Fitting your road bike (part 3) (also touring, hybrid, commuter, city) bike shop Ontario California

We have been posting a blog series on how to adjust for fit on various types of bikes. For part three of our series on road bike fit, we will talk about stem adjustments. 

Confused about bike parts and fit?
Come see the experts at Bumsteads bike shop in Ontario, CA

We are talking about road bikes in this series. We already covered selecting the right frame size, checking standover height, and adjusting the height and position of your seat. 

The length and angle of your bike's stem determine how far you will reach and bend your waist in order to reach the handlebars. If your stem is the wrong length or angle, you can either adjust or replace it. Some bikes' stems are adjustable, but more commonly, you will have to have a bike shop order a correctly fitting stem and install it for you.

When seated on your bike, have someone hold it upright while you check for stem fit. With your hands on the handlebars, your waist should be bent so that your back is at a 45 degree angle. Your neck should feel comfortable when you look forward. Your arms should be gently bent at the elbows to allow for maximum shock absorption, and you should be able to reach your brakes and gears easily.

These guidelines will help you determine the correct classic road bike fit. Many cyclists vary these adjustments for the style of riding they do, or personal preferences. 

Fitting your road bike (part 2) (also touring, hybrid, commuter, city) bike shop Ontario California

This is part of a series from our Ontario bike shop (near Chino Hills) about acheiving proper fit on your road bike.
Selecting the correct frame size is step number one. Our employees are experts in bicycle fit and are happy to assist you with this. Here is a handy sizing guide on About.com: http://bicycling.about.com/od/howtoride/a/bike_sizing.htm

Once you have selected a good sized bike for yourself, it is time to make adjustments for perfect comfort and performance. When you buy a bike from a quality local retailer, you can expect a professional adjustment. If you are adjusting yourself, here are some tips:

In our last post we discussed selecting for proper standover height. The next thing you want to check is the saddle height and position. Have someone hold your bike steady while you sit on the seat, with your feet on the pedals.
Saddle height: When you are seated on your bike, you want your leg to be almost fully extended at the bottom of your pedal stroke, but not fully extended. If your knees are bent, you should raise your saddle. If you are hyperextending, bring the saddle down a notch. Many bikes have a quick-release lever, making this adjustment quick. For other bikes, you may need a wrench, or you can bring it into a shop for help.
Saddle position: Generally, you want your knee to align directly over the ball of your foot, with your seat parallel to the ground, and your shin angle slightly frontwards.

If you need help with fit, come into our shop. Stay tuned for our next post about stem adjustment on your road bike...

Fitting your road bike part 1 (also touring, hybrid, commuter, city) bike shop Ontario California

As part of our bike shop in Ontario, California's series of bicycle fit guides we've been posting on our blog, we bring you a series on fitting your road bike. Fit guidelines for touring bikes and hybrid, commuter and city bikes are likely to be similar to fit for a road bike. These are loose guidelines. Always make adjustments to fit based on your riding style, preferences, and comfort, if needed. Generally, the road bike guidelines are designed to make your ride more aerodynamic and fast. If you are uncomfortable with the road bike's fit, it is a good idea to come into a local retailer and get help making adjustments and modifications so your bike will work for you.

First, select a bike that fits you. This is done by checking standover height. A quality shop will have experts help you select the right bike, but you can also check standover height yourself. 

Stand straddling the top tube of the bike, in front of the seat. If the top tube goes straight across, you will want about 1" clearance between your crotch and the tube. If the top tube of your bike is sloped, your aim will be 2" of clearance. Wear your cycling shoes when you are checking fit, as they will affect your standover height. 

Check out our shop, including our road bike selection at www.bumsteadbikes.com and stay tuned for our next post describing adjustments to your road bike fit.

Fitting a bike for kids: bike shop Upland

Our Ontario bike shop, near by Upland, just posted about how to select the right size bike for your kid. Today we explain how to adjust this bike for perfect fit.

Of course, kids' size has a tendency to change over time, as parents know. It is good to start with a bike that has a little room for their growth if possible, but kids should never ride an oversized bike as this can be dangerous. 

You can use these guidelines to adjust this bike as your kid gets taller. Ideally, you'll be able to adjust for your child's growth before the bike needs to be replaced. 

First, check standover height by having your child straddle the top bar of the bike. There should be 1-2"  of space between their crotch and the bar. 

Next, adjust seat height. Position the seat so your child can be in a comfortable, upright riding position. Their elbows should be able to slightly bend while their hands are on the grips. Allow a little flex in their knee when at the bottom of a pedal stroke. Knees should not be hyper-extended.

Come into our shop in Ontario for help selecting a quality bike that can safely stand up to your kids' tough riding and give them a little room for growth. 

Kids' bike sizes: bike shop near Chino Hills

Our bike shop near Chino Hills in Ontario has been sharing some of our secrets to great bike fit on our blog. Every style of bike has different fit guidelines. We started with mountain bikes, and today we are going to share how to adjust fit on a kid's bicycle.

Kids’ bikes are sized according to wheel size. You can look for a size according to general age guidelines, but it is their size, not age, that should determine your final selection. Wheel sizes are:

• 14"-  4 to 6 years 
• 16"- 5 to 8 years 
• 18-20"- 7- to 10-years
• 24"- 10 and up

After you find the correct sized bike for your child, you will need to adjust the standover height and seat position to their proportions. Our next post will describe how to do this. 
  

Come into our shop in Ontario for help selecting a quality bike that can safely stand up to your kids' tough riding and give them a little room for growth. 

How to fit a mountain bike (part 2)

One of the reasons to purchase your bike from a quality local bike shop like ours near Chino Hills, is that we know how to help you find the right bike, and adjust it to fit you perfectly  Having a bike that fits you properly is very important for getting the maximum fitness, performance, and comfort in your riding experience.
This is part 2 of our tips on fitting a mountain bike.  Individual riders may have different preferences according to the type of riding they do, but these are general guidelines. (Steps 1 and 2 are in our previous post)
3. Saddle height: When seated, your legs should be slightly bent at the bottom of a pedal stroke. If you can put both feet flat on the ground while seated, you should raise the seat.
4. Stem: Have someone hold the bike steady while you sit on the seat. If your arms are reaching, with elbows locked, you need to adjust the stem, or may need to have a bike shop replace your stem with one that has the right length and angle for your body.
5. Saddle position: Your saddle should be parallel to the ground, and your knee should be over the ball of your foot. When you pedal, your shin should be angled slightly forward.

Come into our shop, we would love to help you get the perfect fitting mountain bike. 

How to fit a mountain bike (part 1)

One of the reasons to purchase your bike from a quality local bike shop like ours in Ontario, is that we can help you find the right sized bike, and adjust it to fit you perfectly. Having a bike that fits you properly is very important for getting the maximum fitness, performance, and comfort in your riding experience.
Here are a few tips for how to find a mountain bike that fits you. These are general guidelines. Individual riders may have different preferences according to the type of riding they do.
1. Standover height: Straddling the top tube, lift the bike. On a hard tail, you should have at least 2” between the tires and the ground. Some mountain bikers prefer up to 5” of clearance. On a full suspension bike, 1” may be enough, as the height will be compressed when you are seated.
2. Reach: When seated, with your hands on the handlebars, you should have a relaxed, slight bend in your elbows.
See our next post for other aspects of fitting your mountain bike. Any time you purchase a bicycle from our shop, we are available to fit the bike for you.

Ontario bike shop First Look: 2013 Trek Fuel EX

The team at our bike shop in Ontario has been testing the new 2013 models from Trek. One of the bikes that has made a splash this year is the Trek Fuel EX. 
This trail bike is delivering a number of changes in 2013, really stepping up it's performance.
The 2013 Fuel has more travel now- 130mm rather than 120mm.
Other notable changes include those that have made the 2013 Fuel a much smoother, more responsive ride. Using a dual-chamber shock and fork, Trek has made this bike more capable than many bikes equipped with more travel.

2013 changes:

• 130 mm of travel from 120 mm in 2012
• new suspension kinematics- main pivot is moved forward for better pedaling performance
• Lower standover height
• 10mm shorter chainstays
• Frame weighs in at 3.9 lbs-5.4 lbs
• Fuel 9.9 complete bike is now 24.5 lbs
• Internal cable routing for all shifter cables and even the Rockshox Reverb post cable
• Fuel EX 5, 6, 7 weigh 2466 gram
• Fuel EX 9.9 weighs 1760 grams or 3.88 lbs

First look at Bumstead's 2013 Trek lineup

The lovely, radically redesigned 2013 Trek Madone 6.2

We are very excited at our Ontario bike shop to introduce the 2013 bicycles that Trek has unveiled.

We trust Trek's bikes to be quality machines, counting on them to perform whether road or mountain built. But this year promises to be a memorable one for change of the Trek models we have grown to love. 

Trek's image for the past few years has been that of technology-focused design, and in 2013 they continue to showcase bikes with an eye towards cutting-edge technology. The 2013 lineup includes some of the most refined models yet, breaking through limits with weight and speed. These bikes are light, fast, and boldly designed.

Get in-depth highlights of the Trek 2013 models from Bicycle.com complete with a luscious gallery of pics. Watch our blog for our announcements about the new models we are stocking at our bike shop, near Chino Hills and Upland.

We are very excited to take these for test-spins, and hope you'll have the chance to come by and check them out.

Cheapest bicycle ever! Cardboard Bike. Is this the Future?

Will this bike one day be the cheapest bicycle available at our Ontario bike shop?

A new design for a bicycle from an entepreneur Izhar Gafni, out of Israel, is made from light-weight, durable, eco-friendly, and waterproof cardboard! If it sounds impossible, well...they said it was.

Gafni wanted to create a bicycle that would be too inexpensive to be stolen, and began experimenting with building a bicycle out of cardboard box material. Though the engineers he consulted with were skeptical, Gafni persevered and now has a working model of his cardboard bicycle.

The bicycle prototype may be in for more changes, but currently the production cost is around $9 to $12 per bike. Gafni has not yet signed a contract with a manufacturer, so it is uncertain what the finished cost will be, but it is expected to retail for under $90.

bike shop Ontario, CA: Stage 9 Tour de france update

Check back on this blog from our bike shop in Ontario, California for updates from the 2012 Tour de France from now until July 22.

Its been quite literally a brutal race from the beginning. A grand total of seventeen bicyclists are currently out of the Tour de France due to crash injuries, at the close of the 9th stage. This is the most cyclists to be out with injuries by this stage in the Tour de France since 1998. 

Brit Bradley Wiggins, the three-time Olympic track medalist, has the yellow jersey for the first time. Wiggins finished the 9th stage time trial, victorious, only 35 seconds ahead of Australian Cadel Evans. 

Wiggins was undaunted by speculation that he may have taken the yellow jersey too soon. "You can't get too cocky in this race and choose when you take the yellow jersey," the Huffington Post reported Wiggins saying. "I'd much rather be in yellow than in hospital – like half the peloton."

Yesterday, Wiggins had an angry outburst in response to conjecture that his team's stellar performance could have been aided by doping. 

Today's win for Wiggins gave him more room in his lead, after France's Thibaut Pinot had his first win on Sunday's 8th stage, followed by defending champion Cadel Evans, with Wiggins coming in 4th. 

bike shop Chino Hills: Greipel takes Stage 4 and 5 of Tour de France

Our bike shop in Chino Hills is watching the events of Tour de France all this month. The race is approaching the end of week one, and its been an exciting start.
There were a number of news developments regarding Tour de France in the weeks leading up to the race.  This year has been marked by some special situations such as rider injuries, changing of teams, and high-profile doping charges that recently stripped Tour de France legend Lance Armstrong of his titles.
The first week of the race had plenty of excitement as well, with several crashes, such as a multi-bike pile-up that included Mike Cavendish, in the closing of Stage 4. Cavendish emerged from the crash uninjured, and unhappy.
Andre Greipel of Germany won Stage 4, and coming through the finish elated at his first Tour de France victory.
He then came in ahead again in Stage 5, pulling in front in the final hundred meters in what he called "the hardest sprint of my life."
Looking forward to what the Tour de France brings next. Watch our blog for updates!

Bike shop Ontario: Tips for cycling for weight loss

At our bike shop Upland, we have plenty of customers looking to slim down cyclng, but casual cycling will not usually result in weight loss. Those who are successful losing weight through bicycling are those who set out to do so through a combination of dietary changes and a cycling plan that has the exercise rigor to bring the results.
Here are a few secrets that help maximize the exercise benefits of riding:

• A bike that is sized to fit will help your body burn calories. When fit is not good, sometimes riders are not getting the full calorie-burning benefit from riding as they are slumped in their seat. 
• Beginning with a stretch and warm-up routine every time protects bodies from injury and helps muscles prepare to work efficiently. 
• Building the intensity level of exercise gradually helps people be safe and successful. Beginning with a low-intensity ride that is manageable, and focusing on developing the pattern of cycling every day is an effective approach. 
• Successful cycling fitness routines alternate short periods of rigorous exercise with rest have been shown to be the most effective. This method allows you to use your energy more efficiently than a continuous hard push where you actually lose strength over time.
  
  In order to lose weight, you will need to burn more calories than you consume, so your routine is only one piece of what’s needed to lose weight cycling, but stay committed and you too can do what many other cyclists have!

bike shop Chino Hills: Surprise Warm-up Tips

Bumsteads bike shop Chino Hills spills 3 secrets about warming up! These come as a surprise even to some of our serious athletic cyclists. Here they are...drumroll, please...
1. Less is more! You heard that right. A study released last year showed that the standard 20 minute warm-up routine used by cyclists caused fatigue, and a shorter, less-strenuous warm-up routine actually produced better peak power output.  
2. Serious cyclists do it inside! Riding through busy streets and intersections, across uneven surfaces, around pedestrians, and inclement weather can really reduce the effectiveness of your efforts to warm up at the beginning of your ride. The continuous, controlled warm-up you get inside on a stationary trainer is more effective. That's why it is preferred by many cyclists before a race.
3. Intermittent is better than continuous! When you pedal continuously as hard as you can and really get your heartrate up, you feel like you are getting a better warm-up, but research suggests this is false. Continuous exercise tires us out , and without being perceptible to us, our performance is affected. A warm-up of 20 second high intensity pedaling, followed by 10 seconds of rest, repeated for 8 cycles is a perfect warm-up to take advantage of your bicycling for fitness.

Bike shop Ontario: Get fit and lose weight with joy, bicycling!

At our bike shop Ontario, we run into lots of people who are looking for a fun way to get into shape. Bicycling is an enjoyable and effective fitness activity. Studies have shown benefits of cycling include lower rates of heart disease, reduced blood pressure and cholesterol, and stress reduction.
Cycling may also be the exercise component of your weight loss plan, with great results. In order to get weight loss benefit from cycling, you will need to design your riding routine with that in mind.
Bicycling is low-impact fitness, and so is recommended for all body types, ages, and fitness levels. Many people who cannot run for exercise, can ride a bicycle easily and pleasurably.
If you are overweight, the non-weight bearing nature of cycling can mean greater stamina in your workout routine as compared to something like walking.
For those who's mobility is limited, cycling can offer freedom of movement, allowing people to enjoy moving at fast speeds and get an aerobic workout.
Cycling tones the stubborn areas of the body- butt, thighs, waist, and hips.
A professional bicycle retailer can help you maximize these benefits, by assisting you in finding the right bicycle for your body type and that it is fitted so you get the best exercise benefit.

Bike shop Chino Hills: What kind of bike is right for you?

Are you wanting to buy a bicycle at bike shop Chino Hills  but you have no idea where to start? Here is a brief guide to some of the most common kinds of bicycles. Choose your bike based on what kind of riding you are most interested in.

Road bikes
Pros: Speedy, easy to pedal on pavement.
Cons: Not so good for riding on rough terrain. Dropped handlebars may be uncomfortable.

Mountain bikes
Pros: Suspension and upright riding position provide a cushy, comfortable ride. Great for all terrain.
Cons: Mountain bikes are slower, harder to ride on paved and smooth surfaces.

Hybrid bikes
Pros: Fast, easy pedaling, with the versatility and comfort of a mountain bike.
Cons: Not suitable for very rugged terrain.

Cruisers
Pros: Comfortable, relaxed riding, and style.
Cons: Difficult to ride in on hills, long distance, or off road.

BMX:
Pros: Nimble and sturdy for stunts and trick-riding.
Cons: Short on comfort.

Bike shop Upland: Common crashes #10: Rear End (variation 2)

Our bike shop Upland exposes the top ten most common bike crashes, from Bicyclesafe.com. Find expanded info on their site.

#10 Rear End (variation 2)
A car runs into you from behind. This is a very commonly feared crash, but it does not happen frequently. It makes up only 3.8% of collisions. However, it is very difficult to avoid, since you are not usually looking behind you.

How to avoid this wreck:

1. Use a rear light. If you're riding at night, you absolutely should use a flashing red rear light. Bruce Mackey (formerly of Florida, now head of bike safety in Nevada) says that 60% of bike collisions in Florida are caused by cyclists riding at night without lights. In 1999, 39% of deaths on bicycles nationwide occurred between 6 p.m. and midnight. [USA Today, 10-22-01, attributed to the Insurance Institute for highway safety]

2. Wear a safety triangle or reflective vest. Just do it. Reflective gear makes you a lot more visible even in the day time as well.

3. Use wide streets. Ride on streets where the outside lane is wide enough for a car and a bike, side by side. That way a car may speed past you and avoid hitting you, even if they did not see you!

4. Use slow streets.The slower a car is going, the more time the driver has to see you. Avoid arterials, especially on weekends.

5. Use a mirror. Get a mirror and use it. If it appears a car doesn't see you, get off your bike and onto the sidewalk.

6. Do not hug the curb. This is counter-intuitive, but allow some space between yourself and the curb. That gives you room to move into if you need to. Doing so prevents a number of common accidents.

Find the safety gear you need at http://www.bumsteadbikes.com/

Bike Shop Ontario: Common crashes#9: Rear End

Our bike shop Ontario is posting tips from Bicyclesafe.com about avoiding the most common bike crashes.

Crash #9: The Rear End
 

You steer slightly to the left to go around a parked car or some other obstruction in the road, and you get hit by an approaching car from the rear.

How to avoid this crash:

1. Never move left without checking behind you first. Some motorists will pass cyclists with only a few inches, so moving even slightly to the left could put you directly in their path. Practice riding a straight line while looking over your shoulder until you can do it perfectly. Many new cyclists have a tendency to move left when they look behind them, which obviously can easily cause one of these.

2. Don't swerve in and out of the parking lane if it contains any parked cars. It may seem like a good idea to ride in the parking lane, dipping back into the traffic lane when you see a parked car. This puts you at risk for a rear end accident. Instead, ride in a steady, straight line in the traffic lane.

3. Use a mirror. If you don't have one, get one from a bike shop (like ours). There are models available that fit on handlebars, helmet, or glasses. You should still physically look back over your shoulder before moving left, but having a mirror will help you monitor traffic.

4. Use turn signals. Never move left without signaling. Just put your left arm straight out.

Bike shop Chino Hills: Common Crashes #8

Our bike shop Chino Hills is doing a blog series revealing the most common bike crash situations, from Bicyclesafe.com, with tips to help you stay safe.

#8 The Left Cross
An approaching car makes a left turn right in front of you, without giving you room to stop, or slams directly into you. 

How to avoid this wreck:

 1. Never ride on the sidewalk. 

 When you come off the sidewalk to cross the street, you're not visible to turning motorists. It is generally much safer to ride in the street.

2. Get a headlight. Front headlights are necessary for safe night time riding. Also, you can be ticketed most places for not having one. They can increase your visibility in the day too.

3. Wear bright colored clothing, even during the day. Ok, maybe you prefer neutrals...but bikes are small and easy to see through even during the day. Yellow or orange reflective vests make a big difference in visibility. Reflective leg bands are also easy and inexpensive.

4. Do not pass on the right. Do not try to overtake slow-moving vehicles on the right. Doing this makes you invisible to left-turning motorists at intersections. Passing on the right is dangerous for a number of reasons. (see other posts in the series or check out Bicyclesafe.com)

5. Slow down. Try to make eye contact with the driver. If you can't catch their eye, slow down enough to completely stop if necessary. It is a pain, but it beats getting hit.

Bike shop Ontario: Common crashes #2:

Our bike shop Ontario is running a series of blogs exposing the top ten situations that cause bike wrecks, drawing from Bicyclesafe.com.

The #2 most common bike accident they call: The Door Prize

A driver opens their door right in front of you.  If you don't have time to brake, you crash into it. 

This kind of wreck is more common than you might think:  It's the second-most common car-bike crash in Toronto, and holds the title for #1 crash in Santa Barbara. Bicyclesafe.com has made a list of cyclists killed by running into open car doors.

How to avoid this wreck:

Ride to the left! Ride far enough to the left that you won't run into any door that's opened unexpectedly. Riding further left (than curb and parking lane) is recommended to avoid several of the most common bike accidents.