If you’re looking to get into cycling, but don’t know where to start, don’t worry! There are three broad categories of bicycles for you to choose from. Your decision is best when it’s informed by the type of cycling you’re going to use your bike for.

Keep reading to learn more about each type of bicycle.

1. Road Bicycle

Road bicycles are the type you see most regularly in cities and residential areas. These bikes are also called fitness bikes or city bikes.

These bicycles are designed for driving over concrete, asphalt, and other common city landscapes. They are lightweight and aerodynamic (built for speed). Because of this, they have thin tires and low handlebars.

Since most road bikes are designed for cities, they don’t have a lot of suspension. Suspension helps soften the blow of harsh terrains. However, some road bikes are tailored for specific purposes and environments other than cities.

Sportive bikes prioritize comfort, often with higher handlebars. Road racing bikes prioritize speed. There are other sub-categories of road bikes, like cyclocross, adventure, and touring bikes.

Remember, if you’re going to be cycling on the road, beware of cars and pedestrians.

2. Mountain Bicycle

Mountain bicycles are designed for the outdoors and off-road routes. There are loads of different sub-categories of this type of bicycle. Each sub-category has a specific type of terrain in mind.

Since off-road routes aren’t gentle, these bikes absorb a lot of impact. There are two suspension options. Hardtail suspension bikes have suspension on the front part of the bike, while full suspension bikes have it on both sides.

The tires of these bikes are thick and strong. They absorb impact for the rider, and they are thick enough to avoid punctures. They also have impressive tread, so they’re able to keep a grip on any surface.

To make sure you’ve got the perfect bicycle for your needs, check out our custom bike builds page.

3. Hybrid Bicycle

Technically, both of the previous types of bicycles could work in either setting. But when they’re so well designed for their environments, it means they’ll perform terribly in the other. Hybrid bicycles are a great middle option.

These bikes aren’t as fast or lightweight as road bikes. And they aren’t as well-equipped for off-road routes as mountain bikes. But this makes them the perfect bike for easy commuting.

They have the comfort of better suspension and higher handlebars like mountain bikes. They also have lighter weight and decent speed like road bikes.

Getting the Right Type of Bicycle for Your Needs

Now that you have a better understanding of their designs and functions, you can figure out what type of bicycle is right for you! Since bicycles aren’t a small investment, you want to make sure you’ve done your research before buying one.

Contact us to find the perfect bicycle for your needs!

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Whether you’re a casual rider using your bike to get around, or an athlete with something top-of-the-line, maintenance is important. Bike maintenance can feel like a chore, so a lot of people don’t do it as often as they should. This can become a problem for them later on.

If you’ve got a bike, here are 5 easy ways can stay on top of your bicycle maintenance! Keep reading to learn more.

1. Inspect Your Bike Daily

Any time you take you’re about to take your bicycle out or you get back from a ride, give it a quick inspection. This is how you avoid missing small problems. Without daily inspections, small and easily fixable problems get missed and become big and expensive problems.

The most important things to do are a tire inspection and look out for rust. Tire pressure problems can indicate punctures, which lead to flat tires. A rusty chain or wheels are the most dangerous, so make sure you don’t see rust there.

If your bike is in need of repairs, check out our repairs service page.

2. Clean Your Bike Regularly

Keeping your bike clean is an important part of maintaining it. Buildups of dirt, grease, and grime all make the wear and tear on your bike happen faster.

To avoid this, wash your bike weekly with a bucket, a spray bottle, some soap, an old toothbrush, and a cloth. Do this every few weeks and after long rides. This will slow down the degradation of parts of your bike that get dirty quickly.

3. Keep Everything Tight

Always check that any nuts, bolts, and screws are tight. As you use your bike these can loosen. The outcome of loose fittings will vary depending on how loose they are.

Sometimes it might only be a minor problem. Other times, it can result in something not working properly, and be a risk to yourself or others.

4. Perform a Brake Test

Always ensure your brakes are working before you go out on your bike. Keep an eye on the brake pads, brakes, and pedals. You’ll want to make repairs if you notice anything looking worn or damaged.

5. Chain Safety

To keep the bike chain in a good condition, make sure you’re applying a chain lubricant regularly. This stops your bike from making a grinding and unpleasant noise when you ride it.

The best way to apply chain lubricant is with a firm brush. Make sure to wipe off any excess so it doesn’t create a buildup on your drive chain.

Performing Regular Bicycle Maintenance

If you want to keep your bicycle in the best condition, you’ve got to do regular bicycle maintenance. This keeps your bike from breaking, increases its resale value, and makes it easier to ride.

If you need some guidance on where to start with your bike maintenance or repair, don’t worry! Contact us – we’re happy to help.

The post 5 Reasons to Keep Up With Your Bicycle Maintenance appeared first on Bicycle Experience | Bikes | Snowboards | Gear.

Why is mountain biking so popular?

Mountain biking provides individuals with the opportunity to head outdoors, get some fresh air, improve mental health, and live a healthier lifestyle. As the summer months are upon us, however, it’s essential you know how to prepare for summer mountain biking. Mountain biking in extreme heat should be well-prepared.

Continue reading the guide below to learn how to do just that!

Plan Your Bike Route

Before you hop on your bike and take off, you need to start with a plan. Always check the weather for the entire day before choosing your route. You want to pay close attention to what times during the day will be the hottest and any heat advisory warnings that might be in place.

It’s best to plan to ride during the morning when it’s not as hot. Otherwise, choose bike routes that you can easily complete without worries of being stranded due to the heat.

Gradually Adjust to the Heat

Once summer begins, you should slowly adjust your body to the heat. To do this, start off with a short bike route and take your time getting through it. Reduce your current bike time by around 30-50%.

Over the weeks, you can gradually increase your route lengths, difficulties, and biking speeds. This will allow your body to adjust to the heat properly. However, you should still always pay close attention to how your body feels and signs of heat exhaustion and stroke.

Make Hydration a Priority

Hydration should be your number one priority when planning a mountain bike ride in the summer. During the heat of the summer, your body will sweat more and lose its water. To replace it, you want to make sure to not only stay hydrated throughout your entire ride but before and after as well.

Place cold water in a thermos that can keep it cold for the bike ride. Be sure to provide your body with enough fuel before as well. Eat a healthy meal before setting out and bring a couple of healthy snacks with you in your bag.

Wear the Right Clothing

Knowing what to wear mountain biking in summer is another crucial factor. You want to stay as cool as possible during your ride. When selecting your biking outfit, you should look for breathable clothing.

Any exposed skin should have sunscreen applied to it every 30 minutes. Light colors made with UV-resistant fabrics are also ideal.

Visit the Ultimate Mountain Biking Shop

The last step in planning the perfect mountain biking experience during the summer is to find your favorite bike rental and repair shop. At Bicycle Experience, we offer rentals, repairs, and custom-made mountain bikes in Colorado Springs.

If you’re looking to test out a mountain bike or have a custom-made design you want to bring to life, then stop by to see how we can help you. Learn more about our services here!

The post How to Prepare for Mountain Biking in the Summer Heat appeared first on Bicycle Experience | Bikes | Snowboards | Gear.

However, for many enthusiasts who are on the fence, they have to make a decision about whether or not this cost is worth it. Should they build a custom bike using a specialized bike frame based on their needs?

There are many pros and cons when considering a custom-built bicycle for your next purchase. In this article, we will walk you through everything you need to know about whether or not a custom bike is right for you.

What Is A Custom Bike Build?

Many riders are hesitant to go with a custom bike build for their first ride. However, getting a bike that is built to your specifications and needs can be the difference between you riding every day and selling the bike off in a few months.

The best thing to do is to have a sit down with a custom bike company and answer their questions so they can have a good understanding of your needs and goals.

They’ll be able to match the right frame to your body type and riding style. After that, they can also help suggest different packages of bike components so that you get the most value for your money.

While it may cost more than a bike that you bought directly from the manufacturer’s factory, the additional cost to have your own bike perfectly built for your body type is almost always worth it.

Should You Build a Custom Bike From The Frame-Up?

If you’re serious about getting in the saddle on your bicycle more than one time per week, it’s almost always worth it to get a custom bicycle built for you. You will need to go with a trusted supplier who knows how to ask the right questions.

In addition to finding the right frame and drivetrain set up for your body style, a custom builder can also work with you on things like handlebars, tires, and suspension systems. This is especially important if you are hoping to ride mountain bikes off-road.

Choosing a Custom Bike for Your New Bike Build

At the end of the day, it makes sense to choose a custom bike if you want to have the most fun on a bike that’s perfectly built for you. Custom bikes usually cost a little more than factory-made bicycles, but they make up for this by making it a joy for you to ride for hours on end.

You’ll learn so much about the process by choosing select components with a custom builder that you’ll be able to know what to do when one of your components starts to wear out.

If you enjoyed this article about custom bike building, please check out the other articles on our blog and give us a call today for a free estimate on a custom bike build!

The post Should You Build a Custom Bike From the Frame up? appeared first on Bicycle Experience | Bikes | Snowboards | Gear.

However, not everyone is equipped with the right tools or experience to do proper bicycle repair. Not only do bicycle repair shops do this kind of work for a living, but they’ll undoubtedly get it fixed faster than you could at home.

Here are a few tips before you take your ride to the local bicycle repair shops.

1. Use a Bicycle Tire Repair Kit Beforehand

Three major things to check as part of your bicycle maintenance are air pressure, functioning brakes, and a lubricated chain. They all dictate whether you’ll have a safe ride, and knowing how to deal with them will also save you a trip to the bicycle repair shop.

If you do hit up your local shop, pick up a bicycle tire repair kit. A mobile bicycle repair kit will come in especially handy if you’re out riding in the woods when you pop a tire or something comes loose. You can patch it up enough for you to make it to a repair shop.

2. Get a Skilled Mechanic to Repair Your Bike!

Dedicated riders put a lot of work and time into their bikes. As such, they don’t want to leave repairs to a shop that hasn’t proven itself or comes across as unprofessional. In fact, some riders go well out of their way to get certain mechanics to take care of their bicycles.

Certification is not a requirement to work as a bike mechanic, but you should definitely find one that is certified. A certification program trains students to perform the best work in their field and utilizes a rigorous testing procedure.

3. Look For Friendly and Convenient Service

Good customer service is an essential part of any industry, and that goes the same for bicycle repair. The repair and tune-up process should be fast and reliable. You also want to find a repair shop that communicates well and is willing to inform you on how to best take care of your ride.

Part of that is transparency regarding prices. Customers should know exactly what they’re paying for and how much it costs.

Not only does knowing the prices help you avoid getting ripped off, but it can also inform you of repairs you can do at home to save money on your next visit.

Professional Bicycle Maintenance and Repair

Whether you’re a long-time cyclist or a newbie, you’ll eventually need to rely on a repair shop for routine bicycle maintenance. They can spot issues you never noticed and provide better care with their equipment.

Bicycle Experience caters to all bicycle enthusiasts and staff employees who also love to ride. We offer bike repair, custom builds, and all kinds of bike accessories. Stop by our shop in Colorado Springs or give us a call if you have any questions.

The post Bicycle Repair: 3 Tips for Taking Your Bike to a Repair Shop appeared first on Bicycle Experience | Bikes | Snowboards | Gear.