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Bicycling/Questions
| Subject | Date Asked | Expert |
| Barletta | 5/23/2012 | Tad Hylkema |
| Q: I am thinking about getting a used Bartletta 18" mountain bike, just for tooling around in this ... A: I am not familiar with the Bartletta and the only information I can find on the web is some advert ... | ||
| the right size tires | 5/7/2012 | Tad Hylkema |
| Q: I bought this bike a while ago, still good, and I want to replace the current tires front 26"x ... A: Gabriel, I am sorry it took so long to answer... I read your message, couldn't answer right away, ... | ||
| my tires size | 5/7/2012 | Jerry Goodwin |
| Q: I bought this bike a while ago, still good, and I want to replace the current tires front 26"x ... A: Sorry this took so long, I had answered it but then had some computer glitches. First the shop ... | ||
| tires | 5/7/2012 | Michael |
| Q: I bought this bike a while ago, still good, and I want to replace the current tires front 26"x ... A: I would love to answer your question, but that depends how wide your current rims are! The wider the ... | ||
| Rear chain skipping regularly | 5/6/2012 | George F |
| Q: I recently started doing bike trips back and forth from the beach. I am riding a 21 speed Fuji road ... A: Hey bud, Ok so the chain is new and its still skipping? The I can almost guarantee 99% that its the ... | ||
| Rear chain skipping regularly | 5/2/2012 | George F |
| Q: I recently started doing bike trips back and forth from the beach. I am riding a 21 speed Fuji road ... A: Hey sorry it took awhile was away on vacation if I were you I would try changing the chain if it's ... | ||
| removing brifters | 4/1/2012 | Tad Hylkema |
| Q: ..... haven't 'spoken' with you for awhile. It's funny how I see 'things' out there and how when I ... A: Jim, Sorry it took a bit to get back to you, I read your message right before a ride and then when ... | ||
| new chain, old chainring | 3/14/2012 | Tad Hylkema |
| Q: Well, that issue remains and sits on the sidelines, until I put them back on ebay which is how i ... A: Jim, That is so cool, you getting on the track again! When I was living and racing in Minneapolis ... | ||
| choice of bikes | 3/10/2012 | Tad Hylkema |
| Q: tad: i am a large guy 6'2" about 280. i am looking for a bike but would need something pretty sturdy ... A: I really can't, or I should say, won't recommend a brand. I have my loyalties but what I like is not ... | ||
| bike helmet | 3/2/2012 | Michael |
| Q: I wonder what the lowest profile helmet is, i would like to know which helmet in your opinion, looks ... A: and it is a hard one. Because all those modern helmets are especially made to absorb impacts ... | ||
| more campy and cassettes | 2/24/2012 | Tad Hylkema |
| Q: ..and thanks for answering my last question on chamois lanolin. I recently bought a Giant Tcr road ... A: Hey Jim, Let me take the easy one first... On the outside of the last cog on the cassette is a lock ... | ||
| campy and cassettes | 2/22/2012 | Tad Hylkema |
| Q: ..and thanks for answering my last question on chamois lanolin. I recently bought a Giant Tcr road ... A: Jim, I used to live in Montana's Bitterroot valley, I had a little bike shop there, and I raced in ... | ||
| electric/recharging bike | 2/20/2012 | Scottgem |
| Q: well i have started training and I'm in better shape than I had thought and I am really starting to ... A: There used to be "mopeds". These were battery powered "bikes" that could be pedaled to preserve ... | ||
| compatability with cassettes | 2/20/2012 | Tad Hylkema |
| Q: ..and thanks for answering my last question on chamois lanolin. I recently bought a Giant Tcr road ... A: Hey Jim, It sounds like you have a very nice bike! Unfortunately you have stumbled into the world ... | ||
| sustainable long distance and easily achievable mph averages | 2/17/2012 | Scottgem |
| Q: I'm looking into cycling from the north of scotland to the end of england for charity. I have ... A: An average cruising speed of 10-12 mph is an easy pace. Cruising speed is what you would maintain ... | ||
| moisturizing my 'chamois' in my shorts | 2/6/2012 | Tad Hylkema |
| Q: Looking for an over the counter product, easily obtained, inexpensive that can 'remoisturize my ... A: Hey Jim, In the "old days" we would use lanolin that you could get from most drug stores or bike ... | ||
| cambridge=batavus? | 1/2/2012 | Michael |
| Q: I bought a used bike recently that is labelled as a Cambridge, 3-speed commuter. For all the world ... A: Unfortunately I can't find anything about the fact that Cambridge is an Batavus bike, just that ... | ||
| Road cycling heart rate | 1/1/2012 | Jerry Goodwin |
| Q: I started road cycling about 2 months ago. I have a question about my heart rate. My resting rate ... A: I don't think the problem is your fitness, sounds like you are actually doing quite well fitness ... | ||
| Road cycling heart rate | 12/31/2011 | Jerry Goodwin |
| Q: I started road cycling about 2 months ago. I have a question about my heart rate. My resting rate ... A: I don't put a lot of stock in HR or the estimates given by the "experts" . More important is how you ... | ||
| loose 40lbs gain 15-20lbs of muscle | 11/12/2011 | Jerry Goodwin |
| Q: First off my name is Karen-I am 38 mom of two kids. 8 years ago i was 165/170 and had 12% body fat. ... A: Do you ride a bicycle? I ask because you are asking about weight training and gym exercises but you ... | ||
| Mountain biking | 10/19/2011 | Tad Hylkema |
| Q: Hey my friend is selling me his 09 rocky mountain switch with fox 36 forks and a fox dhx spring rear ... A: Hey Tyson, First of all keep in mind that no bike, no matter what the price, is not a good deal if ... | ||
| Biking | 10/6/2011 | Jerry Goodwin |
| Q: I was hoping you could answer this question for me since I've been looking on the Internet for a ... A: Here is a website that deals specifically with South Carolina, my son lives there in Sumter. i have ... | ||
| Groupset upgrade | 9/30/2011 | George F |
| Q: Probably a frequently asked question however.At the moment I have a Specilaized Allez Sport double ... A: The Allez is a hybrid bike right? If so I would go with Shinamo LX. LX is a great mid-range entry ... | ||
| Rust on bike? | 9/18/2011 | Michael |
| Q: I have a bicycle maintenance question. I realize you aren't in the bicycle repair category, but that ... A: First I wanted to tell you that you have 2 gorgeous bike of Cannnondale (my favorite bikebuilder)! ... | ||
| Biking Components Compatability | 9/5/2011 | George F |
| Q: Just a quick question, couldn't find on internet: will a suntour derailleur work with a shimano ... A: Hey John, Sorry it took a while but my computer at home is not working. As far as I know all ... | ||
| what bike to choose | 8/21/2011 | Tad Hylkema |
| Q: I am riding a mountain bike every other day to work up to 22 miles..because that is what my friend ... A: Jennifer, It is never about the bike it is about the motor. Bikes do not do the work, they can ... | ||
| Research project on bicycle industry | 8/18/2011 | Tad Hylkema |
| Q: I understand there were something like just over 19 million bicycles sold in the USA last year. ... A: I am going to direct you to a couple of friends of mine who might be able to help you out. I don't ... | ||
| getting in shape | 8/6/2011 | Jerry Goodwin |
| Q: My friends go every sunday out on the road and bike about 23 miles. My friends want me to join them ... A: Before you go any further with any exercise program, check with your primary physician to make sure ... | ||
| Mountain Bike Handle Bars | 8/3/2011 | Michael |
| Q: Michael. I was wondering if there are different configurations for mountain bike handlebars. For ... A: On almost every bike you can change your stem and handlebars. Some you can adjust very easily, some ... | ||
| front shock on haro 8-2 mtbk | 7/29/2011 | George F |
| Q: I had my bike broken down in a box so i could ship it and when i got home and put it togehter like i ... A: What kind of shock is it? If I see it i can have a better idea but the 1st thing that comes to ... | ||
| Bicycle for transportation | 7/1/2011 | Tad Hylkema |
| Q: Tad, I've been thinking of buying a bicycle since there's a chance I'll get hired for a job and the ... A: Sean, Living in Hawaii I would have thought there would be one type, a beach cruiser. OK, I know ... | ||
| Firenze "MT505" 18 Speed Cross Terrain Bike | 6/6/2011 | Howard Stone |
| Q: I was just wondering if this would be a good reliable bike to buy? I know nothing about this kind of ... A: I'm not familiar with the Firenze brand, so I googled "Firenze bicycle" and "Firenze MT505". The ... | ||
| doubting the authenticity of my bike | 5/16/2011 | Michael |
| Q: i bought a Schwinn Chicago road bike, it has a custom paint job and parts. the head badge has 0399 ... A: but honestly I don't have the slightest idea about Schwinn. I do know some bikes, but that are a few ... | ||
| Training for 2 day bike ride | 5/11/2011 | Graeme Henderson |
| Q: We are considering doing the 2 day bike ride for MS. Problem is,the ride is in October and we would ... A: Erica, Absolutely. One of the nice things about a multi-day event is that although each day has ... | ||
| road rims\tires on mountain bike | 5/11/2011 | Michael |
| Q: Hey mike! I will be doing a 100 mile bike tour in September (nyccentury.org) been on it ever? I ... A: Hallo Darshan, I've think that it is a really nice bike for cyclists who ride not that many miles ... | ||
| Front tire wobbly | 4/3/2011 | Tad Hylkema |
| Q: I have a 30+ yr old Raleigh 10-speed. Front 27" tire has been wobbly at low speeds for a few yrs. ... A: Pete, I am so sorry it has taken so long to answer you. I was on vacation for a couple of weeks and ... | ||
| 3rd gear | 3/18/2011 | Tad Hylkema |
| Q: I have a fairly cheap mountain bike, a mongoose xr250 and i cannot get it to shift into 3rd gear. I ... A: When you say "3rd gear" I am assuming that you mean the big, or outer, chainring - the "gears" on ... | ||
| bike racks | 3/8/2011 | Tad Hylkema |
| Q: I am looking to purchase a hitch style bike rack for my Mitsubishi Outlander. I have done some ... A: Wow, tough call. I could not agree more on spend a bit now and save in the long run. Given that I ... | ||
| Kids Bike | 3/7/2011 | Tad Hylkema |
| Q: My daughter is a very tall 7 year old and is currently riding a fixed gear 20 inch wheel bike. (at ... A: Bill, I have to agree with you that this sounds like a good fit! The big concern is that she wasn't ... | ||
| rims | 1/26/2011 | Michael |
| Q: but I forgot to put my front tire in my car after a ride and accidentally ran over it. I am now ... A: I don't know if the rim is damaged by the tension and the ran over. The bikeshop can 'straigten' the ... | ||
Bicycling
Answers by Expert:
Tad Hylkema
Top Expert on this page
Expertise
I can help you with bicycle fitting problems (proper fit, numb hands, etc.), Buying help (Which type of bike, brand, so forth), basic repair problems (Flat tires, poor shifting, noises, etc.), technique questions (How to climb better, how to ride in traffic...), and even basic training questions (first race, long tour, or just a weight loss program). Some repairs are better left to the experts, we used to call this category "home repair gone bad." However, many fixes are simple and can be done by most. I will simply tell you if you should try it or take it to a shop. I will even help you ask the right questions when you walk into a shop so you can feel more confident. If I don't know an answer I can find out and get back to you.
Experience
I have worked in bicycle shops or the bicycle industry since 1984. I started racing around that time but rode bicycles and did some touring before that. I have managed large shops in the upper Midwest, been invited to join a professional team as mechanic, which I turned down so I could open my own shop. I have built wheels for two US National Champions. I have also been a consultant to retailers and manager of a bicycle fitting system company here in the US. My greatest joy is helping people get into riding and be more confident about their riding and bicycle.
Publications
Various regional enthusiast publications.
Education/Credentials
Doesn't really apply but I do have a BA in English/History (Both very marketable - that is why I stayed in bicycles!) And had been working on my Master in Education before I thought better of that.
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