Is it time to replace your bicycle?

 It is time to upgrade your bicycle when you have outgrown it in size. However, if the condition of the bicycle is good, you can repair it and pass it down to other members in the family, who are tall enough to ride it.

Do you still have the “Bicycle Owner’s Manual” for the bicycle you are currently cycling on? If you refer to the manufacturer’s bicycle sizing guide, you will be able to find out if your bicycle is still in the right wheel size or frame size for your age or height. Here is one I extracted from a manual issued for Apollo bike owners.

You can see the frame size marked on the seat tube of your bicycle, as shown below:

The tyre size is marked on the sidewall as shown below:

Click on the following link if you want to learn more:

How do you read a bicycle tyre size?

Sometimes we received bicycles from owners which require major repairs that are costly. Based on the condition of their bicycles and the age or height of the rider, we may advise our customer against proceeding, if the total for replacement parts and the service fee is close to the price of a new bicycle.

Our customers will still consider costly repair for bicycles that are branded and of good quality:

-so that younger siblings in the family can continue to ride on them.
-as it has sentimental value; it being a bike one of the parents had cycled as a kid.
-as it is an antique bike passed down as a gift from a loved one who has passed away.

Some of our customers repair bicycles their children have outgrown so that they can give them away to a charitable organisation.

Bring your bicycle to your local bike shop to have it appraised. If you like your bicycle, check with them if some minor changes that are not costly can be made to your bicycle to make your rides more comfortable, now that you are taller.  You can click on the following link to find out what I mean.

How do I get the bike fit done? 

If the attendants at the bike shop are not able to give you the advice you need or you are advised to replace it, you can refer to the following table for other types of bicycle available in the market. It will also help you to decide if you should replace your current bike.

Which direction should your tyres be installed?

 Which direction should your tyres be installed?  Look at the direction of the knobs in the middle part of your tyres. 

The square-edge side offer resistance under braking while the angled edge maximize rolling speed. The square edges provide the "bite" for traction. When the square edge of the knobs of the rear tyre faces backward, they provide maximum grip for acceleration. When the square edge of the knobs on the front tyre faces forward they provide maximum grip when braking.

This is why some manufacturers provide different directional arrows for tyres that are installed on the front or rear wheels. If the tread on your tyres are symmetrical, like in most slick tyres, it does not matter if you do not follow the rotational arrows marked on them.

They are other factors that affect pedaling power and braking. You should go for tyres with deeper tread and wide spacing for better traction. The wide spacing between knobs helps shed mud and debris, which prevents the tread from packing up with dirt and losing traction As they provide better grip and prevent slippage, they also provide better braking power. However, you will experience greater rolling resistance which means that you will require more energy to maintain your speed.

Avoid choosing tyres with closer and smaller knobs in the centre as it will reduce the traction when you ride on soft or loose terrain like mud, snow, or loose gravel. However, it will be easier for you to pedal, especially, when you are cycling over hard-packed or paved surfaces.

Do you have to make a lot of turns where you often ride? If you need better traction when you make turns, go for tyres with big side knobs. They will provide reliable grip and control when you lean your bicycle into corners on uneven terrain.

Bicycle tyres manufacturer perform research and development (R&D) to enhance the performance of their product. So, shouldn’t we be following their instructions on installation? The question should be what is more important for you when you ride your bicycle. Do you prefer better pedaling power or higher braking power? Test by changing the rotation of your tyres to see what is best for you. There is no right or wrong answer as you can see in this video.