Bike N Toy

The Different Types of Mountain Bikes

2008-02-15T10:26:00.003-06:00

There are basically two types of mountain bikes: the so-called hardtail and the dual suspension. There are also, in general, two types of mountain biking: downhill riding and cross country riding. This article describes which type of mountain bike is more suitable for the type of mountain biking that a rider might participate in.

Cross Country Mountain Biking

Cross country mountain bike riding is simply riding a trail. The rider negotiates the terrain whether it requires climbing a steep incline or maneuvering the mountain bike down a long descent. Cross country bikes are typically lightweight and are built for fast trail riding. Quality cross country bikes have at least front suspension to help absorb the bumps on a rough trail.

Many bike manufacturers are creating so-called all-mountain bikes, or trail bikes, which have dual suspension. These types of bikes are great for long, casual or sporty rides on mountainous trails. The suspension is enough to help absorb the typical trail shock but not beefy enough to be a true downhill racing rig.

The only problem with full-suspension is the extra weight it adds to the bike making it more difficult to ascend hills. There are not many cross country racers riding full suspension, especially on very mountainous courses. However, sport riders tend to opt for comfort over the weight advantages.

Downhill Mountain Biking

Downhill mountain biking is simply riding your mountain bike down the hill or mountain. Much of the terrain on downhill courses are extreme so it requires a beefier cycling rig to manage the demands of the trail. The mountain bikes used are very durable and heavy compared to cross-country bikes. They have long travel front and rear suspension to absorb the bumps and drops from the obstacles on the downhill course.

Many ski resorts open their slopes to downhill mountain bikes in the off-season. The riders use the ski lifts to transport themselves and their bikes to the top of the slopes and then speed down the hill at maximum speeds. Downhill mountain biking requires more safety than typical cross-country riding. Downhill riders will typically wear a full face motorcycle style helmet as well as body armor, elbow and knee pads.

Best of Both Rides

Many mountain bike riders own both a downhill and cross-country mountain bike. If you enjoy both disciplines there is no way around it. It would be too difficult to try to ride your cross-country bike down a downhill course. You may in fact hurt yourself or damage your bike. Conversely riding a 40 pound dual suspension mountain bike up a mountain may not be very enjoyable either. The lightweight of a cross-country bike may be more advantageous. Manufacturers are building all-mountain bikes to try to serve both disciplines. The idea is to create a lightweight machine with dual suspension and that are durable for those moderate downhill trails.

Get Wound Up with Vintage Toy Robots

2008-01-02T17:44:00.000-06:00

Toy robots are not just for kids. It seems adults are amassing their own collections of these wonderful toys. In fact, vintage toy robots have become extremely collectible items, especially vintage Japanese tin toy robots. Serious collectors prize them for their artistic value as well as their contribution to science fiction. Some can command very high prices in today's marketplace, even though they were inexpensive toys that originally sold for only a few dollars. A robot with its original beautifully illustrated box will fetch even more.

There is some debate as to the actual year the first mass-produced Japanese tin toy robot was manufactured. It is believe to be sometime between the late 1930's to the mid 1940's. A little yellow robot, named Robot Lilliput is generally thought to be the first Japanese tin toy robot.
Japanese manufacturers produced numerous fine tin robots using sheet iron material plated with tin and printed with a process called lithography. The first robots were friction or clockwork robots that could be wound up. They were followed by battery operated ones. These robots could perform various play actions, for example, walking, bump and go, moving head and arms, flashing lights, puffing smoke, operating tools or vehicles, shooting guns and turning gears, talking voices or making various sounds. Each style of robot had its own unique personality.
Many United States importers traded in them. The following is a list of the better known Japanese manufactures and some of the robots they made.

1. Asakusa - Thunder Robot

2. Daiya - Astronaut Robot, Laser Robot 008, Ranger Robot

3. Horikawa - Busy Cart Robot, Engine Smoking Robot, Excavator Robot, Mr. Patrol Robot

4. Masudaya - R-35 Robot, Gang of Five Robots

5. Noguchi - Mechanical Robot, Mighty Robot

6. Nomura - Musical Drummer Robot, Radar Robot

7. Yonezawa - TV Space Man, Buzzer Robot, Directional Robot, Easelback Robot, Moon Robot, Space Explorer Robot, Talking Robot, Winky Robot, Mr. Atomic Thinking Robot

8. Yoshiya - Chief Robotman, Chief Smoky Robot, Mighty Robot, High Wheel Robot, Sparky Robot

It is important for a collector to protect his valuable collection. Taking out batteries before storing or displaying robots to prevent damage caused by battery leaks. Care should be taken to shelter the robots and their boxes from direct sunlight to avoid fading. Also, they must be protected from excessive cold, heat and moisture. It is recommended to operate the robot occasionally not only to enhance the collector's pleasure in his hobby, but also to maintain the robot's machinery.

Vintage toy robots are able to stir up magical memories and feelings of nostalgia with people who enjoyed these toys as children. Many excellent reproductions are currently being produced. Which should allow waddling, blinking and beeping robots to continue delighting generations of children well into the future.

Keeping Children Safe - How to Prevent Choking Hazards

2008-01-02T17:42:00.000-06:00

Are you a parent or caregiver? It likely crosses your mind a dozen times a day how quickly accidents can happen.

Perhaps you fished a coin out of your toddler's mouth before they tried to swallow it. Or maybe your older child was horsing around and their clothing got caught as they jumped off a jungle gym at the playground.

Does it seem almost impossible to prepare for disaster without putting your children in a bubble?
The good news from the National Safe Kids Campaign is that death from accidental injury has gone down. That includes motor vehicle deaths, burns, firearms, drowning, airway obstruction, falls and poisoning.

But no accident is a good accident, and death from accidental choking, suffocation and strangulation is still one of the leading causes of accidental death for children. Most of these deaths occurred in the home and involved children aged four and under.

TEST FOR SAFETY

Sixty-two percent of accidental deaths caused by toys involved a blocked airway. With more than 80% of emergency room visits for airway obstruction being in children under 4, there is a simple test that can be done to prevent children from having access to toys that are likely culprits.

Using a standard toilet paper roll, try to drop or push the toy through the opening. If the toy fits through or gets stuck then it is a choking hazard.

Since babies - especially those one and under - are developmentally programmed to put things in their mouth, parents and caregivers should give special attention to small items which may get in the child's grasp. Pennies, grapes, popcorn, buttons and small toys like Barbie doll shoes are all potential hazards. Balloons and other plastic or rubber materials are especially hazardous items for babies.

Even larger toys should be regularly checked by giving a firm tug on parts to check for possible breakage.

REMOVE RISKS

Toys or clothing with strings are potentially dangerous causes of strangulation. Toys with strings over one foot long should not be used by young children. Drawstrings on hoods should be removed. This is particularly important at playgrounds where more than half of drawstring entanglements occurred on playground slides.

Blind cords are also a strangulation danger and should not be accessible by children. Cords that do not loop are safer, but hooking them out of reach is the only sure prevention.

Children are at risk of strangulation whenever they can get their body through an opening that doesn't fit their head. Bunk bed and crib rails and playground equipment may become dangerous in this regard. Supervision while playing as well as examination of beds with rails is necessary, especially with older beds that do not meet current safety guidelines.

Suffocation is also a risk when young babies are put to sleep on soft bedding - especially when sleeping on their stomachs. Recent 'back to sleep' campaigns have improved awareness and decreased the occurrence of deaths from suffocation.

Young babies who sleep with parents or other children are also at risk of being unintentionally smothered. Babies should not sleep with children who may not be conscious of their presence when deep in sleep. And parents should definitely avoid co-sleeping if intoxicated or otherwise induced into a heavy sleep.

Accidents happen, but taking reasonable precautions will help safeguard your children and give you peace of mind.