Marin bike company was set up back in 1986 by Bob Buckley who still owns and runs the corporation. Although they are a mature company, the technologically advanced bikes produced in their factory are far from old-hat. Marin are renowned for using the latest in 3-D computer design software to help them design some of the most amazing machines available in the cycling world.
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The company is based in Marin County, California, which is said to be the place where mountain biking was born. Obviously a lot has changed since the early days with huge advances in the size, shape, aerodynamics and materials used to make bikes as well as the way in which they are made. However, the earthquake faulted landscape still provides the perfect setting to test the latest in new technology on the ground which first inspired the pioneers of bicycle manufacture.
Marin produced exceptional bikes with the help of their computer software design which simulates conditions more severe than any cyclist would normally endure. This ensures their bikes will withstand anything that is thrown at them and guarantees the strength and aerodynamics of each model before a prototype is even considered. Once the design has passed stringent testing, it goes into production in the form of a prototype which can then be tested outdoors. If it passes all these tests, it is mass produced for sale across the globe.
The 2010 Marin Mount Vision range is no exception to the consistently high quality produced by the Marin developers. This trail bike incorporates the Quad Link 2.0 suspension system which has been named one of the most sophisticated full suspension system ever created and has a head angle of 68.5° which is said to be the perfect angle. The frames are made from aluminium to make it significantly lighter than traditional bikes and the design incorporates a two tone paint effect to make the frames seem slimmer than they are.
The 2010 range is an update on the highly popular 2009 range however its improvements include a 200g lighter and more aerodynamic swing arm, a slimmer Exercise Bike Manufacturer and safer Quad link suspension with improved end caps and a more stylish finish than last year's model.
The Mount Vision range is available alongside a wide range of other Marin bikes. They are best known for Marin mountain bikes however they also provide innovative and unique models of road, women's and children's bikes as well as cyclocross bikes ready for racing. They also sell a range of street and path bikes for the urban user, which are perfect for the commute to work. All in all Marin produce top quality bikes for even the most extreme cyclists who are after something that will last no matter how hard they push.
The bicycle, bike or cycle is a human-powered vehicle that is driven by foot pedals. It has a basic frame with two wheels attached to it, one after the other. Almost 1.4 billion people in the world use this vehicle, and is obviously one of the most popular and cost-effective vehicles in use today. Not only is it an important and popular means of transport, but also an effective recreational tool. It has several uses such as police and military applications, courier services and cycling sports as well as adult fitness equipment.
Introduced in the 19th century in Europe, bicycle has a host of innovators and inventors credited to its name. The bicycle is supposed to originate from the human-powered vehicle called Draisines. This was introduced to the people in Paris in 1818 by German Baron Karl von Drais. Kirkpatrick MacMillan made an upgrade to this vehicle by adding a mechanical crank drive that as used to drive the vehicle. Thus, the modern `bicycle` came into being.
The French inventors Pierre Michaux and Pierre Lallement designed a high-seated and big front-wheeled bicycle (ordinary bicycle, as it was formally called) that wasn`t much preferred as of its bad weight distribution. The dwarf ordinary bicycle mended these faults but the front oversized wheel remained a problem to be solved. J.K. Starley`s 1885 Rover was the first modern bicycle in its true sense with even wheels and a proper seat.
The modern bicycle has many parts. They may be jotted down as follows.
Frame - Every bicycle today has a `diamond` frame, where the front triangle consists of the head tube, top tube, down tube and seat tube. The rear triangle consists of the seat tube and chain stays as well as seat stays. The basic of bicycle frames is to have high strength yet low weight so as to optimize the energy of the rider to the fullest. Women`s bicycles generally have a step-through frame. This defines that the top tube is absent as it allows the rider (usually a woman) to mount and dismount in a dignified way while wearing a skirt or dress.
Drivetrain - The pedals which rotate the arms of the mechanical crank and chain rings and the brackets, all are elements of the drivetrain. They are used for gears and other related functions in the bicycle.
Handlebars - The handlebars are one of the most important parts of a bicycle. Upright handlebars are used in normal bicycles while dropped handlebars are used in racing and mountaineering bicycles. The latter are used because they give aerodynamic steering and speed to the biker.
Saddles - The saddles are varying depending on the journey and preference of the rider. Cushioned ones are usually used for short journeys while narrower ones are meant to give more space for leg swings.
Brakes - Modern bicycle brakes are usually rim brakes that use friction pads to de-intensify speed. There are also internal hub brakes that have friction pads within the hubs that halt a speeding bicycle. Disc brakes are used on mountain, racing etc bicycles that need braking to be immediate and accurate.
Suspension - A bicycle has suspension to guard itself from the hard roads and also provide comfort to the rider who has to face the rough road.
Wheels - Wheels are necessary for a bicycle to run and reach its destination. Sizes, shapes and powerful wheels vary as per the rider`s needs and choice.
Cities such as Lyon, Barcelona and Paris have used bicycling schemes to good effect. The journey of the bicycle with the human race has been long and important, and will continue to lengthen as long as the human race still exists!
