Bike Care:

Bringing your bike in for maintenance is great, but here are a few tips that will keep your ride in tip-top shape while in service.

• This should go without saying, if you get it wet, dry it off. Frame, fork, wheels, chain, and all. Many kinds of normal wear issues can be prevented just by simple weekly bike cleanings. Finish Line Super Bike Wash is what the shop uses for tune-up cleanings and is available for purchase at the shop. Hose and water are not recommended for the bearings.
• Oil is not just oil. There are many varieties of chain lube including wax, teflon, silicone, ceramic, and many more. Any oil that is not bicycle-designed is not recommended for maximum chain life. White Lighting Clean Ride and Rock 'n' Roll Gold are some shop favorites. 
• Do not overlap. Only lube your chain on a schedule (monthly, or bi-weekly for more frequent riders) or as needed if you notice a squeaky chain. Always wipe the excess lube off of the chain by rotating the cranks backward and holding a rag around the chain. All the lube needed gets absorbed into the rollers, everything on the outside of the chain is just going to collect dirt and grime and shorten your chain life.
• Check tire pressure before every ride to prevent pinch flats, especially you road bikers. 
• Laying your bike down is okay if you have to, at Seagull Century thousands of carbon bikes are strewn about the ground. Just remember the chain side always faces up, and set it down gently.

Where To Start:

With all the tech craze these days and many varieties of bikes, looking to get into the sport can be a bit daunting. Have no fear! Here are some tips to get you started on your search

• Hybrids-These bikes utilize a 700c wheel, the standard for road bikes. However, they are offered with or without front suspension making them perfect for commuting, neighborhood rides with the kids, or even a leisurely Sunday ride. Comfortable geometry and wider 700c tires make hybrids a popular pick.
• Fitness Hybrids-Lose the suspension and add a couple of gears to the back and you have a competent flat bar road bike ready to tackle urban commutes, long rides, and much more.
• Mountain Bikes-26-inch wheels? 650B wheels? 29ers? What's right for me? The answer is yes. 26-inch wheels are still being used on entry-level mountain bikes good for trail riding, college, or really anyone who knows they like to get a little dirty. However, step up in size to a 650B or 29er and enjoy the benefits of a faster rolling wheel that holds more momentum. These wheels have an easier time rolling over objects and inspire confidence in veterans and newbies. They are not however as playful as a 26-inch wheel that might suit someone who is looking for a more playful ride at a lower price. You can be sure with all the bikes on the market, your dirt scientists here at Salisbury Cycle know what you need.
• Road/Triathalon Bikes-Aluminum? Carbon? Aero? Weight? Endurance? Again I say yes to women and men. Each of these materials and bike styles provides different amounts of compliance and comfort. Aluminum is going to give you that rigid powerful ride and carbon, which composes most of the upper-end market are the two main materials used. Come see us and tell us what you want out of your ride!
• Cruisers- pretty simple here, Single, three, or seven-speed options, fenders to match, Electra Flat Foot technology, and caliper brakes or coaster brakes. Perfect for cruising the boardwalk or going for a ride around the town.
• Comfort Bikes-Similar to mountain bikes with more relaxed geometry, 26-inch wheels with wider tires inspire confidence. These bikes are made for one thing, to make you feel good while riding them. Very capable of being paired with a rack for someone who wants a commuter with a smaller wheel to more easily get that loaded bike up to speed.
• Urban/Utility Bikes include everything from single speeds and fixies to transport bikes with frames that go above and beyond to carry large amounts of weight. We specialize mostly in the single-speed category, however, we can get utility bikes in stock, we just do not have as great of a need for them as we lack common bike messengers in Salisbury.
• Kids Bikes-We offer a full range of 12-inch, 16-inch, 20-inch, and 24-inch bikes to suit all your growing boy or girl's needs.
• Specialty Bikes are bikes that we have in the store but do not necessarily keep a large stock of. These include cruiser-style fat bikes, recumbents, folding bikes, and full-suspension mountain bikes.

Clothing Guide:

When the leaves begin to fall many cyclists are left with a choice, do I bundle up and try and hit that 20-mile loop, or throw the rear wheel on the trainer, throw some earbuds in, and pretend you're carving that descent? For those of you who do not like to remain static, this read-up from Bicycling magazine with a few Eastern Shore tips:

• 65+ degrees: Short sleeved jersey; shorts; short finger gloves; ankle socks
• 60-65 degrees: Add arm warmers; full finger gloves
• 55-60 degrees: Add knee warmers or knickers; thicker socks (a layer you can shed)
• 50-55 degrees: Go for the full leg warmers; add a vest outer layer
• 45-50 degrees: Opt for thicker gloves; long a sleeved jersey; add toe covers; sock layer and ear warmers perhaps
• From here and below bring rain gear; forty degrees and drizzle will freeze you faster than twenty degrees with snow. 
• 40-45 degrees: Swap in compression tights; matching base layer; thin hat
• 35-40 degrees: Swap in shoe covers or winter shoes; thick hat and/or balaclava
• 30-35 degrees: Heavier tights; lobster gloves or mittens
• 25-30 degrees: Add a second long-sleeved jersey; mid-layer sock
• 25 and below: Add baselayer shorts/knee warmers under tights

Be Creative! A general rule to follow is a compression base layer, a cotton or fleece mid-layer with a windproof outer layer. A combination of this guide and your own personal trial and error can ensure the most comfortable ride no matter what the season.

Why Buy Local?

At Salisbury Cycle and Fitness, we have been committed to providing the Eastern Shore with the best possible products at the most affordable prices since 1976. Looking for a sweet new ride? We have them here! Need that old ten-speed dusted off and put back in riding shape? Yes, we do that! Have you noticed that your bike just is not as crisp as the day you brought it home, or maybe you just need that rear wheel straightened up before your weekend ride? Salisbury Cycle is here to provide all your service needs, with experience in everything from road bikes to trikes we can get you rolling again with a smile and a familiar face each time.

We are not just mechanics, we love cycling. We enjoy spreading the joy of cycling to new riders and building long-lasting relationships with more experienced riders. Some of the benefits of buying from your local bike shop include:

• Easy warranty service. Our dealers stand behind their product and if there is an issue, you simply bring us the bike and we take care of the rest. Unlike online purchases which can often be a hassle and also incur serious shipping charges if they request to see the bike at their service center!
• You know you are getting quality. When you walk through the doors anything you walk out with is exponentially better than a department store bike. The quality of metal in the frame, fork, and wheels along with the significant components upgrades make the more expensive bike worth the investment. Those low-end components are much more pesky and do not hold tune as well as quality bike shop bicycles.
• We are here to help! We want you to be educated feel comfortable with your bike and make sure you are on the proper size. We also offer a complementary fit session with road bike sales as there are more angles to fit and be comfortable.
• We offer 3 free tune-ups over the course of 3 years with the purchase of a new bike. This really helps get the bike dialed in after the initial break-in period without stressing out your wallet.
• We offer all our bikes at the lowest retail prices allowed.

Knowledge is Power!

We have a lot of customers asking us about where they can stay up to date on the latest knowledge or learn how to properly care for their new bike. Fear not, we have the solution! Aside from asking your favorite bicycle technicians here at Salisbury Cycle, we have a great resource that even we use for information. 

Sheldon Brown's Bicycle Technical Info

Bicycling.com