Even though Leonardo DaVinci had sketched a design for it 400 years earlier, when the "velocipede" -- a.k.a., the bicycle -- first made its appearance in the 1860s, it was considered little more than an oddity. Few who saw it believed that the strange-looking apparatus would ever fulfill the promise for which it was touted: to replace the horse as the dominant mode of human transportation. That's hardly a surprise, judging from the early designs that came outfitted with metal wheels and a wooden frame. Little wonder that the early bicycles were nicknamed "boneshakers." Cut to the present day. You can now walk into an upscale cycle boutique and pick out a bike with a frame made of super-lightweight titanium alloy, a set of precision components comprising more than 20 gears and an advanced rider-suspension system -- not to mention a pricetag of several thousand dollars. But perhaps you're not planning to go off-roading in Moab or enter the tour de France. You may prefer to make a more modest investment and acquire something that's simply suited for an afternoon ride around your neighborhood. Either way, you'll be enjoying an outdoor activity that's a proven source of aerobic exercise and strength conditioning. The first step in selecting a bike is deciding which type of riding you want to do: high-speed road riding, off-road adventuring, leisurely pleasure riding or some combination of those. Belma Johnson, host of DIY's Family Sports, talks with Darryl Glascock -- a bicycle specialist for Galyan's Sports -- about the most popular categories of bicycles as well as some safety equipment and accessories that are available. Mountain bikes have a durable, rugged construction (figure A) and are designed to survive being ridden off-road -- over dirt trails, rocks, roots and other rough terrain. Their characteristics include a low, compact frame; thick, knobby tires for extra grip on slippery surfaces; and wide, high handlebars for a stable, upright ride. They may employ upward of 25 gears for adaptability in a wide range of riding conditions, and many of the more technical (and expensive) models also employ a suspension system that serves to absorb some of the bumps and jarring encountered in off-road situations. Suspension systems may range from a set of shock-absorbers on just the front forks to an elaborate and adjustable full system that includes rear suspension (figure B) as well. Some utilize toe-clips or "cages" to keep the rider's feet secure on the pedal through rough rides; others feature a clipless design where the pedal connects by means of a specialized cleat to the bottom of the rider's shoe. The clipless variety offers the advantage of enhancing pedaling efficiency. You may choose from a variety of seat styles, but most used on mountain bikes are low profile and lightweight. The bike frame may be of steel, aluminum or lightweight alloy. Generally, the lighter the material used to make the frame, the more expensive the bike will be. Though they have a thicker frame and more robust construction than road-racing bikes, the best mountain bikes are nevertheless highly engineered performance machines. Depending on the materials used and the sophistication of design, they may range in price from several hundred to several thousand dollars. A high-quality mountain bike suitable for novice to intermediate riders generally costs around $700. Road bikes, modeled after the high-performance models used in road racing, utilize a taller, and often more slender, frame. They are lightweight, built for speed and intended for use on paved roads. These bikes utilize a greater wheel diameter and narrower tires than off-road bikes. Their aerodynamic road-racing design (figure C) is intended to optimize pedaling efficiency so that each rotation of the pedals yields maximum forward momentum. The result is that you travel farther and faster with less effort. The drop-style handlebars (figure D) are positioned so that the rider can lean fully forward, thereby reducing wind resistance -- an important consideration in racing. Multiple gear settings allow the rider to compensate for the incline of the road and select from a range of gear positions so as to minimize fatigue over a long ride. Road bikes generally use a very light slimline seat to further reduce weight. As with mountain bikes, the frame may be made from a variety materials, and the price of the bike is often most dependent on the type of material used. Prices for a good aluminum-frame bike will generally start around $600 to $700. Comfort bikes, some of which are known as hybrid bikes, are a popular style in which the design (figure E) is oriented more toward comfort than performance. They offer a mix of features found on mountain bikes and road bikes. For instance, they may use tires that have a relatively smooth center tread for riding on pavement but knobby lugs on the outer edges in case you want to veer off onto a trail (figure F). Some offer convenience features such as comfortable gel seats, a gauge that indicates what gear you're in (figure G) and grip-style shifters. Since they don't need the high-end components and ultralight frames used in the performance-oriented models, these tend to be less expensive -- starting around $250 to $300.
RESOURCES :
TrakStand Indoor Trainer
TrakStand Indoor Trainers
are available from Blackburn Designs
A divsion of Bell Sports bicycle brands
Web site:
www.blackburndesign.com
or
www.bellsports.com
Galyan's
Galyan's
2437 E. Main St.
Plainfield, IN 46168
Phone: 317-532-0200
Fax: 317-532-0200
Web site:
www.galyans.com
or
www.mvp.com
BIKE Magazine
Web site: www.bikemag.com
Bicycling magazine
Web site: www.bicyclingmagazine.com
Mountain Bike magazine
www.mountainbike.com
Pedaling History Bicycle Museum
Web site: www.pedalinghistory.com
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