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The Goderich Signal-Star, 1981-04-15, Page 230 Consumers' Beat BY LYNN TODGHAM When the firstrobin ap- pears, bicycles are evident everywhere. For some peo- ple, it is a time of decision. Which bicycle should you buy? The decision depends on how much you will use it, and whether your needs will change in the near future. The least complex bicycle available is a single, speed coaster. This bike has no sophisticated gears, just a simple chain drive to -the rear wheel. Because of its simplicity, a coaster bike is easy to maintain and inex- pensive. The three -speed bike is satisfactory for short com- muting over a relatively even terrain. This bike is lighter than a coaster, but much heavier „than a ten - speed. The gears on a three- -speed are easy to shift and require little maintenance. The upright riding position feels comfortable to the ap- prentice rider and the seat is broad and soft. A five -speed bike allows you to handle most roads and hills with ase. A five -speed differs from a three -speed in the type of mechanism used to shift gears. The gear system consists of five sprockets and a derailleur The five -speed is available with upright handlebars or downward angled handlebars, as on a ten - speed, which remains by far the most popular type of bike sold today. Usually, only -the-frame-of_.. a ten -speed is manufactured by the company whose name appears on the bike. The wheels, brakes, pedals, etci, are purchased from indepen- dent dealers. The frame is the most im- portant part of the. bicycle. Inexpensive bikes are made from seamed tubing and welded at the joints. This grade 'of high carbon steel has a yield strengths of about 40,000 pounds per square yin- ch. Children's.. bikes°usually are "made out of this thick material, which provides for durability. Seamless tubing is Made with low carbon steelewhich has a yield strength of about 60,000 pounds per square in- ch. Most bike frames are- made out of this material and it is adequate for most riders. Expensive racing models are made from manganese molybdenum, an alloy of high -carbon steel which has a yield strength of 80,000 to 90,000 pounds per square in- ch. This material reduces the weight of the frame, while retaining its rigidity. Tubing of lighter weight is used when performance of the bicycle is considered more important than durability. y,� The frame tubes aii joined by either welding or brazing (a method of joining rnetal with bronze or silver solder at a low temperature). Children's bikes and a few inexpensive ten -speeds are welded; other ten -speeds are brazed. Some bikes have lugs, which are steel sleeves that reinforce the major joints. Lugs are used on the lightweight tubing or better - quality frames. Tires are available in two basic forms. Most bikes have the clincher (wired -on) tire, which has good puncture resistance and air retention, and is inexpensive. Tubulars, or sewn -up tires, are intended for racing bikes' and are secured to the rim by glue. Tubulars are lighter than clinchers and give a better ride, but are more -prone to cuts and punctures. Rims are made of steel or. aluminum alloy. Alloy com- ponents are lighter, but not as strong as steel. Saddles for a ten -speed are narrow to allow thigh move- ment. These saddles are more comfortable on longer trips than the "mattress saddles found on coaster bikes and three -speeds: Sad- dles may be made from a tough plastic material or leather. Plastic saddles do not have to be protected from the weather, and are relatively maintenance free. Leather saddles are porous and allow excess perspiration to escape, ' but they require time to break in and need periodic care. The derailleur is -the gear- changing mechanism that allows you to "de -rail" or to push the bicycle chain from one gear to the next larger or smaller gear. The ten -speed derailleur system uses a combination of two sprockets (chainwheels) on the front where the pedals are joined, and five sprockets (freewheel) at the rear wheel. Using a gear •lever, you can move the derailleur, which forces the( chain to adjacent sprockets. All ten -speeds have two derailleurs, one for the front chainwheels andone for the rear freewheel. In contrast, a five -speed bicycle has only the rear derailleur. There is a' separate control lever to move each derailleur, forc- ing the chain to adjacent sprockets. A good location for the control lever is - on. the lower front tube of the frame, where levers are easily accessible and the cables are short. If the levers are located on the handlebar stem, shifting can be awkward and they could cause injury in an accident. Ten -speed bikes usually have sidepull or center pull caliper brakes, which operate on the rim of the wheel. Sidepull brakes operate both calipers (brake arms) froi one side and have one central pivot point. Sometimes the . brake pads do not release at the same time; this causes brake drag. Sidepull brakes usual- ly are found on inexpensive bikes. Better quality, more responsive sidepull 'brakes are found on very expensive ten -speeds. - Centrepull brakes are\used on medium-priced ten - speeds. They have two separate pivot points, one for. each brake arm, and the brake is activated by a cable that stretches between the two arms. This means that braking is smooth and equal- ly distributed through each GODERICH SIGNAL -STAR, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15,1: s,1 --PAGE 3A THURSDAYS/5 PM TO 8 PM Crunchy Fried Chicken,' Bar -B -R Sauce, Fries; Slaw, Rolls & Butter, Coffee or Tea. "IT'S NO SECRET.. WE PREPARE IT HERE!" E j A FAMILY RESTAURANT mmoNN�� Students from Vincent Massey Collegiate in Windsor played to GDCI on Friday morning and to the public Saturday evening as part of their visit to Goderlch. They were billeted at GDCI music students' houses during their stay, and on April 29, the local musicians will be travelling to Windsor. (Photo by Cath Wooden) Delegates named at IODE meeting The April , •meeting- ..-of- - - Maple Leaf Chapter IODE was held at the home of Mrs. A. Garland: Regent, Mrs. H. Murphy presided. The . provincial annual meeting, being held in Lon- don this year will be attend- ed ttended by local members. Of- ficial delegates to the two- day convention will be Mrs. H. Murphy, Mrs. W. McIn- tyre and Mrs. R. McDonald. Mrs. L. Livesey is the Chapter's delegate to the Bluewater Centre during Education Week, May 10 to 16. caliper. Members were reminded _.of _the upcominggarage sale to be held on Saturday, May 30. Mrs. N. Coates thanked Mrs; Garland for . opening her home. Lunch was then served by Mrs. R. Nephew and her comniittee. • Get pay increase EXETER - Employees of the Town of Exeter have negotiated , a two-year contract withcouncil, calling for three pay increases during the terms of .the agreement just approved by council. All employees will receive a nine per cent pay hike retroactive to January 1, of this Year, a further five per cent boost on July 1 of this year and an additional 10 per cent on January 1,1982.. The compounding nature of the agreement results in, an actual pay boost of 25.895 per cent. EASTER FASHIONS in a parade of COLOURS We want you to look your best this season...and here are three ways to do it! A' lustrous dress to make you feel like a million bucks...a classic suit in a great Springy material and o sytlish spring coat! rap a60/42 -g CHARGE -7d VISA 0 SHOPPERS SQUARE GODERICH OPEN ALL DAY WEDNESDAYS, THURSDAY TILL 9 WE HONOUR YOUR CHARGE%A MASTER CHARGE CARDS GODERICH LITTLE THEATRE RESERVED SEAT BOOKINGS Can Be Mede At: RAW. BELL, OPTOMETRIST ON THE SQUARE, GODERICH FROM 1TO5P.M. MONDAY. APRIL 20, TUESDAY, APRIL 21, WEDNESDAY (Closed), THURSDAY, APRIL 23, FRIDAY, APRIL 24, MONDAY, APRIL 27, TUESDAY, APRIL 28, WED- NESDAY. APRIL 29, THURSDAY, .APRIL 30, FRIDAY, MAY 1st. —NOTICE— No Telephone Reservations Please. Membership stubs must be presented to Obtain a reserved seat. THIRD PRODUCTIOi'J "How The Other Half Loves" WILL BE PRESENTED Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday April 28,29, 30, May 1, May 2 MacKay Hall CURTAIN TIME 8:30 P.M. f - LARGE FRESH SALAD BAR HOT SMORGASBORD Featuring Roast Beef, Barbecued Spare Ribs, Lasagna ASSORTED DESSERT TABLE -BEVERAGE A SPECIAL SMORGASBORD FOR ' EASTER SUNDAY 4:30 p.m. -8:00 p.m. We would appreciate reservations 524-7711 5 0 CHILDREN �" ADULTS UNDER 12 OME AS YOU ARE Served in Dining Room Only -OR- Choose from our delicious menu in the Restaurant Open Easter Sunday 11:30 a.m.-10:00 p.m. `E -CLOSED GOOD FRIDAY - t) Candlelight Rt staarant & Tavern Bayfield Rood GODERICH 524-7711 Licensed Under L.L.E3.O.