mountain bike for commuting?

Derek

i've decided to use this old mongoose mountain bike that has been sitting in a shed for years to commute from home to work or near by stores. do they make for good commuter bikes? my home town (Tucson) is known for being a bike rider hotspot, but i hear about people on bikes being struck by vehicles often. i figured if i use the mountain bike i could ride on the dirt aside the roads instead of the tiny bike lanes on them. thoughts? opinions? thanks!

Answer
You may not like this answer... I use a mountain bike occasionally for "Urban Assault" riding. And it's a damn good one - the same kind the police use.
http://archive.fujibikes.com/archivebikes.php?prodid=2003&prodname=Police%20Patrol&modelyear=2012
It has lock out front forks & city tires. If that Mongoose has suspension forks & they can't be "locked out" - bad choice for a "commuter bike". But...at least install some Kenda Kross tires on it.
http://www.amazon.com/Kenda-TR0-Kross-24-Kross-Plus-Wire/dp/B003WO4CNW

The key to commuting in the city is being SEEN! Designated bike lanes are a joke. Separate but equal my @ss! Bike lanes put you to the far right - out of the "line of sight" of most tunnel vision motorists. Whenever there's a designated bike lane - I hug the LEFT part of it & go out into the traffic lane if need be. Most of these bike lanes also put you right smack dab in the "door zone" should some fool not look first before opening a car door.

Get a good helmet mirror...
http://www.safezonemirror.com/
And start reading...
http://www.bikexprt.com/streetsmarts/usa/index.htm
https://www.stlbeacon.org/#!/voices/in-the-news/115410-knowledge-is-best-protection-for-bicyclist
And watching...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rU4nKKq02BU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFjCza5e1kw

Reccomended bike?

Amphibious

Needs to be under $300. It's going to primarily be for riding around on campus. So, mostly sidewalks buy it definitely needs to be able to take some abuse. Needs to be made of materials that won't be affected when kept outside. And I like to go fast.
Knew I forgot something. I need front suspension, too.
Either mountain or hybrid.

Answer
yea hard tail mountain bike - you can find tons on nice used ones on craigslist. mtn bikes have bad resale (good for you) you can get a lot of bike for $300. be patient, wait for the right thing. find one for $400, and offer 3 - i had a nice cannondale in college, i put city slick tires on it, fenders and a lock, i used to love urban cycling, i used to race the busses to campus (and often win!) have fun! remember wear gloves and a helmet, i was hit a few times, and thrashed my hands on the pavement once.

Powered by Yahoo! Answers

Mountain biking tips for a woman.?

Candicecan

I love to go mountain biking, but sometimes Intimidated by the sharp drops and the really steep hills.
I always wear a helmet when on the trails, and I am usually graceful when flying off the bike-
I would like some tips for the trail, how to enjoy the ride more than just being scared and excited.

I ride my bike in Chattanooga TN, so it's pretty hilly at times.

What do you do to have fun on the trails?

Answer
If you can build your skills and get comfortable on some relatively easier trails where you aren't dealing with drops and difficult technical stuff, that'd be great. Then, when you get pretty good, move back up to the scary trails.

A couple things that might help you out.....1) Momentum is your friend, most of the time. The slower you go, especially while pointed downhill, the easier it is to stuff your front wheel and stall out or go over the bars. If you can let yourself roll a little quicker then some bumps and drops will melt away under your wheels (relatively speaking). You don't want to plow into rock gardens or extra-tall roots, but really, speed is your friend lots of times. 2) Back off of the scary stuff until you're ready for it. When you're intimidated your body will tense up and you'll tend to lose control (or your senses), making the harder challenges just that much harder. If you know you can handle what's coming at you then you'll be loose, fluid, and smooth...able to shift your weight and put some english on the bike rather than freezing up and putting a death grip on the bars which will take away your control and poise.

You can learn simple skills that will really help on the trail....practice on easy trails or even with urban obstacles. You should be able to wheelie, pull the front wheel up without pedaling to drop off of a ledge or up onto something, and bunnyhopping really comes in handy. Also, get comfortable with endos so that you know your balance point and have some control over the situation (when you're able to). Doing this trick is called a "stoppie".....roll forward at a medium speed and lock up the front brake hard. It may help to kind of lift your knees a little. Keep a good grip on the bars and firm up your forearms, then let the rear end rise up. Practice at it until you get comfy, then see how high you can get and how long you can hold it before dropping back. If you get scared (and if you aren't way up high and over the balance point of the front hub) just release the front brake and you'll plop back down...shift your weight back a bit, too. This really does help on the trails when you get into slow stall situations and start to endo....you can stop it sometimes, or at least know when it's time to bail.

Also, learning to do trackstands will help tremendously with your balance, and that transfers over into almost every riding situation. Lock up both brakes and try to balance as long as you can. You can shift your hips or turn the front wheel back and forth as needed to help stay up. If you can do it decently, then sometimes in technical areas you can stop, get composed, and shift directions or hop away from an obstacle at your front wheel.

Just practice on small things like curbs and little 12" dropoffs....learn to control the bike with wheelies and weight shifts. Try to ride painted lines as if they were balance beams. Then take it to the trails and see how much more skilled you are and how it smooths out the ride. You can move up to more challenging things as you want to. The only caution is to make sure the parts on your bike match your new skill level (strong wheels, for example).

And hey, if you can't get the hang of it or don't want to try, it's ok. You can have plenty of fun with "boring" trails when you ride just because you enjoy it and have friends to share it with. There's no shame in walking the steeps or rough stuff and it's better than ending up in the hospital, y'know?

Hope this helps some...post up again if you need help with specifics and stuff. Also, you might like to check out the book "Mastering Mountain Bike Skills" by Brian Lopes and Lee MacCormack. *Excellent* book and well-presented, sure to help you be a better and happier rider. :o)

What age can I stop wearing a helmet when I bike? (Toronto)?

Anonymous

What is the minimum age in Toronto (Canada, Ontario), that I can ride my bicycle without wearing a helmet?

Answer
Depends on how old you are when you grow an adamantium layer of skin over your scalp...

You can legally ride without a helmet at 18, but it is *always* stupid to do so. Wearing a helmet, and wearing it properly, makes cycling immensely safer. In Toronto in particular, it's not that safe of a thing to do, but if you fall and hit your head, a helmet is the difference between having to spend $30 to replace your helmet, and having urban foxes make a meal of your brain matter.

It happens. All the freaking time. That's why whenever you see a cycling club ride past you, you can safely bet that they'll *all* be wearing helmets. Smart adults wear helmets even though they don't have to. And these days helmets can be pretty stylish, and there are always ways of dealing with helmet-head. So just get used to it, because if there's anything worth protecting in your head, you will *always* wear a helmet when you cycle.

Powered by Yahoo! Answers

Where can I find a cool "Urban" style bike helmet?

jonnyexcel

My 63 year old father just bought a Dutch style bike and I want to get him a cool helmet of the same style. Online purchase is obviously preferred. Thanks
Somehow I don't think that "cool" and walmart go together

Answer
Googling for "urban" + "bike helmet" turned up nothing..

But Bell does make something they call a "citi" bike helmet: http://www.amazon.com/Bell-Citi-Bike-Helmet/dp/B000BOC8I2

Maybe that will do?

Hope this helps a little.

mountain bike for commuting?

Derek

i've decided to use this old mongoose mountain bike that has been sitting in a shed for years to commute from home to work or near by stores. do they make for good commuter bikes? my home town (Tucson) is known for being a bike rider hotspot, but i hear about people on bikes being struck by vehicles often. i figured if i use the mountain bike i could ride on the dirt aside the roads instead of the tiny bike lanes on them. thoughts? opinions? thanks!

Answer
You may not like this answer... I use a mountain bike occasionally for "Urban Assault" riding. And it's a damn good one - the same kind the police use.
http://archive.fujibikes.com/archivebikes.php?prodid=2003&prodname=Police%20Patrol&modelyear=2012
It has lock out front forks & city tires. If that Mongoose has suspension forks & they can't be "locked out" - bad choice for a "commuter bike". But...at least install some Kenda Kross tires on it.
http://www.amazon.com/Kenda-TR0-Kross-24-Kross-Plus-Wire/dp/B003WO4CNW

The key to commuting in the city is being SEEN! Designated bike lanes are a joke. Separate but equal my @ss! Bike lanes put you to the far right - out of the "line of sight" of most tunnel vision motorists. Whenever there's a designated bike lane - I hug the LEFT part of it & go out into the traffic lane if need be. Most of these bike lanes also put you right smack dab in the "door zone" should some fool not look first before opening a car door.

Get a good helmet mirror...
http://www.safezonemirror.com/
And start reading...
http://www.bikexprt.com/streetsmarts/usa/index.htm
https://www.stlbeacon.org/#!/voices/in-the-news/115410-knowledge-is-best-protection-for-bicyclist
And watching...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rU4nKKq02BU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFjCza5e1kw

Powered by Yahoo! Answers

Should a 13 year old have to wear a helmet?

Erica

I want to bike around my neighborhood without a helmet but my dad won't let me. Keep I mind at the neighborhood is really safe.

Answer
Your neighborhood is really safe, huh? Are the streets lined with marshmallows in case you fall on your own? That's right --- a full 45% of all cycling accidents are SOLO falls - no one else involved. See pie chart on this link - http://thinkbicyclingblog.wordpress.com/2010/08/28/how-to-avoid-urban-adult-bike-crashes/

Dear old Dad isn't so dumb after all - is he? Most that don't like helmets have that attitude from one that's too hot - improper ventilation. Get a good well ventilated helmet - not from Wally World or K-Mart. One like this - http://www.giro.com/us_en/products/men/road/indicator.html or this - http://www.giro.com/us_en/products/men/road/transfer.html

Is it okay to ride a bike when....?

Jamain v

You are not wearing a helmet? I will only use the bike around my subdivision (a big one) and I dont have a helmet. There is also no bike zone in my sub so is it also okay to ride my bike on the sidewalk?

Answer
And I suppose all the streets & sidewalks in your neighborhood are lined with marshmallows in case you do fall. Right? I got news for ya...a full 45% of all bicycle accidents are "Solo Falls"! No one else or nothing else involved. See link...
http://thinkbicyclingblog.files.wordpress.com/2010/08/kaplan_bike_crash_causes.jpg

Get a good, well ventilated helmet & a helmet mirror. And ride on the STREETS! Sidewalks are for pedestrians. Streets are for vehicles. Bicycles are vehicles - by law!
http://www.giro.com/us_en/products/men/helmets/urban/indicator.html
http://safezonemirror.com/
http://www.bikexprt.com/streetsmarts/usa/index.htm

Powered by Yahoo! Answers

I want to start BMXing but what do I need?

best bike helmets urban image

Jim

What I mean by that is what clothes equipment bike brands and shoes do I need thanks

Answer
Clothes don't matter (If you really want some good jeans, get Urban Kreation. I have 2 pairs and I love them).

Get some cheap Van's from Kohls or something. I wear $25 Vans and I ride brakeless and they hold up.

Might want to get a nice helmet (I have a TSG Kraken).

For a bike, go to www.veinbmx.com and buy anything over $350.

Good starter tricks for urban mountain biking?

�|�x

I've been mountain/trail biking for a while now on my hardtail diamondback response, its fun but I want to try urban mountain biking, the stuff they can do is simply amazing. What are some good starter tricks to help get me in the sport? I know how to wheelie, but can only hold it for like 50ft. and a basic front brake stoppie, but thats it. ANy help or reference sights to recommend would be great.
This is what im talking about:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXApPXKzmDw

Answer
Learn to ride down stairs 1st. If you ever get to the point of riding rails, you will need to learn how to ride down stairs if you cut the rail short. If you don't have confidence on all types of stairs, you will always fall.
Other than that, since you can wheelie pretty well, try wheelieing into a bunny hop up a park bench and ride it out on a wheelie. Wear a helmet too :)

Powered by Yahoo! Answers

Should you be required to wear a helmet when driving a motorcycle ?

best bike helmets urban image

promo2001

Answer
Having ridden for a number of years, I have heard both sides of the argument, and seen both sides of the coin. Having given it serious thought, I believe helmets should be required for anyone under the age of 21 and anyone with less than three years experience riding. After that, it should be at the rider's discretion. Personally I ride with a helmet in town, and without it on the open road. I choose to wear it not because of what I might do to myself, I'm more concerned more about what someone else can do to me. Most motorcycle accidents involve another vehicle, usually a car or truck, most happen on urban streets, not the open road, or are caused by some idiot on a crotch-rocket showing off and going way too fast to keep control of the bike. Cruising on the highway is much safer and more fun.

I want to start BMXing but what do I need?

Jim

What I mean by that is what clothes equipment bike brands and shoes do I need thanks

Answer
Clothes don't matter (If you really want some good jeans, get Urban Kreation. I have 2 pairs and I love them).

Get some cheap Van's from Kohls or something. I wear $25 Vans and I ride brakeless and they hold up.

Might want to get a nice helmet (I have a TSG Kraken).

For a bike, go to www.veinbmx.com and buy anything over $350.

Powered by Yahoo! Answers

What do I do with my old Crashed motorcycle helmet?

best bike helmets urban image

Jonny

I was in a motorcycle crash about a week ago and I need to get a new helmet. My old one took some damage and is no longer reliable. It looks like it could either be repaired or recycled or something, I dont want to throw it in the dumpster, So i was just wondering if there is anything I can do to either sell it for parts or get some kind of use out of it

Answer
Two ideas.

1. Leave it on the bike, unlocked, in some urban neighborhood. Someone will steal it, and the joke will be on them. 8^)

2. Turn it upside down, fill it with potting soil and make a planter out of it!

Do You Wear A Helmet While Riding a Bike?

Unknown345

I do. My friend thinks I am dumb and silly for wearing a helmet. I'd rather look silly than crack my skull. My friend doesn't even wear a helmet while four wheeling.

Answer
Just like the old American Express credit card commercial..."Don't leave home without it."

Your so-called friend is the dumb one - not you. See pie chart on this link...
http://thinkbicyclingblog.files.wordpress.com/2010/08/kaplan_bike_crash_causes.jpg
A full FORTY-FIVE percent of all cycling accidents are "solo falls". No other person, vehicle or animal involved.
http://thinkbicyclingblog.wordpress.com/2010/08/28/how-to-avoid-urban-adult-bike-crashes/

Powered by Yahoo! Answers

Why are there fewer commuter-cyclists lately? What are the main thresholds to bike-commuting?

best bike helmets urban image

LastGenera

Imho, the bike manufacturers are to blame, and here are my opinions. What's your two cents?

In my view, bike saddles are uncomfortable and possibly cause the dreaded Male Dysfunction Syndrome. Also, the Shimano fancy gears and shifters wear out in only 1,000 miles and are costly. In comparison, old bikes had gears/chains that lasted 20 years or more.

Open-face bike helmets don't protect the teeth from impact, and there imho aren't inexpensive full-face helmets for people who wear glasses, size 63cm, or XXL.

Then, there's bike theft.

Any other reasons not listed here?

Answer
I hate to say it, but I strongly disagree on every point you've listed.

The 'root' of the low visibility of commuter biking is that the population (as a whole) has been encouraged to obtain and then maintain a sedentary lifestyle. Suburbanization and the 'sprawl' left over from the 50's contributes to longer commutes in terms of distance and time. Working longer hours at a given job means less time to make the travel between home and work .. which results in looking for a faster means of doing so.

The average level of activity in today's population is around 50 percent of the activity level of the 1950's population. That means folks are simply doing less in the way of exercise, and when they do attempt it, it is less strenuous. Sure, there's a handful of exceptions who take exercise (and strenuous types at that!) as a way of life ... but they are more than compensated for by those who do absolutely nothing.

I've ridden on the same Shimano drivetrain on each bike I own (the newest one is a 2004, the oldest is a 1969, and there are three from different ages in between). No bike has less than 7500 miles on it ... the 2004 road bike has almost 8000 miles in just over 2.5 years of riding. There's nothing wrong with the shifters, brakes, rings, cassettes, chain, or freewheel on any of the bikes.

The variety of saddle materials and shapes out there means there's something for everyone. The more probable cause of an uncomfortable saddle experience is that you aren't fitted properly to the bike itself! Check your overall fit at a local bike shop ... there's a fair bit of geomtery involved. And no two people are exactly the same, so your setup has to be somewhat 'custom'.

Cleanup after arriving at work from a lengthy commute can be tricky, if your place of employment doesn't have showers. However, it's pretty much guaranteed it DOES have a washroom - which means running water. Pack a cloth and a towel, some work clothes, and some soap/deodorant. You can clean up with relatively little fuss quite quickly.

As to theft - there's a couple of answers to this. One is to use a 'beater' bike for the commute, so it doesn't appear as attractive to potential thieves. The other is to subtly pressure your employer into providing safe storage during the workday. Email me - I can give you a good example of how I changed the way things were done with my previous employer. Or check a previous answer I've given here on Yahoo! Cycling ... it pretty much portrays the same example.

As to actually pressuring the employer ... use the idea that a fit and active employee is a better health risk from an insurance point of view, so it would be to his benefit to set up safe storage in lieu of higher premiums.

Lastly - there are several styles of bicycle out there on the market. The 'commuter' bike is designed specifically for getting around an urban area; it's slightly more comfortable riding position than a true road bike, and easier to pedal and manoeuvre than a mountain bike. They can be found fairly cheaply; take a look at your local shop. Then try a couple of styles out ... there's one out there for everyone. If you can't find a good bike for you out there, it isn't usually the manufacturers fault - it's yours, for not doing the legwork (and yes, sometimes that means exercise as well!).

Should a 13 year old have to wear a helmet?

Erica

I want to bike around my neighborhood without a helmet but my dad won't let me. Keep I mind at the neighborhood is really safe.

Answer
Your neighborhood is really safe, huh? Are the streets lined with marshmallows in case you fall on your own? That's right --- a full 45% of all cycling accidents are SOLO falls - no one else involved. See pie chart on this link - http://thinkbicyclingblog.wordpress.com/2010/08/28/how-to-avoid-urban-adult-bike-crashes/

Dear old Dad isn't so dumb after all - is he? Most that don't like helmets have that attitude from one that's too hot - improper ventilation. Get a good well ventilated helmet - not from Wally World or K-Mart. One like this - http://www.giro.com/us_en/products/men/road/indicator.html or this - http://www.giro.com/us_en/products/men/road/transfer.html

Powered by Yahoo! Answers

What do I do with my old Crashed motorcycle helmet?

best bike helmets urban image

Jonny

I was in a motorcycle crash about a week ago and I need to get a new helmet. My old one took some damage and is no longer reliable. It looks like it could either be repaired or recycled or something, I dont want to throw it in the dumpster, So i was just wondering if there is anything I can do to either sell it for parts or get some kind of use out of it

Answer
Two ideas.

1. Leave it on the bike, unlocked, in some urban neighborhood. Someone will steal it, and the joke will be on them. 8^)

2. Turn it upside down, fill it with potting soil and make a planter out of it!

Do You Wear A Helmet While Riding a Bike?

Unknown345

I do. My friend thinks I am dumb and silly for wearing a helmet. I'd rather look silly than crack my skull. My friend doesn't even wear a helmet while four wheeling.

Answer
Just like the old American Express credit card commercial..."Don't leave home without it."

Your so-called friend is the dumb one - not you. See pie chart on this link...
http://thinkbicyclingblog.files.wordpress.com/2010/08/kaplan_bike_crash_causes.jpg
A full FORTY-FIVE percent of all cycling accidents are "solo falls". No other person, vehicle or animal involved.
http://thinkbicyclingblog.wordpress.com/2010/08/28/how-to-avoid-urban-adult-bike-crashes/

Powered by Yahoo! Answers