After many years of riding single-speed cruisers with coaster brakes, I'm upgrading to a hybrid road bike. What do I need to know?
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posted by therumsgone
on May 7, 2013 -
17 answers
I have a five year old bike - an Avanti Blade.
In those five years it's averaged 2 hours / week of riding.
I'm being told I need to replace not only the chain but the front and back cogs but I have questions .... !
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posted by southof40
on May 6, 2013 -
15 answers
I'm planning a cycling trip to San Francisco to the Pigeon Point Lighthouse in Pescadero in July. I think I have a pretty good idea of how to get there by just following Highway 1, but I'm not sure how to get back.
Instead of going back the way I came, I'd like to ride from Pescadero over the Santa Cruz mountains to Silicon Valley and catch the CalTrain into the city. Can anyone suggest a route? The shorter the better, so the station is not important! I know it'll be a climb.
posted by Borborygmus
on Apr 22, 2013 -
4 answers
I am looking to buy a bike for basic getting-around-the-city purposes and I'd like to better understand the relative advantages of "hybrid" type bikes and "Dutch/upright" type bikes.
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posted by enn
on Apr 4, 2013 -
18 answers
How does it influence my riding if I carry my 3.5 lb bike lock in my bag on my back instead of on the bike frame? Not an athlete, but I like riding fast.
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posted by arhammer
on Jan 29, 2013 -
19 answers
My roommate bikes about 4 miles to work. His feet are size 13 and he uses platform (flat) pedals. He wears pretty chunky shoes. We live in Portland, OR. For HolidayGiftingTime I bought him some Sugoi Resistor booties, but within a month they have shredded and ripped to the point of uselessness. What are some other options for the large-footed, shreddy-pedaled biker? Are there any booties specifically for platform pedals?
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posted by MonsieurBon
on Jan 27, 2013 -
5 answers
Are there any studies on community bike shop impact studies on adult personal & economic self-sufficiency?
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posted by aniola
on Jan 7, 2013 -
11 answers
After 15 years of a VERY sedentary lifestyle, I recently started commuting to work on my bike (about 10 miles each way).
After 9 months, I've really come to enjoy it; I've gained some fitness, lost some weight, and feel great about the transition.
I've been riding an old bike that's I've had sitting in my basement for at least 10 years - a 1996 Specialized Stumpjumper. I replaced the tubes and tires, got it tuned up at a local bike shop, but otherwise, haven't made any changes to it.
I love the bike - it works reasonably well - but I'm wondering if you knowledgeable bike experts would recommend any upgrades that would really make a big difference, and would be money well spent.
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posted by stuehler
on Dec 11, 2012 -
17 answers
We're Brits in Washington DC about to have our first baby! We have bicycles but don't own a car (use Zipcar / taxis). All the standard baby-prep advice seems to assume owning a car... so do you guys have any tips for car-free baby living? In particular: car seats (for occasional use / quick installation), diaper services and bike trailers? Details inside!
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posted by tkbarbarian
on Nov 18, 2012 -
16 answers
Suggestions for a reasonably priced and durable bike for a ten year old?
Thanks in advance, hivemind.
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posted by ryanshepard
on Nov 18, 2012 -
9 answers
What's the best way to get five people, their camping gear and five touring bikes from Washington, DC to Fort Lauderdale and back again?
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posted by fancypants
on Sep 25, 2012 -
12 answers
I'm thinking of getting a new road bike, and would like some help in picking one.
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posted by COBRA!
on Aug 27, 2012 -
45 answers
What are some cities/neighborhoods to live in that are bike commutable (<45 minutes) to 24th and Olympic in Santa Monica? Are there any specific trails or routes I should be paying attention when hunting for housing? Any specific intersections to be avoided?
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posted by minedev
on Aug 21, 2012 -
6 answers
Planes and Trains and Bikes, oh my! or, Going to San Francisco and Portland for a week and a half; what should I do and see and eat?
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posted by vulgar_wheat
on Jul 27, 2012 -
12 answers
Please suggest bike routes in New England that meet some specific criteria. We took our son on a section of the East Bay Bike Path near Providence for his first bike ride last week and he loved it. He sits in an
iBert on Mom's bike. We are looking for similar routes. In looking for similar I articulate what specifically I think is good about this path for us in the extended explanation. We can ride weekdays in addition to weekends. Thanks.
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posted by safetyfork
on Jun 25, 2012 -
11 answers
I changed my bike tire for the first time. Now my shifter/derailer isn't working properly.
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posted by prunes
on Jun 17, 2012 -
20 answers
If I wanted to make a paying hobby out of restoring and updating old bikes, what are some resources that would help me improve my skills, research the right bikes/components, and find the right places to buy them?
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posted by Scientist
on Jun 11, 2012 -
22 answers
I'm planning a bike trip in July. Portland to Minneapolis? What are your experiences biking east from the West Coast?
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posted by rainperimeter
on Jun 5, 2012 -
7 answers
Hey, single-speed / fixed-gear bike conversion experts! Help me buy the right stuff from the right place at the right price!
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posted by apip
on May 22, 2012 -
7 answers
I'd like to buy a new road bike and I think I have a general idea what I'm looking for (aluminum, Tiagra, WSD). Within that class of bikes, how do I choose between the available brands?
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posted by Orinda
on May 14, 2012 -
12 answers
Specifics, please: how can I be a model considerate driver when I'm behind a bicyclist - especially in a park?
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posted by kristi
on Apr 10, 2012 -
22 answers
How do I go from semi-hip-commuter-cyclist-girl to super-awesome-bike-racer-chick? Help me become the female Tom Boonen.
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posted by Dorinda
on Mar 22, 2012 -
13 answers
Assuming all other features of the bicycles are identical, and the price is the same, which brand is better: Batavus, Giant, or Raleigh?
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posted by lollusc
on Nov 15, 2011 -
22 answers
Tell me about bikes. It's been a long time since I've owned one, and when I did I trashed that thing, being a kid and all. Now I would like to get a new one, and one that I can love for many years to come. So, please share your thoughts on brands, hardware and tech.
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posted by zombieApoc
on Oct 26, 2011 -
23 answers
San Diego Filter: Where's the cheapest/best place to rent a bike in SD? Also, I'm thinking about biking from downtown SD to Torrey Pine State Park--is this a good idea?
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posted by bluelight
on Sep 27, 2011 -
5 answers
How can I convince my soon-to-be landlady that keeping bikes inside will not result in damage or a bike-house apocalypse? She's strongly insisting that bikes (currently inside) be moved outside, where they will almost certainly be stolen, and at least damaged by rain/weather. (Long - Lots of context/details about testy maintenance issues with previous leaseholder inside.)
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posted by foodmapper
on Sep 20, 2011 -
26 answers
Our family's four bikes were stolen ! BOO ! We have renters insurance, Yay? Do you have any tips for navigating a successful renters insurance claim for bicycles?
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posted by duckus
on Sep 18, 2011 -
7 answers
I want to buy my wife this "Mamachari"
bike for her birthday. But they are only available in Japan (I'm in the US.) Any suggestions on how I'd purchase and ship one at the lowest price possible?
posted by soulbarn
on Sep 14, 2011 -
7 answers
I just bought a bike yesterday and although I thought it fit okay at the store and riding it around a half-block, after I rode it home for two miles, I found it a bit uncomfortable. So I'm trying to figure out if the bike is indeed too big for me, and what I can do about it since the store's policy is that all bike sales are final.
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posted by quirks
on Aug 28, 2011 -
18 answers
I've just bought a new bike, and I'm desperate to not have this one stolen from me. I even got a foldable one so that I can bring it into my apartment, but besides a good lock (although I'd love suggestions) what other ways can I protect it (for instance, can I register it with the police?). I live in Brooklyn, NY.
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posted by Unred
on Jun 7, 2011 -
20 answers
Bay Area Bike Commuting Filter: So I recently got a bike and was all excited about biking part of my daily commute (to and from my home and work BART stations), but then I discovered that the
bikes on BART rules are such that non-folding bikes pretty much aren't allowed on the train during normal commute hours--"those trains shown in highlighted areas" cover nearly the entire range of the morning commute for anyone who has to be at work between 8:00-9:00am. I'm having a hard time accepting this because surely in a place with such a thriving bike culture there are people who work normal business hours and take their (non-folding) bikes onto BART. Are you one of these people? How do you swing it? I commute from Downtown Berkeley to San Bruno for a 9-5 job and can't seem to find a way to make it work.
posted by rhiannonstone
on May 27, 2011 -
10 answers
