Your bike is about to become your best friend (if it’s not already). So you want to think carefully about what kind of bike you will be spending a lot of time with over the next couple of months. But don’t worry about having a top-of-the-line bike. Many, many people have participated on Otesha tours with anything but the latest and greatest. As long as you can attach a bike rack to the bike, the bike fits your body size and it’s in good mechanical shape, you should be fine. Here are some things to keep in mind when considering a bike:

Type of bike
People have come on tour with all different types of bikes. You will be covering varied terrain, so the slim lines and slick wheels of a road bike that might make you really fast on pavement will make it difficult for you to travel the gravel road to the organic farm you might be visiting. Some folks recommend a hybrid bike, or a mountain bike with a rear tire that has some traction, with a slicker tire on the front. Note that 90 per cent of your biking will be on pavement.

Fitting your bike
A bike’s fit is very important. A bike that’s uncomfortable will make cycling a chore (and possibly cause injury) so make sure you test it out first! A great way to do this is to go shopping in a bike co-op or shop and try different sizes to see what frame feels best. Don’t feel pressured to buy (but be kind and let the salesperson know that you’re not buying that day, and try to visit during a slow time in their day). Whatever bike you choose, you can change components or make adjustments to make your bike fit even better. Check out Choosing a Bike Frame Size for more information. This video on YouTube is also helpful.

Basic features
First, the bike must be able to accommodate a bike rack. A bike with lots of gears isn’t essential, but you might be grateful for that low, easy gear on those big hills! Pedals with toe clips (i.e., brackets that fit over your shoe) will increase your cycling efficiency, but can be problematic if you need to pull your foot out of the clip in a hurry. Clip-less pedals are also something to check out. They can reduce strain on your knees. However, clip-less pedals take some getting used to and you will need to get special bike shoes that fasten directly to the pedals (an additional cost).

Safety features
You will need front and rear reflectors, and a bell or other noise maker – these are required by law. A rear-view mirror that attaches to your helmet or handlebars increases safety for highway riding. Front and rear lights are also important.

Handlebars
Generally, your handlebars should be as wide as your shoulders. Wider handlebars take more effort and time to move, and as a result, they don’t react as quickly to changes in direction as narrower handlebars. Very narrow handlebars respond very quickly to changes, and as a result may be harder to control.

Seat
An uncomfortable seat can make for a bum-numbing ride. There are hundreds of styles and options to choose from; you’ll have to figure out what best fits your body shape. Some bike seats have a channel or groove down the center to accommodate sensitive parts, and these come highly recommended -- for men AND women. You can also get a gel seat cover. Combine that with a well-adjusted seat and comfy bike shorts, and you’ll enjoy a much smoother ride. Check out Fitting Your Saddle for more information.

Bike rack
Aluminum racks are lighter, but break more easily and can be difficult to repair. Steel racks are heavier, but much more durable and easily fixable in any machine shop along the way. Most folks choose only a back tire rack, though some also carry a front one. (Warning: the more stuff you CAN carry, the more stuff you WILL carry and the heavier the load you’ll have to push up those hills).

Hot-rodding your bike
There are all sorts of bells and whistles that you can add to your bike. None of them are a necessity, but some can be useful. For example, you may want to invest in Kevlar-liners for tires to help reduce the number of flat tires you might get. You could also get super cushy handlebar grips to help with your hands and wrists. Bike computers are handy for figuring out how fast you’re going, and how far you’ve gone (and thus how long it will take to get to where you’re headed). Disc brakes are more efficient than friction brakes and are the choice for hardcore mountain bikers, but it may not be possible to install them on all bikes, and friction brakes work almost as well if they're in good condition. Shocks on the front tires will make for a cushier ride, but may result in slightly less responsive steering, and a tendency for a bike to “nose under” when coming to sudden stops. Shocks on the rear, if too “soft,” will bounce when you pedal, resulting in loss of power. Shocks on the seat post generally work well.

Bike bling
The more you attach to your bike, the heavier it will be. But some things are just too sweet to leave behind, and there are creative folks who go nuts decorating their bikes, painting them and finding just the right things to attach to handlebars and elsewhere. We think that everyone should pimp their ride to make their bike reflective of their personality and way of life. Whatever you do, think safety first (yours and other people’s…those Mad Max-style steel spikes sticking out of your pedals may look cool, but… ) and ensure that you can fit on all your safety and functional gadgets first (bell, lights, etc.). In keeping with our sustainability mandate, we at Otesha feel that bike bling should be found on the road, or found used.

Inspecting a used bike
Buying used is a great way to get a deal and “reuse and recycle” our resources. Be sure to inspect any bike you buy very closely. Are the tires in good condition? ($10-40 each to replace) Is the chain worn out? ($20 or more to replace) Are the brakes functioning? Are the wheels straight? Use our 5-minute Bike Check to look for potential problems. Take it for a (cautious!) spin and use your ears. Does the axle make a clunking or grinding sound/feeling when you pedal? There’s also the “drop test.” Pick up the bike and bounce it on it’s tires a few times. Things that are loose or weak will make themselves readily apparent. If you can, bring a bike mechanic or experienced friend and have them look it over before you make a purchase.

Where to buy
Search the internet, used-bike stores, local newspapers and bulletin boards to see if you can find a used bike that meets your needs. Look for a bike co-op in your town. They might be able to help you build your own bike or sell used bikes that they can help you fix up.

Check out these sites to find used bikes and equipment:

www.freecycle.org

www.craigslist.org

www.ebay.com

www.pinkbike.com

www.mec.ca (outdoor gear swap)

www.bikedump.com

www.ibike.org (to look for a bike co-op in your area)

Or Google “Used Bike [YOUR CITY]” and see what comes up.

Trash and treasures
Some folks have found decent bikes that were being thrown out in someone’s garbage. You may find a perfectly usable bike for free that way, but be aware that it may need a LOT of work and parts to get it ship-shape. Get it checked out by a bike repair professional. Good advice: keep an eye out on garbage day, especially in the springtime when everyone is cleaning out their basements and garages. Even if the bike isn’t usable for your needs, you can donate it to your local bike co-op or Bicycles for Humanity.