Beaches near Los Angeles,CA?

yup_cool

I am visiting Pasadena,CA in July end Which beach should I go for the day with family including kids( middle/high school)? I would prefer family and kids friendly one. Water temp and quality?

Answer
Santa Monica: Beach and Pier: Great beach scene and a classic seaside amusement park, complete with antique carousel that has been in a lot of TV and movies. (The Sting and "Three's Company" come immediately to mind). After visiting the pier, you can ride a bike south a couple miles to Venice Beach. Third Street Promenade - Downtown Santa Monica's shopping promenade is often the scene of movie star-sightings. Just north of Santa Monica Pier.


Venice Beach: Los Angeles kitsch and over-the-top culture at its best. Here you'll find Muscle Beach, street performers and tacky shops galore. Fun, VERY interesting, but I avoid it after dark, when it gets a little TOO interesting for my taste.

things to do in Los Angeles for a family on a budget?

MAC loves

It's spring break and my family and I are trying to think of things do. We are on a budget so things like Six Flags aren't going to work. We already planned to go to the griffith observatory and venice beach. Any other suggestions?

Answer
Yeah, you really shouldn't pay attention to anything I write, being TOP United States answerer and all...

There are literally hundreds of things to do here in LA. Here is a list of cheap and free stuff:

Universal City Walk is a fun place to hang out in the afternoon or evening. Bring a change of clothes for the kids, so they can play in the fountain.

Hollywood: Hollywood Boulevard is ready for its close-up, thanks to years of urban renewal and renovation. Enjoy the Walk of Fame, Entertainment Museum, Chinese Theatre and more. You can see a lot for free. The Hollywood & Highland complex has lots of shops and restaurants, and the Kodak Theater (home of the Academy Awards). I also like the El Capitan theater, because it has been restored to its former glory.

Rodeo Drive, 90210: Packed with exclusive shops, full of gawkers. They all came to enjoy the excess. Free, unless you intend to buy something.

Venice Beach: Los Angeles kitsch and over-the-top culture at its best. Here you'll find Muscle Beach, street performers and tacky shops galore. Fun, VERY interesting, but I avoid it after dark, when it gets a little TOO interesting for my taste. And it's a short bike ride from Santa Monica Pier.

Santa Monica Beach and Pier: Great beach scene and a classic seaside amusement park, complete with antique carousel that has been in a lot of TV and movies. (The Sting and "Three's Company" come immediately to mind). After visiting the pier, you can ride a bike south a couple miles to Venice Beach.

Santa Monica Third Street Promenade - Downtown Santa Monica's shopping promenade is often the scene of movie star-sightings. Just a short walk from the Santa Monica Pier.

Sunset Boulevard: Perhaps one of the world's most famous streets, it began as a route between the stars' posh neighborhoods and the Hollywood studios. It runs from downtown to the ocean, passing through the "Sunset Strip" on its way. It makes for a fun drive. Along the way, you see a lot of different neighborhoods: Hollywood, West Hollywood, Bel Air, and Pacific Palisades. When you get to the ocean, stop at Gladstone's for Fish.

Queen Mary: Once the largest ship afloat, she's been docked in Long Beach for longer than she sailed, and her elegance never fails to impress. Free to visit. You can actually stay on board, for a price.

Farmers Market and The Grove - A new shopping complex right next to a Los Angeles landmark, The Grove and Farmers Market coexist. Enjoy a movie or shopping, and then take the trolley to the Farmers Market for lunch or dinner. It is right next to CBS, so walk across the lot to see if they are taping "The Price is Right". You might even get in.

Griffith Park - Home of the Los Angeles Zoo, Griffith Park Observatory, Travel Town, the Greek Theatre, and Gene Autry Museum of Western Heritage.

Getty Museum - The Getty's architecture is so beautiful that it keeps me fascinated. No matter whether you like their art or architecture better (or maybe you'll just enjoy the view), the Getty is sure to please. Free.

Attend a TV taping - You can get free tickets at audiencesunlimited.com, tvtix.com, or see the booth at Universal City walk. It's very interesting to see a show being taped. The most popular, by far, is the Tonight show with Jay Leno. Check the NBC web site for all the details there.

Places to eat:
In-N-Out Burger: Multiple locations, best burger in LA, ask anyone.
Pinkâs Hot Dogs: 709 N. La Brea, just north of Melrose. You might even see a celebrity. Maybe.
Tommyâs Chili Burgers: Look for the shack, an LA tradition. The original location is at Beverly & Rampart, a couple miles west of downtown.
Canterâs Deli: 419 N. Fairfax, between Beverly & Melrose. Near CBS, you might spot a celebrity.
Phillippeâs: 1001 N. Alameda. Great roast beef sandwiches. Near Union Station and Olvera Street. Watch the mustard, itâs hot.
The Pantry: Corner of Figueroa and 9th, downtown. Huge portions, they never close, (I NEVER eat there after dark), GREAT steak and eggs.

West of Encino, what do you ever do besides post sarcastic answers and racist remarks? Hmm?

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What bikes have shifting gears?

Dude, are they mountain bikes or BMX bikes?

Answer
mt bikes
roadbikes
hybrids
comfort bikes
cyclocross
lots do

ones that don;t
kid bikes
penny farthings
track bikes
fixies
single speed bikes
unicycles
kid trikes
boneshakers
bmx



wle

bikes and motors?

Q. is it possible to put a leafblower or weed wacker motor onto a pedal bike if so can you please tell me

Answer
Actually, YES. One of the best hybrid bike fabricators/adapters in the industry resides in Aloha, OR, and is the crew chief for the NAY KID Speedvision Viper Race Team, Fred Lux. You can email him at: fred@cindilux.com, or go to GOOGLE and type in Cindi Lux and go to the race team web site, where you can email him from there.

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Should I get a helmet for a toddler?

zuckie44

My son will be 3 in June and my mom got him a "My First Scooter" to give for his birthday. I was wondering if a helmet is necessary. He loves Elmo/Sesame Street and I saw a set that has the helmet, knee and elbow pads with the characters all over it but since he won't be going that fast, I was wondering if he needs this or should we wait until he starts riding a bike to get the helmet.

Answer
Get him used to helmets now and he'll probably be more inclined to wear 'em later on when they're really needed.

Toddler tricycle... helmet, knee pads, what do I need?

Alyssa and

My daughter is 18 months old and I want to get her a tricycle. I know its a bit young but the neighbor kids have ride-on toys and she is showing a lot of interest.

What do I need to get to make it safe for her to ride? She would only be using it on the sidewalk in front of our place, never on a street or without me right there. I guess I am the over protective kind of mom, she won't be riding alone till after she is 10 if I have my way. Is a helmet enough?

Answer
Yes for a tricycle a helmet is def. enough, and even for a bicycle with training wheels a helmet is enough also. I wouldn't put knees pads or elbow pads on my kid when they are riding a bike, unless maybe it's when they are learning to ride a two wheeler, but that's just me, if u feel better with them on then by all means put them on her, but it really is unnecessary.

Hope this helps, :D.

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Biking in a triathlon?

liongir

I'm doing a triathlon with my friends in April and I'm looking for tips on how to get better at biking. I'm on a team so I don't have to do swimming or running. Keep in mind, it's a kid's triathlon so I only have to bike 4 miles. I know that's not very far but I still want to train a little to get better before I do it. If you have any tips on biking, or ways to improve please answer!

thank you! :)

Answer
Hello,

I did the SF treasure Island triathlon with my friends the other day and I have a few pointers. It was my first triathlon and I really enjoyed it.

Try to find out the route and spend some time going through the course.

Train hard during the weeks before, and save the last week to run through the course at a light cruising speed.

If there are hills involved, really make that focus of your training and make sure you know what gears will give you the best speed / endurance combination.

Practice reaching for the water and drinking - a couple guys lost their waterbottles during my race and one of them hit me as I was riding... The guy turned around to go pick up his bottle, wasting a bunch of time...

Eat a lot of carbs the day before. 4 miles isn't that far, but it is significant!

Good luck.

Is a "professional" race bike required for a kids triathlon?

Chloe

I was wondering if you have to go get one of those fancy bikes for a kids triathlon or if you could just use a mountain bike or something.

Answer
You can use whatever you want for a kids triathlon. Its not a professional event so it doesn't matter one bit.

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I need a new Bike AS IN RIGHT NOW!!?

tommy gun

Ok, im starting freestyle bmx and i have....uh...eh hem a NEXT turbo And i don't want another no brand bike form the junk yard, so from a budget of around $300 What bike should i get? i herd that like best bike ( say people in my neighborhood ) is either a redline or a haro and if u live in the east taunton or taunton area please tell me the adress f there's good bikes there . bottom line : it needs to be light, strong and can handle hard core biking which kinda goes with strong.. um..... oh yea What r some starter AIR tricks i can do with ten eighty ramps?

Answer
first off, if u want light, u don't want Haro. I worked at a bike shop for two years and we sold Haro. Everyone (middle school kids) thinks Haro is the best but they are so heavy that i would never be able to get one off the ground.

redline does make some decent bikes, but their nice bikes are for dirt not vert.

dans comp has a good selection of frames and completes. look at Eastern and Hoffman, i have heard good things and they are in ur price range

PLZ help Were can i find a bike helmet with a FLASHING light on it?

Jon

here's the story
i'm 17 i joined a volunteer fire district, we have a 16 year old kid who was riding his bike to a call the district. He got hit by a car on the way to the fire house. He was out of action for a little bit but is fine and he likes to try and shed light on what happened. Now all of the guy bust him every chance we get. His birthday is coming up.

we want to find a bike helmet with a LARGE blue or red flashing light
i found a carton picture of what would be ideal http://www.be-safe.org/books/books_bicycle/media_books/971523.gif
If you find anything for sale like this please give me the link
Something bulky or if you could make one i will buy it
im not looking for anything super expensive
and it doesnt need to last i doubt it will get used it just needs to light up
If anyone has one that is used ill buy it only needs to work for a short time

Answer
I'm not aware of any bike lights that are red or blue. All headlights I've seen are white and all taillights I've see are red. In most states that's what's required under the traffic law.

Many bike headlights are helmet mounted, though, and some have a flashing mode for use in the twilight hours for extra visibility. A steady white headlight and red taillight are required after sunset, though.

There is one light I've seen that is available for police bikes, but I don't know if any special paperwork is required to purchase one. Here's a link:
http://www.niterider.com/prod_digitalpatrol.shtml

(Edit) Actually, I just looked over the specs for the Nite Rider light and it is available with red and/or blue lenses that flip down over the white light. Maybe something like this would work for you. Warning: They are a bit on the expensive side, but they are great lights. I've had a system for about 5 years and it works great.

Here's another link: http://www.abikestore.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=pbs&Product_Code=nr-digital-patrol

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infant mortality rate impact on society?

KSHITIJ

Answer
Think of it in terms of population growth rates.

When few children live to adulthood, the mantra becomes, "an heir and a spare". That means large families (on average it take 4 kids to end up with 2 boys), not enough resources to invest (educate, etc.) all of them, etc.

When most live to adulthood, it becomes "a boy for you and a girl for me". That only takes three kids on average. Families can afford to invest more in each.

And with a good pension system, etc. most families are happy with only two kids (close to ZPG)

Those are extreme differences, but exactly the sort you see in the world today.

On the flip side, with fewer kids per family, concern about child welfare has soared. Where people used to let their kids walk to school, they are now driven; where kids used to ride their bikes without even thinking of helmets; now it is a sin for kids to go helmetless on bikes, roller skates, skateboards, etc.

Whether this is a good trend or not is not the point - just that it is a manifestation of infant mortality rates on society.

Should a toddler wear a helmet when using a tricycle or big wheel?

ilvmystica

My husband and I disagree on this subject. When we were kids we never wore helmets on our big wheels or when we got older, bicycles. I am incredibly protective with my daughter and feel that if she did fall even a short distance off her tricycle and hit her head on the pavement she could sustain serious injury and possibly death, My husband thinks since we never wore helmets as children that she will be fine. I'm just curious what others think on this subject.
Versantly, what are you talking about? My husband and I are not argueing over getting our child a helmet. She's going to get one. I simply wanted to know, since I am a first time mom, what other parents think and get some examples of what could go wrong (so far I got some great ones) to relay to my husband. I don't need to convince him since I don't need permission to get my daughter a helmet.

Answer
Yes, she should.

There are all sorts of things we didn't do as children that are now known to be absolute life-savers. Most of us weren't laid on our backs to sleep - and the SIDS rate was double what it is now. Most of us were given early solids, and look at the rate of diabetes. And most of us didn't wear helmets on our bikes, and a significant number of kids used to die from head injuries which could have been prevented. Since you and your husband are still here, you weren't the unlucky ones. That doesn't guarantee that your daughter will be equally lucky.

You don't put a helmet on a tricycle-age kid because the trike is dangerous - she's more likely to hurt her head falling over while running, and you're not going to make her wear a helmet 24/7 (I hope :) ). You do it so they form a habit of always wearing a helmet when they ride a bike. Otherwise, when are they going to start wearing one? When they go onto a bike? When you take the stabilisers off? When they ride on the road? When it's a motorbike, not a pushbike? Safety habits are important, so start them now.

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what are the differant styles of road bikes?

Tyler

I am in the market for a road bike but i don't know what to look for in a bike. Any suggestions would be appreciated

Answer
There are many variations of road bike based on a variety of factors, including (1) intended use and (2) material.

INTENDED USE

Ok, there a variety of different styles of road bikes and many people often call them different things. Here is my breakdown.

If you are planning on riding long rides but still want to have a fast race bike, the "Plush" category of bikes. Don't let the word "plush" fool you -- these are still high quality race bikes, they are just slightly altered to accomodate longer rides. These would include the Specialized Roubaix series (go to www.specialized.com) and the Cannondale Synnapse series (www.cannondale.com). These two bike series will range from about $1900 to about $6000 depending on the model. They are designed to be fast and compliant, but at the same time slightly more comfortable. Trust me, though, you won't be lacking in performance.

If you are going to be focusing on road racing, you might want to go with a Specialized Tarmac, a Trek Madone, a Cannondale SuperSix, or something similar. Again, a huge price range. (for a less expensive option, look at the Specialized Allez). These bikes generally will have a little more aggressive geometry (shorter head tubes, steeper angles, etc).

If you live in an area with flat ground and foresee yourself doing triathlons or bike time trials, then getting a time trial bike would be the way to go. These bikes focus on aeordynamics (although they are still really light) and pure straight speed (not as good on hills, curves, etc). Examples are the Trek TT, the Specialized Transition, the Cannondale Slice.

Many companies also make a variety of bikes in the "touring" category. These are not racing bikes, focus more on long haul comfort, but are still fast and fun to ride.

Cyclocross bikes may be a good choice if you want a limited ability to go off-road. They are generally not as light or fast as road bikes (although a really high end one will be), but still have a good sporty feel. They are generally geared a bit lower - in cyclocross you need the ability to accelarate over rough terrain and steep hills, not necessarily the ability to go 35 mph on a straightaway. I have a cx bike that I use for commuting, riding in bad conditions or going out with my kids -- situations in which I wouldn't want to take my carbon road bike.

As far as materials, the main ones are Carbon Fiber, Aluminum, Steel and Titanium. If you are going for a race bike, I personally believe that Carbon Fiber is the way to go. The material is stiff, light, and eats up road vibrations. I would guess that a vast majority of bikes on the pro tour are carbon. Aluminum can still be really light and is very stiff (and would be great for a time trial bike or criterium bike) but may not be as comfortable over a long ride. Steel is old school and is a popular material among bike messengers because it makes a statement (I don't need your fancy materials) and is very durable. It also is used on many cyclocross bikes. Titanium is a great material and generally the choice of middle age men (and older) who can drop some cash.

I hope this helps. Good luck.

i need help with a diy bike trailer for kids?

chantel

looking to make a bike trailer my son can sit in while i ride my bike please help me any ideas?

Answer
Consider the makeup of the frame. Road bikes can be found with different frame materials. Steel is the cheapest frame material, but aluminum offers a lighter frame. Consider your riding goals and habits. If you cruise around the neighborhood, the steel-framed bike may be your most economical choice. If youâre logging long miles, lighter aluminum frames may be better.â¨The best cheap road bikes include models of Trek, Schwinn, Tomasso, and Raleigh.

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I need a new bike but I don't understand the sizing?

kaitlyn_ni

My bike was recently stolen and I'm in need of a new bike. My previous bike was a cheap beach cruiser from Walmart, but this time I'd like to get a nicer bike, preferably a road bike. I've been browsing for road bikes on the internet and I think I've found one that I like, however I'm not sure about what size I need to get. I am a 21 yr old woman and I am around 5 ft 10 or 11 inches. The link for the bike I'm interested is listed below, please help!

Thank you :)
http://www.amazon.com/GMC-Denali-Road-Bike/dp/B000FDDWB6/ref=cm_cmu_pg__header
Also, I'm at student at UCSB who needs a bike just to ride to and from campus and the surrounding Goleta/Santa Barbara area, I'm not looking to spend a fortune on a bike, but I'm not doing a beach cruiser again.

Answer
That is not a road bike. It's a "bicycle shaped object". http://www.google.com/search?q=bicycle+shaped+object&oq=bicycle+shaped+object&sugexp=chrome,mod=0&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8 You simply won't find a road bike with good quality in that low of a price range - PERIOD!

Several weeks ago I was COASTING downhill on a 2012 Giant Escape City hybrid http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-us/bikes/model/escape.city/8910/48611/ and passed a kid PEDALING one of those GMC bikes. His response? "What the F---?!"

REAL road bikes are measured in 2 cm increments from REAL bicycle shops. Ones on Internet sites you have to assemble & tune-up yourself. Can you do this? Brakes need to be lined up & adjusted. Derailleurs have to be adjusted. Or worse - wheels need to be trued up. There's not a bicycle in this world that comes ready-to-ride out of the box.

Those GMC Denali bikes may last a year. You want to waste money or spend money on a bike that will last for YEARS? If it's the latter of the two - see links below...and your authorized, independent, knowledgeable, friendly, local bicycle shop.

http://www.raleighusa.com/bikes/road/endurance/capri-1-0-13/
http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-us/bikes/model/avail.5/11526/55908/
http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/road/sport/1_series/1_1_h2_compact/#
http://www.schwinnbikes.com/bikes/road/fastback-2-womens

These are but 4 examples of "good" road bikes. You could take anywhere from a 53.5 cm frame size up to a 56 cm frame size. It's NOT universal from one company to the next. TRY B4 you BUY! Take 'em out for a test ride before you buy one. If you can't extensively test ride it - DON'T buy it!
http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-us/technology/compact.road.design/57/

Buying a bike. Hybrid or MTB with slicks?

Gary C

Hey internet, I'm hoping someone can help solve a dilema for me.

So here's the situation. I want a bike for leisure at the weekends with the choice of riding into work maybe once a week (about 5 miles/8 km). I live in London so don't really have much use for off-road apart from riding on grass or properly laid out unpaved paths.

So you probably think, why not just get a road bike?

Well, I also visit my parents quite frequently and they live in the middle of the country, I grew up there and there lots of offroad paths - steep tracks, tree roots, hills, holes and gravel. So the kid in me doesn't want to sell out when I know that a good few times a year I'll be waiting to throw caution to the wind.

So, although most of my riding will be on roads, I don't want to give up the freedom that a mountain bike gives, but I feel that a hybrid bike may not cut it off road (I don't consider the off road to extreme but I'm more worried about tree roots and sudden, slight drops in the path), similarly if I am using a mountain bike with slicks when most of my riding will be on roads how uncomfortable/tired will I get from all this.

I'm willing to pay a decentish amount for a good quality bike, but I'm not really sure of teh ruggedness of hybrids.

Any help will be GREATLY appreciated! :)

Answer
I actually have one of each, I bought the hybrid first because I wanted a fast road bike, but didn't like the dropped bars.
After a while, I decided to fit narrow tyres and aero bars, but still needed a bike to use every day, so bought an Giant Escape M1 which is an MTB with rigid forks, slick tyres and road gearing. I read a test on this bike where they fitted off road tyres, and they were quite impressed with it's off road ability, saying that the hydraulic disk brakes give you loads of control.
Since 99% of my cycling is on roads I needed suitable tyres, and I've fitted Continental Travel Contacts, which are slick in the middle, but have some grip at the edges for when my occasional track use gets a bit too muddy.
If you want something with suspension, try to get a bike with suspension you can lock, as this will slow you down on the roads.
If your off road trips warrant it, you could get another set of wheels and have off road tyres, and a sprocket set with lower gears.

I find that I use the Escape for over 90% of my riding, which says a lot since I originally bought it just for commuting. Once I'm fit enough, plan to start doing club rides and time trials on my other bike.

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how can I teach 5 year old to ride his bike?

sarahjane1

I just took the training wheels off his 12 inch two wheeler. Any tips on helping him learn to ride?

Answer
Assure him that you will run beside him and hold the seat of his bike so that he won't fall. Once he gets going, you can let go of his seat for a time. Don't tell him that you're doing that. Once he gets up to about 10-20 seconds without you holding onto the seat, show him your hands and tell him that he's been riding without your help.

My dad taught every kid in the neighborhood how to ride that way. He took pride in it.

HTH

Tell me about your kids?

Electrum

Names, age, appearance, star sign, personalities, stuff like that. Whatever you feel like sharing. We all love talking about our kids after all! I'll start.

I only have on child, Laura Christie. She's currently just turned 4 three weeks ago. She has the prettiest blond hair and blue eyes. She's a tempermental little scorpio but I love every once of her.

Feel free to make your answer as long or as short ar you want!

Answer
I love finding excuses to talk about my kids! :) And I have 5 so it's gonna be a long one! haha I'll go in order;

Audrey Cecilia is my first! She is 7 years old and loves second grade. She has dirty blonde hair and blue eyes and is missing her two front teeth! It's the cutest thing ever and she has such a cute little lisp because of it! She doesn't like when people mention it though, haha. She likes riding her bike (she got it for her birthday this year!) and hanging out with her friends (we host a lot of sleepovers!) She also just got a guitar from her grandpa so we'll see how that goes, hopefully she doesn't lose interest in learning how to play. She's a Pisces but very outgoing for what her sign is supposed to be like! She likes saying hi to everyone and asking them their name. She does have a problem with not knowing what to share sometimes though! Last year at the grocery store she asked a man 'Why is your head so shiny?' hahaha. Luckily he thought she was cute and wasn't offended!

Jude Alexander is my 5 year old boy. He just started kindergarten Tuesday! He has light brown hair and blue eyes, and the cutest sprinkling of freckles on his nose. He loves to play superheroes and run around the house in a Batman costume. He's a little leader, so he somehow convinces everyone in the house (including his 2 year old sister!) to be the villains or the victims he's saving. He swims and plays soccer too. He seems to have a never-ending supply of energy!

Christian Nathaniel is my big 3 year old. He has dirty blonde hair like his big sister and beautiful green eyes! He loves following his older siblings around, especially Jude! He is always Robin when they play Batman haha. He is much quieter than his older siblings, but he's very inquisitive. He likes to walk around new places and 'check everything out' so to speak. He loves books, and is always disappointed when we tell him story time is over and it's time for bed. He's also THE sweetest with his little sisters. He always wants to help out with them, always wants to know if they're okay when they're crying, always wants to see if they need anything, etc. It's adorable. He's a Cancer, so maybe that explains his caring nature! :)

Violet Annabelle is my 2 year old baby girl. She looks the most like me with darker brown hair and hazel eyes. She is an Aries and is going through the terrible twos right now, so she's pretty feisty to say the least! At dinner tonight she decided it would be fun to throw her milk and cry, haha. But even though she can be difficult sometimes, she's such a sweetheart! She always makes sure to give me a kiss if I'm leaving somewhere and she loves giving everyone hugs. She loves playing with her siblings, even if she doesn't understand the game! She'll play along with Jude's superhero games - she just likes playing chase haha. She also loves dancing whenever music comes on anywhere, even if it's classical or jazz. She's just learning to talk but she loves to whisper - you have to lean in real close to hear what she's saying, but you can tell she means it. It's funny because even though she talks so quietly, she has the loudest, cutest laugh!

Felicity Charlotte is my 8 month old baby girl! She has light blonde hair (which will probably actually get darker as she gets older) and blue eyes and the cutest smile! She doesn't cry near as much as her brothers and sisters did at her age - she's the most easygoing baby! It's so easy to make her laugh and smile, and she doesn't get mad when her brothers and sisters knock into her while they're running around the house! She's a master crawler and she's currently working on pulling herself up to a stand. She never gives up - if she falls down, which happens a lot, she just laughs it off and gets right back up! She is pretty attached to her siblings also, especially Christian, and loves pointing at them and trying to say her names (or at least we think that's what she's trying to say!) She's an Aquarius, so maybe that's where she gets her peaceful personality!

That was fun, great question! :) I love your daughter's name by the way!

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Is it really all that bad if I buy a Walmart bike?

Blarg

I ask this question because I'm considering getting a Kent GMC Denali road bike.

I've been riding a seven year old Chinocrap imitation mountain bike (Rhino Outreach) for years, and it still has some life left (has well over 1k miles on it). I need a bike to last me till late next year, when I'll get a motorcycle, but I don't think my Rhino will last that long with my school commutes (13 miles round trip). I also don't want to get some nice used Trek or similar then have it vandalized or ruined by someone messing around the bike racks at high school, which is pretty likely. What do you think about the GMC Denali road bike? My friend has one and it's worlds better than my Rhino. Remember, I don't have the budget or a need for a high end bike.

Thanks.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/700C-GMC-Denali-Men-s-Road-Bike/12080282

Also, how does the Denali compare to this bike?

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Schwinn-700c-Varsity-Road-Bike/4698938

Answer
re: the other answer, I love it when clueless people make blanket condemnations of bikes because of some hidden agenda or some bone to pick with big-box stores or just misinformation from personal experience.

That being said, No they are not all junk. If you walk into any bike shop, 90% of the bikes (and parts) are made in China or Taiwan too. So is almost everything you buy whether you know it or not.

The bikes are fine, the parts are perfectly functional, but there are two caveats: They're going to be alot heavier (most of the components are made of steel instead of alloy, like the cranks, handlebars, hubs, seatpost, etc.) and two, they are very likely not adjusted properly (such as wheels not being in true, derailleurs won't always shift properly, tires underinflated, and bearings might be too tight or too loose) because big-box stores don't hire bike mechanics to assemble their bikes which is part of why the price is so low to begin with.

I do have to concede: If you buy any of the bikes from a big-box store and you don't know basic mechanics, first thing: take it to a bikeshop and have it tuned up properly. It will make a world of difference. (Try to ignore the snotty condescending attitude you're likely to get though. It's just a defense mechanism for the bike shops. Remind them you're paying them, and if they're helpful and friendly you will gladly give them repeat business.)

BUT If you're handy with a wrench and mechanically-inclined, the bikes with aluminum frames are bargains and good starting points for upgrades. The key is tuning them up properly and taking them for rides and seeing how they feel. Remember, with bikes everything is interchangeable. Seat too uncomfortable? Try a bigger gel seat. Bars too low or too high? Swap out for another pair. Changing your riding position this way will shift your weight and make the bike feel different, so try different things to test. Make sure your seat is high enough so your leg is almost fully extended at the bottom of the pedal stroke. If you're not sure, ask a bikeshop.
Replacing the steel components with alloy ones will EASILY save you an average of about five pounds.

(FYI I used to work as a mechanic in bikeshops in my youth, I own about 20 bikes; my latest project is an aluminum Mongoose XCom 700c hybrid I bought for $150 at KMart and upgraded as described above to a pretty impressive machine.)

To sum it up, not everyone has $600 or more to spend on a bike. So the bikes you list are decent compromises.

shimano genesis mountain bike accessories?

Gary

Hi,I spent my youth like others riding bikes and after years away from it my wife and kids got me a shimano genesis for my birthday.Ive been riding it at a local trail,for they have ideas of going on Long trails while camping this year.What are some things I could upgrade my bike with.And things I need to take with us. And where can I find them affordable and easily.I know it has a water bottle studs on the frame but I don't evan know where to get one that fits it.There isn't any bike shops local that Im aware of just a walmart.
Thank You.
Im in good health by the way lol

Answer
Shimano does NOT make bicycles. They only make bicycle components. Genisis is a low end discount store bicycle NOT intended for real off-road use. Read the owners manual.

To find a real bike shop, Google the words "bicycle shop" including your 5 digit zip code. Example "bicycle shop 90210". https://www.google.com/search?q=bicycle+shop+90210&aq=f&oq=bicycle+shop+90210&aqs=chrome.0.57&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

And even Wally World sells water bottle cages & bottles. http://www.walmart.com/ip/Schwinn-Waterbottle-and-Cage/17247654 Always carry a spare tube, tire levers & folding hex-head tool in an under-the-seat bag. http://www.walmart.com/ip/Bell-Bicycle-Saddle-Bag/17330710 And a frame pump - http://www.walmart.com/ip/Zefal-Zen-X-Pumpmaster-Mini-Pump/21679203

Better quality products can be found at a bike shop or Amazon.com. Do NOT try to upgrade the bike itself. Not worth it. Waste of money. I'd bet my last dollar you do have a bike shop somewhere within a 50 mile radius. Go there. See what a REAL mountain bike looks like. If you ever test ride one - you'll never want to ride that Wally World bike again.

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What would be the most affordable bike to get that is safe to put a 2 year old on the back?

Paula G

Hey There - we are looking to get a couple of bikes to ride around white rock lake with our 22 month old son. We are novices - so we just want something decent, but doesn't need to be the tour de france. Also - what is the best seat for the baby to get? Thanks!

Answer
You do not put a child of 22 months on a bike!!! Are you out of your mind?

OTOH your child can ride WITH you on almost any bike with age appropriate compatible equipment

The child goes on/in the equipment, the equipment attaches to the bike/bikes you choose.

Got it?

Generally speaking if/when your child is old enough to hold his/her head up WITH an infant helmet the progression is usually this:

infant to toddler - best solution is a child trailer. Your kid is sheltered, somewhat protected, sheltered from the sun, and if YOU take a tumble the trailer stays upright!! This will let you go from novice to experienced while your child is safe.

A trailer can go on almost any bike. Some will convert from trailer to jog/stroller.

Check with your local bike shop.

DO NOT BUY AT A BOX STORE. Your LBS will show you how to attach it safely and use it and what bikes will be compatible.

Toddler to lets say maybe 4-5 depending on kid. Some manner of rear mounted child seat. Who knows what will be available by the time the fruit of your loins reaches that age. Same principle, go to your LBS and have them show you how to safely attach it to your bike.

BTW in all this and at all stages GET A HELMET FOR YOUR CHILD and you too. Makes no sense for the child to survive and you to be relearning the alphabet. ;-)

5-9 or so depending on child: tag-along trailer. Like a tandem in principle attaches to your bike. Your child can pedal ... or not. But gets the feeling of participating and helps Mom/Dad move along. You know where said child is (behind you). Said child is not likely to hit me or veer all around the trail unless you do that too ;-)

9 and up plus or minus depending on your child, their interest etc now you may be talking ride with their very own bike or some equip a tandem with crankset the right length for said kid (which can be adjusted as your kid grows)

Have fun out there!!!!!!

Where can I find a toddler bike perfect for an autistic child?

Q. I am looking for a toddler bike for my 4 y/o autistic child. I am hoping to find a bike that has two important things to make teaching him easier. One that there be straps on his pedals and two that the pedals will be "fixed" so that they move while the bike is in motion. We bought him a walmart bike and he sits on it but he doesn't grasp the concept that if you push the pedals the bike will move and not just mommy and daddy doing the pushing. ;) thanks in advance.

Answer
I know that toys r us has toys for special needs kids. I dont' know if they have this particular item, but you can check with them.
Also, check out

http://www.flaghouse.com/search.asp?skw=bike&x=19&y=2

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How do you teach your kid to pedal riding toys?

Q. We have bought our four year old son a toddler bike with training wheels but he refuses to pedal and only makes a half-heared attempt at it.

Answer
The wheels on most bikes turn when the wheels move. Just put his feet on the pedals and then push him around. He probably doesn't like having to work it himself. But if he sees how fun it can be, he'll probably get motivated and want you to stop pushing him so he can do it himself. Try it on the driveway where it's easier to pedal.

For the KIDS?

jesse w

Enough with the how old for this, how old for that, which bike is best, which one is better and crap like that!!!

Ask momi, I'm sure she'll have the best answere!

Answer
When I was a kid I ask my mom for a bike, she got me one with two pedals and the only horse power it had was when we hooked a rope to the pony and my bro pulled me across the field ( admittedly not the best idea in the world).

When I ask my dad he said "what the hell you want one of those for? " , you have a pasture full of horses out there !

Finally talked to the guy up the road who owned a few bikes of his own. He ask me how much I had and when I told him $100 he took me out behind his shop and there was a old orange Suzuki 90. he took it in and cleaned it up got it running great and sold it to me for my $100, I rode the piss outta it for three years before I got another one. But that old man was my benefactor to well over 30 years on scooters. So next time a kid ask what you think is a stupid question just think your answer may decide the direction his or her life takes from that point on.

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How can I pay resident tuition at UBC in two years?

cactus p

I am currently a student at UNM (Albuquerque, NM). I hate it here. I am not one hundred percent set on defecting to Canada yet, but having lived in quite a few of this country's states, major and (very) tiny cities, this country being the US of A, I have found that I do not fit in. My wife does not fit in, my kids do not fit in, and amongst many other things, I really dig mountain biking. Do not get me wrong, around Albuquerque and many parts of CO, Wyoming, Washington and heck, even KS have some awesome spots, but BC is supposed to be like winter park on crack and steroids at the same time (LOL).
I just got a little excited, excuse me.
Anyways, I like to work, be around people who work. I like to hold the door for little old ladies and be friendly with me neighbors... I have not found a place in this country that suits my yearning for a mutual cordialness, for a lack of better words, and want to have my kids grow up not feeling like me... I often feel like I am doing wrong when I do the right thing. I know that people are people are people, but friends I have from BC and other parts of Canada tell me I would probably fit in a little better up there.
Enough complaining from me... Here is again my question: Is there any way that any of you know of to gain access to Canadian resident tuition at University of BC while starting right now as an American citizen with not a whole lot of knowledge on this subject?
-I have "dug" through the UBC website to no avail, perhaps I missed something...
-I plan on calling fairly soon to speak with an admissions advisor in regard to this subject...
-I plan on getting my passport and maybe visa process started within the next three months...
-I plan on within the next week or so of making sure I have not wasted some thousands of dollars on tuition and books and time going to school if the credits will not transfer...
-I plan on visiting a few times prior to making up my mind... One of my kids needs some special attention, and my wife and I will have to set things up well in advance if we plan on living in BC any amount of time.
-I know I have a ton to do before anything happens, and know that I posed much here, but If you could help me with the main question or any periphery, I would be greatly obliged!

Thank you

Answer
Not going to happen.

You can't defect to Canada. It doesn't allow American citizens to apply as refugees or political prisoners. It is highly unlikely that you can qualify to immigrate to Canada nor will you likely even be permitted to study there.

In order to apply for a study permit, you must be have applied to a Canadian university, been accepted, and then apply. There is a limited number of seats at most universities set aside for foreign students and competition can be extreme depending upon the program. You'll be required to submit proof (bank statements) that you can pay for it. A typical undergraduate degree at UBC costs around $26,000 in tuition and fees per eight months for an international student. Living costs for a family of four in Vancouver will exceed $50,000 a year. There are almost no access to scholarships or loans for non-citizens and your ability to work while attending school is limited.

A study permit is a non-immigration visa. It does not permit you to remain in Canada after your studies. When applying for one you may be require to proof that you will leave Canada when your program has ended. There are only a few specific exceptions to this.

You will not get domestic fees unless you have proof that you are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. In order to become a permanent resident you would need to meet the requirements to apply under one of the categories, apply, and be accepted. Requirements include: marrying a Canadian citizen willing to sponsor you; having a job offer from a Canadian company in specific professions (doctor, engineer, nurse, specialized trades) and then completing for one of 10,000 positions based on education, work experience, age, language skills, etc.; having a net worth of $1.6M and invest $800k in Canada; complete certain university degrees in Canada and then obtain a skilled job offer shortly after graduating; be nominated by one of the provinces (doctor willing to work in a remote community, buy and run a farm in some provinces, world class performing artist, etc.); etc. You must pass medical, background, and financial checks. The process takes three to five years.

If your child has special needs you'll likely be denied either a study permit or permanent residency on medical grounds. Canada can deny either if any person likely to "cause excessive demands on health or social services".

I recommend that you carefully read the Citizenship and Immigration Canada web site for the requirements for applying for permanent residency in Canada. Understand that this is likely not possible or that it will likely take years if not decades or more obtaining the advanced degrees, job offers, savings, etc. needed to apply. A special needs child may make it impossible. Contact an immigration lawyer if you need to.

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having trouble assembling my kids bicycle front wheel?

goldeneyeg

I recently bought a huffy bicycle and I'm having trouble inserting the front wheel in the fork, the instructions say to take out the bolts, which i did but still looks like the wheel is too big, can someone help me?

Thanks!

Answer
http://www.sherv.net/cm/emoticons/no/shaking-no-smiley-emoticon.gif

I guess taking it to a bicycle shop for PROFESSIONAL assembly would have been out of the question. Way too logical.

Is it important for my kid to know how to ride a bicycle?

Craziee Pa

He tried it and couldn't balance himself on the bike ( which is natural in the beginning). Now he is so frustrated, he is giving up and says he doesn't want to do it ever again.

Should I make him try again later on in the year?

Answer
Yes, I think every kid should be able to ride a bike. He might be frustrated and give up, but he might show interest again later. One thing lots of kids don't learn these days is to handle failure and to keep trying. My son was 4 when we bought him a bike with training wheels and he refused to even try it. Then we visited my parents and they had my brother's razor scooter there and he learned to ride that and had no reason to try a bike. Then one day, my husband decided that since he had such good balance on the scooter, he probably could ride a bike, so he took the training wheels off and went out in the front with my son (who was 5 then) and practiced with him a few times and he got it! He was so proud of himself for doing it. Now his 4-year-old brother has the bike with training wheels and I have a bike and a bike trailer, so now we go for family bike rides in the mornings a lot.

It's good exercise and I think it teaches children patience, endurance, and the will to keep trying. Be positive when he's ready, let him use training wheels if he wants, and always encourage. When he is successful, celebrate and take lots of pictures. He'll really feel proud of his accomplishment.

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Buying a new Bike, HELP!?

Jem III

I loved to ride on bikes when I was kid. After looking at bikes' reviews, I remain unsure which bike I should buy. I live in West Virginia where there's some bike trails.. there will be some dirt and road to ride onto. There's a bike shop nearby and she says Trek 3500 would be good buy, selling at 369.99. Would this be good deal? I'm hoping to ride every morning starting soon as I am addicted to workouts! Would this bike be good to start with or should I buy better one or other brand - money wisely? Any suggestion would be great. Thank you.
If I decide to buy Trek 3900 or Hardrock (better bikes = more money) will it be worth it? Or it wouldn't matter as that much?

Answer
Jeremy, Welcome back to mountain biking! We've got a strong community to support you. A little bit of information about what makes a mountain bike functional: What is required to make a "real" mountain bike, are double wall rims, and a cassette type rear hub, each created for strength and durability. To tell you the truth, the Trek mountain bikes start producing these on their bikes at the 4300 model, which would also upgrade you from the "alpha white" frame to the "alpha black" frame, saving you a bit of strength. If you are looking into the 2011's, ALL of the Hardrock models are equipped to serve you on the trails, if you look at a 2010, you'll need to get a Hardrock sport or above. I don't know if I'd feel terribly safe on a 3500. Trek is a very nice bike company, but when they try to compete at the lower end, they scramble a bit to toss together a bike with low end components, as their frames take up most of the price of what they are working with. I would recommend a 2011 Hardrock base, which retails for $420. The 3500 is simply not built with a similar quality. Also, maybe do a search for a 2010 giant rincon, which has all you require, plus a fork with a lockout and disc brakes. I mention this over the 2010 hardrock sport disc simply because I've seen it sold for less. Their forks are a tad bit better than the trek's and specialized as well.

BUT, with those requirements set, FIT it the biggest thing. Go in and give them a test drive, make sure your legs are almost straight on the down push of your crank to keep optimal power transfer and geometry.

Again, good luck!!!

New mountain Bike...Help?

John

I am looking at buying a new mountain bike and converting it to electric...I was thinking about getting the Mongoose Status 3.0 but I couldn't find a single review except on Amazon...any suggestions?
I'm 13, about 120 (I know I'm a lightweight) and 5' 6"...
The reason that I want to convert a mountain bike to electric is because I do a lot of rough street riding, and a hybrid just won't do the trick. Also, I didn't mean full electric, just a lightweight hub motor for use on longer rides. So eff off about the Lego crap...it's a serious question.
Also, I don't really need advice about the electric components, I know my stuff about that.

Answer
Converting it to electric. No. Don't do this. Spend you money getting a nicer bike with less friction and you can go much faster. Or just buy a cheap, old scooter. Why are you doing this? Project?

If you're going to be using it as a mountain bike, it need not be electric, as that's dangerous. If you're using it as a scooter, it need not be a mountain bike: hybrid's. If this is a project and you're 13 and not rich, I'd pick a different project. One of the Lego Robots would make a good project with electricity(i.e. Lego's Mindstorm). Provide more info and I will too.

Kids get so angry these days.

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What type of bike should I buy?

Ben

I lost my old bike when i moved (even though, now it would be too small for me to use). I'm 13 year old boy and i'm bigger than most kids my age. I want to save up money to buy a new bike. I'll ride the bike around my neighborhood which doesn't have many steep hills or anything like that. So which type of bike should i buy and about how much would it cost?

Answer
Ben,

http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/town/recreation/navigator/navigator_1_0
What you plan to do is admirable. Set a dollar goal and spend within what you can afford. I think you should consider getting a Trek or Specialized bike because their local bike shops are accessible pretty much anywhere in the United States, which comes in handy. A single speed bike can be a good choice because not much can go wrong when your bike is simple. You can get more bike new, getting a single speed. You can get used off of Craigs list. In either case adult presence will serve you best. Single speed bikes can be road based or offroad. Road bikes are more towards speed, handling and opportunity to hot rod. Mountain bikes tend to be heavier with knobby tires. They are best suited for trails though they can be fitted for on-road use. A good cross between mountain bike and commuter bike would be the Trek Navigator. I have ridden this bike, its fun.

My suggestion is to read all you can about the Trek Navigator. Then look at other brands and compare. Trek's consumer reviews are an easy find, others not so much. Check with your parent(s) then ask a leader at a church/temple or mosque if you can work and earn money for a bike. You may be pleasantly surprised.

Best.

honda crf 80f review?

Mikkiz

My Dads buyng one for me and im just asking for tips and reviews and other things

Answer
Google it...there's tons of info on it.

Is your youngster ready to move up to a bigger bike, but not a big big bike? Then check out the Honda CRF80F. It's just the right bike for 'tweens and smaller teens who have the size, skills and maturity to move up to a motorcycle with a conventional clutch and gearshift. And because it's a Honda, it's loaded with enough power, performance and handling to help keep your kid on track. Plus the CRF80F's legendary ability, easy-shifting five-speed manual transmission and rugged rear suspension make it an easy-to-ride bike that's easy to take care of.

The CRF80F. It's ready, willing and waiting. And it's all Honda.

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