Tex T

When installing some new Continentals I noted a specific warning in the instructions: "Caution. Inner tubes age as well, so a new tube must be fitted each time the tire is replaced." Is this standard practice with new tires? Is there a risk using the old tubes?

for Trek's very shabby treatment of America's only Tour de France winner?

Riding your bicycle on the sidewalk is a dangerous activity. Even though pedestrians always have the right of way on a sidewalk with respect to bicycles, most people I encounter riding on the sidewalk are rude and inconsiderate as they weave in and out of the foot traffic.

Why not make a New Year's resolutions and learn to ride your bike properly where it belongs: in the road?

Riding your bike to work is probably easier than you think it is. If you aren't commuting to work with your bicycle now, what is keeping from doing it next year? If you commute by bike now what benefits do you think you get from doing it?

If you can buy it for only about $40~50, I would try it. I spent about that much on QR skewers this summer.

http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Making-a-difference...

I've noticed that many questions on the Y!A cycling are focused on multi-gear bikes and confusion over their gears. The question is for both beginners and experienced cyclists.

If you are a beginner are you confused by your gears? Did anyone show you how to use them or did the guy at the bike store just ring up the sale and send you out the door.

If you are a serious cyclist how much thought have put into the following for your gearing (1) highest gear (2) lowest gear (3) your "base" gears; the spacing between them (4) your climbing gears. (5) do you put a bail-out granny gear on ( a low gear just for emergencies?), or instead do you just ride the gear set up that Trek or Specialized choose for you and try to make it work for you?

Oh yeah... 10points best answer!

Did you buy anything for your bike or yourself just to feed your cycling obsession this holiday season?

I'm looking for a new laptop with a new i7 processor. Should I get a slower 2.0Ghz processor and 256Gb SSD or a faster 2.3Ghz i7 and 500Gb HDD (5400rpm). Assume the cost is similar. What would you choose and why?

Would also like to know if you have any experience with SSDs. Thanks