Don’t be “that girl”* who rides for years on too-squishy shocks, overinflates her tires, asks dudes to change her pedals, and never cleans her bike, because she doesn’t know any better. Knowledge is powah! A little knowhow will help you ride faster, take better care of your two-wheel investment, and brighten your teeth.**
When: Wednesday, Nov. 30, 6-8ish p.m.
Where: Bike Link, 2766 John Hawkins Parkway, Hoover, Ala. 205-985-2001
Why: Sip, socialize, and learn some skills every girl should know about maintaining and adjusting her bike. Learn how to:
- Clean your drive train: Like a good teeth flossing, cleaning your ride’s chain and geared bits feels oh-so-satisfying. This is relevant for roadies and mountain bikers alike.
- Change a flat: Even if you know how to change a tire, learn some tips for making it faster. For a hands-on demo, bring your wheel.
- Adjust your suspension: Get the most out of your fancy mountain bike by knowing how to tweak the compression and rebound for optimal comfort and performance. Squish!
- Dial in your tire pressure. Do you feel slippy in your singletrack turns? Sluggish on road rides? Your tire pressure might have something to do with it.
- Change your pedals, without having to ask a dude in the parking lot for help (like I did last week). Anything else you’d like to know? Questions encouraged!
What to bring: A wheel and, if you have ‘em, tire levers, and CO2 cartridges or a pump. If you want to share some potluck love, bring a snack or a sweet.
Rumor has it: The Swag Fairy will be there! Door prizes and discounts on bike-cleaning kits, courtesy of Bike Link. They’re also having their annual Christmas sale, with 10-20% off all bikes (including Specialized S-works) and up to 40% off clothing, accessories, and racks.
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* Up until last year, I was so “that girl.” I rode for NINE YEARS on mtb tires inflated to 60 psi, and thought, “I will always suck at cornering.” Now I ride at 24 psi and my wheels grab fine in the turn. I also just learned, from Chuck at Bike Link, a pneumonic device that helps me remember which way to turn the wrench when removing my pedals. (Hint: Right=regular/rightie-tightie.)
** OK, so it will brighten the teeth of your chain ring and cassette. But consider this: better shifting = happy rider = brighter smile. Just sayin.’
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