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Handlebar Tape For a Better Grip

Posted by TimD in BikeAhead - (0 Comments)

I never really felt fully comfortable on my bike. It is not that I am a bad cyclist, I am in fact quite good. That said, my palms tend to get sweaty. Following traffic rules means that I cannot cycle on the sidewalk, and with my sweaty loose grip I was always afraid of what might happen to me in busy intersections.

To ensure my safety I knew I needed two important bike accessories. For one thing I needed a sturdy helmet. If something was going to happen I wanted to be sure that my head was protected, but perhaps less obviously I need some handle bar tape. Cycling accessories are not all cosmetic and high tech. Some of these items are absolutely must haves, simply to effectively and safely bike around.

Some extra gripping tape is important to keep on you at all times. Even if you do not have the same sweaty palmed problem I have, things can get treacherous on the open road. You want to be able to keep as strong a hold on your handlebars as possible should turbulence occur.

So when shopping for bike supplies, do not forget the handlebar tape and ride as always with safety in mind.

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Finding the Perfect Helmet: Part 2

Posted by KristinG in BikeAhead - (Comments Off)

Last week we were talking about one of the most important cycling accessories: bike helmets. After discussing what type of helmet you need for your riding style, it’s time to concern ourselves with the fit of the helmet.

Usually helmets on the lower end of the price scale, and those that are for the more casual rider, will come in a one-size-fits all for men or women. Because fit is so important however, you should measure your head to make sure that your head will actually properly fit into the helmet. Below you’ll find an approximation in inches and centimeters. You’ll want to check the product carefully though before purchasing as these are approximate measurements.

Small: 20″-21.75″ (51cm-55cm)
Medium: 21.75″-23.25″ (55cm-59cm)
Large: 23.25″-24.75″ (59cm-63cm)
Extra-small, extra-large: Below 20″ (51cm), above 24.75 (63cm)
One size fits all (men): 21.25″-24″ (54cm-61cm)
One size fits all (women): 19.75″-22.5″ (50cm-57cm)

The best way to find out if the helmet fits is by trying it on. It should sit flat on your head and should not slip backwards or forwards. It should sit about one inch above your eyebrows and not be overly or annoyingly tight. If you find that the helmet is too large even if you got the closest size to your head that you could, another great bike accessory to buy is an adjusting ring. This will fit inside the helmet and create the proper fit for you to safely ride.

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Finding the Perfect Helmet: Part 1

Posted by KristinG in BikeAhead - (Comments Off)

There are only thirteen states in this country that do not have any type of helmet laws whether they be state or local. Helmets are one of the most important cycling accessories that are available to you. It just makes sense to wear one (especially since you might be breaking a law by NOT wearing one!).

To find the perfect helmet you need to consider several aspects of your riding style. The first one is what type of riding you do. There are three different types of helmets: sports helmets, road bike helmets, and mountain bike helmets.

Sport helmets are the most economical of all the helmets. They are for your commuters and casual riders. Because they are the cheapest they are usually the heaviest and need to be replaced often.

Road bike helmets are popular for their featherlight. They have fantastic ventilation and are incredibly aerodynamic. This makes them perfect for long rides and for the more serious rider. Because of their popularity and specialty features, these can be some of the most expensive helmets on the market.

Mountain bike helmets are probably the most heavy duty of these cycling accessories. They’re designed to withstand branches and other trail obstacles. Because they’re so heavy they’re not recommended for the every day rider. Unless you think you’ll get smacked by a passing pedestrian!

Back to Basics

Posted by KristinG in BikeAhead - (Comments Off)

Cycling is becoming more and more popular around the country. Bike shops are popping up everywhere from Portland to Prospect Park (maybe especially in Prospect Park.) As more and more novices to the riding community hit the internet for advice, now might be a good time to go back to the basics of biking and catch them up.

First of all, welcome to cycling. It’s a great sport or alternate transportation and I promise you’re going to love it. Now, onto the tips. When you’re just starting out you’re not going to need something as advanced as a cycling computer but there are key cycling accessories that you should get when just starting out.

Assuming you’ve already got yourself a bike helmet which should be your first priority, get yourself a good onguard bicycle lock. This will prevent your bike from being, well, stolen, and ruining this great new thing you’ve got going on. Don’t skimp on the lock. As with any hobby, the nicer your equipment the easier your ride (forgive the pun.) A good bike lock will last you a very long time whereas a cheaper bike lock will be susceptible to bolt cutters.

You should then equip your bike with LED lights and taillights so that you are safe and visible to all around you.

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Bike Computers Give You Everything

Posted by DanielA in BikeAhead - (Comments Off)

When I was a marathon runner, I relied heavily on my GPS watch. That watch could do it all, it gave me my pace, time, location, pedometer, even my heart rate. It was like having a little computer on my arm and anything I needed or wanted to know could be gleaned from that little watch.

When I switched over to biking instead of running, I still wore the watch but honestly it turned into a bulky timepiece that wasn’t much good for cycling. That’s when I started looking for an alternative. Cycling computers were most definitely the best thing I found. In specific, the Sigma Rox 8.0 bike computer can show you absolutely anything you want to know from altitude and temperature to heart rate and calorie burning calculator. It also is water tight, runs on batteries, and can be plugged into your computer. I could even stop wearing my watch because it told me the date, time, and had an alarm.

For someone who is transferring over from being an avid runner and having all of your mileage stats at your fingertips, a cycling computer is definitely one of the biggest must have cycling accessories. I’m surprised this thing doesn’t make me a carb-loaded breakfast as well.

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Why Does My Bike Chain Slip?

Posted by DanielA in BikeAhead - (Comments Off)

bike suppliesWhen I’m at a red light, if I see that I’ve got plenty of time to start pedaling and get moving before the bus about two hundred yards comes to its green light, I start pedaling hard, which sometimes causes my chain to slip.

It makes a horrible noise, and  provides me with fear that the oncoming bus will not be able to stop and that I will not be able to cross in time and will fly high before lying facedown in the gutter after he hits me. The noise is embarrassing because people waiting for the bus can hear it and they look up and think what’s wrong with that guy’s bike supplies.

Well, my chain’s old. And, I recently got a new cassette and since I ride a freewheel, they wear out differently. I have to take it to my local bike shop to find out if the chain is worn. If it isn’t, it could be a number of other problems, such as a bent tooth on my gears, or the front chainrings or possibly even the cassette ratchet body. If it’s a problem like that, it’s best to take it to a pro bike mechanic who really knows his bike supplies and bicycle accessories.

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LED Light For Night Cycling

Posted by TimD in BikeAhead - (Comments Off)

It is definitely getting darker earlier. When I left the office on my bike last night I was actually a bit rattled not to have any sort of reflective gear or lights to guide my way. I guess now I know I’ll have to be better prepared as the Fall sets into Winter.

Luckily in preparation for the Fall I went out and got a new LED light for my handle bars as well as a few extra reflectors for the back of my bike. This will ensure that I can continue to bike into the wee hours of the night, while ensuring my continued safety of course. The LED light in particular is among the best cycling accessories I have added to my collection lately. It acts as a headlight while also making me clearly visible to cars with whom I am sharing the roads.

Night cycling is not for everyone. Some folks need the coverage of a lot of street lights and natural lights to feel comfortable and confident biking an area. That makes sense to me, though I tend to enjoy the perceived solitude of biking in the dark. I also enjoy knowing that I have taken the necessary precautions to ensure a safe arrival home.

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Helmets Are Must Have Bike Accessories

Posted by DanielA in BikeAhead - (Comments Off)

bike supplyAlthough wearing a bike helmet is the law in many states, it should be worn regardless of where you live. Would you feel safe not wearing a seat belt in a car? So, why take the same risk when riding a bicycle? You can’t forgo these bicycle accessories; there are three basic styles for helmets:

  1. Sports helmets are actually good for commuters, road, and mountain bikers.
  2. Road helmets are more expensive, but they weigh less, have an aerodynamic design, and more ventilation.
  3. Mountain bike helmets are typically less expensive than road helmets. They are designed to offer maximum protection with more rear-head coverage.

Picking the right size is crucial to ensure your head is well protected. Once you figure out what size you are, you can adjust the fit. The helmet should sit level on your head and the forehead should be protected. It should be snug, but not so tight that it’s bothersome.

While weight of a helmet is important, it should be a secondary consideration for recreational cyclists. The less is weighs, the more the price goes up. Pick a helmet with plenty of vents to keep you cool. A visor is a nice addition to protect you from the sun, but some find it annoying.

It’s recommended you replace these cycling accessories every 5 years. But, do not hesitate to purchase a new one the moment you notice damage.

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Patch or Subway or Bike Supplies?

Posted by DanielA in BikeAhead - (Comments Off)

bike supplyTo bike or not to bike? Whether ’tis better to brave the triumphant rains, and their strewing of particulate matter, which could possibly pop my tire, or to head to the subterranean warrens filled with bodies and oppressive heat and humidity? I think I’ll choose the former.

I don’t have a spare tube in my bike kit; I’ve been lazy and haven’t replaced the last one I used. I do have a patch kit, which is a last resort piece of bike supplies. My other bike accessories are ready. I’m not especially good at patching a tire, I’ve only done it a couple of times. I know that it’s very important to thoroughly sand the rubber so that the hole diminishes in size. During my last flat, a man asked me if we still patch with a lighter. I said no. He said a lot’s changed since I was a kid, and laughed. But he didn’t even look that old.

So I guess I’ll take my chances. Worst come to worst I get a flat, and either try to patch it with my bike supplies  if I’m near a gas station (or even better a flat fix shop, where I can get air for free), or find myself beckoned into that subterranean rabbit-hole.

 

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Get Bike Supplies for Bike Riding Days

Posted by DanielA in BikeAhead - (Comments Off)

bike suppliesCertain days were meant for bike riding. The poor unfortunate souls without bikes walk like the dinosaurs in Fantasia meeting their end, stomp, stomp until they want to collapse on their daily errand route, while we, survivors of the apocalypse, get to ride our bikes around town.

My friend recently bought a new bike. It has thick wheels, is all black and is generally pretty intimidating. The handlebars are shortened and it has a pedal-back brake. He uses an Onguard bicycle lock but he could probably just let it lean on its kickstand and people would back away from it, assuming contact with it could cause an electric shock.

There’s something about riding that bike, devoid of bike accessories, without even proper handle grips, around on a beautiful spring day. It may be like riding a Cadillac with its top down. You aren’t going for speed; it’s a joy ride. Relaxation and purity. You see the neighborhood, the trees and nature, and you also see the bike’s soul. You pedal quickly in high gear so it looks like the kind of bike you ride for the sake of riding, not necessarily to get anywhere. That’s the kind of bike to ride on the days meant for riding.

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