Blade Runners
Continued from Page 62
of in-line skates. The most highly rated
model: Rollerblade Lightning TRS at
$240 a pair. The "Best Buys": Bauer In-
line Streets Sr. XS/5RC ($165) and Ultra-
Wheels Classic ($139).
Once outfitted in skates, helmet,
guards and pads (you hip thing), check
a few pointers with a voice of ex-
perience. Better yet, take along an ex-
perienced skater your first time out.
Remember, for instance, that in-line
skates don't brake the same way old-
fashioned roller skates do.
For further information check out
Neil Feineman's Wheel Excitement, The
Official Rollerblade Guide to In-line Skating
(William Morrow), or call Rollerblade,
Inc.'s consumer hotline, 1-800-232-
ROLL.
The Wheel Thing
Continued from Page 57
While hybrid bikes are fine for the oc-
casional ride in the dirt, people who are
serious about exploring off-road should
consider a mountain bike. It's the only
style sturdy enough for long rides on
dirt roads and trails — say, a long ride on
the trails at Pontiac Lake, a hot desti-
nation for area mountain bikers.
"For serious off-road riding, moun-
tain bikes offer good control, a stable
ride and mechanical longevity," Mr. Fish-
er says. "They also come with bearings
and components that are sealed against
water and dirt."
Here's a sampling of mountain bikes
recommended by local retailers:
Schwinn High Plains ($350), Trek 820
($400), Specialized Rockhopper ($500),
and Specialized M2 ($1,400).
But what if your idea of cycling re-
volves around the image of lycra-clad
racers sprinting to the finish line? While
the popularity of racing bikes has
dropped significantly over the last five
years, they'll always be around. Afi-
cionados agree when it comes to riding
fast on paved roads, nothing else even
comes close.
Yet retailers say someone buying
his first bike isn't likely to purchase a
racing bike.
"A racing or road bike appeals to very
few recreational cyclists anymore," de-
clares Mr. Riege. "People got tired of
the drop handlebars and the bent-over
position you're forced to ride on a rac-
ing bike."
Mr. Freund agrees. "Racing bikes are
a very small percentage of the bikes we
sell," he says. "It's for the guy who's really
involved in cycling. Ten years ago, most
of the racing bikes I sold to recreation-
al riders ended up hanging in the garage
all the time. But now I look outside my
shop and see people riding mountain-
style bikes all the time. It's a bike that
gets used."
As a result, most shops aren't stock-
ing a wide array of racing bikes — and
prices for entry-level bikes tend to be
higher than hybrid bikes. But, retailers
say, there are good values, if you're will-
ing to pay the price: Specialized Allez
($550), Bridgestone RB-2 ($550), Trek
1000 ($575), Bridgestone RB-1 ($950),
and Klein Attitude ($2,500).
There you have it: A basic primer on
what's new in bicycling. But hang on for
some final advice from the experts.
Make sure your new bike fits. That
means making sure the bike's frame is
right for you, a task best left to your lo-
cal bike shop's sales staff. Like suits,
bikes come in different sizes.
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