Cycling Gear

VIEW ALL BIKE ACCESSORIES »   

Choosing The Right Bike Accessories

Spare Tubes, Patch Kits and Tools

• It is always a good idea to have a spare tube along in case of a flat
• If flat tires are a particular problem on your rides, consider buying a puncture-resistant tube
• Patch kits are a necessity if you need to repair a tube, either on the road or in the comfort of home
• Patch kits typically consist of tire levers (little crowbars that are used to pry the tire off the rim), rubber patches, tire cement, and a piece of sandpaper (to rough up the surface of the tube so that the cement will adhere and hold the patch in place)
• Other basic tools that are handy to have include screwdrivers, wrenches and allen keys for quick adjustments as well as a chain tool for taking the chain apart for cleaning and repair

Pumps

To keep your bike running smoothly, it's important to keep the tires inflated to their recommended pressure. There are three basic types of pumps.

• Floor pumps
  • Larger models designed for home use
  • They feature a large air chamber and heavy-duty construction that can accommodate high pressures and repeated use. Many models have a built-in pressure gauge.
• Frame-fit pumps
  • These are designed to fit on your bike frame without the need for mounting hardware
  • They are good for the occasional emergency, but are not sturdy enough for long-term, constant use
• Mini-pumps
  • Mini-pumps are light, small, and will fit easily in a bike bag or jersey pocket
  • They can also be mounted under the bottle cage via frame clips
  • Although the size is convenient, mini-pumps often require a hundred or more strokes to fill a tire
• One other option is a CO2 inflation system
  • This system provides instant, effortless tire inflation. The cartridges are small, light and easy to carry. However, this method becomes expensive when used for anything but emergency use.

Water Bottles and Cages

• If you plan to ride for more than 15 minutes, you'll probably want to bring along a water bottle
• Bottles come in two basic sizes, regular and oversized
• If you like your drink to stay cold, look for an insulated bottle or a wide-mouthed model that can handle ice cubes
• Bottle cages will generally fit all bike bottles
• Most bike frames have braze-ons (small fittings) to accommodate cages, thereby eliminating the need for mounting hardware
• Mountain bike cages are usually heavier and thicker than road cages
• Road cages tend to be light and aerodynamic

Handlebar and Seat Bags

• Handlebar and seat bags come in a variety of sizes and styles, and are handy for stowing anything from house keys to picnic lunches
• Handlebar bags attach to the front of the handlebars. They are more suited to road and hybrid bikes than to mountain bikes, and are especially useful for touring and recreational riding.
• Some bags have special map pockets, and will easily detach from the bike for use as a carry-all
• Seat bags fit below the seat and are usually wedge-shaped. They are good for any rider who wants to carry a bare minimum, such as a spare tube and patch kit.

VIEW ALL BIKE COMPONENTS »   

Choosing The Right Bike Components

Derailleurs

• Derailleurs are the mechanisms that lead the chain from one sprocket to another while the chain is moving forward
• They are the components (one in front and one in back) that allow you to shift gears
• BMX and freestyle bikes do not have multiple gears, and so will not have derailleurs

Handlebars

• Handlebars help steer the bike, and are the place where brake levers and shifters are mounted
• Most road bikes have drop style or racing handlebars that encourage an aerodynamic riding position
• Mountain and hybrid bikes have upright or straight handlebars that encourage a more upright riding position for comfort and control

Saddles

• A comfortable saddle is key to enjoying your bike
• Saddles are available in a wide variety of styles, and are easy to switch
• Some padding is good, but more is not always better. Excess padding can add pressure and discomfort
• Padding usually consists of gel or foam
• Some saddles have cut-out sections, gel-padded areas, or holes cut through the top that are designed to combat male numbness and other anatomical concerns
• If you are female, consider a women's saddle. These models are wider in back to better accommodate women's generally wider pelvic structure, and they have a shorter nose to better suit female anatomy.

Brakes

• A braking system is actually comprised of a few different components:
  • Brake levers are located on the handlebars and are used by the rider to slow or stop the bike
  • Brake calipers squeeze against the rims to control the bike's speed
  • V-Brakes are a type of caliper brake in which the brake arms reach around the side of the wheel to press brake pads against the wheel rim. They are used primarily on mountain and BMX bikes.
  • Side-pull brakes have both cable arms on the same side of the caliper. They are best suited to road and recreational bikes.
  • Brake pads are blocks of rubber-like material that press against the wheel rim when the brakes are applied

Bike Frames Construction

It helps to know how a bike is put together as you take a look at all of the components.

Butting

• Butting refers to putting the material in the places that a frame will be under the most stress, which is at the ends of the tubes
• Internal butting is hidden within the tube
• External butting is an older, more expensive method of adding material to the outside of a tube
• Double butting means that as the tube is shaped, extra material is added internally at each end. This allows for reduced wall thickness which saves weight
• Triple butting saves even more weight by stepping down the material at the tube ends

Welding

• Welding refers to the method used to join frame tubes
• Many low-end and entry-level bikes have extended welds, which is an inexpensive way of adding material to the ends of the tubes
• There are three styles of welding
  • TIG (Tungsten Inert Gas) welding uses the same material as the tube. Nearly all high-end bikes use this method because it's relatively inexpensive and creates a solid weld.
  • Brazing joins the tubes using silver or brass
  • Lugs can also be used to join the tubes

Bike Frame Materials

In general, the lighter and stronger the frame and the better the components the more expensive the bike. The feel of a bike is largely attributable to its frame material.

Steel

• Carbon or high-tensile steel
  • Strong and long lasting, but it's also heavy
  • It is most suitable for kids' bikes and recreational or comfort-style bikes
• Chromoly (chrome molybdenum) steel
  • Light, strong, responsive, and gives a somewhat resilient, supple ride
  • It is used in both recreational and higher-end bikes in all categories

Aluminum alloy

The most commonly used material in bike frames is aluminum.

• Light, stiff and strong
• It is not as forgiving as chromoly, but it is lighter than steel
• It is good for riders who want lightness and who don't mind a slightly rougher ride

Titanium

• Very light, tremendously strong, and is more resilient than steel
• Resists fatigue and corrosion and therefore needs no paint
• Titanium is fairly expensive and is limited to use in high-end road and cross-country mountain bikes where performance is the primary concern

Carbon fiber

• Very tough and light and will never rust or corrode, but it's also brittle
• Metal lasts because it can bend and regain its shape. Carbon fiber can't, which is why these bikes have to be built stronger than actually needed.
• Carbon fiber is extremely expensive and is best suited for riders who want a fast, light bike with a futuristic look