bicycle pump buy tips?

nite a

Guys, I bought my first bicycle and now I need a pump for it. The bike was $200 and how much should I spent ton the pump now?? I am not a daily or weekly rider. Just use it occasionally. Should i get it from walmart or somewhere else? Also where can I get some cycling shorts which has padding as my butt really hurts after sitting on the seat.
I have a diamondback serene comfort bike from Dicks.
form DicksSporting goods.

Answer
You want a floor pump for your house. Because you are riding occasionally, you really should check your tire pressures before each ride. Bicycle tires lose pressure all by themselves because the tube rubber is permeable and valves are not perfect. Properly inflated tires last longer, roll easier, and are less likely to get flats. This week Performance Bike had a floor pump with a gauge on sale for $20. With one of those, it takes just seconds to check tire pressures before you put on your helmet and get onto the bike.

You also need to learn how to fix a flat on the road. It's not hard. Most bike shops run free workshops on how to do that from time to time. They will be *glad* to sell you the things you need to fix a flat: Tire levers, spare tube, small pump, and a bag to store it all while you're riding. Fortunately, none of these things "break the bank."

HTH

why can't you buy bicycle wheels/rims at most "Regular" stores?

"Regular" stores refer to places like: Costco,Walmart,Target,Kmart,Sports Authority/Gart Sports,and Big5. most of these retailers SELL bicycles,tires,seats,inner-tubes,racks,helmets,lights,water bottles, bicycle locks, but for some reason, not even one of these places sells the actual rim. why not? why do you have to go to some designated bicycle shop (where of course the rims cost $100+ each). I understand that they have to be strong enough to support the rider's weight. and I get the fact that you definitely want a quality set of rims. but bike shops can sometimes be out of the way, in terms of distance from one's residence. why can't rims/wheels be sold in the above retailers?

Answer
The so-called bicycles they sell in discount stores use the CHEAPEST components possibly found. Many times these parts aren't even listed on the suppliers website. Shimano (for example) makes lots of these no-name derailleurs for Wally World bikes.

On top of that...if you buy in HUGE quantities, you get HUGE discounts. Now - who has more pure buying power - a multi-billion dollar company like Wally World - or the local bike shop? That's another reason.

Reason 3...Discount stores don't want to be bothered with selling individual specific parts. Yeah...they sell tubes & crappy tires & lots of other crappy after-market parts. But they're not going to get down to the nitty-gritty of selling individual wheels, shifters, derailleurs, brake calipers, etc. Too much hassle for their feeble-minded, minimum wage "associates" to handle.

Lastly...the parts you get at a REAL bicycle shop are often twice as good, if not ten times better than the original part! I remember the first time I walked into A&M Bicycle shop in St. Louis. It's a small one-man shop. A customer was picking up a repaired bike & asked Karl, "Good as new?" Karl sarcastically replied, "Nope...(long pause)...better. I don't use those crappy parts Wal-Mart installs on bikes from the factory."

Buy a good bicycle from the start & you won't need any replacement parts.
http://www.raleighusa.com/archive/2011-steel-road/sojourn-11/
2011 Raleigh Sojourn - now well over 2,000 miles on the bike. It hasn't spent a single day out of service. NO flat tires - ever. Not one single breakdown. Total maintenance cost so far? Two new tires when the originals wore out - replaced with the same kind, and an eight dollar bottle of chain oil. Cost of the bike? $1,200 + tax. Worth EVERY single penny!!!

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Can skateboard helmets be used for inline skate helmets?

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Scrumdiliu

I know that there is a difference between bicycle helmets, skating helmets, skateboard helmets, and snowboarding helmets but I was wondering if skateboard helmets and skate helmets could be used as the same?

I am a new skater and I think it would be idea if I get skate pads, etc.

Also do you recommend a brand? I was looking at Walmart and they seemed pretty safe.

Answer
There are two types of helmets: Bicycle and Multisport.
The names don't really describe the differences but are based on history of their development.

Bicycle helmets are lighter and usually have more air vents to keep you cool. They are usually more aerodynamically shaped. They are designed for the types of accident you get while moving forward and are good for rec/fitness/race skating.

Multisport helmets are designed for protection when there is more risk of hitting the back of your head such as skateboarding or doing tricks on skates or bikes.
They tend to be hotter because of lack of vents. They are tend to have a round shape and cover the back and sides of the head. The lining is made to protect if you hit another object on the way down (like a rail for grinding).

All helmets are only designed for one hard hit. They may not appear to be damaged but they may not protect well against a second hit.

For your skates, get the helmet appropriate for the type of skating you will be doing.

This goes for your pads also. The pads for aggressive and freestyle skating are thicker and cover more area than for rec/fitness/race skating.

For rec/fitness/racing skating, wrist guards are really important. You will almost always slide on your hands. However, I wear aggressive glove style wrist guards because they cover more skin in order to keep it intact.
Knee pads are more optional for "straight ahead" skating. When (not if) you fall, you should be sliding instead of falling straight down. The pads keep the skin from being scraped up. I have found that the scrapes are just below the knee and not just in the area that the pads cover. However, scrapes there heal faster and are not as painful while healing than ones on your hand. Tegaderm is a wonderful way to cover this kind of scrape. It keeps it moist so that you don't have the pain that happens when dry scabs crack and peal. It also is waterproof, can stay on for a week, and can cover large areas.
I have yet to know anyone who has significantly scraped up an elbow in straight ahead skating.

Does wearing a bicycle helmet while skateboarding still protect you from serious head trauma?

jo

I have a bike helmet and can't afford a new helmet for skating. I want to skate small ramps but don't want a concussion, because I know I'll fall learning stuff.

Answer
Bike helmets are not made for repeated blows get a skateboard helmet. No, the protection is not near as good.

http://www.walmart.com/search/search-ng.do?ic=16_0&Find=Find&search_query=skateboard+helmet&Find=Find&search_constraint=0

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Where can I find a bicycle helmet in Bangalore?

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Deepika S

Where can I find a bicycle helmet in Bangalore? Also, any idea about the pricing ?

Answer
Walmart??? forget Bangalore, it's not anywhere in India.
Why dont you try in Olympic sports on Double Road, few helmet shops on JC Road or near Urvashi theatre.

Can skateboard helmets be used for inline skate helmets?

Scrumdiliu

I know that there is a difference between bicycle helmets, skating helmets, skateboard helmets, and snowboarding helmets but I was wondering if skateboard helmets and skate helmets could be used as the same?

I am a new skater and I think it would be idea if I get skate pads, etc.

Also do you recommend a brand? I was looking at Walmart and they seemed pretty safe.

Answer
There are two types of helmets: Bicycle and Multisport.
The names don't really describe the differences but are based on history of their development.

Bicycle helmets are lighter and usually have more air vents to keep you cool. They are usually more aerodynamically shaped. They are designed for the types of accident you get while moving forward and are good for rec/fitness/race skating.

Multisport helmets are designed for protection when there is more risk of hitting the back of your head such as skateboarding or doing tricks on skates or bikes.
They tend to be hotter because of lack of vents. They are tend to have a round shape and cover the back and sides of the head. The lining is made to protect if you hit another object on the way down (like a rail for grinding).

All helmets are only designed for one hard hit. They may not appear to be damaged but they may not protect well against a second hit.

For your skates, get the helmet appropriate for the type of skating you will be doing.

This goes for your pads also. The pads for aggressive and freestyle skating are thicker and cover more area than for rec/fitness/race skating.

For rec/fitness/racing skating, wrist guards are really important. You will almost always slide on your hands. However, I wear aggressive glove style wrist guards because they cover more skin in order to keep it intact.
Knee pads are more optional for "straight ahead" skating. When (not if) you fall, you should be sliding instead of falling straight down. The pads keep the skin from being scraped up. I have found that the scrapes are just below the knee and not just in the area that the pads cover. However, scrapes there heal faster and are not as painful while healing than ones on your hand. Tegaderm is a wonderful way to cover this kind of scrape. It keeps it moist so that you don't have the pain that happens when dry scabs crack and peal. It also is waterproof, can stay on for a week, and can cover large areas.
I have yet to know anyone who has significantly scraped up an elbow in straight ahead skating.

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How do I get involved in cycling?

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inherunder

Does anyone know a good beginners bike to purchase? Is there a website I can look at? I am not looking into mountain biking but more like long distance bicycling. I am thinking about $500 tops. Once I find a bike I am comfortable with, how do I become involved in biking groups/teams/etc?

Any info helps, thanks.

Answer
Go to your local bike shop and tell them what you want. Be sure you tell them your price range and what your goals are (cruising, racing, touring, etc.). They should help you find the right bike and also the gear you need (helmet, clothes, water bottles, etc.). They will also get you properly fitted.

The bike shop can tell you about local teams and clubs and which ones best fit your needs. Most areas will have a group that has weekly rides that can easily accomodate a beginner. You'll be able to get some miles in and learn the local roads and routes and the etiquette required.

If the first bike shop you go to doesn't help you enough, go to another. Someone will fit the bill. I strongly recommend against buying a bike at Walmart or places like that. The bike is junk and you'll get no help at all. At a bike shop the price of the bike includes all the expertise and is well worth it.

Good luck!

What are good brands for womens rollerblades?

Pasqualo

I am starting out rollerblading I am looking for a pair for under $100 and would like to know some tips on buying! thank you!

Answer
The two major brands of inline skates (the actual name for the sport) in the us are Rollerblade and K2. Most will be over $100 but if you are lucky, you might get a really good deal on last year's model. Stores want to get rid of them since the new ones are now on the shelves.
I just bought a pair of last year's Rollerblade Activa skates for my girlfriend for about $120. They are a step up from the "good" skates.

Rollerblade also makes a cheaper line of skates called BladeRunner. They are not as good as the ones that Rollerblade puts their brand on.

There are a lot of no-name skates sold in discount stores (Target, Walmart) that are ok for skating a few times a year but are poor for regular use.

Fit is very important. Loose feels good in the store but is a problem when you actually skate. The skates should fit snug all around your feet without pinching your toes. They should act as part of your feet when skating.

Larger wheels roll better and smoother.
I don't recommend any wheels under 80mm for regular use. The smaller wheels are going out except for very cheap skates. They will be harder to replace in the future and have fewer choices.
A beginner should be able to handle up to 84 mm easily. If their balance is good (or have had precious experience on ice or quad skates) 90mm could be reasonable (but well past the $100 price range). Racers are moving to 100mm and larger wheels but they would be hard to learn on and are too big for some well experianced skaters.

Metal frames (the part that holds the wheels) are better than plastic with one piece extruded frames being the best.

If you plan on skating faster or for longer distances, the shorter boot of a fitness skate (well above the $100 level unless you get a great deal) will be more comfortable.

You really don't get a choice of wheels or bearings until you replace them sometime in the future when you wear them out. ABEC ratings of the bearings get advertised in stores but are basically meaningless.

Don't forget to buy a helmet (a bicycle helmet is perfect for recreational/fitness skating) and at least wrist guards.
Head hits are uncommon in falls but can be devastating. I know people who have had headaches for over a year after hitting their head and slightly knew a person that died from it (he hit the back of his head on the ground without a helmet).
Scraping up the skin on the hands are very common in small falls.

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