A Whole New Spin
Hattie Kauffman, CBS This Morning senior correspondent, reports on new bicycle gear on Thursday, May 28. Watch CBS This Morning weekdays from 7AM ET to 9AM ET (check local listings).size>
As the onset of summer indicates a change in the weather, it also heralds a change in the climate of the biking world -- specifically in biking hardware.
Bikes are no longer a strain on the back, hard to shift, and uncomfortable to sit on. Bike designers today stress comfort and ease. To make riding more fun and less of a pain, a number of options are available, from comfort seats to recumbent bikes to easy-to-use hydration packs.
Giving us a tour of the new world of cycling is Kerry Roberts, a bicycle retailer and member of the Bicycle Council.
Comfort Bikes: This is a growing category because people want to ride and be comfortable. It is for people who ride on bike paths and in neighborhoods, not for riders who want to go off-road. They are single-speed plush bikes that you just hop on for a trip to your local coffee shop. They are priced at US$300 and up. The gears are easier to use, the handlebars are positioned to be less of a strain on the back, and the seat has extra padding.
Saddle For Women: If your bike seat is not comfortable enough, get fitted for another. We are all anatomically different and there is no one-size-fits-all anymore. Your local bike shop has many options to choose from, priced at roughly US$35 to US$45.
Thudbuster: This shock absorber is designed to make your ride smoother and your saddle more comfortable. It can be fitted to new bikes or old and starts at US$169 (though some suspension seat posts are available for around US$66).
Tandem Trailer: For children who are big enough for training wheels but not yet ready to have bikes of their own, this device allows you to ride with the young 'uns in tow, teaching them safe cycling as you go. Priced at around US$200.
Schwinn Orange Crate: Even in the bike world, retro is in. Here, you get a second chance to enjoy the bike you may have had as a kid. Schwinn is reintroducing the Orange Crate, which originally hit the market in 1968 as a five-speed. Considered the first off-road bike, it offered full suspension, "ape hanger" handlebars, and a banana seat. To be available in July in very limited numbers, the bike will retail for US$350 to US$500.
Schwinn S-Carbon: A new concept in an advanced bike, this is a lightweight and durable bike that offers speed and control. Super styled with full suspension, it retails for roughly US$1,600 to US$1,700.
Recumbents: Designed for people with back problems, they allow the rider to sit in a reclined position. While the bike starts at US$375, thy are generally high-end and usually go for around US$2,000.
Helmets: Designed these days by computer, the bicycle helmet allows for maximal circulation and allows the rider to keep a cool head. Originally geared mostly for children -- most states have laws requiring children to wear them -- they have met with acceptance so high that even adults now wear them. A good helmet starts at around US$30.
Hydration Packs: Gulping water on the road can now be a hands-free endeavor. A gulp valve allows you to keep your hands on the handlebars, where they should be. They start at US$35.
New York Chain: Playing off New York's still criminal reputation, this heavy-duty chain (it weighs almost 12 pounds) is pick and drill resistant. A thief who wants your bike will need the time and willpower to work for it. Cost: US$150.