How can I choose the right frame size for my height?

You can do a search online for “bicycle owner’s manual” for the brand that you are interested in getting. There will be a bicycle sizing chart in the manual which you can refer to.

If you refer to (page 9 of) Apollo or Radius Bicycle Owner’s Manual, you will see this “Bicycling Sizing Guide” for their kid’s range of bicycle.

According to the manual, for your safety, as you stand straddling over the toptube, there should be a gap of about 1 inch / 25mm from it to your crotch area. This is to prevent you from hitting the toptube and getting hurt by it, should you fall forward during an accident.

The sales person at the bike shop you go to should also be able to assist you. However, even without the sizing chart or shop assistance, following through with these steps, will help you to decide on the right frame size, based on your height.

1) Sit on the saddle of the bicycle you are interested in buying. Place your hands on the handlebar. Do you feel that you are leaning way too forward?

Note: If it is and you still like the bike, you can request the bicycle shop to change a stem with a shorter reach or replace it with one which is adjustable so that you can raise the handlebar nearer to you.

2) As you sit on the saddle, are your feet sitting flat on the floor? Raise the seatpost up so that only the tips of your shoes are touching the floor.
Note: Sometimes, the bike shop may have to change the seatpost if it can’t be pushed down any lower. The bolts installed for the cage could be blocking the way. This can be resolved if a seatpost of shorter length is installed.

3) Now get off the saddle and straddle over the toptube. Is your crotch area touching it?

Note: If it is, ask the shop to let you try one with a smaller frame size. Example, if a 16″ to 17″ frame size (M size in Asia) is too high for you, you may have to try a frame size of 15″ (S size in Asia). Anything above 18″ is L size in Asia. The size of the frame is usually printed on seat tube, sometimes just below the toptube.

If you are checking on frame size because you plan to buy your bicycle online, you will find some of the points at the following link useful:

Can a quality bike be purchased online? What are the dos and don'ts?

Can a quality bike be purchased online? What are the dos and don'ts?

There are many things you cannot do when buying a bicycle online. Unless you can find a shop that sells the same model and size, you cannot sit on it to see if the bicycle fits you comfortably. You cannot straddle over the toptube to feel if it is too high for your safety.

I have in my shop, bicycles of different brands. My customer tried two 27.5” MTB of different brands with M size frames and similar length stems. He discovered that the reach for the handlebar for one of them is a little too far for his height.

Sometimes the colour of the bicycle you see on the catalouge or online maybe slightly different to the one you received. One of my customers rejected a bicycle I specifically ordered for him because it looks more purple than blue, as seen on the photo I showed him.

Bicycles you buy online are usually delivered in a box partially fixed. Do you have the tools and the capability to fix it up to ride? Some manufacturers will void warranty on defective parts if their bicycles are not fixed up by a bike mechanic.

These were some of the issues faced by my customers who bought their new bicycles online:

1) Missing parts.

2) Gears need to be set.

3) Rear derailleur need to be changed.

4) Hydraulic disc brakes not working well.

The most common issues which cannot be fixed were deep scratches on bikes and damaged decals. We can only help our customers fix minor scratches with paint pen if the scratched part is in black or white colour.

We usually inform our customer that there are warranties on some parts for new bicycles. However, most of them do not want the hassle of sending their bicycles back for warranty repair as it may be more costly or time consuming, especially if the store is a great distance away. Moreover, once their trust in the supplier is broken, it is not likely that they will trust them to get the problem fixed with no additional cost, as they have promised.

As a bicycle shop owner, we sometimes received bicycles with defects from the appointed distributor. We can have them returned for replacement or credit note or sell them with discount if the defects are minor or can be fixed.

If you plan to buy a bicycle online, make sure that you select a supplier who is established in this line. You may have a problem returning a bicycle you are not happy with for replacement if the online supplier is not the appointed seller. So, there is also a reason to doubt if the brand is really authentic or just a brand you like printed on the body without the warranties it should come with.

How to get on and off a bike?

 This was how I was taught to mount a bicycle:

-stand on the left side of your bicycle
-place your left leg on the pedal
-push the ground with your right leg to move your bicycle forward
-as the wheels build up momentum, lift up your right leg over to the right pedal
-start pedaling

You can watch this technique being taught 58 seconds into the video. Seth of Berm Peak called it the “step and swing” method. He also shared many other methods which you can check out.

This is how I was taught to dismount:

-lift up your right leg over to the left side of your bicycle

-as you brake to slow down, put your right leg on the ground to help slow it down further

-your right leg should be firmly on the ground once your bicycle slow down to a stop

-you can now step off the left pedal

You can watch this method 1 minutes into this video. It is called the “high style” by the instructor, Guillaume Guerard.

What is the best anti-rust for your bicycle?

The best anti-rust for your bicycle is the attention you put in taking care of your bicycle.

A well lubricated bike can reduce mechanical problems. However, you should check that the moving parts of your bicycle are clean before you lubricate them. The lubricant will not be effective if the parts are encrusted with dirt, especially after a wet or muddy ride. Should that be the case, remove the old lubricants first with a degreaser. Read the instruction on the bottle on how to use it correctly. After spraying directly on the parts, you can use a brush to remove the dirt.

Then wash the residue off with soapy water. While you are at it, check the parts for wear or damage. After washing, dry the parts before applying the lubricant. You do not have to worry that you are not able to dry all parts on your bicycle. A good quality lubricant should be able to displace moisture still on your bicycle.

Regular lubrication can help a bicycle run smoothly as it reduces friction. That can prevent excessive wear and tear of parts. As the lubricant can also clean, the best time to lubricate them is the night before your ride the following day. If you leave it overnight, you will notice that any excess lubricant that dripped onto the floor is blackened with tiny specks of debris in them.

Another reason why you should not cycle on your bicycle right after lubricating the parts is that dirt and dust can easily stick to the lubricant. That will create friction on the moving parts and your ride will not be as smooth.

The best lubricant will not be effective if it is not applied routinely. Do you have a “Bicycle Owner's Manual” to refer to? In it you will find a schedule for lubricating parts on your bicycle. If you do not have one, you can easily find one online by doing a search for “Bicycle Owner's Manual .pdf”. This is a page extracted from one of the manuals I have.

Note that not all metal parts on your bicycle can be lubricated. You will find the additional information I shared in the following question I answered earlier useful.

When should you apply lubricant on your bicycle

Where do you keep your bicycle? Do you often leave it out in the open facing the elements of the sun and rain? If you cannot store your bicycle under a proper shelter, make sure that it is properly covered for protection against rain.

If possible store it hung up above the floor so that the wheels will not become rusted by water from the rain or being splashed on while the floor is being washed. There are many type of wall racks and hangers in the market for bicycles.

If you are not going to ride your bicycle for a period of time, there are bags which you can buy to store it. You can read about that at the following link:

https://www.quora.com/How-do-you-choose-the-perfect-cover-to-cover-and-protect-a-bike/answer/Nancy-Poh

Check out this bicycle from the early 1970s sent to us for repair. The owner kept his New Model Sprinter Cooper in the space under the stairs of his home.

If you are not going to ride your bicycle for a period of time, there are bags which you can buy to store it. You can read about that at the following link:

https://www.quora.com/How-do-you-choose-the-perfect-cover-to-cover-and-protect-a-bike/answer/Nancy-Poh

Check out this bicycle from the early 1970s sent to us for repair. The owner kept his New Model Sprinter Cooper in the space under the stairs of his home.

This is the condition of the emblem on it.

This is the condition of the emblem of a bike we restored. It was kept outdoor. We did not know that it is a Raleigh until we removed the dirt and rust on it.

Read the information I shared at the following link if you think that the WD-40 Multi-Use Product that you often spray on your bicycle is a lubricant.

Can you put WD-40 on a bike chain with a chain guard?

Can you put WD-40 on a bike chain with a chain guard?

When customers sent their bicycles to be fixed at our bike shop, we usually suggest that they use bike lubricant if we see rusty parts on them. When they told us that they have WD-40 at home, we know that they are refering to this WD-40 Multi-Use Product.

If that is what you have on hand too, you have to note that WD-40 Multi-Use Product can damage plastic parts and destroy the circuits and the mechanisms inside the electrical device. So, it is not a good idea to use it if your chain guard is made of plastic or you are cycling on an ebike.

Also, WD-40 Multi-Use Product cleans more than it lubricates the parts on your bicycle. It is a petroleum-based solvent which will dissolve the bike lubricant already on your chain. This is why you can use it like a degreaser. However, when used on your chain, the solvent will evaporate once it is exposed to the air or get heated up by the hot rays of the sun or friction as your ride. So, after applying WD-40, you should also spray your chain with bike lubricant.

Do you know that in 2012, WD-40 Company founded WD-40 BIKE Company which supplies cycling-specific maintenance needs product? So, under their WD-40 Specialist product line, you should be able to find Bike Degreaser and Bike Chain Lube. It is easy to find lubricants meant for bicycles at your local bike shop which will not affect plastic parts. I know that WD-40 Specialist product are currently more expensive. Just go for the brand that you are willing to pay for.

Most articles I read, will suggest that you wipe the excess lubricant off your bike chain before your ride. If you read the other functions of a bike lubricant from its bottle, you will see that it can remove grease and grime from your chain.

It will be more effective if you spray the lubricant on your chain the night before your ride the following day. In that way, instead of wiping the excess lubricant off, you can leave it on the chain to do its job. However, it is alright to use a cloth to wipe any lubricant accidentally sprayed on the frame of your bicycle so that it will not be too oily to the touch or stain your clothes. You will notice that the frame looks cleaner as you wipe it off.

If your bicycles are installed with disc brakes, are you aware that you are not supposed to spray any lubricant on the rotors? There will be a squeaking noise when you brake if your rotors or disc brake pads have been contaminated with oily residue.  Click on the following link to find out what you can do if there is noise whenever you use your disc brake.

How can I stop my disc brakes from squeaking?

Note that WD-40 Multi-Use Product fumes should not be inhaled as it can cause the inhaler to get high which can then lead to potential abuse. If you use it at home, keep it away from fire as it is a flammable chemical. You can read about the benefits of WD-40 and how to use it correctly at the following link:

Is WD-40 Flammable?

How can I stop my hydraulic disc brakes from squeaking?

Is your bicycle new?  I usually share this video with customers who recently bought their bicycles with disc brakes. It shows the bed-in process to stop the squeaking noise on braking.

However, if you do not have a problem with your disc brake before, it is likely that the rotors and disc pads have been contaminated. It happens when you accidentally sprayed lubricant on the rotors or you may have ridden over puddles of water that may have oily residue in them. Watch this video to learn what other issues you maybe facing and how you can eradicate them.

Watch this if you really need to remove the disc pads and clean up the area where they are inserted.

How do you choose the perfect cover to cover and protect a bike?

The best way to protect a bicycle is to place it in a bag.

Check out these bags for folding bikes. Most of the time, they are made for 20″ wheel size foldies.

You can also find bag for folding bikes that can be folded. This model comes packed in a bag which you can hang on the handlebar when not in use.

There are also similar looking models that are installed with rollers at the base to ease moving the bicycle around.

You can also find hardcase bags for bicycles with larger wheelsize like this.

There are also similar looking models that are installed with rollers at the base to ease moving the bicycle around.

You can also find hardcase bags for bicycles with larger wheelsize like this.

It is large enough to store a bicycle in wheel sizes of 26″ up to 700C. When bicycles are stored in such bags, the wheels are removed to be packed in a separate compartment.

This cover is a cheaper way to protect a bicycle.

As it lays open at the bottom, dirt and rain water can still get to it. The wheels can also be stained with dirty water when the floor it is parked on is being cleaned. Overtime rust will appear on some of the parts. So, when the bicycle is stored in this manner for a period of time, some cleaning up will still be required when it is time to ride on the bicycle again. For long term storage, it is best that the bicycle is located in an enclosed area to protect it from the elements of nature.

You will find some of the suggestions I shared in this question I answered earlier useful for long term storage.

How can I store my bicycle for 4 months?

How can I store my bicycle for 4 months?

If you plan not to use your bicycles for 4 months, it is best that you find ways to hang up your bike to protect the tyres and tubes. This is because after 2 weeks or so, your tube will slowly deflate and your rims will sit on the tyres causing it to crack. The weight of the bicycle sitting on the deflated tubes may even damaged them.

If you cannot hang it inside your home and have to keep it outdoor, cover it properly to prevent it from the exposure of rain and sun which will wear out your components sooner than they should. The heat from the sun will break down the plastic and rubber parts on your bicycle to become slimy or brittle. Colours will fade. Once humidity sets in, you will also have issues with rust and seized parts like your cables which will affect shifting and braking efficiency. If it gets caught in the rain more visible corrosion damage on moving parts will be noticed.

A plastic bicycle cover like this will also help you avoid the hassle of dusting your bicycle up after 4 months in storage.

Another option will be to keep your bicycle in a travel case for bicycle like this one.

Separate wheel cases are provided and since the whole bicycle is enclosed in this manner you do not have to worry about it getting caught in the environment of rain, sun and dust.

It would be best if you could find a friend to ride your bicycle now and then while you are away. But if you can’t, make sure that you lubricate your bike properly before storing it away.

If you read the following articles I shared earlier, you may find more useful information that will help you keep your bicycle in good working condition even after 4 months.

How do we protect bicycle tires from cracking?

What are the best tips to maintain a bike in the proper way? 

What are the best tips to maintain a bike in the proper way?

When you buy an equipment, a manual will be provided with it. A good manual will provide instructions on how to install the equipment correctly. It will provide information on how to use it safely and maintain it so that it will run efficiently.

Even though not all brands/retailers for bicycles will provide such a manual, if you google “owner's manual for bicycle” you should not have any problem in finding one online. From it, you can even learn if you are getting the right frame size for your height.

Though you get your bicycle fully assembled from your bike shop, in the manual you will learn how it is assembled and the type of tools and the sizes you need to do the job. That way if any of the parts are loosen, you will know how to fix it back correctly and with the right tools.

You will learn the name of the parts on the bicycle which will enable you to tell the mechanic clearly what needs to be fixed if professional help is required. This image is extracted from a link to “Owner's Manual for Marin Mountain Bikes”.

A manual also provides a schedule on when and what on your bicycle should be cleaned, serviced and lubricated. It also inform you what you should not do with it. Eg, here is a tip on how to set your gears so that you will not wear out your chain earlier than it should.

I like the instruction manual provided by Green Line for its Single-speed and Multi speed Beach Cruisers, it provides very clear information with lots of images.

The link to ”Owner's Manual Single Speed and Multi-Speed Bicycles” from Dynacraft Bikes is also very good.

If you take the time to read the manual, you should not have any problem maintaining your bicycle in a proper way.

How do we protect bicycle tyres from cracking?

Avoid doing things to your tyres that will age and dry them out and cause them to crack.

You should:

1) keep bicycle indoor to avoid exposure to the sun's heat or rain.

2) use the proper air pressure in your tyres to prevent overstretching them out.

3) not wash your tyres excessively with chemical cleaners that will remove waxes and other chemical compound the manufacturer used to protect the surface. If you like your tyres looking clean and new, shop around for polish or wax for tyres that will protect or prevent dirt and mud from sticking to them easily.

4) ride on your bicycle regularly so that the tyres are stretched to maintain their flexibility.

5) inflate the tyres at least every 2 weeks even if you are not cycling your bicycle.

6) remove the wheels from your bicycle and hang them up if you do not plan to cycle for a long period of time. This is to prevent weight of your bicycle from sitting on the tyres.

You can also find other ways to store your bicycle. My customer bought this ceiling hooks from our bike shop to hang his bicycle up in his parent’s home. He rides it only when he is free during the weekends.

You can also check out bike shops to learn how they hang their bicycles for display. This was how we displayed our bicycles at our former bicycle shop.

These are some of the storage racks for hanging bicycles up, that you should be able to find in the market.This rack is suitable for those with more than two bicycles to store, as additional holders can be purchased separately.

This rack is suitable for those with more than two bicycles to store, as additional holders can be purchased separately.

If you have to keep it outdoor, make sure that it is properly covered to protect it from the exposure of rain and sun.

You can also find such covers in shops selling motorbikes but I noticed that there are usually priced higher there than at a bike shop.

When should you apply lubricant on your bicycle?

The best time to lubricate the moving parts of your bicycle, which includes your chain, is right after you clean it, especially, after cycling in wet or dusty condition.

According to instruction manual from Cylion the manufacturer for “Multifunction Chain Cleaner” and chain cleaning agents, it is recommended that you clean your bicycle after every 100km of riding.

However, if you look at your bike manual, you will see that there is a schedule for you to clean and lubricate the moving parts on your bicycle with grease, lubricant and chain lube.

So, even if you have not cycled for a while, you should try to follow the schedule to prevent rust and corrosion.

Grime and grit on moving parts will cause friction. You will know that you have to lubricate them when you feel that your ride is less “smooth” than usual. So, it is alright to lubricate them more often then scheduled. Use wet lube if you tend to ride in wet and dusty condition.

This schedule is a page from the “Bicycle Owner’s Manual” for Apollo bicycles.

If you do not have a manual, you can google “owner's manual for bicycle” to find one online.

The first thing you should do, if you have not lubricated your bicycle since day one you ride on it, is to wash the drive train. That will be the chain and the components that it runs through. Hose off any dirt sticking to the parts first then wipe it dry with a towel before you lubricate the chain and all the moving parts.

There are many type of cleaning set in the market. Here is one of the models from Super B.

Some cleaning agents and sets come with instruction on its packaging which will give you an idea how your drive train should be cleaned. I always keep a copy of such for product sold in my shop. This one is from Cylion.

If you do not want grit to stick to recently lubricated bike, it is best not to over lubricate parts to prevent dirt build up. For best results, you can lubricate your chain 24 hours ahead of your ride to allow liquid carrier of the lube or lubricant to evaporate. Before you ride, wipe off any access that you see. That way your drivetrain will stay cleaner after each ride.

Be careful when spraying lubricants to avoid getting any on your brake disc rotor or pads. You will know that it has been contaminated if you can hear a squealing sound when you brake. You can clean the rotor with a degreaser or rubbing alcohol to stop the annoying sound. As a last resort, you can use soap and water.