Bicycle Rims And Wheels, Your Bike Cant Go Anywhere Without Them

The first bicycle wheels were from a horse drawn cart, made of wood with a metal band round the bicycle rim, very hard and very uncomfortable to ride. Then a man called Dunlop (Scottish) invented the pneumatic tire, this along with Macadam (another Scot) inventing the tar road surface made cycling a lot more comfortable.

The bicycle rim, like the bicycle frame hasnt changed much in design, its still round and always will be. From the first wooden rims the next were made of steel, then alloy and now if you can afford it, carbon. Of all bicycle parts the bicycle rim can make a big difference to how your bike handles. First the weight of your rim affects your sprinting and climbing as the weight will low you down, for a long, flat effort the weight isnt so important as when you get the wheels rolling the weight can help to keep them going. The shape of the rim can be important also, a flat rim is best for climbing as aerodynamics are not so important on a hill, a deep section, aero, rim will help you cut through the air, but in a cross wind could cause you handling problems.

Bicycle Rims Materials

The different materials used for rims are very important also, steel is heavy and if damaged can be difficult to pull back into shape, but because its so strong it is quite difficult to bend in the first place and steel is cheaper than all the other materials. Alloy is probably the most popular rim, it can be made in any shape and profile, flat or aero, but not too deep as it would then weigh too much, most deep section rims are of a alloy braking section nearest the tire which is then mounted to a carbon deep section for lightness and aerodynamics and a very beautiful looking bicycle rim. As with most things if money is no problem you can go for the best, this would be an all carbon rim, strong and very light, but there are a few problems with these rims, first they dont brake so well in wet conditions and you must use special brake blocks for carbon and they can be expensive, also the rim has to be perfectly round and not have any bulges in the rim wall as this will make braking quite erratic, carbon is a difficult material to work with and must be well looked after.

Types Of Rim To Consider

There are also two types of rim to consider and this depends on which kind of tire you want to use, first there are tubular tires these are glued on to the bicycle rim, cost more and are difficult to repair after a puncture, but for racing they feel and ride wonderfully. Clincher tires have improved a lot recently and are nearly as good as tubulars for performance and are easily repairable and more reasonably priced. Most manufacturers make all styles in both systems.

So which should I buy? Not an easy answer, as there is so much to choose from, login pasarqq years ago you went to your local bike shop, picked out which hubs, spokes and rims you wanted and he would build your wheels, but now most rim makers also manufacture there own wheel sets, Mavic, Shimano and Campagnolo are probably the best known, check out there web-sites for all there new goodies, there are other brands and if you go to your local cycle shop or look in the bike magazines youll find them. There is a lot to choose form, but they are all round.

Manchester United could delay Chelseas celebrations by a further week while Portsmouth could relegate both West Bromwich Albion and Birmingham City this weekend writes David Walker.

Chelsea vs Manchester United

The clash of the form teams and the result which could confirm Chelseas retention of the Premiership should the Blues win. Chelsea have been impeccable in front of their own fans this season, winning 17 out of 18 Premiership matches. Indeed, the only time they have been beaten inside 90 minutes at home this season was against Barcelona in the Champions League. Manchester United are the Premierships form team, with 10 wins in their last 11 matches and the shocking goalless draw against Sunderland the only blot on an immaculate copybook.

United have won just four times at Stamford Bridge in 14 Premiership meetings while Chelsea have experienced the same success against the Reds on home soil. The match has finished all square on five occasions so historically there is not much to split the sides. Chelsea have won the last two meetings at home 1-0 while Uniteds last success came four years ago when they won 3-0.

Chelsea go into the match as favourites, but Manchester United could extend the title race to another week with victory at tempting odds.

Walkers Word: Stubborn United to battle on @ 11/4.

Birmingham City vs Newcastle United

Birmingham are in desperate need of points if they are to avoid relegation and have slowly turned the corner by remaining unbeaten in their last three home games. However, with fellow relegation candidates Portsmouth also hitting form, Steve Bruces side may run out of games. The last two meetings between the pair have finished all square while Newcastle won 2-0 in 2002. Newcastle have hit a rich vein of form under caretaker manager Glenn Roeder and have won their last five matches. The Magpies link alternatif rajapoker will have a lot to say in the relegation battle, having beaten West Brom 3-0 last weekend and are unlikely to do a side which has not beaten them at St. Andrews since 1977 any favours.

Walkers Word: Newcastle win @ 17/10.

Liverpool vs Aston Villa

Liverpool, fresh from dispatching Chelsea out of the FA Cup will be confident of beating lowly Aston Villa. The Reds have won their last two against Villa at and three in their last five meetings at Anfield. While Liverpool have won 14 out of 18 home matches this season, David OLearys side have been dreadful on the road. They have lost their last four, including two heavy defeats: 5-0 against Arsenal 5-0 and 4-1 at Everton. Villa are likely to survive relegation by the skin of their teeth and a better goal difference, but points on the board wont prevent them from playing like a side tumbling out of the division on Saturday.

Walkers Word: One for the big hitters home win @ 4/11.

Manchester City vs Fulham

After a promising start to the season, Manchester City have plummeted to the lower echelons of the Premiership and will see this match as a way of restoring some pride. The last two meetings between the sides have ended as draws, although City have had the better of previous encounters. The Citizens dished out a 4-1 hammering in 2003 and enjoyed a 4-0 win in 2000 and 3-0 victory in 1999 as both sides progressed through Divisions One and Two respectively. Added to this, Fulham not won at City since 1984 in the old second division and Stuart Pearces side could take full advantage and creep above them in the table.

Walkers Word: Manchester City @ Evens.

Middlesbrough vs Everton

Middlesbrough have experience a congested fixture list in recent weeks due to their success in the FA and UEFA Cups. Despite some iffy results on the road, they remain a force at the Riverside Stadium and have won four of their last five at home, including the 3-0 defeat of Chelsea. Everton have not beaten Middlesbrough away since 2000, with Boro recording two wins and two draws since then. The clash against Everton will be Middlesbroughs tenth match in April and with Steve McClarens side playing a crucial UEFA Cup semi-final on Thursday, the Toffees have a chance of returning to Merseyside with at least a point.

Walkers Word: Low scoring draw @ 9/4.

Wigan Athletic vs Portsmouth

Wigan have not fared well recently but have done remarkably well overall in their first season in the top flight. Just three wins in their last 13 matches and one victory in their last eight at home will give a resurgent Portsmouth optimism in their battle to avoid the drop. The Latics beat Aston Villa 3-2 on 18 April, their first since beating Manchester City on Boxing Day, but suffered five home reverses in between. Harry Redknapps side could relegate West Brom and indeed Birmingham if they win and Steve Bruces side lose and are in pole position to do so. After a dismal campaign, Pompey have won five of their last eight matches including away victories at West Ham United and Fulham.

Walkers Word: Portsmouth to survive @ 7/4.

Charlton Athletic vs Blackburn Rovers

Charlton are on course to finish comfortably in mid-table and this is largely thanks to their solid home form. The Addicks have not lost at The Valley since Arsenal beat them on Boxing Day and have won six out of nine home matches since that defeat. Alan Curbishleys side have a good record against Rovers, winning three of the last four Premiership meetings in London. Despite Blackburn being on course for a place in Europe, they have not fared well away from home. Mark Hughes side have won just won in seven matches on the road, including a 2-1 defeat at Birmingham and 2-2 draw at Portsmouth in their last two away games.

Walkers Word: Home form to prevail @ 13/8.

Sunday 30 April

Tottenham Hotspur vs Bolton Wanderers

Bolton have been the scourge of Spurs in recent seasons, winning the last two meetings at White Hart Lane and also enjoying a 1-0 win at the Reebok Stadium back in November. Spurs realistically need to win both of their final two games to confirm a fourth place finish ahead of North London rivals Arsenal and their solid home form could serve them well here. Martin Jols side have won 11 out of 18 matches in front of their own fans this season and will be buoyed by the 1-1 derby draw with Arsenal last weekend. Another home win is the sensible bet here.

Walkers Word: Tottenham Hotspur @ 8/13.

Currently and probably for the foreseeable future, poker remains the worlds most popular card game with legions of poker players, casual and dedicated, amateur and professional. Poker has literally hundreds of variations of which stud, draw and holdem are most often played.

The basics of poker games are pretty much the same. Players are dealt concealed cards or a combination of concealed and face-up cards, or concealed cards to the individual players and face-up community cards for all players use as in holdem poker games.

Traditional poker hands in order of importance are: Royal Flush, Straight Flush, Four of a Kind, Full House, Flush, Straight, Three of a Kind, Two Pair, One Pair. Wagers are made into a central pot to be awarded to the player with the best hand.

The game of poker goes back a long way. Many people believe that card games played in Germany (Pachen) and France (Poque) around the 17th century may have been the very beginnings of the game we all know and love.

What we do know for sure is that an early developmental form of poker was being played in the United States before the Civil War. The game was played with only Twenty cards, aces, face cards and tens (A-K-Q-J-10) and was gaining popularity over the then favorite card game of three card monte. Around the 1850s, the full English deck of fifty-two cards was introduced.

A larger deck meant more players could participate and the pots would be larger a gamblers dream come true!

Within a few years, inventive minds developed the flush, the straight, games such as draw and stud and wild cards. But even more importantly, the draw of additional cards and the ability to change the value of ones hand, changed poker rajapoker from a game of chance to a game of skill.

From the saloons and gaming parlors of New Orleans to the river boats plying the Mississippi, pokers popularity spread. After the Civil War, the game of poker followed the settlers, drifters and gamblers to the unknown frontier of the early west.

It was there in the town of Deadwood, in Dakota Territory on August 2, 1876, that a poker hand became a legendary symbol of western lore. The hand was aces and eights (two pair) and was held by none other than the storied gunfighter James Butler, better known as Wild Bill Hickok. He was shot from behind while playing a round of poker and that hand of aces and eights became forever more known as the dead mans hand.

The popularity of the game continued to grow and was spread worldwide by the United States military in the two great wars. Although poker remained popular after World War II, it was not a big money maker for the casinos in Las Vegas. However, thanks to a Texas cowboy named Benny Binion, poker is now the worlds most popular game.

Benny owned a casino on Fremont Street in what is now referred to as downtown Las Vegas. In 1970, the Binions Horseshoe played host to a poker tournament that has morphed into the gargantuan World Series of Poker that today is entered by thousands and watched on television by millions.

Casino Games History Or How People Have Learnt To Count Cards Part4.

Technocrat:

Another little known name of great influence on blackjack Keith Taft. He was an engineer, computer specialist and inventor, he created his first blackjack computer in 1970, before Ken Uston appeared on the stage, just four years after the publication of the second Thorp’s book that encouraged him for this work. This computer named “George” was used by Uston’s teams.

Consider the fact, that at that time, there were not computers at all, to say nothing of miniaturization. The first version used 16bite processor, manually made memory and manually wired-in program. Assembly work and debugging took two years. He protected his device with copper screen from possible clutters and hid it in his boots. At first he was very lucky, but then he lost a great deal. It made him give up independent playing. Keith thought of writing a book, but then contracts with professional players came his way. After a few years the market offered more powerful computing devices.

The basis of the other device was Z80 processor. Keith built it in the pocket calculator. This version of “George”, later renamed as “David”, caught Uston’s eye. Keith together with his brother made several such computers for his team. They doubled their capital in a week. Trebled in two weeks. Then they were caught, the money and the computer were confiscated. By the way, Uston’s lawyer in the case was Oscar Goodman – now he is effective mayor of Las Vegas.

In the upshot the project broke down. And a new one emerged with more sophisticated and secret devices but now without Uston. More complicated computers required new processors and larger memory. New investments from the players and “Thor” project made good money for Taft and gamblers. Moreover, this computer remained unnoticed in the casinos. Keith created protection system which in fact repeats the concept of modern “electronic key”.

Then he developed “7-Up” scheme which connected 7 (!!) players at the table into the network. Each had a computer and they were united into the network. Just think – this guy – created computer networks!!!! It was 1982! Before Microsoft these people managed computer severs…

Then video cameras appeared. Keith started applying satellite and radio signals. Then again a failure, arrest and accusation of fraud. Charges were again dismissed. A new hi-tech project followed.

Finally when the usage of computers was deemed illegal in the USA, Keith stopped playing blackjack. Now he is living in his house and is working in his laboratory. I wonder, link alternatif rajapoker on what?

Things get easier when done together.

Blackjack boom in 70-80-s, public description of team playing methods lead to creation of the biggest blackjack teams. The most famous, probably was the team of Massachusetts technological Institute or MIT Team. The idea was innovative – instead of hiring people with money, the operators of the team trained the students of playing the game and offered blackjack as summer earnings during their vacation. They almost posted announcements in the lecture rooms saying “Blackjack players wanted!”

At first he team was small, however the management drew great funds from outside investors and project became very large. These young guys and ladies lived a double life – five days a week attending the lectures and eating in the campus canteen and on the weekend flying to Las Vegas, betting on 10 thousand dollars in the box, living in luxury apartments and driving in limousines at the expense of casinos.

This is possibly the most highly qualified team in all history of blackjack. In a few years they have won about 10 million dollars. Then everything went pear shaped. First, the risk on the casino’s side increased. There was spying on the players, soon it was found out that they were students of MIT and then their names were added to the blacklist all over the country. Besides, the casinos were more aware of team game principles and each big player immediately came under observation.

But it is not the most terrible. A prick was in the team. One of the players betrayed for “the thirty pieces of silver” all the members of the team to the casino security service. Moreover, part of the money was simply stolen. It caused the breakdown of the team. Though it revived in different new forms, they were not so successful as before. However, as the rumors circulating, you can come across some interesting announcements in the institute…

Former founders and managers of the team now are very famous people. Semyon Dukach is in sales and purchase of Internet companies, conducts seminars on blackjack and Andy Bloch became a professional poker player.

Team playing, regardless of its pros has a lot of cons of administration nature. It requires great investments into the risky business. That’s why 99% of team playing efforts end up in a financial catastrophe.

Casino Games History Or How People Have Learnt To Count Cards Part2.

Thorp’s Era.

If you dont know, now we are daftar rajapoker living in 43th year of Thorp’s era. This person had such a great influence on the blackjack and all the gambling industry, that I seriously consider that he is worth of setting up a monument while alive, by the way at the casino’s expense.

Being a young scientist, Edward O. Thorp regularly read mathematic journals. When he was a student, he was pressed for money. The idea of outplaying the casino on the basis of calculations appealed to Thorp and he decided to check the results of the “excellent four” and see what will come out of it. The result of his activity was a phenomenal book Beat The Dealer, now its sales are approaching million of samples.

Thorp chose the other way – he did not make analytical calculations, but with powerful at that time computer IBM (they were also called mainframe) he wrote several programs on Fortran, creating quite original methods for 60s. By the way, Thorp together with his research instructor Claude Elwood Shannon, a great scientist, were also involved in solving the problem “how to outplay the roulette?”

From his calculations Thorp understood that dead cards had a considerable affect on the gambler’s chances this or that way. His main idea was about memorizing the dead cards in somewhat simplified way and when the situation is beneficial for the player, make high stakes. By the way, this system still remains the basis of any methods and counting systems of blackjack.

The counting system introduced by Thorp, was rather complicated for usage in real casinos, required great concentration and large amount of mentally arithmetic actions. However with good training there was nothing impossible in its application.

Thorp’s book immediately became a success and bestseller. Everyone understood that with quite simple actions you can get an advantage. Every reader dreamt of enormous prizes. However, the casinos also knew the score.

Panic seized them. And in 1962 after Thorp’s book, all Las Vegas Casinos without exception changed their rules being afraid of mass influx of “system players”. The quality of the rules worsened terribly and no counting system could ever help you to win. Though the effect for casino turned out to be quite unpredictable and reverse – people stopped playing blackjack. And during several months, all the casinos had to return to the former rules for their own survival.

Another interesting effect caused by Thorp’s book- incredible popularity of blackjack outrunning the favorite American craps. A lot of people, after reading the book considered themselves potential winners and rushed to the blackjack tables. However, most of them had a bad understanding of the mathematical principles of the game did not become winners but quite vice versa. Therefore, casino got more clients and moreover losing clients. Since then their number is only increasing.

The system presented in the first edition of Thorp’s book was quite difficult even for professionals and only the few could apply it under the conditions of a real game. Something should be simplified.

The power behind the throne.

Julian Braun is quite a unique personality. He had hardly ever played a deal in real blackjack. But he played millions and maybe even billions of deals on the computer. Braun was a good mathematician and programmer and he got interested in Thorp’s idea and offered him cooperation in the sphere of calculations and programming.

Braun became the person who first invented the counting system Hi-Lo. He was behind the development of all modern systems the authorship of which belongs to Revere, Humble, Wong and Uston. He wrote the only book How to Play Winning Blackjack, but what a book!

Braun upgraded Thorp’s system on FORTRAN and made considerable changes and the second edition of Thorp’s book also contained Hi-Lo system in its modern form. It was quite a revolution in gambling world. Braun worked in IBM corporation and had access to probably most powerful computers of that time. This fact helped to build simple and efficient tool in struggle with casino.

Using Braun’s calculations the gambler mostly known as Lawrence Revere developed his own counting system and presented his results in the form of convenient tables which are applied in most counters of the world. Lance Humble based his HiOpt systems on Braun’s experience.

Regardless the fact that Julian most probably had never been to the casino, he became a power behind the throne of the blackjack and all the mathematical modeling of the game fell on him.

World Cup Betting: repeating as world cup champions is not a good bet!

The 18th FIFA World Cup will begin play June 9th when the top 32 nations battle for world soccer supremacy and the Brazilians looked like the favorites at most betting shops. They bring a wealth of scoring power with the likes of Ronoldo, Ronoldinho, Gacho, Kak, and Robinho, but defense wins championships and they are loaded on the backend!

The Brazilians are similar to the talented US Mens basketball teams in that they are loaded with firepower, but can they mesh as a unit? Early games against Croatia, Austria and Japan should be a breeze, but they must face the host Germany team early in the tournament and remember it has been 44 years since a country last won back to back titles.

Brazil won in 1958 and 1962 and is 3-1 favorites this year!

At 6-1 Argentina is on most bettors radar screen after a solid runner-up placing at last years FIFA Confederation Cup to Brazil. The country is still stinging from the first round exit in 2002 in Japan/Korea, so they should be focused.

They must tackle an inspired African team in Cotes divorie that will try and represent its oppressed nation, and they will get a scare, but will join the Netherlands in the round of 16!

England is dealing with the injury bug as Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney is battling a broken bone in his foot. With Rooney to miss opening round matches, the pressure will be squarely on Michael Owens shoulders and he just recover from yes a broken foot.

An intriguing matchup will occur in Group B when England squares off against Sweden as Englands coach Sven-Goran Eriksson faces his homeland and no doubt emotions will run high that day!

It goes without saying that he throws the party, gets his choice of music and Germany is certainly singing a sweet tune with their grouping. Costa Rica, Ecuador and Poland are not exactly world powers, so the home side will get a nice tune-up for the Sweet 16 round. Michael Ballack who stars for Chelsea will be prominent on the score sheet in this tourney!

Holland is very young and is in a testy pool with Argentina, Serbia-Montenegro and the hyped up Ivory Coast squad, who will feature Drogba from Chelsea and Toure from Arsenal. It dewa poker is expected that Argentina and Holland will advance, but most experts call for a shocker in this group!

Group E gives you the Italians and Americans, but the Czech Republic will make noise in this division. Totti and Toni are talented scorers, but the Italians are famous for underachieving. The United States has done horrible under coach Bruce Arena is Europe with a pitiful 1-7-2 record and he could get the boot, if they fail to advance.

The Czechs like their hockey team can fill the net as Koller, Rosicky and Baros, will give opposing defenses fits!

At 10-1 I like the Frenchmen as they have an easy draw, which will benefit this experienced team. Playing against the likes of Switzerland, South Korea and Togo will be a nice tune-up for round two and their veterans Zidane, Thuram and Makelele give them a chance for the huge upset!