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Fender Champ

Everything You Need to Know About Hybrid Bikes

With so many different riding disciplines, race types and different competitions in the bike world, the industry has developed many highly specialized bikes to meet the needs of a wide variety of riders.  If you're all about speed and performance on the pavement, you buy a road bike.  But if you're all about tearing it up off road, then you need a mountain bike's heavy-duty suspension, strong frame and bigger tyres.

The only problem with these specifically designed bikes is that if you need to do any other sort of riding, you're pretty much out of luck.  That is why over the last decade or so, the bike industry has reversed over a hundred years of making bikes more activity specific and started making rides that can accommodate a variety of riding situations.  Hybrid bikes are the outcome of this process and they combine the best of both worlds.

The hybrid bike takes the best of the mountain bike set up and the best of the road bike set up and combines them into one convenient package.

Features

If you do more than mountain or road bike exclusively, then you're going to want to check out hybrid bikes.  These relatively new bikes on the scene encompass a variety of models and variations but commonly have the following features:

Large Wheels:  Hybrid bikes have wheels that are 700c, which makes them much more efficient than smaller mountain bike wheels

Tyre Width:  Road racers typically have narrow wheels that have been maximized for sleek contact with the pavement and aerodynamics.  Unfortunately, you can't do anything but ride on the pavement with them.  Hybrid bikes address that problem by incorporating wider wheels.

Rim Strength:  Hybrid bikes take their strong rims from their mountain bike heritage so they can handle the bumps and lumps along the way.

Tyre Tread:  Hybrid bikes come with tyres that have more dirt bike like tread.  While not as knobby or aggressive as a traditional mountain bike tread, hybrid bikes have enough to get the grip you need on trails, some off road riding and anything the city can throw your way.

Strong Frame:  Road bikes are notorious for their lightweight but weaker frames.  So hybrid bikes have a more mountain bike-like frame.  Usually made from stronger materials like chromyl steel, high-grade aluminum or titanium, these frames can take the abuse of rough city riding plus some moderate off road action.

Suspension:  If you love the speed of your road bike but hate the ride, then hybrid bikes are worth looking into.  They adopt suspension forks and seat posts from mountain bikes for better shock absorption and decreased stress on your body.

Gearing:  Hybird bike usually have somewhere around 18-27 gears to accommodate the variety of terrains and riding situations you're going to come up against.

Flat Handlebars:  The drop handlebars on road bikes are great for speed and aerodynamics, but on long rides can be killer on your back and body.  The flat handlebars of hybrid bikes give you a more upright riding position and make for a much more comfortable ride.

Uses

Hybrid bikes are perfect for people who do a lot of city riding, but also need some off road capabilities.  If you commute to work on your bike during the week but also enjoy hitting the park paths and trails on the weekend, then hybrid bikes are for you.  Their mountain bike-like frame, tyres and suspension will give you the ability to do some off road riding without having to worry about wrecking your ride.  On the other hand the larger tyre diameters will give you the speed you're looking for in the paved world.  The flat handlebars and suspension make hybrid bikes perfect for riding long distances on the road and remaining comfortable.

Variations

Even in this relatively newer bike market, there are already subdivisions and new categories of bikes being created.  If you like the concept behind a hybrid bike but are looking for a set up that is a little bit more relevant to your needs and riding style, then check out these variations of the hybrid bike:

Trekking Bike:  This variation on the hybrid bike is simply a ride that has been outfitted with the accessories you need for bicycling touring or endurance rides.  These include but are not limited to mudguards, pannier racks, lights and other accessories.  Trekking bikes sacrifice speed in favor of comfortable riding over long distances.

Cross Bikes:  No to be confused with cyclocross bikes, cross bikes are the closest of these variations to a ‘classic' hybrid bike.  They are outfitted to deal with more off road riding than trekking bikes but still have good speed on the pavement, as they are less outfitted than the previous variation.

Commuter Bike:  These commuter bikes are specially designed for people who commute on their bikes daily.  They usually come equipped with derailleur gearing, bike racks for work accessories and full fenders.  Optional but common accessories and features on commuter bikes are things like front and rear lights to see and be better seen during low light hours and enclosed chain guards that allow riders to not be worried about getting their slacks caught in their chains.

City Bikes:  While very similar to commuter bikes, city bikes are designed and outfitted to handle the hazards one encounters while doing city riding a bit better than commuter bikes.  With more mountain bike like tyres, sturdier frames and stronger suspensions they can handle curb jumps, potholes and sewer grates like a champ.  These bikes are the favorite of bike messengers in big cities around the world.

Comfort Bikes:  As the name of this hybrid bike variation suggests, it is built purely for comfortable riding.  These bikes are basically updated and modern versions of cruiser bikes.  They have derailleur gearing, front suspension forks, seat post suspension, wide and plush seats and handlebars and geometry meant to create a comfortable upright riding position.

About the Author

What is your greatest flea market find ever?

I once bought a 1950's fender champ guitar amplifier and a 50's arch top guitar both for 20$ greatest find ive ever had.

I found a very large serving platter in a thrift store one day and when I turned it over to see the maker, it was Limoges. The price was just $5. I carried it around for about 10 minutes, then I took it to the store manager and told her what it was and that it was worth several hundred dollars.

It was a charity thrift store that raises money for sick children. I had to give it up so that they could get top dollar for it. It was not easy, but I think I did the right thing.

Fender Champ
Fender '57 Reissue Champ amp

Fender ‘57 Champ $999.99 Fender ‘57 Champ The Fender Champ amp of the late 1950s is well known as the small-but-mighty tone machine that belongs in every serious guitarist’s collection. The release of the '57 Champ adds this iconic, one-of-a-kind product to Fender's '57 Tweed Series. The tweed Champ is a terrific practice amp, and has been a prized possession of countless pro players for its great sounding, low-output, easy-to-record capabilities. It's well documented that this model has been used on recordings by Johnny Cash, Keith Richards and Eric Clapton (it’s the “Layla” amp). And with its rich tone and touch-sensitive response, the Champ is great for making cool new music today. This faithful hand-wired recreation of the 1957 Champ amp is not just for collectors or retro-minded guitarists. Any player seeking the ultimate in low-powered, top-quality tube performance need look no further! Specifications: Model Name: '57 Champ® Model Number: 816-0500-000 (120V USA) 816-0501-000 (110V TW) 816-0503-000 (240V AUS) 816-0504-000 (230V UK) 816-0505-000 (230V ARG) 816-0506-000 (230V EUR) 816-0507-000 (100V JPN) 816-0509-000 (220V ROK) Series: Custom Series Type: All Tube Output: 5 watts into 4 ohms Ohms: 4 ohms Speakers: 1-8" Weber® Special Design 4 ohm, 10 watt, AlNiCo Magnet Speaker, P/N 0077212000 Channels: Single Channel with Two Inputs: INPUT 1 Full Sensitivity Input for Most Guitars. INPUT 2 Lower Sensitivity Input (-6dB) to Provide High Output Guitars with Cleaner Response. Features: Leather Strap Handle, Chrome Control Panel, Black Vintage Pointer Knob, Toggle On/Off Switch, Red Jeweled Pilot Light, Finger-Jointed Solid Pine Cabinet, Hand-Wired 5F1 Circuit Controls: Volume (Goes to 12!) Covering: Lacquered Tweed with Oxblood Grille Cloth Weight: 16.5 lbs. (7.5 kg) Dimensions: Height: 13.5" (34.3 cm), Width: 12.5" (31.8 cm), Depth: 7.8" (19.8 cm) Power Handling:        N/A Tube Complement: 1 X 6V6GT, 1 X 12AX7, 1 X 5Y3GT (Rectifier) Cover: Uses Cover, P/N 0077214000 Accessories: Includes Brown Cover Footswitch: None Get Your Fender ‘57 Champ Today!

Fender Vibro-Champ XD $199.99 Fender Vibro-Champ XD Our Vibro Champ XD takes the vintage Vibro Champ into a new era with classic styling, simple controls, a good variety of clean and distorted tones and unmistakable tube feel and performance at a remarkable price. Features include a real tube amp combined with up-to-date extras including versatile amp voicing and superb DSP effects. Its solid-state overdrive and distortion eliminate many of the preamp tube problems that plague tube lovers while providing exemplary tones for rock, blues, country, jazz, metal and more. Specifications: Model Name: Vibro Champ XD Model Number: 233-1000-000 (120V, 60Hz) USA 233-1001-900 (110V, 60Hz) TW 233-1003-900 (240V, 50Hz) AUS 233-1004-900 (230V, 50Hz) UK 233-1005-900 (220V, 50Hz) ARG 233-1006-900 (230V, 50Hz) EUR 233-1007-900 (100V, 50Hz) JPN 233-1009-900 (220V, 60Hz) ROK Series: Vintage Modified Type: Tube Amplifier with DSP Output: 5 watts (Class "A") Ohms: 4 ohms Speakers: One 8", 4-ohm Special Design Speaker, p/n 0073857000 Channels: One Features: 5 Watt Tube "Class A" Power Amp. "Voice" Control with 16 Different Amp Voicings Delivering Various Clean and Overdriven Tones for any Style of Music: Blues, Rock, Country, Jazz, Metal, and More. 16 DSP Effects (Vibratone Slow; Vibratone Fast; Delay 130ms; Delay 300ms; Delay 450ms; Large Room Reverb; Concert Hall Reverb; Classic Fender Spring Reverb; Reverb+Delay; Fast Chorus; Deep Chorus; Chorus+Delay; Chorus+Reverb; Tremolo Low Speed; Tremolo Medium Speed; Tremolo High Speed). External Speaker Output Allows use with External Speaker Cabinet Line Output. Strap Handle. Red Jewel Pilot Light. Controls Gain, Volume, Voice, Treble, Bass, FX Level, FX Select Covering: Black Textured Vinyl with Silver Grille Cloth; Chrome Hardware; Blackface Control Panel Weight: 23 lbs (10.4 kg) Dimensions:: Height: 14" (35.5 cm), Width: 17" (43.2 cm), Depth: 8.7" (22 cm) Power Handling: N/A Tube Complement: 1-12AX7A 1-6V6 (Diode Rectifier) Cover: Uses Cover, p/n 0041529000, US MSRP $22.50, (Not Included) Accessories: None Footswitch: N/A Get Your Fender Vibro-Champ XD Today!

Fender Super-Champ XD $299.99 Fender Super-Champ XD The Band-Master VM 212 enclosure mates with the Band-Master VM Head (or other quality amplifier) for onstage versatility and great Fender tone. Its premium birch-ply construction and Celestion® G12P-80 speakers deliver fat, woody bass response and clear highs. Specifications: Model Name: Super Champ XD Model Number: 233-1100-000 (120V, 60Hz) USA 233-1101-900 (110V, 60Hz) TW 233-1103-900 (240V, 50Hz) AUS 233-1104-900 (230V, 50Hz) UK 233-1105-900 (220V, 50Hz) ARG 233-1106-900 (230V, 50Hz) EUR 233-1107-900 (100V, 50Hz) JPN 233-1109-900 (220V, 60Hz) ROK Series: Vintage Modified Type: Tube Amplifier with DSP Output: 15 watts (Class "AB") Ohms: 8 ohms Speakers: One 10", 8-ohm Special Design Speaker, p/n 0073858000 Channels: Two (Normal and Amp Voice) Features: 15 Watt Tube "Class AB" Power Amp. "Voice" Control with 16 Different Amp Voicings Delivering Various Clean and Overdriven Tones for any Style of Music: Blues, Rock, Country, Jazz, Metal, and More. 16 DSP Effects (Vibratone Slow; Vibratone Fast; Delay 130ms; Delay 300ms; Delay 450ms; Large Room Reverb; Concert Hall Reverb; Classic Fender Spring Reverb; Reverb+Delay; Fast Chorus; Deep Chorus; Chorus+Delay; Chorus+Reverb; Tremolo Low Speed; Tremolo Medium Speed; Tremolo High Speed). External Speaker Output Allows use with External Speaker Cabinet Line Output. Strap Handle. Red Jewel Pilot Light. Controls Volume 1, Channel Select Switch, Gain, Volume 2, Voice, Treble, Bass, FX Level, FX Select Covering: Black Textured Vinyl with Silver Grille Cloth; Chrome Hardware; Blackface Control Panel Weight: 24 lbs (10.9 kg) Dimensions: Height: 15" (38 cm), Width: 17.5" (45 cm), Depth: 9" (22.9 cm) Power Handling: N/A Tube Complement: 1-12AX7A 2-6V6 (Diode Rectifier) Cover: Uses Cover, p/n 0041529000, US MSRP $22.50, (Not Included) Accessories: None Footswitch: Uses 2-Button Footswitch for Channel Select F/X On/Off, p/n 0071359000, US MSRP $24.82 (Not Included) Get Your Fender Super-Champ XD Today!

Fender Super Champ Guitar Speaker Cabinet (1x12) $199.99 The new SC112 Enclosure mates perfectly with the Super Champ to create an astounding amount of brute force.

The Champ $19.99 The Champ - Photo

A Brief Introduction To The 2005 Ford Gt

When I approach an exotic car that may go 204 MPH with a roof line that is only as high as my belt, I have low ergonomic expectations. I'll probably get some bruising from the suspension and hopefully be distracted by the acceleration to forget how uncomfortable the rest is. I was only right about the acceleration.

The Ford GT is the remake of the 1966 Le Mans champ vehicle called the GT40. The original GT40 was a great looking automobile, but this new GT has a spectacular exterior design. I'm normally fast to whine about a benign design idea, or a trunk line or the shape under the front fender, or at least some small picky thing. But the more I looked around this vehicle, the more admiration I have for this work of art. And the designers & engineers had to take account of stable aerodynamics at 200 MPH that would have flipped the first model on its top.

The 5.4-liter engine fills the entire back half of the car, and the turbocharged V-8 produces 550 hp. For the performance fans: the GT's 0-to-60 time is only 3.3 seconds, and it takes only 11.6 seconds to pass a ¼-mile. The engine note is pretty plain ; no NASCAR guttural tones or Formula-1 scream that I could tell ; the glass partition between the interior cab and the engine deaden the sound. ( From the interior you can turn your head to see a giant belt turning, to what I presume to be the superchargers ).

Under the front hood is plenty of storage room for a sports automobile ; about enough for 6 tennis balls or a couple flip-flops, but not both at the same time! Once within the auto, you notice that the only storage is in the front trunk. There is no glove compartment, no side-pocket, no cup holder, but I suppose I could slide a few envelopes under my seat. But this is exactly what I need in a true sports car - all business at moving me forward and nothing flying round the cockpit as I am taking giant g-forces in the turns.

The interior was far more cosy than I expected, and the black and silver knobs and dash have an edgy look to them. It has the usual enormous red "Start" button that many dear cars have made popular ( again ), and toggle switches like a space shuttle for the rear defroster and danger lights. The tachometer is the big dial in front of the driver and that irrelevant speedometer is off to the right, nearly next to the passenger. Do not forget to set the temperature controls before you start moving because they are under your right elbow in the center console and clumsy to reach while driving.

When driving the automobile, the largest surprise I had is how comfy it takes the potholes and uneven surfaces. I have ridden in sport BMW sedans that don't ride this smoothly. The GT is easy to launch and shift, with power delivered without a noticeable spike from the superchargers. I did not get an opportunity to throw the automobile around many corners, but the low profile and wide stance would indicate an adeptness with lateral-speed.

If you are attempting to duck attention, I won't think of a larger mistake than being in this car. Everywhere I drove some folks were staring and pointing, and at almost each stop light, someone had a question about the car - a ton more public attraction than any other unique production auto I have piloted. But for the GT most of its features are extremes, and I am really pleased that Ford has proven it can compete in the +$150,000 global market.

For more reviews about sports cars, visit thesupercars.org and while you are at it, you might also want to have a look at pre owned Ford Bronco.

About the Author

How fast can your car travel at top speed? Compare you car to some of the fastest cars in the world at thesupercars.org and also have a look at Ford Bronco auctions.

Tube Guitar Amplifier Essentials $19.94 From the amp guru, and columnist for Vintage Guitar magazine, comes a future classic that features more than 60 easy-reading chapters de-mystifying the complex world of tube amplifiers. Over eight years in the making, it covers the basic knowledge and the practical steps to work on this type of amplifier, the preferred type of amp for millions of guitarists and technicians....

Fender Amps: The First Fifty Years $19.20 Fender Amp The First Fifty Years chronicles every detail of Fender's esteemed amp models complete with features and specs, rare catalog reprints, classic advertisements, endorsee promo photos, and hundreds of close-up photos of these American beauties. The book also gives you a 40-page full-color section (complete with a 2-page pullout group shot of over 60 amps!) and the choicest vintage catalog ...

Fender Amp Book (Cloth) $17.95 A full descriptive history of Fender's classic instrument amplifiers from the 1940s to the 1990s. Including colour photographs and technical specifications for all the most collectable models...

Fender Champ