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Thursday, February 21, 2008

Bike Gear: How Much To Spend

To lots of people, money is know object and they can afford to pay for the top-of-the-line gear they want. Other people need to be more cost conscience and look for bargains.

There are as many brand-new bikes sitting unused in people's garages as there are in bike stores.

Well, that is perhaps an exaggeration, but it's certainly true that a great many people who take up a new hobby have a tendency to lose interest after a week or a month. Either they find they don't have time for it or they find they just don't enjoy it. But, when they first started out they were full of enthusiasm so they bought all sorts of expensive gear that they now no longer use.

So they sell it - at garage sales, on Ebay, or in those special newspapers designed for the purpose of selling unwanted material.

The careful buyer can pick up quite a few bargains this way.

Used Bikes and Bike Gear

If you're buying from a garage sale, you'll be able to test out the bike or the gear and make sure that it works properly. You don't have that luxury with Ebay, but the seller has various ratings boxes you can check to make sure they're legitimate.

How else can you save money while putting together your own biking ensemble?

Shopping Online

Well, although I hate to say it, the best thing to do is shop online. Online stores have more inventory than do most brick-and-mortar stores, and they are able to sell the equipment at such a discount that even after paying for shipping, you still save money.

The drawback here is that you want to ensure that you're dealing with a reputable store - if you send money to a fly-by-night outfit you might live to regret it.

Seats (or saddles - whatever terminology you use!), handlebar stems, brakes, and tires can all make a big difference in the quality of your bike ride. If you're looking to upgrade your ride, by all means do some comparison shopping. Check out the prices in your local bike store, and then check online.

If at all possible, of course, you should support your local bike store, just because they employ knowledgeable people who will be there when you need them. But if you find an item at a bargain price online, it would be foolish not to take advantage of it.

Local Bike Shop

It's always a good idea to have a good relationship with your local bike shop. Always assuming that the people who work there know their business. But if that's the case - you can get a lot of good information from t hem, and you'll be able to learn of any upcoming sales where you'll be able to pick up any bargains.

Alastair Hamilton is the editor of many articles on bike reviews published at http://www.bikecyclingreviews.com . A website with tips on bicycle parts, and many related topics: http://www.bikecyclingreviews.com/parts.html

Treating Hip Dysplasia In Dogs

Hip dysplasia is a very common condition in most breeds of dogs. Often larger dogs are more prone to hip dysplasia but it can also occur even in the small and toy breeds. Hip dysplasia is a degenerative condition that usually affects dogs as they age, although some breeds can start showing the symptoms of hip dysplasia at young ages as well.

The hip of the dog works the same as the hip joint in a human. It is a ball and socket joint with the socket attached to the pelvis and the ball part of the joint attached to the femur or thigh bone. Normally the ball and socket fit together properly and there is movement in all directions. There is a ligament and other protective tissues that hold the ball and socket together and keep the joint strong and healthy.

Dogs that develop hip dysplasia have an abnormal growth of the soft tissues around the joint and within the ball and socket mechanism of the hip. This starts when the dogs are very young. The result is that the bones of the hip joint are not in close contact with each other; rather they are separated by the layer of abnormal tissue that has developed in the joint. The constant outward pressure of the joint by this tissue then further leads to a stretching of the ligament that holds the joint together. The result is a separation of the joint known as a subluxation.

Hip dysplasia is a hereditary condition that means that it can only be passed down through breeding. With conscientious breeders having their dogs tested for hip dysplasia before breeding the condition can be controlled. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) has collected data on various breeds and lines since 1966. This database is the largest in the world and is used by reputable breeders to ensure that the lines that they are crossing have little chance of carrying this genetic condition.

Treatment

Hip dysplasia in dogs is usually first noticed by stiffness and pain with walking. This will often result in dogs having trouble sitting or standing as the joint is flexed and extended. Many owners think that their pet has arthritis when this occurs. A vet can verify hip dysplasia with a physical exam, which will manipulate the joint. The vet can tell be the tension or lack thereof in the muscle and connective tissue around the hip. An X-ray can also be used to verify the condition.

There are several ways to treat hip dysplasia and usually the treatment method will depend on the age of the dog and the cost of the procedure. All the methods that involve surgery are very costly and may not completely cure the problem, depending on the amount of damage that has been done to the bones. Usually younger dogs are more effectively treated with the surgical procedures. Total hip replacements as well as altering of the pelvic bones and even removal of part of the joint or connective tissue are all options.

Non-surgical methods include anti-inflammatory, arthritis medications as well as controlled diet and non-strenuous exercise. Since it is a hereditary condition there is no medication that can control the disease but the damage to the joint and the pain that the dog may be experiencing can be effectively managed for many years.

Kelly Marshall is a popular contributor at http://www.ohmydogsupplies.com - where you can find dog beds, dog steps, pet ramps, and more unique dog gear that you'll never find at your local pet store.

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