Fact of the matter is that my first passions are cycles and yatchs. The first bike I owned was an Atlas Concorde with 10 gears which had been gifted to me on my 12th birthday. I used it for a good l4 years till someone eventually stole it. I was so enamored with it that I refused to give it up or buy a new one or buy any automated vehicle even after I landed quite a well paying job. If anyone would ask me the specifications of my vehicle I would come up with figures that was sure to astound any listener :- engine capacity- 5000cc (which is actually my lung capacity), catalytic combustion engine (but of Course - haven't you heard of cytochrome oxydase??), 100 hp (power of my thunder thighs), manual transmission 10 gears, and liquid cooled engines. It was the mileage that would finally give it away- 70 km on 2 chapattis. It was an amazing time that I had with it. Being the only guy who did not have a motorized vehicle many thought I would be left without a girlfriend too. But what the heck, it was their loss. when flying training started I realised that I was making a transition from cycles to aircrafts with out ever having driven a motor bike or a car. The only thing that must have facilitated this transition might have been the yatchs that I often sailed.
Anyway, at the instance of my instructor who sited safety reasons, I bought a car rather unwillingly. It was an Indica which stayed area me for five years.in the meantime my first cycle got stolen. By the end of the fifth year I was So enamored with buying a new cycle that I invested the money that I had set aside for the car's insurance on a brand new Aluminum bike- I stopped using the car altogether and discovered to my surprise that the cycle was more often than not three times faster than my car in Bombay's traffic. Moreover, I recovered the cost of the cycle in two months by way of fuel savings. The most affected party were my dates who would no longer get dropped back home. But who cared. I finally sold off my car and following my transfer to the Andamans I decided to leave the cycle back on mainland and buy a new car here (which was to be a Dzire).
I can for one tell you a few things on owning cycles from my experience. Though racing bikes are faster they come with their own set of problems namely:-
1. Indian roads are bad and thin tyres don't really last. I ended up changing tyres one in 3 months. The chain too needs change almost every year
2. Because of a host of reasons these cycles are inherently imbalanced and it is easier to fall off a racing cycle than any other
3. The saddle is not really designed for cycling for long durations especially on bumpy roads. You might want to insure your ***** and unborn children. why not store some sperm samples too?
4. There is a 30% more chance that people would state a racing cycle than any other.
In India I would recommend a mountain bike because:-
1. The roads are hilly even in the plains. Craters are mountainous
2. Rugged construction.
3. Thicker tyres mean better braking.
4. Thicker tyres also mean lesser tyre change.
5. Better riding posture. The lean forward posture is assumed for reducing aerodynamic drag. Now aerodynamic drag becomes significant only at higher speeds which most of as world not be doing. Besides, in cities I would generally get behind a truck or buss or car to take advantage of the low pressure and reduced drag behind it
gears or no gears?
I would recommend gears irrespective of terrain. which kind of gears to use is what matters. A lower range (say 10 speed) for plains and a higher range (say 15 speed) for hilly terrain is fair. Beyond 2 o is a farce
Aluminum or steel?
Aluminum without doubt-unless you can find a carbon polymer bike. Because of the lower weight it becomes much easier to accelerate an aluminum bike. And trust me, it is a very big advantage in cities because you would be racing against cars and trying for a lead right at the Signal. But the main reason for chosing aluminum is that it doesn't corrode and THAT is a major major reason. You wouldn't be bothering about rust spots any where. Besides, rust is one of the major reasons for a flat tyre.
SHOCKERS? of course yes.
It is a must 'Trying wd 40 or rustlik instead of grease or oil. You will soil your trousers Lesser that way.
A good mudguard is a good investment for you clothes.
Price -
Avoid cheap bikes. Yon wouldn't want to go to a repair shop every now and then. Poor construction leads to rattling, grinding in flywheels and pedals and deformation of wheels. There is no apper limit on the price. Any amount you spend will be recovered as long as you substitute motor vehicles with cycling. The benefits to health need not be enumerated.
And yes-farting while yOu are cycling is not turbo charging. |