Hoverboards are the must have item  of 2015-2016, but there is some cause for concern over the self-balancing devices. In addition to the traditional safety hazards of operating a motorized vehicle, new reports indicate hoverboards could be a fire hazard if improperly handled. After the devices were banned by New York City, Overstock.com became the first retailer to halt the sale of hoverboards.

The CPSC also recorded 29 ER-related injuries: 13 fractures, 6 sprains, 4 contusions, 2 lacerations, 1 head injury and 3 arm injuries. 7 On Your Side was the first in the country to report on the CPSC's findings in November. At that time, only eight ER-related injuries had been recorded.

Now before we get ahead of ourselves let's just remember a few years back:

Razor Scooter Sales Skyrocket, Injuries Soar. There have been thousands of emergency room-treated injuries related to razor scooters. These injuries have increased 700 percent since May,2000. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) reported more than 4,000 scooter-related injuries treated in hospital emergency rooms in August 2000 alone. There have been more than 9,400 emergency room-treated injuries reported for 2000 so far. Nearly 90 percent of the injuries are to children under 15 years of age.

Hoverboard injuries are grabbing all the headlines right now, But I think an even bigger more silent issue will raise its ugly head.  All of these hoverboards are going to break, and I mean "all" of them. They are mechanical, electric, bearing, motor machines and they will all stop working at some point. I've searched the internet and only a couple web sites offer repair parts, and repair video's. The parts listed as available are expensive ($120) for a wheel assembly.

Let's face it these hoverboards are really not designed to be fixed, they're designed to be replaced. So your spending $200 - $500 for something you can't really fix!

I suppose I really shouldn't be too surprised in today's disposable society. Most parents are probably hoping their kids become bored with them before they break, and they just end up becoming more closet clutter.

This attitude is hard on a guy who's spent the last 40 years providing quality bicycles to kids and adults that can last a lifetime if you want. They can be fixed and maintained and ridden for thousands of miles.

Don't know yet if hoverboards will show up in the bike shops looking for repair help. We used to see a few of the electric scooters, not so much anymore (that fad has been replaced I guess)

Thanks,   Jeff

With so many different types of bikes to choose from it can be hard to determine which bicycle would be best suited for you, but if you know a few basics about each type of bike it will be easier to zero in on the bicycle that will fit your lifestyle when you go to purchasing your next bicycle.

Cruiser Bicycles: These retro looking bikes have wide balloon tires, wide saddles, and keep you in an upright seated position. These bikes have a much simpler mechanical design with some versions having just a single-speed drivetrain (a single gear) and they are incredibly durable which makes them very easy to maintain.

Lifestyle of Cruiser Cyclist: A cruiser is a great choice for the casual and stylish cyclist who is looking for a stable bike. This cyclist is not concerned about how fast they get from point A to B, and will primarily be biking on flat terrain.

Mountain Bicycles: These durable bikes typically have wide knobby tires, a stout frame, shock-absorbers, and straight handlebars with a raised seat that keeps you in a more upright seated position then a road bike.  With stable wheels these bikes can handle the dirt, potholes, and gravel of off-road biking. As a caution, although sturdy features make this type of bicycle excellent for rough terrain the same features can also make a ride on the road heavy and slow.

Lifestyle of a Mountain Cyclist: A mountain bike is an ideal bike for cyclists who are looking to ride their bicycle off-road and on rough terrain.

Road Bicycles: These bikes have skinny tires, light frames, and a “hunched” riding position that allows a cyclist to go fast on pavement. Proper fit for road bikes is essential because a poor fit can make the ride uncomfortable while also reducing peddling efficiency. The road bike has two types of handlebars for the road cyclist various needs. Drop-bar handlebars are for the cyclist who wants to go faster. They are lightweight and create a more aerodynamic riding position, while also allowing you to better transfer your energy to moving the bike. However they may also put more strain on your back. The flat-bar handlebars allow you to sit up in a more upright position to reduce strain on your back, wrist and shoulders, but they are less efficient in speed than the drop-bar road bike is.

Lifestyle of a Road Cyclist: A road bike is ideal for cyclist who is looking to ride their bikes fast, on pavement, for lengthy distances, and long periods of time.

Hybrid Bicycles: The Hybrid is an excellent in-between bike that optimizes on comfort and fitness. This bike combines features of both the road and mountain bike styles to create a perfect compromise. From the road bike the Hybrid receives skinnier tires and a lightness which allows it to go faster than the mountain bike. The mountain bike however, offers a seat and handlebar position that keeps you riding in an upright position and with a better comfort and stouter frame for better durability.

Lifestyle of the Hybrid Cyclist: The Hybrid is an ideal bike for the cyclist who wants a general-purpose bike that can handle multiple terrains and riding conditions.  Since this bicycle is not only durable and comfortable, but is also faster than an Urban or bike Path bike it is ideally suited for beginning cyclist or commuters who want a comfortable, fitness level and faster ride.

Urban Bicycles: These bikes are durable with strong frames to handle any possible hazards of the city road. Oftentimes this type of bike comes with fenders to keep the rider free from mud and water kicked back up at the rider. The handlebars on this bike allow you to sit upright for a comfortable ride.

Lifestyle of the Urban Cyclist: Urban bikes are ideal for the practical city dweller who wants to use their bike to get around quick while running errands or commuting to work.

Bike Path Bicycles: These bikes keep riding simple and smooth. Features such as wide plush saddles, upright seating, plush suspension, and tires similar to those found on mountain bikes (but smoother) make riding a Bike Path bike extremely comfortable although less efficient then a Hybrid.

Lifestyle of the Bike Path Cyclist: The Bike Path bike is ideal for a casual cyclist who desires comfort and leisurely rides.

Final Tip:
It is also important to remember that even after you know what type of bike is best suited for you to also make sure it fits you properly. Make sure to get on the bicycle and actually ride it a bit. While testing the bike you should check the extension of your legs. When the pedal is at its lowest point your leg should be almost completely extended with just a slight bend in the knee. Your feet should also not be able to touch the ground while you are seated on the saddle. Most importantly, make sure that you are comfortable with how you are seated and how the ride feels; after all biking should be an enjoyable and relaxing experience.

Let’s Ride!!

 This is a question we get at the shop all the time, and the answer is pretty basic. Quality!!
It boils down to the fact that there are no bike manufactures in the world, they are all bike "assemblers." No bike company has the ability to make the entire bike, they would have to own a frame factory, a tire factory, a gear factory, a pedal factory, a seat factory, etc. etc. etc.. No one bike company can own all the different factories it would take to make all the parts of a bike. Instead they are bike assemblers, they buy different parts from the different factories to assemble their bikes. Now each one of these parts factories has a whole catalog worth of parts, from the very cheapest to the most expensive. A tire factory will make 100's of different tires from 10 cents to 100 dollars. In all sorts of sizes, colors, and quality's. And this also goes for seat companies, pedal companies, etc. etc.
​
Now the average bike has over 350 separate pieces and if you go to Super Mart and buy a $99 bike, basically nothing on that bike can cost more than 28 cents. How long do 28 cent parts last?

The above picture is a pretty good example.  The "single wall " rim on the left is typical of big box style bikes. And the "double wall" rim on the right is bike shop quality. Both of these rims are made by the same rim company. Twice the metal and much stronger. Another example would be frame material, steel frames at big box and aluminum at bike shops. Making bike shop bikes lighter. And it goes on and on with every single part. Big box bikes do look just like bike shop bikes, but the quality of the parts is no where near equal. So the better the bike you buy, the better it will ride and the longer it will last.

Another comment we get is, Why should I buy a good bike when they're just going to out grow it? Our answer is simple, If you buy a good bike and trade it in and buy a good bike and trade it in, by the time they go off to college, you'll have spent less money than buying and throwing away, buying and throwing away.

Please stop by  and see all the reason you should buy a "bike shop" bike.
​
Thanks,
Jeff

In 1976 I got a job at the Village Pedaler in Crystal Lake. The shop was under new ownership and in the process of being renovated. It was my first summer back from college. I worked for Mr. Wallace summers and breaks till 1979 when he decided he wanted to move to AZ. With the help of my parents (I was a college senior) I purchased the Crystal Lake store.

My mom actually ran the shop for the first 5 months until I graduated. In 1981 I purchased the St, Charles location. Eventually we had stores in W. Dundee and Hanover Park. In 1984 we closed the W. Dundee location when we bought Chuck's Cycle shop in South Elgin.
We ran 4 locations until the early 90's when we sold off the St. Charles and Hanover Park locations. Finally sold the Crystal lake location to Karrie (employee/mgr) in 2010.
So, now I'm back down to one location, and I actually have time to ride my bike!!
​
Jeff