Biking with your kids options!

What are your options for biking with your little tykes?

At one point in time, there really wasn't a way to haul your little one around as you biked.  Then came the seat, and now you have the options of:

• Trailers
• Cargo bikes
• Bicycle extensions and trailer bikes!

The following article does a great job of explaining out the benefits of each one.  Plus!  He's got 4 tips for riding with your kids.

Bicycling with Young Children: Trailers, Seats, and Other Solutions

Parents have many options for bringing young children along on bike rides, even before the kids can pedal far—or pedal at all—by themselves. Here are a few ways to start cycling with your kids while they are very young...

What pre-ride stuff do you and your kids do before a family ride?

It's funny how we think we know so much about a subject, like taking your kids on bike rides, and then run across an article that gives 7 tips, and discover little simple things you should be doing and never thought about.  

If you ride with your kids, this is a must read.  Hope you enjoy it! 

Seven Tips for Safe and Fun Bike Riding | We Treat Kids Better

Don't forget water. This is especially important during the summer! Toss a water bottle in your bike's basket or strap one to the frame if you're planning to be out for more than 30 minutes, especially when your kids are with you...

 

Do you know which bike is best for your child?

On Friday, I put up a post I’d found on figuring out which bike is the right size for you, complete with charts. 

Well, today, I came across this excellent piece that has 8 tips for buying the right bike for your child.

It’s really good, and whether you’re a parent, a grandparent, aunt or uncle, this will help you make sure you’ve got the best bike for the little tyke!

Buy the Right Bike for Your Child!

A bike makes a great present for a child, but the wrong size bike can cause a child to lose control of it and be injured. Bicycle accidents can be serious or even fatal. To avoid an accident,..

 

 

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How do you know which bike is the right size?

Just hit the jackpot!  The wonderful person who wrote the following blog post has charts for each type of bike to help you see which size bike is right for your height!

Totally worth checking out!

Bike 101: How To Find the Right Size Bike | Simply Bike

For now, here is my compilation of information on how to find the right size bike for you, be it a Dutch bike, a cruiser, a mountain bike, or a road bike… 1) Find Your Measurements. To figure out the right size for you, a few basic ...

Schwinn Women's Wayfarer 700C Bicycle Product Review: A Great Get Around Bike!

There's nothing quite like having a bike to motivate you to head outdoors, get out of the house for awhile, and get some exercise.  The great thing about bikes is you don’t need to spend a fortune on one to have fun. 

Personally, I don't think anyone makes a better bike for doing that than Schwinn.  So, let's take a look at their hybrid bike the Schwinn Women's Wayfarer.

 

THE IMPORTANT STUFF:

4.3/5 from 15 consumers

$219.99 + FREE shipping

1)  Steel retro city frame and fork
2)  7 speed
3)  SRAM twist shifter
4)  Linear pull brakes
5)  Metal fenders
6)  Rear rack
7)  Bell
8)  Quick release front wheel and seat
9)  Seat has springs on bottom
10)  Weight 44 pounds.

CONS

1)  Not a lightweight bike.
2)  Seat isn't all that comfortable for long rides.
3)  Quick release front wheel and seat.

PROS

1)  Nice ride.
2)  Handle bars make for a comfortable ride.
3)  Great value for the price.

BREAKING IT DOWN

Now for a look at each item in the detail list. 

1)  The steel frame is what makes the bike so heavy. 

2)  The fact that it's only 7 speeds is great for folks who are intimidated by having more than one gear.  It's easy to learn how to work the seven. 

It's also great for getting over those steeper inclines and hills that make your thighs weep as you climb, and let's you stay on the bike, rather than get off and push.

3)  SRAM twist shifter.  SRAM makes shifting gears a breeze. One little twist of the wrist and you’re in the next gear. 

4)  Linear pull breaks ensure a good solid and even stop.

5)  Metal fenders, rear rack, and a bell.  I love that it has fenders.  There's nothing quite like being out on a dirty road and coming back with the road-grim all over you. Or worse, being out riding and it rains.  With each stroke of the pedal, you become one with the puddles. 

They also protect your gear on the rear rack.  That's one more plus.  As for the bell - a no-brainer there, and consumers really love that it comes with the bike.

6)  Quick release front wheel and seat.  Consumers do have a problem with this part.  It's a standard piece of kit on more expensive bikes, which is why I'm surprised it's on a $219.99 bike. 

I'm over the moon about that.  The downside, is that it makes it easier to steal your tire and seat. 

On the other hand, if you use something like the Kryptonite Kryptolok Series 2, which is a U-lock with a 4' cable, it's no big deal.

7)  The seat has springs!  Another plus!  The bike itself may not have suspension, but at least there's a bit of give in the seat.

A bit about the cons I didn't list.  There were a few complaints about a part being missing, wheels not trued (out of balance), etc., and being upset that they paid $200 for the bike and expected more. 

That's obviously a natural reaction.  We expect perfection when we shuck out money for stuff.  However, for the record, I have a little over $1400 wrapped up in my recumbent bike, and that little sucker had a few problems the bike shop had to take care of when they put it together. 

So, I wasn't surprised when a couple mentioned it had happened to them on a very low-end bike.

TIPS/SUGGESTIONS

1)  For the sake of your sanity, (and based on my own mistakes), take it to your local bike shop and let them put it together.  There are a lot of benefits to this.

First off, if there's a problem with the bike, they can fix it right there.  Regardless of whether it's a high-end bike or low, Murphy's Law states that something just might go wrong. 

It might be a bolt missing, something bent in shipping and needs adjusting, or the wheels aren't trued properly.  Whatever the problem, they'll take care of it. 

Another plus - it'll be well lubed.  :)

2)  Another person mentioned to make sure you pay attention to the measurements of the bike and make sure it's the proper bike for your height. 

Here’s a really good article that tells you how to choose the right size bike.  Check it out, then head back here to learn more.

Bike Fitting and Frame Sizes « Herzline

Health and Fitness August 3rd, 2013 |  If the bike doesn't fit, it won't be comfortable. If you buy the wrong type of bike, it won't do what you bought it for. Here are five types of bicycles, their sizes and instructions for finding the ...

MY THOUGHTS

I personally think the Schwinn Women’s Wayfarer is a fantastic bike.  It’s a great way to get outside and get some exercise, or easily attach an infant seat, a super cool co-pilot bike, and make it a family fun time. 

By the way, did you know you can buy a trailer for a bicycle and use it to haul groceries or whatever home.  I’ve got one similar to the one in the pic and love it.  Aside from groceries, I use it to schlep recycling down to the bins.

Anyway, if you're wanting a bike with more gears, you might want to check out the review I did on Schwinn's Discover Women's Hybrid Bike.

 

GRAB THE BIKE!  Click here.

 

 

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Schwinn Discover Women's Hybrid Bike Product Review: Best Hybrid Bikes!

So, what’s a hybrid bike? 

A hybrid is an attempt to cross two different objects with one another and get, what’s hoped to be, a better machine.  In this case, it’s taking the best of a mountain bike, and combining it with a touring bike!

Mountain bikes have great suspension, tour bikes don’t.  But! touring bikes are comfortable for long trips – mountain bikes aren’t.

For the record, not all hybrids have suspension.  In fact, one of the big differences between Schwinn’s Discover, and the Schwinn Wayfarer, is the Discover has suspension at both the front and seat, where the Wayfarer doesn’t. 

[I’m doing a review of the Wayfarer tomorrow, but in the meantime, I made a spreadsheet so you can see the differences at a glance.  Click here to check it out.]

 

I really like the Discover bike, and wish I’d bought it instead of the Mongoose I picked up a couple years ago.  I like the suspension on my Mongoose, and it’s a heck of a lot of fun to ride, but because of the fat tires, it makes for a longer ride to town. 

Anyway, let’s take a quick overview of the Schwinn’s Discover Women’s Hybrid Bike:

1.  It’s a Schwinn.  Depending on your age – the name says it all.  Schwinn has been making bikes for 118 years.  Totally reliable company.

2.  It’s a great price!  Only $257.85.

3.  21 speed

4.  Aluminum frame (makes the bike lighter weight)

5.  SRAM twist shifters

6.  As mentioned earlier, suspension at front and seat.

7.  Quick release front wheel.

8.  Quick release seat.

9.  Fenders and rack

10.  Kenda tires.

11.  It’s for both commuting and cruising.

I want to tell you a bit more about that last one, but let’s go back to the beginning of the list, and take them one by one.

PRICE:

This isn’t a high end Schwinn bike, but bikes don’t have to cost a fortune to be super nice!

SPEED:

Depending on what kind of riding you plan on doing, you might not need 21 gears, which would make the Schwinn Wayfarer an excellent choice.  The Wayfarer only has 7 gears. 

Some folks find 21 gears intimidating, but if you plan on riding in an area with some decent inclines or hills, you’ll want those extra gears. 

It takes a little bit of practise, but you can catch on to those 21 and milk them for all they’re worth in a short period of time. 

FRAME:

Aluminum versus steel.  I’ll go aluminum every time.  It’s just as strong, and makes your bike a lot lighter.  What’s the benefit of that?  Lighter bikes are faster.

SRAM Twist Shifters:

Gosh, I love these!  I’ve got them on both my recumbent and the Mongoose.  A twist of the wrist and you’re in the next gear.  I tried to find a youtube video so you could see how simple they work, but no such luck.

SUSPENSION AND COMMUTING:

I’m combining numbers 6 and 11 here.  Riding a bike on practically any road isn’t the most comfortable thing in the world.  There are potholes, grooves, bumps, tiny bumps, microscopic bumps, that you will feel on a bike.  Not too mention, speed bumps, and railroad tracks.

I’ve got two bikes, a Sun EZ1 AX, and a Mongoose.  The Mongoose has suspension, and I can fly over railroad tracks without feeling like my bum is attached to my neck. 

The Sun?  Oy!  So my personal suggestion – never ever buy a bike without suspension – unless you’re under 50, and it probably won’t bother you as much. 

QUICK RELEASE:

If you’ve ever had to change a bike tire, you’ll appreciate the quick release. 

I know some folks don’t like them because they can be stolen really fast.  But if you slap a bike lock on, the wheel is perfectly safe. 

Aside from being a fast way to remove your tire, it also means you don’t have to use any tools.  I like that.  

FENDERS AND RACK:

Let’s say you’re commuting to work, and just happen to get caught in the rain.  If your bike doesn’t have fenders – you’ll look like a creative piece of artwork by the time you reach the office.

Even if it’s not raining, it’s great to have fenders on your bike to keep the road grime off.  So, that’s a wonderful plus.

As for the rack?  I wouldn’t have a bike without one.  You can strap practically any reasonable item to the back and haul it home. 

KENDA TIRES:

There’s a lot of great tires out there for bikes:

1.  Continental

2.  Michelin (Yip, they even make them for bicycles!)

3.  Cheng Shin (You can find them on Yamaha motorcycles!)

4.  Kenda, to name a few.

You’ll find any of those four on high-end bikes. 

I’ve used both the Cheng Shin and Kenda tires.  I love them both.  You get a great ride, and they last a long time!  So, the fact that the Schwinn Discover has Kenda tires on it, gives it an extra plus from me. 

COMMUTING AND CRUISING:

I could also title this, “How do you intend to ride your bike?”  The Schwinn Discover is great for both commuting and cruising.  The suspension allows you to travel comfortably on streets to work, picking up groceries, etc.  I’m over 50, so I love suspension. 

From the various consumer reviews I’ve read, some folks think the Schwinn Wayfarer is just as good for all the above, even though it doesn’t have suspension.  I’m guessing they’re under age 50. 

It’s just my opinion, but I think if you’re going to ride a lot, the Schwinn Discover is a great choice, not just because of the suspension, but also because of the extra gears.  They really come in handy. 

Then again, whether it’s the Discover or Wayfarer, you can’t help but win, it just all depends on whether suspension is important to you, and if you like a lot of gears.  They’re both great buys!

A TIP FROM MY LOCAL BIKE SHOP

Unless you’re really good at working on bikes – take it to your local bike shop and have them put it together for you.  The first bike I bought, I listened to the bike shop and let them put it together for me.

The second bike?  Oh fool that I am.  I was pretty certain I could do it.  In the end, I had to send the wheels up to be trued, and wished I’d sent them the whole bike to undo everything I did to it.  lol   So, play it smart, and just let them do it.

If you check out the consumers reviews, you’ll see a lot of them saying the same thing – take it to your local bike shop.

LOCK HER UP

The last thing you want to do is invest in a bike and have it stolen.  You need a really good bike lock to protect it.  So, I did up a review of the Kryptonite Kryptolok Series 2 Standard Bicycle U-Lock

 

It’s not just the U-lock, but you also get a 4’ cable to go with it for all over protection.  It’s a brilliant lock, and the best buy for your money.

COMING SOON

Product review on the Schwinn Women's Wayfarer 700C Bicycle.

 

Remember to sign up to receive updates on the latest product reviews! 

 

 

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Kryptonite Kryptolok Series 2 Standard Bicycle U-Lock with Transit FlexFrame Bracket & 4-Foot Flex Cable Review: Best Bicycle Locks!

When I lived in Brooklyn NY, they said the best way to protect your bike is to paint it pink.  In Brooklyn, pink was probably just as good as a bike lock.  Ok, slight exaggeration there, but you get my point.

But, not everyone wants to run around with a pink bike, so you need to find a bike lock that’s just as good as pink, or better. 

In steps the Kryptonite Kryptolok Series 2!  (Try saying the first two words 3 times really fast.) 

Basic stats:

4.2/5 stars by 262 consumers

Sleek price of $34.49 + FREE shipping  ($13.46 savings)

$1500 USD anti-theft protection

Security rating 8/12

13mm steel shackle = resists cutting & leverage attacks

Pick and drill resistant disc-style cylinder

2 keys

Frame bracket

CONS:

1)  The $1500 anti-theft protection coverage doesn’t apply to NYC and the surrounding boroughs. 

2)  Big and heavy.

3)  Some folks have a little problem with the key sticking.

4)  Problems installing on bike frame.

PROS:

1)  Security/confidence in the name brand.

2)  The anti-theft protection.

3)  Solid construction

4)  Having the cable gives that extra all over bike protection.

5)  Excellent price and quality.

6)  Free key replacement.

7)  Despite the anti-theft protection not being covered in NYC & surrounding boroughs, there are folks who live there who still recommend this lock.

THE FACTS

The toughest part of people doing reviews on bike locks, is that you never really know how well your lock actually works until someone steals, or tries to steal your bike.  Which leads us to something everyone agrees on:

Regardless of your lock – someone out there can probably break it. 

The trick is to get a good name brand lock that has a reputation for making bike thieves lives a living misery.  Kryptonite has that reputation.

MY CONCLUSION

I love it that the Kryptonite Kryptolok Series 2 Standard Bicycle U-Lock comes with a frame bracket (4-inch x 9-inch) AND a 4’ flex cable. 

I’ve never felt my bike is secure with just the frame secured to a pole, tree, whatever.  I like having my whole bike secure.  The price is excellent, and the pros so out weigh the cons.

Like everyone else has said, you’ve put out a lot of money for your bike, so you should give it great protection.

Click here to pick one up for yourself.

PS:  Kryptonite puts out a nice variety of bike locks.  You can click here to see the other options.

CHECK OUT

If  you’re looking for a new bike, I did up a review on Schwinn’s Discover Women’s Hybrid Bike.  It’s a really nice bike, and totally worth checking out!

 

 

 

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