The Schwinn Airdyne - 5 Reasons Why This is a Great Machine

For ten years I've been pedaling the same Schwinn Airdyne. This is one of my all time favorite machines. As a former automotive engineer, I'm picky about quality in machinery. You can pick more expensive exercise bikes and more sophisticated, but it's hard to beat the value of this bike. Here's why.

Reason 1 - It's heavy duty.

This machine is built like a tank. Many Airdynes have been used for years in health clubs and rehab clinics. Mine has seven thousand miles on it and the only thing that's been replaced is the batteries for the timer. Even the seat is heavy and durable.

Reason 2 - It's a proven design.

This design is a classic that's stood the test of time. There isn't much that can wear out. There is an updated model, The Schwinn Airdyne EVO. The Evo has a smaller resistance fan and is belt driven instead of chain drive. Those design changes make a quieter bike with less mechanical noise. The noise is a downside to the Airdyne. You won't be listening to soft music with this thing rocking. There's just too much commotion!

Reason 3 - It's simple.

There's little to break or go wrong. High tech devices are nice, but what happens when the computer in a high tech bike decides to quit after a few years? You'll probably be shocked at the replacement cost. Where this baby'll just keep on rolling. Simple, very little to break, get out of adjustment or wear out.

Reason 4 - It's cheap.

Cheap is a relative term, but the cost of an Airdyne is on the low side. Certainly a small fraction of the cost of the top models. Consider that the expected upkeep is low and this thing is a real value over a lifetime. Plus you can save gym fees and the need to buy all the other fad machines that come along, most of which don't work anyway.

Reason 5 - It's low maintenance.

There are bearings in the crank and the fan axle and pedals that can wear. That's about it other than the timer and speedometer. There just isn't much to fix. What's there is just like standard bicycle components. Ride it any time day or night and it'll run for years. If you can find a used one, grab it. Used models sell well because those who know realize that one of these bikes that's many years old is still as good as new.

I'm a fan of Schwinn Airdyne exercise bikes based on my long-term positive experiences with mine.

Interested in exercise bikes? Al Bullington learned about the Schwinn Airdyne bike while logging thousands of miles on his personal bike.

To learn more about exercise bike fitness, you're invited right now to visit http://www.exercisebikefitness.com

Aeron Chair in USA
CF Camera Reviews

What is an Elliptical Trainer?

Elliptical trainers began showing up in gyms during the mid-nineties, and have only gained in popularity over the last decade. Elliptical trainers are a stationary machine, much like treadmills or exercise bikes. Unlike treadmills, however, they only simulate walking. That is, you don't actually walk on an elliptical trainer, but your legs and thighs go through the motion of walking. They are a no-impact exercise machine, used for cardiovascular workout, dieting, and muscle toning.

Elliptical trainers have several things in common with treadmills and exercise bikes, though they provide a valid method of exercising in their own right. They are not completely interchangeable with treadmills, and people who use elliptical trainers have very specific reasons for choosing them. One of the things they have in common with other exercise machines is their price. Specifically, the cost of these items all range between approximately three hundred and seven hundred dollars. They're similar in price because they are targeting the same market with many of the same extra features, or "bells and whistles." Some elliptical trainers come with consoles that have different workouts programmed into it, with different levels of resistance. The levels of resistance can target different groups of muscles for a more thorough workout.

Finally, unlike treadmills or exercise bikes, elliptical trainers provides a more full-body workout, while giving the impression of an easier, or more comfortable workout. This makes elliptical trainers attractive to people who consider exercising a way of life, as well as beginners who are seeking a comparatively easy and straightforward way to get in shape.

Alex Sutton has worked in the health and fitness industry for nearly 11 years. For more information please visit elliptical trainers.

Buy Camera Tips
Buy Camera Tips

Bicycle Cranksets - Whats the Hirth Joint Used in the New Ultra-torque Campagnolo Crankset

In was in the early 1900's that the hirth joint or hirth coupling was born, from the tinkering of Hellmuth Hirth, the young son of a German engineer. He was fascinated with developing new and emerging technologies for the maiden aircraft industry. Hellmuth developed the hirth coupling as a high strength locking joint used initially to connect two ends of a shaft, in gasoline engine crankshafts.

It looks like a set of teeth milled on the end profile of each half shaft. They mesh together in a self centering and self aligning locking joint. The amazing engineering of the Hirth coupling is that it offers such a high strength connection on such relatively small diameter shafts. It has since been used for reversing gears in marine applications and cooling water pumps in almost every sector including automotive, rail and nuclear.

Thus it is not surprising that Campagnolo was interested in using such a proven piece of technology in their newest cranksets designs. It has a long history of testing for strength and reliability in the most extreme environments from marine to nuclear energy.

Advantages of Using the Hirth Coupling in the Campagnolo Crankset Design:

The axle of the new Campagnolo Crankset can be spliced in the middle of the bottom bracket shell

No need for external flanges or bushings thus less rotational mass, greater pedal efficiency and smoother riding.

External bearings can now be mounted on the half spindles leaving the entire circumference of the bottom bracket shell available for a larger hollow spindle. This larger spindle makes the drivetrain more rigid.

The Campagnolo crank arms can be fused to each half axle, so no pinch bolts are necessary for crank attachment. This reduces the weight making the ultra-torque the lightest crankset in the industry.

The final benefit of using a hirth joint in the ultra torque crankset is that Campagnolo can promote themselves as having THE most easily installed crankset in the industry. With traditional tools the cups can be inserted followed by the half axles and a 10mm bolt to hold it all in place.

Certainly this particular Campagnolo component has taken technological sophistication to the limit offering cycling enthusiast something to talk about. At myWheelsAndMore.com these is further information about Campagnolo's bicycle parts innovations including the scoop about their newest carbon fiber forming capabilities and new ceramic bearing bottom brackets.

Luc Lacasse is an avid cyclist with 10 years of racing motocross and mountain biking under his belt. He is the author behind myWheelsAndMore.com a website designed to share his knowledge gained as a cycling enthusiast. As an engineering student he enjoys spending time researching new technologies like those used to fabricate Campagnolo Bicycle Parts .

CF Camera Reviews
Cheap Canon Camera Reviews