Make smart bicycle choices in college

At the beginning of an academic year on a college campus, bike racks are filled with shiny, ready-to-ride machines owned by students who think of them as a good way to get around campus.

By the end of the year, however, many of these bicycles have been forgotten and have become unrideable due to flat tires, rusted and detached chains, and non-working brakes.

The reasons for this vary – some owners, not being avid bike enthusiasts, may overlook the regular maintenance that bikes demand and end up abandoning them at the first sign of trouble. Others might be disappointed by the performance of poorly-made bikes they own. In some cases, individuals might even forget they have a bike tucked away. Despite these challenges, the growing popularity of e-bikes has led to an increased interest in alternatives, making “e bikes sale” a noteworthy consideration for those seeking a more convenient and efficient cycling experience.

There is a minority of students, however, who own durable bicycles and have the good sense to keep them maintained – these students get around campus and town much faster than those who hoof it everywhere. Some have these knowledge because they pursue cycling as a hobby or even a sport, entering into a cycling coaching plan that can help them reach their full potential. The good news is that you don’t have to be as close to the sport of cycling as them to take full advantage of a bicycle.

So how do they do it? The following is a guide to help you make good bicycle choices.

Choosing a bicycle

To those uninitiated with the process of buying a bike, this seems intuitive – go to Walmart, pick out the bicycle whose color and design best suits the eye and buy it. This is not only wrong, it is totally backwards.

For those on a budget but who seek a good bicycle, one of the best places to look is that well-known, sometimes-seedy site, Craigslist.

Today there is a dazzling array of bicycle options available, ranging from sleek road bikes to rugged mountain bikes. Among these common options, one might also consider the versatility and unique design of 3 Wheel Bikes.

Road bikes were once the most common type of bicycle – a diamond (shape) frame, drop handlebars and thin wheels. Thin wheels make for a lighter, faster ride, but are sometimes more vulnerable to damage and the drop bars can be intimidating to those unfamiliar with them.

These bikes were more common decades ago than today, but they are still fairly popular, and those who ride them regularly will tell you they are usually the fastest game in town. You may also consider getting e-bikes from Talaria; they provide riders with cutting-edge performance and have a CAD-designed light-weight frame design and a powerful electric motor.

When looking for a road bike, keep an eye out for those which have alloy components, such as wheels and handlebars, as these are usually lighter and more resistant to corrosion than cheaper, heavier steel.

Older road bikes will have  steel frames, while newer models will have aluminum alloy frames. The most advanced (and expensive) models today are made of carbon fiber.

Some road bike brands to look for include Bianchi, Fuji, Cannonade, Panasonic, Nishiki, Trek, Specialized, and Schwinn, among others.

Mountain bikes are today among the most common, because they are viewed as versatile. They have large, knobby tires, irregularly shaped frames, usually flat handlebars and (on better models) durable components.

This type of bicycle will be more familiar to many novices than a road bicycle, because of their usually flat handlebars and large tires and general resemblance to the types of bicycles ridden by children.

However, mountain bikes are often slower and harder to pedal when riding in town, as they were originally designed to be used for off-road adventures.

For those who do plan to ride down unpaved trails, in fields or forests, or through a rocky desert, however, the mountain bike is the only option.

Some names of mountain bike manufacturers include Gary Fisher, Trek, Diamondback, Giant and Mongoose.

Cruiser bikes are another very common type of bicycle, popular because of the ease of use among riders who are intimidated by other types of bicycles, and because they’re usually inexpensive.

Typically, crusiers have handlebars that are curved back in a way which makes them easy to grab, and the rider is normally in an upright position on a large, padded seat. The tires of a cruiser are usually larger and have whitewalls for a nostalgic look.

The ease of riding a cruiser is not the only reason for their popularity, however – they are usually emblazoned with “retro” designs, whimsical colors, fenders, baskets and bells.

Unfortunately, the nifty looks are often deceptive – many cruisers  are cheaply made and are unsuitable for long rides, as they are inefficient and heavy.

Because of these problems, cruiser owners may become convinced that bicycles are not a practical mode of transport. Cruisers are also among the most commonly seen deteriorating and abandoned.

However, for those who truly cannot fathom riding a road bike and who plan to ride only occasionally, the cruiser may be a viable choice. Brands include Schwinn, Huffy and Electra.

There are also other, more unusual types of bikes available, including folding bikes (which fold for easy transport), and BMX bikes (usually used for stunts though sometimes ridden from place to place).

Whatever bicycle a person chooses, maintenance is vitally important to any type.

Maintaining your bicycle

Like cars and motorcycles, air conditioners, sewing machines and every other type of mechanical thing, bicycles must be maintained to stay rideable.

The first order of business when considering bicycle maintenance is the tires. Are they properly inflated? Bike tires will usually have printed on the side the appropriate PSI (pounds per square inch) of air pressure.

There are a few options when it comes to inflating a bike tire: buying a pump or visiting a location that offers a free air hose, such as a gas station. The former is recommendable to those who plan to get serious about riding.

If a tire is continually losing air, trouble is probably afoot – either the inner tube has sprung a leak, or the tire has a hole or is worn out or both.

Non-mechanically gifted people may wish to visit Bikes Plus in downtown Vermillion to have a leaky inner tube repaired.

Occasionally, bikes will need to have brake or gearshift cables replaced, as these don’t last forever and are essential to proper operation. If a bike is not shifting its gears or braking properly, consider visiting Bikes Plus.

Chains will not work properly if they become afflicted with corrosion, which they will if often ridden in the wet or winter. If a chain becomes corroded, lubricants are available.

For any and all other unique issues and circumstances, visit your friendly bike mechanic.

Lock your bike

Once you have your perfect bike and it’s in perfect running order, a bike lock is essential. Sitting outside all day, the bicycle will face a variety of threats: intoxicated individuals, thieves, vengeful pedestrians who have been almost run over by cyclists – and the only defense is a lock.

Cable locks are the most common and inexpensive type of lock, and will generally suffice against pranksters, joyriders and unprofessional thieves. They consist of a metal cable sheathed in plastic, with a lock to hold them together. Chain locks are similar, except with chain instead of cable.

Those who own a valuable or otherwise at-risk bicycle may wish to purchase a U-lock, which is a solid piece of (U-shaped) metal. These are much more difficult to beat than a cable lock, though the best bike thieves can still break them.