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​How to Select the Best Bike for a Child

11/16/2022

 
family outside a bike shop to purchase a kids bike
Riding a bike is a great activity for most children.  If you are a cyclist yourself you know there are many benefits from riding a bike for yourself and the environment.  By making sure a child has a bike that fits, is safe to ride, and they have great places to ride you are getting them started right on a lifetime of fun and memories.  We’ve put together some tips to assure the bike you buy for them is a good choice for wherever they are at this phase in their life.


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A Buyers Guide to Hybrid Bikes

4/1/2022

 
Picture
​If you are shopping for a new bike, you may have heard about  hybrid bikes, but what exactly is a hybrid?  The hybrid bike came on the scene in the mid-1980s as a cross between a road and a mountain bike collecting the best features of each into what is intended to be the perfect general purpose bike.  A hybrid is a good choice to accommodate the wide range of riding conditions you find in an urban environment both city streets and recreational trails. But within the category called hybrid bikes there has come to be a further differentiation:  comfort and fitness hybrid bikes.  If you are in the market for a new hybrid bike, it helps to understand the different features that are found with comfort and fitness styles so you can determine which is best for you.


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When to Call in the Pros

2/11/2021

 
Picture
​A well-maintained bike is a beautiful thing.  You will be able to ride further and with less effort, and the bike will last longer between mechanical issues.  Regular maintenance will reduce the likelihood of a catastrophic failure that might leave you stranded, or worse yet, injured.   But according to Christopher Wallace, bike mechanic, educator and speaker at the Feb. 10 virtual meeting of the Chicago Cycling Club, even if you are handy with tools and have the basic knowledge to perform preventive maintenance on your bike, there are instances when collaborating with the professionals at a bike shop is the best thing you can do to keep rolling.  


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​The Best Frame Material for a City Bike

1/29/2021

 
Bike frame sitting among trees
Bike frames are made from a variety of materials, the most popular being steel, aluminum, titanium, carbon fiber, and even bamboo.  If you are looking for a new bike for commuting, running errands or adventure cycling to exploring new parts of the city, each choice has advantages and disadvantages for price, ride comfort, durability, style, and maintainability.  While bike brands usually have standard materials they like to use for their bikes, if you look around you can usually find the bike style and frame material you prefer in a hybrid, road, gravel, mountain, or ebike. Which frame material is the best choice?


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Ten Things to Know Before Buying a Used Bike

12/16/2020

 
People standing around at a garage sale that includes a bike for sale
During the new bike shortage in 2020 it was a banner year to a buy or sell a used bike.  Why not give some life to an old bike?  With a steel or aluminum frame and the ability to replace components that are bent, rusted, worn, or dried out (in the case of rubber), you can take almost any bike and make it usable again.  If you are on a budget and just getting into cycling and do not know how enthusiastic you will be for riding over time, it is a good way to get rolling without making a large investment, saving some cash for the accessories you will need.  But buying a pre-owned bike is not without pitfalls so here are some tips for making the right selection.


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​Guide to Buying a Bike

7/2/2020

 
Image of a bike shop, with man, woman, and child putting on a helmet getting ready to ride his new bike
You’ve discovered that cycling improves cardio-vascular and aerobic fitness, lowers blood pressure, boosts energy, builds muscle, and improves coordination and is just plain fun, so now you need a bike.  But with so many styles, options, and places to buy, how do you know what is the right bike for you?

Cycling is a diverse world and there is a bike for everyone regardless of age, fitness level or riding style.  You can increase your chance of finding your best ride ever by answering a few questions. 



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Why Good Bikes are so Expensive

5/16/2020

 
Man standing in front of a bike with empty pockets
If you are new to cycling and shopping for your first bike as an adult you may wonder why a bike from a major brand in specialty retail sold at a bike shop or online is so expensive.   To get you from point A to B a new bike will cost you a lot less than a new car, but it may seem that $400 or more is still a lot to pay to own two wheels.  To get a handle on the costs it helps to know a little about the current state of bicycle manufacturing:
  • Rapid innovation –Bikes have been around for over 100 years, but we are not done tweaking them yet.  New designs and components debut annually resulting in a pace akin to that of the iPhone. 
  • ​Precision – Bicycle components are manufactured in weights and tolerances that are highly precise and as with any precision product, it takes more effort and cost to get that degree of performance


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    Earth Rider Blog about Cycling


    Author

    Sharon Kaminecki and others comment on adventures in bicycling and other stories

    Categories

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    Being Visible On Your Bike
    Bike Comfort
    Bike Safety
    Buying A Bike
    Cycling General Interest
    Learning About Ebikes
    Protecting Your Bike


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1873 N Milwaukee Ave
​Chicago, IL 60647

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773-360-1816

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  • Home
  • Blog
  • About
    • Learning Center
    • Explore Ebikes
    • Newsletter signup
    • Privacy Policy
    • Refunds
    • Learning to Ride a Bike
  • Shop
    • Ebikes
    • Bikes >
      • Youth Bikes
    • Lights
    • Helmets
    • Bags and baskets
    • Accessories >
      • Pedals
    • Outerwear >
      • Glove Box
    • Apparel
    • Bicycle inspired goods >
      • Greeting Cards
  • Service
  • Rentals