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Modified on Thu, 18 Jan at 10:56 AM

Which bike is right for me?


While buying a bike is not on the same level of commitment as, say, getting married, it is still a decision that warrants some thought. And, especially if you are considering buying a bike for the first time, it can seem as if your options are nearly endless.


For help in deciding what kind of bike you need, contact us.



What are the specifications of the bike?


Each bike's specifications are listed on the product page. If you have a query about a product, then contact us.



Will I need to build when it arrives?


If you order a complete bike then some assembly will be required. We recommend that this is carried out by a professional bike mechanic. This will generally mean inserting the seat post, straightening the handlebars, attaching the pedals, and inserting the front wheel.



Do you have a sizing guide for this product?


Sorry, if there is not a sizing guide on the website with the product then we don't. If we do have it we will make it available to you on the site.



Are all colours and sizes currently available?


All sizes and colours that are available are listed on each item's product page.



Do pedals come in pairs or as a single unit?


Pedals come as left and right specific, like shoes, and come in pairs. Clipless pedals are supplied with cleats and fittings.



What is the difference between clipless and flat pedals?


Pedal shoppers usually fall into one of several groups:
1. Those making the switch from flat to clipless pedals,
2. Those who are outfitting a new bike (many new road bikes do not come with pedals), or
3. Those upgrading from one shoe-pedal system to another.

If you ride using flat (platform) pedals, you've no doubt seen riders zipping by you with their feet firmly anchored to their pedals and wondered if that might be a wise choice for you. Fear not, bike shoes and clipless pedals are part of a natural progression to make your riding more efficient and less tiring.

Cycling shoes are usually paired with a compatible pedal to hold your feet securely on the bicycle. The so-called "clipless" shoe-pedal combination offers unmatched control with a minimum amount of your pedaling energy lost before it reaches the rear wheel.

You can start your shopping process with either shoes or pedals. Just make sure you keep shoe-pedal compatibility in mind as you decide.

The Misnomer of "Clipless" is admittedly a confusing name for these pedals since you actually "clip in" to the pedal's cleats much like you do with a ski binding. The origin of the name goes back a few decades when pedals with "toe clips" were a cyclist's only choice for improved pedaling efficiency. The then-new clipless pedals dispensed with toe clips by offering a direct attachment between shoe and pedal. For better or worse, the clipless name has lived on ever since.

There is a brief-but-necessary learning curve associated with clipless pedals.



What tubes do I need? All these numbers are confusing!


Bike tires come in many sizes, and trying to understand what all the numbers mean can be confusing. But once you understand how bike tires are sized, you'll know what to look for when it's time to replace your tires.

The size of a tire can be found on the sidewall. This measurement is written as two numbers, separated by an X -- for example, 700X23 or 26X2.10. The first number is the diameter of the tire, in millimeters or inches. Most adult bikes come in either the 700mm size or the 26-inch size. You'll find 700 tires on road bikes and 26 tires on mountain bikes. The 700 tires follow the metric system because road bikes developed in Europe, while mountain biking, with it's 26-inch tire, began in the United States.

The second number on the tire's sidewall is it's width. On a 700X23 tire, the width of the tire is 23mm. As the width increases, the tire will have more surface contact with the ground. More surface contact gives you a more stable and comfortable ride. As the width decreases, the tire has less surface contact, and therefore less fiction, which makes your ride faster.

If you ride a bike with a 26-inch tire, the tire width will be denoted with either a decimal or a fraction -- for example, 26X1.75 or 26X1 3/4. Take note that even though the two tires appear to have the same width, if one is marked with a decimal and the other a fraction, they are actually two different sizes. If you're looking for an exact size match, make sure you don't choose one fraction tire and one decimal tire.

Measure the diameter and width of your tires, and you'll find that they don't exactly match what's written on the tire. The numerous sizing systems -- and companies that try to cheat on their sizes -- make it hard to know what the numbers on a tire really mean. Fortunately, the International Organization for Standardization, or ISO, has created a system for tire sizing to regulate tire measurement and take the guesswork out of choosing the proper tire. Most new tires and rims will show the ISO measurement. This measurement marks width first, followed by diameter. If you want an exact match when you replace an old tire, match the ISO number.

When it's time to buy new tires, always get tires with the same diameter as your old ones, but you can choose a different width. Your bike's rim will hold a range of tire widths, although not all widths are recommended for every tire.



Helmet Standards for Australia [AS/NZS 2063:2008]


All helmets sold in Australia and New Zealand must comply with this standard. Helmets bought from websites outside Australia will not comply with this standard.

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