RETAIL ROUNDUP:Get comfortable on a new bike

Gas costs a fortune, summer's almost here and it's time to slip into a bathing suit again. So now's a good opportunity to get that bike out of the garage to save money on gas and get ready for the beach at the same time.

But keep in mind that if it has been awhile since you rode your bike, then it's a good idea to have it checked out at your local bike shop.

So what else do you need to know about biking?

The most important aspect of bicycling is comfort, Newport Beach's Chicago Bike shop owner Tony Parry said.

"The first thing is to get comfortable," he said. "Number two is to get accommodated."

By that he means the bells and whistles — well, maybe not whistles if you'd prefer one of those horns — but a basket can sure be handy while riding around.

To get comfortable, you have to have the right size bike, said Jason Gruner, manager of Costa Mesa's Two Wheels One Planet bike shop on 17th Street.

"Beach cruisers are pretty much one standard size, but when you're talking about road bikes and mountain bikes, you definitely want to get the proper size according to the rider's height," Gruner said.

Road bikes are made for speed and comfort, while mountain bikes are built for off-road terrain. Two Wheels One Planet also carries commuter bikes, which are basically mountain bikes with road tires, Gruner said.

A new bike doesn't necessarily come cheap, ranging from about $200 for a basic single-speed beach cruiser to $8,000 for a souped-up road bike, Gruner said.

Garage sales can be an inexpensive place to buy a bike as many Newport-Mesa bike riders know, but Gruner said it may cost you more in the end if the bike has something wrong with it.

"You don't know the history of the bike for one, and if the frame is cracked — it could be cracked internally — and if the bike fails you due to the crack, it could be a serious catastrophe," Gruner said.

But Chicago Bike mechanics and workers at Two Wheels will give any bike a safety check.

So you've got a new shiny bike and you're ready to ride. Now what? Remember safety and local laws. Gruner suggests everyone wear a helmet, although the law only requires that children wear one.