2008 Column View From Two Wheels by Tom Keer originally printed in Cape Cod Life

Page 1

GTTTINGANOUND CAR CURRENTS& OTHER TRANSPORTATIONTRENDS

A View FromTwo Vheels Threebikesto qetaround, , anoonesur-pnse, ^^a'J

QUESTION, \Zhati the best way to get aroundthe Cape and IslandslAn-

^^^

6t

trr

verberation while traveling downhill.

drivetrain,and discbrakes.The seatis

The

a Comfort Tirned Super Soft Saddle

cataphoresis surface treatment

swer: It's as easy as riding a bike . .

protects the metal against internal and

with a suspension seatpost. Schwinn

. plus, it's fun and good exercise.The

external corrosion, a welcome feature

has been a mainstayof Americanbi-

slow rhythm of peddling a bike conjures memories of childhood, before

when peddling in the Cape's moist air.

cycle culture since the company was

Frame sizes range from 49- to 63-cen-

foundedin Chicago in 1895,and the

licensesand car payments,when ev-

timeters, and Campagnolo makes the

Sierra CSD takes Schwinn into the

erything seemed new and brilliant.

components, wheels, shifters, brakes,

21stcentury.

Bike-ridingheightensthe senses,the

levers, and derailleur.

sun'srays are more radiant, the pines

MOUNTAIN BIKE

After you make your purchase,tack on a big basket,throw in some towels

appear more pungent, and the air

The 2008 Rockhopper from Spe-

and sunscreen, and headto the beach.

tastessaltier.Sure, bikes are great for

cialized Bicycle Components is a

Vhether you are young or old, parent

gettingin shapeand for exploring,but

glimpseof the modern era of moun-

aboveall they bring out the kid in us.

tain bikes, a field of tremendousde-

or grandparent,buy a bike and you'll feel like a kid again.t -To^ kt

You will find an abundanceof places

velopment over the past two decades.

to ride on the Cape and Islands,with

The model is a descendantof the

countless trails running throughout conservation lands and the National

25-year-old company's best-selling racebike, the Stumpjumper.\i/eighing

Seashore.You'll also find plenty of

under 30 pounds, the bike featuresa

riders, as packs of racersspeedalong

double-buttedA1 premiumaluminum

the roads while famllies downshift

framefor easyuphill climbs,comfort-

their gearsto meandertogether along

able long rides, and overall durability.

bike paths.Depending on what you're looking for, here are somesuggestions

The RockShox front fork shock absorberreducesjolts and improveshan-

for which two-wheelervou shouldride

dling on ruggedterrain,and the sturdy

this summer.

Shimanocomponentsprovidesmooth

ROAD BIKE

tracking. Six frame sizesensureriders

Italian bike manufacturerBianchi

of all proportionswill ffndtheir match,

hasbeenat the forefrontof competitive

and the $850 price tag won't require a

cycling for 120 years,and the Pinella

secondmortgage.

Centaurcontinuesits legacy.A serious

COMFORT BIKE

bike for seriousroad racers,the Pinella

If blazing-fast runs down trails

Centaur has all the quality of bikes

aren't your bag and you simply want

costing more than twice its $S,OOO a bike you can occasionallytake out price tag. The frame is built from for a leisurelytrip, a comfort bike like the Schwinn Sierra CSD ffts the bill. HSLA (high-strength,low-alloy) micro-alloy steel,a synthesisof strength and light weight that createsquick ac-

Pricedeconomicallyat $420,the bike

celeration.fast rides.and minimal re-

forks,a 24-speed NEX 4100 suspension

www.capecodlife.com

has six sizesof aluminum frameswith

G O I N GN O WHERE,FAST Forallyougymrats boredby ordinary stationary bikes, Expresso Fitness's S2 Bikeis thefirst andonly Web-enabled cardiobikethatfeatures a state-of-theart virtualrealityexperience. Located exclusively onCapeCodat WillysGyms in Eastham,0rleans, andHyannis, the 52 is in a league of its own.Through theuseofthe Internetanda computer located screen abovethehandlebars, usershavetheootionto choose from over30 virtualtours,creating theirown customized ride.The52 alsooffersa competitive element throughanonline networking system, allowingusersto rideagainst others, whetherits inthe samegymor a friendacross thecountry. Hopinthesaddle at Willysandsay good-bye to ho-hum workouts! CAPECOD LIFE 189


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