Advice for entry level bike: Raleigh/Giant/Haro?
All the bikes you listed are respectable. Fit is more important than anything. And get the bike you think you will need for next yr - so you won't be dissapointed if you love it and ride it more. At this pricing levels - For more money in general you get the following. LIttle bit lighter bike (components and frame) Little bit smoother shifting and better braking. Little bit longer lasting parts (won't need adjusting or replacement as often as cheper ones - therefore lower maint.) A better front shock (maybe more bump absorbtion and more adjustability) The bikes that you listed arenn't direct competitors. You have compared a 350 bike to a 450 bike & a 500 bike. Each brand has a 350, 450 and 500 bike....give or take a few bucks ...ANd a $400 bike in either of the 3 brands is very similar to any other $400 bike. For example - multiple models in each line - low end competes with low end etc...the Yukon compares better to the Mojave 5.0 (not the 4.0). In the 3 Brand you listed there are several choices all priced accordingly ($350 -600) . Raleigh - Mojave - 2.0, 4.0, 5.0 & 8.0 Haro - Flightline ONe,Two, Sport, Comp... Giant - Boulder - Rincon - Yukon Buy from the Shop you like the best - and buy the best bike you can afford. My advice - don't spend less than $450 if you plan to ride on real Mtn bike trails - more is better mainly for the better front shock (Rock Shox) and better components Deore if you can afford it - Front Shox can cost $300 by themselves if you have to replace a cheap one later. But if you never plan to leave the pavement buy the cheapest bike you like. If you can affors $500 bucks I would call the 3 shops and ask for the best bike they can put you in for that amount (make sure they have your size in stock - they can discount bikes in stock more than special orders) and also ask about any last yr model closeouts - you may be able to get a $600 bike for $450 becasue it's last yrs model. You are smart to buy 1st bike form a local shop. Ask if any servie come with it - some shops offer free lifetime adjustments. That is worth something. If you have 1 of these in your city check them out too - www.performancebike.com - they sell the ironhorse & other brands like GT & Mongoose.
Why does my bicycle's pedal click? How do I fix it?
Before you take it into a shop or buy something new try removing the pedal* from the crank arm (using a pedal wrench or appropriate hex wrench), then clean the threads on both the pedal and the crank arm, add a light oil/lube to the threads and reinstall the pedals. Every time my pedal has started making a clicking noise this has done the trick.*note when you are removing pedals you must always apply pressure as if you were pedaling backwards. This means turn the wrench counter clockwise for the right pedal and CLOCKWISE for the left pedal.
What will be your advice for a person who is going to own a KTM Duke 125 as his first bike in India?
KTMs are powerhouse. And it no doubt is one of the best choices for a first bike. Enough has been said about its performance, ergonomics, build quality, etc. So, I will not repeat it again.My advice to the person would be:-Be responsible. Real wo/men dont ride plastic or an RE, they ride SENSIBLY. Follow traffic rules, be cautious always and respect everybody on the road.Always be protected. Practically speaking it is very difficult to have a Riding jacket on you always, but having a GOOD HELMET is mandatory. I cannot stress this enough. Always wear a helmet. Set an example for others to follow.Always use REAR VIEW MIRROR. Its a fad nowadays to remove it so you can filter through traffic. Please avoid this nuisance, and use the RVM. Make it a habit. It would help in keeping you and others safe.Take care of your bike. It is your first bike, it would be fun and adventurous. But dont let it stop you from regularly cleaning it, lubing the chain, proper tyre pressure and regular servicing. It takes minutes and you would enjoy your bike for years to come.DO NOT RACE IN THE CITY. The internet is filled with news of people dying each day in accident because of rash driving. If you are really a speed lover, please go ahead and train at the race track. Its a real thing and you get to see how beautifully challenging it is.Learn a few DIYs like fixing your puncture, lubing and cleaning chain, understanding what part does what and how it impacts the performance. This will help you in explaining the mechanic exactly what is wrong.Have a few accessories to make yourself comfortable. Like Helmet-lock, throttle assist, frame-guards, a wiping cloth.Last but not the least. Keep learning from your experiences and others as well. And always be responsible.Ride Safe, Ride Long!
What happens if you don't get a Tetanus shot after getting cut with rusty metal?
Maybe nothing.But you could get tetanus, and once you get it, even if they manage to save you, you may still wish you had died. Dying of tetanus may be the most painful way to die on the planet.Here is a painting done in 1809 of a person dying of tetanus. Painting done by his doctor. The position is called opistothonus.Why does he look like this? Your muscles ‘fire’ to contract, i.e., shorten. Then a chemical in your muscles is released to relax your muscles. What the tetanus toxin does is to prevent that chemical from being released, so your muscles fire, contract, and NEVER LET GO.Back muscles are stronger than stomach muscles, so you arch your back.If you are in really good shape, too bad, because you leg muscles can contract so strongly that they will BREAK. YOUR. THIGH. BONES, the strongest bones in your body.Imagine a ‘Charley Horse’ in every muscle in your body, 24 hours a day, for days on end.And there is almost nothing that can be done to spare you. Eventually, your diaphragm contacts, and never lets go, so you quit breathing.Getting to this blissful stage often takes 3 days. 3 days of the worst pain imaginable.(BTW, we know the chemical that’s released, and could give it to you, but then, you would stop breathing, which presents it’s own set of problems)Personally, I think the vaccine shot is the way to go, but hey, to you anti-vaxxers out there, it’s your call. Just don’t do this to your kids, please.BTW, the bacteria that causes tetanus, Clostridium tetani, is a common soil living bacteria. It’s in the ground everywhere. It’s NOT rust that causes tetanus, but a rusty nail indicates it’s been in contact with the soil for a period of time, and thus likely has C. tetani on it.C. Tetani is an anaerobic bacteria, meaning that Oxygen is poisonous to it. If you get a scratch, tetanus is very, very unlikely, because of the Oxygen. But a puncture, like from a nail, creates an oxygen-free atmosphere in the wound, just perfect for C. Tetani to grow and thrive.Tetanus can be ‘treated’ today, but 2/3 of patients still die, and those that survive typically spend 6–8 weeks in the hospital, mostly on a ventilator, with about 3–4 weeks in a induced coma, followed by 4–6 months in rehab. Personally, I think getting the vaccine is easier.BTW, there is a variation of this disease called infantile tetanus. New borns can get it from, for example, non-sterile scissors used to cut their umbilical cord. I will spare you the pictures.