The Bike Guyz @ Alternatives :|: FAQ's

FAQ's

What is the most important advice you can give to a cycling enthusiast or to a parent buying a bike for a child?
How do I make my bike more comfortable?
Does my bike need a tune up?
Do I need a women's specific bike?
Where can I get information on Group Bike Rides?
Do you need to wear proper cycling clothing to ride a bike?
Where should I buy my bicycle?
What style of bike is right for you?
Where should I take my bicycle for repairs and maintenance?
What are the essentials for cycling?

What is the most important advice you can give to a cycling enthusiast or to a parent buying a bike for a child?

Well there is an old adage that “you get what you pay for” and this certainly applies to bikes. So if you are in the market for a bike, shop around, compare prices and understand why some are more expensive than others. Do not forget, “you get what you pay for.”
If you are buying for a child and you want a bike to withstand heavy usage, be prepared to pay more. Or if you want a bike that can be passed down to younger children, get one that has long lasting components such as wheels, shifters and derailleurs. Your salesperson should be able to provide you with the advice you require.
If you are a bike enthusiast you will want gear shifts that are accurate and do not skip. This will add greatly to the pleasure of your ride. There is nothing more important than being able to stop your bike quickly so make sure you get break levers that are easy to squeeze. This obviously applies to your child’s bike but in addition make absolutely certain that the lever can be adjusted (on a break lever travel) so their small hands can reach them and operate them properly.
And when buying a bike be sure you get to ride it before making the final decision. Test ride two or three if you are not sure. Test riding a bike will also give you the opportunity to evaluate the quality of the bike assembly
It is perhaps even more important that your child takes a few bikes for test rides. Is it easy to mount and dismount? Does it feel right? Is it easy to operate the gears and breaks?

How do I make my bike more comfortable?

It’s not uncommon to experience discomfort when riding your bike. There are many reasons for this including wrong size, fit or product selection.

A quality saddle can provide the right support, cut and profile and they’re available in both men and women specific designs.
Bike shorts are equivalent to a good pair of running shoes. A quality pair of shorts provides the support where you need it.
Proper setup and sizing of your saddle is the best way to obtain the ultimate comfort on your bike. The correct saddle position, stem length / height and bar width are just a few of the factors that when set-up correctly result in a bike that is enjoyable to ride.
A specialty bike shop should have all the solutions to make your ride enjoyable and comfortable.

Does my bike need a tune up?

Protect your investment......
We at The Bike Guyz offer a quality maintenance and repair service program. It’s important to have a tune up on your bike every season to ensure that it is safe, roadworthy and efficient.
Sometimes the shifting on your bike is not quite right, perhaps there are wear issues.
Did you know?
Your chain should be changed every 2500kms.
And cables and brake pads sometimes should be changed multiple times per season.
Do you have frequent flat tires?
Even though your tire still has tread doesn't mean it isn’t worn out.
The structure of the tire can deteriorate due to riding conditions and age.
Also, using a bike on an indoor trainer significantly reduces the life of the tire.
Our experienced technicians offer:
Tune ups for gears and brakes
Fork overhauls
Bike set up and custom design
New tires, and
Wheel builds
So whether you are a weekend warrior with the kids, or an avid road or mountain biker, get your bike in early for its spring tune up.

Do I need a women's specific bike?

Women and men are not designed the same. We at The Bike Guyz know this and stock a wide variety of products to cater specifically to women.
Our women’s specific bikes make your ride more enjoyable. Here are a few of the things that we offer to create the perfect bike fit for you:
smaller grips and shorter brake lever reach for smaller hands
handlebar width is reduced to accommodate smaller shoulder width
a seat that is specifically designed for women
suspension forks that are softer for reduced body weight
and finally great colors and designs so you look great out there this summer
We also carry a large selection of clothing, shoes, helmets and accessories that are specifically designed for women.
Check us out in the store.....or at thebikegirlz.com

Where can I get information on Group Bike Rides?

Wednesday evening rides
East Side
This road bike ride leaves from the Gondola Point ferry at 6:15PM weather permitting. During the peak season this ride can go up to 44 kms.
All riders must wear a helmet and bring replacement tubes and tools. Any questions regarding East Side rides please call Simon at 633-1500.
Sunday rides
East Side
This ride leaves from the Gondola Point ferry at 1:00 pm. The time will change to 9:00 am when the weather warms up so a call to Simon at 633-1500 is advisable to be certain of the start time. This is a 55 to 85 km ride.
All riders must wear a helmet and bring replacement tubes and tools. Any question regarding east side rides please call Simon at 633-1500.

Do you need to wear proper cycling clothing to ride a bike?

No, but it will be more comfortable and you will enjoy better performance. The main differences are the type of material and the fit of the clothing.
I can not emphasize enough how much more comfortable wicking materials are over cotton. The purpose of these synthetic materials is to wick moisture from your skin to the top layer of the material. This keeps you cool in the summer and insulates against the cold in the winter. Cotton becomes heavy and wet once you start to sweat and this can lead to chaffing.
When purchasing a cycling jersey (of wicking material of course) you may want to look for a jersey with pockets in the back. This is handy for carrying things like food or a spare tube. Look to a jersey with a generous zipper for ease of putting on and taking off.
Cycling shorts come in different prices, and this is because of the chamois or padding. The chamois can have different qualities and even different densities. Also the number of panels can vary. The more seams, the higher the quality as it makes your shorts seem like a girdle. The tighter the short the less it will shift. More panels also help reduce muscle fatigue
Cycling socks should wick and fit tightly to the form of your foot to reduce the chance of blistering.
Sport bras can be purchased in wicking materials just like the rest of your clothing. Purchase one and you’ll never go back to cotton!
The great thing about all of this clothing, other than the padded shorts, is the versatility for other activities like running, hiking and cross-country skiing.

Where should I buy my bicycle?

In my opinion you want to buy your bicycle at a store that specializes in bicycles and all aspects of cycling. We have four of them in the Greater Saint John area.
I am referring to the independant bicycle dealer (IBD). There you will find staff who know and understand the product and who are enthusiastic cyclists. They can assist you in selecting the correct bike based on where you plan to ride (road or trails) and what type of riding you want (smooth gravel paths, bumpy trails). They will also explain why bicycles vary in price. You might be better of paying more for your bicycle to get better components, a longer life or better warranties.
Wherever you buy your bicycle, it is extremely important to test ride it before you make a decision. Try a few different models or even styles. Make sure it fits properly and is comfortable. Also make sure your bicycle is properly adjusted before you take it home.
You should also be thinking about after purchase maintenance. What if your gears stop shifting correctly? What if the cables stretch after use? Is the store where you purchased your bike willing to service it? Do they know how to service it? IBD’s will be able to service you bicycle year round.

What style of bike is right for you?

Your choices are road, hybrid, mountain, recumbent, BMX, tandem, and unicycle.
If you plan to ride on pavement then consider a road or hybrid style. The road style gives extra speed with the curved handlebars and narrow racing tires. The hybrid provides more comfort with the upright position and the slightly wider tires that absorbs more of the bumps.
The mountain bike has been the most popular choice in recent years for a number of reasons. You can ride it anywhere! It has wide handlebars, easy gearing and very wide tires for comfort and stability.
Recumbents are a style of bike that has a seat with a back rest and your feet extend out in front of you. This bike is very fast and is good for those with bad backs who want to keep riding.
The BMX is for the kids or the kids-at-heart. These bikes have small 20' & 24' tires. The handlebars can spin around and there are pegs mounted onto the axles. These bikes are designed for dirt jumping or ramp (vert) riding. You may have seen them on TV on the X or Gravity Games!
Have you ever seen two people on a bike with two seats? Then you’ve witnessed a tandem bicycle in motion. These can be driven on the road or the trails and are great for a couple who like doing things together. Be careful with the l-o-n-g wheelbase!
Unicycles were traditionally for circus entertainers but now they are used for more than a juggling act. Riders are hopping over obstacles, riding on wooden ladder bridges, and even on mountain bike trails.
Not sure what to buy? Let an experienced cyclist at an Independent Bike Dealer (IBD) help you make the right decision.

Where should I take my bicycle for repairs and maintenance?

My recommendation is to take it to a repair shop operated by an Independent Bicycle Dealer (IBD). There you will find technicians that can fix a multitude of repairs and make adjustments you probably didn’t even know you needed. Bike repair shops provide many services like tune-ups, overhauls, repairs, wheel building, and installation of accessories. So if you are not sure how to do something, let a professional do it for you.
All kinds of things can go wrong with a bicycle. Just look at the many moving parts! A bike repair shop will offer a basic tune-up that will cover both operating and safety issues. In the spring, before each riding season, you should have gears, cables and brakes adjusted as well as the bearings in your wheels, headset, and bottom bracket. You should have your chain lubricated, and your tires properly inflated. Making sure your bicycle is in good working order ensures a fun ride and motivates you to use it more often. (At Alternatives we provide a life time of tune-ups on all the bikes we sell).
There are many things that can go wrong with your bike that are easy for a technician to solve. Things like your wheel rubbing against the brakes every rotation. To fix this we 'true' the wheel. That means to straighten it. If you are constantly tightening loose parts after each ride then it is definitely time to replace them. A bike mechanic will quickly identify these problems.
If you feel there is something wrong with your bicycle take it to the repair shop and let a technician look at it. They have the tools and the experience to solve your problems. A technician must see your bike to give a quote. Never accept a quote over the phone.

What are the essentials for cycling?

To me, the essentials are accessories that provide safety while riding.
Most important is a helmet. About 75% of cycling fatalities are due to cyclists falling and hitting their head. Make sure your helmet fits properly. Helmets are lighter now, have more air vents, and most have a retention system to keep the helmet firmly in place.
Reflectors and lights increase your visibility. While reflectors are standard on a bicycle, additional battery operated lights will increase your chances of being seen by motorists. Flashing lights that attach to your seat post and handlebar are excellent attention getters because drivers are not used to seeing the blinking light.
Safety flags are bright orange and either extend up from the bicycle or out from the left of the bicycle. The upright flag increases your visibility while the flag that extends to the left is a guide for motorists.
Glasses are a good idea whether they are clear or for the sun. If you ride in the woods or on the road, glasses will help keep dust, branches, and bugs out of your eyes. They can also prevent you from scratching an eyeball.
Gloves will protect the palm of your hand in the event of a crash. When falling off a bicycle most people instinctively put out a hand or two and incur road or trail rash. Look for at least a quarter-finger glove or even a full-finger glove.
Water is also another safety issue. If you become dehydrated you can become dizzy. Most bikes have the ability to mount two water bottles and if you want to get real fancy there are hydration packs that fit like a back pack. These allow you to carry more water and the water tends to taste better because of the quality of the bladder.
I hope this information if of use. Happy riding!!