Inspired Rubber - Colored Bike Tires

Being a non-nonsence person is often at odds with the "artsy" side of my personality. My bikes are a good example. Half of me says don't mess with the minimalistic beauty of this simple machine. The other half loves the space-age look of high end racing bikes (Litespeed Bikes), the vintage style of women's bikes (Beg Bicycles), the funky colors and mismatched wheels of a hipster bike. Often what excites me is that highly functional part: the tire.

Wildly colored bike at republicbike.com

Colored bike tires can make a ride even fun-er if mounted on a kid's bike. And they could give a classic, vintage flare to a boring yard sale 70s bike.

There are many options out there but but I have yet to find one website that lists options for colored tires. Lovely Bicycle, one my usual web-visits, has a page that lists cream colored tires. But the page was built a few years back and could use some updating. And it only lists cream tires, no other colors. So, I am starting my own tire list. I know it will always be in a state of progress as tires will come and go. And I won't list black as we all know, black ain't a color!

Halo Twin Rail
Sizes: 26" x 2.2"
Colors (solid): pink, lime, white
Colors (multi, main/accent): black/gum, black/gray
notes: also have a 26 x 4 fat bike tire in black/white, 700's in white/black and black/gum

Halo Twin Rail II
Sizes: 29" x 2.2"
Colors (multi, main/accent): black/gum

_________

Onza
Canis, Citius, Ibex
Sizes: 26/27.5/29" x 2.25", 27.5" x 2.4"/2.25, 26" x 2.25"
Colors (multi, main/accent): black/gum

_________

Schawalbe
Lugano
Sizes: 700×20, 23, 25
Colors (multi, main/accent): black/red, black/royal blue, black/yellow, black/white, beige/skin

Fat Frank
Sizes: 26/28/29 x 2, 2.35
Colors (solid): gray, cream
Colors (multi, main/accent): brown/white

Big Ben
Sizes: 26 x 2.15, 27.5 x 2.0, 28 x 2.0
Colors (solid): gray, cream, brown

Spicer HS 442
Sizes: 26 x 1.5, 700 x 30/35/40
Colors (solid): graphite, cream, brown

Century HS 458
Sizes: 28 x 1.4, 28 x 2.0
Colors (solid): black/gray, black/cream, British racing green/white

Durano 23-622, 464, & One HS
Sizes: 700×23, 25
Colors (multi, main/accent): white/black, red/black, blue/black, silver/black, red/black, black/blue

Ultremo ZX
Sizes: 700×23, 25
Colors (multi, main/accent): green/black, orange/black, blue/black, yellow/black

Insider Training Tire
Sizes: 26 x .9, 1.35, 650x23, 700x23, 35
Color: blue

Rapid Bob
Sizes: 26 x 2.15
Colors (solid): white stripe

Racing Ralph
Sizes: 26 x 2.25
Colors (solid): white stripe

_________

Fixation
Session 700 ($40-$50 each)
Sizes: 700×23, 28
Colors (solid): white
Colors (multi, main/accent): white/black,
notes: ebay occasionally shows orange, orange/black, green, green/black, pink and pink/black though the Fixation site does not.

Accela ($25 each)
Sizes: 700×23, 28
Colors (solid): white

_________

Vittoria

Zaffiro & Pro ($? each)

Sizes: 700×23, 25, 28

Colors (solid): white

Colors (multi, main/accent): black/red, black/royal blue, black/yellow, black/white

Rubino & Pro ($45-$55 each)

Sizes: 700×23, 25, 28

Colors (multi, main/accent): black/red, black/royal blue, black/yellow, black/white

_________

SOMA

Everwear ($45-$55 each)

Sizes: 700×23, 26, 28, 32

Colors (solid/with black): white, pink, yellow, light blue, red

Grand Randonneur ($80 each)

Sizes: 650b x 42

Colors (duo): black/skin, terra cotta/skin

Grand Randonneur Blue Label ($70 each)

Sizes: 650b x 42

Colors (duo): black/brown

New Xpress ($25-$60 each)

Sizes: 700c, 26, 27, 650

Colors (solid/with black): white, pink, yellow, light blue, red, 

Colors (color/with skinwall): brown, terra cotta, black/teal, black/white, silver

Colors (duo): black/whitewall

Colors (duo): black/skin, terra cotta/skin

_________

Kenda

Kaliente Pro ($35-$50 each)

Sizes: 700×23

Colors (multi): black/red/black, black/silver/black, black/white/black

notes: road tire

Kadence ($35-$50 each)

Sizes: 700×23

Colors (multi): red/black, blue/black, white/black gray/black

notes: road tire

Kountach ($? each)

Sizes: 700 x 25, 23

Colors (solid): royal blue, red, white, lime green

_________

Maxxis

Re Fuse ($35-$50 each)

Sizes: 700×23, 25

Colors (solid): red, blue, yellow, orange, white

notes: road training tire

Rouler ($35-$50 each)

Sizes: 700×23

Colors (multi with black): red, blue, yellow, orange, lime, gray, white

notes: road racing tire

Courchevel ($? each)

Sizes: 700x23

Colors (multi with black): orange/gray/black, black/gray/gray

_________

Dia-Compe 

Gran Compe Ene Ciclo

Sizes: 700x28c

Colors: brown/tan

Gran Compe Side Wave

Sizes: 700x28c

Colors: black/white, black/pink, black/gray

Gran Compe 700

Sizes: 700x23c

Colors: white, pink, green, orange,yellow, red, blue, purple, brown

_________

Panaracer 

Fire FR, XC Pro

Sizes: 26 x 2.4, 26 x 2.1

Colors: black/red

Catalyst Sport
Sizes: 700 x 23, 26, 28
Colors: black/red, black/white, black/yellow, black/blue

Closer Plus
Sizes: 700 x 20, 23, 25
Colors: black/red, black/white, black/yellow, black/blue

Stradius Sport
Sizes: 700 x 20, 23, 26
Colors: red, blue

Practice Dual
Sizes: 700 x 22.5
Colors: black/yellow

Practice Dual TG
Sizes: 700 x 22.5
Colors: black/red

T-Serv PT
Sizes: 700 x 25, 28, 32, 35
Colors: yellow, blue, red
Sizes: 26 x 1.2, 1.5, 1.75
Colors: yellow, blue, red

Pasela & TG
Sizes: many 26, 27, 29, 700, 650
Colors: black/gum

_________

Hutchinson

Fusion 5
Sizes: 700 x 23/25
Colors: black/gray, black/red

Nitro 2
Sizes: 700 x 23
Colors: black/red, black/blue, black/yellow, black/green, black/white

Chameleon
Sizes: 26 x 1.95
Colors: black/red

_________

Serfas
Pacer
Sizes: 27 x 1.25
Colors: black/gum

STK Seca
Sizes: 700 x 23, 25, 28, 27 x 1.25, 26 x 1.25
Colors: white, red, blue, pink, gray

STK-RS Seca
Sizes: 700 x 23, 25, 28
Colors: white, red, blue, pink, gray, orange, green, light blue

_________

CST
CZAR C1406
Sizes: 650 x 23, 700 x 23, 25
Colors: black/red, black/blue, black/yellow, black/green, black/white, black/orange, black/gray

Metropolitan Palm Bay 
Sizes: 26 x 2.1, 2.3, 28 x 2, 700 x 40
Colors: caramel, cream, "copper brown wall"

_________

Michelin
Pro 4 Service Course
Sizes: 700 x 23
Colors: black/light blue, black/blue, black/pink, black/green, black/white, black/red

Dynamic Classic
Sizes: 700 x 20, 23, 25, 28
Colors: black/gum
_________

Grand Bois
Hetre
Size: 650b x 42
Colors: black/gum, white/gum, brick/gum

Lierre
Size: 650b x 38
Colors: black/gum,

Cypres
Size: 650b x 32
Colors: black/gum, white/gum

other Grand Bois models in 700c x ? at this link
_________

Continental 
Giro
Size: 28 x 22
Colors: black/gum

RetroRide
Size: 28 x 2.0, 2.2
Size: 26 x 2.0, 2.2
Color: brown, gray, cream
_________

others to be added soon:

Sunlite

Bontrager R3

Electra Retrorunner, Amsterdam City Tire, Blossom Trail Tire, 

Schwalbe Delta Cruiser

This post was originally published March 2013, updated often, latest 1/9/2018

Department Store Bikes - Great and Terrible (why Bike Shop Bikes are Expensive)

Being bike-crazy I often entertain myself on rainy days or after the kids are in bed by visiting bike forums. One of my favorites, MTBR, has as section I like frequent - Beginner's Corner. The majority of peoples' questions fall into two categories: getting help choosing upgrade parts, or getting help choosing between bike models. Sometimes, the person is pounced on by seasoned bikers chastising them for not choosing "real" bike brands, especially if one came from a department store. The self-proclaimed expert rarely offered reasons why they are so terrible. Then everyone goes away mad, not educated.

Department Store Bikes... the Givens

First, I have to say I don't hate Department store bikes. They do have their purpose - to be someone's first bike. But I do also agree with the "experts'" reasons (that are often poorly articulated) that these bikes are not the highest quality. I believe the main reason the for the chastising is the seasoned guys and the newbees are coming from different places. The seasoned folks eat, sleep, and live bikes 24-7. They often ride many hours a week, often on extreme terrain - rocks, jumps, high speed. The new owner is probably not going to be hitting these next-level trails any time soon (hopefully). Riding a department store bike in these areas can be, well, deadly and the old guys are not afraid to say that. While it is said with the best intentions, it is very deflating to an excited new owner.

So why are these bikes so dangerous? Why so unworthy? Well, they aren't... under the right conditions. These bikes are perfectly fine riding the neighborhood or local greenway. But, department store bikes are build to hit a price point, not difficult trails. Being "entry level" means everything about this bike is a compromise to keep the price low - cheaper materials, designed with less concern about tolerances, minimal R&D, assembled by non-professionals. Other than the last point, these "shortcomings" are not bad, just not right for the kind of riding the majority of MTBR guys do. High-end bikes have years and often millions of dollars of research to allow them able to withstand harsh trail conditions. They often use exotic materials like titanium and carbon fiber making them strong and light.

All these special materials not only mean extra strength but also better fit. The tighter tolerances of the machined parts of a derailleur, compared to one made from cheap stamped-out parts, mean shifting will be crisp, and it will stay tuned longer. Is this worth twice (or 10X) as much money? That debate is for another article.

Other things I have learned (and what MTBR guys should be/are saying):

Let's face it, Mountain biking, heck, any hobby, is expensive, especially if you insist on the highest quality, or you want to make major upgrades. There is almost no way to have high quality at a low price. So, if you expect to do big stunts (safely), expect to pay big bucks.

So, you still want to mountain bike and you don't have a lot of money? Spend as much as you can afford and don't question your decision. Let's face it, if you can only afford $200, that's all you can afford. Ride it and don't take it past its, or your, limits.

And resist thinking you can upgrade a cheap bike. Sure, the small stuff, like pedals and saddle, can be changed, but nothing expensive like the fork. A fork swap is an expensive and much more complex process than it seems, especially on an older bike.

What to do is you only have a few hundred dollars? 

There are a couple options to be able to stretch your bike-budget.

Buy a Used Bike
There are couple ways to find preowned bikes. The biggest place to look is Craigslist. Here you can purchase a couple-year-old bike at much less than new. But keep in mind, bike parts wear out, especially mountain bikes. If you have an experienced bike friend, bring them along to help assess if it is a gem or junk.

If you have a little more money, ask your bike friend if he or any of his friends have a bike for sale. These guys will know bikes and will more than likely maintain their bike... something you likely won't know from a Craigslist purchase.

Buy an "Old" Bike
Next up the price chain is buying a new bike from a bike shop that is last year's model. Bikes, like cars, have trouble selling if they are not the newest model. When the 2018 models are arriving, 2017 or even leftover 2016 models will be discounted. Some shops will even dicker on the sticker price a little.

So, get the best bike you can afford, ride it often, save your change for the next bike, and don't listen to people tell you that "you should have paid $2000." Oh, and be safe!

Beginners' Tips for Using Bicycle Gears

In my last post, I discussed the concept of how to change bike gears. This post is designed to take the info you learned in that post to the next level.

Only shift while pedaling: On most bikes, the gears will only change WHILE you are pedaling. You can't simply move the shifter. Not only will the gear not change, you can damage the gears.

When you ride, look ahead: This will allow you anticipate any upcoming hills that require shifting. The last thing you want to do is walk up the hill because you did notice it coming.

"Multi gear" shifting: While you will normally want to only shift one gear at a time, there is no rule that says you have to when you come to a large hill. Try jumping a couple gears by twisting/pushing the shifter farther than a single click. This will allow you to catch up on your shifting.

Keep riding: The more you ride, the more you will get the hang of using your gears. It will become second nature making your riding more consistent and fun. If you are having fun, you will be riding more, and that’s a great thing!

How to Change Gears on a Bike - The Secrets People Don't Tell You

Bicycles have been around for hundreds of years. Apart from refining of the design with high tech materials and state of the art manufacturing processes, bikes essentially have the same ingredients - two wheels, handlebars, a saddle and a drivetrain for forward propulsion.

Photo from an 1868 French bicycle magazine

My 2012 Kona Kahuna

In the 1960s gears became popular on mainstream bicycles making riding hilly areas (like ours) bearable. Today finding a bike with gears is not difficult. They are available on many inexpensive entry-level bikes found at all department stores. This means, if you buy a bicycle, there is a good chance you will need to learn how to change gears on your bike.

The “Secret” Concept of How to Change Gears on a Bike
After teaching both children and adults I have found that people have an "ah ha" moment when told the "secret"about gears. What's the elusive tip you need to know? Simply, gears change the speed of your FEET not your bike. Yes, that's it. When you ride you will want to keep your feet turning at a constant speed… whether you are going up hills or down, riding fast or slow.

But you are probably thinking "Ok, but what speed should they turn?" To learn what rate is right for you, head over to a large flat area, like in a parking lot, and ride at varying speeds until you find a comfortable pace that your feet's rotation feel “right”... not too fast, not too slow. This “right” cadence (to use a cycling term) is the one you will be using your gears to try to match… no matter how fast your are going.

Back to this in a minute…

Your Equipment 
Many bikes come with two gear sets – one at the rear wheel and another at the pedals. For this article we will be dealing only with the rear set.

Your bike will more than likely have one of two kinds of shifters – grip shifters or thumb shifters. The grip shifter will make your feet turn faster by pulling the top back and slower by rotated the top toward the front.

grip shifter 

indexed thumb shifter

"trigger" thumb shifter

Thumb operated shifters usually make your feet turn faster by pushing your thumb forward. Because there are a couple kinds of thumb shifters, slowing your feet will either require you to pull the lever backward or push a different button.

Oh, and in case you have never been told… you do need to be pedaling when you shift.

Using the Gears 
Back to the parking lot. So, you are riding around with your feet turning at a comfortable pace. But the world is not always flat. When you come to a hill and head up it of course it gets “hard.” The reason for this is your feet are not turning fast enough. Switch your gears to speed your feet up to your “right” pace and it will become easy (well, easier).

Eventually you get to the top and head down the other side. The same concept applies going down as up… you will need to change gears in order to keep your feet at the same pace, in this case, keeping them from turning too fast.

With some practice, you will get the hang of it. You will be changing gears without thinking about it, keeping your feet at that optimal pedaling rate.

Now that you understand gearing, check out the post with tips for gearing easier.

Originally published March 2014, updated 6/26/2017

Take A Kid Mountain Biking Day 2015 - Wood Property Knoxville

It was the fifth year that we attended the Take A Kid Mountain Biking Day - one of our must-attend bike events of the year. But this year's get together was unique in many ways. Originally scheduled for October 3, torrential rains pounded the trails for almost a week before. This meant the event that was usually the "first weekend in October" had to be moved two weeks later.

Also new for 2015 was the venue. Usually held at the awesome (but kid challenging) Meads Quarry trails, this year's TAKMB rides were held on the glass-smooth Wood Property beginner trails. Part of a soon-to-be-built park using the $100k Bell Helmets grant prize, the beginner trail was designed for exactly this level of rider. The confidence inspiring 1.5 mile trail is almost completely root and rock free, the corners are wide, the hills short and mild - think greenway "paved" with dirt. And if the "over the river and through the woods" turns out to not be your kid's thing, the parking lot is flanked by a neat little pump track. It's really neat to see adults and fun-sized kids on Strider bikes oscillating around the humps.
(note: the trails at Wood Property have not officially opened yet so you will need to wait until Spring 2016 to try it out.)

The third new aspect for this year was the appearance of my 10 year old daughter. My son has attended for the past four consecutive years, but my girl never has. To be honest, I am not sure how I convinced her but she agreed to try. It was her first attempt at "mountain biking" and she loved it! After her first loop, she suggested going again for a second time. She even gave the pump track a try (though never really felt comfortable on the banked corners.)

 

If your child ever has the desire to try riding dirt, then this is the perfect event in the perfect location. There are many kids at every age and skill level. And with all the swag like t-shirts and water bottles that IMBA, AMBC, and Bike Zoo hand out, even if they don't get the hang of off-roading, they will have plenty to take home to impress their friends.

As aways we can't thank The Bike Zoo, Appalachian Mountain Bike Club and IMBA enough for their constant support. Anybody that inspires more and more kids to love this sport, is alright with me!

See more photos on the TAKMB Facebook event page.

Craigslist Craziness (#4)

The interesting thing about this bike (other than the astronomical price) is fact that the owner wanted that monster basket more than he wanted to stop. In order to get it to fit - he moved the brake levers to the BACK of the handlebars.

Good thing there is plenty of room on that seat for your poop-filled bike shorts when you realize you aren't stopping at that first intersection.

p.s.
Oh, and if you are observant, you might notice the new name for these things. I though this section would be better titled "Craigslist Craziness"

Take A Kid Mountain Biking Day 2014 - Meads Quarry

The talk at past Take A Kid Mountain Biking days was either the weather or bugs. Before this year's event it was no different. In the past few years it had been warm and sunny. But the week leading up to the big event it had rained for almost every day. And though the rain stopped the day before so did the warm temps. Saturday morning started in the lower 40s. No bug spray this year but we did need heavier clothing.

Even though this year had more kids, the difference in age was not that great - most 3rd to 6th grade. This meant we did not need to split up. The more aggressive ones did leave the less confident behind to the first quarry at the end of Flow. 

After a quick trip into the Ross Marble Quarry and some small-talk (most about how amazed everyone was at how much work the AMBC had done to the trail), we all decided it was best to head back to the parking lot - some by the gravel road, the rest by Flow. 

After getting a few snacks and awesome Specialized swag some headed out, others headed back into the trails. But both had a great time again this year. As aways a huge thank you needs to go out to The Bike Zoo, Appalachian Mountain Bike Club and IMBA.

More photos can be found on The Bike Zoo's Facebook page.