credit cards that come with high APR rates can easily lead you on a roller coaster towards credit card debt. No matter how good your credit may be, high APR rates can leave you with charges that are really difficult to pay.Among the many options available to you, you’ll have three primary choices for your credit card - Visa, MasterCard, and American Express.

These three giants are the leaders in credit cards. Visa and MasterCard don’t issue the cards themselves, they have banks and other companies issue on their behalf. American Express, or AMEX, is the only one that does everything themselves. AMEX issues their credit cards, maintains their own networks, and doesn’t use any type of third party.If you like to travel, you will probably want to choose either Visa or MasterCard, as they are accepted all over the world. American Express is the least accepted of the three, although the company is upgrading their networks every chance they get.


Before too long, AMEX will be accepted virtually everywhere. Right now though, AMEX isn’t accepted in all areas of the world.Discover is another type of credit card, although it isn’t near as popular as the three above. Discover does have some great benefits to offer you, although it isn’t accepted in other parts of the world. Most people who have Discover credit cards stay local and use their cards in the event of an emergency.


If you don’t have a credit card and have been thinking about getting a Discover card, you should really think about that decision and choose either Visa or MasterCard instead. All in all, there are a lot of credit cards to choose from. That final decision though, is entirely up to you. There are a lot of great companies and banks out there, although it’s up to you to find the best credit card for your needs. You can choose to go with a company or bank that’s local to you, or get online and look for your credit card.

The Internet can be a great resource for credit cards, as long as you know what you want. If you know what you want before you go online - you’ll save yourself a lot of time and mone. Ford Pick-up Truck Steering Pump

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Credit card debt doesn’t shy away from anyone who doesn’t want to shy away from it. It treats everyone equally irrespective of whether the person is a seasoned professional or just a college student.


So college student credit card debt isn’t uncommon either. Since the credit limit on college student credit cards is much lower, the college student credit card debt cannot rise to the levels it does for other credit cards. However, college student credit card debt is an even bigger menace because a lot of students are already in debt due to the loan they have taken for their education.


If they pass out of college with college student credit card debt, they will have to payback not just the loan they taken for studies but also their college student credit card debt.Since most of the college students are inexperienced in the usage of credit cards, they can easily fall prey to what we call as ‘college student credit card debt’.


In fact, college student credit card debt is one reason why the credit card suppliers keep a lower credit limit on college student credit cards. The solution for avoiding college student credit card debt is similar to what it is for avoidance of any type of credit card debt. So, the first thing for avoiding college student credit card debt is to understand the concept that credit card is not free money and that whatever you pay-for using your credit card has to be paid back to the credit card supplier when your credit card bill arrives. So don’t treat credit card separate from hard cash. Avoid overspending e.g.

do not buy things just because they are on sale, sales keep coming and going and there are always better offers each time; buy only those things that you really need. A good thing to do is to prepare your monthly budget and follow it religiously. Never budge from your budget.


Another very important preventive measure for avoiding college student credit card debt is to avoid going for a second credit card. Some students have a tendency to go for multiple credit cards just because the credit limit on college student credit cards is very low. However, this is a perfect recipe for getting into a college student credit card debt.

This is how college student credit card debt builds up. One credit card is more than enough for any student. College student credit card is really meant to be treated like a training ground for learning more about credit cards. It should not be make an instrument of debt (college student credit card debt). Ford Mustang Steering Pump

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When you are in the market for a new credit card, the features you have to choose from may draw you to the card. Low interest rates and the types of rewards you can get, are what draw many to reward credit cards. Those of you who have good credit, will more than likely be able to get reward cards that boast 0% APR.


This does have an introductory period, normally 1 year, that goes along with your new reward card.You’ll also need to think about the type of card that best fits your lifestyle. The credit card field is very competitive, meaning that you always have a lot of offers to choose from.


Reward cards and becoming very popular, with more and more coming out all the time. If you look for your reward credit card on the Internet, you’ll be able to compare hundreds and hundreds of offers - and decide which one is indeed the best for you.Those of you who travel on a frequent basis, may find frequent flyer reward cards to be very beneficial.

These credit cards will accumulate either points or miles for every dollar that you spend. You can then use the accumulated points or miles and redeem them for airline travel, hotel reservations, car rentals, and even cruises. These credit cards can also help you with discounts as well, which can make a vacation or business trip more affordable than ever.If you like to pay your full balance at the end of every month, then you may find a reward credit card with a cash back feature to be the most enticing. There are some cards that offer cash rewards of up to 5%, which can equal quite a bit at the end of the year.


All you need to do with cash back reward credit cards is make a purchase, and you’ll get money back for everything you buy.Other types of reward credit cards include discounts on gas purchases, contributions to your savings account, and points that you can redeem for great items and things of that nature. No matter what your lifestyle may be, you can almost always find a reward credit card that fits your needs and interests.

Reward credit cards are great to have, as you can buy the things you need and earn points, flyer miles, and even cash back.If the sound of rewards with your credit card purchases sounds enticing, you should look into getting a reward credit card. These cards are great to have, as most include low APR with great reward incentives. Ford F Series Trucks Steering Pump

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As you probably already know, there are many credit cards out there. The one you choose however, should reflect your lifestyle and your ideal spending amounts. If you are looking for the best possible deal and the best company for your credit card, you’ll obviously need to look around at what you have to choose from and what works best for you.The first thing you’ll need to decide when choosing your credit card, is why you need one in the first place.

Some people choose to get a credit card for cash flow purposes. With a credit card, you can make purchases and buy things, leaving your paycheck or other source of income in your bank account to draw interest. This way, your money will continue to grow while you continue to buy the things you need. Then at the end of the month, simply pay your bill.Others will choose to get a credit card and use it for instant cash purposes.

This way, they can use their credit card at an ATM and get instant cash, which is great for travel or going on a long and extended vacation. If this is why you want a credit card, you should look for one that has the lowest rate possible for instant cash transactions.With a credit card, you’ll also need to think about the payments. You’ll need to decide if you want to pay the balance in full each month, or only the required amount.

When you select your credit card, you should look at the introductory rates, balance transfer rates, and other offers that may apply to new credit cards and new holders. Some will offer you truly amazing deals, especially if you have good credit.Another important area to look at when choosing your credit card is the incentives. There are several cards out there that will give you incentives, such as reward points and even cash back with purchases that you can use towards paying back what you owe.

There are several incentives out there with credit cards, all you have to do is look around and compare.The key area you’ll need to look at and compare is the APR (Annual Percentage Rate). The APR is what you will pay on what you purchase when the incentive period runs out. APR rates will vary among credit cards, so it is always in your best interest to compare and shop around. The lower APR rate you get, the better off you’ll be.Another concern with choosing your credit card is the minimum payment amount. Most minimum payment balances will start around 3%, although some can be lower while others tend to be quite a bit higher. The interest free period is a concern as well, as you will obviously want to choose the longest period that you can keep the payments down.When you make that final decision and choose your credit card, you should always make sure that you know exactly what you are getting. Credit cards are great to have, although they can lead to a downfall if you don’t choose them carefully. If you put some time and research into choosing your credit card, you’ll find the best one for you. Dodge Pick-up Truck Steering Pump