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First off, avoid a department store bike like the plague!!! Go to a reputable bike shop, preferably with a trusted friend who has lots of bike riding experience on both road and mountain bikes if you can. Look around the shop and note the variety of bikes as well as brands. Talk with an...

The answer to your question depends on several factors. First, do you have a safe route to school? Bike paths away from traffic are clearly the best. Second, how much time do you have for your ride? Third, is your bike in good condition to make the ride? Fourth, are you in good enough condition...

Look for an inner tube that includes 40 within its range. You want to get one that says something like 700x38-45, where 40 fits within that 38 to 45 range. You also need to match the valve type. If you have the European presta valve then that is what you need to replace it with. If it is the...

Avoid department store bikes if you want to enjoy riding. Trail riding calls for a mountain bike if single track and rugged. If just some crushed gravel and hard pack dirt on a wide road a hybrid or comfort bike will do nicely. At 5'10" a road bike will have about a 56-58 cm. frame, mountain and...

I think there are two options for you. The one is to get a narrower tire (26x1.75 or even 1.5) with a smooth ridge of about 1/4" thickness that runs down the middle of the tread and then some small knobby ridges towards surrounding it. The other is quite smooth in the middle of the tire about 1...

If you were only riding on pavement and perhaps some crushed gravel occasionally then a hybrid with 700 cc wheels would let you fly. But, given your riding on back roads with some real gravel and rough go with the mountain bike style, 26 or even 29 inch wheels. Depending on how rough the road...

Yes, these bikes were incorrectly assembled. Department store bike assemblers get paid by the bike (sometimes $3 per bike) so they rush through these spending only about 10-12 minutes per bike. The left pedal is a reverse thread meaning you tighten counterclockwise. Experienced mechanics know...

Chains do get tangled up. But if it got tangled on the bike then you can untangle it without having to "break" the chain. Patiently work the chain in different directions and you will see it begins to straighten out. I bet you can do this yourself as well and how proud you will be when you do...

That 16" frame refers to the length of the seat tube (that vertical tube beneath the seat) from the collar that holds the seat post in place to the middle of where the crank arms go into the bottom bracket. Okay, that sounds way too complicated. Anyway, the 16" is probably a medium frame which...

Buying a bike from your LBS has a number of advantages, including professional staff who will help size and adjust the bike to him (if they won't go to another LBS). This will greatly enhance his comfort while on the bike and consequently the distance and frequency he rides. The LBS bike will be...

I have on numerous occasions tried to replace smaller tires with the 2.3s and all too often they did not fit between the chain stays. The size difference doesn't seem like much and each time I was surprised it did not fit. If in fact you want to put "street" tires on your dirt jumper, the...

I have on numerous occasions tried to replace smaller tires with the 2.3s and all too often they did not fit between the chain stays. The size difference doesn't seem like much and each time I was surprised it did not fit. If in fact you want to put "street" tires on your dirt jumper, the...

Talk to friends, people you trust, about their experience cycling. Pick their brains for ideas and free advice. They will love to share with you what they know. Invite one of them to come along to a bike store to help you talk with the sales people there. (Avoid department store bikes...

The age to stop wearing a helmet is when you are dead! And wearing a helmet while you ride will prolong that inevitable outcome of life. Things have changed significantly to the point where those who don't wear helmets are the rookies taking stupid chances. Two years ago I got airborne, crashed...