Buying a new bike? Take time to find the right one
Not sure what kind of bike to buy with your tax stimulus payment?
Spring sales can be tempting, but take time before you choose a bike based on its paint color alone.
Unless you are planning to use your bike only once or twice a year, I would recommend avoiding the discount stores and heading straight for your local bicycle shop.
The major types of adult bikes are mountain, hybrid, road, comfort, tandem and recumbent.
To determine the best bike for you, identify what you will use it for and what terrain you'll ride on.
The advantage of mountain bikes is their comfortable, upright riding position and the shock absorption of their wide, low-pressure tires. These bikes were designed for riding off-road and also are good for short, urban trips. The rolling resistance of their knobby 26-inch tires, however, makes them slower on pavement.
The hybrid bike has been around for more than 15 years. It takes many of the features of the mountain bike and combines them with a narrower tire on a larger 27-inch wheel for less road friction. It rides well both on- or off- road, and it makes a great commuting bike.
Comfort bikes also are similar to mountain bikes. They typically have 26-inch wheels, three to 24 gears and may be ridden on recreational trails and streets. Most have shock-absorbing seat posts and are built for comfort rather than speed.
The road bike, on the other hand, is designed for speed and long-distance riding on pavement. The familiar drop handlebars (like your old 10-speed) give the rider many choices for hand position and allow for a more aerodynamic low-riding position. Its narrow tires have minimal road friction.
Tandems have grown in popularity recently. These bicycles built for two are available in off-road as well as road styles and are a great way for couples to ride together while overcoming differences in riding strength. With a child stoker kit, they are also great for letting kids get into the action by riding an adult bike.
Recumbents are the most peculiar-looking style, but with concerns about injuries caused by traditional bike seats, they've become quite popular. The relaxed, reclined position of the seat provides more even weight distribution and is designed to promote comfort and efficiency.
Please take a little time to consider your options before choosing a bike. It's always discouraging to see cobwebbed bikes that, for whatever reason, didn't fit the needs of their owner.
MS Bike Tour: I'm really looking forward to my 11th year riding the MS Bike Tour next month. This two-day bike tour aims to raise $2 million Illinois residents living with multiple sclerosis.
My 14-year-old daughter will be riding the 150-mile route with me for her ninth consecutive year. This year's ride starts June 21, with a 35-, 75- or 100-mile rural trip that loops south from Northern Illinois University in DeKalb. On Sunday, riders will get a chance to try out a brand-new northerly loop from DeKalb via their choice of a 35- or 75-mile route.
Please consider joining us as a rider, sponsor or volunteer for the MS Bike Tour. You can learn more about the ride and fundraising, as well as training tips at ms150.msillinois.org.
• Todd Underwood covers cycling in the Chicago area. To contact him, e-mail to todd@peppergroup.com or write to him c/o Daily Herald, 385 Airport Road, Suite A, Elgin, IL 60123.