Can a quality bike be ordered from an online retailer? If so, 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 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.

What combinations on a 7x3 would be cross chaining?

You will receive a “Bike Owner's Manual” if you buy bicycles of reputable brands. If you do not have one, just google “Bike Owner's Manual” to find one.

If you take a look at page 6 of “Bike Owner's Manual” supplied by Apollo, you will see a diagram on “Recommended Chainwheel/Rear Sprocket Gear Combinations”


Chain crossing will wear out your chain and damage your drivetrain sooner than it should. So, avoid setting your gears so that your chain sits on the chainring and sprocket as marked “X” on the diagram.

Customers who buy bicycles with gears from Jom Johan will be given a chart to advise how gears should be used for efficient cycling and to prevent drivetrain from being damaged any sooner than it should.

Why is there no stand in a cycle?

If you are cycling on a MTB with a kickstand attached, cycling on rough terrain could be dangerous. It could drop down to its parking position during a bump. The stand can easily get itself hooked to obstacles along the way like roots or rocks causing you to have an accident. This can cause serious injury not only to you but also to the person cycling behind or beside you should he fall right on your protruding stand.

You can easily buy one to install if there is none supplied with the bicycle. Note that if you use a kickstand, you do need a flat surface to stand your bicycle on. So, that may defeat the purpose of getting one if places you plan to cycle to are uneven or gets soft or muddy during rainy days. However, if you like tinkering with your bike or adding stuff to it, it is easier to do so if it is standing properly with a kickstand.

Most road bike users would not want a stand installed to reduce weight.

If I bike 6 miles a day, will I see a difference over time?

That depends on how you take care of yourself.

1) Your skin is going to be darker if you do not have proper suntan on.
2) You can easily fall sick if you are not properly attired for the ride.
3) You can get stressed out due to pollution, foul weather, issues with bicycle, bad roads/terrain and heavy traffic, especially if, you are not cycling in a bike friendly district or country.



So, before you start, made sure that the routes that you are taking are safe for cycling. Take public transport part of the way if the distance is too much to bear (in the beginning). Check what the weather is like to be properly attired and UV protected.

To cut unnecessary stress, check out these points to make sure that you are really ready to cycle.
Ready To Ride?

Once you have got it right, after cycling for a period of time, these are the changes you will see.

1) Your buttock will not ache as much as you develop muscles there.
2) You will sweat it out as you cycle and that will make you lose some weight.
3) You will build up your cadence and find it easier to cycle as you get more competent with your gears.
4) You may find new friends cycling the same route.
5) You can see more clearly what is going on around the district you are cycling through.
6) You will build up your stamina and endurance for other physical activities.
7) You will consider using your bicycle more often to run errands.
8) You may develop a sense of adventure and want to explore new routes that only a bicycle can take you. Maybe even a trip outstation or overseas on your bicycle.
9) You will consider getting a better bicycle as you understand it better through your rides.
10) You may even feel competitive enough to join a cycling event.
11) Your group of cycling friends will expand.
12) You are likely to carry stuff and add more gizmo on your bicycle like bags, bike tools, a cycle computer or even a GoPro to record more interesting rides.
13) You become more particular about the handlebar, saddle, tyres and tubes you use on your bicycle.

These are actually the differences I noticed in my customers after they have been cycling for a period of time.

How do I get the bike fit done on a cycle?

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? 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.

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. Sometimes, you may have to change the seatpost if you can’t push the seatpost down any lower as the bolts installed for the cage could be blocking the way. To resolve that, you can change seatpost to one that is shorter in length or have it cut shorter by the shop.

Now get off the saddle and straddle over the toptube. Is your crotch area touching it? If it is, ask the shop to let you try one with a smaller frame size. So, 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 is usually printed on the frame where the seatpost is inserted, just below the toptube.

It is safer to buy the bicycle if your crotch area is about 2–3 inches away from the toptube as you straddle over it. That way, should you have an accident and fall, you will not be hurt by the toptube.

Is it easier to do tricks on BMX bikes than on MTB bikes? Why?

It is not only easier to do tricks on a Bicycle Motocross (BMX), it is also cheaper on the pocket as it is a no gear bike and you can choose those made of steel. There are also more spokes on the rims so they will not be damaged as easily. 

There are also BMX with with alloy sport rims which make them even stronger for hard landings.

If they are not already supplied, you can install axle pegs as foot rest so that you can “stand” on your rear or front wheel as you perform your tricks.



While you stand on your rear wheel, you can do a 360 degree spin of your front wheel in mid air because the brake cables will not be entangled as they are routed through a gyro brake system.

Children from age six can start riding on a BMX because its wheelsize is commonly 20”. The size makes it easier to perform jumps and mid-air flipping and twisting with it. It will still be comfortable for children who have grown up to a height of 5′ 3″ to ride because of the top tube length, the higher handlebar and the way the seatpost bends backward. It is a bicycle that a child can horn his riding skills right up to adulthood.

BMX is a bicycle I would recommend parents who are looking for a low maintenance bicycle for their kids. It is definitely suitable for children who are rough riders or adults who like to ride over obstacles found on streets to perform stunts.

What size BMX bike should I get?

Children age six and above should not have any problem cycling on a 20" BMX.  If the toptube is 18" to 20" in length, a child of 5ft 3in in height should still be able to ride on the bike comfortably.

The good part about BMX is that if you opt for a larger size bike and the reach is too far for you at the moment, its handlebar is high and can be moved forward nearer towards you as you sit on the saddle.

Sit on the BMX of your choice, adjust the seatpost so that the tip of your feet touches the floor while you sit on the saddle. Place your hands on the handlebar and feel if it is a comfortable reach for you. Adjust the handlebar forward if it is too far away. Note that your arms should be stretched out comfortably. If your elbows are bent as you hold the handlebar, look for one with a longer toptube length.

In choosing wheel size, make sure that it is easy for you to find the tyres and tubes when replacements are required. Some tyres with size in fractions maybe difficult to find. Examples of such sizes are 20x1 3/8, 20x1 1/8, 24x1 3/8, 24x1 1/8, 26x1 1/8.