PLEASE SEND YOUR PICTURE & RIDING TIPS
 BE PART OF HALL OF FAME CYCLING TIPS
 Please e-mail your Cycling Tip and Picture to: LongsCycle@LongsCycle.com
 THANKS FOR HELPING AND SHARING! THAT'S HOW CYCLISTS LEARN, REMEMBER!
 *************
 HALL OF FAME CYCLING TIPS
     by LongsCycle Family of Customers 
 Feel free to e-mail any of our customers with your questions ....Cyclists will be glad to help you!


Jaquelin Pearson
jaquelinpearson@earthlink.net
California
Tip:  Never forget to enjoy the scenery and appreciate the body that  takes you on such great and gorgeous rides. 
 Cyclists, as a group,  tend to be friendly and  generous.  We ride by the ocean on 101 near 
our home in California most days and it always takes our breath away when we stop to be
Thankful for our life, healthy bodies and the innumerable gifts that cycling together has brought to our 
lives.  CARPE DIEM!

    *************


Rod Bruckdorfer
seagypsy@att.net
Maryland
Tip:  IF I CAN DO IT YOU CAN TOO!  Pictured is me on my first ride after being off the bike for 14 yrs and on my 60th birthday. 
I feel great now that I am riding.  It is exciting to think about a self-contained tour down-the-road next year. 
The frameset is a 1989 Miyata LT-1000 (long distance touring)
 *************

James Conway
 roseate55@hotmail.com
Largo, Florida
Here I am in lovely Largo Florida on my Folding Bike. Tip One: Get a Folding Bike
for plane trips to recoup from jet lag. Tip Two: always check those joints for tightness
first before you descend Spooky Hollow Hill in New York!!:(

    *************
John Herber
 jaherber@charter.net
My First Century Ride!
As a beginner rider of only 4 months of cycling I found it an important part of my training riding with a group,
 join your local bicycle club! Mine is: www.tricitybicycleclub.org/
Tri-City Bicycle Club

Pasco Washington
PO Box 465
Richland, WA 99352

*************

       

*************


 Leicestershire, ENGLAND
      gary.moore@energyst.com        
 Our annual 100 mile charity group just before the start on May 21st. We rode from our village in
Leicestershire  UK, to the east coast town of Skegness.
 Last year we raised around $18,000 and this year over $20,000
Our top tip is, "Have fun"
****
Bill Cianfrani
wcianfrani@comcast.net 
Maloney's 29th Annual Bike-A-Thon, NJ.
Tip one  - -- Have FUN!
Tip two --- Have Lots of FUN!!
 ****

Joseph L. Gagnon
jlgagnon@us.ibm.com
Tip one  - --Create a daily log (using MS Excel) to keep track of my daily rides and daily exercise.  This will make you feel compelled to do something as you will find out you will most likely hate to see empty cells in the spreadsheet. The empty cells make you feel like you have
missed something and this then becomes a motivator for getting on the bike almost every day.
Tip Two -  Make all of your goals long term but set out small incremental steps to achieve them.  For example if you want to ride 60 minutes a day and you are only riding 45 now. Add two minutes per week to your training ( we can all ride two more minute) and before you know it (seven short weeks ) you will have achieved a longer term goal without much negative impact (physically or mentally).
Tip Three - think positive thoughts all the time - even wind can be seen as a positive  - say to yourself this is great practice for riding those hills.   Remember always " the mind is strong.........the body is strong"

****
Raphael Parker
rap32123@yahoo.com
If you're interested in shedding those winter pounds, try commuting on a bike. The more often you ride, the
more you'll find yourself thinking healthy thoughts and you'll be proud of your body. When you're proud of
your body, it's easy to avoid bad foods. Make sure that you clean your bike before you start
riding again. Get it cleaned at a shop, or clean it on your own with some degreaser on all the exposed moving
parts. Then lube it well with oil and wipe off any excess oil.
 ****
               
             CLICK HERE                        CLICK HERE                       CLICK HERE          
****

Gail Jones
gailpjones@mindspring.com
Start young and train well. Try and have great scenery, helps with those long trips  Ride in a pack,
with lots of water, food and maps!  Have parents that stay in shape with you.  Take active vacations.

 ****

Ron Garrett
 rongarrett@ameritech.net
When going up long hills, don't start out too fast. Do your own pace. If you over extend yourself, it takes longer to recover
being you still have to pedal uphill. Stand to work different muscles now and then. When you stand go up another gear if the terrain is
constant, down a gear (easier) when you sit. I always wear socks I got from Longscycle, they always feel great even when
I'm at work standing on my feet for hours.

****


 Paul Ricci
  nwrunman@comcast.net
Buy a pair of Spenco Gloves from Longscycle and you won't crash (as I did) after 114 miles of riding
 Prepare for your ride.  Carry a pump, tube and water, cash helps too! 
Also a few Velcro straps in your pocket or pouch can be a life saver
Peace and happy cycling
****

       

****
Alex Wakefield
Cantona711@aol.com 
Alex did not submit any tips just a comment:
 "I just got the Giordana bib shorts. They fit great and will be a great comfort
for my race this weekend. You guys rock! Here's a picture of me for your hall of fame."
****

Marina Lim, Minnesota
Marina_Lima@hotmail.com 
1. When you buy a bike or components (or clothing from LongsCycle.com) buy the best you can afford at the time.
 You will be happy with them and won’t have  to upgrade later.
2. Strength training and weightlifting at a gym twice a week is a great way to
enhance your cycling power and stay in shape. Work out in between riding days
If you don’t know how to do it, a personal trainer at a gym can help set you up
and evaluate your strengths and weaknesses
 ****

Lori Podray, Miami, FL
goldenrulesmile@hotmail.com
Here's me on my very first ride with my very first cycle outfit from LongsCycle
Tip 1: the Spin Classes at the gym give you lots of power
Tip 2: Flirting with a Killer Outfit makes one Pedal Harder.
****

Kevin McIntyre, Boise, Idaho
kevin.mcintyre@hp.com  
Tip 1: Always use a product like 'loctite' on threads of nuts and bolts where you don't want them vibrating loose. It keeps those bolts in place and also eases removal if they've been in a awhile. Perfect for Mtn biking. I use it on my water bottle cage threads.
Tip 2: Keep ibuprofen (or other meds) in your saddle bag in an old contact lens case (saw this idea somewhere but can't remember where). Keeps them dry and separate if you have different meds.
****

Daniel Hutton, Silver Springs, Maryland
 MistroMD@aol.com 
tip one:  have warming packets and slightly too big windstopper gloves...
warm when you need it and no bulky insulation (great for sub freezing morning commutes and warmer rides home)
tip two: if you don't mt.bike and only rode bike get a mt. bike...if you don't road bike get one...they complement each other so well
****
Kevin Madzia Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
 kevin@miles4melanoma.com
1. Clean your drive train as often as possible, especially if you ride in wet, muddy conditions. Those expensive degreaser solutions and fancy chain scrubber tools are great, but you'll be more inclined to do the cleaning as often as you should if you have a quick and convenient backup method. All you need is a hose, bucket, regular scrub brush, and dishwashing detergent ("Dawn takes grease out of your way"). Gently hose off the drive train to wet it, dribble detergent on the chain and cogs, then hold the brush against the cogs as you spin the cranks backwards. Gently hose off again, dab with a towel to dry, then re-apply your favorite lube. Your ride will be much quieter, your shifting more reliable, and your bike will thank you! 2. For disc brake users: if the thickness of the braking surface of
your brake pads is less than one millimeter, it's time to replace the pads. A dime is about one millimeter thick, so hold a dime against the edge of the braking surface to compare.
****
  NO LOGO SHORTS
Click Here
  
 ****
Mark A. Leahy, Hanover, Massachusetts
 markleahy@comcast.net
 Here's one from last year's trip to Colorado somewhere near Boras Pass on the Continental Divide Trail (Been there?)
1. Always have a bandana to wear under the helmet, on cool days it's just enough of a hat and on hot days you can wet it and its like an air conditioner. It's also great shade for the neck.   2. Beware of killer squirrels.
 ****

Mike Marmer
 mdmarmer@netzero.net
 Tip 1 -- Don't pretzel your wheel (see picture)
Tip  2 -- Set up a web page for your favorite rides

 ****

Marty Grassie, Marshfield, Massachusetts
 martygg@rcn.com
 Photo of me completing the Pan Mass Challenge for the Jimmy Fund. I would greatly appreciate donations to the Jimmy fund!   
Tips from a Long-Time Bicycle commuter: 1. remember, you are serving as a good example to others. you may even
influence others to commute by bike. drive with intelligence and courtesy (avoid any finger communications
to bone head drivers.)  2. I get to see the sun rise and set. I hear the birds sing, smell the spring grasses growing,
and the fall leaves. I wake up with the wind in my face in the morning and at the end of the day get rid of the frustrations of the
day by taking them out on the hills. I wouldn't miss my daily commute for anything!
Caution: once you have commuted by bike for a whole year, you will never want to commute by car again
****
****

Fred, Tucson, Arizona
 az2sons@juno.com
Here is me from one of the century rides around Tucson, Arizona.
Don't forget your sun screen when you ride in hot, sunny, weather like I did that day.
I came home pretty cooked.
"All that is required for the triumph of Evil, is for good men to do nothing"
 ****

Patrick Owens, Marion, Massachusetts
 theowens2000@yahoo.com
Photo of me and my friend Bill in Bourne after day one of the 2003 Pan Mass Challenge. 2004 will be my 3rd year participating in the PMC.
Tips:  Put a can "koozy" over pedals when putting the bikes on a trunk rack to protect the cars finish. Also, Don't stare directly at the sun.
****
Dann Doremus,  Mont Vernon, New Hampshire
 danndy@earthlink.net

I ride Recumbent in Cold weather I found wearing Ski Goggles helps protect the face and your vision from fogging up due to condensation from under the balaclava. Also many lighter layers work better in my opinion than fewer heavier ones in staying warm while riding.
 ****
Richard E. Evans, North Pole
richard.evans@thule.af.mil
Here's a photo of me at 2600 foot altitude on top of P Mountain,
at Thule Air Base in northern Greenland, 900 miles south of the North Pole
1 - Polar bears can sprint, so practice....a lot.
2 - Spend the money, cheap crappy parts get you killed, and eaten, in the arctic
****
 John Chiarella
 Fixer3@AOL.com

Keep you bike tuned up.  A problem averted is a problem solved.
 ****

****
   Harry Mostert, Australia
  hcmostert@optusnet.com.au
 Always carry: Personal ID - Mobile Phone - Money
2 spare tubes (I learnt the hard way, I got a puncture, put a new tube but I pinched the tube with my tire levers)
Tire levers - Plenty of water
 ****

       


 Jay Kleinwaks
 pumpkincycle@earthlink.net
When going on a long century, and leaving in the cool morning-wear two pair of cycling socks,
with powder dumped in each.   Later in the day when it warms up, and your foot begins to swell, you pull off one pair of socks
For hilly centuries forget the 12-21 or even the 12-27 cog-set, but no reason to go to a triple.  A MOUNTAIN  bike derailleur works well, even with shifters-other ROAD components (I have a Deore XT with everything else being Ultegra.)  
You can then run  an 11-32 or a 12-34 in the back saves weight and cost of a triple
 ****

 Mark Gonda
Mark.Gonda@gapac.com  
 Tip #1 Pre-Ride Fuel-up Take a flour Tortilla, spread some natural peanut butter, and some honey... Roll it (optional toast in toaster oven for 1 minute)... and eat!  Tip #2 Easy Access Take your energy bar and cut it into 4 even pieces and place in a Ziploc snack bag. Place the bag in your back jersey pocket and eat a piece of the bar every 8 miles or so (after the first 25 form the tip above) to keep you energy up while not having to stop or fumble for your food. Just pull one piece out of you pocket as you need it. Nothing to peel or put back after biting. Just pop, chew and go!
 ****
 
Alysse Holland
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
 karfre3@cox.netFeel sluggish at work? Try commuting on your bike. You are guaranteed to be awake! You will feel better about your job
 and will actually look forward to going to work as it is your chance to ride your bike again. I've been doing this since 1988
and the only day I don't feel "good" is when I have to drive due to weather. Out of chain cleaner? Try automotive tire cleaner.
 Works nearly as well as solvent chain cleaners and is much cheaper. Purchased mine at Dollar General for $1.00.
 ****
If you want to see what I'm up to these days, feel free to check out:
 www.ibdride.org/bhamon
Beth Hamon
Portland, Oregon
 periwinklekog@yahoo.com

 It's from a group ride that I founded last year called Slug Velo. www.slugvelo.com
We're Slow. We're Sociable. We're Slug Velo!
That's me in the front, leaning in towards my bike to grab something out of my saddlebag.
Here are a couple of helpful hints (both hints assume that you carry a multi-tool with chain-breaker and a small adjustable wrench -- or Cool Tool):
1. If your derailleur cable breaks, you can still get home. Since most cable break at or near the shifter, take the broken end of the cable and wrap it around a water bottle bolt (a couple of times should do it). Hold it in place as you tighten down the bolt.(You'll have to remove the water bottle to do this. It got me home halfway through a 15-mile recreational ride.)
2. If your rear derailleur craps out during a ride, Remove the rear derailleur completely (on newer bikes, you can do this with just an Allen wrench. On older bikes, you'll have to remove the wheel, take off the derailleur, and re-mount the wheel (being sure to line it up in the dropouts correctly).
Remove and save the derailleur cable (wrap it up near the shifter to save it). Pick a middle cog that isn't too hard to pedal and shorten the chain to fit it as closely as possible. On bikes with horizontal dropouts this will be much easier. Ride home slowly and pedal gently -- and remember that you can't shift in the rear!
 ****
 The Dowdys
thedowdys@citynet.net

****
 Dave Taylor
 DTAYLOR7968@adelphia.net
My 2 tips: always ride together, and let somebody know where you are going. 
Bonus Tip:  carry a cell phone in a waterproof container (during wet rides). Always carry at  least 2 tubes and a gluesless patch kit.
 ****
 Jan Michaelis
 JMichae909@aol.com

Jan Michaelis wearing the yellow Saturn Jersey purchased from LongsCycle
Tip #1: On a long ride when your jersey pockets are full, store your power bars between your lower thigh and your shorts.  The warmth keeps the power bars edible and you can carry several power bars there.
Tip #2: Collect the cell phone numbers and e-mail addresses of your riding buddies and print them on index cards and give them to your riding buddies to put in their saddle pack.  It's great for locating stragglers on a ride, and for planning your next ride
 ****
 

       


Bryce Cook, Mesa, Arizona
 brycecook@cox.net
1) Ride long
2) Ride hard
 ****
Jeff Golden, Jacksonville, Florida
Pedalist1@aol.com
I am in yellow jersey in the center
Tip for cold weather cycling. If you will use a muscle salve like Ben-Gay on your feet and legs just before
 you head out for a chilly ride, it will increase the topical circulation to that area and help keep froze toes from forming.
 ****

Steve Merrill
 smerrill143@msn.com
Tip - Take time to kick back after a hard ride.  (This is picture of my youngest son at the half way point on Colorado's
 Ride the Rockies Tour). He had not trained, almost quit on the first day, got a cold during the week,  
but he got stronger everyday and ended up leaving the left the rest of us in the dust when climbing the last pass of the tour.
 ****
Mark Finney, Indianapolis, Indiana
 mfinney@PrintSource.ORG
Riding tips: Ride lots, but don't do this!
 ****
 Prestige, Comfort, Durability
of Coolmax Cycling/Running Socks
Bobbi Darr, Walla Walla, Washington
 BobbiDarr@aol.com 
My tips for biking:
1.  Always carry a snack.  You never know when you will suffer energy drain, especially if you are cycling 30 miles or more. 
My favorite, which I found this summer on my trip across the country, is the Mojo Bar made by the same
people who make Luna Bars, my favorite before Mojo.  Mojo bars are nutty and not as sweet as Lunas. They come in several flavors and provide a less sweet pick-me-up.
2. When on long touring trips, always talk to the staff in the bike shops in the towns you pass through. They know the best ways
 to get from where you are to where you want to go.  Even if you have maps from bike sources,  these people know the more
 up-to-date and local information you may not have. If you have to ask for info, try to ask people on bikes - non bikers don't pay attention to things bikers need to know:  distances, whether there is a shoulder on a road, hills...
 

*******************************************************************************************************************

VOTE FOR THE BEST TIP! WINNER GETS A FREE JERSEY!
 SEND US YOUR TIPS AND PICTURE AND YOU CAN WIN TOO!

PLEASE SEND YOUR PICTURE & RIDING TIPS
 BE PART OF HALL OF FAME CYCLING TIPS
 Please e-mail your 2 Cycling Tips and Picture to: LongsCycle@LongsCycle.com
 THANKS FOR SHARING YOUR TIPS!
 

       

  • Clothing The comfort and you looking good in our pro quality coolmax jerseys will make a difference in your cycling enjoyment. Cycling Jerseys designed to wick sweat away from your skin you'll feel fresh even after a long ride. Also the high quality you'll feel. Remember that it may feel warm when you walk out the door, but once you start riding, you'll be generating your own cooling breeze. It's a good idea to start your ride with an extra layer of windproof clothing, such as our lightweight cycling jacket. If you begin to get overheated, you can stop and shed outer layers to adjust for conditions and levels of exertion. The convenience of rear pockets in our jerseys will come in extra handy there. Those pockets are also good for storing snacks.
  • Fuel Your body works hard when you cycle. It's important to keep your body fueled with water and a steady supply of snacks, even on a short ride. For any ride over 90 minutes, snack on some food every 15 to 20 minutes. Energy bars, bananas and dried fruit are all popular sources of fuel. Staying hydrated is also critical. Be sure to drink plenty of water and top off your bike bottle(s) before you head out.
  • Conditioning Cycling, like other active sports, will be much more pleasurable if you are in good shape. If you are just starting cycling for the season, begin with a few short rides and build up to more ambitious ones. Develop a series of short-loop trips in your area and check the mileage by driving the route in your car or, better yet, using a cycling computer. Cycling computers are not only useful for keeping track of daily mileage, many models also log accumulated mileage, average speed and riding time. Some even include a heart monitor to help you maximize your workout.

    If you would like any additional information about cycling, or have questions about anything about cycling please call us toll free at 1-800-737-6129, any day between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m. EST.

     

    Fixing A Flat Tire.....(it happens)

    The best way to avoid a flat tire is to keep your tires properly inflated and check for tread wear regularly. Despite these precautions, there is a good chance that at some point a road or trail hazard will cause you to have a flat tire. (To make it easy to perform the repairs outlined below when you're out riding, you may want to print off these instructions and carry them with your tool kit in a bicycle bag.)

    "Fixing a flat is a nuisance but it is  easier than you might think" says LongsCycle bike expert Greg Miller. You will need to do four things to fix a flat:

    1. Get the wheel off the bike. Quick-release hubs require no tools. Some bikes without quick-release hubs may require a wrench.
    2. Get the tire off the rim. You might be able to use your hands to remove the tire, but most likely you'll need "tire irons." Note: Most modern tire irons (sometimes called "tire levers") are constructed of plastic, not metal, to help prevent damage to the inner tube or tire.
    3. Make the repair. Either a patch kit (consisting of glue, patches and sandpaper or new glueless patches) or a new inner tube.
    4. Put air back in the tire. A pump or a CO2 cartridge kit. (Be sure the pump or cartridge fits your style of tube valve before you find yourself with a flat.)

    Here is how you make the repair:

    1. Find a safe place to change your tire. Move well off the road or trail, so you won't be in the way of motorists or fellow trail riders.
    2. Remove the wheel. Lay the bike on its side with the derailleur facing up. If the rear wheel is flat, shift the rear derailleur until it is on the hardest gear (on the small cog, farthest away from the tire). Remove the wheel.
    3. Deflate the tire completely (if it isn't completely flat already). For a Schrader valve, remove the valve stem cover and press the center pin. For a Presta valve, remove the valve stem cover, unscrew the valve pin part way and press down.
    4. Remove the tire and inner tube. Insert the spoon-like end of a tire iron between the tire bead (the reinforced edge of the tire) and the rim at a spot directly opposite the valve. Scoop the tire iron toward the tire and hook the other end around a spoke. (There is a notch in most tire irons for this purpose.) Insert a second tire iron under the tire bead a short distance from the first. Distance will vary according to the fit of the tire. If the tire is a tight-fitting road tire, the second tire iron will have to be farther away from the first than when fixing a looser fitting mountain bike tire. If the tire is still tight, hook the second iron to a spoke and insert a third iron a few inches from the second one. You should be able to slide one of the irons along the rim to loosen the entire bead. The bead on the other side of the tire does not need to be removed from the rim.
    5. Remove the tube from the tire. If you are replacing the tube, carefully remove the valve from the valve hole first. If you are patching the tube, leave the valve intact.
    6. Inspect the tube. Pump up the tube and locate the hole(s): Two holes, or a "snakebite," is probably from a pinched tire (generally caused by inadequate inflation). One hole on the inner circumference is usually caused by a spoke or spoke nipple puncturing the tube. Find the offending spoke and fix it (or pad it with duct tape) to protect the tube. A single hole in the outer circumference, is most likely caused by a puncture (piece of glass, staple, etc.). Look in the tire casing to make sure the cause of the puncture is not still embedded in the tire. A slit of 1/2" or more or a star-shaped hole in the tube is probably beyond repair.
    7. Repair the tube. Choose a patch large enough to cover the hole. "Toughen" the area around the hole with sandpaper, making the abraded area slightly larger than the patch. Spread a thin layer of glue over the entire area the patch will contact. (The most common cause of patch failure is not covering a large enough area with glue.) Wait for the glue to dry. Its appearance will go from shiny to dull. Peel the backing off the patch and apply it over the hole. Press the patch onto the tube carefully, especially on the edges.
    8. Reinstall the tire. Partially inflate the tube. (A truly flat tire is difficult to stuff into the tire without twisting it.) Insert the valve stem through the hole in the rim. Stuff the tube into the tire all the way around, then insert the tire bead into the rim at the valve stem and continue along the rim in both directions until the bead is one-half to two-thirds on the rim. Continue to insert the tire bead into the rim all the way around. As you work, you may want to deflate the tube to make it easier to work with the tire. If the process becomes difficult, do not use your tire irons, a screwdriver or any other tool to make the last bit of bead fit over the rim, the likelihood of a pinched tube is too great. Instead, work the bead onto the rim with your hands. Examine the tire bead all the way around the wheel to be sure the tube is totally inside the tire and not caught between the bead and the rim. You should not be able to see any of the tube. If the tube is caught, roll the tire between the palms of your hands to work the tube into the tire.
    9. Partially inflate the tire. Inspect the bead to make sure it is engaging with the rim properly. (Don't forget to check both sides of the tire.) If there are any bulges or places where the bead dips, deflate the tire slightly and re-seat the bead as described above. Once the tire is properly seated, inflate it to the recommended pressure. Some frame pumps require a lot of strokes to get the tire full. Put as much air into the tire as you can, then top it off with a floor pump when you get home.

      Bicycle Checks for Safe Riding

      Every day you ride your bike:

      1. Wear a helmet.
      2. Be sure your wheels are installed properly. Check quick-release hubs. Make sure they are tight and that tires spin freely without wobbling from side to side.
      3. Be sure both brakes work. Squeeze both brake levers. Make sure brake pads are not badly worn and are aligned properly with rims.
      4. Make sure the tires are properly inflated. Proper inflation helps prevent flats, protects the rims and promotes efficient pedaling.
      5. Keep an eye/ear out for squeaks, clanks, rattles or creaks. Attend to problems promptly.
      6. Clean the bike after your ride, and lubricate the drive train. A clean, well-lubricated bike wears longer.

      Once a week, or monthly:

      1. Check hub and bottom bracket adjustments. Be sure they turn smoothly, but are not loose. Check hubs by grasping rim and attempting to move wheel at right angles to the centerline of the bike. Check bottom bracket by grasping the crank arms where the pedals are attached and applying pressure at right angles to the centerline of the bike. There should be no "clunking" sensation in either case.
      2. Examine each tire.

      Be sure:

      1. There are no breaks in the sidewall.
      2. The sidewall is not dried out.
      3. The tread is in good condition.
      4. The tread is free of debris that might cause a flat.
      5. The rim is true. The rim should be within 1 to 2 mm of true. Spin the wheel and make a visual check using the front or rear brake pads as a guide. An out-of-true rim will wobble.
      6. The brake pads are adjusted so that they hit the rim properly, and that the pads are not worn excessively.
      7. Teeth are not bent or worn, chain links are not bent, tight or worn and derailleur are not excessively worn.
      8. Cables inside housing are lubricated. Use heavy-duty grease specifically designed for the job, never use household oil.
      9. All accessory attachment bolts are tight. Road vibration can loosen bolts in a hurry. Check brake caliper and lever bolts, handlebar and stem attachment bolts, seat bolts, pedals, racks, lights, computers and all other attachments subject to road or trail shock often.
      10. Headset is properly adjusted. While the front brake is on, rock the bike forward and backward. There should be no "clunking" sensation. If there is, the headset is loose and should be adjusted before the bike is ridden.

      Monthly or annually:

      1. Clean and inspect the frame. Look for cracks, bulges or dents.
      2. Perform a complete tune-up or overhaul yourself or take to a bike shop.

      If you would like any additional information about cycling, or have questions about anything about cycling please call us toll free at 1-800-737-6129, any day between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m. EST.
       

      Chain Care

      To get the best performance from your bike, it is important to keep the chain and gears free of dirt, sand and road grime. A clean, well-lubricated "drive train" makes gear shifting smoother and prevents premature wear to the gears and chain. Many riders perform this quick-lube routine after each ride. You will only need a chain lubricant, described below, and an old rag.

      1. Position the bike so that the crank can be turned. (It is easiest if the chain is on the middle of the freewheel cogs.)
      2. Use a light lubricant designed specifically for lubricating bike chains. Avoid using lubricants that are applied with a spray. They make it hard to control the application of the product and are consequently messy and wasteful. Plastic containers with a drip applicator make it easier to get the lubrication exactly where you want it.
      3. Turn the cranks while holding a rag around the chain to clean off excess road grime.
      4. With one hand, place the nozzle of the lube container against the edge of the chain where it is coming over the freewheel cogs. Turn the crank clockwise slowly with your other hand. Keep your eye on the lubrication as it is pulled from the container onto the edge of the chain. Repeat this on the inner edge of the chain. Turn the cranks a few times after both edges of the chain have been lubed. This will pull the lube into the chain where it is actually needed.
      5. Repeat step 3 to remove excess lubrication from the outside of the chain that would quickly collect road grit. If you would like any additional information about cycling, or have questions about anything about cycling please call us toll free at 1-800-737-6129, any day between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m. EST.
         

    • Welcome to LongsCycle Family 
    Transforming Riding into Pure Pleasure'
     Customer Service

                                           

     

    *Disclaimer of Liability

    LongsCycle.com has provided information to you. In providing that information, LongsCycle.com does not assume any liability as a result of the use of that information. Each activity has its own potential hazards, which need to be evaluated for each person based on that person's circumstances.

    By your use of this information, you recognize the foregoing and agree to hold harmless LongsCycle.com from any liability as a result of your use of the information. LongsCycle.com makes no representation or warranty regarding results you may obtain from using any information, materials, products or services offered on the LongsCycle.com Web site.

    Use of the LongsCycle.com site is at the user's sole risk. Under no circumstances should LongsCycle.com be responsible for incidental or consequential damages or direct or indirect damages, that result from your use of the information on the LongsCycle.com site. Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of liability for consequential or incidental damages; therefore, this disclaimer is limited to the extent of disclaimer permitted under these states' laws.