Bike maintenance, suitability also matter
| • | Cycling in the city |
| • | Bike quiz: Rules of the road |
By Michael Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer
It's difficult for cyclists to account for all of the potential hazards on the road. One thing you can control is suitability and condition of your bicycle.
Riding a bicycle that is poorly chosen or improperly maintained can increase your chances of getting into an accident, developing an injury or getting stranded at an inopportune time.
Spanish visitor Felipe Bremer, 21, spent last week touring Honolulu on a $70 bicycle he bought at Kmart.
"It's a girl's bike," he said, gesturing to the undersized, purple bike. "But that's all right. I'm only here for a week and a half."
That's a good thing. Any longer and Bremer might have run into trouble with his hunched-over posture, abbreviated pedaling form and loose hand brakes.
Wally Parcels, owner of Bike-factory Sportshop, said many beginning riders opt for the cheapest bike they can find, usually from one of the large Mainland box stores. The result is they often end up with a bicycle ill-suited for their body dimensions and riding needs.
While most casual beginning riders do not need the full package of high-tech components available with top-of-the-line bikes, going too cheap can be dangerous.
"They might not get a bike that is the right size, or it might not be assembled and adjusted properly," Parcels says. "A lot of times we get people in here who need to replace tires that aren't made from good materials."
When buying a bike, it's most important for cyclists to identify the type of riding they intend to do, figure out how much they can spend and find an appropriate bike in the appropriate size.
For road bikes, riders should be able to straddle the frame of the bike with about an inch of clearance between their crotch and the top horizontal bar. Mountain-style bikes may be slightly shorter.
When pedaling, riders' legs should be almost fully extended at the lowest point of the cycle.
Parcels said the height and position of the handlebars, the shape and position of the seat, and a host of other factors need to be considered before making the final purchase.
In general, stores that specialize in bicycles are better suited to help riders find the bike best suited to their needs. Test rides and comparison shopping are musts.
Once you buy your bike, simple, periodic checking and maintenance can help you ensure that you're fit for the road.
There are dozens of good bike maintenance books available, and most bike-shop mechanics will be willing to show you the proper way to lubricate your chain, check your brakes and shifters and maintain optimal tire pressure.
