Finding Your Perfect Ride
F
inding the right bike depends on your purpose and what kind of rider you are. There are bikes for paved roads and speed, rocky terrain and the casual trek to the corner market. The best place to start is with a bike special- ist that can explain the pros and cons of each type. Here are a few different types of bikes and their functions:
Electric: A eco-friendly way to com- bine pedal power with the assistance of a small, no-gas electric motor that can travel 40 to 50 miles at up to 20 miles per hour on a single charge.
Longtail/Cargo: Designed for carrying everything from shopping bags to kids, an extended mount for the back tire provides a long, flat seat with space on either side for saddlebags or attachments.
Mountain: For durability and comfort- able riding position, versus speed. The sit- ting position is more upright, with straight handlebars, providing a good option for individuals with back problems.
Recumbent: Ergonomically designed with higher pedals and large, back- supporting seats that distribute a rider’s weight—allowing people of all shapes and sizes to lean back and pedal comfortably.
Road: Designed for speed and riding on paved streets, with lightweight frames, skinny tires and a riding position that positions the rider over the handlebars.
Touring: Stable design with a comfort- able, upright riding position, they offer the option of carrying heavy loads, with mounting points for luggage racks, fenders and bottle cages.
Beach Cruiser: Known for durability and heavy weight, these steel-framed bikes feature, balloon tires, single speed and upright ridding position.
16 Los Angeles
NaturallyLA.com
PEDALING PLEASURE
Find a Bike that Fits Your Style by Randy Kambic
M
ay is here—National Bike Month—heralded by a new Outdoor Industry Association study, which reports that bicycling is adult Americans’ second-favorite out- door activity, after running. Its popular- ity is not surprising: Biking provides energizing aerobic and cardio exercise, flexibility, freedom, access and simply makes anyone feel young and vital. “Everyone remembers their first bike and learning to ride it,” says Micah Rice, managing director of national events with USA Cycling, in Colorado Springs. “Parents can tap into that inter- est and the entire family can participate in a ride around the block, along a bike path, on an adventurous bike trail or in a local group fun ride. Cycling is easier than running, because it is less hard on your body and you can ride at any pace or distance.”
Sometimes we ride to combine shopping with exercise on local streets; on other occasions, we eagerly traverse old rail lines or ride hillside moguls. Having the right bicycle delivers the most from any experience.
Choosing Wheels
Knowing your style and primary planned uses are paramount. Leading manufac- turers, including Cannondale, Electra, GT, Marin, Novara, Raleigh, Scott and Trek offer many models for men, women and youngsters. Categories range from urban, road or mountain to recreation, comfort or cruising. Bikes designed for road and pavement are generally lighter and have more gears than mountain bikes, which are built with more shock- absorbing features, such as rugged suspension and rough terrain tires, plus more lower gears to help ascend inclines. Urban and commuting bikes feature a slightly more upright riding position that helps bikers and motorists to see each other better.
Steve Colmar, a sales specialist at REI’s Seattle, Washington, store, pro- vides two key guidelines for choosing and using a bike. Regarding seat posi- tion, “Make sure your leg has a slight bend when your pedal is at its lowest point in its rotation. If the legs feel a little cramped, raise the seat.” Regarding
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