Want the latest updates in the industry or just technical information about parts and accesories, this is the place to be.
You will find information about:
Frames Pedal systems Curing tires. Tires are made with nature rubber. This nature rubber needs to cure after the manufacture process which takes a while. The more flexible the tires the more nature rubber is in that tire which means that this new tire is “soft”. Any sharp object on the road will puncture easy this soft rubber. That being said, it is never a good idea to do a big race or ride on brand new tires right off the shelf. Buy tires a couple of months in advance for the event or before the new season starts, ideally about 6 months. Ask your local bike shop for some old rims matching the size you have on your bicycle. No spokes or hubs are needed. Put on rim tape to cover the spoke holes and then install the new purchased tires with a tube. Pump them to about 50 psi and hang them in the garage or closet for 5 to 6 months. Once you put them on the bike you will notice that:
Handlebars Shoes
Aero bars Saddles Stems
Tires/Tubes
Seat posts Small parts
Wheels
Wear that helmet!!
Without any exceptions, all bike riders should wear bicycles helmets. Each year in the United States, about 900 bicyclists are killed and about half a million end up in the hospital emergency rooms. About two -thirds of the fatal accidents and one-third of the injuries involve the head or face. Wearing a helmet can reduce the risk of head injury to bicyclist by more than 80 percent.
What safety information should I look for when buying a helmet?
Look for Consumer Product Safety Committee (CPSC) sticker inside the helmet. This label or sticker ensures that the helmet will provide a high level of protection in the event of an impact. Helmet manufactured after March 1999 are required by law to meet CPSC standards. The ASTM, ANSI and Snell labels also the CPSC standards. These were voluntary safety standards prior to 1999.
Try to avoid a used or hand-me-down helmet, never purchase or use a helmet that is cracked or broken or has been in a crash. These helmets might have cracks you cannot see and/or do not meet current safety standards when manufactured before 1999. However, any helmet is still much better than no helmet at all.
Boxing a bicycle
Traveling with a bicycle requires planning and organization. Some airlines take bicycles with only minor adjustments, such as turning the handle bars and removing the pedals. However, it is recommended to have the bicycle boxed, which protects it from handling at the airport and during other necessary transit. Bicycles can be boxed in the same cardboard shipping boxes they come from the factory which are often given away by the local bicycle shops. The best boxes for this are from Cannondale and from the Trek high end road bikes. This requires some disassembly which means that the right tools need to be used and that these tools travel with the bicycle to reassemble the bicycle. Another option is to have the packing done by a shop at the destination.
When boxing your own bicycle, it is recommended to wrap the tubes/frame with bubble wrap or any other protective material. Pipe insulation works very good for this. After putting everything in the box, use special packing tape to close the box and to reinforce all the seams (bottom and top). Write your name and address on the box with a marker in case a label get lost or damaged.
People who travel often with the bicycle should consider purchasing a special bike case. This is a special “suit case” designed for airline travel (photo, below). These hard and soft cases not only make packing and unpacking easier but also protect the bicycle better. Some different models require less bike disassembly the other, plus most of them feature handy details, such as handles, straps and wheels.
General packing tips for the hard case travel box:
Ø Remove the pedals, seat/seatpost
Ø Remove road bike's front brake
Ø Remove handlebars from the stem.(in using a quill stem, pull out the stem)
Ø Remove the front and rear wheel and take out quick releases
Ø Bag or box all removed small items
Ø Wrap or cover the frame with protection material
Ø When packing in a cardboard box, tie the parts to the bike
Ø Ensure parts & frame can't hit each other
Ø Do NOT lock the case; inspectors need access
Ø If you're using a cardboard box, pack extra tape to re-seal the box
Ø Pack cycling shoes, shorts, helmet and jersey in case/box; you'll be able to ride if other bags getting lost
Ø There's no need to deflate tires for elevation purposes though at the airport they will ask you to do so
Ø Soft clothing, pillows and sleeping bags makes great padding and leaves more room in other bags
