Yes, even if it is not legally compulsory. Bicycle accidents are serious when the head is touched. The zero risk does not exist, but the best protection rests at first the respect of traffic rules, drive carefully and always remain watchful. Without excess, we avoid a maximum of troubles.

Some simple gestures are enough for preventing most of the thefts: attach one's cycle with a good quality anti-theft device on a stiff support and in a space reserved for cycles.

Our solutions of marking with BikeTraking and insurances against theft as BikeAssur exists. The engraving or the marking allows to restore to their owners the cycles which are stolen and found. Only 2 % of cycles found are restored to their owners today. Our solutions of insurance allow to replace your cycle in case of theft.

Some advice to avoid theft

• Always attach the cycle for a momentary stop of some minutes. The fastest solutions are the anti-theft device which surrounds the back wheel or the anti-theft device of handlebars which turns out very practical. Do not forget that even in a closed place (court yard, garage, cellar), the thefts can be also frequent as on the public highway or in public places,
• Attach the cycle to a stiff support. The mooring must be fixed, safe and solid: it must not be able to take with the cycle
• Attach first and foremost the frame of the cycle to the fixed point by taking if possible the front wheel instead of the back wheel. The frame being the major component, you have to protect it first and foremost. The back wheel remains more difficult to unsettle that the front wheel. Solutions allow to protect wheels and saddle: link to lock'n roll or oredon,,
• Use an anti-theft device U high security which will discourage certain thieves, even most confirmed,
• Avoid the anti-theft device to lye on the ground or on a hard surface because it will then be easier to destroy the lock with a mass,
• Use a second anti-theft device different from the first because it will require twice more efforts for a thief or will make the less attractive the cycle. Using different anti-theft devices complicates the task of the thief,
• Verify you have not left easily detachable consequentive pieces: saddle, meter, baby saet, beautiful bag. Replace the fast tightenings by specific anti-theft devices: link towards block saddles, anti-theft device helmet and bag.

The feeling of vulnerability can be superior with regard to the car or to the motorised two-wheels because of the absence of body. Now the statistics show the opposite. According to recent indications, 92 % of the accidents of cycles are mild accidents and only 0,4 % entail to death, this rate is 2,3 % for the pedestrians and 1,3 % for cars. The wear of a helmet is more than recommended as well as the respect of traffic rules. Remain especially watchful, the danger always comes from the others!

The climatic conditions can make less convenient the traffic to cycle. Nevertheless, it is indeed in the Scandinavian countries where the cycle is most used!

To consult our range of clothes to protect you better from bad weather, or use Veltop roof which protects from the rain as from the sun!

You will be sharply privileged when you will think of the rush hours in the subway and when you will steal in the traffic jams.

Every year in France, more than 400 000 cycles are stolen. Half of the thefts of cycles arise in private places.

The majority of the cyclists who uses an anti-theft device, hang on their cycle on a fixed point, but some do not make it systematically. Furthermore, numerous cyclists do not use their anti-theft device for a stop of short duration. The theft of a cycle is not the only met risk. Indeed, the theft of pieces or accessories is to be also taken into account (wheel, saddle, meter).

If we think that the risk of theft is more important in big cities, often cyclists in smaller towns show fewer precautions. The fact that the cycle is placed in a closed place does not bring an absolute security. Indeed , the use of an anti-theft device does not bring an absolute security, especially in the case of the use of a product of weak quality.

To summarize, we can say that for the greater part, the stolen cycles are especially badly secured cycles.

Anti-theft devices

There are two levels of ratification for anti-theft devices: The first one corresponds to the resistance of the anti-theft device in the tests requiring only "discreet" instruments generally used for thefts flashes of lighting. The second level of ratification is attributed to the anti-theft devices which resist to the use of hanging more aggressive tools during a given time.

Which anti-theft device to choose?

Anti-theft devices with cable are the most vulnerable. The articulated anti-theft devices offer a higher level of protection but which does not has the same level of the anti-theft devices of type U.

The anti-theft devices of type U

All the anti-theft devices of type U bring a high level protection. On the more up-market products, the use of specific materials allows to reach a maximal ratification.

The protection offered by the various models of anti-theft device of the same brand, can be rather ill-assorted. If the anti-theft device U brings the most successful protection, it possesses two severe inconveniences: the congestion and the weight. For the transport of an anti-theft device of type U, it is necessary to privilege a system using a support settling on the frame of the cycle. The transport in a rucksack is to avoid, the risk of wound in backs in case of fall is important.

The anti-theft device of type U will be adapted for the cyclists having mainly an urban use of their cycle. It is also adapted to secure a cycle in a cubicle(dock,garage). The little less successful, articulated models allow however an easier(more well-to-do) transport.

Anti-theft devices with cables

Anti-theft devices with cables, have a more limited use due to their weak resistance. They can be more easily transported and will bring a supplementary protection during stops (it is generally necessary less than 25 seconds to cut an anti-theft device with cable by means of sharp pocket pliers.

In every case, it is necessary to attach one's cycle to a fixed place and to try to hang on together the frame and the wheels. It is rather necessary to leave one's cycle in a frequented place, and to avoid that the anti-theft device touches the ground (it is more difficult to break an anti-theft device when this one is 50 centimeters of the ground).

• A helmet is above all a protection accessory. In case of fall, it must protect you suitably.
• You also have to pay attention on the weight of the helmet. A heavy helmet will tire your cervical muscles and will provoke an embarrassment. The more you will be bothered, the less you will be attentive, and the risk of a fall will be increased..
• Also think of taking a correctly aerated helmet because the skull will perspire during an exercise, and a bad ventilation will provoke a feeling of very unpleasant gene for the cyclist.
• An anti wasp net will prevent the insects from penetrating into the helmet by the ventilations.
• Parts which touch the body must be able to be withdrawn and clened to guarantee the hygiene of your helmet.
• You should not forget that a helmet, it is also an accessory which has to correspond to your style, with the shape, the colors, and the design which correspond to you - aerodynamic Design for those who prefer.
• Finally, the size of the helmet is generally given according to the circumference of the skull (example: M: 54 cms to 57 cms). You have to know your head size to be sure your helmet will fit.

Step 1: Measurement
Measure the circumference of your head with a ribbon. Place the ribbon to be slightly measured over the ear and to make it pass in the middle of the forehead surrounding completely the head approximately 2 cms over eyebrows. Take several measures to assure you that you have the biggest size. If you do not incline a ribbon to measure, to use one thread or a normal ribbon, which you measure then by means of a rule. The board of correspondence below will help you to determine the size cutting of helmet which you need according to the circumference of your head.

Step 2: Verify it is the good size.
Placed on your head, the helmet must not slide or move freely when you drive. It must perfectly fit your head. If there are whatever movements, it is because the helmet is too big.

Step 3: Adjustment
Assure that the front of the helmet is just over your eyebrows and that the back of the helmet does not touch the nape of your neck. To verify if the helmet is correctly positioned, you have to feel the skin of the skull moving slightly when you try to make it slide on your head.

Head size	Head size	Helmet size
(centimeters)	(inches)
52	20 ½	S / M
53	20 7/8
54	21 ¼	Small/Medium
55	21 5/8
56	22	M/L
57	22 3/8
58	22 ¾	Medium/Large
59	23 1/8
60	23 ½
61	23 7/8	L/XL
62	24 ¼
63	24 5/8	Large/XtraLarge
64	25

What about the traffic rules?

According to articles R313, R314 and R315, at night or in the daytime when the visibility is insufficient, any cycle must be provided:

• Of a white or yellow sidelight in front,
• Of a red sidelight behind,
• Of visible lateral orange reflectors,
• Of reflectors on pedals

Definition of a reflector: system consisted of three mirrors placed in right angles. When the light reaches one of the mirrors, it is sent back towards the second, then towards the third, then towards the transmitter. Thanks to the perpendicularity of mirrors, the angles of the successive reflections counterbalance, so as to send, at the end, the beam at the same time to the incidental beam.

Any cycle can have behind and on the left, a device retractor of danger. The absence of one of these equipments constitutes a liable to a fine first class 11-euro fine, increased to 30 euro if it is paid beyond 30 days.

Beyond the legislative aspect, the defect of lighting is almost a question of life and death for the cyclist, the aspect nevertheless underestimated by this one. Indeed, the cyclist has a better vision than the motorist for numerous reasons and tends to overestimate the importance of the street lighting. The motorist, on the other hand, has a narrower field of vision than the cyclist of, among others, in his more important speed, and is victim of the phenomena of diffraction occurring on the windscreen (state of cleanliness but also rainy drops and micro-claws). The motorist besides tending to focus on the lighthouses of the car of opposite, he is much more subject to the phenomena of dazzle.

On a cycle, at night or day, the better security is passive security. It is necessary to wear clothes yellow fluorescent to be easily visible face to motorists. If the law stipulates that every sold cycle has to possess a lighting, it has to go farther by encouraging every cyclist to roll with the clothes of construction site for example or fluorescent armbands.

Luggage racks are characterized by their position on the cycle, their fashion of fixation, their payload, and the type of luggage which they are capable to transport. They can be fixed in front or behind.
2 fixation modes allow to differentiate luggage carriers:

• The unremovable fixation on frame, on welded brackets or on welded plate.
• The removable fixation, installed and removed in some seconds.

The mode of fixation will allow the user to benefit from one permanent luggage carrier or only when he really needs it.

The load which the luggage carrier can bear will be one of the main characteristics. One luggage carrier capable of transporting a load superior to 20 kg can welcome for example (according to compatibility) a seat for babies or bulky objects without any risk.

The type of luggage your carrier can bear will be an essential asset. A general-purpose set, consisted of a system of universal fixation, of a system of specific fixation, and of lateral bag carriers, will be the tool adapted to all your needs.

Et pour terminer, il est important de vérifier que les «jambes» de votre porte-bagage soient adapté And finally, it is important to verify that the "arms" of your luggage carrier are adapted to the size of your wheels. The compatibility of the luggage carrier is generally associated with the diameter of the wheel rims of the cycle so that the choice is the clearest possible. So 354 mm arms will be adapted as well to a cycle equipped with wheels of 26 inches, as a cycle equipped of 28 inches.

To transport one's cycle with the car is not still of a big convenience. It is generally necessary to lower back seats, to unsettle the front wheel which requires new adjustments (centre the wheel, position brakes) when resetting it. With one bicycle rack, moving your two wheels becomes simpler.

We can distinguish 4 main types of bicycle racks:

• The bicycle roof racks. They offer great safety in the fixation and are compatible with all the vehicles. Installed quickly, they protect the accessibility to the trunk and the rear visibility. The negative aspects of this system are that it is incompatible with child cycles, and that they are quite noisy when the speed of the vehicle increases. This system of fixation is ideal for relatively short movements with a single cycle. It is possible to adapt several roof racks on the same gallery to transport several cycles at the same time.
• The bicycle trunk racks allow the transport of all the types of cycles with a great flexibility. Adaptable to all the types of vehicles and compatible with all the types of cycles, this category of bicycle racks quickly settles down and in a safe way. However this system alters rear visibility for the driver and hides a part of the number plate and the rear lights. This system is particularly adapted to transport up to 3 cycles on average distances..
• The bicycle tow ball racks perform the essential criteria of fixations safety, the preservation of the access to the trunk and a use adapted to the long routes. Compatible with all the types of vehicles and all the types of cycles, they settle down very quickly and without direct contact with the body. This system is particularly adapted for long-term movements with up to 4 cycles.
• Bicycle inner racks replace rear seats only in vehicles equipped for this type of fixation. They can fit 1 to 3 bicycles.

A trailer can be a supplementary accessory for your cycle. Indeed, a trailer of big capacity will accompany you to the market to make your shopping, and will free you of these heavy bags.. A trailer protected by a waterproof cloth will protect your purchases of the wind and the rain.

The bicycle trailers intended for the transport of the young children conquer little by little the hexagon. About eight thousand trailers are sold every year and their use becomes more and more general-purpose: on the road for summer strolls, on the pavement for a use in stroller, in any roads in the form of kit jogging

Below our recommendations to users of trailers for children:

• Do not frequent the roads where the traffic turns out fast and avoid the too sloping ways,
• Do not install a child there if he is not capable of keeping a sat position by his own,
• Watch to equip the child of a helmet and girth him correctly,
• Never leave a child in a trailer, either for a long time or without surveillance,
• Watch the good description of the trailer (pose andinstallation), of reflectors and presence of the pennant),
• Equip the cycle or verify that it is equipped with rear-view mirrors allowing the cyclist to look regularly at the trailer without having to turn around,
• Keep in mind that any rough change of trajectory can provoke a reversal of the trailer.

The assembly of a trailer does not constitute a particularly complex operation. Most trailers already have a base includung wheels.. It was noticed that certain models were not equipped with already taken up reflectors, what encourages hardly their installation by the users. They must be provided with the equipments of active and passive road marking and with lighting.

According to the width of the cycle wheels, you may have different consequences on the use of your cycle. Wheels are responsible of frictions caused on the road. Thus the more your wheel is fine, the less you will have frictions, and thus less you will force to obtain the same speed. On the other hand a fine wheel absorbs much less shocks provoked by your movement: a wide wheel allows to obtain a better comfort at this level. Fuerthermore, a fine wheel is less solid in equal material.It offers less good adhérance on the ground, this problem can be resolved all the same with the use of tires of very good quality taken up on your fine wheel. Another matter: a wider wheel is a heavier wheel, it will increase the weight of your cycle and thus will ask for more energy to use it. On the other hand a fine wheel possesses a weak slowness, it means that it will be necessary to you to supply less energy to modify its rotation speed. So, You will force less for an equivalant acceleration, and the braking will be of better quality. The use of the fine or wide wheels thus depends on your personal needs. One cannot say if fine wheels or wide wheels are better. It depends on your personal use and on your rides. Thus take time to study all these criteria.

Today the size of bicycle tyres can be given under 3 forms:

• The indication in inches is the least precise but the most spread for the mountain bike tyres.
We indicate in this measure the outside diameter, and the width of the tire (Example: 26 x 1 3/8). In this example, the outside diameter of the tyre measures 26 inches and the width 1 3/8 inches. We can note that it happens that the height of the tyre is also expressed. We shall then have 26 x 1 5/8 x 3/8 where 1 5/8 corresponds to the height of the tire.
• The French data indicates as for them the measures in millimeters (mm) of the outside diameter and the width of the tyre. For example a tire of dimension 700 x 35 C will have for outside diameter 700 mm and for width 35 mm.
• The indication ETRTO (European Tyre and Rim Technical Organization) is a European standard for the size of tyres . A reference tyre 37-622 will have for internal diameter 622 mm and for width 37 mm. It is common to have the same value for the dimension of the width of the tire expressed according to the standard ETRTO and the French measures.

Appeared on the market now more than ten years ago, the Aheadset system remains for many a noble stranger. This last one replaces advantageously our classic art gallows to diver or expendeur or classic.

Diver

Used for a long time on bicycles, the diver system has multiple advantages. It is simple to install and it is essential for the consumer cycles. We find this principle on many new ranges today. This system is adjustable and we can thus make rise or come down the cockpit of some centimeters. When we look to its position, it is an asset. The simplicity of the set allows to switch around certain pieces with ease and the second-hand pieces are good markets, easy to leave the nest and it will stay for many of years. We can adjust the set of direction in the hand if we succeed in tightening enough hardly the superior cartridge.

On the contrary, this system has nevertheless some inconveniences. It is a little heavier that the Ahead set and especially he it is much less stiff because of the conception of the set and the mechanism of preservation in position of the gallows on the fork.

Ahead set

It often requires pieces of better quality because the tolerances are any weaker evidences. The movements are always arranged on both sides of the direction cartridge but this time the game(set,play) of the mechanism is filled by making raise up the pivot of the fork. The connection pivot of fork / gallows is stiffer because the preservation in position is made by "pinching out" on an important surface. There is no more diver and we gain a little of weight.

The problem is that it is sometimes necessary to be patient to adjust the mechanism and especially not forget to undo the gallows before settling the direction game. It is more difficult to adjust the height of the cockpit. Indeed, to part by piling some entretoises on the voluntarily too big pivot of fork, it is impossible to raise the gallows. The position of the cyclist is thus fixed.

A smart evolution

The Ahead set system is thus an excellent means to recognize a recent cycle or an oldest quality cycle. However, it is necessary to recognize that some brands remain faithful to the former mechanism to diver for its quality: less rigidity, more comfort, greater regulation and simplicity. These brands are, it's true, more often directed to the cycle touring. If Aheadset is technically simple, however it is not so easy to replace its system from diver to Ahead set. It will be necessary to replace at least the direction game , the gallows and the fork. You will have to make sure that equipments in question are adapted to the dimension of your cartridge of direction (1 " or 1 " 1/8). It is not thus so evident as it seems.

An effective braking in all weathers.

Brakes roller brake Shimano are particularly appreciated for their efficiency in all weather conditions thanks to their internal mechanism totally shielded from the rain as well as the other external influences such as dust

.The advantages are:

• Efficiency in all weathers,
• Silent Functioning,
• Modulator system of braking in front: hubs are provided with a security mechanism to avoid a too abrupt braking,
• The adoption of skates V and of a disk of cooling provided with bigger fins allows to obtain a strength of braking comparable to a brake with mechanical disk,
• Practically without maintenance,
• Conform to DIN-79100 norm

Today a number of fibers flood the market: "Lycra", "Teflon", "Yoga", or even "MantoTEX", each having different properties.

• Teflon: great water resistance and in the tasks while keeping the permeability of the air (allows the skin to breathe)
• Lycra: elastic, nervous, perspiring, resistant, comfortable and easy to maintain,
• Yoga: perspiring, bi-elastic, resistant and easy to maintain,
• MantoTEX: membrane thermorégulatrice which protects against wind and water while preserving the microclimate between the skin and the fabric. Light and elastic, it allows the evaporation of sweat,
• Coolmax: light, soft and anti-perspirant Fabric,
• Natural freshness: Prevents the development of bacteria, preserves biological balance and decreases the stenches,
• Dryarn: microfiber polypropylene. Capable of maintaining the physical temperature and of eliminating sweat.

To optimise your bicycle rides, it is advisable to provide your two wheels a minimum of care and attention. It is necessary to maintain its braking system so that this one is always effective and guarantees you an optimum security. For this, some simple rules must be observed.

First of all, in every use of your cycle, cast a look to the handle, on your handlebar, which allows to activate brakes. This handle must not have a game, and must not be hard to activate. If it resists a little, it is possible that it comes from a fouling of due to a regular use. In this case, nothing very grave or of complicated well: unsettle your handles and clean with some penetrating oil. This resistance can come from the other elements of the brake system , like cables or girdles.
During your small check before the use, verify that your girdles are not folded, this may provoke, there also, a friction and, as a result, decrease the efficiency of your braking. If this is the case, it is better to change it as well as the cable which goes with.
In spite of these checks, if your brakes always set a resistance against the use, it is necessary to verify cables. These can be dirtied or worse: rusty, hoarse or éfilochés. If they are dirtied, clean with some penetrating oil. Also verify that they are greased well to slide well in the girdle. In the case of an important oxidation of the cable, it is strongly advised to change them.
If on the contrary, the brake handle does not present any resistance and that no action is made when you squeeze it up, the cable is certainly broken inside the girdle, it is thus necessary to change it. Certain stalks of the cable can also be éfiloché, if the case arises it is necessary, there also, to change it: the friction of stalks on the interieur of the girdle damage the efficiency of brakes.

After the check of your brake handles, the cable and girdles, think of glancing at the brake. It can be a brake V-Brake, Cantilecer, a brake with disk, or brakes with drum. On the brake, it is necessary to verify the wear of the parts of friction. For V-Brake and Cantilever, to verify that skates are not worn out. If they are it is necessary to change them.For brakes with disk, jaws or plaques of tightening have to be verified.
If your brakes are not worn out, verify that they are well tightened; vibrations that get the movement can have loosened the system of tie. Nothing very grave, a small blow of tightening and you leave.

In spite of a regular maintenance of your cycle and your brake system , think of changing your skates or your plaques every 6 months. Cables and girdles, from their part must be changed every year. These periods are as a rough guide, according to your frequency of use of your cycle: this periodicity of change can vary.