Cyclists Shifting Gears After Rainy Hiatus Can Fix Up Equipment : It’s time for the annual maintenance ritual, especially if you’re thinking about upgrading with new accessories.
Getting ready for riding season is a time-honored tradition in cycling circles. The hardier cyclists ride all year in temperate Southern California, but this particularly rainy winter prompted all but the most dedicated to put the bikes away for at least awhile.
It’s still winter, but it’s not too early for the annual ritual: pulling the bike out of its corner of the garage and judging its roadworthiness. This is a particularly good time to do it if you’re thinking about upgrading your bike with any of those shiny new accessories in the bike shop windows.
First, it’s important to check some of the essentials. Storage is especially tough on tires and inner tubes, which are prone to dry rot. The tires are likely to need re-inflation, at least (while you’re at it, check the spare inner tubes in your repair kit). Rusted gear and brake cables, as well as chains, may need replacing.
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Depending on how long the bike has been in storage, a tuneup may be in order. If you can do this yourself, great; otherwise, most bike shops will do it for you for about $40. Additional work or any parts replacement will add to the bill.
Beyond these basics, though, there are several things you can do to improve a bike’s comfort and performance, ranging from a minor upgrade to a complete make-over. The expense can add up quickly, so a bit of appraisal is in order first: Is your bike good enough to warrant pouring extra money into it? Or does it make more sense to save up and get a whole new bike down the road?
“This is the heart of the bike, the frame tubes,” said Larry Pritchard, service manager at Performance Bicycle in Fountain Valley, while pointing at a bike on the rack in the shop’s repair area. “There’s not a lot you can do if the heart isn’t there.”
In other words, it isn’t worth pouring hundreds of dollars into improving the gearing or wheels on a bike with a heavy or inexpensive frame. “I’ll spend $1,000 on a $100 frame if the person wants me to,” Pritchard said, but he’ll advise against it. Some people have a sentimental attachment to a particular bike, or are comfortable riding a particular model.
Another fact to consider is that bike materials, design and production techniques have progressed rapidly over the past several years: a bike that cost $500 five years ago may ride only as well as a bike costing $200 or $300 today.
Finally, don’t expect to recoup your investment if you decide to someday sell your bike. “Unfortunately, resale (value) of a bike is little to none,” said Mark Stansell, assistant manager and floor supervisor for Performance Bicycle.
That said, there are several investments that many bike owners make in their machines. The emphasis here is on road bikes.
* Pedals--If you don’t have them already, get clipless pedals if you ride for fitness or speed. In these, the shoe clips directly onto the pedal via a cleat on the bottom. New designs, especially from Shimano, are getting smaller, lighter and easier to use. Once you’re used to a clipless pedal, they are no more dangerous than the old toe-straps (probably less dangerous, in fact).
The clipless pedal system allows riders to fully use the stroke and “spin” while pedaling, instead of applying pressure on only the downward strokes.
Prices for pedals generally range from about $80 to $220. Shoes can cost $50 to $100 or more (inexpensive combination packages are sometimes available).
* Wheels--Buying lighter wheels can shave as much as three pounds off the total weight of the bike, a significant savings that can add to bike speed. Wheel weight can be saved by using a smaller rim coupled with lighter or fewer spokes.
Most new wheels cost from $100 to $300 a pair. Composite wheels can cost significantly more, from $1,000 a pair on up.
* Gearing--If your bike is more than 5 years old, chances are it does not have index shifting, a feature taken for granted by most cyclists today. Indexed shifting eliminates hunting for gears. Installing an indexed shifting system will cost from $90 to $150, although, as is always the case with bicycles, it is possible to spend a lot more.
Another option is to increase the number of available gears. While 10- and 12-speeds were once the standard, bikes now generally come with 18 or 21 speeds, allowing much greater options when climbing or descending hills.
* Handlebars--Clip-on handlebars of the type popularized by triathletes continue to catch on with road cyclists. These attach to the regular handlebars and allow the rider to lean forward into a more aerodynamic position, which can contribute significantly to speed, especially on longer rides. The cost ranges from $40 to $100.
Pritchard warns that the clip-on bars can reduce maneuverability and take the hands away from the brakes, so it’s best not to use them in traffic.
* Saddles--Bicycle seats can be uncomfortable anyway but can get even worse with age: The gel in gel seats can harden, and leather seats can dry and crack. In addition, the saddles that come with bikes “are typically not very good, particularly for women,” Pritchard said.
Most bikes come with long, narrow racing saddles built primarily for the male physique; saddles built specifically for the female anatomy are generally wider and shorter. A good saddle, combined with a decent pair of riding shorts, can add significantly to the comfort of a ride, especially over long distances.
Saddles range from about $25 up to $160, with most selling for $30 to $80. Padded shorts can cost from $25 to $80.
* Other items--Bike computers are much more sophisticated than a few years ago, and no more expensive. A basic model with seven functions is $25; a top-of-the-line model complete with heart monitor runs $100. Commuters will want to look into the new generation of battery-operated headlights available, from $15 to $100; also flashing taillights, around $15.