#10 Bicycling in the rain

Many of us don't like getting out in the rain. Rain can ruin your cloth and hair. For those of us who don't have any transportation other than their bicycle that can be a little challenge. Imagine yourself riding your bicycle in the rain, what would you do to make yourself dry as possible and arrived safe? Thinking about using your umbrella will be the worst thing you can do. Not only you will lose you balance but it won't be an efficient way to remain dry for a longer period of time.

The best way to ride your bicycle in the rain without ruining your cloth and insure your safety is by wearing a rain coat. Rain coat can make sure you stay dry while riding your bicycle in the rain and it dose not need any effort to hold it like an umbrella. It also the most effective way to stay dry for a long period of time no matter what the weather was. 

Bicycling in the rain will become more fun when wearing your rain coat and you will like going out in the rain more often afterwords. 

#9 Bike locks

Bike Locks

Bike locks are indispensable. You cant possibly use your bicycle outside and leave it without a lock. There are many locks out there but how to choose what is best for you? To select the best the lock for your bike you need to ask yourself how often I leave my bicycle outside and where?

If you were a collage student and use your bicycle in campus most of the time, the best lock will be the wire bike lock. They are light and affordable and do the job perfectly. The reason why they are perfect on campus because the campus provide more security to you bicycle ,so you will only need a light lock to lock your bicycle.

If you were a commuter who leave his bicycle outside a supermarket or the library in the city, you will need U lock. U locks are heavier than wire locks and they are shaped like the letter U and they are made completely of steel. They provide excellent protection against theft but they are expensive and heavy in the same time.

In regard for brands, most brand are good as long as they made from good materials. There is a rating that can help you choose the best level of security your bicycle have but in general, I think that you can decide what is best for you base on you usage of your bicycle.  

#8 Storing your bicycle

In you busy schedule, you will find yourself too busy to use your bicycle. Its ok but you should pay attention to where you keep your bicycle. Many amateur bicyclist made a big mistake leaving their bicycles outdoor for a long period of time. That can severely damage your bicycle and cost a lot of money to repair and maintain.

A regular bicycle contains several parts made from plastic or rubber. As you know plastic and rubber reacts to all weather conditions wither it was humid, worm or cold. Theses parts will worn off quickly and will require to be changed and that will cost you so money. For instant, the brakes and the tires weather fast under humid, worm condition and if  you left your bicycle out in the sun for more than a week, they will became hard and in bad condition.

Furthermore, the frame and the chain are made of steel or aluminum and they are heart of you bicycle. An excessive humidity outdoor for a long period of time can cause rust in multiple location that will either ruin your bike for ever. You can not undo rust to your bike so its vital to keep it way from  humidity. Tires, brakes and chain can be replaced for a price but the frame is you actual bicycle so always remember to keep out of humidity.

In conclusion, these  were the problems that can ruin your bicycle outdoor if you left it outside for a long time. If you found yourself busy or unable to use your bicycle for some time try to store at your home in a dry, shaded and ventilated area. It will be better to store you bicycle than pay more money in restoration or even buy a new one. 

#7 Types of Bicycles, which one to choose?

So, you have decided to buy a bicycle. Now you need to identify what preference of a bicycle suite you. The first step to get to know what kind of bicycle fit you is to ask yourself this question “What I am going to do with my bicycle?” There many specs and characteristics that made every type unique. To start elaborating that concept we need to know learn about these types what they meant to be used for. 

Bicycles come in many different types based on the train. If you need a bicycle that is heavy duty and can over come many off road obstacles then mountain bike is what you should be looking for. The design of the mountain bike helps it become more durable on rough trains like off road or even if you used on the road. Its equipped with suspension coil that absorb shocks of rocks and sharp curved. Mountain bike tires tent to be spiky and wide. The reason why they are like that is to prevent any objects to puncture the tire. In addition to that, mountain bikes are heavy in general. The need to be slightly heavier than any other bike to take more rough usage.

Road bicycles are the complete opposite of the mountain bicycles. The tent to be softer and lighter to bring more speed on the road. The structure of the frame is thin to allow the bicyclist to pedal easier. Tires are also thin and smooth to provide less attraction on the road and therefore more acceleration. 

Hybrid bicycles set between Mountain and Road bicycles. From its name, its a mixture between both types providing more durability and speed in the same time. The structure of the frame is light but it has the same width as the mountain. You can miss distinguish between a mountain bike and a hybrid bike because they look alike but with some differences. Hybrid bikes have road bikes tires and some time a special tires that have been made specifically to them. These tires will provide the speed and the durability you need to either commute or to explore in the same time.

With all said, the only thing is left is the price matter. Depending on the quality of the bike, brand and type you should set your budget.  Bare in mind that the most expensive type of all bicycles are the hybrid ones because they combine two types in one. In the end, you are the one who will decide which is type is perfect to you so choose what you will use the most and invest your money on it.

#6 How to protect your bicycle?

In any investment we made protecting it is the most important thing. Your bicycle is your investment and you don't want to waste the money you have spent on it. 

The most important thing you need be attention to is there are many bicycle robbers out there and because of that you will need to protect your bicycle from any theft attempt. 

Locking your bicycle is the right thing to do but what if locking your bike was wrong in the first place. Before locking your bicycle you will need to know your surrounding and where you want to lock your bike at. Avoid secluded location where its dark and pick a public location where people walk all the time. Locking your bicycle there will be safe because if someone tries to steal your bike there is a big chance that either one of your friends around walking near by who can catch him. In addition to that make sure you lock your bike to a post not a tree or a sign. You don't want to heart the tree or getting a ticket from locking your bike to a sign. 

Where you lock is important but also how to lock your bicycle is more important. Many bicyclist don't know how to lock their bicycles probably. The best way to lock your bike is to make sure that the frame is locked around the post. Also, if you had a quick release lock on your tires make sure the lock goes by the tires and the frame. In that why, you are preventing your tires from theft too. 

In the end, the most important thing is not to leave your bike at night of for a long period of time. If you had to leave it, tell a friend to look out for your bike and keep an eye on it till you come back for it. 

#5 Bicycle Maintenance

Everything requires maintenance. Your home, car or bike will need from you some attention and care once in a while and so your bike. There some tips I want to share about how to keep your bike in tip top shape. 

The first thing you need to be attention to all the time is your tires. Bicycle tires purpose is to protect your wheels. They inflate themselves over time and if you didn't pay attention to them you may damage your wheels or lose your balance while riding you bike and fall. In order to prevent that you will need to check the air pressure regularly by either connect your tire to an air pump with a pressure gaga or by using a pressure gage separately to measure its pressure. once you found your pressure is the low, fill up your tire to the manufacturer recommended pressure without exceeding it. 

The second thing you need to do to take care of your bicycle is lubing. I have used the word lubing not greasing because greasing can leave deposit and gather dust and mud all the way and that will make your bike dirty. Lubing is important for bicycles and necessary for its chains and axises. I am using a very good brand called (White Lightning) and its just perfect.

 Applying lube also need to be rational. Excess lube will not make a difference and will splash on your cloth when you paddle.  The best timing for lubing your bicycle is either after you completed 75 mile or after a rainy day. In addition to that, add lube in small quantity if your bike squeaking or when ever having a hard time paddling. 

Last tip I recommend for your bike is cleaning it. A clean bike is a happy bike and the best way to do that is by cleaning it a damp cloth. Don't forget to remove any excess lube with a different cloth so you avoid spreading it out. 

After all, these tips are in my opinion the most important ones and if you kept doing all of them you have a long lasting bike with less money to repair.