Riding a bike can be great exercise and a fun activity to do with friends and family. Customizing the look of your old bike and improving its performance can be a fun and profitable way to make your rides more interesting. There are many great ways to make changes to your bike, whether you want to conquer new terrain, start a new exercise, or just add some color to your life.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Change the appearance of your bike
Step 1. Put colored tape on the handlebars
Taping the handlebars is a great way to make it stand out while also improving grip.
Just buy colored tape from any bike accessories store and wrap it flush with the handlebar until the entire surface is covered. A single layer of tape will suffice
Step 2. Replace the steering cap
Every bicycle has a cap that goes over the head tube, at the point where it meets the handlebar. The steering cap simply covers the bolt and is generally a light color. You can change the cap you have now for one of a custom design or color and thus give life to an ordinary part of the bike.
The steering cap comes in different sizes. The best way to find out what size cap you have is to consult the manual that came with your bike or ask a local store clerk. Installation is simple. The cap should screw on and off easily
Step 3. Add a unique style saddlebag
Bags are great for adding extra space to your bike so you can store things like your phone, a bottle of water, or whatever else you need. Instead of getting a regular saddlebag, you can buy one in a good design or color to personalize your bike.
There are many different bag options that you can choose from based on your preference. There are the luggage bags that go behind the seat, the handlebar bags that go in the front or some that are placed inside the bicycle frame
Step 4. Buy stickers
This is a great and easy way to decorate your bike frame, without spending time or money to paint it. You can get one with your name, the name of a brand that you like, or other more fun ones that represent your interests and hobbies, such as your favorite breed of dog.
Step 5. Change the seat
There are many different types of bike seats that are more comfortable and look great. Changing the material and padding of the seat is an easy way to personalize your bike.
- Gel filling. It molds to your body and offers great comfort to an occasional cyclist.
- Foam filled. This is excellent for long rides and for those who weigh more than 90 kg (200 pounds). It's great for long rides because it provides more lower back support without compromising comfort.
- Leather seats. These seats are becoming more and more popular. Although they take some time to set in, they help keep you cool on long rides and are the best when it comes to durability. This is a great option for someone who drives a lot.
Step 6. Put a new coat of paint on it
This can be time consuming and requires a bit more work, but your bike can still be as good as new.
Make sure you clean your bike well, removing rust and blemishes caused by wear and tear. Then you can buy a special bike primer and paints that turn a dirty old painting into a shiny work of art
Step 7. Add accessories
Maybe you want to change the look of your bike without changing the frame or the entire structure. You can buy a lot of cool accessories, attach them to your bike, and just remove them when you get bored.
- Bells and horns. They're great when it comes to safety, so you can alert people when you're passing near them, but they can also serve to give the front of the bike a unique look.
- Bottles and baskets. Riding a bike is strenuous exercise, and it is important to stay hydrated. You can add bottles and bottle holders (baskets) to your bike that look great, and at the same time stay healthy.
- Lights. If you like to drive at night, it is important that you can be seen well in the dark. You can get solar or battery-powered lights that come in different colors to make sure you not only get noticed in the dark but also show off to your friends.
Step 8. Change the handlebars
You will want to make sure that the new handlebars don't change the performance of the bike too much, although they can look great.
- Flat handlebars. This is the most common type of handlebar. They are simple, light and offer great control, but they are not the best option for those who like to do tricks or go at high speed.
- Double height handlebars. These are basically flat handlebars that bend slightly up in the middle and are generally wider than flat handlebars. They give you great control and do not cause discomfort on the wrists, although they can make the bike less aerodynamic and therefore slower.
- Bullhorn type handlebars. They are not the best for turning, but they are very good for speeding and climbing. They are bent forward and up from the center.
- Curved handlebars. They have a straight section in the center, with ends that curve downward and end pointing towards the back. This type of handlebar is very good but it is not recommended for making sharp turns continuously.
Method 2 of 3: Build a Road Bike
Step 1. Choose the box
You can change the frame for another - either for a used one that they sell online or a new one from the bike store - that is a little more favorable for high speeds, for example, a carbon or aluminum frame that provides durability and is made of light weight.
- You might want a lightweight frame, but most of the time the size is based on your size and weight.
- The total weight of the bicycle must not exceed 10 kg (22 pounds) and the frame can be very heavy. It's best to check with someone at your local bike shop if you have any questions regarding your weight and the durability of a frame.
Step 2. Buy a lightweight hairpin
The rims are attached to the frame by the fork. Buy one made of carbon to ensure the light weight a road bike needs.
Step 3. Choose road bike tires
These tires are quite narrow and are not made to withstand the potholes and uneven terrain like mountain bike tires. Better to use touring bike tires or racing tires.
- There should be a number on the rims that indicates the size. 700 width rims are recommended, which must have the 700x23 size indicated. The first number indicates the diameter in millimeters and the second number indicates the width of the rim in millimeters.
- Most road bikes use inflatable tubes. These can be replaced if your bike requires it in the future.
Method 3 of 3: Driving Off-Road
Step 1. Get a solid picture
You want to get a light but high suspension frame that can help cushion the impact of potholes and rocks. You should choose a frame that is about 18 or 19 inches (45 cm) and weighs about 7 pounds (3.5 to 4 kg). Shock absorbers can be a tricky business. They are of different resistance to be able to withstand different types of pressure and can work with air or spring.
Step 2. Get a comfortable seat
If you plan to drive over bumpy terrain, make sure your seat is well padded and has adequate support. Carbon fiber is a popular material and is not rigid like plastic-covered seats.
A wide, well-molded seat is great for mountain bikes because it provides a good base
Step 3. Make sure the tires are strong
If you plan to drive on rough terrain, you have to make sure the tires are wide and the tread provides good grip. In addition, the tires must be thicker than those of a road bike so that they do not get punctured.
You can easily find reinforced tires that provide extra off-road support. It is recommended that the tire be 29, 27, 5 or 26 inches. The size must be indicated on the rims. The width of the rim for a mountain bike ranges from 4.5 to 5.5 cm (1.8 to 2.2 inches)
Advice
- Transfer stations and junkyards are good places to get old bikes.
- Make sure to keep all the small pieces in one place.
- An oxyacetylene torch can be useful if you need to cut some parts of the bike.
- safety first. It's great that you want to have a nice bike, but always make sure it's safe and reliable before riding it.
- Make sure the parts fit together. They will not help you if they have different adjustment systems.
- With the spare parts, you can build other bikes.
- Give it a "retro" touch and put tennis balls between the rays. This used to be done by guys who wanted to be stylish, but be aware that this could damage the rims.
Warnings
- When using spray paint, be careful not to inhale it.
- If you are going to ride at night, your bike should have reflectors and lights.
- Customizing your bike will void any factory warranty.
- Be careful that the bike does not fall apart when you use it. You could get hurt.