Aston Martin One 77 Road Bike

What is the most sought-after bicycle in the world? Well, that depends on who you're asking. We think we have some drool-worthy bikes at our shop in Downey, but one recent contender can not be found at a local retailer.
Luxury sports car manufacturer Aston Martin is partnering with Factor Bikes to introduce the bicycle version of their One 77.
The One 77 (the bike), being lauded as "the world's most technologically advanced road bicycle" brings elements of the exclusive Aston Martin One 77 car to the world of cycling, such as its construction from its unique ultra light-weight carbon fiber composite, its super advanced computer system, and the fine details you might expect from a bike called One 77 such as hand-stitched leather handlebars. The One 77 is outfitted with Shimano Dura-Ace components.
Like the car, only seventy-seven One 77 will be manufactured. The cars have all sold, with one reportedly crashing in Hong Kong last month, so even if you missed the boat, you may still have the chance to own a One 77...for around $40,000, that is. Contact Factor with inquiries.

Bike shop Downey: Types of Bikes

Are you thinking of buying a bicycle at a bike shop Downey but don't know what you want? Here is a brief guide to some of the common kinds of bicycles. We also carry less common kinds! Come check us out.
The right bike for you is the one designed for the type of riding you will do most.

Road bikes
Pros: Speedy and easy to pedal on concrete and pavement.
Cons: Not designed for riding off road. Some find dropped handlebars uncomfortable.

Mountain bikes
Pros: Mountain bike's suspension and upright riding position make for a plush, comfy ride. Great for riding over unpaved surfaces.
Cons: Mountain bikes are slower and more difficult to ride on pavement than road bikes.

Hybrid bikes
Pros: Fast, easy pedaling, with the comfort and versatility of a mountain bike.
Cons: Not as suitable for very rough terrain.

Cruisers
Pros: Stylish and comfortable, relaxed riding position.
Cons: Difficult to ride in on hilly areas, long-distances, or off road.

BMX:
Pros: Durable and nimble for stunt and trick-riding.
Cons: Not very comfortable to ride.

Bike shop Downey: why a beach cruiser

Cruisers are popular at our bike shop Downey with recreational riders of all ages because of their affordability, simplicity and comfort. Times have changed since their birth in the Great Depression, but cruisers remain among the lowest priced bicycles for everyday people. If you want to get the great benefits of cycling for fitness, running errands, or the enjoyment of lazy beach rides, the cruiser offers a relaxed ride at an affordable price. Depending on your needs and price range, you may want to get a multispeed cruiser, add a cushy seat, or check out some of the special lights and baskets available for beach cruisers. The cruisers of today are not just for kids, and come in all varieties.
Consumer Reports recommends purchasing your bike from a local bicycle retailer rather than a big box store. Budget general purpose stores cut corners by selling bicycles that do not hold up to regular riding conditions. Even a low-priced cruiser at a quality local specialty shop will be made with good components that will last you through the years.

Bike shop Santa Fe Spings: Variations on the beach cruiser

Our bike shop Santa Fe Springs knows  the cruiser is a favorite of designers and tinkerers. Its simple design makes it easy to modify. The cruiser base has served as the platform for many innovations in bicycles including the earliest mountain bike models, BMX bikes, commuter bikes, lowriders, and chopper style bicycles.
While the cruisers baby boomers remember riding as kids were single speed, today’s beach cruisers are developed with more than seaside pedaling in mind. We have cruisers with multi-speed drivetrains, suspension seatposts and forks, fenders, and super cushy seats.  
People who own cruisers love comfort and flair, and no cruiser is really complete until accessorized with special baskets, seats, bells, and covers. Customization is wildly popular in cruisers, including all colors, special paint details, modifications, and custom lights for maximum beach or street style.

Bike shop Downey: Intro to the beach cruiser

At our bike shop Downey, we sell all kinds of bikes.  The Beach Cruiser is one style with lasting popularity.
The beach cruiser bicycle was designed for recreational beach riding in the 1930’s. The cruiser is an upright bicycle with basic steel frame, single speed drive train, and balloon tires to resist sinking into soft terrain like Cali beach sand. Cruisers enjoyed popularity from their introduction in the 30's through the 1960's.
The 1970’s-1990’s saw a decline in cruiser sales as the two-car family became the norm, and fewer people were riding for leisure or running errands around town. Since the mid-1990’s, they have become the bicycling comeback kid, with the contemporary interpretation keeping the classy retro styling. Today they are one of the hottest bicycles on the market, appreciated by a broad range of riders for casual or short rides. If comfort, affordability, mechanical simplicity, and plenty of style are your priorities in a bicycle, look no further than the beach cruiser.

Bike shop Santa Fe Springs: Top ten bike wrecks- #10

Our bike shop Downey exposes the top ten bike wrecks, from Bicyclesafe.com. Find expanded info on their site.
#10 Rear End
A car runs into you from behind. This is what many cyclists fear the most, but it's actually not very common, comprising only 3.8% of collisions. However, it's one of the hardest collisions to avoid, since you're not usually looking behind you.

How to avoid this wreck:

1. Get a rear light. If you're riding at night, you absolutely should use a flashing red rear light. Bruce Mackey (formerly of Florida, now head of bike safety in Nevada) says that 60% of bike collisions in Florida are caused by cyclists riding at night without lights. In 1999, 39% of deaths on bicycles nationwide occurred between 6 p.m. and midnight. [USA Today, 10-22-01, attributed to the Insurance Institute for highway safety]

2. Wear a reflective vest or a safety triangle. High quality reflective gear makes you a lot more visible even in the day time, not just at night. 

3. Choose wide streets. Ride on streets whose outside lane is wide enough for a car and a bike side by side. That way a car may zoom by you and avoid hitting you, even if they didn't see you!

4. Choose slow streets.The slower a car is going, the more time the driver has to see you. Especially on weekends, avoid arterials.

5. Get a mirror. Get a mirror and use it. If it looks like a car doesn't see you, hop off your bike and onto the sidewalk.

6. Don't hug the curb. This is counter-intuitive, but give yourself a little space between yourself and the curb. That gives you some room to move into. This prevents a number of common accidents.

Get the safety gear you need from Pat's 605 Cyclery.

Bike shop Downey: Top ten bike wrecks-#9 The Rear End

Our bike shop Downey is posting tips from Bicyclesafe.com about avoiding the most common bike wrecks.
Wreck #9: The Rear End
 

You move slightly to the left to go around a parked car or some other obstruction in the road, and you get nailed by a car from behind.

How to avoid this wreck:

1. Never, ever move left without looking behind you first. Some motorists like to pass cyclists within mere inches, so moving even slightly to the left could put you in the path of a car. Practice holding a straight line while looking over your shoulder until you can do it perfectly. Most new cyclists tend to move left when they look behind them, which of course can be disastrous.

2. Don't swerve in and out of the parking lane if it contains any parked cars. You may be tempted to ride in the parking lane, dipping back into the traffic lane when you encounter a parked car. This puts you at risk for getting nailed from behind. Instead, ride a steady, straight line in the traffic lane.

3. Use a mirror. If you don't have one, get one from a bike shop immediately. There are models that fit on your handlebars, helmet, or glasses. You should always physically look back over your shoulder before moving left, but having a mirror will help you monitor traffic without looking behind you.

4. Signal. Never move left without signaling. Just put your left arm straight out.

Bike shop Downey: Top ten bike wrecks- #8 Bike shop Downey: Top ten bike wrecks-#7 The Left Cross

Our bike shop Downey is doing a blog series exposing the most common bike wreck scenarios, from Bicyclesafe.com.

#7 The Left CrossA car coming towards you makes a left turn right in front of you, or into you. 

  How to avoid this wreck:

 1. Don't ride on the sidewalk. 

 When you come off the sidewalk to cross the street, you're invisible to turning motorists.

2. Get a headlight. Front headlights are needed for night time riding. It's required by law most places. They can increase your visibility in the day too.

3. Wear something bright, even during the day. It may seem silly, but bikes are small and easy to see through even during the day. Yellow or orange reflective vests really make a big difference. Reflective leg bands are also easy and inexpensive.

4. Don't pass on the right. Don't overtake slow-moving vehicles on the right. Doing so makes you invisible to left-turning motorists at intersections. Passing on the right is dangerous for a number of reasons.

5. Slow down. If you can't make eye contact with the driver, slow down enough to completely stop if necessary. It may be inconvenient, but it beats getting hit.

Bike shop Santa Fe Springs: Top ten bike wrecks- #7 The Right Hook part 2

Our bike shop Santa Fe Springs is running a series of blogs exposing the top ten situations that cause bike wrecks, drawing from Bicyclesafe.com. You're passing a slow-moving car (or another bike) on the right, when it unexpectedly makes a right turn right into you, entering a parking lot, driveway or side street.

How to avoid this wreck:

1. Don't pass on the right. This collision is very easy to avoid. Just don't pass any vehicle on the right. If a car ahead of you is going only 10 mph, then you slow down, too, behind it. Pass on the left when it's safe to do so.

When passing cyclists on the left, announce "on your left" before you start passing. If they're riding too far to the left for you to pass safely on the left, then announce "on your right" before passing on the right.

Use extreme caution passing stopped cars at a light. They cannot see you approaching, and someone could fling open a door.

When tailing a slow-moving vehicle, ride behind it, not in its blindspot. Allow enough room to brake if a car in front of you turns right.

2. Look behind you before turning right. Here's your opportunity to avoid hitting cyclists who violate tip #1 above and try to pass you on the right.

Bike shop Downey: Top ten bike wrecks- #6 The Right Hook

:

Our bike shop Downey is running a series about the top ten situations that cause bike wrecks, from Bicyclesafe.com.

#6 The Right HookA car passes you and then tries to make a right turn directly in front of you, or right into you. They think you're not going very fast just because you're on a bicycle, so it never occurs to them that they can't pass you in time. This wreck is difficult to avoid because you typically have little response time, and because there's nowhere for you to go when it happens.

How to avoid this wreck:

1. Don't ride on the sidewalk. When you come off the sidewalk to cross the street you're invisible to motorists. 

2. Ride to the left. Taking up the whole lane makes it harder for drivers to pass you to cut you off or turn into you. Don't feel bad about taking the lane: if motorists didn't threaten your life by turning in front of or into you or passing you too closely, then you wouldn't have to. If the lane you're in isn't wide enough for cars to pass you safely, then you should be taking the whole lane anyway. Lane position is discussed in depth on Bicyclesafe.com.

3. Check mirror before approaching an intersection. If you don't have a handlebar or helmet mirror, get one now.) Be sure to look in your mirror before you get to the intersection. When you enter an intersection, you need to be look forward.