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Bicycling/Questions Answered by Expert Tad Hylkema
| Subject | Date Asked |
| Barletta | 5/23/2012 |
| 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 |
| 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, ... | |
| removing brifters | 4/1/2012 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 ... | |
| more campy and cassettes | 2/24/2012 |
| 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 |
| 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 ... | |
| compatability with cassettes | 2/20/2012 |
| 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 ... | |
| moisturizing my 'chamois' in my shorts | 2/6/2012 |
| 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 ... | |
| Mountain biking | 10/19/2011 |
| 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 ... | |
| what bike to choose | 8/21/2011 |
| 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 |
| 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 ... | |
| Bicycle for transportation | 7/1/2011 |
| 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 ... | |
| Front tire wobbly | 4/3/2011 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 ... | |
| bike tyre prevention | 11/26/2010 |
| Q: Tad Hylkema I will be participating in my first long bicycle ride, which will last for roughly 8 ... A: Jay, I take it you are in the UK some place? Not that it matters but your spelling of tyre might ... | |
| Fluctuating odometer | 9/14/2010 |
| Q: When I go riding, I follow the same path every time. Based on my first ride this spring, the ... A: Well as you know the Earth is expanding and what you noticed was the expansion of the Earth's ... | |
| Buying Bikes | 9/6/2010 |
| Q: I am looking into buying a bike and I have a couple of questions. 1) Do you want to have a 3 speeds ... A: Molly, Sorry it has taken so long I have been concentrating on a couple of events and not spending ... | |
| Buying Bikes | 9/4/2010 |
| Q: I am looking into buying a bike and I have a couple of questions. 1) Do you want to have a 3 speeds ... A: I guess turn about is fair play so... what type of riding do you want to do? Where you live are ... | |
| buying a bicycle | 7/22/2010 |
| Q: I'm 59 years young and would like to start riding a bike again. I rode when I was younger, just for ... A: Michelle, First of all thank you for the question! When you say a "recumbent" bike I take it you ... | |
| How to install a derailleur | 6/23/2010 |
| Q: I recently pulled a mt. bike out of the garbage. Judging by the markings on it, it looks like it ... A: Good for you for saving a bike that is stiff functional! Actually, I should modify that statement ... | |
| Buying Tips | 6/22/2010 |
| Q: I was hoping you could give me some helpful hints on purchasing a bicycle. I am 56 years old, weigh ... A: Dennis, good for you for returning to riding! Let me see if I can give you some quick hints and ... | |
| bicycle maintenance | 6/7/2010 |
| Q: after many years of use, my bicycle recently died when the pedal fell off. The man at the repair ... A: Allison, Sorry for the delay in responding, I wish I could say I was spending too much time on my ... | |
| What Type of Bike Should I get?? | 5/29/2010 |
| Q: I am a female who is very overweight. I am 5'6" and weigh about 250 - give or take 5# on any given ... A: Donna, First of all I have put much larger people than you on bikes! And people who thought that a ... | |
| New to bicycling.. help! | 5/24/2010 |
| Q: I first of all want to thank you for your help :-) I have quite a few questions about biking and I'm ... A: Brianna, Congratulations and welcome to cycling! I am going to try to answer your questions, but, ... | |
| Question about buying a bike | 5/18/2010 |
| Q: My name is Chris and I'm a 6'4 male looking for the right size moutain bike or road bike. I do not ... A: Chris, You have hit the million dollarwhat size bike do I need? Let me start by saying that this ... | |
| gears won't switch | 5/11/2010 |
| Q: In my mtn. bike, the front gear the big 3 front gear won't witch to either of the other 2, and it ... A: Gabe, I wish all bike questions were this easy! It sounds like you have a couple of things that ... | |
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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