New Bike Pump and Seat Bag

I have been putting off buying a bicycle pump this whole time, thinking that bike tires were like car tires and that they only needed to be checked once in a while. WRONG. I bought one today after looking in two shops (actually I've been checking every where I go) and pumped up the tubes right when I got home. I test rode the bike up the local hill and around the block and the result was a more firm and nimble ride. The front was a little wobbly at around 25 mph which I think is because of the new reflectors, but we'll look into that another time.

Circuit
Distance: 1.9 mi
Elevation Gain: 78 ft
Moving Time: 0:09:57
Max Speed: 25.7 mi/hr
Avg Speed: 11.6 mi/hr
Calories: 71

I went to The Bike Shop earlier today with Michelle to check out their selection of bicycle stuff. It's nice to see that there are so many shops in Honolulu within a small vicinity because they usually all carry different things. The Bike Shop is located on King Street, right before crossing Piikoi and their parking lot is behind the shop through a short alley. They carry mostly Specialized bikes and their stock was a little more on the expensive side. Everyone inside was very nice though and they seemed very knowledgeable. We browsed around for a little bit and then headed to my favorite LBS.

We already knew though that it would be McCully Bicycle & Sporting Goods saving they day. I went in there looking for the cheapest pump they had. They carried a $19.99 pump, but it didn't get too many favorable reviews online, so I went up one price bracket. I ended up getting the Blackburn Air Tower 1 Floor Bicycle Pump for $29.98+tax. It has a Presta/Schrader AnyValve head which I needed because my rear tube is Schrader and my front tube is Presta. Don't ask lol. The Air Tower series from Blackburn also did not have too many accuracy complaints which is the most important factor in buying a pump! It seems well built and Blackburn offers it with a LIFETIME WARRANTY! The shop even told me to just bring it in with the receipt if I had a problem and they would take care of it. I have also read many accounts online about people just calling the company up and also getting thing taken care of that way.

 

I checked and pumped my tires right away when I got home.

 

 

I have been riding around with less than half the recommended tire pressures! The first reading was of the front tire and the second one was of the rear and from the looks of it, I would have been the perfect candidate for a pinch flat. Pinch flats are flats resulting from an under inflated tire becoming pinched up against the rim when running over things. I am so lucky that it hasn't happened to me yet!

 

I also bought a seat bag/pack from McCully, so I wouldn't have to carry anything in my pockets anymore while riding. I've been carrying my cell phone, keys, money, etc. in my shorts with zipper pockets and it felt really bulky. I got the Jandd Hurricane Mini Mountain Wedge which was the only WATERPROOF pack they carried. Everything else was just water resistant.

 

 

Now all I need are fenders!