| Most of us take our bicycle wheels for granted. Once | | | | Your tires will age, but not so quickly that you will need |
| we're rolling, we may think about the handlebars or | | | | to replace them often during the practical lifetime of |
| derailleur and we definitely think about the saddle, but | | | | your bicycle. What you will probably find in regard to |
| until we get a flat tire, we rarely give a thought to our | | | | this component of your bicycle wheel is that you will |
| wheels. Just like someone who works on their feet all | | | | choose to have several different tires for your bike, |
| day should pay attention to the shoes they wear, bike | | | | especially if you are riding a hybrid model that crosses |
| riders should know at least a little about their wheels. | | | | the lines between road and mountain models. You will |
| When we say "bicycle wheels," we are talking about | | | | want knobbier tires for off-road adventures and |
| the whole circular complex of the front and back | | | | smoother tires for your daily commuting or for that |
| wheels. No matter what kind of riding you do, road or | | | | long distance road ride. Basically, the knobbier and |
| mountain, racing or recreational, your wheels, linked to | | | | fatter your tires, the more stable your ride AND the |
| your human kinetics power through the crank of the | | | | more work it will take to propel them. Balance your |
| bike pedals, are what move you through a distance in | | | | needs by investing in a second set of tires.The kind of |
| such an eminently satisfying manner. They consist of a | | | | frame you have will affect what tires you can fit, but |
| tire, probably a tube inside the tire, a rim, spokes, and a | | | | there are varieties for all frames. |
| hub. The tube is going to claim the most attention: this | | | | As for the rest of what constitutes your bicycle |
| is what goes flat when you ride over a tack or thorn | | | | wheels, the spokes and rims and hubs, there is not |
| or simply inflate it wrongly. At very least, every single | | | | much you will do once you have your bicycle. Rims |
| bike rider out there, anywhere, should know how to | | | | and spokes and hubs vary enormously, but once you |
| change a tube and carry a spare tube and a pump or | | | | have purchased your bicycle you won't do much to |
| air cartridge. It will seem like so much extra baggage | | | | these elements other than to keep them clean, free of |
| right up to the moment your tube blows. At that | | | | dirt and grease. Wiping down your bike after a ride is |
| precise moment, your spare tube and air supply turn | | | | an exceptionally good practice, and while you're doing |
| instantaneously into salvation. Riding any distance at all | | | | it, always run your fingertips lightly over each tire. Early |
| on a flat tire will destroy your rims, and this is a costly | | | | detection of burrs and glass shards can spare you |
| replacement.Carry a tube and know how to change it. | | | | (excuse the pun!) a flat on your next ride. |