bicycles

After researching bikes for a couple of weeks, I decided to go with a Hybrid.  This is a cross between a Road Bike and a Mountain Bike.  The nice thing about the Hybrids is that you sit a little more upright on the bike and the tires are a little wider making for a smoother ride.  From what I understand, the biggest compromise with this bike (as well as mountain bikes in general) is speed.  Since I’m not planning to do any bike racing, I could care less about going fast. 

I test drove a few bikes and decided on the Schwinn Sierra GS.  I loved the ride and it was very cute which is important!  I think the last bike I owned was purple.  That was about 30 years ago.  I’m not exaggurating! 

A word about supporting local business:

It can be difficult to pass up the big box stores on purchases like bicycles.  My good friend bought a Schwinn bike she adores from Target for almost 1/2 what I paid for mine and when I started out down the buy-a-bike road, that was my plan.  It was purely financial.  However, after visiting Barnard’s in Oak Park, IL there was no question I’d be spending a little more money to get a better bike, take advantage of their expert service and most importantly support local business.  Barnard’s has been in business since 1911.  The sales guy took his time to educate me on the differences of the bikes they sell and after he described the challanges of buying bikes from big box stores, I was convinced.  If you buy a bike from a big box store, you’re on your own to assemble and service it.  But, at Barnard’s, the pros assemble it, then give you a free tune up at 90 days, 1 year, and 2 years - FREE!  SOLD!

A word about customer service:

When I went to buy my bike on Saturday, Barnard’s was unexpectedly closed.  And since I’m the most impatient person on the planet, I promptly went over to another cycle store in the area to try to find a bike.  I walked in and strolled around for about 5 minutes and nobody said a single word to me.  It was as if I wasnt there.  What offended me was that, when a bicycle police guy came in the door, they were all over him with their great customer service.  What am I, chopped liver?  I left having never spoken to a sales person.  I was very tempted to name the store in this post to illustrate what bad customer service can do, but I’m sparing them this time.  Shame on you, snooty bike shop!  You lost a sale, buddy!

I took my new ride out for a few minutes last night but there seems to be a problem with the seat slipping so I’ll need to take it back to the shop tonight. But, other than that, I’m in love already!  I think this thing is going to change my life. 

What kind of bike do you have?  Do you ride often?  What kind of riding do you do?

While searching Craigslist for a used bicycle I ran across an ad for a gas powered one.  Isn’t this sort of like an oxymoron? 

Even though the advertisement says that it get’s 100-200 miles to the gallon, I wonder about the emissions and pollution.  Is it similar to a lawn mower with a comgas powered engine that creates worse pollution that a car? 

If you own one of these gas powered bicycles, we need to hear from you, STAT!

It occurred to me today that I could have ridden a bicycle to any place I’ve gone in the last 48 hours, if I owned a bicycle. 

By now we’re all pretty well versed in the badness of motorized vehicles, so I’ll spare the lecture this time.  I remember Ed Begley saying on the subject of transportation; “my first choice is to walk, next is my bike, next is public transportation, next is my electric car.”  Thanks for the great advice, Ed!

Benefits of bicycling:

1. Great exercise
2. It’s cheap (no gas required)
3. It’s green (no pollution)
4. It’s less dangerous (if I hit somebody on my bike, it’ll probably hurt a lot less than if I hit them with my car, yes?)

I live too far to commute via a bicycle but on the weekend I think I could really utilize a bicycle for almost all my travels.  The trouble is that I don’t know the first thing about bicycles.  There are Road Bikes, Mountain Bikes, something called a “Comfort Bike” and Hybrids.  I’ve read up on all of them but I do not see a clear winner, yet.  I need a bicycle consultation! 

Did I mention that I’m not even sure I know how to ride a bicycle?  I know I know, you never forget how to ride a bike, alledgidly.  But my gosh it’s been like a million years since I rode one, seriously!  Plus, I’m extremely clumsy. 

Which kind of bicycle would you recommend for me?  I’ll mostly be using it to get around my neighborhood on the weekend.

image courtesy of uh.edu