|  You
are the most important part of your bicycle. Your bike should be
sized to fit your body proportions and should match your style of
riding, your skill level and where you plan to ride. The equipment
you need depends on the type of riding you plan to do, but a safety-rated
helmet and a strong lock are essential. Whether your bike is new
or old, its gears, chain, brakes and tires must be in good working
order.
A good bike shop can help you find the right bike for your needs
and help you keep it in good working order.
If you’re planning to start riding a bike to work, here’s
a quick introduction to the tools of the trade.
Commuter Bikes
The best choice for bike commuting is a mountain bike adapted with smooth, fat-tires.
You can purchase new tires at any bicycle shop for around $30 each and the shop
should be able to make the tire replacement for you. A racing style frame is
less suitable for urban riding because the thin tires are too hard and vulnerable
for rough roads. It’s also difficult to watch traffic in the head-down
racing position.
Beater Bike
If you’re only using your bike to ride to and from a transit station or
you don’t have far to ride, you may want to go with an inexpensive or used “beater” bike.
Beater bikes may not impress your friends, but they’re less vulnerable
to theft.
Folding Bikes
Folding bikes literally fold up so they can be carried onto buses
and trains that otherwise prohibit bikes during peak commute hours
(check the Bikes on Transit page for
specific bike restrictions). If you’re serious about biking
to work and you need to take transit, this could be a great choice.
Make sure that the folding bike you choose is light-weight or
that you are able to carry it.
Folding bicycles usually have smaller wheels. If you prefer full-sized
wheels but still want the convenience of a folding bike, you may
also consider a coupling system. In a coupling system, your
full-size bicycle frame is cut in half and the couplers enable you
to take the bike apart and put it back together with a special tool. See S&S Machine’s
website, the manufacturer
of a popular coupling system.
Recumbent Bikes
Recumbent bikes come in a variety of styles, shapes
and sizes and are generally thought of as being fun to ride. There
are two basic styles of recumbent bikes: ones with a short wheelbase
and those with a long wheelbase. The short wheelbase bikes usually
have the front wheels placed by the rider's knees. The long wheelbase
bikes tend to have the seat about a foot off the ground with the
front pedals being placed in front of you rather than below you.
Steering can be over seat, under seat, or no-hands steering. Other
recumbent bikes have three wheels and are called trikes, some of
which are designed to be pedaled with hand cranks. The advantages
of using recumbent bikes are that they can be more comfortable
to ride due to the seat and handle bar placements that provide
a more “relaxed” feeling
while riding. They are also good for riders who have wrist, neck,
or back injuries because they can take the pressure off of areas
unable to bear much weight. One thing to watch out for when taking
your recumbents on public transit is that they don’t always
fit on the bike racks provided. For more information, please check
our Bikes on Transit web page, or contact
the transit agency directly.
Touring Bikes
Touring bicycles are made for long-distance cycling
trips. They usually have the capability to carry overnight/camping
gear and feature accommodations for varied types of trips (e.g.,
steep hills and flat, long distances). Click
here (PDF) for the Adventure
Cyclist Association's guide to choosing a touring bike.
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