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Buying a bike - adults and children

The most important thing when purchasing a bike is to get the size and fit right - otherwise you will find you ache on longer rides, and lose enthusiasm for cycling very quickly. Riding the most expensive bike in the world will not be fun if it is the wrong size for you. As a quick starting point: 


With your feet 20 cm apart measure the distance from the crotch to the floor (you will need some help here!) Advice: find a big hardback book and push it up between your legs, while the other edge of the book is held square against a wall. Make a pencil mark on the wall at the top of the book, then measure from the floor to the mark (repeat three times for an average). Not very elegant but pretty accurate.

- Multiply this measurement by 0.67


That should be a good estimate of the frame size from the centre of the bottom bracket - the part where the pedal arms (cranks) join the bike frame to the top of the seat post (the part where the saddle enters the frame). (Some bikes have a different geometry (eg sloping top bar) and will be measured differently - your shop or online supplier will make this clear.


Having bought the correct size bike (use the bike sizing chart here for added confidence)there is a lot of flexibility for making further adjustments. The saddle height and position is much the most important adjustment to make.


First, make sure your saddle is horizontal.

Now  adjust the saddle height so that your legs are almost but not quite straight when they are on the pedals at the bottom of the turn. You might prefer to start with the saddle a little lower at first, while you gain confidence, and then raise it 2mm each week until it is at the right height.

 

Children's bikes

Check out children's bikes with 20 inch wheels, most of which are set up like mountain bikes. Twenty inch bikes usually have six or seven speeds and hand brakes, which allow for practice with these components before moving on to a bigger bike with more gears.

Get a bike with aluminum rims instead of steel or alloy. In addition to being stronger and lighter, they're more abrasive. This allows the brake pads more gripping traction, which makes for less slipping and quicker stopping.

Watch the different sizes in the different brands of bikes; children's bikes measure only the wheel size and not the frame size. Your child needs to be able to stand over the top tube with their feet flat on the ground for balance.

Keep in mind that the move from a bike without gears and backpedal brakes to one with more advanced components can take a little practice. A bike with 24 inch wheels and eighteen gears might be a little daunting.

Outdoor equipment and accessories

Carrying your bike - car accessories
You'll need a bike carrier and there are many factors to consider when selecting a bicycle rack or carrier. Your bicycles, bike rack and vehicle must fit together properly in order to work safely. A poorly-fitted bicycle rack may be a safety hazard, could damage your vehicle, or could be lost, stolen, or damaged.  Thule is one of NZ's best known suppliers of roof-mounted racks for bikes and other equipment.  Some points to consider:
  • how heavy is your bike and can you lift it with one hand?
  • how many bikes will you want to be carrying?
  • do you have any other sports gear, such as kayaks, skis or snowboards?  (You may want to look at a multi-purpose rack)
  • will you be removing your rack or do you want something you can leave attached to your vehicle?
  • does your vehicle have an external spare tyre?  (You can find special spare tyre bike racks)