Cycling For Profit

Who Cycles?

2007-12-12T14:12:00.000-05:00

Almost everybody has spent some time on a bike. For many of us it happened when we were kids, and if we think back on it we usually smile a little and remember how much fun it was. I wonder why we gave it up, because guess what - it's still fun!

Unlike the people in many foreign countries, we think of bikes as toys for kids to play with. In much of the world, however, bikes are a form of transportation and are used to go to work, go shopping, etc. Could that be part of the reason that most of the world lags far behind us in obesity?

In fairness, most of us live too far from work to get there on a bike, and our roads and highways are usually not designed with the safety of cyclists in mind. But depending on where you live, there may be plenty of opportunities for cycling in safe and scenic areas. Trails that are easily negotiated on a mountain bike or hybrid exist along rivers and canals and in many parks. For those who prefer to stay on pavement, paved trails snake through many parks and venturing out on public roads can even be safe - especially if you ride in a group. Cycling clubs exist all over the country and most of them can accommodate beginners as well as intermediate and expert riders. The more active clubs offer rides every day of the week and all year round, depending on local weather/seasons, etc. Some clubs lean toward road riding in the warm months and then retreat to the woods on mountain bikes to hide from the cold winter winds. In other words, the sport of cycling offers something for everybody. It's a great family activity, as well, and many families plan cycling vacations to mountain retreats or national parks. Cycling can be relaxing or it can give you as strenuous a workout as you want, and you can accomplish either one with the same bike.

What to ride?

2007-12-12T14:10:00.000-05:00

First of all, stay away from department stores. The bike-shaped objects they sell are heavy, poorly equipped, and are usually the wrong size for the rider because they usually only come in one size. Why? Because it's cheaper to manufacture all your bikes the same size. The department store clerk will tell you to just raise or lower the seat, but it may not go high or low enough and seat height does not compensate for a bike that is too long or not long enough in terms of reach to the handlebar. Don't blame the sales person, though, because he's probably on loan from housewares and doesn't know anything about bikes.

Sorry, before I retired I used to own a bike shop and I couldn't believe some of the department store junk that people brought to us for repairs. My mechanics and I hated to work on them, because no matter how skilled we were or how hard we tried we couldn't make them work like a real bike.

If you want to try cycling but are reluctant to spend the money for a real bike that you might actually enjoy riding, check with a few local shops to see if they have a good quality used bike for sale or rent, or contact a cycling club in your area. Many clubs will know of a member who is upgrading to a new bike and wants to sell a used one.

If you prefer to buy new, start by asking friends, neighbors or co-workers for recommendations of a good bike shop. I must admit that there are some shops out there that will try to sell you whatever they have too many of, but a good shop will take the time to listen to what you want to get from a bike and will recommend the type of bike (cruiser, hybrid, mountain or road) that will best meet your requirements, and in a size that will perform well and be comfortable. Trust your instincts - you can tell whether they care or just want to ring something up. And if you tell them you want to stay under $400, don't let them waste your time on the $2000 carbon fiber model.

Remember though that a good bike is a lifetime investment and it could be in your best interest to spend a little more than you had in mind. I remember a customer who said his buddies were dragging him into mountain biking and he wanted to spend as little as possible because he wasn't sure he'd stay with it. Of course it turned out that he loved it, and he came back the following season to buy a more expensive model so that he could be more competitive with his buddies. He told me he should have listened to me the year before when I told him the entry level bike was probably not right for him.

Accessories?

2007-12-12T13:42:00.001-05:00

"I just want to ride. Why do I need accessories?"

In my shop we had a flyer that broke accessories down into categories like essential, nice to have and fun to have. Cycling, like many sports, offers many accessories and some of them really are essential. The most obvious of course is a helmet. Taking a fall while cycling is not unheard of, and it has nothing to do with riding skill - that's why it's called an accident. I've seen good riders knocked down by dogs, potholes, drainage grates and other unexpected hazards. Apart from a little road rash, injuries were usually minor because everyone I rode with wore a helmet. The helmets didn't always survive, but the riders did. Hydration is also very important. Water bottles or hydration backpacks will prevent the fatigue and muscle cramps that can result from not hydrating while exercising.

Other accessories like flat repair equipment, colorful clothing to add visibility and comfort due to its moisture wicking ability, cyclometers to record speed and distance and so on are available and may be desirable depending on your riding habits. Gloves cushion your hands and protect them in a spill. A small bag that mounts under the saddle can carry a few essentials like ID, keys, a cell phone, etc. If you plan to ride in poor lighting conditions you should consider battery operated headlights and/or flashing taillights. LED lighting systems are now available that will provide adequate light and greatly extended battery life. Some bikes offer a generator light system with the generator incorporated into the front wheel hub so that nothing rubs on the tire and the wiring is run internally. I don't recommend the old style generator lights because they don't work well and the wiring breaks easily. I personally prefer battery operated lights.

If you want to cycle daily but your schedule or bad weather work against you, you can mount your bike on an indoor trainer and get the same workout you would get outdoors. Trainers are much smaller, less expensive and easier to store than stationary bikes. And since you are riding your actual bike, you'll probably find it a more comfortable experience than the stationary bike as well. If you want to take your bike on vacation there are bike carriers that can be mounted to most vehicles. There are several models, and they can carry from one to five bikes depending on the vehicle.

Once again, a good shop can explain the pros and cons of all the available equipment and recommend what you should have based on your riding plans. Apart from a helmet and hydration equipment, other accessories can be added later as you discover what you need.

What About Pedals?

2007-12-12T08:45:00.000-05:00

If you haven't been on a bike lately you may not be aware of the choices now available in pedal design. Of course the basic flat 'platform' pedal is still around and is the original equipment pedal on most cruisers and hybrids, and even on many mountain bikes.

The next pedal design is the 'toe clip' pedal. Toe clips and straps, sometimes referred to as cages or baskets, originated many years ago among road bike racers who wanted to be able to use both legs through the whole pedal cycle when climbing hills or accelerating. Tightening the strap around the foot allows the rider to pull up with one leg while pushing down with the other. The disadvantages are reduced blood circulation in the foot and difficulty releasing the foot when coming to a stop. More casual riders who use toe clips don't tighten the strap, but instead use the toe clip (or cage) to keep their foot on the pedal in the right position.

The newest pedal design is called a clipless pedal, because there is no toe clip or strap. It offers the same advantages in terms of being able to pull up and holding the foot in the most efficient position over the pedal axle, but does not affect circulation and is easier to release when stopping than with the tightened strap approach. It does, however, require special cycling shoes that are able to attach to the pedal with a mechanism similar to a ski binding. Most road cyclists and many mountain bikers use clipless pedals. The combination of cycling shoe and clipless pedal is much lighter than the other choices and there is no worry of having your foot slip on the pedal when you are really bearing down.

It is not unusual for a cyclist to progress through all three pedal types on the same bike as he or she becomes more accomplished and undertakes more serious rides. The part of the pedal that attaches to the bike is standard, so pedal replacement is very easy. A TIP: If you want to replace your own pedals you need to know that the left side pedal is reverse threaded. In other words you have to turn it as though you are tightening it to get it off. This is done to make you crazy and also to keep the pedal from loosening while you pedal.

Maintenance tips

2007-12-12T08:38:00.000-05:00

Bicycles are pretty resilient machines. They will persevere even when completely neglected. Like any machine, however, performance and life expectancy are affected when maintenance is not performed. Fortunately, bikes are relatively simple and easy to maintain. There are two items on your bike that require frequent attention.

The first is the tires. Examine the sidewall carefully and you will find some valuable information. The tire size and air pressure range are embossed in the sidewall of the tire. The size will be important when you need to replace the tire or a damaged inner tube. Depending on the type of bike the size could be stated either in inches or in metric terms. BMX and mountain bikes are usually stated in inches, and you will find numbers like 20x2.10 or 26x2.35, where the first number is the tire diameter and the second is the inflated width in inches. Most hybrid and road bikes use metric numbers like 700x38 or 700x23, where once again the first number is diameter and the second is width. When replacing a tire you should usually choose a new tire the same size as the original. Inner tubes, however, are like balloons. They expand to fill the space inside the tire, so they are labeled with a size range, like 700x19-28. The first number must match your tire size and your tire's width must fall within the width range of the tube.

Tires should be checked often for proper pressure. The range on the sidewall is sometimes very broad. On a mountain bike tire, for example, you might find a range of 35-80 psi. Road bikes will say something like 115-125 psi. In most cases you will want to be at the upper end of the range. Because the pressures are so high (most cars are in the 30-35 psi range) and the inner tubes are so thin, air pressure is lost through the pores in the tube. Low tire pressures mean you have to work harder to ride the bike, so it is in your best interest to keep the tires properly inflated. A good bike pump with a pressure gauge is a worthwhile investment.

As you begin to ride more often and for longer distances, you will find that flat tires are not uncommon and they hardly ever happen at home. Experienced riders will usually be prepared to deal with flats by taking a few items with them. A spare inner tube and/or a tube patch kit, a small pump or co2 inflator, and a set of tire removal tools can make a flat tire a minor inconvenience instead of a reason to walk your bike home. Less mechanically inclined riders carry a cell phone and pray that someone is available to come and get them. Flat repair is really quite simple, and your local bike shop or an experienced friend can give you a lesson. For an excellent quality bike pump - either the leave at home or portable type - visit www.topeak.com

The other part of the bike that requires occasional attention is the chain. A bike chain is made up of hundreds of bushings, so the concern is friction. As a chain gets dirty or dries out friction increases. Friction causes premature wear and, like low tire pressures it also increases riding effort. Proper use of a good chain lubricant will eliminate friction and improve chain life and performance. Choose a lube that is a wax or contains Teflon, as opposed to a general purpose oil, since oily lubes attract and hold road dust and dirt. Don't lubricate too frequently, as build up may occur. Instead, inspect the chain. If it appears dry or dusty, and especially if you hear squeeks while riding, it's time to lube. If you get caught in the rain while riding, or ride your mountain bike through a stream, you probably washed off some or all of the lube. After the chain has dried replace the lost lubrication. Eventually the chain may become dirty enough that it needs to be cleaned with a citrus degreaser and then re-lubricated. This can be a messy operation, so do it in a place where a little spillage will not cause domestic strife or have your local bike shop do it.

Bicycle tune-ups

2007-12-12T08:08:00.000-05:00

Occasionally during my bike shop days a customer would express surprise at the thought of tuning up a bike. "What is there to tune up?" they would ask. True there are no spark plugs or timing belts or whatever, and maybe there is a better name for the process, but an occasional complete check-over of your bike by a qualified bike mechanic will find and correct various issues before they cause problems. There are good shops and bad shops, but a good shop will carefully check the bike for safety and performance. Things like worn brake shoes, badly adjusted brakes, loose or broken wheel spokes, bent or out-of-true wheel rims, worn tires, rusted cables, etc. are safety issues. Other items like loose bearings in the drivetrain or steering can be corrected by adjustment if caught early. Bike frames should be inspected for damage, and efficient performance of brakes and shifters should be checked. This is also a good time to replace worn handlebar grips or tape.

Mountain bike suspension components also need attention. Manufacturers suggest suspension fork maintenance after a specified number of riding hours. Service varies depending on the fork internals, but usually involves dismantling, inspection, cleaning and relubricating. If the fork is hydraulic, the suspension fluid must be replaced occasionally. In order to keep the seals in good shape the proper fluid must be used, as specified by the manufacturer. Unless you are really into mechanics, this is best left to your bike shop.

As you might imagine, tune-ups sometimes uncover problems that cannot be corrected by a simple adjustment, and that's where repairs come in.

Repairs

2007-12-12T08:00:00.000-05:00

Sooner or later something will wear out or break. If you ride a mountain bike, breakage is often caused by impact because there are lots of trees and rocks out there. I always suggested to my customers that they should crash on the left to avoid drivetrain damage, but they often ignored me. Most bikes today are made of something other than steel, and there is a small part called a replaceable derailleur hanger that is susceptible to damage in a fall. It connects the rear derailleur, or shifter, to the bike frame and is actually designed to bend or break when the derailleur hits the ground. This takes the stress of the impact away from the frame, thereby protecting it. If your bike has fallen over in the driveway and you notice that it is not shifting properly, a bent hanger may be the problem. After a minor impact this part can sometimes be bent back into position, although as you may know, bending and rebending metal weakens it. If your bike shop suggests replacing the hanger, it's usually a good idea to do so.

Wheel spokes are another item that can break in a crash, or eventually just from metal fatigue. Many people don't realize that the spokes are what give the wheel its strength, and also keep it 'true' meaning that they keep the wheel spinning in a single plane rather than wobbling side to side. When a spoke breaks the wheel usually wobbles, and extra strain is placed on the surrounding spokes as well. A broken spoke should be replaced as soon as possible. Most people would be wise to have this done at a bike shop so that the wheel can be trued and the spokes uniformly tensioned.

If your bike has been tuned regularly, brake and derailleur cables should have been replaced as soon as they showed significant rust or fraying. Despite that, though, a cable sometimes breaks during a ride. Obviously, since the cables allow you to stop the bike and shift the gears this is a problem requiring immediate attention. It is very unlikely that you or a riding partner will be carrying spare cables and know how to replace them. Cable breakage is rare enough that most people don't even think about it. You'll just have to limp home unless you come across a shop that is open and able to help a rider in distress.

Occasionally someone will run over something that is big enough and sharp enough to cut a hole in a tire. Obviously, the inner tube will be ruined and hopefully you have a spare. But simply replacing the tube is not going to solve the problem. You'll find that as soon as you start inflating the tube inside the cut tire, the tube is going to start bulging through the cut. Before you start walking home, check your pockets. If you have any paper money it makes a good temporary tire patch in many cases because of its high fiber content. Just fold the bill over and put it between the hole and the inner tube, then inflate. You should be able to ride home, or to someplace where you can get a new tire. Note that this does not apply to simple punctures from a thorn, tack or small piece of glass, since tires are tough enough that small holes do not become rips. I'm referring here to large holes in the tire caused by something sizeable.

Many of today's high end, high performance bikes are made of carbon fiber. This is a light weight and very strong material, but it is also in simplest terms glued string. Construction methods border on rocket science and involve laminating sheets of material over each other in various directions, resulting in components (frames, forks, seatposts, cranksets, handlebars, etc.) that are light and strong when stressed in the right direction. The problem with crashes, though, is that stresses come in all sorts of unplanned directions and can cause something called internal delamination, which means that the sheets of fiber are separating from one another and they're doing it internally where you can't see the damage. If you have a carbon bike or a bike with carbon components and you have had a crash, have the bike checked over carefully by a qualified shop before you ride it again. If you have any doubts, call the manufacturer's customer service department yourself and follow their advice.

If you want to try tackling a few general bike repairs yourself but need a little guidance, try visiting http://www.parktool.com/ and looking for their repair section. Park makes shop quality bicycle specific tools that are used by most shops and their repair tutorials are helpful.

Who should do it?

2007-12-12T07:59:00.000-05:00

The decision of whether to do your own bike maintenance and repairs or take it to the shop is a personal one. Many people are so short on time that they would rather spend it riding than fixing, even if they have the tools and know-how. Others are convinced that the work is too complicated and don't think they can get it right. If you take the time to look at a bike you'll discover that it really is quite simple in design. Depending on your comfort level with a few basic tools, you can handle most of the maintenance and simple repair chores yourself. There is something gratifying about getting to know your bike 'up close and personal' as they used to say on TV, and you'll be better able to deal with any problems that you or a riding partner might encounter miles from home, which is where things usually go wrong.

My saddle bag contains several basic tools like tire levers, an assortment of allen wrenches, a first aid kit for road rash and bee stings, and a spoke wrench I started carrying after a broken spoke caused my wheel to go so far out of true that it could not spin and I had to walk to a phone to call for help. I also carry a patch kit, a small pump and a spare tube, since I've been blessed with more than one flat on the same ride. If you're looking for a good quality bag, visit www.jandd.com

You'll find that flats are by far the most common problem that you will have to deal with, and with a little practice repairing them won't intimidate you. Chain lubrication is also very simple and can be done by anyone with a little instruction. Going beyond routine maintenance requires a little more knowledge, but most people who are comfortable with basic hand tools can still handle it. Once you get to jobs that require special bicycle specific tools it makes more sense to have a bike shop handle it, since some of those tools are too expensive to buy for the few times you will ever use them. Many shops will provide instruction on various repairs, sometimes for a fee, and usually only during their slow season. Bicycle repair classes are also offered by some community colleges that offer adult education courses. If you have the time and inclination, I'd encourage you to give it a shot. It adds another dimension to your enjoyment of your bike.

Going Shopping?

2007-12-12T07:58:00.000-05:00

If you've decided to take the plunge and buy a bike, or even if you are just curious and want to check things out, here's a little knowledge to take with you. First, shops can be divided into two broad categories. There are those that prefer to deal with experienced customers who want high end equipment, and there are those that want to promote cycling at all levels. There is a need for both, but if you're just starting out you probably want the latter. You'll know soon after you arrive which kind of shop you're in. If you're not getting the attention you deserve, the door you came in also lets you out. I'm not saying that you shouldn't be patient if you arrived on a busy day, but I am saying that if you feel ignored you're probably in the wrong place.

You should give some thought to the kind of riding you plan to do. There are many kinds of specialty bikes that are designed to perform best in certain kinds of riding. Cruisers, or beach bikes, have wide tires, a wide saddle and wide handlebars. The riding position is very upright, and these bikes are best suited to very casual low speed riding in non-hilly areas. Next we have hybrids, or city bikes, which are sort of a performance oriented cruiser. They are a little lighter than cruisers, have larger diameter wheels with slightly narrower tires and are better suited to longer distance riding at a slightly faster speed. They are equipped with multiple gears which allow them to handle hills with less rider strain. They perform well on pavement, and some hybrids also have suspension forks and seatposts for more comfort on trails and tow paths where the ground is unpaved and a little uneven. Not quite mountain bikes, not quite road bikes - that's why they're called hybrids. Mountain bikes are designed to work best offroad. Their tires are wide and knobby, their gearing is set to provide help climbing dirt hills, and they have front and sometimes also rear suspension to help keep the rider on the bike when things get rough. These bikes can be ridden on pavement, but their design results in more rider effort on pavement compared to other designs due to their knobby tires and low gear ratios. Road bikes, sometimes called ten speeds or English Racers because they probably originated in Europe and used to have ten speeds, are the bikes you see in the Tour de France and are popular with most amateur club riders and recreational riders in general. They are very light, have very narrow high pressure tires and are geared for speed on pavement. These are the ones with the handlebars that curl down and are ridden by people with colorful shirts and those silly tight lycra shorts - silly, that is until you discover that they are padded. Triathlon bikes are basically road bikes whose design has been modified to improve aerodynamics so that they perform better in races. Teardrop shaped frame tubing and handlebar extensions that allow the racer to ride lower for less wind resistance are part of the design differences.

Giving a little thought to how you want to ride before you hit the showroom floor will save some time and help narrow your search. Some manufacturers offer every type of bike under the same brand. See http://www.specialized.com/ for a full cross section of great quality bikes. Google recently made 350 Specialized Globe bicycles available for use at its Mountain View campus in California, and partnered with Specialized in a contest to develop a pedal-powered machine. See www.innovate-or-die.com for the result.

Join a Club or Ride Alone?

2007-12-12T07:57:00.000-05:00

If there is a cycling club in your area, find out what they are about. Some clubs are geared toward providing training rides for racers. Others offer a broad range of group rides, from beginners to racers. A club that offers rides at your level of interest and ability can add to your cycling experience in many ways. Club rides will introduce you to roads or trails in your area that you've never been on before. The ride leader has planned a route that will eventually get you back where you started, so you can just relax and enjoy the miles in between. For new riders, being with more experienced riders will help get you 'up to speed' faster in terms of riding tips and techniques, learning to deal with minor repairs, etc. The social aspect is also a plus, helping to avoid the boredom that can result from always riding the same route alone.

Solitary riding has the advantage of scheduling freedom. In other words you don't have to ride when a club ride is scheduled. Many beginner riders are also intimidated at the thought of riding with experienced people and worry about being able to keep up or go the whole distance. If you are truly a beginner, you may want to spend a little time on your own to get comfortable with the operation of your bike and to build up a certain amount of endurance, but I'd encourage you to try club riding as soon as you feel confident enough. Many clubs will let a new rider go on a club ride without joining, just to get a feel for the experience. The first club ride I did turned out to be too slow for my ability, so I moved up to the next level on my second ride. Once you find your level you'll find that you often ride with several of the same people and friendships develop. For an example of a good bike club, see www.princetonfreewheelers.com

Of course it's not an either-or proposition, so you can jump on your bike for a solitary ride whenever the mood suits you and then ride with the club on weekends, for example. If you do decide to try a club but don't know if there is one in your area, ask at your local bike shop.