A bicycle built for you—and equipment, too!
By Linda Cabrera
Of The Print
Bicycling is no longer just the
leisure sport it used to be. For
many, it has become an eco
nomic necessity. It’s not un
common to see students or
businessfolk riding their bikes to
and from school or work. With
gasoline prices as they are, do
you blame them?
Whether you are a novice,
professional or just a weekend
biker, you’ll want to be sure the
bicycle you’re riding is safe and
you’re getting the best mileage
out of your bike as possible.
Also, pay attention to your bike
paraphernalia. Is is safe? Is it
necessary?
First *of all, if you already
own a bike but it hasn’t been
out of the garage since last
summer, why not give it a
quick safety check ?
First, look over the entire
bike for any loose or dangling
parts. Tighten bolts on tires,
handlebar stem, saddle and
seat post and be sure lights
and/or reflectors are firmly in
place.
Next, check tires for wear
and embedded gravel or glass.
If tires are extremely worn, get
them replaced or patch up
small punctures with a tire
repair kit. Also, check rims for
bulges or bent parts. Any major
w
Upper right—As bik
ing trends and traffic
increases, helmets
become a necessity
for novice and advanc
ed bikers.
Lower left—Bikes are
available in all sizes
and shapes to satisfy
the needs of each in
dividual biker.
Lower right—Various
accessories
and
clothing can be pur
chased for casual bik
ing, racing and tour
ing.
Page 8
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■ ■
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repairs should be done at a bike
repair shop. For a reasonable
fee they can give your bike a
complete tune-up.'
If you don’t own a bike and
are in the market for one, there
are a few things you should
know before purchasing one.
Harry Garrett of Alan’s Bike
Shop in Oregon City has this to
say: “One of the major dif
ferences in bicycle prices is the
weight of the bicycle. The
lighter the bike, the more
you’re going to have to pay.”
Also, be careful io buy a bike
that fits you. Straddle the bike’s
frame and make sure your feet'
can touch the ground. Take the
bike for a test ride and be sure
you’re investing in a bike that
will be good for you. Garrett
also suggests that the novice or
leisure rider start off with art.in-
expensive bike. If you have any
questions, and you should, ask
around. Call up bike shops and
find out. The salesmen should
be able to answer any ques
tions you might have.
What about “Grab-ons?”
“Skid lids?” Or a number one
pump? Is bicycle paraphernalia
really necessary? It all depends.
Some accessories are just pret
ty and for'looks, others may
even be more harmful than
safe, depending on the rider.
Toe clips or straps for exam
ple, hook onto your bike
pedals and help you to main
tain a continual pedal pressure.
Your feet push down on the
pedals and pul! them back up,
thus saving on your pedal
energy.
The increasingly popular
handlebar grips, called “grab-
ons,” are another accessory.
They aren’t just pretty padding,
though. The grips keep your
hands from slipping by absorb
ing hand perspiration. They
also are a lot more comfortable
than steel bars and provide the
cyclist with a firm gripping
ground. They run about $8 a
pair.
For long trips there’s the
water bottle that starts at about
$1.95. Also a thing called a
“number one pump”.; might
assist you in
emergency
situations.
The pump costs $12.95 and
you can strap it onto your bike
easily,
A tire repair kit costs $,1. A
bike tool set may come in han
dy for minor repairs or ad
justments at $15.95, and you
can also strap this right on your
bike. A bike size can of WD-40
can get out the squeaks for
$1.49.
“Skid lids,” or bike helmets
run about $34.95 and are a
good precautionary method,
especially at the speeds some
bicyclists get up to.'
. If you’re curious about how
far you’ve pedaled, you can
buy a mileage meter for about
$2.95. If you’re riding your
bike to school you might want
to invest in a book rack. They
start at about $26.95. Bike
packs start at $4.50.
Probably your wisest invest
ment will be a lock. A
laminated steel Master brand
lock will run you about $3.50.
There are countless other ac
cessories to put on your bike,
but be choosy because the less
clutter, the less likely your
chances are of losing
something or having them in
terfere with your riding. It’s up
to you which accessories you’ll
want or need, but remember,
thè lighter the bike, the easier it
is to ride and the faster it will
go. Have a great summer
riding your bike in safety!
The prices quoted are from
Alan’s Bike Shop in Oregon
City. Prices are subject to
change without notice.
Staff photos by
Sue Hanneman
Clackamas Community College