7 Accessories You'll Want With A New Bike

Post-Purchase Accessories

Everyone knows the essentials: a helmet, pump, patch kit, spare tube, tire levers, proper footwear, and comfortable clothing, but there are some further accessories you can buy to make your riding even more enjoyable!

1. Floor Pump: The mini-pump that many people attach to their frame is great for emergencies on the road (or trail) - but for everyday use you should get a floor pump. It will make short work of airing your tires and keep your frame pump in great condition for those emergencies.


2. Cyclo-computer: One of the most rewarding things about cycling is finding out how far you have traveled when riding. Some even have extra functions such as heart rate. cadence (how fast you're pedaling), altitude, and temperature. There are wireless models for a super clean installation too.


3. Hydration System: Water bottles and cages are great for carrying your drinks. But, if you need to quench your thirst, hydration systems may be a better option. Insulation will keep your beverage of choice cooler (or warmer) longer and the drinking tube makes sipping more convenient. The capacity can be almost twice as much as you can carry in two large bottles. And, the hydration pack provides a place to stash food, ID, small tools and more.

4. Cargo Rack: The Tubus Logo is an ideal rack for bike setups requiring extra heel clearance (Short Chain stays / Large Size Shoes). The Logos utilize a lower mounting point which improves center of gravity and allows for better loading on the top of the rack. The design at the same time allows for bags to mount further back, thereby permitting extra heel clearance. Variable attachment system makes an easy installation on nearly all frame geometries. 


5. Eyewear: Don't forget to protect your eyes with sunglasses designed for cycling. It's not just glare you should be concerned about; aiborne debris from passing vehicles is hazardous too. Quality shades provide increased safety, including slightly higher brow coverage for when you're bent over. And the UV protection means less fatigue at of a long days in the saddle.


6. Lock: Security for your bike is important. Get a good lock and always use it correctly to prevent the heartbreak of bike theft.



Our staff can suggest other great accessories and help prioritize your purchases! Come down to Circle City Bicycles Today!

Circle City Bicycles and Fitness

5506 Madison Ave.

Indianapolis, IN 46227

(317) 786-9244

ed@circlecitybicycles.com

www.circlecitybicycles.com

January and February Bicycle Maintenance Classes — More Info Here

 

Winter Bicycle Maintenance Class

January 10th & 24th   
February 7th and 21st
10:00AM - 3:00PM

Circle City Bicycles will be offering a class on basic bicycle maintenance. This will be a hands-on class, and you will be doing a tune-up on your bicycle (or we can provide one if you prefer). 

• This will include:
• Adjustment of hubs, brakes, gears, headset & bottom bracket
• True wheels
• Lube cables
• Degrease chain & drivetrain

Enrollment is limited to 6 people, so that everyone will have access to a work stand. Bill Hannah, manager of Circle City Bicycles, teaches most of the classes. Bill has been with us since 2005. Prior to that he was the bicycle guy for the southside Galyan's. You may have seen Bill as a volunteer mechanic at TRIRI or RAINSTORM. The class will be informal, and your questions are welcome. It will run from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM on a Saturday, with a 1 hour break for lunch.

Cost for the class is $69.95 (the price of a tune-up, which you probably need anyway), plus $24.95 for the "Big Blue Book of Bicycle Repair". A deposit of $20 is required to hold your spot in the class.

To enroll, call (317) 786-9244 (or 1-800-793-780) with your credit card info, or stop by our store. If you have any questions about the class, please call or e-mail Bill at Bill@CircleCityBicycles.com.

Each year we generally have 2 classes in January & 2 classes in February. In the fall, we usually have 2 classes in late October (after the Hilly Hundred) or early November.

Next Bicycle Maintenance Classes are:
Saturday, January 24
Saturday, February 7
Saturday, February 21

Circle City Bicycles and Fitness

5506 Madison Ave.

Indianapolis, IN 46227

(317) 786-9244

ed@circlecitybicycles.com

www.circlecitybicycles.com

Choosing A Road Bike The Easy Way

Buying A Road Bike Doesn't Have To Be Difficult

We Have Lots Of Experience Helping Riders Find The Best Bike For Their Needs. Check Out This List of Pointers To Help With Your Decision

 

1. Budget

Determine how much you are willing to spend on your cycling habit.

Are you a beginner? Intermediate? Expert? Do you race?  Looking to ride on gravel? Pavement? Track? Dirt Road?

All of these can factor into the price of the bike you may be interested. You should make a budget before you buy and stick relatively close to it.

2. Extra items

If this is your first bike, or at least first in a while, you want to factor extra items like a helmet, gloves, and cycling apparel into the budget. You may also want certain items like road shoes, clipless pedals, and cycling glasses too. About $200 should be enough to get just about everything you need.

3. Maintenance

 

Another $200 should be considered for yearly repair and replacement of parts. This would include a
new set of tires, a new chain, and some workshop labor. You can also save some money by trying to do some of the work yourself in your own garage if you are confident and willing to get a little dirty.

4. On-the-Road Emergency Items

There are a lot of things you could put in your saddle bag or handlebar bag, but the most important items are: a puncture repair kit, lights, a lock, and tire levers.

You may also want a frame pump to help in those extra sticky situations. $60-$120 will cover most of these, depending on the quality of the lock you buy.

 5. Frame Composition

Now we get into the nitty gritty. Alloy? Steel? Aluminum? Carbon?

From this point onwards, oversized aluminium tubing is pretty much dominant. As you head towards the $1,000 mark, you might start seeing the appearance of carbon in the fork, and possibly portions of the frame. Steel is the most forgiving of the trio, and will tolerate the most neglect, as long as you don’t let it rust. Aluminium takes hard knocks in its stride but has to be watched more closely after about three years or more of use as it has a limited fatigue life. Carbon is the most temperamental as any cracks or frame damage from careless use usually mean the bike is toast. You should only consider carbon if you’ve got a long commute on good roads or are planning more serious riding beyond your everyday jaunt to work. 

6. Sizing and Fitting

 

Like with clothes and shoes sizing tends to vary between manufacturers, so while you might need a bike with a 54cm frame from one brand, you might require a slightly smaller or bigger size from another. You should stand over the bike with both feet flat on the ground, legs close together. Lift the bike up or look at the amount of clearance: you should be able to lift the front and back wheels evenly off the ground by about 7 to 8cm, which should give the equivalent clearance between your crotch and top tube. As always, ask us if you are not sure.

Equally important is the reach, or distance from the saddle to the bars – a test ride will help you to determine if your position on the bike of your choice is going to be comfortable or not, and our experienced shop staff are trained to help you achieve this correctly. 

Come in to Circle City today and let us help you with all of your cycling needs.

Circle City Bicycles and Fitness
5506 Madison Ave.
Indianapolis, IN 46227
(317) 786-9244
ed@circlecitybicycles.com

www.circlecitybicycles.com