Getting started with bike commuting is no different than making any other life change such as diet, exercise, or New Year resolution: we start with a lot of enthusiasm, only to find that it can be very hard to muster day after day as we yearn to settle back into comfortable habits. The secret is … Read more
This season —more than ever, given road construction and gas prices!— it makes sense to use your bike as part of your personal transportation plan. As many of us are looking for ways to fit more exercise into our busy lives, biking is a super convenient way get moving, get rid of stress, get from … Read more
This is the first installment in our new series “31 Days to Becoming a Bike Commuter”. Each day we’ll share a post that addresses some some key aspect of bike commuting, so that by the end of the month we will have tackled most of the questions you might have as someone considering giving utilitarian … Read more
Even if you are not terribly mechanically inclined, you can perform a basic bicycle safety check to identify any potential mechanical or safety issues. Here is a simple, step-by-step safety inspection procedure to help you assess the condition of your bike, and spot any problems before they can cause real harm. How to do a … Read more
You probably already know that if you wait until something is grinding, creaking, or coming loose, it’s time to head to the shop right away for some bike repairs. However, by being proactive with regular maintenance, you can forestall unexpected emergencies and potentially pricey component replacements. This post will help you determine the timeframe for … Read more
We spend an inordinate amount of time talking about putting air in bike tires. Why, how much, how often, and how to. We do this because, just when we think we have comprehensively covered this topic, we see people riding around on tires as soft as a stomach-sleeper’s pillow. Putting air in your bicycle tires … Read more
Most conversations about bicycle tune-up start with: “How much does it cost”? While this seems like a valid question, it’s actually completely meaningless until you’ve established what is included in the cost. And that’s difficult to do, because there’s no standardization whatsoever in bicycle tune-up offerings among different repair shops. This may be a good … Read more
There are some people who insist that bike maintenance is so easy, anyone with enough skill to assemble IKEA cabinets should have no trouble at all. Interestingly, the self-same person states elsewhere: “If I were smart I’d have given the wheel to a bike shop for servicing that very day so the bike would be … Read more
It should go without saying that a person claiming to be a professional bicycle mechanic should posses the necessary technical skills, experience and tools to do the job. However, what elevates truly outstanding bicycle repair shops above ones that simply get the job done, are a few qualities that have as much to do with … Read more
Tuning a bicycle is less like fixing a household appliance, and more like tuning a musical instrument. It requires the mechanic to have certain concrete technical skills, but also a good ear, a judicious touch and not a small amount of finesse. Although the term “bike tune-up” is ubiquitously used in bicycle shops across the … Read more