BENEFITS OF A SUSPENSION BIKE
There is a component to a bike that can significantly enhance the overall biking experience—bike suspension. Whether you’re an avid mountain biker, a city commuter, or a leisurely weekend rider, bike suspension offers a myriad of benefits that can transform your ride.
Improved Comfort - One of the most immediately noticeable benefits of bike suspension is the enhanced comfort it provides. By absorbing shocks and vibrations from rough terrain or uneven city streets, suspension systems ensure a smoother ride. This not only reduces fatigue on long rides but also makes cycling more enjoyable, allowing you to stay in the saddle longer without discomfort.
Enhanced Control and Stability - Suspension systems, particularly front and full suspension setups, significantly improve bike handling. By keeping the wheels in contact with the ground, suspension helps maintain traction and control over various surfaces. This is especially crucial when navigating rough trails or sudden obstacles, where stability can mean the difference between an exciting ride or an unfortunate spill.
Increased Speed on Rough Terrain - For mountain bikers and off-road enthusiasts, bike suspension is a game-changer. The ability to absorb and respond to rough terrain means that you can maintain higher speeds with greater confidence. suspension systems allow for more aggressive riding styles, enabling cyclists to tackle technical sections of a trail faster and with more precision.
Reduced Physical Strain - Cycling on rough or uneven surfaces without suspension can put significant strain on your hands, wrists, and lower back. Suspension systems help mitigate these impacts, distributing the forces more evenly across the bike. This not only protects your body from the jarring effects of rough terrain but also reduces the risk of injury over time.
Versatility Across Various Terrain and Improved Safety - A bike equipped with suspension is highly versatile and capable of handling a wide range of terrains. Whether you’re cruising on paved city streets, exploring gravel paths, or tackling challenging mountain trails, suspension systems adapt to the conditions, providing a balanced and responsive ride. In addition, this feature contributes to safer rides in general.
Our Calgary Cycle locations are home to a wide variety of front-suspension and full-suspension bikes. Come by and get familiar with all the brands and options to choose from. Remember Spring is just around the corner!
The CC Team
A WELL TUNED BIKE MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE!
So you have your new bike from Calgary Cycle and have spent many enjoyable hours riding. What’s next?... A tune-up! Just like a car, your bike requires regular maintenance too. Maintenance checks help ensure that all components of the bike, such as brakes, gears, and tires are in good working condition. This reduces the potential risk of accidents caused by malfunctioning parts. Tuning up your bike a couple of times a year can also improve its overall performance, and longevity and enhance efficiency, making riding smoother.
As a basic standard, it is important before any ride that you check your tire pressure. Tires can lose air over time and if they are sitting all winter in the garage then it’s definitely time to double-check the pressure. If you are uncertain how to go about this, stop by any of our 3 locations, and our service team can easily give you tips and tricks and get you topped up with air. Another standard is a well-oiled bike chain. When bikes are left outside or not cleaned often the chain can become “gummy” and also rust, which in turn will lead to drive train damage. Calgary Cycle sells an assortment of lubricants and bike cleaners along with garage floor tire pumps and smaller handheld versions that fit nicely into a backpack. Another reason Tune-ups are important is that it provides you an opportunity to make any adjustments and work with our bike experts on overall fit and comfort, perhaps you would like a handlebar adjustment, or your saddle is too far forward for best posture, we can review these points when you are dropping your bike off.
By keeping the bike properly maintained you can extend its lifespan. Regular cleaning, lubrication and adjustments help prevent wear and tear on critical components that will prolong their usability. If you have a full suspension bike, we highly recommend having a basic shock service (front and rear) for every 30 hours of riding, and an advanced service for every 100 hours of riding. These details and pricing can be found at www.calgarycycle.com under the services tab.
As a friendly reminder, all bikes sold at Calgary Cycle come with a service package, if you are not certain what is included, this information can be found online and is based on the cost of your bicycle. We are always happy to take your call and discuss your specific needs too!
Pro Tip from James, Senior Mechanic at Calgary Cycle South – “Consistent performance requires preventative maintenance on all moving parts – chain wear, cassette, brakes, rotors and bearings! A clean bike just works better!
EXPLORING BICYCLE DRIVETRAIN OPTIONS
A Brief Guide
When entering the world of pedal bikes, many people wonder about the differences in "parts" between models. It can be challenging to notice these distinctions just by looking at bikes in the same category.
When comparing different types of drivetrains on bicycles, each option has its own set of advantages and disadvantages. Let’s explore the main differences between traditional chain drivetrains and internal gear hubs, and consider scenarios where one might be considered “better” than the other.
Traditional Chain Drivetrains
Traditional chain drivetrains often offer a wide range of gears, suitable for various terrains and riding styles. Chains are universally used across many bike models and are compatible with a wide range of components, making it easy to find replacements at bike shops. While they require regular cleaning and lubrication, chains are relatively easy to maintain and repair. It's important to regularly clean and re-oil traditional chains to ensure longevity. Chain drivetrains also require a front or rear derailleur, which, without proper care, may need replacement.
Internal Gear Hubs
Internal gear hubs are sealed from the elements, making them more resistant to water, dirt, and other contaminants. This type of drivetrain is commonly found on leisure and pathway-focused bikes. Internal gear hubs require minimal maintenance compared to external derailleur systems, as the gears are enclosed and protected. However, this system typically does not offer a wide range of gears and can add overall weight to a bike.
Another common question is about the advantages of a 1x drivetrain. The industry is increasingly presenting more models with this type of gearing. A 1x drivetrain means there is no front derailleur, allowing for smoother shifting capabilities, less maintenance, and a reduced chance of the chain coming off during more aggressive riding. The absence of a front derailleur also allows for greater frame design flexibility and improved clearance for wider tires or suspension components.
Calgary Cycle has three convenient locations for your shopping needs. Choose from popular and quality brands like Trek, Electra, Norco, Gazelle, Santa Cruz, and more! Stop in today and speak to our staff about finding the best bike for you!
-The CC Team
PEDAL POWER
So you have purchased a new bike from Calgary Cycle and are super excited to hit the trails. In some instances particularly with road bikes and full suspension mountain bikes the pedals are not automatically included. This is due to the fact that there are rider preferences and the first consideration is if you prefer clip in pedals or flat pedals. Calgary Cycle carries Chromag, Bontrager, One Up, Deity and others in a wide assortment of both styles and composites. Choose from the thin lightweight and strong aluminum alloy or cost-efficient and durable nylon.
To clip in requires a shoe and cleat set up, and we carry Shimano, Look and Time cleats. Our friendly staff is happy to assist with this process and can also facilitate the installation of the cleats onto your selected shoe. The benefit of riding with a clip in pedal is experiencing a slighter more efficient pedal stroke and not having to be worried about your feet bouncing off the pedals over rough terrain. They also do provide more clearance over rocks and other obstacles.
Alternatively flat pedals provide easy adjustment of your feet and assures riders that they can put their feet down quickly if required. Flat pedals have varying platform size to help accommodate foot sizes. They typically have pins (that can be adjusted) for maximum traction with the pedal, even in changing conditions. It is helpful to have a specific cycling flat shoe versus a tennis shoe when riding flat pedals. The stiffer soles, optimized tread and impact absorbing materials make them a smart purchase. Calgary Cycle stocks Fox, Bontrager, Giro, Shimano and more. The other popular option to consider is a Shimano SPD pedal that has one side flat and the other side is a cleat mechanism, so you get the best of both worlds.
Pro Tip from James, Senior Mechanic at Calgary Cycle Canyon Meadows – “ Don’t neglect your pedals, they are one of your main touch points. Ensure they are tight have no bearing play and no cracks on the pedal body. If you’re using clip in pedals make sure to check your cleats for wear. If you are missing pins on your flats, be sure to use your replacements”.
It can be a lot to consider and the staff at our locations are happy to help and walk you through the options! Be sure to visit one of our 3 locations – Canyon Meadows, Bow Trail or Bragg Creek.
Happy Riding – The CC Team.
INTRODUCING MONDRAKER BIKES!
Calgary's Exclusive Dealer
We're stoked to reveal that we are officially Calgary's exclusive Mondraker dealer!
A brand forged in passion and honed on the track, Mondraker is globally recognized for its cutting-edge designs, engineering prowess, and commitment to pushing the boundaries of cycling technology. Mondraker offers a diverse range of models meticulously engineered to excel in any environment, ensuring a ride that's not just exhilarating but is truly transformative.
Welcome to the Calgary Cycle family Mondraker!
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