I have a bike. Now what.

Bought a bike yesterday. Women's Brown Schwinn Collegiate 5-speed made in 1972!

I'm really excited about having a bike. I recently moved here from Texas and although I've been riding bikes all my life, I lived mostly in the suburbs and now I'm about to leap into the life of a city commuter.

Bike will be taken into a shop to be serviced probably next week. The back breaks are a bit crappy. They don't grip the tires much and pads need to be replaced, and the tubes should probably be replaced at the same time that I put new tires on it (I'm thinking Kevlar).

Perhaps you guys can link me to a few threads, books, or just offer me some words of advice to me the city-biking newbie. I've been told I'm bold, but I'm out looking for adventure and would love to bike through the winter too. The only thing that's going to fight the seasonal depression is alot of exercise! Don't worry, I may be from the south, but I can handle the cold! Any advice about simply owning a bike in the city, commuting, and riding winter are all greatly appreciated. :)

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Permalink Reply by Tim S on August 20, 2013 at 4:52am

Welcome, you have found the right place for advice solicited or not.

What will you commute be like - Neighbourhood to Job.

Permalink Reply by in it to win it 8.0 mi on August 20, 2013 at 4:57am

Welcome fellow Texan.  I've been year-round commuting for 5+ years (don't remember the exact year I started).  Once you commit to it, it's addictive.  Study more on the Winter prep side.  It's a much friendlier bike city than when I started, you'll have no problem.

Permalink Reply by Morgan Allen on August 20, 2013 at 4:59am

Neighborhood to job. I live in Avondale at the moment and work in South Loop. The commute will be about an hour and I can ride Milwaukee right into the city. I will be moving probably to the Pilsen area later (about a year) to be closer to work.

Tim S said:

What will you commute be like - Neighbourhood to Job.

Permalink Reply by Legacy Frameworks on August 20, 2013 at 5:19am

Welcome Morgan! You picked a great starter bike for the city. I a few main points that I will pass on.

Ride as Much as Possible. Don't let the little things, or the big things, keep you from getting out on your bike. Your knowledge, equipment, physical limitations and more will all be tested and improved apon the more you ride. 

Be Respectful. Of those around you, pedestrians, motorist and other cyclist are all going to be in the same spaces you will be riding - a little respect for all of them, while it might not always seem like it, will go a long way.

Invest in Great Tires. Number 1 thing I wish I could have gone back and told myself when I started in the city. It would have kept me on my bike more times than I can remember. You bike probably takes 27 x 1 1/4 inch tires and while pickings may be slim for quality tires, my standby is still available - Schwalbe Marathon GreenGuard. You may gasp at the price, but they are well worth it and should be carried or orderable from most shops. 

Get out there and have fun!

Permalink Reply by Lisa Curcio on August 20, 2013 at 5:21am

Welcome!  Search the forums here.  There have recently been a couple of threads about winter biking which included links to other threads.  Also, bikewinter.org

Want to meet up with someone to just get some city cycling techniques?  chicagobikebuddies.com

Want to meet up with other women cyclists who commute, transport, ride for fun, etc.?

Women Bike Chicago:  http://www.thechainlink.org/group/women-bike-chicago and https://www.facebook.com/events/151642035034811/

Permalink Reply by Gecko on August 20, 2013 at 5:35am

Welcome!  In case you didn't already know: invest in a good lock.  You won't regret it, especially if you're using your bike as your primary means of transportation.

Permalink Reply by Julie Aberman (Hochstadter) on August 20, 2013 at 5:49am

+1!!!!  

And have fun and go on group rides.  Check the calendar here.  

You'll get an email every friday now that you have joined with a list of rides and events going on each week.  Go on them, meet people and have fun! 



Nick G said:

Welcome!  In case you didn't already know: invest in a good lock.  You won't regret it, especially if you're using your bike as your primary means of transportation.

Permalink Reply by daWillinChi on August 20, 2013 at 5:54am

I second this.


Nick G said:

Welcome!  In case you didn't already know: invest in a good lock.  You won't regret it, especially if you're using your bike as your primary means of transportation.

Permalink Reply by daWillinChi on August 20, 2013 at 5:55am
Permalink Reply by Lisa Curcio on August 20, 2013 at 6:05am

With your lovely new/old bike, you might enjoy this ride on Saturday:  http://www.thechainlink.org/events/3rd-seersucker-social-and-picnic

Permalink Reply by yai danche on August 20, 2013 at 6:07am

Hi bike sibling!  I love my collegiate, but a bit of warning.  If you have the step through version, your rear brake cable will freeze during the winter.  Because of how it's routed, water collects in the cable.  So unless you're savvy enough to drain the cable before winter hits, your rear brakes will not work once it gets below freezing.  The front brakes work so if you're comfortable having one brake, you can ride through winter.  

Permalink Reply by John C. Wilson on August 20, 2013 at 6:43am

Fill the cable housing with grease. Use end caps on the housing. It may not last all winter but it won't freeze up suddenly. Repeat when braking fades and keep working on how you get that casing full all the way to the top.

'72 Collegiate is a good bike. Good all around and right for commutes.

yai danche said:

Hi bike sibling!  I love my collegiate, but a bit of warning.  If you have the step through version, your rear brake cable will freeze during the winter.  Because of how it's routed, water collects in the cable.  So unless you're savvy enough to drain the cable before winter hits, your rear brakes will not work once it gets below freezing.  The front brakes work so if you're comfortable having one brake, you can ride through winter.  

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