French Cycling – Go to Gear
GETTING STARTED
There are exceptions to the truism "you get what you pay for." Buying a bike French cycling is not one of them. This is not a cost. This is an investment. A chocolate bar is a cost. Once that is gone – or so "story. A good touring bike is an investment. A continuing story. More than just reliable transportation. It is also his confidant, facilitator dream, the passport to adventure and best Travellin 'Friend. So – and to find the best possible travel friend. Ce n'est pas?
Here are the qualities of friendship "to search for:
EL MARCO.
Light n 'strong. This is where "more" (dollars) is, more often, beddah mo '. $ 400-800 should have you 90% of the enchilada cycling. At this level of prices is likely to be under "chromoly" – a tasty combination of chromium and aluminum. The more photos of presidents dead you have to play with – the lighter the frame. The nth power is Carbon Fiber. After that, it's "the sky is the limit price club." Marcos built with things NASA is just dreaming!
TIRES.
No, repeat not economize here. This is what "floats yer boat." So invests in the best. $ 25 to $ 45 per tire is the range. I use and recommend, the "perfect Dutch" brand. (Even tho 'I do not pay for this. Hint, hint!) This tire has an inner layer of tires puncturin trap 'nasties. "Preventin 'em doin' in rubber float. The" Dutch Perfect "come with a one year warranty. (In normal use) I've used them unusual (what else?) Six months without punctures … … but two (one in front and one behind) "failures" tube due to heat and weight. Unfortunately, there are options for "good" for the tubes. If you already have a free? This is a "I wear a helmet?" question. Depends on yer comfort zone / weight preferences. But in a trillion and a half years of cycling, I've only had one tire explode on me once. (Front, of course!)
TUBES.
Always at least two parts. I used to repair the tubes. But (again, "too soon old too late smart") all the problems / time / aggro to find the puncture, marking applying the glue, hoping to establish, apply the patch "and was" the patch etc. .. (It is already tired and are'nt?) Finally the truth burned in my little brain. This is a classic definition of false economy. Ok – I'm not a Zillionaire yet, but $ 5 (or less) to keep this dance? – Sign Me!
Saddle.
What people do not bike called "headquarters." Like a good mattress should be firm. (That is, the support does not surround) Softy / Chairs foaming are for "girly men" and cyclists Sunday that the idea of adventure is 10 miles (round trip) to the issue of "Lattes r 'Us." BG DA recommends a leather chair all. "England Brooks" makes one of the best. Several models, again, I do not pay for this policy that glows. The reason a leather saddle is the bee "from" knee ", cat pajamas," and as large as all the pizzas at night, is to be transformed ab / fab and fit only for yer ass. The bad news is that the morphing process is two weeks of "I'm sitting on a concrete block" hell! But, hang on (actually hang on) there. Cus' after …. You Ridin 'with the butt happy.
ACCESSORIES.
Saddlebags.
Technically an accessory. But practically a necessity! Minimum two decent size (ie, no "cyclist Domingo" size) on the back. Ideally, too, "low riders" – Mark yer that attach to front fork support of two smaller (but not small) saddlebags. These friends "on the front" will not only give a more balanced "unity", but are essential to carry all the goodies that foreign people friend will be trying to weigh up and down. My MO is to put all the things I do not use during the day in the front – is left to the last half vacant by the booty! ("Build, and we will. ")
Water.
Minimum of two liter bottles. Or the style camel back paks, powered tube "for guzzlin hand free '. If you buy the super spendy bottles insulated? depends, as always in yer wallet. My experience is that they are large, approximately an hour. (Note I'm usually at 35-40 degrees Celsius of heat, every day) As the boy scout that I am, my solution is to freeze the standard (not insulated) plastic bottles, then the tape 'em with foil in the morning they thaw slowly, keeping fresh and across most or 'day.However as your nutritionist / doctor probably told you, as good as cold aqua falls on a boiling water is already the greatest good temperature environment. (There is no middle ground here.)
Lights.
Really jonesin for the gun down rural roads in the pitch black gives? Then yer lights will definitely reduce chances of an unexpected encounter with a boar. (The French boar. Think small, furry Rhinoceros.) Reflectors. In cycling. And / or around yer ankles. Why not? Cheap and practical. (Now there's a combo and do not see often!) And the likelihood of cycling in the twilight are much greater than those of "surfing Boar."
GPS.
Since I am of the "get-lost-is-part-of-the-adventure, school, I can not oh no …. … ahem … "Orientation" here. A map, a mouth, and half a brain (in a good day, bien sur) usually keep my bacon. Accountants. If you'll be telling "sheep all night cus I do not know how he did kms of adventure …. get it …. Personally, I could give a rat's ass. But is the question we all meet is logical that it is asking. I tell my friendly frogs where I started – and let them do the math!
Parts.
Unlike the monsters of metal with four wheels that give you the incomparable thrill of waiting for part to arrive, or better yet, waiting to see if your hand still exists, and if so, you can ask – are bike parts bike parts. A Brake Cable is a cable brake. In the super-mall store or the back or "more there. That should get started on your adventure and French Cycling.
Anything I missed?
About the Author
Christopher Strong, the “Bicycle Gourmet” is the creator/director/host of the multi-media lifestyle/adventure serries -”Bicycle Gourmet’s Treasures of France”, and the author of “Gliding to the Bonheur.” His behind the scenes story of that filming.
Share more of his adventures at French Cycling Bicycle Gourmet.
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