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| *Vultures Knob>>>Mountain Bike |
I have just purchased a brand new mountain bike for transportation/recreation... any great tips I should know? |
I'm in Berkeley, Ca. and am brand new to the area. I am 21 and in pretty decent shape (college volleyball). I do know how to ride a bike. I am no stranger to the outdoors. My bike is far from top of the line but adequate (I hope, it's a WalMart special-21 speed Mongoose XR-75). Just some general advice: Keep your tires properly inflated - it's alot easier to get around. Use your signals. Always wear a helmet. Keep properly hydrated. After a few months, have the spokes tightened. After a few more months, have them tightened again. (It will ride better.) Get a good, long bike chain that will fit through both wheels, the frame, and the bike rack. And always keep a tire repair kit with compressed air inflater - you will eventually need it. Source(s): I've been riding for over 35 years. Walmart bikes are good for commuting, not so good for extreme activities... Stay on the road and you should be fine. They may offer one free tune-up within 6 months of purchase, or something. Don't forget to use it (I did). Get a bike map and enjoy the ride! keep your chain lubed, try something like pedro's ice wax. I bought my mtn bike in '00 and have never done ANYTHING to it except lube the chain and I haven't had one problem. everything still works just a well as the day I bought it. and I have taken this thing on trails from Texas, Colorado, Oregon, Arizona.... you get the picture. I will tell you this though, no matter how comfortable you think your seat is, it's a good decision to invest in some comfortable gel padded bike shorts. Happy riding I know about the city of Berkeley. It is a college town that is familiar with cyclist. So drivers are very cautious when they see cyclist on the road. that's a good thing. The streets are narrow so you must use your hand signals when turning. Make sure you have good lights and reflectors before riding at dusk or later. I even put reflector tape on my helmet and bike shoes. Finally don't wear your iPod when you are riding. You need all of your senses when you are riding in traffic including your hearing. Stay safe!!! Like mcmuffin said, inflate your tires. Most flats are caused by underinflation leading to pinch flats where the pavement pinches the wheel into the tube. Invest in a good floor pump to keep where you store the bike and get into the habit of checking your tire pressure at least every other ride (or every ride if there's a lot of time between rides). My other advice - wear a helmet! Always. I bike a lot and 2 weeks a girl got hit by a car right in front of my house. She was lucky she hit butt first and not head first and was able to hobble away. She was riding from her house to her friends house-a trip of 3 blocks so it really can happen anywhere. Enjoy your bike! |
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