Modern bicycle gears are very easy to shift by twisting the grip or pressing a lever. Typically a bicycle has two or three gears operated by the left shifter for course adjustments and many gears operated by the right shifter for fine adjustments. To shift with grace, one should always be pedaling forward lightly when shifting one gear at a time. Try to anticipate the need to change gears and do so before pedaling becomes difficult. Modern bikes use indexed shifting which means that they will click and jump right into the gear selected. In certain gear combinations, the chain is at the two extremes which causes a rubbing noise. This does little harm but if it is bothersome simply select a different gear combination.
Washing a Bike
While modern bicycles have good seals to keep moisture out, care must be taken to properly wash a bike. For quick jobs consider a bicycle frame polish that you simply spray on a rag and wipe off the frame. This creates a wax-like film on the finish of the frame that hastens future cleanings. If the bike is heavily soiled and it is necessary to use soap and water to remove mud make sure you never directly spray the bike. A jet stream of water can force contaminates into the bearings. After every exposure the bike has with water, the chain should be lubricated using a high-quality bicycle lube. On mountain bikes you can use a stiff bristle brush to clean the tire tread. Use alcohol and a clean rag to clean the braking surface on rims. The brake pads themselves can be resurfaced with sandpaper. This will remove any glazed surfaces and foreign matter embedded in the pad. Larger pieces of debris should be individually picked out. On bikes with disc brakes, be careful not to touch the disc rotor with chemicals or even your hands. The chemicals and oils will interfere with proper braking.
Lubricating a Chain
Lubricating a chain should be part of a bicycle owners’ regular schedule of maintenance. Fortunately this task is easy enough for anyone to complete. Make sure you have a bicycle specific lubricant to ensure the best results. First, shift the chain into the smallest gear so it is the furthest from the braking surface. Then slowly turn the cranks backwards while dripping a stream of lubricant on the center of the chain. Let the lube penetrate for a few minutes. Finally, run the chain through a rag to wipe off the excess lube. This last step is important and will help clean your chain. A clean dry-to-the-touch chain attracts less grime and lasts longer. Click here to watch a short video on proper bicycle chain lubrication.
Mountain Bike
Mountain bikes usually have 26” wide knobby tires which allow them to be ridden in loose dirt and over obstacles. These bikes have flat handlebars and rugged frames and components. Mountain bikes often have suspension to help the cyclist navigate rocky mountain trails. Many people ride mountain bikes on roads as well as trails. This does the bike no harm. It could be likened to one driving an SUV on the highway. The vehicle will operate fine--it is simply not the most efficient choice. While mountain-style bikes come in all price ranges, the lower end recreational versions are not suited for aggressive mountain biking but work great for trips on smooth dirt paths.
Hybrid/Comfort Bike
Hybrids and Sport Comfort Bikes share all of the same comfort features and are distinguished only by wheel size. Traditionally, hybrids have a larger road bike sized wheel with a slightly thinner tire than the smaller mountain style wheel and tire combination found on comfort bikes. Both bikes are loaded with comfort features and will work equally well on smooth dirt or paved trails or family cycling. These bikes have a very upright position that some riders find comfortable.
Road Bike Road bikes can be identified by their skinny tires and down-turned handlebars. These bikes rule the road due to their extreme efficiency and speed. The larger thin tires help it glide along the road with little effort and the multi-position handlebar offers a lot of grip variations from upright to more forward. A road bike is the supreme choice for anyone intent on riding on pavement, especially for longer rides. It is our great fortune to live in an area with an abundance of great roads for cycling.
Triathlon/Time Trial Bike Bicycles built specifically for triathlon or time trial events are specialized road bikes. These machines have forward bull-horn shaped handlebars and aero bars. Aero bars allow the rider to lean forward in an aero dynamic stance. The shifters on these bikes are located at the end of the aero bars. The geometry of the bicycle frame is designed to suit triathlon or time trial racing, both heavily focused on aero dynamics.
BMX/Trick Bike
Technically, BMX stands for Bicycle Motor Cross and these single-speed bikes are raced around a short dirt track similar to the motor sport. Frequently, the term BMX is used to describe any single-speed bike with a 20” wheel. These bikes are often very robust and durable and would be the best selection for anyone intending to do jumps or tricks.
Commuting Bike
Simply put, a commuting bike is any bicycle used as general transportation, regardless of the style. Commuting bikes generally have practical amenities such as lights, rear racks, bags, locks and fenders. These accessories make the bicycle a utilitarian tool. If cycling to work is impossible for you, try riding to the video store, grocery store or for other small errands. Using bicycles for transportation is a great way to get some exercise, save money, help the environment and to just have fun. Our experts can help you adapt your bike to be more commuter-friendly or help you select an appropriate new bike.
Cyclocross Bike
A cyclocross bike has road bike style drop handlebars but with wider knobby tires. These bikes are designed to be raced around a dirt trail where obstacles have been placed at various intervals. These obstacles require the rider to dismount and carry the bicycle for short periods of time. Cyclocross events are a lot of fun. The bikes are versatile and can be used as a do-anything bike.
Track Bike/Fixed Gear
A track bike is a road bike with a single gear that does not freewheel or coast.This means the cyclist cannot coast on this style of bike. In fact, true track bikes do not even have brakes so the athlete must use their leg strength to stop the cranks from turning, which stops the motion of the bike. Track racing is done in an indoor track with banked turns called a velodrome. Fixed gear bikes are the outdoor version of a track bike. They have a single, fixed gear but may have brakes and different styles of handlebars. These bikes are often used for racers in training because they force the athlete to spin their legs in a consistent circle and run a higher cadence. They are also used in cities or as foul weather bikes. Because there are so few moving parts on a fixed gear, they are inexpensive and little can go wrong. Finally, many individuals ride "fixies" for the most noblest of all reasons, FUN! Fun, coupled with a deep rooted nostalgic connection to the early years of cycling when all bikes were fixed gears.
Tandem
A Tandem is a bicycle built for two. They come in many styles and are the great leveler of the cycling world. Two riders of different abilities can enjoy a ride at the same pace when riding a tandem. They work well with younger riders, new cyclists, or the blind. Tandems do not require any special skill to ride and can be great fun…as long as you don’t argue about who is pedaling more.
Recumbent
Recumbent bicycles are non-traditional looking bicycles where one sits lower to the ground in a seat that looks like a chair. They come in many different configurations consisting of long to short wheelbases, above and under seat steering, two, three and four wheel varieties including, tandem recumbents and many other variations. The back rest of the seat allows the rider to turn a larger gear since they have something to brace against similar to doing a seated leg press. However, when riding a recumbent one cannot stand as they pedal up a challenging hill.
Adult Trike
An adult trike is exactly what it sounds like: a three wheeled bike designed for an adult. These bikes come in many different configurations. Trikes can be used by people who have difficulty balancing, as industrial transportation vehicles, or by someone who simply enjoys fun on three wheels.
Folding Bike A folding bike can be a great travel companion. Because they fold they fit easily on a subway, in the trunk of a car, or on a boat. When traveling by air one can avoid the additional charges and hassle associated with transporting a full sized bicycle.
Kids Bike A child’s bike is a bicycle that has been designed specifically for a youth. Every aspect of these vehicles is scaled down to be safe and appropriate for a child. While kids find cycling to be lots of fun it is important to remind them that a bicycle is not a toy, it is a vehicle that is fun when used safely.
Beach Cruiser
A beach Cruiser is a bicycle designed for riding short distances on flat terrain, like a boardwalk. Cruisers are identifiable by high handle bars and usually have fenders, and chainguards. Typically these bicycles only have a few speeds since they are not designed to be ridden in hilly areas.
Make sure your helmet is properly adjusted. The front of the helmet should come just above the brow ridge, the chin strap should be tight and the two straps should create a Y just beneath the ears.
Wear brightly colored clothing, lights and reflectors.
Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from UV light, bugs, wind, and flying particles.
Wear tight fitted clothing so nothing gets caught in the chain.
Watch for painted surfaces that are often slick
Avoid drain grates which can catch your tire.
When crossing railroad tracks, look and listen carefully for trains and cross the tracks at a 90 degree angle so you do not slide and fall.
Obey all traffic regulations!
Stay far to the right hand side of the road.
Do not ride on roads with speed limits over 50 mph.
Avoid riding at night.
If you must ride at night, use the best lights and reflective gear you can afford.
Always ride in groups of two or more in a single file line.
When riding in a group, try to maneuver as a group.
Make sure your bicycle is of good quality and in good repair.
Make sure your bike fits you properly to avoid repetitive stress trauma.
When you crest a hill and there is a car following you, signal to the driver if it is or is not safe to pass.
Point the direction of your next turn at least five seconds in advance.
Make sure both tires are properly inflated using a pressure gauge. The recommended pressure (psi) is listed on the sidewall of the tire.
Check both tires for cuts and/or embedded debris.
Try to turn the handlebar while holding the front wheel stationary to see if the stem is tight.
Squeeze both brakes and make sure they require an even amount of pull (about halfway to the grip) to contact the braking surface of the rim or rotor properly.
Spin both wheels to make sure they spin freely and do not rub the brake pads.
Make sure the quick release levers are secured properly.
Lube the chain and wipe off all of the excess after it penetrates.
Leave clothing at work to lighten your load; drive in occasionally to replenish the stock.
Secure a heavy-duty lock where you leave your bike; it will be one less thing to carry.
Carry unscented baby wipes to use for quick clean ups.
Shower before you leave for work so when you arrive all you have to clean off is some sweat. If
you shower at work wait a few minutes so your body will stop perspiring before you bathe.
Install lights and reflectors on your bike to make yourself seen.
Fenders are great for wet rides and keep you dry if you splash through a puddle.
Invest in good tires so you reduce the likelihood of a flat.
Smile and wave at rude motorists, take the high ground and avoid giving a rude gesture.
Think about the poor schmoes stuck in traffic as you pedal up a challenging hill.
Mirrors are a great way to increase your awareness of surrounding traffic.
Help support bicycle advocacy by teaching a friend about bicycle commuting, writing a letter, or joining the League of American Bicyclists.
Watch out for parked cars as they might swing their door open or pull out quickly.
Painted surfaces can become slick when wet.
Beware of rain or sewer grates.
If you ever ride on sidewalks be extra cautious at intersections where you must cross a road.
If you get caught in a thunderstorm find a low spot to huddle in and get away from your bike.
Help your child to develop balance by removing both pedals (turn the pedals toward the rear of the bicycle to remove them) and position the seat so the child can get both feet on the ground with a modest bend in the knee. Allow them to run the bike around and coast like an old-fashion hobby horse. Once the child has developed the balance skills for coasting, reinstall the pedals by screwing them toward the front wheel. The child will have more confidence on the bike and should quickly learn to balance and pedal at the same time.
Child Helmet Laws
Maryland law requires all bicyclists under the age of 16 to wear a bicycle safety helmet when riding on public property. This includes roadways, trails and sidewalks. Some local jurisdictions maintain their own local rules:
