Does anybody have any experience with cheap gas motor scooters?

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Q.T. Reu

Because gas is so high I've been checking specs on motor scooters online. Honda, Suzuki, and Yamaha all have small scooters around $2500-3500, but I found some imports (150 cc engines) for $1000-1500. Are these garbage or will they last me a few years. I have been surprised before by buying a cheap lawn tractor that lasted 17 years and cost me almost nothing in repairs while friends bought more expensive ones with well known names that always needed repairs and lasted about half as long as my cheap one.

Answer
My 49cc scooter was $1100 and has lasted me 2+ years, and still running strong. It is NOT reliable, tho- it is a cheap import (Quingi) and I have pushed it at least 4 times for various reasons. Be sure to have someone you can rely on yo help you/give you a ride when needed.

My other new bike is a Vento 150cc-- it's only 2 months old so I dont know how reliable it is.... but, it IS a lovely strong ride.

Gas is 2$ per tank on my 49cc and 3$ per tank on my 150cc. I go about 110 miles per week, usually more, on each tank. :) That's using 93 or higher gas which costs the most!


Here's more info from an asnwer I previously posted:

A typical price range is 1,100-3,000 depending on the seller. Merchants have large markups, though, so buying onlne and having it delivered (often FREE!) us not a bad idea.
A 49 cc doesnt require a motorcycle license (here in FL) and there isn't a requirement for insurance for any size engine. Of course, you can do what i did and take a safety course anyway and get a motorcycle endorsement for you own good and peace of mind.

I recommend Vento or Vespa. These are by far the better made and longer lasting, and shopworker dont 'cringe' when you mention their name like they do when you say 'Quinqi' or Verucci....
Yes, theyre ALL made in China/Japan/Beijing/Hong Kong/Bangladesh with the exception of Vespa-- Vento is ASSEMBLED in the US tho the parts come from China, however- it's WAYYY better made than the rest.
Kymco makes better quality bikes than the typical selection of Geely/Verucci etc.

You can get service at any motorcycle shop, not name affiliated- as in, you can take you import to "Maddog Motorscooters" for example, but not to Yamaha. They wont service you... so find a mom and pop shop. :)
I keep mine secure by parking it in my yard, by my bedroom window, tied to a BIG ENOUGH tree with 11 feet of 3 inch link steel chain (and something like 3/4" width). It's the highest strength and size chain that home depot sells! AND, I use the biggest lock I can buy. The lock itself is about 15 dollars.
I loop the chain around the tree, and through either the chassy of the motor (underbelly of the bike) or around the middle of the bike (where you put your feet to ride) without enough slack to pull the bike out. When I take it out, I have a smaller chain to take with me under the seat, which I loop around the middle of the bike and through the wheel of the fornt tire. Plus, my new bike has an alarm, too, so I turn it on. If I'm home, I usually dont to spare the battery becuase I can hear whats going on outside. Often, you can park the scooter in a bike rack and loop the chain through that. Depends on the place.

They are incerdibly practical for travel, consideirg you buy above 49cc-- that means you get 40+ miles per hour, up to 60-65 mph. And it's a strong enough ride, to keep up with traffic, and merge when necessary (forget merging with a 49cc!! You're stuck where you are around 35 mph!)
I buy a crate, a plastic organization crate with slots, and attach it to the back of the bike with bungees. Its more stoagre than the typical trunks that supply you with (if at all). I also buy a medium (15x15") cargo net to keep thing inside the crate when I go over bumps! That's ~7$ on amazon.com just type in cargo net and pick that size.

The only weakness I can think of is being in the sun/heat more than in a car. I am in FL, and I suffer sometimes if I ahev to travel in broad sunlight- cover up witha light jacket. Always wear a helmet- get a tinted visor if you can or just wear sunglesses underneath.
Also groceries- there is little space and also it is not kept in an air conditioned trunk like in a car. That's okay, though, if you make short trips or just goa bit more often and buy little at a time. Works just fine. (Esp if your going overseas, its actually normal to buy only what you can carry or bicycle back home)
BUY INSURANCE, even tho it isnt needed- people DO try to steal them or will if they can, also, if someone hits you or the bike, you are covered.


....errrr.... any more questions... ask me!
Oh and I love to decorate by basket with reflectors, or, the bike itself I apply reflective pinstripting/decals liek you get at streetglo.net or similar shops, it comes in any size or color or design (even a custom design and size) and you can put it anywhere you like. It blends in during the day, and when a light shines on it at night, it's like a fireman's coat or the reflectors on the street! Really glows! It's cool and it's a good safety measure! You can do your helmet that way too!

Cheers and happy moped-hunting, and enjoy the ride!!

Qualifications to Apply at MSF Course?

Glow

Okay I am a 15 year old female with a passion for motorcycles ^.^ I haven't gotten my permit to able to operate a vehicle so I am wondering whether should I apply for my permit first or Apply for the MSF Course instead. I live in Houston Texas if that helps . I basically want to know at what age can I apply for The MSF Course? Should I have my permit first before I apply? What will I need for the MSF Course? Etc etc...I done some research of my own but I keep confusing myself. Please provide links. Thank you!

Answer
There are about 15 sites in Houston that provide MSF BRC (Beginning Rider Course), check here for the listing and contact info: http://nm.msf-usa.org/msf/ridercourses.aspx?pagename=ridercourse+info

For most states, MSF cannot accept students under 16 for liability reasons, BUT, if you can obtain a permit at 15 in TX, then they probably will accept you with parental waiver's signed (this is common for anyone under 18). It is NOT necessary for you to have a permit before you attend the class. Your only requirement is to be able to balance and ride a bicycle... they will teach you the rest!

If you can get into the course before you're 16 (or even if you have to wait) you will need the following to attend the classes:
Long pants (jeans or riding pants)
Long sleeve shirt or jacket
Over-the-ankle boots
Eye Protection (Full-Face or 3/4 helmet with visor qualifies)
Full-finger gloves (leather preferred, but not necessary)
Full-face or 3/4 helmets are supplied for BRC, but if you have your own DOT approved helmet, BRING IT (no half-helmets are al

Will wearing a bike helmet really improve my survivorabilty?

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Pubes

Or is it just hype spread by makers of bicycle helmets.

Answer
Short answer:

wearing a bicycle helmet in everyday riding/commuting will slightly reduce the risk of an injury on the top of your head while simultaneously increasing the risk of an injury to the front of your head (face/chin) and neck (spinal column). Injuries to the brain (rotational trauma) are likely to increase, too - but in the usual studies, brain injuries are only regarded after the head has been cracked open (or they prove to be fatal). The absolute numbers for these shifts are on the boundary of statistical evidence - cycling per se is pretty safe, so there are simply too few (evaluated) accidents with head injuries to gather sufficient data for a reliable analysis.

On about the same level of statistical relevance, wearing a cycling helmet in everyday riding also seems to increase the probability of suffering an accident, most probably through risk compensation, both from the cyclist and their environment.

Regarding survivability: taking both of the above effects into account, for commuting cyclists, the net effect is zero within statistical limits. For competitive cyclist, the question doesn't arise since race rules will usually prohibit you from participating if you don't wear a helmet.

Long answer: read the studies for yourself, e.g. starting at http://www.cyclehelmets.org/

Helmet safety is not a forgone conclusion after all or is it?

mark_hensl

Recent evidence indicates that cyclists who wear helmets are 14 percent more likely to have a collision per mile cycled than those without, and are more likely to suffer neck injuries. Meanwhile, increases in helmet use have never been linked with lower cycle casualty rates".
British Government study on bicycle safety August 10, 2011

Answer
The problem with "statistics" is - you can make them say anything you want. Fact: Most users of hard drugs started out on marijuana. Using that logic, you can also say that 99.9% of all alcoholics started off on MILK!

Helmets have saved my cookies both on a motorcycle & bicycle. I'll keep mine on - thank you.

Here's what Mark Twain had to say about statistics. Figures often beguile me, particularly when I have the arranging of them myself; in which case the remark attributed to Disraeli would often apply with justice and force: "There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies and statistics."

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What web sites can I go to look up the current states or goverment laws w/o alot of heavy explanation?

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bottom dol

I don't need alot of the goverments big long boring explanation on each laws and how its turn into a law. Just a short simply understanding of why we have it.Some may makes sences others may not. If it has to be in a kids friendly way. That's o.k. too. I'm just curious. I know about the bicycle helmet law and what its for(to protects our noddles..lol.. ;-) and then there is a more serious one like you can't be marry to more than one person at a time.Which I thinks the guys hate that one..lol..

Answer
It seems that you have to look by topic. Here are some interesting sites that I found.

Disability and Civil Rights
http://www.nbda.org/disability_laws/index.html

Dogs
http://www.canismajor.com/dog/laws1.html

State Fire Arm
http://www.gunlaws.com/travel.htm

Drinking
http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/people/injury/alcohol/Community%20Guides%20HTML/PDFs/Public_App7.pdf#search='guide%20to%20national%20laws'

How can the average kid help get smoking banned?

Austin

I am doing a brochure for my seventh grade language arts class. We are working on persuasion; I chose smoking to be my topic. My argument is that it should be banned, but I need to use some persuasive techniques for a good grade. One way I was planning to do this is to explain how kids in my class can help get smoking banned. Any ideas? Thanks.

Answer
Firstly, I very strongly disagree about banning smoking, largely on the grounds of individual freedom, and if you want to ban smoking, you should ban alcohol, a more destructive drug first.

Being underage (thus unable to vote) there is very little that kids can do, except encourage adults to quit.

I'm not sure telling kids how they can help get smoking banned will help be persuasive and it does distract from the main arguement, which is "why smoking should be banned", instead of "how to ban smoking".

Here are some persuausive arguements I would use:
*ask the class to think about if cigarettes were a new invention, and were not widespread in society, and if they should be allowed.
* Argue that the smoker is not only harming himself, but also others (2nd hand smoke) including her/his family who have to suffer the grief of an early death.
*Argue that the government has a moral responsiblity to protect people from things like tobacco that may kill them, and tobacco should be banned for the same reason riding a bicycle without a helmet, driving a car thats unsafe, or riding a car without a seatbelt, to protect the safety of the individual.
*Point out the costs to smoking on society (including not only medical expenses, but days of work due to illnesses) and argue that society should have a right to protect itself by banning things that impose costs on it.
*Lastly, ask the kids to think if they had children would they allow them to smoke. If not, why should we (society) let adults do it.

Like I said, i do not agree with banning smoking, but the above arguements should be persuausive. Good luck with your assignment.

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Moms that bike ride with your babies?

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Caleb kiss

What do you use? My hubby and I both have bikes and we want to be able to take our 10 month old with us on cool summer evenings. When I was a kid my Dad always took us along with him in the little trailors.. but I don't know if that is okay for an infant. Thoughts??

Answer
This is a helmet you can get in infant size. http://www.amazon.com/Giro-Me2-Infant-Bike-Helmet/dp/B000FABD0G/ref=pd_sim_sg_2#moreAboutThisProduct Gyro is a good brand to buy. That's what I use. On the link, if you scroll down to the section where it says "customers that bought this were also interested in..." (or something like that) it shows a bunch of options for the newer type infant seats that attach to the front of the bike instead of the rear. I have been looking into this too and it seems to me the bike will have a much better center of gravity if you attach the baby seat to the front, between you and the handlebars than the rear, which might cause the bike to fishtail. I think I may get this one. http://www.amazon.com/iBert-Safe-T-Front-Mounted-Bicycle/dp/B000H4E7EO/ref=pd_sim_sg_1 It gets very good reviews and ratings. The design would fit much better on my Cannondale than the Wee-ride too. The wee-ride looks nice but I think this one could be used longer and will fit more bikes.

I agree with everyone else about the trailer. I don't think a trailer is the way to go at that age. They have no shock absorbers and the baby will feel every little bump. Unless you are doing only straight road riding on a very smooth surface, I'd say go with the bike mounted setup. Even then, always get the child a helmet. (Babies look so adorable in the little helmet anyway!)


***EDIT*** OK, I'm not going to go back and rewrite what I just wrote but I just found a phenomenal article on this subject! http://www.helmets.org/little1s.htm It has made me realize one important fact; the law! Depending on where you live, apparently bringing your baby along for the bikeride a under one year of age (whether on the bike or in a trailer) can be illegal. This is illegal in NY state and some others so be sure to check your state or location's laws before doing so. The article touches on a lot of points I never would have considered. It's worth the read!

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Why do cyclists who commute don't wear a full face helmet?

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least_like

I use to ride xc mountain biking alot and the only helmet I have is a Giro Remedy. I now ride my bike to work which is a 4 mile commute. I have been wearing the full face helmet.I just feel safer wearing it riding on the streets. I think that riding on the streets is just as dangerous as riding down a mountain trail. Actually a face plant on pavement probably will hurt more than if it happened on a trail.

Do you guys think it's necessary for me to wear a full face or should I just buy a regular helmet like the Giro Hex?
IMO bicycle half helmets do not make you look cool. To me it actually does the opposite. (uncool)

Answer
Most cycling injuries are quite low speed. Generally there's enough time to avoid face impact. However, not always. My wife managed to get her cheekbone smashed in, but the repair wasn't too bad. Low speed makes for clean breaks.

But this is indeed a good question. Many cyclists still don't wear helmets. One aspect may be that cyclists didn't wear and didn't have helmets available for most of cycling history. Even racers at high speed didn't wear them until fairly recently.

I just wear a nice normal high quality cycling helmet. I can hear, turn my head easily, and avoid neck fatique. But I'm not expecting a tremendous about of protection.

Mountain Biking; what's it like?

Crikey a W

Is it comparable to skiing? Do you get hurt a lot? Are there different forms?


I've never been very good at biking, but mountain biking always seemed like a cool summer sport to me

Answer
There's a lot of different forms... Slopestyle, Dirt Jump, Cross Country, All Mountain, Freeride, Downhill, Enduro Downhill...

In a lot of ways it is like skiing but it's also very different. I'd say the similarities are mostly in the way it makes you feel... Like a 6AM powder run before anyone else has even touched the slopes... just you and the mountain, the cool mountain air blowing past your face, the sound of the snow crunching under your skiis, interupted only when you get air... It's really just a great feeling.

As for injuries... it's like any other sport. You can ride your whole life and not take any major injuries but that probably means you arent really taking any chances. It all really depends on the rider... I mean, mountain bikes dont just eject you for you no reason but, if you try to go beyond your abilities, there are definate penalties to be had. The penalty for failure, like in any sport, is based strictly upon what you're trying to do... If you ride XC, you may be looking at some skinned knees and cut up elbows and such but, as long as you have good protective gear like helmet and gloves, nothing major... If you're determined to clear the 60 foot road gap at Bootleg Canyon, well I think you can see the penalty for failure jumps up dramatically.

Now, all that said... My last three injuries worth mentioning are two broken ribs SNOWBOARDING when I caught an edge on a rail... a torn lateral meniscus while INSTALLING A SERVER AT WORK... and a dislocated right index finger from blowing a 10' drop way too slow and nosing it right into the dirt... it's been a rough '09, lol. Of the three, you would think the mountain biking SOUNDS the most dangerous but the finger was easily the lesser of those three injuries. However, a wise man once said...

"Danger abounds everywhere we are, the blind pursuit of safety in life serves only to infringe upon our enjoyment of it."

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What clothing do you recommend for riding your bicycle to work in the rain?

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jellymouse

How do I stay warm and dry in the chilly (sometimes cold), wet winters in northern California? What things are necessities and what things are a waste of my money? Please give suggestions for the top of my head all the way down to the tips of my toes! Recommendations of specific brands are helpful, too.

Answer
It's been my experience that when choosing clothes for wear during inclement weather situations you have four concerns, they're affordable, keeps you dry, maintains your own level of comfort, and allows you to remain visible to motorists and pedestrians. Performancebike.com has a good selection of women's rain wear to look at, along with specs on what situations are best for those particular items. They're usually reasonable priced and if you like to shop around to compare prices before making purchases, performance bike also sells through through amazon.com.

I noticed a few guys plugging Goretex clothing. And while Goretex products are goods, if not the best, for cold and rainy days if you look at the listings on the Goretex website link provided below, they're not inexpensive in the least. The least expensive pair of waterproof pants is $100 dollars US, and the one they've made expressly for female bicyclists is twice that amount, so I'd really have to hope that those rainy days are vicious and often to justify the expense.

I can say this much confidently. If you get yourself a cap to wear under the helmet, a pair of pants and a jacket/coat that will keep your head and body dry from the rain, what you wear underneath will not matter in the least. The only concern you'll have is bicycle lighting, footwear, and socks at this point. And honestly, just about any type of comfortable waterproof footwear will do, if you're using regular pedals as opposed to clips. Best of luck to you. Ride smartly and safely.

Can i ride a 42cc go-ped in California at age 15 and a half with a permit only?

waterloo n

Can i ride a 42cc go-ped in California at age 15 and a half with a permit only? Also what are the punishments for riding without a permit/license?

Answer
That's a hard one to answer. What do you consider a "go-ped"? If you mean a scooter that's motorized, then you need to be 16 before you can operate it.

Here is what the CHP's website says about them:

Motorized scooter

* Driver must be at least 16 years old.
* Effective 1/1/2005, a Class C driver's license or driver's permit is required.
* Effective 1/1/2005, a motorized scooter shall at all times be equipped with a muffler.
* Effective 1/1/2005, a person shall not modify the exhaust system of a motorized scooter in a manner that will amplify or increase the noise level emitted by the motor.
* Speed limit is 15 mph.
* Driver must wear a bicycle helmet
* Operation permitted on a bicycle path, trail or bikeway, unless there is a local ordinance prohibiting it.
* On the roadway with a posted speed limit of greater than 25 mph, driver must operate in Class II bicycle lane.
* On roads with a posted speed limit of 25 mph or less, riding in a bicycle lane is not required.
* Operator shall ride as close to the right curb as possible, except to pass or turn left

Check out this link to CHP's website. It has a lot of pictures and defines what they consider motorized scooters, motorized bikes, ETC.

http://www.chp.ca.gov/html/motors.html

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Hey i longobard and need to know what is a good full face helmet to buy thats cheap but doesnt look crappy?

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kyle

Answer
Schwinn Thrasher Adult Micro Bicycle black/grey Helmet (Adult) is a great helmet. It fits well (6'3" 200 pound male). The adjustment wheel works perfectly and is well made. There is a lot of cooling airflow when you are out riding and the visor blocks the sun quite well. I was surprised with the build quality given the price and it even looks good on top of it all! (In fact it's good enough/stylish enough to steal apparently and I'm back for my second helmet. If someone wants to steal this helmet and save their thief head I will happily purchase more and pass them around to anyone who wants one.) Thanks Schwinn!

How do I find the right helmet for me?

Myra G

Answer
Unless you have a helmet you love and you want to get another, I would not suggest getting one online. Helmets are something you really want to try on to be sure it fits your noggin comfortably. So, go to your local bike store and try a bunch on until you find one you love.

With regards to fit, get the smallest helmet that fits your head. You don't want to have to take up space in the helmet with huge pads to make it fit. Likewise, you don't want to have it so small that it rubs or squeezes your head. A well fit helmet will make gentle contact with the crown, front, back and sides of your head. If you can shove it about easily it doesn't fit well.

Personally, I like visorless helmets because I've never had a sun visor that stayed attached particularly well. Also, I think the visorless helmets have a bit sleeker look, especially if the visor falls off somewhere and gets lost.

Beyond fit and comfort, the most important items I look for are:

1. Easy adjustability of the back band. Personally, I like the helmets that have a small wheel in the back that you turn to adjust the back band for a good fit.

2. Easy adjustability of the straps. If I can't adjust the straps in a few moments while standing in the store I go find another model. This may not matter too much to you unless you ride in all types of weather and need to wear a cap on some days and not others.

3. One piece sweat band in the forehead. Personally, I find two piece seat bands channel perspiration right into my eyes. Some folks swear by them, though.

4. Good quality foam pads. Perhaps I have a rather corrosive head, but I've found less expensive pads and/or cloth covered pads tend to fall apart in short order.

Fashion dictates that helmet models are being changed and updated all the time. My all time favorite helmet is a Louis Garneau which became unavailable a few months after I bought it. I can not tell you how many times I wished I had bought another one before it was discontinued. I know that the pads will either deteriorate or I will have a crash and ruin this helmet. Then, just like you, I'll be having to look for yet another helmet.

Finally, be sure you wear your helmet everytime you get on your bicycle. The first time you break a helmet in an impact and your head escapes unscathed you'll really, really appreciate its value.

Hope this helps you choose a helmet.

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Is it required by law to wear a helmet while riding in the bicycle lane of Manhattan Bridge?

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Kinky Kevi

In case there is another one, I'm asking about the one in New York City.

Answer
i believe there is, but no ones going to stop you if your an accomplished rider and you look like an adult

Is there a law for wearing a helmet when riding a bicycle in New York?

berrie

do we all have to wear helmets in New York? I am on Long Island F.Y.I
When I mean bicycle I mean just a regular pedal bike

Answer
you can ride around without a helmet on and it is not against the law.

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What's the big deal with guys not liking to wear bike helmets?

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trisha

I'm trying to get my husband to start wearing a helmet because our 7 year old just learned how to ride and they bike together but I think he's setting a bad example for our son who is required to wear a helmet. My husband is 28 and he grew up biking without one and refuses to start using one. Why do guys not like wearing helmets?

Answer
Good for him. Helmets suck.

How can I get my husband to wear a helmet?

trisha

Our 7 year old just learned how to ride a bike so they go biking together and I think my husband is setting a bad example by not wearing one. He's 28 and grew up without wearing helmets and has always refused to use one when I've asked.

Answer
First off he does not want anyone telling him to wear a helmet. Male pride gets in the way everytime.

Ask him if he will wear one for the child and don't tell him too. They make some really cool helmets these days so he would not have a problem finding one to fit his personality. Flames - colors - designs etc...

The fact is, there is way more traffic these days than when he was growing up. It is not a testament to his riding abilities or the cool factor he needs to be concerned with, it is all the idiot drivers out there which he cannot control. This is why he should wear one.

Maybe if you present it in such a way as not to degrade him or his manhood, he would be more likely to do it. Let him know you are concerned for the child and the example he is setting for him.

I assure you, the more you push it the less likely it will happen! Be methodical in your approach. Find statistics on bicycle accidents in your area and present them to him in a way that demonstrates the stupidity of those around him. Let him know you are not concerned with his actions but the actions of others which may cause him to crash or be run over.

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What airbrush kit would be best for me?

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dogstar

Im a beginner interested in doing a bit of airbrushing as A hobby.I can picture myself doing such projects as painting bicycle frames, motorcycle body parts,crash helmets and that sort of thing. What would you recomend me to buy thats resonable value for money?

Answer
do some research...check out Iwata airbrushes. They have many versatile models that can be used for the projects you list.

www.dixieart.com has airbrushes, compressors and supplies for the best value on the net but you need to know what you want.

don't forget to have a good respirator too! The projects you mention will use solvent-based paints and they are extremely noxious!!

I would reccommend an Iwata HP-BCS siphon-feed airbrush ( this is an airbrush that the paint attatches to from underneath in it's own 'bottle')

With a good compressor your initial investment is going to be around $300. Don't go for the industrial compressors - they're LOUD and not really practical for indoor art work.

good luck

What is the best bike I can buy for under $350 in your opinion?

aight

I have up to $350 dollars and I am looking for a mountain or hybrid bicycle.
f#%$ing bike people... I dont want to spend $2,000 on a bike...my car is barely worth more than that!

Answer
EDIT: I put this at the top of the page so you see it- NEITHER OF THOSE BIKES I RECOMMENDED ARE OVER $400.

Not $4000, not $2000, not even $1000. f#%$ing people that don't read answers after asking questions...

Maybe my answer was too long and it confused you. I'm sorry if I used words that were too long.



Let's get our definitions straight and maybe that'll get you your answer right away.

Mountain bikes are for riding on trails... you drive it to a site, take it off the car, ride it. When you are done you put it back on the car and take it home. A hybrid is a slower, more comfortable version of a road bike that may be taken anywhere there is a paved surface (including finely ground stone)... think of molasses compared to high fructose corn syrup of a road bike.

I am making the assumption that you are thinking of an ALL TERRAIN bike or hybrid. An all terrain bike is intended for a 50/50 mix (or so) of on road/offroad riding up to rain rutted dirt roads or worn trails. The reason I think this is what you want is that mountain bike pricing STARTS at about $700 and go up while ATB pricing starts at about $250 and end about $700.

Enough of the gobbledegoop. Regarding an ATB, you would be very hard pressed to find a better specced bike than a Diamondback Response. This model has been in the lineup since at least 1998 and has always been a very good value. As far as a hybrid you should, at the very least, consider a Diamondback Insight 1 http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005NXO62M/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_1/183-5148203-8543663?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_r=0WEBV2MDFV98DM7T4HF2&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_p=486539851&pf_rd_i=B002LFRTTM which is available from amazon.com.

BEFORE I GET JUMPED ON, I am not backing too far away from recommending that amateurs NOT buy bikes online with the following:

Prior to ordering a bike online, get fitted to a similar model from a bike shop. Order the bike, then bring the bike IN THE BOX to the same shop for building. The labor will be about $50 and worth every penny. Then, go back to the shop for anything you might need such as helmets, bottle cages, fenders, pumps, and extra inner tubes. You'll both be winners.

The reason I am even suggesting this is because I have supreme confidence in the quality of Diamondback and Raleigh products. I don't think any other company is as careful about what goes in the box.

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

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promethium

"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!!!

where can i buy a western flyer bicycle?

max

or something similar. besides ebay. with gas prices where they are- im looking for a cute bike

Answer
I found a few Tandem Western Flyers on the web sites but this is not what you want.The Western Flyer was a retro Schwinn bike that is a Beach cruiser. It is heavy and slow and can't go up a hill. It's a poor choice for a go to work bike,but as a beach cruiser it's cool. I have a retro beach cruiser like that and it's fun. You can ride on the sidewalk with them because they are slow.

I have a Bianchi Milano I just love. It's light and has a Euro look. It has seven speed Shimano Nexus gears. They are called planetary gears and shift inside the hub so your chain never moves. Very easy to use. These bikes are about 500 dollars. It is a version of a Hybrid bike. Trek makes a good one and so does Specialized and Giant who own the Schwinn name.

The best thing if you want to use it as a work bike is to get a Hybrid bike. They sit upright and allow you to change gears for hill riding. Any Bike shop has them. Even Target,Costco and Wall-Mart have them. I would always suggest a bike shop because they know how to put a bike together properly and size you as well. The bike has to be the right size or it will be a pain in the back to ride. I shop at the Specialized stores because they really fit you. I have also purchased a bike at Two Wheeler dealer in Brea California and they fit my sisters bike perfectly. They make women's specific bikes that have the geometry for a woman's build. That was important because she is 4'11". Not a bike you can buy off the shelf.
My sisters bike was a Trek 1500 or 2000 I don't remember. It was a road bike not a hybrid. She prefers the road bikes like I do. But the Hybrids are easier to use for work purposes. My sister did the Aids ride 550 miles from San Fransisco to Long Beach. Unfortunately she was hit by a car last week, on her way to work, by a 17 year old driver on a cell phone. She did stop but it's illegal for a minor to be on a cell phone while driving. My sister was making a left and the girl ran her over. She is in the hospital with a L4 fracture and a compound fracture of her arm. Her face was road pizza and had to have plastic surgery. Happily after two surgeries so far,she is recovering quickly and can walk in her back brace.
So first thing about riding, learn the rules of the road. Don't ride on the wrong side of the road. Generally you do what Motor cyclists do, except you ride on the far right of the road but not in the gutter. You can make a left just like a car or motorcycle but be careful that you are seen. I always make myself seen and make sure the cars can see me. Wear bright colors usually bike clothes. Bike pants make it easy on your butt. A good bike shop will help you with that. Never wear Black it is hard to see and don't ride at night even with a good headlight cars will never see you. Even with all that I have had drivers throw things at me. I was hit by an Ice cream cone and it felt like a hard ball. Some idiots think it's funny to slap you on the butt as they drive by. This can break your pelvis and rip their arm off.
Beware of Trucks their mirrors hang low and can hit you in the head if they are too close ripping your head off. And open car doors are a problem. Always always always wear a helmet!!!! A bike helmet not a skateboard helmet. Bike helmets are all the same as far as safety but the really expensive ones have more air holes. On a Hybrid you won't go that fast so a good 40 dollar helmet will do and don't use an old helmet. The Styrofoam oxidizes and looses it's ability to function as well. Helmets should be replaced every two years or after any crash where they hit the ground.
You should be able to get a good hybrid for about 299.00 on up. A little more then a beach cruiser. Go see a good bike shop because there is a huge difference in a department store bike. The parts are not replaceable.Basically their junk.

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What is the invoice price of a 2011 Kawasaki Ninja 650R?

bike helmets 2011 image

Luis T

I would like to know so I can haggle a little better when I go to buy. And if you could tell me the formula on how to get an invoice price as well. Please and Thank you.

Answer
5% less than MSRP. Dealerships make almost nothing on the sale of the bike. They make money on all the crap in the store, and the service for the donks that don't know which end of the screwdriver hurts the most.

So, you can go in with guns blazing or a detailed spreadsheet, but they'll shake their head and laugh. Buy two bikes, or get a new helmet, and look to get a discount on those. Accessories are a 30% markup.

How smart is someone who buys a Harley?

Bob Dole

Above average. Less than average. What is your opinion?

Answer
One look at a nice middle aged couple decked out like costume shop bikers and walking down main street in broad daylight thinking they are badass will give you your answer. Or that half helmet or beenie, black of course, they all wear, another clue. Saw a big fat old lady on the back of a harley last year in fluffy pink slippers and purple sweat pants....another clue. All the guys who buy a brand spanking new harley and immediately pay $10K+ to have a bunch of engine work done on it to squeeze out another 10 horsepower, smart? Chrome skull turn signals? Mufflers that you can hear long after you are too far away from the highway to hear 18 wheelers any more. Motorcycles attached to big trailers. Trailering a bike to a motorcycle convention. Paying more for a 10 year old bike than it cost new....anyone pay attention to the housing bubble? $7k for a 40 hp 2011 antique. $36,500 for a 75hp 2011 antique.

Not saying these people are stupid. But they certainly have strange priorities. I think it is more like rubes on the midway. Madison avenue knows how to play with peoples heads.....kind of scary. But personally I think we are all being grifted all day long. Most of business and politics is carnies trying to get one over on the rubes.....us. The harley thing is just one of the funnier scams.

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Mountain Biking; what's it like?

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Crikey a W

Is it comparable to skiing? Do you get hurt a lot? Are there different forms?


I've never been very good at biking, but mountain biking always seemed like a cool summer sport to me

Answer
There's a lot of different forms... Slopestyle, Dirt Jump, Cross Country, All Mountain, Freeride, Downhill, Enduro Downhill...

In a lot of ways it is like skiing but it's also very different. I'd say the similarities are mostly in the way it makes you feel... Like a 6AM powder run before anyone else has even touched the slopes... just you and the mountain, the cool mountain air blowing past your face, the sound of the snow crunching under your skiis, interupted only when you get air... It's really just a great feeling.

As for injuries... it's like any other sport. You can ride your whole life and not take any major injuries but that probably means you arent really taking any chances. It all really depends on the rider... I mean, mountain bikes dont just eject you for you no reason but, if you try to go beyond your abilities, there are definate penalties to be had. The penalty for failure, like in any sport, is based strictly upon what you're trying to do... If you ride XC, you may be looking at some skinned knees and cut up elbows and such but, as long as you have good protective gear like helmet and gloves, nothing major... If you're determined to clear the 60 foot road gap at Bootleg Canyon, well I think you can see the penalty for failure jumps up dramatically.

Now, all that said... My last three injuries worth mentioning are two broken ribs SNOWBOARDING when I caught an edge on a rail... a torn lateral meniscus while INSTALLING A SERVER AT WORK... and a dislocated right index finger from blowing a 10' drop way too slow and nosing it right into the dirt... it's been a rough '09, lol. Of the three, you would think the mountain biking SOUNDS the most dangerous but the finger was easily the lesser of those three injuries. However, a wise man once said...

"Danger abounds everywhere we are, the blind pursuit of safety in life serves only to infringe upon our enjoyment of it."

MTB race questions racing?

Diego

I am going to be 17 next week. I have been mountain biking for a few years but have never been in any actual races. I only do singletrack and the technical areas in the trails I have no problem with :) When I go out with friends I am always the fastest and the least tired by a long shot. I was just wondering if it is too late to get into any actual races. I have a trek fuel ex 8 2011. Also would you recommend me get a full faced helmet?

Answer
I don't think that your old or anything. So just find some races close to you, check Norba site.

Full face helmets are great or must for freeride or downhill, but if you want to do XC racing, they're just too hot and not necesary. If you want to compete in Super D races, there are some helmets that offer some more protection at the back of your head than the standard helmets.

The Fuel EX is a great bike.

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HI , where can i find glow in the dark roller blade wheels .?

bicycle helmets with built in lights image

Sir-Ivan-3

Hi , i roller blade to work at night and want to be seen by cars and trucks , do you know where i can find them .

Answer
I have had them in the past and will recommend against them for regular skating.

I tried a couple brands and found the Volcanic ones to wear about like normal wheels. Unfortunately, the quality of the electronics was not up to the quality of the wheel and they tend to quit lighting up. I bought mine directly from the people who made them and they were very uncooperative in doing anything to replace almost new wheels that no longer worked. I would buy from a good store (http://www.skates.com/Light-up-wheels-s/85235.htm, I consider them a good store) and ask ahead of time about a warranty. They may have improved since I used them.

They generate power from the spinning of the wheel (no batteries) but create a little drag.

I don't commute at night but run our local night skate and attend a couple others during the year. I don't think the cars see the lights that far down but other skaters love them.
I have stuck the little "finger lights" that they sell in party shops to my skate frames and they worked well except that the batteries wear out after a few nights.
I am planning on attaching some LED strips that I found at a local surplus shop under my skates. They were designed for outdoor stripes on buildings and I will use 9 volt batteries to run them. (the store is out of them)

For visibility from cars, the ones that I have seen and recommend are the red ones made for the back of the bicycle that have about 5 leds in a row and can flash in different patterns. They can clip to a belt or helmet straps.

I also have an electroluminescent safety belt that is very bright and will last a year on a set of batteries. Mine is similar to these (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=360214172231&rvr_id=&crlp=1_263602_263622&UA=WXF%3F&GUID=362575f41220a0437344cee4ffff0853&itemid=360214172231&ff4=263602_263622)
You can also get EL (electroluminescent) wire and sew it to fabric to make shapes. I have been told that REI carries it (alredy assembled with the battery and controller and there are a number of places on the web that sell large amounts of it.

A few friends have flashing LED lights stuck to their helmets (about 6-8 lights). The Blinx (http://blinxleds.com/)lights are very bright, and also show from the sides. The blinking action makes them more eye catching than an always on light would be.

You want your lights to be visible particularly from the back and sides. Front is ok but you can see what is happening there.

It is also very common to find work safety vests that have really good reflective strips built into the fabric.

Beginning to Cycle to Work?

Kyle D.

I recently started a new job and I thought it was the perfect time to begin reinventing myself! One way that I am going to do that is through cycling to work!

I don't yet have a bicycle: What kind of bicycle should I buy
1. Commute is around 10 miles per day, flat-land, heavy traffic.
2. I'm lightly built and short (Around 5'5")

What bicycle accesories should I purchase?

What kind of clothing should I wear?
1. I'm required to wear slacks, a dress shirt and shoes to work

If I get too sweaty, how can I clean up before my shift begins?

Answer
The bike you buy will depend on your preferences and budget. I started with an Electra Townie with 8 gears. The lowest gear is called a "hill climber," and I rarely use it, but it is nice to have. I am not a racer (I was 280 pounds when I started), so high gears and speed have never been a concern. I would suggest any "comfort" or "city" bike would be a good choice. If you are on a budget and need to buy a used bike, hybrids and mountain bikes tend to sit more comfortably than "roadies" and racers (those are the ones with the curl-under handle bars), and have better lower gearing. An internal gear hub tends to be less maintenance and more reliable, but you don't get as wide of a range from high-to-low. As a flatlander, this should not be an issue. I don't think there is much need for 30 gears...3 is usually sufficient, 8 is all I have ever needed. My "new" bike has 27, which is three times more than I need.

My "new" bike is a used Bike-E recumbent (the company went out of business in 2002, but I love the bike), so the Electra is now my backup. The whole discussion of recumbent-versus-upright is beyond the scope of your question, but I will say: I much prefer sitting on my butt to "sitting" on my perineal nerve.

What to wear? That is tough. Some folks just wear their work clothes and take a quick pit stop at the sink to freshen up. I am lucky and have a shower at work, so I ride in weather appropriate clothes, and change into my work clothes. Riding in work clothes make some of the below mentioned accessories more important than others. I like to wear hi-vis clothes, but if you ride in work clothes, you may want to get a hi-vis vest or jacket.

Accessories, at a minimum: fenders and a trunk rack.

Unless you live in the desert and have alternate transport for the monsoons, you will want fenders. I live in western Oregon, so fenders are a must 8 months of the year. Mud flaps are nice, too - I found retroreflective mud flaps to increase my visibility.

The trunk rack is insanely valuable, whether to haul lunch, or a change of clothes, or whatever. I didn't have one for a long time on my Townie, so I used a backpack, which always left a sweaty patch on my back and stripes over my shoulders. Some trunk racks also serve as pannier racks (pannier = side bags), so, if you really get into bicycling, there will be that much more utility.

Not really an "accessory," but...a tire pump. I suggest a full length frame pump, which can be used for self-defense as well as pumping air. Multi-tasking is good.

Helmet. Unless required by law, a helmet is optional, but since I have been in a wreck and was saved by my helmet, I am a bit of a helmet evangelist. Brightly colored is especially good.

Gloves. I have Defeet yellow gloves, so hand signals are more likely to be seen. Most folks get the cut-off-finger gloves, those just annoy me. YMMV. Of course, gloves can also prevent highly abraded hands when you get in a wreck. Not "if," but "when." Just plan on it and you will be better prepared when it happens :-)

A lanyard to carry a key and whistle (hopefully those are self-explanatory).

A set of basic tools (which a bike shop will have lots of options to squander your money on), and a tire repair kit. If your bike shop offers a class on tire repair, take it. You may only get one flat in 10 years, but the class will probably cost less than calling a taxi even once because of a flat.

Other accessories you will quite likely want: lights, fore and aft. I prefer helmet mounted, but that is because I have two bikes. I prefer blinking lights (one of the book authors suggested below disagrees vehemently with me. He is, of course, wrong :-).

Mirrors are also handy, I have one on my helmet and another on the handlebar, but you probably don't need both. I use the helmet one more, because I can see everything by turning my head, whereas the handlebar is convex to give a broad field, but makes everything small and hard to see.

Pant-cuff clip or strap, to keep your pants out of the chains. You can instead pull your socks over your pants, or tuck your pants into your boots. I have a gator from Cyclogical that can carry my phone and wallet, which is great when it is dry out, but not so great when it is raining. Bike lock of some sort.

If you live somewhere rainy like me, a rain cape beats other rain gear by a mile.

Other accessories: cyclocomputers are fun, but if you have a smart phone, you may not need one, just get an app.

Bike bells to warn pedestrians are nice. Or you can just hang jingle bells on your bike (credit to book "Just Ride").

You can get drink cup holders for the Electra bikes. They probably can be mounted on any bike.

Hope that helps!

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Rough cost for Sportsbike?!?

bike helmet jaw protection image

The Man Fr

looking into getting a sportsbike to ride around town during the summer spring and fall to save gas. Looking to keep the bike price around $2,000-3,000. ...so far have looked at Kawasaki ninja 250, or the Suzuki gs500f. What would be rough cost for a 16 year old for insurance? How much for appropriate gear? How much for license? etc.
Thanks for your time :)

Answer
The new Ninja 250r is a great machine. I personally own one and use it alot for the immense gas savings. The older generation Ninja will save you money and still looks nice if you go that route.
I have had the priviledge to try out a Suzi GS500f and I can honestly say it is a great beginner bike IF you know what to expect from a bike.

With that said: Take the MSF Basic Rider's Course and get the proper skills you need, riding a street motorcycle it is alot different than riding a bike, scooter or even dirt bike.
They provide the motorcycles and if you pass the course, you get your motorcycle license at the end, and a discount on gear at alot of places that honor the MSF discount card.

Motorcycle Permit is required for the course, which is about $15 at your local DMV.

The course itself is $160.00, and that is the only way I reccomend getting your license.

Insurance for a motorcycle under 500cc will be cheaper for you, it varies state by state and by coverage. Expect to pay anywhere from $400-1000 per year in insurance for decent coverage on even a 250cc machine.

"Appropriate Gear" depends on your climate and conditions. The absolute minimum I can reccomend is:
Full Face helmet - $80+ - With a full face helmet it protects everything from you jaw to your brain, and the visor makes goggles/sunglasses not necessary. (I reccommend a dark visor shield for sunny days instead of sunglasses to protect your peripheral vision)

Decent gloves - $30+ - Your hands are one of your most important tools for vehicle operation, so I suggest you treat them as such. Preferably something with hard knuckle and wrist protection. Gauntlet style (up your forearm) is ideal, but smaller gloves work as well. Ventilated leather is nice, and anything with a shock absorbing palm is nice to reduce vibration.

Nice over the ankle boots - $60+ - Much like your hands, you should really look for some motorcycling boots. They are reinforced in key areas and tend to have some sort of grippy material on the toe to help operate the shift lever.

I really reccomend a mesh jacket with leather arms and armor panels for summer (Icon and Alpinestars make some great ones), but this might be out of your budget range. A leather jacket is nice (perforated leather for summertime) but if you cannot afford the 200+ dollars for one, wear long sleeves (a hoody) and bmx elbow armor underneath. (you want to keep your road rash to a minimum.)

Denim pants (jeans) are a acceptable. Some companies make some kevlar reinforced denim that are ideal for riding, but of course real leather or mesh riding pants with armor/padding are nice but pricey at $200+. Just don't wear shorts please. :)

Rough figure? if you want to keep your cost to under 3k...

In this order-
$15 Get your permit.
$250 Get a helmet/gloves/boots.
$160 Take the MSF course, get licensed.
$1800 Find a used Ninja 250.
$700 Get decent insurance.

and you still got some Gas money.

Good luck and happy riding!

Can you wear a modular helmet in the open (flipped up) position while riding?

synergie_h

I don't mean like highway riding or anything but just slow speeds in the city?

I have seen both yes and no answers on the net (most saying no, that the flip is meant to only be in the down position unless the bike is at a full stop). It's blazingly hot right now, and I prefer the half helmets but I am going to be leaving later for the highway without coming back home. I want to just throw on the modular and ride without the front down while in the city and be able to just flip it down when I hit the highway.
Oh forgot... it's an HJC (the 300.00 range one, I can't remember the style name)

Answer
DOT does not consider it to even be a helmet when wore in the open position. It does not cover the jaw like an open (3/4) helmet would. Also the chin/visor of the helmet basically is a sail putting pressure on your neck. So even in a low speed city crash you risk major neck injury. The best advice is open your vents in your helmet. Normally along the chin and on top of the helmet. Also wear some type of eye protection. When you have proper eye wear, it is safe to open the visor (not the entire chin) of the helmet. So opening the chin on a helmet on public roads also breaks helmet laws because DOT only considers it a helmet closed.

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Ideally should your helmet and clothing match your bike?

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Q. My new mountain bike is yellow and black and I wonder if I'm meant to purchase a yellow and black helmet, black gloves, yellow jersey/windbreaker, etc.? In order to be awesome.

Answer
In order to be awesome? For sure! No tellin' who you might run across out there on the single track that you'd want to impress.

Anybody have tips for biking on the streets (bike lanes) in a city?

lapetite

My city has bike lanes and I have never used them before. I'm a bit apprehensive to use them (I would really prefer to bike on the sidewalk). Does anyone have any tips on biking on them? I guess I'm scared about cars.

Answer
Buy and wear a helmet and buy and place and use as many red/yellow blinking lights you can place in front and rear and sideways on this bike. DO NOT ride your bike on sidewalks in a city, any city. It is illegal and you can hurt someone and or yourself. All traffic laws apply to bikes as well and that includes hand signals for turning. Right or wrong, legal or not, bikes shall end up hurt or dead when bike meets car. BE VISIBLE, BE SMART AND BE CAREFUL!

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Why a different helmet for everything?

best skate style bike helmets image

JohnnyFVR

Would a skating helmet be okay for riding your mountain bike? I know, socially it may look dorky, but wouldn't it withstand a fall?? Why don't biking helmets cover more of the lower part of the head like a skating helmet does? What about open-face motorcycle helmets, your whole lower face will be torn off.

Answer
Some helmets are designed to take more of a light repeated beating than others. Some helmet designs reflect a greater need for rearward and peripheral vision for that given sport they were designed to be used in.

A Kayaking helmet might well be expected for instance to need to endure to be practical light tapping on stones such as might happen during a roll in a river more often than a road going bike helmet would be expected to need to endure.

In fact, there should with best practices be no tapping on a bike helmet.

Most bike helmets are thus designed with a single impact (or series thereof that one might need to endure in a single crash) in mind. One reason for this is that the relative energies involved in a typical bike crash can be detrimental to survivability, your head plus a heavy bike helmet might mean your bike helmet breaks your neck by adding substantial energy to the crash.

Another reason for shorty, light weight helmets is bike equipment must be pushed by peddling and thus a heavier helmet is harder work; this means that in terms of styling, which is often set by racing people, the lighter more streamlined design wins out. And a bike helmet that is physically painful to wear because of it's weight, or capacity to overheat the head on a hot day, is less likely to be on any given head in any given crash.

But I suspect the principle reason for "shorty" helmet designs being used in helmets for road bikes versus other types of endeavors is that bicyclists must always be aware of the constantly changing threat levels coming from the rear, thus requiring many turns of the head, but yet even still more sideways glances that would otherwise be blocked by a design offering greater on impact protection. A kayaking helmet doesn't need as much rearward or peripheral vision as a road bike.

A Kayaking helmet used for off road use makes a tad more sense than many typical bike helmets. The speeds attained and expected load range is thus comparable. The need exists for a light tapping survivability as off roaders can be expected in many environs to lightly glance off trees with some regularity in normal use, and this might not be all that good for the long term usefulness of a bike helmet principally designed for road use and zero tapping (which could loosen the shell and cause catastrophic failure and thus lead to disabling injury or even death).

The original modern helmets were built for fighter plane flying airmen for survivability in a crash at moderately high speeds. These were hand made to fit each pilot. Most people couldn't afford such work. Thus the modern bike helmet is adjustable in it's fit.

Don't neglect proper fit; and be sure to wear the very smallest helmet that will still fit your head. More foam padding is usually a bad thing. Too much foam allows the helmet to rotate in a crash. You don't want that. Rotation doesn't absorb energy, but rather at worst causes the helmet to need to absorb the energy of any given crash faster. The stiff foam (not the padding) in a helmet is designed for an expected load range over an expected period of time. Don't compromise this by pouring solvents on it, or exposing it to prolonged periods in the sun. Keep the helmet clean, you'll use a clean helmet more. But don't use anything more harsh than mild soap with allot of water, and thoroughly rinse. Salt has been shown to affect some plastics, and foams, so wash the sweat off regularly.

Painting a helmet is usually OK, but don't hide accident marks under a fresh paint job. If you've damage, likely you could have compromised the glue that holds the shell on the hard foam on some designs. This could lead to the shell popping off in an accident, and thus utter failure of the hard foam to absorb the energy of the fall and thus injury and even perhaps death.

Don't ride to fast and expect the helmet to save you either. Even motorcycle helmets are of little use past a 35 mile per hour into a brick wall stop; and even then they won't likely save a fellow from severe injury of death.

Should I wear a helmet while riding a bicycle?

P

Going to be riding on neighborhood streets and busy streets. The law says I need lights after dark, but it doesn't say I need a helmet. Should I wear one anyway?
Will be leisurely riding, not racing or terribly long distances.

Answer
The above argument that helmets are heavy, hot, expensive and limit your vision is nonsense.

Skip the big, beefy skate or downhill-style helmets and go for one of the many lightweight, relatively inexpensive helmets on the market which are designed for casual riding on the road. They tend to be well-ventilated and feel cool, extremely lightweight, and don't block vision in the least.

Some people hate the look of more technical road helmets, but I think they look great.

The argument that you're only riding on quiet streets or in dedicated bike lanes falls short, as well. Even though you're not riding with cars, you can still collide with another bike, a pedestrian, hit a pothole, blow out a tire, etc. There are an infinite number of ways to crash, and many are not in your control.

Specialized, Gyro, Bell, and many others have entry models starting at around $35. Visit your local bike shop and find one that fits.

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Has ANYONE figured it out!?!?!?!?

bicycle helmets kmart image

Nicole C.

HOW TO GET RID OF LOVE HANDLES????

Answer
I can guarantee you that if you ride bicycles like I did, you won't have any love handles. But that requires you go to a REAL bicycle shop, and not WalMart, Target, KMart, etc., where they sell what I call two-wheel-tanks. Get one that is much lighter and perfectly fit for you, and has toe clips or similar device on the pedals so you drastically increase your pedaling efficiency, and get bicycle shoes and some of those lycra shorts that serious bicyclist wear, AND A HELMET!!!! You'll have racks for water bottles already mounted on your new bicycle, and you'll NEED to drink plenty of water, and if you PEDAL instead of coast, and ride for some serious exercise, you'll lose those "love handles" and have some seriously gorgeous legs and hips. And you'll have the freedom to eat to your guts content, because you'll need those carb calories. God Bless you.

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