ESL Podcast 213 - Buying a Bicycle
bike shop - a store that sells bicycles and other things related to bicycles
I'm going to the bike shop this afternoon to get a new bike lock.
road bike - a bicycle designed for paved or smooth roads rather than dirt, sand, or other rough surfaces
Vera takes good care of her road bike and tries not to ride it over rough roads.
mountain bike - a bicycle designed for rough or bumpy surfaces, as well as paved or smooth roads
My sister uses her mountain bike when she goes camping in the woods.
beach cruiser - a simple bicycle designed for comfort and style with usually only one gear
Billy likes his beach cruiser, but I prefer to have one with more options.
racing bike - a bicycle designed for speed
Many of the riders in the Tour de France ride the most technologically- advanced racing bikes available.
versatile - able to change easily or handle different types of situations easily
This chair is so versatile! I can sit up straight or lean back as far as I want to.
frame - on a bicycle, the supporting structure, usually made of metal
The frame on this bike is really heavy, making it hard for me to carry it up the stairs to my apartment.
tire - a round ring of rubber with air inside that goes around the wheel to support a bicycle or vehicle (car)
On my way home from work, my car had a flat tire and I couldn't figure out how to change it.
seat - on a bicycle, the part of the bicycle where the rider sits; a place intended for people to sit
If you want more light, take a seat next to the window.
handlebars - on a bicycle, the part that the rider holds onto with his or her hands while riding and uses to control the direction of the bicycle
When I was little, my sister would let me sit on the handlebars while she rode her bike into town.
sturdy - strong; will not break or fall apart easily
My desk is so sturdy that five people can sit on it!
off-road - not on a paved (or smooth) road or street; usually a rough surface such as dirt or grass
Her dad doesn't want her to ride off-road because he's afraid she'll fall and hurt herself. gear a set of small wheels in a car or on a bicycle that determines how fast you will move
When we were in San Francisco, we often had to shift our car to the lower gears to get up the steep hills.
brakes - the part on a bicycle or vehicle (car) used to stop its movement
I need to get my brakes fixed. They make this funny noise every time I try to stop.
foot brakes - on a bicycle, a brake that can be controlled with the foot
He's more comfortable with foot brakes because he's used to driving and braking in a car.
hand brakes - on a bicycle, a brake that can be controlled with the hands
Some new riders have trouble using hand brakes because they're not used to the idea.
air pump - a tool that is used to put air into things, such as tires
This air pump was not expensive, but it takes a long time to fill my tires with air.
bike lock - a thick wire or rope attached to a lock that is used to secure a bike to an object, such as a telephone pole, so that the bike cannot move
If you don't want to get your bike stolen, remember to use your bike lock.
helmet - a hard cover that is worn on the head for protection
I won't ride on a motorcycle unless I have a helmet on.