Bicycling Basics

What is a 'bicycle'?

A bicycle is a two wheel wonder machine; it frees you. A bicycle is great transportation and great for fitness. Some people have a different type of lifestyle that they like and that they want to do, they want to live. Bicycling frees your mind and body, spiritually, and you're with yourself. It's like yoga, but better. You get to stop and go to your favorite coffee place and have a coffee, watch the waves, go to the woods, hear the birds, get away from cars.

How much do bicycles cost?

Bicycles start off from $200 to $500 - that's the general range for standard use, urban bikes. Beach cruisers? They usually cost around $169 for the good ones, the ones that actually can take a little bit of abuse - not hardcore abuse, just going to the beach, Mountain bikes start off at $200 to $350 - entry level. You've got your typical comfort bikes and urban bikes, that you commute on for $300 to $500, which are the most effective bicycles that we sell here. At Bike Attack, we try to give the customers the most effective bicycle for the money. The majority of the bikes we sell here, we ride them, or I can't sell them, because they'll just give us problems. Then you've got mountain bikes - that's really high end, if someone is really into it, into fitness, and they've tried bicycling already from the entry level to the middle level, now they want to try the high end level because they're so used to it. Mountain bikes last longer; the components are far more expensive, but they last longer. You have down hill bicycles - that's for motocross guys and BMX-ers, who are really into mountain biking. Then, of course, you've got the high end road bikes - the Tour De France, Lance Armstrong style. Those are the high end bikes. They use components from titanium to carbon-fiber - those bicycles are between $3,000 and $10,000. You start going custom - they start off from $3,000 to $5,000. We sell bikes that are really just correct for you. I always ask the customers about the purpose of the bicycle and the initial investment.

How do bicycles work?

The bicycle works by rolling on two wheels, of course. It has a pedal and it has a chain. You get on the bicycle on the seat and you pedal away. You steer with the handlebar. That is a bicycle. It has air on those tires. You can pedal fast or slow, and that's the speed that you'll get.

Where can I ride a bicycle?

Santa Monica beach! Other than that, you can ride bicycles anywhere, so long as there's a floor. You can ride anywhere; the woods, the forest. The best part for me is the forest. The beach, is awesome - that's a safe place. For kids - Mom and Papa have to be there to pay attention. Wear a helmet when you're riding a bicycle.

Why is bicycling good for me?

The majority of most Americans and Californians, especially down here, want to stay in shape and look good. The majority of all our customers are into business, film business, music business - they're stressing out, they need to release. Cycling is just an awesome sport. There's no impact - most other sports require impact. With bicycling, you just pedal, just go, you're free. Your heart rate's going, you lose weight, you live longer and you stay fit. Can't get any better than that, right?

Why is bicycling good for my family and community?

Bicycling brings you and your entire family together in the great outdoors. For the community and for the environment, you don't drive a car. It just saves Mother Earth, you know? Imagine if you don't have to drive a car, everybody is riding a bike! Ah, no more smog! Check out LA, downtown LA. If you go up on the mountain you see the smog. If you were on a bike, just imagine Los Angeles, just for one day. If everybody is on a bicycle, do you know how great the air would be? Most of Los Angeles drives a car for three or four blocks. That's insane! Just take a bicycle! Enjoy yourself and lose weight.

What are some different types of bicycles?

One type of bicycle is the mountain bike, including the cross country mountain bike which very lightweight. You have a downhill mountain bike, which is strictly for downhill mountain biking. You have a freeride bicycle, which has triple chain rings. Then you have a comfort bike, which is based on upright position, so your back is not screaming, and you're in a comfort position -back straight, upright, enjoying the outdoors. Then you have a road specific mountain bike, which is the Tour de France style that Lance Armstrong won on. Of course, those are the hottest bicycles right now, they are what we sell a lot. This is really the bike to have if you want to increase your fitness level. Of course, you have the bikes that are for the kids. These BMX freestyle racing bikes. That was my first introduction to biking. Of course, you have the beach cruiser. These are the bicycles to use if you live at the beach. If you don't have a bike at the beach, something's wrong. Of course you have the other special bikes - the recumbents, and the tandem bicycles, where the mom and pop can ride together with the kids, which is fabulous.